DENR disowns La Mesa (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=38352)

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-10-2006/denr.jpg
BY MARK ROBLAS, The Manila Times Researcher and JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA, The Manila Times Reporter

La Mesa Dam, the source of Metro Manila’s water supply, is not a protected area, as far as the Department of Environment and National Resources is concerned.

This disclosure came amid controversy over the proposal to build houses for more than 1,400 rank-and-file employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System within the La Mesa Watershed.

Tess Blaspike, chief of the DENR’s Resource Assessment Division, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, said La Mesa does not fall under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) of the department. Therefore, she added, the DENR has no mandate over it.

It is obvious, even to Blaspike, that La Mesa is a watershed, having a vast and thick forest cover. That is why, she said, she is at a loss why it has not been officially classified and declared as such.

"Under NIPAS provisions, the entire area should have been proclaimed a reservation long ago," she said.

Alice Castillo, chief of the DENR’s Watershed Division, Forest Management Bureau, said the MWSS holds a title over the watershed. The title, granted by the Spanish Royal Crown, makes the whole area alienable and disposable.

Like everybody else, Castillo said, DENR officials worry about MWSS plans to build houses in the 58-hectare portion of the watershed for its rank-and-file employees. However, she said, the department is powerless to stop it.

It now turns out that there is an existing housing project occupied by top MWSS executives within the La Mesa Watershed, and it poses a greater risk of contamination to the water reservoir.

MWSS officials’ enclave

According to Sinag ng Bayan Foundation, a member of the Save La Mesa Dam Coalition, MWSS Administrator Orlando Hondrade owns one of the 54 houses in the three-hectare executive housing site, aside from a Commission on Audit auditor and a lawyer at the Office of the Government Corporate Council.

The MWSS proposal has come under attack by the coalition because of the distinct possibility of contamination.

However, Mar Canonigo of Sinag ng Bayan pointed out the proposed housing site is more than a kilometer from the reservoir. On the other hand, the executive housing site is less than a kilometer away, and it lies above the lake.

Canonigo said the executive housing is a practically an enclave for the powerful, guarded by Marines.

"If the coalition is really serious about protecting the only source of water for Metro Manila, then it should remove all residential structures within the watershed, including the executive houses, as well as prevent the building of new ones," Canonigo said.

Negative effects

The coalition, led by ABS-CBN Foundation, cites a study of the UP National Hydraulic Research Center, which says the rank-and-file employee housing would have negative effects on the water source for Metro Manila’s 12 million residents.

DENR disowns La Mesa (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=38352)

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-10-2006/denr.jpg
BY MARK ROBLAS, The Manila Times Researcher and JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA, The Manila Times Reporter

La Mesa Dam, the source of Metro Manila’s water supply, is not a protected area, as far as the Department of Environment and National Resources is concerned.

This disclosure came amid controversy over the proposal to build houses for more than 1,400 rank-and-file employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System within the La Mesa Watershed.

Tess Blaspike, chief of the DENR’s Resource Assessment Division, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, said La Mesa does not fall under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) of the department. Therefore, she added, the DENR has no mandate over it.

It is obvious, even to Blaspike, that La Mesa is a watershed, having a vast and thick forest cover. That is why, she said, she is at a loss why it has not been officially classified and declared as such.

"Under NIPAS provisions, the entire area should have been proclaimed a reservation long ago," she said.

Alice Castillo, chief of the DENR’s Watershed Division, Forest Management Bureau, said the MWSS holds a title over the watershed. The title, granted by the Spanish Royal Crown, makes the whole area alienable and disposable.

Like everybody else, Castillo said, DENR officials worry about MWSS plans to build houses in the 58-hectare portion of the watershed for its rank-and-file employees. However, she said, the department is powerless to stop it.

It now turns out that there is an existing housing project occupied by top MWSS executives within the La Mesa Watershed, and it poses a greater risk of contamination to the water reservoir.

MWSS officials’ enclave

According to Sinag ng Bayan Foundation, a member of the Save La Mesa Dam Coalition, MWSS Administrator Orlando Hondrade owns one of the 54 houses in the three-hectare executive housing site, aside from a Commission on Audit auditor and a lawyer at the Office of the Government Corporate Council.

The MWSS proposal has come under attack by the coalition because of the distinct possibility of contamination.

However, Mar Canonigo of Sinag ng Bayan pointed out the proposed housing site is more than a kilometer from the reservoir. On the other hand, the executive housing site is less than a kilometer away, and it lies above the lake.

Canonigo said the executive housing is a practically an enclave for the powerful, guarded by Marines.

"If the coalition is really serious about protecting the only source of water for Metro Manila, then it should remove all residential structures within the watershed, including the executive houses, as well as prevent the building of new ones," Canonigo said.

Negative effects

The coalition, led by ABS-CBN Foundation, cites a study of the UP National Hydraulic Research Center, which says the rank-and-file employee housing would have negative effects on the water source for Metro Manila’s 12 million residents.

DENR disowns La Mesa (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=38352)

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-10-2006/denr.jpg
BY MARK ROBLAS, The Manila Times Researcher and JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA, The Manila Times Reporter

La Mesa Dam, the source of Metro Manila’s water supply, is not a protected area, as far as the Department of Environment and National Resources is concerned.

This disclosure came amid controversy over the proposal to build houses for more than 1,400 rank-and-file employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System within the La Mesa Watershed.

Tess Blaspike, chief of the DENR’s Resource Assessment Division, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, said La Mesa does not fall under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) of the department. Therefore, she added, the DENR has no mandate over it.

It is obvious, even to Blaspike, that La Mesa is a watershed, having a vast and thick forest cover. That is why, she said, she is at a loss why it has not been officially classified and declared as such.

"Under NIPAS provisions, the entire area should have been proclaimed a reservation long ago," she said.

Alice Castillo, chief of the DENR’s Watershed Division, Forest Management Bureau, said the MWSS holds a title over the watershed. The title, granted by the Spanish Royal Crown, makes the whole area alienable and disposable.

Like everybody else, Castillo said, DENR officials worry about MWSS plans to build houses in the 58-hectare portion of the watershed for its rank-and-file employees. However, she said, the department is powerless to stop it.

It now turns out that there is an existing housing project occupied by top MWSS executives within the La Mesa Watershed, and it poses a greater risk of contamination to the water reservoir.

MWSS officials’ enclave

According to Sinag ng Bayan Foundation, a member of the Save La Mesa Dam Coalition, MWSS Administrator Orlando Hondrade owns one of the 54 houses in the three-hectare executive housing site, aside from a Commission on Audit auditor and a lawyer at the Office of the Government Corporate Council.

The MWSS proposal has come under attack by the coalition because of the distinct possibility of contamination.

However, Mar Canonigo of Sinag ng Bayan pointed out the proposed housing site is more than a kilometer from the reservoir. On the other hand, the executive housing site is less than a kilometer away, and it lies above the lake.

Canonigo said the executive housing is a practically an enclave for the powerful, guarded by Marines.

"If the coalition is really serious about protecting the only source of water for Metro Manila, then it should remove all residential structures within the watershed, including the executive houses, as well as prevent the building of new ones," Canonigo said.

Negative effects

The coalition, led by ABS-CBN Foundation, cites a study of the UP National Hydraulic Research Center, which says the rank-and-file employee housing would have negative effects on the water source for Metro Manila’s 12 million residents.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-11-2006/lamesa.jpg

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter

The Senate will summon Orlando Hondrade, administrator of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, to appear in a joint committee hearing Tuesday and shed light on the controversy surrounding the housing project for the MWSS’s executives in the La Mesa Watershed.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and the oversight committee, would like to verify reports that executives of the MWSS and officials from government offices own residential property within the watershed.

The Manila Times, in its Thursday edition, identified Hondrade as owning one of the 54 houses in the three-hectare MWSS executive village. The others whose names are not immediately known include an auditor working for the Commission on Audit and a lawyer attached to the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

Cayetano said the MWSS officials had earlier opposed housing for their rank-and-file employees in the watershed. They should now explain why they themselves had built houses for themselves at a site less than a kilometer from the water reservoir, she said.

"We should look into the existing and proposed housing projects and their negative effects, if any, on the fragile environment, whether they benefit the top officials or ordinary workers," she said.

Cayetano and Rep. Nereus Acosta, who heads the House oversight committee, will jointly conduct the investigation. A separate Senate resolution, which Cayetano earlier introduced, seeks to examine the condition of the country’s lakes and watersheds.

Potential threats from two housing projects

"The La Mesa Watershed poses potential threats not just from one but two housing projects," Cayetano said. "The committee will try to determine if there is a basis for the concerns of environmentalists that human waste coming from the housing sites could contaminate water in the reservoir and endanger the health of Metro Manila’s 12 million residents."

Others summoned to the hearing are officers and members of the Save the La Mesa Coalition, who voiced out concerns over the proposed housing project, and experts from the National Hydraulic Research Center of the University of the Philippines’ College of Engineering in Diliman. The center had warned of possible contamination of the reservoir.

Summons will also be sent to the MWSS employees who have been awarded lots in the proposed housing project and to their legal consultant, Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay.

La Mesa covers an area of 2,700 hectares, of which 2,000 are classified as forestland. A man-made lake occupies 700 hectares.

Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal last week filed a bill seeking an investigation into the privatization of the portions of the watershed.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=38499

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-11-2006/lamesa.jpg

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter

The Senate will summon Orlando Hondrade, administrator of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, to appear in a joint committee hearing Tuesday and shed light on the controversy surrounding the housing project for the MWSS’s executives in the La Mesa Watershed.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and the oversight committee, would like to verify reports that executives of the MWSS and officials from government offices own residential property within the watershed.

The Manila Times, in its Thursday edition, identified Hondrade as owning one of the 54 houses in the three-hectare MWSS executive village. The others whose names are not immediately known include an auditor working for the Commission on Audit and a lawyer attached to the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

Cayetano said the MWSS officials had earlier opposed housing for their rank-and-file employees in the watershed. They should now explain why they themselves had built houses for themselves at a site less than a kilometer from the water reservoir, she said.

"We should look into the existing and proposed housing projects and their negative effects, if any, on the fragile environment, whether they benefit the top officials or ordinary workers," she said.

Cayetano and Rep. Nereus Acosta, who heads the House oversight committee, will jointly conduct the investigation. A separate Senate resolution, which Cayetano earlier introduced, seeks to examine the condition of the country’s lakes and watersheds.

Potential threats from two housing projects

"The La Mesa Watershed poses potential threats not just from one but two housing projects," Cayetano said. "The committee will try to determine if there is a basis for the concerns of environmentalists that human waste coming from the housing sites could contaminate water in the reservoir and endanger the health of Metro Manila’s 12 million residents."

Others summoned to the hearing are officers and members of the Save the La Mesa Coalition, who voiced out concerns over the proposed housing project, and experts from the National Hydraulic Research Center of the University of the Philippines’ College of Engineering in Diliman. The center had warned of possible contamination of the reservoir.

Summons will also be sent to the MWSS employees who have been awarded lots in the proposed housing project and to their legal consultant, Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay.

La Mesa covers an area of 2,700 hectares, of which 2,000 are classified as forestland. A man-made lake occupies 700 hectares.

Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal last week filed a bill seeking an investigation into the privatization of the portions of the watershed.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=38499

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-11-2006/lamesa.jpg

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter

The Senate will summon Orlando Hondrade, administrator of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, to appear in a joint committee hearing Tuesday and shed light on the controversy surrounding the housing project for the MWSS’s executives in the La Mesa Watershed.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and the oversight committee, would like to verify reports that executives of the MWSS and officials from government offices own residential property within the watershed.

The Manila Times, in its Thursday edition, identified Hondrade as owning one of the 54 houses in the three-hectare MWSS executive village. The others whose names are not immediately known include an auditor working for the Commission on Audit and a lawyer attached to the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

Cayetano said the MWSS officials had earlier opposed housing for their rank-and-file employees in the watershed. They should now explain why they themselves had built houses for themselves at a site less than a kilometer from the water reservoir, she said.

"We should look into the existing and proposed housing projects and their negative effects, if any, on the fragile environment, whether they benefit the top officials or ordinary workers," she said.

Cayetano and Rep. Nereus Acosta, who heads the House oversight committee, will jointly conduct the investigation. A separate Senate resolution, which Cayetano earlier introduced, seeks to examine the condition of the country’s lakes and watersheds.

Potential threats from two housing projects

"The La Mesa Watershed poses potential threats not just from one but two housing projects," Cayetano said. "The committee will try to determine if there is a basis for the concerns of environmentalists that human waste coming from the housing sites could contaminate water in the reservoir and endanger the health of Metro Manila’s 12 million residents."

Others summoned to the hearing are officers and members of the Save the La Mesa Coalition, who voiced out concerns over the proposed housing project, and experts from the National Hydraulic Research Center of the University of the Philippines’ College of Engineering in Diliman. The center had warned of possible contamination of the reservoir.

Summons will also be sent to the MWSS employees who have been awarded lots in the proposed housing project and to their legal consultant, Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay.

La Mesa covers an area of 2,700 hectares, of which 2,000 are classified as forestland. A man-made lake occupies 700 hectares.

Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal last week filed a bill seeking an investigation into the privatization of the portions of the watershed.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=38499

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-16-2006/lamesa.jpg

By RONNIE CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter

Administrator Orlando Hondrade of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) admitted on Tuesday the existence of a housing complex for the water agency’s top executives within the La Mesa watershed at a Senate committee hearing.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, had called an investigation to determine the veracity of reports that MWSS executives had built their own houses in the watershed, which environmentalists fear could contaminate the 700-hectare reservoir, the source of potable water for the 12 million Metro Manila residents.

To a question posed by the senator, Hondrade replied most MWSS top executives and their families had already moved to the houses in the three-hectare executive village. He also said he owned one of the 54 houses but hastened to add that it had a floor area of only 60 square meters.

"It was originally a 30-square-meter house, but I extended it to have a receiving room, just one room," he said.

The existence of the MWSS executive village came to light when Marianito Canonigo of Sinag, a nongovernment organization, one of the founding members of Save La Mesa Dam coalition, broke the news.

The Save La Mesa Dam Coalition had opposed the proposed 58-hectare housing project for the 1,411 MWSS rank-and-file employees.

In the Senate hearing Hondrade owned up to the possibility of human waste leaching into the reservoir from the houses if their construction is allowed to proceed. He assured the committee, however, that measures are in place to ensure that household waste, including sewage, does not drain untreated into the reservoir.

The measures, according to Honrade, include the construction of the P46 million waste-treatment plant, where household water is treated before it is allowed to empty into the reservoir.

Asked by Cayetano if the MWSS employees and retirees have that kind of money, Honrade replied that the water agency has stipulated the inclusion of the treatment plant in the contract awarded to the company that would build the houses.

Contamination a distinct possibility

He was forced to acknowledge the danger after Virgilio Basa, an expert from the National Mapping and Resources Authority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, informed the committee that contamination was a distinct possibility. Both the proposed and existing housing projects, he noted, are located above the man-made lake.

Jaime Jose Fernandez, project director of Bantay Kalikasan, questioned the effectiveness of a waste-treatment plant. No conceivable measure, he said, can be adopted to prevent contamination. In support of this view, he cited the study made by the National Hydraulic Research Center of the University of the Philippines’ College of Engineering.

"It (La Mesa Dam watershed) is the only remaining forest of its size in Metro Manila," Fernandez said. "We hope the government would declare it a protected area."

A tract of land or body of water classified as protected is off limits to man-made structures, including residential houses.

The 700-hectare lake, replenished all year round from Angat Dam in Bulacan, is the source of potable water for the 13 million residents of Metro Manila and 8 million inhabitants of Cavite and parts of Rizal province.

Relocation the best solution

To a suggestion from Cayetano, Genaro Bautista, president of the Kaisahan at Kapatiran ng mga Manggagawa at Kawani ng Nawasa, said he would ask the MWSS employees and retirees if they would consent to relocate their housing site outside the watershed.

Cayetano said relocation seemed to be the best solution to the problem. She noted there have been assurances that contamination could be prevented, but there is no point risking it.

For his part, Canonigo said the government should remove the houses in the MWSS executive village. He said the site is within a one-kilometer radius from the reservoir. The proposed housing for ordinary employees is three kilometers away.

"Fairness requires the removal of the houses if we don’t allow the development of a housing project for ordinary employees in the same watershed," Canonigo said.

La Mesa covers 2,700 hectares, of which 2,000 are classified as forestland.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=38958

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-16-2006/lamesa.jpg

By RONNIE CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter

Administrator Orlando Hondrade of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) admitted on Tuesday the existence of a housing complex for the water agency’s top executives within the La Mesa watershed at a Senate committee hearing.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, had called an investigation to determine the veracity of reports that MWSS executives had built their own houses in the watershed, which environmentalists fear could contaminate the 700-hectare reservoir, the source of potable water for the 12 million Metro Manila residents.

To a question posed by the senator, Hondrade replied most MWSS top executives and their families had already moved to the houses in the three-hectare executive village. He also said he owned one of the 54 houses but hastened to add that it had a floor area of only 60 square meters.

"It was originally a 30-square-meter house, but I extended it to have a receiving room, just one room," he said.

The existence of the MWSS executive village came to light when Marianito Canonigo of Sinag, a nongovernment organization, one of the founding members of Save La Mesa Dam coalition, broke the news.

The Save La Mesa Dam Coalition had opposed the proposed 58-hectare housing project for the 1,411 MWSS rank-and-file employees.

In the Senate hearing Hondrade owned up to the possibility of human waste leaching into the reservoir from the houses if their construction is allowed to proceed. He assured the committee, however, that measures are in place to ensure that household waste, including sewage, does not drain untreated into the reservoir.

The measures, according to Honrade, include the construction of the P46 million waste-treatment plant, where household water is treated before it is allowed to empty into the reservoir.

Asked by Cayetano if the MWSS employees and retirees have that kind of money, Honrade replied that the water agency has stipulated the inclusion of the treatment plant in the contract awarded to the company that would build the houses.

Contamination a distinct possibility

He was forced to acknowledge the danger after Virgilio Basa, an expert from the National Mapping and Resources Authority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, informed the committee that contamination was a distinct possibility. Both the proposed and existing housing projects, he noted, are located above the man-made lake.

Jaime Jose Fernandez, project director of Bantay Kalikasan, questioned the effectiveness of a waste-treatment plant. No conceivable measure, he said, can be adopted to prevent contamination. In support of this view, he cited the study made by the National Hydraulic Research Center of the University of the Philippines’ College of Engineering.

"It (La Mesa Dam watershed) is the only remaining forest of its size in Metro Manila," Fernandez said. "We hope the government would declare it a protected area."

A tract of land or body of water classified as protected is off limits to man-made structures, including residential houses.

The 700-hectare lake, replenished all year round from Angat Dam in Bulacan, is the source of potable water for the 13 million residents of Metro Manila and 8 million inhabitants of Cavite and parts of Rizal province.

Relocation the best solution

To a suggestion from Cayetano, Genaro Bautista, president of the Kaisahan at Kapatiran ng mga Manggagawa at Kawani ng Nawasa, said he would ask the MWSS employees and retirees if they would consent to relocate their housing site outside the watershed.

Cayetano said relocation seemed to be the best solution to the problem. She noted there have been assurances that contamination could be prevented, but there is no point risking it.

For his part, Canonigo said the government should remove the houses in the MWSS executive village. He said the site is within a one-kilometer radius from the reservoir. The proposed housing for ordinary employees is three kilometers away.

"Fairness requires the removal of the houses if we don’t allow the development of a housing project for ordinary employees in the same watershed," Canonigo said.

La Mesa covers 2,700 hectares, of which 2,000 are classified as forestland.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=38958

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-16-2006/lamesa.jpg

By RONNIE CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter

Administrator Orlando Hondrade of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) admitted on Tuesday the existence of a housing complex for the water agency’s top executives within the La Mesa watershed at a Senate committee hearing.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, had called an investigation to determine the veracity of reports that MWSS executives had built their own houses in the watershed, which environmentalists fear could contaminate the 700-hectare reservoir, the source of potable water for the 12 million Metro Manila residents.

To a question posed by the senator, Hondrade replied most MWSS top executives and their families had already moved to the houses in the three-hectare executive village. He also said he owned one of the 54 houses but hastened to add that it had a floor area of only 60 square meters.

"It was originally a 30-square-meter house, but I extended it to have a receiving room, just one room," he said.

The existence of the MWSS executive village came to light when Marianito Canonigo of Sinag, a nongovernment organization, one of the founding members of Save La Mesa Dam coalition, broke the news.

The Save La Mesa Dam Coalition had opposed the proposed 58-hectare housing project for the 1,411 MWSS rank-and-file employees.

In the Senate hearing Hondrade owned up to the possibility of human waste leaching into the reservoir from the houses if their construction is allowed to proceed. He assured the committee, however, that measures are in place to ensure that household waste, including sewage, does not drain untreated into the reservoir.

The measures, according to Honrade, include the construction of the P46 million waste-treatment plant, where household water is treated before it is allowed to empty into the reservoir.

Asked by Cayetano if the MWSS employees and retirees have that kind of money, Honrade replied that the water agency has stipulated the inclusion of the treatment plant in the contract awarded to the company that would build the houses.

Contamination a distinct possibility

He was forced to acknowledge the danger after Virgilio Basa, an expert from the National Mapping and Resources Authority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, informed the committee that contamination was a distinct possibility. Both the proposed and existing housing projects, he noted, are located above the man-made lake.

Jaime Jose Fernandez, project director of Bantay Kalikasan, questioned the effectiveness of a waste-treatment plant. No conceivable measure, he said, can be adopted to prevent contamination. In support of this view, he cited the study made by the National Hydraulic Research Center of the University of the Philippines’ College of Engineering.

"It (La Mesa Dam watershed) is the only remaining forest of its size in Metro Manila," Fernandez said. "We hope the government would declare it a protected area."

A tract of land or body of water classified as protected is off limits to man-made structures, including residential houses.

The 700-hectare lake, replenished all year round from Angat Dam in Bulacan, is the source of potable water for the 13 million residents of Metro Manila and 8 million inhabitants of Cavite and parts of Rizal province.

Relocation the best solution

To a suggestion from Cayetano, Genaro Bautista, president of the Kaisahan at Kapatiran ng mga Manggagawa at Kawani ng Nawasa, said he would ask the MWSS employees and retirees if they would consent to relocate their housing site outside the watershed.

Cayetano said relocation seemed to be the best solution to the problem. She noted there have been assurances that contamination could be prevented, but there is no point risking it.

For his part, Canonigo said the government should remove the houses in the MWSS executive village. He said the site is within a one-kilometer radius from the reservoir. The proposed housing for ordinary employees is three kilometers away.

"Fairness requires the removal of the houses if we don’t allow the development of a housing project for ordinary employees in the same watershed," Canonigo said.

La Mesa covers 2,700 hectares, of which 2,000 are classified as forestland.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=38958

By MARK IVAN ROBLES, The Manila Times Researcher

Dumping wastewater into the La Mesa reservoir even after treatment is totally unacceptable, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources official said Wednesday.

At Tuesday’s Senate hearing, Administrator Orlando Honrade of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System disclosed a plan to pipe the wastewater of close to 1,500 families, including that from their sewer deposit, into the source of drinking water for 12 million Metro Manila residents. He assured the committee conducting the hearing, however, that a P46-million waste-treatment plant would be set up to purify the water before releasing it into the reservoir.

But Alice Castillo, chief of the watershed division of DENR’s Forest Management Bureau, said the most modern plant cannot guarantee the purity of the water that goes through it. And increasing the amount of chlorine, as MWSS proposes to do, will not decrease chances of contamination.

"Would the wastewater [even with a massive dosage of chlorine] be safe for drinking?" Castillo asked.

She suggested that the MWSS build houses for its employees elsewhere to eliminate the danger altogether. As for the 2,700-hectare watershed, she said the government should declare it a forestland and a protected area, a technical classification that renders it off limits to all kinds of development.

MWSS has set aside a 58-hectare land within the La Mesa watershed for the construction of houses for its 1,411 rank-and-file employees. The proposal, however, set off a storm of protest from environmentalists.

"The welfare of millions should prevail over the interest of the few," Castillo said.

In the Senate hearing Honrade acknowledged the existence of MWSS housing for top officers in a three-hectare portion of the watershed. He also admitted owning one of the 54 houses there.

Contacted for comment, Mayor Feliciano Belmonte of Quezon City said he assumed a building permit had been issued for the construction of the existing houses. He said, however, that he has yet to receive any application for the proposed housing project.

On the other hand, Katarungan at Kalikasan sa Magandang Kinabukasan (KKK), an environmental group, on Wednesday asked the DENR to stop the La Mesa Ecopark operation, an undertaking managed by the Bantay Kalikasan, a founding NGO member of the Save La Mesa Dam.

Francisco Catibayan, convener of the KKK, said the project has no environmental compliance certificate despite its proximity to the reservoir.

DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes said Friday that he has ordered a Protected Area Suitability Assessment for the 2,700-hectare watershed to determine which parts should be declared protected.

The Manila Times had quoted Tess Blaspike, chief of the Resource Assessment Division, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, as saying that La Mesa is not classified under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Under NIPAS rules, the whole watershed should have been declared a protected reservation long ago.

Reyes said that as DENR secretary, he was asked to give recommendations on the impact of the housing project on the watershed.

"If it’s a protected area, then we are effectively declaring that it’s in the public interest that you don’t have establishments and structures there," Reyes said.

The study will be conducted by a team of environment experts, and Reyes will submit its recommendations to President Arroyo for action.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39048

By MARK IVAN ROBLES, The Manila Times Researcher

Dumping wastewater into the La Mesa reservoir even after treatment is totally unacceptable, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources official said Wednesday.

At Tuesday’s Senate hearing, Administrator Orlando Honrade of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System disclosed a plan to pipe the wastewater of close to 1,500 families, including that from their sewer deposit, into the source of drinking water for 12 million Metro Manila residents. He assured the committee conducting the hearing, however, that a P46-million waste-treatment plant would be set up to purify the water before releasing it into the reservoir.

But Alice Castillo, chief of the watershed division of DENR’s Forest Management Bureau, said the most modern plant cannot guarantee the purity of the water that goes through it. And increasing the amount of chlorine, as MWSS proposes to do, will not decrease chances of contamination.

"Would the wastewater [even with a massive dosage of chlorine] be safe for drinking?" Castillo asked.

She suggested that the MWSS build houses for its employees elsewhere to eliminate the danger altogether. As for the 2,700-hectare watershed, she said the government should declare it a forestland and a protected area, a technical classification that renders it off limits to all kinds of development.

MWSS has set aside a 58-hectare land within the La Mesa watershed for the construction of houses for its 1,411 rank-and-file employees. The proposal, however, set off a storm of protest from environmentalists.

"The welfare of millions should prevail over the interest of the few," Castillo said.

In the Senate hearing Honrade acknowledged the existence of MWSS housing for top officers in a three-hectare portion of the watershed. He also admitted owning one of the 54 houses there.

Contacted for comment, Mayor Feliciano Belmonte of Quezon City said he assumed a building permit had been issued for the construction of the existing houses. He said, however, that he has yet to receive any application for the proposed housing project.

On the other hand, Katarungan at Kalikasan sa Magandang Kinabukasan (KKK), an environmental group, on Wednesday asked the DENR to stop the La Mesa Ecopark operation, an undertaking managed by the Bantay Kalikasan, a founding NGO member of the Save La Mesa Dam.

Francisco Catibayan, convener of the KKK, said the project has no environmental compliance certificate despite its proximity to the reservoir.

DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes said Friday that he has ordered a Protected Area Suitability Assessment for the 2,700-hectare watershed to determine which parts should be declared protected.

The Manila Times had quoted Tess Blaspike, chief of the Resource Assessment Division, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, as saying that La Mesa is not classified under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Under NIPAS rules, the whole watershed should have been declared a protected reservation long ago.

Reyes said that as DENR secretary, he was asked to give recommendations on the impact of the housing project on the watershed.

"If it’s a protected area, then we are effectively declaring that it’s in the public interest that you don’t have establishments and structures there," Reyes said.

The study will be conducted by a team of environment experts, and Reyes will submit its recommendations to President Arroyo for action.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39048

By MARK IVAN ROBLES, The Manila Times Researcher

Dumping wastewater into the La Mesa reservoir even after treatment is totally unacceptable, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources official said Wednesday.

At Tuesday’s Senate hearing, Administrator Orlando Honrade of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System disclosed a plan to pipe the wastewater of close to 1,500 families, including that from their sewer deposit, into the source of drinking water for 12 million Metro Manila residents. He assured the committee conducting the hearing, however, that a P46-million waste-treatment plant would be set up to purify the water before releasing it into the reservoir.

But Alice Castillo, chief of the watershed division of DENR’s Forest Management Bureau, said the most modern plant cannot guarantee the purity of the water that goes through it. And increasing the amount of chlorine, as MWSS proposes to do, will not decrease chances of contamination.

"Would the wastewater [even with a massive dosage of chlorine] be safe for drinking?" Castillo asked.

She suggested that the MWSS build houses for its employees elsewhere to eliminate the danger altogether. As for the 2,700-hectare watershed, she said the government should declare it a forestland and a protected area, a technical classification that renders it off limits to all kinds of development.

MWSS has set aside a 58-hectare land within the La Mesa watershed for the construction of houses for its 1,411 rank-and-file employees. The proposal, however, set off a storm of protest from environmentalists.

"The welfare of millions should prevail over the interest of the few," Castillo said.

In the Senate hearing Honrade acknowledged the existence of MWSS housing for top officers in a three-hectare portion of the watershed. He also admitted owning one of the 54 houses there.

Contacted for comment, Mayor Feliciano Belmonte of Quezon City said he assumed a building permit had been issued for the construction of the existing houses. He said, however, that he has yet to receive any application for the proposed housing project.

On the other hand, Katarungan at Kalikasan sa Magandang Kinabukasan (KKK), an environmental group, on Wednesday asked the DENR to stop the La Mesa Ecopark operation, an undertaking managed by the Bantay Kalikasan, a founding NGO member of the Save La Mesa Dam.

Francisco Catibayan, convener of the KKK, said the project has no environmental compliance certificate despite its proximity to the reservoir.

DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes said Friday that he has ordered a Protected Area Suitability Assessment for the 2,700-hectare watershed to determine which parts should be declared protected.

The Manila Times had quoted Tess Blaspike, chief of the Resource Assessment Division, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, as saying that La Mesa is not classified under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Under NIPAS rules, the whole watershed should have been declared a protected reservation long ago.

Reyes said that as DENR secretary, he was asked to give recommendations on the impact of the housing project on the watershed.

"If it’s a protected area, then we are effectively declaring that it’s in the public interest that you don’t have establishments and structures there," Reyes said.

The study will be conducted by a team of environment experts, and Reyes will submit its recommendations to President Arroyo for action.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39048

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter and MARK IVAN ROBLAS, The Manila Times Researcher

Not 54 but 120 houses are being built for executives of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System on a 3.3-hectare site in the La Mesa Watershed.

Dexter Santillan, MWSS deputy administrator for administration and support services, said Thursday there are more houses in the executive village than what top officials of the water agency have led the public to believe. He denied, however, that the housing project is exclusive to the water agency’s top officials.

"It is not only for top executives," he explained. "Other employees, including the rank and file, if they have the right amount of money can build their houses here," he told reporters during the inspection of the site.

Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal, a member of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee and Oversight Committee on Clean Water, led the inspection party. The two committees are conducting an investigation to determine the legality of the executive housing and 58-hectare housing for rank-and-file employees in the watershed.

Madrigal believes influential persons other than the MWSS executives and employees own houses in the executive housing project. She asked MWSS Administrator Orlando Honrade, who gave the party a drive-through tour of the site, to provide her with a complete list of people who own the houses.

Madrigal told reporters she will invite Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay to appear in the Senate hearing.

Lagman’s role in the controversy

"I think Representative Lagman should explain his role in the controversy over the proposed 58-hectare housing site," she said. "Are the employees the real beneficiaries? In what capacity did Lagman receive these titles? How come the price paid is only P5.50 per square meter, the value in 1968, when the deed of sale was executed in 2006?"

Madrigal showed a copy of a letter from Lagman informing Honrade of a remittance of P3.0914 million as payment for the land. The letter, dated March 8, 2006, bears the letterhead of the House of Representatives.

As regards the executive housing, Madrigal said she wants to know the names of the MWSS executives and employees and all other persons who own the houses and their financial capabilities. She also asked Honrade for a list of employees and retirees who have acquired lots in the 58-hectare housing project.

The existing executive housing and the proposed housing are located above the 700-hectare reservoir, with the former less than a kilometer away.

"I want to know if the original beneficiaries still own the lots, considering that the Supreme Court decision confirming their ownership was issued in 1975," Madrigal said. "And why should a contractor named Ramon Alberto Nollido pay the MWSS and why should he course the payment through Lagman?"

She maintained that the 1999 Environment Compliance Certificate was issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources without public consultation.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39185

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter and MARK IVAN ROBLAS, The Manila Times Researcher

Not 54 but 120 houses are being built for executives of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System on a 3.3-hectare site in the La Mesa Watershed.

Dexter Santillan, MWSS deputy administrator for administration and support services, said Thursday there are more houses in the executive village than what top officials of the water agency have led the public to believe. He denied, however, that the housing project is exclusive to the water agency’s top officials.

"It is not only for top executives," he explained. "Other employees, including the rank and file, if they have the right amount of money can build their houses here," he told reporters during the inspection of the site.

Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal, a member of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee and Oversight Committee on Clean Water, led the inspection party. The two committees are conducting an investigation to determine the legality of the executive housing and 58-hectare housing for rank-and-file employees in the watershed.

Madrigal believes influential persons other than the MWSS executives and employees own houses in the executive housing project. She asked MWSS Administrator Orlando Honrade, who gave the party a drive-through tour of the site, to provide her with a complete list of people who own the houses.

Madrigal told reporters she will invite Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay to appear in the Senate hearing.

Lagman’s role in the controversy

"I think Representative Lagman should explain his role in the controversy over the proposed 58-hectare housing site," she said. "Are the employees the real beneficiaries? In what capacity did Lagman receive these titles? How come the price paid is only P5.50 per square meter, the value in 1968, when the deed of sale was executed in 2006?"

Madrigal showed a copy of a letter from Lagman informing Honrade of a remittance of P3.0914 million as payment for the land. The letter, dated March 8, 2006, bears the letterhead of the House of Representatives.

As regards the executive housing, Madrigal said she wants to know the names of the MWSS executives and employees and all other persons who own the houses and their financial capabilities. She also asked Honrade for a list of employees and retirees who have acquired lots in the 58-hectare housing project.

The existing executive housing and the proposed housing are located above the 700-hectare reservoir, with the former less than a kilometer away.

"I want to know if the original beneficiaries still own the lots, considering that the Supreme Court decision confirming their ownership was issued in 1975," Madrigal said. "And why should a contractor named Ramon Alberto Nollido pay the MWSS and why should he course the payment through Lagman?"

She maintained that the 1999 Environment Compliance Certificate was issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources without public consultation.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39185

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter and MARK IVAN ROBLAS, The Manila Times Researcher

Not 54 but 120 houses are being built for executives of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System on a 3.3-hectare site in the La Mesa Watershed.

Dexter Santillan, MWSS deputy administrator for administration and support services, said Thursday there are more houses in the executive village than what top officials of the water agency have led the public to believe. He denied, however, that the housing project is exclusive to the water agency’s top officials.

"It is not only for top executives," he explained. "Other employees, including the rank and file, if they have the right amount of money can build their houses here," he told reporters during the inspection of the site.

Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal, a member of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee and Oversight Committee on Clean Water, led the inspection party. The two committees are conducting an investigation to determine the legality of the executive housing and 58-hectare housing for rank-and-file employees in the watershed.

Madrigal believes influential persons other than the MWSS executives and employees own houses in the executive housing project. She asked MWSS Administrator Orlando Honrade, who gave the party a drive-through tour of the site, to provide her with a complete list of people who own the houses.

Madrigal told reporters she will invite Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay to appear in the Senate hearing.

Lagman’s role in the controversy

"I think Representative Lagman should explain his role in the controversy over the proposed 58-hectare housing site," she said. "Are the employees the real beneficiaries? In what capacity did Lagman receive these titles? How come the price paid is only P5.50 per square meter, the value in 1968, when the deed of sale was executed in 2006?"

Madrigal showed a copy of a letter from Lagman informing Honrade of a remittance of P3.0914 million as payment for the land. The letter, dated March 8, 2006, bears the letterhead of the House of Representatives.

As regards the executive housing, Madrigal said she wants to know the names of the MWSS executives and employees and all other persons who own the houses and their financial capabilities. She also asked Honrade for a list of employees and retirees who have acquired lots in the 58-hectare housing project.

The existing executive housing and the proposed housing are located above the 700-hectare reservoir, with the former less than a kilometer away.

"I want to know if the original beneficiaries still own the lots, considering that the Supreme Court decision confirming their ownership was issued in 1975," Madrigal said. "And why should a contractor named Ramon Alberto Nollido pay the MWSS and why should he course the payment through Lagman?"

She maintained that the 1999 Environment Compliance Certificate was issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources without public consultation.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39185

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-19-2006/jamby.jpg

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter

Officials and employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System who own luxurious houses in the executive village in the La Mesa watershed are facing a lifestyle check.

Sen. Jamby Madrigal, a member of the committee looking into the propriety and legality of two housing projects in the watershed, said she would insist that the owners explain how they managed to build the houses she saw at the site.

In any case, she said, no development, including housing, should be introduced anywhere within the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Watershed.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Pia Cayetano, had called for an investigation after the Save La Mesa coalition objected to an MWSS plan to build houses for its 1,411 rank-and-file employees in a 58-hectare site within the watershed.

The probe, cochaired by Rep. Nereus Acorta of Bukidnon, started last Tuesday.

The coalition argued that no houses should be allowed anywhere within the watershed. The existence of the houses, it said, could contaminate the reservoir, the source of drinking water for 12 million Metro Manila residents.

Above the reservoir

In turned out that while the issue was being debated, the MWSS top officials had been building houses for themselves, at a site above the reservoir and within less than a kilometer radius from it.

The housing project proposed for ordinary employees is two kilometers away.

The executive housing, covering 3.3 hectares, has 120 residential units, either completed or nearing completion.

At the committee’s hearing last Tuesday, MWSS Administrator Orlando Honrade revealed a plan to pipe wastewater of the proposed housing project, including water from its sewage deposit, into the reservoir. He assured Cayetano, however, that a P46-million water-treatment plant would be set up to cleanse the water before it is released into the reservoir.

He defended the plan by saying that the housing project is above the reservoir, anyway.

The wastewater from the executive village, which is to be expanded by another 1.4 hectares, will drain into the Tullahan River.

Limited floor area

Available lots in the existing and proposed housing projects are 140, 240 or 300 square meters. Regardless of the size of lot bought, however, ordinary employees can build houses only with a floor area of 36 to 44 square meters.

No limit has been set for executives. Honrade said he himself had expanded the floor area of his house from 30 to 60 square meters. He declined to reveal how he spent for it.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39268

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-19-2006/jamby.jpg

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter

Officials and employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System who own luxurious houses in the executive village in the La Mesa watershed are facing a lifestyle check.

Sen. Jamby Madrigal, a member of the committee looking into the propriety and legality of two housing projects in the watershed, said she would insist that the owners explain how they managed to build the houses she saw at the site.

In any case, she said, no development, including housing, should be introduced anywhere within the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Watershed.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Pia Cayetano, had called for an investigation after the Save La Mesa coalition objected to an MWSS plan to build houses for its 1,411 rank-and-file employees in a 58-hectare site within the watershed.

The probe, cochaired by Rep. Nereus Acorta of Bukidnon, started last Tuesday.

The coalition argued that no houses should be allowed anywhere within the watershed. The existence of the houses, it said, could contaminate the reservoir, the source of drinking water for 12 million Metro Manila residents.

Above the reservoir

In turned out that while the issue was being debated, the MWSS top officials had been building houses for themselves, at a site above the reservoir and within less than a kilometer radius from it.

The housing project proposed for ordinary employees is two kilometers away.

The executive housing, covering 3.3 hectares, has 120 residential units, either completed or nearing completion.

At the committee’s hearing last Tuesday, MWSS Administrator Orlando Honrade revealed a plan to pipe wastewater of the proposed housing project, including water from its sewage deposit, into the reservoir. He assured Cayetano, however, that a P46-million water-treatment plant would be set up to cleanse the water before it is released into the reservoir.

He defended the plan by saying that the housing project is above the reservoir, anyway.

The wastewater from the executive village, which is to be expanded by another 1.4 hectares, will drain into the Tullahan River.

Limited floor area

Available lots in the existing and proposed housing projects are 140, 240 or 300 square meters. Regardless of the size of lot bought, however, ordinary employees can build houses only with a floor area of 36 to 44 square meters.

No limit has been set for executives. Honrade said he himself had expanded the floor area of his house from 30 to 60 square meters. He declined to reveal how he spent for it.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39268

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/05-19-2006/jamby.jpg

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter

Officials and employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System who own luxurious houses in the executive village in the La Mesa watershed are facing a lifestyle check.

Sen. Jamby Madrigal, a member of the committee looking into the propriety and legality of two housing projects in the watershed, said she would insist that the owners explain how they managed to build the houses she saw at the site.

In any case, she said, no development, including housing, should be introduced anywhere within the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Watershed.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Pia Cayetano, had called for an investigation after the Save La Mesa coalition objected to an MWSS plan to build houses for its 1,411 rank-and-file employees in a 58-hectare site within the watershed.

The probe, cochaired by Rep. Nereus Acorta of Bukidnon, started last Tuesday.

The coalition argued that no houses should be allowed anywhere within the watershed. The existence of the houses, it said, could contaminate the reservoir, the source of drinking water for 12 million Metro Manila residents.

Above the reservoir

In turned out that while the issue was being debated, the MWSS top officials had been building houses for themselves, at a site above the reservoir and within less than a kilometer radius from it.

The housing project proposed for ordinary employees is two kilometers away.

The executive housing, covering 3.3 hectares, has 120 residential units, either completed or nearing completion.

At the committee’s hearing last Tuesday, MWSS Administrator Orlando Honrade revealed a plan to pipe wastewater of the proposed housing project, including water from its sewage deposit, into the reservoir. He assured Cayetano, however, that a P46-million water-treatment plant would be set up to cleanse the water before it is released into the reservoir.

He defended the plan by saying that the housing project is above the reservoir, anyway.

The wastewater from the executive village, which is to be expanded by another 1.4 hectares, will drain into the Tullahan River.

Limited floor area

Available lots in the existing and proposed housing projects are 140, 240 or 300 square meters. Regardless of the size of lot bought, however, ordinary employees can build houses only with a floor area of 36 to 44 square meters.

No limit has been set for executives. Honrade said he himself had expanded the floor area of his house from 30 to 60 square meters. He declined to reveal how he spent for it.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39268

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter and MARK IVAN ROBLAS, The Manila Times Researcher

Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal fears wholesale destruction of the La Mesa forest cover if the proposed housing project for MWSS rank-and-file employees is allowed to proceed.

At least 5,000 trees would be cut, Madrigal warned, to accommodate some 1,411 houses of active and retired employees on a 58-hectare site within the watershed. The site, she added, is part of the successful reforestation project that has been going on for the past 15 years.

Madrigal is a member of the joint congressional commission hearing the proposed and existing housing projects. The commission is also investigating the MWSS for selling the 58-hectare portion of the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Dam watershed and reservoir at P3 million, its price 30 years ago.

The senator said the transaction is disadvantageous to the government; that is why she is asking the MWSS to rescind the contract.

Dangerous and destructive

"The housing project will endanger the La Mesa Dam and reservoir, which supplies potable water to four million Metro Manila residents, besides destroying the flora and fauna," Madrigal said.

The housing project for executives, Madrigal said, has set a dangerous precedent. It should be removed, she added, or more developments would follow.

Since 1991 Bantay Kalikasan has been rehabilitating denuded parts of the watershed. Of the 1,500 hectares that need to be reforested, 1,300 have been planted to 74 tree species like molave, narra, kamagong, dau and ipil.

Valeno Mendoza, watershed management specialist of Bantay Kalikasan, said it is very difficult to set up a forest stand and, at P60,000 per hectare, very costly.

"La Mesa is a paradise, having a high biodiversity," he said. "We are destroying our watershed, including La Mesa, while other countries are trying their best to protect theirs."

Internal conflict plagues the Save the La Mesa Dam, with a member accusing the top leadership of inconsistency in its stand on the construction of houses in the watershed.

Ambivalent

Mar Canonigo of the Sinag ng Bayan Foundation said he could not understand why Gina Lopez, president of Bantay Kalikasan, is so vocal against the proposed housing project for the rank and file but is quiet over the executive village, which is now nearing completion.

Any housing project, Canonigo said, whether for ordinary employees or for executives, poses the risk of contaminating the MWSS reservoir. The coalition, led by Bantay Kalikasan, should object just as vigorously to the luxurious houses being built on a 3.3-hectare site above the reservoir and less than a kilometer away from it.

Until Sinag ng Bayan broke the news, nobody had known about the 120 houses for top MWSS executives now at varying stages of completion.

According to Canonigo, Bantay Kalikasan had been excluding his group since it took a stand against the executive houses. He suspects the executives are wielding some influence within the coalition.

The noise generated from the controversy over the rank-and-file housing is meant only to divert the attention of the public from the executive housing, Canonigo said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39747

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter and MARK IVAN ROBLAS, The Manila Times Researcher

Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal fears wholesale destruction of the La Mesa forest cover if the proposed housing project for MWSS rank-and-file employees is allowed to proceed.

At least 5,000 trees would be cut, Madrigal warned, to accommodate some 1,411 houses of active and retired employees on a 58-hectare site within the watershed. The site, she added, is part of the successful reforestation project that has been going on for the past 15 years.

Madrigal is a member of the joint congressional commission hearing the proposed and existing housing projects. The commission is also investigating the MWSS for selling the 58-hectare portion of the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Dam watershed and reservoir at P3 million, its price 30 years ago.

The senator said the transaction is disadvantageous to the government; that is why she is asking the MWSS to rescind the contract.

Dangerous and destructive

"The housing project will endanger the La Mesa Dam and reservoir, which supplies potable water to four million Metro Manila residents, besides destroying the flora and fauna," Madrigal said.

The housing project for executives, Madrigal said, has set a dangerous precedent. It should be removed, she added, or more developments would follow.

Since 1991 Bantay Kalikasan has been rehabilitating denuded parts of the watershed. Of the 1,500 hectares that need to be reforested, 1,300 have been planted to 74 tree species like molave, narra, kamagong, dau and ipil.

Valeno Mendoza, watershed management specialist of Bantay Kalikasan, said it is very difficult to set up a forest stand and, at P60,000 per hectare, very costly.

"La Mesa is a paradise, having a high biodiversity," he said. "We are destroying our watershed, including La Mesa, while other countries are trying their best to protect theirs."

Internal conflict plagues the Save the La Mesa Dam, with a member accusing the top leadership of inconsistency in its stand on the construction of houses in the watershed.

Ambivalent

Mar Canonigo of the Sinag ng Bayan Foundation said he could not understand why Gina Lopez, president of Bantay Kalikasan, is so vocal against the proposed housing project for the rank and file but is quiet over the executive village, which is now nearing completion.

Any housing project, Canonigo said, whether for ordinary employees or for executives, poses the risk of contaminating the MWSS reservoir. The coalition, led by Bantay Kalikasan, should object just as vigorously to the luxurious houses being built on a 3.3-hectare site above the reservoir and less than a kilometer away from it.

Until Sinag ng Bayan broke the news, nobody had known about the 120 houses for top MWSS executives now at varying stages of completion.

According to Canonigo, Bantay Kalikasan had been excluding his group since it took a stand against the executive houses. He suspects the executives are wielding some influence within the coalition.

The noise generated from the controversy over the rank-and-file housing is meant only to divert the attention of the public from the executive housing, Canonigo said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39747

By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA, The Manila Times Reporter and MARK IVAN ROBLAS, The Manila Times Researcher

Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal fears wholesale destruction of the La Mesa forest cover if the proposed housing project for MWSS rank-and-file employees is allowed to proceed.

At least 5,000 trees would be cut, Madrigal warned, to accommodate some 1,411 houses of active and retired employees on a 58-hectare site within the watershed. The site, she added, is part of the successful reforestation project that has been going on for the past 15 years.

Madrigal is a member of the joint congressional commission hearing the proposed and existing housing projects. The commission is also investigating the MWSS for selling the 58-hectare portion of the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Dam watershed and reservoir at P3 million, its price 30 years ago.

The senator said the transaction is disadvantageous to the government; that is why she is asking the MWSS to rescind the contract.

Dangerous and destructive

"The housing project will endanger the La Mesa Dam and reservoir, which supplies potable water to four million Metro Manila residents, besides destroying the flora and fauna," Madrigal said.

The housing project for executives, Madrigal said, has set a dangerous precedent. It should be removed, she added, or more developments would follow.

Since 1991 Bantay Kalikasan has been rehabilitating denuded parts of the watershed. Of the 1,500 hectares that need to be reforested, 1,300 have been planted to 74 tree species like molave, narra, kamagong, dau and ipil.

Valeno Mendoza, watershed management specialist of Bantay Kalikasan, said it is very difficult to set up a forest stand and, at P60,000 per hectare, very costly.

"La Mesa is a paradise, having a high biodiversity," he said. "We are destroying our watershed, including La Mesa, while other countries are trying their best to protect theirs."

Internal conflict plagues the Save the La Mesa Dam, with a member accusing the top leadership of inconsistency in its stand on the construction of houses in the watershed.

Ambivalent

Mar Canonigo of the Sinag ng Bayan Foundation said he could not understand why Gina Lopez, president of Bantay Kalikasan, is so vocal against the proposed housing project for the rank and file but is quiet over the executive village, which is now nearing completion.

Any housing project, Canonigo said, whether for ordinary employees or for executives, poses the risk of contaminating the MWSS reservoir. The coalition, led by Bantay Kalikasan, should object just as vigorously to the luxurious houses being built on a 3.3-hectare site above the reservoir and less than a kilometer away from it.

Until Sinag ng Bayan broke the news, nobody had known about the 120 houses for top MWSS executives now at varying stages of completion.

According to Canonigo, Bantay Kalikasan had been excluding his group since it took a stand against the executive houses. He suspects the executives are wielding some influence within the coalition.

The noise generated from the controversy over the rank-and-file housing is meant only to divert the attention of the public from the executive housing, Canonigo said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=39747

Editor's Note: Published on page A16 of the May 28, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

1. HOW does the law handle a case where people have waited 38 years for land that modern environmental laws says shouldn’t be used for housing?

The principle of rebus sic stantibus states that a fundamental change in circumstances not contemplated at the time of the agreement can lead to the termination of a contract or at the very least, excuse the fulfillment of the obligations therein.

In the La Mesa Dam issue, the change in environmental laws is a valid excuse to terminate/rescind the contract. When after 38 years, environmental laws change making housing units therein illegal, Article 1266 of the Civil Code applies. It states:

Art. 1266. The debtor in obligations to do shall also be released when the prestation becomes legally or physically impossible without the fault of the obligor.

Of course, MWSS may be released from the obligation to sell it to the claimants. But the mutually acceptable solution is the substitution of the area to some other legally and environmentally acceptable property.

2. How does the existing VIP housing affect the claim?

On the one hand, the existing VIP houses can always claim rights have already vested upon them, so they cannot be evicted there anymore.

However, the State can always exercise its police power to eject them.

Police power, one of the powers of the State (aside from eminent domain and taxation), is that which allows the state to “trample” on people’s rights to life, liberty and property for the sake of public welfare, public good, public morals, etc.

In the case at bar, the State is well within its rights to “confiscate” the residential properties within the La Mesa dam and evict persons therein in the name of police power.

The safest path to assert this is through legislation, be it through ordinance or statute. By a legislated declaration of the area as protected and the prohibition of any residential buildings therein, there will be legal basis to evict existing residents there.

And unlike eminent domain (expropriation), the eviction of the residents, will not be subject to just compensation, if this power is invoked.

3. Is it ethical for a congressman to represent the claimants?

From a purely legal standpoint, present laws do not prohibit members of the legislature to advocate private interests.

Section 14, Article VI of the Constitution states:

No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may personally appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the Government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on account of his office.

Hence, a lawmaker is only prohibited from intervening in activities in relation to his present government office. Here, the issue is arguable unrelated to his public functions as a lawmaker.

But he cannot, under any circumstance, personally appear as counsel in any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. If that lawmaker has a law firm, that firm may enter such appearance for the residents/claimants. That lawmaker, however, cannot appear personally.

If he appears in talk shows and issues statements championing the cause of the La Mesa Dam residents/beneficiaries, he is still legally within his rights.

So far, the lawmaker in question committed to no transgression from a purely legal and ethical standpoint.

Appearing as an “anti-environmentalist,” however, surely hurt his political/electoral standing.

4. How to balance rights of residents/beneficiaries against the right to clean water.

Public safety and environmental issues, however, would weigh heavily against mere proprietary rights of the residents/beneficiaries of the La Mesa Dam Housing Project.

As stated above, public safety is a perfect reason to invoke the State’s police power.

(Punzalan is a solo practicing lawyer based in QC . He blogs at http://thepunziblog.blogspot.com.)
http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=1&story_id=77265

Editor's Note: Published on page A16 of the May 28, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

1. HOW does the law handle a case where people have waited 38 years for land that modern environmental laws says shouldn’t be used for housing?

The principle of rebus sic stantibus states that a fundamental change in circumstances not contemplated at the time of the agreement can lead to the termination of a contract or at the very least, excuse the fulfillment of the obligations therein.

In the La Mesa Dam issue, the change in environmental laws is a valid excuse to terminate/rescind the contract. When after 38 years, environmental laws change making housing units therein illegal, Article 1266 of the Civil Code applies. It states:

Art. 1266. The debtor in obligations to do shall also be released when the prestation becomes legally or physically impossible without the fault of the obligor.

Of course, MWSS may be released from the obligation to sell it to the claimants. But the mutually acceptable solution is the substitution of the area to some other legally and environmentally acceptable property.

2. How does the existing VIP housing affect the claim?

On the one hand, the existing VIP houses can always claim rights have already vested upon them, so they cannot be evicted there anymore.

However, the State can always exercise its police power to eject them.

Police power, one of the powers of the State (aside from eminent domain and taxation), is that which allows the state to “trample” on people’s rights to life, liberty and property for the sake of public welfare, public good, public morals, etc.

In the case at bar, the State is well within its rights to “confiscate” the residential properties within the La Mesa dam and evict persons therein in the name of police power.

The safest path to assert this is through legislation, be it through ordinance or statute. By a legislated declaration of the area as protected and the prohibition of any residential buildings therein, there will be legal basis to evict existing residents there.

And unlike eminent domain (expropriation), the eviction of the residents, will not be subject to just compensation, if this power is invoked.

3. Is it ethical for a congressman to represent the claimants?

From a purely legal standpoint, present laws do not prohibit members of the legislature to advocate private interests.

Section 14, Article VI of the Constitution states:

No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may personally appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the Government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on account of his office.

Hence, a lawmaker is only prohibited from intervening in activities in relation to his present government office. Here, the issue is arguable unrelated to his public functions as a lawmaker.

But he cannot, under any circumstance, personally appear as counsel in any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. If that lawmaker has a law firm, that firm may enter such appearance for the residents/claimants. That lawmaker, however, cannot appear personally.

If he appears in talk shows and issues statements championing the cause of the La Mesa Dam residents/beneficiaries, he is still legally within his rights.

So far, the lawmaker in question committed to no transgression from a purely legal and ethical standpoint.

Appearing as an “anti-environmentalist,” however, surely hurt his political/electoral standing.

4. How to balance rights of residents/beneficiaries against the right to clean water.

Public safety and environmental issues, however, would weigh heavily against mere proprietary rights of the residents/beneficiaries of the La Mesa Dam Housing Project.

As stated above, public safety is a perfect reason to invoke the State’s police power.

(Punzalan is a solo practicing lawyer based in QC . He blogs at http://thepunziblog.blogspot.com.)
http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=1&story_id=77265

Editor's Note: Published on page A16 of the May 28, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

1. HOW does the law handle a case where people have waited 38 years for land that modern environmental laws says shouldn’t be used for housing?

The principle of rebus sic stantibus states that a fundamental change in circumstances not contemplated at the time of the agreement can lead to the termination of a contract or at the very least, excuse the fulfillment of the obligations therein.

In the La Mesa Dam issue, the change in environmental laws is a valid excuse to terminate/rescind the contract. When after 38 years, environmental laws change making housing units therein illegal, Article 1266 of the Civil Code applies. It states:

Art. 1266. The debtor in obligations to do shall also be released when the prestation becomes legally or physically impossible without the fault of the obligor.

Of course, MWSS may be released from the obligation to sell it to the claimants. But the mutually acceptable solution is the substitution of the area to some other legally and environmentally acceptable property.

2. How does the existing VIP housing affect the claim?

On the one hand, the existing VIP houses can always claim rights have already vested upon them, so they cannot be evicted there anymore.

However, the State can always exercise its police power to eject them.

Police power, one of the powers of the State (aside from eminent domain and taxation), is that which allows the state to “trample” on people’s rights to life, liberty and property for the sake of public welfare, public good, public morals, etc.

In the case at bar, the State is well within its rights to “confiscate” the residential properties within the La Mesa dam and evict persons therein in the name of police power.

The safest path to assert this is through legislation, be it through ordinance or statute. By a legislated declaration of the area as protected and the prohibition of any residential buildings therein, there will be legal basis to evict existing residents there.

And unlike eminent domain (expropriation), the eviction of the residents, will not be subject to just compensation, if this power is invoked.

3. Is it ethical for a congressman to represent the claimants?

From a purely legal standpoint, present laws do not prohibit members of the legislature to advocate private interests.

Section 14, Article VI of the Constitution states:

No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may personally appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the Government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on account of his office.

Hence, a lawmaker is only prohibited from intervening in activities in relation to his present government office. Here, the issue is arguable unrelated to his public functions as a lawmaker.

But he cannot, under any circumstance, personally appear as counsel in any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. If that lawmaker has a law firm, that firm may enter such appearance for the residents/claimants. That lawmaker, however, cannot appear personally.

If he appears in talk shows and issues statements championing the cause of the La Mesa Dam residents/beneficiaries, he is still legally within his rights.

So far, the lawmaker in question committed to no transgression from a purely legal and ethical standpoint.

Appearing as an “anti-environmentalist,” however, surely hurt his political/electoral standing.

4. How to balance rights of residents/beneficiaries against the right to clean water.

Public safety and environmental issues, however, would weigh heavily against mere proprietary rights of the residents/beneficiaries of the La Mesa Dam Housing Project.

As stated above, public safety is a perfect reason to invoke the State’s police power.

(Punzalan is a solo practicing lawyer based in QC . He blogs at http://thepunziblog.blogspot.com.)
http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=1&story_id=77265

as far as I'm concerned, there is really nothing to discuss here. It's so obvious that La Mesa watershed is an important ecosystem, and destroying even a part of it can result to a major catastrophe. why do the senate have to do these investigations? why can't they just declare the place a protected area?

as far as I'm concerned, there is really nothing to discuss here. It's so obvious that La Mesa watershed is an important ecosystem, and destroying even a part of it can result to a major catastrophe. why do the senate have to do these investigations? why can't they just declare the place a protected area?

as far as I'm concerned, there is really nothing to discuss here. It's so obvious that La Mesa watershed is an important ecosystem, and destroying even a part of it can result to a major catastrophe. why do the senate have to do these investigations? why can't they just declare the place a protected area?

These officials do not always like to think in the future. :sleepy: They couldn't even pass that Heritage bill that was supposed to stop destroying and rebuilding heritage structures in the country. :bash:

These officials do not always like to think in the future. :sleepy: They couldn't even pass that Heritage bill that was supposed to stop destroying and rebuilding heritage structures in the country. :bash:

These officials do not always like to think in the future. :sleepy: They couldn't even pass that Heritage bill that was supposed to stop destroying and rebuilding heritage structures in the country. :bash:

In other words the stupidity of some Filipinos once again is in a mess. Big environmental mess.

In other words the stupidity of some Filipinos once again is in a mess. Big environmental mess.

In other words the stupidity of some Filipinos once again is in a mess. Big environmental mess.

CONTROVERSIES
Dammit, he’s been for the common man all his life …
why shouldn’t he support a project for workers?


First posted 08:09am (Mla time) June 04, 2006
By Gerry Lirio
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on page Q4 of the June 4, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

REP. Edcel Lagman walks into the session hall of the House of Representatives in Quezon City like he were entering his own home. His steps are short and slow, but there’s no ignoring his presence.

Now on his fourth term as representative of the first district of Albay, Lagman wears his passionate stand on issues on his sleeve. “I am issue-oriented,” he declares and indeed, the man often eschews party politics in favor of candor.

As a House staff member observes, people who hear his strong words end up either loving or hating the 64-year-old lawmaker.

That doesn’t seem to bother the gray-haired Lagman. Speaking up, whatever the cost, seems to run in the family. Lagman’s brother, Hermon, also a lawyer and an anti-Marcos activist, disappeared and is presumed to have been salvaged by the military at the height of martial law in 1977. Filemon, his youngest brother more popularly known as Ka Popoy, who once joined the underground Left, was murdered at the UP campus a few years back.

Speaking up

The eldest in a brood of five, Lagman himself has been known to be a firm and outspoken oppositionist since the time of President Marcos. A recent tussle involved the Catholic Church which took issue with his public support of family planning that some quarters have interpreted as a “two-child policy.”

More controversial still is Lagman’s latest crusade: the staunch defense of a proposed housing site at the La Mesa Dam that, environmentalists claim, could contaminate the water supply of some 12 million Metro Manila residents. Characteristically, he seems unfazed at the brickbats thrown his way.

To environmentalists fighting for the preservation of the watershed, Lagman offers no apology for pushing for the housing project secured by employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) 38 years ago through a collective bargaining agreement that the Supreme Court upheld in January 1975. The housing project, which involves 58 hectares of the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Dam facility, will benefit 1,411 families and is located north of the La Mesa reservoir.

“My advocacy is principally for the welfare of the working man, and that’s why I am helping them pro bono (for free),” says this congressman who was born on Labor Day, May 1,1942. He has been handling the case since 1998, he says, and has known the workers’ union’s former president, Genaro Bautista, from way, way back.

Lagman says the paranoia of environmentalists is just that--paranoia. “It has no basis.” He dismisses as misinformed the well-meaning signatories opposing the project. Quoting former officials of the MWSS, the Public Works, and the Environment and Natural Resources departments, he insists that the project is not environmentally critical and that mitigating measures can be put in place.

Lagman cites former DENR Secretary Victor Ramos’ letter to then Sen. Heherson Alvarez on June 3, 1997, which stated that the housing project “is not considered environmentally critical.”

Same sentiments

DENR Director Corazon Davis echoed the same sentiments on May 4, 2001 in a letter to MWSS Administrator Jose Mabanta, adds the congressman.

“Let us then give our arguments to the DENR, and let the DENR decide,” Lagman declares.

The Albay representative clearly sees the issue as one involving the haves and have-nots. “When poor men attempt to venture into something which is a little better than their wretched existence, like a having a house and lot of their own, monkey wrenches are thrown their way. But when rich men deign to elevate themselves further even to high heavens, they get their way virtually unopposed,” he says.

Quoting the SC decision, he adds: “The common man, like, for example, a salaried employee is entitled not only to a little more food in his stomach, a little more clothing on his back, and a little more shelter over his head--but also a lot, even small, where he can build his house and establish a permanent abode. The government, as the biggest employer, should be the first to help its employees in the solution of the housing problem.”

Walking a tightrope

Lagman admits that he is walking a tightrope in fighting a giant institution like the ABS-CBN Foundation, a critic of the housing project, as well as environmental groups that seem to have the moral high ground on the issue. But while he says he’s sensitive to public opinion, the congressman points out that being a local politician, his popularity--or notoriety, as his detractors would call it--as a result of his stance on national issues does not get in the way of his political career. “In local politics, what matters most is that one can address the needs of his district. That’s basic. No amount of advocacies in Congress will earn one the respect and support of his constituencies if he fails them.”

The seasoned politician got his start in government in 1967, when former Executive Secretary Rafael Salas, one of his UP law professors, asked him to join the legal staff in Malacanang. “I am a Salas boy,” declares Lagman, an honor student at UP. Soon enough, however, he became bored with his job at the Palace and decided to accept the offer by Supreme Court Justice Fred Ruiz Castro to join his staff. “I gained a lot of knowledge and self-confidence there. But the job was monastic, I had to leave.” In 1970, he joined the staff of then Sen. Salvador Laurel. “We worked so hard, because Doy wanted to be president,” he reveals.

Shortly after the February 1986 EDSA revolution, Lagman was appointed budget undersecretary, with today’s Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, as his boss. In 1987, he ran and was elected to Congress under House Speaker Ramon Mitra’s Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

He has since been strongly advocating for laws seeking to put a cap on debt servicing, limiting the number of children, the abolition of the death penalty, the protection of Filipino workers, consumers and students, and the prevention of summary execution and involuntary disappearance, among others.

Undeterred

Some of his bills have passed the House, but failed to make it through the Senate. He has remained undeterred, pushing for his bills through his second, third and now, his fourth term. “The Senate is the graveyard of legislation,” he laughs, unmindful of the probable violent reactions from his colleagues at the other chamber.

In his own House a few months back, Lagman came under fire from his own colleagues in the opposition when he raised “prejudicial questions” at the height of the hearings on the impeachment of President Arroyo. “I was accused of having turned my back to the progressive movement by defending GMA. I have not. I remain steadfast on my advocacies. My anti-impeachment position has only infused credibility to the defense of GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo). It has elevated the rule of law over partisan hyperbole. What I did was purely a legal pursuit. (The opposition) should have come more prepared.”

Lagman is one of the 23 remaining original members of the 1987 Congress who religiously go to the session hall to attend sessions and committee hearings, regardless of the many issues calendared for floor deliberations. “It has become a habit for old hands like us. We are ready to debate anyone on any issue. This is a deliberative body, and we should be worth it. You wouldn’t see a different Edcel Lagman, not in the next few years. I have no plans of retiring yet.”

Lagman is married to Cielo, a retired schoolteacher, with whom he has seven children, four boys and three girls, including former Albay Representative Krisel Lagman-Luistro.




Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://news.inq7.net/sunday/index.php?index=1&story_id=78027

CONTROVERSIES
Dammit, he’s been for the common man all his life …
why shouldn’t he support a project for workers?


First posted 08:09am (Mla time) June 04, 2006
By Gerry Lirio
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on page Q4 of the June 4, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

REP. Edcel Lagman walks into the session hall of the House of Representatives in Quezon City like he were entering his own home. His steps are short and slow, but there’s no ignoring his presence.

Now on his fourth term as representative of the first district of Albay, Lagman wears his passionate stand on issues on his sleeve. “I am issue-oriented,” he declares and indeed, the man often eschews party politics in favor of candor.

As a House staff member observes, people who hear his strong words end up either loving or hating the 64-year-old lawmaker.

That doesn’t seem to bother the gray-haired Lagman. Speaking up, whatever the cost, seems to run in the family. Lagman’s brother, Hermon, also a lawyer and an anti-Marcos activist, disappeared and is presumed to have been salvaged by the military at the height of martial law in 1977. Filemon, his youngest brother more popularly known as Ka Popoy, who once joined the underground Left, was murdered at the UP campus a few years back.

Speaking up

The eldest in a brood of five, Lagman himself has been known to be a firm and outspoken oppositionist since the time of President Marcos. A recent tussle involved the Catholic Church which took issue with his public support of family planning that some quarters have interpreted as a “two-child policy.”

More controversial still is Lagman’s latest crusade: the staunch defense of a proposed housing site at the La Mesa Dam that, environmentalists claim, could contaminate the water supply of some 12 million Metro Manila residents. Characteristically, he seems unfazed at the brickbats thrown his way.

To environmentalists fighting for the preservation of the watershed, Lagman offers no apology for pushing for the housing project secured by employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) 38 years ago through a collective bargaining agreement that the Supreme Court upheld in January 1975. The housing project, which involves 58 hectares of the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Dam facility, will benefit 1,411 families and is located north of the La Mesa reservoir.

“My advocacy is principally for the welfare of the working man, and that’s why I am helping them pro bono (for free),” says this congressman who was born on Labor Day, May 1,1942. He has been handling the case since 1998, he says, and has known the workers’ union’s former president, Genaro Bautista, from way, way back.

Lagman says the paranoia of environmentalists is just that--paranoia. “It has no basis.” He dismisses as misinformed the well-meaning signatories opposing the project. Quoting former officials of the MWSS, the Public Works, and the Environment and Natural Resources departments, he insists that the project is not environmentally critical and that mitigating measures can be put in place.

Lagman cites former DENR Secretary Victor Ramos’ letter to then Sen. Heherson Alvarez on June 3, 1997, which stated that the housing project “is not considered environmentally critical.”

Same sentiments

DENR Director Corazon Davis echoed the same sentiments on May 4, 2001 in a letter to MWSS Administrator Jose Mabanta, adds the congressman.

“Let us then give our arguments to the DENR, and let the DENR decide,” Lagman declares.

The Albay representative clearly sees the issue as one involving the haves and have-nots. “When poor men attempt to venture into something which is a little better than their wretched existence, like a having a house and lot of their own, monkey wrenches are thrown their way. But when rich men deign to elevate themselves further even to high heavens, they get their way virtually unopposed,” he says.

Quoting the SC decision, he adds: “The common man, like, for example, a salaried employee is entitled not only to a little more food in his stomach, a little more clothing on his back, and a little more shelter over his head--but also a lot, even small, where he can build his house and establish a permanent abode. The government, as the biggest employer, should be the first to help its employees in the solution of the housing problem.”

Walking a tightrope

Lagman admits that he is walking a tightrope in fighting a giant institution like the ABS-CBN Foundation, a critic of the housing project, as well as environmental groups that seem to have the moral high ground on the issue. But while he says he’s sensitive to public opinion, the congressman points out that being a local politician, his popularity--or notoriety, as his detractors would call it--as a result of his stance on national issues does not get in the way of his political career. “In local politics, what matters most is that one can address the needs of his district. That’s basic. No amount of advocacies in Congress will earn one the respect and support of his constituencies if he fails them.”

The seasoned politician got his start in government in 1967, when former Executive Secretary Rafael Salas, one of his UP law professors, asked him to join the legal staff in Malacanang. “I am a Salas boy,” declares Lagman, an honor student at UP. Soon enough, however, he became bored with his job at the Palace and decided to accept the offer by Supreme Court Justice Fred Ruiz Castro to join his staff. “I gained a lot of knowledge and self-confidence there. But the job was monastic, I had to leave.” In 1970, he joined the staff of then Sen. Salvador Laurel. “We worked so hard, because Doy wanted to be president,” he reveals.

Shortly after the February 1986 EDSA revolution, Lagman was appointed budget undersecretary, with today’s Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, as his boss. In 1987, he ran and was elected to Congress under House Speaker Ramon Mitra’s Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

He has since been strongly advocating for laws seeking to put a cap on debt servicing, limiting the number of children, the abolition of the death penalty, the protection of Filipino workers, consumers and students, and the prevention of summary execution and involuntary disappearance, among others.

Undeterred

Some of his bills have passed the House, but failed to make it through the Senate. He has remained undeterred, pushing for his bills through his second, third and now, his fourth term. “The Senate is the graveyard of legislation,” he laughs, unmindful of the probable violent reactions from his colleagues at the other chamber.

In his own House a few months back, Lagman came under fire from his own colleagues in the opposition when he raised “prejudicial questions” at the height of the hearings on the impeachment of President Arroyo. “I was accused of having turned my back to the progressive movement by defending GMA. I have not. I remain steadfast on my advocacies. My anti-impeachment position has only infused credibility to the defense of GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo). It has elevated the rule of law over partisan hyperbole. What I did was purely a legal pursuit. (The opposition) should have come more prepared.”

Lagman is one of the 23 remaining original members of the 1987 Congress who religiously go to the session hall to attend sessions and committee hearings, regardless of the many issues calendared for floor deliberations. “It has become a habit for old hands like us. We are ready to debate anyone on any issue. This is a deliberative body, and we should be worth it. You wouldn’t see a different Edcel Lagman, not in the next few years. I have no plans of retiring yet.”

Lagman is married to Cielo, a retired schoolteacher, with whom he has seven children, four boys and three girls, including former Albay Representative Krisel Lagman-Luistro.




Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://news.inq7.net/sunday/index.php?index=1&story_id=78027

CONTROVERSIES
Dammit, he’s been for the common man all his life …
why shouldn’t he support a project for workers?


First posted 08:09am (Mla time) June 04, 2006
By Gerry Lirio
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on page Q4 of the June 4, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

REP. Edcel Lagman walks into the session hall of the House of Representatives in Quezon City like he were entering his own home. His steps are short and slow, but there’s no ignoring his presence.

Now on his fourth term as representative of the first district of Albay, Lagman wears his passionate stand on issues on his sleeve. “I am issue-oriented,” he declares and indeed, the man often eschews party politics in favor of candor.

As a House staff member observes, people who hear his strong words end up either loving or hating the 64-year-old lawmaker.

That doesn’t seem to bother the gray-haired Lagman. Speaking up, whatever the cost, seems to run in the family. Lagman’s brother, Hermon, also a lawyer and an anti-Marcos activist, disappeared and is presumed to have been salvaged by the military at the height of martial law in 1977. Filemon, his youngest brother more popularly known as Ka Popoy, who once joined the underground Left, was murdered at the UP campus a few years back.

Speaking up

The eldest in a brood of five, Lagman himself has been known to be a firm and outspoken oppositionist since the time of President Marcos. A recent tussle involved the Catholic Church which took issue with his public support of family planning that some quarters have interpreted as a “two-child policy.”

More controversial still is Lagman’s latest crusade: the staunch defense of a proposed housing site at the La Mesa Dam that, environmentalists claim, could contaminate the water supply of some 12 million Metro Manila residents. Characteristically, he seems unfazed at the brickbats thrown his way.

To environmentalists fighting for the preservation of the watershed, Lagman offers no apology for pushing for the housing project secured by employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) 38 years ago through a collective bargaining agreement that the Supreme Court upheld in January 1975. The housing project, which involves 58 hectares of the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Dam facility, will benefit 1,411 families and is located north of the La Mesa reservoir.

“My advocacy is principally for the welfare of the working man, and that’s why I am helping them pro bono (for free),” says this congressman who was born on Labor Day, May 1,1942. He has been handling the case since 1998, he says, and has known the workers’ union’s former president, Genaro Bautista, from way, way back.

Lagman says the paranoia of environmentalists is just that--paranoia. “It has no basis.” He dismisses as misinformed the well-meaning signatories opposing the project. Quoting former officials of the MWSS, the Public Works, and the Environment and Natural Resources departments, he insists that the project is not environmentally critical and that mitigating measures can be put in place.

Lagman cites former DENR Secretary Victor Ramos’ letter to then Sen. Heherson Alvarez on June 3, 1997, which stated that the housing project “is not considered environmentally critical.”

Same sentiments

DENR Director Corazon Davis echoed the same sentiments on May 4, 2001 in a letter to MWSS Administrator Jose Mabanta, adds the congressman.

“Let us then give our arguments to the DENR, and let the DENR decide,” Lagman declares.

The Albay representative clearly sees the issue as one involving the haves and have-nots. “When poor men attempt to venture into something which is a little better than their wretched existence, like a having a house and lot of their own, monkey wrenches are thrown their way. But when rich men deign to elevate themselves further even to high heavens, they get their way virtually unopposed,” he says.

Quoting the SC decision, he adds: “The common man, like, for example, a salaried employee is entitled not only to a little more food in his stomach, a little more clothing on his back, and a little more shelter over his head--but also a lot, even small, where he can build his house and establish a permanent abode. The government, as the biggest employer, should be the first to help its employees in the solution of the housing problem.”

Walking a tightrope

Lagman admits that he is walking a tightrope in fighting a giant institution like the ABS-CBN Foundation, a critic of the housing project, as well as environmental groups that seem to have the moral high ground on the issue. But while he says he’s sensitive to public opinion, the congressman points out that being a local politician, his popularity--or notoriety, as his detractors would call it--as a result of his stance on national issues does not get in the way of his political career. “In local politics, what matters most is that one can address the needs of his district. That’s basic. No amount of advocacies in Congress will earn one the respect and support of his constituencies if he fails them.”

The seasoned politician got his start in government in 1967, when former Executive Secretary Rafael Salas, one of his UP law professors, asked him to join the legal staff in Malacanang. “I am a Salas boy,” declares Lagman, an honor student at UP. Soon enough, however, he became bored with his job at the Palace and decided to accept the offer by Supreme Court Justice Fred Ruiz Castro to join his staff. “I gained a lot of knowledge and self-confidence there. But the job was monastic, I had to leave.” In 1970, he joined the staff of then Sen. Salvador Laurel. “We worked so hard, because Doy wanted to be president,” he reveals.

Shortly after the February 1986 EDSA revolution, Lagman was appointed budget undersecretary, with today’s Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, as his boss. In 1987, he ran and was elected to Congress under House Speaker Ramon Mitra’s Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

He has since been strongly advocating for laws seeking to put a cap on debt servicing, limiting the number of children, the abolition of the death penalty, the protection of Filipino workers, consumers and students, and the prevention of summary execution and involuntary disappearance, among others.

Undeterred

Some of his bills have passed the House, but failed to make it through the Senate. He has remained undeterred, pushing for his bills through his second, third and now, his fourth term. “The Senate is the graveyard of legislation,” he laughs, unmindful of the probable violent reactions from his colleagues at the other chamber.

In his own House a few months back, Lagman came under fire from his own colleagues in the opposition when he raised “prejudicial questions” at the height of the hearings on the impeachment of President Arroyo. “I was accused of having turned my back to the progressive movement by defending GMA. I have not. I remain steadfast on my advocacies. My anti-impeachment position has only infused credibility to the defense of GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo). It has elevated the rule of law over partisan hyperbole. What I did was purely a legal pursuit. (The opposition) should have come more prepared.”

Lagman is one of the 23 remaining original members of the 1987 Congress who religiously go to the session hall to attend sessions and committee hearings, regardless of the many issues calendared for floor deliberations. “It has become a habit for old hands like us. We are ready to debate anyone on any issue. This is a deliberative body, and we should be worth it. You wouldn’t see a different Edcel Lagman, not in the next few years. I have no plans of retiring yet.”

Lagman is married to Cielo, a retired schoolteacher, with whom he has seven children, four boys and three girls, including former Albay Representative Krisel Lagman-Luistro.




Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://news.inq7.net/sunday/index.php?index=1&story_id=78027

CONTROVERSIES
Memories of fireflies push him to dip his fingers
into the troubled waters of La Mesa Dam


First posted 08:06am (Mla time) June 04, 2006
By Agnes Prieto
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on page Q3 of the June 4, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

HE’S a provinciano at heart despite his master’s degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University and several more years spent abroad. Jaime “JJ” Fernandez still savors memories of swimming and fishing in rivers in his hometown in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, living close to the beach and coming home late at night amidst a torch parade provided by fireflies. So who can blame him if he’s determined to preserve every inch of green that he can from the creeping concrete of urban blight?

Fernandez, program director of the La Mesa Dam Eco-Park, is at the forefront of an ongoing battle to prevent a housing project from being built on the watershed which, according to the “Save the La Mesa Dam Coalition,” provides potable water to some 12 million residents of Metro Manila. Quoting a 2004 study by the UP National Hydraulics Resource Center, the Coalition warned against the proposed housing site in the area, saying that it could contaminate the groundwater seeping into the reservoir.

Housing project

The housing project, explains Fernandez, dates back to 1968 when former union workers and the management of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) entered into a collective bargaining agreement that granted housing to 1,411 workers. There were previous sites initially designated for the housing project that were outside of, or downstream from, the watershed. But unfortunately for the workers, the sites were either sold by the MWSS to other parties or used for the building of the treatment plant. The current 58-hectare site inside the watershed is the third site chosen by the MWSS board for the housing project.

As one who had to clean kitchens, clear garbage cans and deliver pizzas to earn extra cash while pursuing his masters, Fernandez can sympathize with the plight of the workers. “We think they should justly be provided a suitable housing site,” he says. “But we also need to protect the reservoir.”

Fernandez’s advocacy for the environment sprung from his first hand encounters with devastations that resulted when economic needs took precedence over nature. While diving, he has seen whale sharks bleeding, their fins lopped off by fishermen eager to sell them for sharks’ fin soup. Such horrors spurred him to work for ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan, a wide detour from his industrial engineering course at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Back home from his US masteral studies in 1993, he initially worked in land development projects. He later worked with several dot com companies.

This Ateneo High School graduate joined the environmental advocacy group Bantay Kalikasan as a consultant in 2003 and became its program director in 2005. The job became a personal crusade: “When I started going to the forest area (around La Mesa Dam), there were hardly any bird sounds; the place was hot and dry.”

The following two years showed dramatic changes, he adds proudly. “We now have 6-year-old trees that tower eight meters high, the air is cooler, and there are serpent eagles, owls and definitely more bird sounds, especially at dawn. And I saw and experienced the transformation right before my eyes.”

It was not always so. The property owned by the MWSS commonly known as the La Mesa Watershed covers an area of about 2,700 hectares and includes a lake about 700 hectares in size and 80 meters in depth. There are also treatment facilities, administration buildings, an old recreational park, a three-classroom schoolhouse, and a number of housing units for the water company’s employees that dates back to the 1950s.

Recalls Fernandez: “In 1997, about half of the forest was denuded and there were only three foreign species of forest trees. There were over 1,000 informal settlers living in the area who ravaged the forest by illegal logging and slash and burn farming or kaingin.”

Threatened water supply

Such transgressions threatened the water supply of Metro Manila, prompting Bantay Kalikasan to enter into a 15-year memorandum of agreement with the MWSS in 1999 to rehabilitate and operate the La Mesa watershed. Using funds solicited from private donors, the group set up tree nurseries that cover 1,340 hectares as of end 2005, according to Fernandez. Their target is 1,500 hectares within this year, he adds.

“Much of the success can be credited to our expert team of foresters and crew of workers, many of them volunteers, who both maintain the trees and act as foot patrols for security and protection. It is unfortunate that in the process of restoring the forest, our bunkhouse was burned, one of our workers was beheaded and his wife gang raped. The child of another worker also died,” recounts Fernandez.

To sustain their protection activities and generate steady revenues, Bantay Kalikasan joined forces with the MWSS and the Quezon City government to develop the recreation area now known as the La Mesa Eco-park in East Fairview. The park was opened to the public in April 2004.

Says Fernandez: “It was a very challenging situation because unlike other property development companies, we had no money; only a dream that hopefully people will buy into.” He adds: “Developing the park was not easy. The first step was to relocate over 200 informal settlers and then visioning the concept, with architects Francisco Mañosa and Jun Palafox enhancing the existing layout, structures and attractions in the park.”

But the efforts were worth it, he points out. “I will never forget the sense of fulfilment I got just watching a young couple with their baby in a stroller all set for a quiet family picnic under the trees. That was when I realized how much impact this project has on the lives of ordinary folk, especially their children.”

Fernandez should know. He himself has three children: Pilar, 4; Jaime, 3, and Julia, 1. Together with wife Myrna, he regularly brings the kids to the eco-park.

The park might as well be his fourth child, the way he describes its offerings proudly: “We guarantee clean restrooms, a landscaped garden and slopes planted with flowers, the landmark being the Shell flower terraces. One swampy area is now the site of the Petron outdoor amphitheater.” There’s also a pool, an orchidarium set up by Sen. Franklin Drilon as a memorial for his first wife, a fitness and nature trail, a pond for fishing, and a boating lagoon revived by the Aboitiz transport group.

It’s just too bad that the housing controversy should come up just when the project is poised to finally become self sustaining, sighs Fernandez. “What is the use of all these efforts if the integrity of the watershed is placed at risk?”

The issue, he adds, can be solved immediately by declaring the watershed as a protected area. “It does not need a Senate fact-finding committee to eventually come to this conclusion. All it needs is political will, just one stroke of the pen which will ensure the purity of the drinking water of 12 million people and the preservation of the forest and wildlife in the area,” he says.

Dreaming big

Beyond the La Mesa Eco-Park project, Fernandez continues to dream big. His wish list outlines what he’d like to do, given the chance. “I would require all developers to undertake environment-friendly projects, not only in terms of waste management but in providing buildings that allow in more natural light and require less electricity to cool. I’d like to see more communities that promote walking and biking.”

He’d also like to impose a socialized form of tax on pollutants, including cars in Metro Manila and corporations that release wastes in the environment. “The funds raised can be used to implement air pollution monitoring and control devices,” says Fernandez.

But more importantly, he adds, he’d make sure that environment laws are reviewed regularly, “to make sure that they are simple, easy to understand and enforceable, so that everyone can get involved in protecting what is rightly theirs—the future.”

——————

Learn more about the Save La Mesa Dam campaign through http://www.lamesaecopark.com



Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://news.inq7.net/sunday/index.php?index=1&story_id=78026

CONTROVERSIES
Memories of fireflies push him to dip his fingers
into the troubled waters of La Mesa Dam


First posted 08:06am (Mla time) June 04, 2006
By Agnes Prieto
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on page Q3 of the June 4, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

HE’S a provinciano at heart despite his master’s degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University and several more years spent abroad. Jaime “JJ” Fernandez still savors memories of swimming and fishing in rivers in his hometown in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, living close to the beach and coming home late at night amidst a torch parade provided by fireflies. So who can blame him if he’s determined to preserve every inch of green that he can from the creeping concrete of urban blight?

Fernandez, program director of the La Mesa Dam Eco-Park, is at the forefront of an ongoing battle to prevent a housing project from being built on the watershed which, according to the “Save the La Mesa Dam Coalition,” provides potable water to some 12 million residents of Metro Manila. Quoting a 2004 study by the UP National Hydraulics Resource Center, the Coalition warned against the proposed housing site in the area, saying that it could contaminate the groundwater seeping into the reservoir.

Housing project

The housing project, explains Fernandez, dates back to 1968 when former union workers and the management of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) entered into a collective bargaining agreement that granted housing to 1,411 workers. There were previous sites initially designated for the housing project that were outside of, or downstream from, the watershed. But unfortunately for the workers, the sites were either sold by the MWSS to other parties or used for the building of the treatment plant. The current 58-hectare site inside the watershed is the third site chosen by the MWSS board for the housing project.

As one who had to clean kitchens, clear garbage cans and deliver pizzas to earn extra cash while pursuing his masters, Fernandez can sympathize with the plight of the workers. “We think they should justly be provided a suitable housing site,” he says. “But we also need to protect the reservoir.”

Fernandez’s advocacy for the environment sprung from his first hand encounters with devastations that resulted when economic needs took precedence over nature. While diving, he has seen whale sharks bleeding, their fins lopped off by fishermen eager to sell them for sharks’ fin soup. Such horrors spurred him to work for ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan, a wide detour from his industrial engineering course at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Back home from his US masteral studies in 1993, he initially worked in land development projects. He later worked with several dot com companies.

This Ateneo High School graduate joined the environmental advocacy group Bantay Kalikasan as a consultant in 2003 and became its program director in 2005. The job became a personal crusade: “When I started going to the forest area (around La Mesa Dam), there were hardly any bird sounds; the place was hot and dry.”

The following two years showed dramatic changes, he adds proudly. “We now have 6-year-old trees that tower eight meters high, the air is cooler, and there are serpent eagles, owls and definitely more bird sounds, especially at dawn. And I saw and experienced the transformation right before my eyes.”

It was not always so. The property owned by the MWSS commonly known as the La Mesa Watershed covers an area of about 2,700 hectares and includes a lake about 700 hectares in size and 80 meters in depth. There are also treatment facilities, administration buildings, an old recreational park, a three-classroom schoolhouse, and a number of housing units for the water company’s employees that dates back to the 1950s.

Recalls Fernandez: “In 1997, about half of the forest was denuded and there were only three foreign species of forest trees. There were over 1,000 informal settlers living in the area who ravaged the forest by illegal logging and slash and burn farming or kaingin.”

Threatened water supply

Such transgressions threatened the water supply of Metro Manila, prompting Bantay Kalikasan to enter into a 15-year memorandum of agreement with the MWSS in 1999 to rehabilitate and operate the La Mesa watershed. Using funds solicited from private donors, the group set up tree nurseries that cover 1,340 hectares as of end 2005, according to Fernandez. Their target is 1,500 hectares within this year, he adds.

“Much of the success can be credited to our expert team of foresters and crew of workers, many of them volunteers, who both maintain the trees and act as foot patrols for security and protection. It is unfortunate that in the process of restoring the forest, our bunkhouse was burned, one of our workers was beheaded and his wife gang raped. The child of another worker also died,” recounts Fernandez.

To sustain their protection activities and generate steady revenues, Bantay Kalikasan joined forces with the MWSS and the Quezon City government to develop the recreation area now known as the La Mesa Eco-park in East Fairview. The park was opened to the public in April 2004.

Says Fernandez: “It was a very challenging situation because unlike other property development companies, we had no money; only a dream that hopefully people will buy into.” He adds: “Developing the park was not easy. The first step was to relocate over 200 informal settlers and then visioning the concept, with architects Francisco Mañosa and Jun Palafox enhancing the existing layout, structures and attractions in the park.”

But the efforts were worth it, he points out. “I will never forget the sense of fulfilment I got just watching a young couple with their baby in a stroller all set for a quiet family picnic under the trees. That was when I realized how much impact this project has on the lives of ordinary folk, especially their children.”

Fernandez should know. He himself has three children: Pilar, 4; Jaime, 3, and Julia, 1. Together with wife Myrna, he regularly brings the kids to the eco-park.

The park might as well be his fourth child, the way he describes its offerings proudly: “We guarantee clean restrooms, a landscaped garden and slopes planted with flowers, the landmark being the Shell flower terraces. One swampy area is now the site of the Petron outdoor amphitheater.” There’s also a pool, an orchidarium set up by Sen. Franklin Drilon as a memorial for his first wife, a fitness and nature trail, a pond for fishing, and a boating lagoon revived by the Aboitiz transport group.

It’s just too bad that the housing controversy should come up just when the project is poised to finally become self sustaining, sighs Fernandez. “What is the use of all these efforts if the integrity of the watershed is placed at risk?”

The issue, he adds, can be solved immediately by declaring the watershed as a protected area. “It does not need a Senate fact-finding committee to eventually come to this conclusion. All it needs is political will, just one stroke of the pen which will ensure the purity of the drinking water of 12 million people and the preservation of the forest and wildlife in the area,” he says.

Dreaming big

Beyond the La Mesa Eco-Park project, Fernandez continues to dream big. His wish list outlines what he’d like to do, given the chance. “I would require all developers to undertake environment-friendly projects, not only in terms of waste management but in providing buildings that allow in more natural light and require less electricity to cool. I’d like to see more communities that promote walking and biking.”

He’d also like to impose a socialized form of tax on pollutants, including cars in Metro Manila and corporations that release wastes in the environment. “The funds raised can be used to implement air pollution monitoring and control devices,” says Fernandez.

But more importantly, he adds, he’d make sure that environment laws are reviewed regularly, “to make sure that they are simple, easy to understand and enforceable, so that everyone can get involved in protecting what is rightly theirs—the future.”

——————

Learn more about the Save La Mesa Dam campaign through http://www.lamesaecopark.com



Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://news.inq7.net/sunday/index.php?index=1&story_id=78026

CONTROVERSIES
Memories of fireflies push him to dip his fingers
into the troubled waters of La Mesa Dam


First posted 08:06am (Mla time) June 04, 2006
By Agnes Prieto
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on page Q3 of the June 4, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

HE’S a provinciano at heart despite his master’s degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University and several more years spent abroad. Jaime “JJ” Fernandez still savors memories of swimming and fishing in rivers in his hometown in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, living close to the beach and coming home late at night amidst a torch parade provided by fireflies. So who can blame him if he’s determined to preserve every inch of green that he can from the creeping concrete of urban blight?

Fernandez, program director of the La Mesa Dam Eco-Park, is at the forefront of an ongoing battle to prevent a housing project from being built on the watershed which, according to the “Save the La Mesa Dam Coalition,” provides potable water to some 12 million residents of Metro Manila. Quoting a 2004 study by the UP National Hydraulics Resource Center, the Coalition warned against the proposed housing site in the area, saying that it could contaminate the groundwater seeping into the reservoir.

Housing project

The housing project, explains Fernandez, dates back to 1968 when former union workers and the management of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) entered into a collective bargaining agreement that granted housing to 1,411 workers. There were previous sites initially designated for the housing project that were outside of, or downstream from, the watershed. But unfortunately for the workers, the sites were either sold by the MWSS to other parties or used for the building of the treatment plant. The current 58-hectare site inside the watershed is the third site chosen by the MWSS board for the housing project.

As one who had to clean kitchens, clear garbage cans and deliver pizzas to earn extra cash while pursuing his masters, Fernandez can sympathize with the plight of the workers. “We think they should justly be provided a suitable housing site,” he says. “But we also need to protect the reservoir.”

Fernandez’s advocacy for the environment sprung from his first hand encounters with devastations that resulted when economic needs took precedence over nature. While diving, he has seen whale sharks bleeding, their fins lopped off by fishermen eager to sell them for sharks’ fin soup. Such horrors spurred him to work for ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan, a wide detour from his industrial engineering course at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Back home from his US masteral studies in 1993, he initially worked in land development projects. He later worked with several dot com companies.

This Ateneo High School graduate joined the environmental advocacy group Bantay Kalikasan as a consultant in 2003 and became its program director in 2005. The job became a personal crusade: “When I started going to the forest area (around La Mesa Dam), there were hardly any bird sounds; the place was hot and dry.”

The following two years showed dramatic changes, he adds proudly. “We now have 6-year-old trees that tower eight meters high, the air is cooler, and there are serpent eagles, owls and definitely more bird sounds, especially at dawn. And I saw and experienced the transformation right before my eyes.”

It was not always so. The property owned by the MWSS commonly known as the La Mesa Watershed covers an area of about 2,700 hectares and includes a lake about 700 hectares in size and 80 meters in depth. There are also treatment facilities, administration buildings, an old recreational park, a three-classroom schoolhouse, and a number of housing units for the water company’s employees that dates back to the 1950s.

Recalls Fernandez: “In 1997, about half of the forest was denuded and there were only three foreign species of forest trees. There were over 1,000 informal settlers living in the area who ravaged the forest by illegal logging and slash and burn farming or kaingin.”

Threatened water supply

Such transgressions threatened the water supply of Metro Manila, prompting Bantay Kalikasan to enter into a 15-year memorandum of agreement with the MWSS in 1999 to rehabilitate and operate the La Mesa watershed. Using funds solicited from private donors, the group set up tree nurseries that cover 1,340 hectares as of end 2005, according to Fernandez. Their target is 1,500 hectares within this year, he adds.

“Much of the success can be credited to our expert team of foresters and crew of workers, many of them volunteers, who both maintain the trees and act as foot patrols for security and protection. It is unfortunate that in the process of restoring the forest, our bunkhouse was burned, one of our workers was beheaded and his wife gang raped. The child of another worker also died,” recounts Fernandez.

To sustain their protection activities and generate steady revenues, Bantay Kalikasan joined forces with the MWSS and the Quezon City government to develop the recreation area now known as the La Mesa Eco-park in East Fairview. The park was opened to the public in April 2004.

Says Fernandez: “It was a very challenging situation because unlike other property development companies, we had no money; only a dream that hopefully people will buy into.” He adds: “Developing the park was not easy. The first step was to relocate over 200 informal settlers and then visioning the concept, with architects Francisco Mañosa and Jun Palafox enhancing the existing layout, structures and attractions in the park.”

But the efforts were worth it, he points out. “I will never forget the sense of fulfilment I got just watching a young couple with their baby in a stroller all set for a quiet family picnic under the trees. That was when I realized how much impact this project has on the lives of ordinary folk, especially their children.”

Fernandez should know. He himself has three children: Pilar, 4; Jaime, 3, and Julia, 1. Together with wife Myrna, he regularly brings the kids to the eco-park.

The park might as well be his fourth child, the way he describes its offerings proudly: “We guarantee clean restrooms, a landscaped garden and slopes planted with flowers, the landmark being the Shell flower terraces. One swampy area is now the site of the Petron outdoor amphitheater.” There’s also a pool, an orchidarium set up by Sen. Franklin Drilon as a memorial for his first wife, a fitness and nature trail, a pond for fishing, and a boating lagoon revived by the Aboitiz transport group.

It’s just too bad that the housing controversy should come up just when the project is poised to finally become self sustaining, sighs Fernandez. “What is the use of all these efforts if the integrity of the watershed is placed at risk?”

The issue, he adds, can be solved immediately by declaring the watershed as a protected area. “It does not need a Senate fact-finding committee to eventually come to this conclusion. All it needs is political will, just one stroke of the pen which will ensure the purity of the drinking water of 12 million people and the preservation of the forest and wildlife in the area,” he says.

Dreaming big

Beyond the La Mesa Eco-Park project, Fernandez continues to dream big. His wish list outlines what he’d like to do, given the chance. “I would require all developers to undertake environment-friendly projects, not only in terms of waste management but in providing buildings that allow in more natural light and require less electricity to cool. I’d like to see more communities that promote walking and biking.”

He’d also like to impose a socialized form of tax on pollutants, including cars in Metro Manila and corporations that release wastes in the environment. “The funds raised can be used to implement air pollution monitoring and control devices,” says Fernandez.

But more importantly, he adds, he’d make sure that environment laws are reviewed regularly, “to make sure that they are simple, easy to understand and enforceable, so that everyone can get involved in protecting what is rightly theirs—the future.”

——————

Learn more about the Save La Mesa Dam campaign through http://www.lamesaecopark.com



Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://news.inq7.net/sunday/index.php?index=1&story_id=78026

Informal settlers in La Mesa watershed has already done severe damage to this fragile watershed by way of its slash and burn farming. Denuded parts of the only rainforest in Metro Manila is being rehabilitated by concerned citizens and now they are going to bring in people to live permanently that will only degrade the watershed even more. I hope they have an environmental study on the effects of all these families moving in on the watershed and the consequences it might bring to this fragile ecosystem.

I hope it's not true that Gina Lopez, the head of Bantay Kalikasan which is spearheading the rehabilitation of the watershed, turning a blind eye on the housing developments for the executives of MWSS. The only rainforest in Metro Manila should remain as that a rainforest and not a subdivision.

Authorities better think clearly about the concerns which will affect the majority of the people in Metro Manila and not just the few employees of MWSS.

Informal settlers in La Mesa watershed has already done severe damage to this fragile watershed by way of its slash and burn farming. Denuded parts of the only rainforest in Metro Manila is being rehabilitated by concerned citizens and now they are going to bring in people to live permanently that will only degrade the watershed even more. I hope they have an environmental study on the effects of all these families moving in on the watershed and the consequences it might bring to this fragile ecosystem.

I hope it's not true that Gina Lopez, the head of Bantay Kalikasan which is spearheading the rehabilitation of the watershed, turning a blind eye on the housing developments for the executives of MWSS. The only rainforest in Metro Manila should remain as that a rainforest and not a subdivision.

Authorities better think clearly about the concerns which will affect the majority of the people in Metro Manila and not just the few employees of MWSS.

Informal settlers in La Mesa watershed has already done severe damage to this fragile watershed by way of its slash and burn farming. Denuded parts of the only rainforest in Metro Manila is being rehabilitated by concerned citizens and now they are going to bring in people to live permanently that will only degrade the watershed even more. I hope they have an environmental study on the effects of all these families moving in on the watershed and the consequences it might bring to this fragile ecosystem.

I hope it's not true that Gina Lopez, the head of Bantay Kalikasan which is spearheading the rehabilitation of the watershed, turning a blind eye on the housing developments for the executives of MWSS. The only rainforest in Metro Manila should remain as that a rainforest and not a subdivision.

Authorities better think clearly about the concerns which will affect the majority of the people in Metro Manila and not just the few employees of MWSS.

Amen to this thread, bump, can we galvanize ourselves and get encourage our senators on giving protected status to la mesa dam???????

Amen to this thread, bump, can we galvanize ourselves and get encourage our senators on giving protected status to la mesa dam???????

Amen to this thread, bump, can we galvanize ourselves and get encourage our senators on giving protected status to la mesa dam???????

some of our fellow forumers here already did a similar action about our heritage sites, but still nothing has happened. it's just that I dont want our efforts to be worthless in the end.

some of our fellow forumers here already did a similar action about our heritage sites, but still nothing has happened. it's just that I dont want our efforts to be worthless in the end.

some of our fellow forumers here already did a similar action about our heritage sites, but still nothing has happened. it's just that I dont want our efforts to be worthless in the end.

Atleast this thread will help provide awareness. I think we do have some government officials lurking in the Philippine forum. I'll try to write something but as always no one replies.

Atleast this thread will help provide awareness. I think we do have some government officials lurking in the Philippine forum. I'll try to write something but as always no one replies.

Atleast this thread will help provide awareness. I think we do have some government officials lurking in the Philippine forum. I'll try to write something but as always no one replies.

One of the houses built is ours. But we never lived in it even just for a night.

One of the houses built is ours. But we never lived in it even just for a night.

One of the houses built is ours. But we never lived in it even just for a night.

Hey, I just read this thread. Really this is an issue of vital concern in terms of protecting not only the environment but Manila's water source.

Government should at once exercise its police power and eminent domain to expropriate this land. I am surprised that legal titles were given for the construction of houses there and to MWSS employees at that. This is just NOT right. It should not have been made part of a collective bargaining agreement. It makes you wonder that if the CBA was executed as far back as 1968, why were the constructions and titles being given only now? Surely, since then, they recognized that the nature of these lands is critical and is not proper to award residential titles. Something is amiss.

And people thought all along that La Mesa Dam was protected by Watershed rights. The Legislature or even the President should at once issue an Executive Order or Presidential Decree declaring it as a protected area. As Mr. Fernandez said, "It does not need a Senate fact-finding committee to eventually come to this conclusion. All it needs is political will, just one stroke of the pen which will ensure the purity of the drinking water of 12 million people and the preservation of the forest and wildlife in the area.”

Hey, I just read this thread. Really this is an issue of vital concern in terms of protecting not only the environment but Manila's water source.

Government should at once exercise its police power and eminent domain to expropriate this land. I am surprised that legal titles were given for the construction of houses there and to MWSS employees at that. This is just NOT right. It should not have been made part of a collective bargaining agreement. It makes you wonder that if the CBA was executed as far back as 1968, why were the constructions and titles being given only now? Surely, since then, they recognized that the nature of these lands is critical and is not proper to award residential titles. Something is amiss.

And people thought all along that La Mesa Dam was protected by Watershed rights. The Legislature or even the President should at once issue an Executive Order or Presidential Decree declaring it as a protected area. As Mr. Fernandez said, "It does not need a Senate fact-finding committee to eventually come to this conclusion. All it needs is political will, just one stroke of the pen which will ensure the purity of the drinking water of 12 million people and the preservation of the forest and wildlife in the area.”

Hey, I just read this thread. Really this is an issue of vital concern in terms of protecting not only the environment but Manila's water source.

Government should at once exercise its police power and eminent domain to expropriate this land. I am surprised that legal titles were given for the construction of houses there and to MWSS employees at that. This is just NOT right. It should not have been made part of a collective bargaining agreement. It makes you wonder that if the CBA was executed as far back as 1968, why were the constructions and titles being given only now? Surely, since then, they recognized that the nature of these lands is critical and is not proper to award residential titles. Something is amiss.

And people thought all along that La Mesa Dam was protected by Watershed rights. The Legislature or even the President should at once issue an Executive Order or Presidential Decree declaring it as a protected area. As Mr. Fernandez said, "It does not need a Senate fact-finding committee to eventually come to this conclusion. All it needs is political will, just one stroke of the pen which will ensure the purity of the drinking water of 12 million people and the preservation of the forest and wildlife in the area.”

As I See It : Why the bureaucratic runaround on water?

First posted 01:02am (Mla time) June 07, 2006
By Neal H. Cruz
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on Page A14 of the June 7, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

I DON’T understand it. This charade has been going on for 13 years now. I am reminded of it again because of the lack of water in many areas in Metro Manila and environs. Plus there is the current controversy over a proposed housing project, being pushed by shadowy characters under mysterious circumstances inside the La Mesa watershed, which will pollute the water in the reservoir.

Here are the facts:

• La Mesa Dam is the principal source of water for 12 million residents of the metropolis. Aside from the water generated by its own watershed, additional water is piped in from the Angat and Ipo dams in Bulacan province. In addition, many subdivisions, factories, commercial establishments, as well as individual homes, source their water from deep wells. So much fresh water is being sucked out that the underground aquifers are running dry and salt water is taking its place in the aquifers. Result: Water being pumped out of the wells is salty.

• Because of this, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has prohibited the use of deep wells and the drilling of more. “If water continues to be sucked out,” said NWRB Executive Director Ramon Alikpala, “the ground above the aquifers will subside, making them more susceptible to floods.” But he quickly added that he could stop residents and establishments in three cities (Las Piñas, Parañaque and Muntinlupa) from using deep wells “because of a lack of an alternative water source in these areas.” He proposed that deep wells be banned in the rest of Metro Manila.

• While many areas are engulfed by gigantic floods after the slightest thunderstorm, drinking water is scarce. We see evidence of that daily on TV as residents in poorer areas line up for water with all sorts of containers.

• Every summer, there is a shortage of water -- not only for drinking and washing but also for agriculture. When a major pipeline from Angat is blocked or damaged, much of Metro Manila goes thirsty for days while the damage is repaired.

• While the two water concessionaires are busy laying down new pipes, little or no water comes out of these pipes. There just isn’t enough water to supply the needs of the population.

The government is dreaming of harnessing the Laiban Dam near Quezon province, but that is decades away. The government keeps talking about pumping up water from Laguna and Taal lakes, but those are also still dreams.

• Yet there is a ready source of fresh water in a reservoir nearby. All you have to do is connect a new pipe from the reservoir to the La Mesa reservoir a few kilometers downstream and you have millions of gallons of additional water daily. Every day millions of gallons of water just flow over the dam to the Marikina and Pasig rivers, and out to sea.

This is the mystery that I don’t understand. We have a perennial shortage of water, there is a ready source of water to relieve the shortage, but the government agencies in charge of water do not want to tap it. This is the Wawa Dam in Montalban town (now renamed Rodriguez), which used to be the main source of water of Manila.

Here’s an even deeper mystery: A Filipino company that has helped put up a big dam in the Cordilleras is offering to tap Wawa Dam -- for free! There is no legal obstacle to the proposal, but the NWRB is using the longest red tape in the world to delay the project. This has been going on for the last 13 years. Why?

Another mystery: Recently, Manila Water Co. Inc. proudly announced that it would supply water to Antipolo City and neighboring towns. Where will the water come from? From La Mesa! Water from La Mesa would be pumped up, at considerable expense, to Antipolo, etc.

“Why not from Wawa Dam?” I asked. “It’s already there.”

No answer. Ponder this: Water will be pumped from La Mesa, which is already short of water supply, to several communities that already have a reservoir full of water that flows uselessly out to sea every day. Where is the logic there?

It appears that I am not the only one perplexed by the mysteries. I received a letter from the proponent of tapping the Wawa Dam, Oscar Violago, owner of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders & Developers Group, who has also read the NWRB statements. He is wondering why the NWRB has given it the runaround. I have posed the same question to Alikpala a couple of times, and I couldn’t get a satisfactory answer.

“It is unfortunate that the NWRB, after all these years, is now admitting that it has not done anything to ensure that the water supply of Metro Manila would be sufficient and that it now says it has no alternative water source in sight,” Violago said in his letter. “This leads us to ask again why, after 13 years of bureaucratic runaround (we applied for our water permit in 1993), the NWRB has yet to approve our company’s water permit to extract, supply and deliver the water from Wawa Dam to Metro Manila. We are willing and able to supply upwards of 1.5 million cubic meters of potable water per day, which is more than enough to solve once and for all the perennial water crisis.”

“…We cannot understand NWRB’s frame of mind,” Violago continued. “We have repeatedly stated that our project would be at no cost to the government and that all risks would be to our account… We wonder how many more years Metro Manila will have to endure this lack of water when by a single stroke of the pen, Director Alikpala and the NWRB can make the water shortage a thing of the past.”





Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&story_id=78319&col=56

As I See It : Why the bureaucratic runaround on water?

First posted 01:02am (Mla time) June 07, 2006
By Neal H. Cruz
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on Page A14 of the June 7, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

I DON’T understand it. This charade has been going on for 13 years now. I am reminded of it again because of the lack of water in many areas in Metro Manila and environs. Plus there is the current controversy over a proposed housing project, being pushed by shadowy characters under mysterious circumstances inside the La Mesa watershed, which will pollute the water in the reservoir.

Here are the facts:

• La Mesa Dam is the principal source of water for 12 million residents of the metropolis. Aside from the water generated by its own watershed, additional water is piped in from the Angat and Ipo dams in Bulacan province. In addition, many subdivisions, factories, commercial establishments, as well as individual homes, source their water from deep wells. So much fresh water is being sucked out that the underground aquifers are running dry and salt water is taking its place in the aquifers. Result: Water being pumped out of the wells is salty.

• Because of this, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has prohibited the use of deep wells and the drilling of more. “If water continues to be sucked out,” said NWRB Executive Director Ramon Alikpala, “the ground above the aquifers will subside, making them more susceptible to floods.” But he quickly added that he could stop residents and establishments in three cities (Las Piñas, Parañaque and Muntinlupa) from using deep wells “because of a lack of an alternative water source in these areas.” He proposed that deep wells be banned in the rest of Metro Manila.

• While many areas are engulfed by gigantic floods after the slightest thunderstorm, drinking water is scarce. We see evidence of that daily on TV as residents in poorer areas line up for water with all sorts of containers.

• Every summer, there is a shortage of water -- not only for drinking and washing but also for agriculture. When a major pipeline from Angat is blocked or damaged, much of Metro Manila goes thirsty for days while the damage is repaired.

• While the two water concessionaires are busy laying down new pipes, little or no water comes out of these pipes. There just isn’t enough water to supply the needs of the population.

The government is dreaming of harnessing the Laiban Dam near Quezon province, but that is decades away. The government keeps talking about pumping up water from Laguna and Taal lakes, but those are also still dreams.

• Yet there is a ready source of fresh water in a reservoir nearby. All you have to do is connect a new pipe from the reservoir to the La Mesa reservoir a few kilometers downstream and you have millions of gallons of additional water daily. Every day millions of gallons of water just flow over the dam to the Marikina and Pasig rivers, and out to sea.

This is the mystery that I don’t understand. We have a perennial shortage of water, there is a ready source of water to relieve the shortage, but the government agencies in charge of water do not want to tap it. This is the Wawa Dam in Montalban town (now renamed Rodriguez), which used to be the main source of water of Manila.

Here’s an even deeper mystery: A Filipino company that has helped put up a big dam in the Cordilleras is offering to tap Wawa Dam -- for free! There is no legal obstacle to the proposal, but the NWRB is using the longest red tape in the world to delay the project. This has been going on for the last 13 years. Why?

Another mystery: Recently, Manila Water Co. Inc. proudly announced that it would supply water to Antipolo City and neighboring towns. Where will the water come from? From La Mesa! Water from La Mesa would be pumped up, at considerable expense, to Antipolo, etc.

“Why not from Wawa Dam?” I asked. “It’s already there.”

No answer. Ponder this: Water will be pumped from La Mesa, which is already short of water supply, to several communities that already have a reservoir full of water that flows uselessly out to sea every day. Where is the logic there?

It appears that I am not the only one perplexed by the mysteries. I received a letter from the proponent of tapping the Wawa Dam, Oscar Violago, owner of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders & Developers Group, who has also read the NWRB statements. He is wondering why the NWRB has given it the runaround. I have posed the same question to Alikpala a couple of times, and I couldn’t get a satisfactory answer.

“It is unfortunate that the NWRB, after all these years, is now admitting that it has not done anything to ensure that the water supply of Metro Manila would be sufficient and that it now says it has no alternative water source in sight,” Violago said in his letter. “This leads us to ask again why, after 13 years of bureaucratic runaround (we applied for our water permit in 1993), the NWRB has yet to approve our company’s water permit to extract, supply and deliver the water from Wawa Dam to Metro Manila. We are willing and able to supply upwards of 1.5 million cubic meters of potable water per day, which is more than enough to solve once and for all the perennial water crisis.”

“…We cannot understand NWRB’s frame of mind,” Violago continued. “We have repeatedly stated that our project would be at no cost to the government and that all risks would be to our account… We wonder how many more years Metro Manila will have to endure this lack of water when by a single stroke of the pen, Director Alikpala and the NWRB can make the water shortage a thing of the past.”





Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&story_id=78319&col=56

As I See It : Why the bureaucratic runaround on water?

First posted 01:02am (Mla time) June 07, 2006
By Neal H. Cruz
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on Page A14 of the June 7, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

I DON’T understand it. This charade has been going on for 13 years now. I am reminded of it again because of the lack of water in many areas in Metro Manila and environs. Plus there is the current controversy over a proposed housing project, being pushed by shadowy characters under mysterious circumstances inside the La Mesa watershed, which will pollute the water in the reservoir.

Here are the facts:

• La Mesa Dam is the principal source of water for 12 million residents of the metropolis. Aside from the water generated by its own watershed, additional water is piped in from the Angat and Ipo dams in Bulacan province. In addition, many subdivisions, factories, commercial establishments, as well as individual homes, source their water from deep wells. So much fresh water is being sucked out that the underground aquifers are running dry and salt water is taking its place in the aquifers. Result: Water being pumped out of the wells is salty.

• Because of this, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has prohibited the use of deep wells and the drilling of more. “If water continues to be sucked out,” said NWRB Executive Director Ramon Alikpala, “the ground above the aquifers will subside, making them more susceptible to floods.” But he quickly added that he could stop residents and establishments in three cities (Las Piñas, Parañaque and Muntinlupa) from using deep wells “because of a lack of an alternative water source in these areas.” He proposed that deep wells be banned in the rest of Metro Manila.

• While many areas are engulfed by gigantic floods after the slightest thunderstorm, drinking water is scarce. We see evidence of that daily on TV as residents in poorer areas line up for water with all sorts of containers.

• Every summer, there is a shortage of water -- not only for drinking and washing but also for agriculture. When a major pipeline from Angat is blocked or damaged, much of Metro Manila goes thirsty for days while the damage is repaired.

• While the two water concessionaires are busy laying down new pipes, little or no water comes out of these pipes. There just isn’t enough water to supply the needs of the population.

The government is dreaming of harnessing the Laiban Dam near Quezon province, but that is decades away. The government keeps talking about pumping up water from Laguna and Taal lakes, but those are also still dreams.

• Yet there is a ready source of fresh water in a reservoir nearby. All you have to do is connect a new pipe from the reservoir to the La Mesa reservoir a few kilometers downstream and you have millions of gallons of additional water daily. Every day millions of gallons of water just flow over the dam to the Marikina and Pasig rivers, and out to sea.

This is the mystery that I don’t understand. We have a perennial shortage of water, there is a ready source of water to relieve the shortage, but the government agencies in charge of water do not want to tap it. This is the Wawa Dam in Montalban town (now renamed Rodriguez), which used to be the main source of water of Manila.

Here’s an even deeper mystery: A Filipino company that has helped put up a big dam in the Cordilleras is offering to tap Wawa Dam -- for free! There is no legal obstacle to the proposal, but the NWRB is using the longest red tape in the world to delay the project. This has been going on for the last 13 years. Why?

Another mystery: Recently, Manila Water Co. Inc. proudly announced that it would supply water to Antipolo City and neighboring towns. Where will the water come from? From La Mesa! Water from La Mesa would be pumped up, at considerable expense, to Antipolo, etc.

“Why not from Wawa Dam?” I asked. “It’s already there.”

No answer. Ponder this: Water will be pumped from La Mesa, which is already short of water supply, to several communities that already have a reservoir full of water that flows uselessly out to sea every day. Where is the logic there?

It appears that I am not the only one perplexed by the mysteries. I received a letter from the proponent of tapping the Wawa Dam, Oscar Violago, owner of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders & Developers Group, who has also read the NWRB statements. He is wondering why the NWRB has given it the runaround. I have posed the same question to Alikpala a couple of times, and I couldn’t get a satisfactory answer.

“It is unfortunate that the NWRB, after all these years, is now admitting that it has not done anything to ensure that the water supply of Metro Manila would be sufficient and that it now says it has no alternative water source in sight,” Violago said in his letter. “This leads us to ask again why, after 13 years of bureaucratic runaround (we applied for our water permit in 1993), the NWRB has yet to approve our company’s water permit to extract, supply and deliver the water from Wawa Dam to Metro Manila. We are willing and able to supply upwards of 1.5 million cubic meters of potable water per day, which is more than enough to solve once and for all the perennial water crisis.”

“…We cannot understand NWRB’s frame of mind,” Violago continued. “We have repeatedly stated that our project would be at no cost to the government and that all risks would be to our account… We wonder how many more years Metro Manila will have to endure this lack of water when by a single stroke of the pen, Director Alikpala and the NWRB can make the water shortage a thing of the past.”





Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&story_id=78319&col=56

^ Hmmm.. the Wawa Dam? Time for research.

But first, La Mesa is critical.

^ Hmmm.. the Wawa Dam? Time for research.

But first, La Mesa is critical.

^ Hmmm.. the Wawa Dam? Time for research.

But first, La Mesa is critical.

Crazy. And Manila is one of the raniest cities in the world!

Crazy. And Manila is one of the raniest cities in the world!

Crazy. And Manila is one of the raniest cities in the world!

Dr. Florangel R Braid

THERE is no better way of celebrating Environment Month than remembering the pioneering efforts of local environmental advocates. I am sure we can think of hundreds of individuals whose lives have been dedicated to improving the quality of our air, water, soil, and other life resources, but for a start, let me mention a few.

There is the late Maximo "Junie" Kalaw whose vision of a "greener" and more sustainable Philippines spawned a number of environmental projects including our own Philippines Habitat movement. And who will forget the courageous Mac-ling Dulag, the hero of the Cordillera region who led an advocacy group to protect ancestral domain by preventing the exploitation of the Chico River Dam? Then there is Marcelo Palaypay, the father of solid waste management who taught all of us the basics of composting. At that time which was the early 80s, he and Narda Camacho were moving around schools and community groups demonstrating the principles of garbage management. Narda has put out a useful manual on Solid Waste Management which gives information on how to recycle various types of wastes — paper, plastics, cans, glass, innovative technologies that can be used, management of bio-medical wastes, nationwide industrial waste exchange centers, city, municipal and barangay ordinances, and the role of local government units. Narda who is chairperson of the Unesco National Commission’s Science and Technology Committee has moved from the ground to the mountains where she leads a group which works with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the AFP North Luzon Command, the National Academy of Science and Technology and several NGOS in the restoration of the Sierra Madre Range.

Last Monday, a forum on the Sierra Madre Range restoration was presented with Narda as the moving spirit. Narda’s predecessor as Unesco chair of S & T was former DENR Undersecretary Dr. Delfin Ganapin who is now with the Global Environment Facility in New York. Del is a big loss but not really so when we think that in his strategic position at GEF, he is able to use his talents in helping attain the Millennium Development Goals where sustainability is a central theme. Our Unesco commission also misses Dr. Mike Fortes who was very much involved in the Puerto Galera project. Like Del he is in great demand as an international expert.

No one can match the passion of Odette Alcantara whose pilot project in Blue Ridge, Quezon City where she also resides, is now a famous showcase of a successful zero-waste environmental management project. Odette has moved on with other innovative programs all in the environmental movement.

Gina Lopez and her Bantay Kalikasan is behind the development of the beautiful park in La Mesa Dam and the Clean Air movement. A noted development management planner who won a prestigious Alternative Nobel Prize, Dr. Nicky Perlas is now in governance advocacy. In the early 80s, he started a model farm in Diliman where he successfully demonstrated sustainable farm practices.

Bebet Gozon, former DENR secretary is now with the World Bank. We worked with her on a Metro Manila Clean Air Project two years ago and was much impressed with her hands on approach and networking ability with NGO groups (where she started), industry, and government agencies. Atty. Antonio Oposa who is now guarding the Visayan seas gained fame in the Supreme Court case where he won for his advocacy on the rights of future generations. A mother-son team, Mayor Coring Acosta and Rep. Neric Acosta have confronted the problems of our environment at various fronts — in Congress (Neric was principal author of Clean Air and Water; Coring, during her term in Congress co-authored several bills related to environment), local government and cooperatives in Bukidnon.

Former Senator Loren Legarda with her Luntiang Pilipinas which planted a million trees in many sections in Metro Manila was honored by international environmental organizations. Former Senator Santanina Rasul organized the Bantay Dagats into becoming an effective advocacy group all over the country. Two environmental activists in local government — Mayor Eduard Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa and Mayor Mary Jane Ortega of San Fernando La Union have transformed not only the physical environment of their cities but also the mind-sets of their constituencies. Much of the credit for the success of Palawan as a model of ecotourism can be attributed to Mayor Hagedorn. Likewise, the advocacy for coastal resources management and clean air was spearheaded by the indefatigable Mayor Ortega.

From the business sector we have Dr. Cora Claudio and Grace Favila of the Philippine Business for the Environment. Cora who is an international consultant on risk management and communication and other environmental problems, is also working with indigenous peoples’ environmental rights; Grace’s advocacy now is in sustainable coastal tourism. There is also Lorie Tan, who is behind the successful advocacy of WWF Philippines. Dr. Ben Malayang who is now President of Silliman University prepared the Environmental Management Bureau Plan for 2007-2012 and remembers him as already very active in this field when we were together at the Development Academy in the late 70s. The Manila Observatory at the Ateneo campus in Quezon City under Fr. Daniel McNamara is an important partner of the environmental movement especially Clean Air.

Finally, there is the husband-wife team of Howie Severino and wife Ipat Luna and Che-che Lazaro president of Probe Productions who have advanced the cause of the environmental movement through their media advocacy. If I could write a Part II, I would also acknowledge the hundreds of forest rangers, Bantay Dagats (a number had been killed in the line of duty and should be honored posthumously), and members of the PENRO and CENRO (who provide environmental clearances and monitor enterprises to determine compliance with the law) who have worked behind the scenes to ensure a more sustainable future for the next generations. Please write to florbraid@yahoo.com

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/07/OPED2006060766148.html

Dr. Florangel R Braid

THERE is no better way of celebrating Environment Month than remembering the pioneering efforts of local environmental advocates. I am sure we can think of hundreds of individuals whose lives have been dedicated to improving the quality of our air, water, soil, and other life resources, but for a start, let me mention a few.

There is the late Maximo "Junie" Kalaw whose vision of a "greener" and more sustainable Philippines spawned a number of environmental projects including our own Philippines Habitat movement. And who will forget the courageous Mac-ling Dulag, the hero of the Cordillera region who led an advocacy group to protect ancestral domain by preventing the exploitation of the Chico River Dam? Then there is Marcelo Palaypay, the father of solid waste management who taught all of us the basics of composting. At that time which was the early 80s, he and Narda Camacho were moving around schools and community groups demonstrating the principles of garbage management. Narda has put out a useful manual on Solid Waste Management which gives information on how to recycle various types of wastes — paper, plastics, cans, glass, innovative technologies that can be used, management of bio-medical wastes, nationwide industrial waste exchange centers, city, municipal and barangay ordinances, and the role of local government units. Narda who is chairperson of the Unesco National Commission’s Science and Technology Committee has moved from the ground to the mountains where she leads a group which works with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the AFP North Luzon Command, the National Academy of Science and Technology and several NGOS in the restoration of the Sierra Madre Range.

Last Monday, a forum on the Sierra Madre Range restoration was presented with Narda as the moving spirit. Narda’s predecessor as Unesco chair of S & T was former DENR Undersecretary Dr. Delfin Ganapin who is now with the Global Environment Facility in New York. Del is a big loss but not really so when we think that in his strategic position at GEF, he is able to use his talents in helping attain the Millennium Development Goals where sustainability is a central theme. Our Unesco commission also misses Dr. Mike Fortes who was very much involved in the Puerto Galera project. Like Del he is in great demand as an international expert.

No one can match the passion of Odette Alcantara whose pilot project in Blue Ridge, Quezon City where she also resides, is now a famous showcase of a successful zero-waste environmental management project. Odette has moved on with other innovative programs all in the environmental movement.

Gina Lopez and her Bantay Kalikasan is behind the development of the beautiful park in La Mesa Dam and the Clean Air movement. A noted development management planner who won a prestigious Alternative Nobel Prize, Dr. Nicky Perlas is now in governance advocacy. In the early 80s, he started a model farm in Diliman where he successfully demonstrated sustainable farm practices.

Bebet Gozon, former DENR secretary is now with the World Bank. We worked with her on a Metro Manila Clean Air Project two years ago and was much impressed with her hands on approach and networking ability with NGO groups (where she started), industry, and government agencies. Atty. Antonio Oposa who is now guarding the Visayan seas gained fame in the Supreme Court case where he won for his advocacy on the rights of future generations. A mother-son team, Mayor Coring Acosta and Rep. Neric Acosta have confronted the problems of our environment at various fronts — in Congress (Neric was principal author of Clean Air and Water; Coring, during her term in Congress co-authored several bills related to environment), local government and cooperatives in Bukidnon.

Former Senator Loren Legarda with her Luntiang Pilipinas which planted a million trees in many sections in Metro Manila was honored by international environmental organizations. Former Senator Santanina Rasul organized the Bantay Dagats into becoming an effective advocacy group all over the country. Two environmental activists in local government — Mayor Eduard Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa and Mayor Mary Jane Ortega of San Fernando La Union have transformed not only the physical environment of their cities but also the mind-sets of their constituencies. Much of the credit for the success of Palawan as a model of ecotourism can be attributed to Mayor Hagedorn. Likewise, the advocacy for coastal resources management and clean air was spearheaded by the indefatigable Mayor Ortega.

From the business sector we have Dr. Cora Claudio and Grace Favila of the Philippine Business for the Environment. Cora who is an international consultant on risk management and communication and other environmental problems, is also working with indigenous peoples’ environmental rights; Grace’s advocacy now is in sustainable coastal tourism. There is also Lorie Tan, who is behind the successful advocacy of WWF Philippines. Dr. Ben Malayang who is now President of Silliman University prepared the Environmental Management Bureau Plan for 2007-2012 and remembers him as already very active in this field when we were together at the Development Academy in the late 70s. The Manila Observatory at the Ateneo campus in Quezon City under Fr. Daniel McNamara is an important partner of the environmental movement especially Clean Air.

Finally, there is the husband-wife team of Howie Severino and wife Ipat Luna and Che-che Lazaro president of Probe Productions who have advanced the cause of the environmental movement through their media advocacy. If I could write a Part II, I would also acknowledge the hundreds of forest rangers, Bantay Dagats (a number had been killed in the line of duty and should be honored posthumously), and members of the PENRO and CENRO (who provide environmental clearances and monitor enterprises to determine compliance with the law) who have worked behind the scenes to ensure a more sustainable future for the next generations. Please write to florbraid@yahoo.com

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/07/OPED2006060766148.html

Dr. Florangel R Braid

THERE is no better way of celebrating Environment Month than remembering the pioneering efforts of local environmental advocates. I am sure we can think of hundreds of individuals whose lives have been dedicated to improving the quality of our air, water, soil, and other life resources, but for a start, let me mention a few.

There is the late Maximo "Junie" Kalaw whose vision of a "greener" and more sustainable Philippines spawned a number of environmental projects including our own Philippines Habitat movement. And who will forget the courageous Mac-ling Dulag, the hero of the Cordillera region who led an advocacy group to protect ancestral domain by preventing the exploitation of the Chico River Dam? Then there is Marcelo Palaypay, the father of solid waste management who taught all of us the basics of composting. At that time which was the early 80s, he and Narda Camacho were moving around schools and community groups demonstrating the principles of garbage management. Narda has put out a useful manual on Solid Waste Management which gives information on how to recycle various types of wastes — paper, plastics, cans, glass, innovative technologies that can be used, management of bio-medical wastes, nationwide industrial waste exchange centers, city, municipal and barangay ordinances, and the role of local government units. Narda who is chairperson of the Unesco National Commission’s Science and Technology Committee has moved from the ground to the mountains where she leads a group which works with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the AFP North Luzon Command, the National Academy of Science and Technology and several NGOS in the restoration of the Sierra Madre Range.

Last Monday, a forum on the Sierra Madre Range restoration was presented with Narda as the moving spirit. Narda’s predecessor as Unesco chair of S & T was former DENR Undersecretary Dr. Delfin Ganapin who is now with the Global Environment Facility in New York. Del is a big loss but not really so when we think that in his strategic position at GEF, he is able to use his talents in helping attain the Millennium Development Goals where sustainability is a central theme. Our Unesco commission also misses Dr. Mike Fortes who was very much involved in the Puerto Galera project. Like Del he is in great demand as an international expert.

No one can match the passion of Odette Alcantara whose pilot project in Blue Ridge, Quezon City where she also resides, is now a famous showcase of a successful zero-waste environmental management project. Odette has moved on with other innovative programs all in the environmental movement.

Gina Lopez and her Bantay Kalikasan is behind the development of the beautiful park in La Mesa Dam and the Clean Air movement. A noted development management planner who won a prestigious Alternative Nobel Prize, Dr. Nicky Perlas is now in governance advocacy. In the early 80s, he started a model farm in Diliman where he successfully demonstrated sustainable farm practices.

Bebet Gozon, former DENR secretary is now with the World Bank. We worked with her on a Metro Manila Clean Air Project two years ago and was much impressed with her hands on approach and networking ability with NGO groups (where she started), industry, and government agencies. Atty. Antonio Oposa who is now guarding the Visayan seas gained fame in the Supreme Court case where he won for his advocacy on the rights of future generations. A mother-son team, Mayor Coring Acosta and Rep. Neric Acosta have confronted the problems of our environment at various fronts — in Congress (Neric was principal author of Clean Air and Water; Coring, during her term in Congress co-authored several bills related to environment), local government and cooperatives in Bukidnon.

Former Senator Loren Legarda with her Luntiang Pilipinas which planted a million trees in many sections in Metro Manila was honored by international environmental organizations. Former Senator Santanina Rasul organized the Bantay Dagats into becoming an effective advocacy group all over the country. Two environmental activists in local government — Mayor Eduard Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa and Mayor Mary Jane Ortega of San Fernando La Union have transformed not only the physical environment of their cities but also the mind-sets of their constituencies. Much of the credit for the success of Palawan as a model of ecotourism can be attributed to Mayor Hagedorn. Likewise, the advocacy for coastal resources management and clean air was spearheaded by the indefatigable Mayor Ortega.

From the business sector we have Dr. Cora Claudio and Grace Favila of the Philippine Business for the Environment. Cora who is an international consultant on risk management and communication and other environmental problems, is also working with indigenous peoples’ environmental rights; Grace’s advocacy now is in sustainable coastal tourism. There is also Lorie Tan, who is behind the successful advocacy of WWF Philippines. Dr. Ben Malayang who is now President of Silliman University prepared the Environmental Management Bureau Plan for 2007-2012 and remembers him as already very active in this field when we were together at the Development Academy in the late 70s. The Manila Observatory at the Ateneo campus in Quezon City under Fr. Daniel McNamara is an important partner of the environmental movement especially Clean Air.

Finally, there is the husband-wife team of Howie Severino and wife Ipat Luna and Che-che Lazaro president of Probe Productions who have advanced the cause of the environmental movement through their media advocacy. If I could write a Part II, I would also acknowledge the hundreds of forest rangers, Bantay Dagats (a number had been killed in the line of duty and should be honored posthumously), and members of the PENRO and CENRO (who provide environmental clearances and monitor enterprises to determine compliance with the law) who have worked behind the scenes to ensure a more sustainable future for the next generations. Please write to florbraid@yahoo.com

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/07/OPED2006060766148.html

La Mesa dam watershed must be preserved – panel

By MARIO B. CASAYURAN

A joint congressional environmental probe panel expressed yesterday its determination that the state-owned La Mesa dam watershed must be cleared of human activity, particularly as a residential area for the rank and file of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), to ensure the quality of drinking water for 12 million Metro Manila residents.


Sen. Pia Cayetano, co-chairperson of the congressional panel and head of the Senate Environment Committee, stressed this after an apparent breakthrough was reached to protect the MWSS housing beneficiaries as well as the environment.

This developed as Genaro Bautista, attorney-in-fact of the 1,411 awardees of the 58-hectare MWSS housing project, told the panel that they are amenable to leave the La Mesa dam area but their relocation area must be in the Quezon City area, not elsewhere.

Macra A. Cruz, MWSS senior deputy administrator, told the panel that the houses for the MWSS union are in various stages of completion and that MWSS structures within the watershed do not allow contamination of the stored water in the dam.

Cayetano pointed out that the MWSS land title over La Mesa was for its role as water provider and must now be annotated to state specifically that the land must not be used for various forms of human activity that would cause the eventual deterioration of the quality of water in the dam.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angelo Reyes stressed that a Supreme Court ruling allowing the MWSS to give land to union members focused mainly on the legal side of the issue but not on the environmental aspect.

Both Cayetano and Reyes agreed that MWSS title to the land allowing MWSS employees to build their homes within the watershed could be rescinded, based on Presidential Decree 705, because the rights of millions of water consumers are at stake.

Cayetano stressed that the panel’s final recommendation would depend on the result of an environmental impact study by the DENR as promised by Reyes which would take about one to two months.

Reyes questioned the MWSS decision to give a housing project for its employees for R3.19 million because it has no business dealing in real estate activity.

The hearing followed Cayetano’s filing of Senate Resolution 282 seeking an inquiry, in aid of legislation, to examine the conditions of all the lakes and watersheds in the country because the country’s many lakes are the major sources of food and livelihood for a great number of Filipinos.

"The continuous illegal logging and habitation in watersheds result in the damage or even destruction thereof. The destruction of these lakes will bring hardship and poor health to the people dependent on them for food and water," she said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006062367552.html

La Mesa dam watershed must be preserved – panel

By MARIO B. CASAYURAN

A joint congressional environmental probe panel expressed yesterday its determination that the state-owned La Mesa dam watershed must be cleared of human activity, particularly as a residential area for the rank and file of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), to ensure the quality of drinking water for 12 million Metro Manila residents.


Sen. Pia Cayetano, co-chairperson of the congressional panel and head of the Senate Environment Committee, stressed this after an apparent breakthrough was reached to protect the MWSS housing beneficiaries as well as the environment.

This developed as Genaro Bautista, attorney-in-fact of the 1,411 awardees of the 58-hectare MWSS housing project, told the panel that they are amenable to leave the La Mesa dam area but their relocation area must be in the Quezon City area, not elsewhere.

Macra A. Cruz, MWSS senior deputy administrator, told the panel that the houses for the MWSS union are in various stages of completion and that MWSS structures within the watershed do not allow contamination of the stored water in the dam.

Cayetano pointed out that the MWSS land title over La Mesa was for its role as water provider and must now be annotated to state specifically that the land must not be used for various forms of human activity that would cause the eventual deterioration of the quality of water in the dam.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angelo Reyes stressed that a Supreme Court ruling allowing the MWSS to give land to union members focused mainly on the legal side of the issue but not on the environmental aspect.

Both Cayetano and Reyes agreed that MWSS title to the land allowing MWSS employees to build their homes within the watershed could be rescinded, based on Presidential Decree 705, because the rights of millions of water consumers are at stake.

Cayetano stressed that the panel’s final recommendation would depend on the result of an environmental impact study by the DENR as promised by Reyes which would take about one to two months.

Reyes questioned the MWSS decision to give a housing project for its employees for R3.19 million because it has no business dealing in real estate activity.

The hearing followed Cayetano’s filing of Senate Resolution 282 seeking an inquiry, in aid of legislation, to examine the conditions of all the lakes and watersheds in the country because the country’s many lakes are the major sources of food and livelihood for a great number of Filipinos.

"The continuous illegal logging and habitation in watersheds result in the damage or even destruction thereof. The destruction of these lakes will bring hardship and poor health to the people dependent on them for food and water," she said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006062367552.html

La Mesa dam watershed must be preserved – panel

By MARIO B. CASAYURAN

A joint congressional environmental probe panel expressed yesterday its determination that the state-owned La Mesa dam watershed must be cleared of human activity, particularly as a residential area for the rank and file of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), to ensure the quality of drinking water for 12 million Metro Manila residents.


Sen. Pia Cayetano, co-chairperson of the congressional panel and head of the Senate Environment Committee, stressed this after an apparent breakthrough was reached to protect the MWSS housing beneficiaries as well as the environment.

This developed as Genaro Bautista, attorney-in-fact of the 1,411 awardees of the 58-hectare MWSS housing project, told the panel that they are amenable to leave the La Mesa dam area but their relocation area must be in the Quezon City area, not elsewhere.

Macra A. Cruz, MWSS senior deputy administrator, told the panel that the houses for the MWSS union are in various stages of completion and that MWSS structures within the watershed do not allow contamination of the stored water in the dam.

Cayetano pointed out that the MWSS land title over La Mesa was for its role as water provider and must now be annotated to state specifically that the land must not be used for various forms of human activity that would cause the eventual deterioration of the quality of water in the dam.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angelo Reyes stressed that a Supreme Court ruling allowing the MWSS to give land to union members focused mainly on the legal side of the issue but not on the environmental aspect.

Both Cayetano and Reyes agreed that MWSS title to the land allowing MWSS employees to build their homes within the watershed could be rescinded, based on Presidential Decree 705, because the rights of millions of water consumers are at stake.

Cayetano stressed that the panel’s final recommendation would depend on the result of an environmental impact study by the DENR as promised by Reyes which would take about one to two months.

Reyes questioned the MWSS decision to give a housing project for its employees for R3.19 million because it has no business dealing in real estate activity.

The hearing followed Cayetano’s filing of Senate Resolution 282 seeking an inquiry, in aid of legislation, to examine the conditions of all the lakes and watersheds in the country because the country’s many lakes are the major sources of food and livelihood for a great number of Filipinos.

"The continuous illegal logging and habitation in watersheds result in the damage or even destruction thereof. The destruction of these lakes will bring hardship and poor health to the people dependent on them for food and water," she said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006062367552.html

By ELLALYN B. DE VERA

A Metropolitan Manila Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS) organization supporting the housing project at the La Mesa Dam Reservoir in Quezon City yesterday said that water supplied to some 12 million Metro Manila residents does not come from the La Mesa Dam.

The statement debunked claims by environmentalists that the construction of a housing project for MWSS employeebeneficiaries would result in the contamination of the reservoir.

Katarungan at Kalikasan sa Magandang Kinabukasan (KKK) supporting the cause of 1,411 MWSS housing project recipients said a certification signed on July 12, 2001 by former MWSS officials declaring that the La Mesa Dam will no longer be a reservoir supplying water to the Balara Treatment Plant.

A joint certification signed by engineers Eduardo del Fierro, former senior deputy administrator and deputy administrator for engineering; and Heliodoro Mercado, geodetic engineer and former chief of the survey and investigation division, discredited earlier claims of environment advocates that La Mesa Dam supplies drinking water to Metro Manila residents, rather from Angat and Ipo Dams in Bulacan.

Francisco Catibayan, convenor of the KKK, asked the environment coalition Bantay Kalikasan and the Save the La Mesa Dam Movement that if Metro Manila sources its water directly from Angat and Ipo dams going directly to the treatment plants, which services both operators, Maynilad and Manila Water, how could the housing project contaminate the dam.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/24/MTNN2006062467668.html

By ELLALYN B. DE VERA

A Metropolitan Manila Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS) organization supporting the housing project at the La Mesa Dam Reservoir in Quezon City yesterday said that water supplied to some 12 million Metro Manila residents does not come from the La Mesa Dam.

The statement debunked claims by environmentalists that the construction of a housing project for MWSS employeebeneficiaries would result in the contamination of the reservoir.

Katarungan at Kalikasan sa Magandang Kinabukasan (KKK) supporting the cause of 1,411 MWSS housing project recipients said a certification signed on July 12, 2001 by former MWSS officials declaring that the La Mesa Dam will no longer be a reservoir supplying water to the Balara Treatment Plant.

A joint certification signed by engineers Eduardo del Fierro, former senior deputy administrator and deputy administrator for engineering; and Heliodoro Mercado, geodetic engineer and former chief of the survey and investigation division, discredited earlier claims of environment advocates that La Mesa Dam supplies drinking water to Metro Manila residents, rather from Angat and Ipo Dams in Bulacan.

Francisco Catibayan, convenor of the KKK, asked the environment coalition Bantay Kalikasan and the Save the La Mesa Dam Movement that if Metro Manila sources its water directly from Angat and Ipo dams going directly to the treatment plants, which services both operators, Maynilad and Manila Water, how could the housing project contaminate the dam.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/24/MTNN2006062467668.html

By ELLALYN B. DE VERA

A Metropolitan Manila Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS) organization supporting the housing project at the La Mesa Dam Reservoir in Quezon City yesterday said that water supplied to some 12 million Metro Manila residents does not come from the La Mesa Dam.

The statement debunked claims by environmentalists that the construction of a housing project for MWSS employeebeneficiaries would result in the contamination of the reservoir.

Katarungan at Kalikasan sa Magandang Kinabukasan (KKK) supporting the cause of 1,411 MWSS housing project recipients said a certification signed on July 12, 2001 by former MWSS officials declaring that the La Mesa Dam will no longer be a reservoir supplying water to the Balara Treatment Plant.

A joint certification signed by engineers Eduardo del Fierro, former senior deputy administrator and deputy administrator for engineering; and Heliodoro Mercado, geodetic engineer and former chief of the survey and investigation division, discredited earlier claims of environment advocates that La Mesa Dam supplies drinking water to Metro Manila residents, rather from Angat and Ipo Dams in Bulacan.

Francisco Catibayan, convenor of the KKK, asked the environment coalition Bantay Kalikasan and the Save the La Mesa Dam Movement that if Metro Manila sources its water directly from Angat and Ipo dams going directly to the treatment plants, which services both operators, Maynilad and Manila Water, how could the housing project contaminate the dam.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/06/24/MTNN2006062467668.html

Crazy. And Manila is one of the raniest cities in the world!

well if all the rain just went to our drainage, which most likely goes into our rivers, which goes into Manila bay, then it's pretty much useless water. I'm surprised La Mesa isn't a national park

Crazy. And Manila is one of the raniest cities in the world!

well if all the rain just went to our drainage, which most likely goes into our rivers, which goes into Manila bay, then it's pretty much useless water. I'm surprised La Mesa isn't a national park

Crazy. And Manila is one of the raniest cities in the world!

well if all the rain just went to our drainage, which most likely goes into our rivers, which goes into Manila bay, then it's pretty much useless water. I'm surprised La Mesa isn't a national park

TeamAsia and The Radio Partners Inc. (TRPI) are virtually moving heaven and earth to save some 300 mahogany trees which otherwise might have been felled and chopped up.

Last Sept. 11, 336 fully-grown mahogany trees were destined to be uprooted from a Mandaluyong property which had been purchased by a developer who intends to construct a condominium on the site.

The trees were planted 11 years ago on the three hectare property owned by Filipino Pipe and Foundry Corp. (FPFC) in Mandaluyong. Thank goodness that the new owner consented to let the trees be saved and transferred. The developer only kept a few trees of its own purposes.

It was international environmental lawyer Alexandra York, a former Peace Corps volunteer and now legal consultant to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Senate Committee on Environment, who sought the help of TeamAsia to save the trees.

TeamAsia is a strategic marketing consultancy firm offering public relations, creative and events management services. The TRPI is a management and marketing consultancy firm that oversees the operations of five Metro Manila FM radio networks and eight provincial radio stations.

York reportedly contacted the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines which referred her to Monette Iturralde Hamlin, president of TeamAsia.

As I recall TeamAsia has done several environmental campaigns in collaboration with TRPI including a project for Pasig River and other cause-oriented projects. It would air its appeals via the radio stations.

This time, TeamAsia drafted a script titled "Adopt–a–Mahogany" that was aired over Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, MaGIC S89.9, 99.5 RT and Klite 103.5.

The radio spot requested listeners to "adopt a mahony tree" with amazing success, not that anyone should be surprised since Filipinos are nature lovers and quite aware of their responsibilities to take care of the environment.

There were many "adoptors" even as far as Subic Bay, among them — city goverments, enterprises and individuals. Others volunteered to assist, even offering funding to prepare and transport the trees to their new homes.

We are told that there are enough homes to accommodate each of the trees. Now TeamAsia and TRPI are looking for donors to help defray the cost of transporting and replanting the trees. The bill could run into the hundreds of thousands of pesos.

Also, as many as 400 volunteers are needed to excavate, uproot, introduce root hormones and root ball the trees to ensure they survive when they are replanted.

"I am very grateful for the outpouring of response," York said. "The difficult part now is pooling enough resources to uproot the trees, transport them to their new homes and replant them there."

Well, there is a deadline to achieve all these — on October 30.

I am confident that if they ask, they will come. As Iturralde Hamlin said, "It is always refreshing to be reminded that Fiipinos are by nature a helpful lot. You only need to send out a distress signal and you can bet that help — in whatever form — will come pouring in."

It certainly does help that the radio is so powerful.

Tito Encarnacion, TRPI senior VP, noted "this is a classic illustration of how the media, radio in particular, can reach the public and actually move them into taking positive action… we want to increasingly use this influence for a good cause."

How we wished that somebody had thought of this campaign when they were chopping down trees on EDSA and the freeways to expand the roads.

We have lost count of how many trees have been sacrificed in the name of progress, including the "boardwalk" along Roxas Boulevard (Manila) where the view of Manila Bay has been obscured by restaurants, portaletts, pay toilets and commercial structures.

The ABS-CBN Foundation campaign to reforest the La Mesa watershed via its Bantay Kalikasan brought positive results although the watershed is now being threatened by a new subdivision in the area.

But we are hopeful. With the response of radio listeners to the campaign of TeamAsia and TRPI, we are reassured that Filipinos have a conscience and do care about Mother Nature.

By the way, if you want to help, please contact 533-1088.

http://www.mb.com.ph/SCTY2006092475314.html

TeamAsia and The Radio Partners Inc. (TRPI) are virtually moving heaven and earth to save some 300 mahogany trees which otherwise might have been felled and chopped up.

Last Sept. 11, 336 fully-grown mahogany trees were destined to be uprooted from a Mandaluyong property which had been purchased by a developer who intends to construct a condominium on the site.

The trees were planted 11 years ago on the three hectare property owned by Filipino Pipe and Foundry Corp. (FPFC) in Mandaluyong. Thank goodness that the new owner consented to let the trees be saved and transferred. The developer only kept a few trees of its own purposes.

It was international environmental lawyer Alexandra York, a former Peace Corps volunteer and now legal consultant to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Senate Committee on Environment, who sought the help of TeamAsia to save the trees.

TeamAsia is a strategic marketing consultancy firm offering public relations, creative and events management services. The TRPI is a management and marketing consultancy firm that oversees the operations of five Metro Manila FM radio networks and eight provincial radio stations.

York reportedly contacted the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines which referred her to Monette Iturralde Hamlin, president of TeamAsia.

As I recall TeamAsia has done several environmental campaigns in collaboration with TRPI including a project for Pasig River and other cause-oriented projects. It would air its appeals via the radio stations.

This time, TeamAsia drafted a script titled "Adopt–a–Mahogany" that was aired over Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, MaGIC S89.9, 99.5 RT and Klite 103.5.

The radio spot requested listeners to "adopt a mahony tree" with amazing success, not that anyone should be surprised since Filipinos are nature lovers and quite aware of their responsibilities to take care of the environment.

There were many "adoptors" even as far as Subic Bay, among them — city goverments, enterprises and individuals. Others volunteered to assist, even offering funding to prepare and transport the trees to their new homes.

We are told that there are enough homes to accommodate each of the trees. Now TeamAsia and TRPI are looking for donors to help defray the cost of transporting and replanting the trees. The bill could run into the hundreds of thousands of pesos.

Also, as many as 400 volunteers are needed to excavate, uproot, introduce root hormones and root ball the trees to ensure they survive when they are replanted.

"I am very grateful for the outpouring of response," York said. "The difficult part now is pooling enough resources to uproot the trees, transport them to their new homes and replant them there."

Well, there is a deadline to achieve all these — on October 30.

I am confident that if they ask, they will come. As Iturralde Hamlin said, "It is always refreshing to be reminded that Fiipinos are by nature a helpful lot. You only need to send out a distress signal and you can bet that help — in whatever form — will come pouring in."

It certainly does help that the radio is so powerful.

Tito Encarnacion, TRPI senior VP, noted "this is a classic illustration of how the media, radio in particular, can reach the public and actually move them into taking positive action… we want to increasingly use this influence for a good cause."

How we wished that somebody had thought of this campaign when they were chopping down trees on EDSA and the freeways to expand the roads.

We have lost count of how many trees have been sacrificed in the name of progress, including the "boardwalk" along Roxas Boulevard (Manila) where the view of Manila Bay has been obscured by restaurants, portaletts, pay toilets and commercial structures.

The ABS-CBN Foundation campaign to reforest the La Mesa watershed via its Bantay Kalikasan brought positive results although the watershed is now being threatened by a new subdivision in the area.

But we are hopeful. With the response of radio listeners to the campaign of TeamAsia and TRPI, we are reassured that Filipinos have a conscience and do care about Mother Nature.

By the way, if you want to help, please contact 533-1088.

http://www.mb.com.ph/SCTY2006092475314.html

TeamAsia and The Radio Partners Inc. (TRPI) are virtually moving heaven and earth to save some 300 mahogany trees which otherwise might have been felled and chopped up.

Last Sept. 11, 336 fully-grown mahogany trees were destined to be uprooted from a Mandaluyong property which had been purchased by a developer who intends to construct a condominium on the site.

The trees were planted 11 years ago on the three hectare property owned by Filipino Pipe and Foundry Corp. (FPFC) in Mandaluyong. Thank goodness that the new owner consented to let the trees be saved and transferred. The developer only kept a few trees of its own purposes.

It was international environmental lawyer Alexandra York, a former Peace Corps volunteer and now legal consultant to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Senate Committee on Environment, who sought the help of TeamAsia to save the trees.

TeamAsia is a strategic marketing consultancy firm offering public relations, creative and events management services. The TRPI is a management and marketing consultancy firm that oversees the operations of five Metro Manila FM radio networks and eight provincial radio stations.

York reportedly contacted the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines which referred her to Monette Iturralde Hamlin, president of TeamAsia.

As I recall TeamAsia has done several environmental campaigns in collaboration with TRPI including a project for Pasig River and other cause-oriented projects. It would air its appeals via the radio stations.

This time, TeamAsia drafted a script titled "Adopt–a–Mahogany" that was aired over Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, MaGIC S89.9, 99.5 RT and Klite 103.5.

The radio spot requested listeners to "adopt a mahony tree" with amazing success, not that anyone should be surprised since Filipinos are nature lovers and quite aware of their responsibilities to take care of the environment.

There were many "adoptors" even as far as Subic Bay, among them — city goverments, enterprises and individuals. Others volunteered to assist, even offering funding to prepare and transport the trees to their new homes.

We are told that there are enough homes to accommodate each of the trees. Now TeamAsia and TRPI are looking for donors to help defray the cost of transporting and replanting the trees. The bill could run into the hundreds of thousands of pesos.

Also, as many as 400 volunteers are needed to excavate, uproot, introduce root hormones and root ball the trees to ensure they survive when they are replanted.

"I am very grateful for the outpouring of response," York said. "The difficult part now is pooling enough resources to uproot the trees, transport them to their new homes and replant them there."

Well, there is a deadline to achieve all these — on October 30.

I am confident that if they ask, they will come. As Iturralde Hamlin said, "It is always refreshing to be reminded that Fiipinos are by nature a helpful lot. You only need to send out a distress signal and you can bet that help — in whatever form — will come pouring in."

It certainly does help that the radio is so powerful.

Tito Encarnacion, TRPI senior VP, noted "this is a classic illustration of how the media, radio in particular, can reach the public and actually move them into taking positive action… we want to increasingly use this influence for a good cause."

How we wished that somebody had thought of this campaign when they were chopping down trees on EDSA and the freeways to expand the roads.

We have lost count of how many trees have been sacrificed in the name of progress, including the "boardwalk" along Roxas Boulevard (Manila) where the view of Manila Bay has been obscured by restaurants, portaletts, pay toilets and commercial structures.

The ABS-CBN Foundation campaign to reforest the La Mesa watershed via its Bantay Kalikasan brought positive results although the watershed is now being threatened by a new subdivision in the area.

But we are hopeful. With the response of radio listeners to the campaign of TeamAsia and TRPI, we are reassured that Filipinos have a conscience and do care about Mother Nature.

By the way, if you want to help, please contact 533-1088.

http://www.mb.com.ph/SCTY2006092475314.html

http://www.lamesaecopark.com/

By signing the petition, you are opposing the privatization of the 59- hectare portion of the La Mesa Reservoir, wherein a housing project will be built, thus endangering the integrity of Metro Manila’s water supply. Join various organization in the La Mesa Coalition in asking the government to exhaust all means to find a just solution to the rights of the awardees/ claimants of the 59-hectare land, without prejudicing the rights of 12 million Metro Manila residents to clean water.

http://www.lamesaecopark.com/

By signing the petition, you are opposing the privatization of the 59- hectare portion of the La Mesa Reservoir, wherein a housing project will be built, thus endangering the integrity of Metro Manila’s water supply. Join various organization in the La Mesa Coalition in asking the government to exhaust all means to find a just solution to the rights of the awardees/ claimants of the 59-hectare land, without prejudicing the rights of 12 million Metro Manila residents to clean water.

http://www.lamesaecopark.com/

By signing the petition, you are opposing the privatization of the 59- hectare portion of the La Mesa Reservoir, wherein a housing project will be built, thus endangering the integrity of Metro Manila’s water supply. Join various organization in the La Mesa Coalition in asking the government to exhaust all means to find a just solution to the rights of the awardees/ claimants of the 59-hectare land, without prejudicing the rights of 12 million Metro Manila residents to clean water.

Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridge project to tap foreign funding sources

Local government officials in Visayas have agreed to tap foreign funding for the construction of the proposed Panay-Negros bridge.

The proposed bridge is the first of the ambitious Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges that will link all the Visayan islands.

Joseph G. Marañon, Negros Occidental Governor said the bridge would cost P10 billion.

It will start from Tomongtong point in EB Magaloña town in Negros Occidental to San Juan Point, Banate town in Iloilo on Panay island, Maranon said.

"We are targeting the project to be completed three to four years and we would need foreign assistance considering the magnitude of the project," Marañon said.

The Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridge aims to boost tourism, trade, commerce and investments in all three Visayas regions.

"These are part of the Arroyo administration's Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH). The bridge will link Panay, Negros, Cebu, Mactan (Cebu), Bohol and Leyte.

Panay, Negros Occidental and Guimaras islands make up the Western Visayas region while Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol and Siquijor island comprise Central Visayas.

On the other hand, Leyte and Samar islands make up the Eastern Visayas region.

He said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) initially proposed to construct a bridge connecting Panay to Guimaras island and another bridge connecting Guimaras to Negros island.

"But the Negros-Guimaras bridge, with a length of 2.3 kilometers would be more expensive than a direct Negros-Panay link, with a length of only 15.5 kilometers from Tomongtong and San Juan Points.

He estimated that construction would cost P1-billion per kilometer but a more accurate figure would be determined by a feasibility study.

"The bridge seems a far-fetched goal but we have to start now. If not, then, when? If we will not do it, who else will?," Marañon asks.

He said that the bridge would be accessible because Banate, the Iloilo end of the proposed bridge, is only two kilometers from the national road while Tomongtong, the Negros end of the bridge, is about three kilometers from the national road.

Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridge project to tap foreign funding sources

Local government officials in Visayas have agreed to tap foreign funding for the construction of the proposed Panay-Negros bridge.

The proposed bridge is the first of the ambitious Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges that will link all the Visayan islands.

Joseph G. Marañon, Negros Occidental Governor said the bridge would cost P10 billion.

It will start from Tomongtong point in EB Magaloña town in Negros Occidental to San Juan Point, Banate town in Iloilo on Panay island, Maranon said.

"We are targeting the project to be completed three to four years and we would need foreign assistance considering the magnitude of the project," Marañon said.

The Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridge aims to boost tourism, trade, commerce and investments in all three Visayas regions.

"These are part of the Arroyo administration's Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH). The bridge will link Panay, Negros, Cebu, Mactan (Cebu), Bohol and Leyte.

Panay, Negros Occidental and Guimaras islands make up the Western Visayas region while Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol and Siquijor island comprise Central Visayas.

On the other hand, Leyte and Samar islands make up the Eastern Visayas region.

He said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) initially proposed to construct a bridge connecting Panay to Guimaras island and another bridge connecting Guimaras to Negros island.

"But the Negros-Guimaras bridge, with a length of 2.3 kilometers would be more expensive than a direct Negros-Panay link, with a length of only 15.5 kilometers from Tomongtong and San Juan Points.

He estimated that construction would cost P1-billion per kilometer but a more accurate figure would be determined by a feasibility study.

"The bridge seems a far-fetched goal but we have to start now. If not, then, when? If we will not do it, who else will?," Marañon asks.

He said that the bridge would be accessible because Banate, the Iloilo end of the proposed bridge, is only two kilometers from the national road while Tomongtong, the Negros end of the bridge, is about three kilometers from the national road.

Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridge project to tap foreign funding sources

Local government officials in Visayas have agreed to tap foreign funding for the construction of the proposed Panay-Negros bridge.

The proposed bridge is the first of the ambitious Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges that will link all the Visayan islands.

Joseph G. Marañon, Negros Occidental Governor said the bridge would cost P10 billion.

It will start from Tomongtong point in EB Magaloña town in Negros Occidental to San Juan Point, Banate town in Iloilo on Panay island, Maranon said.

"We are targeting the project to be completed three to four years and we would need foreign assistance considering the magnitude of the project," Marañon said.

The Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridge aims to boost tourism, trade, commerce and investments in all three Visayas regions.

"These are part of the Arroyo administration's Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH). The bridge will link Panay, Negros, Cebu, Mactan (Cebu), Bohol and Leyte.

Panay, Negros Occidental and Guimaras islands make up the Western Visayas region while Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol and Siquijor island comprise Central Visayas.

On the other hand, Leyte and Samar islands make up the Eastern Visayas region.

He said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) initially proposed to construct a bridge connecting Panay to Guimaras island and another bridge connecting Guimaras to Negros island.

"But the Negros-Guimaras bridge, with a length of 2.3 kilometers would be more expensive than a direct Negros-Panay link, with a length of only 15.5 kilometers from Tomongtong and San Juan Points.

He estimated that construction would cost P1-billion per kilometer but a more accurate figure would be determined by a feasibility study.

"The bridge seems a far-fetched goal but we have to start now. If not, then, when? If we will not do it, who else will?," Marañon asks.

He said that the bridge would be accessible because Banate, the Iloilo end of the proposed bridge, is only two kilometers from the national road while Tomongtong, the Negros end of the bridge, is about three kilometers from the national road.

BACOLOD CITY—Governors in the Visayas will converge here on Aug. 31 to discuss the proposed bridges that will link the three Visayan regions.
Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon said he offered to host the meeting to discuss the projects that he fully supports.
Marañon said the meeting was covered by a memorandum signed by Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, informing all 16 governors of the Visayas that the meeting will tackle one of the major infrastructure projects of the national government—the proposed bridges from Western to Central to Eastern Visayas.
Invited to the meeting were Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri and Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Aumentado said in his letter.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. was also invited to the meeting to discuss programs of the AFP in the Visayas.
Marañon has been pushing for the construction of bridges to link the Visayas to boost the regions’ tourism and economy.
Western Visayas (Region 6) is composed of the provinces of Panay Island—Iloilo, Antique, Aklan and Capiz; the island-province of Guimaras; and half of Negros Island, Negros Occidental.
Central Visayas (Region 7) is composed of the island-provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor and the other half of the Negros Island, Negros Oriental.
Eastern Visayas (Region 8) covers the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte on Leyte Island; the Samar Island provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar; and the island-province of Biliran.
So far, only the islands of Leyte and Samar have been connected by a bridge, the 2.16-km San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the country. It was built in 1973 during the Marcos regime.
Building the bridges linking the major islands of the Visayas have been proposed to President Macapagal-Arroyo as part of the infrastructure projects under the proposed “Central Philippines Super Region” that the President announced during her State of the Nation Address last month. SOURCE (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=14648)

BACOLOD CITY—Governors in the Visayas will converge here on Aug. 31 to discuss the proposed bridges that will link the three Visayan regions.
Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon said he offered to host the meeting to discuss the projects that he fully supports.
Marañon said the meeting was covered by a memorandum signed by Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, informing all 16 governors of the Visayas that the meeting will tackle one of the major infrastructure projects of the national government—the proposed bridges from Western to Central to Eastern Visayas.
Invited to the meeting were Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri and Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Aumentado said in his letter.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. was also invited to the meeting to discuss programs of the AFP in the Visayas.
Marañon has been pushing for the construction of bridges to link the Visayas to boost the regions’ tourism and economy.
Western Visayas (Region 6) is composed of the provinces of Panay Island—Iloilo, Antique, Aklan and Capiz; the island-province of Guimaras; and half of Negros Island, Negros Occidental.
Central Visayas (Region 7) is composed of the island-provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor and the other half of the Negros Island, Negros Oriental.
Eastern Visayas (Region 8) covers the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte on Leyte Island; the Samar Island provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar; and the island-province of Biliran.
So far, only the islands of Leyte and Samar have been connected by a bridge, the 2.16-km San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the country. It was built in 1973 during the Marcos regime.
Building the bridges linking the major islands of the Visayas have been proposed to President Macapagal-Arroyo as part of the infrastructure projects under the proposed “Central Philippines Super Region” that the President announced during her State of the Nation Address last month. SOURCE (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=14648)

BACOLOD CITY—Governors in the Visayas will converge here on Aug. 31 to discuss the proposed bridges that will link the three Visayan regions.
Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon said he offered to host the meeting to discuss the projects that he fully supports.
Marañon said the meeting was covered by a memorandum signed by Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, informing all 16 governors of the Visayas that the meeting will tackle one of the major infrastructure projects of the national government—the proposed bridges from Western to Central to Eastern Visayas.
Invited to the meeting were Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri and Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Aumentado said in his letter.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. was also invited to the meeting to discuss programs of the AFP in the Visayas.
Marañon has been pushing for the construction of bridges to link the Visayas to boost the regions’ tourism and economy.
Western Visayas (Region 6) is composed of the provinces of Panay Island—Iloilo, Antique, Aklan and Capiz; the island-province of Guimaras; and half of Negros Island, Negros Occidental.
Central Visayas (Region 7) is composed of the island-provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor and the other half of the Negros Island, Negros Oriental.
Eastern Visayas (Region 8) covers the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte on Leyte Island; the Samar Island provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar; and the island-province of Biliran.
So far, only the islands of Leyte and Samar have been connected by a bridge, the 2.16-km San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the country. It was built in 1973 during the Marcos regime.
Building the bridges linking the major islands of the Visayas have been proposed to President Macapagal-Arroyo as part of the infrastructure projects under the proposed “Central Philippines Super Region” that the President announced during her State of the Nation Address last month. SOURCE (http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=14648)

wow.. it would be great to have bridges to connect them.. and hopefully of architectural excellence.... but they will definitely be very expensive!.. and may kill off the RORO business..

wow.. it would be great to have bridges to connect them.. and hopefully of architectural excellence.... but they will definitely be very expensive!.. and may kill off the RORO business..

wow.. it would be great to have bridges to connect them.. and hopefully of architectural excellence.... but they will definitely be very expensive!.. and may kill off the RORO business..

The majority of the 16 governors of the Visayas and several Cabinet members are meeting at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City this afternoon to discuss the proposed Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges linking the islands of Bohol, Mactan, Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Guimaras and Panay, Gov. Joseph Marañon said yesterday.
Expected at the meeting are Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Secretary Romulo Neri of the National Economic Development Authority, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and Silvestre Bello III -- Philippine Reclamation Authority general manager.
The meeting will be presided over by Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, national president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines. Marañon said Negros Occidental will present a video on the proposed bridge linking Negros and Panay islands that will serve as the gateway to the Visayas mega region.
This will accelerate eco and agri-tourism industries, potential investments and business opportunities, he said. The bridge is envisioned to look like the East Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, that accommodates 280,000 cars per day.Meanwhile, environmentalist-lawyer Antonio Oposa, who heads the Visayas Squadron, will give updates on the Guimaras oil spill during the meeting. Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Armed Forces chief of Staff, will discuss the AFP program to promote cooperation between the military and the local government units in the Visayas. source (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2006/August/30/topstory1.htm)

The majority of the 16 governors of the Visayas and several Cabinet members are meeting at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City this afternoon to discuss the proposed Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges linking the islands of Bohol, Mactan, Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Guimaras and Panay, Gov. Joseph Marañon said yesterday.
Expected at the meeting are Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Secretary Romulo Neri of the National Economic Development Authority, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and Silvestre Bello III -- Philippine Reclamation Authority general manager.
The meeting will be presided over by Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, national president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines. Marañon said Negros Occidental will present a video on the proposed bridge linking Negros and Panay islands that will serve as the gateway to the Visayas mega region.
This will accelerate eco and agri-tourism industries, potential investments and business opportunities, he said. The bridge is envisioned to look like the East Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, that accommodates 280,000 cars per day.Meanwhile, environmentalist-lawyer Antonio Oposa, who heads the Visayas Squadron, will give updates on the Guimaras oil spill during the meeting. Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Armed Forces chief of Staff, will discuss the AFP program to promote cooperation between the military and the local government units in the Visayas. source (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2006/August/30/topstory1.htm)

The majority of the 16 governors of the Visayas and several Cabinet members are meeting at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City this afternoon to discuss the proposed Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges linking the islands of Bohol, Mactan, Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Guimaras and Panay, Gov. Joseph Marañon said yesterday.
Expected at the meeting are Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Secretary Romulo Neri of the National Economic Development Authority, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and Silvestre Bello III -- Philippine Reclamation Authority general manager.
The meeting will be presided over by Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, national president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines. Marañon said Negros Occidental will present a video on the proposed bridge linking Negros and Panay islands that will serve as the gateway to the Visayas mega region.
This will accelerate eco and agri-tourism industries, potential investments and business opportunities, he said. The bridge is envisioned to look like the East Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, that accommodates 280,000 cars per day.Meanwhile, environmentalist-lawyer Antonio Oposa, who heads the Visayas Squadron, will give updates on the Guimaras oil spill during the meeting. Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Armed Forces chief of Staff, will discuss the AFP program to promote cooperation between the military and the local government units in the Visayas. source (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2006/August/30/topstory1.htm)

^^ sana combination ito ng mga suspension bridge at cable stayed bridge at multi-laned din

^^ sana combination ito ng mga suspension bridge at cable stayed bridge at multi-laned din

^^ sana combination ito ng mga suspension bridge at cable stayed bridge at multi-laned din

A map showing the areas where bridges
will interconnect the Visayan islands prepared
by Pacific Consultants International.*
(VisayanDailyStar Bacolod photo)


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/map_visayasislandbridge.jpg

A map showing the areas where bridges
will interconnect the Visayan islands prepared
by Pacific Consultants International.*
(VisayanDailyStar Bacolod photo)


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/map_visayasislandbridge.jpg

A map showing the areas where bridges
will interconnect the Visayan islands prepared
by Pacific Consultants International.*
(VisayanDailyStar Bacolod photo)


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/map_visayasislandbridge.jpg

If all of these bridges will realize, I'm sure Visayas will really boom :cheers:

If all of these bridges will realize, I'm sure Visayas will really boom :cheers:

If all of these bridges will realize, I'm sure Visayas will really boom :cheers:

AT LEAST P10 billion or P1 billion per kilometer is needed for the proposed Negros-Panay Translink Bridge said Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon Wednesday.

That is, if his preferred alternative route, which is from Tomongtong Point in Negros' E.B. Magalona town to San Juan Point in Banate town, Panay island is carried.

The Tomongtong-Banate route has an actual distance of 15.5 kilometers. However, the government can cut on cost for at least 5.5 kilometers, thus reducing the budget to only P10 billion instead of the P15.5 billion.

Marañon said the 5.5-kilometer distance will not cost as much because these portions are shallow and would not need as much materials as those in the deeper portions.

The proposal was presented Wednesday during a special meeting of the Visayas governors held at the Negros Occidental Governor's Conference Hall.

"The project is expected to be completed in three to four years, and considering the magnitude of the budget, it would need foreign assistance," Marañon also said.

Meanwhile, Marañon is also set to ask Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, to request the National Government for foreign funding or access to foreign loans at a concessional rate should the proposed bridge push through.

The Negros-Panay bridge is part of the proposed Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) bridge aimed at physically linking these three islands and boost its tourism, trade, commerce and investments. It is a part of the Trans-Visayas bridges, which will link the islands of Bohol, Mactan, Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Guimaras, and Panay.

All these are under the Trans-Visayas-Mindanao Highway/Waterway Linkage, generally known as the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) of the Mega Region project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The SRNH, connecting the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Panay, Negros, and Mindanao, has enhanced the public access to goods and services aside from creating new and bigger markets for inter-island trade and tourism activities, Marañon said.

He backed his claims by presenting a data, which showed that Leyte and Panay islands constitute more than 60 percent share of the total cargo by seaports.

Leyte ranks first in passenger traffic, Aklan, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental are the most visited places in Western Visayas, while Cebu enjoys the lead in the distribution of travelers in Central Visayas.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways, (DPWH) also presented a separate proposal to construct a bridge connecting Panay and Guimaras island, and another connecting Guimaras and Negros island, Marañon said.

The Negros-Guimaras bridge, however, would cost a bigger budget compared to the proposed Negros-Panay bridge.

This as Negros to Guimaras is about 22 kilometers in distance while the route from Tomongtong Point in E.B. Magalona to San Juan Point, Banate in Panay island is only 15.5 kilometers.

As construction cost estimates is pegged at P1 billion per kilometer, the Tomongtong-Banate route, which can be cut by 5.5 kilometers, can be reduced to only P10 billion, as against the P20 billion needed for the Negros-Guimaras bridge, Marañon said.

A more accurate estimate would be disclosed after a feasibility study shall have been conducted, he said.

Marañon said the Banate-Tomongtong option is cheaper because both Banate and Tomongtong are less than three kilometers away from the national roads and will thus be more accessible to commuters.

Farfetched

"The Negros-Panay bridge seems a farfetched goal, but we have to start it now. If not now, then when? And if not us, who else will?" Marañon queried.

As a result, nine out of the 16 Visayas governors that came to the meeting agreed with the proposed project Wednesday.

These include Governors Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez of Antique, JC Rahman Nava of Guimaras, Neil Tupaz of Iloilo, Marañon of Neg. Occ., Erico Aumentado of Bohol, Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu, George Arnaiz of Negros Oriental, Orlando Fua Sr. of Siquijor and Rogelio Espina of Biliran.

Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas Rafael Coscolluela, Philippine International Trading Corporation Chairman and President Roberto Pagdaganan, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Hermogenes Esperon were also present. source (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2006/08/31/news/p10b.needed.to.realize.negros.panay.bridge.html)

AT LEAST P10 billion or P1 billion per kilometer is needed for the proposed Negros-Panay Translink Bridge said Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon Wednesday.

That is, if his preferred alternative route, which is from Tomongtong Point in Negros' E.B. Magalona town to San Juan Point in Banate town, Panay island is carried.

The Tomongtong-Banate route has an actual distance of 15.5 kilometers. However, the government can cut on cost for at least 5.5 kilometers, thus reducing the budget to only P10 billion instead of the P15.5 billion.

Marañon said the 5.5-kilometer distance will not cost as much because these portions are shallow and would not need as much materials as those in the deeper portions.

The proposal was presented Wednesday during a special meeting of the Visayas governors held at the Negros Occidental Governor's Conference Hall.

"The project is expected to be completed in three to four years, and considering the magnitude of the budget, it would need foreign assistance," Marañon also said.

Meanwhile, Marañon is also set to ask Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, to request the National Government for foreign funding or access to foreign loans at a concessional rate should the proposed bridge push through.

The Negros-Panay bridge is part of the proposed Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) bridge aimed at physically linking these three islands and boost its tourism, trade, commerce and investments. It is a part of the Trans-Visayas bridges, which will link the islands of Bohol, Mactan, Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Guimaras, and Panay.

All these are under the Trans-Visayas-Mindanao Highway/Waterway Linkage, generally known as the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) of the Mega Region project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The SRNH, connecting the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Panay, Negros, and Mindanao, has enhanced the public access to goods and services aside from creating new and bigger markets for inter-island trade and tourism activities, Marañon said.

He backed his claims by presenting a data, which showed that Leyte and Panay islands constitute more than 60 percent share of the total cargo by seaports.

Leyte ranks first in passenger traffic, Aklan, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental are the most visited places in Western Visayas, while Cebu enjoys the lead in the distribution of travelers in Central Visayas.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways, (DPWH) also presented a separate proposal to construct a bridge connecting Panay and Guimaras island, and another connecting Guimaras and Negros island, Marañon said.

The Negros-Guimaras bridge, however, would cost a bigger budget compared to the proposed Negros-Panay bridge.

This as Negros to Guimaras is about 22 kilometers in distance while the route from Tomongtong Point in E.B. Magalona to San Juan Point, Banate in Panay island is only 15.5 kilometers.

As construction cost estimates is pegged at P1 billion per kilometer, the Tomongtong-Banate route, which can be cut by 5.5 kilometers, can be reduced to only P10 billion, as against the P20 billion needed for the Negros-Guimaras bridge, Marañon said.

A more accurate estimate would be disclosed after a feasibility study shall have been conducted, he said.

Marañon said the Banate-Tomongtong option is cheaper because both Banate and Tomongtong are less than three kilometers away from the national roads and will thus be more accessible to commuters.

Farfetched

"The Negros-Panay bridge seems a farfetched goal, but we have to start it now. If not now, then when? And if not us, who else will?" Marañon queried.

As a result, nine out of the 16 Visayas governors that came to the meeting agreed with the proposed project Wednesday.

These include Governors Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez of Antique, JC Rahman Nava of Guimaras, Neil Tupaz of Iloilo, Marañon of Neg. Occ., Erico Aumentado of Bohol, Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu, George Arnaiz of Negros Oriental, Orlando Fua Sr. of Siquijor and Rogelio Espina of Biliran.

Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas Rafael Coscolluela, Philippine International Trading Corporation Chairman and President Roberto Pagdaganan, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Hermogenes Esperon were also present. source (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2006/08/31/news/p10b.needed.to.realize.negros.panay.bridge.html)

AT LEAST P10 billion or P1 billion per kilometer is needed for the proposed Negros-Panay Translink Bridge said Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon Wednesday.

That is, if his preferred alternative route, which is from Tomongtong Point in Negros' E.B. Magalona town to San Juan Point in Banate town, Panay island is carried.

The Tomongtong-Banate route has an actual distance of 15.5 kilometers. However, the government can cut on cost for at least 5.5 kilometers, thus reducing the budget to only P10 billion instead of the P15.5 billion.

Marañon said the 5.5-kilometer distance will not cost as much because these portions are shallow and would not need as much materials as those in the deeper portions.

The proposal was presented Wednesday during a special meeting of the Visayas governors held at the Negros Occidental Governor's Conference Hall.

"The project is expected to be completed in three to four years, and considering the magnitude of the budget, it would need foreign assistance," Marañon also said.

Meanwhile, Marañon is also set to ask Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, to request the National Government for foreign funding or access to foreign loans at a concessional rate should the proposed bridge push through.

The Negros-Panay bridge is part of the proposed Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) bridge aimed at physically linking these three islands and boost its tourism, trade, commerce and investments. It is a part of the Trans-Visayas bridges, which will link the islands of Bohol, Mactan, Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Guimaras, and Panay.

All these are under the Trans-Visayas-Mindanao Highway/Waterway Linkage, generally known as the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) of the Mega Region project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The SRNH, connecting the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Panay, Negros, and Mindanao, has enhanced the public access to goods and services aside from creating new and bigger markets for inter-island trade and tourism activities, Marañon said.

He backed his claims by presenting a data, which showed that Leyte and Panay islands constitute more than 60 percent share of the total cargo by seaports.

Leyte ranks first in passenger traffic, Aklan, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental are the most visited places in Western Visayas, while Cebu enjoys the lead in the distribution of travelers in Central Visayas.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways, (DPWH) also presented a separate proposal to construct a bridge connecting Panay and Guimaras island, and another connecting Guimaras and Negros island, Marañon said.

The Negros-Guimaras bridge, however, would cost a bigger budget compared to the proposed Negros-Panay bridge.

This as Negros to Guimaras is about 22 kilometers in distance while the route from Tomongtong Point in E.B. Magalona to San Juan Point, Banate in Panay island is only 15.5 kilometers.

As construction cost estimates is pegged at P1 billion per kilometer, the Tomongtong-Banate route, which can be cut by 5.5 kilometers, can be reduced to only P10 billion, as against the P20 billion needed for the Negros-Guimaras bridge, Marañon said.

A more accurate estimate would be disclosed after a feasibility study shall have been conducted, he said.

Marañon said the Banate-Tomongtong option is cheaper because both Banate and Tomongtong are less than three kilometers away from the national roads and will thus be more accessible to commuters.

Farfetched

"The Negros-Panay bridge seems a farfetched goal, but we have to start it now. If not now, then when? And if not us, who else will?" Marañon queried.

As a result, nine out of the 16 Visayas governors that came to the meeting agreed with the proposed project Wednesday.

These include Governors Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez of Antique, JC Rahman Nava of Guimaras, Neil Tupaz of Iloilo, Marañon of Neg. Occ., Erico Aumentado of Bohol, Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu, George Arnaiz of Negros Oriental, Orlando Fua Sr. of Siquijor and Rogelio Espina of Biliran.

Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas Rafael Coscolluela, Philippine International Trading Corporation Chairman and President Roberto Pagdaganan, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Hermogenes Esperon were also present. source (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2006/08/31/news/p10b.needed.to.realize.negros.panay.bridge.html)

15kms? wow... that's pretty huge.. pwede nang pang mega structures ng nat geo.

15kms? wow... that's pretty huge.. pwede nang pang mega structures ng nat geo.

15kms? wow... that's pretty huge.. pwede nang pang mega structures ng nat geo.

The East Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, USA
is the model structure Marañon wants to follow for the
Negros-Panay Bridge.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfrancisco.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfranciscoandoakland.jpg

The East Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, USA
is the model structure Marañon wants to follow for the
Negros-Panay Bridge.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfrancisco.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfranciscoandoakland.jpg

The East Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, USA
is the model structure Marañon wants to follow for the
Negros-Panay Bridge.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfrancisco.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfranciscoandoakland.jpg

well.. I hope.. if this pushes through.. hopefully a bridge will connect Samar to Sorsogon and Leyte to Lanao gets built in the future too..

and... would these bridges be connected by an express toll highway?

well.. I hope.. if this pushes through.. hopefully a bridge will connect Samar to Sorsogon and Leyte to Lanao gets built in the future too..

and... would these bridges be connected by an express toll highway?

well.. I hope.. if this pushes through.. hopefully a bridge will connect Samar to Sorsogon and Leyte to Lanao gets built in the future too..

and... would these bridges be connected by an express toll highway?

In terms of distance, the bridges linking Iloilo to Guimaras and Cebu to Negros Oriental (Dumaguete City) are the most feasible as of the moment.

:okay:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/map_visayasislandbridge.jpg


.:.

In terms of distance, the bridges linking Iloilo to Guimaras and Cebu to Negros Oriental (Dumaguete City) are the most feasible as of the moment.

:okay:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/map_visayasislandbridge.jpg


.:.

In terms of distance, the bridges linking Iloilo to Guimaras and Cebu to Negros Oriental (Dumaguete City) are the most feasible as of the moment.

:okay:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/map_visayasislandbridge.jpg


.:.

whoa what a logistical nightmare.

whoa what a logistical nightmare.

whoa what a logistical nightmare.

Hei guys, from Bicol here... Since magiging part lang naman ang Bicol ng Cenntral Philippines, do you think feasible ang maglagay ng bridge linking Sorsogon and Samar???

Hei guys, from Bicol here... Since magiging part lang naman ang Bicol ng Cenntral Philippines, do you think feasible ang maglagay ng bridge linking Sorsogon and Samar???

Hei guys, from Bicol here... Since magiging part lang naman ang Bicol ng Cenntral Philippines, do you think feasible ang maglagay ng bridge linking Sorsogon and Samar???

The East Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, USA
is the model structure Marañon wants to follow for the
Negros-Panay Bridge.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfrancisco.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfranciscoandoakland.jpg

It's be a disappointment to leave out Guimaras in the planned "friendship bridges" ... I hope they revise the orgininal plan and go for the Guimaras route instead

The East Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, USA
is the model structure Marañon wants to follow for the
Negros-Panay Bridge.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfrancisco.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfranciscoandoakland.jpg

It's be a disappointment to leave out Guimaras in the planned "friendship bridges" ... I hope they revise the orgininal plan and go for the Guimaras route instead

The East Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, USA
is the model structure Marañon wants to follow for the
Negros-Panay Bridge.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfrancisco.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/eastbaybridgesanfranciscoandoakland.jpg

It's be a disappointment to leave out Guimaras in the planned "friendship bridges" ... I hope they revise the orgininal plan and go for the Guimaras route instead

^^ Sus, ang tagal na kayang plano yang Iloilo-Guimaras bridge na yan. 2 kilometers lang ang distance.

^^ Sus, ang tagal na kayang plano yang Iloilo-Guimaras bridge na yan. 2 kilometers lang ang distance.

^^ Sus, ang tagal na kayang plano yang Iloilo-Guimaras bridge na yan. 2 kilometers lang ang distance.

uunahin pa siguro ang mga projexts sa subic, clark and metro manila....tapos pag may looose change, gagawin na yang sa iloilo-guimaras...parang di naman tayo sanay nyan...lols

uunahin pa siguro ang mga projexts sa subic, clark and metro manila....tapos pag may looose change, gagawin na yang sa iloilo-guimaras...parang di naman tayo sanay nyan...lols

uunahin pa siguro ang mga projexts sa subic, clark and metro manila....tapos pag may looose change, gagawin na yang sa iloilo-guimaras...parang di naman tayo sanay nyan...lols

As in dalawang dekada na yatang nasa planning board sa DPWH. Daming konsepto, kulang lang sa political will.

As in dalawang dekada na yatang nasa planning board sa DPWH. Daming konsepto, kulang lang sa political will.

As in dalawang dekada na yatang nasa planning board sa DPWH. Daming konsepto, kulang lang sa political will.

All of the afformentioned "friendship" bridges are feasible considering today's engineering standards.

Regarding the possibility of a Bicol-Samar linkage:
Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf.

Regarding the possibility of a Leyte-Surigao Bridge:
*Next to impossible* Why? Simply because, the strait that divides both sides is way too deep (trench-deep) that it would be too costly to build bridge tower piers all the way to the bottom.

The cost-advantage value principle states that an infrastructure project (or any infrastructure project, for that matter) can only be advantageous, and thus, feasible if it could achieve positive gain from the subsequent goal it was made for relative to cost. Since, it would be much more feasible and/or cheaper to allow barge-transport between the two sides than actually bridging it with a fixed-mega-bridge; it is only fitting to say that a Leyte-Surigao linkage via a fixed-mega-bridge is, simply, next to impossible.

All of the afformentioned "friendship" bridges are feasible considering today's engineering standards.

Regarding the possibility of a Bicol-Samar linkage:
Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf.

Regarding the possibility of a Leyte-Surigao Bridge:
*Next to impossible* Why? Simply because, the strait that divides both sides is way too deep (trench-deep) that it would be too costly to build bridge tower piers all the way to the bottom.

The cost-advantage value principle states that an infrastructure project (or any infrastructure project, for that matter) can only be advantageous, and thus, feasible if it could achieve positive gain from the subsequent goal it was made for relative to cost. Since, it would be much more feasible and/or cheaper to allow barge-transport between the two sides than actually bridging it with a fixed-mega-bridge; it is only fitting to say that a Leyte-Surigao linkage via a fixed-mega-bridge is, simply, next to impossible.

All of the afformentioned "friendship" bridges are feasible considering today's engineering standards.

Regarding the possibility of a Bicol-Samar linkage:
Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf.

Regarding the possibility of a Leyte-Surigao Bridge:
*Next to impossible* Why? Simply because, the strait that divides both sides is way too deep (trench-deep) that it would be too costly to build bridge tower piers all the way to the bottom.

The cost-advantage value principle states that an infrastructure project (or any infrastructure project, for that matter) can only be advantageous, and thus, feasible if it could achieve positive gain from the subsequent goal it was made for relative to cost. Since, it would be much more feasible and/or cheaper to allow barge-transport between the two sides than actually bridging it with a fixed-mega-bridge; it is only fitting to say that a Leyte-Surigao linkage via a fixed-mega-bridge is, simply, next to impossible.

wow.. thanks for that info...

wow.. thanks for that info...

wow.. thanks for that info...

All of the afformentioned "freindship" bridges are feasible considering today's engineering standards.

Regarding the possibility of a Bicol-Samar linkage:
Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf.



Thanks... I'm hoping to get to Cebu w/out having to deal w/ ships and planes... :D

All of the afformentioned "freindship" bridges are feasible considering today's engineering standards.

Regarding the possibility of a Bicol-Samar linkage:
Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf.



Thanks... I'm hoping to get to Cebu w/out having to deal w/ ships and planes... :D

All of the afformentioned "freindship" bridges are feasible considering today's engineering standards.

Regarding the possibility of a Bicol-Samar linkage:
Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf.



Thanks... I'm hoping to get to Cebu w/out having to deal w/ ships and planes... :D

"Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf."

Distance and depth are not the only factors. Current should also be factored in. The strait is facing a huge body of water, in fact the biggest body of water in the world. The force of current going through the strait is indeed very, very strong.

"Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf."

Distance and depth are not the only factors. Current should also be factored in. The strait is facing a huge body of water, in fact the biggest body of water in the world. The force of current going through the strait is indeed very, very strong.

"Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf."

Distance and depth are not the only factors. Current should also be factored in. The strait is facing a huge body of water, in fact the biggest body of water in the world. The force of current going through the strait is indeed very, very strong.

I know that in the case of the San Juanico Strait, there is a very deep trench underneath the crest of the bridge. Also, because of the strait is very narrow, the current is relatively strong, with numerous whirlpools (that is why the bridge near Leyte needs to be curve).

My guess is that building a bridge between leyte and mindanao is not impossible. What makes it expensive is that it is next to the Philippine fault (assuming that the bridge goes from southern leyte to surigao). However, numerous bridges are located next to faults. The Golden Gate bridge is very close to the San Andreas fault.

I know that in the case of the San Juanico Strait, there is a very deep trench underneath the crest of the bridge. Also, because of the strait is very narrow, the current is relatively strong, with numerous whirlpools (that is why the bridge near Leyte needs to be curve).

My guess is that building a bridge between leyte and mindanao is not impossible. What makes it expensive is that it is next to the Philippine fault (assuming that the bridge goes from southern leyte to surigao). However, numerous bridges are located next to faults. The Golden Gate bridge is very close to the San Andreas fault.

I know that in the case of the San Juanico Strait, there is a very deep trench underneath the crest of the bridge. Also, because of the strait is very narrow, the current is relatively strong, with numerous whirlpools (that is why the bridge near Leyte needs to be curve).

My guess is that building a bridge between leyte and mindanao is not impossible. What makes it expensive is that it is next to the Philippine fault (assuming that the bridge goes from southern leyte to surigao). However, numerous bridges are located next to faults. The Golden Gate bridge is very close to the San Andreas fault.

All of the afformentioned "freindship" bridges are feasible considering today's engineering standards.

Regarding the possibility of a Bicol-Samar linkage:
Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf.

Regarding the possibility of a Leyte-Lanao Bridge:
*Next to impossible* Why? Simply because, the strait that divides both sides is way too deep (trench-deep) that it would be too costly to build bridge tower piers all the way to the bottom.

The cost-advantage value principle states that an infrastructure project (or any infrastructure project, for that matter) can only be advantageous, and thus, feasible if it could achieve positive gain from the subsequent goal it was made for relative to cost. Since, it would be much more feasible and/or cheaper to allow barge-transport between the two sides than actually bridging it with a fixed-mega-bridge; it is only fitting to say that a Leyte-Lanao linkage via a fixed-mega-bridge is, simply, next to impossible.

surigao, hindi lanao.

All of the afformentioned "freindship" bridges are feasible considering today's engineering standards.

Regarding the possibility of a Bicol-Samar linkage:
Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf.

Regarding the possibility of a Leyte-Lanao Bridge:
*Next to impossible* Why? Simply because, the strait that divides both sides is way too deep (trench-deep) that it would be too costly to build bridge tower piers all the way to the bottom.

The cost-advantage value principle states that an infrastructure project (or any infrastructure project, for that matter) can only be advantageous, and thus, feasible if it could achieve positive gain from the subsequent goal it was made for relative to cost. Since, it would be much more feasible and/or cheaper to allow barge-transport between the two sides than actually bridging it with a fixed-mega-bridge; it is only fitting to say that a Leyte-Lanao linkage via a fixed-mega-bridge is, simply, next to impossible.

surigao, hindi lanao.

All of the afformentioned "freindship" bridges are feasible considering today's engineering standards.

Regarding the possibility of a Bicol-Samar linkage:
Why, yes! This is a very big possibility since the strait separating both sides is rather short-distanced and sits on top of a relatively shallow seabed thanks, in part, to the archipelagic/continental shelf.

Regarding the possibility of a Leyte-Lanao Bridge:
*Next to impossible* Why? Simply because, the strait that divides both sides is way too deep (trench-deep) that it would be too costly to build bridge tower piers all the way to the bottom.

The cost-advantage value principle states that an infrastructure project (or any infrastructure project, for that matter) can only be advantageous, and thus, feasible if it could achieve positive gain from the subsequent goal it was made for relative to cost. Since, it would be much more feasible and/or cheaper to allow barge-transport between the two sides than actually bridging it with a fixed-mega-bridge; it is only fitting to say that a Leyte-Lanao linkage via a fixed-mega-bridge is, simply, next to impossible.

surigao, hindi lanao.

Sana nga, sorsogon- samar, and then
leyte-bohol-mactan-cebu-negros-panay, and then
leyte- mindanao

para konektado na talaga ang Pan-Philippine highway..^^

Sana nga, sorsogon- samar, and then
leyte-bohol-mactan-cebu-negros-panay, and then
leyte- mindanao

para konektado na talaga ang Pan-Philippine highway..^^

Sana nga, sorsogon- samar, and then
leyte-bohol-mactan-cebu-negros-panay, and then
leyte- mindanao

para konektado na talaga ang Pan-Philippine highway..^^

I know that in the case of the San Juanico Strait, there is a very deep trench underneath the crest of the bridge. Also, because of the strait is very narrow, the current is relatively strong, with numerous whirlpools (that is why the bridge near Leyte needs to be curve).

My guess is that building a bridge between leyte and mindanao is not impossible. What makes it expensive is that it is next to the Philippine fault (assuming that the bridge goes from southern leyte to surigao). However, numerous bridges are located next to faults. The Golden Gate bridge is very close to the San Andreas fault.

wow...great trivia regarding san juanico...

kaya pala parang gumagalaw yung bridge noong bumisita kami...

I know that in the case of the San Juanico Strait, there is a very deep trench underneath the crest of the bridge. Also, because of the strait is very narrow, the current is relatively strong, with numerous whirlpools (that is why the bridge near Leyte needs to be curve).

My guess is that building a bridge between leyte and mindanao is not impossible. What makes it expensive is that it is next to the Philippine fault (assuming that the bridge goes from southern leyte to surigao). However, numerous bridges are located next to faults. The Golden Gate bridge is very close to the San Andreas fault.

wow...great trivia regarding san juanico...

kaya pala parang gumagalaw yung bridge noong bumisita kami...

I know that in the case of the San Juanico Strait, there is a very deep trench underneath the crest of the bridge. Also, because of the strait is very narrow, the current is relatively strong, with numerous whirlpools (that is why the bridge near Leyte needs to be curve).

My guess is that building a bridge between leyte and mindanao is not impossible. What makes it expensive is that it is next to the Philippine fault (assuming that the bridge goes from southern leyte to surigao). However, numerous bridges are located next to faults. The Golden Gate bridge is very close to the San Andreas fault.

wow...great trivia regarding san juanico...

kaya pala parang gumagalaw yung bridge noong bumisita kami...

Sorry for the mistake. I meant the whirlpools are on the side near Samar. That is why the bridge has bends and is not straight on that side of the strait.

Going back to the topic, I believe it is the width of the trench that must be spanned that will be the deciding factor. The longest span in the world is the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge between Kyoto and Iwaji Island, has a span of 1991 meters. I would surmise if the trench between Surigao and Southern Leyte is greater than this, then that would be a problem. I may be wrong, but I think the distance between Panaon island and surigao is about 20 to 25 kilometers with small islands between it.

I think from Sorsogon to Samar is easier because of the islands that lie in between.

When I was a graduate student, my adviser was a consultant for the great storrs bridge in Denmark, and had us do the finite element analysis on the bridge foundations. I explicitly remembered that the main concern was what would happen to the foundation if a ship accidentally hit one of the bridge abutments (the place where the suspension cables are anchored)

Sorry for the mistake. I meant the whirlpools are on the side near Samar. That is why the bridge has bends and is not straight on that side of the strait.

Going back to the topic, I believe it is the width of the trench that must be spanned that will be the deciding factor. The longest span in the world is the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge between Kyoto and Iwaji Island, has a span of 1991 meters. I would surmise if the trench between Surigao and Southern Leyte is greater than this, then that would be a problem. I may be wrong, but I think the distance between Panaon island and surigao is about 20 to 25 kilometers with small islands between it.

I think from Sorsogon to Samar is easier because of the islands that lie in between.

When I was a graduate student, my adviser was a consultant for the great storrs bridge in Denmark, and had us do the finite element analysis on the bridge foundations. I explicitly remembered that the main concern was what would happen to the foundation if a ship accidentally hit one of the bridge abutments (the place where the suspension cables are anchored)

Sorry for the mistake. I meant the whirlpools are on the side near Samar. That is why the bridge has bends and is not straight on that side of the strait.

Going back to the topic, I believe it is the width of the trench that must be spanned that will be the deciding factor. The longest span in the world is the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge between Kyoto and Iwaji Island, has a span of 1991 meters. I would surmise if the trench between Surigao and Southern Leyte is greater than this, then that would be a problem. I may be wrong, but I think the distance between Panaon island and surigao is about 20 to 25 kilometers with small islands between it.

I think from Sorsogon to Samar is easier because of the islands that lie in between.

When I was a graduate student, my adviser was a consultant for the great storrs bridge in Denmark, and had us do the finite element analysis on the bridge foundations. I explicitly remembered that the main concern was what would happen to the foundation if a ship accidentally hit one of the bridge abutments (the place where the suspension cables are anchored)

If this would be realized, expect for the economic boom of these places...

If this would be realized, expect for the economic boom of these places...

If this would be realized, expect for the economic boom of these places...

How about starting with the easiest ones first? Which ones can be numbered according to their possibilities? I think Guimaras-Iloilo is the easiest one.

How about starting with the easiest ones first? Which ones can be numbered according to their possibilities? I think Guimaras-Iloilo is the easiest one.

How about starting with the easiest ones first? Which ones can be numbered according to their possibilities? I think Guimaras-Iloilo is the easiest one.

Also, I think that the distance between cebu-bohol and bohol leyte is comparable to the distances between sorsogon and samar, and panaon island-surigao. I think the challenge is the bridges between bohol.

I know that there are already plans for a cable-stayed bridge between iloilo and guimaras as far back as 2001. The distance is shorter than the distance between leyte and samar.

Also, I think that the distance between cebu-bohol and bohol leyte is comparable to the distances between sorsogon and samar, and panaon island-surigao. I think the challenge is the bridges between bohol.

I know that there are already plans for a cable-stayed bridge between iloilo and guimaras as far back as 2001. The distance is shorter than the distance between leyte and samar.

Also, I think that the distance between cebu-bohol and bohol leyte is comparable to the distances between sorsogon and samar, and panaon island-surigao. I think the challenge is the bridges between bohol.

I know that there are already plans for a cable-stayed bridge between iloilo and guimaras as far back as 2001. The distance is shorter than the distance between leyte and samar.

perfecto!

perfecto!

perfecto!

Wow after the bridges are finished we could have something like the "Tour de France" cycling event from Panay to Samar...imagine "Tour de Visayas" and just so we can make it unique from all other cycling events we could arrange it so that only former (preferably female) models are allowed to compete:) yeah.......build this bridge now!!!!!!

Wow after the bridges are finished we could have something like the "Tour de France" cycling event from Panay to Samar...imagine "Tour de Visayas" and just so we can make it unique from all other cycling events we could arrange it so that only former (preferably female) models are allowed to compete:) yeah.......build this bridge now!!!!!!

Wow after the bridges are finished we could have something like the "Tour de France" cycling event from Panay to Samar...imagine "Tour de Visayas" and just so we can make it unique from all other cycling events we could arrange it so that only former (preferably female) models are allowed to compete:) yeah.......build this bridge now!!!!!!

Also, I think that the distance between cebu-bohol and bohol leyte is comparable to the distances between sorsogon and samar, and panaon island-surigao. I think the challenge is the bridges between bohol.

I know that there are already plans for a cable-stayed bridge between iloilo and guimaras as far back as 2001. The distance is shorter than the distance between leyte and samar.


For me, building a bridge connecting Cebu and Bohol is really not feasible considering the great distance.

Cebu to Bohol (Tagbilaran) is just 1 hour and 45 minutes via fastcraft, so why should I spend 8-10 hours of driving and wasting gasoline? Hehehe.

Anyhow, the most feasible for me, with regards to distance, are Iloilo-Guimaras and Cebu-Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental).

Also, I think that the distance between cebu-bohol and bohol leyte is comparable to the distances between sorsogon and samar, and panaon island-surigao. I think the challenge is the bridges between bohol.

I know that there are already plans for a cable-stayed bridge between iloilo and guimaras as far back as 2001. The distance is shorter than the distance between leyte and samar.


For me, building a bridge connecting Cebu and Bohol is really not feasible considering the great distance.

Cebu to Bohol (Tagbilaran) is just 1 hour and 45 minutes via fastcraft, so why should I spend 8-10 hours of driving and wasting gasoline? Hehehe.

Anyhow, the most feasible for me, with regards to distance, are Iloilo-Guimaras and Cebu-Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental).

Also, I think that the distance between cebu-bohol and bohol leyte is comparable to the distances between sorsogon and samar, and panaon island-surigao. I think the challenge is the bridges between bohol.

I know that there are already plans for a cable-stayed bridge between iloilo and guimaras as far back as 2001. The distance is shorter than the distance between leyte and samar.


For me, building a bridge connecting Cebu and Bohol is really not feasible considering the great distance.

Cebu to Bohol (Tagbilaran) is just 1 hour and 45 minutes via fastcraft, so why should I spend 8-10 hours of driving and wasting gasoline? Hehehe.

Anyhow, the most feasible for me, with regards to distance, are Iloilo-Guimaras and Cebu-Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental).

The Bohol-Cebu segment of the bridge might just get ahead of the others after the Panglao Island Tourism Estate Inter-Agency Task Force voted to redirect the proposed China funding of the Panglao Bohol International Airport to be used for the construction of the friendship bridge. Local funding will be used instead for the development of the airport.

The Bohol-Cebu segment of the bridge might just get ahead of the others after the Panglao Island Tourism Estate Inter-Agency Task Force voted to redirect the proposed China funding of the Panglao Bohol International Airport to be used for the construction of the friendship bridge. Local funding will be used instead for the development of the airport.

The Bohol-Cebu segment of the bridge might just get ahead of the others after the Panglao Island Tourism Estate Inter-Agency Task Force voted to redirect the proposed China funding of the Panglao Bohol International Airport to be used for the construction of the friendship bridge. Local funding will be used instead for the development of the airport.

I know that in the case of the San Juanico Strait, there is a very deep trench underneath the crest of the bridge. Also, because of the strait is very narrow, the current is relatively strong, with numerous whirlpools (that is why the bridge near Leyte needs to be curve).

My guess is that building a bridge between leyte and mindanao is not impossible. What makes it expensive is that it is next to the Philippine fault (assuming that the bridge goes from southern leyte to surigao). However, numerous bridges are located next to faults. The Golden Gate bridge is very close to the San Andreas fault.

Dude, a semi-trench (which is what, I would assume, might be in-between the strait that sepearte Leyte from Samar) cannot be compared to a "true" trench! It is like comparing the depth of an average house bath tub and an Olympic-standard-sized swimming pool. What I'm trying to say here is that the trench that runs beneath the waters of the strit that separates Leyte from Mindanao is really...really...really deep. The shores of both sides are also much...much further apart from one another.

So, again, I reiterate that a mega-bridge connecting Leyte with Surigao is like stretching the bounds of current civil engineering and contruction capabilities. And if it, indeed, is already technologically possible; the contruction of such a bridge is incongruent to the cost-advantage value principle.

Building a three kilometer or, even a five kilometer bridge is one thing...building a 25-kilometer bridge that is: located in an area (as you said) located near a fault line [the Golden Gate Bridge has those massive towers--required for a cable-suspension bridge--to thank for its ability to withstand powerful earthquakes in the Bay Area]; in a very rough strait and passing along a really deep trench--which requires several uber-large towers that need to be built all the way to the bottom of the trench to support it(as I was talking about) is a completely different story.

I know that in the case of the San Juanico Strait, there is a very deep trench underneath the crest of the bridge. Also, because of the strait is very narrow, the current is relatively strong, with numerous whirlpools (that is why the bridge near Leyte needs to be curve).

My guess is that building a bridge between leyte and mindanao is not impossible. What makes it expensive is that it is next to the Philippine fault (assuming that the bridge goes from southern leyte to surigao). However, numerous bridges are located next to faults. The Golden Gate bridge is very close to the San Andreas fault.

Dude, a semi-trench (which is what, I would assume, might be in-between the strait that sepearte Leyte from Samar) cannot be compared to a "true" trench! It is like comparing the depth of an average house bath tub and an Olympic-standard-sized swimming pool. What I'm trying to say here is that the trench that runs beneath the waters of the strit that separates Leyte from Mindanao is really...really...really deep. The shores of both sides are also much...much further apart from one another.

So, again, I reiterate that a mega-bridge connecting Leyte with Surigao is like stretching the bounds of current civil engineering and contruction capabilities. And if it, indeed, is already technologically possible; the contruction of such a bridge is incongruent to the cost-advantage value principle.

Building a three kilometer or, even a five kilometer bridge is one thing...building a 25-kilometer bridge that is: located in an area (as you said) located near a fault line [the Golden Gate Bridge has those massive towers--required for a cable-suspension bridge--to thank for its ability to withstand powerful earthquakes in the Bay Area]; in a very rough strait and passing along a really deep trench--which requires several uber-large towers that need to be built all the way to the bottom of the trench to support it(as I was talking about) is a completely different story.

I know that in the case of the San Juanico Strait, there is a very deep trench underneath the crest of the bridge. Also, because of the strait is very narrow, the current is relatively strong, with numerous whirlpools (that is why the bridge near Leyte needs to be curve).

My guess is that building a bridge between leyte and mindanao is not impossible. What makes it expensive is that it is next to the Philippine fault (assuming that the bridge goes from southern leyte to surigao). However, numerous bridges are located next to faults. The Golden Gate bridge is very close to the San Andreas fault.

Dude, a semi-trench (which is what, I would assume, might be in-between the strait that sepearte Leyte from Samar) cannot be compared to a "true" trench! It is like comparing the depth of an average house bath tub and an Olympic-standard-sized swimming pool. What I'm trying to say here is that the trench that runs beneath the waters of the strit that separates Leyte from Mindanao is really...really...really deep. The shores of both sides are also much...much further apart from one another.

So, again, I reiterate that a mega-bridge connecting Leyte with Surigao is like stretching the bounds of current civil engineering and contruction capabilities. And if it, indeed, is already technologically possible; the contruction of such a bridge is incongruent to the cost-advantage value principle.

Building a three kilometer or, even a five kilometer bridge is one thing...building a 25-kilometer bridge that is: located in an area (as you said) located near a fault line [the Golden Gate Bridge has those massive towers--required for a cable-suspension bridge--to thank for its ability to withstand powerful earthquakes in the Bay Area]; in a very rough strait and passing along a really deep trench--which requires several uber-large towers that need to be built all the way to the bottom of the trench to support it(as I was talking about) is a completely different story.

For me, building a bridge connecting Cebu and Bohol is really not feasible considering the great distance.

I'm quite positive that the Cebu-Bohol segment will not be Cebu City-Tagbilaran per-se...but rather in a different route. In reality, the distance between the shores of Cebu Island and/or Mactan Island and Bohol Island is not as far as many would believe. The time it takes these fastcraft services to reach Bohol--from Cebu--seems long simply because the nautical distance between Metro Cebu and Tagbilaran are rather far apart (they really are far apart).

So, the route passes certain islands (I'm guessing those islands one sees before arriving in Tagbilaran) so that it sort-of runs or hops along those chain of islands 'til the bridge reaches mainland Bohol. Now, the landing at Bohol island isn't yet located near or on Tagbilaran City borders. One has to ride further south to get to Tagbilaran City. But...you get the point...that the bridge, obviously, won't have to build physical structures that traverse the same path as these fastcraft services' routes, but rather, run along a much shorter route accross the sea and landing into an area nowhere near Tagbilaran Ciy premises. Furthermore, the depth of the sea in the actual proposed route of such a bridge is relatively shallow.

For me, building a bridge connecting Cebu and Bohol is really not feasible considering the great distance.

I'm quite positive that the Cebu-Bohol segment will not be Cebu City-Tagbilaran per-se...but rather in a different route. In reality, the distance between the shores of Cebu Island and/or Mactan Island and Bohol Island is not as far as many would believe. The time it takes these fastcraft services to reach Bohol--from Cebu--seems long simply because the nautical distance between Metro Cebu and Tagbilaran are rather far apart (they really are far apart).

So, the route passes certain islands (I'm guessing those islands one sees before arriving in Tagbilaran) so that it sort-of runs or hops along those chain of islands 'til the bridge reaches mainland Bohol. Now, the landing at Bohol island isn't yet located near or on Tagbilaran City borders. One has to ride further south to get to Tagbilaran City. But...you get the point...that the bridge, obviously, won't have to build physical structures that traverse the same path as these fastcraft services' routes, but rather, run along a much shorter route accross the sea and landing into an area nowhere near Tagbilaran Ciy premises. Furthermore, the depth of the sea in the actual proposed route of such a bridge is relatively shallow.

For me, building a bridge connecting Cebu and Bohol is really not feasible considering the great distance.

I'm quite positive that the Cebu-Bohol segment will not be Cebu City-Tagbilaran per-se...but rather in a different route. In reality, the distance between the shores of Cebu Island and/or Mactan Island and Bohol Island is not as far as many would believe. The time it takes these fastcraft services to reach Bohol--from Cebu--seems long simply because the nautical distance between Metro Cebu and Tagbilaran are rather far apart (they really are far apart).

So, the route passes certain islands (I'm guessing those islands one sees before arriving in Tagbilaran) so that it sort-of runs or hops along those chain of islands 'til the bridge reaches mainland Bohol. Now, the landing at Bohol island isn't yet located near or on Tagbilaran City borders. One has to ride further south to get to Tagbilaran City. But...you get the point...that the bridge, obviously, won't have to build physical structures that traverse the same path as these fastcraft services' routes, but rather, run along a much shorter route accross the sea and landing into an area nowhere near Tagbilaran Ciy premises. Furthermore, the depth of the sea in the actual proposed route of such a bridge is relatively shallow.

"These are part of the Arroyo administration's Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH). The bridge will link Panay, Negros, Cebu, Mactan (Cebu), Bohol and Leyte.

ang alam ko, lahat ng project n yan kay marcos,

"These are part of the Arroyo administration's Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH). The bridge will link Panay, Negros, Cebu, Mactan (Cebu), Bohol and Leyte.

ang alam ko, lahat ng project n yan kay marcos,

"These are part of the Arroyo administration's Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH). The bridge will link Panay, Negros, Cebu, Mactan (Cebu), Bohol and Leyte.

ang alam ko, lahat ng project n yan kay marcos,

^^ but never materialized

^^ but never materialized

^^ but never materialized

"These are part of the Arroyo administration's Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH). The bridge will link Panay, Negros, Cebu, Mactan (Cebu), Bohol and Leyte.

ang alam ko, lahat ng project n yan kay marcos,

well.. many of the projects that are planned this past few administrations are basically inspired by plans drafted during the Marcos era... as they planned to stay long in the seat he had great plans for the country but when he was toppled out of the palace these plans where shelved...

"These are part of the Arroyo administration's Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH). The bridge will link Panay, Negros, Cebu, Mactan (Cebu), Bohol and Leyte.

ang alam ko, lahat ng project n yan kay marcos,

well.. many of the projects that are planned this past few administrations are basically inspired by plans drafted during the Marcos era... as they planned to stay long in the seat he had great plans for the country but when he was toppled out of the palace these plans where shelved...

"These are part of the Arroyo administration's Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH). The bridge will link Panay, Negros, Cebu, Mactan (Cebu), Bohol and Leyte.

ang alam ko, lahat ng project n yan kay marcos,

well.. many of the projects that are planned this past few administrations are basically inspired by plans drafted during the Marcos era... as they planned to stay long in the seat he had great plans for the country but when he was toppled out of the palace these plans where shelved...

I'm quite positive that the Cebu-Bohol segment will not be Cebu City-Tagbilaran per-se...but rather in a different route. In reality, the distance between the shores of Cebu Island and/or Mactan Island and Bohol Island is not as far as many would believe. The time it takes these fastcraft services to reach Bohol--from Cebu--seems long simply because the nautical distance between Metro Cebu and Tagbilaran are rather far apart (they really are far apart).

So, the route passes certain islands (I'm guessing those islands one sees before arriving in Tagbilaran) so that it sort-of runs or hops along those chain of islands 'til the bridge reaches mainland Bohol. Now, the landing at Bohol island isn't yet located near or on Tagbilaran City borders. One has to ride further south to get to Tagbilaran City. But...you get the point...that the bridge, obviously, won't have to build physical structures that traverse the same path of these fastcraft services but rather run along a much shorter route accross the sea and landing into an area nowhere near Tagbilaran Ciy premises. Furthermore, the depth of the sea in the actual proposed route of the such a bridge is relatively shallow.

the bridge would be from cordova,cebu to calape,bohol...it would probably consist of causeways and cable-stayed segments...it would mean positive development, especially for the tourism industry, since not only will it link cebu and bohol--among the top tourist destinations of the country--but also the smaller islands that lie in between...(it's actually one of my dreams to purchase one of these islands...) there was also talk of diverting the freshwater from a river in calape to cebu so that it wont merely go to waste by flowing to sea as it is now...

I'm quite positive that the Cebu-Bohol segment will not be Cebu City-Tagbilaran per-se...but rather in a different route. In reality, the distance between the shores of Cebu Island and/or Mactan Island and Bohol Island is not as far as many would believe. The time it takes these fastcraft services to reach Bohol--from Cebu--seems long simply because the nautical distance between Metro Cebu and Tagbilaran are rather far apart (they really are far apart).

So, the route passes certain islands (I'm guessing those islands one sees before arriving in Tagbilaran) so that it sort-of runs or hops along those chain of islands 'til the bridge reaches mainland Bohol. Now, the landing at Bohol island isn't yet located near or on Tagbilaran City borders. One has to ride further south to get to Tagbilaran City. But...you get the point...that the bridge, obviously, won't have to build physical structures that traverse the same path of these fastcraft services but rather run along a much shorter route accross the sea and landing into an area nowhere near Tagbilaran Ciy premises. Furthermore, the depth of the sea in the actual proposed route of the such a bridge is relatively shallow.

the bridge would be from cordova,cebu to calape,bohol...it would probably consist of causeways and cable-stayed segments...it would mean positive development, especially for the tourism industry, since not only will it link cebu and bohol--among the top tourist destinations of the country--but also the smaller islands that lie in between...(it's actually one of my dreams to purchase one of these islands...) there was also talk of diverting the freshwater from a river in calape to cebu so that it wont merely go to waste by flowing to sea as it is now...

I'm quite positive that the Cebu-Bohol segment will not be Cebu City-Tagbilaran per-se...but rather in a different route. In reality, the distance between the shores of Cebu Island and/or Mactan Island and Bohol Island is not as far as many would believe. The time it takes these fastcraft services to reach Bohol--from Cebu--seems long simply because the nautical distance between Metro Cebu and Tagbilaran are rather far apart (they really are far apart).

So, the route passes certain islands (I'm guessing those islands one sees before arriving in Tagbilaran) so that it sort-of runs or hops along those chain of islands 'til the bridge reaches mainland Bohol. Now, the landing at Bohol island isn't yet located near or on Tagbilaran City borders. One has to ride further south to get to Tagbilaran City. But...you get the point...that the bridge, obviously, won't have to build physical structures that traverse the same path of these fastcraft services but rather run along a much shorter route accross the sea and landing into an area nowhere near Tagbilaran Ciy premises. Furthermore, the depth of the sea in the actual proposed route of the such a bridge is relatively shallow.

the bridge would be from cordova,cebu to calape,bohol...it would probably consist of causeways and cable-stayed segments...it would mean positive development, especially for the tourism industry, since not only will it link cebu and bohol--among the top tourist destinations of the country--but also the smaller islands that lie in between...(it's actually one of my dreams to purchase one of these islands...) there was also talk of diverting the freshwater from a river in calape to cebu so that it wont merely go to waste by flowing to sea as it is now...

I'm quite positive that the Cebu-Bohol segment will not be Cebu City-Tagbilaran per-se...but rather in a different route. In reality, the distance between the shores of Cebu Island and/or Mactan Island and Bohol Island is not as far as many would believe. The time it takes these fastcraft services to reach Bohol--from Cebu--seems long simply because the nautical distance between Metro Cebu and Tagbilaran are rather far apart (they really are far apart).

So, the route passes certain islands (I'm guessing those islands one sees before arriving in Tagbilaran) so that it sort-of runs or hops along those chain of islands 'til the bridge reaches mainland Bohol. Now, the landing at Bohol island isn't yet located near or on Tagbilaran City borders. One has to ride further south to get to Tagbilaran City. But...you get the point...that the bridge, obviously, won't have to build physical structures that traverse the same path of these fastcraft services but rather run along a much shorter route accross the sea and landing into an area nowhere near Tagbilaran Ciy premises. Furthermore, the depth of the sea in the actual proposed route of the such a bridge is relatively shallow.


Yeah I know.. Of course it wouldn't be in Tagbilaran per se.. Anyway, I guess it would be in Calape. An illustration was shown in Sunstar last year.. It's still a "great" distance compared with Iloilo-Guimaras, or Cebu-Dumaguete..

I'm quite positive that the Cebu-Bohol segment will not be Cebu City-Tagbilaran per-se...but rather in a different route. In reality, the distance between the shores of Cebu Island and/or Mactan Island and Bohol Island is not as far as many would believe. The time it takes these fastcraft services to reach Bohol--from Cebu--seems long simply because the nautical distance between Metro Cebu and Tagbilaran are rather far apart (they really are far apart).

So, the route passes certain islands (I'm guessing those islands one sees before arriving in Tagbilaran) so that it sort-of runs or hops along those chain of islands 'til the bridge reaches mainland Bohol. Now, the landing at Bohol island isn't yet located near or on Tagbilaran City borders. One has to ride further south to get to Tagbilaran City. But...you get the point...that the bridge, obviously, won't have to build physical structures that traverse the same path of these fastcraft services but rather run along a much shorter route accross the sea and landing into an area nowhere near Tagbilaran Ciy premises. Furthermore, the depth of the sea in the actual proposed route of the such a bridge is relatively shallow.


Yeah I know.. Of course it wouldn't be in Tagbilaran per se.. Anyway, I guess it would be in Calape. An illustration was shown in Sunstar last year.. It's still a "great" distance compared with Iloilo-Guimaras, or Cebu-Dumaguete..

I'm quite positive that the Cebu-Bohol segment will not be Cebu City-Tagbilaran per-se...but rather in a different route. In reality, the distance between the shores of Cebu Island and/or Mactan Island and Bohol Island is not as far as many would believe. The time it takes these fastcraft services to reach Bohol--from Cebu--seems long simply because the nautical distance between Metro Cebu and Tagbilaran are rather far apart (they really are far apart).

So, the route passes certain islands (I'm guessing those islands one sees before arriving in Tagbilaran) so that it sort-of runs or hops along those chain of islands 'til the bridge reaches mainland Bohol. Now, the landing at Bohol island isn't yet located near or on Tagbilaran City borders. One has to ride further south to get to Tagbilaran City. But...you get the point...that the bridge, obviously, won't have to build physical structures that traverse the same path of these fastcraft services but rather run along a much shorter route accross the sea and landing into an area nowhere near Tagbilaran Ciy premises. Furthermore, the depth of the sea in the actual proposed route of the such a bridge is relatively shallow.


Yeah I know.. Of course it wouldn't be in Tagbilaran per se.. Anyway, I guess it would be in Calape. An illustration was shown in Sunstar last year.. It's still a "great" distance compared with Iloilo-Guimaras, or Cebu-Dumaguete..

For me, building a bridge connecting Cebu and Bohol is really not feasible considering the great distance.

Cebu to Bohol (Tagbilaran) is just 1 hour and 45 minutes via fastcraft, so why should I spend 8-10 hours of driving and wasting gasoline? Hehehe.

Anyhow, the most feasible for me, with regards to distance, are Iloilo-Guimaras and Cebu-Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental).

My estimate of the distance (as I do not have exact figures of the distance) is between 15 to 20 kilometers. If you drive at 80 kilometers, you should be able to make the crossing in about 15 mins, and definitely not 8-10 hours.

As I previously posted, my experience with the great belt bridge in denmark is that a distance of 18 kph can be completed in 10 minutes, whereas the ferry takes about an hour.

The advantage of a bridge versus a ferry is both a significant reduction of time together with a significant increase in the volume that can be transported.

Also, I may have made a mistake. Checked with people I know at the Bureau of Design at DPWH and the distance between Iloilo Guimaras is 2.3 kilometers, which will make it long than the San Juanico Bridge. They could not give me figures with the distance between Negros and Cebu, but it is longer than 4 kilometers.

For me, building a bridge connecting Cebu and Bohol is really not feasible considering the great distance.

Cebu to Bohol (Tagbilaran) is just 1 hour and 45 minutes via fastcraft, so why should I spend 8-10 hours of driving and wasting gasoline? Hehehe.

Anyhow, the most feasible for me, with regards to distance, are Iloilo-Guimaras and Cebu-Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental).

My estimate of the distance (as I do not have exact figures of the distance) is between 15 to 20 kilometers. If you drive at 80 kilometers, you should be able to make the crossing in about 15 mins, and definitely not 8-10 hours.

As I previously posted, my experience with the great belt bridge in denmark is that a distance of 18 kph can be completed in 10 minutes, whereas the ferry takes about an hour.

The advantage of a bridge versus a ferry is both a significant reduction of time together with a significant increase in the volume that can be transported.

Also, I may have made a mistake. Checked with people I know at the Bureau of Design at DPWH and the distance between Iloilo Guimaras is 2.3 kilometers, which will make it long than the San Juanico Bridge. They could not give me figures with the distance between Negros and Cebu, but it is longer than 4 kilometers.

For me, building a bridge connecting Cebu and Bohol is really not feasible considering the great distance.

Cebu to Bohol (Tagbilaran) is just 1 hour and 45 minutes via fastcraft, so why should I spend 8-10 hours of driving and wasting gasoline? Hehehe.

Anyhow, the most feasible for me, with regards to distance, are Iloilo-Guimaras and Cebu-Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental).

My estimate of the distance (as I do not have exact figures of the distance) is between 15 to 20 kilometers. If you drive at 80 kilometers, you should be able to make the crossing in about 15 mins, and definitely not 8-10 hours.

As I previously posted, my experience with the great belt bridge in denmark is that a distance of 18 kph can be completed in 10 minutes, whereas the ferry takes about an hour.

The advantage of a bridge versus a ferry is both a significant reduction of time together with a significant increase in the volume that can be transported.

Also, I may have made a mistake. Checked with people I know at the Bureau of Design at DPWH and the distance between Iloilo Guimaras is 2.3 kilometers, which will make it long than the San Juanico Bridge. They could not give me figures with the distance between Negros and Cebu, but it is longer than 4 kilometers.

^^

What I meant was driving all the way to Tagbilaran City. Of course, it's very easy to cross a bridge but to drive on a snaking highway that follows the contour of the mountains is a different thing unless of course if they build a very straight highway all the way to Tagbilaran.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/map_visayasislandbridge.jpg


.:.

^^

What I meant was driving all the way to Tagbilaran City. Of course, it's very easy to cross a bridge but to drive on a snaking highway that follows the contour of the mountains is a different thing unless of course if they build a very straight highway all the way to Tagbilaran.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/map_visayasislandbridge.jpg


.:.

^^

What I meant was driving all the way to Tagbilaran City. Of course, it's very easy to cross a bridge but to drive on a snaking highway that follows the contour of the mountains is a different thing unless of course if they build a very straight highway all the way to Tagbilaran.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/zyanz/bacolod/map_visayasislandbridge.jpg


.:.

Yeepe!! in my childhood hometown Calape pala sya i-konek? am really glad if this plan will come into fruition...fyi, Calape has modern infras compared to other towns of Bohol. (Modern Cultural Center / Modern Market / Modern design of Church)

Yeepe!! in my childhood hometown Calape pala sya i-konek? am really glad if this plan will come into fruition...fyi, Calape has modern infras compared to other towns of Bohol. (Modern Cultural Center / Modern Market / Modern design of Church)

Yeepe!! in my childhood hometown Calape pala sya i-konek? am really glad if this plan will come into fruition...fyi, Calape has modern infras compared to other towns of Bohol. (Modern Cultural Center / Modern Market / Modern design of Church)

^^

What I meant was driving all the way to Tagbilaran City. Of course, it's very easy to cross a bridge but to drive on a snaking highway that follows the contour of the mountains is a different thing unless of course if they build a very straight highway all the way to Tagbilaran.




.:.
OK, my fault. I did not realize it takes that long. I have only been to Jagna (due to the landslide in Mayana) and it did not take that long to and from Tagbilaran. That is why a bridge should only be looked upon as part of the whole transportation system. Without the necessary roads to provide traffic to and from the bridge, it is next to usesless. Maybe after building the bridge, there would be need for an expressway, with tunnels that go through the mountains. That would be exciting.

^^

What I meant was driving all the way to Tagbilaran City. Of course, it's very easy to cross a bridge but to drive on a snaking highway that follows the contour of the mountains is a different thing unless of course if they build a very straight highway all the way to Tagbilaran.




.:.
OK, my fault. I did not realize it takes that long. I have only been to Jagna (due to the landslide in Mayana) and it did not take that long to and from Tagbilaran. That is why a bridge should only be looked upon as part of the whole transportation system. Without the necessary roads to provide traffic to and from the bridge, it is next to usesless. Maybe after building the bridge, there would be need for an expressway, with tunnels that go through the mountains. That would be exciting.

^^

What I meant was driving all the way to Tagbilaran City. Of course, it's very easy to cross a bridge but to drive on a snaking highway that follows the contour of the mountains is a different thing unless of course if they build a very straight highway all the way to Tagbilaran.




.:.
OK, my fault. I did not realize it takes that long. I have only been to Jagna (due to the landslide in Mayana) and it did not take that long to and from Tagbilaran. That is why a bridge should only be looked upon as part of the whole transportation system. Without the necessary roads to provide traffic to and from the bridge, it is next to usesless. Maybe after building the bridge, there would be need for an expressway, with tunnels that go through the mountains. That would be exciting.

^^ i've been to calape when we had our regional contest in STEP. The main venue was in the cultural center itself. Nice baya. :)

^^ i've been to calape when we had our regional contest in STEP. The main venue was in the cultural center itself. Nice baya. :)

^^ i've been to calape when we had our regional contest in STEP. The main venue was in the cultural center itself. Nice baya. :)

^^ i've been to calape when we had our regional contest in STEP. The main venue was in the cultural center itself. Nice baya. :)

If i can recall, Calape to Tagbilaran is 25-30 mins by Bus...pero noon pa yon..my part pa ng kalsada non na lubak at di pa simentado..i heard yang circumferenial road ngayon na-widening na at cemented na lahat...so perhaps mabilis na ngayon byahe dyan.

^^ i've been to calape when we had our regional contest in STEP. The main venue was in the cultural center itself. Nice baya. :)

If i can recall, Calape to Tagbilaran is 25-30 mins by Bus...pero noon pa yon..my part pa ng kalsada non na lubak at di pa simentado..i heard yang circumferenial road ngayon na-widening na at cemented na lahat...so perhaps mabilis na ngayon byahe dyan.

^^ i've been to calape when we had our regional contest in STEP. The main venue was in the cultural center itself. Nice baya. :)

If i can recall, Calape to Tagbilaran is 25-30 mins by Bus...pero noon pa yon..my part pa ng kalsada non na lubak at di pa simentado..i heard yang circumferenial road ngayon na-widening na at cemented na lahat...so perhaps mabilis na ngayon byahe dyan.

Yeepe!! in my childhood hometown Calape pala sya i-konek? am really glad if this plan will come into fruition...fyi, Calape has modern infras compared to other towns of Bohol. (Modern Cultural Center / Modern Market / Modern design of Church)

Taga Bohol diay ka Junax?

Anyway, I think Calape would benefit so much from this bridge. We might even move close to integration.

Who knows in the near future, as Cebu becomes congested, the existing airport in Mactan may be transferred in Bohol. It would just be a bridge away. :okay:

Yeepe!! in my childhood hometown Calape pala sya i-konek? am really glad if this plan will come into fruition...fyi, Calape has modern infras compared to other towns of Bohol. (Modern Cultural Center / Modern Market / Modern design of Church)

Taga Bohol diay ka Junax?

Anyway, I think Calape would benefit so much from this bridge. We might even move close to integration.

Who knows in the near future, as Cebu becomes congested, the existing airport in Mactan may be transferred in Bohol. It would just be a bridge away. :okay:

Yeepe!! in my childhood hometown Calape pala sya i-konek? am really glad if this plan will come into fruition...fyi, Calape has modern infras compared to other towns of Bohol. (Modern Cultural Center / Modern Market / Modern design of Church)

Taga Bohol diay ka Junax?

Anyway, I think Calape would benefit so much from this bridge. We might even move close to integration.

Who knows in the near future, as Cebu becomes congested, the existing airport in Mactan may be transferred in Bohol. It would just be a bridge away. :okay:

-edit-

-edit-

-edit-

Taga Bohol diay ka Junax?

Anyway, I think Calape would benefit so much from this bridge. We might even move close to integration.

Who knows in the near future, as Cebu becomes congested, the existing airport in Mactan may be transferred in Bohol. It would just be a bridge away. :okay:
Si Junex po ako..long lost brother ko si Junax hehehe...boholano tatay ko...didto ko pujo adtong bata pa ko..tapos langjaw ko sa Davao nung elementary grade ako kc taga davao nanay ko hehehe...

Bitaw oi, am so excited jud sa bridge...kaso nag wori ako sa island named" Pangangan" nga posible maagian sa bridge kay daghan baja to resort didto..basig mawala ang iyang pagka idyllic..mangroved forest might vanish!!:) :)

Taga Bohol diay ka Junax?

Anyway, I think Calape would benefit so much from this bridge. We might even move close to integration.

Who knows in the near future, as Cebu becomes congested, the existing airport in Mactan may be transferred in Bohol. It would just be a bridge away. :okay:
Si Junex po ako..long lost brother ko si Junax hehehe...boholano tatay ko...didto ko pujo adtong bata pa ko..tapos langjaw ko sa Davao nung elementary grade ako kc taga davao nanay ko hehehe...

Bitaw oi, am so excited jud sa bridge...kaso nag wori ako sa island named" Pangangan" nga posible maagian sa bridge kay daghan baja to resort didto..basig mawala ang iyang pagka idyllic..mangroved forest might vanish!!:) :)

Taga Bohol diay ka Junax?

Anyway, I think Calape would benefit so much from this bridge. We might even move close to integration.

Who knows in the near future, as Cebu becomes congested, the existing airport in Mactan may be transferred in Bohol. It would just be a bridge away. :okay:
Si Junex po ako..long lost brother ko si Junax hehehe...boholano tatay ko...didto ko pujo adtong bata pa ko..tapos langjaw ko sa Davao nung elementary grade ako kc taga davao nanay ko hehehe...

Bitaw oi, am so excited jud sa bridge...kaso nag wori ako sa island named" Pangangan" nga posible maagian sa bridge kay daghan baja to resort didto..basig mawala ang iyang pagka idyllic..mangroved forest might vanish!!:) :)

As I previously posted, my experience with the great belt bridge in denmark is that a distance of 18 kph can be completed in 10 minutes, whereas the ferry takes about an hour.

You mean the 0resund Bridge in Denmark?

As I previously posted, my experience with the great belt bridge in denmark is that a distance of 18 kph can be completed in 10 minutes, whereas the ferry takes about an hour.

You mean the 0resund Bridge in Denmark?

As I previously posted, my experience with the great belt bridge in denmark is that a distance of 18 kph can be completed in 10 minutes, whereas the ferry takes about an hour.

You mean the 0resund Bridge in Denmark?

You mean the 0resund Bridge in Denmark?

No I mean the great belt bridge that links Zealand where Copenhagen is, with Funen which is where Odense is. The Oresund Bridge links Zealand with Sweden.
The great belt bridge is a suspension bridge, whereas the Oresund Bridge is a cable stayed bridge. The Great Belt bridge is actually two bridges which are about 6 kilometers each, and an underwater tunnel which is about 8 kilometers long.

You mean the 0resund Bridge in Denmark?

No I mean the great belt bridge that links Zealand where Copenhagen is, with Funen which is where Odense is. The Oresund Bridge links Zealand with Sweden.
The great belt bridge is a suspension bridge, whereas the Oresund Bridge is a cable stayed bridge. The Great Belt bridge is actually two bridges which are about 6 kilometers each, and an underwater tunnel which is about 8 kilometers long.

You mean the 0resund Bridge in Denmark?

No I mean the great belt bridge that links Zealand where Copenhagen is, with Funen which is where Odense is. The Oresund Bridge links Zealand with Sweden.
The great belt bridge is a suspension bridge, whereas the Oresund Bridge is a cable stayed bridge. The Great Belt bridge is actually two bridges which are about 6 kilometers each, and an underwater tunnel which is about 8 kilometers long.

My concept of the proposed Guimaras-Iloilo Friendship Bridge

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3656/guimarasbridgews3.jpg
Hope someday a cable-stayed bridge would connect the Great City of Iloilo to the Beautiful Island of Guimaras, grabe ang boost nito sa economy/tourism/etc of both province.

pic by IAMME

My concept of the proposed Guimaras-Iloilo Friendship Bridge

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3656/guimarasbridgews3.jpg
Hope someday a cable-stayed bridge would connect the Great City of Iloilo to the Beautiful Island of Guimaras, grabe ang boost nito sa economy/tourism/etc of both province.

pic by IAMME

My concept of the proposed Guimaras-Iloilo Friendship Bridge

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3656/guimarasbridgews3.jpg
Hope someday a cable-stayed bridge would connect the Great City of Iloilo to the Beautiful Island of Guimaras, grabe ang boost nito sa economy/tourism/etc of both province.

pic by IAMME

Visayas bridges get RDC nod
Plan endorsed to nat’l gov’t for execution
Manila Bulletin 2006-12-10


ROXAS CITY – The proposed Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges connecting the island provinces of Bohol to Cebu, Bohol to Southern Leyte, Cebu to Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental to Iloilo and Iloilo to Guimaras was endorsed for national government study and implementation by the the Regional Development Council (RDC) under its chairwoman, Governor Sally Zaldivar-Perez.

The council, in Resolution 12 authored by its Infrastructure Development Committee, has recommended to the national government to conduct a feasibility study on the proposed bridges.

Earlier, the Provincial Development Council (PDC)-Executive Committees of Negros Occidental and Iloilo already endorsed the request of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) through Negros Occidental PPC Execom Resolution 7, and Iloilo PPC Execom Resolution 2006-053.

The Infrastructure Committee, which presented the resolution, informed the council that the barangay chairmen in the town of Banate, Iloilo -- where the bridge will be constructed -- have also favorably endorsed the proposal.

The proposed Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges will support the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, a major program of President Arroyo, which aims to connect the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Panay, Negros and Mindanao.

The national government will soon start various infrastructure projects as part of Mindanao Super-Region program of the Arroyo government to further boost the economic development of southern Philippines.

The bridges will interconnect Western, Eastern and Central Visayas and are expected to further strengthen government’s plan for these areas to be the country’s center for tourism.

According to Governor Perez, the construction of the Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges is a dream program of the Visayas governors. (PIA 6)

Perez said the governors plan to form a consortium to look for funding agencies to make the program become a reality. (PIA 6)

Visayas bridges get RDC nod
Plan endorsed to nat’l gov’t for execution
Manila Bulletin 2006-12-10


ROXAS CITY – The proposed Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges connecting the island provinces of Bohol to Cebu, Bohol to Southern Leyte, Cebu to Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental to Iloilo and Iloilo to Guimaras was endorsed for national government study and implementation by the the Regional Development Council (RDC) under its chairwoman, Governor Sally Zaldivar-Perez.

The council, in Resolution 12 authored by its Infrastructure Development Committee, has recommended to the national government to conduct a feasibility study on the proposed bridges.

Earlier, the Provincial Development Council (PDC)-Executive Committees of Negros Occidental and Iloilo already endorsed the request of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) through Negros Occidental PPC Execom Resolution 7, and Iloilo PPC Execom Resolution 2006-053.

The Infrastructure Committee, which presented the resolution, informed the council that the barangay chairmen in the town of Banate, Iloilo -- where the bridge will be constructed -- have also favorably endorsed the proposal.

The proposed Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges will support the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, a major program of President Arroyo, which aims to connect the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Panay, Negros and Mindanao.

The national government will soon start various infrastructure projects as part of Mindanao Super-Region program of the Arroyo government to further boost the economic development of southern Philippines.

The bridges will interconnect Western, Eastern and Central Visayas and are expected to further strengthen government’s plan for these areas to be the country’s center for tourism.

According to Governor Perez, the construction of the Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges is a dream program of the Visayas governors. (PIA 6)

Perez said the governors plan to form a consortium to look for funding agencies to make the program become a reality. (PIA 6)

Visayas bridges get RDC nod
Plan endorsed to nat’l gov’t for execution
Manila Bulletin 2006-12-10


ROXAS CITY – The proposed Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges connecting the island provinces of Bohol to Cebu, Bohol to Southern Leyte, Cebu to Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental to Iloilo and Iloilo to Guimaras was endorsed for national government study and implementation by the the Regional Development Council (RDC) under its chairwoman, Governor Sally Zaldivar-Perez.

The council, in Resolution 12 authored by its Infrastructure Development Committee, has recommended to the national government to conduct a feasibility study on the proposed bridges.

Earlier, the Provincial Development Council (PDC)-Executive Committees of Negros Occidental and Iloilo already endorsed the request of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) through Negros Occidental PPC Execom Resolution 7, and Iloilo PPC Execom Resolution 2006-053.

The Infrastructure Committee, which presented the resolution, informed the council that the barangay chairmen in the town of Banate, Iloilo -- where the bridge will be constructed -- have also favorably endorsed the proposal.

The proposed Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges will support the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, a major program of President Arroyo, which aims to connect the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Panay, Negros and Mindanao.

The national government will soon start various infrastructure projects as part of Mindanao Super-Region program of the Arroyo government to further boost the economic development of southern Philippines.

The bridges will interconnect Western, Eastern and Central Visayas and are expected to further strengthen government’s plan for these areas to be the country’s center for tourism.

According to Governor Perez, the construction of the Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges is a dream program of the Visayas governors. (PIA 6)

Perez said the governors plan to form a consortium to look for funding agencies to make the program become a reality. (PIA 6)

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3656/guimarasbridgews3.jpg
Hope someday a cable-stayed bridge would connect the Great City of Iloilo to the Beautiful Island of Guimaras, grabe ang boost nito sa economy/tourism/etc of both province.

pic by IAMME

pwede yan ^^

diba may plan na dati ng iloilo-guimaras? sabi dati cable stayed bridge.. may rendering na dati naka print sa news papers, mid 90's yun.. anyone with a copy?

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3656/guimarasbridgews3.jpg
Hope someday a cable-stayed bridge would connect the Great City of Iloilo to the Beautiful Island of Guimaras, grabe ang boost nito sa economy/tourism/etc of both province.

pic by IAMME

pwede yan ^^

diba may plan na dati ng iloilo-guimaras? sabi dati cable stayed bridge.. may rendering na dati naka print sa news papers, mid 90's yun.. anyone with a copy?

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3656/guimarasbridgews3.jpg
Hope someday a cable-stayed bridge would connect the Great City of Iloilo to the Beautiful Island of Guimaras, grabe ang boost nito sa economy/tourism/etc of both province.

pic by IAMME

pwede yan ^^

diba may plan na dati ng iloilo-guimaras? sabi dati cable stayed bridge.. may rendering na dati naka print sa news papers, mid 90's yun.. anyone with a copy?

I recall seeing the picture of the cable stayed bridge in the daily inquirer just after the 2001 EDSA-II revolution.