PEMSEA E-UPDATES Vol. VI Issue 01 2005
Danang Seeks Private Partner for Waste Management Venture
DANANG, VIETNAM -- The People's Committee of Danang City is seeking a private
partner in a joint venture to improve the city's capabilities in addressing industrial
wastewater treatment and hazardous waste management issues. The joint venture
includes the development of an industrial wastewater treatment facility to serve the Hoa
Khanh Industrial Park, one of three industrial parks in the City, and the establishment of a
centralized hazardous waste management system for the community. The partnership
arrangement is expected to run for a period of 20-25 years.
At present, the city has begun constructing the industrial wastewater treatment facility,
which is the first stage of a two-stage development project. The ultimate target is a
20,000 m3/day industrial wastewater treatment facility for Hoa Khanh Industrial Park.
This facility, with a capacity of 5,000 m3/day, is part of the local government's
contribution to the proposed partnership.
Danang City is currently inviting interested parties to submit expressions of interest to be
partners for the proposed joint venture. Interested parties can visit the PEMSEA website
(www.pemsea.org) for more information on Danang's investment opportunity and
instructions on how to submit expressions of interest.
In its effort to address sustainable development issues, PEMSEA has been working with
the national and local governments in Vietnam to develop and implement affordable
environmental facilities and services. Working with local stakeholders, PEMSEA is
packaging investment opportunities aimed at engaging private operating companies,
financial institutions and donors as partners of the local government in the provision of
the necessary services.
East Asian Countries to Study Hazard Management Strategies in ICM
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- Local governments practicing integrated coastal
management (ICM) will meet in Bali, Indonesia on 26-28 April to review the lessons
learned from tsunami incidents and discuss strategies for strengthening hazard
management as practiced in ICM.
Carrying the theme: "Building Better Coastal Governance through Stronger Local
Alliance" the Fourth Forum of the Regional Network of Local Governments
Implementing ICM (RNLG) will be attended by local government representatives from
PEMSEA ICM demonstration and parallel sites, resource persons, local participants,
observers, and representatives from the PEMSEA Regional Programme Office.
Apart from studying the recent tsunami incident, participants to the Fourth RNLG Forum
will synthesize lessons learned from PEMSEA ICM practices and ICM initiatives in
Indonesia; discuss strategies for sustaining and expanding local ICM implementation; and
review a concept paper and draft charter for sustaining the local government network, as
well as risk assessment and information sub-networks, and consider these for adoption. A
field trip for participants is also being organized on 28 April.
The RNLG was formally established by local governments implementing ICM in March
2001 in Seoul, RO Korea. Since then, each government has made progress and
accumulated valuable experiences. Eminent examples include the development and
adoption of coastal strategies, the conduct of environmental risk assessments, the
strengthening of political support and leadership and the widening of public awareness
and participation.
Current members of the network include the local governments of Bali, Indonesia;
Batangas and Bataan, Philippines; Chonburi, Thailand; Danang, Vietnam; Klang,
Malaysia; Nampho, DPR Korea; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Shihwa, RO Korea; and
Xiamen, PR China.
PEMSEA Assesses Environmental Investment Possibilities in Cavite
CAVITE, PHILIPPINES -- A PEMSEA mission, lead by PEMSEA Regional Programme
Director Dr. Chua Thia-Eng visited Cavite on 12 February to assess environmental issues
and identify potential areas for public-private partnerships in the province.
The mission confirmed that there was a significant solid waste problem in Cavite and that
the local governments are looking for help to fully address the issue. Potential
partnerships between the private sector and municipal governments were discussed.
The mission recommended that, initially, working with a cluster of three or four
municipalities the viability of integrated solid waste management could be demonstrated.
It was also recommended that any possible implementation would have to be done first
with municipalities showing strong political will and commitment.
The mission was organized by the Cavite for A Sustainable Environment, Inc. (CASE)
and was coordinated by the Cavite Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Project
Management Office. Cavite is one of PEMSEA's parallel sites in the Philippines. The
project involves nine coastal municipalities in the province with a total population of
close to one million. Cavite is also home to more than two thousand industries.
PEMSEA Remembers Hj. Rahmat
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- PEMSEA's Port Klang Project Management Office
Director, Ir. Hj. Rahmat Bin Hj. Mohd Sharif died Monday, 7 February 2005, of heart
problems, in the National University of Malaysia Hospital in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. He
was 51. He leaves behind a wife, two sons and a daughter.
For the past 4 years, Hj. Rahmat spearheaded efforts to make Port Klang a clean and
healthy coastal area for present and future generations. His energy and leadership proved
an inspiration to family and colleagues alike and has been an influence to many positive
changes in Port Klang's environment. Foremost of these contributions was the
development and adoption of the Port Klang Coastal Strategy, the implementation of
river basin management programmes for the Klang and Langat Rivers, the local co-
organization of the East Asian Seas Congress 2003, the creation of an ecotourism
development plan for Crab Island, and the conduct of numerous public awareness
campaigns and mangrove restoration activities.
PEMSEA friends and associates remember their colleague, his gracious hospitality
during the 2003 Regional Network of Local Governments Forum, and his contributions
to an improved quality of life in the East Asian Seas region. He will be missed.
New Indonesian Minister Voices Support for PEMSEA Activities
JAKARTA, INDONESIA -- Newly appointed Indonesian Minister of Environment Ir.
Rachmat Witoelar, voiced his support for PEMSEA activities during a courtesy visit by
PEMSEA Regional Programme Director Dr. Chua Thia-Eng on 1 February.
Dr. Chua briefed the Minister on PEMSEA's integrated coastal management (ICM) sites
in Bali and Sukabumi, Indonesia and introduced the upcoming East Asian Seas Congress
2006. The Minister showed keen interest in PEMSEA's efforts in the East Asian region
and expressed his support.
Indonesia has been a long-standing partner in PEMSEA's regional efforts and will play
host to the upcoming Fourth Forum of the Regional Network of Local Governments
Implementing ICM (RNLG) to be held in Bali on 26-28 April.
PEMSEA Approach Useful in Tsunami Warning System
BANGKOK, THAILAND -- PEMSEA's approach in coastal management was seen as
useful in developing a tsunami early warning system according to United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Center Director, Elizabeth Fong.
In a meeting with PEMSEA Regional Programme Director Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, Ms. Fong
discussed at length how PEMSEA's approach stands in relation to the recent tsunami
disaster and the reconstruction efforts to follow. She clarified that the early warning
system includes not only its technical aspect, but also a composite of other activities such
as public awareness, habitat restoration, hazard management, and many others. She
expressed her wish that UNDP should take advantage of PEMSEA's capacity in coastal
management.
Dr. Chua assured PEMSEA's readiness to help and emphasized the immediate need for
re-establishing a "life-saving belt" of mangroves along affected areas as these natural
barriers will minimize the potentially disastrous effects of a tsunami and save lives and
property.
Former PEMSEA Videographer Represents Philippines in Berlinale Talent Campus
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- Former PEMSEA Communications Assistant, Arleen
Cuevas will be flying to Berlin, Germany, as part of the Philippine contingent
participating in this year's Berlinale Talent Campus Week.
Arleen was ecstatic at being chosen, saying that her experience in PEMSEA was an
important factor. "For this year, there are three Filipinos who were selected for Berlinale,
which is a side conference of the Berlin International Film Festival for young filmmakers.
I think that the work I have done in PEMSEA gave me the edge to be selected over other
applicants."
The Berlin International Film Festival invited 500 young filmmakers from all over the
world to participate in the Berlinale Talent Campus Week (12-17 February), where they
will attend workshops, share ideas and mingle with international stars and colleagues.
The six-day programme will touch on the essential issues of filmmaking: the latest
technical developments, creative tools, stylistic trends, new markets and philosophical
perspectives.
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