Oceana Newsletter No injunctions, TROs vs gov't enforcing ...

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Benham explorers use modern video system Continued on page 5 1 N on-government organizations call on presidential candidates to include oceans conservation and sustainable fisher- ies in their electoral platforms, as they pre- pare for the presidential debate in Dagupan City, on April 24, 2016. Panagat, an informal network of more than 20 NGOs pushing for policy reforms S o as not to impede but hasten the prosecution of cases filed by government agencies against violators of environmental laws, the Supreme Court (SC) through its Office of the E xploring Benham Rise is much anticipated especially by members of the Oceana team. The members of the forthcoming second expedition are expected to document the undersea mount and fish species in Benham Bank, with the use of a sophisticated equipment called baited remote underwater video system or BRUVS. BRUVS features a two-camera set up in a steel cage frame with a bait in a canister to attract fish. The system documents the attracted fish species, their sex, population and behavior. The BRUVS rests on the ocean floor, and the video may be transmitted directly to the surface by cable (depending on the distance from the sea Continued on page 8 Continued on page 9 I t is final. The ban on hulbot-hulbot or Danish seine fishing is upheld by a Cebu regional trial court (RTC) as it denied and dismissed a motion for reconsideration filed by the Northern Cebu Danish Seine Oper- ators and Fisherfolks Association, Inc. (or NCDSOFAI) to stop the ban on hulbot-hulbot imposed in September 2013 by government through the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR). Presiding Judge Antonio D. Marigomen, of RTC Branch 61 in Bogo City, Cebu, said the Court finds no sufficient basis for the Cebu RTC affirms hulbot-hulbot ban No injunctions, TROs vs Gov’t enforcing environmental laws 1st Quarter 2016 Issue • Philippines Photo by Daniel Ocampo An endangered green sea turtle rests on the coral reef at Apo Island, in Negros Oriental, unmindful of a diver (behind), exploring the island’s pristine marine life. Court Administrator (OCA) enjoins all judges of municipal and regional trial courts to strictly observe rules and laws prohibiting the issuance of injunctions or restraining orders. The policy is contained in OCA Circular Green Thumb Coalition Photo below shows Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos (5 th from left), of Oceana Philippines, leading other ‘Green Thumb Coalition’ members during a campaign launch in Cebu, in February 2016. They are (from left): Oceana’s Daniel Ocampo; Atty. Liza Eisma Osorio, of the Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC); Atty. Aaron Pedrosa, of Sanlakas; Vince Cinches, of Greenpeace; Oceana’s Atty. Roger Joseph Guzman; Marc Canton, of Movement for Livable Cebu; Reuben Muni, of Greenpeace; and Danny Diez, of Sustainable Energy and Enterprise Dev’t for Communities. Next Gov’t should adopt blue agenda in fisheries, noted that the Philippines is among the top fish-producing countries in the world. However, government leaders remain indifferent in providing solutions towards sustainable fisheries management and marine conservation. The National Stocks Assessment Pro- gram of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has reported that 10 out Continued on page 3

Transcript of Oceana Newsletter No injunctions, TROs vs gov't enforcing ...

Page 1: Oceana Newsletter No injunctions, TROs vs gov't enforcing ...

Benham explorers use

modern video system

Continued on page 5

1

Non-government organizations call on presidential candidates to include

oceans conservation and sustainable fisher-ies in their electoral platforms, as they pre-pare for the presidential debate in Dagupan City, on April 24, 2016.

Panagat, an informal network of more than 20 NGOs pushing for policy reforms

So as not to impede but hasten the prosecution of cases filed by

government agencies against violators of environmental laws, the Supreme Court (SC) through its Office of the

Exploring Benham Rise is much anticipated especially by members of

the Oceana team.The members of the forthcoming

second expedition are expected to document the undersea mount and fish species in Benham Bank, with the use of a sophisticated equipment called baited remote underwater video system or BRUVS.

BRUVS features a two-camera set up in a steel cage frame with a bait in a canister to attract fish. The system documents the attracted fish species, their sex, population and behavior. The BRUVS rests on the ocean floor, and the video may be transmitted directly to the surface by cable (depending on the distance from the sea

Continued on page 8

Continued on page 9

It is final. The ban on hulbot-hulbot or Danish seine fishing is upheld by a Cebu

regional trial court (RTC) as it denied and dismissed a motion for reconsideration filed by the Northern Cebu Danish Seine Oper-ators and Fisherfolks Association, Inc. (or NCDSOFAI) to stop the ban on hulbot-hulbot imposed in September 2013 by government through the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).

Presiding Judge Antonio D. Marigomen, of RTC Branch 61 in Bogo City, Cebu, said the Court finds no sufficient basis for the

Cebu RTC affirms hulbot-hulbot ban

No injunctions, TROs vs Gov’t enforcing environmental laws

1st Quarter 2016 Issue • Philippines

Photo by Daniel Ocampo

An endangered green sea turtle rests on the coral reef at Apo Island, in Negros Oriental, unmindful of a diver (behind), exploring the island’s pristine marine life.

Court Administrator (OCA) enjoins all judges of municipal and regional trial courts to strictly observe rules and laws prohibiting the issuance of injunctions or restraining orders.

The policy is contained in OCA Circular

Green Thumb CoalitionPhoto below shows Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos (5

th

from

left), of Oceana Philippines, leading other ‘Green Thumb

Coalition’ members during a campaign launch in Cebu,

in February 2016. They are (from left): Oceana’s Daniel

Ocampo; Atty. Liza Eisma Osorio, of the Philippine Earth

Justice Center (PEJC); Atty. Aaron Pedrosa, of Sanlakas;

Vince Cinches, of Greenpeace; Oceana’s Atty. Roger

Joseph Guzman; Marc Canton, of Movement for Livable

Cebu; Reuben Muni, of Greenpeace; and Danny Diez, of

Sustainable Energy and Enterprise Dev’t for Communities.

Next Gov’t should adopt blue agendain fisheries, noted that the Philippines is among the top fish-producing countries in the world. However, government leaders remain indifferent in providing solutions towards sustainable fisheries management and marine conservation.

The National Stocks Assessment Pro-gram of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has reported that 10 out

Continued on page 3

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there was a failure in implementing the environmental laws such as regulation of commercial fishing and mining.

She described the country’s laws as “world-class,” but the officials leading the government lack political will.

“Have we been good stewards? Our oceans have become big toilets. We look at our forest--do we know the forest cover of Cebu, of our entire country? Suwerte na sig-uro ang eight percent, 10 percent,” she said.

Ramos also expounded on the effects of neglecting the environment, which includes looming food insecurity because of over-fishing and deforestation.

“Why can’t we hear our candidates talk about climate change? They are silent on these issue,” she said.

Presidential candidates are expected to discuss their plans on climate change during the debate. —ALG, GMA News

METAMORPHOSEAS By Atty. Gloria ‘Golly’ Estenzo Ramos

Political leaders should prioritize ‘green’ issues

An environmental advocate urged presidential candidates to make

specific their pronouncements on climate change, ahead of the second PiliPinas Debates 2016 at the Univer-sity of the Philippines-Cebu, on March 20, 2016.

“I hope more and more candidates will come in the open and say that they want development projects that do not further degrade our environment,” law-yer Gloria Estenzo Ramos said during the pre-debate program at the universi-ty in Cebu City.

“Unfortunately, the pronouncements are rather general. One candidate said we will encourage sustainable use of the environment. What does it mean? Just encourage? Isn’t it the mandate?” she added.

During her presentation, Ramos said

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Oceana, CSOs push for ‘green’ agenda

Despite the frenzy associated with the forthcoming Presidential elections in May, preoccupying most national and local government officials for their respective election bids, we at Oceana Philippines International maintained our apolitical stance, but partnered with more than 40 civil society organizations — with a potential support of 10 million voters — to urge national and local candidates, particularly the ‘Presidentiables,’ to prioritize environmental and specifically fisheries issues and embrace a ‘green agenda.’

In Cebu, on February 17, we joined other CSOs as we launched ‘Green Thumb Coalition,’ advocating our pitch that “fisheries are our main protein source and with our oceans on the brink of destruction, we have to elect public officials who truly care about our future.”

We also submitted to all presidential candidates and uploaded to our website Oceana’s Fisheries Policy Brief which includes eleven agenda for action.

Hence, in this issue, we feature several articles on the ‘Green Thumb Coalition,’ Panagat’s ‘blue agenda,’ and the presidentiable’s ominous silence on climate change as a campaign issue.

E-NIPAS BillAs we ushered in 2016, Oceana and

several civil society organizations — like Haribon Foundation, Pusod, and Philippine Misereor Partnership — hosted on January 27, a press conference in Quezon City, urging the House of Representatives (HOR) to deliberate on and pass the ‘Expanded NIPAS’ bill, before the House adjourned on February 3, for the May 2016 Presidential election break. (Please see story on page 10.)

When Congress reconvenes, on May 23 to June 10, we hope our legislators at the HOR can squeeze into their calendar to tackle and pass the E-NIPAS bill, in tandem with the Senate which already approved their version of the bill. If not, we are back to square one, as we will convince a new set of legislators of the 17th Congress to support the much-needed reforms for our protected areas.

2nd TSPS PAMB General AssemblyWe collaborated with the DENR in

the preparation of the 2nd Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) general assembly, in Cebu. This was spearheaded and successfully hosted by the TSPS Protected Area Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). (Please see story on page 5.)

We take our hats off to the DENR 7 and TSPS PAO teams, led respectively by DENR Region 7 Director Isabelo Montejo and PASu Am Prospero Lendio, and heads of agencies and local government officials. Congratulations and more power!

During the assembly’s afternoon session, we at Oceana and other CSOs had a parallel meeting, where we discussed our respective initiatives and commitments in support to the efforts of the DENR 7, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 7, and other government agencies to protect and manage Tañon Strait and other marine protected areas in Central Visayas. (Please see story on page4.)

Government’s efforts are paying off, as a joint seaborne patrol has apprehended four illegal commercial fishing vessels, during a 45-day operation, from September 15 to October 31, 2015. (Please see story on page 8.) We urge the Protected Area Office, the local government units, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the police and other enforcement agencies to continue inspiring inter-agency coordination in protecting our oceans.

No more injunctions, TROs Oceana commends the Supreme

Court through the Office of the Court Administrator, Justice Jose Midas Marquez, in instructing all judges of the regional and municipal trial courts to desist from issuing injunctions or restraining orders against government agencies enforcing environmental

laws. (Please see story on front page.)

Hence, the policy further strengthens our judicial system in protecting our people’s environmental rights, and boosts the morale of our dedicated environmental law enforcers. It sends a strong message to all that impunity will not be tolerated.

Benham Rise expeditionWe are privileged for the

opportunity to take an active participation in the second expedition to explore Benham Rise, commencing with a forum held at UP Diliman and followed by a training of marine scientists and researchers on the use of a baited remote underwater video system or BRUVS and a SeaGIS software, in Los Baños, Laguna. It is our modest contribution, as we help document the many new fish species, their habitat, coral cover and the beauty of Benham Rise. (Please see stories on front page, and on pages 6-7.)

Finally, we at Oceana look forward to a peaceful election, and a new batch of national and local public leaders who have a heart for the environment, our oceans and our people, including our fisherfolk!

Mabuhay!

Our candidates are silent when it comes to [the climate change] issue. It is

appalling, to say the least,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, during a pre-debate forum at the University of the Philippines-Cebu, on March 20, 2016.

She gave a presentation about climate change for those who attended the second Commission on Elections (Comelec)-spon-sored PiliPinas Presidential Debate.

“We have to elect leaders who care about us and our life support system.”

Ramos zeroed in on the poor state of Phil-ippine waters, citing illegal fishing activities and the high incidence of poverty among fisherfolk. She also discussed how climate change aggravates biodiversity loss and destruction.

“These are issues (are) affecting all of us. We are all interconnected and [these issues] should be tackled and included in the plat-

forms of our leaders, of our candidates,” she said. “Unfortunately, their pronounce-ments are rather general.”

“One candidate said we’ll encourage sustainable use of resources. What does that mean? Just encourage? Isn’t that a mandate?” she said. “Another is for the ex-ploitation of natural resources as a source of revenue for development.”

As a parting note, Ramos said: “Don’t make the environment a voiceless system.”

During the debate, the presidential candidates were asked about how the Phil-ippines can fulfill its United Nations (UN) commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 2030.

The candidates – save for Vice President Jejomar Binay who did not say anything about the issue – agreed on using clean sources of energy, such as hydro-electric and wind power, to limit our dependence on coal.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte called the United Nations “hypocritical” for not imposing sanc-tions on industrialized countries who rely on coal for energy.

Aside from the Philippines’ agreement with the UN, climate change was hardly discussed in the debate.

Duterte said “climate change does not have to be discussed,” since the country is already experiencing its effects. “El Niño is climate change,” he said.

Poe said the first thing that should be done is to relocate the 13.6 million affected residents, mostly farmers.

Around 2,000 advocates of Greenpeace Philippines marched to the debate venue to urge the candidates to prioritize the envi-ronment in their platforms. The group has launched a campaign called “Berde Ka Ba?” to remind candidates and voters that environ-mental protection should be a priority election concern. (CNN Philippines)

of the 13 major fishing grounds in the country are overfished. Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority has stated that fisherfolk belong to the “poorest of the poor” due to lack of resource access.

“Our way of life is closely connected to the sea. Our leaders must address these pressing issues, and uphold our constitutional right to healthy oceans,” said lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president for Oceana Philippines, one of the members of Panagat.

Other members of the coalition include the NGOs for Fisheries Reform, WWF-Philip-pines, and Greenpeace. The group will present

Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos at the

University of the Philippines in Cebu,

before the 2nd

PiliPinas Debates 2016.

the “Philippine Blue Agenda for Sustain-able Fisheries” during the last leg of the presidential debate on April 24, 2016, at the University of Pangasinan, in Dagupan City.

Panagat is calling for institutional reforms, such as the establishment of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to strengthen government’s regulatory functions and address con-flicting policies and overlapping functions among several fishery-related govern-ment institutions and agencies.

The blue agenda includes the imple-

mentation of fisheries recovery plans, and the establishment of more marine protected areas to improve fish catch and preserve areas with a high level of marine biodiversity. It also highlights the need to improve fishery law en-forcement and the operation of environmental courts.

“We need to strengthen our institutions, such as enforcement agencies and the courts, to ensure that our environmental rights will not be violated. More importantly, we need to pro-tect our resources so we will have something to leave for the future generation,” Ramos said.

Next Gov’t ... Continued from page 1

Photo by Danny Ocampo

Candidates’ silence on climate change ‘appalling’ Photo by Danny Ocampo

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and Local Government (DILG) Region 7 Director Rene Burdeos, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 7 Director Andres Bojos, Atty. Chad Estrella, who represented Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, local chief executives from Cebu and Negros provinces and Am Prospero Lendio, TSPS park superintendent

“Our steadfast collaboration with the dedicated men and women from the public sector and other stakeholders will, sooner than soon, make our dear Tañon Strait, a shining model MPA not just in the Philippines, but in the world,” said Ramos, who commended the government officials led by Dir. Montejo for the successful conduct of the 2nd assembly of TSPS-PAMB members.

BFAR7, and Bantay-Dagat of respective coastal towns.

In particular, he reported the successful apprehension of four commercial vessels that were conducting illegal fishing operations in Tañon Strait, during a 45-day joint seaborne operation, from September 15, 2015 to October 31, 2015. (Pls see related story.)

As chair of the TSPS PAMB, Montejo led the oath-taking of the members present.

Oceana VP for the Philippines Gloria Estenzo-Ramos presented the results of the expedition last year, as part of her presentation on “Responding to enforcement challenges in Tañon Strait.”

Thereafter, she presented a token gift — a framed copy of a full-page Oceana PR (‘DENR officials cited for managing, protecting Tañon Strait’) published in OpinYon weekly newspaper — to Dir. Montejo and former TSPS superintendent Concordio Remoroza, who was represented by his successor newly-designated TSPS superintendent Prospero Am Lendio.

In the afternoon the PAMB business meeting was held in parallel with the CSO Summit meeting. The enhanced General Management Plan was presented by Atty. Liza Osorio of PEJC and the different CSOs shared their past, current and future involvements and projects in Tañon Strait.

Environment and Natural Resources, called “Strengthening the marine protected areas to conserve marine biodiversity areas.”

Antes said Rare will continue to help LGU partners by supporting the organizational

capacity needs of their coastal resource management (CRM) and fishery units; assist in conducting technical and management effectiveness exercises; develop and support fish catch monitoring; facilitate coastal water zoning exercises; develop social marketingcampaigns on sustainable fisheries use and protection; and providing policy support in managing their respective marine protected areas.

Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma Osorio of PEJC said her group will help the TSPS-PAMB on policy and enforcement, particularly on providing capacity-building training and seminars for paralegals, including legal and technical support for policy studies, and legal assistance. It will also help produce a primer to maximize public participation in environmental rule of law.

Delfa Talaid of Tambuyog said they will keep on empowering fisherfolk groups by partnering with government agencies like the BFAR in implementing livelihood projects. These include the establishment of fish unloading and trading centers. One fishery post- harvest facility will be piloted in the Municipality of Badian.

Boboi Costas of Grassroots Travel said his group will continue to encourage the establishment of sustainable and environment-friendly eco-tourism destinations in Cebu, in line with his task as tourism consultant of the Cebu Provincial Government.

He said they are currently implementing a Cebu mid-west community-based eco-tourism project involving the five towns of Alegria, Aloguinsan, Balamban, Asturias, and Tabuelan. The project is focused on conserving the natural and cultural resources of Tañon Strait, and at the same time providing supplemental livelihood to fishers

and rural folks. In August 2016, the five towns will be launched into one tourism circuit or destination, Costas said.

He added that eco-tourism is one way to deter dynamite fishing, as coastal communities will protect their respective areas and dive sites from destructive fishing methods to maintain the bounty of Tañon Strait, and thus attract more tourists.

Members of the academe—Dr. Joyce Flores of UP Cebu and Ms. Edilyn Lopez of University of Cebu—have committed to conduct appropriate researches and surveys to enhance and update current baseline data on marine and socio-economic parameters of Tañon Strait.

2nd TSPS-PAMB Gen AssemblyThe 2nd TSPS-PAMB general assembly

was chaired by Director Isabelo Montejo, of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 7 (DENR7), and was attended by about 250 municipal and barangay officials from the coastal towns and cities in Cebu, Negros Orientaland Negros Occidental.

“We have strong local chief executives and national government agency leaders, who are sincere and dedicated in the performance of their job. The continuing support from us, and with the wealth of commitment, resources and expertise that each of our institution and organization that we represent brings in, inspires these dedicated authorities to do the mandates of their office to the best that they know how, despite the horrible and tremendous pressures that they encounter from some public servants, who still have to understand what sustainable development means,” added Ramos.

Aside from DENR7 director Montejo, the other government officials who graced the 2nd TSPS-PAMB general assembly were DENR Region 18 (Negros Island Region) Director Al Orolfo, Department of Interior

With more than 200 participants, the 2nd Tañon Strait Protected Seascape

(TSPS) Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) General Assembly was successfully conducted last March 10, 2016, in Cebu City.

“This year, it was the government agencies and the Protected Area Office led by TSPS Protected Area Superintendent Am Lendio who took the lead in organizing the PAMB general assembly, which brought together around 165 PAMB members and 30 representatives,” said Daniel Ocampo, Oceana Philippines campaigns director.

The one-day event was a follow-up to last year’s 1st TSPS PAMB general assembly, held February 10-11, also in Cebu City, jointly organized by Oceana, Rare Philippines and Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC), in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 7 (DENR7), and provincial government of Cebu.

“This time, Superintendent Lendio and his TSPS protected area office (PAO) team have ably took the lead in the preparations and conduct of the event,” added Ocampo, in his report to Oceana vice president Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos.

Of the total participants, 29 were city and municipal mayors, and their representatives, said Crystal Laine Marabulas, TSPS PAO communication officer. The other attendees included: 203 barangay captains and their

representatives; 33 from other government agencies, media and CSOs; and 31 officials and staff from the DENR 7 and DENR 18, and TSPS PAO.

As the event’s highlight, DENR 7 regional director Isabelo Montejo delivered the “State of Tañon Strait Address,” where he emphasized the role of various stakeholders in enforcing the ban on commercial fishing in Tañon Strait, which has been drastically reduced due to the regular patrolling activities jointly conducted by the DENR7,

CSOs, Gov’t unite to protect Tañon Strait DENR, TSPS lead 2nd PAMB Gen Assembly

Civil society organizations (CSOs) are closing ranks with concerned government

agencies to protect and manage in a sustainable manner Tañon Strait, the county’s largest marine protected area in the Visayas.

The CSOs have committed to provide their respective support to the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to implement its 10-year general management plan (GMP), in a parallel session during the 2nd general assembly of the TSPS-PAMB, held in Cebu City, March 10, 2016.

“Our dialogue was a huge first step for CSOs to be united and work together in various areas in the critical phase of the implementation of the General Management Plan to protect Tañon Strait from all forms of threats and make it resilient,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana.

Oceana is helping the government in the implementation of the Fisheries Code as

amended, to fight illegal, unreported and unregistered fishing in the country. It is looking at collaboration with both public and private sectors in the adoption of measures such as vessel monitoring for commercial fishing vessels.

The other CSOs included Rare Philippines, Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC), Sea Knights, Tambuyog DevelopmentCenter, Grassroots Travel, University of the Philippines in the Visayas, and University of Cebu.

Respective CSOs’ commitments, initiativesFr. Tito Soquiño, founder of the Knight-

Stewards of the Sea or ‘Sea Knights,’ suggested that the CSOs consider ‘ecologically evangelizing’ the stakeholders, including the clergy, by initially briefing them on the various initiatives to protect the bounty and beauty of Tañon Strait.

Soquiño said that this approach would facilitate in spreading the word to their respective dioceses, and finally to their parishioners in Cebu and Negros, who are directly dependent on Tañon Strait, particularly small fishers and their families, other rural folks, commercial fishers, including barangay and municipal officials.

Soquiño co-founded the Sea Knights in 2008, initially composed of Catholic priests, whose aim is to help protect the environment. The volunteer group has since then expanded to include professionals, athletes, journalists, policemen and government officials. It conducts regular diving expeditions in Tañon Strait and in other water waters in the Visayas.

Rare Philippines, represented by its TSPS program manager Rosa Antes, said it will expand its current five project sites in Tañon Strait to 20 sites in the next four years, under its joint project with the Department of

5

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 7 Director Isabelo Montejo (4th from left)

leads the panelists of a press conference, after the morning session of the 2nd Tañon Strait Protected Sea-

scape (TSPS) Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) general assembly, held March 10, 2016, in Cebu

City. The other panelists were (from left): Rare vice president Rocky Tirona, Atty. Ramos of Oceana,

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 7 Director Andres Bojos, Department of Interior and

Local Government Region 7 Director Rene Burdeos, and TSPS park superintendent Am Prospero Lendio.

Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos (right), of Oceana

Philippines, presents a token gift to Department

of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

Region 7 Dir. Isabelo Montejo (left) and former

Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) Park

Superintendent Concordio Remoroza, represented

by his successor TSPS Park Superintendent Am

Prospero Lendio.

DENR 7 Director Isabelo Montejo (left) inducts

the TSPS-PAMB members.

Benham explorers ... Continued from page 1

Continued on page 10

surface) or recorded for later analysis.As the use of the BRUVS is relatively

new in the country, dozens of Filipino marine scientists and researchers recently underwent an intensive three-day training on “Fish visual surveys using BRUVS and SeaGIS software,” with noted marine scientist Dr. Euan Harvey of Australia’s Curtin University and Jim Seager of SeaGIS Pty Ltd of Australia who served as main resource persons and trainors.

The training was jointly organized by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) under its Benthic Resources of the Benham Bank Seamount (SM-Benthos) Project, UP Los Baños School of Environmental Science and Management (UPLB-SESAM) and Institute of Biological Sciences (UPLB-IBS), UP Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI), and Oceana Philippines, held on April 20 to 22, 2016, at SEARCA, Los Baños, Laguna.

The participants included marine scientists and representatives from PCAAARD, UPLB-SESAM, UPLB-IBS,

UP-MSI, Oceana, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Biodiversity Management Bureau of the DENR, UP Visayas, and UP Mindanao.

The BRUVS was brought in by Oceana through the courtesy of the US Embassy in Manila. It will be used by the members of the second expedition that will explore Benham Rise, scheduled in May 2016. The expedition is a joint initiative of DOST-PCAARRD, BFAR, UP-MSI, UP Los Baños with Oceana, and other concerned agencies. The team will travel to Benham Rise on board M/V DA-BFAR.

“We are privileged to extend our support in the forthcoming expedition to further explore the marine biodiversity in Benham Rise, our newest territory and potential fish hotspot. The BRUVS is our modest contribution as we document the many new fish species, their habitat, coral cover and the beauty of Benham Rise,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana Philippines, at the opening program of the three-day training.

Richard Bakewell, environment and science technology officer at the

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“Thorough understanding of the Benham Rise biodiversity is necessary before we utilize and the resources it has,” Ingles added.

For Dr. Paul Watts, principle action researcher and facilitator for Daloy ng Buhay, the government needs to tap local government units (LGU) to engage fisherfolk, who are the major stakeholders in the issue.

“There should be an inclusive education programs for fisherfolks through LGUs,” Watts said. (With reports from Marlo Asis, DA; Ronnel Domingo, Phil. Daily Inquirer; Kiersnerr Gerwin Tacadena, GMA News; and Janina C. Lim, BusinessWorld)

resource persons were UP-IMLOS Director Jay Batongbacal, and other representatives from government and civil society organizations.

Criselda Castor, of the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau, said they are undertaking several initiatives in Benham Rise.

“We are supporting research agencies and institutions. We are also conducting coastal and marine ecosystem rehabilitation program,” Castor said.

Jose Ingles, program coordinator of Fisheries Improvement Project Policy of World Wide Fund, said protecting the endangered species in Benham Rise is the country’s global contribution to promoting biodiversity.

2009, the UN recognized Benham Rise as the property of the Philippines. The following year, the BFAR started a series of annual expeditions to Benham Rise, mainly to implement the law of the sea and to acknowledge that the area was within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The UN’s nod gave the Philippines full ownership of Benham Rise as part of the country’s extended continental shelf, Perez said, during the forum organized by Oceana Philippines, in partnership with the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP-IMLOS) and UP Law Student Government.

From 2013 to 2014, BFAR undertook oceanographic studies in Benham Rise, alongside implementation of the National Payao Program and fisheries assessment. The payao, or fish aggregating device, also serves as a mark of the country’s territorial boundaries, Perez said.

Pinoys should start ventures in Benham Rise ...but no small

fishers yet

7

To firmly stamp its claim on Benham Rise—a rich and diverse marine region,

off the coast of Aurora and Isabela, in Luzon—the Philippine government should encourage and support increase fishing activities.

“The actual evidence of ownership is utilization and full control of Benham Rise,” declared Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Asis G. Perez, who currently serves as national director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

“Benham Rise is a potential fisheries hotspot,” Asis said, during a forum on April 12, 2016, at Malcolm Hall, UP College of Law, University of the Philippines, in Diliman, Quezon City.

However, he discourages small fishers from venturing yet in Benham Rise. They are those who use boats weighing less than three tons.

“The safety of our fishermen is the paramount consideration, not the fish. You catch the fish later, but the safety of our fishers is primary,” said Asis.

“We will continue to urge small fishers to avoid Benham Rise until such a time that we have a system than can protect them,” Perez added.

“If we cannot fully enforce protection in our nearby waters, what more full monitoring at the Benham Rise, which is as big as Luzon? What we can guarantee are efforts,” he said.

Earlier this year, the BFAR has introduced its first two steel-hulled vessels, with twice the overall capability of an average vessel, that are intended not only to fight Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing but will also undertake research and rescue, and relief operations, among others.

By 2017, the bureau plans to have three more multi-mission vessels that are faster and more advanced.

Perez said BFAR has a budget of P63.93 million this year to accelerate the deployment of support structures and technologies in Benham Rise, where the closest towns are Maconacon and Dinapigue, both in Isabela.

“Ang lugar ay hindi masyadong napupuntahan ng ating mga mangingisda, subalit ang lugar na ito ay tradisyunal na pinangingisdaan ng mga mangingisdang Pilipino (The area is not frequented by our fishermen, but it is a traditional fishing ground),” he explained.

BFAR has recently monitored the operation of two to three medium-sized commercial fishing vessels in the area, Perez said.

In 2012, three years after Malacañang filed a claim at the United Nations on April

During previous exploratory missions in Benham Rise in 2013 and 2015, BFAR has caught such species as tuna, opa (pink fish), albacore (white meat tuna), and big-eyed tuna.

Benham Rise is ideal for long line fishing, a method using multiple hooks, which is not yet widely practiced in the country. Compared to other fishing grounds, fish caught in Benham Rise are bigger, Perez added.

Balanced protectionIn exploring Benham Rise, he said

“a balance has to be made between utilization and conservation. There has to be utilization of the resource in a proper way.”

In 2014, a team of marine scientists assessed Benham Bank (the shallowest area of the Rise) for the first time, documenting large marine life and reporting one hundred percent coral cover.

“The new territory holds tremendous potential for discovering unique species and outstanding samples of marine resources. However, very limited research has been done in the area. There is an urgent need to ensure the sustainable management of these resources, as industry players are eager to explore Benham Rise for its mineral and gas reserves,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana.

Aside from Perez, the other forum

Above, Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries and concurrent national director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

(BFAR) Atty. Asis Perez stresses a point during a forum on Benham Rise at the University of the Philippines, in Quezon City, attended

by media persons, marine scientists and students (right).

As part of government’s sustained efforts to minimize and deter

blast fishing in the country, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will revise and standardize a 15-year old fisheries manual that will guide fish examiners on examining, certifying, and disposing of evidence on blast-caught fish.

For the initiative, BFAR has partnered with the Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH) project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which conducted an “Experts Consultation on Fish Examiners Manual,” at Golden Prince Hotel, in Cebu City, on February 5, 2016.

The consultation aimed to strengthen BFAR fish examiners and capacitate them to be experts in their field, and help the Bureau and other environment law enforcement agencies, especially when the examiners are called to testify in court about their findings.

It was attended by four senior BFAR

BFAR to update fish manual

fish examiners, and key personnel from local government units (LGUs) in the Visayas, PNP Maritime Group, and representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) that include Philippine Earth Justice Center, Environmental Legal Assistance Center, and Oceana Philippines, represented by its legal and policy director Atty. Edward Lorenzo.

During the consultation, Lorenzo said the participants reviewed the draft fish examiners’ manual, which will replace the current one issued in 2001. When finalized, the new

manual will be adopted officially possibly through a Fisheries Administrative Order to be signed by the agency’s national director.

The USAID through the ECOFISH project that assists the Philippine government in improving the conservation and management of the country’s fisheries sector by working closely with the BFAR, LGUs, CSOs and fisherfolk’s groups, Lorenzo said in his report to Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines.

The consultation was attended by BFAR fish examiners, LGU personnel, PNP Maritime Group, representatives

from Philippine Earth Justice Center, Environmental Legal Assistance Center, and Oceana Philippines.

Photo by UPLB-School of Environmental Science and Management

Page 5: Oceana Newsletter No injunctions, TROs vs gov't enforcing ...

mere possession any plant or animal or products derived therefrom without a permit from the PAMB; and use of any motorized equipment without a permit.”

The four apprehended commercial fishing vessels and their respective information are:

• FB San Vicente Ferrer - caught on Sept. 24, 2015, 6:10 am, off the seawaters of Domolog, Bindoy, in Negros Oriental. It has 13 respondents (boat captain and crew). The vessel is owned by Alfredo Escoba of Malbog, Alegria, Cebu;

• FB Sto. Niño – caught on Sept. 24, 2015, 6:30 am, off the seawaters of Domolog, Bindoy, Negros Oriental, with 18 respondents. The vessel is owned by Florante G. Jara of Camandayon, Jimalalud, Negros Oriental;

• FB Blue Haven – caught on October 12, 2015, 6:37 am, off the seawaters of Zaragosa, Badian, Cebu, with 13 respondents. The vessel owner is Antonio Pementera of Poblacion, Badian, Cebu; and

• FB Adiarne – caught on October 14, 2015, 6:30 am, off the seawaters of Bulado, Guihulngan City, with 11 respondents. The vessel owner is Mario L. Pagador of Puan, Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental.

Meanwhile, PNP Maritime Group Director Police Chief Superintendent Efren Perez, in a recent letter to Atty. Ramos, said they will exhaust all efforts to minimize and preempt illegal commercial fishing and unsustainable fishing practices in Tañon Strait and other fishing grounds in Region 7.

ronmental Cases provides that “Except the Su-preme Court, no court can issue a TRO or writ of preliminary injunction against lawful actions of government agencies that enforce environ-mental laws or prevent violations thereof.”

Likewise, Section 134 of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, as amended by Repub-lic Act No. 10654, provides that “No injunction or restraining order from the Municipal Trial Courts and Regional Trial Courts shall lie against the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources upon the ex parte motion or petition filed by any person or entity in the exercise by the De-partment and BFAR of its regulatory functions in support of the implementation of this Code.”

Ocampo said. Finally, CLEAR 7 will conduct information

and education campaigns (IECs) on the effects of blast fishing in Region 7, particularly the LGUs comprising the Danajon Bank, a double barrier reef in the Visayas.

The IECs will be complemented with trainings on fisheries law enforcement in Danajon Bank, with particular emphasis on detecting blast fishing operations.

The three CLEAR 7 committees recommended that concerned government agencies conduct joint monitoring and enforcement operations to apprehend the providers or suppliers of blasting caps and ammonium nitrate in Cebu and other provinces in Region 7.

Lorenzo and Ocampo said the proposed initiatives will be implemented starting in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2016, right after the May 2016 national elections. Meanwhile, preparatory work will be undertaken by the concerned lead agencies and CSOs.

Aside from BFAR 7, the CLEAR 7 committee meetings were attended by officials and representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 7, other government agencies, and CSOs that include the Philippine Earth Justice Center, the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, ECOFISH, and the Environmental Legal Assistance Center.

The Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance for Region 7 (CLEAR 7) plans to implement

several initiatives to address illegal and destructive fishing issues in Central Visayas (Region 7).

The proposed initiatives include the creation of multi-partite fisheries law enforcement teams, inventory of commercial fishing vessels (CFVs) that committed illegal fishing violations, conduct of survey of structures on the shorelines of Tañon Strait (a marine protected area between Cebu and Negros islands), and conduct of information and education campaign on the effects of blast fishing.

These and other related strategies were discussed and approved during a quarterly meeting of CLEAR 7, in Bohol, on April 14, 2016, chaired by Regional Director Andres Bojos of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 7 (BFAR 7).

Atty. Edward Lorenzo, who represented Oceana in the meeting, said among the issues and initiatives discussed were:

• Illegal fishing cases will be continuously monitored and these will be stored in a database, spearheaded by the Cebu PENRO in partnership with a university in Cebu. The database will be made accessible through a website hosted jointly by concerned CLEAR 7 member-agencies and CSOs;

• BFAR 7 Dir. Bojos said the agency will host a tour of Tañon Strait and Visayan Sea for media persons and environment prosecutors in May 2016, for them to appreciate anti-illegal fishing efforts and other initiatives of CLEAR 7. He enjoined the various committees to continue with their planning activities;

• The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has volunteered to be part of the CLEAR 7 illegal fishing enforcement team.

Lorenzo added that on the sidelines, Dir. Bojos said BFAR 7 is willing to partner with Oceana and other CSOs in the conduct of training for fishery and environmental prosecutors.

Last February 10, 2016, three CLEAR 7

Joint sea patrol nets illegal comm’l fishers Keep Visayas free from illegal fishing

9

About 50 officials and representatives of member-agencies of the Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance for

Region 7 (CLEAR 7) attended a 2016 strategic planning to address illegal and destructive fishing issues

in Central Visayas. Oceana was represented Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos (middle, front row, in dark

brown shirt) and Atty. Edward Lorenzo (leftmost, front row).

committees held joint meetings at the BFAR 7 office in Cebu City. The three committees were on: policy; monitoring, control and surveillance; and capability building. Oceana was represented by Atty. Lorenzo, and campaigns director Daniel Ocampo.

“The meetings were a continuation of the refinements of the one-year work plan for CLEAR 7, in relation to conducting joint coastal and fisheries law enforcement activities,” said Lorenzo and Ocampo, in their report to Oceana vice president Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos.

“It was agreed that multi-partite fisheries law enforcement teams would be created. They would be trained on fisheries and equipped. They would be deployed once the parameters have been drawn up by the third of quarter of 2016. For now, it will be a localized affair,” Lorenzo and Ocampo said.

For this initiative, the Philippine Navy has committed to provide assets for CLEAR 7’s operations, they added.

Secondly, the BFAR 7 will come up with a database on commercial fishing vessels (CFVs) that have committed illegal fishing violations. It is hoped that the information will serve as basis not to renew and cancel the license of CFVs that have violated fisheries laws.

The Tañon Strait Protected Area Office will also conduct a survey of structures on the shoreline of the Strait. Thereafter, it will craft and recommend a policy on how the structures can be regulated aimed at mitigating the adverse impact of the structures on the marine environment of Tañon Strait, Lorenzo and

No injunctions ... Continued from page 1

Cebu RTC ... Continued from page 1

No. 87-2016, issued on April 4, 2016, by the OCA Court Administrator, SC Justice Jose Midas Marquez.

“We very much welcome the Circular, as we continue to revitalize our imperiled fisheries and protect our vastly threatened natural life support systems. We commend your good office in ensuring the continuous upholding of the rule of law in guiding our magistrates,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, in her letter to Justice Marquez.

“The policy further strengthens our judicial system in protecting our people’s rights, boosts the morale of our dedicated environmental law enforcers, and sends a strong message to all that impunity will not be tolerated,” added Ramos.

“We look forward to the stronger enforce-

ment and proper prosecution of violators of environmental and fisheries laws in the country. We are optimistic that hand in hand, we will be able to restore the abundance of our oceans to feed the growing Filipino nation amid the perceptibly felt impacts of climate change,” Ramos said.

The SC OCA issued the Circular acting on persistent reports of continuous violations of rules and laws prohibiting the issuance of injunctions or restraining orders against government agencies.

The Circular enjoins all judges of the first and second level courts to strictly observe two provi-sions, namely: Rule 2, Section 10 of the Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases; and Section 134 of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, as amended by Republic Act No. 10654.

Section 10 of the Rules of Procedure for Envi-

Ajoint seaborne operation of government apprehended four commercial fishing

vessels engaged in illegal fishing in Tañon Strait, from September 15, 2015 to October 31, 2015.

The vessels were apprehended while conducting illegal fishing operations in Tañon Strait, the country’s largest marine protected area, between Cebu and Negros islands, in the Visayas. The commercial boats were caught near the towns of Badian in Cebu and Bindoy and Guilhungan City, in the province of Negros Oriental. A total of 55 people were on board the vessels, including the boat captains and crew members.

“We hope to sustain such concerted efforts to minimize if not totally free Tañon Strait from illegal and destructive fishing activities,” said Dr. Isabelo Montejo, Regional Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 7 (DENR 7), during a press conference, held after the 2nd Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) General Assembly, on March 10, 2016, at the Cebu Grand Convention Center, in Cebu City.

According to Director Montejo, the 45-day joint seaborne operation was successfully conducted by the DENR 7 together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 7 (BFAR 7), in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP 7) and local government units of Bindoy and Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental

“We commend the DENR 7, BFAR 7, PNP 7 and local government officials for their dedication and passion in conducting the much-needed seaborne patrol operations aimed at apprehending commercial fishermen who continue to operate in Tañon Strait and other marine protected areas, and in municipal fishing grounds, that are meant for small, marginal fisherfolk,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines.

“This sends a clear and firm signal to fishery law violators that government, in partnership with fisherfolk groups and civil society organizations, is serious in its campaign against illegal fishing, and in sustainably managing and protecting Tañon Strait,” added Ramos.

Montejo said the four vessels were seized and confiscated, including their fishing nets and equipment, and fish catch. He said appropriate cases were filed with the Prosecutors Office against 55 individuals, including the four boat captains and crew members.

They relied on Section 20 of the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 (Republic Act No. 7586), which prohibits “hunting, destroying, disturbing or

Modified Danish seine consists of a conical

net with a pair of wings, the ends of which are

connected to a rope embedded with buri, plastic

strips, sinkers or any similar materials to serve

as scaring/herding device as hauling ropes

passing through a ring permanently attached to

a tom weight (linggote) and hauled through a

mechanical winch or by manpower.

case filed by NCDSOFAI for declaratory relief with preliminary restraining in-junction to stop the implementation of Fisheries Administrative Order No. 246 (FAO 246), banning Danish seine fishing or hulbot-hulbot.

Judge Marigomen said, in his Order issued on January 8, 2016, “the Court finds that FAO 246 is a valid law, enacted in pursuance to the mandate given to the respondents by the Fisheries Code.”

“We commend the decision of Cebu RTC Judge Marigomen for upholding the government’s ban on hulbot-hulbot, as it will send a strong signal to other illegal commercial fishers and operators to shift to and use sustainable fishing methods, and help protect our remaining fish habi-tats,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines.

“This is a victory that we share with small fishers, local government units, and other environmental groups who contin-ue to fight illegal fishers and those who destroy the country’s coastal and marine resources, by disregarding fishery and environmental laws,” Ramos added.

“Modified Danish Seine is an ingenious device that humans created to take food from the marine ecosystem – but it takes too much and destroys marine habitats; it disrupts the rhythm and harmony of nature and ultimately, it cuts through the web of life,” Judge Marigomen said.

He added that the NCDSOFAI has failed to prove entitlement to a writ of prelimi-nary injunction and the amount of damage it would sustain if the ban on hulbot-hul-bot is implemented.

BFAR Central Visayas regional director Andres Bojos said the recent Cebu RTC decision is a “triumph both for the marine environment and the municipal fisher-folks.” He said since the implementation of FAO 246, they have not caught anyone engaged in Danish seine fishing in Cebu.

When the FAO 246 was signed on Sep-tember 12, 2013, by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, it was warmly welcomed by small fisherfolks and environmental groups, but was strongly opposed by com-mercial fishing operators.

The first opposition came in April 2014, when commercial fishing and Danish seine operators filed a case in Malabon, Metro Manila, against DA Secretary Alcala and BFAR Director Asis Perez, to stop the implementation of FAO 246.

The DA and BFAR sought a TRO from the Supreme Court. In July 7, 2014, it up-held the ban on Danish seine and modified Danish seine, issuing a TRO against an order issued by Malabon RTC Branch 170 Judge Zaldy B. Docena on April 14, prohib-iting the implementation of FAO 246.

Photo & Illustration by DA-BFAR

Page 6: Oceana Newsletter No injunctions, TROs vs gov't enforcing ...

Lim also said the proposed E-NIPAS does not run counter to current environmental laws, but rather, complements and strengthens their implementation.

The HOR version of the bill was stalled due to the opposition of some of its members, who are citing the alleged lack of public consultation and redundancy of the law particularly in Palawan, which already has a Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) Law in place.

Some of the CSOs at the press conference said that there are a few HOR members who are blocking the passage of E-NIPAS to protect vested interests, mainly of mining companies.

Aside from Oceana, the other CSOs at the press conference were Haribon Foundation, Pusod, and Philippine Misereor Partnership. They issued their respective statements on the speedy passage of E-NIPAS bill by the HOR.

In a last-minute bid to urge the House of Representatives (HOR) to pass the

proposed E-NIPAS bill, Oceana and other civil society organizations, and the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, conducted a press conference on January 27, 2016, in Quezon City.

Oceana and other CSOs took a united stand, asking Congress to pass the E-NIPAS bill that would amend and strengthen the 24-year old RA 7586 by prohibiting mineral exploration and extraction in protected areas, and use of destructive fishing gears within marine protected areas.

“The proposed legislation also widens the coverage of NIPAS, adding around 100 more protected areas to the existing 13 that are already covered by national legislation,” said Oceana vice president Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos.

“The importance of strengthening our protected areas system has never been more urgent. Aside from protecting important ecosystems and habitats, protected areas are necessary in order to feed our growing population. We need protected areas for the survival of the human race in the face of climate change, as it promotes resilience and mitigate disaster risk,” Ramos said.

The 24-year old NIPAS law has become inadequate in effectively protecting the country’s remaining forests and marine protected areas, Oceana said. The proposed bill will further enhance protection and conservation efforts, and it will be stronger in terms of enforcing environmental laws, Oceana said. It will also provide local communities and stakeholders more incentives in the management and conservation of their respective terrestrial

I attended my first annual International All-Staff Meeting (IASM) of Oceana, in

March 1-4, 2016, held in Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford, Pennsylvania, USA.

Indeed, it is a privilege to be part of the Oceana family, feeling and seeing in person our colleagues from Oceana offices in various parts of the globe, whom we regularly communicate with through email and Skype. And I treasure those four days of togetherness, as we learned from each other on how best we could further save our oceans.

I was in awe, as each of the leader (from eight Oceana international offices) reported their victories, and I felt even prouder when our VP (Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos) reported our accomplishments in the Philippines, as I am a part of it.

It was an enriching experience, as I got to meet my fellow marine scientists, whom I have excitedly exchanged ideas and jokes with. Likewise, I got very good and practical tips from scientists of Spain, who are experienced/seasoned at organizing expeditions. I came home

Oceana, CSOs host E-NIPAS presscon

and marine protected areas. The E-NIPAS will also delineate the

boundaries of the terrestrial and marine protected areas, and provide a regular annual budget for the upkeep and protection of the 113 protected areas in the country. The existing 13 terrestrial and marine protected areas are delineated and mapped, while the additional 100 protected areas are yet to be mapped, said lawyer Maria Paz Luna of Pusod.

As for the annual budget to maintain and protect protected areas, Director Mundita Lim, of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said it is currently pegged at a measly P4M a year.

She said the E-NIPAS proposes to increase said annual budget to P10M. This means the DENR-BMB should have a budget of at least P1.13 billion for the proposed 113 terrestrial and marine protected areas that will be covered by the E-NIPAS nationwide.

Meet Oceana’s ... Continued from page 12

Benham explorers ... Continued from page 5

11

Among the speakers during a press conference on ‘Pass E-NIPAS Bill,’ held January 27, 2016, in Quezon

City, were (seated, from left): Atty. Edward Lorenzo, legal and policy director of Oceana Philippines;

Director Mundita Lim, DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau; Lorenzo Cordova, political adviser of

Representative Josephine Sato (Occ. Mindoro); and Atty. Maria Paz Luna, executive trustee of Pusod, Inc.

The forum was moderated by Daniel Ocampo (left), campaigns director of Oceana Philippines.

“While I am familiar with the basic science of fisheries, I learned a lot from the science team in terms of looking at the issues more scientifically. From the communications team, I learned how to deliver the message to a broader audience, and from campaigns, how to craft the message from the macro to the micro levels. I would like to think that they learned from

me as well,” he noted.“It was during the expedition that I also saw

the impact of our work with some of the local government partners, who welcomed us with open arms and freely exchanged ideas, and issues on fisheries and the challenges they faced,” Dong concluded.

Partner ‘Robin’It was a different story for Atty. Roger ‘Rocky’

Guzman, as he was influenced by his bosom models, his father and mother.

“My parents both work in the environment field. Growing up, I was exposed to the workings of the environmental movement and was made aware of the problems at a very young age,” said Rocky, who attended Quezon City Science High School and thereafter pursued political science, at the University of the Philippines, in Diliman, Quezon City.

“I looked up to public interest lawyers, who devoted all their time and effort to things that matter the most, and things that affect all of us,” added Rocky, who was an active college student. He co-founded and served as vice president for internal affairs, of the UP Environmental Law Society (UP ELS), and similarly as VP for internal affairs of the UP Association of Political Science Majors (UP APSM).

“Before entering law school, I asked environmental law practitioners and learned that being a lawyer gives you an immense advantage, in terms of knowledge and credibility, in pushing for matters of public interest and environmental concerns. That strengthened my resolve to push on and become a lawyer, ‘para sa bayan’ (for the

nation),” Rocky said firmly. While at the UP College of Law, Rocky has

found gainful internships with several institutions that included the Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC), DENR Pollution Adjudication Board, UP Office of Legal Aid (OLA), and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC). He completed his Juris Doctor degree in 2014.

“I entered Oceana right after I passed the Bar in 2015, and never looked back. It’s been a great run so far,” said Rocky, adding that he worked with Oceana vice president, Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, during his internship at PEJC.

“I enjoy policy work and love the feeling of being able to contribute to something bigger. It makes all the sleepless nights all worth it,” Rocky said.

To date, his most memorable experience at Oceana was being a member of the drafting committee for the implementing rules and regulations of the Fisheries Code as amended by RA 10654.

“It was a very exciting period of my Oceana life. Fresh into the job, I hit the ground running, and I learned so much from the people around me, and about myself as well, in a relatively short span of time’” he said gratefully.

In all, Rocky said: “Every day is a treat when working with people, who strive to make a difference, despite the odds stacked against them.

“When I’m with colleagues or when I meet new people, I soak in the inspiration of being able to work with deeply passionate individuals, who have trodden the waters before me; and hope that maybe, just maybe, I can be as good, or contribute as much, to make the world a place worth living in.”

US Embassy in Manila, said the US is privileged to support the entry of the BRUVS in the Philippines, as its assistance forms part of the science and technology agreement between the United States and the Philippines.

“I am heartened that the seeds I planted years ago have grown on fertile grounds. Thanks to the joint efforts of Oceana, DOST-PCAARRD and UP-MSI,” said Filipino marine scientist Dr. Rene Abesamis of Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management (SUAKREM) and James Cook University, in Australia.

Abesamis has previously used BRUVS at Apo island in Negros Oriental, documenting fish habitat, coral cover and reef areas, before and after two strong typhoons that hit the island a few years ago. He said Apo Island’s rich marine biodiversity makes it one of the best dive

spots in the Philippines. He said significant investments

should be made by concerned government agencies, academic institutions and environmental groups to build up the technical capability of Filipino marine scientists and researchers on the use of BRUVS and SeaGIS software system.

Dr. Edwin Villar, deputy executive director of DOST-PCAARRD, said their agency is privileged to once again fund the second Benham Rise expedition, under a project called, “Assessment of the Benthic Resources of the Benham Bank Seamount” or SM-Benthos. During the first expedition, he said the team has documented more than 60 fish species during 25 minutes of filming, where the shallowest area was 50 meters below the sea surface.

Dr. James Seager (left photo, right), of SeaGIS Pty Ltd of Australia, adjusts the setting of a video camera

prior to in-pool calibration, as Dr. Cleto Nañola, of UP Mindanao Department of Biological Science and

Environmental Studies, follows his instructions. Looking on is Dr. Badi Samaniego, a fellow at Ocean

Living Foundation. Right photo shows some of the participants setting the video camera during the

BRUVS training at a pool in UP Los Baños.

Meeting our Oceana global familyBy Marianne Pan-Saniano*

feeling more confident that we will have a successful expedition for the Philippines.

We all had the opportunity to meet Oceana’s senior adviser, the much-accomplished Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of the late, world-renowned French ocean advocate, oceanographer and film director, Jacques Cousteau. Aside from the fact that Alexandra is very beautiful, she was very accommodating and very eager to help Oceana in any way she can. We look forward to her visit to the country.

On the last night of IASM, I was fortunate enough to be seated right next to Oceana’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Sharpless. At first, I was very tense because I was talking with THE BOSS himself, but I found myself enjoying the conversation and dinner with Andy. That was a very unforgettable night indeed!

I came home with so much pride, appreciation and better understanding of how we do things at Oceana, and how we are different from other advocacy organizations.

It was so heartwarming to meet and know people who are equally hardworking and passionately in love with the sea.

*Editorial Adviser’s Note: Marianne shares her youthful

energy and expertise with Oceana Philippines, as one of

our marine scientists.

Team Oceana Philippines, led by Atty. Gloria Estenzo

Ramos (7th from left), is shown with Oceana Chief

Executive Officer Andrew ‘Andy’ Sharpless (5th

from left), during the first Oceana International

all-staff meeting in Pennsylvania, USA, March 1-4,

2016. They are (from left): John Riturban (finance

officer), Mary Ann Mayo (campaigns associate), Atty.

Roger Guzman and Atty. Edward Lorenzo (legal and

policy), Jenny Amancio (admin), Regina Alvarez

(office administrator), Jimely Flores and Marianne

Pan-Saniano (marine science), and Christine Dar-

Sicada (executive assistant to Atty. Ramos). Not

shown are Daniel Ocampo (campaigns), and Yasmin

Arquiza and Candeze Mongaya (communications).

Page 7: Oceana Newsletter No injunctions, TROs vs gov't enforcing ...

Photo by Ferdinand Edralin

If one were to plan a costume party, he or she could suggest ‘Batman and Robin’ suits

for these two young environmental lawyers.Aptly so, as in a way, they are ‘crusaders,’

advocating for and protecting the interests of small, marginal fisherfolk, ‘bantay-dagat’ fishery law enforcers, including local government officials, from legal harassments of moneyed illegal commercial fishers.

‘Batman’ is Atty. Edward ‘Dong’ G. Lorenzo, while partner ‘Robin’ is Atty. Roger ‘Rocky’ Guzman.

They are the dynamic legal and policy duo of Oceana Philippines International.

With more than 15 years (and counting) exposure and involvement in environmental law, Dong recalled that in April 1993, when he graduated at the Ateneo de Manila University, going to law school was mainly to address the question: “What the heck am I going to do with a political science degree?”

“So, going to law school really wasn’t a dream of mine,” said Dong, who has since combined law practice with project development, planning, management and review.

But after a year, he was enlightened and found his calling, so to speak.

“It was during my sophomore year that I realized that I really wanted to be a lawyer, and what kind of law I would practice. I joined the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) semestral break internship, and went on an immersion in a Mangyan community in Mindoro,” Dong recalled.

“It was talking and living with them for that short period of time that I knew I wanted to be a human rights lawyer. Seeing how they lived, talking to them about their struggles for their culture, land, and identity made an impact on my outlook towards the law,” noted Dong.

“I continued with being active in AHRC’s programs, and eventually became a graduate intern. I’ve been practicing environmental law and human rights since then,” added Dong, who worked in grassroots alternative law groups, like the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC) and Tanggol Kalikasan, assisting farmers, fisherfolk and indigenous peoples (IPs).

After obtaining a Juris Doctor degree at the ADMU and passing the Bar, Dong joined the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC) in Palawan, in January 1999, conducting environmental law seminars and law enforcement trainings to IP communities, upland farmers, marginal fisherfolk, other NGOs and POs, and local government units and national government agencies in Palawan.

After 15 years with ELAC and Tanggol Kalikasan, Dong has moved on and joined Oceana in October 2014.

To date, barely one-and-half years and counting, he has experienced, seen and felt the extent or macro and micro side of Oceana’s legal and policy work.

“What I enjoy being in Oceana is the ability to focus on both the big picture in terms of work on national-level fisheries policies, and at the same time be able to work with fisheries stakeholders at the grassroots. My exposure to the issues facing the local fisherfolk has helped me look at national policy work from a different perspective,” Dong explained.

Asked on what is his most memorable or exciting moment(s) or experience in Oceana, to date, he said: “The Tañon expedition was the most memorable so far. I got to interact with fellow team members, seeing how our various backgrounds and expertise complement each other.”

With his legal background, Dong has appreciated his Oceana counterparts from the marine science team (led by Jimely Flores), communications team (led by Yasmin Arquiza) and campaigns team (led by Danny Ocampo).

This newsletter is published by Oceana Philippines, P.O. Box 255, UP Post Office University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101. Website: ph.oceana.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/ oceana.philippinesTwitter: @oceana_ph Editorial AdviserAtty. Gloria Estenzo RamosVice President, Oceana PhilippinesE-mail: [email protected] EditorNoel O. Reyes Editorial AssistantChristine Dar Sicada Design & LayoutVA Room

Oceana Philippines Officers Atty. Edward LorenzoLegal and Policy Director Yasmin ArquizaCommunications Director

Daniel OcampoCampaigns Director Jimely FloresSenior Marine Scientist

Oceana is the largest internation-al non-government organization focused on ocean conservation, with offices in North, South and Central America, Europe and Asia and more than 600,000 followers all over the world. For further information, please visit www.oceana.org.

Meet Oceana’s ‘Batman and Robin’ legal duo

Atty. Roger ‘Rocky’ Guzman

(Continued on page 11)

Photo by Ferdz Decena

Atty. Edward ‘Dong’ G. Lorenzo

Photo by Danny Ocampo

Photo by Danny Ocampo