Pitong Pinoy Profiles: Anna Oposa

I had one of those moments today, except I wasn’t in class, and it wasn’t a test. I was at a pet store store with my siblings choosing fish for our house-pond when it dawned on me that I had missed an event that would have been (or so it seemed) one of the most historical moments of my life. Okay, well maybe I’m being just a tad bit dramatic, I could probably settle for, one of the biggest moments of my year, (and also one of the top moments for my country too).  

Over a month ago, I received an invitation from the Philippine Department of Energy Secretariat to attend the grand launch of the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) that honored Philippine President Benigno Aqunio III, to be held at the Makati Shangrila Hotel this morning. The invite had been sent to me twice, and the confirmation email of my attendance, sent to me over two weeks ago (as seen in picture below). The attire for the event was the native formal wear, a barong tagalog for men, and a filipiniana for women. Like every girl when it comes to “big” events, I already had an attire in mind– A filipiniana I’ve only had the chance to wear once, designed by Philippine fashion designer, Oliver Tolentino.  

Confirmation letter of Dept. of Energy Renewable Energy launch

As a sustainable solution junkie (call it, if I may), missing this event was a total tragedy for me. For those of you who do not understand why, I’d compare it to missing a first date with someone who’d you’d think would be a potential “love of your life,” or for a die hard soccer fan, missing the FIFA finals, which only happens every four years. The invite itself was a big deal for me. Having been told by my elders to “stop my passion,” by passion meaning my environmental advocacy, I had discontinued contact with most of my colleagues in the environment field over the past few months. It was encouraging to know that even despite my absence, there were people who still recognized my climate work in the Philippines, a government agency, to say the least. 

Invitation

In the next two weeks, I will start my studies at Yale Summer School studying an engineering course on “Green Energy” & a Physics course on “Energy, Technology and Society.” The NREP event would have been a great pedestal in providing me with the appropriate knowledge on the developments of renewable energy (RE) technology in newly industrialized countries, like my own. With members of the diplomatic corps, legislators and policy-makers, non-government organizations, RE developers, energy sector stakeholders, community leaders and members of the research and scientific communities in attendance, it would have also been a great opportunity to rub elbows with the “Who’s who” of renewable technology in my country. This also meant that the Republic Act 9513 “Renewable Energy Act of 2008,” of which my previous boss, Senator Legarda, was a co-author of, was being implemented. I recall campaigning for this legislation during the Philippine elections of 2010, the promulgation of the RA 9513 through the NREP was most definitely overwhelming.

Realizing my stupidity, I came home from the pet store, with fish in oxygenated plastic bag in my hand, and immediately googled the event. To those of us who missed the event, at least we get somewhat of a preview in this video:

My favorite part of the video was when children came up on stage to congratulate the President on the NREP initiative. 

As mentioned in the Presidential Broadcast, in President Aquino’s speech, he stated that through NREP, the Philippines is headed to achieving long-term and sustainable energy resources thus, it will be free from the instabilities of the global oil market. Moreover, the program will enable remote provinces and poorest municipalities to be an electricity-powered community through renewable energy (RE) sources. The President said that the government is pursuing to triple the renewable energy-based capacity of the country from 5,400 megawatts (MW) in 2010 to 15,300 MW in 2030. The administration’s primary objective is to provide cleaner and greener environment for the future while ensuring reasonable RE power prices to Filipino consumers.

“Carbon dependence has eroded our economic power, destroyed our moral authority, diminished our international influence and prestige, endangered our national security, and damaged our health and landscapes. It is subverting everything we value.” Robert Kennedy Jr., environmentalist and America’s most prominent advocates for clean-energy, had written in his ‘08 manifesto on The Next President’s First Task. Robert Kennedy’s statement is as important and applicable in developing nations as it is in industrialized countries like the US. Even with the ongoing economic turmoil, developing countries still thrive to emulate economic models of developed nations. The Philippine National Renewable Energy Program recognizes the importance of becoming energy self-sufficient. 

“As a matter of fact, the philippines is already a leader in renewable energy. Worldwide, the Philippines rank second to the United States in producing geothermic energy.”

Geothermal power plant in Valencia, Negros Oriental, Philippines

As a matter of fact, the Philippines is already a leader in renewable energy. Worldwide, the Philippines ranks second to the United States in producing geothermic energy. Geothermal Power Plants on the islands of Luzon, Negros, Mindanao and Leyte, provides  27% of the country’s total electricity production. In 2000, during the World Geothermal Congress 2000 in Japan, it was reported that the Philippines is the largest consumer of electricity from geothermal sources and highlighted the potential role of geothermal energy in providing energy needs for developing countries. Due to the tropical climate and the geological circumstances of the Philippines, there are several other possibilities in getting cheap and clean energy. Solar energy is cheap and inexhaustible and there is an enormous mass of natural gasfound in Palawan.

Electricity is something that many of us take for granted, but for some people in my country and other developing countries, it remains a luxury, if not an unfulfilled dream. As my country envisions, I look forward to the day when children in the fifth-class municipalities in Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Kalinga, and Antique, will soon be able to send their children to schools powered by renewable energy.

More info in this prototype on this link

Five years ago, I designed this prototype in my Modelmaking class. The design is of a bahay kubo by the ocean, powered by solar power and wind energy. I hope that all bahay kubo’s will be powered by our earth’s natural resources, someday. I take pride in being from a country, wherein despite our limited resources, we aim for technology that pursuits sustainable initiatives and development and are mindful of the future generations to come. 

Text from DigitalInquirer.com

Found 50 kilometers from the northern city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, Puerto Princesa Underground River is among the elite 28 official finalists in search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III encourages everyone to vote through text and internet in order for PPUR to be part of worldwide memory forever and be named as the official new 7 wonders of nature. The President who made an appeal to Filipinos stated, “Some 80 million Filipinos have cellular phones and some two billion text messages are sent every day. We only need a billion votes – that is just half a day of texting for all Filipinos who have cellular phones.”

As PNoy extends his support for the quest to clinch a spot, he requests the cellphone subscribers to type PPUR and send it to 2861. Moreover, for those who have an access to the internet, the President said online voting is available to this website: www.new7wonders.com.

To make Puerto Princesa Underground River accessible to tourists, President Noynoy Aquino also announced that Zest Air will have a direct flight which will start in July.

Ambassado Alfred Yao, CEO and president of the airline reiterated that Zest Air will fly thrice-a-week from Shanghai to Puerto Princesa.

Considered to be the longest navigable underground river in the world, the 8.2 kilometer subterranean river, was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1999.

PPUR, also known as Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, features the most significant biodiversity conservation habitat as the river breezes through a cave before flowing down to the sea.

Mr. Elpidio Magante, President of Bohol State University
Mr. Emmanuel Albano, President UP-Ecological Society
Engr. Virginia dela Cerna, Academic Head, STI College, Lahug Cebu
Ms. Gemma Perez, Western Mindanao State University, NSTP Coordinator
Ms. Mark Popioco, President of Green Movement in WVSU/ Bayer Youth Awardee, West Visayas State University IloIlo
Ms. Rowena S. Cabahug, President, AMA Computer Learning Mandaue Cebu
 Erwin C. Andaya, President of the Student Council, University of Cebu
Nelson Nadela, Teacher of Natural Science
Dr. Benny A. Palma, President of ASU, Aklan State University
Aren Rubin, Future Leaders of the Philippines, President, Aklan State University
Adam Jesus Bering, FCC-NSTP Coordinator, Filamer Christian College
CMSC Green Iskul (Nestor Necesito), UP Visayas Ilo-Ilo
Father Raul L. Buhay, Vice President for Administration
 Aljoriz M. Dublin, Social Science Teacher (Recipient of Luntiang Pilipinas Seedling), University of Visayas
Francis Rey Padao, Faculty Member, University of the Immaculate Conception
Louis Quihada, SSG Vice President, Davao Oriental State College
Van Melchor Mariano, President, Environmental Alliance Club, Mati Polytechnic College

Saving the Philippines Seas: An Intergenerational Responsibility
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
9:30 AM-12PM
2nd Floor, Senator Jose P. Laurel Room
Senate of the Philippines

First of all, I would like to thank Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, for giving me the opportunity to speak. I greatly appreciate your concern, immediate action on this matter, and willingness to listen to a young person fresh out of college.

I, along with a handful of individuals, have been actively researching about the collection and exportation of our marine species. This began after we were informed about the company Shell Horizons Inc. last month. This is a company that allegedly collects and exports shells and corals from the Philippines, including those protected by CITES, like the giant clams.

We immediately sought the assistance of concerned government agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), because it says in the Wildlife Act, or RA 9147, that “the implementation of International agreement on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, the management authorities for terrestrial and aquatic resources shall be of the PAWB, of the DENR and the BFAR of the Department of Agriculture.” The letter cited excerpts from several local and international laws: the Wildlife Act, the Fisheries Code, the Presidential Decree 1219, which protects Philippine corals, and the Lacey Act of the United States of America.

The DENR replied, with a letter signed by Atty. Annaliza Rebuelta-Teh, referring me to PAWB. The PAWB replied with a letter from Director Teresita Mundita Lim a week earlier than DENR did, referring me to BFAR. The Assistant Director of BFAR, Atty. Benjo Tabios, said he would look into it. A month later, I asked for an update, to which he replied, “Let me check it out.” There was absolutely no sense of urgency from any of our government agencies.

With help from our friends at the media, we were able to generate a small buzz online. Within a month, Shell Horizons replaced its source of products from the “Philippines” to “Indo-Pacific Islands.” Their product catalog now also states that none of their exotic corals are Philippine corals.

If it weren’t for the headlines splashed across our major broadsheets this week and last week, perhaps we wouldn’t have been taken seriously. It was only after an article entitled “Coral reefs twice size of Manila destroyed” was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the government officials started acting upon this matter.

Now, there are about eleven resolutions urging the concerned Senate committees to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation on the status of our coral reefs, sea turtles, and other marine species. I strongly support SRN 424, introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, which directs the proper Senate Committee to conduct an inquiry on the proliferation of illegal wildlife trade and the need for a stronger enforcement of our laws to curb the incidents of animal smuggling. We need not look far—Cartimar is known to sell seashells and even black tip sharks. We have also discovered many more companies openly selling protected seashells and other marine species that are allegedly from the Philippines. Allow me to show screenshots from these websites:

1) Denis Brands

2) Top Sea Shell

3) The Shell Store

4) Top Sea Shells

5) Petra Aqua

Before the Senate creates new laws, we fervently request you to review and revise our existing ones. We urge the Senate to add a provision regulating the collection and exportation of seashells. As of now, there are no laws that protect non-endangered shells. Our online research has led us to ocean bill of lading samples from the company Orcullo Enterprises, which is based in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines. One shipment, dated February 2011, had 8, 556 KG of shell and shell handicrafts, while another one, dated April 28, 2011, had 6, 982 KG of shell and shell handicrafts.

I would also like to respectfully invite your attention to Chapter VI, Sec. 91 of the Fisheries Code, which states that the penalty for a crime like this will be punishable by imprisonment from six (6) months to two (2) years and a fine from Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) to Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00). In Chapter V, Sec. 28 of the Wildlife Act, the penalty for engaging in trading wildlife is only imprisonment of ten (10) days to one (1) month and/or a fine of Two hundred pesos (P200.00) to Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species.

The punishments for the crime do NOT match the severity of the crime—just 2 years in jail for the criminal, but at least 2 decades for the coral reefs to recover. The amount of black corals and marine turtles seized by the Bureau of Customs this month was estimated to be worth at least PhP 35 million. The recent raid in Cebu confiscated marine species worth PhP 2 million, while another raid revealed sacks of black corals worth about PhP 15 million.

We, as Filipino citizens, are seeking your help as Senators of the Republic of the Philippines. Our online research only leads us to a limited amount of information. Senator Loren Legarda has introduced SRN 491, the resolution directing the concerned Senate Committees to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the reported poaching that ravaged 7,000 hectares of seabed within the Moro Gulf and Sulu Sea. We strongly suggest coordinating with agencies based abroad, such as the US Fisheries and Wildlife Service. As Atty. Oposa earlier said, this issue needs international cooperation, because we need to stop both supply and demand. We need to identify ALL the people behind the plunder of our seas, and the sites from which these marine species are being extracted for the sake of our country, our people, and our biodiversity.

While we are determined to enforce the Law, we also wish to extend the hand of cooperation. We are here to help spark the political will to promote compliance. From a handful of individuals who worked together last month, our number has grown exponentially. We have created a movement called Save Philippine Seas, which is currently conducting a marine resource watch, actively lobbying and researching on the amendment of penalties, enforcement of law, and keeping citizenry aware through social media. We have received an overwhelming number of messages from Filipinos and non-Filipinos from here and abroad offering their help. The bayanihan spirit is very much alive, Your Honor. The rape of our rich marine resources is not just of national concern, but INTERNATIONAL concern because of its global significance. We can organize a group of volunteer divers to help restore the reefs, or mobilize our partners in media for information dissemination.

Your Honor, we have entrusted you, and other decision makers and leaders of today, to be the guardians of our inheritance. You have the responsibility to ensure that we will still have the necessary sources of life that you had in your lifetime. These are the assets entrusted to you to conserve, protect, and restore. A violation of this trust will expose us, and generations to come, to irreparable injury and irreversible damage. My generation and the generations yet unborn have a right to inherit a country that has sustained your generation. It must continue to do so.

Maraming salamat po.

Follow her on Twitter: @annaoposa

Youth call on to Leaders of the world!

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