Groups launch 2016 Lunhaw Awards
DAVAO CITY – Groups from civil society, the academe and the local government launched Thursday an awards event recognizing outstanding green initiatives in Davao City. The “Lunhaw Awards aims to recognize and honor Davaoeños with commendable innovative initiatives in environmental management and sustainability.” The awards is in line with various events in an EcoFestival set from June 24-30.
Apo Agua, DCWD asked to present plans to water council
DAVAO CITY — A non-government organization has raised concerns over the planned bulk water supply project that will tap the Tamugan River, one of Davao City’s protected watershed areas. Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), an NGO working to protect Davao’s watershed areas, has asked the project proponents, the Davao City Water District (DCWD) and Apo Aqua Infrastructra, Inc. (AAII),to present their agreement and plan before the Water Management Council (WMC). “We recognize the need to produce more potable water but there are legitimate concerns on the potential negative impact of the project to local biodiversity and the communities living near the rivers,” said Chinkie Pelino, IDIS advocacy coordinator and a member of the WMC.
2015 Watershed Summit to review impact of reforestation efforts
This year’s Watershed Summit will highlight various reforestation initiatives in Davao City, from the uplands down to the coastal areas. “Over the years, there have been a lot of reforestation activities conducted by government, schools, and private organizations along the watersheds. Now, its time for us to view how far we’ve reached in terms of whether we have been able to reforest our uplands in order to protect our water sources,” said Watershed Management Council (WMC) member and IDIS executive director Ann Fuertes. Around 150 stakeholders will attend the summit, which will be hosted by the University of Mindanao, on June 26 and 27, 2015.
Groups call for ban on aerial spraying on banana plantations
MANILA, Philippines – Various civil society groups on Tuesday called on Congress to pass the long delayed bill banning aerial pesticide spraying in banana plantations nationwide. The groups, including Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (MAAS), said that the controversial agricultural method brings more harm than good to local communities and the environment. “Beyond its supposed economic benefits, aerial spraying is a daily menace to our communities and to the environment,” MAAS President Dagohoy Magaway said.
Trees downtown neglected, misused
THE Interface Development Interventions Inc. (Idis) called for conservation efforts to protect Davao City’s urban biodiversity after a City Environment and Natural Resources (Cenro) survey of the city’s urban parks and forests revealed signs of neglect and misuse of trees growing all over the metro. “We should also expand local conservation efforts to include the trees that are growing in our city parks because they help cool down urban temperature, reduce noise and air pollution and minimize urban flooding,” said Idis executive director Ann Fuertes. Urban parks also provide mini-habitats for animals, especially birds, according to Fuertes.
Watershed trees lost to ravages of El Niño
DAVAO CITY — About 300 various seedlings out of 1,000 planted in the city’s watershed areas under an agro-forestry program did not survive the dry spell brought about by the prevailing El Niño, the environmental group Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS) reported. IDIS Program Coordinator Chinke Pelino said the group has temporarily stopped planting activities and intends to resume by June in the hope of rain brought about by the wet season. The Philippine weather bureau has issued an advisory saying that the current mild El Niño could extend to the second half of the year.