Do you know that the controversial Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is a nationally determined contribution (NDC) of the Philippines to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)? It is that side of PUVMP which is not much publicly debated on but, as will be discussed here, it’s an important reason why…

I am a paralegal at Z. Soriano & Associates and a volunteer at Community Legal Help and Public Interest Centre. I encountered “GMO” when I was already working with the firm and I realized it’s important that people know about it. As November is National Environmental Awareness Month, I’d like to share some information about…

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…

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…

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…

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…