<a href="mailto:acbuenaventura@up.edu.ph">By: Alec Hope Buenaventura</a>

CLIMATE INJUSTICE - while the effects of climate change are global, the weight of its brunt is not the same for all. It is the least contributors, not the chief instigators, who carry the heavy repercussions. Perhaps, the Philippines has a degree of familiarity with this case. The water supply shortage in Metro Manila is actually brought about by climate change. Because of floods and droughts, Angat dam is expected to fall short of supplying clean water to the nation’s center, creating yet another sustainability problem on top of many other social issues the country is already facing. The proposed solution - the Kaliwa dam. However, have we ever considered the validity of this notorious project?

Recently, information has been brought to light that the Kaliwa Dam project is at 30%, that is according to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System or MWSS. Though far from complete, its persistence poses a graver threat not only to the environment but also to the society. Intensifying climate injustice, a clear case of the so-called sustainability paradox.

As a concept, sustainability is an intersectional concept that one cannot pursue economic progress while sacrificing the environment, culture, morals, and other social and humanitarian aspects. Therefore, a paradox takes place when a certain policy, claims to be “sustainable”, yet only caters to one aspect of development, then compromising the others.

The Kaliwa dam project, for example, aims to resolve an economic issue. Ironically, it is at the expense of the rights of the Indigenous people or IPs and environmental sustainability.

I once had the opportunity to personally speak with one of the affected Indigenous people groups, the Dumagat Remontados of Mt. Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal. The Dumagats are exceptionally virtuous people, possessing rich community values that people from the city cannot easily understand. For them, nature is integral to life and their land is the source of their identity and culture. Not to mention their overflowing fountain of local wisdom, primarily in nature and farming.

As we talk, the Dumagats revealed that the perpetrators of the Kaliwa dam deliberately toned-down the ill-effects of the project. For one, contrary to the report of MWSS, that there will be only around fifty families affected, more than a thousand Dumagat families will forcibly be displaced from their homes if the dam is constructed. There were also no consultations transpired to which they might have expressed their dissent to this project as opposed to the reports.&nbsp;

Like it is not enough injustice, the dam will also inundate the Tinipak River, the river that gives life, so-sacred to them, a site where most of their religious rites take place.

As expected, the process of drilling and digging to build the dam will engender environmental perils as it destroys the ecological balance of the Sierra Madre. Destructions like these lead to weaker soil integrity which will make the mountain ranges prone to landslides. Sierra Madre also serves as Luzon’s frontier against typhoons entering the country. Thus, if the project continues, the threat of typhoons to hit the Philippines stronger is imminent.&nbsp;

To make matters even worse, this serves as a multiplier to the climate injustice that the Dumagats are already facing. Due to the already existing climate change, the Tinipak River suffers lower water level&nbsp; during dry-season, yet, it rises extremely when hit by a typhoon such as in the case of Bagyong Ulysses in the past year. Scientifically, the higher the heat index during the dry season increases evaporation rates explaining the low water level. On the other hand, during the wet season, this high surface temperature increases the amount of precipitation, increasing the amount of water to rainfall as experienced by the people of Daraitan.

Furthermore, being farmers, the Dumagats are highly-dependent on nature and climatic events. Irregular precipitation patterns and increase in temperature have made weather unpredictable. As a result, since their main commodity,&nbsp; rice, is sensitive to climatic factors, they are forced to replace it with a more resilient crop such as sweet potato.

Due to human activities, their ancestral land suffers further environmental degradation. For instance, tree-logging activities in Mt. Daraitan made the soil quality deteriorate. This resulted in an observable decline in crop yield, from one pail to a hundred sacks back then, to getting only one pail in return today. Biodiversity is also observed to decline as habitat bats and snakes were disturbed due to human mobility. These are all attested by the IPs.

The aforementioned events clearly show the Dumagats are already experiencing climate injustice. Rather than fixing the situation for them, the focus of high politics is in the center. This is the very reason as to why the Indigenous peoples are pushed to the margin of the society. If this continues violation of Indigenous people’s rights and right to a balanced and healthful ecology, rights we the sovereign Filipinos are sworn to protect under Article II of the 1987 Constitution.

To reiterate, sustainability is intersectional. All social and humanitarian aspects should be included in the pursuit of true development. Instead of pushing through with this, the best take is to achieve a compromise that would allow economic stability without endangering the natural environment and the rights of the Indigenous peoples.&nbsp;

Through an emotional message, one of the Dumagat leaders expressed that they are willing to share the waters of their land, as they were the ones blessed. However, the policy-makers need to heed them and consider the alternatives that they are willing to compromise.

Given its political implications, retracting this policy requires a strong political will from the current administration. Nonetheless, it is a must in order to achieve true sustainable development and climate justice.&nbsp;

To end, I urge you to ask again. Should we proceed with the Kaliwa Dam project? If your answer is still yes, then it is fitting to say that the ultimate ramification of climate change is not the extinction of the entire humanity but the sheer dissolution of our humanity.

The Author during his trekking along Mt. Daraitin and Tinipak River in Tanay, Rizal. Kaliwa Dam project is expected to inundate this place once operational.<a href="mailto:acbuenaventura@up.edu.ph">By: Alec Hope Buenaventura</a>CLIMATE INJUSTICE - while the effects of climate change are global, the weight of its brunt is not the same for all. It is the least contributors, not the chief instigators, who carry the heavy repercussions. Perhaps, the Philippines has a degree of familiarity with this case. The water supply shortage in Metro Manila is actually brought about by climate change. Because of floods and droughts, Angat dam is expected to fall short of supplying clean water to the nation’s center, creating yet another sustainability problem on top of many other social issues the country is already facing. The proposed solution - the Kaliwa dam. However, have we ever considered the validity of this notorious project?Recently, information has been brought to light that the Kaliwa Dam project is at 30%, that is according to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System or MWSS. Though far from complete, its persistence poses a graver threat not only to the environment but also to the society. Intensifying climate injustice, a clear case of the so-called sustainability paradox.As a concept, sustainability is an intersectional concept that one cannot pursue economic progress while sacrificing the environment, culture, morals, and other social and humanitarian aspects. Therefore, a paradox takes place when a certain policy, claims to be “sustainable”, yet only caters to one aspect of development, then compromising the others.The Kaliwa dam project, for example, aims to resolve an economic issue. Ironically, it is at the expense of the rights of the Indigenous people or IPs and environmental sustainability.I once had the opportunity to personally speak with one of the affected Indigenous people groups, the Dumagat Remontados of Mt. Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal. The Dumagats are exceptionally virtuous people, possessing rich community values that people from the city cannot easily understand. For them, nature is integral to life and their land is the source of their identity and culture. Not to mention their overflowing fountain of local wisdom, primarily in nature and farming.As we talk, the Dumagats revealed that the perpetrators of the Kaliwa dam deliberately toned-down the ill-effects of the project. For one, contrary to the report of MWSS, that there will be only around fifty families affected, more than a thousand Dumagat families will forcibly be displaced from their homes if the dam is constructed. There were also no consultations transpired to which they might have expressed their dissent to this project as opposed to the reports.&nbsp;Like it is not enough injustice, the dam will also inundate the Tinipak River, the river that gives life, so-sacred to them, a site where most of their religious rites take place.As expected, the process of drilling and digging to build the dam will engender environmental perils as it destroys the ecological balance of the Sierra Madre. Destructions like these lead to weaker soil integrity which will make the mountain ranges prone to landslides. Sierra Madre also serves as Luzon’s frontier against typhoons entering the country. Thus, if the project continues, the threat of typhoons to hit the Philippines stronger is imminent.&nbsp;To make matters even worse, this serves as a multiplier to the climate injustice that the Dumagats are already facing. Due to the already existing climate change, the Tinipak River suffers lower water level&nbsp; during dry-season, yet, it rises extremely when hit by a typhoon such as in the case of Bagyong Ulysses in the past year. Scientifically, the higher the heat index during the dry season increases evaporation rates explaining the low water level. On the other hand, during the wet season, this high surface temperature increases the amount of precipitation, increasing the amount of water to rainfall as experienced by the people of Daraitan.Furthermore, being farmers, the Dumagats are highly-dependent on nature and climatic events. Irregular precipitation patterns and increase in temperature have made weather unpredictable. As a result, since their main commodity,&nbsp; rice, is sensitive to climatic factors, they are forced to replace it with a more resilient crop such as sweet potato.Due to human activities, their ancestral land suffers further environmental degradation. For instance, tree-logging activities in Mt. Daraitan made the soil quality deteriorate. This resulted in an observable decline in crop yield, from one pail to a hundred sacks back then, to getting only one pail in return today. Biodiversity is also observed to decline as habitat bats and snakes were disturbed due to human mobility. These are all attested by the IPs.The aforementioned events clearly show the Dumagats are already experiencing climate injustice. Rather than fixing the situation for them, the focus of high politics is in the center. This is the very reason as to why the Indigenous peoples are pushed to the margin of the society. If this continues violation of Indigenous people’s rights and right to a balanced and healthful ecology, rights we the sovereign Filipinos are sworn to protect under Article II of the 1987 Constitution.To reiterate, sustainability is intersectional. All social and humanitarian aspects should be included in the pursuit of true development. Instead of pushing through with this, the best take is to achieve a compromise that would allow economic stability without endangering the natural environment and the rights of the Indigenous peoples.&nbsp;Through an emotional message, one of the Dumagat leaders expressed that they are willing to share the waters of their land, as they were the ones blessed. However, the policy-makers need to heed them and consider the alternatives that they are willing to compromise.Given its political implications, retracting this policy requires a strong political will from the current administration. Nonetheless, it is a must in order to achieve true sustainable development and climate justice.&nbsp;To end, I urge you to ask again. Should we proceed with the Kaliwa Dam project? If your answer is still yes, then it is fitting to say that the ultimate ramification of climate change is not the extinction of the entire humanity but the sheer dissolution of our humanity.

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The Author during his trekking along Mt. Daraitin and Tinipak River in Tanay, Rizal. Kaliwa Dam project is expected to inundate this place once operational.

OPINION: Climate Injustice and the Sustainability Paradox of Kaliwa Dam

During its annual stockholders’ meeting on 8 June, the company said it aims to break ground later this year on its Nueva Ecija solar expansion project with a total planned capacity of 4GW which will be controlled by the company. This would make it the largest solar farm in the world, according to SPNEC.

The project expansion will be located in the same region as its 500MW solar plant already under construction in the northern region of Luzon. The entire project – including the 500MW portion already under construction – comprises over 3,500 hectares of land acquired or being acquired.

The solar farm will begin commercial operation in 2026. It will contribute to the Philippines’ increased solar capacity in the coming years. PV Tech reported that the Philippines boasted 13GW of solar projects in the pipelines as of March 2022, a tenfold increase from the 1.3GW registered in March 2021.

“We have ongoing discussions on shareholding arrangements in certain of our projects, to find solutions that will benefit all parties,” said SPNEC’s CEO Leandro Leviste, adding: “Out of deference for these discussions and respect to our partners, we will not yet elaborate, other than to say that: We believe that it is in SPNEC’s interest to invest in projects where it has a controlling stake, and that SPNEC is best served by allocating its capital to projects where this is the case.”

Moreover, the majority of the proceeds of its capital raises have been invested towards the project, as the company has been consolidating land and permits for it since 2016, when SPNEC applied for the first Department of Energy solar energy service contract.

The project will also support the development of over 60km of transmission line to connect to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’s substations which supplies the Greater Manila Area.

Overall, the project’s total capacity would reach 4GW of solar power, nearly doubling the current solar farm, Bhadla Solar Park in the region of Rajasthan, India with a 2.2GW capacity. The project will also nearly treble the Philippines’ current installed solar capacity of 1.4GW at the end of 2022, according to SPNEC.

<h1>Solar Philippines to break ground on world’s ‘largest’ solar farm this year</h1>Solar Philippines Neva Ecija Corporation (SPNEC) has planned to start constructing a 3.5GW solar farm in the Philippines later this year.During its annual stockholders’ meeting on 8 June, the company said it aims to break ground later this year on its Nueva Ecija solar expansion project with a total planned capacity of 4GW which will be controlled by the company. This would make it the largest solar farm in the world, according to SPNEC.The project expansion will be located in the same region as its 500MW solar plant already under construction in the northern region of Luzon. The entire project – including the 500MW portion already under construction – comprises over 3,500 hectares of land acquired or being acquired.The solar farm will begin commercial operation in 2026. It will contribute to the Philippines’ increased solar capacity in the coming years. PV Tech reported that the Philippines boasted 13GW of solar projects in the pipelines as of March 2022, a tenfold increase from the 1.3GW registered in March 2021.“We have ongoing discussions on shareholding arrangements in certain of our projects, to find solutions that will benefit all parties,” said SPNEC’s CEO Leandro Leviste, adding: “Out of deference for these discussions and respect to our partners, we will not yet elaborate, other than to say that: We believe that it is in SPNEC’s interest to invest in projects where it has a controlling stake, and that SPNEC is best served by allocating its capital to projects where this is the case.”Moreover, the majority of the proceeds of its capital raises have been invested towards the project, as the company has been consolidating land and permits for it since 2016, when SPNEC applied for the first Department of Energy solar energy service contract.The project will also support the development of over 60km of transmission line to connect to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’s substations which supplies the Greater Manila Area.Overall, the project’s total capacity would reach 4GW of solar power, nearly doubling the current solar farm, Bhadla Solar Park in the region of Rajasthan, India with a 2.2GW capacity. The project will also nearly treble the Philippines’ current installed solar capacity of 1.4GW at the end of 2022, according to SPNEC.We believe in powering the future with solar which is on its way to dominating the energy mix in the Philippines. We are optimistic that shifting to solar will save this country billions of pesos a year, and we at SP New Energy Corporation are poised to reap the rewards of disrupting fossil fuels.0998 562 1251
inquiries@spnec.ph

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Solar Philippines Neva Ecija Corporation (SPNEC) has planned to start constructing a 3.5GW solar farm in the Philippines later this year.

Solar Philippines to break ground on world’s ‘largest’ solar farm this year

Exalos Indonesia launched a book on how to handle snakes, specifically for Indonesian citizens or expatriates from Indonesia. Especially those living in countries with potential conflict with snakes. Such as Southeast Asia, Australia, India, and Africa. "Anyway, a country with a high level of potential (conflict with snakes)," said Founder of Exalos Indonesia, First Corporal (TNI) Janu Widodo.

Because, according to him, many lives of animal and environmental activists have just been lost due to a lack of vigilance and anticipation. "I don't want Indonesian environmental activists living abroad to suffer the same fate," said Janu.

So Janu W. Widodo, declared a 'war' against the ignorance and lack of awareness of society, especially those who handle venomous snakes. "Our war is in an educational way. Exalos Indonesia launched a book entitled "Penanganan Ular" for the community," said Janu W. Widodo. Until recently, the death toll from snake bites in Indonesia was almost equivalent to the death toll from cancer.

Even during the COVID-19 outbreak, there were two expert snake handling figures who died due to wrong actions. Janu doesn't want any more similar cases. So, he wrote a book, with materials originating from a training in handling snakes that had been held by Exalos Indonesia.

After the training material was collected and organized by Janu, he chose a writer and editor named Angiola Harry from IAPWE (International Association of Professional Writers and Editors), to tidy it up. "After I edited Janu's writing, I saw many useful things. Beneficial for the environment in general, and also for human life in particular," said Angiola Harry who currently works for Marker Content in Arizona, United States.

<h1>Exalos Indonesia Launched a Snake Handling Book for Expatriate</h1>Until recently, the death toll from snake bites in Indonesia is almost equivalent to the death toll from cancer.Exalos Indonesia launched a book on how to handle snakes, specifically for Indonesian citizens or expatriates from Indonesia. Especially those living in countries with potential conflict with snakes. Such as Southeast Asia, Australia, India, and Africa. "Anyway, a country with a high level of potential (conflict with snakes)," said Founder of Exalos Indonesia, First Corporal (TNI) Janu Widodo.Because, according to him, many lives of animal and environmental activists have just been lost due to a lack of vigilance and anticipation. "I don't want Indonesian environmental activists living abroad to suffer the same fate," said Janu.So Janu W. Widodo, declared a 'war' against the ignorance and lack of awareness of society, especially those who handle venomous snakes. "Our war is in an educational way. Exalos Indonesia launched a book entitled "Penanganan Ular" for the community," said Janu W. Widodo. Until recently, the death toll from snake bites in Indonesia was almost equivalent to the death toll from cancer.Even during the COVID-19 outbreak, there were two expert snake handling figures who died due to wrong actions. Janu doesn't want any more similar cases. So, he wrote a book, with materials originating from a training in handling snakes that had been held by Exalos Indonesia.After the training material was collected and organized by Janu, he chose a writer and editor named Angiola Harry from IAPWE (International Association of Professional Writers and Editors), to tidy it up. "After I edited Janu's writing, I saw many useful things. Beneficial for the environment in general, and also for human life in particular," said Angiola Harry who currently works for Marker Content in Arizona, United States.Exalos Indonesia established in 2016, an organization for animal rescue and nature lovers, which always updates snake handling techniques that are safe and environmentally friendly.1st Corporal Janu W. Widodo
+6289610404414
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Until recently, the death toll from snake bites in Indonesia is almost equivalent to the death toll from cancer.

Exalos Indonesia Launched a Snake Handling Book for Expatriate

MANILA, Philippines — As the Philippines braces for the return of El Niño and the dry spells and droughts it could bring, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed an executive order creating an office that will ensure the availability and sustainable management of water resources in the country.&nbsp;

Marcos on Thursday signed Executive Order 22 creating the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

WRMO was created to address the challenges affecting the management of water resources in the country such as the fragmented water and sanitation sector, increasing demand for water due to population and economic growth, impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of infrastructure, and inconsistent government regulations.

The office will serve as a transitory body pending the creation of the Department of Water—among the pieces of legislation that Marcos has identified as a priority.

WRMO is mandated to ensure the immediate implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Management in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and formulate a corresponding Water Resources Master Plan, the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.&nbsp;

The office is directed to integrate into the IWMP the development plans of other agencies, including the following:

Philippine Development PlanPhilippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master PlanNational Water Resources Board Security Master Plan

WRMO is also tasked to generate and maintain credible and timely water and sanitation data to aid in evidence-based policy-making, regulations, planning, and implementation.&nbsp;

It will also "shepherd and champion"&nbsp;the passage of the proposed Department of Water as well as a&nbsp;regulatory commission on water.&nbsp;

WRMO will be headed by an undersecretary to be appointed by the president upon the recommendation of Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga.

Loyzaga told media in February that the yet to be named undersecretary will be "an expert [who] has a scientific background in terms of water resource management" and who understands climate change and its implications on water security.

The DENR also has an attached agency that coordinates and regulates water resource development activities of the country—the National Water Resources Board. It issues water permits for the appropriation and use of water resources, and reviews water resource development plans of other agencies.

State weather bureau PAGASA earlier said there was a good chance El Niño would develop in July to September. It may persist until 2024.

<h1>New Water Resources Management Office created: What will it do?</h1>MANILA, Philippines — As the Philippines braces for the return of El Niño and the dry spells and droughts it could bring, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed an executive order creating an office that will ensure the availability and sustainable management of water resources in the country.&nbsp;Marcos on Thursday signed Executive Order 22 creating the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.WRMO was created to address the challenges affecting the management of water resources in the country such as the fragmented water and sanitation sector, increasing demand for water due to population and economic growth, impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of infrastructure, and inconsistent government regulations.The office will serve as a transitory body pending the creation of the Department of Water—among the pieces of legislation that Marcos has identified as a priority.<h2>Mandate</h2>WRMO is mandated to ensure the immediate implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Management in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and formulate a corresponding Water Resources Master Plan, the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.&nbsp;The office is directed to integrate into the IWMP the development plans of other agencies, including the following:Philippine Development PlanPhilippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master PlanNational Water Resources Board Security Master PlanWRMO is also tasked to generate and maintain credible and timely water and sanitation data to aid in evidence-based policy-making, regulations, planning, and implementation.&nbsp;It will also "shepherd and champion"&nbsp;the passage of the proposed Department of Water as well as a&nbsp;regulatory commission on water.&nbsp;WRMO will be headed by an undersecretary to be appointed by the president upon the recommendation of Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga.Loyzaga told media in February that the yet to be named undersecretary will be "an expert [who] has a scientific background in terms of water resource management" and who understands climate change and its implications on water security.The DENR also has an attached agency that coordinates and regulates water resource development activities of the country—the National Water Resources Board. It issues water permits for the appropriation and use of water resources, and reviews water resource development plans of other agencies.State weather bureau PAGASA earlier said there was a good chance El Niño would develop in July to September. It may persist until 2024.