Bridges, Tunnels, and Dams

[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]

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.

[Animo]

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.

[Animo]

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.

[Sinjin P.]

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.

[Sinjin P.]

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.

[Sinjin P.]

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.

[Christendom]

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

[Christendom]

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

[Christendom]

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

[pau_p1]

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..

[pau_p1]

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..

[pau_p1]

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..

[Christendom]

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

[Christendom]

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

[Christendom]

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

[anonymous_filipino]

sana combination ito ng mga suspension bridge at cable stayed bridge at multi-laned din

[anonymous_filipino]

sana combination ito ng mga suspension bridge at cable stayed bridge at multi-laned din

[anonymous_filipino]

sana combination ito ng mga suspension bridge at cable stayed bridge at multi-laned din

[Christendom]

A map showing the areas where bridges
will interconnect the Visayan islands prepared
by Pacific Consultants International.*
(VisayanDailyStar Bacolod photo)