We are experiencing a food emergency with hunger in the Philippines categorized as a “serious problem” in the 2015 Global Hunger Index. In the past 15 years (1999-2014), the number of Filipino families who rated themselves as hungry rose from 8.3% to 18.3% based on the Social Weather Station’s (SWS) self-rated hunger survey. The SWS survey also revealed that 13.4% of families suffer from involuntary hunger in 2015. The victims of hunger are mainly children and women with where 20% of children below 5 years old are underweight, 30% are underheight, and 8% are wasted; while 31% of adults 20 years old and above are overweight or obese mainly due to increasing consumption of unhealthy food. There is minimal support for building on-farm biodiversity and promoting access to diverse diets to address nutrition security and build farm resilience against the impacts of climate change. Our farms, especially those under industrial production, depletes our soils and poisons our water and air with extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Ironically endangering the very environment that supports food production. Our trade rules and incentive measures favor more corporate food production, whereas more than 80% of our food is still produced by small holder Filipino farmers, who remain poor, hungry and malnourished. While the Philippine Constitution and laws is replete with provisions on food security, there is an urgent need for greater coherence, convergence and synergy on the various programs of government on food which are presently governed under different departments and agencies. Our Constitution explicitly statesd that the State shall defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition. We have yet to realize this Constitutional rights owing to a lack of policy framework that advances the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and the Filipinos’ right to define our own food and agriculture systems. The essence of food security and sovereignty is the total and full development of every Filipino living a life with dignity. Join us! Together, let us advance as sustainable/ecological food system for all Filipinos.

1. What goes up must come down, and farmers in ­particular have become increasingly ­concerned that livestock might swallow a lantern's wire or ­bamboo frame, or, even worse, that fires might break out in hay barns. Elsewhere, coastguards say lanterns, which can travel for several kilometres and to an ­altitude of 1,000m before the candle burns out, are routinely mistaken for distress flares. A handful of east Asian countries, such as ­Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, have already introduced bans, particularly in the lead up to ­major festivals. (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/feb/02/sky-lanterns-danger-farm-animals) 2. Countries like Argentina, Austria, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Spain, Germany, and parts of Canada and the USA have actually already banned the release of sky lanterns. (http://www.wheninmanila.com/why-we-should-not-release-balloons-skylanterns/). 3. However, the worst part of the fallout from the activity is the impact on local fauna. Reports of animals dying painfully, typically strangled by old lanterns' wires or suffocated by undecomposed paper, are frequent during this time of year. Some visitors are no doubt already aware of this, particularly following the high-profile death of an owl in the U.K. a few years ago. The bird was found suffocated and partly burnt inside the remains of a lantern... Humans are also at risk. The light emitted by lanterns sent en masse at night has been proven to be disruptive to aircraft pilots. As such, some countries like Malaysia have banned the use of sky lanterns in and around certain cities in order to prevent fatal accidents. (http://www.chinapost.com.tw/editorial/taiwan-issues/2017/02/10/491229/pingxis-sky.htm) 4. Though they are undoubtedly beautiful, even the biodegradable lanterns can be incredibly harmful to both the environment and wildlife. Sky lantern litter takes quite some time to decompose, and the wire frames have been known to strangle and maim wild animals and livestock. They also pose a significant fire hazard. Not only have they caused multiple wildfires, a sky lantern was also responsible for a massive fire at the Smethwick Recycling Plant in West Midlands, England. (http://earth911.com/living-well-being/events-entertainement/environmental-impact-traditions/) 5. With Save Philippine Seas, know more about the ills and harms of sky lantern releases here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/savephilippineseas/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1318238384932367

There is a growing number of people all over the world, and in the Philippines who are shifting to a vegan diet and lifestyle. It is a conscious choice to show love and respect for animals and Mother Earth, and to care for one's own health and well-being. People like these should not be marginalized by having practically nothing to choose from in school, office, and hospital canteens, restaurants, hotels, and other food establishments. There are a number of vegan groups on Facebook in the Philippines, such as Vegan Philippines, Manila Vegans, Vegans of Manila, among many others. These are proof that there is a growing interest in a vegan diet in the country. The members of these groups are vegans, transitioning, or vegan-curious. Aside from the people who are in vegan groups, there are countless others who prefer healthier, more ethical, and more environment-friendly food choices. There are so many reasons why a vegan diet is becoming the food choice of many: 1. COVID-19 is one of the many zoonotic diseases that have caused a lot of death and suffering in the Philippines and the rest of the world. There are also other emerging diseases from animals that could cause another pandemic such as various strains of the swine flu virus and the bubonic plague. There is no better time than now to support and promote plant-based/vegan food in the country to build health and immunity, and to prevent another pandemic from emerging. 2. Compassionate/Vegan food is an ethical choice as it does not use any animal ingredients that cause needless suffering and death to animals. Animals are sentient beings that should not suffer and die for people's taste buds. Everyone could thrive on a balanced vegan diet. There is no need to kill animals for food. See the documentary Earthlings for more information. 3. Vegan food is better for the climate. With worsening climate change, shifting to vegan food drastically reduces one's carbon footprint. A meat-based diet has been found to generate more carbon pollution than the entire transport sector. An Oxford University study found that meat-based diets result in 7.2 kg carbon emissions a day, while only 2.9 kg for a vegan diet. Recently, the DENR started promoting a plant-based to help address climate change. Also, see the documentary Cowspiracy for a better understanding of this. 4. Vegan food is kinder to Mother Earth. With the antibiotic-laden animal waste being generated by the poultry and livestock industry, so much soil and water are being polluted every single day. Livestock is fed with corn, soybeans, and grains, which require a huge amount of fertilizers and pesticides. There is also an inefficient conversion of calories of crops for food converted to animal feeds. More people would be fed by directly using grains for food than if they were converted to animal feeds. 5. Vegan food is healthier. Whole foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables are more alkaline and thus prevent many types of illnesses. Studies have shown that blood from vegans fight off cancer cells. There are also numerous studies showing vegans have a lower risk of cancer, as well as lower rates of diet-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Canada has revised their dietary guidelines with much emphasis on plant-based food. For more information on health benefits of a plant-based diet, see the documentary What the Health. People who make an effort to make conscious choices for animals, for their health, and for the planet should be provided access to these kinds of food. By providing compassionate food choices, it could also make businesses thrive. Owners of vegan restaurants and shops claim most of their customers are not even vegan but vegan-curious, who are more than happy to try healthier, more earth-friendly, and ethical food choices. This means that given alternatives, more people would start to choose better. Even non-vegans deserve to have a choice when they want to try healthier, more ethical alternatives. Vegans would like to alleviate the needless suffering and death of animals and in the process also protect the earth, the climate, and themselves. Why should hotels, restaurants, canteens, and grocers not provide vegan choices to them? In fact, everybody should have access to vegan food. The future is vegan, let us create it now by supporting and promoting vegan food.

Gina Lopez has been the only DENR secretary that has enforced our environmental laws without fear or hesitation. She has extensively visited and documented the environmental degradation of mine sites, watersheds, coastal areas, and forests, all over the country. She has comprehensively sought, listened and decisively acted on the complaints of affected communities. She is qualified to this position considering her knowledge of environmental issues and her previous experience managing development initiatives such as social enterprises, eco-tourism and the rehabilitation of the Pasig River. To ensure the continued advance for real change in your administration, Gina Lopez is imperative because: a) She can inspire people within the agency and the communities to commit towards a green economy; b) She has a solid history of being able to work with other government agencies local governments, and private sector and civil society groups to implement an integrated area development approach that is crucial to helping the poor; c) She can check and possibly end corruption in the DENR, as she herself has shown that she has zero tolerance for corruption; d) She can effectively communicate the environmental challenges we face, and inspire millions of citizens to address the issues they face at ground level. We realize that as President, you have to make choices and follow the law. But in the case of Gina Lopez, you yourself correctly recognized that powerful economic interests and corrupt politicians have obstructed your resolve to bring change to DENR. We must not allow this betrayal of the country, and the betrayal of our environment to remain unchecked. Mr. President, millions of Filipinos – especially the poor – are relying on your will to make the right decision. It is in this spirit that we, along with many of our fellow Filipino citizens, ask that Gina Lopez be re-appointed as DENR secretary.

For the past years, it has been a common tradition or practice of the devotees of Señor Santo Niño to write their letters or wishes to the Holy Child Jesus, tie it to a red balloon and release it to the air, with the mindset that their wishes and letters will reach Señor Santo Niño and will soon be answered. This action is not only a false belief but it also harms the creations that our Almighty Father told us to take care of. The balloons that the devotees release will eventually deflate and end up becoming waste and end up in our oceans where it can possibly harm marine animals.

This is important because the trees are a part of our hometown and of our families. Many of us have good memories with these trees. People were not consulted with the tree cutting which was supposed to be done by the LGU before implementing a project.We all know how long it takes for a strong tree to grow. These trees served as our protection against pollution, floods and from the scorching heat of the sun. They have served us well from generation to generation and it is time for us to protect them. As of yesterday, the DENR issued a temporary stop to the cutting of the trees. What we are asking is for a PERMANENT STOP to the cutting of the old trees.

Ten reasons why we should ban the sale of disposable plastic bottles in schools: 1. Less Waste. Less than 10% of all plastic waste generated is being recycled. The volume of plastic bottles being generated in school canteens is much too big and not all are being recycled. It doesn't make sense to continue generating this waste. 2. Safer Drinking Water. There is no assurance that water or drinks from disposable bottles are safe to drink. Many bottled water companies do not subscribe to safety standards and water quality is not much better than tap. 3. More expensive than fuel. Bottled water and sugared beverages are much too expensive, especially for students. At most times, bottled water is more expensive that soft drinks and chemical-laden sugared drinks in tetra packs. Water refilling is more allowance-friendly. Students are encouraged to drink more water if they don't have to spend too much to buy it. 4. Better access. While mineral water and bottled beverages can only be sold at school canteens, water refilling stations can be placed strategically all over schools, encouraging students to drink water more. 5. Better health. Water refilling stations provide better access to safe, affordable drinking water. Students drinking more water promote over-all better health for the school community. 6. Water miles. If we are worried about food miles, shouldn't we be also worried more about water miles? Why drink water that came from so far away, water that is bottled months, or even years ago? Transporting these drinks entail a lot of carbon footprint. Be mindful of climate change and the water miles of bottled water. 7. Making the government accountable. Just because we can buy bottled water to drink, it doesn't mean that the government is off the hook in its responsibility to provide safe drinking water for all. Promoting bottled water is allowing the transfer of responsibility to provide clean drinking water from government to the business sector. Water is a right. It should be drinkable from the tap. The government should provide it. 8. Better behavior. Hyper-activity and restlessness among children have been found to be linked to excessive sugar intake. Sugared drinks in disposable bottles are some of the culprits. By eliminating access to such drinks in schools, students can be more sober and calm and thus be in better behavior. 9. Promote healthier options in school canteens. Instead of factory-made drinks, fresh and healthy fruit and herbal drinks should be prepared in schools. 10. Generate more income. More income can be generated if water refilling stations are placed strategically all over schools. Its a win-win situation where the school still gets to earn a income from refilling stations and students get access to safe and cheaper water. Matching schools with local farmers in providing healthy, natural, and organic drinks could also generate local income rather than have the income concentrated only in big companies that bottle water and manufacture chemical and sugar-laden bottled drinks.

To reduce plastic wastes that are one of the major causes of flooding and pollution. Plastic wastes are not only clogging drainage areas but also the majority of this goes directly to the ocean harming marine animals. Most of the locals as well are still burning plastic wastes which is very harmful for the environment.