The PARTNERSHIP

Newsletter of the PARTNERSHIP FOR CLEAN AIR (PCA) -Philippines Country Network
Issue No. 2, Volume 1 - 2010
___________________________________________________________________________________

• Metro air quality worsening

• Environment Group Hails MMDA's Move To Revive Metro Anti-Littering Law
• Power Plants Ordered To Stop Coal Ash Emissions
• Electric Jeepney Can Llessen RP Energy Dependence, Carbon Footprint – Angara
• Climate Finance Transparency Promoted Online
• Marching Orders
• Organic groups Hail DA's Ban On Riceland Conversion
• RP On Right Track In Promoting Renewable Energy
• Cebu Waste Workers Take A Break To Discuss Threats From Toxic Chemicals
• Bong Revilla Wants MVUC To Address RP Calamity Problem
• Pulse Asia: Only 52% Of Filipinos Know About Climate Change

(Compiled by Partnership for Clean Air, Inc.)

Metro air quality worsening
By: Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:16:00 09/21/2010

MANILA, Philippines—The quality of the air that residents of Metro Manila breathe has worsened, prompting the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to launch a crackdown on smoke-belchers along one of
the busiest thoroughfares in the metropolis.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said DENR tests on air quality in the first half of the year showed an increase in
solid or liquid particles suspended in the air.

“In the first half of 2010, it increased to 163 micrograms (ug)/normal cubic meters (Ncm). It’s really alarming. We
are redoubling our efforts,” Paje said.

In 2009, the total suspended particles (TSP) in the metropolis was 134 ug/Ncm, which was 48 percent above the
normal standard. The normal standard is 90 ug/Ncm.
He said President Benigno Aquino III himself was personally monitoring air quality in Metro Manila, which has
more than 11 million residents.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100921-293395/Metro-air-quality-worsening

Environment Group Hails MMDA's Move To Revive Metro Anti-Littering Law

By: Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines – An environmental group yesterday expressed its support behind the decision of the
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to re-implement an anti-littering ordinance for the metropolis.

In a statement, the EcoWaste Coalition, a group campaigning for a “litter-free” Philippines said the move to revive
MMDA Regulation No. 96-009 or the MMDA ordinance against littering, should strengthen the agency’s operations,
in collaboration with local government units (LGUs), to clear the streets and waterways of trash.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino earlier said the agency plans to re-implement the ban on littering, dumping and
disposal of trash in public places as embodied in the said regulation that penalizes violators with a fine of P500 to
P1,000 or a corrective community service.

The EcoWaste Coalition also called on the MMDA and the other LGUs to push for the enforcement of Republic Act
9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. “We seek and support the earnest enforcement of RA 9003 and
related ordinances and measures by the MMDA and the 17 LGUs to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and
encourage environmental stewardship among Metro Manila residents,” said EcoWaste Coalition president Roy
Alvarez in a statement.

According to the EcoWaste Coalition, RA 9003 promotes waste avoidance and volume reduction, separation of
discards at source, reuse, ecycling, composting and other best practices in waste management sans incineration.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=607968&publicationSubCategoryId=65

Power Plants Ordered To Stop Coal Ash Emissions

By: Ellalyn B. De Vera

Green advocates lauded Saturday a Mandaue City court directive halting the disposal of coal ash generated by coal-
fired power plants located in Naga and Toledo Cities in Cebu.

Last August 20, Mandaue City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Presiding Judge Marilyn Lagura-Yap issued a temporary
environmental protection order (TEPO) to remedy the “indiscriminate coal ash disposal” in the cities of Naga and
Toledo.

“We commend and congratulate the Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC) and other concerned groups and residents
who acted as petitioners for invoking the precautionary principle to uphold the constitutional rights of affected
communities in seeking protection from improperly disposed coal ash, which constitutes a public health
hazard,” EcoWaste Coalition coordinator Rei Panaligan said.

Panaligan was referring to a petition filed last August 12 by the Cebu-based PEJC before the Mandaue City RTC,
citing the ill-effects of coal ash on human health and the environment.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/273519/power-plants-ordered-stop-coal-ash-emissions

Electric Jeepney Can Llessen RP Energy Dependence, Carbon Footprint – Angara

Manila (9 September) -- Sen. Edgardo J. Angara proposed that the development and implementation of an electric
jeepney program could lessen the country's dependence on imported fuel sources and simultaneously lower the
nation's carbon footprint.
"We import roughly 96% of our petroleum, the majority of which is consumed by the growing transport sector. This
same sector accountsfor the biggest share of the energy use, nearing 40%," said Angara.

"It has long been one of the goals of the government to become energy independent. I believe that this can be
achieved by promoting innovative projects that can reduce our foreign dependence on fuel and at the same time
create a less-polluted, environmentally friendly cities," noted Angara.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p100909.htm&no=67

Climate Finance Transparency Promoted Online

The UK government has recently supported an internet-based international initiative that provides information about
the origin, amount, and use of climate funds going to developing countries to support action to fight climate change.
UK envoy to the Philippines Stephen Lillie welcomes this initiative as an opportunity that complements the climate
change and transparency commitments of the Aquino Administration in a statement on Wednesday.

"The Fast Start Financing was an important achievement of the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit in 2009. It
will help developing countries adapt to climate change, adopt clean technology and reduce emissions from
deforestation,” said UK envoy to the Philippines Stephen Lillie.

“This new internet initiative will help build confidence in the finance package as it will really increase transparency
and help government, non-governmental organisations and private sector identify specific climate funding
opportunities that really match the Philippines’ needs. As such I believe it complements well the Aquino
Administration's commitments both to addressing climate change and to increasing transparency in government,"
added Lillie.

The UK has committed to contribute £1.5 billion to Fast Start Finance over three years (2010-2012), of which £300
million would be dedicated to helping rainforest nations safeguard their forest.

The UK Government together with other countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, the Marshall Islands, Costa Rica,
Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Mexico have supported the development of www.faststartfinance.org
website initiated by the Dutch government. Launched on 3 September, the website aims to provide transparency
about the amount, direction and use of fast start climate finance, in turn building trust in its delivery and impact.
UNDP will undertake the “service and maintenance” of the website in close cooperation with World Bank and
UNEP.

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Roslyn Arayata [Climate Change Attaché] Email:roslyn.arayata@fco.gov.uk; Mobile: +63 917 571 0615; Tel: +63 2
858 2258
Lynn Ayers Plata [Press Officer] Email: lynnplata@fco.gov.uk; Mobile: +63 915 257 4803; Tel: +63 2 858 2203

Visit our website:

http://ukinthephilippines.fco.gov.uk

Visit our Facebook account:

http://www.facebook.com/ukinthephilippines

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/ukinthephilippines

Marching Orders
Written by: Joel C. Paredes

Take it from Environment Secretary Mon Paje: it’s not yet too late for the government to redeem itself.
No, he’s not talking politics, nor is he ranting to the point that it looks embarrassing. He just wants to emphasize how
President Aquino wants our people to help clean our air and water, and the government, for that matter, and by so
doing make a better environment for all.

“Dapat ang hinihinga nating hangin patas, mahirap ka man o mayaman [We should all be breathing equally clean air,
whether we’re rich or poor],” he said in a recent interview. “But what’s happening is this: those in jeepneys breathe in
270 micrograms; while those in air-conditioned rooms inhale 90 micrograms,” he added, referring to the parts-per-
million carbon-dioxide levels in the air.

And that is a problem, he added, because at 90 micrograms, the air is already dangerous to one’s health. In Metro
Manila alone, the average air pollution gauge is already 134; and where it’s cooler, like Baguio, where the air doesn’t
move as much, the pollution can be far worse.

It is a matter that has not been kept from the President, who is driven around the metropolis practically each day of
the week.

The President is not only concerned with noise pollution caused by wang-wang (sirens) but also by the air that is
saddled by suspended particulates that attack every man, woman and child in the unwieldy metropolis.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/perspective/1144-marching-orders

Organic groups Hail DA's Ban On Riceland Conversion

ORGANIC farming advocates in Mindanao welcomed the Department of Agriculture's pronouncement stopping crop
conversion or ricelands into banana plantations and called for the repeal of an order that allows unabated expansion
of lands for export bananas.

"This is definitely a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stale atmosphere of the DA," said Helenita Gamela, executive
director of Don Bosco Foundation based Makilala, North Cotabato.

She called the decision "truly pro-Pinoy" and lauded President Benigno Simeon Aquino lll for appointing DA
Secretary Proceso Alcala to the post. "He deserves our support to make a big difference," she added.

Alcala in a recent trip to Mindanao was quoted as saying the new administration would no longer allow conversion of
rice lands into banana plantations, which was rampant in the previous administration.

He said this would help contribute to the country's target of rice self-sufficiency in three years.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/organic-groups-hail-das-ban-riceland-conversion

RP On Right Track In Promoting Renewable Energy

By: Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines – Experts in the promotion of renewable energy in Asia said the Philippines is on the right
track as they cited the government’s efforts in formulating laws that focus on the use of renewable sources of energy.

Edwin Khew, chairman of the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS), observed that the Philippine
government is trying to keep up with new technologies that pay attention to urgent environmental issues.

“The Philippines is doing good. Concerned officials are coming out with laws that also give good incentives for
companies complying with environmental laws. They are doing the right thing,” Khew said in a news conference
recently held at the Mariott Hotel in Singapore.
He noted that 50 percent of carbon emission in the world comes from the Asia-Pacific Region, and that much can be
done by countries such as Singapore, the Philippines and others to address the problems affecting the environment.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=607775

Cebu Waste Workers Take A Break To Discuss Threats From Toxic Chemicals
MANDAUE CITY, Aug. 24 (PNA) -- Some members of the Cebu informal waste sector (IWS) on Monday and took
a half-day off from their backbreaking work to talk about chemical risks associated with their “climate cooling” but
hazard-prone occupation.

The participating waste pickers, garbage collectors and junkshop owners, who either work or live near dumpsite
communities in the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Talisay and in the town of Umapad, took part in a
workshop on chemical safety, focusing on the concerns of the IWS.

They were joined by government and civil society representatives who also came to learn about the occupational
safety and health issues affecting the IWS and explore possibilities of working together to limit, if not eliminate,
waste workers’ exposure to harmful chemicals.

The EcoWaste Coalition, a waste and toxic watchdog, organized the workshop in partnership with the City
Government of Mandaue, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region VII, Freedom from Debt
Coalition-Cebu and Sanlakas.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=8&sid=&nid=8&rid=296426

Bong Revilla Wants MVUC To Address RP Calamity Problem

In view of the report ranking the Philippines as the most disaster-prone country in 2009, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla
Jr. pushed for additional measures which include the use of the Motor Vehicle Users' Charge (MVUC) to address the
effects of calamities

He cited the report of the Center for Research and Epidemiology Disasters (CRED) that bared the Philippines as the
most disaster-hit country last year with 24 calamities recorded, followed by China with 16.

The senator expressed confidence that the recently-passed Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act
0f 2010 (Republic Act 10121 )will lessen the number of casualties and damage to properties brought by calamities
and disasters. "It is only proper that we institutionalize disaster management in the country down to the barangay
level. Effective implementation of RA 10121will result to a more expeditious and coordinated response to calamities
and disasters," Bong Revilla said.

However, he stressed that even after the enactment of RA 10121, the government should continue finding other ways
to mitigate the damaging effects of disasters. "We must accept the fact that calamities and disasters are regular
occurrences in our country. Earthquakes occur every now and then. We experience an average of twenty two
typhoons per year, with at least five destructive ones," he explained.

In view of this, the lawmaker filed Senate Bill No. 29 which seeks to amend RA 8794, the law regarding the
imposition of MVUC. Under the bill, seventy percent (70%) of the Special Road Support Fund, which is being
allotted from the 80% of the MVUC, shall be used exclusively for the maintenance and improvement of drainage as
well as for the clearing operations and restorations of damages caused by natural calamities. At present, the said 70
percent is being allotted only for the maintenance and improvement of national primary roads.

"Preparedness in times of natural calamities is a major concern not only before or during its onslaught. We must also
intensify the government's ability to respond in the restoration and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructures so that
we can expedite our recovery from calamities," Bong Revilla pointed out.

Based on the CRED report, the disasters that often hit the country are often classified as geophysical, like earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions; hydrological, like floods and landslides; meteorological, like typhoons; climatological, like El
Niño; and biological, like animal infestation and epidemics. It said that 14 out of the 24 disasters that hit the country
last year were classified as meteorological, 9 were hydrological, and 2 were geophysical.

The report also said that three strong typhoons - "Kiko," "Ondoy," and "Pepeng" - which badly hit the country
particularly the Northern Luzon area made it to the top 10 most important disasters in terms of mortality and damage
to property. Eleven million Filipinos in almost all parts of the country were badly affected by the said typhoons that
greatly contributed to the depletion of the country's meager calamity fund.

--
Renato Redentor Constantino
Executive Director
INSTITUTE FOR CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES (iCSC)
Unit 208, Margarita Building, Matalino St. corner Masikap Extension, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines 1101
www.ejeepney.org

Chief prank and brewer

KAMUNING REPUBLIC
http://redconstantino.blogspot.com

Pulse Asia: Only 52% Of Filipinos Know About Climate Change

Even after the country has been hit by devastating tropical cyclones caused by climate change, only 52 percent of
Filipinos know what the term “climate change" actually means, the public opinion polling body Pulse Asia said.

The survey, conducted July 1 to 11 on a multistage probability sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and
above, showed that 52 percent of Filipinos said they have a wide or sufficient knowledge about climate change.

"About one in two Filipinos (52%) has a wide/sufficient knowledge as regards climate change while the rest (48%)
has little or almost no or no knowledge at all about the matter. These figures are essentially the same as those
obtained by Pulse Asia in its July 2008 Ulat ng Bayan survey (55% and 45%, respectively)," it said.

The other important findings of the study, published on Monday at the Pulse Asia website are: • Most Filipinos (66%)
experienced a big change in climate in the past three years • The predominant sentiment among Filipinos is that
climate change is dangerous not only for the environment (71%) but also for their families and themselves (70%)

• For a sizeable majority of Filipinos (63%), the recent calamities experienced by the Philippines and other countries
may be attributed to human-induced environmental destruction

• Filipinos are relatively active in environmental protection with most of them engaged in recycling (62%), tree
planting (60%), and waste segregation (60%); sizeable percentages of Filipinos (20% to 30%) are prepared to do still
more for the environment.

http://sg.rd.yahoo.com/sea/news/article/GMAlogo/SIG=112312v5i/**http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gmanews.tv%2F