Lopez's confirmation has faced stiff opposition from mining operators who questioned the DENR's cancellation of 23 mining concessions due to violations of environmental laws.
Valdez emphasized that the matter of the environment crosses political lines, religious affiliations, age, gender, economic condition, and is an issue that affects every Filipino.
"We're not just talking about current individual issues on mines, watershed protection, illegal logging or the dismantling of illegal fishpens. The more crucial and overarching concern is protecting an environment that can sustain us at present, and which our children and generations of Filipinos yet unborn can still enjoy in the future."
Environment groups have expressed support for Lopez's appointment and have sided with the Secretary in her row with pro-mining interests.
These groups cite mining industry statistics showing that the gross value added in mining averaged about 0.65 percent of GDP for 2012-2016. Metallic and non-metallic exports, for instance, account for only 5% of total exports.
"The forests, mountains, rivers, flora and fauna that we lose now due to failure to enforce our environmental laws in exchange for short-term economic gains cannot be replaced anymore. They are lost forever. I'm sure our lawmakers don't want that. The CA vote is nothing less than a once in a lifetime opportunity for our Senators and Congressmen to affirm their stand on the environment." Valdez clarified. ###
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News
DENR 8 to spearhead synchronized coastal clean-up on International Coastal Clean-up Day
“Let us join millions of people around the globe in rehabilitating and cleaning our coastal areas, seas, rivers and waterways from marine debris that harm our marine life and ecosystems this International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day, September 16”, says Assistant Regional Director for Management Service and In-Charge of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 8 Arturo N. Salazar.
In observance of this year’s International Coastal Clean-up Day, the Conservation and Development Division of the DENR Regional Office and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) will spearhead a clean-up activity along the coast of Panalaron Bay, Cancabato Bay, San Pedro Bay and Mangonbangon River. The activity will start simultaneously in every designated area at six o’clock in the morning of September 16. After the cleanup, a short program will be held at Plaza Rizal, Tacloban City.
Nearly three hundred (300) volunteers will join the event. This includes partners from different agencies and civil society organizations such as ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan, Let’s Do It! Philippines, Philippine National Police, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and PCG-Auxiliary, Knights of Columbus, United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), Volunteer for the Visayans, Petron Corporation, Tacloban City Rescue Unit (TACRU), Rotary Club of Kandaya, SEED4Com, the city government of Tacloban and other national and local government agencies.
Information from the EMB states that for this year, an orchestrated cleanup will be conducted by donor-partners of the Adopt-an-Estero/Waterbody Program. A synchronized coastal cleanup will also be spearheaded by different DENR field offices in other parts of the region.
The EMB also disclosed that recyclable wastes collected from the clean-up will be sold to junk shops. Proceeds will be donated to Tahanang Walang Hagdan, a non-government organization.
“We enjoin the active participation of the public in cleaning-up our waterways especially this International Coastal Clean-up Day and in ensuring a safe and sound environment beneficial to the health and well-being of the community”, says ARD Salazar.
The International Coastal Cleanup Day is being observed annually every third Saturday of September in consonance with Presidential Proclamation No. 470 signed on September 15, 2003 and consistent with Proclamation No. 244 declaring September as National Clean-up Month.
Other News
- DENR 8 to spearhead synchronized coastal clean-up on International Coastal Clean-up Day
- DENR spearheads tree planting in celebration of Philippine Arbor Day
- DENR leads Environment Month celebration, other environmental events
- DENR celebrates 30 years of service
- DENR recognizes partners on environmental protection, Kicks-off observance of Month of the Planet Earth
- DENR signs MOU for Samar Fellowship Circle
- DENR highlights role of youth in environmental protection
- DENR releases green sea turtles, underscores campaign for pawikan conservation
- DENR distributes Free Patents in Lilo-an
- DENR 8 intensifies PA management and biodiversity conservation efforts
- Cimatu calls for solidarity in protecting the environment as he takes over DENR
- Former AFP Chief Roy Cimatu as New DENR Secretary
- DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, Sinimulan ang pagtulong sa mga apektado ng operasyon ng minahan sa Zambales; Mga katutubong Aeta, makakatuwang.
- Lopez: zero tolerance for corruption in DENR under my watch
- DENR to assess socio-economic impacts of protected areas
Photo Releases
Ms. Corazon Makabenta of DENR R8 (left) and representatives of different agencies forming the Samar Fellowship Circle show support for the Spark Samar Development Agenda. Also in photo is Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan - Delos Santos (center).
Participants of the tree planting activity in celebration of Philippine Arbor Day plant talisay seedlings at Brgy. Salvacion, Palo, Leyte
Women beneficiaries receive their Free Patents from (L-R) a representative of LGU Lilo-an, DENR CENRO San Juan Joejol Cuizon, and So. Leyte ROD Chief Lemy Lotero.
Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) released in Bobon, Northern Samar.
DENR 8 Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca presents a Certificate of Recognition to Barangay Chairman Noel Tabao for his assistance in implementing DENR programs and projects and strengthening the community’s resilience to climate change.
DENR Personnel takes two (2) baskets of Leyte pond turtles hidden under the seat of the public utility vehicle.
DENR 8 Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca highlights the role of youth in environmental protection during the 5th Regional Youth Day held in Naval, Biliran.
Atty. Lea Fuentes-Apdo representing Congresswoman Yedda Romualdez leads the ribbon cutting ceremony which marked the opening of the exhibit on DENR 8 Milestones and DENR regional office mini park held on World Environment Day – June 5. She is assisted by (L-R) ARD for Technical Services Carlito Tuballa, RD Leonardo Sibbaluca, MGB RD Raul Laput, EMB Division Chief Maribel Munsayac, and ARD for Management Services Arturo Salazar.
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