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URL: https://mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/10/haze-from-indonesia-forest-fires-covers-mindanao-skies/#gsc.tab=0https://mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/10/haze-from-indonesia-forest-fires-covers-mindanao-skies/#gsc.tab=0

TITLE: Haze from Indonesia Forest Fires Covers Mindanao Skies

AUTHOR: MindaNews - Froilan Gallardo

DATE PUBLISHED: October 22, 2015

KEY CONTENT: The haze from forest fires in Indonesia has enveloped the skies over Mindanao, reducing visibility and causing respiratory problems due to hazardous air pollutants. This environmental challenge is directly linked to prevailing southwesterly winds transporting hazardous air pollutants from Sumatra to Mindanao. The urgency of studying and comprehending these cross-border environmental effects in Mindanao, specifically in Davao, is accentuated by the tangible disruptions to daily life and public health caused by the persistent haze.

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Haze from Indonesia forest fires covers Mindanao skies

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/22 October) -- The haze believed to have been caused by the forest fires in Indonesia has continued to affect the skies over

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(RESEARCHED BY: GABRIELLE MARTINA A. LIMPIN)

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URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/CvsPP68Ptzp/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

TITLE: Air pollution linked to rise in antibiotic resistance that imperils human health.

AUTHOR: The Guardian US

DATE PUBLISHED: August 9, 2023

KEY CONTENT: Global research, led by Prof Hong Chen over two decades and in 100 countries, highlights a significant link between air pollution and rising antibiotic resistance, stressing the immediate need to control pollution globally. In Mindanao, Philippines, the study underscores the connection between air pollution and antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the importance of addressing local factors like industrial activities impacting air quality. Improving air quality in Mindanao not only benefits local public health but also aligns with global efforts to address antibiotic resistance, emphasizing dual benefits for the region.

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 The Guardian US on Instagram: "Air pollution is helping to drive a rise in antibiotic resistance that poses a significant threat to human health worldwide, a global study suggests.

The analysis, using data from more than 100 countries spanning nearly two decades, indicates that increased air pollution is linked with rising antibiotic resistance across every country and continent.

It also suggests the link between the two has strengthened over time, with increases in air pollution levels coinciding with larger rises in antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the fastest-growing threats to global health. It can affect people of any age in any country and is already killing 1.3 million people a year, according to estimates.

The lead author, Prof Hong Chen of Zhejiang University in China, said: “Antibiotic resistance and air pollution are each in their own right among the greatest threats to global health.

“Until now, we didn’t have a clear picture of the possible links between the two, but this work suggests the benefits of controlling air pollution could be twofold: not only will it reduce the harmful effects of poor air quality, it could also play a major role in combatting the rise and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”

Follow the link in bio to read more."

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3,836 likes, 60 comments - guardian_us on August 8, 2023: "Air pollution is helping to drive a rise in antibiotic resistance that poses a significant threat..."

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View this post on Instagram

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URL: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/864802/philippines-ranked-69th-in-latest-world-air-quality-report/story/

TITLE: Philippines Ranked 69th in Latest World Air Quality Report

AUTHOR: GMA Integrated News - Giselle Ombay

DATE PUBLISHED: March 23, 2023

KEY CONTENTS: In Mindanao, where environmental concerns loom large, the 2022 World Air Quality Report highlights the urgent need for targeted measures. The Philippines, ranking 69th out of 131 countries, sees a slight improvement in PM2.5 concentration but remains three times higher than the WHO guideline. IQAir recommends actions like phasing out leaded gasoline and banning older vehicles to address the persistent air pollution, especially pertinent in Mindanao.

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Philippines ranked 69th in latest World Air Quality report

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The Philippines placed 69th out of 131 countries in the World Air Quality Report for 2022 from Swiss research firm IQair.

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URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/03/world/asia/new-delhi-india-pollution.html?searchResultPosition=8

TITLE: New Delhi Chokes as Annual Curse of Pollution Returns With a Vengeance

AUTHOR: The New York Times - Alex Travelli and Hari Kumar

DATE PUBLISHED: November 03, 2023

KEY CONTENTS: The recurring problem of severe air pollution in New Delhi, attributed to factors like vehicle emissions, construction activities, and agricultural practices. It highlights the failure of governance at both local and national levels to effectively address the issue, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive action.

This underscores the importance of studying and addressing air pollution in cities like Davao, where similar challenges persist, necessitating effective governance and proactive measures to mitigate pollution's adverse effects on public health and the environment.

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New Delhi Chokes as Annual Curse of Pollution Returns With a Vengeance

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Schools shut down and residents were told to stay indoors as the government seems unable to avert an airborne calamity with multiple culprits that descends at the onset of winter.

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5.) LOCAL OR NATIONAL NEWS VIDEO SEGMENT

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5.) LOCAL OR NATIONAL NEWS VIDEO SEGMENT

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URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_SickiJE_E

TITLE: 24 Oras: Air quality in the Philippines in 2019 polluted, not safe -Swiss monitor

AUTHOR: GMA Integrated News

DATE PUBLISHED: February 27, 2020

KEY CONTENT: The IQAIR report on the Philippines' 2019 air quality reveals severe pollution, primarily attributed to vehicular emissions, plastic waste burning, and industrial activities. The microscopic pollutants identified pose significant health risks, linking to asthma, lung cancer, and heart diseases. Urgent measures are needed, with collaboration among government, industries, and the public crucial to address the sources of air pollution. The report underscores the importance of initiatives like stricter emission controls and sustainable industrial processes for safeguarding public health and environmental well-being in the Philippines. It serves as a crucial call to action for authorities to prioritize and implement effective strategies.

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24 Oras: Air quality in the Philippines in 2019 polluted, not safe -Swiss monitor

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URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vawwtnH2qSU

TITLE: Air pollution: A growing health hazard in South Asia | World News

AUTHOR: WION

DATE PUBLISHED: August 30, 2023

KEY CONTENT: The escalating issue of air pollution is highlighted as a significant health hazard, emphasizing how breathing in polluted air can reduce life expectancy even more than smoking. The urgency to address air quality concerns is emphasized, especially in regions like South Asia, including Mindanao, where air pollution poses a substantial challenge. The report underscores the critical need for prompt and effective measures to safeguard public health and extend life expectancy by combating the harmful effects of air pollution in Mindanao.

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Air pollution: A growing health hazard in South Asia | World News | WION

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URL: https://r1.emb.gov.ph/ufaq/pollution-control-officer-pco-accreditation/

TITLE: Rise Up! Moving Beyond to Climate Talk to Climate Action

AUTHOR: GOVPH

DATE PUBLISHED: March 17, 2022

KEY CONTENT: DENR EB REG1 plays a crucial role in addressing environmental concerns in Mindanao, offering practical steps for community engagement in climate change mitigation. It also highlights the immediate impact of air pollution on local well-being, underscoring the importance of proactive environmental measures for the sustainable future of Mindanao, given its unique biodiversity and role in supporting ecosystems.

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Pollution Control Officer (PCO) Accreditation | Environmental Management Bureau Region 1

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8.) PUBLIC  SERVICE  MESSAGE  OR  PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

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8.) PUBLIC  SERVICE  MESSAGE  OR  PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

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URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2k83BStOZ8

TITLE: AdDUvocacy PSA: Lunod sa Basura - SDG 13

AUTHOR: Erwin Ian Baclaan Jr

DATE PUBLISHED: May 9, 2023

KEY CONTENT: SDG 13: Climate Action, which urges prompt action to minimize the effects of climate change, is directly related to this PSA. Environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation are closely related to the issue of solid waste management and its consequences on the environment, as well as the ongoing decline in air quality in rural Mindanao villages due to burning practices.
In keeping with SDG 13, the public service announcement tackles the interconnected issues of solid waste management, reducing climate change, and deteriorating air quality. By raising awareness of these issues and advocating for viable solutions, the campaign hopes to inspire action toward a more economically and environmentally sustainable future for Davao City and the rural residents of Mindanao.

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AdDUvocacy PSA: Lunod sa Basura - SDG 13

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URL:https://edgedavao.net/environment/2021/11/13/environment-air-pollution-when-breathing-is-dangerous-to-your-health/

TITLE: Environment | Air Pollution: When Breathing is Dangerous for Your Health

AUTHOR: Edge Davao - Henrylito D. Tacio

DATE PUBLISHED: November 13, 2021

KEY CONTENTS: The ongoing threat of air pollution, as discussed, is particularly pertinent to Mindanao, where regions like Davao City grapple with the adverse consequences on health and the environment. Recognizing the unique challenges faced in Mindanao, the call for collective efforts underscores the need for region-specific awareness and individual actions to mitigate the impact of air pollution.

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Air pollution may have dropped from news headlines since the pandemic started but it remains a lethal danger to many. Although health officials are focused more on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the last two years, air pollution precipitates conditions including heart disease, lung disease, lung cancer and strokes.

Around 90% of people go through their daily lives breathing harmful polluted air, which has been described by the United Nations as the most important health issue of our time.

Air pollution is also harming our natural environment. "Air pollution decreases the oxygen supply in our oceans, makes it harder for plants to grow, and contributes to climate change," states the Nairobi-based United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Yet, despite the damage it causes, there are worrying signs that air pollution is not seen as a priority in most parts of the world, including the Philippines.

In 2000, the World Bank's annual review reported that in Manila alone more than 4,000 Filipinos die each year because of air pollution. The mortality figure was the third highest for a city in the East Asian region after Beijing and Jakarta. Bangkok and Seoul were ranked 4th and 5th, respectively.

Five years later (2005), the problem got worse. Manila's skies were among the most polluted in the world, surpassed only by Mexico City, Shanghai and New Delhi, said the regional office of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Davao case

In Davao City, air pollution may not be a big problem yet. But in 2004, figures recorded in the city showed that the air quality was "even worse than in Metro Manila." At that time, monitoring stations placed in Agdao showed 335 micrograms while along Quirino and J.P. Laurel streets, the figures were 249 and 185 micrograms, respectively.

In terms of total suspended air particulates, Metro Manila had 132 micrograms per normal cubic meter. The acceptable standard is 90 micrograms, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

A study conducted in 2018 - which was published in Philippine E-Journals - confirmed the 2004 findings. "The dust density has gone beyond the limit for what is considered acceptable," said the study whose research sites included 20 selected busy streets in Davao City.

The following year (2019), however, the air quality of Davao City improved, as per the Air Quality Index (AQI). "Even if our AQI still falls within the good and fair level, we could not say that this has no health hazards," Melvin Dapitanon, Engineer II of the regional office of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), was quoted as saying.

"As a precaution people with respiratory issues must wear masks because whenever there is an increase in pollution, there is more risk for them," Dapitanon told Davao Today.

More than just oxygen

Although most people usually speak of the material they breathe simply as "air," experts say it is actually a mixture of substances. Clean, dry air is mostly (99%) nitrogen gas and oxygen gas. A person carries approximately two quarts of oxygen in the blood, lungs, and body tissues at any given time. Brain cells deprived of oxygen for more than four minutes begin to die.

"The life-giving oxygen molecules in fresh air should be unpolluted," wrote Dr. Richard G. Mendoza in a column he wrote for Health and Lifestyle. "Oxygen provides efficient cell function by permitting the metabolism of nutrients and the transfer of energy within cells."

Like water and natural resources, air can also be polluted. In the Philippines, sources of air pollution include emissions from three sources: mobile like vehicles, stationary such as power plants and factories, and area which comes from garbage burning, road dust and open cooking.

Food production also contributes to air pollution. Agricultural processes and livestock produce methane, an extremely powerful greenhouse gas. Methane is also a by-product of waste burning, which emits other polluting toxins, which end up entering the food chain.

Common forms of air pollutants

The most common forms of air pollutants are suspended particulate matter (SPM), carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons (which include benzene, xylene, and ethylene dibromide), sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, ozone, and residues of the highly toxic tetraethyl lead, a substance added to gasoline to enhance its octane value or "burning quality."

SPM refers to any tiny solid particle dispersed from pesticides, asbestos and thousands of other products. The most noticeable type of air pollution (since it is readily visible), it often attracts and carries chemicals through the air such as dust-carrying sulfuric acid. "Smog" - a hybrid word used to describe the mixture of smoke and fog that blankets some cities - is primarily composed of ozone and particulates.

Health hazards

Like smoking, air pollution is lethal to human's health. A study done by the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) says air pollution kills three times more than vehicular accidents.

Air pollution affects health in both short and long term. Short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, and infection on the upper respiratory tract such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Other effects are headache, nausea, and allergic reaction. Air pollution can also worsen asthma and emphysema conditions.

An epidemiological study conducted by the University of the Philippines College of Public Health, showed that the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is 32.5 percent among jeepney drivers, 16.4 percent among air-conditioned bus drivers, and 13.8 percent among commuters.

In March 1999, the British Medical Journal quoted Dr. Miguel Celdran, a pediatrician at the Makati Medical Center, saying: "About 90 percent of my patients have respiratory illness, and we're seeing babies as young as two months suffering from asthma. Twenty years ago, this was unheard of."

The Philippine Pediatric Society surveyed doctors and asked them to describe the most common illnesses that they treat. The doctor's response was unanimous: diseases of the upper respiratory tract. One study found urine samples from children living and begging on the polluted streets showed that at least 7% had high lead concentrations.

Many air pollutants - a mix of gases, droplets, and particles - are able to pass through the lungs into the bloodstream and are eventually transported to the heart and the entire body through blood vessels.

"Because the cardiovascular system is dependent on the functioning of the respiratory system, it is also indirectly affected by the deleterious effects of the pollution on the lungs," the UN health agency explained. "These impacts combined, damage and inflame blood vessels and affect heart function."

This has been supported by a study published in Lancet. Dutch physician Dr. Gerard Hoek found that those living near a major road have a higher risk of dying than the rest of the population. He concluded that long-term exposure to traffic-released air pollution may shorten life expectancy.

Other studies also revealed that heart attacks, life-threatening heart rhythms, and thickening of the blood can also be traced to exposure to air pollution.

"To make it clear: all these bodily changes spell doom for the Filipinos living in Metro Manila (and other highly-urbanized centers)," warned Dr. Willie T. Ong, a cardiologist and internist. He added that they treat about 400 indigent patients annually in the health center where he sometimes works.

Over four percent of all deaths in the Philippines are attributed to air pollution, according to a World Bank report. The government spends about P962 million per year to treat diseases caused by air pollution.

Main culprit

Transport continues to be responsible for the premature deaths of hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Estimates show that an automobile consumes as much oxygen per month as 1.1235 human beings.

"Although the automobile has done much to improve the life of man, its growing popularity has brought concomitant problems which, ironically, may negate the very benefits that are hoped for," someone commented. "The age of the motorcar has also become the age of pollution and energy depletion."

Stop pollution

Environmentalists urged everyone to help stop air pollution. In the Philippines, not all people have vehicles but people can contribute something. They can do it individually.

"At an individual level, a lot can be achieved if we change our behavior," said a UNEP official. "Some people may be surprised to hear that households are responsible for around 4.3 million deaths each year. This is because many households burn open fires and use inefficient stoves inside homes, belching out toxic particulate matter, carbon monoxide, lead and mercury."

Simple actions can also include using public transportation, cycling or walking; reducing household waste and composting; eating less meat by switching to a plant-based diet; and conserving energy.

Every little bit counts in the fight against air pollution. A European study has found that even very small cuts in pollution can benefit health. One research from Harvard University showed that people living in cities where air pollution decreased in recent years saw their life expectancy increase an average of five months as a result of cleaner air.

Fresh air is invigorating. In his column, Dr. Mendoza wrote: "Good quality clean air may usually be found in abundance in natural outdoor environments, especially around evergreen trees, green plants in mountains and forests, near moving waters such as lakes, oceans, rivers, waterfalls, and after rain."

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ENVIRONMENT | Air Pollution: When breathing is dangerous to your health

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Air pollution may have dropped from news headlines since the pandemic started but it remains a lethal danger to many. Although health officials are focused more on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the last two years, air pollution precipitates conditions including heart disease, lung disease,

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URL: https://open.spotify.com/show/7rPMJYiHztZ64LZdNXw3H1

Title:Podcast "Let's Talk Cancer": Air pollution, a public health crisis – from smog to solution

Author: Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)

DATE PUBLISHED: June 28, 2023

KEY CONTENT: In this podcast episode, Dr. Maria Neira from WHO highlights the severe health impact of air pollution, including an elevated cancer risk, affecting 99% of the global population due to pollutants from sources like fossil fuel combustion. She calls for systemic change, emphasizing sustainable urban planning, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and advocating for clean air as a human right. Dr. Neira encourages active citizen engagement, particularly from the younger generation, to combat air pollution and its detrimental health effects.

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UICC (Union for International Cancer Control)

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Understanding the latest global trends in cancer control

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In this award-winning podcast, leading thinkers share their insights and knowledge on the challenges and progress of cancer control. Explore a wealth of topics from tobacco to universal health coverage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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(RESEARCHED BY: GABRIELLE MARTINA A. LIMPIN)

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URL:https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/search?q=davao+air+pollution

TITLE: Villagers Fear Pollution From Davao Coconut Oil Factory

AUTHOR: Mindanao Examiner

DATE PUBLISHED: January 29, 2017

KEY CONTENT: The concerns over air pollution from Superstar Coconut Products Co., Inc. in Davao City are indicative of broader environmental challenges faced by communities across Mindanao, underscoring the need for region-wide strategies to address and mitigate the impacts of industrial emissions on public health and the environment.

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DAVAO CITY - Villagers have complained about the air pollution from a coconut oil factory here after a white thick, dense smoke had been noticed coming from its huge chimney day and night.

The Superstar Coconut Products Co., Inc. along Bugac in Ma-a village has been emitting dense smoke which stays in the air for so long and the factory operates 24 hours a day throughout the whole week.

Even the village officials say they were not aware the coconut processing factory emits such a thick smoke right in the middle of the populace. "We are not aware of it, but we are going look at this complaint," said village council member Ricky Baral.

The smoke reaches not only nearby Matina village, but neighboring areas as well. One employee, who identified herself only as Karen, said their manager is Rodante Adante, and efforts to interview him failed. His office also did not return phone calls.

The complaint has been forwarded to the Environment Management Bureau - headed by Metodio Turbella, its regional director - under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Engr. Mary Ann Lumakin, from the DENR, said they have brought the matter to the attention of Turbella after residents fear the pollution may affect their health. "This (smoke emission of factory Superstar Coconut Products Co., Inc.) has been forwarded to the respective EMB RXI (Region 11) inspector. We will keep in touch," Lumakin said.

In May 2014, a factory worker - Eriberto Abellana - was killed and 7 others injured after one of its boilers exploded. (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper

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Mindanao, BARMM, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga, Southern Philippines, Davao, Cebu, Regional Newspaper, Media in Mindanao

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(RESEARCHED BY: GABRIELLE MARTINA A. LIMPIN)

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URL: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1746511/ph-air-pollution-eases-but-still-3-times-higher-than-whats-safe/amp

TITLE: PH Air Pollution Eases, But Still Three Times Higher than What's safe.

AUTHOR: Inquirer - Kurt Dela Peña

DATE PUBLISHED: March 2023

KEY CONTENT: During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, the Philippines saw better air quality due to reduced emissions, but pollution levels rose again as restrictions eased. IQAir's 2022 report shows that only six out of 131 countries met the recommended PM2.5 concentration. Despite a slight decrease in the Philippines' PM2.5 levels to 14.9 μg/m³, it remains three times higher than the WHO's safe limit. Similarly, Mindanao experienced air quality improvements during lockdowns, followed by increased PM2.5 pollution post-restrictions, highlighting the country's ongoing battle against air pollution.

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MANILA, Philippines-Back in 2020, when COVID-19 lockdowns were still in place, the Philippines saw its air quality improve because of reduced emissions, but as restrictions were lifted, the level of PM2.5, or fine particles, polluting the air is rising again.

This was revealed by IQAir as it released its World Air Quality Report 2022, which found that out of 131 countries and territories, only six met the prescribed annual average PM2.5 concentration of 5 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) or less.

While last year's air quality in the Philippines, as measured by the annual average concentration of PM2.5, slightly improved to 14.9 μg/m³ from 15.6 μg/m³, it was still three times higher than what is considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO).
RELATED STORY: 'Every breath you take': Air pollution stifles Europe's health targets
Looking back, PM2.5 concentration in the country was 14.6μg/m³ and 17.6μg/m³ in 2018 and 2019, but with lockdowns imposed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, the level of pollution went down to 12.8 μg/m³.

The report said that with a PM2.5 concentration of 14.9 μg/m³, the Philippines was 69th on the list of most polluted countries and territories last year, an improvement from 64th in 2021.

Chad was the most polluted at 89.7 μg/m³, followed by Iraq at 80.1 μg/m³, Pakistan at 70.9 μg/m³, Bahrain at 66.6 μg/m³, and Bangladesh at 65.8 μg/m³.

Guam was the least polluted at 1.3μg/m³, followed by French Polynesia at 2.5μg/m³, US Virgin Islands at 2.9μg/m³, Bermuda at 3.0μg/m³, and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba at 3.3μg/m³.

What's polluting the air?

Based on what IQAir said, back in 2016, 80 percent of the country's air pollution was from motor vehicles while the remaining 20 percent was from sources such as factories and open burning of organic matter. The weather is a contributing factor, too.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) stressed last year that the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions worsened air quality in the Philippines, especially Metro Manila.

This, as in 2020, when the government imposed months of hard lockdowns, the country saw road congestion easing and air quality improving, with the University of the Philippines (UP) saying that PM2.5 levels significantly decreased in March that year.

Data from UP's Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology indicated that PM2.5 levels fell to 7.1 μg/m³ in the first week of the lockdown, way lower than the 20 μg/m³ recorded two weeks earlier.

As stated by environment journalist Khalid Raji in an article published in the website Earth.org, air pollution in the Philippines likewise stems from the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil.

"Considering that 53 percent of the population is without access to clean fuels and technology for cooking, this is bound to further exacerbate air quality in the long run," he said.

Southeast Asia's air quality

The World Air Quality Report 2022 covered 131 countries and territories, including nine countries in Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Cambodia.

IQAir said countries in the region "have continued their efforts to decrease PM2.5 concentrations to safe levels recommended by the WHO guidelines," which is 5 μg/m³ or less.

"Industry, power generation, vehicle emissions, and open burning remain top contributors of PM2.5 in the country," it said.

The Swiss company, which is an expert in air technology, said PM2.5 concentrations decreased for seven of nine countries in the region, and that only Laos and Vietnam recorded higher annual averages compared to 2021.

Indonesia ended the year with the highest PM2.5 concentration of all countries in the region with an annual average of 30.4 μg/m3 . Indonesia was the worst in the region in PM2.5 concentration in 2021 as well.

Cambodia improved its air quality level in 2022 with a 58 percent decrease in its annual average PM2.5 concentration down to 8.3 μg/m3 , the lowest in the region. Cambodia was the 6th most polluted in Southeast Asia in 2021.

IQAir said the region was represented by 296 cities in the World Air Quality Report 2022, but only eight satisfied the WHO PM2.5 guideline limit of 5 μg/m3 , leaving a total of 288 cities that exceeded WHO-recommended PM2.5 concentrations.

Thailand and Indonesia were the most represented on the list of the 15 most polluted cities, with seven and five respectively. Indonesia is also well represented on the list of the 15 least polluted cities with six.

While Vietnam has 7 cities in the list of 15 least polluted cities, its capital city Hanoi was the second most polluted city in the region with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 40.1 μg/m3.

Fine particulate matter

As stated by IQAir, the data analyzed for the World Air Quality Report 2022 came exclusively from empirically measured PM2.5 data collected from ground level air monitoring stations.

"The PM2.5 measurement data in this report is aggregated from both regulatory air quality monitoring instrumentation and low-cost air quality sensors," it said.

"Most of the data used in the World Air Quality Report is collected in real-time, with additional supplementary air quality measurements sourced from historical year-end data sets."

PM2.5 concentration describes the amount of fine particulate aerosol particles up to 2.5 microns in diameter and is used as the standard air quality indicator for the World Air Quality Report.

Measured in μg/m3, PM2.5 is one of six major air pollutants commonly used in the classification of air quality. PM2.5 is largely accepted as the most harmful of these pollutants based on its prevalence in the environment and the wide range of negative human health effects associated with its exposure.

IQAir said PM2.5 can be produced by a variety of sources which can result in different chemical compositions and physical characteristics. Sulfates, nitrates, black carbon, and ammonium are some of the most common particles that make up PM2.5.

The anthropogenic generation of PM2.5 can largely be attributed to combustion engines, power generation, industrial processes, agricultural processes, wood and coal burning, and construction. The most prevalent natural sources of PM2.5 include dust storms, wildfires, and sandstorms.

It said "small particles pose the greatest risk to human health" and that "while the nose can filter most coarse particles, fine and ultrafine particles are inhaled deeper into the lungs where they can be deposited or even pass into the bloodstream."
READ: Scientists discover how air pollution triggers lung cancer
Here are the measurements, which are in microns in diameter (μm), of some of the particles presented by IQAir:

Human hair: 50 t0 180 μm

Sand: 50 to 2,000 μm

Pollen: 10 to 150 μm

Mold spores: 8 to 80 μm

Red blood cell: 7 to 8 μm

Respiratory droplets: 5 to 10 μm

Dust: 1 to 1,000 μm

Bacterium: 0.5 to 10 μm

Dust mites: 0.2 to 25 μm

Pet dander: 0.1 to 25 μm

Coronavirus: 0.1 to 0.5 μm

Influenza A: 0.06 to 0.12 μm

Smoke: 0.01 to 10 μm

SARS-CoV-2: 0.07 to 0.09 μm

Health implications

WHO said air pollutants measured include PM2.5 and PM10 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of equal or less than 2.5, also called fine, and 10 micrometer respectively), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

PM2.5, it said, can penetrate the lungs and further enter the body through the bloodstream, affecting all major organs and that exposure to PM2.5 can cause harm both to our cardiovascular and respiratory system, provoking, for example stroke, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

New research has also shown an association between prenatal exposure to high levels of air pollution and developmental delay at age three, as well as psychological and behavioral problems later on, including symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression.

The Indoor Air Hygiene Institute said studies also suggest that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter may be associated with increased rates of chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function and increased mortality from lung cancer and heart disease.

"People with breathing and heart problems, children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM2.5," the institute said.

This, as exposure to fine particles can also affect lung function and worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

"Scientific studies have linked increases in daily PM2.5 exposure with increased respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions, emergency department visits and deaths," the institute's study said.

Gov't should act

In 2021, environment groups Greenpeace Philippines and Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) called on the government to speed up efforts to protect Filipinos from the worsening air pollution exacerbated by the country's dependence on coal.
READ: Pollution costs P4.5 trillion, 66,000 lives every year
They said that as the government focuses on economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, programs to control air pollution must not be sidetracked. These programs include raising stringent standards to control emissions from coal power plants, adding more air quality monitoring stations, investing in low-carbon transport, and transitioning to renewable energy sources.

"The threat of air pollution to human health - and the external costs associated with long-term exposure to it - increases with growing dependence on fossil fuels," CREA said.

"In addressing this problem, robust monitoring capacity across the country is vital for not only understanding the scale of the health threat to Filipinos, but also ensuring that the right standards and solutions are pursued to control air pollution as quickly as possible," it said.

For Greenpeace Philippines, the government must first address the outdated air quality standards and the lack of capacity to monitor PM2.5, especially in provinces with coal plants, to ensure that measures to protect Filipinos from health risks are in place.

As stated in the Clean Air Act, the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau is required to conduct a review of standards for stationary sources every two years and revise for further improvement.

"However, the National Emission Standards for Source-Specific Air Pollutants have not been updated since they were set in 1999," Greenpeace Philippines and CREA said.

"Now more than ever, the government needs to ensure stringent air pollution mitigation because the surge of air pollution that may arise from the reopening of our economy increases our vulnerability to COVID19," Greenpeace Philippines had said.
READ: World Car-Free Day: A glance at greener, safer roads for people
TSB

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PH air pollution eases, but still 3 times higher than what's safe

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MANILA, Philippines-Back in 2020, when COVID-19 lockdowns were still in place, the Philippines saw its air quality improve because of reduced emissions, but as restrictions were lifted, the level

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URL:https://youtu.be/AN3w7vfZIsg?si=MMy0YFxG_dstLlXz

TITLE: Pollution's Staggering Death-tolls

AUTHOR: ClimateAdam

DATE PUBLISHED: May 27, 2022

KEY CONTENT: Dr. Adam Levy and climate scientists underscore the global urgency to combat air pollution, a major threat claiming millions of lives. Mindanao, with vulnerable communities like indigenous people and those in poverty, is notably affected, exacerbating issues such as limited healthcare access and poor living conditions, emphasizing the immediate relevance of environmental challenges in the region.

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URL: https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/high-priority-bus-system/hpbs-official-says-buses-are-calamity-resilient/

Title: HPBS Official Says Buses Are Calamity-Resilient

AUTHOR: City Government of Davao

PUBLISHED: August 31, 2021

KEY CONTENT: The problem in Davao revolves around air pollution caused by the existing transportation system. The need for short-term and long-term mitigations, including deploying buses with climate-resilient designs, highlights the urgency to address and reduce the environmental impact of current transportation practices in the region.

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Amid flooding concerns in the city, a project implementer of the Davao High Priority Bus System (HPBS) assured that the 1,040 buses that will be running on the city's streets are calamity-resilient.

During Monday's Sakay Ta Bai program over the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), Department of Transportation (DOTr) Project Evaluation Officer IV Missiles Samoza-Barro said that disaster issues are being addressed on short and long term bases considering that the city is now experiencing flooding during heavy rain pours.

Samoza-Barro underscored that there have been talks with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Davao to address the street flooding woes in the city for the new buses to travel smoothly during rainy weather.

"Naa tay gina-implement both short term and long term mitigations. Sa long term, working with DPWH and LGU kanang sewage system (We are implementing both short term and long term mitigations. For the long term, we are working with the DPWH and LGU to fix the sewage system)," she said.

She added that there are a total of 1,040 buses to be deployed in 29 bus routes once the project will be implemented. This is composed of 333 Metro Davao (electric), 525 Davao Inter (Diesel and Davao Feeder (Diesel), and 182 Davao local (Diesel). These are expected to reduce air and noise pollution. The figures exclude the spare buses that will replace broken buses.

"In the short term, sa pag design sa bus, we will make sure na it is climate-resilient. Hydraulic siya dili lang lang ko sure kung unsa kataas ang iyahang clearance from the ground para maka-wade ug baha pero hydraulic siya. Kung mudagan taas so pag naa na sa platform mubaba (For the short term, we made sure that the design of the buses is climate-resilient. It will be hydraulic but I am not sure about the height from the ground to enable it to wade through the flood. If it is running, it will elevate but when it is on the platform, it will go down)," she said.

Another measure that will be implemented is the provision of alternative routes once there is flooding in the certain segment. For instance by 2023, if there iz flooding in La Verna Hills, Subdivision, Buhangin will remain unresolved, they will find alternative routes for the buses.

"Dili siya mu-wade sa baha pero mutuyok siya sa lugar kung asa siya makatuyok. Naa may mga roads dira nga pwede tuyokan sa bus so we will provide alternate routes (The buses will not wade through the flood in that area. We will provide alternate routes instead)," she added.

She further said that the buses will be designed to make them more accessible to differently-abled people.

The HPBS will anchor on intelligent transportation systems equipped with modern technologies such as WiFi, Global Positioning System (GPS), and automated fare system among others. This project, which seeks to address transportation demands, is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2023.

The official expressed optimism that the transportation modernization program will likewise facilitate economic activities in the city. CIO

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HPBS official says buses are calamity-resilient - City Government of Davao

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Amid flooding concerns in the city, a project implementer of the Davao High Priority Bus System (HPBS) assured that the 1,040 buses that will be running on the city's streets are calamity-resilient. During Monday's Sakay Ta Bai program over the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), Department of Transportation (DOTr) Project Evaluation Officer IV Missiles Samoza-Barro [...]

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14.) NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION OR ACADEMIC INSTITUTION

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14.) NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION OR ACADEMIC INSTITUTION

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URL: https://sunwayuniversity.edu.my/research/planetaryhealth/news/tackling-air-pollution-in-the-philippines

TITLE: Tackling Air Pollution in the Philippines

AUTHOR: Sunway University

PUBLISHED: April 6 2022

KEY CONTENT: Veronica Southerland's report reveals the alarming global prevalence of unhealthy PM2·5 concentrations, causing over 1.8 million deaths in 2019. In the Philippines, particularly Metro Manila, PM2·5 levels surpass WHO guidelines, impacting public health and increasing the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for those constantly exposed, like traffic enforcers. Urgent action is required to align PM2·5 limits with WHO standards and implement eco-friendly measures to address persistent air pollution, a concern that extends to Mindanao, emphasizing the need for regional-specific strategies to safeguard the health of its inhabitants.

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Veronica Southerland and colleagues1 reported that between the years 2000 and 2019, most of the world's urban population lived in areas with unhealthy concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2·5). The global average urban PM2·5 concentration in 2019 was 35 μg/m3, which is seven times the 5 μg/m3 limit set by WHO in its 2021 guidelines, resulting in more than 1·8 million deaths in 2019. Among the world's regions, the Western Pacific, where our country Philippines is located, is experiencing the highest levels of PM2·5-attributable mortality, exceeding the global urban average. Indeed, the Philippines is not exempt from the enormous health burden of air pollution.

Based on available studies, the current PM2·5 concentrations in urban areas in the Philippines exceed the WHO guideline value. During the dry season, PM2·5 concentration reaches 58·4 μg/m3 in traffic sites in the megacity of Metro Manila. Air pollution continues to negatively impact the health of Filipinos. For instance, traffic enforcers in Metro Manila, who are constantly exposed to high PM2·5 concentrations, are 1·24 times more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The current COVID-19 pandemic also compounded the problem of air pollution in urban cities in the Philippines. A study of Asian countries, including the Philippines, showed a higher COVID-19 mortality risk for those populations consistently exposed to poorer air quality than those living in settings with clean air. Moreover, the negative impact of air pollution also takes a massive toll on the country's economy. A 2021 report estimated that air pollution costs the Philippines approximately US$87 billion annually due to health-care and welfare costs and labour and economic productivity loss.

Even after three decades since the passage of the country's Clean Air Act, the Philippines is still nowhere near achieving comprehensive air pollution control. An urgent priority is to raise the country's PM2·5 limits to WHO standards, which will send a strong signal to industry to urgently tackle the sources of air pollution, for instance by shifting to renewable energy and designing low-carbon transport modalities. These measures will be good not only for population health but also for planetary health. The sources of ambient air pollutants are also the major emitters of greenhouse gases that continue to exacerbate climate change, which will further endanger people's health in the Philippines, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, for decades to come.
This article was published in The Lancet Planetary Health.

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Tackling Air Pollution in the Philippines

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Even after three decades since the passage of the country's Clean Air Act, the Philippines is still nowhere near achieving comprehensive air pollution control.

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(RESEARCHED BY: GABRIELLE MARTINA A. LIMPIN)

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URL: https://youtu.be/e6rglsLy1Ys?si=44HAbZ_YSxBeLTqm

TITLE: Air Pollution 101

AUTHOR: National Geographic

DATE PUBLISHED: Oct 16, 2017

KEY CONTENT: In Mindanao, the escalation of air pollution is exacerbated by harmful emissions from activities such as rapid city growth and farming. Addressing this issue necessitates the implementation of regulations, adoption of cleaner energy practices, improved waste management, and heightened awareness. The active involvement of local communities and governments in regions like Mindanao is crucial for effectively reducing pollution and safeguarding the environment.

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(RESEARCHED BY: GABRIELLE MARTINA A. LIMPIN)

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URL: https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=13299

TITLE: Air Quality of Davao City as Affected by the Traffic Vehicle Density

AUTHOR: Philippine E-journals - Barcibal, J.F. et al.

DATE PUBLISHED: 2018

KEY CONTENT: The study assessed dust density in Davao City and its correlation with traffic vehicle density. Using descriptive correlation, 20 busy streets were examined, revealing elevated dust levels beyond acceptable limits. The research established a significant link between traffic volume and dust density, indicating the impact of urban growth and commercial activity on air quality.

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Air Quality of Davao City as Affected by the Traffic Vehicle Density

Renan P. Limjuco | Jay Vincent T. Yu | Jann Francis A. Barcibal | Kristian A. Lim | Niño John Urquiza | Diane J. Orejudos | Cyrene Karl M. Capao

Abstract:

The primary purpose of the study was to assess the quality of air, in terms of dust density, in Davao City and also to determine whether traffic vehicle density could be its significant correlate. Descriptive correlation was used in the study. The traffic vehicle influx measured in several selected streets of Davao City was paired to the dust density of the surrounding air in the sites to explore the linear relationships of these two variables. The research sites included 20 selected busy streets. Findings revealed that the traffic vehicle influx describe a growing city with busy streets due to the number of establishments and commercial centers. The dust density has gone beyond the limit for what is considered acceptable. Moreover, the investigation established a significant correlation between traffic vehicle influx and dust density.

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Air Quality of Davao City as Affected by the Traffic Vehicle Density | KITE E-Learning Solutions, Inc.

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Air Quality of Davao City as Affected by the Traffic Vehicle Density

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The primary purpose of the study was to assess the quality of air, in terms of dust density, in Davao City and also to determine whether traffic vehicle density could be its significant correlate. Descriptive correlation was used in the study.

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(RESEARCHED BY: GABRIELLE MARTINA A. LIMPIN)

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URL: https://www.sierraclub.org/redwood/napa/blog/2022/03/mindanao-land-promise-holding-key-environmental-defense-worldwide-liyang

TITLE: MINDANAO: The Land of Promise, Holding a Key to Environmental Defense Worldwide

AUTHOR: Sierra Club - Em Butler

DATE PUBLISHED: March 25, 2022

KEY CONTENT: The article sheds light on the environmental and human rights challenges in Mindanao, Philippines, where the Lumad Indigenous people resist threats from logging, mining, and industries contributing to air pollution. Despite past victories, such as Lumad resistance in the 1990s, the region faces renewed challenges, including lifting a ban on new open-pit mining projects, further contributing to environmental degradation and air pollution. Lumad communities respond by evacuating to urban centers, forming alliances, and building solidarity through organizations like Sabokahan. The article emphasizes the global interconnectedness of environmental struggles, calling for international support for frontline defenders combating air pollution and broader environmental issues. This universal message underscores the importance of recognizing and solidarity with those advocating for environmental sustainability worldwide.

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Liyang Network is a local to global advocacy network that amplifies the calls to action of frontline environmental and human rights defenders in Mindanao, which was started at the request of Sabokahan Unity of Lumad Women. Sabokahan is an intergenerational, intertribal grassroots organization for and by Lumad Indigenous women and LGBTQ people.
Across the Pacific Ocean, just South of the eastern coast of China, lies the archipelagic country of the Philippines. Just under a thousand miles north of the equator, the tropical nation is mostly known in the US as its source for coconuts, or for nurses; or as a destination where tourists can enjoy its sunny beaches and exotic fruits. However, what few know about the Philippines is that this archipelago, with a total landmass a little under the size of Arizona, is home to an untold wealth of natural resources, landscapes, and invaluable biodiversity; and that its lush forests and verdant mountains may hold a key to our global efforts to preserve the environment and combat climate change. Specifically-the island of Mindanao. ( Photo caption: Lumad farming community in Andap Valley, Mindanao. It maintains its beauty thanks to the community's long-standing resistance to the encroachment of gold mining on its lands.)

Mindanao is the southernmost region of the Philippines, and its second-largest island. It contains an ecoregion of old growth rainforest called Pantaron Mountain Range, known as a backbone of biodiversity, not only of the island but of the entire archipelago. More than 30% of its native species are endemic to the area, including tree shrews, lizards, moonrats, and various bird species like the iconic Philippine Eagle. Starting in the 20th century, people have flocked to Mindanao from far and wide to settle in the "land of promise", a nickname that the island retains even to this day thanks to its vast natural riches. In the decades since, it's gained a few more monikers: "breadbasket of the Philippines" because of the fertility of the soil that nurtures the food of the entire country; "mining capital of Asia" because of the mineral richness that can be found underground.

What's Mindanao's secret? How has it been able to preserve its beauty and vitality for so long, even in the face of multiple colonial powers who have set their hungry eyes on the island's wealth?

The secret lies in the people who have made their homes there. The Indigenous people of Mindanao have resisted the destruction of their land throughout successive waves of colonization-first by the Spanish, then by the United States. Mindanao's native peoples were able to maintain stewardship of their ancestral land for centuries, while other regions of the archipelago were systematically plundered. It's thanks to the sustained land defense of the Indigenous people of Mindanao, collectively known as the Lumad, that the destruction of Mindanao has historically been kept at bay.

HISTORIC UNITY AND VICTORY AGAINST THE LOGGERS

Most famous is the story of successful Lumad resistance to the logging company Alcantara and Sons in the 1990s. Alsons, as they are known, began logging on the ancestral domain of the Manobo, a Lumad tribe whose home is the Pantaron Mountain Range. Despite numerous warnings from the Lumad people there to stop, Alsons continued cutting down huge swaths of forest. Until, united by chief Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay, the tribes of the Pantaron came together in defense of their ancestral land.

Bai Bibyaon is the first woman chieftain of her tribe, defying the customs that would have girls married off as early as fourteen to become a community leader. She unified her people and other tribes in the region to successfully wage tribal warfare against Alcantara and Sons, and through this war, they were able to stop the encroachment of the logging company on their ancestral lands, the rainforests of the Pantaron in the heart of Mindanao.

For her leadership, Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay has attained a sort of celebrity status in the Philippines especially in socially- and environmentally-conscious circles. Today, she continues to assert that her people's "identity is directly connected to Pantaron [Mountain Range] and how Pantaron itself cannot survive without our continued struggle" (from Sabokahan's self-published book We Call Her Ina Bai).

THREATS TO THE LAND AND PEOPLE, IN THE THIRD DEADLIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS

Despite the success in kicking out the loggers in the 90s, today logging and mining corporations, palm oil investors, and the monocrop plantation industry all have once again set their targets on the resources in Mindanao, threatening to place the health of the ecosystems on the island and in the whole region in jeopardy.

Open-pit mining is an especially pressing threat. The practice decimates forests, causes extreme erosion, landslides, and water siltation, and leeches processing chemicals into water systems and soil. After years of Lumad resistance to mining projects, a ban was finally placed on granting licenses for new open-pit mining projects about 10 years ago. However, in 2021 under the guise of economic stimulation, President Duterte's government declared Executive Order 130 which lifted this nearly decade-long ban on the creation of new mines, allowing new mines to seek permits to start operations.

The danger of these extractive corporations' interests in Mindanao is not only related to environmental degradation or the hazardous labor conditions, but also to the forms of militarization that accompany them. President Duterte is infamous for his War on Drugs, which every year kills thousands of usually poor people living in cities. The lesser-known but no-less-violent flipside to this "war", is the extreme militarization in the countryside. Currently, over 75% of the Philippine military is stationed in Mindanao. Bolstered by hundreds of millions of dollars of military "aid" from the US every year, these tens of thousands of troops come equipped with machine guns, heavy artillery, and military drones.

Lumad communities often talk about how they know a corporation has set its sights on their land when they see the military start to enter their community. Their presence means incessant surveillance and harassment of community members and even threats or killings of key leaders who are active in resisting the theft of their land. Last year, the military massacred 3 Lumad farmers, including a 12-year-old girl, while they were tending to their crops, in a mineral-rich area in northern Mindanao. All three had been active in their communities' defense of land from mining corporations. This was only the latest in a long string of violence and brutality waged on the land defenders of Mindanao; as one of the top 3 most dangerous countries in the world for environmental defenders, the Philippines and Mindanao specifically has been the location for countless human rights abuses against Lumad community leaders, teachers, and children alike. ( Photo Caption: Intergenerational members of Sabokahan Unity of Lumad Women at an evacuation center, holding signs in protest of the targeting of environmental defenders.)

The attempts to destroy resistance became even more abundantly clear last month, in another bloody page in the history of the Lumad struggle. On February 23, 2022, five activists were abducted, brutally tortured and killed at a military checkpoint in New Bataan, in the eastern region of Mindanao. They were two volunteer teachers for Lumad schools, Chad Booc and Jurain Ngujo, as well as Elegyn Balonga, a community health worker who had served Lumad communities in evacuation for free, and their two drivers Robert Aragon and Tirso Añar. Chad and Jurain had faced relentless persecution and threats from the government for years, until finally the military made good on their promises this last February.

The New Bataan 5, as they've come to be known, were targeted because of the far-reaching impact of their service to support the Lumad struggle for self-determination. Despite not being Lumad, they dedicated themselves to supporting the Lumad cause. They, like many other advocates in the country and around the world, understood that the fight for self-determination against profit-hungry corporations in Mindanao benefits all people fighting against the destruction of land worldwide.

WEAVING SOLIDARITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE AND RESILIENCY

Lumad communities have responded to these attacks by taking the battle to the government's own doorstep. A few years back, they evacuated en masse to urban centers like Davao City and Manila, not only to flee the dangers posed by the military, but also to bring awareness of their situation to a broader audience, and make alliances who would support them in their cause. This is where the second key to Lumad efforts of environmental defense and conservation come in: solidarity.

Through their presence in the cities, the Lumad forged bonds of solidarity with groups and individuals who learned of their plight and wanted to support. They re-established Sabokahan, an organization founded in 2005 by Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay to bring together Lumad women to be leaders in their communities. Today, Sabokahan is a thriving intertribal and intergenerational organization, that focuses on strengthening Lumad women's role in the defense of their ancestral lands by confronting external threats like militarization, as well as internal challenges like patriarchal practices in their communities.

Last year, Sabokahan accomplished a major milestone in their struggle: they self-published a book about their intergenerational fight for their land, told from the perspective of Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay and her grandniece Sharmaine Dausay. Taken from real interviews between the two activists, We Call Her Ina Bai: How Strong Women Are Made chronicles the stories of defense against the logging corporation in the 90s, and how that legacy continues through the activism of young Lumad women today.

A few decades back, few people in Mindanao, much less in the Philippines or around the world, knew anything about the Lumad. Today, thanks to Lumad communities and Sabokahan's advocacy, there is a thriving web of people around the world staying updated and lending support to their struggle-which is how these stories reached even the Sierra Club now! Many of us mobilize through Liyang Network, an international advocacy network formed in response to Sabokahan's calls. I personally became inspired to support the Lumad cause after an on-campus teach-in in 2019, where I was struck by how interconnected struggles for environmental protection are, from California to the Philippines. Since then, the character of this struggle for land and life has made itself clear to me: it is vigorous, sustained, multigenerational and invaluable to the future of our planet.

While being an example for all global movements of environmental protection, the Lumad struggle also benefits all people on earth who face mounting climate change and destruction. Here in the US, we are in a unique position to speak about these stories without facing the same threats as those who have given their life for this cause in the Philippines. How can we continue mobilizing people to support frontline communities? Killed at only 26 years old, Chad Booc's words echo across mountains and rivers:

"Seeing the Lumad people continue to fight back, and continue to struggle, despite all the life-threatening experiences they underwent... It also gives me hope and optimism that there is freedom, that there is victory awaiting ahead of us. It gives us a lot of moral support to see that there are a lot of people [around the world] fighting with us."

( Photo caption: Slain advocate and Lumad school teacher Chad Booc with one of his students, at her graduation from ALCADEV, a Lumad school in northern Mindanao that taught generations of Lumad youth sustainable farming practices and tools to aid in their defense of land.)

Let's give thanks to all frontline environmental defenders, and continue to be in solidarity with the Lumad.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP RIGHT NOW?
To connect with Liyang's committee in Northern California, email us at liyang.network@gmail.com

Thank you!

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MINDANAO: The Land of Promise, Holding a Key to Environmental Defense Worldwide, by Em Butler

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The Indigenous people of Mindanao have resisted the destruction of their land throughout successive waves of colonization-first by the Spanish, then by the United States. Mindanao's native peoples were able to maintain stewardship of their ancestral land for centuries, while other regions of the archipelago were systematically plundered.

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(RESEARCHED BY: GABRIELLE MARTINA A. LIMPIN)

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URL: https://youtu.be/Pw6R5n9SRng?si=ADxeHo7B9eCU6onj

TITLE: The Tragedy of Air Pollution - and an Urgent Demand for Clean Air | Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah TED

AUTHOR: TED - Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah

DATE PUBLISHED: March 17, 2022

KEY CONTENT: In Mindanao, Philippines, the story of Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah and her daughter, Ella Roberta, resonates strongly. Ella's tragic death due to asthma aggravated by air pollution underscores the urgent need for clean air. Adoo-Kissi-Debrah's advocacy highlights that clean air is a fundamental right for children, stressing the importance of swift government action in addressing air pollution. The call to protect children's well-being and the environment aligns with local concerns in Mindanao, emphasizing the critical role of clean air in safeguarding the health of the community.

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The Tragedy of Air Pollution -- and an Urgent Demand for Clean Air | Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah |TED