NEWS Feature: YPEC’s Participation in City Legislation

By Joseph Benedict

In lieu of the global concern of saving our environment, the City Government of Legazpi, consistent with its program as a developing city, promulgates some measures to join such concerns.

In connection with this, the Young Professional Environmental Club, as a duly organized body with the objective of helping also abides with such concern. To help the city where this organization was founded, YPEC seeks to help the Legazpi City Council promulgate an ordinance with the purpose of reducing the waste production throughout the city.

In doing so, YPEC Officers in coordination with Hon. City Councilor Rolly E. Rosal, Chairman for the Committee of Environment, Legazpi City Council have suggested that the proposed ordinance be scrutinized by the club. This would allow the club officers to suggest some things for the improvement of the said ordinance. Here are some of the recommendations/suggestions:

a. the proposed City Ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE DISPOSAL OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL EXCRETA AND EGESTA, CLINICAL, AND OTHER WASTES FROM HOSPITALS, CLINICS AND OTHER SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS, OBSTRUCTION OF WATERWAYS AND DUMPING INTO BODIES OF WATER, REQUIRING CERTAIN PERSONS, INSTITUTIONS, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS, LAND, AIR AND SEA TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UTILITY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE GARBAGE RECEPTACLES FOR REFFUSE AND THROWING LITTER AND GARBAGE OUT OF MOVING PRIVATE AND PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES should have an alternative title Anti-Littering Ordinance or Solid Waste Management Ordinance.

b. Section 2:21-22 of the proposed City Ordinance should also include the delegation of duties to Environmental Organizations, Public Safety Personnel, and Policemen.

c. Section 3 of the said City Ordinance should also state the budget, its source and its management for the implementation of this legislation.

d. Section 8 should impose higher fines in case of violations of the discussed Ordinance.

e. Also for uniformity of fines, the Ordinance should make the computation of fines 10% of the monthly income for big establishments. Furthermore, this Section should state also how many times a violator should do such violative acts before the punishment of Non-Renewal of Business Permit could be implemented.

f. Section 10 should include where the cost for rehabilitation of a particular affected area will come from.

g. Things like information dissemination should be clearly stated in the ordinance as well as the inclusion of NGOs in such undertaking.

On April 29, 2008, a Public Hearing was held at the Sangguniang Panglusod Session Hall, Legazpi City Hall Complex with attendees that included community health practitioners, hospital administrators, mall and restaurant managers, officials from different barangays, youth, CENRO, NGOs, media practitioners, academe, city veterinarian, and PNP. The following recommendations were presented and discussed:

a. Apprehension – citizen arrest can be applied and the person caught will be subjected to payment of fines and/or seminar.

b. Garbage receptacles should be increased in numbers throughout the city.

c. Billboards and signages should be used in terms of information dissemination.

d. The City Government should do separate collection of hospital wastes and other toxic elements.

e. The Committee on Education should include in their program massive information dissemination about this proposed City Ordinance.

f. The conduct of Seminars or community service on violators of this Ordinance.

g. Improved garbage collection – garbage trucks should have covers in order not to add to pollution.

h. In case a minor is apprehended for violation of this Ordinance, he/she shall be referred to DSWD for proper guidance.

Simple Ways to Reduce Wastes

by Naysan Albaytar

1. Minimize the use of paper napkins. If possible, go for cloth napkins or handkerchiefs for daily use.

2. Prefer the use of rechargeable and refillable materials instead of disposable ones. This applies to products like batteries and pentel pens. Not only will they give savings but will also help in waste reduction.

3. Buy in bulk. Prefer products that are packed together in a single package than those that are still packed individually in plastic wrappers before being included in the package. There’ll be a lot of savings on plastic wastes.

4. Compost biodegradable wastes.

5. Recycle. It does not actually require a complicated process all the time. You can simply reuse clean plastic bags instead of throwing them away. Use biscuit containers or cans, even shoe boxes, as storage materials. The back portion of papers can still be used as scratch sheets if still unwritten. As simple as those are of great help.

6. Give to the needy. Instead of throwing old clothes away, give them to those who need them. If you can’t find a charitable institution, find the right neighbor who will appreciate them.

7. Learn crafts. Learn how to sew; they’ll reduce instances of having to throw away clothes because of damage. Learn the art of making cards out of used paper; you wont have to buy cards for your loved ones during important occasions. Besides, your effort will make things more meaningful. Learn more crafts, reduce wastes, and feel fulfilled with your new knowledge. And if you’ve learned enough, you can even probably earn money.

8. Find the right persons. There are establishments that buy used things like plastic bottles and cans. There are those who manually roam around to buy and collect them. Find one, give them your wastes, and get your money.

9. Share. Educate your younger siblings about what you know – recycling, reusing, conserving. The more the people in action, the better.

10. Practice sentimental value at its peak. Remember those days when you had your favorite school shoes already worn-out but you were so stubborn and wouldn’t want to replace them because you loved them so much? That even when your mom already bought you a new pair you wouldn’t wear them and refused to part with the old pair? That would be of great use here. Every damage in your things should not be a sign to get replacements. If the damage can still be repaired and the repair is not that expensive, go for it. You will not only save money but will also reduce wastes that could have been brought by throwing away damaged stuff.

NEWS Feature: Round Table Conference on Climate Change

YPEC was given the opportunity to become part of the organizing committee of the recently concluded round table conference on climate change. The said activity was held at the Pacific Mall convention hall, Legazpi City last April 17-18, 2008. It was the first time that YPEC participated in an event of national significance. The event was covered by the national tri-media. Correspondents from major media groups, such as Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN, Radio Veritas, and Bombo radio, were present.

The said conference was officially dubbed: “1st Scientists and Community Developments Practitioners on Climate Risk Reduction/Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Round Table Discussion.” It was attended by the eminent scientists of the country, including Dr. William Pandolina (IRRI chief and former DOST secretary), Dr. Angel Alcala (marine biologist and former DENR secretary), and Dr. Rosa Perez (PAGASA climate change expert). The said activity was also attended by some of the top leaders of the country, including Sec. Angelo Reyes of the Department of Energy and Hon. Richard Gordon, Philippine senator and president of the Philippine National Red Cross. Local chief executives, various NGO’s, and church leaders were also among the delegates. The academe sector was represented by the president of Xavier University, the Chancellor of UPLB, the president of Siliman University, and professors from Bicol University.

The conference was the initiative of the provincial government of Albay under the leadership of Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda. However, the actual planning and execution of the said conference were administered by CIRCA (Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Change). One of the commendable things about the conference was the minimal expense incurred by the provincial government. Majority of the funding came from various corporate and NGO sponsors.

Although majority of the delegates were from the province of Abay, the output of the said conference will be applied to the 76 provinces of the Philippines. Among the accomplishments of the conference were the signing of various MOA’s and MOU’s. One significant MOA was signed between the province of Albay and UPLB. The said MOA tackles the streamlining of the education curricula from the elementary to the tertiary level. Climate change adaptation concepts and findings will be integrated into the various subjects of all school levels. Albay will serve as the pilot province. The conference also rallied the delegates to contribute to the drafting of a senate bill regarding climate change. On the other hand, the local chief executives were expected to integrate the presented scientific findings in the local development plans of their respective localities.

Mountain Climbing

WHO:

Interested YPEC Members

WHAT:

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING AND CLEANUP DRIVE

WHEN:

Briefing/Orientation: April 19 (Saturday), 5:00 – 5:30 after work
Climb: April 27-28 (Sunday and Monday)

WHERE:

Camp 1, Mount Mayon

NOTE:

Sa gabos pong interesado mag-iba, post na lang po nindo an comment igdi para po maaraman mi kun pera talaga. Salamat po saindo. For more details, please contact Mr. Ryan Baliza (YM ID: ryan_baliza).

DENR-Bicol kicks off Earth Day celebration

(Source: http://www.positivenewsmedia.net)

LEGAZPI CITY — Colorful activities participated in by numerous stakeholders, ordinary citizens and local government representatives mark the observance of Earth Day here from March 26 to April 22 to be spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“This is a nationwide event but Bicol region is actively supporting the occasion as delegates from the southern parts of the country will traverse several provinces here along the Maharlika Highway,” Fred Araya of DENR-Bicol said, quoting newly installed regional executive director Joselin Marcus Fragada.

Focusing on water, hence the theme “Tubig ay Buhay-Ating Pagyamanin at Linisin,” the caravan in Bicol will start from Matnog, Sorsogon on April 1 following the arrival of the delegation from Region VIII which will be met by DENR 5 officials led by Fragada.

Fragada said that after welcoming the Region VIII delegation, the caravan will proceed to Sorsogon City for the following activities: Anti-Smoke Belching Campaign, Information and Education campaign on Wildlife Conservation Protection to be hosted by Sorsogon Governor Sally Lee to introduce deputized Wildlife Conservation Officers, and signing of memorandum of agreement on Adopt-a-mojon program.

On April 2, the said caravan travels to Pili in Camarines Sur where the following will be held at the Provincial Capitol Complex Compound: Brief Presentation of the Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (BRBBWMP), MOA signing on the Libmanan-Pulantuna Watershed Management Council (WMC) to be hosted by Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte.

The caravan will pass along major thoroughfares in Naga City from 12 noon to 1 p.m. of the same day, then travel to Daet, Camarines Norte at 3 p.m., MOA signing on Watershed Management Council, and Bike for the Environment will be held at the Provincial Capitol Ground in Daet town.

On the last day (April 3) of the Bicol leg of the people’s caravan, the itinerary includes travel to Lucena City (5-7 a.m.), converge with DENR region 4-A at Calauag Quezon at 7:30 to 10 a.m., stopover at SM Lucena for the turnover of land documents from DENR Region 4-A to DENR 5 at 10 – 10:30 a.m. and travel to National Capital Region with stopover at SM Mall of Asia.

Fragada said other people’s caravan activities include Handog Titulo, People’s Day, motorcade and roadside tree planting (with Motortrade as partner) media interaction, signing of “Pangako sa Inang Kalikasan,” and information campaign against illegal logging in Catanduanes.

The people’s caravan delegation from the different regions will converge at San Fernando, Pampanga the following day (April 4).

Specific activities for the Earth Day celebration on April 22 in the Bicol region will be announced later, Fragada said.

The first Earth Day was held in 1970, marking a milestone in history where environmentalism took center stage and was translated into concrete action as a chance for people around the world to celebrate the planet and their responsibility toward it.
Locally, Earth Day celebration started in 1990 after then President Corazon C. Aquino issued Proclamation No. 553 on April 16, 1990, mandating April 22 every year as Earth Day in the Philippines. (PNA)