Environment
Manila Bay waters off Bataan now 'swimmable'
April 3, 2019, 3:24 pm
MANILA – Efforts to rehabilitate Manila Bay are beginning to bear fruit. According to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu, he received reports swimming is already possible in some waters off Bataan province which is among areas along Manila Bay.… Read More
Top property developer joins Manila Bay rehab
April 2, 2019, 5:54 pm
MANILA -- Government gained another partner for rehabilitating Manila Bay. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday signed with integrated property developer SM Prime Holdings (SMPH) Inc. the memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizing the company’s participation… Read More
Simultaneous MM river cleanup on March 31
March 30, 2019, 2:16 pm
MANILA -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will spearhead a simultaneous cleanup of waterways draining into the Manila Bay on Sunday. Called the "Battle for the Rivers and Esteros", the simultaneous cleanup is among the activities to rehabilitate Manila Bay so it would… Read More
Pangasinan irrigation not in peril despite El Niño
March 29, 2019, 4:14 pm
MANILA -- Pangasinan province may face a two-month drought and delayed onset of this year's rainy season due to the El Niño phenomenon but will likely still get enough irrigation water for the upcoming planting season. "San Roque Dam has much water and can well irrigate Pangasinan's fields until… Read More
Reclamation bid not behind Manila Bay rehab: DILG exec
March 28, 2019, 9:03 pm
MANILA -- An official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has dismissed speculations that the government is rehabilitating Manila Bay to pave the way for a reclamation project. “When the President (Rodrigo R. Duterte) decided to undertake the work, it was clear (that)… Read More
Freshwater coastal erosion alters global carbon budget: study
March 28, 2019, 5:58 pm
CHICAGO -- Shoreline erosion can transform freshwater wetlands from carbon-storage pools to carbon sources, according to a study led by researchers at Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS), part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois (UI). A news release posted on UI's… Read More
Impact of El Niño may worsen more in April
March 24, 2019, 11:27 am
MANILA -- Drought-driving El Niño phenomenon may cause drier and warmer conditions nationwide this April. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) said way-below normal rainfall in 26 provinces and below-normal rainfall in 57 provinces are possible next month. It… Read More
Ex-Cabinet members seek more rainwater harvesting
March 23, 2019, 6:11 pm
MANILA -- Two former Cabinet officials are advocating more investments in rainwater harvesting nationwide to increase supply of water for agriculture and other uses while addressing disasters like flooding. The Philippines annually receives about 2,400 mm of rainfall -- one of the world's highest… Read More
No MM water quota reduction yet
March 23, 2019, 4:23 pm
MANILA -- Metro Manila may still receive its full share of water heading into April and May – the warmest months in this area -- amid the drought-driving El Niño phenomenon's continuing onslaught. National Water Resources Board (NWRB) executive director, Dr. Sevillo David Jr., said they will… Read More
DENR beefs up efforts to protect forests, watersheds vs. fires
March 22, 2019, 6:57 pm
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is stepping up efforts to protect forests and watersheds, particularly in Bulacan, against fires which could be triggered by the extended dry season brought about by the El Niño. Some 200 forest and fire… Read More
Dry season begins: PAGASA
March 22, 2019, 5:24 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday officially announced the onset of the dry season. The country will gradually become warmer, though isolated thunderstorms are likely to occur, it said. PAGASA Administrator Vicente… Read More
Experts advocate water demand management
March 22, 2019, 4:48 pm
MANILA -- Various experts raised the urgency for water demand management in the country to help guard against adverse situations, such as the water shortage gripping private concessionaire Manila Water Company, Inc. (MWCI). "What we usually look at is supply and need to increase this but we… Read More
Task force demolishes defiant Boracay resort
March 20, 2019, 5:04 pm
MANILA -- The government’s inter-agency task force on Tuesday dismantled a Boracay resort, which failed to heed orders to self-demolish for violating the 30-meter easement rule, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The DENR-led Boracay Inter-Agency Task… Read More
Expert seeks water sector's harmonization
March 19, 2019, 9:09 pm
MANILA -- An expert sees to need harmonize functions of the agencies comprising the country's water sector. Such harmonization will help improve management of water resources nationwide, noted Exec. Dir. Dr. Sevillo David Jr. of National Water Resources Board (NWRB), the agency responsible… Read More
Online game to boost forest advocacy
March 19, 2019, 9:08 pm
MANILA -- An online game offering a PHP100,000 prize aims to help promote knowledge and activities that will benefit forests nationwide. Local app-based trivia game show, "Paydro Live", will feature this Thursday (March 21) questions on the country's forests so people can learn more about these… Read More
Marine animals killed by plastic alarm environmentalist
March 19, 2019, 1:42 pm
MANILA -- An environmentalist has called for immediate ‘large-scale’ action against plastic pollution after a young whale was found dead on the shores of Compostela Valley with 40kgs of plastic in its stomach on March 15. “The frequency of which marine animals are dying due to plastic… Read More
Group opposes QC garbage incinerator plan
March 13, 2019, 9:10 pm
MANILA -- An environmental group on Wednesday opposed the plan of the Quezon City government to put up a waste-to-energy facility with the Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Covanta Energy, LLC and the Macquarie Group, Ltd. In a statement, No Burn Pilipinas (NBP) denounced the Quezon City government… Read More
Barangays to help clean up Tullahan River
March 12, 2019, 7:27 pm
MANILA -- Villages (barangays) along Tullahan River and its tributaries will formally join the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in cleaning up these waterways. These local government units (LGUs) will simultaneously sign next week their respective agreements, spelling out… Read More
Wildlife trafficking needs tougher international response
March 6, 2019, 4:10 pm
MANILA -- An expert raised urgency for tighter international collaboration against wildlife trafficking. Wildlife trafficking is a multi-million dollar illicit business activity that's able to transcend national borders for being embedded in legal trade, noted Department of Environment and… Read More
World Wildlife Day focuses on ‘life below water’ for first time
March 5, 2019, 6:33 pm
MANILA -- The environment department's Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) is calling on all sectors to further help conserve wildlife nationwide and protect it from illegal trade, environmental degradation and other threats. "Humans, being the highest form of life, are tasked to protect,… Read More
