Calling on the next administration to take urgent action on climate change

by Manila Bulletin

In less than a month, a new administration will take the reins of the country. We would know by then the direction of the next president’s agenda, which will shape the future of this nation. As of the moment, there are still no announcements with regards to the environment team that will lead the various agencies related to the use and upkeep of our country’s natural resources. This is something that is much awaited especially by the scientific community.

A few days ago, members of the academe, the scientific community, and concerned citizens called on the next administration to “prioritize and take urgent action on the climate emergency.”

“With the impacts of climate change affecting more and more Filipinos year on year, the group is hoping for the climate emergency agenda to be part of the next administration’s priority programs,” according to a statement also released by The Climate Reality Project Philippines, a group of climate advocates who share a vision of a better reality for the country and the world.

The call, first posted last April 24, 2022, two weeks ahead of this year’s election, makes a case for the integration of a climate emergency agenda alongside national plans and priorities in anticipation of how a harsher and less predictable climate will exacerbate existing problems in poverty, food security, economic recovery, and disaster mitigation, among others.

As one of the countries with the richest forest biodiversity in the world and where the majority of the population live along coasts, it is important for the next administration to ensure that biodiversity conservation be strengthened, and management of coastal resources must be sustainable.

Incidentally, tomorrow, June 5, is World Environment Day. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it has been held annually on June 5 since 1973. This is the “largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions across the world.” The slogan used for this event annually is #OnlyOneEarth.

In a statement from UNEP, the slogan stresses that we have “only one earth.” “In the universe are billions of galaxies; in our galaxy are billions are planets; but there is only one earth, so let’s take care of it.” It also lists down the “triple planetary emergencies” that we are currently facing and what must be addressed immediately: “First, the climate is heating up too quickly for people and nature to adapt; second, habitat loss and other pressures mean an estimated one million species are threatened with extinction; and last, pollution continues to poison our air, land, and water.”

To address these concerns, the UNEP advised governments all over the world that the “way out of this dilemma is to transform economies and societies to make them inclusive, fair, and more connected with nature.” It stressed: “We must shift from harming the planet to healing it.”

Amid the dire news on our planet, there are solutions and technology that exist to address various climate-related challenges. One of the most urgent, according to climate experts, is to keep global warming below 1.5-degree Celcius. “Time is running out and nature is in emergency mode. We must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Without action, exposure to air pollution beyond safe guidelines will increase by 50 percent within the decade and plastic waste flowing into aquatic ecosystems will nearly triple by 2040. We need urgent action to address these pressing issues, making ‘Only One Earth’ and its focus on living sustainably in harmony with nature, as pertinent as ever.”

The next administration, then, must be prudent and practical to study the entire spectrum of climate change in the context of experts and reliable data. Whoever will implement the president’s environment agenda must ensure to get the support and cooperation of individuals and civil society who are green advocates, awareness raisers, and sustainability supporters.

The UNEP has said that “the more we raise our voices, emphasize what needs to be done, and point out who is responsible, the faster change will come.” This is what is needed in the days to come. As long as green advocates raise their voices to be heard by the next administration, the green agenda will not be forgotten or left on the sidelines.

Avian flu threatens Philippine Eagle Center

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

These two Philippine eagles are among the 35 protected by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) at Malagos village, Davao del Sur.  PEF FILE PHOTO

DIGOS CITY: The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) is now working to relocate the Philippine Eagle Center to a more secure and viable location for breeding amid the looming threat of the avian flu.

Andi Baldonado, PEF development manager, said this is due to threats brought by the avian influenza, adding they are on standby to relocate the Philippine eagles to the 50-hectare local government property in Barangay Eden Toril District in this city.

Baldonado said the recent avian flu infection in Magsaysay town in Davao del Sur, which is less than a hundred kilometers away from the center, "practically brings the threat at their doorstep."

She said a single case of avian flu in the center can potentially wipe out all 34 Philippine eagles that they have right now.

"That's why we've said that we are on standby for a possible lockdown again if ever there's a case that will be detected in Davao City because we cannot risk having avian flu in the only captive breeding facility for the Philippine eagle," Baldonado said.

"The long-term plan is to really move, Malagos is no longer conducive for breeding wildlife and keeping the birds safe from the avian flu threat. In 2017, we had the threat as well so it's becoming more frequent. To prevent contamination, we need to isolate them," Baldonado said.

Right now, Baldonado said they are intensifying its biosecurity measures where the keepers are given access to the eagles in the center.

These keepers, she said, are assigned to specific eagles; they go to strict measures such as showering and changing into scrubs whenever they come in contact with the eagles.

The center, however, is still open to the public but stricter measures will have to be followed like not allowing vehicles to come inside the property anymore.

Baldonado also cited some game breeding farms around the 8.4-hectare Philippine Eagle Center, which houses 34 birds apart from several other wild bird species susceptible to infection.

"So it's not ideal anymore for a long-term plan of Philippine eagle conservation like breeding. And we find that it's time that we really need to secure the population and move them away from these areas," Baldonado added.

"We are working with the CPDO (City Planning and Development Office) towards releasing a usufruct which would allow us to use the facility for captive breeding and rescue rehabilitation," Baldonado said.

The PEF is seeking to raise P56 million as an initial budget to start the establishment of a new Philippine Eagle Facility in Eden, Toril.

Meanwhile, the PEF is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year with the theme "#AgiLaya: Lasting Freedom for the Philippine Eagle."

Highlights of the celebration include an exhibit from June 6 to 12 featuring Philippine eagle conservation milestones at SM Lanang Premier Atrium.

Magnitude 5.6 quake shakes Surigao del Sur -- Phivolcs

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit Surigao del Sur early Friday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Tectonic in origin, the tremor took place around 2:54 a. m. some 31 kilometers northeast of the town of Cagwait, also in the same province, Phivolcs said in its 5 a. m. advisory.

Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum Jr. said that Intensity 4 was felt over Cagwait, Bayabas and San Agustin, Surigao del Sur while Intensity 3 over Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; and Rosario, Agusan del Sur.

He said Instrumental Intensity 3 was recorded in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur; and Nabunturan, Davao de Oro while Intensity 2 over Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; and Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

Intensity 1 was recorded in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; Surigao City; Abuyog, Leyte; and Malungon, Sarangani, Phivolcs said.

Solidum said both damage to infrastructure and aftershocks are possible from the latest quake.

Still blended, still learning

by Manila Bulletin

Over two years into a pandemic later, the Department of Education (DepEd) remains half-and-half with its attitude toward face-to-face classes. But perhaps it is right to do so. The Department’s latest pronouncements regarding the upcoming school year favors a mix of in-person and online classes.

If you are a parent who has been following the discussions regarding the resumption of classes, you might say, “Nothing new here.” And you would be right in saying so.

For the past several months now, with the easing of mobility restrictions due to the pandemic under an Alert Level 1 status, everything seems to be back to normal. Almost.

Kids are allowed back into public spaces—churches, malls, restaurants — accompanied by their families. Kids have been given access to vaccines against Covid. But why are they still not allowed to be back in their classrooms at a 100-percent level?

Some might argue that there are a lot of factors involved in a classroom setup different from those in other public spaces, say, like in malls or parks or restaurants. In schools, students would be mingling with fellow learners as well as educators. The thing is, with DepEd’s push for fully inoculating its personnel and teachers — both for public and private schools — and with vaccines available for children, the classroom setup seems to be becoming more and more viable as an option.

DepEd recognizes this with its suggestion that students spend some days back in school and other days of the week learning from home. It seems to be the safest bet. Although the department is not against face-to-face classes, it wants to exercise a degree of prudence.

The question is: What difference does it make for the students to be allowed out on some days compared to being allowed back in school for a week? Less chances of getting Covid? Maybe.

This is the reason why DepEd continues to push for the vaccination of younger learners, which to be clear, is completely optional. That being vaccinated is not even made a requirement for children to return to the classroom says a lot. Yet, putting all arguments in favor of vaccination aside, this may be the more probable reason why a blended learning setup is favored.

DepEd itself, together with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), seems to be learning the ropes when it comes to reintegrating students back into a “new normal” for education. While this is understandable given the unpredictable nature of a pandemic, the current situation points to a more stable future, with Covid cases remaining in manageable numbers compared to those of the past two years.

Perhaps parents — and the learners themselves who are arguably in need of social interaction from their peers — only need to be patient for a little while longer, until the “new normal” in education takes on the semblance of a true normal.

Ylona Garcia drops new summertime jam ‘Vibin’

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Ylona Garcia

Filipino-Australian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Ylona Garcia has revealed a more vulnerable playful side to her with the release of “Vibin” via PARADISE RISING/88rising Music.

With a smooth and catchy hook, and a light, airy production matched with Ylona’s crisp vocals, the track is a perfect summertime slow jam. 

“VIBIN” Listen Here: https://ylonagarcia.lnk.to/Vibin

“Vibin is a really special song to me,” Ylona said, “because it truly captures where I am artistically, and where I plan to go sonically. The track is about meeting someone new and not wanting to feel pressured to define the relationship – we’re just vibin and enjoying every moment as they come.”

“Vibin” follows the success of her hit single “Entertain Me,” which was featured in the wildly popular game Valorant’s launch trailer of new playable character Neon, reaching #1 Trending on YouTube and amassing over 8M views. The single currently has over 15M plays on Spotify alone. 

Only 20 years old, Ylona Garcia has set her sights on the global landscape in the next stage of her creative journey.  With multiple song releases under her belt already, in addition to appearing on two of the biggest reality/talent contests shows in the Philippines, Ylona Garcia has become one of the fastest-rising, most prominent young voices in the Filipino music community. She currently has over 4.2M followers on Instagram and nearly 1 million followers on TikTok in addition to over 714,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and 212,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel.

Ylona Garcia’s music is released by 88rising’s sister label PARADISE RISING, which was launched in 2020 to help bring Filipino music to the forefront of culture. 

Gatchalian backs full face-to-face classes

By Javier Joe Ismael, Manila Times

SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday expressed his support for the full resumption of face-to-face classes next academic school year, saying that such a move will boost the recovery of the basic education sector from the pandemic.

While the full resumption of in-person learning is a first step, Gatchalian cited the need to implement a massive learning recovery program.

The National Economic and Development Authority estimated that two years without face-to-face learning will result in P22-trillion productivity losses.

Gatchalian's proposed learning recovery program includes well-systematized tutorial sessions for struggling learners.

He said that the program will cover the most essential learning competencies under Language and Mathematics for Grades 1 to 10 and Science for Grades 3 to 10.

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Literacy and numeracy competencies will be given focus for Kindergarten learners to build on their foundational competencies, he added.

The Department of Education said that as of May 26, 34,238 schools were nominated to conduct face-to-face classes, 1,174 of which are private schools. Over 33,000 or 73.28 percent of public schools are already holding in-person classes.

"Matapos ang halos dalawang taon ng pagtugon natin sa mga hamon ng pandemya, napapanahon nang buksan natin ang lahat ng mga paaralan upang makabalik na ang mga mag-aaral. Habang patuloy ang pagbangon ng iba't ibang sektor, dapat nating tiyaking hindi mapag-iiwanan ang sektor ng edukasyon (After almost two years responding to the challenges of the pandemic, it's now time for us to open all our schools for all the learners. While the different sectors continue to rise, we should ensure that the education sector will not be left behind)," said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Gatchalian vowed to pursue legislation to improve the quality of education and accelerate the sector's recovery from the pandemic's impact.

DepEd urged to participate in vaccination of children

Congress recently ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the creation of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom 2), a measure that Gatchalian sponsored.

Why do Filipinos have weird last names?

 

JohnRich R. Levine

I aspire to write what I speak about

Works as Learning and Development Executive.

The same reason why Americans or the British have names such as, Boatman, Wood, Trucker, Dimmer, or Saucepan.

A lot of Filipinos descended from hispanic or hispanic-influenced families and carry that name with them. Some examples are del Rosario, Loyola, Soriano, de los Santos, Sanchez, Miranda, or Villa.

A lot more have Chinese-sounding last names like Tan, Te, Tiu, Uy, Lu, or Chu.

A lot more have American-sounding names like Cassidy, Young, Long, Horn.

A lot more have European-inspired last names like Potylanski, Vermicilli, Hofstedtler, or von Auber.

Still a few more sound Jewish, like Levine.

But a few still sound native Filipino like Hapla, Patay, Palantang, Bahaghari or Cagalitan.

The reason for these weird sounding last names are how they find their way to be the last names. Some by choice, some by preferences, some by affinity, some by consanguinity, some by intermarriage, some by court order, some by coincidence.

How did you derive yours?

DoH launches smoke-free beaches campaign

Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd. File Photo

By Red Mendoza, Manila Times

IN celebration of World No Tobacco Day, the Department of Health (DoH) has launched a campaign that promotes smoke-free beaches, parks, and tourist destinations across the country, starting in Boracay Island and in Aklan province.

The campaign, which is in collaboration with Viral Strategies and Smoke Free Philippines, aims to showcase tourist destinations as pilot areas for smoke-free beaches.

The Smoke-Free Beaches campaign will begin at Station 2 in Boracay, before moving to other premiere beach destinations and beaches such as in Caramoan and in Palawan.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd said the initiative was developed to protect beaches, parks and tourist destinations from the environmental ill-effects of tobacco.

"With this, we hope to further raise awareness and create new areas of impact in our overall effort to ensure the health of the Filipino people," Duque added.

He hopes that the campaign will unify the goal of the DoH in providing universal health care, which also includes "giving families an environment that lets them enjoy healthily without exposure to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke."

Around 4.5 trillion cigarettes become waste and 4.2 million cigarette butts end up in beaches and waterways. Moreover, according to global tobacco industry watchdog Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products (STOP), plastic and chemical contents in cigarette filters have been shown to destroy marine life and water quality.

In a related story, 321 pairs of shoes and slippers were displayed at the main lobby of the Lung Center of the Philippines to commemorate 321 Filipinos who die every day due to tobacco-related diseases.

The art installation signified the call to have stronger tobacco control legislation in order to save more lives.

Dr. Jessica Catalan-Legarda, chairman for advocacy of the Lung Center of the Philippines, said there should be an ecosystem of policies that would make it easier for Filipinos to quit the "deadly habit of smoking."

"Raising taxes on tobacco products and banning their advertising, promotions, and sponsorships are just some of the policies needed to create a healthier environment for Filipinos," she added.

Dr. Glynna Ong-Cabrera, project director of the DoH Quitline program, said that quitting smoking is not just a matter of personal responsibility, noting that tobacco companies continue to sell and market these products.

She added that tobacco products are designed to make it difficult for smokers to quit, which could put them at risk in developing tobacco-related diseases that could lead to death.

Guidelines out on discounts for online purchases by seniors, PWDs

By Moises Cruz

SENIOR citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) may now avail of their 20 percent discount on essential products and commodities purchased online.

This is contained in Joint Circular Memorandum 1, which the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Commission of Senior Citizens, National Council on Disability Affairs, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) signed on May 6 but which was released on Tuesday.

Some of the discounted items, according to the circular, are rice, bread, milk, water, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

According to the guidelines, the elderly and PWDs have a maximum purchase amount of P1,300 a week for both online and offline transactions, with no rollover of the unused amount.

To receive the discount, one must declare to the merchant prior to placing orders that he or she is a senior citizen or a person with a disability and submit supporting documents, such as a scanned copy or screenshot of ID, as well as the front and last pages of the purchase booklet.

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During the delivery of goods and orders, the same proof of discount entitlement should be shown.

"All business establishments are urged to honor the privileges granted to senior citizens and persons with disabilities by adopting the appropriate system or improving their existing system that ensures the 20 percent is given to them whenever they purchase goods or services, whether in online, telephone or mobile transactions," DSWD said.

THAT TELLS ME ALL... ... I need to know!

Know-it-alls, who prefer an oppressing or suppressing crab mentality should be really out of place. They poison us and our dignity and our feelings of our own worth. Unfortunately we can find these people at any corner.

I stayed in many places worldwide - places with people belonging to different kinds of religion. I really don't care which belief people are in. Most importantly, they believe in God or Allah and they live a Christian life. I am always very happy when I find churches or prayer places - always open and filled up with praying and worshipping people.

Yesterday I was invited to a Moslem wedding.

I am always very happy, when I meet hopeful and promising Christians: priests, pastors, lay people, friends, family members, who know how to share and inspire, and also know how to be patient while starting with a -maybe - "new beginning".

I am also very happy, because I still observe infinite and endless good things every day coming into my life. Slowly but surely, I started to pay attention to such things. I observe several people, who don't! I really try to do preliminary exercises for instance, for amazing things or just for a simple gratitude. With these attitudes I'll be winning each battle a thousand times against those people who live believing that God's creation goes to the dogs and kicks the bucket.

I am really happy if I meet people who understand the real meaning of responsibility. Responsibility to a child, to the family, to a company and its employees, to a public service, an association or a registered society, or anything that supports, sponsors and promotes my surroundings without being egoistic, indifferent or listless. "I don't give a damn!"

I am always happy to notice people around me, who mean and act "YES" if they say "YES"!

I am always happy to notice something that is taken for granted: parents have time for their children and patience with the youth (really a difficult task sometimes!); someone who takes time to visit a sick neighbour or friend; someone who asks the address of a possible lonely fellow...

Every time period is in God's hands. Let's fulfill these periods and let's also allow our loved-ones at our side to live the same way.