PEMSEA E-UPDATES Vol. IV Issue 04 April 2003
Environmental Problems Can Be Investment Opportunities
MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES -- Wastes can become investment opportunities creating
income, employment and livelihood and at the same time improving the environment.
PEMSEA organized the Investors Roundtable on Environmental Investment
Opportunities in the Manila Bay Area on 6 May 2003 to provide a venue for learning
about potential environmental investment projects. The event was co-hosted by the
Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and co-organized by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Management Association of the
Philippines (MAP), and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
More than 100 participants from the private sector and government agencies attended the
Roundtable, which showcased investment opportunities through two solid waste
management projects for the Province of Bataan and the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
The Bataan project will involve a joint venture arrangement for the financing,
construction and operation of a waste collection system, a centralized sanitary landfill to
serve the whole province, three material recovery facilities (MRFs) to serve clustered
municipalities, and a transfer system to haul residual wastes from each MRF to the
landfill. The estimated cost of the project is US$20 million.
For the City of San Fernando, the project will involve waste collection and the financing,
construction and operation of an MRF, expansion of an existing composting facility into
a large-scale centralized facility, and transport and haulage of residual waste to the
sanitary landfill in the Clark Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility. The cost of the
MRF and haulage system will be of the order of US$1 million.
The two environmental projects will be carried out through a public-private partnership
(PPP) mechanism.
"It is realized that the private sector plays a greater role in environmental management,
not just in fulfilling its corporate responsibility, but in engaging them more actively by
mobilizing their expertise and financial resources for profitable environmental projects,"
PEMSEA Regional Programme Director, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng said. PEMSEA is
promoting a collaborative mechanism in which the public and private sectors and civil
society can work hand in hand in addressing environmental issues of societal concerns.
"Through PPP, we hope to build confidence between the two sectors through better
understanding, transparency, and collaboration in bringing forward a win-win investment
scenario. By working with the governments especially the local government units,
PEMSEA has been able to promote a more conducive policy environment, develop long
term strategies and programs of actions to address environmental issues such as sewage,
solid and hazardous wastes and create environmental investment opportunities arising
from these management strategies and action plans," he added.
At the same forum, financing mechanisms for environmental investments offered by the
DBP, through the Environmental Infrastructure Support Credit Program II and Clean
Development Mechanism, were presented.
As part of its efforts to promote the PPP mechanism, PEMSEA has financed pre-
feasibility studies and worked with the local stakeholders and local government units to
develop the investment opportunity briefs for the two projects. In addition, PEMSEA
conducted a social survey on willingness to pay to ensure that a proposed tariff system
would be within the reach of the people.
PEMSEA will serve as the partnership broker throughout the application, review,
selection and negotiation process. Application forms and a detailed list of information
requirements for Expressions of Interest are available from www.pemsea.org or
info@pemsea.org.
Building Safe, Efficient and Environment-Friendly Port Operations
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- PEMSEA is in the process of developing and
demonstrating a Port Safety and Environmental Management System (PSEMS), designed
to provide guidance and assistance to ports in establishing a management system that
ensures safe and environmentally friendly port and cargo operations, while protecting the
health of port workers and the populations in surrounding communities.
The PSEMS will employ the same fundamental system requirements as the ISO 9001
Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, and
OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems with focus on
port operations.
In line with these efforts, PEMSEA is reviewing ports in the region where the application
of the PSEMS can be demonstrated. Port Klang, Malaysia and the Port of Bangkok,
Thailand have been invited to become demonstration ports for the development and
implementation of PSEMS.
The PEMSEA-PSEMS initiative will offer training for internal auditors in port safety
auditing; technical support in conducting port assessment audit; training on the set-up and
implementation of PSEMS; technical support on developing PSEMS; a performance
audit for PSEMS certification; an integrated management system covering port safety,
health, environment and emergency response; and a core of skilled port staff with the
capacity to implement the PSEMS program.
The demonstration phase of the project is planned to commence by July 2003.
Stakeholders Sign Commitment for Solid Waste Management Project
SAN FERNANDO, PHILIPPINES -- Local Government Units and stakeholders signed a
Letter of Intent (LOI) last 30 April setting forth a commitment to the development and
implementation of an Integrated Solid Waste Management (SWM) Project through the
Public-Private Partnership mechanism.
The signing of the LOI was an important step towards an improved SWM system in San
Fernando. To achieve a prompt and cost-effective scheme for a city-wide integrated
SWM system, it was acknowledged that each level of government, economic sector and
community group needs to actively participate in the planning, development and
implementation of the proposed system, and to undertake actions that are within their
authority, capacity and duty. The LOI indicates the priority activities, and identifies the
corresponding responsible authority, coordinating bodies and concerned stakeholders in
the implementation of the SWM system.
"The LOI provides a road map for community-driven waste reduction, segregation,
recycling and composting initiatives and the PPP approach as an alternative delivery and
financing mechanism," San Fernando Mayor Jesus Reynaldo Aquino said. The Mayor led
the signing ceremony, together with the regional directors of the National Economic and
Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of
Education, Department of Interior and Local Governments and the Department of
Science and Technology. Other signatories included the barangay chairmen who were
members of the City Solid Waste Management Board, and representatives of the
Homeowners Associations and non-government organizations.
PEMSEA Experiences Shared at World Water Forum
KYOTO, JAPAN -- PEMSEA shared its experiences in integrated coastal management
(ICM) during the Third World Water Forum, held in the cities of Kyoto, Shiga and Osaka
from 16-23 March. The Forum featured 351 separate sessions on 38 interlocking themes
dealing with water, especially on bringing safe water and sanitation to the entire world.
Some 24,000 participants from 182 countries attended the Forum and addressed key
issues on balancing increasing human requirements for adequate water supplies and
improved health and sanitation with food production, transportation, energy and
environmental needs, effective governance, improved capacity and adequate financing.
In his presentation, PEMSEA Senior Programme Officer, Dr. Huming Yu stressed the
ground level implementation of integrated management and sustainable development
through demonstration projects. He highlighted the results and impacts of ICM
implementation by PEMSEA and the efforts made to scale up demonstrable experience
on the national and regional levels to maximize the global benefits of the international
waters (IW) projects.
Participants expressed appreciation in the progress made by PEMSEA in ICM and
indicated that they were keen to apply PEMSEA's strategy. Many expressed strong
interest in PEMSEA's practices.
Dr. Yu also discussed PEMSEA's knowledge sharing mechanisms, highlighting the key
messages distilled from PEMSEA practices on integrated management/sustainable
development, the products and services developed to disseminate these messages and
lessons learned. Over the years, such experiences and knowledge were shared among
GEF IW projects, including PEMSEA publications and the PEMSEA E-Updates, an
electronic newsletter. In addition, PEMSEA has developed its website and an integrated
information management system which provides information in coastal and marine
management.
IW: LEARN Director Dr. Dann Sklarew noted in particular, the contribution made by
PEMSEA in knowledge sharing in view of the outputs produced and disseminated by the
programme.
The eight-day Forum resulted in more than 100 new commitments on water and was
noted by organizers as among the most important international water meeting to date.
Interest in East Asian Seas Congress 2003 on the Rise
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- More organizations, programs and individuals have
expressed interest in the East Asian Seas Congress 2003. From Australia to Zambia, the
number of inquiries has risen from 60 in March to 104 as of May 2003.
Expressions of interest have been received from 29 countries, namely, Australia,
Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Liberia,
Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, PR China,
Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, U.S.A, Ukraine, U.K.,
Vietnam and Zambia.
PEMSEA is encouraging regional and international partners and representatives from
governmental and nongovernmental organizations, financing institutions, industries,
investors, academe, mass media, private sector, and civil society to participate in the
Congress.
About 200 stakeholders from various sectors in each PEMSEA participating country -
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, PR China, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, are expected to participate.
The Congress will feature the Ministerial Forum on the Sustainable Development of the
Seas of East Asia and the International Conference on the Sustainable Development of
the East Asian Seas: Towards a New Era of Regional Collaboration and Partnerships.
Congress side events will include the 3rd Forum of the Regional Network of Local
Governments (RNLG) Implementing Integrated Coastal Management, and the Media
Forum on Partnerships in Environmental Communication.
For more information on the Congress and on how to participate, visit
http://way.to/seascongress or e-mail congress@pemsea.org
SOF Collaborates on the Development of the Sustainable Development Strategy for
Seas of East Asia
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- The Ship and Ocean Foundation (SOF) joins the
growing partnership of organizations actively participating in the development of the
Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA).
SOF Executive Director for the Institute for Ocean Policy, Mr. Hiroshi Terashima
welcomed PEMSEA's invitation. "We are honored to accept the invitation and will do
our best to ensure the success of this important initiative," Mr. Terashima said.
The SDS-SEA will be submitted to the Ministerial Forum to be held in Kuala Lumpur on
12 December 2003, in conjunction with the EAS Congress, for adoption by the countries
of East Asia. Prior to that, two Senior Government Officials Meetings in August and
December will be held to finalize the SDS-SEA.
Collaborating organizations work with PEMSEA for the eventual adoption and
implementation of the SDS-SEA on a region-wide basis and widen the opportunities of
collaboration with stakeholders within and outside the region. Other collaborators in the
development of the SDS-SEA include the World Bank, UNDP, GEF, IMO and UNEP-
GPA.
The SDS-SEA has been developed with the goal of enhancing the capability of the
countries to implement the commitments they have made through international
instruments pertaining to coasts and oceans, including the recently concluded World
Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD), Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
and Agenda 21. It represents an operational framework for addressing poverty alleviation,
sustainable livelihood, reduction of vulnerability to natural hazards, long-term security,
economic growth and the health of human beings, ecosystems, and the natural resource
base. In addition, it provides a platform for various organizations, mechanisms, initiatives
and programmes to interact and collaborate with one another for the common goal of
arresting the degradation of the resource base and improving the livelihood of people in
the region.
Bataan Developing Integrated Coastal Zonation and Sea Use Plan
BATAAN, PHILIPPINES -- Bataan Province, through its BIGKIS-BATAAN ICM
Program, is developing an integrated coastal zonation and sea use plan as an instrument
to rationalize resource use in the province's coastal and marine environment. The
zonation and sea use plan will also be institutionalized as a means to resolve multiple
resource-use conflicts in the area.
BIGKIS-Bataan, the first PEMSEA ICM parallel site, has conducted municipal-based
coastal zonation workshops in the towns of Abucay, Orion, Samal, Morong, Bagac and
Mariveles. These workshops served as consultative mechanisms to obtain feedback from
different stakeholders. The consultation series also provided avenues for data gathering,
resource inventory, and the drawing up of functional zonation schemes for the province.
More consultations are being planned for other coastal municipalities in the province.
The zonation and sea use plan is scheduled for completion in March 2004 and will cover
all coastal and marine areas of Bataan and complement the province's comprehensive
land use plan.
Evaluation Findings Show PEMSEA on the Right Track
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- A team tasked to conduct a mid-term evaluation of
PEMSEA noted that good project design and innovative and adaptive management have
resulted in PEMSEA making substantial progress in meeting its objectives within its time
frame and in a cost effective manner. This observation was reflected in the report of the
mid-term evaluation held last 3 March 4 April 2003.
The mid-term evaluation provided an opportunity to assess project progress, outputs and
impact areas as well as the challenges and proposed adjustments to meet the
programme's identified objectives. In their final report, the Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE)
Team made a number of recommendations for PEMSEA and its partners, including:
1. The Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA)
should be developed and promoted as a collective international effort in the
regional implementation of the commitments of Agenda 21, WSSD, MDG and
other international instruments related to the sustainable development of coasts
and oceans.
2. The GEF, UNDP, IMO, international donors and other donor partners should
capitalize on the achievements of PEMSEA in helping each other meet their
respective sustainable development objectives.
3. Governments should give careful consideration to maximizing the potential
benefits that could be gained from what has been achieved by the PEMSEA
program and how this can be extended and expanded to further support national
and international development objectives.
4. The PEMSEA Management Team should accelerate national buy-in by using
clear examples of the benefits of ICM, supporting the finalization of national
coastal policies, the replication of ICM sites and mainstreaming of the approaches,
policies, lessons learned in the implementation of sites and in the program as a
whole into major strategic development plans.
The Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE) Team was composed of Dr. Delfin Ganapin, former
Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) of the
Philippine Government, Team Leader and institutional arrangement specialist; Prof. Peter
Burbridge, coastal/marine expert; and Dr. Ashok Jashapara, knowledge management
specialist.
Regional Consultations Continue Amidst SARS Threat
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- While the threat of SARS resulted in the
postponement of PEMSEA's First Senior Government Officials' Meeting (SGOM) on the
SDS-SEA. PEMSEA is proceeding with consultations among the 12 participating
countries.
The consultations are being conducted are being conducted through electronic and
conventional correspondence in lieu of face to face meetings.
The consultations are focusing on proposed revisions to the draft SDS-SEA, declaration
on regional cooperation for the sustainable development of the Seas of East Asia and an
agenda for the proposed Ministerial Forum.
The SGOM has been scheduled on August in Thailand while a second SGOM will be
held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in December.
The Ministerial Forum will be held on 12 December 2003, as part of the East Asian Seas
Congress 2003.
Danang Commences PPP Arrangement for Waste Facility Project
DANANG, VIETNAM -- The Danang People's Committee has endorsed the pre-
feasibility study and environmental investment opportunity brief for an integrated
industrial wastewater and hazardous waste treatment system. The project would be
developed through the public-private sector partnership (PPP) mechanism.
The proposed project involves the financing and construction of a model waste
management facility designed to handle and properly dispose of industrial and hazardous
waste for Danang City. While the wastewater treatment plant will cater to the
requirements of the industrial locators at the Hoa Khanh Industrial Park, the hazardous
waste facility will serve both the industries and hospitals and other health care
establishments. The facilities will serve to mitigate risks to the environment, protect
human health, attract new investments to the area, facilitate ISO 14001 certification of
existing industry and commercial enterprises, and enhance the social and economic well-
being of Danang City.
Danang is now seeking private partners with proven technical and managerial expertise in
industrial and hazardous waste management to carry out the project. An initial capital
outlay of US$ 6.95 million and US$ 3.05 million is expected for the industrial wastewater
treatment plant and hazardous waste treatment facility, respectively. Revenues will be
derived from user charges collected from industrial firms and health service providers
eventually using the facilities.
Under the PPP mechanism, there would be resource pooling and risk sharing between the
public and private partners. The private sector is expected to bring the technical know-
how and the necessary infusion of capital while the public sector partners, as represented
by the Urban Environment Company and Danang Industrial Park Infrastructure
Development and Exploitation Company, complement these in terms of familiarity with
local conditions and guaranteeing manpower resources. Given the importance of the
proposed project in minimizing health and environmental hazards, the Danang City
Authority guarantees that interjurisdictional issues and cooperation among different
levels of government, agencies, and sectors will be well-coordinated and resolved.
Located in central Vietnam, Danang City is the fourth largest city in the country with an
estimated population of 728,823 as of 2001. The People's Committee of Danang City has
adopted the Coastal Strategy of Danang City in 2001. Among the commitments under the
strategy include increased financial investments for environmental management, and the
institutionalization of a comprehensive environmental management system with effective
regulatory and enforcement programs. The strategy also calls for the development and
implementation of an integrated waste management program to overcome risks to human
health in the community and to the ecosystems.
Additional information about the investment opportunity in Danang as well as the other
project sites is available by joining the PEMSEA's Investors Network at
http://way.to/pemseainvestments.
PEMSEA Honors UNDP Resident Representative
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- PEMSEA honored UNDP Manila Resident
Representative Terrence Jones in a dinner-reception hosted by PEMSEA Regional
Programme Director, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng.
Mr. Jones completes his three-year posting in the Philippines by June 2003. In 1999, Mr.
Jones was appointed UNDP Manila Resident Representative and was active in addressing
the challenges of peace and development, empowering the poor, ensuring environmental
sustainability and creating enabling environments for sustainable human development in
the country.
At the dinner reception, PEMSEA, along with many organizations expressed its
appreciation to Mr. Jones for his efforts in forging partnerships to address environmental
challenges and for his contributions to environmental protection and sustainable
development.
Students Get Hands-On Training at PEMSEA
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- Three university students are undergoing on-the-job
training (OJT) at PEMSEA's Regional Programme Office (RPO). Paul Chua, Rizzel
Landicho, and Mark Genghis who have multi media arts and mass communication
backgrounds are applying their communication skills through PEMSEA communication-
related activities while at the same time gaining PEMSEA knowledge and experience.
The OJT Program aims to provide students the opportunity to apply their skills through
practical hands-on work opportunities and instill professionalism and work ethics among
young would-be professionals.
"It is a unique experience to be exposed to a multi-cultural office such as PEMSEA. The
staff here is one big team," Paul Chua said.
PEMSEA Welcomes New Staff
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- PEMSEA welcomes Mr. Nogel S. Viyar, PEMSEA's
new Communications Assistant. Mr. Viyar will be involved in the preparation,
production, editing, and design of PEMSEA's information and multimedia materials for
various stakeholders.
Prior to joining PEMSEA, Nogel was University Research Assistant in the College of
Development Communication of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, where he
was in charge of media extension work, broadcasting and communication training.
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