Press Releases

DENR names winners of ‘KLIMA-likasan' awards for climate and disaster resiliency  

The disaster risk reduction and management offices of the cities of Baguio and Quezon, and an Ifugao native emerged as top winners in this year’s “Mga Kwentong KLIMA-likasan: A Climate and Disaster Resiliency Recognition Awards.”
 
Presented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)—through its Climate Change Service (CCS) and Gender and Development Office—and in partnership with telecommunications giant Globe Telecom, the KLIMA-likasan Awards seeks to recognize the stories of individuals, groups, and provincial local government units (LGUs) in addressing climate change and disasters in communities.
 
The awards are in line with the celebration of the 2022 National Climate Change Consciousness Week, which carries the theme, "Sama-Samang Tumutugon sa Hamon ng Nagbabagong Klima.”
 
"The stories that we received from 16 regions in the country only say one thing: there are already significant actions happening on the ground. We need to take note of them, document them, map them and see how we can scale up the initiatives to expand to other areas in their community,” said Undersecretary for Finance, Information Systems and Climate Change Analiza Rebuelta-Teh.
 
For her part, DENR CCS Director Elenida Basug said: “Our recognition scheme aims to feature the long track record and important contributions and initiatives in the environment, climate change, and disaster risk management.”
 
Six entries bagged the first and second places of KLIMA-likasan Awards under three categories (individual, group and LGU), while another six received special citations—Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment, and Climate Change Award, and Climate Technology for Resilience Award—during a virtual ceremony held last November 24.
 
The Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office took home a cash prize of P80,000 for being the KLIMA-likasan Awards first placer and recipient of the Climate Technology for Resilience Special Citation under the LGU category.
 
Its winning entry, “The Baguio City Smart and Gender-inclusive Flood Early Warning Information and Mitigation System,” took a holistic, nature-based, gender-sensitive, and socially inclusive approach to address the city’s challenges.
 
The Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Office bagged the first place and the Climate Technology for Resilience Special Citation under the group category for their entry “iRISE UP” (Intelligent, Resilient, and Integrated Systems for the Urban Population). 
 
iRISE UP is an early warning system that organizes and streamlines the DRRM information system of Quezon City so that advisories are quickly disseminated to communities. The QC DRRM Office received a total cash prize of P60,000.
 
In the individual category, Moises Butic won first place and got a cash prize of P30,000 for his entry “The Ifugao Muyong: Perpetuating a Forest Legacy.”
 
Proudly nominated by Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog, Butic’s story is about the indigenous practice inherited by the Ifugaos from their ancestors called “Muyong System,” which is a forest management system that supports biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation.
 
Other major prize winners and special citation awardees and their corresponding cash prizes are as follows:
 
• Second place, LGU category - Provincial Local Government Unit of Cagayan for “Restoring Cagayan River: A H.O.P.E. to Build Back Life Better” (P40,000)
 
• Second place, group category – Kabasalan National High School’s Youth for Environment in Schools Organization of Balintawak, Pagadian City for “Adopt-a-watershed program” (P30,000)
 
• Second place, individual category - Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil of Lingayen, Pangasinan for “The Rebirth of our Philippine Ylang-ylang” (P20,000)
 
• Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment, and Climate Change Award, LGU category – Baliwag, Bulacan LGU for “Baliwag Environmental Convergence Program,” (P30,000)
 
• Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment, and Climate Change Award, group category – Bayawon Lucday Lungayan Pendonay Tandacol Tribal Association, Inc. (BLLuPenTTrAs, Inc.) for “The Glimpse of P.O BLLuPenTTrAs Initiatives and Best Practices in Fighting Climate Change” (P20,000)
 
• Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment, and Climate Change Award, individual – Grachelle Andrea B. Guevarra for “I CAN make a difference” (P10,000)
 
• Climate Technology and Resilience Award, individual category – Reheemah Hafsah Pangarungan for “BioPhil” (P10,000)
 
The DENR received 60 entries from 16 regions in the country. The winning stories will be submitted to the Good Stories Movement, a global initiative led by people who aim to recognize the “good stories of good people who are caring for the Land, Air, and Water (LAW) of Life.”
 
All entries were evaluated based on the following criteria: climate and disaster resiliency content, 60 percent; visual appeal of the photographs and video, 20 percent; gender fair text and media, 10 percent; and geographical reach of the initiative, 10 percent.
 
This year’s Board of Judges is composed of Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera of Climate Change Commission; Raquel de Leon of the Office of Civil Defense; and climate action expert Aldrin Bayangos of Globe Telecom. ###
 
 
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DENR fetes exemplary mining firms at annual Baguio mine conference

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Mines and Geosciences Bureau, has recognized several mining companies that operate in the most socially, economically and environmentally responsible way.

During the 68th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference held in Baguio City last November 18, no less than DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga handed over the awards, including the prestigious Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA), to the honorees.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners and awardees for this year, especially the recipients of the prestigious [PMIEA],” Loyzaga said in her keynote address.

“We are certain that your exemplary achievements will set the trajectory, encourage replication, and raise awareness of the mining industry’s vital contributions to inclusive, resilient, and sustainable progress,” she added.

Created under Executive Order No. 399, series of 1997, PMIEA is conferred every year on mining companies that have exhibited exemplary performance in terms of safety and health, environmental protection and enhancement, and social development management.

This year, a total of 12 companies received the PMIEA, which was divided into three categories: surface mining operation, quarry operation, and mineral processing.

The PMIEA recipients under the surface mining operation were CTP Construction and Mining Corporation-Dahican; Eramen Minerals Inc.; FCF Minerals Corp.; Hinatuan Mining Corp.-Tagana-an; Platinum Group Metals Corp.; Taganito Mining Corp.; and TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc.-Balabag Gold-Silver Project.

For quarry operation, the awardees were Republic Cement Mindanao Inc., Republic Cement & Building Materials Inc.-Batangas, and Republic Cement & Building Materials Inc.-Teresa.

Coral Bay Nickel Corp. and Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corp. received the PMIEA under the mineral processing category.

In her keynote address, Loyzaga reaffirmed the DENR’s commitment to responsible mining through the implementation of a “pro-people, pro-environment, and science-based legislation, policies, and programs.”

The environment chief also pointed out the vital contribution of responsible mining to the country’s economic recovery and encouraged the mining sector to work with the DENR towards a sustainable future “where no ecosystem and no community are left behind.”

The DENR also conferred Platinum and Titanium Achievement Awards to 17 mining companies, which fell short of the required rating for the PMIEA yet still exhibited “high degree of performance” in terms of safety and health, environmental protection and enhancement, and social development management.

At the same time, the DENR gave the Best Mining Forest Awards to Taganito Mining Corp. for metallic category; Republic Cement & Building Materials Inc.-Bulacan for non-metallic; Coral Bay Nickel Corp. for mineral processing plant; and Philex Mining Corp. for exploration. Eleven other firms were proclaimed runners up.

The Safest Mines Award was given to OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. under the category underground mining operation category, mineral processing-concentrator and safest mining operation; TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc.-Balabag Gold-Silver Project for surface mining operation; Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc.-Batangas for quarry operation; Makilala Mining Company Inc. for exploration A; and Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc. for exploration B.

The winners under the mineral processing category were Coral Bay Nickel Corp. (extraction); Graymont (Philippines), Inc. (calcining plant); and Philippine Mining Service Corporation-Bohol Plant (crushing plant).

Taganito Mining Corp. won the Most Improved Safety Performance Award.

Meanwhile, safety inspectors, mine supervisors, and miners from the TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc.–Balabag Gold-Silver Project, Apex Mining Company Inc., and Platinum Group Metals Corp. were named Mine’s Best Personalities. ###

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4,000 join DENR-led National Bicycle Day event

Some 4,000 bicycle enthusiasts took part in a mass cycling parade successfully hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in celebration of the National Bicycle Day 2022.

Held last November 27, the event marked the second year since former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Proclamation 1052 declaring every fourth Sunday of November as the National Bicycle Day.

DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations - Luzon, Visayas and Environment Juan Miguel T. Cuna said the annual event continued to attract more participants as bicycle has become an alternative mode of transportation during the pandemic.

“Bicycles are not just fashionable and recreational. In many ways, cycling is a necessity compared to motorized transportation. It is more economical, cleaner, healthier, quieter, and faster,” Cuna said in his speech read by DENR-Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service (SCIS) Director Khalil S. Bayam.

Around 3,000 members of 200 cycling groups and 1,000 individuals signed up for the activity. Bikers traversed a total of 51.94 kilometers from the host city Makati to Pasay, Manila, Quezon City, Pasig, Taguig and back to Makati City.

A push bike race for kids aged two, four and five years old was also conducted to instill to the young minds the importance of biking.

Prizes such as loot bags from sponsors, two electric bikes and four mountain bikes were given away during the raffle draw.

For his part, National Bicycle Organization (NBO) Director Benedict Camara said the biking activity is in line with their organization’s “continuing vision of clean air through a bicycle-friendly Philippines.”

The DENR, through its SCIS-Strategic Alliance and Environmental Partnership Division, has partnered with the NBO since 2014 in promoting bicycles as an alternative means of transportation.

The DENR, through the SCIS, was instrumental in the signing in November 2020 of Proclamation 1052, which seeks to ensure ecological integrity and a clean and healthy environment.

The proclamation directs the DENR to lead the observance and celebration of National Bicycle Day in coordination with relevant non-government organizations and civil society groups.

Under the proclamation, all other agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or government-controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are enjoined to participate in the said event.

Local government units, as well as the private sector, are likewise encouraged to actively participate and render support and assistance to the DENR for the effective implementation of the proclamation. ###

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DENR-CALABARZON issues show cause order to owners of structures within protected areas

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in CALABARZON has issued and served show cause orders to owners of more than 200 structures along the Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon (Marilaque) Highway, which traverses protected areas in the region.

The structures were built in the designated road right-of-way by the Department of Public Works and Highways along Marilaque Highway that traverses inside the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve, the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, and areas covered by Presidential Proclamation 1636 in some parts of Laguna and Quezon.

DENR-CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria said these areas are protected by Republic Act (RA) 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, as well as RA 11038 or the Expanded or E-NIPAS Act of 2018.

“Kapuna-puna po ang mga istruktura sa loob ng mga Pinangangalagaang Pook at isa po sa mandato ng DENR, sa pamamagitan rig Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), ay i-enforce ang E-NIPAS. Malaki po ang implikasyon ng mga istrukturang ito sa biodiversity...hindi na po kaila ang epekto ng climate change, kaya po sinimulan po namin sa araw na ito at itutuloy tuloy ang pagse-serve ng show cause order.”

Tamoria added: “Eventually, ang layunin natin sa protected areas ay mapanatili ang paglago ng ating kagubatan at ng biodiversity...Ang atin pong ginagawa ay bahagi lamang po ng implementasyon ng ating batas, kung may legal na karapatan pong manatili, ay irerespeto po natin iyon. Kaya nanawagan po kami sa ating mga kababayan na sumunod lamang po sa batas nang sa gayon ay wala po tayo maging problema.”

Based on Sections (n) and (o) of RA 7586, as amended, permission from the PAMB and the DENR should be secured prior to occupation or installation of any structure inside protected areas.

A show cause order serves as a way to determine whether an occupant has legal rights to occupy an area.

“Ito po ay proseso para mabigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang mga kababayan nating naninirahan o nag-o-operate ng establishment sa loob ng protected areas na makapagpaliwanag kung bakit sila naroon,” Tamoria explained.

Last October 27, the DENR-CALABARZON—together with regional offices of other national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) convened in preparation for the simultaneous issuance of show cause orders to structures inside protected areas and timberland in Region 4A.

Prior to the issuance of the show cause orders, concerned community and provincial environment and natural resources officers initiated a meeting with LGUs, barangays and counterparts from the partner agencies to disseminate and clarify the details of the activity.

The DENR-CALABARZON will assess the written explanations along with necessary documents provided by the owners of the structures issued with show cause orders.

In case of illegal occupancy or installation of structure, the owner will be served with notice to vacate and/or cease and desist order. The owner of the structure may be fined or charged with a cause.

Based on Section 24 of DENR Administrative Order 2019-05, the Protected Area Management Office shall conduct an inventory of all facilities inside a protected area.

The PAMB with the assistance of the DENR, may impose conditions for the continuous operation of a facility found to be detrimental to the protected area until its eventual relocation. If the conditions are violated, the owner of the facility shall be made liable.###

 

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Loyzaga urges private sector to invest in climate action

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga has urged the private sector to take up a greater role in the fight against climate change amid growing climate uncertainties and mounting financial requirements for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Speaking at the Climate Investment Forum (CIF) 2022 held in Quezon City on Nov. 21, Loyzaga said the private sector could close the gap in climate finance by investing in more sustainable projects that help reduce the country’s carbon footprint.

Loyzaga noted that the government has allocated a total of P453.11 billion for the implementation of climate change programs and projects next year. The amount, she said, represents about 8.6 percent of the P5.268-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2023.

“However, more investments are still needed if we are to make transformative strides to achieve climate-resilient development,” Loyzaga stressed.

She pointed out that both public and private sectors have “a critical opportunity” to invest in resilience which is “vital not just to our country’s development, but to our planet’s very survival.”

Out of the P453.11 billion in public sector climate funding for 2023, around 75 percent or P338.21 billion will be spent for climate adaptation, which includes programs for the development of resilient crops and livestock production systems and technologies.

The remaining 25 percent or P114.9 billion will be used for climate mitigation consisting mainly of promotion of renewable energy and improvement of traffic infrastructure-mobility to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The 2023 NEP carries the highest allocation for climate expenditures by far, accounting for a significant increase of about 56 percent from this year’s climate budget of P289.73 billion.

The CIF 2022, which carries the theme, “Turning Climate Commitments to Action,” gathered senior government officials, climate international experts and members of the business community to discuss how climate-friendly enterprises can further engage the private sector to invest in priority climate enterprises that contribute to global efforts to slash GHG emissions.

Loyzaga’s call for greater private sector involvement in climate change fight came on the heels of her recent participation as head of the Philippine delegation to the recently concluded COP27 or the 27th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Egypt, where the private sector, according to her, was “extremely active” and “heavily represented.”

“Groups like Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the UN sustainable energy team, working together, had the Philippines to be one of the three countries that will now apply a method of calculating the cost of energy transition to net-zero by 2050,” Loyzaga said.

According to the environment chief, the private sector has “emerged as a critical actor in bridging the cost of transitions towards non fossil-based sources of power which is estimated to be in the trillions for some countries and sectors.” ###

 

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