In our continued tracking of any GMO-permeation in Bohol, we are deeply alarmed and concerned by recent pronouncements from the top leadership of the provincial government of Bohol and the regional office of the Department of Agriculture in openly supporting and promoting GM crops, and laying out plans of establishing plantations, specifically of BT corn and golden rice, in Bohol – which, if deemed constituent to prohibited acts in Bohol’s GMO-Free Ordinance that include the rather unfortunately broad-phrased “any activity whatsoever for the propagation of or experimentation related to GMOs” in the province – if not directly violative of said ordinance, at the very least, desecrates the very intent of Bohol’s GMO-Free ordinance, that is, to protect and ensure the health of both our people and the environment from the negative threats and impacts of GMO cultivation. The Province of Bohol has clear policies in safeguarding the health of its people and ensuring the conservation and sustainable management of its environment. And with lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the urgent need to intensify Bohol’s agenda for food self-sufficiency, food security and nutrition must veer from grandiose industrialist agriculture solutions and should be oriented towards the development of resilient, sustainable and equitable food systems that are attuned to the local context, culture, and natural biodiversity. Bohol’s food revolution will be ultimately Bol-anon, and it will be GMO-free. ABOUT BOHOL's GMO-FREE POLICY In 2003, through the combined efforts of grassroots stakeholders, civil society, non-government organizations, and the provincial government of Bohol, the province of Bohol, with the passage of Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) Resolution No. 2003-235, declared itself GMO-Free or free from genetically-engineered or modified organisms (GMO), or products of genetic engineering or genetic manipulation of an organism’s genome using modern biotechnology to produce transgenic plants, animals and micro-organisms with novel traits. To further safeguard the health of Boholanos and protect the ecological integrity of Bohol from the possible disastrous ill-effects of genetically modified organisms, the SP resolution was cemented with the enforcement, shortly thereafter, of Provincial Ordinance No. 2003-010 or “The Safeguard Against GMOs”, which decrees that “no person shall conduct any laboratory or field-testing or any activity whatsoever for the propagation of or experimentation related to GMOs of any plant, animal, or microorganism in any area within the territorial jurisdiction within the Province of Bohol”. This legal instrument, along with our sustained monitoring and proactive thwarting of attempts at introducing and allowing the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops in our province, remains a landmark achievement for Bohol, oft- cited and benchmarked by other local government units (LGUs) in their bid to prevent the introduction of GMO production in their towns and provinces.

Young people defy the normal because normal was the problem. We are going to inherit the present; we are the future. The youth agenda is centered primarily on the young Filipino People, and none of the youth wanted the world to return to pre-coronavirus normal where we see how broken our society is. We see COVID-19 as an opportunity to address the current socio-economic, political and environmental issues revealed to us by the pandemic, we are now finding ways to reimagine and ratify a new world where leaders are ideal servants in words and actions. The Filipino youth wants a better normal and we will break the status quo. #BetterNormalYouthAgenda #AmbagNgKabataan

With limited mass public transportation options during Metro Manila's shift to General Community Quarantine, many Filipino workers opted to use bicycles and scooters to reach their workplace. According to our bike traffic monitoring, the southbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City was traveled on by 20 bikers per minute on June 1st, the first day of GCQ equivalent to 2,400 bikers in 2 hours. On June 2, the southbound lane served 16 bikers per minute or 1,920 bikers in 2 hours. During MECQ, the southbound lane served 14 bikers per minute on the average during the morning rush hour. These numbers cannot be ignored, and urgent solutions should be implemented with considerations on the following: 1. Safety of all road users: by having a dedicated, protected, and properly marked bike lanes, road accidents involving bikers can be mitigated. Bikers will have their own lane and would not have to pass in between cars, buses, and truck, and would prevent them from harming pedestrians on the side walks. It will be convenient, too, for other road users as it would initiate a mind shift of sharing the road with our bikers and respecting their rights to safely utilize public spaces. 2. Feasibility and sustainability of implementation: these needs are not temporary. Hence, solutions should also be permanent. Biking is now an integral part of our #BetterNormal lives, esp our workers. It should be taken as a good opportunity to promote alternatives to our inefficient mass public transportation by showing support and care to the bikers. Moving forward, bikers or biking lane should always be a part of city road planning and developments. These are needed most now more than ever. Thousand of bikers are vulnerable everyday, as long as no action is taken... The first two days of marshaling along Commonwealth Avenue showed that if you really want something to be done, you will make it happen, even if it means improvising equipment and dedicating your own time. What more with enough resources and manpower? So first things first, #ProtectedBikeLanes noooooooooow!!

In these trying times, recovery on a national scale should be our top priority. This includes everyones mental and physical capacity. We call on the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the PUP Administration to invoke an alternative education system that does not compromise quality and does not further create wider gap in achieving education for all.

Hon. Gov. Ramil L. Hernandez Provincial Governor Province of Laguna Dear Gov. Hernandez: Greetings of Health and Peace! This is to respectfully request to your good office, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist to formulate and issue a policy ordering all the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Laguna to prioritize purchase of crop and livestock produce from Lagunense Farmers, and incorporate these produce to local relief programs. As we all know, our local farmers are some of our most important frontliners amidst this COVID-19 pandemic; and among others, are very vulnerable in this trying times. Moreso, for the longest time, the sector of agriculture in the Philippines is 'crying' for concrete support and continuous improvement (modernization, human resource development, policy developments, etc.). I personally believe that the current administration is doing its very best to make Laguna farmers empowered, and to genuinely uplift themselves from impoverishment. Now, in this aggressive pandemic, our Lagunense brothers and sisters--the farmers need us more than ever. Honorable Governor, can we "utilize" of this crisis to show how we really care for our local agricultural sector, as well as our farmers? Let us formulate a mechanism to legally purchase their produce, help them sustain their livelihoods, and inspire them to continue their noble works, especially at present where we badly needed to ensure sustainable production of healthy, affordable and safe food. From my perspective, an Executive Order ordering all Laguna LGUs is a concrete stepping stone. If only your office can issue such order, it will now become a strong push factor for the province, alongside all the coordinating LGUs to once again support our local farmers. Through this, we can at least attempt to help lighten farmers entrepreneurial burden, and help in the distribution of food supply in the region. In addition, I strongly believe that the policy can even make way for Lagunenses households to maintain balanced diets, thus guarding each and everyone's nutrition. Finally, It is recognized that pursuing this mode of support for farmers is not the end-all and be-all of this pandemic. But then, as we advocate for better ecosystem in the local agricultural system, such petition will surely be of great help. I do hope that this petition will be heard. Above all, we must work hand in hand in proactively responding to this pandemic, and ensuring that no sector will be left behind. Thank you very much and more power! Respectfully yours, Justin Paolo Interno, a Lagunense and Licensed Agriculturist City of San Pedro, Laguna

This unsustainable practice has been going on for decades, unaddressed. Since 1950s, corporations have produced 800 billion tons of plastic waste. Only 9% of the world’s plastic gets recycled. The rest ends up in our dumpsites, landfills, water wastes and oceans. Continuing our dependence on it means wasting our lands to more dumpsites and landfills. To increase the recycling means building facilities for it. Recycling plastic not only requires large amounts of energy but also uses large quantities of water. Unfortunately, we do not have these facilities. We do not have these infrastructures in place to carry out this energy-intensive process to process a plastic waste we only used ONCE. Based on the data collected thru the brand audit headed by Waste 360, 30% of the wastes audited were plastic bags. A total of 4,703 pieces of plastic bags were audited. It is important to contextualize the scale each of corporations’ contribution with reference to plastic bags. On its own, plastic bags is 30% of all wastes. This can be addressed locally through implementing effective ordinances that ends the use of plastic bags in Tacloban City, and hopefully, the rest of the country. We stand for drastic reduction of plastic production. We are asking for these corporations to do the same and provide alternative delivery systems. The plastic pollution is not just a scrape, it is a poison that is slowly killing our home. We do not need a band aid; we need a cure. The ordinance banning the use of plastic bags and styrofoam on food products is the first step!

Ang isang poultry farm na itinayo malapit sa residential area ay isang malaking banta sa kalusugan ng mamamayan. Iba’t ibang sakit ang maaring idulot nito sa pamamagitan ng mga langaw at iba pang peste na tiyak mag-mumula sa dumi ng mga manok. Ikakalat ng mga langaw ang mga bacteria mula sa poultry at sa iba’t iba pang lugar na pamumugaran nito. Ayon sa mga Residente ng Brgy. Tumalim at Mataas Na Pulo, ang pag-tatayo ng poultry sa Sitio Pari Brgy. Tumalim Nasugbu Batangas ay hindi dumaan sa isang public consultation o hearing. Karamihan sa kanila ay kamakailan lamang napag-alaman na tuloy ang proyekto at hindi man lamang nabigyan ng pagkakataon na ipahayag ang kanilang mga saloobin o pagtingin sa nasabing proyekto. Ito’y lantarang paglabag sa Local Government Code na nagsasaad na walang proyektong maaaring magpatuloy ng hindi dumadaan sa tamang proseso na bukas na pagdinig at hindi inaprubahan ng nakararaming mamamayan. Walang maipakitang Environmental Compliance Certificate ang NSPFI gayon ay walang katibayan mula sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) na ang nasabing proyekto ay hindi lalabag sa mga batas na nangangalaga sa kalikasan at kapaligiran. Walang saysay ang paglago ng ating ekonomiya at pag-pasok ng ilang oportunidad gaya ng sa trabaho at extra income ng Barangay kung ang magiging kapalit nito ay ang peligro sa kalusugan ng mga mamamayan gayun alam natin na di-pribilehiyo pa din ang makapag-pagamot at magamot sa tuwing tayo’y nagkakasakit. Ang ganitong klase ng negosyo ay may direktang partisipasyon sa patuloy na pag-init ng ating mundo o “Climate Crisis” dahil ito ay isang malinaw na massive production na walang kontrol sa paglikha ng produkto. Ang kumpanya na gaya ng “NEW STAR POULTRY FARM INC. (NSPFIN) ay lilikha ng produkto na hindi naka-base sa pangangailang ng tao, kung di sa halip ay naka-base ito para sa higit na pag-tutubuan lamang. Hindi magkakaroon ng kapayapaan hanggat ang mga negosyo na katulad nito ay may malaking tangka sa kalusugan ng mga mamamayan at tangka sa pagkasira ng ating kalikasan. Ang pagkakaroon ng isang mapayapa, ligtas at malinis na komunidad ay isang malinaw nating KARAPATAN.

Our community deserves a healthy and peaceful environment. We do not want noise pollution, security and sanitation problems from the Cockpit Arena. Help us send this message to Mayor Wilfredo and hope for his positive response.

On July-August 2019, a Notice for Application of Exploration, from EPHESUS MINERALS CORPORATION was received by different towns in Camarines Norte (Paracale, Vinzons, Talisay, Daet). While the Provincial and Local Government Units involved have expressed their strong opposition to this project in writing, I feel it is important to put into a law, resolution, or mandate that will ensure that the said project will not take place now or in the future. 1. Environmental Exploitation in the form of exploration and Blacksand sand mining will affect our 15 hectare marine reserve where fish sanctuary is located. 2. It will destroy the reef that produce waves to our surfers making Bagasbas Beach a premier Surfing Destination not only in the Philippines but in the world. 3. It will destroy the reed that serves as barrier to prevent the higher ground from falling into the deep of the intercontinental shelf. 3. When it happens, coastal erosion will be evident in the coastline, intrusion of saline water into farmland takes place hence farmers will be affected. 4. The most dramatic event that will happen is that due to coastal erosion, 5 thousand plus population of Brgy Bagasbas is at risk, 3 thousand plus population of Sitio Mandulungan is at risk, 252 registered fisherfolks will lost their livelihood, Quinamanokan Island will be no longer in the map. 5. 104k Plus population in Daet that depends on fishing and its products will be indirectly affected.

HEALTH & NUTRITION: Our country is confronted with a double burden case of malnutrition: children are underweight, while adults are obese or overweight. This is associated with the increasing intake of fats, oils, sugars, syrups, and processed food; and decline in consumption of fruits and vegetables. ( https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/hunger/84126-double-burden-malnutrition-obesity-urbanization ) LIVELIHOOD & CLIMATE EMERGENCY: On top of that our country is also regularly plagued with intense storms and drought that affects our farmers and disrupts our food system. Did you know that livestock contributes as much to climate change as all cars, trucks, planes, trains, and ships in the world combined? That's 14% of all greenhouse gases! ( https://business.inquirer.net/262567/neda-ph-agriculture-losses-growing-due-to-climate-change | https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/426910)

The massive pollution and environmental effects of plastics need to be addressed in ALL the local government units in the Philippines. With our population of over 100M, the everyday use of plastics and styrofoam have led to devastating effects as they accumulate, clog and choke our waterways, cause deadly floodings, kill our marine animals, and pollute our rivers, lakes and seas. Because of these negative effects, hundreds of measures around the world have been taken since 2002— the year when the first national ban on plastic bags was enacted in Bangladesh— to reduce or regulate their use. So many other cities in Metro Manila and towns across the Philippines have progressed towards this movement. However the City of Taguig, still has not done anything and it is already 2019. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out_of_lightweight_plastic_bags) To date, these are the Metro Manila cities with bans or restrictions on plastics: Muntinlupa (Jan. 1, 2011) Las Piñas (Jan. 2, 2012) Pasig (Jan. 1, 2012) Quezon City (Sept. 1, 2012, P2.00 per bag) Pasay (Sept. 1, 2012, Bags for a fee) Makati (June 30, 2013) (https://hubpages.com/politics/List-of-Philippine-Cities-Where-Plastic-Ban-is-Implemented) We call on Mayor Lino Cayetano to address this issue and finally bring Taguig at par with all the other cities and towns that have implemented banning plastics, to play its role in protecting the environment by banning single-use plastics and styrofoam.

Palawan is an island that has prided itself in being the "World's Best Island", home of the UNESCO heritage sites: Tubbataha Reefs and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park, not to mention its other local human and wildlife inhabitants that have benefited from the clean air, water and land from it being coal-free. Back in 2014, former president Aquino said that Palawan needs adequate energy to cater to the 10 million tourists projected for 2016. “A lot of these tourists will be going to Palawan. I am sure you are aware of all the developments that are happening here plus iyong airport, i-u-upgrade din natin. And all of that plus the upstream and downstream industries will need power. And if it’s not available, then practically we are saying, parang wala na rin iyong tourism na big industry dito or iyong growth, or projected growth." (see https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/606179/aquino-not-keen-on-coal-free-palawan) But growth at what expense? Would locals not prefer a future of clean air, clean water, clean land and thriving wildlife over throngs of tourists promising "growth and development"? And what then would tourists actually keep coming for if the island's health is compromised with an unsustainable coal plant and other unsustainable infrastructure built with a short-sighted goal in mind? But civil society movements and some LGUs have shown that we can resist this from happening. They realize that there's so much at stake, and so much we need to protect. (see https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/08/05/lgus-going-green-rejecting-coal-projects/) Atty. Grizelda Mayo-Anda, who is one of the lead convenors of the civil society group Save Palawan Movement (SPM) said: “Kapag natayo ‘yan, magsisisihan na tayo sa impact. Ang hirap na nyan matanggal once that is set up. The basis that it is of national significance, with all due respect, is not sound because all they have to do is to look at the Palawan Island Power Development Plan (PIPDP). Coal is not a least cost option. Ang least cost option doon ay combination of mini hydro with diesel and bunker. We have enough power supply”. (see https://palawan-news.com/denr-gives-go-ahead-to-palawan-coal-plant/) Furthermore, the civil society group in Palawan, among others who oppose the building of new coal plants, has claimed that, apart from negating any advances we make in addressing climate change, coal power projects are dangerous to human health as it releases a number of airborne toxins and pollutants, among them mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and other particulates.