Welcome to EnCore, the advocacy page of the blog where mountaineers and environmental-minded people can share and call to attention the clear and present threats that our mountains and forests face today. Together, we mountaineers are a stakeholder in the condition of our forests. We are a force that can help save our forests, and bring to public attention what is going on in the mountains.
Through EnCore, we can coordinate and collaborate activities such as protest climbs, tree-planting, river-cleanup and many other activities. If you have an ongoing advocacy in your province or town, you can share it here. We must tap the power of the Internet to bind us together into action. We are now connected through the cyberspace - let us use this connection to shed light upon issues that affect our nature.
Is the situation that bad? Yes, it is. Our forests, among the most biodiverse in the whole world, are fast dwindling in number. We go to faraway mountains and enjoy the beauty of virgin forests, but sadly, these same forests that we see as beauty are seen by greedy men as money. The endangered species that we know we ought to protect are viewed as mere creatures to be sacrificed for personal and financial gain. Misguided practices of the past such the kaingin (slash-and-burn) system of agriculture continue to exist, ruining precious hectares of our watersheds. Alas, these are powerful and stubborn men and we have to take an extra mile if we are to count in this battle to save our forests.
We are not only after the destroyers of our forests. We must also fight against trekkers who ruin the name and reputation of a "mountaineer". They call themselves mountaineers but litter their garbage in the campsites. These are people who instead of leaving only their footprints, leave bottles of gin, and plastic wrappers without concern. We must also correct these practices and our environment corner is also a venue to report these wrongs. We must promote outdoor ethics, as enshrined in the Leave No Trace principles.
With these, I invite you to read the advocacies and issues raised in this page. Speak out and let us know what you think of these issues. Share your ideas by posting comments on how best to solve these problems, and tell us if there are advocacies you think deserve to be heard. We have many mountains to climb, and many mountains to defend.
ONGOING ADVOCACIES
Click on the images to learn more about current campaigns to save and protect Philippine mountains and forests.
SIERRA MADRE LOGGING PROBLEM
The issue: Several groups including the UP Mountaineers have been campaigning against the logging problem in the Sierra Madre. Incessant, unbridled logging operations threaten to destroy this final frontier for many wildlife, as well as the largest remaining forest in the country. In particular, the Ipo Watershed in Bulacan has been stripped of its forest cover, although they have hidden this act by sparing the more visible areas of the watershed. There are many other areas in the mountain range that are crying out for help.
TREES VS. MEGAWATTS
The issue: Environmental and mountaineering groups in Negros have protested against the expansion of a geothermal site in Mt. Kanlaon that would entail cutting 4,000 trees in what is supposedly a protected area. A "Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition" has been formed to lobby against this intrusion to the forest. In fairness to the PNOC-EDC, they have vowed to comply with their agreement with the provincial board to plant trees in project site in exchange for the trees that would have to be sacrificed. Still, the environmental impact of the over 4,000 trees cut may not be that easily compensated, and so the issue carries on.
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS YOU CAN JOIN
(This list is still being populated and will be posted soon)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
EnCore: Environment Corner+Advocacy Page
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ANOTHER LOPEZ COMPANY IN HOTSEAT OVER GEOTHERMAL
The amended TRO filed last Thursday by the volunteer counsels of Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition, Atty. Andrea Si and Atty. Andres Hagad, did not stop the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) of the Lopezes from cutting down trees in the buffer zone of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP), Negros Occidental.
As of July 28, 2008, 576 trees were reportedly cut down by EDC based on the account of Delia Locsin of the coalition. The geothermal development project will cover 169 hectares of the buffer zone of MKNP with more than 4,000 trees threatened to be chopped.
Don Flordeliza of Green Watch Philippines said that an average of 500 trees will be cut weekly leaving the supporters of Save Mt. Kanlaon in grave urgency to have the amended TRO approved. If the court decision will take more than one month, the buffer zone will be almost 80% denuded, Flordeliza pointed.
Years and Years of Exploration
Then a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) under the name PNOC, it started its exploration for sources of geothermal energy in the MKNP in 1987.
Instead of the targeted 40 megawatt geothermal power needed to justify for further search of the alternative energy, PNOC only acquired around 4-5 megawatts in MKNP using around P8 million of taxpayers money based on a report by the Freedom from Debt Coalition- Negros (FDC). Though Mt. Kanlaon is a volcano, the group noted that up until now the exploration still continues even without plausible proof that there is sufficient geothermal power in the area to supply the Negros island.
Based on the website of EDC by the Lopez-owned First General Corp., the corporation borrowed $68.5 million from Japan Bank for International Cooperation to purchase PNOC. The FDC-Negros report revealed that EDC is working out several foreign and local loans to buy-out other GOCC power utilities.
Effects of the Exploration
During the first press conference organized by Green Watch Philippines last August 4, 2008, farmer-supporters of the Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition expressed their sentiments of the possible consequences should the cutting down of trees in the buffer zone persists.
Enrique Tayo, a farmer from Negros, mentioned via video-conferencing that they are now experiencing massive flash floods and erosions. Some Negrense farmers in the Mt. Kanlaon area are resorting to the use of chemicals in the farming process since output production is low through organic farming. Tayo explained that a well-heeled irrigation system normally aids organic farming however without the trees there would be major irrigation issues. There are only a few trees left holding the earth in MKNP tapos puputulin pa, he added.
Mara Pardo de Tavera, a supporter-environmentalist and the President of the Organic Producers and Traders Association (OPTA) proposed to have the people living near MKNP tested by doctors to check for signs of health problems related to the geothermal exploration. Arsenic poisoning is usually associated in this type of energy exploration.
"We are now starting to feel the rebound of this EDC crime. We challenge the Lopezes, who by the way are also Ilonggos, and EDC officials who decided on this project, to actually live in the area so they can have a first-hand experience of all the effects of this so-called geothermal exploration," a member of Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition denounced.
Call for Senate Inquiry
Senator Pia Cayetano, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, wrote to Mr. Paul Aquino, EDC President and Chief Executive Officer, concerning the exploration and development of the buffer zone pointing that "any geothermal exploration for or development of energy or mineral resources within MKNP shall not be allowed except by an Act of Congress."
The letter made a reference to RA 7586 or the National Integrated Area System Act (NIPAS Act) that buffer zones are "included in the individual protected area management plan that shall be prepared for each protected area to avoid or minimize harm to the protected area."
Senator Cayetano requested for the postponement of the exploration in the buffer zone until environmental issues and concerns can be answered.
A senate inquiry will be requested by Sen. Cayetano on the Mt. Kanlaon issue.
Negrenses Unite
The Catholic Lay Forum, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement -Negros (PRRM), Freedom from Debt Coalition -Negros (FDC), LEAD Negros, DAWN, Soldiers of Ecology, Green Alert, students of St. Scholastica, among other supporters showed active and potent support to save the buffer zone of MKNP.
A campaign of wearing yellow ribbons in wrists and outfits, dressing up cars with yellow ribbons, and tying yellow ribbons around trees to show support to save Mt. Kanlaon is being eagerly supported by Negrenses, especially in Bacolod. Green Watch Philippines initiated the yellow ribbon campaign.
College students from Grupong Espading composed of visual artists,musicians, and local bands are holding support through campaigns for the environment in different schools and universities, mall tours, and various productions. An art exhibit on August 18 at the University of Negros Occidental -Recoletos (UNO-R) will be held with the theme of the effects of environmental degradation in Negros.
Circulation of signature sheets in churches and parishes, schools, and activity centers are being carried out to engage the whole of Negros in this plight to save Mt. Kanlaon added by Locsin.
Perhaps there is more to this geothermal exploration.
A resident living near MKNP said that tremors and earth shakes are felt almost every night by the community. This geothermal exploration can turn out not just a logging operation but might be a mining exploration as well, he added.
kudos to this effort! more power to pinoymountaineer!
The Ternate Sanitary Landfill:
A call for action
By
Gerard S. Natividad
It was during the first months of the year 2006 when vigilant Cavite-based environmental groups, Non-Government Organizations(NGO’s), People’s Organizations(PO’s), religious, academic institutions, and others first heard of a startling project that caused a once peaceful and silent upland municipality to engage into a heightened level of awareness and to unite in action opposing a multi-million peso project in their area.
A proposal for a sanitary landfill that would cater for the province’s so-called waste management problem was submitted to the office of the Provincial Governor by its proponent, Environsave, Inc. An estimated 8 hectare piece of land just at the footsteps of a National Park would serve as cradle for wastes generated by a whole province. As if inadvertently, the proposed site is located within the area of the quarrying company- Cavite Ideal(better known as Cavdeal), who happens to be the same people behind the landfill project. These series of events eventually led to the formation of a community-based, people’s organization called Ternateños Against Landfill Association(TALA) comprising of representatives from various sectors in Ternate, Cavite. A concrete example of a classic community organizing principle wherein environmental groups, NGO’s and the like, coming from outside the community facilitated the basic information with regards the issue and “which correspondingly stimulate local initiative and leadership as the primary instrument of change.”(Polson. In The Lasallian Way towards social transformation(p.100) Lasallian Community Development Center)
This, truly is an effective strategy of participatory, people-centered and area-based initiatives to address the landfill issue. With the collaborative efforts being done by different concerned sectors, manual and technical support systems to address the landfill issue has greatly materialized. Ranging from dialogues with the Local Government Units, consultative meetings and presentations with both the proponent and stakeholders, data gathering and inquiries with legal counsels and technical experts, ground-working and paper-trailing the different documents concerning the project, and also, there had been 4 major rallies and mobilizations which reflects advocacy leading to action through a peaceful yet active non-violent display of deep community concern.
All these efforts eventually led to an empowered PO and a well-coordinated and consorted effort to oppose the project. During the course of all these, various standpoints and arguments came to light on why there is a dire need for the project not to push through. Listed below are some of these reasons as well as steps done by the groups:
The proposed site for the landfill is situated right beside the bufferzone of a national park as proclaimed in Oct.26,1976 by then President Ferdinand Marcos under Proc. No. 1594 “Declaring Mts. Palay-palay/ Mataas na Gulod and vicinities situated in the municipalities of Ternate and Maragondon, province of Cavite and the municipality of Nasugbu, province of Batangas, isaland of Luzon as a National Park, Game refuge and bird sanctuary.”
Just this year, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Proc. No. 1315 “Declaring Mts. Palay-palay/ Mataas na Gulod National park as Protected Area which shall be known as Mts. Palay-palay Mataas na Gulod Protected Landscape.” Signed this June 27, 2007.Thus, being declared as a Protected area, this ought to have stricter policies and guidelines favoring the anti-ternate landfill groups. But the proclamation also led us to doubt that a much grander scheme is at work favoring the landfill. Here are some of the ‘questionable and dubious” statements in the Proc.no.1315.
a) The original land area of the park was 4000 hectares, but it was narrowed to 3973.13 hectares as stated in proc.no. 1315.
b) As stated in the proclamation no.1315, the protected landscape would now be “subject to private rights”.
c) When the “technical descriptions” of the proclamation was plotted to a topographic map, it showed a difference of area of the delineation than that of existing records of the park’s original boundaries
Former President Marcos issued Proclamation no.1520 dated Nov.28, 1975 “Declaring the municipalities of Maragondon and Ternate in Cavite and the municipality of Nasugbu in Batangas province as a Tourist Zone, and for other purposes.” Which is under the jurisdiction of the Philippines Tourism Authority. Contrary to what the proponent says about tourism, the anti-ternate landfill groups believes that this facility would only drive away tourists enroute to the beaches and mountaineering/trekking destinations in Ternate if ever the project might proceed.
According to the Implementing Rules and Regulations(IRR) of the Republic Act 9003 also known as Ecological Solid waste management Act of 2000, as stated in Section 40. Criteria For Siting a Sanitary Landfill. (d) “The site must be chosen with regard for the sensitivities of the community’s residents.” The project should gain Social Acceptability from the community concern. But the community’s opposition to the project is reflected by these courses of actions:
a) Series of rallies and mass mobilizations participated by the thousands around the town of Ternate which was also featured in different television, radio and print media.
b) Signature campaign comprising of 12,000 signatures of Ternate residents from a population of 20,000 which was submitted to the Environmental Management Bureau region 4A(EMB-4A) and the DENR main office to stand as basis for the government agency not to issue an Environmental Compliance Certificate(ECC). But eventually they did issue an ECC dated Sept.26, 2007.
c) The residents and organized groups also decided to file a petition to the COMELEC Proposing By Local Initiative the Enactment of an Ordinance under RA 6735 entitled, “An ordinance declaring barangay Sapang, Municipality of Ternate, Province of Cavite as being an integral part of the continuing classification of the municipality of Ternate as a Tourist zone and further classifying Barangay Sapang as a Special Ecological Zone, prohibiting the opening, construction and operation of any sanitary landfill therein, providing penalties for violation of this ordinance and for other purposes,” as a municipal ordinance for the municipality of Ternate, Cavite. Rare is the instance that this type of move is done wherein a given percentage of voting population would make a move to enact an ordinance. Being this, lawyers from the Comelec faced a blank wall upon receiving this document. And we are currently on the move and looking for assistance from legal counsels who could shed some light with this type of action.
According also to the Implementing Rules and Regulations(IRR) of the Republic Act 9003 also known as Ecological Solid waste management Act of 2000, as stated in Section 40. Criteria For Siting a Sanitary Landfill. (e) “The site must be located in an area where the landfill’s operation will not detrimentally affect environmentally sensitive resources such as Aquifer, Groundwater reservoir or watershed areas.”
Also from the IRR of RA 9003. Penal Provisions. Section 48. Prohibited Acts (16) “The construction or operation of landfills or any waste disposal facility on any Aquifer, Groundwater reservoir or watershed area and on any portions thereof.”
a) The proposed site for the landfill is declared part of the study area by the Local Water Utilities Authorities(LWUA) and the Japanese International Cooperating Agency(JICA) issued last 1995 as a Groundwater Basin and declared also by Bechtel Engineering hired by Puerto Azul Resort as a Water Basin.
b) As stated in the “Report on the Geological assessment of the proposed sanitary landfill located inside the quarry site of Cavdeal in Ternate, Cavite” prepared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau(MGB) of the DENR, “Based on the groundwater availability map of the Philippines, the project area has fairly extensive and productive Aquifers with average annual potential recharge of 0.3 to 0.8meter.”
c) Safe drinking water for the surrounding municipalities are threatened buy the facility. Because one of the major hazardous by-products by landfills are called Leachate. According to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire website, “Leachate is a potentially toxic fluid that could leak from a landfill site and pollute aquifers and surface water.”
d) According to the same report that was released by the MGB, it states that the site “Is located in a creek valley bounded by two high hilly terrains… The creek is part of the tributary of the Sapang River.” We all know that water always go down stream, having the site as a tributary for a river would surely be alarming for those living douwn stream. Contaminated water can easily flow to other tributaries posing a threat not only to humans and animals but also plants.
Hydrologic hazard stated in the “Report on the Geological assessment of the proposed sanitary landfill located inside the quarry site of Cavdeal in Ternate, Cavite” prepared by the MGB indicates that “Since the proposed area for landfill site is situated on a drainage floor, it is very likely that the area may experience flash flooding caused by heavy runoff coming from the upstream area.” Let us not set aside the fact that the site proposed is within a quarry site. The capacity of the soil to hold moisture has already been depleted and that if a flash flood may occur, it could easily boulders and rocks that can easily be dislodged from the site due to the quarrying activity. This, again, pose a major threat to the community’s safety and welfare.
Mts Palay palay/ Mataas na Gulod National Park is home to a wide array of flora and fauna and quite a number of endemic and endangered species. Studies and researches are being conducted in the area both by students and faculties from De La Salle University- Dasmariñas in Dasmariñas, Cavite. And biodiversity conservation is one of their main thrusts in their field. The national park is one of the identified sites in the book: Key Conservation Sites in the Philippines: A Haribon Foundation and Birdlife International Directory of Important Bird Areas(IBA’s) by Mallari,Neil Aldrin, et.al. (2001). And having such a facility in the area may create a big imbalance in the ecology that might affect the sensitive wildlife.
In the presentations conducted by Environsave regarding the landfill, one of the components of the said facility is a Materials Recovery Facility, wherein the said landfill shall be receiving ‘mixed(unsegregated) waste’ from all over the province and that segregation shall be done on-site. It is clearly stated again, in the IRR of RA 9003 Article 2. Segregation of Wastes. Section21. Mandatory Segregation of Solid Wastes. “That segregation of wastes shall primarily conducted at the source, to include household, institutional, industrial, commercial and agricultural sources.” If the facility will be receiving mixed waste, then there would be no effort done at the household level to help reduce, reuse, refuse and recycle wastes. The very heart of RA 9003 is that it must be done at source.
Traffic and road-safety also is a major concern. If the facility would be catering for all the trash the province would produce then it may create unrest for those living along the highways that these trucks would pass by. Foul smell(due to unsegregated wastes), noise pollution and safety for both commuters and pedestrians is at stake if there is an added number of trucks passing a single route to a common destination. Even if it has ‘transfer stations’ it would still not discount the fact that trucks would be set to go to these so-called transfer stations as proposed by the proponent. Highways and road systems will also be subjected to damage due to the volume and capacity of these bridges and roadways to service large and heavy dump trucks.
Based on the reprint of Rachel’s Environment and Health Weekly(#37 Aug10,1987, #116 Feb.14,1989, #617 Sept.24, 1998)
a) #37: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says All Landfills Leak, even those using best available liners.
b) #116: Analyzing why all landfills leak.
c) #617: Landfills are dangerous.
Here in the Philippines there are quite a number of experiences that so-called landfill proponents submit proposals for a Sanitary Landfill that in the end only ends up to be an open dumpsite and control dumpsite. But, in paper, they all claim to be landfills. Unfortunately irreversible damage has been done to these sites with the cost of both human and environmental costs. This is true with the “landfills” located in San Mateo in Rizal, Payatas, San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan and even Clark and in Cebu. All of them ended up to be well below of what was expected to be as a “sanitary” landfill.
Based also in the official report released by the MGB, it states that “Geographically, the project site is centered at coordinates, 120 degrees 41’ 30” East Long. and 14degrees 05’ 57.2” North Lat.” Supposedly, this coordinates would fall at the center of the proposed landfill site. But when we plotted these coordinates, we made a startling discovery. It centered nowhere near the known landfill site or even nowhere near Cavdeal, the quarry company beside the site. The said coordinates when plotted to a topographic map, fell somewhere in the municipality of Nasugbu, Batangas. This being a major discrepancy in the official report released by the MGB.
In the study conducted by Tengonciang, et al. 2002, the soil along Ternate, Maragondon, and up to Magallanes are said to be volcanic.
With all these information at hand, we are calling for those who in one way or another could be of help regarding this matter. The Office of the Provincial Government(OPG) of Cavite is supporting the proponent with regards to the project. But the different sectors concerned will not be taking this sitting down. Moves have been made also by the Diocese of Imus and dialogues between the diocese and the OPG have already been ensuring. Support groups coming from outside Cavite also flourished through contacts and linkages of those involved. NGO’s, Professionals, and other institutions are currently working together to offer alternatives and training programs to address this issue.
We, as Lasallians must take part in such an undertaking. The Lasallian Community Development Center has been part of the issue since the very beginning of the matter, lending a hand during the preliminary meetings while organizing the community. Providing some technical and information/ education campaign for the enrichment of those concerned. Coordinating with other linkages as well as other offices within the University for a more holistic and synergic approach to attaining Social Transformation. In the past, we have been part of the closure of the Carmona Landfill and opposing the construction of the Magallanes Landfill which eventually led to the formation of the Cavite Greens Coalition- Kalikasan to whom LCDC is also a member. This is a call for action to us Lasallians, as part and parcel of a much larger community rather than just being in the confines of our walls, let us make a move to inflict the change that we want to see in the society…bearing in mind that all these must be in the context of a Lasallian touch and in line with the Lasallian Guiding Principles.
a proposed landfill threatens mts palay palay/ mataas na gulod national park (better known to us mountaineers as Pico De Loro).. please read and please spread the word.. we really really need every help we can get with regards to this issue. -- Gerard "dok" Natividad
http://dlsudms.multiply.com/journal/item/5/The_Ternate_Sanitary_Landfill_A_call_for_action_
gerald, thanks for bringing this up. ill add this pico de loro concern to our list...and please keep us updated. if you are organizing a protest climb, we can help spread the word. just let us know, thanks and more power!
SAGIP Forest Rangers was formed by the Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society and the Sagip Sierra Madre Multi-sector Coordinating Council to augment the forest protections implemented by the DENR in Ipo Watershed which is located in the mountains Norzagaray, Bulacan.
To know more about them and the support they need, please go here:
http://bromart.multiply.com/photos/album/64/Creation_of_S.A.G.I.P._Forest_Rangers_SFR
http://bromart.multiply.com/photos/album/63/SFR_in_Action_Sagip_forest_rangers
http://bromart.multiply.com/photos/album/65/SAGIP_Forest_Rangers_TRAINING
http://bromart.multiply.com/photos/album/62/Return_of_the_sagip_in_Anginan_River
Let us remeber that contrary to popular belief, La Mesa Watershed is not the primary source of water for the 12 million residents of Metro Manila.
Most of the water in La Mesa Reservoir comes fom Ipo and Angat Watersheds. La mesa is just a "reservoir" of water coming from Ipo and Angat Watersheds. Please see this map: http://upmencom.multiply.com/photos/album/68/Watershed_Maps#2
La Mesa Watershed has 85% forest cover and is improving while Ipo has only 30% forest cover left!
Twelve percent of Metro Manila's water supply comes from Ipo Watershed while only 4% comes from La Mesa Watershed.
La mesa Watershed has a total land area of about 2,700 hectares while Ipo Watershed has 6,600 hectares. Ipo Watershed has denuded areas greater than the size of the entire La Mesa Watershed!
We hope that IPO DAM WATERSHED can also be protected and rehabilitated just like the smaller La Mesa Watershed.
sabi nga sa kanta "..hindi nga masama ang pag-unlad, pagkat malayu-layo na rin ang ating narating...." sometimes we can balance issues with compromise, in the oil industry they have the technology to drill sideways, they can get the oil deep under sensitive areas without damaging the surface.
have anyone asked if it can be use for geothermal mining?
if it can, it would be a win-win solution.
if we will be the first to do that then the filipino will do the world a great favor?
anyway if we want to prevent projects damaging to the environment from getting permits, we should kick out from the DENR officials pretending to care for the environment, wearing floral shirts while cutting old trees in the polluted city.
yes in our beloved Pilipinas even nature is at the mercy(claws) of politics. -local
hi!
I'm in one in this advocacy of yours..i've always wished to be part of an environnmental advocacy...guess i could do this by bringin plastic bags whenever i trek alone and get the litters along the way..i once did that when i climbed a mountain in Aklan...and it felt good.
we all care for the environment but hard as we try we cant get away from using plastics, they have lots of practical use. im glad biodegradable plastic plate is now available here, sana marami pa products will be made from this corn starch plastic para me options tayo. and we shud promote alternativ to d old plastics
haaaay
mga kaibigan... one of my major concern in our places. yes is is unexplored but maybe one day it will explore for the mining. in our place at Narra, Palawan Mt. Victoria has many application for mining nakakatakot ang pag-iisip nila. 1 mining is enough na but two was operated na and gusto pa nilang dagdagan.
and one thing they applied for small scale but they operated like large scale. very alarming ang political power dito sa amin because political person are involved in extraction mining. most of the peaks and summit here are unexplored but according to my native friends mining companies conducted oger sample on different places of our mountain ranges...
im not agianst in mining coz most our gadgets in moutain climbing are came from mining. but pumili naman sila ng lugar and one thing for me there is no reposible mining, once you extract the top soil ang feritility ang soil ay mawawala na. and for me reforestation in old mining site islukohan lang. try to look for old mining site na fully recover ang forest.
sana magakaisa tayong mga moutaineers para mabantayan nating ang mahal nating kalikasan
bojie cervancia
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