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Archive for September, 2006

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Mangroves to hasten recovery

Posted by Michille on 26th September 2006

Mangroves to hasten recovery – INQ7.net!

Inquirer
Last updated 07:43am (Mla time) 09/26/2006

Published on page A1 of the September 26, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

ARAB EXPERTS with experience in the largest oil spill cleanup in history have recommended working with natural processes after initial interventions to minimize ecological damage.

The experts, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters, said that based on their experience with history’s largest oil spill after the 1991 Gulf War, the use of chemical dispersants after the first 72 hours “will add no value.”

The experts, hired by Petron Corp., said in a report made available to the Inquirer that the cleanup efforts must “focus on the physical removal of the oil” from affected surfaces. “Just remove the sludge, then leave the environment to clean itself,” they said.
They said that based on worldwide studies of the long-term effects of oil spills on the environment, “natural recovery might take one to 20 years, but it may be faster for Guimaras because it has lots of mangroves.”

Mangroves are part of the complex ecosystem found in Guimaras, which also includes sea grass which thrive in shallow salt marshes, and extensive coral reefs surrounding the island.

An independent study, also commissioned by Petron and conducted by a team of Silliman University scientists, found that none of the coral beds had been affected by the oil spill, but several mangrove areas were.

Warning on cleanup

For the mangrove areas affected, the Arab experts recommended skimming the oil from the surface and using oil-absorbent materials to clean the trees. But they cautioned against “heavy cleanup operations (which) may cause more damage.”

People, they said, should not be allowed to go to the “subliteral area (because) crabs (are) still alive and working” in the natural rehabilitation process.

The experts said rehabilitation work could begin after three to six months by replanting mangrove seedlings. They advised against pulling out dead trees “because roots are intertwined.”

For the sea grass areas, the experts said “heavy cleanup operations may cause more damage. They suggested removing the oil from the water surface and adding fertilizer to speed up revegetation.

Sea grass beds form an important part of the marine ecosystem. Aside from providing a buffer for coral reefs to protect coasts and mangroves from strong waves, sea grass support a host of marine life.

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Guimaras wildlife sanctuaries offer hope

Posted by Michille on 26th September 2006

Guimaras wildlife sanctuaries offer hope – INQ7.net!

By Blanche Rivera
Inquirer
Last updated 07:43am (Mla time) 09/26/2006

Published on page A1 of the September 26, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE OLD SONG goes, “when the swallows come back to Capistrano …”

At this time of year, migratory birds fleeing the freezing winds of Siberia and northern China wing their way southward in search of warmer climes. Many of them find their way to Guimaras Island.

As in many other parts of the country, the migratory birds spend the northern wintry months in natural wildlife refuge areas similar to what a team of Silliman University scientists found recently in many unspoiled parts of Guimaras.

In a happy case of environmental serendipity, the Silliman study, commissioned by Petron Corp., found “pockets of unaffected coves and lagoon” in Guimaras, which they recommended be conserved because they are “biodiverse and geologically unique.”

The 24-member team was led on a weeklong expedition around Guimaras by Dr. Angel Alcala, former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and renowned expert on coral reefs.

The study was commissioned by Petron to find both short- and long-term solutions to the damage caused by the oil spill from the MT Solar I that sank in bad weather on Aug. 11. An estimated half of the 2.19 million liters of industrial fuel oil the tanker was carrying for Petron from Bataan to Zamboanga del Sur spilled into the sea.

The Silliman team said the unaffected coves and lagoons displayed “unique geological formations along the western coast of Nueva Valencia like the Chocolate Hills of Bohol.”

“These geological formations are heavily forested with mangroves and terrestrial tree species, all of which contribute to the primary productivity of coastal areas by supplying nutrients and organic fertilizers,” the experts said.

“They are of special interest because of the biodiversity in them (and) also because they could be tourist attractions.”

The scientists found the Dolores-Tando area to be “biodiverse and geologically unique.” They proposed to make it a wildlife refuge to be protected from further oil contamination, overexploitation and degradation.

Legal measures needed

“Legal measures should be taken to declare this area a wildlife refuge and community awareness programs should be conducted … It also has an existing limestone forest with still appreciably good forest cover,” the scientists said.

They stressed the importance of conservation because “coastal communities depend on the sea for their livelihood. The productivity of the sea and coastal areas depend on their biodiversity.”

The scientists recommended that conservationists monitor every six months the bird migration that starts in late September or early October, when the northern birds start arriving, all the way to mid-February, the peak of the migration. They also suggested that studies go on until April and May “in order to get a comprehensive record for the island.”

The experts also said coastal ecosystems comprising mangroves, sea grass beds and coral reefs should be monitored every six months and annually for the next five years.

Corals serve as both food and home for fish and other marine life. They form part of a complex marine ecosystem that includes sea grass and mangroves, which protect coastlines against erosion and sedimentation.

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DBP launches financing program for OFWs

Posted by Michille on 26th September 2006

DBP launches financing program for OFWs – PIA!

by ES Subong

Iloilo City (26 September) — The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has launched a financing program that will grant loan assistance to migrant Filipino workers and overseas placement agencies.

DBP President/Chief Executive Officer Reynaldo David said that the bank has allocated P500 million for wholesale lending to eligible borrower-conduits for re-lending to OFWs, and another P100 million for wholesale lending to borrower-conduits for re-lending to overseas placement agencies.

David said that those eligible borrower-conduits are SEC-registered financing companies, financial institutions such as banks, thrift banks, rural banks, micro-finance banks, cooperatives and non-government organizations.

He also said that the financing program consists of pre-departure, multi-purpose, enterprise development, and housing loans for OFWs and a credit line for overseas placement agencies.

Likewise, ready-to-leave OFWs including seafarers can avail of a pre-departure loan to defray expenditures such as placement or processing fees, subsistence allowances and pocket money.

David said that the financing program was developed as part of DBP’s commitment to further intensify assistance to the ever growing OFW sector, and to uplift the condition of migrant workers. (PIA-6)

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CESOs thank PGMA for upholding careerism in appointments to high gov’t positions

Posted by Michille on 26th September 2006

CESOs thank PGMA for upholding careerism in appointments to high gov’t positions – PIA!

Quezon City (26 September) — Contrary to the negative perception that political appointees are making a big dent in the career service, 93 percent of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s appointees to executive positions in government over the last 12 months rose through the ranks of career professionals.

This was revealed by a big group of career government executives during the “Pasasalamat ng mga Career Executives” program held this morning at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang.

“In fact, for the past year alone, 261 or 93 percent of the appointees to the executive positions in the government are Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro, Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban, Labor Secretary Arturo Brion, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, former Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, former Budget and Management Secretary Emilia Boncodin, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert, former Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit and former Education officer-in-charge Fe Hidalgo.

The group added that appointments of career government personnel have not been limited to executive positions in the executive departments, but also to senior positions in constitutional offices, including the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Office of the Ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission (CSC). (PIA)

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Romulo endorsed as UN Secretary General

Posted by Michille on 26th September 2006

Romulo endorsed as UN Secretary General – The Manila Bulletin Online!

By JUDE C. GALFORD III

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago yesterday endorsed Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo for the position of UN Secretary General three months before Kofi Annan, the incumbent UN chief, retires.

All that President Arroyo needs to do is campaign for the country’s bet, Santiago said.

“By tradition, in 2007, it becomes the turn of an Asian to be Secretary General. So far, the Asian field of candidates is considered weak,” she said in a statement.

The UN had initially trained its sights on a Thai candidate to fill the position that Annan will leave in December. But the recent toppling of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s government could lessen the chances of a Thai to head the world organization, officials said.

Santiago, the head of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, said Romulo is a “perfect fit” at the UN.

She urged Mrs. Arroyo to actively campaign for Romulo’s candidacy.

Santiago said the Philippines may earn the support of both the United States and China if it launches a serious bid for the office of UN Secretary General, adding that Romulo appears acceptable to both the US and China.

She suggested an early campaign to muster support for Romulo’s candidacy from other Asian countries.

“Straw votes are being conducted, with results that are not convincing to UN observers. If we are going to have an Asian secretary general at all, why not Romulo?” she asked.

Santiago said Romulo stands a good chance of winning the post and the President ought to support his candidacy so that a Filipino will lead the world body.

“It would be a great honor and a source of prestige for our country if a Filipino is elected UN secretary general. It is a position of global leadership,” Santiago said.

There is yet no indication that the Foreign Affairs secretary is interested in the post.

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DENR says chemical dispersant harmless

Posted by Michille on 26th September 2006

DENR says chemical dispersant harmless – The Manila Times!

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Angelo Reyes on Monday belittled concerns that the use of chemical dispersants to clean up the oil slick in Guimaras will cause marine damages.

In an interview after a Senate hearing on the 2007 proposed budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Reyes said the chemical dispersants will only be used by the Philippine Coast Guard in deepwaters.

“The apprehension on the concern that these dispersants will cause damage is more perception than reality because the Coast Guard, we understand, is applying the dispersants only in waters that have depths in excess of 100 feet,” Reyes said.

Julian Amador, director of DENR-Western Visayas, belied reports that the chemical dispersants being used by the Philippine Coast Guard has aggravated the damage of the oil spill.

“There are no complaints to date with the coast guard,” said Amador, adding that the report of BFAR and Silliman University indicated that sea grass and corals are not heavily affected.

Reyes said the DENR will be coordinating with the Coast Guard to ensure that it will not spray the chemical dispersants on shallow waters to prevent any effect on coral reefs, fish and other marine life.

The environment department has intensified its monitoring of the cleanup operations of the oil spill on Guimaras Island following reports that the chemical dispersants being used may be causing damage to marine life beneath the sea.

Plans for rehabilitation

Amador said the DENR would be setting up the structure, systems and procedure in evaluating chemicals and technologies that need to be adapted.

“Our principal concern is that any object or method utilized in the oil spill cleanup should not be harmful to marine and terrestrial life, especially human being. They should [also] have no ill-effects to the environment in the near and distant future,” he said. “Task Force Guimaras has decided that all technologies to be used would be environment friendly.”

Marine experts believe that what is more pressing now is the immediate salvaging of M/T Solar I.

Maria Lourdes McGlone of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute said the removal of oil in shoreline habitats should be done mechanically followed by bioremediation.

“The application of bioremediation agents should follow assessment protocols under the supervision of DOST, DENR and UP Visayas. Application of approved bioremediation could entail simple addition of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in appropriate doses at appropriate times, as in the successful case studies of the 1978 Amoco Cadiz and 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spills,” she said.

Dr. Resurreccion Sadaba, head of the University of the Philippines-Visayas’ Division of Biological Sciences, said the bunker still releases oil and it remains to be the major threat to residents and marine life.

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