In a joint letter to Duterte and acting environment chief Jim Sampulna, over 30 environment and education leaders asked to immediately cancel quarrying agreements within the 26,126-hectare Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape in Rizal province.
MANILA - Malacanang on Tuesday directed a task force in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate alleged illegal activities within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) in Rizal province. This, after environmentalists and concerned citizens asked the government to cancel quarrying agreements within the 26,126-hectare UMRBPL over concerns that these activities could worsen the extent of flooding in low-lying reaches of the Upper Marikina Watershed, including the cities and communities of Metro Manila and Rizal Province. Acting presidential spokesperson and Communications secretary Martin Andanar acknowledged the need for the government to protect the country's natural resources. "Safeguarding the environment and natural resources is an important component in our sustainable development," he said in a press statement. He expressed concern over reports of alleged development activities, which include resort expansion, in
(Photo screengrab from Zoom meeting)
“The pandemic is a gift to humankind. It reminds us of what is essential, what are basics in life,” Oposa said during the virtual “Pandesal Forum” on Thursday, April 22. The event coincided with the annual celebration of Earth Day.
“Ngayon, wala nang gusto ng air-con. Lahat ngayon gusto open-air. Ang dumi-dumi ng hangin (Now, nobody wants to be inside an air-conditioned room. Everybody wants to be in an open-air space. But the air is so dirty),” he said.
According to the 2009 Ramon Magsaysay Award winner, the pandemic has given people the opportunity to pause. “Pahinga ng konti (Time for a little rest).”