Mindanao Star The Purveyor of Truth, Justice and Development
Volume II, No. 23
web portal: www.businessweekmindanao.com
Saturday-Sunday september 6-7, 2014
P10.00
Environment sector seeks convergence v. air pollution PENRO, MinDA conduct TreeVolution orientation
By Catherine J. Teves
A
private sector-led coalition elevated its clean air campaign by proposing the environment, transportation and trade departments’ anti-air pollution convergence to help further protect public health and address climate change. Coalition of Clean Air Advocates (CCAA) believes such convergence will enable the agencies to better coordinate and maximize available resources for improving implementation of Republic Act No. 8749 (Clean Air Act of 1999). “Those agencies must join forces on cleaning up the air,” CCAA President Herminio Buerano Jr. said on the side of a briefing on air pollution in the country. CCAA highlighted urgency for government’s crackdown particularly on the transport sector, noting latest available Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) data show about 80 percent of Metro Manila’s air pollution is from dirty emissions of mobile sourcesor motor vehicles. Stationar y and area sources like factories and construction sites account for only around 20 percent of the air pollution, CCAA noted. R.A. 8749 requires all motor vehicles to pass the mandatory emission test before Land Transportation Office (LTO) can register these but due to “the pervasive practice of non-appearance in the motor vehicle emission testing industry, the law became ineffective and is renderedinutile in preventing smoke-belching vehicles from plying streets,” CCAA said. See pollution, page 9
MARINE PROTECTION PROJECT - STEAG State Power Inc (SPI) President and CEO Dr. Bodo Goerlich, together with Misamis Oriental Governor Bambi Emano and DOE Undersecretary Raul Aguilos hold a tripartite MOA for the implementation of the PhP 6.6 million Agutayan Reef Protection Project in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. Funded by Steag’s social development fund contribution to the DOE’s ER 1-94 program, the project involves the construction of a watchtower and conduct of regular sea patrol and marine monitoring in the area. Agutayan is a 5,000 square meter white sandbar that sits on approximately three-hectare marine sanctuary, some 5 kilometers off the coast of Poblacion, Jasaan. The reef serves as home and breeding ground for a wide variety of fish and endangered marine species. Aside from marine protection, the project aligns with the provincial government’s comprehensive ecotourism development program. (Photo Supplied)
MALAYBALAY City - The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Bukidnon and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) conducted a meeting to orient the participants for the TreeVolution activity, last August 29, 2014 at Malaybalay City. T h e Tr e e Vo l u t i o n : Greening MindaNOW is an activity aiming to break the Guinness World Record of India in planting trees. The attempt is to plant 4.6 million trees in one hour, most trees planted simultaneously in multiple locations. T h e Tr e e Vo l u t i o n : Greening MindaNOW is See orientation, page 9
Dad calls for measures to address flooding in Oro
DIALOGUE ON SK REFORM BILL - Does a brief introduction for Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during a dialogue on Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) held at the Function House of the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Naawan town in Misamis on September 4. Misamis Oriental Vice Governor Joey Pelaez and Second District Rep. Juliette T. Uy. (Photo By Gerry Lee Gorit)
CAGAYAN de Oro City The City Council committee on public works chair Councilor Alden Bacal, called for immediate action to solve flooding problems in this city. This, after the committee received a copy of the list of flood-prone areas from the maintenance division of the City Engineer’s Office. Based on the list, flood prone-areas in District I are: national highway along Kauswagan/Bulua boundary, Villarin Street/Max Suniel Street, Gumamela Street & JV Seriña Street
the President called meetings among concerned agencies to determine the cause of unusual movements in the price of prime commodities. He further said that the President has already instructed government agencies, especially the Depart-
ment of Agriculture (DA), to focus on the supply of goods and their prices in anticipation of the Christmas season. “ Nagpatawag na ang Pangulo ng pagpupulong at mahigpit ang pag-uutos sa lahat ng mga ahensiya,
in Carmen, Macanhan, C. Diel Street (Near Cuadro Ocho). In District II, flood prone areas are: Bitan-ag Creek (MUST/LKKS section), Kolambog Creek (Lapasan section), Barangay No. 26 (Osmeña Extension), Barangay No. 23 (Corrales Extension) and 8th Street Nazareth. It may be recalled that Councilor Bacal requested the City Engineer’s Office and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-10) to identify See flooding, page 9
Aquino wants hoarders, price manipulators behind bars President Benigno S. Aquino III continues to monitor cases on alleged abuses in the import and trade of basic commodities, warning that the authorities will prosecute those found to have violated the law, a Palace official said.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) attributed the spike in garlic prices a few months ago to collusion between government officials and a garlic importer. During a press briefing in Malacañang, Presidential Communications Opera-
tions Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said that the DOJ’s finding “is the outcome of the continuing efforts of the government to stop abuses that produce disadvantage and detriment to our populace.” He said that last month,
lalung-lalo na ang Department of Agriculture na tutukan ang supply and price situation, lalung-lalo na at padating ng holiday season at tiyak na mag-i-increase ang demand,” Coloma said, referring to the supply of See aquino, page 9
Advertising: e-mail: mindanaostarbalita@gmail.com Contact cell nos.: 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776