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Why marine turtles are worth more to us alive than dead
If a marine turtle, locally known as pawikan, is allowed to live up to 57 years, how much would be its value? Believe it or not, a whopping P4.80 million can be derived from the endangered species, said the Biodiversity Management Bureau. BMB is a line agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which conducted the study under the Asian Development Bank/Global Environment Facility project on Combating Environmental Organized Crime in the Philippines. In the study, the estimation was based on the marine turtle’s ecological role in coastal and marine ecosystems and on the tourism value it generates: P900,000 and P3.90 million, respectively. “The annual use value of the entire population of the Philippine marine turtle, which is conservatively estimated at 7,294 individuals, ranged between P2.89 billion and P3.19 billion (US$57.88-63.85 million) per year,” the study said. According to the World-Wide Fund for Nature, the economic value of conserving healthy and diverse turtle populations to avoid marine turtle extinctions is more than 50 thousand times greater than the value of harvesting turtles for their meat and shells. Eight species There are only eight species of marine turtles known. Fortunately, five of them can be found in the Philippines, mostly in the Turtle Islands (located along the boundary of Malaysia and the Philippines). These are the Green Sea (scientific name: Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Leatherback (Dermocheyls coriacea), Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). The three other species, not found in the Philippines, are the Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempi), Flatback (Chelonia depressa) and Black Sea (Chelonia agassizi). All marine turtle species are protected under Republic Act 9147 or the Philippine Wildlife Act. This means it is illegal to collect, possess, buy, sell, import and export marine turtles, their by-products and derivatives. “All of the species found in our country are endangered except for the Hawksbill which is critically endangered,” said Dr. Arnel “AA” Yaptinchay, founder and director of the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines. “The only sure thing is that marine turtle populations are under tremendous threats and if these are not stopped, extinction is imminent.” Aside from their meat, marine turtles are valued for their eggs, which look like ping-pong balls and rounder than chicken eggs. The yellow or yolk of turtle eggs is considered medicinal by some people. Marine turtles are also hunted to make different products. The Hawksbill’s carapace is used to make combs, brush handles, eyeglass frames, buttons, hairclips and jewelry. Pollution is another culprit for its decimation. In the past, marine turtles used to occupy the shallow waters of Manila Bay. But toxic wastes flowing from the Pasig River, ocean-going vessels plying the bay, and the government’s reclamation projects have long driven the marine turtles away. Marine turtles also face danger from the day they are born; they are hunted by monitor lizards or bayawak, dogs and ghost crabs. For every 1,000 hatchlings released in the open sea, only one survives. Dynamite fishing and the use of trawl nets where turtles abound have also threatened the marine turtles. Ditto for the rapid development of beach resorts for the tourism industry as these destroy the nesting beaches of marine turtles. “Unless we seriously take on the task of protecting our much-endangered marine turtles, these ancient creatures will no longer be swimming in our waters,” warned the environmental group Haribon. Marine protected area In Davao City, the Aboitiz Group is trying to protect the endangered marine species. It owns eight hectares in the southeastern portion of the 37-hectare Marine Protected Area located in Punta Dumalag in Matina Aplaya. As part of its corporate responsibility, it converted the area into an eight-hectare ecological preserve, called Cleanergy Park and managed by Davao Light, an AboitizPower subsidiary. In partnership with the regional office of Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the local government of Davao City, the team at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park established a Pawikan Rescue Center inside the park to conserve and protect the pawikan and their marine habitat. The park is completely wireless and is built entirely using recycled materials. Even at night, lights and lamps are not used, except for flashlights by the roving guards and staff, in order not to disturb or confuse the pawikan’s nesting in the area and other animals that consider the park their home. “We are fully committed to our cause of saving the pawikans,” said Fermin Edillon, the park’s reputation enhancement manager. “We must all carry this responsibility so that our future generations will be able to see them. It can be through small acts such as keeping our coastal areas clean, not littering and having safe practices when fishing. These are very simple but have a large impact on preserving our environment.” Marine turtles are the contemporaries of the dinosaurs. These ancient creatures have been around for about 110 million years. Their natural lifespan is estimated to be from 50 to 100 years. But, like many other creatures, they may soon be gone — if we don’t do enough to save them from extinction. The post Why marine turtles are worth more to us alive than dead appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Man-made disasters cost Philippines 164.87 mln USD in 2023
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Man-made disasters caused the total damage in the Philippines worth 9.29 billion pesos (164.87 million U.S. dollars) in 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Tuesday. The agency said that out of the total annual damage, 4.93 billion pesos (87.5 million dollars), or 53.1 percent, was due to the oil spill. "The reported oil spill in various regions resulted in dam.....»»
PODCAST | Departure, return: The region as liminal space in 3 Filipino films
Minda Salida #13: Departure, return: The region as liminal space in 3 Filipino films The term regional cinema was coined, or became a wave in the landscape of Philippine cinema, with the inception of the Cinema Rehiyon, an annual exhibition and gathering of regional cinemas and filmmakers all over the Philippines, led by the National […].....»»
Schneider Electric switching to solar power
French energy management and automation firm Schneider Electric is transitioning its operations in the Philippines to clean energy with the installation of solar panels in its manufacturing plant in Rosario, Cavite......»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
Mission impossible: Embracing the nuclear ‘explosion’
A nuclear “explosion” of sorts could be on the horizon for the Philippines – one which could ensure a sustainable, sufficient and clean source of electricity for future generations, or one which could put the country in a deep hole......»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
US Bolstering Philippines Amid Increasing Assertiveness by China
washington - The U.S. and Philippines will for the first time venture outside Manila's territorial waters when they begin joint annual combat drills in April, a Philippines government spokesman said Thursday.Colonel Michael Logico said elements of the Balikatan 2024 drills would be conducted about 22 kilometers (more than 12 nautical miles) off the west coast of Palawan, an island in the archipelago nation that.....»»
Philippines, US air forces back together for Cope Thunder
The Philippine Air Force and the US Pacific Air Force are set to embark on joint exercises – involving their advanced fighter jets – from April 8 to 19 for this year’s iteration of Cope Thunder, an annual air defense and offense training event to be held in Luzon......»»
Annual Stockholders Meeting of UnionBank slated on April 26
The annual stockholders' meeting of Union Bank of the Philippines will be held virtually on April 26, 2024 at 1:00 p.m......»»
Government grants $6.6 million to clean up old landfill sites
The Government has granted $6.6 million to clean up four historic New Zealand landfill and dump sites vulnerable to extreme weather events and coastal erosion.At the BlueGreens Forum in Paihia today Environment Minister Penny Simmonds said that the Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund grants will go towards fixing former landfills and dump sites in Tairwhiti, Southland, Canterbury and Nelson. "These.....»»
Beyond Banking: CitySavings’ Pledge to Coastal Conservation and Green Growth
City Savings Bank (CitySavings), the thrift arm of Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), integrates a sustainability-driven approach in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by spearheading a number of programs to close out the year. These include Coastal Clean-up drives as well as Mangrove and Tree Planting activities focused on the conservation of coastal […].....»»
Sustainable Snacking: Mondelez Philippines Hosts 1st Coastal Clean-up Activity
LEADING snacking company Mondelez Philippines held its first-ever coastal clean-up volunteer program at the picturesque Las Pinas-Parañaque Wetland Park as part of its commitment to sustainability. In partnership with the social business HOPE Philippines, the initiative is a part of the company’s efforts to support the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law and promoting environmental consciousness by helping minimize ….....»»
Care in the neighborhood
Aboitiz Land led a coastal cleanup at Seafront Residences earlier this month to underscore its unwavering commitment to marine-life conservation. The initiative aimed to not only clean the coastline but also to gather valuable information for future efforts. This data will contribute to a more targeted and sustainable approach in the conservation of marine life. Capacity development programs and information, education, and communication activities were also implemented to promote environmental responsibility among participants. The event brought together a diverse group, including members from partnering organizations, Seafront Residences homeowners, and key institutions like the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard auxiliary, local barangay, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, municipal administrator and the Department of Education. Nestled at the core of Seafront Residences lies the Pawikan Nature Reserve, designated as a critical nesting site for endangered pawikans. Upholding the cleanliness of these coastal regions is integral to ensuring the preservation of the pawikans’ natural habitat. Ongoing initiatives, including regular coastal cleanups, are set to continue in the coming years, ensuring the sustained protection of both the pawikans and their coastal habitats. The steadfast dedication of Aboitiz Land at Seafront Residences not only enhances the coastal biodiversity but also sets an inspiring example for coastal communities across the Philippines. This approach highlights Seafront Residences’ significant role in coastal cleanup and the protection of endangered pawikans, reflecting Aboitiz Land’s commitment to environmental sustainability and care for both human and marine life. Aboitiz Land’s environmental conservation efforts at Seafront Residences have been recognized with the prestigious Silver Award in the Environmental Category at the FIABCI Philippines Property and Real Estate Excellence Awards 2022. The post Care in the neighborhood appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ARI in troika to build Visayas wind project
Aboitiz Renewables Inc. or ARI, the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corp., Singapore-headquartered Vena Energy, and Cebu-based Vivant Energy Corp., have teamed up to develop, build, and operate a 200-megawatt or MW wind project in the Visayas. The project, dubbed as San Isidro Wind Power Project, will be built in San Isidro, a fourth-class coastal municipality in the Province of Northern Samar. It will be undertaken by the joint venture company that the parties formed called Lihangin Wind Energy Corp. Construction starts Q4 2023 As disclosed in the separate stock reports of ARI and Vivant Energy on Wednesday, which are both publicly listed companies, the wind plant will begin construction within the last quarter of the year. It is scheduled to be completed by early 2025. “We are excited to partner with Vena Energy and Vivant Energy so that together, we can contribute to the Philippines’ clean energy aspirations. This undertaking demonstrates ARI’s progress in growing its renewable energy capacity to 4,600 MW,” ARI president and chief operating officer James Arnold Villaroman. “Each of these investments is an important step to achieving a 50:50 balance in our renewable and thermal portfolios. We are very excited about these opportunities to contribute to the country’s energy transition journey,” he added. Meanwhile, Emil Andre Garcia, president and COO of Vivant Energy, reiterated that their undertaking will “bring us closer to the goal to expand our RE portfolio to 30 percent by 2030.” “We welcome this opportunity to partner with two leaders in renewable energy development who share our vision of helping the country attain energy security while promoting renewable energy and contributing to countrywide development,” Garcia said. Most diversified AboitizPower presently has the largest and most diversified local renewable energy platform in terms of installed capacity under its operational control. Currently, close to 1,000 MW of renewable energy projects — including wind and solar farms and more geothermal capacities — are in its pipeline. The post ARI in troika to build Visayas wind project appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Famed environmental warrior graces RC Manila assembly
The Rotary Club of Manila had a brilliant, unique guest speaker at its last weekly members’ meeting at the Manila Polo Club — the famed, internationally acclaimed author, lawyer, environmental activist, and recipient, in 2009, of what is regarded as the Nobel Prize of Asia, the Ramon Magsaysay Award (non-category), Antonio Oposa Jr. For about an hour and a half last Thursday, 21 September 2023, RC Manila members, officers and guests at the MPC’s Turf Room alternately stood up to sing along and listen to Oposa’s telling of “good stories,” his way, he said, of promoting and creating awareness for his advocacies and his passion for the environment. Oposa earned a law degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law. For a short time, he worked in a law firm, until he realized that his heart was not in the practice of law but rather with nature and the environment. He traveled to Norway and enrolled in a course on energy and the environment at the University of Oslo’s summer program and afterwards, to Boston, where he pursued and later obtained his LLM at the Harvard Law School in 1997. [caption id="attachment_188497" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Valiant environmental warrior Antonio Oposa: ‘My biggest achievement is that I have turned some of my adversaries into co-advocates. And what could be more inspiring now than to see their own children out there, protecting the sea?’[/caption] In 1993, Oposa made global headlines for the landmark case, Minors Oposa v Factoran where the Supreme Court ruled that the 43 children counseled by Oposa, who filed legal action against the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, seeking cancellation by the agency of existing timber license agreements and stopping the issuance of new ones, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. “The case was brought to court amid the government’s then granting over 90 logging companies permits to cut down nearly four million hectares of old-growth forest when only 850,000 hectares remained. And forests were being logged at a rate of some 200,000 hectares per year! I told the Court how my son, only three at that time, would no longer see these forests by the time he was 10. I couldn’t help thinking, that if this wasn’t stopped not a single old-growth forest would remain for him and future generations to enjoy,” Oposa said. The case had initially been dismissed in trial court on the ground that there was no legal personality to sue. Oposa elevated the case to the Supreme Court, and in a much-hailed case of intergenerational responsibility, the Supreme Court upheld the legal standing and right of the children to initiate action on their behalf and on behalf of generations yet unborn. What was so remarkable about the case is that Oposa sued on behalf of generations yet unborn and today that milestone case is known in Philippine and global jurisprudence as the “Oposa Doctrine.” For its part, the Philippine Supreme Court, too, carved a permanent niche for itself in environmental law with its promulgation of Oposa v Factoran. It secured its place in history, earning praises from the international environmental community and a reputation as a champion of the right to a healthy environment. Oposa also recounted at this talk at the RC Manila meeting last Thursday another epic landmark case involving the legal tussle he waged against 11 government agencies for the cleaning up of severely polluted Manila Bay. In December 2008, a decade after he filed that case, the Supreme Court issued a decision in his favor. In a continuing mandamus ruling, the Supreme Court ordered all defendant agencies to implement a time-bound action plan that would clean up Manila Bay and to give the Court a progress report on the matter every three months. Oposa talked about the Island Sea Camp he organized in 2001 in Bantayan Island where he gave children lessons on coral reefs, snorkeling and sustainable practices. In 2003, 2004, while holding weekend training camps for children in the Sea Camp “we noticed the rampant illegal fishing going on. Dynamite fishing and commercial fishing intrusions into prohibited coastal zones went unchecked. Something had to be done,” related Oposa. Thus, was born the Visayan Sea Squadron. “I organized a strike team with crack enforcers from the National Bureau of Investigation, Navy, fishermen, sea watch volunteers, lawyers, law students and even a few foreigners. The target was not small fishermen but crime syndicates and operators behind the sale of blasting caps and dynamite powder. Seizures and raids followed,” he said. Operations were so effective that word went out that his friend Jojo de la Victoria, the fearless Cebu City Bantay Dagat (Sea Watch) chief, and Oposa were targets of assassination. A local newspaper interviewed De la Victoria, revealing an intelligence report about illegal fishing operators putting up a P1-million bounty for him and Oposa. In 12 April 2006, 48 hours after he was interviewed, De la Victoria was felled by a hired gunman outside his house in Cebu City. “Jojo’s life was not in vain. After his funeral, a core team met for dinner to regroup. The tide of illegal fishing started to turn. Exploits of the Visayan Sea Squadron — and the courage and synergy of the men and women who made it happen — became known far and wide,” Oposa said. He continued, “Four years after Jojo died, Visayan Sea Squadron co-founder Alfredo Marañon was elected governor of Negros Occidental province. He gathered the other governors in the region to begin a restorative plan for the Visayan Sea which encompasses an area of over a million hectares. The governors passed a landmark joint resolution declaring the entire Visayan Sea a marine reserve.” For his valiant work as an environmental warrior, Oposa has been the recipient of many award in recognition of his valiant work as an environmental warrior. Aside from receiving the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2009, he was given the equally prestigious Center for International Environmental Law Award in 2008. Earlier, in 1997, he was conferred the United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Roll of Honor, the highest UN honor in the field of the environment. Asked if there was anything about his attainments that gives him the most satisfaction, Oposa said, “My biggest achievement is not that I caught this violator and that violator when we were busy with our Visayan Sea Squadron operations; it is that I have turned my adversaries into co-advocates. Some of those who had opposed me are now supporting me in my advocacies. And what could be more inspiring than to see their own children helping us out there, protecting the sea?” The post Famed environmental warrior graces RC Manila assembly appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Prime venture lights up households’ hopes
Giving Filipino families comfort in their abodes plainly is not possible without adequate electricity — a situation that Solar Tanauan Corp., a subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. led by businessman Enrique K. Razon Jr., hopes to immediately address. The renewable energy company is integrating advanced project design and execution tools into its solar plant developments in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite as part of its drive to augment affordable and clean energy supply in the country. Digital twin technology Solar Tanauan utilizes digital twin technology, drone verification of progress, optimized string sizing, and 24/7 quality assurance/quality control monitoring both at the factory and at the site. It has also conducted a Front End Engineering Design to streamline the procurement and construction phases, packaged contracting, and owner-supplied materials. These technologies allow each party to focus on their specialties, optimize risk allocation, and use software for simplifying complex earthwork assessment for terrain-following layouts. “We are proud to have the most advanced execution technology and strategy for a solar power project here in the Philippines. This is a testament to Prime Infra’s approach in deploying renewable energy projects and reaffirms our commitment to pioneer innovative solutions towards a clean energy future,” Prime Infra President and CEO Guillaume Lucci said in a statement sent to the press on Friday. Solar plants commissioned by yearend Prime Infra previously said it expects to start commissioning its 140-megawatt solar power plants in Tanauan, Batangas and Maragondon, Cavite by the end of the year. The company kicked off the construction of the plants in April. The projects are estimated to have an annual generation capacity of 202 gigawatt-hours — enough to power up over 84,000 households and displace over 100,000 tons of coal annually. The Tanauan and Maragondon solar power plants will have an installed gross capacity of up to 140 megawatts. Total annual generation capacity is estimated to power over 84,000 households and displace over 100,000 tons of coal per year. Once running, the projects will also support the national government’s bid to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s total energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. Last year, renewable energy only took up 22.8 percent of the total mix. By then, Filipino families would benefit through a steady supply of electricity at lower cost. The post Prime venture lights up households’ hopes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Aboitiz group leads coastal protection bid
The Aboitiz Foundation, Aboitiz Land, and the Communities Organized for Resource Allocation, or CORA, Foundation signed a memorandum of agreement on 13 September to further reinforce their commitment to protecting coastal ecosystems to ensure a cleaner, more sustainable future. The signatories include Aboitiz Foundation president and COO Maribeth Marasigan, Aboitiz Land senior AVP of Legal and Corporate Affairs Atty. Misch Sta. Ana, and Cora Foundation founder and executive director Antoinette Taus. The partnership’s core objective is to unify the strengths and resources of Aboitiz Land, Aboitiz Foundation and Cora Foundation in implementing the “Coastal Clean Up 2.0” in Calubcub II, San Juan, Batangas, the host community of Aboitiz Land’s Seafront Residences. Ramping up ecology protection The Coastal Clean Up 2.0 includes the implementation of capacity development initiatives, as well as the information, education, and communication activities, focused on environmental protection. These efforts target not only the local host communities but also the other stakeholders, too. “With the enduring support of Aboitiz Foundation and CORA Foundation, we are excited to embark on the Coastal Clean Up 2.0 initiative at Seafront Residences. Our strides are bolstered by the expertise of CORA, an organization celebrated for efforts in coastal conservation,” Sta. Ana said. CORA Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to forging sustainable initiatives aimed at addressing pressing global issues including hunger, poverty, inequality and climate change. With a core emphasis on volunteerism, community involvement, and inclusiveness, CORA’s initiatives prioritize the empowerment of marginalized groups, educational institutions, women, and the younger generation. “Nothing can be done without partnerships and collaborations. So to us at CORA, we really feel that this journey is meant to be, and we hope that through this coastal cleanup, it will create the spark or the ripple effect towards so much more,” Taus, a movie artist, said. Meanwhile, Aboitiz Foundation president and COO Maribeth Marasigan emphasized the importance of caring for the environment and how our present actions have a direct impact on our future. The Aboitiz Foundation has been in partnership with the CORA Foundation since 2018, jointly driving the Clean Seas Pilipinas initiative, which focuses on sustainable waste management solutions. The post Aboitiz group leads coastal protection bid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hundreds join BFAR cleanup drive
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources reported over the weekend that around 500 individuals joined the cleanup drive in Barangay Tanza Uno, Navotas City to mark this year’s observance of International Coastal Cleanup. BFAR National Director Demosthenes Escoto said that this year’s theme: “Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries,” reflects the agency’s appeal for the public to cooperate in maintaining waste-free bodies of water to ensure a thriving fisheries industry, “All bodies of water are connected, so I hope we can work together for a clean and abundant ocean. I am optimistic that by working together, we can ensure that our oceans and coastal regions continue to be a source of life, inspiration, and prosperity for all,” Escoto said. He led BFAR’s central and National Capital Region offices and stakeholders from New Era High School, Asian Social Institute and Lingkod Tao-Kalikasan in the activity, held at the Marine Tree Park in Navotas. The cleanup, held concurrently with other activities worldwide as part of the celebration, was supported by the local government of Navotas City, the Department of the Interior and Local Government - NCR, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority-Navotas. Escoto noted that the protection of natural resources is a “matter of utmost urgency and global significance,” underscoring the importance of oceans, seas, rivers, and coastal areas for the livelihoods of Filipino fisher folk. “The livelihood of millions of our countrymen depends on our ocean. So it’s fair to say that when the ocean is clean, fishing is plentiful, and livelihoods are stable,” he said. Escoto also highlighted their commitment to ocean conservation and protection, with partner institutions expressing their support for the agency’s programs, particularly those related to coastal resource management. These include the implementation of the “Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan: The National Search for Outstanding Coastal Communities,” which incentivizes local government units demonstrating exemplary sustainable fisheries development efforts. The BFAR has also launched the “Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa” or BASIL program, wherein they rehabilitate minor lakes and reservoirs located in upland and landlocked areas to restore their ecological health and bolster the populations of native and endemic fish species. The post Hundreds join BFAR cleanup drive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Playing dolphins grace Palawan coastal cleanup
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — A pod of seven dolphins was witnessed playing in the waters of El Nido, Palawan, on Saturday during International Coastal Cleanup Day. Their unexpected sighting at the El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources left spectators and environmental enthusiasts surprised, raising hopes for the health and preservation of the marine habitat in the municipality. The ENMRPA team, along with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office staff and volunteer divers, set out on a journey on 16 September to clean up the island sites of El Nido. Little did they know that the day would be marked by an encounter with marine mammals. Despite the initial excitement, the precise identification of the dolphins remained under investigation. Mildred Suza, the park operations superintendent of ENMRPA, expressed enthusiasm over the dolphin sighting, saying their presence in the protected area is an indicator of a healthy marine environment. “The presence of these marine mammals is a sign that their habitat is healthy and intact. Hence, there’s a need for further research to identify and determine the population of marine wildlife,” she said. Dolphins are considered an indicator species for the health of marine ecosystems. Their presence is associated with well-preserved habitats, making the sighting significant for conservationists and environmentalists who work to protect El Nido’s natural beauty. The environment department in Mimaropa said this occurrence is particularly timely, aligning with the ongoing global efforts led by ICC to safeguard marine ecosystems. ICC, launched in 1986 by The Ocean Conservancy, serves as a platform to unite communities in the collection and documentation of coastal litter. In the Philippines, Proclamation 470, issued in 2003, designates the third Saturday of September as ICC Day, reminding Filipinos to rid the oceans of waste and debris. The post Playing dolphins grace Palawan coastal cleanup appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»