Month: January 2022

January 17, 2022

Philippines should put up more Climate Field School (CFS) similar to one in Siargao Island, rainwater harvesters, and organic compost facilities in order to adapt to climate change and flourish its agriculture sector amid weather-related disasters.

   Climate change, and its destructions as that of Odette all over Visayas and Mindanao, can no longer be ignored if Philippines’ agriculture sector should take off, according to House Deputy Speaker and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda.

   Speaking at the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc.’s (PCAFI) Halalan 2022 Para sa AGrikultura, Legarda said she will be pushing for “greening” of the supply chain once elected senator.

   PCAFI President Danilo V. Fausto, along with Alyansa Agrikultura’s Ernesto Ordonez, and three other farm-based groups are orienting 2022 election candidates on the plight of Philippines’ agriculture. Others proposing recommendations are Federation of Free Farmers Chairman Sec. Leonardo Q. Montemayor, National Scietnist Dr. Emil Q. Javier, and Rice Watch Chairman Hazel Tanchuling.

   A Climate Field School for Farmers and Fisherfolks was first established in Dumangas, Leyte.

   Its 16 module program for farmers includes 1. Climate, Pests and Diseases, Crop Growth & Development 2. Cropping System/Pattern and Climate-Related Risks 3. Understanding Weather and Climate and Climate Parameters 4. Weather and Climate Information Products 5. Forecast Interpretation, Translation and Communication, and 6. Forecasts Generation.

   The rest of the training is on Incorporating Climate Forecast in Decision Making, Understanding Forward and Backward institutional linkages in Agriculture Sector

Learning, and Implementing the Rice Integrated Crop Management System Palay Check.

   Legarda said coastal greenbelts, largely planted with mangroves as that found in Del Carmen, Siargao Island, should be put up nationwide.

   “Their mangroves, their coastal greenbelt in Del Carmen, Siargao, helped them against the (typhoon destructions).  Their destruction has not been as serious as those in other local governments units in the island of Siargao,” Legarda said.

   She may not be the author of the Rainwater Collection and Springs Development Act of 1989, said Legarda. But she is pushing for rainwater harvester’s establishment in each barangay.

   “It makes sense because there’s so much water, but we don’t have water,” she said.

   Arsenio “Toto” Barcelona, president of vegetable producer Harvest Agribusiness Corp, said during the online forum that National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) irrigation facilities irrigate largely rice only.

   “It’s high time we rationalize how we use our resources especially we are made up of many islands, so our waterways are not continuous.  Water resources should be done on island basis.  There should be a regionalized development of water resources,” said Barcelona.

   “NIA, under the Office of the President, has its 85 to 90% irrigation going just to rice fields.  We should look into this. We should see the importance of irrigation on the productivity of vegetables and fruits.”

   Barcelona said the Philippines has one of the lowest yield in high value crops among Association of Southeast Asian Nations due to deficiencies in irrigation practice.    

   “So we should give importance to new technology in irrigation especially precision irrigation,” he said.

   Legarda said organic composting should also be practiced among farmers as rice straws, animal manure, and other organic wastes are a ubiquitous source of fertilizers.

   PCAFI and the four farm-based groups have been orienting 2022 candidates on the state of Philippine agriculture and have filed the following recommendations:

1. Allocation of at least 10% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) budget for agriculture which is just “fair” considering its GDP contribution of 10%.  At present, the sector just gets 1.5% budget.  Livestock and poultry contributes 27.7% to agriculture while it only gets 5.6% of the budget.  Corn contributes 6.4%, but it only gets 1.7% of DA budget.
2. Tariff collections should be used to develop the corresponding sector—Corn, fisheries, livestock and poultry tariff should be used to develop corn, fisheries, livestock and poultry sectors.
3. The Safeguard Measures Act, Anti Dumping Act, among others, should protect local farmers from unfair competition from imports.
4. National Irrigation Administration should be administered by DA for proper irrigation coordination.
5. The Bureau of Agriculture Cooperatives should be created under DA
6. Local government Units should allocate funds for agriculture extension as part of the proposed Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) to ensure farmers get direct assistance on technology.
7. Convergence of DA, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Science and Technology to promote food and beverage manufacturing
8. Establishment of agro-industrial hubs and corridors
9. Passage of Land Use Bill to preserve agricultural lands
10. Diversification of agriculture production to invest more in horticultural and industrial crops, poultry, livestock, fisheries
11. Developing biotechnology, food science, automation, digitalization to enhance productivity and competitiveness
12. Regreening, watershed management, and agro-forestry implementation. (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

January 10, 2022

The Philippines has signed the Preah Sihanouk Ministerial Declaration in support of regional cooperation on coastal resilience to climate change programs and of PEMSEA 2030 which will address marine plastic pollution and foster the Blue Economy.

   Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu signed the ministerial declaration during the Seventh Ministerial Forum of the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2021.

   “Being the most vulnerable region in the world to climate change, we need to enhance strategic partnerships under the existing mechanism which PEMSEA provides,” Cimatu said. PEMSEA stands for the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA).

   The Philippines also reiterates its commitment to the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia 2022 to 2027.

   Cimatu said the need for regional cooperation in coastal management has intensified even in light of the Covid 19 pandemic along with the challenges of climate change.

   He said the Covid 19 pandemic and climate risks have been adversely affecting the Philippine economy.  These have huge negative impact national revenue, people’s livelihood, and the budget for environmental protection.

   The Philippines lost in 2020 $8 billion in tourism revenue including loss due to closure of beach resorts and Marine Protected Areas  and may continue to lose 6% of its gross domestic product (GDP) due to climate-associated risks.

   “These have exacerbated the funding gap on marine environmental protection,” Cimatu said at the East Asia Seas (EAS) Congress 2021.

   PEMSEA 2030 is a decade program of collaboration in South East Asia for reducing marine plastic pollution, enhancing management of Marine Protected Area Network (MPAN), and adopting the SDS-SEA.

   The Philippines, Cimatu recalled, asserted before the  26^th Conference of Parties (COP) that financing climate change mitigation and adaptation projects need three types of funding support. 

   These are grants, investments by private businesses in climate-ready technologies, and subsidies for renewable energy.

   Investments in climate-friendly systems are a necessity.  Or much more will be lost in national revenue because destruction of the environment destroys natural resources that are a source of income, jobs, and livelihood.

   “Climate change exacerbates the current pressures that our coral reefs are experiencing.  Based on a study, the Philippines is estimated to lose 6% of its gross domestic product every year until 2100 if it disregards he risks associated with climate change,” he said.

   The application of “blended protection,”  the protection of both land and sea (rivers), and environmental protection through “adaptive management” will be done in the Philippines.    

    This DENR aims to do in order to protect biodiversity.   It includes imposition of a ban on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF).

   It also involves both the protection of river ecosystems and establishment of natural infrastructure (fortress, fence).  Both will support “human social, cultural, and economic needs” (according to the the Stockholm International Water Institute’s exposition on blended protection).

   Cimatu said the government is gratified that the famous Boracay beach has bounced back in attracting tourists. This is despite its closure for six months in order for government to set up sewage treatment facilities and water improvement measures.

   “The renewed image of Boracay worldwide now provides the local government and communities with sustained tourism and livelihood,” he said.

   Likewise, despite the seemingly insurmountable task of cleaning the Manila Bay, DENR has started pursuing its rehabilitation.  This cleanup includes cleanup of the 16 major rivers and 14 river outfalls that drain into Manila Bay’s shores.

   “Massive cleanup and dredging of esteros, construction of solar-powered sewage treatment plants, relocation of informal settlers, and beach nourishment of the baywalk are continuously being undertaken,” he said.

   “Significant reductions in fecal coliform counts were recorded at several monitoring stations in 2020.”

   Cimatu said generating income through the “Blue Economy” has become imperative to support protection of  coastal and marine habitats. Blue economy  is the concept of good stewardship of ocean and its resources.

   “To promote the Blue Economy, the Philippines continues to support sustainable tourism where we ensure the protection of coastal and marine habitats, resources and water quality as well as promote viable livelihood for coastal communities.”

   To promote the Blue Economy also means that the country will engage in sustainable fisheries through multi-species aquaculture and supplemental livelihood for fishers.  It is supporting traceability for sustainable tuna fisheries.

   “The country further invests in more green ports using renewable energy, solar panel lighting, and the establishment of shore reception facilities,” he said.

   Conservation of forests and terrestrial ecosystems to eliminate land-based pollution has to continue as land pollution also finds its way to oceans.

   The Philippines will also pursue emerging Blue Economy industries such as marine renewable energy, marine biotechnology, and green shipbuilding. 

   In relation to this, it will produce the National State of Oceans and Coasts Report.   It reports East Asian Seas’ progress in promoting sustainable and inclusive ocean economy and the nations’ ocean assets.

   The Integrated Coastal Management Act supports Philippines’ sustainable development of coastal and related ecosystems, food security, poverty reduction, and elimination of circumstances that makes the country vulnerable to climate change impacts.  (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)

January 7, 2021

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is implementing an ecosystem-based management on Ilog-Hilabangan in Negros Isalnd and Tagum-Libuganon in Davao Region (mainly Davao del Norte) in an aim to reduce their vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.

  DENR and the Deutsche Geselschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) signed a technical cooperation agreement for the implementation of the Ecosystem-based Adaptation in River Basins (E2RB) project.

   DENR’s River Basin Control Office (RBCO), implementation partner of the project, initiated activities in 2021 despite challneges due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

   “A Project Management Committee has already been created.  We can start implementation this year after some delays due to Covid 19,” according to RBCO Executive Director Nelson V, Gorospe.

   The Philippine government is receiving a E4.6 million grant from the German government  for the “Ecosystem-based Adaptation in 2 River Basins” . 

   It will strengthen the river basins’ ecosystem services, protect their biodiversity, and important, reduce their vulnerability to climate change as destructive flooding have been experienced in the river basins.

   “One of the basis for the choice of the site is perennial flooding,” said Gorospe.

   The German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservatin and Nuclear Safety through the International Climate Initiative has commissioned GIZ to implement the project.

   E2RB is in line with DENR’s program on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction Roadmap 2018-2022. It also aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, Philioppine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and enhanced National Greening Program.

   “The effective protection of forests in river basins supports the objectives of the Philippine intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) in the area of mitigation through the contribution of forest sector to the planned total greenhouse gas reduction of 70% in 2030,” according to the DENR-GIZ implementation agreement.

   The project intends to have the following impacts:

•  Secure access to drinking water for 500 households and sufficient supply of water for 3,000 hectares of agricultural land
• Introduction of financial instruments to support the EbA activities
• Use of ecosystem services valuation instruments in government policies, plans and monitoring procedures for conservation financing for river basins
• Reduce vulnerability to climate change  with improved biodiversity protection (from landslide, flood risk in four watersheds in at least 20 municipalities by 10 %.

   Government has also been arresting extinction of important species in the forests in the river basins.     Among the threatened species in the Ilog Hilabangan watershed are hornbills (Penelopides panini and Aceros waldeni), the endangered Philippine spotted deer (Cervus alfredi), and the Philippine warty pig (Sus cebifrons (WCSP 1997). (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)