The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in partnership with the Climate Change Commission and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, is hosting a symposium and exhibit showcasing bamboo as a strategic tool to mitigate the effects of climate change and a driving force for sustainable economic development.

With the theme, "Bamboo for Resilience," the day-long National Symposium and Exhibit on Bamboo and Climate Change will be held on Monday, November 21, at the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City.

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez will deliver a keynote address to discuss the DENR's plan to establish one million hectares of bamboo plantation in critical watershed areas and other sites covered by the Enhanced National Greening Program (ENGP) within the next six years.

The ENGP aims to rehabilitate an estimated 7.1 million hectares of unproductive, denuded and degraded forestlands from 2016 to 2028.

Lopez is a member of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council, which was created under Executive Order No. 879 signed in 2010 by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to promote the development of the country's bamboo sector.

The national symposium on bamboo will bring together some 200 experts, policymakers and key stakeholders in the bamboo sector to discuss the role of bamboo in climate mitigation and how to increase its promotion as a suitable replacement for timber and other materials in construction and other works.

Other speakers include Senator Legarda, Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman of CCC, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, and Ilocos Sur Rep. Victorino Savellano.

Among the topics to be discussed are Bamboo Biology, Bamboo Utilization, Bamboo Enterprise, Bamboo Post-Harvest Technologies, and Policy and Advocacy Support for Bamboo.

Participants will have the opportunity to witness the various uses of bamboo and learn about the opportunities in the bamboo value chain, particularly in the establishment of community-based enterprises in rural areas.

Bamboo is among the fastest-growing plants, growing at up to one meter a day. It is considered a high value for mitigating climate change given its fast biomass production and renewability.

The resource plant has been proven to sequester more carbon at 400 percent per unit area and gives off 35 percent more oxygen than other trees. The bamboo dies if left unattended for more than 10 years.

However, if bamboo stems are harvested properly and at the right time, the root system survives and continues to store carbon as the harvested stems are being replaced.

Of the 1,000 species of bamboo on the planet, 49 of them grow abundantly in the Philippines. This gives the country the potential to become the second largest bamboo producer in the world, next only to China whose current market share is around 50 percent.

In 2009, the Philippines ranked sixth as the biggest exporter of bamboo products worldwide, with a total export value reaching US$30 million.

The international market value of commercial bamboo reached US$20 billion in 2015, owing to the growing demand for eco-friendly alternative to wood to conserve the world's remaining forests.

Bamboo can reach maturity in five years and can be harvested once every two years for about 100 to 120 years. It belongs to the Poaceae (Gramineae) family of grass, just like sugarcane and corn. #

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Published: 19 November 2016

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has announced its new hotlines that the public can reach for their environmental concerns.

The hotlines incorporate the agency’s abbreviated name, DENR, for easier recall.

Those using landlines can dial #DENR or #3367, from anywhere within the Philippines.

Meanwhile, mobile phone users can lodge inquiries through 0917-868-DENR or 0917-885-DENR.

The public can also email the agency at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The hotlines and email provide direct access to the DENR Action Center, which was created as part of a quick-response mechanism to environmental issues and concerns raised by stakeholders.###

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Published: 19 November 2016

Delivering the Philippine Statement at the Joint High-Level Segment of the climate change summit in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said that combating climate change and economic development must go hand in hand as nations strive to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

"Should the change in the planet's temperature escalate to more than 1.5 degrees, we stand to lose whatever economic gains we make. The planet simply cannot afford an indecisive ambiguity about what needs to be done. The situation is clear - anything more than 1.5 degrees will destroy possibilities for quality of life," Lopez said.

She added: "We do not need to give up economic growth - from clean energy, to sustainable transportation, to all facets of life. We need to have the courage to change the way we do things. We cannot and must not build an economy based on suffering."

Thus, Lopez said the Philippines will embark on a massive expansion of mangrove and bamboo plantations to strengthen the ecological and economic resilience of local communities in the face of climate change and its devastating impacts.

"We will go heavily into mangroves because, as our experience with typhoon Yolanda showed, the islands with mangroves suffered 80-percent less damage to lives and property," Lopez pointed out.

"The thrust will not only save our islands but will create economic zones because of the resulting increase in marine life. If handled well, our people can get out of poverty."

The DENR chief said the country will plant millions of bamboos, which not only perform "superbly" in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere but could also be used as material for buildings, low-cost housing, floor tiles and textiles, and for cleaning polluted waterways."

With the planned expansion of its mangrove and bamboo plantations, Lopez said the Philippines will prove that climate-change adaption and mitigation and inclusive economic growth do not necessarily have to be separate choices.

"These objectives can all be achieved given the right approach," Lopez pointed out.

Lopez was tasked by Malacañang to attend the Marrakech summit, officially billed as the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It served as the first meeting of governments since the adoption of the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change in December last year.

In her speech, Lopez proposed that the Philippines which, according to her is in the "firing line" of climate change, "be one venue for scientists as we explore ways for humanity to move forward."

"I propose a dynamic direction of creating climate-change models that send the message, 'it can be done and we can do it!' The rules of the Paris Agreement can state what the performance indicators of these models should be," she added.

Lopez noted that the Philippines, a country of more than 7,100 islands, has the highest biodiversity endemicity per unit area in the world. This means that 70 percent of the biodiversity found in the Philippines can only found in the country, she said.

"We have more than 3000 species of marine life, including a snail the venom of which has been found by a Nobel laureate to be better than morphine in addressing pain without the side effects," Lopez said.

"Our sponges and shells are effective in addressing cancer, and we are barely scratching the surface of what there is. This is not just the wealth of the Philippines - it is the wealth of all of us together."

In closing, Lopez said she was in awe at the dynamism and non-negotiable commitment of the leaders of the climate change movement.

"If we all imbibe this consciousness deep in our hearts and manifest it in ground level reality - humanity faces a bright future if we continue to bloom this spirit of working together," Lopez said. "The Philippines is making a commitment to this exciting future." #

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Published: 18 November 2016

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently hosted a first-of-its-kind forum highlighting the importance of preserving the country's caves and karst systems, which are home to great biodiversity and a vital source of potable water.

Held on November 9 and 10 at the National Museum of History Auditorium in Manila, the forum has brought together representatives from national government agencies, local government units (LGUs) and the academe, as well as cave experts and stakeholders to tackle the latest practices in managing caves and karst systems.

The two-day conference was organized by the Caves, Wetlands and other Ecosystems Division or CAWED of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), an attached agency of the DENR, and the National Cave Committee (NCC).

With the theme, "Understanding the Interactions Between People and Caves," participants were able to exchange knowledge on caves and promote their protection and conservation.

"Our mission is to raise awareness and understanding on caves and its resources to address the threats that endanger this ecosystem," said BMB Assistant Director Antonio Manila, who spoke on behalf of BMB Director Theresa Mundita Lim at the opening of the forum.

Manila shared that the DENR has already taken steps to protect caves and karst systems in the country through its Cave Management and Conservation Program.

The program is administered by the NCC, which is chaired by the BMB. The committee members include the Department of Tourism (DOT), National Museum, National Institute for Geological Sciences of the University of the Philippines, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Leagues of Cities, Municipalities and Provinces of the Philippines, and the GAIA Exploration Club.

The forum discussed the value of caves to human well-being as it tried to build interest in the research and study of caves in the country.

Five topics were discussed during the forum, namely: cave geology, cave biology, cultural and historical value of caves, cave ecotourism, and governance and management of caves.

Research papers and reports about caves and karst systems were presented by invited resource speakers, including Dr. Fernando Siringan of the UP Marine Science Institute.

Siringan, in his presentation regarding the Accretion Rates and Paleoclimate Records of Philippine Stalagmites, noted that climate change could directly affect stalagmite formation since the decrease in the amount of rainfall slows down its accretion rate.

Stalagmites are important to caves because they provide shelter to cave-dwelling animals like bats. Together with stalactites, they fuse to form a column or pillar that helps support the roof of the cave.

Marc Metens of the Zamboanga Peninsula Cavers Association discussed the basic safety for cave researchers and enthusiasts.

Metens emphasized the importance of planning caving trips, the potential dangers in caves including those that are nature-related like sudden flooding and collapses, and man-related such as over and under estimation of caves and visitor capabilities, wrong techniques, and equipment failure.

He said that physical and technical training are also vital to anyone who plans to explore a cave.

Elizabeth Maclang, manager of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) Program, talked about the challenges in the management of PPUR as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature.

According to Maclang, while ecotourism generates a sizeable income to the community, the river's carrying capacity should also be taken into consideration.

Closing the forum, Maritess Agayatin of the BMB-CAWED called on everyone to work together and help each other for the preservation of Philippine caves.

"Let us not be sectoral. Let us have collaborative and concerted efforts in the conservation and management of our caves," Agayatin said.

"With this forum, we have widened our networking. I hope we continue our vision for our caves," she added.

The protection and conservation of caves is mandated under Republic Act No. 9072, or the National Caves and Cave Resources Management Protection Act.

The law mandates the DENR to formulate, develop and implement a national program for the management, protection and conservation of caves and cave resources, in coordination with the DOT, the National Museum, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and concerned LGUs. ###

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Published: 15 November 2016

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez has assured that the Duterte administration will "pursue national development conscious of our responsibility to safeguard the people, the environment, and the biodiversity from the negative impacts of climate change."

Lopez made the assurance as she left for Marrakech, Morocco on Sunday to attend the first meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Lopez was tasked by Malacañang to attend the summit, officially billed as the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The Marrakech conference, which runs from November 7-18, is the crucial next step for governments looking to operationalize the new global climate deal adopted in Paris, France last year.

Lopez is expected to attend the Women Leaders and Global Transformation Summit in which world leaders will learn how women can be strong solution providers to further sustainable development.

Before leaving for Morocco, Lopez called on Filipinos to "care enough to act and do what is needed together."

She also said: “As one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts, we should be sitting at the negotiating table. The Philippines cannot abandon its commitment to address the single greatest threat facing the planet today."

Lopez cited the country's experience with supertyphoon Yolanda, which claimed thousands of lives and left unimaginable destruction in central Philippines in 2013.

Following consultation with members of the Cabinet, President Duterte announced that he finally decided to ratify the Paris Agreement.

The President's decision was welcomed by several quarters, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

"We, in the DENR, welcome with much joy and hope in our hearts President Rodrigo Duterte's decision in allowing the ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change," Lopez said.

After achieving the threshold number of the countries needed to ratify the Paris Agreement, the international climate pact started to take effect on November 4. ###

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Published: 14 November 2016