Editorial 2/26/18 (Philippines, politics, society, traffic, Duterte, democracy, history)
Philippine Daily Inquirer's "Costly traffic"
Metro Manila’s traffic mess is one problem that is proving too difficult to untangle. A confluence of events since many administrations ago has led to this nightmare in the capital.
Last week, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) estimated that the worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila now costs at least P3.5 billion in lost opportunities a day — a jump from the estimated P2.4 billion a day in 2012.
The future does not seem to present much promise either.
According to the Jica study, Metro Manila’s population in 2015 was nearly 13 million while Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite combined had almost 11 million. That puts Mega Manila’s population in 2015 at 24 million. [link]
Last week, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) estimated that the worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila now costs at least P3.5 billion in lost opportunities a day — a jump from the estimated P2.4 billion a day in 2012.
The future does not seem to present much promise either.
According to the Jica study, Metro Manila’s population in 2015 was nearly 13 million while Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite combined had almost 11 million. That puts Mega Manila’s population in 2015 at 24 million. [link]
Mindanao Times "Missing the point"
The stir that the Boracay controversy has created has resulted in concerned agencies scampering for solutions to the garbage problem.
In the Davao Region for instance, the regional office of the Environmental Management Bureau, an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, issued a press statement over the weekend that it has intensified the monitoring of beaches to ensure that the coastal waters are safe for swimming.
The agency said that last year, it created the Regional Inter-Agency Technical Committee as it has been coordinatinsg with other agencies in monitoring water quality of beaches that are go-to places of tourists, both foreign and local.
The agency said that last year, nine of those beach resorts in Samal were able to set up their septage treatment facilities. It added that it will continue to monitor of the resorts in all parts of the region as this is a priority of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu.
Cimatu’s plate is full as President Rodrigo R. Duterte has challenged him to restore order in Boracay in six months, otherwise he will order the tourist haven to be closed to visitors.
Of course, garbage treatment facilities are needed to ensure the cleanliness of the water, but government agencies seem to forget the main cause the problem. When people congregate in an area and their numbers go up indiscriminately, what must be expected are problems and garbage is just one of them [link]
In the Davao Region for instance, the regional office of the Environmental Management Bureau, an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, issued a press statement over the weekend that it has intensified the monitoring of beaches to ensure that the coastal waters are safe for swimming.
The agency said that last year, it created the Regional Inter-Agency Technical Committee as it has been coordinatinsg with other agencies in monitoring water quality of beaches that are go-to places of tourists, both foreign and local.
The agency said that last year, nine of those beach resorts in Samal were able to set up their septage treatment facilities. It added that it will continue to monitor of the resorts in all parts of the region as this is a priority of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu.
Cimatu’s plate is full as President Rodrigo R. Duterte has challenged him to restore order in Boracay in six months, otherwise he will order the tourist haven to be closed to visitors.
Of course, garbage treatment facilities are needed to ensure the cleanliness of the water, but government agencies seem to forget the main cause the problem. When people congregate in an area and their numbers go up indiscriminately, what must be expected are problems and garbage is just one of them [link]
Sun.Star Cebu "Demokrasya himatyon?"
MUTUO ka ba nga himatyon ang demokrasya sa Pilipinas? Kon himatyon ang atong demokrasya, unsay kalahian sa atong kahimtang gikan sa panahon ni kanhi Presidente Corazon Aquino nga giilang kampiyon sa demokrasya sa Asya ug mga nangaging lider sa nasod hangtod ning administrasyon ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte? Kon basihan nato ang pakigbisog sa kadalanan sa mga walhon, seguro makaingon kita nga walay kalainan human sa susamang isyu ug akusasyon sa kalapasan sa human rights, pagpanghilabot sa Estados Unidos, mini nga land reform program ug uban pa mao kanunay ang nagbandira sa ilang mga rali ug martsa-protesta Kagahapon, ang naghimo sa iyang imahen nga “running priest” Fr. Robert Reyes ug kaubang grupo nihimo og protesta batok sa ilang gitawag nga “dying democracy” nga sa makausa pa nagmadaugon ang minilyon nga katawhan Filipino sa EDSA, apan atol sa ika-32 nga anibersaryo sa 1986 EDSA People Power, gatosan na lang ang nanambong sa People Power Monument sa Quezon City. [link]
Manila Times "Time for PH to break through the international sports glass ceiling"
The election of a new president and chairman at the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) last Thursday is a most propitious development the entire nation should seize as a signal opportunity to raise national sports to a new level.
From a bleak prospect of persistent failure and mediocre performance in international sports competition, we have been ushered into a new day of hope and rebuilding.
The installation of a new POC leadership team removes the barnacles long clamped on national sports by the 14-year presidency of Mr. Jose Peping Cojuangco, Jr., and the long-staying mafia behind him.
With the clamps finally out of the way and POC’s new president Ricky Vargas and chairman Abraham Tolentino now in place, the way is open for forging a resolute, sustained, comprehensive and finally unfailing program to fully develop Philippine sports. [link]
From a bleak prospect of persistent failure and mediocre performance in international sports competition, we have been ushered into a new day of hope and rebuilding.
The installation of a new POC leadership team removes the barnacles long clamped on national sports by the 14-year presidency of Mr. Jose Peping Cojuangco, Jr., and the long-staying mafia behind him.
With the clamps finally out of the way and POC’s new president Ricky Vargas and chairman Abraham Tolentino now in place, the way is open for forging a resolute, sustained, comprehensive and finally unfailing program to fully develop Philippine sports. [link]
