Writing for the Planet – How a Community’s Words Took on Plastic Pollution

Shining a spotlight on one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time—plastic pollution—the Community Legal Help and Public Interest Centre launched an essay writing contest themed ‘HOW DO WE SOLVE THE PLASTIC POLLUTION PROBLEM?’ Through this initiative, C-Help invited young voices from the community to share their ideas, experiences, and visions for a…

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The Living Bay – Debunking The Death Of Manila Bay

Photo taken by Silina Alvarado For many years, people have described Manila Bay in all sorts of ways – polluted, dying, forgotten. What’s there to save, right?   If you stroll by the bay in Mall of Asia, the image of a large, decaying body of water with foul smell and floating scraps and wastes…

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A David and Goliath legal battle to save Manila Bay

Image by Ruediger from Pixabay When I learned about the case of PAMALAKAYA, et al. v. PRA and DENR, the story of David v. Goliath came to my mind. In the biblical story of David v. Goliath, David was a young shepherd who was small and inexperienced yet with courage, agility and faith in God,…

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After the holiday shopping spree

It seems New Year has been associated by many with buying something new for oneself and loved ones. Some buy new shoes, bags, and t-shirts for the sake of having something new to wear, or show off to others, and feel good about it. After the holiday buying spree, waste of all kinds, including gift…

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Environmental Human Rights Defender’s Guide Against SLAPP Suits

Environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) are often the target of various forms of threats and intimidation.  These threats and intimidation range from simple harassment to physical, mental, and psychological assault, including incarceration or worse – death. Many have fallen victim to extrajudicial killings, and illegal or warrantless arrests. In fact, the Philippines has notoriously been…

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Quo Vadis, Manila Bay?

Image by Kris from Pixabay Manila Bay, known for its beautiful sunset, and historical significance, is also revered for its socio-economic importance and tourism value.   The proximity of Manila, the country’s capital city to the bay, boosted the country’s tourism value, with airports and seaports strategically positioned around this vast body of water that…

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Act for the Protection of the Environment and Human Rights

On August 17, National Nonprofit Day (NND) recognizes the goals and positive impacts nonprofits have on communities and the world. Nonprofits are groups of individuals who provide invaluable service, often for free or pro bono to the needy and with no capacity or means to access various government services. In the Philippines, volunteers as they…

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Mangroves Ecosystem: A VICTIM OF PLASTICS POLLUTION

Photo from YoungBean

Photo from YoungBean Mangroves are species-building ecosystem that support biodiversity, climate regulation, and coastal communities. Along with seagrass and corals, mangroves enhance the food -production capacity of our coastal and marine areas, allowing humans to greatly benefit from the oceans bounty and helping ensure global food security. Mangroves are the community’s natural defense against the…

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