Bridges, Tunnels, and Dams

[Lili]

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

But first, La Mesa is critical.

[Lili]

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

But first, La Mesa is critical.

[Lili]

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

But first, La Mesa is critical.

[Æsahættr]

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

[Æsahættr]

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

[Æsahættr]

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

[Animo]

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/...060766148.html

[Animo]

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/...060766148.html

[Animo]

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/...060766148.html

[JAMAICUS]

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

[JAMAICUS]

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

[JAMAICUS]

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

[Animo]

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/...062467668.html

[Animo]

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/...062467668.html

[Animo]

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/...062467668.html

[renell]

Originally Posted by lotrfan55345

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

[renell]

Originally Posted by lotrfan55345

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

[renell]

Originally Posted by lotrfan55345

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

[Animo]

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

[Animo]

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