BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Summer Capital ambient air quality remains generally within the “good to fair” levels, according to City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO). Engr. Sofronio Pascua said this was based on the validated report of the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Cordillera (DENR-CAR).He said the city has mobile air quality sampling gadgets operated by the city government for self-monitoring purposes.One is located in front of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) along Upper Abanao St., which is considered one of the city’s critical monitoring sites due to the heavy volume of vehicles and the inclined road condition. The other is located at Gov. Pack Road. Meanwhile, the EMB-CAR’s monitoring stations are located at Lake Drive in Burnham Park and at the foot of Session Road. The Lake Drive station uses a continuous ambient air quality monitoring system capable of real-time monitoring of air quality and can provide data on particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM 10 levels, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO). Pascua said air quality in different parts of the city at times varies from fair to unhealthy levels, especially during the dry season due to the presence of pollen, ash, construction activities, and vehicle emissions. To help address air pollution, CEPMO continues to implement voluntary vehicle emission testing.Administrative Order No. 56, series of 2019, mandates daily voluntary emission testing from Monday to Sunday with a P100 fee payable at the City Treasury Office. Vehicles are given two chances to pass the test, and those that fail twice must pay another testing fee for retesting. Vehicles that pass will receive a Certification of Voluntary Testing (CVT), exempting them from roadside emission testing for two months, provided they properly maintain their vehicles. However, vehicles still found emitting excessive smoke during the grace period may still be subjected to roadside testing. Failed vehicles will have their CVT cancelled, while those issued warnings are given seven days to repair or maintain their vehicles or face automatic apprehension. Most vehicles undergoing voluntary emission testing are public utility vehicles. The Roadside Inspection Testing and Monitoring Team (RITMT), which has been in operation for years now, continues to conduct random roadside tests. Aside from its regulatory purpose, the RITMT also carries out information, education, and communication campaigns on clean air compliance. He added that private smoke emission testing centers are also being monitored by a joint task force composed of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Land Transportation Office (LTO), DENR, and the city government to ensure proper validation of testing centers and vehicles. Pascua also stressed the role of the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) Airshed Governing Board in ensuring that adjacent municipalities adopt and implement complementary ordinances and strengthen enforcement efforts to improve regional air quality.( Aileen P. Refuerzo)    

    As a severe dry spell turns Northern Luzon’s grasslands into tinderboxes, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), is putting fire prevention directly into the hands of the communities most at risk. The initiative, known as Project Kabisig sa Kabundukan, provides half a million pesos in specialized firefighting and agricultural equipment to nine People’s Organizations—not to fight fires after they ignite, but to stop them from spreading in the first place. By equipping local residents with the tools to create and maintain strategic firebreaks, the program shifts the strategy entirely: from reactive emergency response to proactive, community-led prevention. This urgency is grounded in hard data as the Bureau of Fire Protection records a significant spike in grassland fires across Pangasinan from 2024 to present, intensified by the prolonged absence of rain. Against this backdrop, Project Kabisig ng Kabundukan empowers local residents to safeguard their own homes, livelihood and the whole community before a single flame takes hold. At the core of this prevention effort is an equipment kit featuring 11 power sprayers, 45 high-capacity knapsack sprayers, 10 motorized grass cutters, and a range of industrial hand tools and personal protective equipment (PPE). These tools enable community members to clear dry vegetation and maintain firelines—strategic strips of land that deprive approaching wildfires of fuel before they can reach homes, farms, or other properties. The difference this makes is felt most directly by the farmers themselves. “When fire breaks out near our homes and farms, we can’t afford to stay idle. In Bugallon, we are surrounded by dry land. With these sprayers and cutters, we now have the capacity to stop a fire before it reaches our community.” Mandy De Leon Palma, 51, member of Aluklukan Village Farmers Association said. During the rainy season when fire risk is low, the same equipment keeps the 28 members of the Aluklukan Village Farmers Association going. The sprayers that protect their land from wildfires are the same ones watering their crops of rice (palay), corn, eggplant, squash, and string beans through the punishing summer heat. Palma describes the project as doing “double duty”: keeping fires at bay while keeping food on the table. “Through this community-driven fire mitigation campaign, we are strengthening the community’s capacity to protect their homes and their livelihood against fire,” says Leo D. Lungay, Vice President and General Manager of Solar and Wind Operations at Aboitiz Renewables. “By working hand-in-hand with local farmers, we ensure that while we generate clean energy for the nation, we also foster a resilient and fire-safe environment for the people of Pangasinan.” Project Kabisig ng Kabundukan reflects the company’s commitment to grow alongside its host communities—ensuring that renewable energy development translates into tangible safety and economic benefits for those living on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

By Christopher Hedreyda   LOS BAÑOS, Laguna, Philippines (PIA) — As Southeast Asia remains among the region most vulnerable to climate change and biodiversity loss, ASEAN and its member states, together with like-minded countries and organizations, convened a series of technical sessions to discuss ways to mobilize and align funding for climate and biodiversity action, as well as examine how these issues affect growth, productivity, and public finance systems. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) co-hosted the ASEAN Climate Week 2026 from April 27 to May 1, a regional forum held under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship for 2026. During the event, ACB presented the activities of the United Kingdom (UK)-funded ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund (GTF), which advances integrated climate solutions across Southeast Asia through nature-based approaches, inclusive climate finance, and the development of a roadmap aimed at producing a report on financing just transition strategies. The activities, implemented under the GTF’s Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Climate Policy and Institutional Capacity Development pillars, reflect the UK Government’s continuing commitment to supporting ASEAN’s climate priorities through targeted funding, technical expertise, policy engagement, and long-term partnerships with ASEAN institutions and member states. “Through the Green Transition Fund-–the flagship programme of the UK Mission to ASEAN—we are supporting action on nature-based solutions, climate finance, and inclusive energy transitions that strengthen resilience and protect livelihoods across Southeast Asia,” UK Ambassador to ASEAN Helen Fazey said in her speech. Fazey added that the UK looks forward to continuing its close collaboration with ASEAN and its member states as the region advances its climate ambitions and targets. For DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, the Philippine chairship is anchored on the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to pursue evidence-based, investment-led, and transformative climate solutions. He added that climate action efforts must deliver tangible improvements in people’s everyday lives and provide stronger protection, especially for vulnerable communities. “We convene at a critical moment, ASEAN Member States have raised ambitions through updated [Nationally Determined Contributions] but the urgent challenge before us is implementation: translating commitments into policies, programs and investment-ready projects that deliver measurable outcomes for our people,” Cuna said. He added that the ASEAN Climate Week is also about ensuring that climate plans translate into real protection and an improved quality of life for communities. Among the ASEAN-UK GTF-funded initiatives in the Philippines is the “Advancing Learning and Capacities in ASEAN on Mitigation: Financing and Nature-Positive Just Transition” (ALAM) Project, which seeks to explore strategic opportunities for increasing climate finance flows in the region. Civil society organizations across ASEAN are also being mobilized through the ALAM Project to gather grassroots voices, insights, and recommendations on achieving a just and inclusive transition in Southeast Asia. While the session did not produce binding commitments from member countries and attendees, it established a clear roadmap to institutionalize whole-of-economy financing, reposition Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as investment-ready portfolios, expand direct access for local governments, and harness digital tracking tools to promote transparency and strengthen investor confidence. As the effects of climate-induced hazards become more frequent and costly, the session sends out a clear message: to protect livelihoods and public finances, ASEAN member states and partner countries must urgently align policies, data systems, and financial flows to make climate resilience an integral part of national budgeting and development planning. (CH/PIA-CALABARZON; with reports from ACB)

By Debbie E. Gasingan   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (PIA) — The National Irrigation Administration Cordillera (NIA-CAR) said that mitigating measures are in place for the possible effects of El Niño. Of the 69,270 hectares of agricultural areas served by NIA-CAR across the region, 2,780 hectares are identified as vulnerable areas. Based on NIA’s continuous monitoring, water levels in rivers in Abra, Apayao, and Kalinga have already declined. NIA-CAR Regional Manager Ronilio Cervantes said that to address the effects of the looming El Niño, they are strictly implementing scheduling and rotation of water distribution in their service areas. He added that they also continue to conduct desilting and clearing of canals in their service area to ensure proper water distribution, enhance irrigation efficiency, and support the farming operations of the community amid the dry season. “Marami na rin po tayong natanggap na bagong [equipment] sa ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at tuloy-tuloy po ang ginagawa nating desilting and clearing sa ating mga kanal para mapaganda ang daloy ng tubig patungo sa mga bukirin,” Cervantes said. He also shared their plan to buy additional water pumps and lend them to the affected areas. “Maglalagay tayo ng water pump, fill in areas na hindi maabot ng ating patubig. Ang plano po ng NIA-CAR ay bibili ng kaunting water pumps at ipahiram doon sa areas affected,” Cervantes said in an interview with PTV Cordillera. The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) has raised an El Niño Alert as of April 22, 2026, indicating a 79 percent chance of the phenomenon developing by the June-July-August period. PAGASA Baguio Chief Meteorologist Engr. Larry Esperanza said that they still have to continuously monitor the developments because the phenomenon might continue until next year. “Puwede itong mag-prolong kasi ang nakikita pa lang is until the end of this year. We’ll see again if this will continue next year,” Esperanza said. The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had earlier issued an advisory for local government units to prepare for the possible impact of El Niño. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)      

When you visit your favorite SM Supermall, take a closer look at the trash bins that invite you to join the movement toward a Waste-Free Future. Under the SM Green Movement, the Recyclable-Disposable-Compostable (RDC) Bins are designed to recover reusable resources while keeping waste out of landfills and oceans through mindful waste management. 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 At its core, recyclables are simply three categories: Bottles, Cans, and Cartons. Each can go beyond single use and be returned to manufacturers for a second life: 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀 – These can be glass or plastic (PET). Glass bottles can be recycled indefinitely and are returned to bottlers such as San Miguel Yamamura and Asia Brewery Incorporated to be washed and reused for beverages. PET bottles, a highly sustainable plastic, are collected by partners like Coca-Cola’s PETvalue and Nature Spring’s NS Sustainability Solutions. They can either be recycled into new beverage bottles or processed into polyester for clothing production. 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝘀 – Made of tin or aluminum, cans are valuable recyclables that can be reused multiple times. Recycling cans reduce manufacturers’ energy costs compared to producing new ones from scratch. Cartons – Among the most sustainable products in the country, cartons are easy to source locally and remain competitively priced. Even when recycled, they retain high value, as producing paper products from recycled cartons requires only 10% new material. 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 “𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲” 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 “𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗱 High-value recyclables are easily wasted if not disposed of properly. By using SM’s Recyclable bins, you can help return these materials to the market, thanks to partners who recover and reuse them. A true circular economy is within reach when we all mindfully sort and dispose of bottles, cans, and cartons. Through simple, collective action, everyone can contribute to protecting the environment and creating a greener future.

Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), maintains active power generation for the Luzon grid by optimizing mountain water runoff across its facilities in Benguet and Mountain Province. Operating nine run-of-river hydropower plants in Benguet and one in Mountain Province, the company leverages the steep Cordillera slopes to keep turbines spinning. By harnessing the intense pressure of water falling from great heights, these facilities generate electricity efficiently throughout the year, regardless of the season. To sustain this performance, the company maintains a 24-hour watch over its water sources through a specialized team of “Waterguards.” Stationed at the weirs, these personnel conduct hourly monitoring using staff gauges to ensure water levels remain sufficient for both power generation and ecological health. This real-time data is critical to the plant’s responsiveness; when levels begin to trend downward, the team takes proactive action by reducing the plant’s load. By calibrating generation to the exact volume available in the river, the facility ensures it only generates what the environment can sustainably provide. This operational precision is bolstered by the active protection of upstream watersheds. Through physical patrolling, fire-line maintenance, and community-led monitoring, the company prevents illegal encroachment and “kaingin” (slash-and-burn) farming. The team also employs bio-engineering—such as planting native trees and vetiver grass—to anchor steep slopes against erosion and landslides. These healthy forest perimeters act as a “natural sponge,” absorbing heavy rainfall to shield downstream residents from flash floods while regulating the flow during summer months. “The mountains provide a natural advantage,” says Dondi Laban, Assistant Vice President for Operations and Maintenance of Hedcor, Inc. “As water flows from high elevations, its natural pressure turns our turbines. We maintain a constant watch over the ‘ecological flow’ to ensure enough water reaches fish, plants, and local irrigation.” As the Philippines pursues a 35% clean energy mix by 2030, hydropower provides the essential flexibility and reliability the grid requires. Through these eleven facilities, Aboitiz Renewables ensures the natural strength of the mountains continues to move the nation forward when that energy is needed most. “Hydropower is more than a source of energy—it is a partnership with the rivers, the environment, and the people,” says Noreen Vicencio, First Vice President and General Manager for Hydro Operations of Aboitiz Renewables. “Every drop we harness helps communities thrive while ensuring the river keeps its life-giving flow.”  

  RIZAL, Philippines — In a unified effort to support environmental protection, disaster resilience, and future community livelihood, Shincheonji Volunteers (SCJ Volunteers) Manila led the multi-sector “Go Green, Grow Together” tree planting drive along the riverside in Barandal, Barangay Sta. Ana, San Mateo, Rizal, mobilizing 85 volunteers from government, civic, and community partners in celebration of Earth Month. The initiative brought together the Philippine Army’s 2nd Civil-Military Operations Battalion, Civil-Military Operations Regiment (2CMOBn, CMOR, PA), the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), the Rotary Club of San Mateo, the San Mateo Business Club, and the local government units (LGUs) of Barangay Sta. Ana and the Municipality of San Mateo, represented by the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO). The collaboration highlights a shared commitment to sustainability and community-driven environmental action. A total of 300 seedlings, consisting of 100 bamboo and 200 assorted fruit-bearing trees provided by DA-BPI, were planted across the designated site The Municipal Agriculture Office led the technical orientation, while DOLE-TUPAD workers under the LGU of San Mateo supported site preparation. Volunteers worked hand in hand from clearing to planting, demonstrating how coordinated efforts can deliver tangible environmental impact. Alexis Santos, Officer-in-Charge of the Municipal Agriculture Office of San Mateo, said the initiative highlights the value of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges. “This initiative proves that when communities, government, and organizations work together, we can build solutions that protect both people and the environment. Bamboo planting is not just for today. It is an investment in climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and the future of our communities,” Santos said. More than a tree planting effort, the activity underscores bamboo’s critical role in climate action. With its fast growth and high carbon absorption capacity, bamboo helps restore degraded land, prevent soil erosion, and reduce the impacts of flooding and heavy rainfall. For residents along the Sta. Ana riverside, the initiative also carries long-term benefits for disaster mitigation and potential livelihood opportunities, as mature bamboo plantations may serve as a sustainable source of income. The inclusion of fruit-bearing trees further supports food security and additional income sources for the community. Together, these serve as practical, nature-based solutions that support both environmental resilience and community development. To ensure sustainability, local residents will take an active role in monitoring and maintaining the site. This includes regular watering, replanting when necessary, and organizing follow-up activities to support the survival and growth of the planted trees. Rooted in faith and service, SCJ Volunteers Manila emphasized that caring for the environment reflects a deeper spiritual responsibility. The group underscored the importance of living out faith through meaningful actions that benefit others and honor creation, drawing inspiration from Matthew 5:16. Through this initiative, volunteers aim to serve both people and the planet. With “Go Green, Grow Together,” SCJ Volunteers Manila and its partners demonstrate that environmental stewardship becomes more impactful when communities unite with purpose, partnership, and a shared vision for a greener and more resilient future. SCJ Volunteers is a global non-government organization affiliated with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, dedicated to advancing community welfare through volunteerism. Its programs focus on environmental protection, livelihood support, and educational and social development initiatives.                              

Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines – The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), a government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC), has recently received a major diesel fuel shipment at the Port of Subic Bay, signaling a crucial step in bolstering the country’s energy reliability. The shipment consists of 44,119 metric tons—or 329,505 barrels of diesel fuel. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao said that the shipment of PNOC’s 329,505 barrels or 44,119 metric tons of diesel arrived in Subic Freeport on April 10 through the Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corporation (PCSPC) storage facility. He added that as of March 30, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) had already issued a special permit to the PNOC Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) to fast-track the emergency importation of petroleum products, especially diesel, to stabilize the nation’s energy supply. “The special permit is designed to bypass standard bureaucratic processes and customs procedures that could delay immediate importation of fuel,” he said. The PNOC-EC is set to procure a total of two million barrels of oil and 22,000 metric tons of LPG to build a national buffer stock, aiming to mitigate price volatility and secure supply. These emergency stocks that are expected to augment around 10 days of the country’s additional fuel supply and strengthen LPG reserves, are being secured in response to Middle East market disruptions. Subic Bay Freeport is home to the PCSPC, the largest petroleum product import storage facility in the Philippines, which stores a significant portion of the national buffer stock. The facility currently has a storage capacity of approximately 6.3 million barrels (roughly one billion liters) of fuel. It occupies about 160 hectares and accounts for 20% of the total fuel storage capacity in the Philippines. The depot is spread across the Boton and Maritan Hill areas within the Freeport. The facility uses the infrastructure of the former U.S. Naval Base in Subic Bay. At its peak during the Vietnam War, the site handled the largest volume of fuel oil compared to any U.S. naval facility worldwide. It serves as a critical hub for storing and distributing various fuel products—including diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel—to major regions like Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Northern Luzon.

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) Philippines, a joint venture between Globe Telecom, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, and Ayala Corporation, has signed a 10-year renewable energy power supply agreement with MPower. The agreement secures 40.5 megawatts (MW) of clean energy to power the company’s STT Fairview and STT Cavite data center campuses. The agreement strengthens the ability of the country’s digital infrastructure to support growing demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence, and online platforms that Filipinos rely on every day. Data centers power many of the services people use today, from online banking and e-commerce to video streaming, digital payments, and business platforms. As demand for these services continues to grow, so does the need for computing power and electricity. Securing renewable energy helps ensure that the expansion of digital infrastructure remains responsible and sustainable. “AI and digital services are evolving at an unprecedented pace, and the infrastructure supporting them must scale responsibly,” said Carlo Malana, President and CEO of STT GDC Philippines. “By securing long-term renewable energy, we are ensuring that the mission-critical platforms our customers depend on every day are powered by sustainable sources, keeping carbon neutrality at the core of our operations.” The renewable energy supply will support the operations of STT Fairview 1 and the STT Cavite data center campus, which provide critical infrastructure for enterprises and technology providers operating in the Philippines. The move also supports STT GDC Philippines’ broader sustainability commitments, including its goal to achieve carbon neutral operations by 2030. STT GDC Philippines continues to expand its footprint to support the country’s growing digital needs. Its STT Fairview 1 facility has commenced operations, with several megawatts of IT load already deployed and operating for customers, while STT Cavite 2 has been energized and is currently undergoing testing and commissioning. As demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms continues to rise, initiatives that combine resilient infrastructure with renewable energy will play an increasingly important role in ensuring that the Philippines’ digital growth remains both reliable and sustainable.