Latest news with #DepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources
GMA Network
12 hours ago
- GMA Network
Residents complain vs. foul burnt copper smell in Tondo, Manila
Authorities have intensified patrolling activities as they search for individuals who burn copper wires resulting in the emission of a foul stench in Barangay 104 in Tondo, Manila. According to Bea Pinlac's report in '24 Oras' on Monday, residents of Barangay 104 found it difficult to sleep on Sunday because of the stench after a group of men were caught burning copper wires near Capulong Highway. 'Magigising ka na lang, mangangamoy tanso na. Akala namin nasusunog na 'yung lugar namin. Unang una po, 'yung health namin. May sanggol din po sa amin at saka mga senior po,' said resident Emmart Bucio. (You'll just wake up to the smell of copper. We thought our place was on fire. First and foremost, it's our health. We also have a baby and seniors live here.) The men sell the copper wires to a junk shop after burning them, the report added. Meanwhile, barangay officials said it has been responding to complaints every night about a group that included minors visiting their area. However, they manage to evade authorities. 'Kapag kagat po ng dilim, magpe-prepare na sila na mag-sindi ng kanilang mga kalakal na susunugin, na hindi talaga taga sa amin. Alam nila yung kalakalan, aral sila sa ganyang negosyo,' said barangay tanod Kenneth Gallevo. (When darkness falls, they'll start preparing to light their stolen goods to burn... they are not from our area. They know this trade well, they are experts in that kind of business.) Environmental law violation Open burning or burning of garbage is strictly prohibited under the Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources warned that open burning of wastes is a threat to one's health and a contributor to global warming, the report added. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Zambales town calls for end of sand dredging as local tourism suffers
The town of San Felipe in Zambales is best known for its scenic beach and agoho trees. But recently, the local tourism industry has been affected by sand dredging, the digging of boats of sand underneath the ocean and rivers to be used for other purposes. Due to this, the resorts and cottages have been sinking under the waters. According to a report on "Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho" on Sunday, it was in 2019 when the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) handed out permits to operators to start dredging activities in three main rivers in Zambales: Bucao River in Botolan, Maloma River and the Santo Tomas River in San Felipe. Administrative Order No. 13 Series of 2019 aims to protect the rivers and prevent flooding in the areas. A representative said the river is heavily silted and if the sand has a good disposition, it would go back to the natural state and allow water to properly flow in the river. In 2021, dredging activities began in Botolan. In 2024, similar activities started in San Felipe. The residents have since noticed negative effects in their province. Jessica Soho and her team traveled to San Felipe to investigate the residents' complaints. There, they discovered fallen agoho trees, and abandoned houses and buildings. Among those damaged by the sand dredging in the Sto. Tomas River includes the resort owned by entrepreneur Eli. "Sa ngayon, Ma'am, napaka-worst talaga ang nangyayari. Halos 'yan sira-sira lahat. Hindi na kami makapagtanggap ng guest dahil dyan," Eli said. ["What's happening right now is really the worst. Everything is practically falling apart. We can't accommodate any more guests because of it."] Eli shared that the dredging would occur in front of their resort, starting from the early morning, and lasting all day. Eli added that it is normal for flooding to happen in their town but that it does not usually last. The Zambales Ecological Network seconded this, adding that the floods only happened because of the dredging. "Ang Zambales ay never napunta sa listahan ng mga calamity areas as a result of flood. Never. Because meron nga kaming drainage area na pagkalaki-laki, na West Philippine Sea. So lahat ng ilog namin papunta dito, mga streams, lahat ng tubig, papunta dito sa dagat," a representative said. ["Zambales has never been listed as a calamity area due to floods—never. We have a huge drainage outlet: the West Philippine Sea. All our rivers and streams flow directly into the sea."] "Dito sa kabilang ibayo na, sa kabila ng dagat, ng ilog, ng Santo Tomas River, nababaha kami because meron kaming ilog du'n na drainage din, dinike din nang pagkataas-taas. Eh dati paganyan-ganyan lang ang tubog doon, tapos mag-drain towards the West Philippine Sea. So now, nata-trap 'yung tubig," they added. ["Here on our side, across the sea and the Santo Tomas River, we're experiencing floods because a river that used to serve as a drainage outlet now has a very high dike. Before, the water stayed at a manageable level and flowed out to the West Philippine Sea. Now, it's getting trapped."] The DENR, however, said that dredging is not the cause of flooding. Rather, it is the result of accretion, or the addition of land or rocks into a landmass. In Zambales specifically, it is a result of the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. A provincial engineer in Zambales said that structures should not have been built in certain areas because of the accretion. He added that there are a lot of fake documents going around. Business owners claim to have permits, which is why the governor started the Foreshore Management Council in the province to manage this. Eli, meanwhile, said that if the area is hazardous, then the authorities should not have promoted tourism there. He also said that authorities have been looking for the legalities of their properties even though they have the permits. "Kami, nag-invest kami, bumili kami in good faith. Hindi po kami tumayo lang dito na nang-agaw kami ng lupa na sinasabi ng gobyerno na sa kanila. Binili po namin 'yun, may proof kami ng mga documents na binili namin. Hindi kami basta lang tumayo rito." ["We invested and bought the land in good faith. We didn't just stand here and grab property the government claims as theirs. We bought it, and we have documents to prove that we bought it. We didn't just stand here."] To add to his problems, Eli said they are now in debt. "'Yung mga tao namin dito lokal lang dito ng San Felipe at Narciso, sila umaasa lang din ang pamilya nila dito sa amin. 'Yung kita namin kung kumikita kami kumikita sila, pagkatapos nito wala na, wala na silang trabaho, kasi kami ang nagbibigay trabaho dito sa lokal." ["Our staff here are just locals from San Felipe and Narciso. Their families depend on us— when we earn, they earn. But after this, it's over. They'll lose their jobs because we're the ones providing work for the locals here."] Fisherfolk's plight In Barangay Sindol, the dredging operations affect fisherfolk like Myra and April. Myra said that they have lived in Sitio Tekte for 28 years, and that they've made a living through catching and selling fish. But because of the continued dredging, the coastal road got damaged, and so did their livelihood. "Pati mga bangka hindi namin maibaba dahil malalaki 'yung mga bato na nakaharang sa kalsada," Myra said. "Napasukan na ng tubig 'yung bahay namin dahil sa sobrang lakas ng alon. Pero noon, hindi naman nangyayari 'yan. Ilang taon na kami nandito. Bumabagyo pero hindi naman umaangat yung mga alon dito sa amin." ["We can't even use our boats because large rocks are blocking the road. Our house was flooded by extremely strong waves—something that never used to happen. We've been here for years. Typhoons would come, but the waves never reached us."] "Pero magmula nga nu'ng nakuha 'yung mga buhangin sa harap namin, siyempre gagamutin niya 'yung sarili niya, kukunin niya 'yung mga buhangin na nawala sa kanya. Kinukuha na niya dito sa taas," she added. ["But ever since the sand in front of us was taken, the sea has been trying to heal itself. It's taking back the sand that was lost—and now, it's taking it from here."] Dredging in their area stopped last year, but the effects on their livelihood are still felt today. Myra struggles to return to fishing, while April already lost her income. April works as a caretaker for a resort, while her husband works at maintenance. April said she lost jobs because the owner sold the resort due to fear of dredging. They also lost customers because instead of having a peaceful stay, they get disturbed by the loud dredging noises. The provincial engineer however said that the seabed dredging is only an allegation. "'Yan pong sabi nila na part ng shoreline ang ating dine-dredge, pagka po nakita ninyo 'yung ating shoreline, it's about one kilometer na po ang naging lapad at 'yan po ang unclassified public land ang tawag po diyan. Mahaba po 'yan at napakaluwag na lugar ang puro accretion na 'yan," he said. ["Regarding their claim that we're dredging part of the shoreline, if you look at it now, our shoreline is about one kilometer wide. That's what's called unclassified public land. It's a long, very wide stretch, and all of it is accretion."] He added, "Makikita mo talaga 'yung buhangin na umiikot. Hindi mo alam kung black sand ba 'yung kinukuha o buhangin lang talaga kasi umiikot siya, e. May nilalabas din siyang mga tubig, kasamang mga buhangin." ["You can really see the sand swirling around. You can't even tell if they're collecting black sand or just regular sand because it's all mixed up. The water they released is also mixed with sand."] The townspeople also raised concern on foreigners allegedly being behind the dredging, therefore benefiting from the operations. "Ang mga may-ari is mga Intsik. Hindi maintindihan 'yung mga letters na kuwan dahil Intsik ang pagkakagawa ng mga kuwan nila, pangalan," Myra said, and added that they see Chinese people every Friday and Saturday. ["The owners are Chinese, and you can't read their names because they're written in Chinese characters."] Heidi Fernandez from Zambales Ecological Network, likewise claimed that "these dredging ships are being operated by the China Harbor Engineering Corporation," a Chinese company in Mainland China. "There were lot of stories ng mga nakasakay ng barko na Pilipino na sabi nila nagdadala sila ng buhangin doon sa mga disputed islands natin. Pero 'yun pa lang ang alam namin. Wala pa kaming nakikitang on paper na ebidensiya," she said. ["Many Filipino crew members on the ships have shared stories claiming they were transporting sand to our disputed islands. But so far, that's all we know—we haven't seen any documented proof yet."] "KMJS" investigated the China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC). According to their page, they are a major international engineering contractor whose main service is dredging, and creating marine infrastructure projects and reclamation services. The engineer said that they did not give any Chinese company a permit, and that only legitimate Filipinos do dredging. "'Yun pong sinasabi nila ng mga vessel na Chinese, 'yung po ay converted into a Philippine vessel. Nanggaling po sa China, 'yun siguro 'yung mga equipment but pagdating po dito, ginagawang yung lahat ng crew ay Pilipino," he said. ["Regarding their claim about the Chinese vessels—yes, they came from China and were converted into Philippine vessels. All the crew are Filipinos."] However, San Felipe Mayor Reinhard Jeresano earlier confirmed that CHEC did dredging in their area. The sand they get are allegedly used for reclamation projects in Manila Bay. The townsfolk, however, remain firm in their stance. April said, "Stop dredging. Hindi lang po buong beach front ang masisira kundi buong community. Wala na po kaming matitirhan." ["Stop the dredging. If this continues, it won't just destroy the entire beachfront—it will wipe out our whole community. We'll have nowhere to live."] Myra added, "Sana itigil na ang dredging para maging maayos na ang pamumuhay namin saka hindi na kami malulusaw. Kung puwede na lang sana ibalik ninyo ang buhangin na kinuha ninyo!" ["I just hope the dredging stops so our lives can return to normal and we won't be erased. If only you could give back the sand you took!"] —JCB, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Paoay Lake declared protected area under new law signed by Marcos
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act No. 12230, declaring Paoay Lake in Ilocos Norte a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Republic Act No. 12230, signed on August 4, designates the Paoay Lake Protected Landscape (PLPL) under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), ensuring long-term conservation and management of the lake's rich biodiversity and cultural importance. A Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) will be created to oversee the implementation of the law. The board will be composed of representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the provincial governor, local legislators, the congressional district representative, and the mayor of Paoay. The PAMB will be responsible for approving policies, programs, and management plans for the PLPL, allocating funds, and setting appropriate fees and charges. The day-to-day administration and protection of the area will be handled by the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). To support operations, the law also creates the Paoay Lake Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (PLPL-IPAF). Revenues may come from regulated use of resources, lease of multiple-use zones, business contributions, collected fees, and grants or donations from both local and international sources.
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos declares Paoay Lake a protected area
A view of Paoay Lake from Malacañang of the North. (File photo) President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has declared Paoay Lake in Ilocos Norte a protected area to ensure its conservation, protection, management, and rehabilitation. In signing Republic Act 12230 on August 4, Marcos said the Paoay Lake Protected Landscape (PLPL) was 'in recognition of the richness of biological resources, both flora and fauna, that are native and distinct to Paoay Lake as well as their aesthetic and ecological importance.' Ilocos Norte is the hometown of the President. According to the law, it is the State's policy to secure the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals for Filipinos' present and future generations through the declaration of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). The law mandated the creation of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). Some of its members are the regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the provincial governor, senators who are Ilocos Norte residents, the representative of the congressional district that includes the PLPL, and the mayor of Paoay. The Board's responsibilities include overseeing the management of the PLPL, approving policies, plans, and programs for the area's management, allocating financial resources for the implementation of the management plan, and setting fees and charges. The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) will supervise daily management, protection, and administration of the PLPL. The law also established the Paoay Lake Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (PLPL-IPAF) to support projects and operations. Funding will be provided by the permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources from the PLPL, the leasing of multiple-use areas, contributions from businesses and facilities that directly benefit from the PLPL, and other fees collected from PLPL operations. The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowments from various domestic and foreign sources and shall be deposited as a special account in the National Treasury. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
04-07-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Reticulated python turned over to DENR Bicol
A concerned resident in Legazpi City, Albay turned over a juvenile reticulated python or "sawa" to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol. According to DENR Bicol, Rey Vincent A. Agustin from Barangay Arimbay brought the snake to the DENR Regional Office in Barangay Rawis, Legazpi City on July 3, 2025. He said it was for the safety of both the animal and the community. Personnel from DENR's Conservation and Development Division (CDD) and Enforcement Division (ED), led by Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Atty. Ronnel C. Sopsop, received the python. After a quick health check, they released it within the Mount Mayon Natural Park. The reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) is classified as 'Other Threatened Species' under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09. DENR said this means that while it is not yet considered vulnerable, it is at risk due to threats like over-collection. All wildlife in the country are protected under Republic Act No. 9147 or the 'Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.' DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla Jr. encouraged the public to help protect native wildlife. 'I-report po natin agad sa DENR kung may makita tayong wildlife, buhay man o sugatan. Sama-sama tayong magbantay para sa ating kalikasan,' Milla announced.
