Environment

$1-billion mining investment eyed in Mati

According to officials from the mining inudstry, the Philippines's potential for growth in the sector remains good. In fact, BHP Billiton, the world's biggest miner, is interested in investing up to a billion US dollars in a nickel mine project in Mati, Davao Oriental, according to Benjamin Philip Romualdez, president of the Philippine Chamber of Mines. Romualdez said at the Asia-Pacific Mining Conference in Makati City this week that foreign companies have invested nearly $700 million in the Philippines in the past three years as a result, he said, of the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Mining Act of 1997 that opened the industry to foreigners. But environmentalists, who protested the conference, have warned of environmental destruction. (Photo: arkibongbayan.org)

Continue Reading$1-billion mining investment eyed in Mati

Philippines’s Alicia Mayer leads in annual ‘sexiest vegetarian’ poll

Isabel Roces, Corey Wills, Chin Chin Gutierrez, and Yasmien Kurdi are Still in the Running

MANILA ? Actor and FHM cover model Alicia Mayer?most recently known for her role as Sussy on the popular sitcom Lagot Ka ? Isusumbong Kita!?has taken an early lead in the annual World?s Sexiest Vegetarian poll, which was just launched on PETA.org. Mayer, who has always had a soft spot for animals, has been a vegetarian since viewing video footage of factory farms on PETA.org.

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Big banana behind Davao bet’s defeat?


Nenita Orcullo, who ran for councilor in the third district, angered Davao's banana companies. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)

By Germelina A. Lacorte |

Nenita Orcullo says because of her stand against the aerial spraying of pesticides, multinational banana companies launched a "massive campaign," which included intimidating workers in banana plantations, to make sure that she would be defeated in the May 14 elections. Orcullo, who authored the law that will implement the ban this month, said what happened to her sends a strong message to the city's officials that they, too, can be destroyed by the banana industry.

Related stories: Pilot says drift of aerial-sprayed pesticides can?t be controlled | Witness tearfully testifies at aerial spraying hearings

Continue ReadingBig banana behind Davao bet’s defeat?

Pilot says drift of aerial-sprayed pesticides can’t be controlled

Below is a press release sent by IDIS, a environmental group in Davao that is monitoring the marathon hearings on the injunction being sought by the banana companies against aerial spraying:

DAVAO CITY — A retired commercial airline pilot whose background includes waste management and pollution control testified Wednesday that even Deferential Global Positioning System-equipped airplanes used in aerial spraying doesn?t stop drift from reaching non-target areas.
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Continue ReadingPilot says drift of aerial-sprayed pesticides can’t be controlled

Witness tearfully testifies at aerial spraying hearings

Below is a press release sent by IDIS, a environemntal group in Davao that is monitoring the marathon hearings on the injunction being sought by the banana companies against aerial spraying:

DAVAO CITY — A witness of the city government in the ongoing battle over aerial spraying against the big banana aggrupation Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) twice broke into tears in Tuesday?s hearing at the regional trial court branch 17.

Cecelia Moran, a resident of barangay Dacudao in Calinan District, became emotional when she was being questioned by presiding Judge Renato Fuentes himself before the hearing adjourned.
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Continue ReadingWitness tearfully testifies at aerial spraying hearings