SONA 2020 Promise Tracker: Environment

PROMISE: Create department of disaster resilience

I emphasize the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience. Our people‘s safety cannot be delegated to a council or commission. (SONA 2020)

“[W]e need to hasten the establishment of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) so that these [sic] department focus on the natural hazards and climate change. I urge Congress to fast-track the passage of the Administration of this bill—Administration version rather.” (SONA 2019)

“[W]e, in the Cabinet, have approved for immediate endorsement to Congress the passage of a law creating the ‘Department of Disaster Management,’ an inter-agency — just like FEMA… I fervently appeal to Congress to pass this bill with utmost urgency.” (SONA 2018)

“I am calling [on] both houses of Congress to expeditiously craft a law establishing a new authority or department that is responsive to the prevailing 21 century conditions and empowered to best deliver [an] enhanced disaster resiliency and quick disaster response.” (SONA 2017)

House Bill 5989 consolidated all 35 measures creating a disaster resilience department. The proposed measure stalled in the Senate, after passing on third reading in the House of Representatives on Sept. 22, 2020.

When Taal Volcano began acting up recently, HouseMajority Leader Martin Romualdez appealed to the Senate on July 10, 2021 to prioritize the measure.

Thousands of Batanguenos evacuated their homes after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the danger alert level in the area on July 1 as high levels of plume and steam gushed out of the volcano.

Leyte 4th District Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez earlier called on Duterte to certify as urgent the disaster resilience department bill.

A certificate of urgency allows Congress to conduct a third reading of a bill immediately after getting passed on second reading.

Sens. Christian “Bong” Go and Grace Poe also urged their colleagues to prioritize the bill.

PROMISE: Pass National Land Use Act

The responsible extraction and equitable distribution of natural resources remain among my non-negotiables. I reiterate the need for the passage of the National Land Use Act which has been pending for decades. Pakisilip lang ho ninyo ‘yan. (SONA 2020)

“I further ask Congress to urgently pass the Na — ito — the National Land Use Act or NALUA within this year.” (SONA 2019)

“I therefore urge the Senate to urgently pass the National Land Use Act to put in place a national land use policy that will address our competing land requirements for food, housing, businesses, and environmental conservation. We need to do this now.” (SONA 2018)

“I am appealing to all our legislators to immediately pass the National Land Use Act or NALUA to ensure the rational and sustainable use of our land and our physical resources, given the competing needs of food security, housing, businesses and environmental conservation.” (SONA 2017)

A new resolution for the passage of a proposed National Land Use Act (NALUA) was filed on April 22, 2021 but remains pending in the House Committee on Land Use since May 2021, along with 19 other similar proposals.

This is despite a recommendation from the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council for Congress to pass 13 key bills by December 2021, including the proposed NALUA.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has long considered a NALUA “necessary” for the “effective utilization” and management of the country’s resources.

This is clearly stated in both the first and latest version of the Philippine Development Plan of 2017 to 2022, which NEDA recalibrated in January 2021 in light of the pandemic.

However, NEDA is yet to produce a draft executive order on the NALUA which was reported to have been in the works since December 2019.

PROMISE: Sustain rehabilitation efforts in Boracay; create Boracay development authority

We have seen the remarkable reemergence of the Island back to its former glory. I want this sustained. I ask Congress to enact a law creating — importante ito — the Boracay Island [Development] Authority or BIDA. We need it. (SONA 2020)

“We intend to restore [Boracay island’s] environmental integrity, alongside measures to alleviate those whose livelihood were momentarily affected.” (SONA 2018)

During a July 22 Pre-SONA forum, DENR reported that there are 88 sewage treatment plants built on Boracay Island.

Based on the latest water quality report of the Environmental Management Bureau in Region 6, the island’s fecal coliform level was recorded at less than one most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters (>1 MPN/100mL) and highest at 13 MPN/100mL at Puka Beach, a common tourist swimming spot.

As a Class SB body of water, these are both well within the 100 MPN/100mL standard set for Boracay.

Local authorities also demolished 152 illegal structures in Boracay’s forest and wetlands.

Some 22,000 workers on the island received financial assistance amounting to around P500 million, according to the same report. In 2018, DBM allocated P448 million for 17,000 workers in Boracay affected by its temporary closure.

Duterte’s plea for Congress to legislate a Boracay Island Development Authority (BIDA) in his 2020 SONA saw six more resolutions filed in the Lower House.

But the Boracay town council and local residents opposed the creation of a new task force. Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores noted that there were “no consultations” held between Boracay’s locals and the solons who drafted the bills.

Time ran out on the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF), the group overseeing the rehabilitation of the tourist destination. It was effectively dissolved on May 8, 2021 as stated in Executive Order No. 115.

However, the BIATF wanted a one-year term extension which was supported by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, saying this was necessary for a “smooth transition” of the BIATF’s responsibilities to the proposed BIDA and to address resettlement problems on the island.

Cimatu explained that for “humanitarian consideration” amid the pandemic, the task force stopped the relocation of civilians living in the forest timberland.

PROMISE: Rehabilitate other tourist destinations

“I am giving due notice to the LGUs and other stakeholders, kayo po, of tourist destinations to take extra steps in the enforcement of our laws and the protection of our environment.” (SONA 2019)

“For the other tourist destinations needing urgent rehabilitation and enforcement of environmental and other laws shall soon follow.” (SONA 2018)

Assessment of tourist spots in the provinces continued despite the health crisis.

The Environmental Research and Development Bureau reported onsite data gathering visits to Puerto Galera and Southern Cebu to examine their tourism carrying capacity.

A carrying capacity (CarCap) study of ecotourism sites determines the maximum number of visitors allowed for minimal impacts to the environment. CarCap evaluations help ensure that tourism activities in certain destinations are “sustainable” and “lasting.”

PROMISE: Give Boracay to Atis

“So I told the Agrarian Reform, ‘Go to the place, have it inspected because I will declare the whole of the island a land reform program.’ And I gave the islands piece by piece to the Atis, the natives of the place para walang masabi.” (SONA 2019)

On May 18, 2021, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) inspected and “revalidated” the second batch of land for distribution to members of the Ati tribe.

This was in keeping with Executive Order No. 75, which Duterte signed three months after meeting with the agrarian reform beneficiaries. The directive called on concerned government agencies to identify public land for distribution to “qualified beneficiaries,” such as the Atis.

Three years prior, the government awarded 3.2 hectares of farmland to 44 members of the Ati tribe. Reports showed Duterte personally handing out Certificates of Land Ownership to the beneficiaries.

The Atis are the original inhabitants of Boracay Island, a fact acknowledged by DAR. The Atis were displaced when Boracay Island was opened to tourists in the early 2000s.

PROMISE: Rehabilitate Manila bay, relocate informal settlers and dismantle toxic establishments

“On January 27, 2019, we officially started the Manila Bay rehabilitation. Though we have a long way to go, we are encouraged by the test results of the waters near Padre Faura. We will relocate informal settlers — I hope it can happen during my time — along the waterways and shut down establishments that continue to pollute and poison our waters.” (SONA 2019)

In May 2021, the Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) allocated an additional P265 million to convert an area around Manila Bay into a dolomite beach.

The agency installed the P389 million white sand in the area in September last year and was touted as the “focal point” of the rehabilitation of the heavily-polluted Manila Bay. However, Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones said this was not part of Manila Bay’s long-term rehabilitation plan. (See VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Post comparing Manila Bay rehab with old toilet project has MISLEADING budget figures)

To improve the water quality, sewage treatment plants along Manila Bay reportedly filters 500,000 liters a day. DENR said that, as of December 2020, the quality of water that flows in the bay was now at 1.1 MPN/100mL and what flows out was at 10 MPN/100mL. These are both well within the water standard set for the bay.

The project is divided into three parts, with resettlement of informal settlers set for the second phase.

Duterte’s 2020 budget message to Congress directed the solons to allot P1 billion specifically for the resettlement of informal settler families (ISFs) affected by Manila Bay’s rehabilitation.

Two months later, the Department of Budget and Management slashed the National Housing Authority’s (NHA) allocation to P3.89 billion. The original proposed budget had a P76 billion allocation for NHA’s 2021 projects, including the resettlement program for ISFs.

Due to the hefty budget cut, reports showed that the NHA now only has enough money to fund around 2,000 homes for the ISFs.

PROMISE: Fast-track development of renewable energy sources

“We recognize the urgent need to ensure the sustainability and availability of resources and the development of alternative ones. In this regard, I trust that Secretary Cusi shall fast-track also the development of renewable energy sources, and reduce dependence on the traditional energy sources such as coal.” (SONA 2019)

There are 12 renewable energy firms approved by the Department of Energy (DOE) under the country’s Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) as of May 2021.

Earlier this year, the DOE formally closed its third call for applications from both local and foreign firms looking to venture into the country’s geothermal and hydropower energy resources.

The department received five complete applications for four geothermal projects in Laguna, Benguet, and Camarines Norte and Sur. However, there were eight incomplete applications for hydropower ventures that could be renewed through a motion for reconsideration.

During the US-Philippines virtual economic briefing, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi invited American firms to invest in GEOP, as well as nuclear power in the country.

PROMISE: Limit the use of extracted resources to Filipinos

At this point in my administration, if possible, we shall put a stop to the extraction and exportation of our mineral resources to foreign nations for processing abroad and importing them back to the Philippines in the form of consumer goods at prices twice or thrice the value of the original raw materials foreign corporations pay for them. (SONA 2019)

“My policy in the utilization of these resources is non-negotiable: the protection of the environment must be [the] top priority and extracted resources must be used for the benefit of the Filipino people, not just a select few.” (SONA 2018)

“If possible, we shall put a stop to the extraction and exportation of our mineral resources to foreign nations for processing abroad and importing them back to the Philippines in the form of consumer goods at prices twice or thrice the value of the original raw materials foreign corporations pay for them.” (SONA 2017)

In a complete turnaround, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 130, lifting a nine-year-old ban on new mining contracts with the government.

This directive said that the country can use its mining resources for the government’s Build, Build, Build program and generate employment in rural areas

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the DENR show that mineral goods were the country’s third most valuable export in 2018, 2019, and 2020 which amounted to no less than $300 million each year.

A preliminary PSA report showed the export value of mineral products went up to $460.8 million in May 2021 from $373.4 million for the same month last year.

The DENR also reported last June that the local mining industry contributed more than P102 billion to the country’s gross domestic product last year.

PROMISE: Close down Carmona Sanitary Landfill

“To have adequate disposal facilities for the Metro Manila Garbage, the final closure and rehabilitation of the Carmona Sanitary Landfill shall be pursued…” (SONA 2016)

In September 2020, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) allocated P100 million for the final closure of the Carmona Sanitary Landfill in Cavite.

In its annual report last year, MMDA reported that it conducted site inspections at the landfill and allocated P296 million for “civil works” related to its rehabilitation.

A separate study of Carmona’s landfill gas and solid waste was reportedly completed this year, according to the research and development team of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

In 2018, the MMDA likewise commissioned a separate study overseen by Woodfields Consultants, Inc. on the safe closure of the landfill.

VERA Files Fact Check requested updates on the Carmona Landfill study from both the MMDA and DOST, but has not received a response.

PROMISE: Rehabilitate Laguna Lake

“The Laguna Lake shall be transformed into a vibrant economic zone showcasing ecotourism by addressing the negative impact of the watershed destruction, land conversion and pollution. Ito ang nilagay ko. This is what I am telling: The poor fishermen will have priority in its entitlements.” (SONA 2016)

As part of the rehabilitation of Laguna De Bay, authorities in Tanay, Rizal built a septic treatment facility for wastewater spilling into its rivers that are connected to Laguna Lake.

The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) is also eyeing a $30 million rehabilitation proposal from the Hungarian government coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Separately, a “private firm” offered around P600 billion to the LLDA for the development and rehabilitation project of the lake, reports show.