Eleven countries bordering on the Seas of East Asia issued on Thursday a joint declaration affirming their commitment towards the conservation and sustainable development of coastal and marine resources in the region.

The Iloilo Ministerial Declaration entitled “East Asian Region Moving As One to Secure Healthy Oceans, People and Economies,” was adopted by environment ministers and heads of delegation during the 6th Ministerial Forum of the East Asian Seas Congress 2018 held in Iloilo City from November 27 to 30.

The 11 countries – Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, North Korea, Singapore, South Korea, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and the Philippines—are members of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), an intergovernmental organization operating in East Asia to foster and sustain healthy and resilient oceans, coasts, communities and economies across the region.

PEMSEA, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), facilitated the ministerial forum that was chaired by the Philippines, represented by DENR Undersecretary Rodolfo Garcia.

DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu hailed the Iloilo Ministerial Declaration as “a reiteration and stronger call to action” among countries within the East Asian region.

“The Seas of East Asia are the most biodiverse marine areas in the world, yet they face severe threats from climate change and densely populated coastal communities,” Cimatu pointed out.

“The declaration, supported by the respective countries’ plans of action, will ensure that partner countries will work together in addressing complex issues faced by this region,” he added.

The Iloilo Declaration recognizes the significant value and critical contribution of coastal and marine ecosystems goods and services to securing food and jobs, helping to eradicate poverty, and building resilient coastal communities and blue economies in East Asia.

To achieve these benefits, PEMSEA member nations acknowledged the need to protect coastal and marine ecosystems from the impacts of climate change and other threats, including marine-related disasters, destruction and loss of habitats and natural coastlines, biodiversity loss and degradation, and overfishing and lack of food security.

The countries also took pride of PEMSEA’s pioneering work in the region to develop best practices in the design and implementation of the integrated coastal management (ICM) approach, as well as in developing knowledge and capacity to build climate smart policies and enable ocean-based blue economies.

The ICM approach addresses the governance of human activities affecting the sustainable use of goods and services generated by coastal and marine ecosystems; while the blue economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.

Under the declaration, East Asian countries strongly believe that “PEMSEA remains relevant and is well-positioned to continue performing its role as the regional platform to ecourage the development of common policies, building capacity and orchestrating essential collaboration and scaled up actions alongside smart financing to deliver economic and social dividends, as well as protect biodiversity and address shrinking coastlines.”

“We are confident that PEMSEA will continue to facilitate regional cooperation to respond to the challenges within the context of the rapidly changing social, political, economic and environmental landscapes and encourage the region to move towards a Blue Economy and Sustainable Development of its coasts and oceans,” the declaration reads.

As part of their commitment to sustainable development, the countries will continue to work to achieve by 2021 the remaining targets set under the 2015 Da Nang Compact on ICM coverage of the region’s coastlines and the adoption and implementation of ICM national laws and policies in all countries in the region.

They also promised to regularly update the State of the Oceans and Coasts reports to highlight the contributions of coasts and oceans to economies, as well as to establish environmental, social and economic indicators to measure the development impact of initiatives on state of coasts, communities and economies.

Acknowledging the current strong momentum to tackle marine debris globally, the PEMSEA member nations agreed to significantly reduce or prevent marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based and sea-based activities, including marine litter and nutrient pollution.

The countries, through their representatives, also vowed to implement policies and programs for the sustainable management of coastal tourism destinations.

They likewise recognized the critical importance of regional collaboration in dealing with coastal and marine hazards like storm surges and tsunamis.

With respect to climate change, the PEMSEA member nations committed to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies to respond to the global phenomenon given the urgency and seriousness of its threats to the sustainable development of countries and the region.

Moreover, the 11 countries vowed to continue their efforts to improve cooperation and engagement between PEMSEA and other nations, relevant international development organizations, the private sector, NGOs, academic and research institutions, and other stakeholders.

They promised to step up the cooperation with regional organizations to achieve the targets under the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA).

“We are determined to continue working together as PEMSEA country partners to deliver our common objectives in line with the SDS-SEA and our regional and global commitments,” they added.

Finally, the countries declared that the biggest threat they face in the region is “ourselves, in the way we live our lives and the way we manage our resources.”

“We therefore strongly urge everyone to shift towards a mindset of responsible stewardship, and pledge to take bold steps to protect, manage and restore our coasts and oceans for our present and future generations,” they said.

“PEMSEA Country Partners are ready to engage citizens in East Asia and peoples in other regions to work together to secure our shared vision of healthy oceans, people and economy.” ###

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Published: 29 November 2018

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The Philippines has made notable progress in its efforts to protect the country’s rich marine ecosystems and resources despite many challenges, Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said as he welcomed participants to the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2018 that is taking place in Iloilo City from November 27 to 30.

In his welcome remarks at the opening of the EAS Congress held at the Iloilo Convention Center, Cimatu also took the chance to call for greater efforts among nations to protect coastal and marine resources in the East Asian Seas region.

The region is home to some of the most economically and ecologically important sea areas of the world, covering over 7 million square kilometers of sea area and 235,000 kilometers of coastline.

However, pressure continues to mount on coastal and ocean resources in the region with its growing population and the presence of other threats such as overfishing, unimpeded coastal development, disposal of untreated wastes and blast fishing in coral reefs, among others.

“It is essential for the region to strengthen measures in conserving coastal and marine ecosystems and its resources to ensure food security and improve poverty reduction,” Cimatu told over 900 participants from Asia, North America, Europe and Australia.

On the part of the Philippines, Cimatu said the country adopted the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) as a national strategy through Executive Order No. 533 issued in 2009.

The order mandates the DENR to develop a national ICM program in consultation with other concerned agencies, sectors and stakeholders to provide direction, technical support and guidance to local government units and stakeholders in the development and implementation of their local ICM programs.

Cimatu said the ICM has been “mainstreamed in the Philippine Development Plan of 2017-2022 to serve as one of the major strategies to ensure ecological integrity, and clean and healthy environment.”

The environment chief disclosed that there is also an ongoing effort to institutionalize ICM through legislation. Pending such, he said, the DENR continues to implement programs linked to ICM, such as the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Program.

He also mentioned that a portion of the Philippine Rise, formerly Benham Rise, has been declared as a marine resource reserve on May 15, 2018.

The Philippine Rise is a 13-million hectare undersea region, which in 2012 was declared by the United Nations as part of the country’s extended continental shelf.

Moreover, Cimatu said the recent enactment of Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act guarantees legislated protection of key biodiversity areas both in terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

“The establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) has always been considered as one of the key conservation strategies of the country in protecting its coastal resources which is now geared towards scaling-up to networks of MPAs,” Cimatu said.

Cimatu said that the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Project is another major water resource protection program being undertaken in the country to restore the bay’s waters to a level fit for swimming and other contact recreation.

Additionally, the country maintains its commitment to international multilateral environmental agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, and the Coral Triangle Initiative.

Cimatu also cited the Boracay closure and rehabilitation, which he described as a compelling evidence that environmental degradation can be reversed through strong political will.

“The closure may be viewed as a result of nature neglected in pursuit of unrestrained economic interests,” Cimatu pointed out. “Yet it may also exemplify the kind of leadership with a political will that targets to rectify the abuse and mismanagement of the environment.”

The world-famous resort island was closed to tourists on April 26 to fix sewage and other environment-related problems that have led President Rodrigo Duterte to describe it as a “cesspool.” These problems were brought about by overdevelopment, years of neglect and disregard for environmental laws.

Last October 26, Boracay was reopened to the general public after six months of rehabilitation carried out by various government agencies led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

During the first phase of Boracay rehabilitation, Cimatu said that hotels and resorts caught directly pumping out their sewage into the sea were fined and required to put their own sewage treatment facilities.

Cimatu said the wetlands, which play an important role in absorbing excess rainfall to prevent flooding and are home to native and migratory wildlife, were cleaned and recovered from illegal settlements and structures.

He added that the DENR is also implementing a sustainable tourism management approach in areas of high interest for tourists such as Boracay Island and Tubbataha Reef.

“If nature-based tourism will effectively and efficiently be put in place, not only will we be able to sustainably manage coastal resources, but we can also generate revenues for both the government and coastal communities,” he added.

The EAS Congress is a triennial regional conference organized by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA). It brings together international organizations, experts and multi-sector stakeholders to exchange knowledge and build capacity towards sustainable management and use of marine resources, seas and oceans.

PEMSEA is an intergovernmental organization operating in East Asia to foster and sustain healthy and resilient oceans, coasts, communities and economies across the region.

Aside from Cimatu, environment ministers and representatives from other PEMSEA member countries—Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, Laos, South Korea, Singapore, Timor Leste, Vietnam -- are attending the conference.

This year’s theme is “25 Years of Partnerships for Healthy Oceans, People and Economies, Moving as One with the Global Ocean Agenda.” ###

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Published: 28 November 2018

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Environment ministers, marine experts, ocean advocates, regional partners and other stakeholders have started arriving in Iloilo City for the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2018.

Over 900 participants from across Asia, Europe, North America and Australia are expected to attend the conference from November 27 to 30 at the Iloilo International Convention Center.

DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu is expected to open the congress on Tuesday (Nov. 27) with a welcome remarks. As host province, Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. is also set to welcome the delegates.

Dr. Antonio La Viña, chair of EAS Partnership Council, will give the opening remarks, to be followed by a message from UN Resident Coordinator Ola Almgren. PEMSEA Chair Emeritus Dr. Chua Thla-Eng will officially declare the opening of the 2018 EAS Congress.

The EAS Congress aims to build on the commitments under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals where East Asian countries play a crucial role in meeting the global ocean agenda: Goal No. 14 or Life Below Water, which targets the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, seas and oceans.

Organizers of the event—the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)—said delegates from government agencies, civil society, academe, business, NGOs, international agencies, funding institutions and media have confirmed their attendance to the conference.

They said that around 63% or majority of the participants are foreign delegates from PEMSEA partner countries Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, Laos, South Korea, Singapore, Timor Leste and Vietnam; and non-member countries Malaysia, Thailand, United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, France and Australia. The rest of the participants or around 37% are local delegates, they added.

Ministers, vice ministers, director generals and other senior government officials from the 11 PEMSEA partner nations are attending the EAS Congress in full force.

The highlight of the conference is the 6th Ministerial Forum where PEMSEA member countries are expected to come up with the “Iloilo Ministerial Declaration on East Asian Region, Moving as One to Secure Healthy Oceans, People and Economies.”

PEMSEA, whose headquarters is located within the DENR central office in Quezon City, is an intergovernmental organization operating in East Asia to foster and sustain healthy and resilient oceans, coasts, communities and economies across the region.

This year’s EAS Congress is also a celebration of 25 years of partnerships for healthy oceans, people and economies.

The four-day conference will feature interactive sessions and dialogues called “Ocean Talk and Sea Exchange,” the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments Forum, and presentation of regional and national State of Oceans and Coasts Reports.

There will also be “Partnership Hub” sessions focusing on different aspects of ocean management. Among the issues to be discussed are Climate and Blue Carbon, Marine Pollution and Clean Water, Biodiversity and Coastal Management, Governance and Partnerships, Research and Tools, Ocean Industry and Finance, and Blue Economy.

The resource speakers include Prof. Laura David of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, Save Philippine Seas co-founder and “chief mermaid” Anna Oposa, Communities Organized for Resource Allocation founder Antoinette Taus, and Pocholo Espina, Chief Executive Officer of Sip PH which was the recipient of the PEMSEA 2017 Youth Small Grants Competition.

The youth delegates from PEMSEA member countries, as well as Thailand and Malaysia, will have their own forum on coastal and ocean sustainability.

The EAS Congress 2018 will culminate with a tour of Iloilo City and the island province of Guimaras. ###

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Published: 25 November 2018

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By virtue of Executive Order (EO) No. 533 dated June 6, 2006, Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) was adopted as a national strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the country’s coastal and marine environment and resources and establish support mechanisms for its implementation.

Under the EO, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in consultation with other concerned, sectors, and stakeholders, was tasked to develop a National Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Program to provide direction, support and guidance to the Local Government Units (LGUs) and stakeholders in the development and implementation of their local ICM programs.

The successful adaptation and implementation of the ICM will lead to habitat protection, restoration and management of coastal municipalities, establishment of a network of marine protected areas to manage and protect fisheries resources, coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangrove forests.

1. In support of this mandate, the Philippines through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Partnerships in Environmental Management of the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) are co-organizing the 6th East Asian Sea (EAS) Congress at the Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo City on November 27 to 30, 2018.

It is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Provincial and City Governments of Iloilo.

This is the second time that the Philippines will host the Congress. The first was in 2009.

Previous Congresses were held in Malaysia in 2003, the People’s Republic of China in 2006, the Philippines in 2009, and the Republic of Korea in 2012.

The EAS Congress is a triennial conference. It was last held in Vietnam in 2015. It is a regional event which provides a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, collaborative action, partnership building and a forum for advance commitment and cooperation in achieving the shared vision of a sustainable East Asian Seas.

The Congress has established its reputation as an intellectual marketplace and ocean-based forum that uniquely focuses on the world’s most diverse and fastest-growing region.

2. The Congress aims to address ocean and coastal area degradation through the sustainable management and use of marine resources, seas and oceans.

It also aims to further strengthen the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) at the regional, national and local levels, with focus on the Sustainable Development Goal No. 14 – Life Below Water which targets the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, seas and oceans.

3. The theme of the Congress is 25 Years of Partnerships for Healthy Oceans, People and Economies, Moving as One with the Global Ocean Agenda.

4. The Congress marks a new phase for the region as it aims “to further strengthen efforts on ocean-based blue economy that is geared towards more strategic and impactful actions at the local, national, regional and even international level.”

5. The Congress will culminate in the 6th Ministerial Forum. The Forum is a triennial event that serves as an opportunity for the concerned government ministers of the region to meet and engage in policy dialogue.

It provides direction pertaining to key concerns for regional cooperation and expresses the fulfillment of their international commitments related to sustainable development. It receives reports from the East Asian Seas Partnership Council and the recommendations of the triennial East Asian Seas Congress.

The output of the Forum is the Ministerial Declaration which will be signed by all the participating Ministers.

6. In the 2015 Congress, 11 country partners signed the Da Nang Compact on the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) 2015. The countries include Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Singapore, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

The Da Nang Compact signifies the commitment of the 11 countries to strengthen ocean management at both regional and national levels within the priorities, goals and capacities of each member country. It reconfirms their commitment to reaffirm their regional coastal and marine strategy which is the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia for 2016 to 2021 (SDS-SEA).

7. The SDS-SEA is a package of applicable principles, relevant existing regional and international action programmes, agreements, and instruments, as well as implementation approaches, for achieving sustainable development of the Seas of East Asia.

It embodies the shared vision of the countries and other stakeholders for the Seas of East Asia which is sustainable development of the region’s oceans and coasts.

The signing of the Compact marked an important milestone in promoting the sustainable development of East Asian countries, as well as highlighting EAS’s vital role in setting some of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.

8. Around 1,000 stakeholders including national and local governments, the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations, bilateral and multi-lateral projects, international financial institutions, non-government and civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community and the private sector.

9. Activities in the Congress

 Ocean Talk (series of plenary sessions) combined with SEA Exchange (dialogues with partners)
 Partnership Hubs (partner-led side events)
 Youth Forum and PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) Forum which will culminate in a Ministerial Forum on the final day of the Congress
 International Exhibition (showcase of innovation and progress in meeting SDG 14 and SDS-SEA implementation
 Field visit in the island province of Guimaras, a PEMSEA integrated coastal management (ICM) site

For more info: http://eascongress2018.pemsea.org/

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Published: 19 November 2018

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Following a thorough review of the suspension and cancellation orders issued last February 8, 2017 by then DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, the DENR resolved the Motion for Reconsideration (MR) filed by 13 mining companies.

In the Resolutions issued by Secretary Roy Cimatu on November 12, 2018, three (3) out of the twelve (12) mining companies that were previously ordered closed were resolved to remain closed. The cancellation of Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) of Claver Mineral Development Corporation and Oriental Synergy Mining Corporation was affirmed. The denial of the MPSA Application of Ore Asia Mining and Development Corporation was also affirmed.

The Resolutions directed immediate and complete payment of all fines and penalties for the violations committed by these companies. DENR also ordered that no transport of ore shall be allowed until full rehabilitation is undertaken by these mining companies.

Nine (9) out of the thirteen (13) mining companies that were previously ordered closed were resolved to be suspended. These are:

1. Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation;
2. Krominco Inc.;
3. Mt. Sinai Exploration and Development Corporation;
4. Libjo Mining Corporation;
5. Wellex Mining Corporation 1 and Wellex Mining Corporation 2;
6. Carrascal Nickel Corporation;
7. AAMPHIL Natural Resources Exploration and Development Corporation;
8. Strong Built Mining Development Corporation; and
9. Emir Mineral Resources Corporation.

On top of the payment of the fines and penalties, these companies were directed to undertake corrective measures within a timetable. Failure to implement these measures will result in the reinstatement of the Cancellation Order previously issued to these companies.

Another Resolution was issued lifting the previous Suspension Order for Berong Nickel Corporation subject to implementation of corrective measures.

The decisions made by the DENR were a product of well-studied review. It largely used the findings based on the Report, “Objective, Fact-finding and Science-based Review of the Performance of Twenty-Six (26) Mining Companies” of the Technical Review Teams (TRTs) commissioned by the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC). The MICC TRTs was tasked to conduct a multi-stakeholder review to advise the DENR on the performance of existing mining operations.

Sec. Cimatu explained that when he came in as DENR Secretary in May 2018, he was confronted with the unresolved Motions for Reconsideration on the suspension and cancellation orders filed in 2017. “In order to gather the necessary data and justification of any decision regarding the suspension and cancellation, the third party audit by experts was utilized.”, Sec. Cimatu said.

In resolving the MR filed by the mining companies, the DENR considered the findings and recommendations of the previous DENR Mining Audit and the Technical Review Committee. The Regional Offices of the DENR, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) were also required to report the compliance of the 13 mining companies which filed MR to the findings of all the previous DENR audits conducted.

The MICC review covered nineteen (19) nickel mines, three (3) gold and gold and copper mines, three (3) chromite mines and two (2) magnetite/iron mines. The MICC review assessed the performance of the mining companies on five (5) aspects: Legal, Technical, Environmental, Social, and Economic. An environmental score card was devised to determine whether company’s performance is acceptable or not.

The MICC TRTs Report stated “Based on the TRT firm level reports that focused the reviews of 26 mining companies on five aspects (legal, technical, environmental, social and economic), there was basis for the DENR suspension/closure actions in 2016. Yet, while non-compliance with laws and implementing regulations appear substantial, there is a need to re-examine the penalty versus the sobriety of infractions and their impacts on society.”

Of these 26 mining companies which were issued Suspension and Cancellation Order on February 8, 2017, 13 filed Motion for Reconsideration before the DENR, 13 filed Appeal before the Office of the President. The Resolutions issued by the DENR may still be appealed to the Office of the President.

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Published: 16 November 2018

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