Atenews E-Mag 2 by Atenews

Above artwork by Rafael S. Benedicto

e•mag 2

a Atenews • The official student publication of Ateneo de Davao University • Volume 59 – No. 6

Vol. 59 • No. 6

A Change for a Change Suffocation of Davao Gulf’s Coral Reefs Philippine Eagle: 20 Years Critically Endangered The Great Tampakan Letdown The Great Tampakan Letdown

The

Staff

Kirsten Ilajas EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Ursula Calipayan ASSOCIATE EDITOR • Jason Occidental MANAGING EDITOR • Ma. Kristina Camelia Nardo NEWS EDITOR • Christopher Ed Caboverde FEATURES EDITOR • Steely Dhan Caballero ART EDITOR • Kristoffer Jan Tipon ASSOCIATE ART EDITOR • Juan Basilio Espinoza HEAD OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS • Madel Catre, Kathleen Joyce Pastrana, Katrina Kate Dianne Punay, Estella Jane Sasil, Hannah Faith Tormis, John Paulo Vicencio SENIOR WRITERS • Jesher Joshua Arsenio, Jessica Marie Caliso, Le Grande Dolino, Katrina Guilonsod, Minnie Maboloc, Mary Gyle Manuba, Sol Mariano, Daniel Naranjilla Jr., Lyka Picardal JUNIOR WRITERS • Nadine Caballes HEAD CARTOONIST • Dexter Vaughn Mancao, Edrianne Carl Militar CARTOONISTS • Janine Carla Abejay, Rona Jane Buca, Necta Casiple, Charydel Cassandra Malintad PHOTOJOURNALISTS • Rafael Benedicto HEAD OF LAYOUT & GRAPHICS • Iara Razelle Sayson, JairahMae Viduya LAYOUT & GRAPHICS ARTISTS • John Lorence Lim HEAD OF WEB STAFF • Maria Roselle Alberca WEB STAFF • Jonathan Javellana VIDEOGRAPHER/VIDEO EDITOR

“Staff Tree” design by Rafael S. Benedicto

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

Note from the

Editor

t was really tough work to produce this magazine. From chasing government officials to actually visiting sites and talking to residents, it took us a lot of time to prepare for an environmental magazine that is centered in Mindanao.

would start the change and that would somehow try to save what could be saved.

For a bit, this has got us thinking. Is it not too overrated? Is the issue on mining not yet been tackled for so long? Is the issue on pollution not yet been discussed for ages? Are we going to push this instead of another concept that is fresh and will be more interesting to the students?

We dream of leaving our children luscious green trees to climb, clear waters to swim and safe air to breathe. As we flip each page, let us think of this dream. Let us think of what kind of Mindanao we will leave our children with. And more than just releasing this magazine, we dream that each one will do his or her part in making Mindanao still, the land of promise.

During the conceptualization of this magazine, a question popped, “Is it not too overrated to create another environmental magazine?”

Despite these, Atenews has decided to pursue this release. Atenews believes that an issue, no matter how overrated, no matter how over-tackled or over-discussed, must be given much importance if it affects the present and the future generations. Thus, an issue should be tackled and discussed until a ripple is created that

We have published this magazine not just to set as a reminder but also as an awareness setter for students, for Mindanaoans, for Filipinos and for the world. This release is dedicated to our children and our children’s children. This is our contribution to saving Mother Earth and our way of promising a greener world to the generations to come.

Kirsten Ilajas

Editor-in-Chief

E-Mag 2 is a Copyright © 2014 of Atenews All Rights Reserved. Manufactured in Davao City, Philippines. This publication is protected by copyright and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or likewise. To obtain permission(s) to user material from this work, please submit a written request to: Atenews The official student publication of Ateneo de Davao University Lower Ground Floor, Finster Hall, Roxas Avenue, 8016 Davao City

TABLE of CONTENTS

A Change for a Change Page 1

Designing With Nature And For Nature Page 6

Sharing the Green Responsibility Page 8

Protecting the Beaches: Why Wait? Page 11

Suffocation of Davao Gulf’s Coral Reefs Page 13

The City That Sees Its Trash as Treasure Page 15

Did You Know? Page 19

Philippine Eagle: 20 Years Critically Endangered Page 20

Did You Know? A Change for a Change

Page 25

Suffocation of Davao Gulf’s Coral Reefs Philippine Eagle: 20 Years Critically Endangered The Great Tampakan Letdown

The Great Tampakan Letdown Page 26

Go Deep Into The Pit: Sewage in Davao

When More Inhales Mean Less Exhales Page 29

One Plastic At A Time Page 32

About the Cover Design by Rafael S. Benedicto Photo by Jason Occidental This issue is dedicated to Mindanao and its people. Just like the Philippine Eagle, the challenges of catastrophies and environmental degredation have made them resilient to continue soaring for a greener future.

Going Deep Into The Pit: Sewage in Davao Page 35

Greening the Once Green Page 38

Inverbati Page 40

Diversions Page 42

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

By Kirsten Ilajas & Mary Gyle Manuba Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

This farmer’s future looks uncertain due to climate change Photo by Janine Carla Abejay

By Kirsten Ilajas & Mary Gyle Manuba

ou see a vast land blanketed with golden rice stalks being harvested by farmers in their longsleeved shirts and salakots. The breeze was cool and the sunlight was just perfect for a morning walk. There were mountain ranges on the side of the fields covered with thick luscious green and century aged trees. On the mountain edges, a cold crystal clear stream gushed forth from rocks and fresh water inhabitants thrive underwater and in its banks. And suddenly, you woke up on a regular hot summer night. The aircon was off and you can hear the honks of vehicles outside your room.

Mindanao is undergoing a very drastic change. Long before, it was a vast land of virgin forests and rice fields in its lowlands and typhoons barely visited. But as icebergs melted in North Pole, it is starting to become a very hot furnace and, in the future, may become an aquarium of floodwater. One of the changes that can really be noticed is the weather cycle that affects the agricultural industry, which

is the main source of livelihood in Mindanao. For example, in the rice industry, farmers, who knew the weather cycle well before, are now struggling to keep the rice cycle going on despite nature’s disruptions.

Onia, an owner of several rice fields, said in an interview conducted by GMA News that, “Farmers knew the weather cycle and worked accordingly. They planted in June or July and their crops are caressed by gentle rain, which stops when it is no longer needed. Then they harvest by November to December, but things are different now.” “There is rain only when there is typhoon. There is that thing called Habagat (Southwest Monsoon), which brings too much rain and drench, even flood, the land. But when the typhoon or habagat [leaves], our agricultural lands are parched,” he said.

Aside from the rice industry, the extreme weather bipolarity has affected other crops, plants and plantations.

Aling Ange, a coprasera in Bantacan, New Bataan, Compostela Valley, said that times have really changed. “Karon pa nahitabo nga among lugar gina-again ug bagyo nga kusog kaayo. Nangaluad ang daghang dagkong kahoy labi na ang mga lubi nga gikuhaan ug panginabuhi sa mga mag-uuma ug coprasero,” she said. Aling Ange added that, “Tungod sad sa kaiinit nangahubas ang mga gagmayng creeks ug ang uban tanom nga nangaanad sa landong nangamatay.”

“Weather patterns could become unpredictable, as would extreme weather events, hurricanes could become much stronger and more frequent,” wrote Lulu Bucay in a climate

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

Rising global temperatures due to the emmision of greenhouse gases result in hotter urban areas. Photo by Janine Carla Abejay

change brochure produced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Notwithstanding the threats and negative effects brought by climate change to the agricultural sector of Mindanao, the continuing extreme weather changes have affected large and small businesses because of power outages. The drying up of watersheds caused, “the yearly recurring brownouts [that] have already become a part of our life in Mindanao,” as stated in Mindanews. One of the reasons as stated is the diminishing water supply in Lake Lanao that supports the hydroelectric plants that power a large percentage of the island. Also, the Pulangi River, which contributes 25 percent of Mindanao’s needed power supply, is also drying up. And what worsens the problem of water supply is the threat of foreseen El Niño that would hit the land.

“If we grow our forest covers, heat would lessen,” Cabarde said. Cabarde also stated that the efforts of the University to produce renewable energy would really help.

“Ecoteneo is an advisory board, a body that recommends to the Univeristy kung unsa ang maayo nga move like how can we come up with a policy to reduce our energy consumption,” he added. The University is also exerting efforts in protecting the watersheds, particularly the 2BIG campaign to secure food supply, which is dwindling due to the low supply of water.

Another example of efforts to combat climate change was the signing of the Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Anti-Smoking Ordinance of 2012 in Davao to protect air quality.

As institutions and local government units arm changes Will the day come when water is more for change, people can also start “Lake Lanao faces a dry fuvaluable than diamonds? their own changes like simply ture. If nothing is aggressively done switching off appliances or turning Photo by Kristoffer Jan Tipon to save and seriously protect the lake, off the faucets when they are not in use. Mindanao will continue to grope in the An individual, young or old, can also condark in years to come,” Mindanews wrote. tribute to progress regardless of his or her acts’ As changes hit the Land of Promise, Mindanaoans size or significance. What the world needs right now is should be ready for the change with changes. And even small immediate action from the people. It is the way it is now bechanges could go a long way. cause of change and, as logic implies, it can only be restored through change. ‘A fire that melts the butter is the same fire Atty. Romeo Cabarde, Director of the University Comthat hardens steel,’ as the old saying goes. Now, people must munity Engagement and Advocacy Council, stated that the turn the phrase, ‘change for a change,’ into a reality. a efforts that student organizations do in reforesting could really go a long way in combating climate change.

• HYDROELECTRIC POWER Being extremely dependent on temperature, hydroelectric power plants become next to useless as rivers wane on hotter days.

• FORESTS Forest fires become the norm as ecosystems crumble under searing heat.

• WATER QUALITY As rivers fade and seawaters rise, water salinity threatens the safety of our drinking waters.

Effects

Climate Change on our Water Resources

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

• RIVERS Rivers run dry as more water leaves the surface and gets distributed further away as rain.

• WATER USE Droughts and erratic weather patterns pose a problem for governments to tend to the needy industries and the thirsty populace.

• FLOODING With hotter days and heavier rain showers, communities struggle to keep afloat amidst fiercer flooding.

• GROUND WATER A necessary resource for landlocked countries, groundwater becomes extremely scarce and contaminated as companies and communities compete for potable water.

• AGRICULTURE Increasing temperatures dry and damage crops and farm soil, causing big losses for farmers and leads to problems regarding food security.

• WATER HABITATS Hotter waters become uninhabitable for many animals as dissolved oxygen levels gradually diminish as the oxygen evaporates to the atmosphere.

Infographic by Rafael S. Benedicto Text by Le Grande Dolino

bring that could harm not just the environment, but also the people in it.

By Lyka Picardal

I 6

n a city where construction projects are being developed every now and then, the role of efficient planning and designing is very essential. Developers apply the newest design trends and technologies to their projects to either satisfy their clients’ needs or attract investors. One may point out that this is just about the business. As a matter of fact, some developers neglect the environmental impacts that these construction activities

JUST ABOUT THE BUSINESS? A BIG ‘NO’. According to Juland Suazo, the public information officer of Panalipdan Southern Mindanao, an environment group, developers must plan keenly and must consider having a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). A CLUP is a structured decision making process that deals with how land is used in a specific planning area. It aims to answer three

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

Atenews

Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

The Ateneo Community Tower may set the trend for developers to build more eco-friendly buildings in the future. Photos by Christine Joice Cudis

basic questions: “‘Where are we now?’ ‘Where do we want to go?’ and ‘How will we get there?’”

As developers continue to build structures, the need for having a CLUP is very important. It seeks to answer the question ‘Where do we locate?’ not ‘How do we get the money to finance projects?’ Project locations will be based on the strategic planning that the developers have come up in their CLUP’s. “Kung walang CLUP, problem na ‘yon kasi you cut vegetation. When you cut vegetation, magkakaroon ng flood,” said Suazo as he discussed the topic regarding the impacts of buildings to the environment. According to Suazo, people cannot say no to buildings. It is necessary for shelter. Whenever developers use land to build their projects without even considering its adverse effects to the environment, it may bring harm not only to nature but also to the people in it.

materials, energy and space.

According to Arch. Miguel Guerrero III, Chairman of the Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines, if the developers do not have green and sustainable buildings, the survivability of a city will be put in danger.

“Green Architecture is designing with nature. Architects must partner with nature. They must gain a deeper understanding of nature’s resources at their disposal,” Guerrero said. He stated that in building construction, using more energy than necessary, using non-renewable materials, and using more water than needed affect the sustainability of the human race and planet earth.

“The task of an architect is to insure that the built environment or buildings A backhoe stands by near the unfinished are designed with nature. If it Ateneo Community Tower. is designed with nature, then it is Photo by Kristoffer Jan Tipon good for the environment,” Guerrero concluded.

Deforestation results to the floods that people experience whenever there is heavy rain. Flood happens because the vegetation which is supposed to sip the rainwater has been cut. This may because of the lack of CLUP.

“Pwede naman na naay architectural design na magpabilin ang mga puno,” Suazo added. Thus, the planning of the projects does not only pertain to business. Environmental adaptability of the projects must be thoroughly considered in the planning process. Minimizing the negative environmental impact of buildings should be done. This is the infamous ‘Green Architecture’ or Sustainable Architecture. This kind of architecture focuses on efficiency and moderation in using

Buildings do not directly affect the environment. It is all in the planning and maintenance that affect the environment in one way or another. Sometimes, people point out that the root of the environmental problems that they are experiencing is the fast urbanization caused by the rapid building of structures. However, this is misleading because the buildings are not the cause of these problems. Environmental problems serve as the reflections of how people behave in and towards their surroundings. Without proper planning and maintenance, then, the environment is put in danger. a

By Ursula Calipayan

isarranged chairs. Yellow papers and torn leaves from a notebook scattered on the floor. A wet floor partnered with dirty footprints from yesterday’s accidentally thrown milk tea.

This is the scene that welcomes Johny Rocacorba or fondly known as Kuya Johny, every 5 in the morning, six days a week. Just like all the other 46 janitors in the university, Kuya Johny has to wake up by 4 am, come to school by 5 am and make sure that all the classrooms in all buildings are clean before 7:40 am, when students would be entering the rooms for the first period class.

“The rooms are so messy, especially when students have their plays,” Kuya Johny said. He has been working in the university for almost ten years and has been assigned to clean

the comfort rooms, classrooms, library and now the gazebo. He shared that they are able to clean the rooms only once in a day, every early morning because the rooms are used continuously. Thus, if the first class leaves garbage in a room, it will stay during the second class until the last class to use the room. This is the reason why sometimes, as his co-janitor shared, some teachers would put the blame on them. “But of course, we are not complaining. Anyway, it’s our job to clean but it would be better if garbage will be thrown to the trash bins being provided,” he said. To further add to his income, he shared that like the other janitors, he would collect empty bottled waters, plastic cups, empty softdrink cans and cartons, then sell it for 15 pesos per kilo to the junkshop every Saturday. “I would get 90 pesos per week for selling junk and use it to buy rice for my family,” he added.

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE UNIVERSITY

Fundador said that, hopefully, the board will explain and convince the students about the importance of proper waste disposal.

According to the Physical Plant Office (PPO), there are 50 sets of big trash bins provided in the hallways including those in the Gazebo and 200 sets of “We are segregating small trash bins provided in every classroom. here in the university yet They are planning to add more trash bins. “We have so many trash bins yet some still do not use this to throw their garbage. Clearly, something has to be done,” Mr. Stephen Fundador, head of the PPO, said.

“It must be the effort of not only one group [Ecoteneo Advisory Board], but of everybody because if only one group works for it, the others, especially the students, will not the collectors just dump the understand it then it will be bound for segregated garbage into the failure,” he stressed. same one truck. And so we

As to where our waste go, the compostable are dumped to Catigan, Samal, a 65 hectare land owned by the university while the non-biodegradable (dili malata/ - Mr. Stephen Fundador This is where the proposed Ecoteneo Addi nabubulok) goes to Carmen, Toril, the city’s visory Board comes into the scene. Engr. Evtri dumpsite. Tabanguil said that the committee is still yet to be approved by Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J., the University President. He “ POINTLESS” SEGREGATION also emphasized that the board will look into the direction of waste management in the university. Although it was admitted that not every one follows

ask, what’s the point? The city clearly needs to do something about it,”

ABOVE: A little help in picking up trash can go a long way. Photos by Kristoffer Jan Tipon

the segregation of waste in school, Fundador said that the university is exerting extra effort to segregate its collected waste. But the problem starts again when the city garbage trucks collect the dumps. “We are segregating here in the university yet the collectors just dump the segregated garbage into the same one truck. And so we ask, what’s the point? The city clearly needs to do something about it,” he stressed. This is contrary to Section 10 of the Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2009, which states that, “the segregation of waste at source by generators as household and all establishments is mandatory.” THE LARGER PICTURE OF THE PROBLEM In 2000, Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act was enacted to provide solution to the growing problem of solid waste in the country. This act emphasizes the roles of Local Government Units (LGUs) in managing their respective wastes by requiring the creation of Solid Waste Management Boards (SWMBs). However, in 2004, only 49 cities or 44 percent had effective SWMBs.

Also, Article 6 Section 37 of the same act states that, “No open dumps shall be operated and established and operated, nor any practice or disposal of solid waste by any person, including LGUs, which constitutes the use of open dumps for solid waste, be allowed after the affectivity of said Act: Provided, That within three (3) years (2004) after the affectivity of said Act, every LGU shall convert its open dumps into controlled dumps. Provided, further, that no controlled dumps shall be allowed five years (2006) following the affectivity of said Act.” This means that by 2006, over 1,200 LGUs should have stopped the operation of their dumpsites and must have replaced it with sanitary landfills (SLFs), which are far safer than the usual dumpsites.

Sanitary landfill is a waste disposal site that has been designed to accept waste while ensuring little negative impact

on the environment. One of its features is that it includes natural impermeable lower layer that would prevent leachate from seeping into water tables. In this way, it protects a community’s water resources. On the contrary, the Urban Waste Management and Environmental Specialists Inc., an environmental group, lamented that the compliance to RA 9003 is still very low, they said that on 2011, “there are only about 33 SLFs in operation and only 47 under construction. Some 345 SLFs have been proposed but construction has not yet started.” According to the Environment and Management Bureau, the establishment of a sanitary landfill would cost every LGU approximately 20 to 30 million pesos per hectare. Sadly, only few could afford it. On 2011, as reported by Sunstar Manila, some 784 existing dumpsites have been issued cease-and-desist orders (CDOs) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordering them to either be closed or improve their operational system. STARTING SMALL AND SIMPLE The current waste management plan is imperfect, yet there is room for improvement. Going back to the roots, each person has a role in waste management. It is not just the job of the janitors nor of the government. It is everybody’s business - professionals and even students alike. “We should look at the program of waste management as a healthy sign to move forward. We cannot afford to stay like this. We need to push for a healthy environment because at the end of the day, it is us who will be affected,” Fundador remarked. People cannot expect to immediately see the change that starts from their little ways. But at least, they can start now-at home or even at school. After all, great results come from small changes. a

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

the beaches in the cities of Davao and Samal.

By Daniel Naranjilla Jr.

t is a nice day on the beach. The salty breeze from the blue waves brushes past your face. You close your eyes and get a wift of the smooth salty scent. A few moments later, you get a glimpse of something floating in the water. You squint your eyes to see it more clearly and, to your disappointment, it was a plastic bottle. As upseting as it sounds, this is nothing new, even here in Davao. IS IT REALLY ALARMING? One even has expressed her concern regarding the quality of the waters of the beaches in the region. Jackie Villar talked about her family’s private resort in Samal. Rubbish gets washed up to the shore frequently. “The garbage just comes and goes because of the current. It settles for some time, then a next batch of trash comes in,” Jackie said. TESTING AND CLEANING THE WATERS The Environmental Management Bureau XI (EMBXI) of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources conducts monthly sampling of the water quality of

According to the 2010 Regional State of Brown Environment Report written by the EMB-XI, water quality of the two samping areas vary in levels of coliform, and fecal coliform. Times Beach has an average Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform level of 518 most probable number per 100 mL (MPN/100 mL) and 145 MPN/100mL, respectively. Simply put, waters around Times Beach have higher levels of Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform, and are more polluted compared to Caliclic. Antonio C. Yee, Chief of Pollution Control, said, “After the sampling of the water, it is sent to the laboratory for analysis. The reports are then compared with the DENR standards for water quality,”. The agency considers peculiar parameters like Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform when assesing water quality. “Actually, coliform levels are constantly fluctuating because it is related to human waste,” he stressed.

Established sampling stations are located in suspected point and non-point pollution sources. Point pollution sources refer to direct causes such as industries, commercial areas, institutions, livestock and residential houses. Nonpoint pollution sources, however, refer to indirect causes such as agriculture, forest run-offs, and improper solid waste management. Both have a serious impact to water quality

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

ABOVE: The waters around Davao remain at managable levels. But for how long? Photo by Kristoffer Jan Tipon

if left unregulated.

Yet, the EMB-XI stated that beaches near the city are under the class SB. Yee described the water quality of the city’s beaches as “still manageable.” This means that these beaches are still suitable for recreational activities like bathing, diving, and other water sports. Nevertheless, the EMB-XI continues to strive to improve and maintain the state of Davao’s beaches and have greatly improved the water’s state over the years.

“Every now and then, the barangays coordinate with us to have joint beach cleanings. We also have information disseminations in barangays to educate people regarding where to throw their wastes,” Yee expressed. WHAT DO THEY DO? For Jackie, hired helpers and housekeepers maintain her family’s resort. They pick up the rubbish that was washed up on the shore and clean the sand daily. Here in Ateneo, the Nature Watch Club (NWC), an environmental organization, strives to maintain the cleanliness

of the local beaches.

“We donated a signage to the community in Isla Reta about proper waste disposal. We also coordinated with the barangay officials to make information decimination easier,” Pater Buenvenida, president of NWC, said.

NWC has a unified goal to make people aware of different environmental issues and to protect and preserve Mother Nature. And their combined efforts and perseverance continue to contribute to a greener Davao. THE PEOPLE AS STEWARDS OF THE EARTH Solutions to the problems of the beaches in Davao may not be realizable as of the moment, given the current quality of its waters. Nevertheless, some believe that whatever they are enjoying at the moment may not exist in the near future. In every little way they can, small efforts to maintain can go the distance. In the midst of a fast-changing economy, there are still those who do not steer away from what is essential. As NWC puts it, “…there is no economical sustainability without environmental stability.” a

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

By Hannah Faith Tormis

ome. For many organisms thriving in the depths of the ocean, the word home would best characterize the coral reefs. They are built with naturally-crafted contours and holes for marine plants and animals to have a home. Being the ‘forests’ of the sea, these coral reefs stand in magnificence as they proclaim the beauty of God’s creation. These breath-taking oceanic ecosystems are composed mostly of corals along with tiny marine organisms that live together in colonies. According to the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF),

the Davao Gulf, Southern Mindanao’s source of fishing, is one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world. The vast expanse of Davao Gulf possesses rich marine life, especially in its coral reefs. The marine creatures live in constant interaction with each other and their environment. Borne out of these constant interactions with the environment is survival. But as time goes by, some of these interactions conceived threats to the survival of coral reefs. May of last year, SunStar Davao reported that Davao Gulf ’s coral reefs are in dismal state. The reefs of the seven coastal barangays belonging to the Talomo-Lipadas and Panigan-Tamugan watershed system were identified to be affected by severe siltation - a phenomenon of increase

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto • Original Photo from http://www.picture-newsletter.com

The survival of all creatures and people in the region depend on the preservation of Davao Gulf. Photos by Kristoffer Jan Tipon

in concentration and accumulation of sediments that causes water turbidity. Five of these communities, which are are identified to be in poor condition, are Bago Aplaya, Binugao, Daliao, Lizada, and Sirawan in Toril District.

According to the said report, a watershed profile study was commissioned by the Interface Development Interventions (IDIs) and found out that the silt coming from the deforested upland slopes along Davao’s watershed areas is imposing a great deal of harm to its biodiversity.

This suffocation by the silt will deprive the zooxanthallae of their needed sunlight. It will cause stress that will eventually kill them. It will also greatly affect the corals that depend on the zooxanthallae for their production of food and will gradually result to coral bleaching. In an interview, Zarine Hermita, a Marine Biologist and a faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division in Ateneo de Davao University, shared her thoughts regarding the issue:

“What we are seeing now is that there is a direct causal “Actually, we need silt, which is from the weathering linkage between the threats to the upland and marine enviof rocks, erosion of the soil, because of the nutrients that ronments. If there is deforestation in our wateris essential for the growth of those in the marine sheds, the silt will come down and destroy the environment. But since Davao is very active corals and mangroves on which our fisheries in mining, the amount of silt is increased depend on,” IDIs Executive Director Ann beyond the needed input for the marine The reason for Fuertes, in an interview conducted by environment. Just imagine – one mounsafeguarding the coral SunStar Davao, explained. tain eroded will go down to the rivers, reefs must not only be down to the marine environment. So The silt that stealthily creeps its way that is something that is not good.” rooted for the people’s to the Davao Gulf disrupts the pho-

benefit, but by upholding tosynthetic activity that some marine The effect of the silt does not only species, especially the zooxanthallae, a stop on these two marine species for it the intrinsic value of these photosynthetic unicellular alga, carry out waves its harm to the other marine species coral reefs. in the depths. In order to produce food like a domino-effect. With the destructhrough photosynthesis, the zooxanthallae tion of the coral reefs, it leaves many marine requires sunlight and carbon dioxide which the species homeless. Its effects do not only sink corals provide as a by-product of their cellular respiinto the depths of the gulf. It also stretches toward the ration. With these, the zooxanthallae are able to produce countryside. Without these coral reefs, gone are the natural glucose, glycerol, amino acids and oxygen that are taken up protectors of our coastlines and provider of livelihood for the by corals as food. These zooxanthallae reside in the superfiDavaoeños through fisheries and tourism. cial parts of the corals and has a close symbiotic relationship With this scenario in mind, there must be a stand in with the corals. safeguarding the coral reefs. The reason for safeguarding the The silt suspended in the water will cause the increase of the turbidity of water and block the sunlight that is very essential for the photosynthetic activity of the zooxanthallae.

coral reefs must not only be rooted for the people’s benefit but by upholding the intrinsic value of these coral reefs. There should be protection because lives depend on it. a

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

By Jessica Marie Caliso & Joshua Jesher Arsenio

ne man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right? While that saying has been around for so long, it has taken humanity a while to make it more applicable to industry. Industrial waste has polluted our environments, contaminated our water systems, damaged our health and caused harm to other species and their respective ecosystems. This has been a phenomenon for ages already, especially in our country. But inventors, engineers, and other energy forerunners have finally started searching for ways to turn that waste into something useful. It is not closely as developed as the wind energy sector or even the solar energy sector, but many experts in this field are watching it closely and expecting it to become more than a nominal player in the world of energy. The country’s exploration of a new frontier in energy production will soon commence in Tagum City. The City Government of Tagum and Global Green International Energy Philippines signed a Memorandum of Agreement last September 10, 2012, paving way to the construction of a multi-million peso waste-to-energy facility using a highly-reliable, environmentally-compliant and safe technology that will generate fuel and electricity from solid waste generated by the city.

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

Smoke Stack with Filter

Crane

Boiler Dump Trucks Pile of Trash

Incinerator

• Trash is dumped onto a tipping floor. It is then picked up by a crane which dumps it into an incinerator. • The incinerator burns the trash to heat water in a boiler, creating steam. • The steam is then fed into a turbine to generate electricity. • The smoke produced in the incinerator is filtered by smoke scrubbers to remove the pollutants before releasing it into the atmosphere. • The ash falls into a collecting bin before being carried to a landfill. The ash takes up only 10% of the space of the original pile of trash.

WASTE-TO-ENERGY PLANTS AND HOW THEY WORK Waste-to-Energy plants, also known as WtE or Energy-from-Waste (EfW) plants, produce energy through the processing of solid waste products collected from a specific community, commonly through combustion. As solid waste is burned, energy in the form of heat and electricity is generated. Raw energy collected from the plant is processed further into usable energy to compensate for the requirements of the city. Municipal waste is carried to the facility and stored in a bunker. The waste is transported to a combustion chamber where self-sustaining incineration is kept at extremely high temperatures. The heat from the combustion process boils water and the steam produced is used directly to drive a turbine that generates electricity. Electricity will then be distributed to the locality. Ash from combustion is processed to extract metal for recycling. All gases that are collected are filtered and cleaned through a baghouse (fabric filter) before being emitted into the atmosphere.

Ash

NUMEROUS ADVANTAGES Along with direct energy generation for households and establishments in the city, combustion of solid waste products also generate combustible fuel by-products such as methane, ethane, and methanol, which can be used to produce even more energy, or can be sold to other energy-requiring firms for income.

Aside from being a source of energy, the construction of Waste-to-Energy plants also serves as practical solution for pollution management. They transform solid waste into a viable energy source, which is otherwise rendered useless when simply disposed of onto dump sites and landfills. These plants therefore reduce the accumulation of unwanted pollutants in the city, and promote better health among its inhabitants, humans and wildlife alike. It also solves the problem of disposing non-biodegradable waste that can stay for thousands of years when left in dump sites. “It is a great start for the city and even for the country to put up this kind of project. I can say it might mitigate climate change for it [the waste-to-energy plant] utilizes biomass wastes for fuel that are currently either burnt openly in the fields producing Carbon Dioxide or left to rot

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Waste to

Energy PROCESS OVERVIEW

Steam Turbine

Power Substation

Pylon

Infographic by Rafael S. Benedicto

causing Methane. Both gases contribute significantly towards global warming,” Alejandro Bonga, a resident of Tagum, said. The benefits of Waste-to-Energy plants do not end on their being energy-producing and environmentally-compliant. They are also renewable, which, unlike fossil fuels, can be harvested continuously without being depleted. As long as solid waste is produced, Waste-to-Energy plants will always have the resource for it to produce energy. In contrast to fossil fuel, which is harvested from subterranean products resulting from thousands of years of natural processing, Waste-to-Energy plants utilize energy from resources available on-hand.

Aside from dioxins, the plant can also potentially release contaminants such as Ultra-fine Particles. These are particles produced from the residue of burning materials. According to the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), these particles, when left unmonitored, can cause cancer, heart ailments, asthma, strokes, and pulmonary diseases. According to Jayvee Descalsota and Irwin

THE DARKER SIDE OF WASTE-TO-ENERGY PLANTS However, a waste-to-energy facility without an appropriate exhaust gas treatment system will emit hazardous pollutants such as dioxins.

Dioxins are a group of chemically-related toxic compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants. According to the World Health Organization, short-term exposure of humans to high levels of dioxins may result in skin lesions, such as chloracne and patchy darkening of the skin, and altered liver function. Long-term exposure is linked to impairment of the immune system, the developing nervous system, the endocrine system and reproductive functions. Artwork by Nadine Caballes | Edited by Rafael S. Benedicto

ABOVE: Waste-to-energy plants may pave the way for a cleaner air for all people to breathe. Photo from http://www.energyrecoverycouncil.org/

Salang, professors from the Natural Science and Mathematics Division, burning solid waste will always produce carbon dioxide, as it is an inevitable product in the incineration process. “No matter how much a plant says it is environmentally safe, as long as there is burning involved, carbon dioxide will always be produced. It will be up to the factory operators to control the levels of carbon dioxide so as to minimize emissions,” Descalsota said.

“There are other ways to tap energy from solid waste that emit less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. More environmentally-sound plants such as those based on methane-producing bacteria can be a viable alternative for this project,” Salang added. A POSITIVE OUTLOOK Given these possibilities, Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon still considers this project as a development for the city. According to Mayor Rellon, the disadvantages that the new facility poses can be mitigated by the installation of a proper exhaust system, along with constant maintenance of the power plant. Its advantages, namely energy production, waste management, the creation of new jobs for Tagumeños, and the promotion of better health and living,

are basic requirements for the advancement of the city. “Wherever Global Green Power PLC Corporation builds a biomass power plant, the money previously extracted from the community to purchase foreign fossil fuels such as oil and coal to provide power are instead injected back into the local community providing employment and alleviating poverty,” said Chief Executive Officer Alan Mathews of the Global Green International Energy Philippines said.

Being the first of its kind here in the country, the venture to pursue Waste-to-Energy technology in the Philippines is truly a dive into the relative unknown. However, the region is facing very real problems that need to be addressed, which are the rising levels of pollution and the lack of foreseeable sources of renewable energy to feed the region’s growth. Steps must be taken to be able to anticipate the effects of these impending problems before the country is forced to resort to “band-aid” solutions to cover up existing problems. The great Lao Tzu once said, “The difficult problems in life always start off being simple.” Taking action even before problems start manifesting is the key to solving any problem. a

Artwork by Nadine Caballes | Edited by Rafael S. Benedicto

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

The P25-billion 300 megawatts coal-fired power plant operation in Binugao, Toril, Davao City will require 172.8 million gallons of fresh water, which will compete with the people’s source of fresh water for their daily needs and 10.5 million drums of salt water everyday. Source: Balsa Mindanao Currently, there are about 11 coal-fired power plants operating in the country, with 10 more to be built before end of 2015. Source: Balsa Mindanao

According to the 2002 data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the remaining forest cover of Mindanao is only 21 percent, including plantation species. Based on the 2010 data from the Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC), the remaining forest cover of Mindanao is now at only six percent.

As the economy of Mindanao is mainly dependent on agriculture, any adverse effect to its resources also affects the production and the and the livelihood of many agricultural workers. Source: Mindanews Photo by Jason Occidental

More than half of Mindanao’s energy needs are being provided by hydropower facilities in Bukidnon and the two provinces of Lanao. Source: Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA)

Mindanao’s landscape is dominated by mountain chains running from north to south. Mindanao is one of the richest islands in the Philippines since it contains about 80% of the country’s iron reserves. Source: Mindawow.com

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

Joey Ayala once wrote in his song ‘Haring Ibon’: “Tiniklop na nila ang kanilang mga pakpak. Hinubad na nila ang kanilang mga plumahe.” The sad reality is, “Sila’y nagsipagtago sa natitirang gubat. Ang lahi ba nila’y tuluyan nang mawawwala?”

By Katrina Kate Dianne Punay

ndemic to the Philippines, particularly in “geographically restricted” islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao, the Philippine Eagle has been known to be endangered when a Filipino scientist, Dr. Dioscoro Rabor, alerted the public of its standing in 1965. It was included in the red list of Swissbased International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1994. A year later, President Fidel Ramos declared it as the country’s national bird.

The Philippine Eagle has nape feathers that form into a shaggy crest and has a wingspan of two meters or seven feet, the broadest in the world. Like most eagles, it is solitary and fiercely territorial. Though the Philippine Eagle was first recognized to be monogamous and remains unpaired after a mate’s death, philippineegle.org affirms that natural pairing techniques show that the eagles search for another partner. Sexual maturity for females is at around five years, while for the males, it is at seven.

As one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world, the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) has been the focus of attention of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), a private, non-stock, non-profit organization under-

taking research, rehabilitation, and captive breeding of the eagles since 1987. In 1992, Pag-asa (Hope) and Pagkakaisa (Unity) were hatched and bred in captivity. The hatchlings have received support worldwide because they are among the world’s rarest species. THREATS AND SURVIVAL Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) Communications Officer Jonasyl Aubrey Auxtero noted that at present, there are an estimated 400 pairs of Philippine Eagles left in the wild.

There are many threats to the survival of the Philippine Eagle. They are hunted despite the existing laws intended for their protection. They are also killed without provocation, or worse, just for sport. The forests are continually denuded, leading to the loss of nesting places. Other indirect factors also threaten the conservation of the eagle. Urbanization, poverty, apathy towards the environment, and the like are factors as well. The fact that it takes two years for a pair to produce an offspring is another aspect. Deforestation and the continuous degradation of the environment are among the main reasons why there are fewer eagles left in the wild. In its efforts to mitigate the problem, the PEF

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One of the eagles at the Philippine Eagle Foundation in Malagos is proudly showing off its regalian stance amidst its uncertain future. Photo by Janine Carla Abejay

• CREST FEATHERS • EARS Most eagles are not distinguished for their hearing, but some eagles have been known to use their hearing to locate prey. However, their sharpness is not as essential as in owls, which locate their prey in the dark only by their sound.

The Philippine Eagle’s shaggy crest of feathers on the head give it the appearance of posessing a lion’s mane, which in turn resembles the mythical griffin.

• BEAK • WINGS The Philippine Eagle has a wingspan of 184 to 220 cm. The wings are shorter than the eagles of open plains although the species’ flight is fast and agile, resembling the smaller hawks more than other large birds of prey.

• TAIL The tail is fairly long at 42–45.3 cm (16.5–17.8 in) in length. It acts as a rudder, allowing the bird to steer in flight. The tail can also act as an air brake.

The high-arched, deep beak is bluish-gray and averages 7.22 cm (2.84 in) in length. The hook-shape at the tip allows it to tear open flesh.

• EYES The Philippine Eagle’s eyes are bluegray. Eagles have some of the sharpest eyesight in all of the animal kingdom, being able to spot prey as small as a mouse from more than two kilometers away.

• FEATHERS Eagle feathers are varied, from the large and tough flight feathers on the wings which power the eagle’s flight, to the soft down feathers underneath its belly which provide warmth for the eagle and its young.

• DIGESTIVE SYSTEM The eagle’s digestive system is highly acidic, enough to digest most of their prey’s body except for keratin-based parts such as hair, claws, and nails.

• LEGS The heavy yellow legs have large, dark talons which they use to catch their prey and hold onto them even as they fly back to their nests.

• TALONS Eagles sharpen their talons by scratching them on tree barks. Each talon is as long as a human adult’s middle finger.

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ABOVE: The Philippine Eagle is endemic to the Philippines and can be found on four major islands (shown in blue): eastern Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. The largest number of eagles reside on Mindanao, with between 82 and 233 breeding pairs. Only six pairs are found on Samar, two on Leyte, and a few on Luzon. It can be found in Northern Sierra Madre National Park on Luzon and Mount Apo, Mount Malindang and Mount Kitanglad National Parks on Mindanao.

Life expectancy for a wild eagle is estimated to be from 30 to 60 years. A captive Philippine Eagle lived for 41 years in Rome Zoo, and it was already an adult when it arrived at the said zoo. However, wild birds on average are believed to live shorter lives than captive birds. ABOVE: Some examples of the Philippine Eagle’s diet in the wild. Infographics by: Rafael S. Benedicto • Source: www.wikipedia.org

ABOVE: When will the Philippine Eagle ever fly without any threats to its existence? Photo from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com

has been actively initiating projects that help invigorate deforested areas while helping provide livelihood to the communities in the locality. LESSONS FROM PREVIOUS RELEASES Minalwang, a Philippine Eagle, graced newspapers last October 2013 when reports said that he was shot. But according to Auxtero, the media disseminated a different story.

PEF Executive Director Dennis Salvador acknowledged before Minalwang was freed that keeping eagles alive in the wild are the difficult part. Because of threats outside the center, the lifespan of eagles in the wild are shorter than those of the captive-bred. In an interview with MindaNews after Kabayan’s release last 2004, Salvador emphasized that despite PEF’s efforts, “eagles belong in the forest” and it is a must that they learn to survive “natural and human-induced” risks.

Minalwang was a male juvenile turned over to the PEF bruised and malnourished last October 19, 2011 after staying in captivity for a month. CONTINUING THE ADVOCACY Almost two years after the Philippine Eagle The Foundation continues its conserCenter took care of Minalwang, he was vation efforts to augment the dwindling “Oh haring ibon, hari transferred to his new home at the heart population of the Philippine Eagle. of the splendid Mt. Balatukan National kong tunay. Nais kong Last year, the success of the conservaPark in Misamis Oriental. tumulong nang kaharian tion program, through the hatching of Aside from isolating him from Mabuhay (Viva), marked the second humans to avoid habituation, he went mo’y muling mabuhay” generation of eagles bred in captivity. through aversion training where he was Mabuhay is the offspring of Pag-asa taught to veer away from electric posts -Joey Ayala and Kalinawan (Peace), a rescued eagle from to avoid accidental electrocution before being released. This was an important lesson Zamboanga del Sur. learned from Kabayan (Countryman), the first Auxtero said that the Philippine Eagle is an effeccaptive-bred released in Asia last 2005. tive gauge of the environment’s health and its conservation The release process, known as soft release or hacking, incan create an umbrella of protection for all the unique life volved the construction of a temporary cage made of cyclone forms that dwell in the Philippine forest. wire called a hack box. Minalwang was transported from the “With the calamities that have afflicted our country, the Philippine Eagle Center to the hack box at the release site protection of our environment should remain a priority. The where he resided for three weeks to help him adjust to the preservation of the Philippine Eagle and their habitat is the environment. He was released back into the wild last August preservation of our future as well,” she concluded. 15. But last October 11, 2013, not more than two months after the release, Minalwang was found dead tracked by radio telemetry. Based on the necropsy findings, the bird died of infection that was aggravated by his captivity.

As the chorus of the song calls people to take part in saving Haring Ibon, his home, and our home too, “Oh haring ibon, hari kong tunay. Nais kong tumulong nang kaharian mo’y muling mabuhay”. a

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According to the 2012 study of Japan-based environment advocacy group Friends of the Earth, waters in Hayanggabon and Taganito Rivers, which are near a mining site in Surigao del Norte are heavily contaminated with hexavalent chromium. The high toxicity of the chemical compound can damage the skin; its inhalation can lead to lung cancer while its ingestion may cause ulcer, and damage on intestines. Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com

Emissions from coal plants are primary sources of air pollution; they contain a lethal mix of sulphur dioxide, which causes acid rain, the greenhouse gas nitrogen oxide, and heavy metals like mercury (a powerful neurotoxin), arsenic (a carcinogen), as well as lead and chromium. Source: http://www.greenpeace.org

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has deployed Forest Surveillance and Monitoring Officers (FSMO) in huge forest areas in Western Mindanao. Source: Businessmirror.com.ph

The Philippine Eagle is known to be geographically restricted to the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. They hide in the forest but because of deforestation, the area to hide becomes rather small. Source: www.philipineeaglefoundation.com Photo by Janine Carla Abejay

When it comes to agriculture, over half of the country’s pineapple, corn, coffee, copra, cocoa and abaca are produced in Mindanao. Source: Mindawow.com

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

By Le Grande Dolino

icture a vast barren land laden with action and machinery. In the middle of the scene, terraced steps deepen into a large burrow, exposing more rock. Uniform holes in the ground detonate into dust clouds as explosives break down the rock into more tangible pieces. Gigantic mechanical excavators run to and fro, carrying tons of untreated ore. In the laboratory nearby, furnaces blast the excavated rock to separate minerals and procedures follow. Waste leaves the laboratory in safe deposits. South Cotabato would see Tampakan grow into something similar to this had it not banned open-pit mining. Glencore Xstrata, parent firm of the local Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), slashed the budget in the development of a copper-gold mine in Tampakan, South Cotabato as several challenges including the aforementioned open-pit mining ban crippled the firm. Despite being a $5.9-billion investment, the project had to downsize, cutting monthly expenditures by $3 million. Although the project is still ongoing, the turn of events that followed are extremely unexpected. SMI would continually face opposition for the Tampakan copper-gold project as the people have become too cautious of mining.

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

SMI AND TAMPAKAN: A BRIEF TIMELINE SMI and its partners declared that they take environmental responsibilities very seriously. However, the major challenges SMI faces involve the safety and sustainability of open-pit mining.

Open-pit mining is a form of mining that extracts ore from an excavation by machinery or explosives. People oppose it as the depth of the burrow will affect nearby groundwater. Additionally, the topsoil becomes loose and may run off to nearby bodies of water, endangering ecosystems. Forests will also be removed to accommodate the operations.

SMI claims that open-pit mining is the only method to effectively gather the resources in Tampakan. The firm, ensuring its safety through Xstrata’s other open-pit mines throughout the world, said that they already have plans to manage impacts. Such methods, such as the creation of diversions for water and the rehabilitation of the site are already integrated within the project.

Still, South Cotabato imposed the ban in its 2010 Environmental Code despite inconsistencies with RA 7942. The code could be abolished because of the existence of RA 7942. However, Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said in an interview with ANC that going to court “will be tedious.”

The government supports SMI. But, foreseeing the length of the process of challenging South Cotabato’s law, it did not move to correct it. The government is only hopeful that South Cotabato would change its mind. “There is a way to implement mining sustainably or correctly. The resource there is quite big and it will help the country develop its economy,” Paje said. Why then does SMI insist on open-pit mining?

ABOVE: Groups like Alyansa Tigil Muna (ATM) have voiced out their opposition towards the Tampakan project and its adverse environmental effects. Photos from: http://kvguillarte.blogspot.com/

SMI is confident through numerous years of study that open-pit mining is the safest and most efficient form of mining. To consider anything else is for a poor cause. FOR THE PEOPLE Operations would center at Tampakan, yet the ore would still travel south to Saranggani, which shares a river with South Cotabato. Upstream, the people, especially the B’laan tribe are afraid because of past small-scale mining incidents. Downstream, farmers are furious because SMI would deprive them of sufficient water.

SMI has also made plans for resettlement of the approximately 5,000 people who will be directly affected. SMI’s Resettlement Committee believes that the resettlement could potentially “enable a better future for the affected people,” as it could grant the indigenous peoples access to improved housing, livelihood and basic services.

Did you

know

Gold and copper were the first metals to be discovered by humans, around 5,000 B.C.

SMI said it relies on the engagement of stakeholders for the growth of the project. However, researches conducted by the Ateneo Institute of Anthropology showed that the people are intimidated by SMI. They expressed that they could not understand SMI’s choice of words and are afraid to engage in dialogue for fear of their safety.

Still, there are tribal groups Source: http://www.mining.com in favor of the project. According to the Manila Bulletin, the South Overall, SMI had been zealous Cotabato Provincial Tribal Council in its attempts to overcome its itself had pleaded to the Office of the obstacles, yet things look bleak. The said President last July for the continuance of venture may generate a very large profit not the project. Shaken by Xstrata’s downsizing, only for SMI and for the Philippines, but also some groups are afraid that the project, which they for the people. But whether SMI really could fulfill their believe will benefit their families, will collapse. promises is a big question mark. The people would rather be safe than sorry. a

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By John Paulo Vicencio

arth. It is the only source of food, shelter and life that humans know. Yet, they multiply by the second while Earth’s resources deplete almost as fast. With this inversely proportional relationship, how can resources cope up with the ever-growing insatiable human needs? Can overpopulation not just be the leading cause of poverty but also the leading cause of environmental degradation, which raises the stakes to much greater heights? THE POOL OF PEOPLE Zarine Hermita, an Environmental Science teacher at Ateneo de Davao, explains that overpopulation does not deal with the size of an area but with its scarcity of resources. “When we compete, that’s a sign of overpopulation,” she said. Hermita elaborated that the moment people could not meet their needs, especially food, it is already a sign and symptom of the social problem.

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

Big Filipino families living in rural areas experience this. More blood and sweat is needed to provide for their extended families. Yet, many farmers only have meager incomes and work in farms they usually do not even own.

“It’s an undeniable problem at present and in the future,” Charlene Yroy, a 3rd year Atenean said. She advised that Ateneans must all work hand-in-hand, and give their very best to raise global awareness on the matter. Although the ballooning population really is alarming, its damaging effects should be the heat of the issue.

ABOVE: It is not uncommon to see big families in some of the slum areas in Davao City. Photos by Janine Carla Abejay

THE DOMINO EFFECT Hermita further stated, “Higher population then causes higher pollution”—the leading cause of environmental degradation.

Pollution comes in many forms. Citizens irresponsibly litter on to streets and rivers. Factories emit hazardous gases into the atmosphere. And these result to Mother Nature’s gradual death.

If the human race continues this trend of increasing the number of consumers but never sustaining the resources it relies on to survive, it will only be a matter of time before nature reaches its limit and before mankind meets its deathbed. It is like humans are digging their own graves.

To make matters worse, the growing population does not only deplete but also deteriorate the environment. Tree’s lumber quality would decrease due to all the toxicity brought by people around. Bodies of water would be contaminated with chemicals that would kill countless organisms. In addition, mutations of different kinds may occur. Clean fresh air may no longer be inhaled. Clear water may no longer be drunk.

The Philippine Star wrote that the country has already felt the effects of overpopulation. Millions of informal settler families in Metro Manila alone are aggravating the problem of pollution, especially on water resources due to the indiscriminate dumping of garbage (including human waste) along waterways in which all kinds of waterborne diseases are present. WHAT NOW? The problem may look inescapable, but it is.

“Let’s not forget the three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle,” Hermita said. The idea itself is not new. However, if proper waste management is implemented, fewer resources are contaminated and degraded.

Even ordinary students can help. With as little as picking up litters and throwing garbage to proper segregated bins, one can contribute to the environment’s welfare. Instead of buying new notebooks, one can reuse old fillers or notebooks. Instead of throwing reusable cartons, boxes, and Styrofoam, one can make them into pencil and pen docks, decorations

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ABOVE: More people being born means more crowding in already crowded urban areas Photos by Janine Carla Abejay

and creatively-designed containers. She also advised for everyone to “embrace the RH Law.” Family planning and the use of contraceptives are quick ways of preventing the ballooning of the population and thus, lessening the waste the total human population produces. THE GREEN MOVEMENT Each person is a culprit for his/her environment’s suffering. “We all are. It’s human nature,” Ronald Torres, a 2nd year Political Science student explained. “We destroy to survive.”

Did you

causes as almost every little thing humans do contribute to their own demise. However, what each person should consider is that change is just around the corner.

know

World population growth is equivalent to around three babies every second.

Should mankind wait until the planet reaches its limit? Should no one prioritize the care for the only source of life?

What the world needs is just a spark from those brave enough to take on the challenge. And then hopeSource: http://www.overpopulation.org/ fully, the movement, even if only of the little things such as waste segregation and basic family planning, is enough to transform the cloud of negligence in the planet.

Overpopulation is just one point. There a lot of other

Lives are at stake here after all. a

By Kathleen Pastrana

t would not take forever to become used to carrying take-out meals and grocery items in paper bags. At first, it might have seemed ridiculous and inconvenient for some people to be seen in malls carrying brown paper bags stuffed with items, looking as if they are carrying a bagful of pandesal they bought from a bakery. Many people traditionally use plastics for their daily use. Plastics, which are synthetically-manufactured materials, are non-biodegradable and typically more durable. They make life more convenient. They can withstand pressure and damage compared to alternative materials such as paper bags and cartons. Because plastic can support heavier weight compared to paper, people find it more practical to use it. However, no matter how long-lasting and useful plastics are, its continued use contributes to the destruction of the environment. After serving their purposes, they get thrown

to landfills. Since it generally take decades or even centuries for plastics to decompose, they end up as heaps of rubbish abandoned everywhere, floating on different bodies of water or clogging drainage systems. This becomes more of a health issue, because exposure to unhygienic environment can put lives at risk. THE BIRTH OF THE ORDINANCE This is an issue that has long ago captured the interest of the government. In Davao City, different ordinances such as the ban on the use of firecrackers, the anti-smoking, and the anti-spitting ordinances have been implemented. To combat the problem, in 2012, the city government has finally enforced the plastic ban, which strictly prohibits the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags, and polystyrene or Styrofoam as food containers. At first, the ban on the use of plastics seemed difficult to put into practice. In an article published in SunStar Davao, two days after the official enforcement of plastic ban,

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Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) recorded a total of 139 violators of the ordinance. However, oxo-biodegradable plastics, or plastics with additives that make them capable of being decomposed, are eventually made available to retailers in the city so that vendors can secure supplies for their use.

“The ban on the use of non-biodegradable plastics and Styrofoam is being implemented,” Madrazo said. She also proudly shared that ever since it was officially enforced last year, food establishments have been complying with the ordinance. There are still some establishments that are yet to comply with the law, but at the end of the year, she hopes that everyone would cooperate.

A crew from one of Davao City’s most frequented fast food chains shared that customers It has been more than a year used to find it more convenient to since the plastic ban has been Compressed plastic bottles are being use plastic bags as take-out meals enforced, and so far Davaoeños have stored in a recycling plant in Nagano. containers. However, since the encooperated in implementing the ordiPhoto by Jason Occidental forcement of the ban, customers began to nance. According to CENRO head Eliza understand that in the long run, they would Madrazo, to keep the ordinance effective, also benefit from the ordinance. they conduct regular inspections on different food PLASTIC BAN: 1 YEAR LATER

establishments.

“Unti-unting nang na-adopt ng mga tao ang

TOP LEFT: A plastic bottle segregation conveyor in a recycling plant in Nagano. • TOP RIGHT: Plastics which are not bottles undergo a separate crushing process. • ABOVE LEFT: The control room of the Nagano Recycling Plant. • ABOVE RIGHT: The Nagano Plant has an exhibit room where the finished products of their recycling process are shown. Photos by Jason Occidental

paggamit ng paper bag,” Michelle Agustin, a fast food crew for almost two years, explained that by now, customers have accepted the idea of putting a break into the continued utilization of plastics.

Aside from paper bags, Michelle also shared that the food establishment also plans on using paper cups in the future to support the battle against the growing plastic problem in the country.

Did you

know

Plastics need about 450 years just to start decomposing. Then, it takes another 50-80 years to decompose completely. That means that every single produced piece of plastic has not decomposed yet.

Source: http://greenbuzzz.com/

PLASTIC CONSUMPTION Winchester Lemen, president and CEO of Envirotech

Wastes Recycling Inc. (EWRI), estimated a 15% decrease in the overall consumption of plastics in the city since the official enforcement of the plastic ban.

When asked why he thinks it only decreased by 15%, Lemen said that there are still other kinds of non-biodegradable plastics utilized everywhere. There are junk food wrappers and shampoo sachets that are considered mixed soft plastic wastes, which the company EWRI collects and coverts into useful products such as school chairs and park benches.

Plastics may do more harm than good, but its regulated use can make a huge difference. With the right amount of discipline and cooperation from the government and the citizens, the plastic ban in Davao City can serve as the change the whole country wants to see. a

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By Christopher Ed Caboverde & Katrina Guilonsod Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

By Christopher Ed Caboverde & Katrina Guilonsod

ou woke up one morning after you had your hearty dinner and midnight snack, and felt something funny in your tummy. You then go to the bathroom and heed the “call of nature.” After that, you cleaned yourself and flushed away all that is left of your evening bountiful feast. You may think that that ends there. However, you still have to wonder one thing: where do your wastes go? Humans throughout the ages have ways of doing away with their bodily wastes. The Romans sat in public rest rooms and let the waters flowing from the aqueducts flush the wastes away. In cities like Paris, people urinated at chamber pots and threw the pots’ contents on to the city’s streets, showering unsuspecting pedestrians. Ideally, in modern times, bodily wastes end up at septic tanks and sewage treatment plants, in which pipes serve as passage ways of our waste from homes to the said facilities. They also play an important role in maintaining the community clean and keeping it away from floods, and help maintain public health and prevent diseases.

However, the ideal is far from the reality. In many urban areas across the world, a well-functioning sewage system is inadequate or lacking. For example, Keya Acharya’s article in The Guardian stated that in Bangalore, India’s information technology hub, the city’s wetlands numbered at 262 in 1962. Now, that has decreased to 17 in 2012 due to the sewage ending up in the wetlands.

SITUATION IN DAVAO CITY Here in Davao City, the City Council had passed the Septage and Sewerage Management Ordinance in 2010. The said ordinance requires that, “all building plans for residential, commercial and industrial, including those for apartelles and condominiums, before it is approved by the City Engineer’s Office, shall conform to the design of the sanitary plumbing and septic tanks specifications.” It also requires that individual or communal septic tanks be constructed in residential areas with small lot areas or have lot areas of less than 50 square meters or that are small in size. Lastly, it paves the way for the construction of sewage treatment facilities to treat raw sewage, thus turning it into clean water.

Davao City has a population of around 1.45 million according to the 2010 Census. Thus, expect a lot of sewage that needs to be collected and cleaned. However, despite the passage of this ordinance, Davao City has an inadequate number of sewage treatment facilities according to Davao City Water District Pollution Control and Safety Officer (PCSO) Engr. John F. Baynosa. In fact, only Insular Village near Sasa has it. “It’s really saddening to know that only the well-off citizens of Davao can avail a proper sewage system in the city.” Baynosa said So where does many of the city’s household and factory waste go? It goes directly to the canals, which then delivers it to the creeks. After the creeks, the waste water goes to the Davao Gulf. Thus, it is no surprise that levels of organic

Typesof Wastewater Stormwater

Stormwater is water that originates from rain, snow, or other forms of precipitation. Stormwater that does not soak into the ground is channeled into storm sewers, which eventually discharges to surface waters.

Greywater

Greywater is wastewater generated from handwashing basins, showers, laundry, dishwashers, kitchen sinks. and baths which can be recycled onsite for uses such as toilet flushing, landscape irrigation and constructed wetlands.

Infographic by Rafael S. Benedicto • Source: www.wikipedia.org

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

contaminants like e-coli and chloroform are high in the Davao Gulf. This is despite the fact that factories and commercial establishments are obliged to have their own sewage treatment system.

and green will become a reality. And installing a septic tank at home and strict government enforcement of the ordinance are good starts. a

“[Ideally], we strictly mandate this law to all factories and establishments because it will lead to irresponsible water waste disposal. Mahihirapan tayong mag-manage at monitor kasi sa dagat na didiretso ang dumi,” Baynosa added.

With high levels of e-coli and chloroform in Davao’s waters, how come the city has not yet built any sewage treatment plant? Curtis Lazarraga, the Environment Sanitation Division Officer from the City Health Office (CHO), told Atenews that constructing a sewage treatment plant is too costly for the city. Instead, the CHO is planning to construct septage facilities to contain the city’s wastes. This is less costly than building a sewage treatment plant. “Suntok sa buwan ang paggawa ng sewage treatment plant kasi kailangan extensive preparation para matupad yan kaya we are resorting into this Septage Management kasi mas madali ma-manage and we are already preparing for it,” Lazarraga said. Although the city is on the track of keeping sewage away from its rivers and seas, it is still a long way to go before it can successfully do so. But with the cooperation of ordinary citizens, politicians and businesses, the ideal of keeping Davao City clean

Blackwater

Blackwater is any waste from a toilet or urinal. It contains disease-causing organisms that can result in human illness by direct contact or by consumption of affected fish and shellfish. It also contributes to the build-up of unwanted nutrients in ecosystems.

Artwork by Rafael S. Benedicto

AFTERMATHS AND REALIZATIONS In Henrylito Tacio’s “Philippine forests are rapidly disappearing”, he wrote that the deforestation in Cagayan de Oro and nearby provinces was the culprit when Typhoon Sendong’s rainwaters carried large logs with its currents, resulting to a great number of deaths.

By Ma. Kristina Camelia Nardo

he World Wildlife Fund for Nature now labels the Great Philippine Eagle’s domain as ‘critical’ or ‘endangered’.

This claim is not hearsay.

In 2012, Secretary and Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) chairperson Luwalhati Antonino emphasized the depletion of Mindanao’s forests by stating that from 98 percent in the 1900’s, it dropped to 23 percent in 2003. According to Joan Barrera from the Policy, Planning and Project Development Office of Minda, there are only 6 percent virgin forests left within the islands. Mindanao’s forest, which is said to form 60 percent of the country’s forest, is in an alarming state.

Looking back to at wrath of Typhoon ‘Pablo’, Secretary-General Frances Quimpo of the Kalikasan partylist wrote his opinion in Philippine Daily Inquirer that, “the areas devastated by Typhoon Pablo are geographically and ecologically connected to places where massive logging operations have been taking place for decades.” He added that the loss in biodiversity and the degradation of natural resources point to rampant logging, mining and agro-plantation activities in forest areas, affecting the Agusan River Systems.

Barrera shared the same thought with Quimpo, stating that “Pablo” would not have had the same strength if the first line of defense - mangroves and trees - were strong enough. The trees would have lessened the storm’s wind power. She also noted that with the lack of forests and the disturbance of the land, all the waters will go to the rivers. Soil will accumulate on the riverbeds due to soil erosion, making the rivers shallow and in the state of siltation - the murky water that carries soil as it flows to the sea.

If the river is unable to hold huge amounts of water from the mountains and the sea, backflow will happen. In other words, flood.

“If the forests are capable to hold the rainwaters, it would not flow down rapidly. The canopy would catch it. The vegetation below would slowly trickle down the waters,” Barrera said.

“Trees,” Barrera added, “are also the transportation to refill the groundwater storage that supplies the water that we drink. These are the waters that comes out of water pumps.”

Under the context of Climate Change, Barrera said that Mindanao will experience high temperatures and dry weather, turning huge amounts of water to vapor. Deadly skies would be defined by dark, gray clouds, promising heavy downpour.

Ur? Bus demquid maxima cum ne et ad quossunto volecti onesequatur, tet aut ius rere, se culparia volupta dus am cum alis repedicto blabo. Photo by Janine Carla Abejay

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

GOVERNMENT’S MOVE The alarming six percent of virgin forests left, the typhoons in and out of Mindanao and the rapid deforestation in other regions of the country, have caught the attention of the government and recognized it as a priority through President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s Executive Order (EO) No. 26. This order, as stated in Antonio Colina’s SunStar article published in January 2013, is for the rehabilitation of the country’s forests.

EO 26 has also intensified a project to go against the dwindling numbers through the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This project aims to plant 1.5 billion trees within the time frame of 2011-2016 on 1.5 million hectares of land in the country. Varieties of seedlings to be planted include indigenous species and fruit-bearing trees.

The same SunStar article also revealed that the DENRXI exerted efforts with 5.941 million trees already planted in 11, 883 hectares in the region in their record last January 2012.

Sadly, Typhoon Pablo reduced these numbers because of its strong winds. Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental are the areas of concern with P280 million worth of seedlings planted under NGP lost.

Another project supporting the execution of the NGP is the Mindanao Nurturing Our Waters (MindaNOW) project of Minda. This project aims to preserve the river basins and watersheds in Mindanao, especially the eight major river basins, namely the Tagoloan River Basin, Cagayan de Oro River Basin, Agusan River Basin, Agus River Basin, Mindanao River Basin, Davao River Basin, Buayan-Malungan River Basin and Tagum, Libuganon River Basin.

10, 11, 12 and ARMM,” Barrera said.

In order to implement it properly, MINDA, with the help of different LGUs and other organizations from different regions, are currently working on a master plan. “The river basin master plan is necessary para magkasinabot ang mga actions in different areas. It will identify the purpose and incidents possible in different parcels of land (for agriculture, residential, reforestation, flood prone areas, etc.),” Barrera relayed. MOVING FORWARD Clearly, deforestation has a domino effect. As Project Development Division Officer Barrera explained, it affects the land through soil erosion, the river and the sea through siltation and the weather through climate change. Water supply is no exemption.

But like every scientific process, identifying the problem is the first step for the solution. The initiatives are there. Plans have been revealed. Involvement is there but it must continue to grow more until the baldness that the island has been experiencing for years will finally be cured. The solution must be enough to make the “once green” green again, to make deforestation become a thing of the past. It is time to show interest and be part of the movement. Act now. a

Included in this preservation program is improving the state of six equally critical mountain ranges namely Pantaron, Kitanglad, Mt. Kalatungan, Matigsalog, Bumbaran and Wau Mountain Ranges. These mountain ranges define the river basins. “For example, ang Pantaron range supplies water sa Mindanao River Basin, Agusan River Basin and Davao River Basin. It will affect Caraga, Region

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

Question: What is/are the most pressing environmental issue/s in Mindanao? What can I do about them? “ The most pressing environmental issue here in Mindanao is the illegal cutting of trees. The best thing that I can do about it is to participate in tree planting activities.” • Clyde Romo (1- BS Biology) “ Illegal logging. Save trees as much as possible by using less paper in school and plant trees if there’s any chance I can.” • Jillian (3- ABMC) “Mining. Participate in forums and seminars to increase awareness.” • Unknown “Climate change. Instead of burning plastics, I will recycle some of these and maybe sell it to ‘bote-bakal’.” • Mitto ( No answer) “ Global warming. This environmental issue is not only present in Mindanao but in the whole world as well. As a student, what can I do about this issue is to start the change within our own houses like not burning plastics and all.” • Kim ( 3- PolSci) “ Typhoon, flood and earthquake. I can be informed about these issues and know the safety precautions in dealing with these.”

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto

• Jag ( 2- BSAT) “ Mining – throw or segregate garbages properly to somewhat lessen the effects and causes of this problem. Floodingbe responsible with your trash!! Stop complaining if you’re not cooperating.” • April ( 3- PolSci) “ The most pressing environmental issue in Mindanao is the constant flooding experienced in many parts of the island group whenever there is strong rain or typhoon. I can help to avoid the environmental issue by joining tree-plantting activities and throwing my garbage properly instead of throwing them in canals so water flow won’t be clogged or interrupted.” • Sarip Aila Ampatuan ( 2- AMST AB International Studies) “I think the most pressing environmental issue in Mindanao is air pollution. Since almost everyone has their own cars, thus, it cause air pollution and it has a lot of effects on our health and to the environment. For me, we can minimize air pollution by walking if the place you are going to is just near.” • Chelsea Asor ( 2- AB Psych Manresa) “ The issue regarding mining in Tampakan, South Cotabato caused a lot of debates between people who are against and pro with it. For me, it is

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

the most pressing issue since it does not only involve the environment but also indigenous people living in the area. I have participated in a rally conducted by our school when I was in high school to go against mining.” • Anonymous ( 2- ABIS-AMS) “ Energy crisis- promote green architecture in buildings and infrastructures and develop projects that rely on renewable energy. Irresponsible miningsupport responsible mining and proper rehabilitation of mining sites.” • Juslin Philip Puanco (5- BS-CE) “ Mining. Signature campaigns and organizing awareness forums.” • Arvin Maruya ( 3- BSED- Social Studies) “ Nowadays, we can observe or even feel the effects of environmental degradation here in Mindanao such as climate change and gglobal warming. Siguro for me, as a citizen, para makatabang sa paglessen sa climate change, we need to do something even in our own little ways. Dapat maging aware ug makipagcooprate ta sa environmental efforts and programs such as tree-planting. Let us also not forget the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” • Richard Goles (4- BSBM) “The effects of global warming is inevitable. What I can do about it is simple, reduce burning plastics. Reduce using unrecyclable materials.” • Alpee Suan (3- PolSci)

are Philippine eagles and several species of Nepenthes. Naa pud siyay unique kaayo na pygmy forest of century old trees in an ultramafic soil, with many endangered, endemic and rare species of flora and fauna. pero dili fully protected ang mountain because naay areas na ginamina because of the richness of cobalt. What can I do, As an environmentalist and current unit head ng Ecotenista, I would like to bring no. of Atenean students there to witness the richness of its biodiversity. Also to conduct environmental education on CHILDREN living in communities on why is it essential to protect the area.I am already tired on doing protests against large scale and foreign mining companies, especially in DVO oriental.I’ll go for long-term and sustainable development which is environmental education.” • Lem Manalo ( Educ) ( Unit head of Ecotenista) “ The SMI Tampakan Mining issue. As of now, the best thing we can do is to approach this from an academic point of view or collectively as an institution. We can help in the education about this issue and together find ways to fight this.” • Hitesh Dhanwani ( 4- BSIT) ( CCO chair) “ Groundwater. Water should be preserved by cleaning our surroundings and the rivers, etc. for sustainability of water and to have a clean environment.” • Fhritz Liboa (2- BSAT)

“ The most pressing environmental issue in Mindanao for me is the illegal mining happening in some provinces in Mindanao. So what can I do about it: I’m gonna spread the news everywhere about it and tell everyone to help m stop it. We’ll also tr to create a movement against it because we have the right and the power to our own environment.” • Gerard Doria (1- BS Bio) “Cobalt Mining in Mt. Hamiguitan, SurigaoDavao Oriental. Wildlife found in the area

BARYO T

By Kristoffer Jan Tipon

Atenews Vol. 59 • No. 6 • May 2014

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Watch out, here comes the drought!

Ginto

By Nadine Caballes

By Carl Militar

By Steely Dhan Caballero

Title Art by Rafael S. Benedicto