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Environment

Environment News

Climate change, environmental policy, natural disasters, renewable energy, and sustainability news.

Showing 55–72 of 399 stories

Environment5d ago

Hanoi tightens control over three emission sources as pollution season looms

Monitoring results from the first nine months of this year show that Hanoi’s air quality has improved significantly compared with the same period last year. Resolution 57: High-tech solutions applied to tackle pollution in Hanoi’s rivers Vietnam steps up partnership with UNDP, WHO in tackling air pollution Hanoi pilots early air quality forecasting system

VVietnam+
Environment5d ago

Marcos orders flood control repairs in Hagonoy, Bulacan

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has intensified dredging and pumping operations in flood-prone Hagonoy, Bulacan, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. orders repairs to flood-control structures and construction of the Iba Pumping Station to help ease persistent flooding. Dredging continues along Iba-Wawa Creek, while a mobile pump is being installed at the Iba Pumping Station to speed up the movement of floodwaters toward the Labangan Channel, which connects to the Angat River. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the ongoing operations on Monday with Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando and Hagonoy Mayor Ma. Rosario Sy-Alvarado Mendoza, two weeks after his previous inspection of the site. Dizon said Marcos had ordered the repair of flood-control structures and the start of construction of the pumping station to mitigate severe flooding in the area. The measures come as Hagonoy and neighboring towns in Bulacan continue to grapple with recurring floods that damage homes, disrupt livelihoods, and threaten communities during periods of heavy rain and high tides. Bulacan’s persistent flooding is partly driven by its low-lying terrain, which leaves communities in Hagonoy and nearby Paombong vulnerable to river overflow and water from Manila Bay. High tides can further impede drainage, causing floodwaters to accumulate in residential areas. The crisis has also exposed concerns over the integrity of existing flood-control structures. During an inspection in August, Dizon flagged a damaged coastal dike in Paombong, saying it was not designed to withstand the strong waves battering the concrete wall. The government ordered repairs, with the contractor expected to cover the cost under the project warranty. In September, the DPWH and provincial officials discussed a broader flood-mitigation plan for Bulacan, including 10 initial water detention basins, additional mobile pumps and modular barriers in flood-prone communities. For the longer term, the government is exploring stronger dikes, additional water detention facilities, and a combination of conventional engineering and nature-based solutions to reduce flooding in vulnerable areas of Bulacan and neighboring Pampanga. The latest dredging and pumping operations are intended to improve water movement and provide immediate relief while larger flood-control projects are pursued. Their effectiveness will depend on whether the drainage network can handle incoming floodwaters and whether damaged or inadequate structures are repaired and completed.

TThe Manila Times
Environment9 Oct

Lacson: Sugar price must hit P3,000 for sustainability

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the local sugar price needs to hit P3,000 per bag for the industry to remain profitable, noting that the current P2,600 per bag is barely enough for sugar producers to break even. Earlier, Lacson lauded the decision of sugar industry stakeholders to allocate for domestic market the entire sugar production of the current harvest season, with no sugar to be imported this year. “I’m very happy it was done in total agreement,” he said, adding that the projected 1.6 million metric tons output should be enough to meet local demand and give prices a chance to improve. Lacson, however, said that the present price level of sugar is not sustainable for farmers and millers who are facing higher input and labor costs. “At P2,600 a bag, we’re barely surviving. I’d like to see us reach P3,000 — that’s when our industry will truly be okay,” he said. He said there is no guarantee that prices will climb to P3,000, and a drop back to P2,600 would more difficulty to sugar producers. With the milling season underway, Lacson said prioritizing local supply is a key step to securing better returns and protecting the livelihood of thousands of Negros residents dependent on sugar farming and trade. Sugar farmers in the province were also affected by the infestation of agricultural pests, such as the red-striped soft wing insect, to sugarcane plants this year, Lacson said. EUGENE ADIONG

TThe Manila Times

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