VOL. 2 l NO. 16 l June 20, 2012
Australian environmentalist fears global decline of coral reefs By Jennifer C. Tilos
PIA marked Environment Month with a Kapihan forum attended by close to 100 representatives from NGOs, NGAs, PNP Environment Desk Offices, LGUs, academe, and religious sectors at Bethel Guesthouse.
DOH-7 pushes youth to be vegetable advocates By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CIT June 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH)–7 urged the youth to become advocates for eating vegetables and fruits and become role models in their respective families by making it a habit in their daily meals. DOH-7 assistant regional director Lakshmi Legaspi made the call amid a report that there is decreasing consumption of vegetables in Central Visayas. “Eating vegetables is very important in maintaining good health. And a healthy body means a good immune system not easily susceptible to diseases,” said Legaspi. The official added that based on statistics, a decline in vegetable consumption have been noticed, attributing it to the youth’s reliance on street food. “This is why we are really calling on to our youths to be vegetable advocates starting in their own family,” she said, noting that next month’s Nutrition Month celebrating is themed “Pagkain ng Gulay Ugaliin, Araw-araw Itong Ihain. (Make eating vegetable a habit. Serve it every day.)” An increase in consumption of vegetables can also help vegetable growers in the region sustain their livelihood, because greater demand means the need for higher supply, Legaspi declared. “In increasing our vegetable consumption, we help our vegetable growers increase their income,” the director said. Although Legaspi admitted that most might not be keen on eating more vegetables compared to meat but “the essential vitamins and minerals that we get from vegetables to achieve a healthy body and prevent diseases can never be compared.”
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, June 20 (PIA) -- An Australian scientist and environmentalist reported that there has been a great amount of degradation of coral reefs, especially in the famous Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The loss is primarily attributed to acute mortality events from crownof-thorns starfish, coral bleaching and strong catastrophes, said the Director of the Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies of James Cook University in Australia Dr. Terry Hughes, as he briefed a group of researchers, teachers, graduate students and representatives of local government units and government agencies in Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Cebu in the orientationbriefing on “Scale, Stock-recruitment Dynamics and the Global Decline of Coral Reefs” held recently at Silliman University in Dumaguete City. In 2008, 19 percent of coral reefs in the world were categorized as “lost” or are unlikely to recover from deterioration,
She also urged every sector and organization to implement their own advocacy program to increase the consumption of vegetables and to make people aware of its benefits and its contribution in uplifting economy through a healthy and productive citizenry. “We all must get involve and do our share in promoting vegetable consumption and ecouraging our youths to regularly eat vegetables,” Legaspi concluded. (FCR/ASPIA7,Cebu)
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said Dr. Hughes, citing the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network report. Hughes said that 15 percent were “critical” or were found to have 50 percent of coral loss, 20 percent were “under threat” or with 25 to 50 percent coral loss and 46 percent were “low risk.” Along with this presentation, he highlighted the value of “no-take marine reserves,” particularly those managed by local communities, in biodiversity conservation and fisheries management. "No-take marine zones" are areas in the ocean that are permanently cordoned off to allow for marine resources, especially fishes, to grow and reproduce. This method keeps fishing activities away from specific areas of the sea. These no-take marine zones, he added, have been proven not only to protect coral reefs but also to increase the egg production of fishes. In the Philippines, there are about 1,000 marine protected areas, some of them already declared as no-take areas, four of which are areas surrounding Apo Island, Sumilon Island, Mantigue Island and Selinog Island. The lecture of Dr. Hughes, who was brought to Dumaguete by the Australian Embassy, was sponsored by the Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project of the Philippine government to which Silliman University serves as assisting institution or consultant. Professor Emeritus and Trustee of Silliman University and former DENR secretary Dr. Angel C. Alcala introduced Dr. Hughes as an internationally renowned s c i e n t i s t . ( M B C N / J C T- P I A 7 , N e g r o s Oriental)