Surigao del Norte, Philippines

Surigao del Norte (22 May) — A follow up conference was conducted by Governor Robert Ace S. Barbers and the Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) with various environmental stakeholders in Siargao Island including several contractors operating in the protected island and working on a number of infrastructure projects.

The conference was held on May 13, 2008, 1:00 pm at the PPDO Conference Hall with the participation of representatives from Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to tackle and complement their direction and goals regarding numerous environmental concerns on Siargao Island. The conference was also aimed at harmonizing and directing Siargao towards a systematized, responsible and sustainable management of its seascape and landscape.

The Provincial Environment and Management Office through its Advocacy for a Clean Environment and its Sustainability (ACES) Program conducted a preliminary consultation dubbed as Siargao Island Environmental Stakeholders Forum which was held at the Municipality of General Luna just recently to discuss matters related to environmental management and concerns with the sand and gravel/common borrow permittees operating in the island.

The escalating environmental degradation of Siargao Island alarmed the governor. “The massive extraction of limestone could spoil the beauty of the surfing capital of the Philippines. Limestone (igang) serves as a thermostat which regulates the temperature of the island and in addition lessens up the effect of global warning,” the governor explained. In the course of the conference, it was found out that most contractors and permittees resort to limestone for construction purposes due to the inavailability of sand and gravel and aggregates in the island.

Moreover, these construction materials will cost high if imported from the mainland. Absence of sand and gravel in Siargao for construction purposes is considered a major problem among contractors. Gov. Barbers assured that a feasibility study will be conducted on the extraction and transportation of sand and gravel to supply Siargao. Part of the study will include discounts on the transportation of sand and gravel to Siargao to put off all illegal extractions. As protected area, any activities that alter the landscape and seascape of the place are vehemently discouraged.

“The law maybe harsh but that’s the law and the provincial government will try to provide livelihood to those affected in the implementation,” Gov. Barbers added. Furthermore, Gov. Barber encourage DENR to be more active and work on identifying areas for possible sources of sand and gravel and aggregates and look for viable areas where are available.

“We will provide letters of settlement to those projects that are almost finished and explain the slippage. We will formulate a composite team with DENR. Tourism, PEMO, DPWH and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to make and actual assessment of Siargao areas,” disclosed PEMO Officer-In-Charged Antonieto M. Charcos.

The conference was also participated by Hon. Felipe Espijon, Municipal Mayor of General Luna. “I urge contractors and permittees that no limestone extraction is allowed in General Luna. With regards to binders, it serves as protection for General Luna’s wildlife. More should be protected and safeguarded in the municipality and less extraction. Wildlife in Siargao Island is so diverse that there are recurrent of tarsiers (amag) in General Luna,” accentuated by Mayor Espejon.

“There should be a study on this presence of tarsier and feature this on Surigao’s tourism industry that these tarsiers are not only present in Bohol but also in Surigao. I want to encourage the people of Siargao Island to support the tourism industry and for stakeholders to cooperate and support the provincial government,” Gov. Barbers concluded. (Media Affairs Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Surigao Del Norte (May 16) — Environmental Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) have expressed commitment to support the projects of the advocacy for A Clean Environment and its Sustainability (ACES) program, a flagship environment agenda of the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte under the leadership of Gov. Robert Ace S Barbers.

This unanimous assurance was manifested by the representatives of the different environmental NGOs and Peoples Organization (POs) in the province during a consultative meeting spearheaded by the Provincial Environment and Management Office last April 25, 2008.

The meeting was aimed at looking for possibilities of collaborations in increasing environmental investments and implementation of environmental programs and projects particularly on reforestation, coastal resource management and solid waste management, among others.

Majority of the NGOs have signified interest to be partner in environmental projects for implementation this year. “This is good news for us since we have found several partners in our endeavors,” said PEMO Officer In Charge Antonieto M. Charcos.

Meanwhile, Gov. Robert Ace Barbers emphasized the important role of the NGOs, Pos and other civil society groups in the successful implementation of the projects and activities related to the environment. “The communities need to develop a sense of ownership towards these projects so that we can be assured that they will sustain their efforts even on their own,” said Gov. Barbers. “We are grateful that the NGOs and POs are willing to be our bridge in reaching out to the masses,” he concluded.

Organizing and strengthening networks and collaboration with the NGOs, POs, academe, religious, business and other civil society groups is one of the major strategies of the ACES program. (PEMO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Surigao Del Norte (May 16) — Top provincial officials namely Gov. Robert Ace S. Barbers and Vice Gov. Noel P. Catre met with the sand and gravel permittees and contractors just recently at the PPDO Conference Room to address the issues and concerns of the sand and gravel permittees in the province.

Sand and gravel permittees have manifested their request to conduct extraction and hauling operation during holidays and weekends in order to compensate for their losses at times when the weather condition is bad.

We do understand your situation and because of what we are lifting our no extraction during weekends and holiday very soon,” declared the governor, “Just give us a few days to come up with the details of this new policy,” he added.

According to the governor, the permittees and contractors still have to follow the 8AM-5PM time interval of extraction/hauling unless they can sure the necessary Special Permit from the Provincial Environment and Management Office.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Noel P. Catre, warned permittees/contractors to strictly follow the provisions of the Environment Code of Surigao del Norte, particularly the observance of proper conduct of sand and gravel extractions and hauling.

“We will soon be coming up with a River Assessment, to be handled by a Task Force created for this purpose, to help us monitor which areas are already in critical situations and should thus be prohibited from extraction,” disclosed PEMO Antonieto M. Charcos.

Also present during the said meeting were concerned barangay officials who wanted to be clarified of the procedures and processes in the sharing of income from sand and gravel operations as well as report unlawful and suspicious violations in their areas.

“I would like to urge our barangay officials to perform their mandates in protecting and managing our environment and natural resources,” said Gov. Barbers.” We are also doing this to increase the income of the province that would help us fund various developmental programs and projects,” he added.

Another major concern of the province is the illegal mining and illegal logging activities operating in some mainland municipalities here. “We will work out on putting up check points in all exit points in the province, including our ports, so that the illegal transport of our mineral ores will be curtailed,” he added. (PEMO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

by Fryan E. Abkilan

Surigao City (16 May) — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Surigao del Norte informed the public not to believe over irresponsible circulation of text messages warning of a powerful “magnitude 6.8″ earthquake that will hit “tonight” in the country.

In a radio interview, Philvolcs Surigao del Norte office-in charge Engr. Antonio Madrio said earthquakes cannot be predicted that far into the future. Plus, the SMS states that the warning came from the United States (US) Emergency Preparedness Office. Such an outfit according to Madrio does not exist.

Madrio also said that each state in the US have different emergency preparedness establishments.

One will know if it’s authentic if it came from a reliable source like Philvolcs, Madrio added.

Earlier, Philvolcs issued a press statement debunking text rumors of an impending earthquake that will hit the country tonight purportedly issued by the “Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness Office.” The text messages had indicated a magnitude-6.8 quake would strike the country. This came after a powerful quake hit China where tens of thousands of people were killed. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)