Tinig ng Kalikasan
Dear Editor,
Page 6
Significant Events
I believe that having a comfortable work place motivates us to
accomplish more. Hizon building is one of the oldest structures I’ve known in Metro Manila and is prone to natural calamities including fire hazard.
Tinig ng Kalikasan
THE OFFICIAL EMB-NCR NEWS LETTER
Please up-date us on the latest news about our new building.
When can we possibly transfer? What has been the cause of
the delay for our transfer. Everybody is excited already to
occupy our new building. Inherent to our transfer is the feeling of self-esteem and morale boosting working in a better
and more presentable office.
JANUARY - JUNE 2013
VOL. 1 NO. 1
Page 1
DENR Affirms Partnership
Thank you and more power to Tinig ng Kalikasan.
with Manila Water
Truly,
Concerned employee
Dear Concerned Employee,
While, EMB-NCR’s top management priority include among others the provision of a conducive work environment for its personnel, it really saddens us to have failed to realize our expected
timetable of completion of our Office building last January 2013.
Though the four (4) storey super structure could now be found in
the Ecology Center in East Avenue, Quezon City, we have yet to
wait for the installation of the electrical wiring, plumbing pipes
and fixtures, plastering, tiling and other major finishing works to
be completed before we could finally enjoy the comfort and pleasures of new office building. The said activities however would
require a budget which is beyond the amount allocated to us (for
building construction) for the current year. Hence, we could not
guarantee that we would be able to move in our new office building within the year.
We fully understood your concerns, don't lose hope and continue
to preserve, EMB-NCR’s management is still finding ways to
augment the deficit in the required construction costs.
The Editor
EDITORIAL BOARD
Engr. Vizminda A. Osorio
(EMB-NCR Regional Director)
Other Up-coming Events
1.
DENR Anniversary June 10, 2013
2.
PCO Day June 25-28, 2013
Engr. Florence V. Velasquez
3.
Arbor Day June 25, 2013
(OIC, PPMISSD)
4.
2013 National Search for sustainable and Echo - friendly School August 2013 : Participating Schools
Editorial Chief
Editor-in-Chief
Ms. Maria Lourdes S. Paterno

Rizal Technological University
Associate Editors

Ateneo De Manila University
Engr. Emiliano P. Kempis, Jr.

Commonwealth Elementary School
(OIC, EIA)

Miriam College
Ms. Anieflor S. Ullero
Engr. Jacinto S. Orcullo
(OIC, PCD)
Contributing Editors
Ms. Janet L. Abijero
(OIC, MIS)
Mr. Christian V. Claudio
Mr. Mikko M. Caniezo
Lay-Out Artist
Ms. Marilou L. Peralta
Circulation Manager
DENR through EMB-NCR gives
its full support to Manila Water
with the launching of “TOKA
TOKA” on February 18, 2013 at
the 2nd floor of Hizon Laboratory
building. In the formal launching of the partnership between
EMB-NCR and Manila Water,
Regional Director Vizminda A.
Osorio conveyed enormous
pleasure for the growing interest
of the society especially private
entities such as Manila Water in
its drive to care for the environment particularly in metropolis.
especially Metro Manila’s waterways through proper used- water management.
“We at EMB-NCR can not do the
work of cleaning up the esteros
just by our selves. Partnering
with Manila Water gives us an
opportunity to expand our programs since most of Metro Manila’s waterways are already
biologically dead,”
Osorio lamented. Manila Water Group
Director for East Zone Business
Operations Ferdinand de la Cruz
asserted the company’s commitment for continuously educating and informing the general
public in its advocacy to take
care of the environment,
Dr. Eva Ocfemia, the Assistant
Director of EMB affirmed the
agency’s support to Manila
Water’s advocacy up to the national level. “We are one with
Manila
Water
in
their
“TokaToka” movement. We are
looking at expanding the movement to the national level while
we help encourage the public to
support advocacy through concrete means,” Ocfemia ended.
“ Because of the magnitude of
the problem on the pollution of
our waterways and rivers, we
need the contribution of every
concerned agency, corporation,
organization and individuals to
address the issue,” de la Cruz
exclaimed. “There are practical
ways that each of us can easily
accomplish to help clean up the
rivers,” de la Cruz added.
EMB Signs 27
MOAs for Manila
Bay Clean- Up
The DENR in compliance to the
Mandamus Order issued by the
Supreme Court in December
2008, ordering 14 Government
agencies to improve the ambient
water quality of Manila Bay to
“class C” by 2016. EMB-NCR
has instituted in its plans and
programs the “Adopt-An-Estero”
Program as one of its top priority
programs.
of the Major Final Outputs as a
condition to receiving PBB
(Performance Based Bonus)
As of November 2012, there were
already 27 Memorandum of
Agreements (MOAs) signed beThe project was enrolled by the tween EMB-NCR and private
(Continued on page 3)
DENR to the congress as one
Manila Water gains support from the Environmental Management Bureau of
DENR for “TokaToka” Manila water’s advocacy for used water management.
Seen in photo are (from left) Eva Ocfemia, Assistant Director, DENR EMB;
Vizminda Osorio, Regional Director, DENR-EMB-NCR; Ferdinand Dela Cruz,
Manila Water’a Group for East Zone Business Operations; and Geodino Carpio, Manila Water’s Group Director for Operation; during the recent ceremonial partnership seal signing for Toka Toka.
EMB-NCR Capacitates Barangay Ilugin
Estero Partners
As part of the action plan on
the clean up of Ilugin Creek
located in Brgy. Pinagbuhatan,
Pasig City, EMB-NCR in partnership with Asahi Glass
spearheaded the Eco-tour in
Estero de Paco and Seminar
on Waste Minimization on February 12 and 15, 2013 respectively. The Eco-tour is one of
the advocacies of EMB-NCR in
support to Adopt-An-Estero
Program. Some barangay officials and residents of Brgy.
Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City together with EMB-NCR’s team
led by RD Vizminda A. Osorio
and Asahi Glass Company
Officials explored the once
polluted and garbage-laden
Estero-de Paco. The activity
showcased the daunting task
initiated by Ms. Gina Lopez in
rehabilitating and maintaining
the natural beauty of the estero
which flows directly to Pasig
River. The tour gave the participants some ideas on how Estero
de Paco recuperated and which
they can emulate for Ilugin
creek. A capacity building seminar was also conducted to the
same group to enhance their
knowledge on their mission to
clean Ilugin creek. Ms. Wilma
Uyaco, the OIC, Chief of WQMS
oriented the group on what
Adopt-An-Estero is all about.
She showed pictures on the state
of some creeks in Metro Manila
including Estero de Paco which
was once a filthy-grubby body of
water but is now on its take-off
to “Class C” water.
Ms. Anieflor Ullero together with
Ms. Ma. Lourdes Paterno of EEIS
amplified (Continued 0n page 2)
Tinig ng Kalikasan
Page 2
RD OSORIO Empowers EMB-NCR Employees
Engr. Doctor on call for capacity
building seminar at Barangay
Ilugin Creek purok leaders
From page 1
the presentation of Ms. Uyaco by
giving lecture on Waste Reduction
and Segregation. It was a dynamic
discussion with the barangay leaders as everyone was interested in the
cleaning of the solid wastes dumped
in Ilugin creek.
Ms. Benavides Cruz, the manager of
Asahi Glass Company assured the
residents of their all out support in
their endeavor to clean Ilugin creek.
Also present during the seminar was
the Engr. Diosdado Doctor, the OIC
Chief of Special Concerns and Project Management Office of EMB-NCR
“Let us be mindful of the protection,
preservation and maintenance of
our environment. It is not the government, but us, our health and
specially that of the next generations
that would benefit most if we are
mindful of the ill effects of our actions towards the environment,”
were the words imparted by Engr.
Doctor.
You have always taken me
for granted. Many times you
treat me with shabbiness
and indifference, you never
seem to like me. In fact, you
never seem to appreciate me
at all. Many times you hurl
slighting remarks about me.
You blame me for robbing
you much of your freedom that if it were not for me,
you’d have more time to pursue your leisure - to make
“Attached herewith from the undersigned is an excerpt of the memo- friends and to do other
randum from the Secretary reiterating that there is so much more to be more enjoyable things bedone to attain sustainable development for the environment, hence you sides. You expect me to give
are hereby instructed to comply with the above-noted subject.”
you something in return.
In recognition of the continuing
development of EMB-NCR personnel, OIC, Regional Director
Vizminda A. Osorio initiated a 3day capacity building seminar for
technical writers held in Kimberly Hotel, Tagaytay City on February 20-22, 2013.
Enhancement
should bear in mind in order to Don’t I provide you for your
food, your clothing, your
be effective.
New words like shoeses, jewelries, memorandums, datas and
even peoples are astoundingly
some of the words that have
evolved in English dictionary
and has gained acceptance in
formal written and verbal English which the group boldly refuted.
“Teaching our
children these changes in the
usage of words may pose some
danger as it may not be academically accepted”, Engr. Florence
V. Velasquez exclaimed.
of the participants’ technical
writing skills for job and personal effectiveness by demonstrating
skills and confidence in writing
and preparing reports and other
correspondences is one of the
objectives of the seminar. Correct
grammar, proper diction, sentence structure, consistency in
tone and other basic principles of “Usage of these new words entechnical writing are the topics tails knowing who or what the
included in the course outline.
source is”, the resource speaker
reasoned out.
Osorio in her welcome remarks
encouraged the participants to As a conclusion of the 3-day
recognize the value of being an seminar Engr. Jacinto Orcullo
e fficie nt te chnical wri te r. gave his insight about the semi“Written communications pre- nar. “It was information-filled
pared correctly and intelligently and truly educational,” he said.
speak favorably for the organiza- Borrowing the words of Booker
T. Washington which goes,
tion”, she commented.
“Excellence is doing common
“Awe” was the participants’ thing in an uncommon way,”
reaction on the hackneyed ex- Orcullo urged his fellow techpressions mentioned by the nical writers to go far beyond
trainer as these are still being what others consider already
used in the correspondences/ good.
business letters and reports of
most government offices including EMB-NCR. (Statement above
is a sample sentence containing
hackneyed expressions).
The hackneyed expressions employed by technical writers seem
impervious.
Adopt-an-Estero Partner Asahi
Manager Ms. Benavidez Cruz
Icing on Ice berg
Knowing who the readers are,
must be one of the most important considerations a writer
shelter and the money you
spend on a thousand and
more things? Doesn’t your
bank account depend upon
me? And how about prestige? Were if not for me,
where do you think would
be?
You must understand that I
also have feelings, because I
care, I also expect to be
cared for. Because I gave, I
also expect to receive. And
what I’d expect from you
would be your unfailing loyalty, affection and your devotion.
Just supposing one morning
you wake up and find me
gone. Would you not face
the day with an uneasy feeling perhaps bordering in
fear, hopeless and despair?
For then, hunger, deprivation and poverty would be
at your door. And perhaps
the friends you have gained
thru me would slowly begin
to desert you and your savings begins to dwindle.
Yearning for a clean, safe
and protected environment,
EMB-NCR like a knight in
shining armor horse-back rides
in disseminating information
to all stakeholders especially
the designated Pollution Control Officers (PCO) of establishments in the private and public
sectors.
Anonymous
Page 5
EMB-NCR ON GUARD TO POLLUTION
Adorned with a nil background
on the technical aspects of the
environmental laws but with
deep passion in educating the
public on the different mandates of EMB-NCR, the Planning Division through its Environmental Education and Information Section has formed part
of its system the conduct of
Over the years, DENR through
regular seminar on the Basic
EMB-NCR has been educating
Training Program for Pollution
and apprehending business esControl Officers.
tablishments and other
government units on the ill effects
Interwoven in the seminar is
of being oblivious to the environthe discussion of the different
ment taking into account the serienvironmental laws by the folous effects of pollution both to the
lowing lecturers : Engr. Florenvironment and the citizenry.
ence V. Velasquez; Engr. Emil
Kempis; Engr. Wilfredo RafanWhy Pollution? Will we ever get
an,Engr. Ding Briones, Engr.
rid of it? Pollution in general
Dolores Velasquez and Engr.
is the invisible lethal venom that
Divina Camarao.
circulates in the environment. It
can be a result of natural disasUnless people’s values change there’s
no way we can escape the destruction ters but created mostly by human
actions. Human actions as a
caused by the pollution.
cause of pollution should be given
emphasis. Unless people’s values
change there’s no way we can
escape the destructions caused
by pollution. A very stringent
warning of humanity's increasingly deleterious impact on pollution
is the study made by the World
Health Organization (WHO) on
various infectious diseases like
diarrhea, Hepatitis A, cholera,
typhoid fever and intestinal parasitism that resulted from poor
Effect of pollution - Fish kill
environmental conditions. (Health
and Environment )
So after all, I’m important
to you. Your satisfaction in
life greatly depends upon
me. So, if you want to keep
me, LOVE ME, VALUE ME or
else I’ll run away from you.
I AM YOUR JOB!
Technical Writeshop
Tinig ng Kalikasan
Pollution Control Officers’
training
Freshwater pollution as attributed by the discharge of untreated
waste, dumping of industrial effluent, and run-off from agricultural fields damages not only the
water pathways but also the
aquatic life that form part of the
ecosystem. Industrial growth,
urbanization and the increasing
use of synthetic organic substances are linked with the serious and adverse impacts on
freshwater bodies.
“Polluters must pay”
is the report on the
adverse impact of
water
pollution
that
costs
the
economy an estimated Php67 Billion annually (more
than US$1.3 Billion).
www.wepadb.net/.../
philippines/
overview.ht.
Most of the massive destruction and
even extinction of the fresh water
pathways with unknown ecological
and evolutionary consequences
originated from individuals’ and
business establishments’ lack of
respect to the aquatic world. Rubbish of all sizes and form are jettisoned not only by informal settlers
but almost by everyone from all
walks of life. Business establishments are most horrific by avoiding
the services of registered treaters to
handle their hazardous wastes. The
creeks and rivers serve well for their
landfill. Such an act is a crime practiced by some unscrupulous and
influential businessmen not realizing
the accumulative effects it brings to
the community.
Along
side
this
study, is the impact of air pollution
to Philippine economy indicating P52
million losses due to reduced
work days of employees afflicted
with acute lower respiratory
infection/pneumonia,
COPD
and cardiovascular diseases.
The study also found that P910
million was spent on hospitalization and medical expenses for
the
treatment
of
noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
http://newsinfo.inquirer.
The above scenario on water
and air pollution stimulate action on the part of the government to lessen the causes and
adverse effects of pollution.
With
the
onslaught
of
“Rationalizastion Plan,” EMBNCR has been undermanned to
police the environmental criminals. As a means to address the
lack of manpower enforcers, the
Basic Course for Pollution Control Officers has been conceptualized to establish partnership with owners and managers
of all establishments utilizing
the skills and expertise of technical persons as Pollution Con-
Air pollution another severe catastrophe beleaguering the four corners of
the earth such as ozone (O3), sulfur
dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
and "smog" when elevated in the
atmosphere even slightly can induce
the human airways to close and go
into spasm. However, many forms of
air pollution are man-made. Industrial plants, power plants and vehicles with internal combustion engines produce nitrogen oxides.
VOCs, carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide, sulfur dioxide and particulates. In most urban cities like Metro
Manila, motor vehicles are the main
source of these pollutants ( EMBNCR Air Quality Status Report
2012), making the air we breathe
hazardous and causing serious diseases that are linked to episodes of
respiratory problems, such as bronchitis and cystic fibrosis a mucous
glands found throughout the body,
Pollution Control Officers’ training
including
the
lungs.
www.livestrong.com/.
trol Officers who would attend
Parallel to above studies on pollution (Continued on page 4)
Tinig ng Kalikasan
Page 4
Continued from page 3.
not because team members never disagree, but
because they have worked out ways to resolve
conflicts when they occur. They are efficient
because tasks are assigned in a way that takes
into account each member’s skills and interests.
as compared to the study made
on the Air Quality Status of 2011
where we enjoyed cleaner air only
during the months of MarchSeptember.
The NCRAGB has yet to prove its
effectiveness and efficiency in its
battle for a safe, clean and fresh
air for the entire National Capital
Region by helping DENR in its
mandate to lessen air pollution
for at least 30%, but this goal
can not be realized without
strengthening the information,
education and awareness campaign hub of the board.
Continued from page 5
to the environmental concerns and
issues of the company.
Tutoring the barangay leaders
living along esteros adopted by
some private partner donors, on
the provisions of RA 9003 with
particular emphasis on waste segregation and minimization provides optimistic anticipation that
the mind-set of people be delivered
from bondage of filthy practices to
a sense of healthy living.
The preparation of Compliance
Monitoring Report (CMR) submitted semi-annually, and Self Monitoring Report (SMR) submitted
quarterly are tools to gauge the
compliance of a company on the
conditions stipulated in the Discharge Permit, Permit to Operate,
on being a Hazardous Waste generator/treater/ or hauler, as well
as compliance on the prohibitions
of Ozone Depleting Substances
and strict observance of the conditions set in the approved Environmental Compliance Certificate
(ECC) or Certificate of NonCoverage (CNC) which ever applies.
EMB-NCR is clothed with authority that would let you stay on the
right track. It is not just here to
stop environmental crime but here
to keep every individual safe in
every way possible.
Pollution Control Officers, Training
Tinig ng Kalikasan
Page 3
(continued from page 1..)
business establishments to facilitate compliance of the mandamus.
Below are the benevolent partners who have committed to clean
the esteros to ultimately improve the water quality of Manila Bay:
Establishing the NCARGB is one
of EMB-NCR’s blood-shed accomplishments with the intricacies
met in convening the high ranking officials of the government
agencies, LGUs and civil society
groups. Finding a common time
for all involved in the endeavor
was one of the most challenging
concerns of the Office. Meetings
were desolately cancelled because
of not having a quorum, a natural
calamity in the area, confusion on
who should be designated as Focal Person in lieu of the head of
Office and many more. After series of meetings, EMB-NCR has
finally organized its Airshed Governing Board.
The activities provided the employees some
opportunity to improve peer group relationships and establish rapport with supervisors
and other senior staff.
Team building at Sitio
Lucia,
Bulacan May
2-3, 2013
While the rest of the workforce were given assignments on rediscovering their personality,
RD Osorio convened with the senior staff and
discussed issues and concerns presented during the Management Conference held at Kimberly Hotel, Tagaytay City on February 19-20,
2013.
It was a reinvigorating activity that accorded
everybody with a feeling of relief from the burdens of circulars, memoranda, correspondences, and meeting report deadlines.
As the old adage goes “ All work without play
make John a dull boy”
EMB-NCR On the Go for
Team Building Workshop
“Eliminating Threats to Effective
Work Teams,” is this year’s theme
of the Team Building Activity of
EMB-NCR held in Sitio Lucia
Learning Center and Resort Hotel
on May 2-3, 2013.
RD Osorio required all employees
to attend said activity since it is
the conviction of RD Osorio that
our Office needs to strengthen its
workforce by intensifying team
work relationship.
RD Vizminda Osorio was proclaimed the Deputy Chairperson
of the Board in accordance with
the provision of RA 8749 and Cochaired by MMDA USEC Corazon
T. Jimenez. Other members of the
Executive Committee are the following:
Team building seminar-workshops are conceptualized as a step towards the attainment of
employees’ well-being in terms of team work,
cooperation and unity and ultimately can use
the inculcated values for easy and smooth
attainment of organizational goals and objectives.
1.
Monitoring and water sampling in the creeks are done periodically.
Schedules of clean-up and dredging are done to sustain and maintain cleanliness of said creeks.
To hasten implementation of the Clean-Up activities, River Councils have been organized for a number of waterways. To name a
few: Maricaban River Council; Balampasigan River Council;
Lingunan River Council and Pasong Cobra River Council.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Expounding on how to eliminate
threats to effective work teams is a
training guru of the Ombudsman
Ms. Bella Asuncion.
Miriam Peace represent by
Ms. Tess Olivia;
LGU of Quezon City - represented by Ms. Frederika Rentoy;
LGU of Makati - represented
by Mr. Danny Villas;
LGU of Pasig - represented
by Raquel Naciongayo;
Department of Health - NCR
Rannier John Fajardo; and
Federation of Philippine Industries - Dr. Edgardo Alabastro.
The Vision, Mission and Core
Values of the organization have
been crafted but still need further
polishing and approval by the
other members of the board.
As a team it is important to process or filter information in the
work place in order to eliminate
threats, the speaker explained.
Below are excerpts of Ms. Asuncion’s lecture:
Teams that are cohesive, productive, and efficient and whose members enjoy doing their work and
working together don't happen by
accident. Successful teams are
cohesive because team members
work cooperatively, sharing common goals as well as resources to
achieve them. They are productive
Manila Airshed has been redesignated into three (3) airsheds
namely : National Capital Region
Airshed Board; Cavite-LagunaRizal Airshed Board and BulacanPampanga-Bataan Airshed Board.
NCRAGB Circuits now on Treadmills
The moment of inertia for EMBNCR Airshed Governing Board
has reached alp high with the
calendar of activities listed during the last Executive Meeting
presided by MMDA USEC Corazon T. Jimenez held on March
21, 2013 at Dolcelatte Gourmet
Bakeshop, Quezon City. By virtue of Republic Act No. 8749 Sec.
12, Rule XV, Part V of DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No.
2000-81 (Implementing Rules
and Regulations), the Metro-
USEC Jimenez who presided the
last meeting pleaded the group in
the formulation of their goals to
have in mind the right objective
with the correct intentions. “An
organization having the right objective but with wrong intentions
can not sustain”, she elaborated.
List of activities that must be
accomplished by the Board before
the end of first semester for this
year include:
1.
Action Planning Workshop of
the NCR Airshed Governing
Board which is tentatively
scheduled on April 18-19,
2013.
2. Brain-storming on the contents of the Manual of Operations.
3. Oath-taking with the DENR
Secretary.
4. Quarterly Meeting every last
Thursday of the Quarter.
5. Constant information on the
Air Quality index of the region.
6. Book-binding and distribution
of the Manual of Operations.
7. Drafting of a recommendation
to include in the land use
terminal use plan of Metro
Manila the designation of
Transport Terminal area.
8. Ocular visitation of the different Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations in NCR.
It is the most ardent desire of the
board to work for something measurable by the public on the impact
of programs on improving the
quality of air within the National
Capital Region. Flip-sided with the
efforts of DENR through EMB-NCR
are the actions initiated by the
LGUs and other private entities in
improving the air quality of Metro
Manila. There has been move to
abolish the two-stroke motor vehicle replacing it with the e-trike as
has been implemented by Makati
City. The latest on the effort to
lessen air pollution in the metropolis is the establishment of vertical
gardening initiated by MMDA the
Vice Deputy Chair of the Board.
In relation to the establishment of
NCRAGB is the monitoring of air
quality within the metropolis.
Studies show that for CY 2012
there has been a better quality of
the air we breath as compared to
previous years’ results of laboratory analyses on PM10, PM2.5 and
TSP. The 2012 Summary of TSP
(Total Suspended Particulate) Monitoring at Different Air Quality
Monitoring Stations in NCR (24Hour Averaging Time/ Concentration in µg/Ncm) reveals that we
enjoyed a cleaner air for more
months as compared to the concentration of Total Suspended Particulate collected during CY 2011.
A much lower value of the Total
Suspended particulate was recorded during the months of March,
April and Jun- December 2012
(continue on page 4)