Group wants transparency in Mega Harbour project
DAVAO CITY – Environment group Sustainable Davao City Movement (SDCM) calls for transparency in the implementation of the P39-billion Mega Harbour project. “We are asking for a broader comprehensive consultation about it, in order for us to really understand the issue, since we were not invited to the committee hearings,” said SDCM member and Interface Development Intervention, Inc. (IDIS) Executive Director Mary Ann Fuertes. The Davao Mega Harbour and Port Development Project, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last month, aims to address the challenges of the community for access to potable water and power supply, well-planned road network that allows free flow of vehicular movement and pedestrian safety and access to facilities that abate calamities like flood and storm surges.
2 new categories open for 2017 Lunhaw Awards
DAVAO CITY— The annual Lunhaw Awards are now open for applicants who advocate eco-friendly activities in the city. The 2017 Lunhaw Awards will have two new categories: outstanding environmental advocates and the barangay or local government environment initiatives. Ann Fuertes, Lunhaw co-organizer and also Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS) executive director said the new categories seek to recognize environmental sustainability practices, with the aim of sharing the most creative initiatives to inspire change.
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.
Environmental groups present 8-point agenda to Duterte
DAVAO CITY — Non-governmental organizations presented their 8-point agenda to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and hoped that the new administration will have environmental priorities. Mary Ann V. Fuertes, executive director of Interface Development Intervention (IDIS) said they forwarded the 8-point environmental agenda to President-elect Duterte and to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio through transition team spokesperson Peter Laviña Thursday, May 19. Nick Solana of the Movement for Imaginals for Sustainable Societies through Initiatives, Organization and Network (MISSION) said they look forward to presenting and bringing to the national level their sustainability initiatives.
Davao group proposes 8-point environment agenda to Duterte
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/23 May) – The Davao City Sustainable Movement has asked incoming President Rodrigo Duterte to adopt an eight-point environment agenda that must be acted upon within his six-year term. Released a month after the Philippines signed the Paris agreement on climate change on April 22, the proposal includes some of the city’s landmark environmental ordinances that the group said should be replicated at the national level. In a three-page proposal, the group called for the amendment of Presidential Decree No. 1607, or the Philippine Water Code, to devolve the assessment and monitoring functions of the National Water Resource Board (NWRB).
CENRO urged to implement Ecological Solid Waste law
A resident of Barangay Bucana is urging the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) to strictly implement Republic Act (RA) 9003 and apprehend residents/individuals caught cutting trees without permits. Cora Refulle, who is also president of Bucana Coastal Environment Fisherfolk Association, told Mirror she has been strongly pushing for the implementation of RA 9003. She said she has also asked assistance through a resolution from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). RA 9003 is an act providing for an ecological solid waste management program. “Sige lang man sila ug promise nga adtuan nila sa among barangay pero wala man gihapon nahitabo (They always promised to visit our barangay but nothing happened),” Refulle said.