Manila van driver dumps trash from window… German cyclist hands it back
A German living in Manila pursued a van on his bicycle to return a plastic bag of rubbish that had been dumped onto the street. Frank Schuengel, an e-commerce executive, …
Environment
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American wins growing support in Davao for cleaning up the city’s streets
An American living in Davao has attracted a growing following after rolling up his sleeves to clean up his neighbourhood streets. Frustrated with the inaction of local officials, Darrell Blatchley …
Hundreds of smuggled venomous tarantulas seized alive in Manila
The Bureau of Customs has seized hundreds of venomous tarantulas smuggled alive into the Philippines from Poland. According to the BOC, there were 757 spiders, said to be worth an …
Filipino scientists discover plastic-eating bacteria in Zambales spring
Hopes of a solution to plastic pollution have been raised after bacteria capable of “eating” plastic were discovered in a hyper-alkaline spring in Zambales. Researchers from the biology department of …
El Niño drought hits farmers and brings water rationing to major cities
The provinces of Cebu and Occidental Mindoro have both been placed under a ‘state of calamity due’ to the effect of El Niño. El Niño is a meteorological phenomenon characterised …
Young whale died after swallowing 80 pounds of plastic waste
A whale that washed up off Mindanao died from “gastric shock” after swallowing about 80 pounds of plastic bags and other trash. Marine biologists and volunteers from the D’Bone Collector …
Action promised as Manila struggles with crippling water shortages
Manila has been struggling with its worst water shortages in recent times, with taps dry for up to 20 hours a day and hospitals struggling. Families have been waiting with …
Environmentalists urge an end to wasteful and polluting plastic sachets
An audit in the Philippines has shown the country uses a “shocking” amount of single-use plastic, including billions of sachets a year. The report, produced by the environmental organisation Global …
Doubts expressed after report finds low air pollution in Philippine cities
Doubts have been raised after a report found that 11 of the 15 cities with the lowest air pollution in Southeast Asia were in the Philippines. The 2018 Air Quality …
Police find 1,529 live tortoises and turtles wrapped in tape at Manila airport
Customs officers have seized more than 1,500 live turtles and tortoises found wrapped in duct tape and abandoned at Manila airport. The reptiles, stuffed into four unclaimed pieces of luggage, …
Environment chief fears Baguio’s iconic pine trees are under threat
The Philippine’s environmental chief has called for action amid fears that the “City of Pines” is in danger of losing its iconic pine trees. Department of Environment and Natural Resources …
Northern Samar calls for emergency aid amid worst floods for 30 years
Northern Samar has called for emergency assistance as the province grapples with the worst flooding it has experienced for 30 years. Speaking today (Tuesday, January 1), Vice Governor Gary Lavin …
At least 50 dead as Tropical Depression Usman brings landslides, floods
Landslides and flooding in the wake of Tropical Depression Usman has has have left at least 50 people dead in the Bicol region. As of 5pm today (Sunday, December 30), …
Weather chiefs urge vigilance as Usman closes in on Philippines
Weather chiefs have urged all residents and travellers to keep a close eye on updates as Tropical Depression Usman approaches the Philippines. In a briefing at 11am today (Thursday, December …
Mayon Volcano alert level held after ash plumes and earthquake
Mayon Volcano in Albay province remains at Alert Level 2 after belching out ash plumes, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has said. The phreatic blasts were recorded …
Philippines sends condolences after Krakatoa eruption causes tsunami
The Philippines has expressed its condolences after an eruption of the volcano Anak Krakatoa sparked a deadly tsunami in Indonesia. In a statement today (Sunday, December 23) presidential spokesman Salvador …
Environment chiefs plan to give Manila Bay ‘the Boracay treatment’
Environment chiefs plan to restore Manila Bay to a “pristine state”, following the same strategy used to clean up the island of Boracay. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) …
Folk fear disaster after oarfish accidentally caught off Surigao del Norte
Residents of a town in Surigao del Norte have been left fearing disaster after an oarfish was caught in shallow waters off Malimono town. Jouralie Petros told GMA News TV’s …
Sipalay City touted as new sustainable tourism destination in Negros
Sipalay City is being touted by Philippine tourism chiefs as a “clean tourist city” and “top sustainable destination”. Sipalay, which is about 100 miles from Bacolod City, is known for …
Singko the giant crocodile confirmed as killer of Palawan fisherman
The giant saltwater crocodile caught in southern Palawan this week has been named Singko and confirmed as the killer of a fisherman. The reptile was today (Wednesday, December 5) said …
Enormous saltwater crocodile caught on Palawan after fisherman killed
Wildlife experts hunting for a saltwater crocodile that killed a fisherman in southern Palawan have captured a 15.6 foot long croc. It has not been confirmed whether the enormous reptile …
Hunt launched for man-eating crocodile that killed Palawan fisherman
A search is on to track down a man-eating saltwater crocodile that killed a fisherman on Balabac Island, in southernmost Palawan. A joint team of the Palawan Council for Sustainable …
Swimming banned in parts of El Nido due to pollution from open sewer
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the environmental rehabilitation of El Nido, due to high levels of faecal bacteria in the sea. “You told us last time that it will …
Balinsasayaw — bird that makes edible nests — under threat in Palawan
The balinsasayaw, or swiftlet — the bird that weaves sought-after edible nests — is under threat in Taytay, Palawan, due to land clearing activities. Former town mayor Roberto Rodriguez said …
Huge leatherback turtle trapped in fishing nets released without harm
A 500-kilo leatherback turtle was accidentally trapped in a fisherman’s net and stranded in Balatan, Camarines Sur. Photos by Ryan Cediño, National Stock Assessment Program enumerator for BFAR. A 500-kg …
Low-cost bamboo house wins international award for Manila designer
A 23-year-old designer from Manila has won a UK prize for a low-cost bamboo house that takes just four hours to construct. Earl Patrick Forlales has pocketed £50,000 ($64,385) for …