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Monday, February 5, 2024
Keep the country’s 5 GEMs healthy with biodiversity
Yes, the Philippines is beautiful! Those who have made time to see the country know that it was not a waste of time to go see the Philippines, perhaps one weekend of the year at a time.
Recently, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) called attention to five of those beautiful spots, the Five GEMs (Green Economy Models) — El Nido, Coron, Siargao, Panglao and Puerto Galera.
DENR is working with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to preserve the biodiversity of the Five GEMs. Government agencies are closely monitoring these prime tourist destinations for their water resource management, solid waste management, land use planning and enforcement of easement zones, and public-private partnerships.
Biodiversity is not only important to keep a prime tourist spot pretty but it is important to preserve the ecosystems that support life.
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said the department has allocated ₱600 million for the agency's biodiversity management projects this year, specifically for the enhancement of the marine research station and the conservation of threatened species, such as the Philippine Eagle, Tamaraw, Dugong, Palawan Cockatoo, and marine turtles.
The importance of biodiversity to sustainability cannot be over-emphasized. It provides us with many products to sustain our survival – food, water, medicines, materials for shelter, protection from coastal erosion, and mitigation of climate change, with forests absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The World Wildlife organization puts it simply: “Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.”
Since the Philippines is recognized for its rich biodiversity, the DENR chief said that most of the foreign funding it receives is related to the preservation of biodiversity.
We know that biodiversity is linked to climate, linked to food, linked to water, Sec. Loyzaga emphasized.
One of the problems that the agencies have to deal with is plastic pollution especially in the tourist areas. It seems that the more visitors a beautiful place attracts, the bigger the problem of plastic pollution mostly coming from food and product packaging. If solid waste disposal remains mismanaged, beach areas will be at risk of being temporarily closed for rehabilitation, similar to the case of Boracay Island years ago. This concern was expressed by DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos during the meeting.
The five major threats to biodiversity have been identified as climate change, pollution, habitat loss, overexploitation of species and invasive species.
To keep the Philippines beautiful, especially its Five GEMs, more concern for a healthy biodiversity from the human population is needed to help the efforts of the DENR, DOT and the DILG.
The clarion call is for all local communities to participate in protecting our biodiversity and enhance the appeal of domestic tourist attractions in every corner of the nation.
Jake Almeda Lopez passes away, 95
Feb 4, 2024 02:31 PM
AT A GLANCE
"We are forever grateful, Atty. Jake. Rest in peace, Kapamilya!"
Another official of ABS-CBN has passed away.
War veteran and former ABS-CBN vice chairman Atty. Jake Almeda Lopez has died. He was 95.
Lopez passed away on Feb. 3, the same day ABS-CBN executive Deo Endrinal died.
ABS-CBN has issued a statement on the passing of Lopez:
"ABS-CBN mourned the loss of our esteemed Vice Chairman and pillar, Atty. Jake Almeda Lopez. A decorated war veteran, he dedicated many years to building and rebuilding ABS-CBN alongside our founder, Kapitan Geny Lopez, who described him as the "soul" of our organization.
"His life was a testament to service, both on the battlefield and as a Kapamilya leader, serving his country and contributing greatly to ABS-CBN's success. As we bid farewell to one of our pioneers, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
We are forever grateful, Atty. Jake. Rest in peace, Kapamilya!"
More reasons to ‘Love the Philippines’
Earning numerous accolades from prestigious travel institutions
2023 proved to be a remarkable year for Philippine tourism, surpassing the target international visitor arrivals and reaching the five-million mark before year-end.
Under the leadership of the Department of Tourism, the country earned numerous accolades from prestigious travel institutions, including the World Travel Awards 2023 (WTA) held at Burj Al Arab in Dubai, UAE, in December.
The Philippines was honored with the inaugural Global Tourism Resilience Award, acknowledging the country's demonstration of “global leadership, pioneering vision, and innovation to overcome critical challenges and adversity.” Being one of just five countries acknowledged for this award, the Philippines sets the standard for best practices in tourism resilience.
In addition to this significant recognition, the Philippines was once again honored as the World's Leading Dive Destination, World's Leading Beach Destination, and World's Leading City Destination for Manila City.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed joy over these accolades, stating, “We are elated and grateful that Philippine tourism continues to soar to global prominence with tourists declaring their love for the Philippines as the undisputed World’s Leading Beach Destination and World’s Leading Dive Destination, and now World’s Leading City Destination, Manila.”
Frasco continued, “Receiving the Global Tourism Resilience Award is also especially meaningful as this is an affirmation of all the hard work done in the past year to strengthen the pillars of tourism development through convergence and collaboration towards the tourism transformation envisioned by our President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. These accolades are as much a source of Filipino pride as they are a testament to the enormous contribution of tourism to the Philippine economy and global standing.”
PERSONAL THOUGHTS
It's the beginning of February 2024. Sure, I do my tasks every day. Writing, teaching, and so on.
I just don't like consuming the news anymore. It's just depressing. Are there really positive and negative news? I learned during my studies and training: Only a negative headline makes a good headline. Of course, only economic things were in the background - or maybe in the foreground?
A journalist, a columnist and a writer for almost 60 years now. I lie in bed at night and think back to the time when I “started” writing. Sure, “everything was different back then”….
Sure, the world was in a different situation. Sure, wars always happened somewhere and at some point. Problems as well.
But guys, what is the world like right now?
Somehow each of us tries to make the best of everything. Somehow.
You keep your ears, eyes and especially your mouth closed. But will this make the world better?
I often sit on my porch. The rain is pouring down. Somehow it has gotten colder in the Philippines too.
Not within my family in the Philippines. Neither do many neighbors here in Davao. But otherwise? Wow. In any case, I feel even more comfortable here in the Philippines. Well, and the first people are already asking: why?
Well, I've been living here for 26 years now and I see what's happening around me in the world.
Well, on the whole, I feel well protected here in the lap of my family. In Davao. In the Philippines.
One thing, if not the most important thing: music. Music of all kinds. Music keeps me uplifted. Music gives me strength. Music keeps me going!
I still remember my time as a radio presenter and my years of broadcasts. Classical music from the last 400 years or so. But also music from the 50s, 60s and 70s of my youth.
My youth was not easy. But, I “pushed through”. The music of all time has always accompanied and strengthened me.
I have published a lot about music. Also on the radio. My listeners thanked me again with their feedback.
Music, no matter what direction, can build bridges between two completely different worlds.
Write and publish as well.
I still remember my time as a radio presenter and my years of broadcasts. Classical music from the last 400 years or so. But also music from the 50s, 60s and 70s of my youth.
My youth was not easy. But, I “pushed through”. The music of all time has always accompanied and strengthened me.
I have published a lot about music. Also on the radio. My listeners thanked me again with their feedback.
Music, no matter what direction, can build bridges between two completely different worlds.
Write and publish as well.
I am grateful that so many publishers, magazines and newspapers agree.
God bless you and your readers.
Pagasa monitors cloud clusters in Mindanao
By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times
February 5, 2024
THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Monday said it is monitoring cloud clusters that could bring rain in Mindanao in the next 24 hours.
Weather specialist Robert Badrina said however, that these cloud formations were unlikely to develop into a low pressure area.
"Based on Pagasa's data and analysis, there is no storm that would likely form or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility until over the weekend," he said, adding that most parts of the country will have fair weather.
In its 5 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said that the easterlies and northeast monsoon locally known as "amihan" are affecting the eastern section of the country and extreme Northern Luzon.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to overcast skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
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