...the PH IMO seat

Philippines re-elected to IMO

By John Carlo Cahinhinan
Sun Star

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

MANILA (Updated) -- The Philippines once again bagged a seat in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) during its 28th Annual Assembly in London, United Kingdom.

The IMO is the United Nations' specialized agency responsible for ensuring maritime safety, security and protection of marine environment, while its assembly serves as the executive organ of the agency that is responsible for overseeing the work of the entire organization.

Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator Maximo Mejia said the country was placed under "Category C," which includes countries with "special interests in maritime transport or navigation."

The Marina administrator explained that a "Category C" nation has special interest in maritime transport or navigation and whose election into the council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.

Those member states that belonged to the same category include Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey.

Around one-third of the world's seafarers' population comes from the Philippines.

Mejia noted that the country, as a maritime nation, is deeply committed to the goals of the IMO in a very concrete manner, particularly on the benefits from the operation of safe and secure ships on clean oceans.

"We rely on the seas to connect our thousands of islands and on its bounty for our food and our economy," Mejia said.

He also reassured the international maritime community of the Philippines' adherence to the conventions, rules and regulations set by the IMO and other international regulatory bodies.

"Being the source of more than a quarter of all seafarers on-board ships in the international trade is a position of great responsibility, and the Philippines reassures the international maritime community of its commitment to the letter and intent of the STCW Convention and to ensuring that the world’s ships are manned by able, competent, and qualified seafarers," Mejia said. (Sunnex)

 

...the PHL global economic index

Philippines leapfrogs 25 places in global biz growth index

            

By Jovan Cerda

philstar.com

September 16, 2013

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines posted its biggest climb in a global index of dynamic business growth environments, British-based advisory firm Grant Thornton International reported on Monday.

The country leapfrogged by 25 places to land at the 21st spot in this year's Global Dynamism Index (GDI), improving the most among 60 countries included in the report.

“The fast-paced growth of the Philippine economy certainly underlined our substantial rise in this year’s GDI. This means our business growth environment improved quicker than any other country in 2012,” said Marivic Españo, chair and chief executive officer of Punongbayan & Araullo (P&A), the Grant Thornton member firm in the Philippines.

Among countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations included in the report, the country ranked behind Singapore (7th), Malaysia (13th) and Thailand (19th), and ahead of Vietnam (27th).

Australia, Chile, China, New Zealand and Canada topped the list while Ukraine, Italy, Kenya, Algeria and Greece placed at the bottom.

On the area of economics and growth, the Philippines jumped by 11 places to tie at fourth place with Peru. It posted the biggest improvement in terms of labor and human capital, galloping by 40 places to rank fifth globally.

“I think the key point here is that the Philippines is starting to realize its potential domestically. Aside from remittances, which have recovered well since the global financial crisis, private construction and government spending on infrastructure contributed to our above-target expansion. Domestic demand in the form of private investment and consumer growth has also helped the country outpace its Southeast Asian neighbors, which are showing signs of slowing down,” Españo said.

In terms of science and technology, however, the country ranked 51st, indicating the lack of infrastructure improvements needed for businesses to expand. P&A said while spending on information technology improved by 9.5 percent last year, it only translated to 0.1 percent of the country's gross domestic product, the fourth lowest among the 60 economies studied.

“The government recognizes that local infrastructure needs to be improved. Eighty public-private partnerships with around $17.6 billion of capital to boost the investment environment were supposed to be launched between 2011 and 2016, but progress is well behind schedule. Add to this a rank of 44 for business operating environment, which looks at how easy and risky it is to operate in an economy, and you can clearly see there is some room for improvement,” Españo said.

“The good news is that both total and worker output is expanding rapidly. The key now is to combine this growth with infrastructure and operating environment improvements. With the right mix of policies in place, our economy could offer even more opportunities for dynamic businesses,” she added.

 

...the highest remittance recipients

PH third highest remittance recipient among developing nations

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

23 November 2012

 

AFP News - A bank employee displays 100 peso notes in Manila. The Philippine economy is facing major risks from abroad that could limit its growth prospects next year, the central bank governor said Wednesday.

Despite a gloomy global economic climate, Filipinos may still count on a boost from overseas workers who will continue to send cash back home, new World Bank projections showed.

Among developing countries, The Philippines will be the third highest recipient of remittances from overseas workers this year, the World Bank said in its latest "Migration and Development Brief."

Cash inflows from Pinoys abroad are seen to reach $24.3 billion in 2012, up 5.4 percent from $23.1 billion last year.

Latest central bank data pegged OFW inflows at $15.6 billion as of the end of the third quarter, up 5.5 percent from year-ago levels.

The World Bank's forecast growth in remittances to the Philippines, however, is slower than 2011's expansion of 7.6 percent.

This may be attributed to an appreciation of the peso, which the World Bank says prods "migrants to delay sending remittances until exchange rates are more favorable."

Globally, inflows to developing countries are expected to grow by 6.5 percent to $403 billion in 2012.

"International migrants are weathering the effects of the ongoing global economic crisis..." the World Bank said.

India will be the top recipient of remittances this year, with inflows reaching $69.8 billion based on World Bank estimates, followed by China at $66.3 billion.

The Philippines is a far third, followed by Mexico ($23.5 billion), Nigeria ($20.6 billion), Egypt ($18 billion), Pakistan ($13.9 billion, Bangladesh ($13.7 billion), Vietnam ($9 billion) and Lebanon ($7.6 billion).

The World Bank also expects remittances to developing countries to spike further by 7.9 percent in 2013, 10.1 percent in 2014 and 10.7 percent in 2015, when it is seen to reach $534 billion.

"We expect growth of flows to remain robust in regions that rely on remittance flows from the US, the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and Russia," the multilateral lender said.

Risks to remittances growth remain, however, with the World Bank citing "increasingly harsh rhetoric and policies hostile towards migrants in many destination countries, especially Europe."

Meanwhile, the World Bank cited the Philippines as one of the countries where innovations such as international mobile remittances effectively ease the cost of sending money.

This, as it noted that worldwide, only 20 percent of 130 mobile banking operators worldwide offered international remittance services as of early 2012.

The Philippines, as well as Kenya, "are ahead of the curve in fostering an ecosystem of mobile payment services," it added.

"They may provide fertile ground for adoption of international remittance services via mobile phones, but most other countries are much further behind at this point," the World Bank noted.

...the young environmentalist for special kids

Filipino student wins world environment award

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Friday, October 21st, 2011

 

 

From left: Muli of Kenya, Mary Jade Gabanes of the Philippines, Maria Rosa Reyes Acosta of Ecuador, Sarah Ervinda Rudianto of Indonesia and Michael Preuss, head of Corporate Policy and Media Relations, Bayer AG Communications

LEVERKUSEN, Germany — For promoting environmental education among children with special needs, a Filipino student won the Bayer Young Environmental Leader Award Thursday night here (early Friday in Manila) along with three other young environmentalists from around the world.

Mary Jade Gabanes, 19, a Special Education major at the West Visayas State University won the top prize with delegates from Kenya, Indonesia and Ecuador.

Winners will receive project support from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and global company Bayer, which have been jointly implementing the youth program since 1998.

Gabanes hopes to inspire others to take better care of the environment by showing that special needs children could do the same despite their limitations.

“If you see special needs children doing something for the environment, wouldn’t we take a second [look] at ourselves and ask what we can do?” said Gabanes in an interview moments after her win here.

A panel of judges composed of representatives from UNEP and Bayer picked the winning projects out of 18 top country winners from across Asia, South America and Africa.

Gabanes’ project engages special children aged 12 to 22 in environment-themed sessions, from arts and crafts, using recycled materials to performing environmental songs, at a locally supported special education center in her native Iloilo City.

CHAMPION OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. Mary Jade Gabanes on a street in Cologne, where she was invited as one of 47 participants the Bayer Young Environmental Envoys' week-long excursion around Germany. Cris Raymund Viray

The articulate and animated Gabanes impressed judges at final presentations on Wednesday, responding to questions about her project without pause.

When one judge asked how she coped with the known challenges of teaching special children, Gabanes said: “I’ve never had a problem. I’ve always had a soft spot for special needs children.”

Bayer flew in winning environmental envoys from around the world for an exposure trip around Germany, engaging them in discussions on trends in environment protection, experiments in Bayer laboratories and site visits around Cologne and Leverkusen.

Aside from Gabanes, three other Philippine envoys were invited to the field trip: Reymart Canuel of the University of Baguio who designed a website called “GreEnitiative” which aims to raise awareness on forest conservation;

Cris Viray of the St. Paul University of Quezon City who organizes youth environmental camps and training programs in his native Rizal; and Alfie Desamparado of the West Visayas State University who wrote and performed 10 original environmental songs in bus and boat terminals in Guimaras and Iloilo.

Delegates from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam participated in the youth conference.

Some 550 students from around the world have been invited to visit Germany since the program started 13 years ago.

...the goddess advocate

Venus Raj is spokesperson for UN program

abs-cbnNEWS.com

 10/18/2011

Venus Raj poses with mothers and children who joined the solidarity walk for Tingog 2015.

MANILA, Philippines - Miss Universe 2010 fourth runner-up Venus Raj was chosen to be the spokesperson for "Tingog 2015," an integrated SMS and online citizen feedback initiative supported by the United Nations Millennium Campaign and Social Watch Philippines.

The program was launched in Albay province of the Bicol region on Monday, making it the first of its kind in the country and in Southeast Asia.

Raj, who grew up in Bicol, said Tingog 2015 (which means "voice" in Bicolano) will help ordinary citizens inform local government agencies when services are not delivered to them.

The feedback gathered by the technology platform will be used by the local government to ensure responsiveness in development planning.

"Sobrang laking tulong kasi sabi nga kapag simpleng pamilya ka... iisipin mo 'yung kakainin nila sa araw-araw 'yung pinapaaral, 'yung basic needs ng mga anak mo, at least kung merong ganitong proyekto, may sasalo na sa ganong pangangailangan," Raj said.

Tingog 2015 aims to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, which range from ending poverty and hunger to providing universal primary education, by 2015.

The Philippines' major telecommunications firms are working to make "2015" as the official number for sending citizen feedback.

Other countries that have launched their own version of Tingog 2015 include Kenya and India. -- With a report from Jose Carretero, ABS-CBN Albay

...the Philippine All-Star

Philippine Allstars finishes 1st place at dance competition in Switzerland

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ

June 13, 2011

Manila Bulletin

The Allstars performing at the Dance2Dance competition in Zurich (Screen grab from YouTube)

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Allstars did it again!

The premiere hip-hop dance group bagged first place at the annual Dance2Dance: The World Streetdance Showcase Competition held last June 11 at the Theater 11 in Zurich, Switzerland.

They outdid nine other groups from USA, Sweden, Poland Italy, and even Switzerland. It was no measly feat, as the jury who evaluated the performances consisted of dance experts such as Burim Jusufi (Rihanna’s dancer), Tiziana Cocca (Black Eyed Peas’ dancer), Kristin Lorello (from “America’s Best Dance Crew”) and Laushaun Price (from the Debbie Reynolds Studio).

Allstars' triumph came with a 5,000 CHF cash prize, or roughly over P250,000. But more than the money,  they are grateful for snagging yet another achievement.

“Thank you Lord for the blessings! Thank you Lord for our family! Thank you Lord for everything!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!

PHILIPPINE ALLSTARS, 1ST PLACE in Dance2Dance Competition in Zurich, Switzerland. Thank YOU! :)” read one of their Facebook shoutouts on June 12.

They also thanked their fans for their support.

“[T]hank you ALL for the Prayers =) GOD has given Philippines and ASIA another GOLD =) To GOD be the GLORY!!! WOOOHHHOOOO!! HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL!” the Allstars also wrote.
 
As seen in the Dance2Dance official website, the competition featured “pre-selected professional dance teams from all over the world to see who’s got what it takes to stand alone, as the best of the best.”

Since their formation in 2005, the Allstars has already won in various prestigious dance contests outside the country. They were the first Asian group to strike back-to-back golds in the International Hip-Hop Open d’Italia (Turin, Italy) and World Hip-Hop Dance Championships (Los Angeles, California) in 2006.

The Allstars enjoyed a winning streak at the V.Ent’s First Annual Dance Awards (as Team of the Year) in 2007, as well as at the World Hip-Hop Dance Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008 and the Malta Guiness Streetdance Africa in Kenya in 2009 (where they both received Gold).

...the lakes beautiful

12 Most Beautiful Lakes in the World

By Beth Collins
Yahoo! Travel

These 12 lakes go to all the right extremes—highest, deepest, clearest—and showcase nature at its most spectacular. Soak up the views from a boat, a cable car, a trailhead, or a castle tower.

Malawi

Lake Malawi

Home to 1,000 species of fish—estimated to be more than anyplace on earth—Lake Malawi (also called Lake Nyasa) is Africa's third largest lake at 363 miles long and up to about 50 miles wide in spots. Located in a depression 2,300 feet below sea level, it's positioned at the crossroads of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, and supports hundreds of local villages with its rich underwater stock (which is, unfortunately, gradually being depleted due to over-fishing). The lake's southern portion—as well as a bordering nub of wildlife-rich land, Cape Maclear—represents the world's first freshwater national park; it was also named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. A star of the waters here is the mbuna, a native freshwater fish known for eating directly from people's hands. Bring your snorkel gear—as beautiful as the scenery is, the best part about Lake Malawi is what's swimming beneath you in the crystal clear water.

Nearby: Cape Maclear, located within Lake Malawi National Park, is a perfect base for exploring the area.



Lake Malawi is positioend at the crossroads
of Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania and
supports hundreds of local villages with its
rich underwater stock.

Photo: Ian Cumming/age fotostock

Alberta, Canada

Peyto Lake

Alberta's Lake Louise is the famous one, on all the postcards and posters. But Louise's sister lake 29 miles north along Icefields Parkway, a two-laner that winds 142 miles through the Canadian Rockies, is even more picturesque. Thanks to glacial rock flour that flows in when the ice and snow melt every summer, the waters of Banff National Park's Peyto Lake are a brilliant turquoise more often associated with warm-weather paradises like Antigua and Bora-Bora. For the most dramatic views of the 1.7-mile-long stunner, encircled with dense forest and craggy mountain peaks, pull into the lot at Bow Summit, the parkway's highest point, and follow the steep hike to the overlook.

Nearby: The town of Banff, the heart of the park, is 62 miles south of Peyto Lake.

In the Canadian province of Alberta, Peyto Lake lies amid the Canadian Rockies. Its waters pop with a brilliant turquoise more often associated with warm-weather paradises like Antigua and Bora-Bora.

Photo: Courtesy Travel Alberta

Oregon

Crater Lake

Thousands of years ago, the top of a 12,000-foot-high volcano in the Cascade Range exploded. The massive pit left behind became known as Crater Lake, the centerpiece of a national park in southern Oregon that displays nature at its rawest and most powerful. Forests of towering evergreens and 2,000-foot-high cliffs surround the lake, where extraordinarily deep waters—at 1,943 feet, it's the deepest lake in the United States—yield an intense sapphire-blue hue. If winter hiking and cross-country skiing aren't your thing, wait until early July to visit, when the roads have been plowed and the trails cleared. Rim Drive, a 33-mile road that encircles the lake, has picture-perfect views from all sides. For a closer look, follow the mile-long Cleetwood Cove Trail to the shore. Brace yourself before diving in: The water temperature rarely rises above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nearby: The laid-back mountain town of Bend, 112 miles away, makes a nice home base for a Crater Lake day trip.

The extraordinarily deep waters of Crater Lake yield an intense sapphire-blue hue.

Photo: Tim McGuire/Corbis

Philippines

Taal Lake

This dangerous beauty, situated just 37.28 miles south of Manila, has two distinct claims to fame: It is the deepest lake in the Philippines, with a depth of 564 feet. It is also home to one of the world's smallest but most active volcanoes, the Taal Volcano, which sits within its waters on the island of Luzon. The lake itself was formed when a larger volcanic crater here collapsed; now seismologists spend a lot of time monitoring this spot for tremors, and sending out frequent eruption warnings through the country's Department of Tourism. Plenty of tour groups offer trips to the natural wonder—in spite of the fact that it has been declared a permanent danger zone. A safer way to see the volcano is by taking a drive along the Tagaytay-Taal ridge in nearby Tagaytay City.

Nearby: Adjacent Tagaytay City offers some well-priced accommodations, in addition to the best views of the lake.

Taal Lake, situated just 37.28 miles south of Manila, has two claims to fame: It is the deepest lake in the Philippines at 564 feet deep, and it is home to one of the world's smallest, but most active, volcanoes.

Photo: Courtesy Luca Tettoni/Corbis

Guatemala

Lake Atitlán

Nearly a mile up in the highlands of Guatemala, Atitlán (Lago de Atitlán) rests at the foot of three massive conical volcanoes. Small Mayan villages line its shores, which are set off by steep hills draped with oak and pine trees and nearly 800 plant species. There's no single, must-see view of the lake, so try several vantage points: from up high on Highway 1; from the town of Panajachel, the buzzing market hub that juts out into the water; or aboard a lancha, one of the many small boats that ferry visitors from village to village. We're saddened to note that the lake has built up high levels of blue-green algae over the years (in October and November 2009, a film of green scum began briefly marring its surface; since then there have been ambitious efforts to solve the problem).

Nearby: Panajachel is about 2.5 hours by car from Guatemala City.

A fisherman on Lake Atitlán, nearly a mile up in the highlands of Guatemala.

Photo: Frans Lemmens/Corbis

Scotland

Loch Lomond

With a backdrop of windswept rolling hills and medieval castles, Loch Lomond feels like it's straight out of a Victorian romance novel. The 24-mile-long lake is dotted with islands, some so small that they disappear when the water levels are high, and others large enough to be (sparsely) inhabited. Most ferries stop at the largest island, Inchmurrin (population 11), so visitors can get a look at the remains of a 7th-century monastery and the 14th century Lennox Castle, used often as a hunting lodge for kings.

Nearby: The lake is 24 miles north of Glasgow and 66 west of Edinburgh.

A broad view of Scotland's Loch Lomond, with Balloch Castle in the foreground.

Photo: Skyscan/Corbis

Italy

Lake Garda

If the shape of Italy is a couture boot, think of the imprint of Lake Garda as a design from the funky sister line—long and skinny at the top, opening up toward the bottom. Garda is the country's largest lake and one of the most popular vacation spots among Italians. The southern shore is home to hot springs, resort towns with pastel villas and terra-cotta-roofed hotels, and most of Garda's 28 miles of serene, pebbly beaches. To the north are the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, a magnet for hikers and bicyclists who want to test their endurance. In Malcesine, an adorable speck of a town with cobblestoned streets and a medieval castle, you can board a cable car up to Mount Baldo for one of the best aerial views of the lake.

Nearby: Lake Garda is about halfway between Milan (89 miles away) and Venice (109 miles away), but to get the full, relaxing effect, stay in one of the south shore's many small towns.

Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake. The southern shore is home to hot springs and resort towns laced with pastel villas and terra-cotta-roofed hotels.

Photo: Svenja-Foto/Corbis

France

Lake Annecy

This alpine lake in the heart of the French Alps is a looker, but don't expect to spend your visit gazing over the water in quiet reflection. Lake Annecy is all about activity—particularly in August, when Paris shuts down and the French take extended holidays. Sailors, kayakers, and water-skiers crisscross the water; bikers and hikers hit surrounding nature trails; and refugees from the city fill the outdoor tables at the lakeside restaurants and bars. Repeat visitors know to plan their trip for the first Saturday of August, when a staggering, nearly two-hour-long fireworks display illuminates the water.

Nearby: The closest major city isGeneva, 30 miles north, in Switzerland, but most people stay right on the lake.

Lake Annecy meanders past eight miles of nature reserves, waterfront villages, and soaring peaks in the heart of the French Alps.

Photo: A. Gerard/courtesy Annecy Tourisme

Croatia

Plitvice Lakes

These 16 blue-green lakes, hidden by thick vegetation and connected by hundreds of waterfalls, could be the set for the next Jurassic Park. For adventure as well as killer views, start at one of the lower lakes and work your way up following the sturdy wooden planks that turn what could be a treacherous trek into a fun hike. Take a detour along the 10-minute loop that leads to the region's tallest fall, 230-foot-high Veliki Slap ("Big Waterfall"), a breadth of streaming white water that collects in turquoise pools. While hiking, keep your eyes peeled for deer, wildcats, boars, wolves, and bears—a more likely sighting than a T. rex.

Nearby: There are four hotels in Plitvice Lakes National Park, but most people drive in for the day from Zagreb, about 2 hours by car.

Croatia's 16 blue-green Plitvice Lakes are connected by hundreds of waterfalls. The waters are amazingly clear. Walk on well-maintained wooden planks to get to the edge.

Photo: 29cm/Flickr

Kenya

Lake Nakuru

The water is blue enough, and the backdrop—grasslands and rocky hillsides—has the makings of a nice photo, but neither is what sets this lake in central Kenya apart. The real draw here is the mass of pink on Nakuru's edges. Flamingos are one of the few species that can withstand the lake's hostile conditions—the water has so much sodium carbonate that it burns nearly everything that touches it —and they flock to the lake en masse. There can be as many as a million birds feeding on algae in the shallows at one time, wading side by side.

Nearby: The lake is in the heart of Lake Nakuru National Park, a sanctuary for black-and-white rhinos, three hours by car from Nairobi.

An African buffalo wades along the shoreline of Kenya's Lake Nakuru. In the background, flamingos feed in the shallow lake.

Photo: Martin Harvey/Corbis

New Zealand

Lake Matheson

Alternately known as Mirror Lake, this South Island lake is famous for its reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Visiting just after dawn is ideal, when the water is at its calmest and mirror images are impossibly perfect. The lake itself is well worth exploring, too. Park near the Clearwater River suspension bridge and follow the 1-mile loop past kahikatea and rimu trees, which have extra-tall trunks and fanciful bushy tops and look like something from a Dr. Seuss book.

Nearby: Fox Glacier township, a village that serves as a base camp for trekkers, is three miles east of the lake.

Lake Matheson in New Zealand is also known as Mirror Lake—for good reason.

Photo: Hugh van Noorden/go_wild/Flickr

 

Slovenia

Lake Bled

Why not get to the good stuff right away? To take in this Slovenian lake's most breathtaking vista, head immediately to Bled Castle, at the edge of a sheer, 460-foot-high cliff. You'll see mountains in every direction—the Julian Alps and the Karavanke range—and below, the Alpine lake and its main attraction, Bled Island, a tiny forested circle that's home to the 17th-century Church of the Assumption and its prominent baroque clock tower. Down on the lake's shore, board a pletna boat (similar to a gondola) to the island. Be sure to ring the church bell and make a wish before returning to the mainland. Mountains shield the water from icy northern winds, so Lake Bled is warm, relatively speaking (79 degrees Fahrenheit). If that's still too chilly, head to the lake's northern section, where three hotels have built pools around natural thermal springs.

Nearby: The Slovenian capital of Ljubljana is an easy 35 miles away.

At Slovenia's Lake Bled, you'll see mountains in every direction, including the Julian Alps and the Karavanke range.

Photo: Walter Bibikow/JAI/Corbis

..the prexy

DFA: PHL assumes presidency of LMMC until 2012

GMANews – 08 jUNE 2011

The Philippines has assumed the presidency of the Group of Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC) for 2011 to 2012 during a meeting in Canada.

The LMMC is a negotiating bloc of 19 countries that harbor 70 percent of the Earth’s biological resources.

“[The Philippine assumption of the LMMC presidency is] a vote of confidence in our stewardship of our bio-resources and our country’s environmental programs," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement Tuesday

The DFA said the group met in Montreal in preparation for the “First Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefits Sharing of Genetic Resources in Montreal" from June 6 to 10.

In the opening statement delivered by the Philippines, the LMMC called for immediate collaboration on measures to operationalize the Nagoya Protocol, an agreement that establishes more predictable conditions for access to genetic resources.

The Nagoya Protocol, adopted in October 2010, stemmed from the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, which the Philippines ratified on Jan. 3, 2007.

The LMMC was established in 2002 when 17 countries rich in biodiversity banded themselves together to promote their collective interests in the preservation and sustainable use of biological resources and aims to protect traditional knowledge.

“The Philippines has about 7,000 endemic plant, mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, and fish species, and is one of the few nations that is, in its entirety, a megadiverse country and has enacted an access and benefit-sharing law in 1995," the DFA said.

The group’s members include Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, South Africa and Venezuela. — JE/VS, GMA News