HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hopefully, less thrash/garbage on New Year's Eve celebrations. And enough of air-polluting and hand/finger-destroying fireworks.

2010 Advanced Training Workshop on Southeast Asia Regional Health Impacts and Adaptation under Climate Change

Tribute to my group, Group 1, whose research proposal was judged as the best in the culminating activity of the 2010 Advanced Training Workshop on Southeast Asia Regional Health Impacts and Adaptation under Climate Change, held in Tainan City, Taiwan on Nov. 24-30, 2010. Our research proposal is entitled, “Impact Assessment of Climatic Disasters on Health: Case Studies on Selected Southeast Asian Countries.” It was evaluated and ranked by four public health experts and our co-participants. Shown in the picture, after the announcement of the winning group, are my groupmates, namely: Uma Langkulsen (Thailand), Norela Sulaiman (Malaysia), Ramzah Dambul (Malaysia), Hoa Pham Thi (Viet Nam), and me, Ebinezer Florano(Philippines). We are now looking for possible sources of funds to conduct it.

REFLECTIONS ON THE ROLE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION

by
Paula Bianca Reyes
BA Public Administration
National College of Public Administration and Governance
University of the Philippines-Diliman

Climate change represents the greatest environmental, social and economic failure the world has seen. Although we can say that by almost every measure, life is the easiest at present, we cannot deny the fact that climate change is happening faster, with larger impacts and bigger risks.

Public administration is a "field of inquiry with a diverse scope", of which the fundamental goal is to advance management and policies so that government can function (Rabin 1989). Through planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of different policies, the role of Public Administration in climate change adaptation and mitigation is becoming visible nowadays. It is concerned with the vital process of policy formulation and implementation. It is public demand that will create solutions. Through the different laws and policies created by our government, we are guided to take part in the transformation. According to James Meadowcroft, creating and implementing different public policies, institutions, plans and measures, shaped with effectiveness, efficiency and equity will promote mitigation of, and adaptation to, human induced climate change.

Presence of good leaders, officials and legislators will initiate good climate change governance. The government can do something like creating strategic policy frameworks, setting up governance innovations that would change the patterns of productions and consumptions and so as the development and deployment of technologies. Public Administration’s task is to build greater public awareness and understanding of the importance of climate change adaptation.

Public participation and responsiveness is very essential in addressing climate change. The government must educate the public about climate change and the consequences that we are all facing because of it. Public awareness must be present for all these to happen. Public administrators then begin to set up appropriate organizational responses- considering the national interest of the Philippines. There are many policy options for promoting climate change mitigation. The government has to analyze the most appropriate strategy and pursue most vigorously the measures that address the country’s economic, social and environmental goals.


For the very first time in the history, every country is faced with a common threat that is likely to trigger humanity and other forms of life and Public Administration has a significant role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.


*References:
Meadowcroft, James (2009). “Climate Change Governance.” World Bank Policy Policy Research Working Paper No. 4941.
Rabin, Eds Jack, Handbook of Public Administration. 1989: Marcel Dekker, NY. p. iii

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by
Karlo James Diaz
BA Public Administration
National College of Public Administration and Governance
University of the Philippines-Diliman

What is the role of Public Administration in climate change adaptation and mitigation? The question can be dissected into two parts. On one hand is the expression of the need for climate change adaptation and mitigation and on the other is the presentation of a subject capable of coordinating conformity and compliance to formulated and accepted methods on carrying both about.

With climate change, the very cycles in nature are disturbed and restructured. The general rule of thumbs is for its inhabitants to develop ways of either adapting to the changes or trying to minimize the rate of change and altogether preventing it or the mixture of both. How this would be uniformly imbibed throughout a locale becomes a point of concern.

The state is the instrument for which social order is derived and accepted norms are upheld. It is the organization obligated to deliver basic services to alleviate social ills and secure the welfare of its denizens whether to maintain the status quo or institutionalize deviations from a familiar pattern of living. It is the perfect device for the purposes of the advocacy.

Public Administration is how the implementation could be concretized and in order to survive this global threat that is climate change, it must be properly utilized stretching the imagination to its limits and using its concepts in the most beneficial manner. Governance for example requires the participation of the government, the private sector, and the civil society in a harmonized manner. Research in the sciences and technologies and the assimilation of values are necessary to reach the ends.

Concrete examples in this execution include the engaged commitment of leaders to the cause and creation of political bodies specifically designed for climate change adaptation and mitigation, shift of paradigm from using traditional energy sources to alternative sources of energy and putting a premium on using eco-friendly technology. It is important to stress that climate change is not a phantasm concept and that its dangers are serious and not just products of the minds of overly imaginative theoretical scientists.

Readily dismissed as a foregone conclusion, the inevitable increase in the earth’s temperature due to the continuing rise of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere warrants the shift in archetype of policies by the government through Public Administration in a two-pronged manner which is adaptation to the problem and efforts on its mitigation. Before reaching an international resolution regarding climate change which is a very tasking endeavor, nations within their selves must realize their own strategic policy framework with the interest of the people they serve in mind.

Forum on REDD+ and Corruption in the Environment Sector

The Center for Policy and Executive Development (CPED) of the U.P. National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) invites everyone to attend its Forum on "Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and Corruption in the Environment Sector" on Wednesday, 15th December 2010, 1 to 5PM at the Case Room of the UP-NCPAG Building, Diliman Campus, Quezon City. See you all at the REDD+ and Anti-Corruption Forum!

Speakers:
1. Dr. Bernd-Markus Liss - "REDD+ and Governance Issues"
GTZ Principal Advisor
DENR-BMU REDD Project

2. Ms. Marlea P. Munez - "REDD+ and Corruption"
President
Women's Initiatives for Society, Culture and Environment, Inc.

3. Atty. Daniel M. Nicer - "DENR's Anti-Corruption and Integrity Agenda"
Assistant Secretary
Administrative Reforms and Anti-Corruption Measures
Department of Environment and Natural Resources

4. Dr. J. Prospero E. de Vera III - "The Anti-Corruption Agenda of the Aquino Administration"
Professor and Director
Center for Policy and Executive Development, UP-NCPAG

Moderator: Dr. Ebinezer R. Florano

Community-Based Vulnerability Assessment for Climate Adaptation

By Vangie Padilla on Sep 25th, 2010
Source: PangalaTALK.com - Pangasinan's Finest News Source
http://www.pangalatalk.com/newscontent.php?ShowNews=409

A workshop on "Community-Based Vulnerability Assessment for Climate Change Adaptation" for the city was conducted last September 20 by undergraduate students in public administration of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) at the Product Center in Poblacion Oeste here.

The workshop sought to draw up and share prevalent issues on climate change adaptation measures. Participants were appraised on various climate change-related disasters that have hit Dagupan for the last 30 years, including their types, frequencies, magnitudes, and damages. Department of the Interior and Local Government Officer Rhoderick Dawis provided the participants inputs on the frequency, magnitude and damages the city suffered from the 1990 earthquake, while City Health Officer Leonard Carbonell presented the climate change adaptation measures of Dagupan.

Based on the students’ output, Dagupan will be greatly vulnerable to great floods, earthquake and storm surges by the time the effect of global warming peaks ten years from now. Professor Ebinezer R. Florano, assistant professor of the UP NCPAG said, "People have the right to be informed on the possible ramifications of climate change to local situations especially on the people’s main source of livelihood here, the fishponds."

"The people need not be afraid but they have to be prepared," said Florano. In his message, City Administrator Vladimir T. Mata said for the program to succeed, "we need to change the mindset of our people so they will learn to accept the program." He cited the mayor’s main program anchored on his inaugural message that Dagupan is 'our city, our shared responsibility'," The city will be provided with a copy of the report on the workshop, which will be used in the city's risk estimation and valuation. (CIO – Joseph C. Bacani)

GOOD NEWS!: DOLE to launch campaign for green workers

By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 22, 2010 12:00 AM
Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=632362&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is soon coming out with a program to generate not only productive but also environment-friendly workers.

Ciriaco Lagunzad III, executive director of the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), said they are set to launch tomorrow the “Green My Enterprise (Green ME)” program.

Lagunzad said the program would utilize green productivity technologies to achieve higher levels of workers’ productivity and better environmental performance.

He said the program, to be pilot-tested in the different regions next year, aims to train workers in micro, small, and medium enterprises on environment-friendly technologies.

“Green productivity must start with the workers by reducing the adverse effects of climate change,” he said.

According to Lagunzad, the NWPC, together with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards, also plans to coordinate with other government agencies to obtain inputs and expertise on the productivity program.

The Asian Productivity Organization, the leading advocate of productivity in Asia, has defined green productivity as a strategy which combines the appropriate technology and environmental management tools, techniques and technologies that reduce the environmental impact of an organization’s activities, products, and services while enhancing profitability and competitive advantage.

The NWPC’s green productivity techniques range from simple housekeeping to designing green products, from process modification to waste management and energy efficiency measures.

“As an advocacy, the DOLE bats for green workplaces and the creation of green jobs,” said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, as she noted that climate change also affects the world of work.

She said DOLE has intensified its efforts to address climate change with the adoption of programs such as the advocacy for green jobs.

GREEN GROWTH by ER Florano

Figure 1: The Four Elements of Green Growth (Adopted with modifications from the original model of Woo 2009. Woo is Secretary-General of South Korea’s Presidential Committee on Green Growth)

Green Growth: Concept and Pillars

“Green Growth” (GG) is a strategy for “sustainable development.” It recognizes that the present generation, not only the future generations, must be saved from the onslaughts of natural and man-made disasters brought about by the pursuit of economic development which should not be stifled, for a win-win situation. In a more technical sense, GG is an eco-efficiency based strategy which “advocates growth in GDP that maintains or restores environmental quality and ecological integrity, while meeting the needs of all people with the lowest possible environmental impacts. It is a strategy that seeks to maximize economic output while minimizing the ecological burdens” (UNESCAP 2008a:3). In 2005, GG was adopted by 52 governments in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines, as a path for development.

GG has four pillars, namely: (1) eco-tax reform, (2) sustainable infrastructure, (3) greening of business, and (4) sustainable consumption (UNESCAP 2008b:18).

Eco-tax reform requires the internalization of environmental costs in the market and revenue neutrality, i.e., green taxes should not pose as an additional burden.

Sustainable infrastructure calls for eco-efficiency, that is, less consumption of natural resources (e.g., energy, water, land and raw materials) and less pollution during the construction and usage of infrastructure.

Greening business advocates for environmentally-sustainable business practices which would require the less utilization of natural capital (i.e., ecosystem goods and ecosystem services).

Finally, sustainable consumption involves changing the lifestyle of people that would make them less eco-efficient in their utilization of ecosystem goods (all taken from UNESCAP 2008a:4).

A Framework for Green Growth

South Korea is at the forefront in operationalizing and implementing strategies for GG since 2008 through its national economic development paradigm aptly called “Low-Carbon Green Growth” which seeks “to effectively address climate change and energy issues and promote sustainable development” (ROK 2010: 24) Its motto is: “as we go green – we generate money and jobs” (Woo 2009). Its green development framework has four elements, namely: (1) clean energy paradigm, (2) green technology as a new engine for growth, (3) improvement of the quality of life, and (4) green leadership (Woo 2009). Even though South Korea has just started with this new path for development, the world has taken cognizance of its successes so far. Hence, its strategies for GG might be worth emulating.

The clean energy paradigm aims to mitigate the effects of climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gasses emissions that emanate from local industries and transportation; and the aggressive development of renewable sources of energy. This paradigm also aims to build resilient communities which can withstand climate change and man-made disasters through climate change adaptation, early warning system, the protection of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and ensuring food security.

The clean energy paradigm is supported by the development of green technologies. Government agencies and the business sector invest on green research and development (R & D), and in cooperation with academic institutions, develop green technologies that lessen the emissions of pollution and GHGs in the atmosphere. In the process, green jobs and small and medium-scale enterprises are created. Local eco-tax is utilized not only to stop pollution but also to generate funds for green R & D.

Improving the quality of life requires “green life revolution,” i.e., gradually reducing people’s heavy dependence on ecosystem goods and services to one that recycles and consumes less. Massive information and education campaigns on green living, whether on the road, at home, in offices/work places, in schools, or in recreational spaces, are to be undertaken to instigate this revolution.

Finally, to sustain GG, green leadership in the locality needs to be cultivated. Green leaders, among politicians and from the youth sector, must be trained on the essence of GG so that they could continue the gains of their cohorts or predecessors. These green leaders can be administratively supported by civil servants who have been oriented on GG strategies mentioned above, including the formulation and implementation of green public policies, socio-economic development plans, comprehensive land use plans; and finally, the sourcing and allocation of funds.

These four elements are interdependent – the improvement of the quality of people’s lives depend on the development of clean energy largely brought about by the use of green technology which are all supported by the political will of green leaders (see Figure 1).

References

Republic of Korea (2010). Framework Act on Low Carbon, Green Growth.

UNESCAP (2008a). The Green Growth Approach for Climate Action (draft). Bangkok, Thailand: UNESCAP.

UNESCAP (2008b). Greening Growth in the Asia and the Pacific. Bangkok, Thailand: UNESCAP.

Woo, Ki Jong (2009). “Creating Opportunities through Green Growth.” A PowerPoint presentation made at the 22nd General Assembly and Conference the Eastern Regional Organization on Public Administration (EROPA) on "Public Governance in Challenging Economic Times: Human Resource Development at the Battlefront" held in Seoul, Korea on 19-23 October 2009.

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION - 5th National Conference in Human Ecology

5th National Conference in Human Ecology
November 26-27, 2010, UP Los Banos, College, Laguna

Theme: Keeping Human Ecology Moving, Human Ecologists Engaging

Objectives of the Conference:

1. To review and recommend the role(s) of human ecology in attaining human centered, self-reliant and ecologically stable communities in the country
2. To discover and document best practices in multi/interdisciplinary studies and application towards sustainable towns and cities
3. To facilitate sharing and learning experiences among believers and practitioners in/of human ecology


Hosted by: UPLB College of Human Ecology, CHE Alumni Association, and Human Ecology Institute of the Philippines, Inc. (HUMEIN-Phils)

Possible Topics:

- Good Governance: local government planning and practices; integrated population, health, and environment (PHE) governance, integrating nutrition considerations in development planning, environmental governance and green politics, special education, social services delivery
- Community-Based and/or Ecosystems-Based Resource Management: coastal resources management, watershed management, reef-to-ridge resource planning and management, disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, planning for new settlements, human settlements rehabilitation, etc.
- Poverty Alleviation through: sustainable livelihoods, social entrepreneurship, micro-enterprises, corporate social responsibility, eco-tourism, etc.

For more information, please email: conference@humein-phils.org. See also HUMEIN's website at http://www.humein-phils.org/

7 of 10 Filipinos Believe Climate Change Dangerous to Environment, Families - Survey

7 of 10 Pinoys believe climate change dangerous to environment, families - survey

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=603478&publicationSubCategoryId=63
By Helen Flores and Amanda Fisher (The Philippine Star)
Updated August 17, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (6)


MANILA, Philippines - Seven of every 10 Filipinos acknowledge the dangers posed by climate change to the environment, with Metro Manila residents voicing the biggest concern, results of the latest Pulse Asia “Ulat ng Bayan” survey show.

According to the survey, the percentage of Filipinos who are worried about the dangers of climate change has gone up to 71 percent from 61 percent two years ago.

Pulse Asia also said the figure was a high 84 percent in Metro Manila, possibly because of tropical storm “Ondoy” last year which flooded most of the capital and killed close to 500 people.

It also attributed the rising awareness about climate change among Metro Manila’s 12 million residents to a drought this year that caused severe water shortage.

The same survey also showed that 21 percent of Filipinos believe God is punishing humans for their evil deeds by inflicting environmental catastrophes on them, although the figure is lower than the 23 percent recorded two years ago. The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic.

The survey was conducted from July 1 to 11 and involved interviews with 1,200 respondents.

Based on the survey, two in three Filipinos noticed a “big change” in the country’s climate over the past three years, and almost half said they had “little or no knowledge” of the climate change phenomenon.

The survey also found that 66 percent of Filipinos experienced a big change in climate in their places in the past three years.

On the other hand, 11 percent of respondents said there was little change in the climate in their areas during the period, while 23 percent were undecided on the matter. Public ambivalence was most pronounced in Mindanao (33 percent) and the least in Metro Manila (12 percent) and the Visayas (14 percent).

“Between July 2008 and July 2010, more Filipinos felt a big change in the climate in their place (+8 percentage points) while slightly fewer expressed ambivalence on the matter (-6 percentage points),” Pulse Asia said.

Almost 80 percent of Metro Manilans – the highest in the country – noted a big change in local climate. Metro Manila residents who claimed knowledge of climate change made up 63 percent, based on the survey.

In Mindanao, 52 percent of respondents have reported little or no knowledge of climate change. Similarly, the region had the smallest percentage of residents across the country that had noticed a big change in climate, at only 58 percent.

Meanwhile, two thirds of the respondents said recent weather-related calamities in the country and around the world were primarily the result of “human-induced environmental destruction.”

Sixty-three percent of survey respondents expressed belief that the various calamities that hit the Philippines and other countries in recent months had been the result of “humanity’s environmentally destructive ways.”

On the other hand, two in 10 Filipinos see these calamities as “God’s way of warning or punishing countries that have turned evil ways.”

Fourteen percent of respondents believe these calamities are only part of a process that naturally occurs worldwide.

The good news is more Filipinos are ready to take action, like recycling and segregating waste as well as planting trees. Up to 30 percent of those surveyed said they were willing to do more for the environment, such as educate others. However, 10 percent said they would not do anything more to protect the environment.

Pulse Asia describes climate change as “any long-term significant change in the average weather that a given region experiences.”

Asked to comment on the Pulse Asia survey, Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul said there is a need to intensify the campaign to educate the public on climate change.

“What we are experiencing now is not ordinary. There are a lot of changes attributable to both man-induced climate change and natural variability. Enhanced information campaign understandable to our people about this issue needs to be done,” he said in text message to The STAR.

“We are in the midst of climate-related uncertain times,” Yumul added.

U.P. SYSTEM-WIDE FORUM ON "REDUCING RISKS AND DISASTERS DUE TO RAINFALL VARIABILITY"

IN MEMORIAM GOVERNOR EMILIO "DODO" MACIAS II, NEGROS ORIENTAL

This blog joins the people of Negros Oriental in mourning for the death of its beloved Governor, Hon. Emilio "Dodo" Macias II, who succumbed to death due to multiple complications caused by liver cancer. He died on June 13,2010, Sunday, at 3 a.m. at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City. He was airlifted to the said hospital immediately after the May 10 elections where he won another term as Governor.

Like the deceased Naujan Mayor Romar Marcos of Oriental Mindoro (see story below), Governor Dodo Macias became one of our subjects for our cases of successful "green politicians" for our study entitled, "Green Vote in Philippine Politics: The May 10, 2010 Elections." Both won another term but died immediately after their re-election. Hard work in governance plus physical exhaustion, stress, and emotional heartaches could have contributed to the complications of their illnesses. Maybe our hardworking green politicians should also think about their health, not just their missions in protecting Mother Earth and improving the lives of their constituents. Their loss is also ours; we will have fewer environmental allies at the local government level. For more information about the legacies of Governor Dodo, please read the column of Prof. Leonor M. Briones, a respected teacher in the U.P. National College of Public Administration and Governance, and a native of the beautiful Dumaguete City of Negros Oriental.

Governor Dodo will be remembered when we publish our study.

Newsclippings:

1. http://leonormbriones.blogspot.com/2010/06/so-long-dodo.html
2. http://www.negor.gov.ph/

IN MEMORIAM MAYOR ROMAR MARCOS, MUNICIPALITY OF NAUJAN, ORIENTAL MINDORO

This blogspot joins the people of the Municipality of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, in mourning for the untimely demise of its beloved Mayor, Honorable Romar G. Marcos, who was just recently re-elected to his post during the May 10, 2010 elections. Mayor Marcos died today, June 8, 4:30 a.m. at the Philippine General Hospital due to a liver ailment.

Mayor Marcos will be remembered for pursuing "environmental protection" as part of his development plans encapsuled in the acronym HEART which stands for: H for health; E for education, environment and employment; A for agriculture and livelihood; R for roads and infrastructure; and T for tourism, trade and telecommunications. He made headlines in Or. Mindoro when he questioned the construction of gabion in 2006 in Barangay San Andres which he thought caused the severe flashloods in his municipality since then. In January 2010, a sudden flashflood in Naujan caused the death of two Naujenos. Mayor Marcos led the rescue operations.

Mayor Marcos was one of our "green politicians" who accepted our invitation to be a case study in the research study entitled, "Green Vote in Philippine Politics: The May 10, 2010 Elections" which will be presented at the latter part of this year. In our modest way, we will remember and honor Mayor Marcos through this study.

News clippings:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20100608-274528/Reelectionist-Mindoro-Or-mayor-passes-away
http://mindoropost.com/2010/01/19/flood-leaves-trail-of-devastation-in-naujan/
http://en.wordpress.com/tag/romar-marcos/

NCPAG promotes “green vote”

NCPAG promotes “green vote”
KIM Quilinguing



To promote environmental issues as a run-up to the forthcoming elections, the UP Samahan Tungo sa Progresibong Administrasyon (UP-STPA) and the UP Diliman National College of Public Administration and Governance (UPD NCPAG) organized on February 3, 2010 the forum “Mga Kandidato ng Kalikasan at Kapaligiran: May Boboto Ba?” at the NCPAG Assembly Hall.

The forum was one of the launching activities of the College’s “Green Vote, Green Growth Movement.” Spearheaded by Prof. Ebinezer Florano, the movement aims to scrutinize the environmental agenda of political groups and candidates. The forum guests included presidential candidate Nicanor Perlas, vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda, senatorial candidate Nereus Acosta, and Roy Cabonegro of Partido Kalikasan ng Pilipinas as speakers.

Legarda spoke of the Philippines’ lack of implementation of its environmental laws. She also talked of the difficulty of mustering enough support for environmental legislation, since her colleagues prefer to focus more on employment, poverty, or national security. Legarda even complained that if not for natural disasters, nobody would have paid attention to her environmental bills.

Cabonegro, secretary general of Partido Kalikasan ng Pilipinas, urged government to shift from its neo-liberal policies on the environment toward a policy which would involve local communities and local government. Cabonegro favored a 25-year ban on commercial logging and a moratorium on mining by foreign firms.

For his part, Acosta said that one reason for the lack of implementation of environmental laws is the government’s inability to define protected areas. Acosta also wanted to disprove the notion that environmental protection runs counter to business.

Perlas, however, warned the audience of an environmental crisis. He cited Acosta’s presentation which showed the rise in sea levels in the next 20 to 25 years and the extreme typhoons and droughts. Perlas emphasized the need for re-structuring population centers to better equip them to respond to disasters. He insisted that “green issues” should be viewed as life-or-death questions.

Professor Leonor Briones of NCPAG called for “climate sensitive agendas” and policies that will develop citizens to be environmental conservationists. She also questioned the current practice of relegating the handling of calamity funds to the Office of the President, instead of to units and organizations directly involved in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Source: http://www.up.edu.ph/upnewsletter.php?issue=63&i=1138

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS ON HOW TO CHOOSE GREEN CANDIDATES

By
Rina Jimenez-David

1. Thou shall not vote for candidates using the 4Cs to win: Guns, Goons, Gold, and Garbage. Vote for candidates who stand for the essential Ms in the genuine exercise of the right of suffrage: Malinis, Maayos, Matipid, Mapanindigan, Marangal, Mapayapa, Makatao, Maka-kalikasan, and Maka-Diyos. Support candidates known for their simple, pro-people and ecological lifestyle.

2. Thou shall not support candidates who nail, staple, strap or plaster campaign materials on defenseless trees and other restricted sites. Vote for candidates who plant and love trees, use the least amount of campaign materials and abide by the campaign rules.

3. Thou shall not pick candidates who use smoke-belching vehicles that contribute to worsening air quality. Go for candidates on bicycles rather than those who come in convoy of cars. Vote for those who use fewer vehicles in motorcades to reduce fuel consumption and car emissions.

4. Thou shall not fall for candidates who make beautiful speeches about their love for the people and the environment but fail to match their words with deeds. Does the candidate walk his talk? Check if he/she is engaged in any environmental advocacy or project, or has financial interest in any polluting or environmentally-destructive business. Vote for those who live by what they say.

5. Thou shall not select candidates who profess to protect the environment, but are mute on what they intend to do. Ask the candidates, point-blank, how they intend to serve the interest of the environment. Vote for those who will work earnestly to heal and protect the environment.

6. Thou shall not choose candidates who are hooked to the outmoded “hakot-tambak-sunog” and fail to shut down illegal dumps. Vote for those who segregate their discards at home and in the work place and support ecological, low-cost and community-driven alternatives to dumps, landfills and incinerators.

7. Thou shall not vote for candidates who ignore the health, environmental, socio-economic and human rights concerns against “sanitary” landfills, “waste-to-energy,” dams and similar infrastructure plans. Vote for candidates who assert the people’s sovereign rights to a clean, safe and healthy environment. Go for candidates who will work for sustainable economy that will respond to people’s basic needs and not to the dictates of the World Bank and other international funding institutions.

8. Thou shall not elect candidates who want to build big dams and allow mining, logging and other extractive industries to rape our land and abuse human rights, especially the rights of our indigenous peoples. Vote for those who will take up the cudgels for the human as well as non-human victims, such as trees, plants and wildlife, of environmentally-damaging human activities.

9. Thou shall not back candidates who will not take action against the health and safety threats of genetically modified crops and food products. Vote for candidates who will advance the people’s right to safe and healthy food as well as food production systems that nurture the earth.

10. Thou shall not vote for candidates who refuse to acknowledge global warming. Vote for candidates who see the need for preventive and precautionary actions to stop climate change. For instance, go for candidates who oppose new coal power projects and support community-owned utilities using renewable energy sources.

Source: Magis Deo (2007), "Vote for Green Candidates," available at http://www.magisdeo.org/wcm/content/view/68/1/ (Viewed on 10 January 2010).

MAR ROXAS: CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT MY PRIORITY

We now know the position of Vice-Presidential Candidate Mar Roxas on environment and climate change. In the recently-held Vice-Presidential Debate, Roxas belittled Senator Loren Legarda’s prioritization of climate change and the environment (see press release below from Roxas’ Senate office) in her agenda. He does not believe or maybe he does not know “Green Growth” – that economic development can be achieved while protecting the environment. He probably does not know that “Green Growth” has been adopted as a paradigm for development in the Asia-Pacific region since 2005 by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) (http://www.greengrowth.org/). Moreover, he probably does not know that South Korea, one of the economic tigers in Asia, has been pursuing “Low Carbon, Green Growth” under the leadership of its environmentalist President, Lee Myung-Bak, since 2008 (http://www.unep.org/pdf/OP_Feb/EN/OP-2010-02-EN-ARTICLE1.pdf). Finally, and the most important, Roxas probably does not know that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has adopted “green growth” as a strategy for the 2010-2016 Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/235678/neda-pushes-green-growth-dev-t-plan). Will Roxas ignore the MTPDP if it goes against his “priority”?

The GVGG Movement believes that there should be a top-ranking environmental officer (President or Vice-President) at the executive branch (aside from the Environment Secretary) to help balance the politics of environment-development debate in the national government. Roxas has made his position known and we heard it loud and clear. Hence, the GVGG Movement now declares its unequivocal support for the candidacy of LOREN LEGARDA for Vice-President of the Philippines. VOTE FOR LOREN LEGARDA FOR VICE-PRESIDENT ON MAY 10, 2010.

Press Release
March 27, 2010
ROXAS ADVOCACY CENTERED ON JOB CREATION, ECONOMIC STABILITY

Liberal vice presidential candidate Senator Mar Roxas did not have any intention to set aside the Climate Change issue during Sunday's "Harapan: The Vice Presidential Debate."

Roxas said perennial VP survey second-placer Loren Legarda deliberately twisted his motive when he asked about her keen interest on the subject to give the public the false impression that he did not care about the environment.

"The point I was making in the debate is that Senadora and I have an honest difference of opinion of what should be the priority for the next Vice President, the next government and for every Filipino family," Roxas explained.

Unlike Legarda whose campaign is centered on her environment advocacy, Roxas firmly believes the administration should focus on job creation, higher wages, and lower prices of critical goods and services like medicines, food and education. "That is what I will be working on," he promised.

He added: "This is an honest difference of opinion. There is really no need for Senadora to engage in political name-calling. I'm disappointed. The voters deserve better than that."

Legarda, the day after the vice presidential debate, publicly rebuked Roxas for allegedly belittling the impact of Climate Change in the country and said this showed his ignorance and insensitivity to the people threatened by the effects of food and water shortage - two of the adverse consequences of the El Niño phenomenon. She offered to give Roxas a tutorial on Climate Change issues.

"Let me thank Senadora for her offer. But actually, I know quite a bit about both climate change and environmental issues," he said, adding: "I am confident in the wisdom and intelligence of the Filipino to choose what is most important to them and for the nation. I choose job creation, and making prices affordable."

Source: http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2010/0327_roxas1.asp

This press release is a damage-control measure because what was really evident during the debate was Roxas' condescending attitude on Legarda's environmental and climate change advocacies. Roxas' remarks really show his ignorance about global cooperation against climate change - that no matter how small the contribution the Philippine makes to GHG emission - its cumulative and transboundary effects can be felt worldwide. And it matters even more because the Philippines, a Third World country, is at the receiving end of the global warming's devastating effects. Read his remarks below:

“Senadora, matagal na po kayong nasa public eye, 20 taon bilang brodkaster, tumakbo bilang senador, tumakbo bilang bise presidente, tumakbo bilang senador muli, at kilala na po kayo sa ating buong bansa. Sa halalang ito, yung inyong pagtangkilik sa environment ang siyang pinaka sentro ng inyong programa. Bakit po ito ang sentro samantalang ang Pilipino — ang Pilipinas — ay less than one percent ng problema sa kabuuan ng climate change?”

10 MILLION MOVEMENT: EARTH DAY-PHILIPPINES CELEBRATION ON APRIL 22, 2010

Green Vote, Green Growth joined the 10 Million Movement (10MM) of the Earth Day Network Philippines in celebration of Earth Day on APRIL 22, 2010. Sign up and leave your print at http://www.10mm.ph/

PERLAS, JAMBY TOP 'GREEN VOTING'

MANILA, Philippines - If pails lined up in front of Quezon City Hall yesterday morning were to signify anything, it would be the presidential candidates’ ranking on their platforms for clean water.

Three groups conducted a survey to find out how candidates would tackle water pollution in the country.

In the survey conducted by Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Ecowaste Coalition, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas topped the ranks with 8.7 points, followed by Sen. Jamby Madrigal with 7.8 points, and Sen. Richard Gordon with 7.2.

Eddie Villanueva placed fourth with 4.8 points, on a scoreboard of 1 to 10.
Senators Manuel Villar and Benigno Aquino III got 3.6 points, while councilor JC Delos Reyes got 2.7 points.

Former President Joseph Estrada and former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro received zero points for not answering questions sent to them.

The two groups said Perlas, Madrigal and Gordon got the highest points for their clear, comprehensive and progressive positions and plans on protecting water resources.

World Water Day

Greenpeace and Ecowaste undertook the activity yesterday morning to mark World Water Day, using pails to show how candidates ranked on “green topics.”
They conducted the Green Electoral Initiative survey among nine candidates, sending the questions until last February.

Candidates were asked questions such as: “If elected president, what specific steps will you take to ensure the availability of clean water sources in the country?” and “Are you for or against amending the Clean Water Act to incorporate and institutionalize a framework of Zero Discharge of hazardous chemicals from factories and domestic sources?”

“We would like to know their insights on their plans for the water issue, particular the problem of water pollution and the lack of clean water,” Manny Calonzo of Ecowaste said.

“This is the first in a series of ‘green’ rankings that we will release to inform the voters how those aspiring to lead our nation intend to tackle the country’s environmental woes such as the declining quality and quantity of our freshwater sources due to the continued generation and discharge of pollutants from household, agricultural and industrial sources,” Calonzo said.

He said many candidates focused on enforcement as key to addressing water pollution.
Perlas said it was urgent to have a comprehensive land use plan to delineate watershed areas.

Madrigal plans to enforce a system for managing water resources beyond setting effluent standards.

On the other hand, Gordon intends to implement the rainwater collection law and the provision of incentives for individuals to integrate rainwater storage into their houses.

LYFE survey
In another survey by the League of the Youth for the Environment (LYFE), Madrigal topped the “greenest candidate” for the May 10 election.

Loi Manalansan, group convenor, said the survey, dubbed “Environment Vote 2010: Who’s the greenest of them all?” aims to help voters choose the most pro-people and pro-environment political leaders.

“People have the right to know their candidates’ stand and track record on critical environmental issues to help the voters choose and put in office the most pro-people and pro-environment leaders,” he said.

Aside from Madrigal, Perlas and Villar ranked high in the list of green presidential candidates while Gordon, Estrada and Teodoro goton the “mean” list.

On the vice presidential bets, Legarda, Mayor Jejomar Binay and Perfecto Yasay topped the green list while Jay Sonza and Bayani Fernando were at the bottom.
A similar ranking for the senatoriables had Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza, Risa Hontiveros and Rizalito David in the green, while Kit Tatad, Ompong Plaza, Ralph Recto and Juan Ponce Enrile were in the mean list.

For those running for party-list, Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, Katribu, Akbayan and Cibac landed positively on the green list.

The questionnaire was sent by e-mail, fax and via social networking sites to the presidentiables, vice presidentiables, senatoriables and party lists groups. Background checks were also done on all candidates with available on-line records for their positions on 10 major national environmental issues.

These questions range from the recommissioning of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, commercial logging, Mining Act of 1995, coal power plants, Visiting Forces Agreement, toxic waste, aerial spraying of pesticides on plantations, among others.
For every environmental friendly answer or record, the candidate or group was given one green bean point.

One mean bean (black) was also awarded for every environmentally destructive answer/record that they gave. The bean counts were added for the final tally to rank the candidates. - Reinir Padua, Artemio Dumlao, Perseus Echeminad.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=560510&publicationSubCategoryId=68

AUDIO RECORDING OF DR. FLORANO'S LECTURE

Dr. Ebinezer Florano's lecture entitled, "Green Vote, Green Growth: It's Time to Paint Philippine Politics Green" delivered during the U.P. Academic Congress at the Malcolm Theater of the U.P. College of Law on February 5, 2010 can be heard at:

http://dilc.upd.edu.ph/index.php/beyond2010/391-qgreen-vote-green-growth

You can hear the other lectures on the same website.

PROF. LEONOR M. BRIONES

Support the Kaakbay Party. Its nominee, Prof. Leonor M. Briones of the U.P. National College of Public Administration and Governance, will work hard to increase the budget for environment and natural resources in the General Appropriations Act. Prof. Briones is an advocate of good governance.

ENVIRONMENT LINKED TO JOBS, ECONOMY - LOREN

DILIMAN, Quezon City, Feb. 3 - Sen. Loren Legarda said here today that environmental protection and enhancement are directly linked to economic development and jobs as she defended her advocacy for a green environment.

Addressing students and professors at a University of the Philippines forum, Loren answered "yes" to the forum question, "Mga Kandidato ng Kalikasan, May Boboto Ba?" (Will there be votes for candidates on a green platform?)

Loren, who is a firm advocate for environmental advancement is a vice presidential candidate of Nationalist People's Coalition Party and Nacionalista Party.

In her speech, Loren pointed out that environmental protection is necessary to improve agricultural and industrial production and reduce human casualties and property damage in cases of natural calamities, like typhoons and earthquakes.
A green program would provide "jobs for everyone," Loren said. "And those jobs should include green jobs and livelihoods from clean energy, climate and environmental protection initiatives."

A UN champion for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Asia-Pacific, Loren has vigorously pushed for the adoption of policies and programs to combat global warming, such as the El Niño phenomenon that causes drought and reduce harvests, and also causes extraordinary strong typhoons like Ondong.

"Also included in my agenda is sustainable forest management. This involves intensive rehabilitation of degraded forests and denuded lands; industrial forest plantation development; conservation of biodiversity and remaining natural forests; livelihood support for small farmers living within and around protected areas; and upland community development," Loren declared.

"Foremost in my pro-environment agenda is the climate crisis. We must prepare and protect our communities against disasters, turbocharged byclimate change, by building their resilience to substantially reduce disaster losses, whether in lives or properties.

"We need to mainstream climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in local government units through capacity building and development of best practices. Climate change must likewise be integrated in school curricula.

"There should also be strengthened enforcement of environmental laws and regulations such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and Climate Change Act," Loren stressed. As senator, she has actively participated in the enactment of these environmental law as author or co-author. As chair of the Senate committee on climate change, she sponsored the recently-enacted Climate Change Act.

In 1999, five million Filipinos petitioned the Philippine government to pass Republic Act 8749, the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, Loren said. The landmark legislation established ambient air quality guidelines and emissions standards, banned smoking in public buildings, and mandated that all motor vehicles undergo emissions testing at least once a year.

The Ecological Waste Management Act improved solid waste management and resource conservation, while the Clean Water Act of 2004 aims to protect the country's water bodies from pollution.

"Climate change and disaster risks makes compelling the robust adaptation strategies in the agriculture and fisheries sector. This shall include more investments in agricultural research and infrastructure, improved water governance and land use policies, better forecasting tools and early warning systems, a strengthened extension system that will assist farmers to achieve economic diversification and access to credit.

"Finally, in energy, there are many renewable, clean and environment-friendly sources around us. We can pursue industries, manufacturing, and business without sacrificing clean air, drinkable water and healthy food. It is time to mobilize green power programs through the establishment of solar, wind and other renewable energy facilities and green urban mass transport system."

"You ask me whether there is a green vote in the Philippines ... I look at the faces of these people who aspire for change and I say yes! There is a green vote in the Philippines. The youth is the green vote. The youth will bring about the change we want to see, "Loren declared.

Source: http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2010/0203_legarda1.asp

THE SMART VOTER: A GUIDE TO CHOOSING CANDIDATES IN THE MAY ELECTIONS

The Smart Voter: A guide to choosing candidates in the May elections
ANNIE RUTH C. SABANGAN, GMANews.TV
Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/183827#

Is the candidate urging action on climate change but riding a gas-guzzling SUV that contributes to global warming? Or is he or she claiming that he/she can strengthen the economy but does not offer clear-cut solutions to the widening budget deficit?

If the governance experts from the University of the Philippines (UP) would have their way, voters should watch out for candidates with flowery words and sugar-coated statements. Instead, the 50 million or so registered voters that are expected to flock to the polls in May should be able to discern the candidates’ true colors beyond the seemingly untarnished images they convey in their campaign advertisements.

During last week’s forum at UP dubbed “Beyond 2010: Leadership for the Next Generation," four professors of political science – Jose Abueva, Leonor Briones, Ebinezer Florano, and Edna Co from the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance – gave guidelines to voters on how to choose leaders wisely.

Drawing inspiration from their presentations, GMANews.TV has categorized five types of leaders in the hope that voters will be able to decide whether they will vote with their hearts, their stomachs, or their minds. Take your pick.

1. THE GENUINE GREEN LEADER

From the public to the private sphere, this leader is truly committed to environmental protection and does not get involved in tree-planting campaigns or climate change advocacy only for media hype.

When you visit this leader’s residence, you will notice good waste disposal practices such as recycling and composting. Energy-saving compact fluorescents and/or LED (light-emitting diodes) are used instead of incandescent bulbs that increase carbon emissions.

Be warned: the political arena is full of “greenwashers" who package themselves as pro-environment leaders but are only green on the surface and rotten to the core. They wear Earth Day t-shirts but allow their monster vehicles to idle away while they give speeches in public fora, as one student observed in a recent UP forum.

These politicians may have also violated environmental laws, building holiday homes in small islands that cannot be privately owned or other ecologically sensitive areas. Because of their political influence, greenwashers may be keeping exotic or endangered animals as pets, despite the law that bans illegal wildlife trade.

If you want to vote green, Florano gives the following pointers that you need to know about a candidate: (1) knowledge on the current state of the environment (2) personal stand on various environmental issues (3) personal environmental values (4) track record on environmental protection issues, and (5) lifestyle.

Florano adds that the voter must be able to scrutinize the motivations of politicians by finding out if they are truly green achievers or simply green opportunists.

Appropriate adage:
“Global warming is one of those things, not like an earthquake where there's a big bang and you say, 'Oh, my God, this is really, has hit us.' It creeps up on you. Half a degree temperature difference from one year to the next, a little bit of rise of the ocean, a little bit of melting of the glaciers, and then all of a sudden it is too late to do something about it." - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Real green leaders:
British naturalist David Frederick Attenborough, gorilla conservationist Dian Fossey, American missionary John Chapman who became known as Johnny Appleseed after planting apple trees in the midwest, and Kalinga tribal leader Macliing Dulag who was killed for opposing the Chico River Dam project

Reel green leader:
American cartoon hero Captain Planet

2. THE ECONOMICS SAVVY LEADER

"Susugpuin ko ang kahirapan…Ekonomiyang matatag, ‘yan ang pangako ko…tiyak, susulong tayo." Beware of these motherhood statements from politicians who promise to fly you to the moon, but neglect to tell you who’s going to pay for the jet fuel.

The economics savvy leader would rather keep his feet on the ground, knowing that there’s no instant cure for a country suffering from an economic multiple sclerosis: P272 billion in deficit, P4.42 trillion in outstanding debt, and P74.38 billion in revenue shortfall.

You don’t just see this leader on the boob tube distributing relief goods or riding with rescuers on a boat to save people from flood-ridden areas. Like the green leader, the economics savvy leader offers lasting and out-of-the box solutions to disasters caused by natural calamities such as “Ondoy" and “Pepeng," which are expected to recur due to climate change.

If this is the kind of leader you want, Briones advises you to make sure that the candidate: (1) has clear and viable programs for addressing the critical condition of public finance particularly on taxation, revenue, deficits, and debts and (2) is prepared to present programs on how to provide social services such as education, food, health care and housing that lead to long-lasting development.

Appropriate adage:
“One of the greatest pieces of economic wisdom is know what you do not know" – John Kenneth Galbraith

Real economics savvy leaders:
Nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz; the 32nd US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who led his country out of the Great Depression and World War II, industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, and Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh who founded the Grameen bank

Reel economics savvy leader:
Genius engineer Tony Stark aka Iron Man of Marvel Comics fame

3. THE INCORRUPTIBLE LEADER

Politicians who portray themselves as leaders with integrity will make you believe that their rags-to-riches story was the result of sheer hard work and perseverance. But if you review their statements of assets and liabilities, you may find a 300-percent increase in their net worth from the time they entered politics as a small-town mayor until they got elected to Congress.

You can also check what issues these politicians try to avoid at all cost. Do they have a personal stake in a controversial project, or can they explain how their names got involved in a scandal without making inconsistent statements? Honest leaders can raise a howl over issues without worrying about skeletons coming out of their political closets.

Leaders that are immune to temptation do not get drunk on money, fame, or power. Even when they face difficulties, they do not lose their moral compass and will always do the right thing for the greater good.

If you’re looking for an incorruptible candidate, Abueva says voters should check if their choice: (1) is transparent and truthful to constituents (2) can challenge and inspire citizens and other leaders to raise their goals to higher levels of morality, self-fulfillment and national progress, and (3) can inspire a change in the values and behavior of the public.

Appropriate adage:
“It is said that power corrupts, but actually it’s more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power." – David Brin

Real incorruptible leaders:
Catholic nun Mother Teresa and India’s spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi

Reel incorruptible leader:
Wizard and orphan Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling’s fantasy series

4. THE ETHICAL LEADER

This is the kind of leader who will not employ questionable means to achieve an end, achieving goals not through treachery but truthfulness and persuasion. When they are found to have done something wrong, such leaders will voluntarily give up their posts because this is the right thing to do.

In 2007, Brazil’s Senate president Renan Calheiros resigned after a magazine reported that he had used funds from a lobbyist to pay for the child support of his daughter from an extramarital affair with a television journalist.

New York governor Eliot Spitzer did the same thing in 2008 after getting embroiled in an ethics scandal involving an alleged high-priced prostitution ring. Yoshitada Konoike, Japan’s deputy chief cabinet secretary, likewise resigned in 2009 after a magazine reported that he had used an official rail travel pass to take his mistress to a resort.

This may be a strange virtue in a society where many of the country’s politicians not only have one but several mistresses who benefit from public coffers. But there’s always room for change in the system.

Co says voters who want an ethical leader should find out if the candidate: (1) can demonstrate good moral character; (2) has a circle of associates who are people of integrity and are pro-reform; (3) is an advocate of meritocracy; (4) can prosecute and punish offenders; and (5) can be transparent in the use of public funds.

Appropriate adage:
“Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic,
nor popular but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right." – Martin Luther King Jr.

Real ethical leader:
Lal Bahadur Shrivastav Shastri, third prime minister of India and a significant figure in the Indian Independence Movement who resigned from his earlier post as minister of railway and transport, accepting moral responsibility for a railway accident that killed 144 people

Reel ethical leader:
Wise counselor Gandalf in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings"

5. THE EMPOWERING LEADER

This is the type who will not monopolize decisions or manipulate the outcome of situations (and definitely not the result of elections). Such a leader is the antithesis of a dictator and is very much aware that a person who is stubborn, manipulative, and has a
lone-ranger mentality has no place in a society that values democracy.

The leader who empowers people values service and the transformation of society into a vehicle for positive change. Micro-managing is out of the question, as it stifles the growth and initiative of subordinates. Unlike the narcissistic leader, an empowering leader does not invite but rather deflects praise away from oneself.

While in Malacañang, Co says this leader is expected to: (1) involve stakeholders in decision-making; (2) promotes social justice; (3) consult both strong and marginalized peers, colleagues, and constituencies.

Appropriate adage:
"No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it" - Andrew Carnegie

Real empowering leaders:
Anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet

Reel empowering leader:
Jedi knight Obi Wan Kenobi in the “Star Wars" series who trained Luke Skywalker

– Illustrations by Analyn Perez/YA, GMANews.TV

GVGG FORUM STAGE TARP

(Designed by Kimpee Panganiban)

Feel free to upload to your blogpspot and social networking account. Just acknowledge the event and source.

GVGG FORUM SPEAKERS * FEB. 3, 2010 *

Feel free to download.

GVGG FORUM POSTER

All speakers have confirmed their participation.

Feel free to upload the poster in your websites, blogspots, and social networking accounts (e.g., Facebook).

(Designed by Kimpee Panganiban)

GVGG FORUM ON "MGA KANDIDATO NG KALIKASAN AT KAPALIGIRAN: MAY BOBOTO BA?", 3 February 2010

The "Green Vote, Green Growth Movement" will be holding a forum entitled, "Mga Kandidato ng Kalikasan at Kapaligiran: May Boboto Ba?" on 3 February 2010 (Wednesday), 1-5 p.m., at the Assembly Hall of the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).

Confirmed invited speakers are:

1. Senator LOREN LEGARDA
Vice-Presidential Candidate, Nationalist People's Coalition

2. Former Representative NEREUS ACOSTA
Senatorial Candidate, Liberal Party

3. Mr. NICANOR PERLAS
Presidential Candidate, Partido ng Marangal na Sambayanan

4. Mr. ROY CABONEGRO
Secretary-General, Ang Partido Kalikasan

5. Prof. LEONOR M. BRIONES
Party-List Candidate, KAAKBAY Party

The distinguished guest speakers will answer the following questions: (1) What is your pro-environment campaign agenda? (2) How do you plan to implement them once elected into office? (3) Is there a green vote in Philippine politics/elections? (3) How do you plan to harness and mobilize this green vote for the May 2010 elections?

This forum is being organized by the UP-Samahan Tungo sa Progresibong Administrasyon. For inquiries or participation, please contact Mr. Kimpee Panganiban (0920-539-0798; kimpeepanganiban@gmail.com).

Admission to the forum is FREE. For updates, please visit this blogspot regularly.

U.P. ACADEMIC CONGRESS

(PowerPoint presentation copy of Prof. Florano's lecture is available at http://law.upd.edu.ph/new/Academic-Congress-February-1-5,2010/Day-5/Session-14/Prof%20Ebinezer%20%20Florano%20-%20Green%20Vote%20Green%20Growth.pdf)

Dr. Ebinezer R. Florano will speak at the U.P. Academic Congress which will tackle the general theme, “Beyond 2010: Leadership for the Next Generation” on 5 February 2010 at the Malcolm Hall of the U.P. College of Law, Diliman, Quezon City. Prof. Florano will join former U.P. President Jose V. Abueva, former National Treasurer and NCPAG Prof. Leonor M. Briones, and Dr. Edna E. A. Co in a panel that will discuss, “Election and How to Choose a Leader.” UP-NCPAG Dean Alex B. Brillantes, Jr. will moderate the discusions.

Below is the abstract of Prof. Florano’s paper entitled, “Green Vote, Green Growth: It’s Time to Paint Philippine Politics Green.”

Abstract

After conducting a brief appraisal of the state of the environment of the Philippines and the seemingly inability of the government to respond to myriads of environmental problems, the paper argues that there is a need to elect committed and competent “green politicians” to public offices in this coming May 10, 2010 elections because they are the ones who could make things happen - they have the political mandate and public resources at their disposal to formulate and implement environmental laws, policies, programs, and projects in pursuit of “green growth” or environmentally-sustainable development. However, there are uncertainties which need to be answered or clarified. Is there a green vote block in Philippine politics which can influence election outcomes? If there is, who are the green voters? If none, how can they be organized and mobilized? And, how can green voters select the greenest politicians among the lot? To respond to these questions, the paper delves into the ontological and epistemological foundation and evolution of “green politics” and “green vote,” then focuses on their existence (or absence) in Philippine politics. The second half of the paper provides methods and strategies that can be employed by Filipino voters to evaluate and select the greenest politicians.