IDIS to Apo Agua: Obey EIS rules
The watershed advocacy group Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) reminded officials of the Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. (AAII) to follow the protocols provided by the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) law in conducting public consultations. In a statement IDIS said it has received information from their partner communities in Gumalang and Tawantawan barangays that Apo Agua went ahead with its public consultation regarding its Tamugan Bulk Surface Water Treatment project last November without informing the Watershed Management Council (WMC) secretariat or its representatives to join the consultation. In a report submitted by the Watershed Multipartite Monitoring Team (WMMT) to the WMC, it recommended that the Apo Agua “conduct consultations in all barangays covered by the project including the IP communities with proper narrative and photo documentation to ensure proper documentary evidence and with the presence of the WMMT.”
Walk the talk on renewable energy, ecologists dare P-Noy
DAVAO CITY—Local environmental groups challenged President Aquino to show his sincerity when he bragged about his administration’s push for renewable energy while inaugurating the first of a series of coal plants to be operating soon in Mindanao. “If the Aquino administration is sincere in its rhetoric of inclusive development, it should prioritize community-based renewable-energy solutions. It should be people-led and not corporate-driven,” said Dr. Jean Lindo, cochairman of the environmental network Panalipdan Mindanao. The group has been criticizing Malacañang for alleged “bias for corporate-led development, which favors projects like the coal-fired power plants.”
Coal still “clear, present threat” to Davao water
DAVAO CITY – An official of the Aboitiz Power dismissed the fears of environmentalist on the harmful effects of the newly inaugurated coal fired power plant here saying they will not do anything bad for the city. The 300 megawatts coal fired power plant was inaugurated yesterday in Barangay Binugao, Toril district. The event was graced by President Benigno Aquino III and other national and local officials. The power plant currently supplies power to more than 20 electric cooperatives and distribution utilities in Mindanao.
Reforestation revives ‘baboy ihalas’ population in Davao watershed
MEMBERS of the Bantay Bukid, a Watershed Management Council (WMC)-deputized forest guard volunteer group, have reported frequent sightings of the native wild pigs along the slopes of Mt. Tipolog, in Barangay Tawantawan, in the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed. “In previous years, we have rarely seen the baboy ihalas in these parts. Now, we encounter them frequently, especially when we conduct our regular inspection trek of Mt. Tipolog,” said Stephen Matondo, Bagobo tribal elder and Bantay Bukid team leader for the Sumpitan area. The Philippine warty pig, Sus philippinensis, is categorized by the International Union of Conservation for Nature (IUCN) as a Vulnerable species due to habitat loss, over-hunting and genetic hybridization.
Envi group pushes gov’t to use lead safe paints
DAVAO CITY – Environmental group Interface Development Interventions, said the local government should have a policy requiring government agencies to get lead-safe paint. Executive Director Ann Fuertes said in a statement that the policy “will send a strong message that the Davao LGU is taking the lead in reducing real and potential exposure to lead and mercury which can be found in paints, gasoline, lamps and batteries.” “This will mean that government purchasing entities will be mandated to procure lead-safe paints for use in the construction of all citywide government facilities,” she added.
Davao organic group eyes certification of 100 local organic farms
DAVAO CITY — Davao’s Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) group is looking to give organic certification to up to 100 small farms in the city as construction of a permanent organic produce trading post goes on in the city center. Nena R. Morales, Davao-PGS chairwoman, said the group has already awarded certificates to five organic farmers and farms so far. Twenty are currently being assessed, with several still lined up for the rest of the year. The PGS, as defined by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) headquartered in Germany, “are locally focused quality assurance systems. They certify producers based on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange.” Ms. Morales further explained that under the PGS, an organic farmer is examined by a peer network of organic farmers and stakeholders that verify compliance with established standards.