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8.20.2009 DENR’s “Zero Basura” Program Launched
 In support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s nationwide campaign on mitigating the impact of climate change, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently launched a program designed to reduce solid waste generation of the country by 50% in the next six months. Entitled the “Green Movement Agenda: Our Strategy for Local Action” (GMA-SLA), the program will focus on a “Zero Basura” Action Plan that is geared to prioritize, operationalize, institutionalize and fast-track the implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Waste Management Act of 2001 involving local government units. DENR Secretary Lito Atienza said that the directive of President Arroyo to reduce the volume of solid waste by 50% not only reflects the country’s on-going garbage problem but also the need for more concerted and conscientious effort of local leaders and the people to implement the solid waste management program. It also calls for DENR to seriously enforce RA 9003. “The threat of climate change to humanity cannot be overemphasized. But the ways by which the government can help address it are many, such as the proper management of our garbage. If our garbage is not properly attended to, it will produce methane, a greenhouse gas whose warming potential is 20 times greater than that of carbon dioxide,” Atienza further stressed. Last December 26, 2008, President Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 774 entitled “Reorganizing the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change” and appointed the DENR to head the Task Group on Solid Waste Management. With the support of President Arroyo, Atienza reiterated his call for LGUs as well as the public to “conquer garbage” through a “zero-waste lifestyle” because “it is the LGUs who are mandated as the prime movers” of the program. Supervising the implementation of the GMA-SLA program from the national down to the local government units is the concurrent Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) Gerardo Calderon. He is also DENR’s Assistant Secretary (ASEC) for Local Government Concerns and Lands. During the “Zero Basura Caravan” held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel last July 17, 2009, ASEC Calderon updated the President on the undertakings of GMA-SLA program divulging that as of June of 2009, 30% of 930 existing open and controlled dumpsites in the country have been rehabilitated for closure. Calderon added that there were also 26 facilities that have been improved to sanitary landfill facilities or have been transformed into an integrated solid waste management facility or Ecoparks by various local government units. On the other hand, Calderon also reported that out of 42,000 barangays all over the country, 5,508 of it are being serviced by 5,070 Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) or a compliance rate of 13.11%. The said figure is a 126% increase from the 2008 figure. “Zero Basura Caravan” is in coordination with the FOURmula 1 Program of the Department of Health. Over the past four months, the Caravan was able to reach out to all the 13 Regional Clusters in the country to harmonize various local actions to pursue the objectives of the RA 9003.
posted by Webmaster @ 1:34 PM
565T Worth of Logs Seized in Tagum City
A total of 565T worth miscellaneous logbolts were recently seized at Cabaywa, Asuncion, Davao del Norte through the joint efforts of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Tagum City, Philippine National Police, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR)- LGU.
CENR Officer of Tagum City Julius S. Valdez disclosed that the seized logs has a total volume of 141.38 and were loaded in five trucks with plate numbers JBV-548, JBS-541, GNH-680, LFB-266 and GGJ-716. Aside from these confiscations Valdez said they have also confiscations in Talaingod, Davao Norte and 88 pieces of lauan or 38.93 cu.m. in Kapalong. Valdez said he is thankful for the full support of DENR-XI Director Jim Sampulna, the LGU and the PNP that made all the accomplishments possible. Formal charges will be filed against the perpetrators for violation of Section 68 of Presidential Decree (PD 705) otherwise known as the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines. Director Jim O Sampulna, on the other hand, lauded those who seized the illegally cut and transported forest products. He stressed that this is an offshoot of the strengthened campaign of the DENR against the despoilers of the forests. “ I would like to reiterate that DENR-XI has the full support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the fight against illegal loggers plus we have the support of the community, so there is no way out for them. We are bent on running after them” he added. It can be recalled that DENR-XI and the AFP forged earlier this year a Memorandum of Agreement on the fight against illegal logging in Region XI. This is in response to DENR Secretary Lito Atienza’s “one-strike policy” emphasizing that the regional officials will not only exercise authority but also observe accountability in ensuring that the environment and natural resources in their area of jurisdiction are preserved and protected. Click   ">here to see slideshow
posted by Webmaster @ 12:10 PM
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