ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE (ECOGOV)

VOTE FOR TUBBATAHA, ST. PAUL SUBTERRANEAN PARK, AND CHOCOLATE HILLS

2008-04-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

Please vote to the Tubbataha Reefs Marine Park, St. Paul Subterranean Park, and Bohol's Chocolate Hills as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World being undertaken by UNESCO. Take time to visit http://www.new7wonders.com/

ASIA-EUROPE WORKSHOP: "TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHING PROGRAM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE"

2007-08-20T04:29:00.001-07:00

The Workshop will be held on 22-25 October 2008 back-to-back with two other conferences under the umbrella theme: "Governance in a Triptych: Environment, Migration, and Peace and Order." The objectives are the same except for the date. The co-sponsor is the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA). This blogspot will update you with the details, but you may also wish to visit EROPA's website at http://www.eropa.org.ph/

Good news! This blogger and his international partners were awarded a grant by the Asia-Europe Foundation to hold an Asia-Europe Workshop entitled, "Towards the Development of Teaching Program for Higher Education in Environmental Governance." It is to be held in the Philippines and will be organized by the U.P. National College of Public Administration and Governance (U.P.-NCPAG) on 22-25 October 2008.

Environmental governance experts from Europe and Asia will meet in Manila for this workshop. Interested parties are welcome to join. Please e-mail this blogger at efloranoy@yahoo.com for more information. We are also in need of sponsors.

Confirmed participants and papers are as follows (as of this writing):

· Day 1 (28 May 2008): Session 1: The Imperatives for “Environmental Governance” in Europe and Asia

1. “The Environmental Sustainability of the Southeast Asian Region” – Dr. Ebinezer R. Florano (University of the Philippines, Philippines)

2. "The EU: a Model for Regional Environmental Law and Cooperation?" - Dr. Jonas Ebbesson (Stockholm University, Sweden)

· Day 1 (28 May 2008): Session 2: The Role of the Academe in Environmental Governance: European and Asian Experiences.

1. “Environmental Governance” – Dr. Ebinezer R. Florano (University of the Philippines, Philippines)

2. “Environmental Governance: Critical for Sustainability” – former Philippine Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Elisea Gozun (Philippines)

3. "Relative Roles of Academe, NGOs and Private Consultancies in Environmental Governance - a case study of Air Quality Management in the UK and Europe" – Dr. Tim Chatterton (University of the West of England, UK)

4. "Transdisciplinary Academic Institutions Concerning Environmental Norms and Actions" – Dr. Jonas Ebbesson (Stockholm University, Sweden)

· Day 2 (29 May 2008): Session 3: Governance of the Commons: Earth, Water, and Air.

1. “Integrated Approach to Adaptation to Climate Change: Case Studies from Europe and Asia” – Dr. Faizal Parish (Global Environment Centre, Malaysia)

2. "The Preservation of Biodiversity at a Global Scale: Links Between Development Aid, Revenue and Conservation Efforts" – Dr. Sophie Thoyer (Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie de Montpellier , Montpellier, France)

3. “Public Participation in Water Governance” – Dr. Jona Razzaque (University of the West of England, UK)

4. “Developments in the Earth System and the Need and Prospects for Multilevel Global Governance” – Dr. Gerd Winter (University of Bremen, Germany)

· Day 2 (29 May 2008): Session 4: Environmental Governance: Local, National, and International/Global Levels

1. “Public Participation in Environmental Governance in China: Some Comments on Recent Development of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law" – Dr. Qin Tianbao (Wuhan University, China)

2. “Environmental Governance in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): A Study at a Regional Level” – Dr. Koh Kheng-Lian (National University of Singapore, Singapore)

3. “Implementation of the ASEAN Peatland Management Initiative and Strategy 2006-2020” - Dr. Faizal Parish (Global Environment Centre, Malaysia)

4. "The Importance of National-Local Frameworks in Environmental Governance" – Dr. Tim Chatterton (University of the West of England, UK)

5. “Development of Participatory Environmental Governance in Europe and Asia” - Dr. Jona Razzaque (University of the West of England, UK)

6. "Economic Incentives for Environmental Governance in China" – Dr. Li Guangbing (Wuhan University, China)

7. “Environmental Conditions and Environmental Governance in Europe:
Challenges and Responses in Historical Perspective” – Dr. Gerd Winter (University of Bremen, Germany)

The concept paper for this workshop is below:

I. Introduction to the Topic and Scientific Objectives

European and Asian countries share one thing in common, though at different point in time - problems associated with environmental degradation. However, the former has already learned its lessons after reaping the whirlwind of environment-related problems, e.g., acid rain, Mediterranean Sea pollution, etc., for the pursuit of progress and industrialization. On the other hand, many developing countries in Asia (and even developed ones) are said to be following the same potentially environmentally-destructive pathways their European counterparts took in the past, all in the name of economic development. This situation in Asia is aggravated by the reality that some neighboring countries do not see eye-to-eye for regional environmental cooperation due to political and/or historical misunderstandings.^{^[1]} Environmental problem-solving in the Asian region is made complex by differences in economic, political and cultural conditions. A challenge for the region is to develop governance mechanisms that can address both regional and global environmental problems. Although there are a number of regional organizations (e.g., Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation) and initiatives by the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, there is no initiative to develop a university curriculum on environmental governance.

Europe has so much to offer to Asia in terms of sharing the knowledge, expertise, and skills in Environment Governance which it has developed over the last 30 years. These are evident in the large number of legislative measures of the European Union and its member-states which are said to be broad in scope, extensive in detail, and often stringent in effect.[2] Hence, Europe, as one community represented by the EU, has acquired credibility as an international environmental actor in its own right. EU is also acknowledged for its various contributions to global environmental governance, especially on the issue of climate change.[3] However, there is an increasing observation that “Europe has shifted its ecological burden onto other countries while safeguarding more of its own ecological resources.”^{^[4]} If Europe continues with this, it may erase all the gains and respect its environmental leadership has reaped from the world.

Both continents experiences on preventing, monitoring, and mitigating the effects of environmental degradation could serve as an opportunity for inter-regional environmental cooperation. It is said that Europe has the opportunity to forge “eco-innovation” in partnership with Asian countries.^{^[5]} For example, to help both continents achieve Target 9 of Goal 7 of the Millennium Development Goals which call for the integration of the principles of sustainable development into country policies and program and reverse the loss of environmental resources (where most European and Asian countries failed), it was pointed out by a report in the Asia-Europe Environment Forum Conference in 2005 that inter-regional cooperation, coordination, and partnership between Europe and Asia should be initiated. The cooperation should center on organization and management system, institutional capacity, and tools and methodologies in implementing the MDG in both continents.^{^[6]}

Academicians from various disciplines, especially those whose expertise is “Environmental Governance,” from the two continents have the potential to forge Asia-Europe inter-regional environmental cooperation. Given their expertise, knowledge, and skills, they could assist government policy- and decision-makers formulate and implement environmentally-sustainable development strategies. However, given the wide geographical, cultural, socio-economic, and political differences among the countries of the two continents, Environmental Governance scholars have to meet not only to get the state of the environment of Europe and Asia in situ, but draw up Environmental Governance curricula and establish inter-regional network. A growing critical mass of scholars, practitioners, and policy analysts that will be produced by the university programs on Environmental Governance would provide sustainable supply of environmental policy experts in, and for the benefit of, both continents.

To achieve the objectives mentioned above, the holding of an international experts’ workshop on Environmental Governance curriculum development is proposed. The overall aim of the project is to enhance the relationship of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in Asia and Europe to strengthen graduate curricular programs on Environmental Governance based on the sharing of best practices among participating countries. With this aim, the project will promote and develop curricula on Environmental Governance - both as a discipline in itself and as a part of other disciplines in Asian and European academic institutions. The underlying theme of these courses will focus on environmental sustainability and poverty reduction within the context of intense economic development. These courses will enable students to learn about the environmental, ecological and economic aspects of governance in Europe and Asia - leading to a stronger relationship between these two continents. The curriculum will develop an academic network and facilitate increased access to knowledge and high quality teaching materials. The network and the publication will directly benefit the university teachers and students of the participating countries, and ultimately the people working on Environmental Governance within these countries. The exchange of experience and knowledge gained in this project will enable participants to develop similar courses in their own academic institutions. In the end, the workshop will raise awareness of environmental issues and contribute to the development of strong Environmental Governance in Europe and Asia. Almost all/All of the socio-economic development plans of the participating countries highlight the importance of an improved governance framework as a mean for achieving sustainable development in these countries.

The specific aim of the multi-disciplinary network of participating countries is to bring together several multidisciplinary themes, examine the practices of Environmental Governance in Europe and Asia, and provide a holistic view of Environmental Governance. The foremost concrete objective is to support the participating countries in developing a curriculum on Environmental Governance; and build a multi-disciplinary network of academics. The expected results of the project include: forge a consensus to create a curriculum on Environmental Governance; and create a regional network of academics between Europe and Asia. With this aim, the experts’ workshop will:

(i) Identify topics or areas which could be incorporated as parts of a curricular program with both European and Asian influence and up-to-date knowledge on environmental governance; and

(ii) Create a network of faculty specialists with multi-disciplinary backgrounds from partner universities in Asia, supported by European partners, in order to build a broad knowledge base at the academic level.

^{^[1]} Dr. Bernhard Köppen (2005), “Workshop Report: Cross-Border Environmental Protection in Central Europe and Northeast Asia,” Asia Europe Environment Forum Conference 2005 <> 12 January 2006.

[2] See Albert Weale et al. (2002), Environmental Governance in Europe: An Ever Closer Ecological Union? (Oxford: Oxford University Press).

[3] See John Vogler (2005), “The European Contribution to Global Environmental Governance,” International Affairs, 81 (4): 835-845.

^{^[4]} Gorm Dige (2005), “How Europe and the world interact – the demand for environmental resources,” Asia Europe Environment Forum Conference 2005 <> 12 January 2006.

^{^[5]} Ibid.

[6] Asia-Europe Environment Forum Conference Secretariat (2005), “Workshop Concept - 1/3 of our Planet: What can Asia and Europe do for Sustainable Development?” Asia Europe Environment Forum 2005 <> 12 January 2006.

BLOGGERS, UNITE (FOR THE ENVIRONMENT)!

2007-08-20T04:23:00.000-07:00

Bloggers band together to write on the environment
By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 02:33pm (Mla time) 08/20/2007

MANILA, Philippines – Bloggers around the world have been invited to join a mass blog effort for one day about one topic, starting with the environment.

"On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone's mind--the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future," the organizers behind the Blog Action Day announced on their blog.

At this writing, the call has attracted 1,358 blogs, the organizers said.

Top bloggers have already signed up first for this call to action, including Lifehack, Copyblogger, Get Rich Slowly, The Simple Dollar, Zen Habits, among others.

Organizers said there are three ways to take part: post an entry in one's blog relating to the environment on Blog Action Day; donate a day's earnings to an environmental charity; and promote Blog Action Day around the web.

The organizers said participating bloggers should post on an issue of their own choice pertaining to the environment. "For example, a blog about money might write about how to save around the home by using environmentally friendly ideas. Similarly a blog about politics might examine what weight environmental policy holds in the political arena," the organizers added.

Posts need not to have any specific agenda but should relate to the larger issue in whatever way suits the blogger and his or her readership, they said.

"Our aim is not to promote one particular viewpoint, only to push the issue to the table for discussion," they added.

The environment was selected as 2007's theme "both for the clarity of its importance and the undeniable urgency that issues like global warming and pollution have," the organizers said.

GOOD NEWS FROM THE U.P.-NCPAG

2007-08-01T03:46:00.001-07:00

It seems that my PA 191 course on "Multilevel Environmental Governance" last 2nd semester AY 2006-2008 paid off. In that course, my students and I discussed global warming in the context of global environmental governance and International Environmental Law. We discussed at length the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, and the Clean Development Mechanism. Then, we zeroed in on how Jatropha curcas, a.k.a. Tuba-Tuba, could help reduce global warming. The materials about Tuba-Tuba came from my students' research at the Philippine Forest Corporation (thanks to its President, Mr. Jun Lozada, for the assistance), and from my another PA 191 ("Intro to Environmental Governance") course offered in an earlier semester.

I shared my collected data to an undergraduate student who went to China , together with two graduate students, to participate in an international competition (see First Youth Innovation Competition on Global Governance). In fairness, they studied very well the materials and worked very hard to bag the "Most Valuable Project" award. It so happened that the final question in the competition was about how the youth could help reduce global warming. Below is a clipping about the winning of these students taken from the Boild Green Bananas column of Prof. Leonor "Liling" Magtolis Briones which appeared in the 31 July 2007 issue of Business Mirror:

Good news from the UP NCPAG

Three students from National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) honored their college and university when they were sent as delegates to the First Youth Innovation Competition on Global Governance held in Fudan University in Shanghai, China, from July 10 to 14.

Diona Aquino, a graduate student, and undergraduates Paolo Ante and Ador Torneo were coached by NCPAG faculty member Dr. Ebbie Florano.

The team, headed by Aquino, won the Most Valuable Project Award. The NCPAG team was sponsored by the United Nations Development Program.

The competition involved 70 participants from 15 countries, including the United States, Germany and India. The topic of the contest was: How to create a global cooperative system to control greenhouse-gas emissions?

Congratulations are in order. Now to implement the proposed system….

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/07312007/opinion02.html

"ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE" EXPLAINED

2007-06-19T04:28:00.000-07:00

The following is an essay of my student in Public Administration 191: "Good Environmental Governance." I asked my students to discuss their understanding of my definition of "Environmental Governance." I find Mr. Marco delos Reyes' essay acceptable. As I promised in the class, I will post on my website the best essay (so far; but there are still missing elements).

ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

Marco M. de los Reyes

This part will be restored once my students have submitted their essays.

FILIPINO INVENTION STOPS GLOBAL WARMING

2007-05-26T04:24:00.000-07:00

Filipino invention stops global warming

Saturday, May 26 2007 @ 11:11 AM BST
http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070526111108758

Features

A Filipino invention may yet be the answer to stop global warming.

Roberto V. Celis, 74, said it took him 14 years to develop his invention called "Hydrogasifier" using water as supplemental fuel for all kinds of internal combustion engines that use gasoline, diesel, natural gas, hybrid or bio-fuel, eliminating deadly pollutants from spreading into the atmosphere.

"It utilizes the hot exhaust gases from the engine to dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen gases that are immediately introduced into the combustion chamber to completely burn the fuel," Celis said in an exclusive interview with the Philippines News Agency in his shop in Marikina City.

Celis said that when he perfected the development of the "Hydrogasifier" as an anti-pollution device, it turned out also as an engine enhancer, increasing power of the vehicle and at the same time cutting down fuel consumption.

"It was just marvelous and I was surprised to this unexpected bonus to my invention which would benefit the Filipinos and the whole world," he said.

"Fuel saved from gas or diesel is from 30 to 50 percent and that is a lot of savings," he added.

Using the "Hydrogasifier" would save the Philippines some US$ 2-billion of fuel annually, he said.

Celis said that carbon emission is near zero during a series of laboratory tests by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) "that makes this device a potential carbon eliminator to prevent global warming that's threatening man's health."

To prove his invention works perfectly, Celis installed the device to test its effectiveness in a Ceres Liner Bus, a Jeep Star Bus, and jeepney operated by Ryan Transport Services, all based in Bacolod City last March and came up with the following results: the 174 horsepower (Hp) of the Ceres Bus increased to 199 Hp, while emission from 9.6K down to 0.21K, cutting down emission by 94 percent;

The Jeep Star Bus from 137Hp to 144.83 Hp and from 9.9K to 2.29K or emission reduction by 76 percent; and

The Ryan jeepney from 83 Hp to 87 Hp and from 9.9K to 0.82K or a reduction by 90 percent of its emission.

A Pajero installed with "Hydrogasifier" saved fuel by 40 percent in city driving, and by as much as 87 percent in highway driving, Celis said.

He said a 1994 Toyoto Corolla car using the device saved fuel by 50 percent in highway driving and up to 30 percent in city driving.

"It is my humble contribution to the world in containing global warming which is threatening man's existence," Celis said.

"I do believe that my invention can contribute greatly in conserving energy and reduce global warming in response to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change, wherein the World Bank will pay us US$ 20 per ton on carbon emission reduction," he said.

The 74-year old Filipino inventor said that the "Hydrogasifier" does not only save motor vehicle owners with lots of money due to less fuel consumption but also complies the Clean Air Act of 2003.

Celis also said that the success of his invention will "generate employment for our people and earn foreign exchange from exporting the device."

Job generation is one of the main concerns of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo before she ends her term in 2010.

Celis appealed to the Philippine government to extend financial assistance in the filing of international patent "for this important invention to guarantee the Philippines of exclusivity in manufacturing this Filipino technology."

He said his invention can also be installed in factories to control pollution.

"The ultimate solution to stop global warming is now here in the Philippines," Celis said.

He said that vehicles using the device are like trees, which helps lower carbon emission in the environment, as these release only 6.5 percent to 7.6 percent oxygen from the tail pipe to make cities clean and healthful. (PNA)

-- This email has been scanned by the Balita server.

MY ASOER3 STORY: PROLOGUE

2007-05-19T04:17:00.000-07:00

Finally, I already received copies (Executive Summary and the book in CD) of the Third ASEAN State of the Environment Report 2006 (ASOER 3) this month (May 2007) straight from the Environment Unit of the ASEAN Secretariat. I thought it was not going to be published anymore because I finished the initial drafts of its 12 chapters in March 2006. But I am going ahead of my story.

I was informed in April 2005 by the Environment Unit of the ASEAN Secretariat that they have considered me to write the draft of ASOER3. I was then attending the rehearsal for the graduation ceremonies of the university when I got the call. I was thrilled no end at the opportunity - not everybody is given the chance to write the state of environment of the region (Southeast Asia) which includes ten countries, namely: Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam (I wrote the names of these countries in alphabetical order without thinking anymore after writing them many times during my stint at the Secretariat). I thought that the experience would help me broaden and deepen my experience on Environmental Governance, a field I am pioneering in my college.

Against the advice of colleagues at the university (I wouldn’t give details for everybody’s peace), off I went to Jakarta. The Secretariat provided me housing arrangement, etc. The staff were very friendly. However, once I got settled, the gravity of my task sunk to me.

I was told that the first two ASOERs were written and published under extremely difficult circumstances. I would not go into details but I was informed that the writers for the first ASOERs were not able to finish the drafts satisfactorily, i.e., incomplete or not good enough. Second, I learned that I am the only writer tasked to do the first drafts of the 12 chapters. The staff would only provide me the data and I have to do everything, i.e., writing, processing and analyzing data, constructing graphs, etc. I thought it was advantageous because I have complete control in writing ALL the chapters. However, as the deadline was approaching, I was assisted by an Indonesian staff, Ms. Endang Habsari. She helped me construct the graphs and encode texts.

I stayed in Jakarta for six months from May to November 2005. I was allowed to finish the remaining chapters in the Philippines because I had to start teaching again in my college in November. I am thankful to the Environment Unit for trusting me to finish the remaining chapters in the Philippines until February 2006.

Writing ASOER3 was extremely difficult but fulfilling for an academic like me. I had to stay late at night at the Secretariat sometimes up to 11 p.m. or work whole Saturday or half of Sunday to do my task. Luckily, my training as PhD student prepared me for the task. Back at the International Christian University in Tokyo, I had almost the same schedule (to write my voluminous dissertation). To keep myself from being bored, I regularly went to the gym and heard mass at a Catholic church in Jakarta every Sunday. It was also my 6-month stint in Jakarta that I learned that Indonesians and Filipinos are almost the same, culturally. In Jakarta, many Indonesians thought that I was one of them – in taxi, mall, gym, grocery, convenience store, bus, etc. I also made friends with lots of ASEAN Secretariat multi-cultural staff – Indonesians, Filipinos, Singaporeans, Malaysians, Cambodians, etc. I met high-ranking Filipino officials of the Secretariat like Deputy Secretary-General Wilfrido Villacorta. I was even invited to a Filipino gathering in his condo unit in Jakarta. My job also gave me the opportunity to attend an ASEAN meeting (the Task Force for the Preparation of ASOER3) in Penang, Malaysia where I had the chance to experience first hand mild haze (the topic of my dissertation) on air and on ground which flew all the way from Indonesia (must have followed me).

I enjoyed my stay in Jakarta tremendously while writing ASOER3. Wish I could write ASOER4 in 2008 or 2009.

THE GREAT GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE

2007-05-13T04:55:00.000-07:00

In the interest of academic freedom and fairness, this blog is introducing the recently-shown anti-global warming documentary entitled, "The Great Global Warming Swindle." The full video can be viewed at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4499562022478442170.

Readers are advised to read the feature story about it in Wikipedia to get neutral assessment of its contents and arguments. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Global_Warming_Swindle.

It is very unfortunate that the scientific community on global warming/climate change has been dichotomized into Epistemic Community A whose members believe that the global warming is man-made, and Epistemic Community B whose members believe otherwise. In Environmental Governance, policy/decision-makers rely on scientists for objective scientific information and advice to issue informed judgment and policies. With a divided scientific community, due to professional rivalry or politics, the world could find itself paralyzed to act on the climate change/global warming issue. Pure or unadulterated science is very relevant in Environmental Governance. Hence, scientists should not make themselves susceptible to political manipulation. Otherwise, we won't have objective and factual sources of environmental science information.

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF UNEP 2007 CHAMPION OF THE EARTH SEC. BEBET GOZUN

2007-05-07T02:08:00.000-07:00

Statement of ELISEA “BEBET” G. GOZUN
Recipient, UNEP 2007 Champion of the Earth Award for Asia and the Pacific
April 19, 2007, SHANGRI-LA HOTEL SINGAPORE

Source: http://www.unep.org/champions/Winners/winners2007/Statements/Asia-BebetGozun.pdf

Senior Minister Goh, Mr. Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, Minister Yaakob Ibrahim and other officials of the Singapore Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Singapore Tourism Board, fellow awardees, members of the press, ladies and gentlemen, friends and partners in protecting the environment: “Isang maganda at makakalikasang gabi sa inyong lahat.” (An environmentally friendly good evening to you all!) I always start my speeches by talking in Pilipino whenever I speak before an international audience - if only to remind each one of us that the value of our participation here really depends on what we do when we go back to our respective countries.

I am deeply honored by this award and would like to thank the UNEP for this recognition. I generously share it with members of my family, my colleagues in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and my partners in the business sector and civil society. I am also humbled, as this award recognizes the sum, not only of my accomplishments, but of the extraordinary deeds of many other Filipinos. They will probably remain nameless and will not be recognized nationally, much less globally, but they have decided to take the problems of the environment in their own hands and do so by working together to become a formidable force for change.

Work hand in hand, we must - given the magnitude of the problems we face. Consider the fact that while the Philippines is one of the megadiverse countries in the world, with recent studies showing that we are the center of marine biodiversity, we are also among the hottest hotspots. We’ve lost over 50% of our forest cover with less that 1 million hectares of our virgin forests left. Only 5% of our coral reefs remain in excellent condition. Air quality in most of our urban centers now exceed WHO Guidelines. 15 of our rivers are considered biologically dead during the dry months. Solid waste continues to accumulate and pollute our waters, our air and our lands. Add to all that, the fact that over 30% of our people live below the poverty line. You
can appreciate the challenges we face.

I believe that localized, community-based, multi-sectoral action is the response. It is key to making a difference in our pursuit to save and rehabilitate the environment, no matter how big or small the environmental problem is. This stems from a realization that societies resemble ecosystems – that there is a useful purpose for all elements; that while we operate within some range of resilience, even ecosystems are vulnerable and, that there are times when destructive elements need to be transformed.

However, that transformation can only happen if we are able to win them on the side of the environment. And, to do that, they have to understand the issue and relate to it at a very personal level – how it affects their family’s health; how it threatens their livelihood; how it downgrades their quality of life. When people are empowered to participate, they comprise that collective social energy that fuels development work. But communities need the support of other sectors to help sustain their activities. Support from government and business allows communities to go the distance. A government whose re-invented role is that of an enabler, providing the policy environment to allow all other sectors of society to assume their roles in managing and protecting our natural capital. Businesses that have adopted their corporate social agenda and have realized that the foundations for sustaining their economic interests are a healthy environment and well-managed natural resource base; that good environmental management is good business and, that they are part and parcel of the communities within which they operate.

At this point, let me say that mobilizing communities and sectors with differing interests to act together is a challenge in itself. as in many instances, especially in developing countries in my region, the challenge to conserve the environment comes hand in hand with the challenge to overcome poverty. We cannot claim environmental championship and yet totally ignore the need to aggressively address poverty.

As an activist, evolving from a cause for social justice and democracy towards one of sustainable societies which encompasses the former and includes responsible stewardship for the environment, let me end with an appeal for all of us to help catalyze another synergy – of the environmental movement and the movement for poverty reduction and justice. The means to do both is currently in our hands, and the span of a generation is time enough to do it.

Again, my deepest thanks to the UNEP for this honor and my congratulations to my fellow winners.

LECTURE OF UNEP'S 2007 CHAMPION OF THE EARTH SEC. BEBET GOZUN

2007-05-06T23:43:00.000-07:00

This is a news clipping of UNEP's 2007 Champion of the Earth Awardee Secretary Bebet Gozun lecture held on 15 March 2007 at U.P.-NCPAG organized by yours truly. See earlier posting.

DENR leadership self-assessed in NCPAG anniversary event

Bernice P. Varona

Source: http://www.up.edu.ph/upnewsletter.php?i=402&archive=yes&yr=2007&mn=4

On March 15, 2007, as part of the continuing public lecture series in celebration of the UP National College of Public Administration (NCPAG)’s 55th anniversary in June 2007, the NCPAG held a special lecture featuring the experiences of Eli-sea “Bebet” Gozun during her term as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Titled “Reflections on Environmental Leadership in the Philippines: Triumphs and Tribulations,” Secretary Gozun’s lecture tackled several pressing issues, such as illegal logging in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija; deforestation in the Samar Island National Park; and even the unjust incarceration of one of DENR’s foresters. “You have to know the economic stand and the social side of the people. You need to address all of the issues in every decision you make,” Secretary Gozun said.

She also indicated that incentive mechanisms and promotion systems for those in government service should be reviewed. Ensuring continuity in implementing programs, especially those dealing with sustainable development, is what she considers an important factor in conservation and protection efforts.

“Environmental leadership is really a difficult balancing act. It’s not just the environment that we are looking out for, but also the social and economic aspect of that development,” said Secretary Gozun. “We cannot have long term economic development unless we protect the environment, and on the other hand the environment will really suffer if we do not have economic development.”

She also stressed the importance of making the environment everyone’s concern: “Environmental protection and management is not really the role of the DENR. The only way we can move sustainable development is to make it every-one’s concern. But that cannot happen if we do not inform the people, if we do not bring the issue of the environment closer to the people.”

Secretary Gozun is a recipient of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) “2007 Champions of the Earth” award for leadership in various World Bank projects, such as the establishment of the ECOWATCH program, an innovative public disclosure program about the environmental performance of key industries; and the “Brown Fund,” the first tripartite funding source for local urban environmental initiatives.

The award recognizes prominent and inspirational environmental leaders from each region of the world. Another recipient is US Vice President Al Gore, who will be recognized by UNEP on April 19, 2007 in Singapore. Previous awardees include the King and people of Bhutan, South African President Thabo Mbeki, UAE Sheikh Zayad Bin, Sultan Al-Nahyan, Iran’s female Vice President Dr. Massoumeh Ebtekar, and former USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev for Green Cross International.

“Secretary Gozun’s commitment to public service and her passion for the environment have given her the energy to overcome obstacles, establish believers, and create alliances,” said Dr. Alex Brillantes, Dean of the UP National College of Public Administration (NCPAG) during his welcome remarks. She has brought honor not only to the Philippines, but to the cause of environmental governance in general, said Dr. Brillantes.

Coming Soon

2007-05-04T04:27:00.000-07:00

1. Third ASEAN State of the Environment Report 2006
2. Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI)

NCPAG ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2007

2007-05-04T04:12:00.000-07:00

This is not an EcoGov-related material. I would like to help my college call on its graduates to nominate outstanding alumni for the NCPAG Alumni Achievement Awards 2007. The deadline is 31 May 2007. The alumni homecoming and awarding ceremonies is 16 June 2007. Below are the details:

NCPAG ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2007

The NCPAG Alumni Achievement Awards (NCPAG AAA) aims to recognize and honor NCPAG alumni who have distinguished themselves in their respective careers. Highlighting achievements of the alumni confirms the status of the NCPAG as a productive and effective training ground for leaders in the Philippines, Asia, and the rest of the world.

The NCPAG AAA is one of the major events to celebrate the 55^th Anniversary of the NCPAG in 2007. The awarding ceremonies will be held on 16 June 2007.

WHO MAY BE NOMINATED

Nomination to the NCPAG AAA is open to all alumni of NCPAG. This includes alumni of the Institute of Public Administration (IPA), the Graduate School of Public Administration (GSPA), and the College of Public Administration (CPA). An alumnus is a holder of an NCPAG academic degree, title or certificate, or a former NCPAG regular student who has earned at least 60 academic units for BAPA, or fifty percent of graduate unit requirements, and has not been dismissed for misconduct or scholastic deficiency. For purposes of the awards, NCPAG faculty members, past and present, shall be considered NCPAG alumni whether they earned a degree from the NCPAG or not.

WHO MAY NOMINATE

Any NCPAG alumni may nominate candidates for the NCPAG AAA.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Any NCPAG alumni who have not yet been previously awarded with any NCPAG AAA may be nominated for the following:

1. National Government Service

Nominees must have rendered outstanding service in the national government bureaucracy, GOCC, Congress, the Judiciary, Constitutional bodies, the AFP and PNP, or have been responsible for innovative practices and programs in the national government consistent with public service values such as accountability, transparency, commitment to democracy, etc.

2. Local Government Service

Nominees must have rendered outstanding service at the local level which includes provincial government, city government, municipal government, and barangay either as official or employee of the various local government executive units or sanggunian, or have been responsible for innovative practices and programs in the local government consistent with public service values such as accountability, transparency, commitment to democracy, etc.

3. Private Practice of Profession/Business

Nominees must have exhibited a high degree of success in the practice of their profession (e.g., engineering, medicine, architecture, etc.), or in the management of their business firms.

4. Civil Society Organization/Community Service

Nominees must have rendered outstanding service to the civil society organization he/she is affiliated with or to local community, to poor and disadvantaged sectors (e.g., children, handicapped, elderly, indigenous communities, etc.), or in areas where government or the private sector are unable to provide services.

5. Academic/Public Management Education

Nominees must have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and extension in the field of Public Administration and Governance.

6. International Organization Service

Nominees must have rendered outstanding service to international organizations, whether regional (e.g., ASEAN, ADB, UNESCAP, EU, etc.), or global (UN, UNICED, WTO, IMF, WB, etc.), which brought honor to the Philippines, and NCPAG.

7. Special Recognition Award

Graduates of NCPAG non-degree programs may quality for a special award. This award will be given to graduates of training programs/courses of not less than four weeks duration given by the NCPAG and its specialized centers – the Center for Policy and Executive Development (CPED), the Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG), the Center for Leadership, Citizenship, and Democracy (CLCD); and their forerunners like the Philippine Executive Academy (PEA).

Nominees must have rendered outstanding service, exhibited a high degree of success, or distinguished themselves in their respective professions or fields of endeavor, and thus, bring honor to NCPAG, the community, or the Philippines.

NOMINATION PROCESS

There is a Search Committee for the NCPAG AAA composed of faculty members and alumni which shall receive nomination, identify nominees, conduct preliminary screening, solicit supporting documents, and recommend awardees for the NCPAG AAA for the approval by the NCPAG faculty. Nominations for the NCPAG AAA must be accompanied by supporting documents, e.g., copies of citations/awards, publications, creative works, and other relevant information, and should be addressed to:

The Search Committee for the NCPAG AAA

c/o The Dean

National College of Public Administration and Governance

University of the Philippines

P.O. Box 198 U.P. Campus

Diliman, Quezon City 1101

Philippines

Deadline for nomination is 31 May 2007. To beat the nomination deadline, NCPAG alumni may send back-up copies of the nomination forms and documents via e-mail at abrillantes2001@yahoo.com, copy furnished jasmrey525@yahoo.com. However, it is important that the Search Committee for the NCPAG AAA receive seven hard copies/printouts of the nomination forms and documents (photocopies are acceptable) on or before 31 May 2007 or postmarked not later than the above date.

The nomination forms must be accompanied by the following documents (seven copies each):

Recent 2 x 2 photo of the nominee (pasted in nomination forms)
Most recent Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Justification for Nomination (1-2 pages; signed by the nominator)
Supporting documents (news clippings, citations/certificates, publications, etc.)

Nomination forms can be photocopied. It can be downloaded at www.upd.edu.ph/~ncpag/. Copies can also be obtained via e-mail from jasmrey525@yahoo.com.

Nomination with incomplete requirements/documents will not be considered.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Submission of nomination – 31 May 2007
Evaluation of nominees – 1-5 June 2007
Approval by the NCPAG Faculty and announcement of results – 6-15 June 2007
Awarding Ceremonies – 16 June 2007

No inquiries about the evaluation and results will be entertained during the evaluation and approval period.

ALL ABOUT ME: AN INTRODUCTION

2007-04-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

Pardon for introducing myself in my own blog. There have been questions about (and suggestions to post) my background from blog readers and friends. I thought it's better to post a brief biosketch to save time answering e-mails asking for my background.

Dr. Ebinezer R. Florano is Assistant Professor of the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).

Dr. Florano obtained his doctoral degree in Public Administration from the International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, Japan in June 2004. ICU is one of the elite universities in Japan where classes are held in English for the benefit of non-Japanese speaking students. He was under the supervision of Dr. Tatsuro Kunugi, former Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, and later, Dr. Thomas Schoenbaum, a world-reknown scholar of international trade and environmental law. His doctoral dissertation is entitled, "Regional Environmental Governance: A Study on the ASEAN Regional Haze Action Plan" which he wrote with funding from the Fuji Xerox Setsutaro Kobayashi Memorial Fund Foreign Students Research Grant. The grant enabled him to travel to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines in 2003 to gather data. In Indonesia, he spent his days at the headquarters of the ASEAN Secretariat (Environment Unit) to collect information.

He also have two master’s degrees in International Relations which he obtained from the International University of Japan (IUJ) in June 1999, and Public Administration (major in Public Policy Analysis and Program Administration) from the then UP-College of Public Administration (CPA) in November 1995 (Dean's List). He also obtained his bachelor's degree in Public Administration from the same college in 1991 (cum laude).

Dr. Florano has provided consultancy services to various local, national, and international organizations, mainly in the area of “Environmental Governance.” His most recent job (2005-2006) was with the Environment Unit of the Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia where he wrote the draft of the Third ASEAN State of the Environment Report 2006 or ASOER 2007 (I can send a PDF copy: I will post the "unpublished" data of the ASOER 2006 from my files in this blogsite soon).

Dr. Florano just finished writing his fellowship report entitled, “Rapid Appraisal of the Philippine Compliance with, and Implementation of Its Various Multilateral Environmental Agreements’ Obligations.” He was ably assisted by Eugene Antonio Dig and Prejean Prieto. The fellowship was funded by the University of the Philippines. (Still looking for funds/sponsors to publish the 400+ -thick report).

Courses Taught at UP-NCPAG (as of March 2007):

Public Administration (PA) 11: Introduction to Public Administration
PA 108: Philippine Administrative System
PA 113: Office and Systems Management
PA 141: Public Policy Analysis
PA 161: Ethics and Accountability in Public Office
PA 191: Introduction to Environmental Governance
PA 191: Multi-Level Environmental Governance
PA 191: Environmental Compliance and Sustainable Development
PA 191: International Affairs Management

Research and Teaching Interests:
a. Environmental Governance
b. Transboundary (Haze) Pollution
c. International Environmental Law
d. ASEAN
e. Policy Analysis
f. International Relations/Foreign Policy Analysis
f. 日本語　「Japanese Language」

If you have questions or feedback, I can be reached at efloranoy@yahoo.com

"AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH" - FREE FILM SHOWING AT SM MOVIE THEATERS

2007-04-20T04:42:00.000-07:00

This might come a bit too late but SM management has decided to show, for free, the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" on 22 April 2007 at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. Please watch this eye-opening documentary which won the 2007 Academy Award for Documentary Feature and Best Original Song. Call the following SM City movie theaters for details:

1. SM MALL OF ASIA - 5560104-05
2. SM MEGAMALL - 6331901, 6384270
3. SM NORTH EDSA - 9295452
4. SM MANILA - 5239240/05
5. SM SAN LAZARO - 7862487-88
6. SM CENTERPOINT- STA. MESA - 7161416, 7160647
7. SM FAIRVIEW - 4176811, 9350749
8. SM SOUTHMALL - 8066888, 8066782
9. SM PAMPANGA - 8311000 loc 1610-11, (045) 9637681-85
10. SM CLARK - (045) 6255844-45
11. SM BAGUIO - 8311000 loc 1625-26, (074) 6197838/39/41
12. SM CEBU - 8311000 loc 1637, (032) 2313876
13. SM DAVAO - 8311000 loc 1605-06, (082) 2976998
14. SM BACOLOD - (034) 7081010, 8311000 loc 1650

EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

2007-04-18T05:30:00.000-07:00

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Philippine government agencies and environmental NGOs will join the world in celebrating Earth Day on 22 April 2007.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, headed by Secretary Angelo Reyes, has lined up several activities for the whole month of April. Go to its website for the list.

Top rock bands, musicians, and artists will celebrate it with a big bang - a concert entitled EARTH DAY JAM 2007 - on 20 April, 7:00 p.m., at Tomas Morato Strip in Quezon City. ADMISSION IS FREE. The Philippines will be jamming with other countries on this day (meaning similar activities will be done in other countries). See poster above for details.

The website of the Philippine Sustainable Development Network (PSDN) says PSDN has Earth Day activities but I cannot see any when I visited it. But readers might want to take a second look.

For an overview of Earth Day activities worldwide, see the website of the Earth Day Network.

APRIL 22 IS EARTH DAY

2007-04-18T05:20:00.000-07:00

EcoGov Blog joins all Earth-loving readers in celebrating Earth Day on 22 April 2007. Celebrate because we still are able to enjoy Earth's bounty. BUT be reminded that Earth's bounty is being depleted and dirtied. Most importantly, if global warming continues, in the future, if predictions are correct, we won't be able to celebrate it anymore. You know what I mean.

Here's a brief historical look at the beginning of the celebration of Earth Day (taken from Wikipedia):

Responding to wide spread environmental degradation, United States Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin called for an Environmental Teach-in or Earth Day to be held on April 22, 1970. Over 20 million people participated and it is now observed each year by more than 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries. Senator Gaylord Nelson, an environmental activist in the U.S. Senate, took a leading role in organizing the celebration, to demonstrate popular political support for an environmental agenda. He modeled it on the highly effective Vietnam War protests of the time. Senator Nelson selected Denis Hayes (a Harvard student and Stanford graduate) as the National Coordinator of activities. The nationwide event included opposition to the Vietnam War on the agenda. Pete Seeger was a keynote speaker and performer at the event held in Washington DC. Paul Newman and Ali McGraw attended the event held in New York City.

According to Santa Barbara Community Environmental Council:

"The story goes that Earth Day was conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson after a trip he took to Santa Barbara right after that horrific oil spill off our coast in 1969. He was so outraged by what he saw that he went back to Washington and passed a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth."

Senator Nelson stated that Earth Day "worked" because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities participated.

Earth Day proved extremely popular in the United States and around the world. The first Earth Day, in 1970, had participants and celebrants in two thousand colleges and universities, roughly ten thousand primary and secondary schools, and hundreds of communities across the United States. More importantly, it "brought 20 million Americans out into the spring sunshine for peaceful demonstrations in favor of environmental reform."

Senator Nelson directly credited the first Earth Day with persuading U.S. politicians that environmental legislation had a substantial, lasting constituency. Many important laws were passed by the Congress in the wake of the 1970 Earth Day, including the Clean Air Act, laws to protect drinking water, wild lands and the ocean.

Now observed in 175 countries, and coordinated by the non-profit Earth Day Network, www.earthday.org, Earth Day is the largest secular holiday in the world.

VOTE FOR JOSE MIGUEL ZUBIRI FOR SENATOR!

2007-04-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

This blog enjoins Filipino voters to consider REPRESENTATIVE JOSE MIGUEL ZUBIRI for Senator this coming 14 May 2007 elections. Why am I openly supporting him? Rep. Zubiri led the passage of Republic Act No. 9367 otherwise known as the 2007 Biofuels Act (An Act to Direct the Use of Biofuels , Establishing for this Purpose the Biofuel Program, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes) which would help pave the way for the use of biofuels in the transport sector of the country. So what? The Biofuels Act, if properly and seriously implemented, would reduce the dependency of the country on oil which depletes the country's dollar reserves. Less dependency on oil will mean less Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Hopefully, less GHG emissions in the Philippines will lessen the risk of global warming. That's the sole reason why I want to see him get a seat in the Senate.

MISS EARTH 2007

2007-04-18T04:08:00.000-07:00

Watch the 2007 Miss Philippines-Earth coronation on April 29, live from the U.P. Theater at 7:00 in the evening. Telecast via ABS-CBN and The Filipino Channel.

I owe a lot to Miss Philippines-Earth (MPE) 2006 for the well-attended academic activities which I organized in August 2005 (re: Sympo on Jatropha curcas, a.k.a., Tuba-Tuba), and most recently, in March 2007 (re: Special Lecture on Environmental Leadership by UNEP's 2007 Champion of the Earth Elisea "Bebet" Gozun; see 1 April 2007 posting). MPE 2006, in the person of Miss Catherine "Cathy" Yu Untalan, was so gracious to plant a Tuba-Tuba seedling under the scorching heat of the 11 a.m. sun in August 2005 at the backyard of UP-NCPAG after the interesting symposium (see picture above; I will write about Jatropha curcas later). I told the audience at that time that with Miss Untalan's wit, she might win the Miss Earth 2006 crown which no Filipina has so far won since the pageant's inception in 2004. Unfortunately, she did not bag the much-coveted crown but placed 2nd runner up with the title "Miss Earth-Water 2006" which is the highest rank a Filipina has achieved so far in the three years existence of the pageant. Below are quotations from Miss Untalan:

nWhat she says about herself: “I recently graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a degree in Psychology. I've always enjoyed meeting new faces and going to different places and trying new things. I spent most of my life in a military base, which taught me discipline in a special way. My faith in God keeps me grounded.”

nHer environmental platform:“I would like to spearhead environmental awareness programs which will inculcate responsilbility in our youth.”

CALL FOR PAPERS: ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

2007-04-16T02:22:00.000-07:00

Readers are invited to submit conference papers, especially on Environmental Governance, to the International Conference on "Public Administration and Governance at the Forefront of Change: Dimensions, Dynamics, Dysfunctions, and Solutions" to be held on 5-7 December 2007 in Manila, Philippines (venue to be announced). Deadline for the submission of abstract is on 31 May 2007. Submit them to the following e-mail addresses: fevmendo@yahoo.com, dean_up_ncpag@yahoo.com, abrillantes2001@yahoo.com. COPY FURNISH ME AT efloranoy@yahoo.com SO I CAN FOLLOW UP YOUR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION. Details of the conference are below.

Overview

The exciting field of Public Administration is at the forefront of change and reform. Challenges as to its basic relevance as a field of study and practice have been raised at the global level, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where a mix of development states conglomerate. Issues of good governance- transparency and accountability, rule of law, human rights and poverty alleviation, access to justice, participation and service delivery especially of the disadvantaged and marginalized- are confronted by academics and practitioners alike, jolting them out of their ivory towers (mainly the former) to work with the “outside world” and reflect and act on proposed remedies and solutions as citizens of the world.

“New” fields and concerns have been emerging dynamically – e-governance, an “inconvenient truth” on sustainable development, regulatory governance and competition, corporate social responsibility, citizen engagement, synergy between the government and non-government organizations, geo-politics, sustainable human development, and the millennium declaration. Indeed the field is at the forefront of transformation and is being challenged to reconfigure and reposition itself, as well as reexamine its roles and contributions in making the world a better place to live in.

Objective

Capitalizing on the inherent openness of academics and practitioners of the field for self-reflection, advocacy and change, an international conference will be held in Manila, Philippines on December 5-7, 2007. It will focus on the dimensions, dynamics and dysfunctions of development changes, “aberrations”, problems and confusions in Public Administration and Governance (PAG), and explore possible opportunities, remedies, strategies, solutions and best practices to address these concerns.

Specifically, it aims to:

v Discuss challenges, threats, and issues in the theory and practice of Public Administration and Governance, and how these impinge on sustainable human development, protection of human rights and poverty alleviation

v Explore innovations, breakthroughs, emerging trends, best practices and “new” solutions, remedies and strategies to address these challenges; and

v Draw lessons on the roles and contributions of Public Administration and Governance in development, change and transformation

Thematic Areas

Focus will be on the following thematic areas:

A. Issues, Challenges and Threats:

Relevance of PAG Education
Academic Excellence Beyond the Classroom
Public Sector Reform
Political Chaos and Changes
Poverty Alleviation and Globalization
Corruption Control and Rebuilding Trust
Access of the Poor and Disadvantaged to Justice, Participation and Services
Human Rights and Governance
Environmental Degradation
Peace and Security
International Terrorism
Millennium Declaration and Development Goals
Global Rules and International Trade
Climate Change, Global Warming and Natural Disasters
Fiscal Management and Development Financing
Others

Innovations, Emerging Trends, Best Practices and Solutions

E-governance
Geo-informatics
Judicial governance
Legislative governance
Regulatory Administration, including environmental governance
Corporate Social Responsibility
Global Citizenship
Charter Change, Federalism, Local and National Government Relations
Collaboration, Synergy and Engagement between and among Government and Non-government, including Business Sectors, both local and international
Public-private partnership
Human rights approach to development
International covenants and local policy making
Transparency and Accountability Watch
Others

Roles, Scenarios and Contributions of Public Administration and Governance in Development, Change and Transformations

Presentation Format

Papers will be presented in Plenary or simultaneous Panel Sessions of 2 hours each. There will be 3 paper presentations per session; 20 minutes will be allotted per paper presentation. Open forum will follow after all papers shall have been presented.

Language of Presentation

English

Call for Papers

Academicians, practitioners and others interested are invited to submit their papers dealing with any of the conference thematic areas. Authors must submit an abstract of about 750 words (not more than two pages) in English that should summarize the arguments and issues being addressed by the paper. It should situate the arguments within the broader theme of the conference. Submitted abstracts will be reviewed based on quality and relevance to the conference themes/sub-themes.

Guidelines for Submission

Abstracts must be submitted electronically as an e-mail attachment in MS Word format not later than 31 May 2007 to the Conference Organizing Committee at:

fevmendo@yahoo.com

dean_up_ ncpag@yahoo.com

abrillantes2001@yahoo.com

Letter of Acceptance

A letter of acceptance confirming refereed acceptance of your paper will be sent to you by 30 July 2007. Once the submission has been accepted, the presenter is required to send an electronic copy of the full paper by 30 October 2007.

Format

For inclusion in the CD-ROM conference kit, papers submitted on or before 30 October 2007 must conform to the following guidelines:

v Papers must include an abstract

v Paper length is up to 25 pages (including

abstract, references and figures/tables)

v A4-sized paper

v 1-inch margins all around

v 12-point Times New Roman font (except title in

16 pt)

v Text double-spaced and flushed left

v With references

Copyright belongs to the author/s and they are free to publish their papers elsewhere. However, UPNCPAG and NAPSIPAG reserve the right to upload the papers (and videotaped presentations, if any) on their websites and publish the same in their future publications.

About the Organizers

This international conference is organized by the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG), University of the Philippines (UP) and the Network of Asia Pacific Schools and Institutes of Public Administration and Governance (NAPSIPAG).

Launched in 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank, NAPSIPAG exists to strengthen the capacity, professional competence, collaboration and community of schools and institutes of Public Administration and Governance in Asia and the Pacific. It has a Steering Committee which provides direction to the network and a Secretariat located at INTAN, Malaysia.

Its Steering Committee is composed of the China National School of Administration (chair); and National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN)-Malaysia; the NCPAG, UP; the Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE), Osmania University in Hyderabad, India; and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, the National University of Singapore, as members.

The UP NCPAG is the premier college for teaching, research and extension services in Public Administration and Governance in the Philippines. It has been the secretariat of the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA), another network of schools and professionals in Public Administration. Established in 1952 as an institute to serve in nation building, UPNCPAG will be celebrating its 55th year this year.

HAPPY EASTER 2007!

2007-04-09T06:14:00.000-07:00

EcoGov joins the Christiandom in celebrating Easter Sunday 2007.

Excerpts from the Homily of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at Saint Peter's Basilica, Holy Saturday, 7 April 2007

"In the resurrection of Jesus, love has been shown to be stronger than death, stronger than evil. Love made Christ descend, and love is also the power by which he ascends. The power by which he brings us with him. In union with his love, borne aloft on the wings of love, as persons of love, let us descend with him into the world’s darkness, knowing that in this way we will also rise up with him. On this night, then, let us pray: Lord, show us that love is stronger than hatred, that love is stronger than death. Descend into the darkness and the abyss of our modern age, and take by the hand those who await you. Bring them to the light! In my own dark nights, be with me to bring me forth! Help me, help all of us, to descend with you into the darkness of all those people who are still waiting for you, who out of the depths cry unto you! Help us to bring them your light! Help us to say the “yes” of love, the love that makes us descend with you and, in so doing, also to rise with you. Amen!"

(Note: The picture above is a gift from a Mexican friend I met in Tokyo, Japan around 2000. I always keept it in my wallet. At the back, a prayer entitled, "Bianaventurados.." is printed).

ECOGOV COURSES AT UP-NCPAG

2007-04-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

In a survey I conducted right after my back-to-back special lecture with Atty. Oposa in August 2005 (see earliest posting) with 67 undergraduate and doctoral students, majority agreed that there is a need to offer courses on Environmental Governance (EcoGov) at UP-NCPAG, and that the latter should offer it.

However, almost a third of them believed that UP-NCPAG may not be prepared yet to offer those courses. The tables show the answers from the 67 respondents.

Almost half (43%) of the total number of respondents would like to have it taught at the undergraduate level (understandble because majority of the respondents are undegraduate students). Majority (69%) of them will register and attend EcoGov courses. The most interesting courses for them are: Philippine Environmental Laws (64%) and Environmental Management Techniques (64%). These are followed by: Introduction to Environmental Governance (60%), Environmental Economics (55%), Environmental Policy Analysis (53%), Environmental Compliance and Sustainable Development (53%), Environmental Ethics (50%), International Environmental Law and Treaties (44%), and Theories of Environmentalism (23%).

A MILLION THANKS TO YOU/心から、本当にありがとうございました

2007-04-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

From above down, left to right: Dr. T. Kunugi/Dr. T. Schoenbaum/ Dr. J. Wasilewski/Dr. T. Rivera

I have been posting lots of my ideas about EcoGov. I think by now, I should remember those people who molded me into what I am now (disclaimer: any malfeasance, mine alone:->). They were very patient with me during my doctoral studies at the International Christian University (ICU) from 2000-2004. These "patient" academicians are:

DR. TATSURO KUNUGI - who patiently supervised me from day one until his retirement
DR. THOMAS SC HOENBAUM - who patiently took over the responsibility left by Prof. Kunugi
DR. JACQUELINE WASILEWSKI - who patiently "edited" my 500++-pages draft
DR. TEMARIO RIVERA - who patiently "sheltered" me in his house and gave useful comments
DR. KANO YAMAMOTO - who patiently asked me Earth-shaking questions during my defense (so sorry, I cannot find a picture and a site for him yet)

I have to mention also the mentoring on International Relations by PROF. KAZUHIKO OKUDA during my MA International Relations studies at the International University of Japan (IUJ) from 1997-1999.

MANAGING THE CAMPUS' MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACE

2007-04-06T05:26:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on managing the campus space of U.P. Diliman. Excerpts from the October 2006 issue of U.P. Forum.

Managing the campus’s multifunctional space

Alic or L. Panao

The UP Diliman campus is not simply a popular destination for those engaged in intellectual pursuits. Through the years, it has come to be known as a venue for a diverse range of activities, including political demonstrations, festivals, romantic dates, wedding pictorials, ghost hunting, recreation activities, weekend markets, public art, and even informal urban settlement. On any given day, one might see banners protesting the dismissal of contract janitorial personnel flying high against the pillars of Quezon Hall, UP’s seat of administration; a gaggle of tourists eagerly posing beneath the Oblation, the University’s iconic naked male statue; and groups of people having picnics, jogging, playing soccer, or simply sitting down to chat in and around the famous lagoon and Sunken Garden.

(skipped paragraphs)

Dr. Ebinezer Florano, who teaches environmental management (Note: Should be "environmental governance") at the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG), is also in favor of putting up fences around the campus. “A good administrator would always put the interests of students, staff and faculty members above anything else,” says Florano. “The fact that we cannot regulate who comes in and out of our space makes the entire campus an administrator’s nightmare.”

Sanctioned tolerance

Rallies provide a good example of how relatively easy it is for people to move in and out of the campus. Quezon Hall, for example, is becoming a favorite converging point among political organizations, neighboring urban poor communities, workers, and various other interest groups who have little or nothing to do with the University, during mass actions about issues that may not even concern the University or its officials.

On August 8, for instance, protesters comprising members of the UP Janitors Association (JSA) and their sympathizers formed a picket on the south wing area of Quezon Hall when Care Best International (CBI) was awarded the contract to perform janitorial services for the south sector of the campus. The protesters kept their vigil for several days hoping to make the University intervene and compel the new agency to absorb displaced workers from the previous agency despite the fact that no employer-employee relationship actually exists between UP and the employees of any of the subcontracting agencies. The University adopted a policy of contracting out janitorial and security services since 1984 in compliance with the procurement provisions of RA 9184 (An Act Providing for the Modernization, Standardization and Regulation of Procurement Activities of the Government). Since then, all janitorial services have been rendered by private agencies which compete as independent contractors in a public bidding.

The vigil, which lasted for several days, failed to disrupt the daily operation of Quezon Hall offices but raised obvious security and administrative concerns. Quezon Hall looked no different from an evacuation shelter with the protesters, their families and sympathizers, cooking, dining, sleeping, drying their clothes, and literally cleaning themselves in the picket site.

This indicates, according to Florano, that the University’s image as a bastion of academic freedom and activism is both a blessing and a curse that the UP community has had to accept. But even though he sees no reason for the administration to completely regulate such use of the University’s public space, he believes it will be in everybody’s interest if the campus administrators would be informed of these activities beforehand. This would make it easier for the latter to provide the necessary security for both participants and ordinary bystanders. “Those who now run our campuses were themselves immersed in UP’s activist tradition so I don’t think they will be allergic to such causes,” he says.

Actually, a number of security measures have long been put in place to address these concerns. Memorandum No. 18 issued by former UP President Edgardo J. Angara in 1983 states that “rallies and demos may be held within the University’s premises with no need for a permit from the City/Town Mayor.” But the same memo also specifies that “the University’s own rules and regulations” would govern these activities. The standing policy, based on a July 25, 2003 memorandum issued by then Chancellor Emerlinda Roman, is that “rallies, demonstrations, vigils and other similar activities may be allowed only with written permission of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs.” These activities cannot go beyond six in the evening.

According to Florano, administrative sanctions may sometimes be necessary not only to avert vandalism and anarchy, but also to minimize the impact of disruptions on other activities. A lightning assembly blocking major roads in the Diliman campus, for instance, could easily paralyze the flow of jeepneys plying the Pantranco and Philcoa route. Florano maintains that people should consider everyone’s welfare regardless of where they sit in the intellectual divide. “In Japan, for instance, you cannot just hold rallies whenever or wherever you feel like it,” he says.

The Japanese people, according to Florano, learn early to recognize that they are part of an interdependent society and normally think twice about causing inconvenience especially to spaces deemed public. By contrast, we Filipinos are more aggressive in asserting our individual rights, says Florano, “and public spaces—like those in public universities—are being used as venues for these expressions.”

Symbolic identity

Florano believes that the University as an academic institution is not mandated to serve as a venue for non-academic activities. “But if we are to keep our healthy democratic tradition, the University has to accommodate these activities or we will not be living up to our name as a university of the people.” The significant public role the campus plays is representative of the larger purpose the University serves for the country. The campus is a park. It is a cultural center and meeting place. And more importantly, it is a symbol of academic excellence, civic pride, and the rich and lasting heritage shared by generations of UP alumni. The landscape, the buildings, and the events that take place in these spaces all form part of the collective memory of the institution.

Like Florano, Cal favors the free expression of sentiments, even if the makeshift encampments and protest banners in halls and lobbies can be an eyesore.

“I think these activities should be allowed if they do not violate any law or do not go beyond the basic rights provided in the constitution,” says Cal. “They should be properly recognized, especially in an academic community.”

SEC. BEBET GOZUN: UNEP'S 2007 CHAMPION OF THE EARTH

2007-04-01T03:43:00.000-07:00

This is going ahead of my other postings. But I am forced to post this now to join the nation in honoring former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Elisea "Bebet" Gozun for winning UNEP's "2007 Champions of the Earth" alongside with six other awardees, including former US Vice President Al Gore (for his video documentary "An Inconvenient Truth"). UP-NCPAG honored her through a lecture (yes, we made her work in her honor) entitled, "Reflections on Environmental Leadership in the Philippines: Triumphs and Tribulations" held on 15 March 2007 at UP-NCPAG's Audio-Visual Room. The affair was graced by prominent environmentalists and DENR officials and employees. A picture posted here shows Sec. Gozun together with Miss Earth-Water 2006 Catherine Untalan, and Dr. Angelina P. Galang, Executive Director of Mirriam College's Environmental Studies Institute. Thank you to Dean Alex Brillantes, Jr. for supporting the lecture, and to former Dean Jose Endriga for assisting us in giving the tokens of appreciation to our guests. Sec. Gozun's PowerPoint presentation, and hopefully, the video shoot, will be posted here, if I will learn how to upload them. For copies, e-mail me at efloranoy@yahoo.com.

By the way, Sec. Gozun will receive her award on 19 April 2007 (if I am not mistaken) in Singapore.

Below is the citation for Sec. Gozun for winning UNEP's 2007 Champions of the Earth. Information are available at www.unep.org/champions/

ELISEA “Bebet” GILLERA GOZUN

Mrs. Elisea “Bebet” Gillera Gozun’s commitment to public service and her passion for the environment has given her the energy to overcome obstacles, persuade disbelievers, and shape alliances.

Her leadership in World Bank projects resulted in tangible results such as the introduction of pollution charges for industrial effluents in the Philippines, the establishment of the ECOWATCH program – an innovative public disclosure program of environmental performance of priority industries – and the "Brown Fund"- the first tripartite funding source for local urban environmental initiatives, jointly managed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), business, and government.

Mrs. Gozun recognized that without the local communities, the private sector, and local governments on board led by mayors, no national policy could succeed. She has pushed for the introduction of community-based waste recovery, recycling and reuse in the Philippines and has also worked for the establishment of materials recovery facilities, and on upgrading the quality and capacity of landfills for the residual wastes. To implement the pilot schemes in environmental management, she has attracted international funding, and mobilized local resources. As a result, today there is a wide network of participating communities, with dramatically improved health situations due to better solid waste management.

Her personal integrity, combined with a keen pragmatic sense for what is politically feasible to constitute a viable solution, have won her the trust of business leaders, NGOs, and political decision-makers alike.

Source: www.unep.org/champions/

ASSESSMENT OF THE 'STRENGTHS' OF THE NEW ASEAN AGREEMENT ON TRANSBOUNDARY HAZE POLLUTION

2007-04-01T03:24:00.000-07:00

After writing a conference paper, I was able to write an article published in the International Review of Environmental Strategies (Vol. 4, No. 1, 2003) (see journal cover at the left) of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) (see logo above). The summary is pasted below. If you want a copy, e-mail me at efloranoy@yahoo.com. Or buy a copy of the journal.

Source: http://www.iges.or.jp/en/pub/ires/pdf/vl4_n1/10.html

Current Development
Assessment of the "Strengths" of the New ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution
Ebinezer R. Florano

This article assesses the theoretical “strengths” of the new ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (ATHP), which was initially created to prevent, monitor, and mitigate land and forest fires, and eventually, transboundary haze pollution in the Southeast Asian region. Using Pamela Chasek’s “Strength Index,” the author graded the contents of the ATHP using the various weighting systems for each of the following 12 indexes: secretariat/commission; reporting; reservation; monitoring; non-compliance; inspection; dispute settlement; amendments, protocols, and annexes; performance standards; liability provisions; financial resources and mechanisms; and adoption of protocol within five years. The ATHP obtained no score in those indexes that could have given its Secretariat the power to monitor or inspect the compliance of the Parties and to mete out punishment to stubborn ones. For this reason, it can be branded as a “blind and toothless paper tiger,” although one would have expected the involvement of the United Nations Environment Programme in its drafting to produce better results. Compared to a similar regional environmental accord—its European counterpart, the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution—the ATHP appears (in theory) to be stronger, but there are lessons to be learned from Europe’s more than 20 years of experience with that convention. In the company of 13 other multilateral environmental accords, the ATHP is among the stragglers. The author suggests various compliance and enforcement strategies or techniques to strengthen the ATHP and implementation-related laws and regulations at the regional, national, and sub-national levels.

By the way, my IRES article is cited by Prof. Alan Tan of the Faculty of Law of the National University of Singapore in his article entitled, "The ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution: Prospect for Compliance and Effectiveness in Post-Suharto Indonesia" published in NUS's law journal.

It is also indexed in the libraries of the following organizations/offices:
1. Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (Mexico) - www.sre.gob.mx/imred/biblioteca/bol57/medambte.htm
2. IDE-JETRO (Japan) - http://opac.ide.go.jp/
3. Kwansei Gakuin University (Japan) - http://kgsaint/kwansei.ac.jp/rrpdf/50-02S.pdf

REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION Part 2

2007-04-01T03:19:00.000-07:00

I found another website where my article can be found - at the Clean Air Initiative-Asia of the Asian Development Bank. Please follow the website posted below.

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-69345.html

REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION WITHOUT TEARS AND FEARS: THE CASE OF THE ASEAN REGIONAL HAZE ACTION PLAN

2007-04-01T03:03:00.000-07:00

Before obtaining my PhD degree from the International Christian University, I was able to write and deliver a lecture taken from my then draft dissertation. The title of my dissertation is, "Regional Environmental Governance: A Study on the ASEAN Regional Haze Action Plan," (indexed at Japan's National Diet Library, and at the Fuji Xerox Foundation Library). I culled information from it to write the conference paper which I read in an international conference on International Environmental Governance in Paris, France in March 2004. The conference was attended by environmental officials of many European countries, environmental NGO representatives, and academicians. It was sponsored by IDDRI (see logo above). I was lucky to meet Dr. Edith Brown Weiss, Professor of Environmental Law of the Faculty of Law of Georgetown University, who chaired my panel. I was so happy to meet her because I used her book and theoretical framework for my dissertation.

Unfortunately, I don't know yet how to upload its PDF files, hence, may I just direct you to a website where you can find a copy:

http://www.iddri.org/iddri/html/themes/archi/ieg.htm

Look for the entries written below. If you cannot find it, write me at efloranoy@yahoo.com. I can send you a PDF copy via e-mail.

Ebinezer R. Florano (biography), International Christian University (Japon). Regional Environmental Cooperation without Fear and Tears: The Case of the ASEAN Regional Haze Action Plan.

By the way, my IDDRI conference paper is cited by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in its document, “Joint Working Party on Trade and Agreement: Regional Trade Agreements and Environment” released on 12 March 2007. The URL address is (breathe first): www.olis.oecd.org/olis/2006doc.nsf/
8d00615172fd2a63c125685d005300b5/
5ef81f590a3358f3c125729c005c2a2e/$FILE/JT03223481.DOC

ANTONIO OPOSA

2007-04-01T02:42:00.000-07:00

To popularize EcoGov at UP-NCPAG, I decided to bring EcoGov issues to the attention of the college's students, faculty members, and staff. For my first salvo, I invited Atty. Antonio Oposa, a world-reknown environmental lawyer to speak about "Environmental Audit." Luckily he accepted the invitation. This was sometime in August 2005, if I am not mistaken. Unfortunately, I was not able to take a picture of him as I was busy managing the forum (I was also a speaker at that time). I have attached a picture from another website (INECE). And I was not able to get the gist of his presentation (sorry for that).

Why is Atty. Oposa famous? You can get ideas from below:

Among the cases decided by the Supreme Court which granted victory to the advocacy for environmental protection, the case of Oposa vs. Secretary Factoran (224 SCRA 792) stands out as most unique, and novel to the legal world. Studded with new legal doctrines and principles relating to environmental protection, the case has up to now been the inspiration of the warriors of mother nature.

Case Summary

Facts: This case originating from the Regional Trial Court of Makati, Metro Manila was initiated by several minors, as represented by their parents, including via their representation the generations yet unborn. As the original defendant, Secretary Factoran of the Department of Environment and Natural resources was impleaded as such.

Plaintiffs herein anchor their claim on their right to the full benefit and enjoyment of the countries natural resources, particularly of the virgin forests. They move for the cancellation of the issued existing Timber License Agreements (TLA) as well as the desistance of the Defendant and the officers so authorized from any further issuance or renewal of the same.

They assert that they have the existing Constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology.

Issue: Whether or not the Plaintiffs are real parties in interest.

Rule: Plaintiff has the standing. The complaint focuses on a fundamental natural and legal right enshrined in the Constitution. The same right and source of obligation can justify the claimed inter-generational responsibility. Hence, they may bring the matter at hand to court and be granted the proper recognition.

Section 16, Article II which recognizes above all: THE STATE SHALL PROTECT AND ADVANCE THE RIGHT TO A BALANCED AND HEALTHFUL ECOLOGY IN ACCORD WITH THE RHYTHM AND HARMONY OF NATURE.

Said provision is recognized as self executory and hence may be a source of obligation upon the state without need of further positive act from Congress.

Source: Edgar B. Pascua (n.d.), “The Legal Implications of the case of Oposa v. Factoran,” < http://www.geocities.com/green_juris/artopfacjet.html > 30 January 2006.

DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

2007-04-01T02:10:00.000-07:00

What is Environmental Governance? There are many definitions but I found them all wanting. Hence, I formulated my own, taking into consideration the various ideas I learned while studying and teaching EcoGov courses. Notice that my definition has Public Administration and International Relations undertones (it reflects my academic background). If you have questions or comments, e-mail me at efloranoy@yahoo.com. Please quote me when you use this definition. I consider this as an important contribution to the emerging discipline of EcoGov. Thank you.

ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE can be defined or characterized as:

1Multi-level interactions (i.e., local, national, international/global) among, but not limited to, three main actors, i.e., state, market, and civil society, which interact with one another, whether in formal and informal ways;
2.
2.in formulating and implementing policies in response to environment-related demands and inputs from the society;
3.
3.bound by rules, procedures, processes, and widely-accepted behavior;
4.
4.possessing characteristics of “good governance”;
5.
5.for the purpose of attaining environmentally-sustainable development.

WELCOME TO ECOGOV BLOG!

2007-04-01T02:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE BLOG (or EcoGov Blog) of Dr. Ebinezer R. Florano of the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance.

I created this blog to share my thoughts on EcoGov, and to update readers on Earth-shaking environmental news. Readers are encouraged to send in their comments or to contribute their thoughts on environmental protection.