Metal-eating plants can help restore damaged mining sites
DAVAO CITY—Environmentalists are agog with the disclosure about the presence of metal-eating plants endemic in the country, as a scientist revealed they could be harnessed to restore forests and watersheds damaged by mining operations. The environmentalist organization, Interface Development Interventions (Idis), announced the disclosure, of scientist Dr. Edwino Fernando, that there 20 plant species in the country with known metal-eating characteristics. The Idis said Fernando and his research team discovered in 2011 the Rinorea niccolifera, a nickel-eating shrub, in Zambales. The group said the recently discovered species was among the 20 species of metallophytes. “These species are called metallophytes. They can tolerate high levels of heavy metals, such as lead. Some of these will even require the presence of heavy metals in the soil in order to survive,” Fernando told the recent rainforestation capacity training organized by the Rain Forestation Restoration Initiative (RFRI) network at the Ateneo de Davao University.
City backs Bantay Bukid volunteers
The city government through City Administrator Zuleika Lopez vowed more support for the Bantay Bukid volunteers or forest guards during the two-day 4th Watershed Stakehol-ders Summit, which concluded yesterday. “Our mayor will continue to implement projects aimed at protecting the watersheds,” Lopez said. She said a program that will provide additional assistance to the forest guards is already being prepared by the Watershed Management Council (MWC).
Sara lauds watershed protection advocates
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte lauded watershed stakeholders including forests guards for their active role in protecting the city’s watersheds. In the mayor’s message read by City Administrator Zuleika Lopez on Wednesday’s opening of the 2016 Watershed Stakeholders Summit, Duterte thanked volunteer forest guards or Bantay Bukid and other stakeholders for their commitment, saying their presence is an indication that Dabawenyos are united in ensuring the protection, conservation and sustainable management of the city’s watersheds. “Our watersheds are where we source our drinking water. The health of our watersheds determines the quality and the quantity of our water,” the message read.
‘Payment scheme’ for watershed protection eyed
DAVAO CITY – There is a need to create alternative livelihood opportunities that will help protect and sustainably manage Davao City’s watersheds. This will be among the key recommendations submitted during the Davao Watershed Stakeholders Summit which opened yesterday at the Ritz Hotel, Garden Oases in Obrero. Based on a study conducted by the Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), the group will look for ways in whicl local government units (LGUs) and stakeholders can provide financial support to residents whose livelihood has been affected by the implementation of various water conservation laws.
Proposal to pay residents to protect watersheds mulled
A STUDY looking into providing alternative livelihood practices that will lessen the negative impact on water sources will be presented during the Watershed Summit on Aug. 24-25. Commissioned by Interface Development Interventions, the study will explore whether the local government and stakeholders, can give financial support to residents whose livelihoods are affected by various conservation laws as a way also of lessening the residents’ impact on the watershed area. “The ‘payment’ does not have to come in the form of financial aid,” said IDIS executive director Mary Anne Fuertes in a phone call. “We do not want money just thrown around. Preferably, it should be in livelihood trainings that focus on environmentally friendly best practices.”
Group pushes for amendment of national water code
DAVAO CITY – Environmental group, Interface Development Interventions, Inc., has called on the presumptive President, Rodrigo Duterte to amend the national water code and give more leeway to the local government units in assessing and monitoring their water resources. IDIS also called on Duterte “to devolve the enforcement provisions in the Philippine Water Code from the National Water Regulatory Board (NWRB) to local government units.” IDIS Executive Director Ann Fuertes said local government units are more familiar with their local water resources and can immediately conduct inspections and assessments without waiting for the NWRB team from the central office.