Friday, September 24, 2010

Hotdog anyone?

Does leading by example a problem?

I don't think any of our politician go abroad for (un)official trip eats hotdog from a hotdog stand as lunch. It is great that a President is doing it and showing that he is there to work not dine on Le Cirque using taxpayers money.

How about Elena Bautista-Horn tweeting “That maybe good for keeping travel costs low. For our part, we kept the number of hostage deaths down.”. Yeah she had a point there.. Uhmm could someone remind me of how many media personnel and civilians died on Maguindanao Massacre and how the Arroyo administration approach it? Does stealing peoples money (or presidency) did not hurt or kill anyone ( especially the country)? I am not sure about it.....

While I am thinking of this let me get some hotdog at the hotdog stand in the corner. Hotdog anyone? My treat....

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Revive!

I'm back!!!

Been in hiatus for almost 2 years. Will continue to post matters and information according to my own personal belief. On the lighter side I will also post anything which will catch my attention.

Hopefully my previous readers will continue to follow me (again).

See you in my next post.

Monday, April 14, 2008

A View on Hanjin’s Forest Condominium on Subic Bay Freeport Zone Forest Philippines



Due to the current debacle of the Subic bay Forest Condominium purposely built by Hanjin to house it’s employees, I asked myself , is the Hanjin Company from Korea had a special treatment on Arroyo’s regime?..It’s fair to say as what Sen. Gordon said before in a previous interview “the government needs to tread carefully on the issue because Hanjin is the biggest investor in the country today”, is it really fair and ok to sacrifice our forest for the benefits of this so called “super investor” in which standard and safety is the last thing in their agenda..The death of many workers/employee due to below the standard safety regulation plus the foreseen death of the Subic’s protected wildlife is enough for us to comment and act.

As a response to what SBMA Administrator Arreza ’s claim that there are no ground to stop the Condominium project by Hanjin, Clemente Bautista, National Coordinator of Kalikasan People's Network today cited three (3) reasons why said project must be scrapped…

Firstly, it is ecologically destructive, as the project stands to impact on the Subic Forest Reserve Area, one of the few remaining forest reserve areas in the country. More importantly, the area in question boasts of high biodiversity, containing approximately 15 percent of the bird species in Luzon, 10,000 fruit bat colonies and 27 endemic vertebrate species. In addition, disturbances to the Subic Forest ecosystem will affect 157 hectares of mangrove areas located in the Central Luzon region.

This is unfortunate as the Philippine forest is in critical stage, with 2004 data showing that the country only has 14 -18 percent forest cover left. This is way below the 54 percent forest cover standard for a tropical country to remain ecologically stable. In such a condition, each remaining forest cover must be protected.

Secondly, there is a glaring lack of consultation with the members of the affected communities, especially the Aeta indigenous group which had been occupying the area for centuries. Since the project area encroaches on parts of their ancestral domain, the Aetas possess the right to be consulted about possible projects to be implemented in the site.

Finally, the project illustrates the outright sale of national patrimony. Hanjin does not deserve a special treatment from the Arroyo administration to be allowed to enter an ecologically critical and protected area? A foreign company was easily given the right to own and control our forest land.

Granting that the Hanjin project passed all the test and requirements to built it’s condominium in a protected wildlife sanctuary, is Hanjin the victim in case the land is proven to be protected for they apply for permit in good faith and the SBMA Management approves it?. Do we expect more project to encroach over our protected forest environment and ancestral domain of our indigenous people?..Are the laws passed to protect the environment such as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and Indigenous People's Rights Act (IPRA) proved to be a failure and just like any other law who have no teeth?.. Does anyone take a look at a report where the said condominium building is being built without Environmental Clearance Certificate and only been issued upon 20% of the structure had been built? Just wondering.

Sources:
• http://subicbulletin.blogspot.com/2008/04/where-is-super-investor-that-will-save.html
• http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2008/0406_legarda1.asp
• http://www.bulatlat.com/2008/04/condo-forest-reserve-render-laws-protecting-environment-ip-rights-failure
• http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080414-130186/Hanjin-condo-projects-began-without-ECC

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Welcome

"Halo-halo (from "halo" = mix) is a favorite Filipino dessert or snack. It is basically a mixture of sweet preserved beans(red beans, chick peas), coconut meat (macapuno), jackfruit (langka), pounded dried rice (pinipig), sweet yam (ube), cream flan (leche flan), shreds of sweetened plantain (saba), filled with crushed ice, milk (or coconut milk) and topped with ice cream. The halo-halo basically is sweet, creamy, and a filling dessert. "

Guess this would describe what this blog is all about.I would post blog regarding what topic that comes in my mind and would cling on my imagination. I would also post regarding certain issue and comment as a responsible citizen should. It all says here so this blog is about anything and blend with everything.