Church group hits Maharlika fund over $76.4M mining loan

The Catholic Church’s social action arm criticized the country’s sovereign investment fund for financing large-scale mining.

The wealth fund, Maharlika Investment Corp (MIC), signed a binding term sheet to provide a $76.4-million bridge loan to Makilala Mining Company Inc., the local affiliate of Australia-based Celsius Resources Inc.

THE OUTSIDER (Melandrew T. Velasco): Teamwork for environmental protection

Traversing Paranaque and Pasay, cities that host the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, is the storied Paranaque River.  Considered a major channel, it is one of the 17 principal river systems that drain into Manila Bay. During continuous rain or heavy…

Austin bares $1-M US emergency aid to typhoon-hit PHL

By Claire Morales True MANILA – The United States (US) has pledged US$1 million in humanitarian funding to the Philippines after a series of typhoons battered parts the country. US Defense Secretary Lloyd James Austin III announced the aid during a…

NaFFAA-Greater Los Angeles launches donation drive for ‘Kristine’ victims in Bicol

LOS ANGELES – The National Federation of Filipino American Associations Greater Los Angeles(NaFFAA-GLAR) in collaboration with its media partners — have launched the “Tabang Bicol” (Let’s HelpBicol) donation drive as part of the NaFFAA National’s “Tulong Sulong” program — to…

‘Pepito’ destroys 408 schools, 244 classrooms in Bicol, death toll soars

LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) 5 (Bicol) has reported that 408 schools were damaged and 244 classrooms were completely destroyed by Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi), which struck the region on Nov. 16.  Mayflor Marie Jumamil, chief…

20 Manila Bay reclamation projects remain suspended: Sen. Villar

PASAY CITY — Twenty (20) reclamation projects in Manila Bay remained suspended, including those with environmental compliance certificates (ECCs), Sen. Cynthia Villar disclosed. “The latest update from the scientist conducting the studies that targets for completion will end at fiscal year…

Million Trees Foundation honored with Bantayog ng Lawa Award

QUEZON CITY — The Million Trees Foundation, Inc.  (MTFI) was recognized with the Bantayog ng Lawa award during the 55th anniversary of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) recently in ceremonies held in Quezon City. Bantayog ng Lawa awards were…

QC, foundation eye more trees, wider green and open spaces

QUEZON CITY – Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte met with the Million Trees (MT) Foundation Inc., headed by their Chairman Emeritus BGen. Reynaldo Velasco (Ret). The foundation discussed with Belmonte plans to further strengthen their relationship and collaboration with the…

The Outsider: MWSS, MTFI recognize partners, stakeholders

It was a fitting event to cap the celebration of Philippine Environment Month as the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. and Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS) honored partners and stakeholders during the second Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC) Recognition and Pledging…

MWSS, Million Trees Foundation get pledges to plant 2.7-M trees in watersheds in  2025

QUEZON CITY – The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) received pledges from its 31 partners to plant more than 2.7 million trees nationwide, especially in the critical watersheds, in 2025 to ensure the…