Community Empowerment
C-Help co-organizes with non-profit organizations community paralegal trainings, workshops to protect communities and advocates from strategic legal actions against public participation, and legal risks assessments. Volunteer Donate
Read MoreThe (Un)true Friend
Riddle: It is seen everywhere, it is used every day, everyone thinks it is their friend but it is not. Answer: Plastic. Some say, the very first plastic was created in 1862 and plastic bottles made of PET began to be produced in 1977. During this time, plastic was seen as the new revolutionary product…
Read MoreThe Legal Battle for Manila Bay Legacy
Twenty years ago, on Sept. 13, the Regional Trial Court in Imus City ruled in favor of concerned residents of Manila Bay and directed several government agencies “to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay and restore its water […] to make it fit for swimming, ski-diving and other forms of contact recreation.” Such noble first…
Read MoreJust and Equitable Transition in Energy for Traditional Jeepney Drivers and Operators
Transport is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs) globally, and the largest source of air pollution and energy-related GHGs, contributing to 34% of total GHG emissions in the Philippines. Thus, the Philippines aims to reduce GHG emissions by consolidating the public transport service and modernizing the jeepney fleet, amongst other efforts. In 2017, the Department…
Read MoreGolden Rice, Bt Eggplant, Bt Corn, Golden Kuhol, Masagana 99: The Common Denominator
When we hear about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture such as Golden Rice, Bt Eggplant and Bt Corn, we can’t help but liken its promises of health and economic benefits to that of Golden Kuhol’s and Masagana 99’s, some decades ago. Between 1982 and 1984, the golden apple snail (kuhol) was introduced in the…
Read MoreJust Transition in Energy (Transport Sector)
This project challenges the constitutionality of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) which is named as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Project to the UNFCCC and part of the climate solution of the Philippines. PUVMP was implemented but failed to observe due process, respect for human rights and just transition towards inclusive low- carbon…
Read MoreGO BEYOND PLASTIC
On November 15, 2022, 32 consumers filed consumer rights complaints against seven companies, namely Coca-Cola Philippines, Procter & Gamble, Pepsi Cola, Nestle, Unilever, Colgate Palmolive, and Universal Robina Corp (URC), over dangerous plastic packaging and false recycling claims. In the same month, DTI facilitated a mediation process involving the complainants and respondents, six out of…
Read MoreGMOFREE
A petition for Writ of Kalikasan and Continuing Mandamus against the commercial propagation of Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant was filed on October 17, 2022 at the Supreme Court. The petitioners filed this case because the respondents approved Biosafety Permit for commercial propagation of Golden Rice and Biosafety Permit For Direct Use As Food And…
Read MoreDEFEND MANILA BAY
According to its proponents, reclamation expands territories for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes, thus, it creates economic opportunities through massive capital investment, needed jobs and livelihood opportunities. However, the Manila Bay reclamation will adversely affect the environment through mangrove cutting, seabed dredging and dumping of soil on the coast, and these costs, for the fisherfolks,…
Read More‘Most plastics used for in food, product packaging ‘not recyclable’ – ‘Balik scientist’
Most plastics are not recyclable, according to a Filipino scientist, and while very few can be recycled, they are difficult to collect and separated from non-recyclable plastics. Dr. Jorge Emmanuel, a 2016 DOST “Balik Scientist” talked about plastic and their recyclability in his affidavit that forms part of a landmark complaint filed in November, 2022…
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