Protecting Peatlands with Sustainable Swamp Fishing

Peat swamp fish pond checking
 by Alam Siak Lestari (ASL)

The worsening impact of climate change is driving the Philippines to prioritize peatland conservation. In May 2023, House Bill 8204 was approved to help improve the sustainable management of peatlands, recognizing their significance as natural climate change solutions. Peatland ecosystems, characterized by the accumulation of decomposed plant materials, permanent waterlogging, and various vegetation, offer nature-based climate mitigation by acting as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing more carbon than they release. 

In the Philippines, there are two major peatlands: Agusan Marsh in Agusan Del Sur and Leyte Sab-a Basin in the island of Leyte. 

BPCI shows support to PH soldiers through hospital visit

The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BPCI) partnered once again with the Makati Medical Center (MMC) Foundation to deliver joy and positive energy at V. Luna General Hospital in Quezon City.

On August 17, around a hundred injured soldiers spent time with Bb. Pilipinas International 2022 Nicole Borromeo, Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2023 Anna Lakrini, Bb. Pilipinas 2023 1st runner-up Katrina Anne Johnson, and Bb. Pilipinas 2023 2nd runner-up Atasha Reign Parani in an activity-filled afternoon at the hospital auditorium.

SNAP-Magat backs Brigada Eskwela 2023

SNAP-Magat employee volunteers fix broken fans in public schools in Ramon, Isabela in support of DepEd's 2023 Brigada Eskwela.

In support of the Department of Education's (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela (BE) program, SN Aboitiz Power-Magat (SNAP-Magat) participated in a series of school maintenance activities in the municipalities of Ramon, Isabela and Alfonso Lista in Ifugao

SNAP-Magat provided electrical fixtures and wirings, galvanized iron sheets, roof and wall repainting materials to Ambatali Elementary School and Gen. Aguinaldo Elementary School in Ramon, Isabela, and Sto. Domingo Elementary School in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao; while Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo National High School in Ramon, Isabela received solar panels earlier this year that the company will supervise during the installation. 

15 SM malls partner with the DENR and LGUs in mobilizing coastal clean-ups in 12 sites nationwide.

 SM targets biggest haul on International Coastal Cleanup Day with more malls nationwide

SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, together with SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is gearing up to gather the biggest haul of trash and marine debris at this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 16, 2023, at SM By the BAY and at multiple SM Malls across the country.

SM’s expanded participation – 15 SM malls in 12 locations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao – will enable more volunteers and employees to join the cleanup drive to help safeguard the marine environment and its resources in the communities it serves.

Breaking the Cycle

A Call to End Sexual Abuse in Philippine Education

When I first started researching sexual abuse in Philippine schools, I didn't expect to find much information. But as I delved deeper, I was shocked by the sheer number of stories and reports circulating about this issue. It's disheartening to think that our schools, which should be safe spaces for learning and growth, have become sites of sexual abuse and harassment.

Let's take a step back and understand the root causes