Newsflash

Malacañang declares August 30 a holiday

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda made the announcement on Friday morning.

The declaration was made after Malacañang reviewed Proclamation 1841 signed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declaring the regular holidays, special (non-working) days and special holidays for schools for the year 2010.

Arroyo had previously set the schedule for holidays this year to allow businesses to adjust schedules and promote productivity.

He said the Aquino administration is not trying to repeal the holiday economics law, which requires that most holidays, except those with religious significance, be shifted to the nearest Monday.
‘Unity needed to combat climate change' PDF Print E-mail
Written by JUDY F. PARTLOW-Visayan Daily Star   
Wednesday, 08 July 2009 13:02
Provincial officials called on the different sectors in Negros Oriental to band together and act immediately before it’s too late to combat the effects of climate change, that will put at risk the younger generations.More than a hundred representatives from local government units, fishermen’s and farmers’ groups, the police, barangay population and development officers, and non-government organizations attended the environment summit that culminated the celebration of Environment Month of the province. Gov. Emilio Macias II warned that indifference and inaction on the harmful practices and illegal activities that contribute to climate change would bring about massive global destruction.He cited deforestation and extensive burning that release carbon dioxide, one of the causes of global warming.The heavy use of fossil fuels, such as gasoline, methane and propane also produce carbon dioxide that thins out the ozone layer which protects the earth, humans and all forms of life from harmful exposure to the sun.What is being written in the Bible about the destructive effects of abuse on the environment is becoming more evident now, Macias said.Macias noted the Feb. 7 unprecedented massive flooding in Dumaguete and other parts of Negros Oriental, aside from other activities such as a continuing rise in temperature and sea levels, drought and other similar extreme events. “These are signs that we need to address environmental issues now,” Macias stressed.He expressed hope that the summit participants would learn from the different lectures and briefings on climate change and pass these on to their respective constituents down to the lowest level of the community and individual households.“This is not for us; this is for our children, grandchildren and the generations to come”, Macias said.Mercy Teves, chief of the provincial Environment and Natural Resources Division, said she was pleased with the large turn out of participants to the summit.The LGUs represented include Canlaon City, Siaton, Dauin, Bayawan, Bacong, Valencia, Sta. Catalina, Sibulan, Guihulngan, La Libertad, Tayasan, Jimalalud, Vallehermoso, Ayungon and Pamplona. Teves admitted that there is still so much to cover in terms of information and education in drumming up public awareness to support the worldwide cause in combating climate change.

Lecturers included environmental experts and officers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources headed by Director Isabelo Montejo, Regional Technical Director of DENR-7.