The Ilocos Times

Electric vehicles (EVs) are often sold to us as the greener, more efficient alternative to traditional gasoline and diesel cars. But beneath that glossy promise lies a critical question: what is the real cost—and the real emissions—if our electricity still comes from fossil fuels? Let’s start with a cold, practical truth: in the Philippines , more than 60 percent of our electricity is generated by coal . The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that in 2024, coal made up around 62 percent of the country’s power mix—and projections suggest it will barely dip to 60 percent by 2027. Department of Energy data confirm this: fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil) still dominate, while renewables contribute a much smaller share.   Globe Telecom ’s shift: Good, but not enough? Globe Telecom recently announced a plan to roll out 20 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in its fleet, aiming to save at least ₱ 100 million in fuel costs in the long run. This is part of a larger plan: by ...

Let me start with some clarity: Yes, I believe the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) does have a role over pollution, because part of its mandate is “prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution.”   And if pollution is on the table, then surely urban noise must count too, in my view. After all, noise is a kind of environmental pollutant—one that doesn’t dirty rivers or skies but invades our ears, our well-being, even our sleep. But who in Metro Manila is worrying about noise pollution ? The usual complaints tend to be about traffic congestion, floods, or waste management—not decibel levels. That raises a serious question: is the MMDA even paying attention to noise as part of its environmental-management function? If the answer is no, maybe it should. Here’s what got me thinking: Germany is experimenting with what some call soundproof trees . This is not science fiction. Engineers there are developing trees with denser foliage and thicker bark ...

How difficult can this technology be? That was my first question when I read that Japan has launched its first osmotic power plant in Fukuoka . If this is now operational in a highly industrialized country, what is stopping us from trying it here—especially when we already have the two basic ingredients: freshwater and saltwater. In a country made up of more than 7,600 islands, these two resources meet almost everywhere. This brings us to the classic dilemma: to make or to buy? But if Japan, through JICA , is willing to transfer the technology, then we neither make nor buy—we simply cooperate. And why compete with Japan anyway if they are willing to share their expertise? The real question is: Who in our government is actually in charge of technology transfer ? Is it the DOST ? Is it the DFA ? Or is it, as often happens, nobody in particular—which means nothing happens at all? Japan’s new osmotic power plant is an example of innovation grounded in simple natural processes. The ...

For decades , we looked at plastic as the villain of modern life — polluter of oceans, killer of turtles, clogger of esteros. And rightly so. Traditional plastics last for hundreds of years, break down into microplastics , and only a tiny percentage ever gets recycled. So, the logic was simple: replace plastic with something biodegradable — seaweed, bagasse, hemp, rice straws, bamboo woods, anything natural. But what if what’s better than plastic… is also plastic? Out of nowhere comes a new material called Lyfecycle , a proprietary “self-destructing” plastic. At first, rumors claimed it was made of seaweed. But as it turns out, it is plastic after all — but the good kind, if there is such a thing. Developed by UK-based Polymateria , Lyfecycle behaves like regular plastic during its useful life. It’s strong, durable, recyclable, and compatible with existing waste systems. But the magic lies in the additive built into it. If it escapes collection —meaning if it ends up as waste, i...

There are laws that everyone seems to know about, yet almost nobody bothers to obey — until the floods come, homes disappear under water, and the same officials who ignored these laws suddenly blame “climate change.” One of the most violated laws is the protection of easement zones along our rivers, streams, lakes, and shorelines. Maybe it’s less of a problem along beaches, where resorts at least pretend to follow regulations. But in riverbanks? In creeks? In small tributaries that nobody pays attention to? There, the violations are massive — and endlessly tolerated. The law is clear. Article 51 of Presidential Decree 1067 (Water Code of the Philippines) strictly prohibits building any structure within the easement zones: 3 meters in urban areas, 20 meters in agricultural areas, and 40 meters in forest areas. These spaces are meant for public use: for fishing, navigation, safety, and environmental protection. No one is supposed to occupy these zones, much less privatize them with ...

WINDMILLS. Gigantic wind turbines occupy vast lands as seen in this undated photo in Barangay Caparispisan, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. More of these are being proposed in neighboring Bangui town. ( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—A 136-megawatt wind farm project is being proposed for Bangui, Ilocos Norte, reinforcing the province's reputation as one of the country's leading renewable energy hubs. The proposed development, with an investment of around PHP8.4 billion, aims to harness the municipality's strong and consistent wind resources to generate clean electricity, supporting the Philippines' transition to renewable energy and helping meet the growing demand for sustainable power. In a press release, Luzon Cleanergy Generation Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Renewables Inc., said the project is expected to cover 3,321 hectares across eight villages, including Payac, Bacsil, Malasin, Abaca, Nagbalagan, Masikil, Manayon and San Lorenzo. A public scoping...

It’s an idea whose time has truly come: carbon credits for plastic waste recycling . At long last, we’re seeing formal mechanisms that reward recovery, not just emissions reductions. And for the Philippines—a major contributor to ocean plastics—this could be a game-changer.   What is plastic-based carbon credits? These “ plastic credits ” are units representing a specific amount of plastic that has been avoided, collected, or recycled. The new wrinkle: they’re now being tied directly to greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation . By preventing plastic from leaking into the environment or being incinerated, these credits convert circular action into real climate value. One of the leading models is from “ Plastiks ”, partnered with the carbon verification firm ECOTA and recovery organization Ocean Integrity. Together, they’ve committed to certify 100,000 metric tons of recovered plastic for carbon credit issuance by December 2025. Their system is rigorous: every kilogram recovered ...

One of the simplest, cheapest, and most practical solutions to flooding is something we often overlook: retention ponds . These man-made basins hold water permanently and manage stormwater before it wreaks havoc in our communities. And unlike mega- infrastructure projects that take years and billions of pesos, retention ponds are so easy to build that even our barangays can do them. In other words: Why aren’t we building more of them? A retention pond slows down stormwater, traps sediments, improves water quality, and prevents erosion downstream. It functions like a community-level buffer against the increasing intensity of rainfall we experience due to climate change . Unlike detention ponds —which dry out between storms—retention ponds always contain water. They look like real ponds, with vegetation around them, attracting fish, birds, and other wildlife. But what makes retention ponds truly compelling is how multi-purpose they can be. With proper filtration, they can becom...

Is this what our future is going to look like? With climate change accelerating, sea levels rising, and floods becoming the “new normal,” I think we should at least entertain the possibility. And if that future does come, it won’t be entirely unfamiliar. After all, floating gardens and houses on stilts already exist—not only in faraway places, but right here in the Philippines. In many ways, these designs are not futuristic at all; they are ancient, time-tested responses to living with water rather than against it. The Bajau Laut in the Sulu Archipelago have lived in stilt houses above coral-rich shallows for centuries. In Bangladesh, floating gardens—known as dhap—keep food production going even during months of flooding. In Myanmar’s Inle Lake, floating tomato farms stretch across the horizon. And in Mexico, the Aztec chinampas remain as living proof that agriculture can thrive on water. So, if others have done it, why can’t we? But here’s the bigger question: Should we ch...

  The local government unit of Nueva Era headed by Mayor Aldrin Garvida and Vice Mayor Caroline A. Garvida commemorated the 128 th Philippine Independence Day with a series of meaningful activities, highlighted by a community-wide clean-up drive along the Ilocos Norte-– Abra Road. The activities were also participated in by the Sangguniang Bayan members, municipal government employees, punong barangays, non-government organizations, and representatives from national government agencies. (Doms dela Cruz)