The rejection of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) last 9 January 2012 of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) application filed by Sagittarius Mines, Inc (SMI) for the US$5.9 billion Tampakan Copper-Gold Project in southern Mindanao presents a good opportunity to ask questions and challenge Philippine society on the role of mining and in handling a situation like Tampakan.

From 23 to 27 January 2012, the world sets its eyes on the seas and coasts. Two international conferences in Manila led by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) will review how well governments translated into action a global plan to protect the seas and coasts from land pollution and degradation, and how to do better in the future.