The world is getting warmer and natural hazards are becoming more intense, likely bringing higher economic losses in the future. Today, four major weather perils result in expected economic losses of USD 200 billion annually. With more severe weather coming, economic losses are set to rise. The study analysis finds …
Some 300 farmers recently ravaged a test field of genetically modified (gm) corn in the Mindanao islands. The tests are being conducted by the biotechnology giant Monsanto. Charles Martin, corporate communications official of Monsanto, alleged that the farmers were paid for the attack by communist farmers and labour unions.
The Philippine government recently launched a project aimed at preserving the biodiversity of Samar Island, which has been listed as one of the top 200 endangered sites in the world. The island's biodiversity is threatened due to the indiscriminate exploitation of the island's biodiversity by local people. "To avoid such …
How does vitamin A rice help solve poverty and malnutrition in developing countries? People whose staple diet is rice usually suffer from vitamin deficiencies. In Bangladesh, for instance, 75 per cent of the calories come from rice. Similarly, in countries like Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, rice accounts for 70 per …
A public sector company of the Philippines is setting up the biggest wind power project in Southeast Asia, claims the country's energy secretary Vincent Perez. The first commercial operation of the 40-megawatt power project in the Ilocos Norte province is expected to start by 2004. Philippines National Oil Corporation, the …
the Philippines has recently passed a stringent law for labelling of products containing genetically modified organisms (gmos). In contrast, six European countries face trial for failing to protect their environment from the gmo threat. As per the new Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act of the Philippines, infringement can …
In a bid to curb air pollution, the Philippine government is implementing an us $1.41 billion mass-transit project in Metropolitan Manila. The project would help in tackling the traffic problem in Metropolitan Manila. The place has one of the worst traffic problems in Southeast Asia and its air quality is …
Caution is good but it should not take the place of good policy making. By refusing environmental clearance to genetically modified cotton from Monsanto, the government of India has treaded the path of caution but not necessarily the path of good science and good policy. This should also not be …
China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines are the most polluted countries in Asia, while Singapore, Malaysia and Japan are the cleanest, indicates a recent survey. The Hong-Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Limited (PERC) conducted the survey. In the survey, emigrants living in 12 Asian countries and territories rated …
india will conduct research on developing Golden Rice, a genetically modified ( gm ) variety of rice. "The Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Madurai Kamraj University and University of Delhi will jointly undertake the task of inserting modified genes of Golden Rice into the Indian varieties,' says Manju Sharma, secretary of …
Oil major BP AMOCO has launched the world's largest solar power project in the Mindanao region of Phillipines. Estimated to cost US $48million it is expected to electrify 150 villages says a Reuters report dated April 2, 2001. According to the BP Solar president and chief executive, Harry Shimp, the …
The Philippine government has introduced a new law that requires local government units (lgus) in Manila to reduce their waste disposal by 25 per cent within five years. To achieve this target, lgus must segregate, recycle, compost and reuse waste. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the country's president, also announced that a
San Mateo, a landfill site located in Antipolo city, the Philippines, is posing a health hazard to the local residents. The residents fear that the toxic nature of the dump could cause serious health effects. San Mateo receives some 6,000 tonnes of solid waste everyday, generated by Manila's 12 million …
Leaded gasoline has been completely phased out from the Philippines. "In accordance with the Philippines Clean Air Act of 1999, oil companies have stopped selling leaded gasoline,' said the country's energy secretary, Mario Tiaoqui. One of the main provisions of the act was that all lead containing petroleum products should …
volcanic rocks and ash spewed by the Mayon volcano located in the Albay province of the Philippines have destroyed crops worth around us $2.65 million. This initial estimate did not include the damage done to coconut plantations which was being assessed by agriculture officials. The volcano erupted in the lastweek …
In a bid to clean up the heavily-polluted air in the capital city of Manila, the department of energy and 21 oil companies have recently signed an agreement to phase out the use of leaded petrol in the capital. The phase-out will come into effect from April 1. This date …
Floods in Philippines have already killed around 130 people and government officials are blaming environment officials for the tragedy. Meanwhile, 83 people perished in flood-related accidents in the capital Manila, its suburbs and several northern provinces, some of which are still underwater. Rescuers have dug up six more bodies from …
twelve years after it was first proposed, the Philippines has finally enacted a law to reduce air pollution. "We have one of the world's most polluted city, according to the World Health Organisation,' said the law's chief sponsor, Heherson Alvarez. "Clean air is a right we all deserve,' said House …
If you take a train into Manila or New Delhi on a sunny day you will notice that a greyish smog envelopes the city. It is the really fine particulate matter that you end up inhaling and this gets lodged in your lungs. It can eventually kill you. Unlike Delhi, …
Torrential rains killed at least 15 people and displaced more than 100,000 families in the low-lying areas in four provinces in the southern Mindanao island of the Philippines. According to the Southern Command of the Philippine Armed Forces, the deaths occurred over four days. The floods swamped the rice and …
