Legarda Expresses Concern Over Lack of Consensus in Doha Climate Talks

Senator Loren Legarda expressed deep concern over the lack of concrete result in the 18th Session of the Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Doha, Qatar as some industrialized countries refused to participate to a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty that legally binds developed nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are saddened by the fact that many developed nations were reluctant to deeply cut their greenhouse gas emissions and set new aid targets in light of their own financial difficulties, even as global temperature rises. The World Bank has already warned that we are nearing a crisis—that of a 4 Degrees Celsius global temperature—which if not responded to proactively, will continue to endanger the survival of this and the next generations,” she said.

Legarda, the UN Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, noted that the Doha Climate Talks, which was held from November 26 to December 8, 2012, left many disappointed because of the lack of commitment to address the threats of climate change even as a lot of nations, even those who refuse to commit to the climate agreements, are already experiencing the threats of extreme weather events.

“We have just recently experienced the results of the international community's continued lack of meaningful action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.  Nearly a thousand lives have been lost, and hundreds are missing.  Industrialized countries, like the United States, have had their share of losses resulting from climate-induced disasters.  And yet, when countries are given a chance to collectively agree on measures to correct the situation, nothing is done,” Legarda said.

“No nation is safe from climate change unless we do something now. The feared 4-degree Celsius rise in global temperature is likely to happen if nations do not commit to meaningful reduction levels of greenhouse gas emissions,” Legarda stressed.

The Senator cited the World Bank report in giving a fair warning that a 4-degree Celsius global temperature will cause sea level rise by up to 3 feet. It would also cause flooding in many coastal cities; dry regions are expected to become drier while wet regions will be wetter; there will be extreme heat waves, water scarcity, stronger tropical cyclones, and loss of biodiversity.

If global mean temperatures exceed 1.5 to 2.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, 30% of all species will face high risk of extinction. Moreover, a 2 to 4-degree Celsius rise in global temperature will also result in a 3% decline in global GDP.

“Even as the result of the Doha Climate Talks is far from being encouraging, there is no reason to stop or waver. We are still hopeful that we can gain, even outside of these conferences, the needed commitment to deep cuts in emissions and support for poor countries in coping with the impacts of climate change,” Legarda concluded.

News Feature: Initiating aquasilviculture, a climate-smart agriculture in Isabel

 

ISABEL, Leyte, December 17 (PIA) – Aquasilviculture, a climate-smart and environmental-friendly agriculture will soon be showcased in Isabel, Leyte through the public-private partnership scheme that the P-Noy Administration is promoting.

 

The establishment of a 69.33-hectare aquasilviculture project was launched with the forging of a memorandum of agreement among the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through its Regional Executive Director Manolito Ragub, the local government unit of Isabel through its Municipal Mayor Saturnino Medina, Jr. and the Leyte Agricultural Producers Cooperative (LAPCoop) represented by its Adviser Engr. Rogelio Tantuico.

 

Under the agreement, the project proponent LAPCoop in coordination with the LGU shall cause the establishment of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) funded aquasilviculture project in Brgys. Apale, Tolingon, and Marvel all in Isabel.

 

The MOA with DENR legitimizes LAPCoop’s implementation of the LGU-proposed project following the suspension of the Coastal Area Special Use Agreement (CASUA), a 25-year tenurial instrument covering the development of idle and degraded areas for aquasilviculture and non-extractive activities by individuals and entities. In 2006, then DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes suspended the issuance of agreements for the special use of coastal areas to facilitate consultations with stakeholders on the CASUA guidelines.

 

Danilo Javier, Regional Technical Director for Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service (PAWCZMS) of DENR says, the MOA permits use of the coastal area for aquasilviculture under the CASUA scheme for three (3) years, renewable for another three years, until a CASUA is in place.

 

Five (5) hectares of the total project area shall be developed for mudcrab hatchery and all degraded areas within the proposed project site will be planted with appropriate mangrove species.

 

Aquasilviculture is the integration of aquaculture, mudcrab culture in this case, and mangrove forestry, otherwise known as silviculture. While it is new in the Philippines, aquasilviculture has been practiced in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and China.

 

The approaches differ among and within countries but mainly constitute the integration of mangrove ponds and pens for fish and crabs. Such systems not only sequester carbon, but they are also more resilient to shocks and extreme events and also lead to increased production due to improved ecosystem services.

 

           The advantages of this new method include low investment cost, ease of construction, protection of mangroves, and the use of locally available materials.

 

The Aquasilviculture project in Isabel will be under the joint supervision and coordination of DENR, the LGU and BFAR. These parties shall ensure that no existing mangroves including their root system will be cut or disturbed in the implementation of the project.

 

DENR 8 Regional Executive Director Manolito D. Ragub said that “While promoting the value of coastal protection and preservation of the ecosystem, the DENR also aims to provide alternative livelihood to fisherfolks.”

 

Thus aquasilviculture which harmonizes fishery production and reforestation in coastal areas is indeed, very noteworthy, RED Ragub said.

 

Climate change is bringing about huge challenges to fisheries and aquaculture. Production systems and livelihoods, already in crisis from over-fishing, poor management and impacts from other terrestrial anthropogenic influences, are likely to succumb further as the frequency and intensity of storms increase and extreme weather events become more common.

 

Fishers, as well as other community members, will be at greater risk of losing their lives and assets, such as boats, fishing equipment and aquaculture infrastructures.

Aquasilviculture is among the adaptation strategies that takes into account the increased frequency and intensity of extreme events and the reduced productivity of aquatic ecosystems phenomena.

Freedom of Information is a Must – Legarda

After the Philippine Senate passed on second reading Senate Bill 3208, or the People’s Ownership of Government Information (POGI) Act of 2012, Senator Loren Legarda reiterated that freedom of information is a must, especially in matters concerning the government.

Legarda, co-sponsor of the measure, explained that the various controversies in the past decade have left Filipino citizens doubting the capability of the government to do its mandate of serving the best interest of the people.

“Under this proposed measure, we aim to feed our people with information about us, the leaders they elected into office, and the businesses our offices deal with. All government agencies will be mandated to disclose information on public interest transactions, documents or records,” she said.

The Senator also said that the compulsory disclosure shall be done by posting the aforementioned documents on government websites for easy access, aside from providing these documents upon a person's request. Furthermore, vital information will be translated into major Filipino languages and made easier to comprehend.

“While the present administration is undertaking efforts to elevate the citizens' trust and confidence in the government, we must give the people something that they can hold on to that would ensure that honesty, transparency and accountability will always be upheld,” Legarda concluded.

Use Geohazard Maps to Avoid Another Pablo - Legarda

In light of the devastation wrought by Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) on Visayas and Mindanao last week, Senator Loren Legarda advocated a nationwide information campaign on geohazard maps.

"Based on the latest statistics released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 906 have died and 900 more remain missing, while we have incurred about P15 billion worth of damages due to Typhoon Pablo. These would have been avoided if our local government units and all our citizens had knowledge of geohazard maps," she said.

Legarda, UN Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, said that everyone must have knowledge of their geographical location, and whether they are at high risk or not.

During the briefing called by the Committee on Climate Change on the use and implementation of the geohazard maps, the Senator stressed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources should not only distribute these maps, but also, and more importantly, educate LGUs on how to read the map and how it will help them in their disaster risk reduction and management efforts.

"Am I living on a landslide area? Am I living in a flood-prone area? Filipinos in every barangay in the country need to know this information far before any typhoon signals are raised. Coupled with early warning signals at least seven days before any typhoon arrives, we should be able to radically minimize the casualties," Legarda detailed.

  

"No mayor, barangay captain, or kagawad will put their constituents at risk by relocating them to danger zones. However, due to the lack of information, many have died because the relocation sites themselves are geohazard areas. We should plan our cities and municipalities accordingly," she remarked.

"Disasters should not happen before we begin to take action. We should arm our local government officials with the right tools to ensure that our nation is always prepared and resilient to disasters," Legarda concluded.

EASTERN VISAYAS IS PEACEFUL - SORIA

Camp Ruperto K. Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, December 13, 2012  –  Eastern Visayas remains to be peaceful, orderly and ready for economic development.

“The peace and order situation in Eastern Visayas is generally peaceful and within manageable level”, Police Chief Superintendent ELMER RAGADIO SORIA, Eastern Visayas police regional director made the assessment during the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) conference held yesterday at the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) Matapat Hall.

SORIA added that this can be attributed to the intensified peace and security efforts by uniformed personnel on crime prevention and implementation of special laws supported by other law enforcement agencies, local government units and the community.

“Although crimes against persons and properties continue to occur, we were able to constrain these at the lowest level due to the crime prevention efforts being implemented by PRO8, other government agencies and strong community partnership in anti-criminality operations and implementation of pro-active security measures," he said.

SORIA informed that from January 1 to November 30 this year, the Total Crime Volume (TCV) in the region is recorded at 4,085 incidents, noting a 3,070 incidents or 43% lower compared to the same period last year which posted 7,155 incidents. 

“Of this figure, 2,431 are categorized as Index Crimes while 1,654 are categorized as Non-Index Crimes.  As compared to the same period last year, there is a decrease of 1,920 and 1,150 incidents in the Index and Non-Index Crimes, respectively,” he added.

Index crimes are those crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code while Non-Index Crimes are those punishable for violations of special laws.

He further disclosed that of these crimes, 1,467 cases were promptly solved and 2,491 cases were cleared while other cases are under investigation.

“This translates to a Crime Solution Efficiency (CSE) of 35.91% and Crime Clearance Efficiency of 60.98%.  These figures are 15.04% and 25.05% higher as compared to the 20.87% and 35.93% posted for the same period last year, respectively.” he further averred.

           

SORIA further said that this significant decrease in the crime volume is due to the strict implementation of the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS) by police stations; maximized downloading of manpower and logistical resources; the active Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs); the rationalization of Pulis Nyo po sa Barangay and the deployment of new police recruits undergoing the Field Training Program (FTP) who augmented the needed manpower for police visibility in crime prone areas. 

            During the conference, the region’s top police official also disclosed that for the Yuletide Season, PRO8 will establish Police Assistance Desks and increase police visibility in areas where people converge.

“We also activated the Regional Task Group: Secured and Fair Elections (SAFE) and the Regional Special Operations Task Group to ensure a peaceful and orderly elections next year,” SORIA disclosed further.

PRO8 ‘TRACKER’ TEAMS NABS 4 MOST WANTED CRIMINALS

Camp Ruperto K. Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, December 14, 2012 – Manhunt operation teams of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) arrested four persons, with three facing murder charges, who are considered as dangerous in separate operations in Samar, Northern Samar and Southern Leyte provinces the past few days.  

Eastern Visayas police director Chief Superintendent ELMER RAGADIO SORIA said the arrests were made so that suspects will face the crimes they have committed and to ensure that justice would be served to their victims.

“Special teams of police trackers have been deployed to go after these wanted persons aside from the Regional Special Operations Group or RSOG,” SORIA said.

SORIA added that continuing manhunt operations will be mounted in 2013 to account for more criminal offenders wanted by the law.

            In Southern Leyte, murder suspect Joseph Apatan Aluta, 39, farmer, married, was nabbed by elements of Hinunangan Police Station in his hide-out in Brgy. Toptop in the morning if December 12.

            Aluta was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant in Criminal Case No. 2120 at Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in San Juan, Southern Leyte.

Judge Altone M Miralles did not recommend any bailbond for the temporary liberty of the suspect who was considered the Number 6 Most Wanted Person of Hinunangan.

Earlier, in the morning December 10, manhunt operations by same Tracker Team in Brgy. Labrador of same town, Wilfredo Ambos Cantere alias Will, 46, farmer and the Number 5 Most Wanted Person of said town, was arrested also for murder charges.

The team was clothed with an arrest warrant issued also by Judge Altone M Miralles of RTC Branch 26 in San Juan, Southern Leyte in Criminal Case 2118 with no bail recommendation.

 In Brgy. Lapaz, San Jorge, Samar, tracker team arrested a village councilor wanted for murder and ranked Number 6 most wanted person of said town.

Romulo Reyes de la Cruz Reyes alias “Mulo”, 61, of Brgy Gerali, Gandara, Samar was nabbed in the morning of December 11 based on a warrant for his arrest issued by Judge Feliciano P Aguilar of RTC Branch 41, Gandara, Samar.

De la Cruz is facing charges in criminal case number 12-0545 with no recommended bailbond.

In Northern Samar, Ruel Cascano y Laurora, 29, single, jobless was arrested in his residence in Brgy Zone  1, Poblacion, Victoria town in the early morning of December 10.

Cascano is ranked  number  7  in  the  list  of Most Wanted Persons  in  Victoria,  Northern  Samar and wanted for the crime of Qualified Theft in Criminal Case No. A-2522.

Judge Manuel F Torrevillas of RTC Branch 23 in Allen, Northern Samar recommended ₱24,000.00 bailbond for his temporary liberty.

SORIA added that the arrested suspects were turned-over to respective courts of origin for proper disposition.

PDEA RO VIII Welcomes Back Atty. Gil Toledo Pabilona as Regional Director

 

                       

Atty. Gil Toledo Pabilona is back at the helm of PDEA’s field office in the Eastern Visayas.

 

Atty. Pabilona assumed office as Regional Director of PDEA RO VIII in the presence of ASec. Rene M. Orbe, Deputy Director General and Dir. Paul C. Ledesma of PDEA-AHRS, taking the place of Dir. Julius R. Navales whose new station is at PDEA Regional Office VII.

 

“I was born in Eastern Visayas, it is here where I belong”,  Atty. Pabilona revealed during his inaugural speech during the Turn-Over Ceremony held yesterday, December 12, 2012 at the PDEA RO VIII office in Candahug, Palo, Leyte.

 

Indeed, Atty. Pabilona is not a stranger to PDEA RO VIII as he served as its Regional Director from January 8, 2008 to  February 7, 2009. He was then assigned to the Directorship of the Internal Affairs Service of the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City, where he initiated and spearheaded the Moral Recovery Action Plan (MRAP) for implementation in the entire agency.

 

For his latest tour of duty, Atty. Pabilona vows to continue the accomplishments of PDEA RO VIII, even increasing it significantly as he promises to intensify supply reduction efforts and strengthen  demand reduction strategies. He intends to institutionalize moral renewal, values formation and to inculcate the PDEA core values of honor, commitment, excellence and competence and respect for human rights among its employees and courses of action.

 

Yesterday’s turn-over of command and responsibility was witnessed by members of the Region Eight Administrators League, Inc., media personnel, representatives from the other government and law enforcement agencies and stakeholders in the PDEA-led regional anti-drug abuse campaign.

 

Legarda Hails Signing into Law of AFP Modernization Act

Senator Loren Legarda hailed the signing into law of the AFP Modernization Act, a measure that allocates at least P75 billion for the first five years of implementation of the AFP modernization program subject to the capacity of the Department of National Defense (DND).

“Tasked to be where the threats and dangers are, we cannot overemphasize the value of the arduous mission our soldiers have to undertake in order to protect the people and the State from lawless violence, invasion, rebellion, terrorist acts and other activities that might affect national security and bring harm to the independence of our nation. This is why they need our support,” she explained.

President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act 10349 on Tuesday. Legarda, an AFP reserve officer, co-sponsored the said measure, stating that the new security and defense environment has radically changed since the last AFP modernization law.

“The linchpin of our security is now in the waters where our energy, food and environmental security lie. Thus, capabilities and equipment of the AFP should be reinforced to reflect this need,” she said.

“Through the AFP Modernization Act, we are addressing the long-standing concerns of our soldiers who constantly put their lives on the line in the service of our nation. The passage of this Act is a commendable contribution to our national security,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Hopes to Increase Awareness on Int'l Anti-Human Trafficking Day

In light of December 12 being International Anti-Human Trafficking Day, Senator Loren Legarda hopes to increase awareness about the plight of human trafficking victims and efforts to combat human traffickers.

"Today, I wish to underscore the message that everyone must join in the effort to combat human trafficking and the related problems of the illegal sex trade, forced labor, and other forms of slavery. Human traffickers target the most vulnerable sectors of society – men, women, and children from marginalized communities are exploited every day, and this is the injustice that we must all act against," she said.

"By the end of 2011, the country's Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking reported 62 convictions out of a total of 1,519 cases filed between 2003 and 2011. From January to October of this year, however, 38 convictions were made, equivalent to more than half of the total convictions made over an 8-year period," she explained.

Legarda, author of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) and sponsor of the proposed Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (Senate Bill 2625), said that we are already making significant strides.

"The immediate enactment of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Bill, the bicameral report of which has already been ratified by the Senate, brings us closer to our goal of fighting trafficking effectively and I hope the President will sign the measure into law soon," the Senator noted.

"We acknowledge that the problem of human trafficking continues to hound our society, and this is precisely the reason why we need to strengthen our existing law and spread awareness about human trafficking. Let us be vigilant and in doing so, eliminate these injustices in our society," Legarda concluded.

After Pablo, Legarda Says: Much Remains to be Done

In the wake of Typhoon Pablo, Senator Loren Legarda said that much remains to be done in order to reduce disaster risks in the country and achieve sustainable development.

“Typhoon Pablo unveils the vulnerability of affected communities to natural hazards and extreme weather events. This vulnerability is brought about mostly by poverty and environmental degradation, among other drivers of risk,” she explained.

The latest typhoon to hit the country entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Sunday night, and ravaged 26 provinces, mostly in Mindanao. Typhoon Pablo resulted in the deaths of 418 people, with hundreds still missing.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and UN Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, remarked that for the country to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth, building the resilience of Mindanao to disasters is crucial.

“We cannot afford recurring disaster losses from typhoons such as Pablo and Sendong in Mindanao. In December 2011, heavy rains brought by Typhoon Sendong caused the overflow of the Cagayan de Oro River. Whole villages were swept away, and left more than a thousand dead. The proper dissemination of geo-hazard maps to our LGUs, as well as the proper implementation of these, should be done,” she said.

“While today our work will be on rebuilding the communities affected by Pablo, we must ensure that we are not rebuilding the risks. Furthermore, communities that were not hit by the typhoon should now be scaling-up their disaster preparedness mechanisms to ensure that in the event a natural hazard occurs, they are ready. In building back better, we need to invest in making communities more disaster-resilient,” Legarda stressed.

The Senator outlined tools for disaster prevention, which include: cleaning of esteros, canals, and other waterways for  the free flow of water; preventing the cutting of trees especially in balding mountains and protected areas; abating mining in vulnerable areas; reminding the citizenry that rivers and other bodies of water are not garbage disposal bins; recycling; using geo-hazard maps as guide to determine the safe areas for residences and other infrastructure; regular inspection of public buildings and facilities for structural integrity; and establishing a clear and effective early warning and response system.