DENR-EMB XII to strictly implement mandates

W ith efficient and effective performance resulting to satisfying accomplishment

for Fiscal year of 2013, Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) XII through OIC-Regional Director Ma. Socorro C. Lanto committed to intensify implementation of EMB Mandates for Fiscal Year 2014 and onwards.

This was disclosed by RD Lanto during the EMB XII Strategic Planning Workshop held on January 7, 2014 at ELM Mansion, City of Koronadal. She added that with full cooperation and support services extended by our employees, “staff and personnel’s capacity was boosted beyond its limitations in surpassing the previous years’ efforts in accomplishing the targets.”

Water Quality Management

One of the mandates of DENR-EMB XII is the implementation of Republic Act 9275, known as The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.

RD Lanto reported that among the major activities under WQM, the office conducted water quality

monitoring activities in rivers and tributaries, beaches, and other waterbodies found in the region; classification of waterbodies in accordance to their best beneficial uses; and implementation of the DENR-priority program, the Adopt-an-Estero/ Waterbody Program.

In 2013, there were two (2) rivers classified, the Taplan River located in the Municipality of Tampakan, South Cotabato and Pangi River located in the Municipality of Maitum, Sarangani Province.

Taplan River was classified as Class C which beneficial uses are fishery water for the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources; Recreational Water Class II, such as boating, etc.; and Industrial Water Supply Class I, such as for manufacturing processes after treatment.

While, Pangi River was classified into two (2) categories, Class C from the foot of Pangi Bridge, Maitum, Sarangani Province, approximately one (1) to two (2) kilometers from the

mouth of the river down to Purok Sunkist, New La Union, Maitum (which beneficial uses are the same in Taplan River for Class C) and Class B located at NIA Dam, New La Union, Maitum (which beneficial use is under Recreational Water Class I - for primary contact recreation, such as bathing, swimming, skin diving, etc. particularly those designated for tourism purposes).

RD Lanto appealed to the “Local Government Units (LGUs) to cooperate and be compliant to laws, like the R.A. 9275 or the Clean Water Act of 2004.”

Under Adopt-an-Estero/ Water body Program, there were a total of 34 adoptor/donor partners which were part of public-private partnership initiated by DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje. The program aimed to establish convergence among government agencies, non-government agencies and civil society

(Continued on page 2)

Page 1 Enviro-Bulletin www.emb.gov.ph/portal/r12

Two Industries in Region XII enlisted in the 10 Outstanding Environmental Performers. Energy Development

Corporation-Mt. Apo Geothermal Project in Kidapawan City and Dole Philippines Incorporated in Polomolok, South Cotabato were among the 10 Outstanding Environmental Performers for the Fiscal Year 2013 during the Philippine Environment Partnership Program (PEPP) Awarding Ceremony held at Sulo Hotel, in Quezon City on February 20, 2014. (left photo) PEPP Coordinator Conception Crisostomo; DENR-EMB Director Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna; DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Ignacio Demetrio, Jr.; EDC Senior Manager for Environmental Management Department Regina Victoria J. Pascual; DENR-EMB XII Director Ma. Socorro C. Lanto and EDC Mt. Apo Geothermal Project Pollution Control Officer Willie V. Loyola; (right photo) Dole Philippines Incorporated Director Engineering Services Engr. Renato Alvarez; and Pollution Control Officers Engr. Ritchelle Marie C. Deborda, Engr. Amerose Ruby R. Gumbay, Engr. Leanor Bañaga and Engr. Elvis Dy pose for photo ops.

Lake Sebu, to be designated as Water Quality Management Area. Lake Sebu, the largest among three (3) lakes in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, is in the process of study to be newly designated as Water Quality Management Area in Region XII.

Page 2 Enviro-Bulletin www.emb.gov.ph/portal/r12

organizations committed to assist in the protection, management and rehabilitation of their adopted waterbodies.

Air Quality Management

In line with the implementation of RA 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, DENR-EMB XII actively conducted various anti-smoke belching campaigns together with Land Transportation Office (LTO) XII; monitoring of accredited Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs); monitoring of industries’ chimney, regulating of burning of wastes; updating of Universe which focuses on firms/industries that are potential air pollution sources, and strengthening of ambient monitoring.

Aside from three (3) ambient air monitoring stations which are located at the Old City Hall, City of Koronadal; Municipal Hall of Tupi, South Cotabato; and National Food Authority Compound, General Santos City, there are additional two (2) new state-of-the-art technological equipment, the Open Path- Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) and Continuous Ambient Monitoring Station (CAMS), which are installed at Calumpang Sports Complex, General Santos City and New City Hall, City of Koronadal, respectively. The two (2) additional equipment were installed in 2013 and Memoranda of Agreement were inked between our office and LGU-City of Koronadal, as well as with LGU-General Santos City.

Toxic Chemicals and Hazardous Waste Management

Another mandate of DENR-EMB XII is the implementation of RA 6969 otherwise known as Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990. DENR-EMB XII is strictly regulating Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances (PICCS), chemicals under Chemical Control Order (CCO), hazardous waste, healthcare waste management (HCW) and tracking of treated HCW disposals.

Management of toxic chemicals and

hazardous waste activities are among the frontline services of the office, hence, industries and hospitals generating toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes were also closely monitored. These generators were reportedly compliant to RA 6969.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Pursuant to Presidential Decree 1586 (establishing an Environmental Impact Statement System, including other environmental management related measures and for other purposes), DENR-EMB XII is fast tracking the processing and issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC).

Aside from fast tracking of environmental issuances, DENR-EMB XII is also strictly monitoring government agencies, private corporations, firms and entities in their compliance and responsibilities in protecting the environment.

Under Multi-Partite Monitoring Team (MMT) activity, there were 19 MMTs and two (2) firms located within the Philippine Economic Zone Areas (PEZA) that are existing as of 2013.

Solid Waste Management

Ecological Solid Waste Management

(SWM) is also one of DENR-EMB XII

mandates, wherein the traditional role of

the DENR-EMB XII is to provide technical

and other capability building assistance

and support to LGUs in the development

and implementation of their SWM plans

and programs, inorder to comply with

pertinent provisions of environmental laws,

especially R.A. 9003, or the Ecological

Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Act of

2000.

In 2013, DENR-EMB XII provided direct Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) assistance to three (3) LGUs namely: Brgy. Tuka, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat; Tantangan, South Cotabato, and Aleosan, North Cotabato. These direct MRF assistance started in 2012 and the recipients were LGUs City of Koronadal and Kabacan, Cotabato, however, it was only implemented last April 2013 due to the delayed downloading of funds. Aside from MRF assistance, the office also conducted trainings to LGUs in updating their 10-year SWM plans.

DENR-EMB XII also provided assistance in the preparation of detailed engineering design for the closure of General Santos City dumpsite. LGU- GSC is included in the priority program of World Bank under Integrated Persistent Organic Pollutants (IPOPs) in which the project gives priority to LGUs who burn bulk amount of solid wastes in their dumpsites.

Environmental Education and Information

In mobilizing people to take their role in environmental protection, DENR-EMB XII is actively conducting education, information, communication (IEC) campaign in schools, local government units, industries, etc.

Environmental education and information (EEI) is further strengthened thru the enactment of R.A. 9512 (Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008).

Among the major accomplishments of DENR-EMB XII in 2013 in EEI were maintenance of radio program; the Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools; reproduced and distributed IEC materials; environmental lectures; plant visits of media practitioners to raise their awareness on environmental laws; poster-making contest; convened the Regional Inter-agency Committee on Environmental Education; and prepared the Regional Annual State of the Brown Environment Report and other regional reports.

Other activities conducted were in line with national/international events, such as: the World Water Day on March 22, Earth Day on April 22, Environment Month in June and World Environment Day on June 5, National Clean-up and Ozone Layer Protection Month for September, National Clean Air/ Environmental Awareness Month for November, and Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week every third week of November.#

(left) RD Lanto signs the MOA on Continuous Ambient Air Monitoring System while City Administrator Cyrus Jose Urbano affixes his initial for the signature of Mayor Miguel under the presence of witnesses, Engr. Leonardo C. Moliva, AQMS Chief and EnP Augustus Bretaña, City ENRO. (right) RD Lanto and LGU General Santos City Hon. Mayor Darlene Magnolia Antonino-Custodio sign the MOA on Open Path-Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy under the presence of witnesses City Administrator Engr. Teodorico Dumagan and AQMS Chief Engr. Moliva.

DENR-EMB XII to… from page 1

(left) RD Lanto together with RED Datu Tungko Saikol and NSWMCS Director Emelita Aguinaldo turn-over the Bio-waste Shredder to LGU City of Koronadal represented by Hon. Councilor Oscar Pagunsan.

(center) LGU Kabacan represented by Municipal ENRO Gerardo Laogan receives the Bio-waste Shredder. (right) RD Lanto gives her inspirational message during the South Cotabato Environmental Quiz Bee, a regular joint activity of

DENR-EMB XII and South Cotabato Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO).

Page 3 Enviro-Bulletin www.emb.gov.ph/portal/r12

Editorial Board

MA. SOCORRO C. LANTO OIC-Regional Director/Adviser

SORAYA L. MEDITAR Editor-in-Chief

DR. SOPHIE TY-MANUEL ENGR. WILSON L. TRAJICO

FOR. ABDULKADIR C. ANDANG Contributing Editors

MAYSHEEN B. COLLONG MARK KIVEN T. VALDEZ CHARITY MAY GUTIERREZ

Contributing Writers

ENVIRO-BULLETIN is the official newsletter of the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau XII, with office address at Prime Regional Center,

Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal. Tel.Nos. (083)2281071/

2281072/2284848 Email us at embxii@yahoo.com

region12@emb.gov.ph

SCA conducts ASBU in Surallah

I n line with the celebration of

November as National Clean Air

Month bearing the theme, “The

Path to Sustainable Future: Greening our

Way of Life”, South Cotabato Airshed

(SCA) conducted Anti-Smoke Belching

Campaign on November 14, 2013 at

Surallah, South Cotabato National

Highway.

Participated by SCA Technical

Working Groups consisted of DENR-

EMB XII, Provincial Environment

Management Office (PEMO) of South

Cotabato, Pollution Control Association

in the Philippines, Incorporated (PCAPI)

Region XII Chapter, Department of

Interior and Local Government (DILG)

XII, Department of Health (DOH) XII,

Land Transportation Office (LTO) XII,

Justice and Peace Social Action Center,

South Cotabato Foundation Incorporated

(SCFI), Department of Science and

Technology (DOST) XII, Technical Ed-

ucation and Skills Development Au-

thority (TESDA) XII, United Transport

Operators and Drivers Servicing Cooperative

(UTODCO), Department of Trade and

Industry (DTI) XII, Local Government Units

(LGUs) of Koronadal City and General Santos

City with the presence of LGU Surallah, 33

vehicles were randomly tested using gas

analyzer and opacimeter.

Out of 33 vehicles tested, eight (8) failed

the emission testing which LTO XII enforcers

issued a Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP)

and confiscated their driver’s licenses to

ensure that their vehicles were subjected for

further repair and conditioning as well as

re-testing.

At the same time, EMB XII personnel

also conducted a random inspection on the

refrigerants used in mobile air conditioners

using refrigerant identifier which is in line with

the program of the office to phase-out ozone

depleting substances.

Out of 13 vehicles inspected, three (3)

failed and were given a warning by LTO XII

enforcers, likewise, they were advised to

retrofit their air conditioning system.#

A s a Philippine Clean Air and National

Environmental Awareness Month

Culmination Activity, the Department

of Environment and Natural Resources

(DENR)—Environmental Management

Bureau (EMB) XII and South Cotabato

Airshed (SCA) Governing Board planted 115

seedlings at the foot of the hill in the Region-

al Government Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill,

Koronadal City on November 29, 2013.

To aid in filtering air pollutants and help

prevent soil erosion, mahogany and bamboo

seedlings were planted.

Before tree planting activity, a program

was conducted wherein DENR-EMB XII

OIC-Regional Director Ma. Socorro C. Lanto

stressed the importance of “reforestation and

the significant responsibility of all sectors in

keeping our environment in equilibrium”.#

DENR-EMB XII and

SCA GB plant trees

(left) DENR-EMB XII OIC-Regional Director Ma. Socorro C. Lanto gives her message before planting the seedlings.

(right) South Cotabato Airshed (SCA) Governing Board Members and DENR-EMB XII are planting mahogany and bamboo seedlings in the area.

DENR-EMB XII

awards Eco-friendly

School Champions

Koronadal Central Elem. School II (upper photo) and Marbel 7 National High School (lower photo) Representatives receive their plaque and cash prize for being the Regional Champions for 2013 SSES elementary and secondary categories, respectively.

KCES II won 2nd Place in the National level.

O ne of the highlights during the 2nd Region XII Green Leadership Camp held at

Paraiso Verde Resort and Waterpark, City of Koronadal on October 22, 2013 was the awarding of the Champions for the Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools (SSES) in Region XII. The Search aimed to recognize the efforts of the schools to promote sustainability of environmental programs through having programs on greening, waste management, and conservation on electricity, paper and water, as well as pollution prevention in the school campus.

DENR XII OIC- Regional Executive Director Datu Tungko M. Saikol and EMB XII OIC-Regional Director Ma. Socorro C. Lanto, together with Camp Chief Hon. South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, Department of Education (DepED) XII Regional Director Allan Farnazo, Smart Communications Representative Mary Jean Asum and One-Meralco Foundation President Mr. Jeffrey O. Tarayao distributed plaques and cash prizes for the winning schools.

A total of seven (7) schools were awarded for the regional search. The schools awarded for the Elementary Category: First Place— Koronadal Central School II, City of Koronadal; Second Place—Cotabato City Central Elementary School, Cotabato City; and Third Place— Malalag Central Elementary School, Maitum, Saranggani Province. For the High School category: First Place—Marbel 7 National High School, City of Koronadal; Second Place— Juan L. Gantuangco School of Arts and Trades, Kidapawan City; and Third

(Continued on page 4)

Developments of Laboratory Building at Regional Government Center, City of Koronadal (Phase I)

(November 25, 2013) Bids and Awards Committee members together with Resident Auditor Nida Estelo screen the documents submitted by the Bidders. The bidding was awarded to AJYSC Marketing.

(October 30, 2013) Posting of Notice for the Proposed site of EMB XII Laboratory Building.

(December 19, 2013) Excavating of proposed column.

(December 23, 2013) Groundbreaking headed by OIC-Regional Director Ma. Socorro C. Lanto.

(December 26, 2013) Lay-outing. (December 27, 2013) Filling of Building foundation.

(January 30, 2014) Phase I Completed.

Laboratory Building Perspective and Floor Plan

DENR-EMB XII awards...from page 3

Page 4 Enviro-Bulletin www.emb.gov.ph/portal/r12

Place—Tulunan National High School, Tulunan, North Cotabato. For the Tertiary Category: First Place— Notre Dame of Marbel University, City of Koronadal.

Starting 2013, two (2) additional Special awards were recognized, the Nestle Water and Meralco Energy Leadership Awards. The Water Champions were Cotabato City Central Elementary School, Tulunan National High School, and Notre Dame of Marbel University for elementary, secondary and tertiary categories, respectively. The Energy Champions were Koronadal Central Elementary School II, Tulunan National High School, and Notre Dame of Marbel University for elementary, secondary and tertiary categories, respectively. OIC-RD Ma. Socorro C. Lanto announced that “KCES II is chosen as among top 3 in the National Search. The school will be awarded during the Environmental Awareness Month Celebration in Manila.”

The 2013 National Search for Sustainable Eco-friendly Schools (SSES) is a collaborative partnership of DENR through EMB, DepED, Commission of Higher Education (CHED), Smart Communications Inc., Nestle Philippines, and One Meralco Foundation. This is in response to R.A. 9512 (National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008) which requires all public and private schools to integrate environmental education in their curricula at all levels.

Green Leadership Camp is an initiative of Regional Development Council (RDC) XII, in partnership with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Provincial Government of South Cotabato, LGU City of Koronadal, DILG XII, DepEd XII, CHED XII, DENR XII, MGB XII and EMB XII. #