Environmental Protection, Conservation, and Rehabilitation

[venntro]

Reposting here..

Originally Posted by tonight

Turn off your lights, for just one hour
By Veronica Uy

MANILA, Philippines—One million Filipinos who switched off their lights for one hour in last year's Earth Hour campaign were able to save at least 54 megawatts of energy, equivalent to the output of one power plant, Earth Hour organizers said Wednesday.

At the launch of this year's Earth Hour, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes urged more Filipinos to join the movement this year and switch off their lights for just one hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 28.

More than the hour of energy saved, the worldwide campaign seeks to instill more environment-friendly lifestyle. It encourages the use of more renewable energy than fossil-based energy.

Reyes said that this year, the Philippine campaign aims to involve 10 million. Worldwide, the target is 1 billion people.

"Worldwide the Philippines was number nine last year. I expect that we will be number one in the world this year," the energy secretary said.

Cathy Maceda, of the Switch Movement, said people can save energy by switching from incandescent bulbs to the more energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps. She said every one million such switches is equivalent to 47 megawatts saved.

"One power plant is equivalent to 47 megawatts. If 13 million such switches are made, as Switch's target for this year is, we don't have to put up 13 power plants," she said.

Maceda that various churches have agreed to participate by urging their flock to reflect on how to save energy and therefore save the earth.

Mother Earth's Odette Alcantara said she considers Earth Hour "a holy hour, a sacred hour to listen to the silence, and in the dark, feel the effects of the climate change that we have brought upon ourselves."

[tonight]

Originally Posted by Arciga_01

Para maging sucessful pa to, dapat ang meralco at iba pang powerplants ay mag shut down!

Para nationwide "lights off" talaga

baka matagalan mag-generate kung power plants mag shut down
tama si @venntro voluntary lang talaga

[dinabaw]

PIA Press Release
2009/03/05

Two Hamuiguitan mammals still being verified if they are new species

by RG Alama

Davao City (5 March) -- Scientists in the Field Museum in Chicago are verifying the specimens of two unknown species of mammals captured in Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental if indeed they are newly discovered species.

According to Jayson Ibanez, research coordinator of the Philippine Eagle Foundation or PEF which organized the research expedition to Mt. Hamiguitan, the two species were captured two years ago along with a specimen of a hairy-tailed rodent.

In December 2008 after two years of study, the hairy-tailed rodent was declared as newly discovered specie found only in Mount Hamiguitan. It is the first mammal to be described from anywhere in Eastern Mindanao and is the first mammal that is thought to be endemic in that area.

It was named as the Hamiguitan batomys or the Hamiguitan hairy-tailed rat with a scientific name Batomys Hamiguitan.

Ibanez said that the other two species is an insect-eating bat and a Podogymnura, a kind of rodent who feeds on forest earthworms, the species were found in the same vicinity where the Hamiguitan botomys was located, an area less than 10 square kilometers and in an elevation estimated to be at 950 meters above sea level.

He said they cannot ascertain as to when the scientific declaration will be released as usually the discovery of a new species is published in a scientific paper. Ibanez said that the Batomys which was captured in May 2006 was only declared a new species in December 2008.

According to him the process spanning two years that took the scientist to declare the Hamiguitan Batomys as a new species is faster compared to the process undergone by other newly discovered animal species.

With the discovery of a new species and other potential new mammals Mt. Hamiguitan could be considered as a biological hotspot or according to Ibanez a center of endinism or an area where new species of animal and plant life still unknown to man abound.

Mt. Hamiguitan has an existing forest cover of 34,000 hectares of which only 6,000 hectares are considered as protected area. The still verdant mountain is located in one of the country's richest mineral reserves and in Mt. Hamiguitan alone about six mining agreements covers an area of about 17,000 hectares of forests.

The PEF along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Chicago-based Field Museum are working to learn about the biological diversity and conservation status of the region before the habitats are damaged by these developments.

In 2005 to 2006 about four scientific expeditions to Hamiguitan lasting from three weeks to a month were conducted which netted in not just unique mammal species but also potential newly-discovered plant species. (PIA XI) [top]

PIA News

[pi_malejana]

wala lang.. naiinis lang ako dun sa PAWS (tama ba??) regarding dun daw sa concerns nila about dun sa depopulation nung mga baboy na may virus... gusto pa nila pakainin pa mga baboy... nangugulo lang sila imHo... imbis na mapabilis or mapatipid na ung mission, sali sali pa itong mga organization na ito...

[tonight]

366 trees to be incorporated in the hotel-casino project in SBMA
By Ben R. Rosario

The 366 centuries-old trees that were originally set to be felled to give way to a proposed casino-hotel and golf course at Subic Freeport will be spared by the South Korean developer commissioned to implement the project.

At a congressional hearing yesterday, Eric Park, manager of Gran Utopia Corporation, assured the Lower House members that he will alter the development plan of the project to incorporate trees into the structures his firm will put up.

Park appeared at the hearing conducted by the House Committee on Bases Conversion to clarify accusations that the proposed project, to be financed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), would include the cutting of 366 trees, most of which are endangered species.

The SBMA, headed by administrator Armand Arreza, reportedly did not object to the original plan, although Park admitted that it may still be revised to save the trees.

Park categorically said their company would be amenable to the proposal of Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga to incorporate the 366 endangered trees in its development plan rather than cutting them.

“We could alter the development plan as long as we are allowed to pursue this project,” Park told the panel.

Architect Felino Palafox Jr., the urban planner who exposed SBMA’s consent to the tree cutting, insisted earlier that the idea is highly feasible, as his architectural firm had designed in several of its projects.

[venntro]

Atienza to discuss sea mammals' strange behavior at CTI meet
Updated March 09, 2009 12:00 AM


MANILA, Philippines - Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza will discuss the recent peculiar phenomena which occurred within Philippine waters in the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) meeting schedule next week in Papua New Guinea.

In a speech delivered during Rotary International’s “Saving Planet Earth” conference and exhibit at the Insular Life Auditorium in Makati City, Atienza said he will confer with the other member countries of the CTI the abnormal behavior of dolphins and whales (melon-head and pilot) that wanted to get out of the water and beach themselves at the coasts of Bataan last month and Romblon the other day.

The Coral Triangle, where Philippines is at the apex, covers some 5.7 million sq. km. and is considered the global center of marine biodiversity, with over 600 reef-building coral species or 75 percent of all known coral species in the world and more than 3,000 fish species. Member countries include Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Solomon Islands and the Philippines.

“We want to understand, as well as pinpoint, the reason why these sea mammals have been acting unusual. We suspect that these are caused by underwater quakes or change in temperature brought about by global warming and climate change,” Atienza said.

Initially, the DENR deemed these as effects of dynamite fishing but, since it also happened in Singapore not too long ago, the department is seriously conducting studies to determine the explanation for such happening.

According to Atienza, there are no dynamite fishing activities in Singapore and the illegal activity has been taking place in the Philippines for decades which the DENR has been doing its best to eradicate. “So, why are these dolphins and whales acting so strange,” Atienza questioned.

“Luckily, the sea mammals were saved by the Filipinos’ bayanihan spirit and natural care for the environment when local government units (LGUs), townsfolk and fishermen, altogether, drove the dolphins and whales back to the sea,” Atienza added.

Atienza also said that because of what happened, the DENR is preparing an advisory for all LGUs on what they should do in case another peculiar phenomenon occurs.

[venntro]

Bike protest versus BNPP rehab set today
Updated March 09, 2009 12:00 AM


MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Hundreds of cyclists will go around the towns of Bataan today to protest the proposed rehabilitation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), which they call the “monster of Morong.”

Dubbed as “Peace Cycling for Nuclear-Free Bataan,” the 40-kilometer bike protest will start in Barangay Layac, Hermosa town and proceed to Balanga City and Bagac town, and finally in Morong. – Dino Balabo

[venntro]

Rapu-Rapu maintains ISO environmental ratings
Updated March 10, 2009 12:00 AM


MANILA, Philippines - Project Director Scott Kim of LG International Corp. announced recently that the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP) has successfully passed the Surveillance Audits for its ISO 14001 certifications for environmental managements systems (EMS) since it earned these for its mining and mineral processing operations in August 2008 and February 2008, respectively. The semi-annual audits are required to maintain ISO certifications. The latest audit was conducted by independent external auditor CIPI at the end of January 2008.

The ISO 14001 certifications signify that the environmental management systems of Rapu-Rapu adhere to globally recognized standards, Kim said, and that the project is environmentally compliant. He added that substantial measures to strengthen environmental protection continue to be put in place with the resumption of operations last October. The new project investors are Philco Resources Ltd. (a joint venture of LG International Corp. and Korea Resources Corp.), and the Malaysian Smelting Corp.

“It is integral to our success to take continuous steps to enhance protection of the environment and the local residents of Rapu-Rapu,” Kim said. The island is a two-and-a-half boat trip from Legaspi City, Albay.

Since July, 2008 the new RRPP shareholders have deposited P35 million into an escrow fund for its Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan (FMRDP). The fund will cover the rehabilitation and decommissioning of the mine when extraction operations end. “RRPP was not required to start the trust fund until the FMRDP has been approved, but in good faith, we have begun making these deposits,” Kim said. The advances are the first ever to be made by any local mining project before approval of its FMRDP.

[venntro]

15-inch butanding rescued in Sorsogon
By Katherine Adraneda Updated March 10, 2009 12:00 AM


A marine conservation officer holds a baby whale shark, which was found with a rope on its tail tied to a stick in Pilar town, Sorsogon. WWF
MANILA, Philippines - A 15-inch whale shark, locally known as butanding, has been found in Sorsogon.

Conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) reported yesterday that the rescue of what could be the smallest whale shark in the country, and perhaps in the world, might lead to answers to the mystery of where the sea creatures breed.

According to the WWF, the baby whale shark was caught last Friday in nearby San Antonio, a barangay of Pilar town, adjacent to Donsol in Sorsogon and was allegedly about to be sold.

A Butanding Interaction Officer (BOI) from Donsol town identified as Embet Guadamor alerted the municipal agricultural officer as well as WWF’s project leader in Donsol, Elson Aca, as soon as he received the information Saturday morning.

“A veteran of several years of fieldwork, including a multi-year stint with humpback whales in the Babuyan Islands, Elson (Aca) knew instinctively what to do. Now in stranding response mode, he grabbed his camera, cell phone and a copy of Fisheries Administrative Order 193, protecting whale sharks, and rushed to the Tourism Office,” related Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, vice-chairman and CEO of WWF-Philippines.

A team consisting of the tourism officer, agricultural officer, BIO, and Aca quickly drew up an operational plan to rescue the small whale shark, which WWF-Philippines christened the “Million Dollar Baby” for its significance and rarity.

They found the whale shark with a rope around its tail tied to a stick stuck into the sand.

The team freed the shark and checked to see that the animal was unhurt. They then documented the discovery and measured the shark, which was 15 inches from tip to tail. They put the whale shark in a large plastic bag with water to allow it to swim freely in preparation for release.

About three hours later, the team boarded a banca and took it out to deep water, where it was less likely to get entangled in a fish net, and set it free.

Tan said many researches have been done worldwide on whale sharks, but to date, no one knows where the whale sharks breed or give birth.

Tan noted that the whale shark rescued in Pilar town last Saturday was so small that “it was probably born (there) and could have been what biologists call a neo-nate.”

“Not only is this animal the smallest live whale shark on record ever to be captured and released here in the Philippines, it is also the first indication that the Philippines, at the apex of the Coral Triangle, is probably one of the places on the planet where these giants of the sea are born,” Tan pointed out.

“For many years, scientists thought that Donsol was merely one of many ‘gas stations’ along the global network of marine highways where whale sharks cruised. This new discovery is the first ever indication that this coastline may actually be a birthing site. This comes as no surprise. After all, this happened in the Coral Triangle – the nursery of the seas – where life begins, and many things remain possible,” he added.

[venntro]

LTO approves e-jeepney registration–maker


The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has approved the registration of electric jeepneys, or e-jeepneys, its manufacturer announced on Monday, when it also launched electric tricycles.

The registration would allow the e-jeepneys to ply primary roads, like Ayala Avenue, but not highways or expressways, said Rommel Juan, director and general manager of the Philippine Utility Vehicle Inc. (PhUV), which makes the electric vehicles.

PhUV is a consortium made up the members of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) and the Green Renewable Independent Power Producers Inc. (GRIPP).

The Land Transportation Office, the government agency in charge of vehicles and issuer of drivers’ licenses, classifies e-jeepneys as low-speed vehicles and would be issued orange plates, Juan said. Its maximum speech is 60 kilometers per hour.

Orange is the international color for electric vehicles, Juan said. But the government has yet to make orange plates, so the e-jeepneys will be issued green plates temporarily.

The e-jeepneys project was inspired no so much because of high fuel prices, but because of it helps combat air pollution, said Chit Juan, an officer of MD Juan, one of the members of the consortium.

Rommel Juan said, “Powered by pure electric power, this jeepney will not emit carbon emissions and has a quiet ride. The general public will surely benefit from its smoke-free feature since the health of people will not be jeopardized.”



Eco-friendly alternative

Some 14 e-jeepneys are already plying secondary roads in Makati City, around Salcedo and Legaspi villages, Chit Juan said.

Besides Makati City, there are e-jeepneys plying roads in Alabang in Muntinlupa City, Dasmariñas in Cavite province, Los Baños in Laguna province, Puerto Princesa in Palawan province.

E-jeepneys cost P625,000 a unit, while reconditioned diesel engine jeepneys cost anywhere from P700,000 to P800,000, depending on the length.

“We are not competing with the local manufacturers, but we want to pioneer eco-friendly vehicles,” Rommel Juan said. The payback period of an e-jeepney is about a year and eight months, which is shorter compared to the three years it takes to recoup the cost of diesel-engine jeepneys.

The e-jeepneys can carry 14-passengers. The e-jeepneys available today in the market are only 5-kilowatt models, but the manufacturers hope they can soon release a 7.5-kilowatt model, which can traverse the undulating streets of Baguio or Tagaytay.

The vehicle uses 12 batteries that can be charged from six to eight hours and has 500 cycles of charging.

In the future, PhUV have the plans of converting diesel and gasoline-engine vehicles to electric vehicles, said Ferdie Santos, president of PhUV. “We are going into conversion [in the future]—whether gasoline engine or diesel engine. Right now, my personal computation is P300,000.”

“We’re hoping three years from now, we will be producing 20 units a month,” said Santos, adding that they are now producing eight units a month. PhUV has both non-solar and solar-powered e-jeepneys.

PhUV is the first to locally design and assemble the e-jeepney and the first to be granted an LTO license plate.



Electric tricycles

At the same press event, the e-jeepney makers also introduced on Monday a line of other electric motor vehicles—tricycles, motorcycles and motorbikes.

The seven-passenger e-tricycles sells for P240,000 each, and the e-motorcycles from P32,000 to P45,000 each. The manufacturers are also planning to have e-tricycles for utility with no seats and also delivery vehicles for mineral water stations.

But a challenge to propagating the electric-power vehicles is the absence of battery-charging stations, but the manufacturers are looking at a spot adjacent to the fire station in Makati City.

But to make the charging stations viable, fleets of e-jeepneys should already be plying several routes in Metro Manila. And before then, the electric vehicles have to be recharged at home.

According to Green Renewable Independent Power Producers, there are 250,000 passenger jeepneys in the Philippines that consume 4.8 million barrels of diesel fuel per year. This high fuel consumption is due to the traditional engine that is not energy-efficient, the group said.

[venntro]

Whale shark saved in Philippines, may be smallest
Updated March 10, 2009 11:38 AM


MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Activists in the Philippines have rescued what they believe might be the smallest offspring of the world's biggest fish — a whale shark the size of a forearm, a conservation group said Tuesday.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WFF) said maritime officials and activists in Pilar town in the eastern Philippines rescued the 15-inch (38-centimeter) -long whale shark last week and released it in deep waters. Its tail was tied to a small rope on a beach.

The group called it "arguably the smallest living whale shark in recorded history."

WWF said the discovery is the first ever indication that this coastline may be their birthing ground. The group has encountered very few baby whale sharks and can only compare the size of its new discovery to embryos found in a dead female in 1996 _ which measured 14.6 to 18.9 inches (37 to 48 centimeters), according to Elson Aca, project manager for the WWF whale shark tracking project.

The gentle creatures, which can grow to be as big as a bus, make regular stops along the Philippines' eastern shores from December to May, attracting thousands of tourists. But little is known about where they breed as they cruise the world seas.

[venntro]

Green group to make more electric jeepneys
By Mike Frialde Updated March 10, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - An environmental group advocating alternative energy solutions yesterday re-launched its electric-powered jeepney that it claims could help solve the pollution problem of Metro Manila.

According to the Green Renewable Independent Power Producer (GRIPP), its 14-seater electric-powered, four-speed jeepney will not cause any carbon emissions and is a quiet ride.

First introduced in Makati City in July 2008, the electric jeepney will now be built on a large number by the Philippine Utility Vehicle Inc. (PhUV). The electric jeepney was re-launched yesterday at the Eco Store at The Fort in Taguig City.

PhUV will assemble the manual transmission, 14-seater electric jeepney to the specifications of the buyer. According to PhUV, the 5-kilowatt electric jeepney is available. PhUV said the 7.5 kw model, which will soon be produced, has the power to go up the streets of Baguio or Tagaytay.

“We have been waiting for a like-minded partner and we saw that in PhUV,” said GRIPP spokeswoman Yvonne Castro. “So we are ready to roll out more electric jeepneys in the next few months.”

According to GRIPP, it decided to produce more electric jeepneys after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) allowed its first unit to be registered last October.

For its part, PhUV said it is eager to share its technical expertise with the GRIPP on its electric jeepney project. “I think going green is the way to go. We are very proud to be able to help the environment through our expertise in vehicle parts manufacturing and vehicle assembly,” said Rommel Juan, PhUV director and general manager of MDJuan Enterprises, exclusive assembler of the e-jeepney.

Priced at P625,000 per unit, the 14-seater e-jeepney is cheaper than a second-hand 22-seater diesel-powered passenger jeepney or a brand-new unit, which sells at P1 million.

Juan said that in the long run, the e-jeepney will be cheaper since only the batteries need to be replaced. “You don’t need an oil change and there are fewer moving parts,” he said.

Juan said the batteries used by the e-jeepney are locally manufactured and are the same ones used for golf carts. The e-jeepney uses 12 six-volt batteries, priced at P6,500 each, which need at least eight hours of charging on a 220-volt outlet. One battery can last two to three years before it needs to be replaced.

According to GRIPP, their target buyers at the moment are mainly resort owners. However, they are also looking at urban buyers.

“People in the cities create five times more carbon dioxide and help speed up global warming,” it said in a statement.

Owners of jeepneys and vehicles with gasoline or diesel engines can have their vehicles converted to use batteries for P300,000, GRIPP said, adding that there are 250,000 passenger jeepneys in the Philippines that consume 4.8 million barrels of diesel fuel per year.

[venntro]

Fisherfolk oppose lake water sourcing plan
Updated March 10, 2009 12:00 AM


MANILA, Philippines - A group of fishermen are opposing a government plan to source water from Laguna de Bay to supply the cities of Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas in Metro Manila and Bacoor in Cavite.

Protesting the looming project, members of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) and the Save Laguna Lake Movement (SLLM) washed their clothes and bathed themselves in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Quezon City yesterday.

The Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI) has asked the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) for permission to pump 300 million liters of water per day from Laguna de Bay to the four cities.

“Laguna Lake belongs to the Filipino people,” said Fernando Hicap, national chairman of Pamalakaya. “By orientation, by design, and by historical and social purpose the lake is mainly a communal fishing ground. Any kind of privatization and conversion will not help save Laguna Lake, which is currently at the deathbed of environmental destruction.”

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza must stop the LLDA from “selling out” to MWSI, Hicap said.

Pamalakaya and SLLM believed that granting an ECC to the MWSI project would further open the “privatization” of the Laguna Lake.

Hicap said the MWSI’s proposal would automatically pave the way for the closure of the Napindan Hydraulic Control System, which will prevent the entry of salt water from Manila Bay into the lake.

He said fish in Laguna de Bay require the mixing of salt and fresh waters to spawn and survive.

“Maynilad’s plan is like a death certificate to Laguna Lake, killing not only the livelihood of more than 500,000 people engaged in fish capture and fish culture activities. It will also endanger the fish supply and the fish needs of millions of people in the National Capital Region, Laguna and Rizal provinces,” Hicap added.

Pamalakaya and SLLM said Laguna de Bay, Southeast Asia’s second largest lake, is still capable of producing at least 50,000 metric tons of fish per year, which is enough to address the needs of not less than 10 million people.

Last month, the LLDA announced that MWSI is seeking its approval to source water from the lake amid a “forthcoming shortage” of potable water in the western portion of Metro Manila. – Katherine Adraneda

[venntro]

Flip the switch, save the planet
ROSES & THORNS By Alejandro R. Roces Updated March 10, 2009 12:00 AM


We, and the rest of the world, have had elections on the brain. Last year the United States completed one of their most historic elections, voting a man of African descent into office for the very first time. In doing so, it is our hope that they put to rest a centuries long battle with racism. Here our politicians seem obsessed with the 2010 election, including the automation of polls. We wonder when the issues will take center stage. But, on March 28, 2009, an election of global reach and importance will take place.

In 2007, the city of Sydney, Australia conceived of a practical way to demonstrate support for the environment. Developed with the World Wide Life Fund (WWF) Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney urged members of their community to shut-off the lights for one hour on the last Saturday of March. They had over 2.2 million participants between individuals and businesses. In 2008, Earth Hour became an international event. Thirty-five cities were official flagship cities and four hundred were active. It is estimated that close to 50 million people around the world flipped the switch and turned off their lights for one hour. Even major international landmarks went dark, including: the Empire State Building in New York City, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, the Sears Tower in Chicago, and the Colosseum in Rome, among others. The most visited website in the world, Google.com, even went “dark” for one hour. The tagline on the site read, “We’ve turned out the lights. Now it’s your turn - Earth Hour.” According to a Zogby International survey, this worldwide event resulted to a four percent increase in environmental awareness. This year, Earth Hour is hoping for even greater participation and awareness.

For 2009, they have revamped the affair, creating the first global election. Participants are voting between the Earth and global warming. From their site: “For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote — Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF urges the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.” The meeting in Copenhagen is of utmost importance. During the conference, world governments will determine new policies against global warming. The world has the chance, through this vote, to tell world leaders what they think about global warming.

There are many practical solutions that each of us can implement to help preserve the environment. Let us not forget that the more we consume as we inhabit the earth and its environment, the more we use up its resources. In our own small ways, we can contribute to a common goal and achieve surprisingly good results, if we just put one mind to it. Earth Hour is one small step of which we all should be a part. As of March 8, 2009, over 931 cities and towns in 80 countries have signed up. As their site says, “Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you are from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet.”

In 2008, the Philippines had the ninth most votes in the world. We can do better. We urge the media, companies and individuals to become involved and spread the word to help Earth Hour exceed its goals. For more information and to sign up for Earth Hour, please visit www. earthhour.org . The planet needs your vote. Flip the switch off on March 28, 2009.

[venntro]

Toyota to sell Prius in RP by mid-year
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio Updated March 11, 2009 12:00 AM


MANILA, Philippines - Filipino consumers will now have access to environmental friendly cars after Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) announced it will be bringing in the Prius in the country either in June or July.

“We just received the approval from the head office very recently. We will bring the Prius in middle of this year,” Alfred Ty, TMP vice chairman told reporters at the sidelines of the Lexus launch Monday evening.

According to Ty, there is a market for hybrid vehicles here even if these environmentally friendly cars are pricier than normal vehicles.

“We will start with the Prius first. We have the go signal for this,” Ty said.

Ty said they have not yet determined the price of the Prius or how many they will import here to sell. “There is no price range yet.” The Toyota website stated that starting price for the 2009 Prius is $22,000.

However, the price here may differ given importation charges and various taxes which will add to the cost of the car. Ty said they will ask for incentives from the government to the taxes.

“The government has to help. It can’t be a one way thing,” Ty said. “We would like to get subsidies but that is still in the process,” he added. In a previous interview, TMP president Hiroshi Ito said it is very costly to import hybrid vehicles. “The government needs to give incentives.”

According to Ito, they have not formally asked the Board of Investments (BOI) for incentives for importing hybrid cars but Toyota is willing to spearhead the move to get more perks for being environmental friendly.

Ito said should Toyota decide to sell hybrid vehicles in the Philippines, the price will be similar to other countries. However, he said the cost of importation would definitely increase the prices because right now it is very expensive.

Even though hybrid cars are more expensive, Ito said they have been getting inquiries regarding hybrid vehicles. “There is a demand,” Ito said.

Ito said they are projecting to sell 50 units per month should Toyota finally decide to sell hybrid vehicles in the country.

Earlier, Toyota said they are unable to bring hybrid cars here given the road conditions in the country. When asked about this, Ty said “things have changed.” He explained that even if the road conditions remain the same, the Prius has evolved.

The Prius that will be introduced here in the country is the third generation Prius. “The technology for this has improved.”

[venntro]

Global warming ‘accelerating,’ scientists say


COPENHAGEN: Only months before make-or-break UN climate talks in Copenhagen, an extraordinary conclave of climate scientists gathered here Tuesday to warn that global warming is accelerating more quickly than forecast by a key UN report for policymakers.

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded in early 2007 that global warming, if unchecked, would unleash a devastating amalgam of floods, drought, disease and extreme weather by century’s end.

But a welter of new research suggests the impact could be even worse, and will arrive sooner rather than later.

“We need a much stronger sense in our societies of urgency,” John Ashton, Britain’s top climate negotiator, told journalists as the meeting got under way.

Biggest concern

Most worrying, scientists say, is the possibility that human activity—mainly the burning of oil, gas and coal—could trigger natural drivers of global warming which, once unleashed, would be nearly impossible to reverse.

The shrinking of the Arctic ice cap, and the release of billions of tons of greenhouse gases trapped in melting permafrost are two such “positive feedbacks” that could become both cause and consequence of global warming.

The three-day conference is also likely to unveil a new scientific consensus that sea levels are set to rise at least a meter by 2100, more than double the IPCC estimate, which failed to take melt-off from the Greenland Ice Sheet into account.

“We need to look at what is a ‘reasonable worst case’ in the lifetime of people alive today,” said Ashton, noting even rich nations had yet to take such scenarios seriously.

“A sea level rise of one or two meters would not just be damaging for China. It would be an absolute catastrophe. And what is catastrophic for China is catastrophic for the world,” he said.

Huge gathering

More than 2,000 researchers from 80 countries responded to the open invitation to present their findings, which were then vetted by a panel of climate experts, many of them top figures in the IPCC.

“I and a lot of scientists see this meeting as an opportunity to update the science that has come out since the last IPCC report,” said William Howard, a researcher from the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Australia.

Howard will present evidence showing for the first time that ocean acidification caused by climate change is stripping away the calcium-based shells of tiny organisms, called forams, that play a vital role in absorbing huge amounts of carbon pollution from the atmosphere.

“The huge response from scientists comes from a sense of urgency, but also a sense of frustration,” said Katherine Richardson, head of the Danish government’s Commission on Climate Change Policy and a co-organizer of the meeting, sponsored by the University of Copenhagen and nine other schools.

“Most of us have been trained as scientists to not get our hands dirty by talking to politicians. But we now realize that what we are dealing with is so complicated and urgent that we have to help to make sure the results are understood,” she told Agence France-Presse.

Global climate treaty

Richardson said the IPCC report was an invaluable document, but will be five years out of date by the time negotiators convene in December to hammer out a global climate treaty.

“There is a whole lot more knowledge available today,” she said. “When you make decisions on what you are going to do about the problem it is important to know what trajectory you are on.”

Connie Hedegaard, Denmark’s minister for climate and energy, agreed that political decisions should be driven by science.

“As policymakers, we can’t ignore what the scientists are telling us, nor can we close our eyes to reality,” she said.

The head of the UN panel, Rajendra Pachauri—who shared the 2007 Nobel Peace prize with Al Gore—will address the proceedings, along with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and top climate economist Lord Nicholas Stern.

[venntro]

DENR backs mining firm�s FTAA for Runruno project

03/11/2009

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has endorsed to President Arroyo the application of FCF Minerals Corp. to convert the mining company�s permit into a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) to explore and develop some 3,093.51-hectare of mineral-rich area in Runruno, Quezon, Nueva Viscaya, DENR Secretary Lito Atienza said.

The grant of FTAA to FCF will give more momentum to the revitalization program of the country�s mineral industry. Once approved by the President, this will be the 4th FTAA to be signed under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, Atienza said.

He explained that the approval of the FTAA is much needed to entice more foreign investors in parking their funds into the country despite global economic crunch. It will also reiterate the government�s sustained efforts to rise above difficulties, �thus showing the country remains a sound proposition for investments.�

Atienza said that the entry of FCF in the country�s mining industry will accelerate the development of gold and molybdenum into commercial use. The presence of high-yielding minerals have been confirmed by FCF in its recent exploration activities which saw the boring of more or less 1,000 meters in length, 500 meters in depth and 17 meters in thickness of the area�s surface.

�Study undertaken by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau showed that the area is highly mineralized and may warrant a more detailed exploration work to confirm positive ore reserves for future development utilization,� Atienza said.

Atienza said that FCF is qualified to apply for FTAA considering that the company�s authorized capital of P210 million is way above the government�s required minimum paid-up capital of P10 million.

He also said that the conversion of the company�s exploration permit to FTAA will benefit the government considering that the company is in its final exploration phase and is in fact nearing development and utilization stages.

The proposed FTAA contract, Atienza said, conforms to the provisions of existing mining laws.

[venntro]

Business group asks DENR to stop erosion of Boracay beach
JUN ARIOLO N. AGUIRRE, GMANews.TV
03/10/2009 | 08:45 PM

BORACAY ISLAND, Philippines – A business group has asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to check the activities of developers and resort owners that have led to the erosion of a beach in a portion of the country’s premiere tourism destination.

In letters to Environment Secretary Jose Atienza, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Boracay expressed alarm that the beach along Barangay Diniwid in Balabag Boracay was already showing signs of severe erosion.

"Many establishments at the northern part of Diniwid beach violate national laws and municipal ordinances such as building permanent structures on the marine reserve zone or within the no build zone, the set back from the tide mark, and have no building permits and no mayors permit to operate business as a resort or establishment. These violations aggravate the erosion, which changes the once attractive Diniwid beach," Peter Brugger, PCCI-Boracay external vice president said.

Because of the beach erosion, the whole areas of northern Diniwid are not accessible to tourists anymore, particularly at high-tide when the water is two-meters deep due to the abrupt drop of the beach and on the other side fences and buildings, which are a violation of setback laws.

Brugger said establishments tried to stop beach erosions by building walls and bring in huge boulders. He laments these act could worsen the erosion.

"We hope that the DENR will act on these issues before it's too late to save the beach of Diniwid as well all other beaches on the island, which show visible signs of erosion, too. The PCCI-Boracay is currently in communication to conduct research with National Committee on Marine Sciences (NCMS)/ Mr. Miguel Flores and we hope to be able to work together with your agency on that matter," he added. - GMANews.TV

[venntro]

Iloilo to turn off plaza lights for Earth Hour on March 28

MANILA, Philippines — Iloilo City will join millions of Filipinos in calling for action against global warming by switching off all plaza lights for one hour at 8:30 p.m. of March 28.

Online news site The News Today (www.thenewstoday.info) reported that Mayor Jerry Treñas noted the city has six plazas in each of its six districts.

The city government also encouraged other sectors to join in the symbolic activity by turning off their signage lights or some of their facilities as their businesses will allow.

He also urged communities to switch off lights in their households at that particular hour.

Earlier, the mayor received a letter from Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes and World Wildlife Fund–Philippines CEO and Vice-chairman Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan to join Earth Hour.

Reyes and Tan said Earth Hour is a "major call to action for every individual, government and business to act and ensure a sustainable future."

“Earth Hour is a message of hope and action. We can fight global warming if we all act together," they said. - GMANews.TV

[tonight]

dapat araw-araw tayo magtipid at gawin ang Earth hour