Just last week typhoon Cosme devastated the town of Sta. Cruz, destroying houses, school and other infrastructure in the town.
TV, Radio reports and newspaper reports could not possibly describe the damage that Cosme did to this small town.
They all have their figures, billions of pesos were lost due to damages in the agricultural sector and other infrastructure. many have died and were left homeless.
TV reporters, radio reporters and print reporters scrambled during GMA's visit in Sta. Cruz.
I will try to get pictures of the place since this will and can only show how Cosme destroyed 80 percent of the town.
2008年5月26日星期一
2008年5月25日星期日
Poor old mango tree
Ill miss the days when going to our backyard was a comfort.
Our backyard was a heaven for me. During the morning I would go back and sit underneath our big mango tree smoking my favorite cigarette while drink my coffee.
Looking at my dogs, looking at Tilapias and Dalag’s in the river.
This might all change now, two days ago my mother told me that she was going to trim the mango tree, I said yes, I imagine the word trip refers to cutting some of the overgrown branches which was staring to touch the roof of our house.
So off to work I go in the morning not knowing that she was about to slaughter the tree.
Yep you read it right, I said slaughter since she left only the tree trunk standing.
I really can’t understand the logic my mom told me.
Before that the sun couldn’t even pierce through our backyard meaning the place was comfortable, the wind was cold and was pleasant to hangout.
It would be much more interesting to see and I think you would agree with me if I had a picture of the tree after the so called trimming but I don’t have a digital camera now.
That tree also produce sweet mango’s by the way.
Now its hot, very hot.
Agree and frustrated, that’s how I feel right now, I wish I didn’t go to work that day when my mom told me she was going to trim that tree, I could have salvage it. But its done and all I can do now is close my eyes and imagine, remember what it was like underneath that big old tree.
Our backyard was a heaven for me. During the morning I would go back and sit underneath our big mango tree smoking my favorite cigarette while drink my coffee.
Looking at my dogs, looking at Tilapias and Dalag’s in the river.
This might all change now, two days ago my mother told me that she was going to trim the mango tree, I said yes, I imagine the word trip refers to cutting some of the overgrown branches which was staring to touch the roof of our house.
So off to work I go in the morning not knowing that she was about to slaughter the tree.
Yep you read it right, I said slaughter since she left only the tree trunk standing.
I really can’t understand the logic my mom told me.
Before that the sun couldn’t even pierce through our backyard meaning the place was comfortable, the wind was cold and was pleasant to hangout.
It would be much more interesting to see and I think you would agree with me if I had a picture of the tree after the so called trimming but I don’t have a digital camera now.
That tree also produce sweet mango’s by the way.
Now its hot, very hot.
Agree and frustrated, that’s how I feel right now, I wish I didn’t go to work that day when my mom told me she was going to trim that tree, I could have salvage it. But its done and all I can do now is close my eyes and imagine, remember what it was like underneath that big old tree.
2008年4月9日星期三
SBMA open to any inquiry in Hanjin Condo
SUBIC BAY Freeport: Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator Armand Arreza on Tuesday said that he is open to any inquiry or investigation regarding the controversial 22-storey Hanjin Condominium.
He also stressed that the construction could no longer be stopped even if some senators and environmentalists over the weekend made an issue out of its construction, even demanding an investigation.
The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) also sought to cancel SBMA’s power to issue Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC) but Arreza was quick to say that in order to do that DENR has to amend the law, specifically the RA 7227 which allows SBMA to issue ECC and other permits to locators.
“If they want to do that and remove the issuance of ECC from us they must first amend the law,” Arreza said while stressing that under the circumstances, the condominium development has been regarded as the “best use of land” for the former assembly of weapons area left by the US military in 1991.
“This area was previously used for conversion of second hand vehicles, which is more of an environment risk. Under our current zoning guidelines, the Cubi-Triboa area is a residential area, and is better suited to the environment,” Arreza clarified during a press conference on Tuesday.
Arreza said the $20 million condo project was built on a pre-existing developed area and will have a state of the art solid waste and wastewater treatment facility.
“All lands in Subic are protected, but in varying degrees. Under our management plan, this area may be used for residential purposes and the core ecological zone, which are the no-touch, no development areas are more than 2 kilometers away,” Arreza explained.
He also explained that the two condo units, one with 22-storeys and another with10 storeys will be used by Hanjin officials and staffs.
“All rules and regulations were complied by Hanjin, so it is rather unfair to say that they were given special treatment in this project,” Arezza said.
He also explained that the trees that were cut during the construction of the units were non-prime species of trees and that Hanjin has replaced them with a ratio of 1:25.
“This only shows that the 3-hectare land being developed by Hanjin was already cleared and flat way before the construction began,” Arreza said.
He added that based on their study, no wild mammals and no threatened, endangered or rare species of plants have been identified within the project site and there are no indigenous people residing in its vicinity.
He also stressed that the construction could no longer be stopped even if some senators and environmentalists over the weekend made an issue out of its construction, even demanding an investigation.
The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) also sought to cancel SBMA’s power to issue Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC) but Arreza was quick to say that in order to do that DENR has to amend the law, specifically the RA 7227 which allows SBMA to issue ECC and other permits to locators.
“If they want to do that and remove the issuance of ECC from us they must first amend the law,” Arreza said while stressing that under the circumstances, the condominium development has been regarded as the “best use of land” for the former assembly of weapons area left by the US military in 1991.
“This area was previously used for conversion of second hand vehicles, which is more of an environment risk. Under our current zoning guidelines, the Cubi-Triboa area is a residential area, and is better suited to the environment,” Arreza clarified during a press conference on Tuesday.
Arreza said the $20 million condo project was built on a pre-existing developed area and will have a state of the art solid waste and wastewater treatment facility.
“All lands in Subic are protected, but in varying degrees. Under our management plan, this area may be used for residential purposes and the core ecological zone, which are the no-touch, no development areas are more than 2 kilometers away,” Arreza explained.
He also explained that the two condo units, one with 22-storeys and another with10 storeys will be used by Hanjin officials and staffs.
“All rules and regulations were complied by Hanjin, so it is rather unfair to say that they were given special treatment in this project,” Arezza said.
He also explained that the trees that were cut during the construction of the units were non-prime species of trees and that Hanjin has replaced them with a ratio of 1:25.
“This only shows that the 3-hectare land being developed by Hanjin was already cleared and flat way before the construction began,” Arreza said.
He added that based on their study, no wild mammals and no threatened, endangered or rare species of plants have been identified within the project site and there are no indigenous people residing in its vicinity.
$20-million medical and wellness center inagurated in Subic
SUBIC BAY Freeport: A $20-million medical facility was inaugurated here Tuesday by Dr. Solita Monsod, who will serve as chairman of the center.
The George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center in Subic is among the best in the country and can be at par with medical facilities in Metro Manila, such as St. Luke's once it becomes fully operational, said Chairman Dante A. Ang of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), who was one of the dignitaries at the event.
"This medical and wellness center when completed will have amenities such as a nursing home, a gym, a shopping center, a swimming pool, a bowling alley, and a billiards hall, so that visitors and patients would have extra activities when they are here," he added.
Ang described the medical and wellness center as a "one-stop medical and wellness community."
Operated and maintained by the George Dewey Medical College, the George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center will employ 300.
Ang said they have recruited doctors trained from Singapore and Europe.
Located at the former Cubi Hospital Complex, which is in the heart of Subic Bay, the medical facility now has 50 beds and has plans to add another 150.
Besides the amenities, Ang said the medical and wellness center also boasts of the latest equipment.
Among those who also attended the inauguration were Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator Armand Arezza, Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investments Hermenegildo Atienza 3rd, and members of the Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce. Anthony Bayarong
The George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center in Subic is among the best in the country and can be at par with medical facilities in Metro Manila, such as St. Luke's once it becomes fully operational, said Chairman Dante A. Ang of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), who was one of the dignitaries at the event.
"This medical and wellness center when completed will have amenities such as a nursing home, a gym, a shopping center, a swimming pool, a bowling alley, and a billiards hall, so that visitors and patients would have extra activities when they are here," he added.
Ang described the medical and wellness center as a "one-stop medical and wellness community."
Operated and maintained by the George Dewey Medical College, the George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center will employ 300.
Ang said they have recruited doctors trained from Singapore and Europe.
Located at the former Cubi Hospital Complex, which is in the heart of Subic Bay, the medical facility now has 50 beds and has plans to add another 150.
Besides the amenities, Ang said the medical and wellness center also boasts of the latest equipment.
Among those who also attended the inauguration were Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator Armand Arezza, Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investments Hermenegildo Atienza 3rd, and members of the Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce. Anthony Bayarong
2008年4月3日星期四
Residents appeal to stop mining operation
STA. CRUZ, Zambales: RESIDENTS of a seaside town in Zambales have sent out an urgent appeal for their forests and environment now under threat of destruction due to ongoing mining operations, said local officials.
Mayor Luisito Marty of the mineral-rich-town of Sta. Cruz said hundreds of residents along the shorelines and inner villages have complained against the operation of Benguet Corporation, which has turned the once green environment into a wasteland of barren soil.
“Dust from the loose soil covers wide areas in summer and it turns into mud when it rains,” Marty said. “Massive environmental disturbances continue without let-up.”
Sta. Cruz is one of the coastal towns of Zambales facing the South China Sea. It is rich in deposits of nickel and other minerals.
Benguet Corporation has started operations even without permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local officials noted, adding that the mine sites were located in areas that have been declared as tourism spots.
Marty said the mining operations have hampered water flow and in many areas the streams and rives have dried up because of mine tailings.
“The dust and fumes from diesel trucks and loss of vegetation have put the health of many residents at risk,” he said.
Danilo Merced, barangay captain of Lomboy, the main site of Benguet’s operation, said they were told that the company only had an “exploration” permit from the DENR.
He said the government should step in and stop the destruction of their environment and penalize those responsible for their illegal mining operations.
Benguet’s access to the mine runs across Barangay Tubo-Tubo North, one of the town’s tourist attractions with a beautiful waterfall, and residents said they are concerned that the mining operation will have a detrimental effect on their surroundings.
In Barangay Bolitov, a fish sanctuary intended for eco-tourism projects, residents filed a petition to the municipal government opposing the plan of Benguet, which announced to put up a pier and use it “by hook or by crook” to ship ores from the mines. THE MANILA TIMES
Mayor Luisito Marty of the mineral-rich-town of Sta. Cruz said hundreds of residents along the shorelines and inner villages have complained against the operation of Benguet Corporation, which has turned the once green environment into a wasteland of barren soil.
“Dust from the loose soil covers wide areas in summer and it turns into mud when it rains,” Marty said. “Massive environmental disturbances continue without let-up.”
Sta. Cruz is one of the coastal towns of Zambales facing the South China Sea. It is rich in deposits of nickel and other minerals.
Benguet Corporation has started operations even without permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local officials noted, adding that the mine sites were located in areas that have been declared as tourism spots.
Marty said the mining operations have hampered water flow and in many areas the streams and rives have dried up because of mine tailings.
“The dust and fumes from diesel trucks and loss of vegetation have put the health of many residents at risk,” he said.
Danilo Merced, barangay captain of Lomboy, the main site of Benguet’s operation, said they were told that the company only had an “exploration” permit from the DENR.
He said the government should step in and stop the destruction of their environment and penalize those responsible for their illegal mining operations.
Benguet’s access to the mine runs across Barangay Tubo-Tubo North, one of the town’s tourist attractions with a beautiful waterfall, and residents said they are concerned that the mining operation will have a detrimental effect on their surroundings.
In Barangay Bolitov, a fish sanctuary intended for eco-tourism projects, residents filed a petition to the municipal government opposing the plan of Benguet, which announced to put up a pier and use it “by hook or by crook” to ship ores from the mines. THE MANILA TIMES
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