By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

PLANS of the Department of Energy (DOE) to reintroduce the use of nuclear energy is meeting staunch criticism from environmental and science activists.

The Samahan ng Nagtataguyod ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Sambayanan (AGHAM) and Greenpeace in separate statements argue that the Philippines is not ready to use nuclear energy, citing the potential cost of using such technology and the hazards that come with it.

Instead, both groups suggest that the Philippines should use renewable forms of power, such as geothermal, natural gas, wind and hydroelectric, which they point out to be cheaper and safer.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

THE FILIPINO delegation to the 3rd International Mathematics Invitational Competition has garnered the most number of medals and awards in all the math competitions joined by the Philippines this year.

Forty-four out of 59 Filipino elementary and high school students won a total of 11 gold, 12 silver, 21 bronze and 15 merit awards at the 3rd IMC held in Singapore on August 18.

The Philippine team, trained by the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild Philippines (MTG), competed against China, India, Malaysia and Singapore. The names and details regarding the 3rd IMC can be seen on the MTG website.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

AS more environmental advocates voice their concerns regarding alleged ecological degradation, environmental groups are warning that they will become the targets of corporations with the use of SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation).

Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) noted in a statement that mining firms and landowning families, in particular, are able to stifle opposition.

A SLAPP is a form of litigation by a wealthier group to silence less financially-capable critics.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

ENVIRONMENTALIST group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) warned that that the Japan Philippine Economic Parntership Agreement (JPEPA) would cause more harm to the Philippines’ marine reserves and ecosystems, particularly since the trade agreement allows more exports of marine products such as tuna.

Kalikasan PNE national coordinator Clemente Bautista said Japan is one of the biggest markets for fish and JPEPA could open doors to exploitation of marine resources, as well as agricultural products, minerals and energy.

Citing a report by the Japan Tuna Federation, Bautista said Japan consumes 630,000 tons of tuna per year or 11 pounts per person. “We fear the shrinking catch qoutas will prompt Japan to move more of its giant fishing fleets to exploit Philippine seas and further deplete our country’s fish sources and marine ecosystems. When Japanese transnational fishing companies corner the country’s tuna resources through the JPEPA, we are sure that many other forms of resource depletion and marine environmental degradtion will follow,” Bautista said.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

EXPERTS from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and several state colleges and universities are working to improve the Philippine organic agriculture industry and create a research and development extension program on organic agriculture.

The agencies met during the recently held National Consultation Workshop on Organic Agriculture S&T Framework and Specific RDE Program fro 200702010 last July 26 and 27.

The workshop includes organizing different activities into coherent focused strategic programs, most importantly the priority projects and roles of stakeholders in pushing and promoting organic agriculture.

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