Science, the law and sustainability
It was every inch a learning experience. I am referring to our participation in the first National Symposium and Workshop on Environmental Science with the theme “Environmental Science in A Changing Environment.” Hosted by the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman’s Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM), UP Los Banos’ Institute of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) and Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Environmental Science (DES) at the National Institute of Physics, National Science Complex, UP Diliman campus, the pioneering event brought together resource speakers and participants from various sectors. They interacted and shared accumulated years of research, realizations and knowledge gained from experiences on the ground, in the academe and in various communities of the complex climate challenges we face. All were unanimous about the compelling need to draft a national research agenda to guide strategies and policies to effectively respond to the changing climateand biodiversity, among many issues.
It was a privilege to listen to the country’s pride, Dr. Josefino Comiso of the Earth Science Division, NASA Godard Space Flight Center. I remember him as the scientist who fearlessly warned government of impending impacts of climate change a year before Ondoy inundated Metro Manila and Luzon provinces. His presentation was on “The Changing Global Climate and Environment and Regional Impacts,” reiterating the urgent and immediate implementation of effective mitigation and adaptive strategies. Dr. Comiso pointed out “the current trend of 3 mm per year in sea level rise” which could accelerate, “thereby threatening the coastal regions around the world, which are currently inhabited by billions of people.” I immediately thought of the irrelevance and destruction brought about by the reclamation projects and other coastal developments in this mega-diversity and disaster-prone country.
Dr. Comiso noted that in the Philippines, “the rate of warming is even slightly higher than the global average of 1C per century while a higher frequency of typhoons, flooding, landslides, drought and fire in the more recent years have been observed.” Truly alarming to all, except to our political authorities who are seemingly more engrossed in ensuring their own and their family’s political survival in next year’s electoral exercise.
The participants, especially lay persons and lawyers, were dazzled by the accessibility and the benefits of using remote sensing technology. With satellite imagery, net primary productivity of forests and non-forest areas, water resources and hazards assessment, among others, are and should already be used as a tool for planning, adoption and monitoring of programs.
It is a positive development that the Department of Science and Technology launched the National Operational Assessment of Hazards (Noah) to address present day hazards and disasters. The Noah aims to provide “high-resolution flood hazard maps and install 600 automated rain gauges and 400 water level measuring stations for 18 major river basins” in the country. This is of immense help to local communities as computer simulations are produced with the hazard maps, reflecting the flood prone areas at a local level. These maps are essential for “localized emergency response, identification of evacuation and access routes, road closures during disaster events, selecting sites of key rescue facilities and comprehensive land use planning.” It is time for citizens to ask local governments in their area not merely if they know about Noah but to initiate the process of unleashing massive citizen participation in crafting strategies for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) in local programs and projects. DRRM is a service devolved to LGUs under RA 10121, the DRRM Law.
It was especially inspiring to listen to Gov. Felipe Nava of Guimaras. The province has managed to emerge as an Environmental Management champion in the region and superbly survive, against all odds, the 2006 oil spill which devastated the island and the inhabitants. This can be attributed to his open and science-based governance. The involvement of the science community in decision-making process, alongside the political authorities and the local stakeholders, provides a good template for effective, responsive and resilient response to climate change in our country. Of course, Governor Nava emphasized that it took a lot of patience and perseverance to change mindsets, and ,I add, the indispensable political will of a sincere leader.
Can science-based governance be a reality in climate-challenged Cebu where patronage politics still dominates the scene? It is truly up to the people. Hopefully, empowered electorates, especially the youth, will be fully conscious of their political strength and choose leaders who will steer us towards a future where the needs of the future generations are not bargained away for short-sighted programs and projects.
Cebu badly needs uncompromising leaders who seriously address the environmentally pressing issues from “ridge to reef” including the salt water intrusion that severely compromises our right to access fresh water. This salinity concern was touched upon during the symposium.
In the workshop on environmental impact assessment and the human sphere, this columnist imparted the Cebu experience in environmental litigation and advocacy, starting from the Japex oil drilling in Tanon Strait Protected Seascape up to the ongoing Cordova Reclamation Project. It was another opportunity to reach out to our scientists and stakeholders and learn from them about the significant role of our pro-people, pro-environment Constitution, progressive laws and the empowering Rules of Procedure on Environmental Cases, in effecting environmental management and governance and ensuring a sustainable tomorrow for all.
The interim institutional board members constituted to plan the next activities which include the forum in June and next year’s National Symposium are UPIESM, SESAM, DES in Luzon, UP Visayas and University of Cebu College of Law, in the Visayas, and in Mindanao, Xavier University and Marawi State University Tawi-Tawi.
We thank and congratulate the organizing committee, dedicated secretariat, and partner institutions for the success of the pioneering endeavor.
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Congratulations to Feed the Children Philippines (FTCP) led by its executive director, Esperanza “Becbec” Abellana and FTCP’s “extraordinary” staff for being the recipient of the first annual Management Excellence award given by Feed the Children International. The award recognizes outstanding leadership in program management, staff development, operating effectiveness and efficiency. Mabuhay, FTCP!
