MindanaoStar The Purveyor of Truth, Justice and Development
Volume II, No. 7
DENR classifies additional caves
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1st NorMin provincial disaster summit set web portal: www.businessweekmindanao.com
Saturday-Sunday
May 3-4, 2014
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has classified an additional 206 caves, bringing to 364 the total number of caverns considered as part of the nation’s natural wealth and therefore require sustainable management and conservation. The classification, according to DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, was pursuant to Republic Act No. 9072, or the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act, which mandates the agency to formulate, develop and implement a national program to conserve, protect and manage caves and cave resources. “Caves are non-renewable resources with unique, natural features that offer significant scientific, educational, economic and aesthetic value and form part of our historical and cultural heritage,” Paje pointed out. He added: “Caves can also be used for our enjoyment, but only to a certain extent. Classifying caves accordingly will thus help define which human activities are allowed within these areas so that we can preserve FRESH CATCH - Fish buyers check out containers of fish sold at the coast of barangay Bonbon in Cagayan de Oro
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AGAYAN de Oro City - All is set for the Northern Mindanao provincial disaster summit starting next week to enhance the capability of stakeholders in the region’s local government units in responding to disasters, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said. See summit, page 11
Agusanons signify to protect the environment By David M. Suyao
AGUSAN del Sur - Thousands of Agusanons joined the celebration of the World Earth Day by planting and parenting their planted trees City. Some buyers have complained that rotting fish is being mixed in with the fresh fish to dupe unaware consum- at the denuded area of Mt. See caves, page 11 Diwata where the signing ers who don’t know the difference. Bonbon is a fishing community in the city.PHOTO BY:GERRY LEE GORIT of the covenant signifying their sincere intention to protect the environment also took place. Originally, the plan to reforest the denuded part of Mt. Magdiwata was the initial activity identified by the Agusan del Sur EnvironBy Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan ment and Sustainable Development Council (ASESDC) The Department of Science this year. knowing that the southern and Technology (DOST) “We foresee the onset part was already denuded announced Thursday that of El Niño in June to peak because of rampant cutting a mild El Niño is likely to during the last quarter of of trees and illegal mining occur this June. 2014,” he said. when it was first declared Mario Montejo, DOST PAGASA has recorded a for forest plantation by Secretary, said that the Phil- significant increase in the the National Development ippine Atmospheric, Geo- sea surface temperature Council (NDC). Because of physical and Astronomical anomaly from 0.2 degrees the absence of deep rooted Services Administration Centigrade to 0.4 degrees trees that were cut, erosion (PAGASA) is now closely Centigrade, an unusually became the main issue that monitoring theoceanic and warm ocean temperature Mt. Diwata is confronting. atmospheric conditions in in the central and eastern Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano and DENR-EMB-10 Director Conflict of whoever is the tropical Pacific Ocean equatorial Pacific Ocean. Sabdullah Abubacar view at various poster entries to drum the earth day celebration that could lead to a possible “El Niño is a natural with the theme “Return to Nature” held at the Misamis Oriental Capitol grounds, April the right agency to safeguard development of an El Niño See agusanons, page 11 See el niño, page 11 30, 2014. (Ma. Leona Felice Echeveria/PIA 10)
dost: Mild El Niño to occur this June
Ocean Month celebration highlights importance of mangroves As the nation celebrates Month of the Ocean (MOO) this May, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has lined up activities designed
to draw attention to the important role that mangroves play in protecting the country’s coastlines and their inhabitants. DENR Secretary Ramon
J.P. Paje said this year’s theme, “Mangroves protect. Protect mangroves,” is extremely timely and significant in light of the magnitude of the destruc-
tion wrought by Yolanda, which is said to be the strongest tropical typhoon ever recorded. “Unfortunate the disaster may have been, Yolanda
undoubtedly was an instant education for Filipino people on what storm surges are, and was a rude awakening of sort on the state of our coastal communities
and their lack of protection from these natural events,” Paje pointed out. The environment chief said that sadly, Yolanda See ocean, page 11
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