Torre de Manila

TORRE DE MANILA

by Anton Antonio

June 18, 2015

Torre de Manila, a condominium building project of David M. Consunji, Inc. (DMCI), has been hugging the front pages of most newspapers lately.  But what really happened here?  How could the construction of a 47-storey building go on with all the controversies surrounding it?  A news agency (GMA Network News) came up with the following timeline:

• June 19, 2012 – Zoning permit was issued.
• July 5, 2012 – Building permit was issued.  The City Council urged the City Building Official to temporarily suspend the building permit of Torre de Manila because of a complaint by Carlos Celdran.
• May 24, 2012 – The Manila Council conducted a hearing on Torre de Manila but the resolution was not acted upon because of the lack of participation of the local executive, and because of the nearing elections.
• After May 2013 – Manila Councilor DJ Bagatsing filed a resolution instructing the City Building Official to temporarily suspend the building permit of Torre de Manila because of the public outcry.  During the local council hearings, it was discovered that: (a) with respect to the national and local law, there was no violation in obstruction of the Rizal Monument; and, (b) with respect to the Floor Area Ratio and the Percentage of Land Occupancy of City Ordinance 8119, there was a violation.  Torre de Manila has a floor area-ratio of 7.79, while the building should only be allowed a maximum floor-area of 4 because it is situated within Manila’s Institutional University Cluster.
• November 26, 2013 – The Mania City Council approved the suspension of the building permit of Torre de Manila.  DMCI then filed an appeal to the City Planning which was forwarded to the Manila Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeal.
• January 16, 2014 – A resolution exempting the development from the zoning requirements was adopted by the City Council of Manila.
• January 24, 2014 – The Manila Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals approved the construction of Torre de Manila after DMCI appealed for an exemption to the local zoning law.
• August 6, 2014 – Sen. Pia Cayetano, chair of Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, filed Senate Resolution 824 which prompted a senate investigation on the matter.
• September 12, 2014 – The Knights of Rizal filed a 26-page petition before the Supreme Court seeking to stop the construction of Torre de Manila.  Aside from a temporary restraining order to suspend construction, the group asked the SC to order the demolition of whatever is standing on the lot.
• January 15, 2015 – National Commission for Culture and the Arts issued a cease and desist order on the Torre de Manila, citing the obstruction of view of the Rizal Shrine.
• February 2015 – The Supreme Court has ordered the NCCA to explain why it stopped the construction of Torre de Manila.
• June 16, 2015 – The Supreme Court, on an 8-5 vote, issued a temporary restraining order to the construction of Torre de Manila.
• June 30, 2015 – An oral argument was set on the issue.

The timeline could only give us a general sense of what really happened.  But should we really care for details when there are only two possible scenarios in this case: (1) the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the complainants --- Carlos Celdran, Knights of Rizal and National Commission for Culture and the Arts --- which may lead to the possible demolition of Torre de Manila; and, (2) the Supreme Court Ruling in favor of DMCI that will allow the completion of Torre de Manila.  From the culture and arts standpoint, Scenario No. 1 has a justified case while Scenario No. 2 should respect and encourage free enterprise in a democratic economy such as the Philippines.  But is there a “middle ground” or what is commonly called “win-win situation” where both parties can meet in compromise?

My little thoughts have a wild idea.  What if DMCI re-designed the west wall of Torre de Manila to show on its facade a huge Philippine flag?  (Please see accompanying image on the right.)  Will this be the middle ground or win-win solution?  This will allow Torre de Manila to fit the view of the Rizal Shrine and will no longer be the “pambansang photo bomber” (meaning: someone who either intentionally or unintentionally ruins an otherwise normal photo).  Anything less will simply mean saying goodbye to Torre de Manila.

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/)

REFERENCE:

gmanetwork news, (2015). “Infographic: The Torre de Manila Controversy.” Retrieved on June 18, 2015 from http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/506502/news/metromanila/infographic-the-torre-de-manila-controversy

Clogged Waterways

CLOGGED WATERWAYS

by Anton Antonio

June 16, 2015

After publishing the article titled “So What Else Is New?” on my blogsite and my Facebook page last June 8, 2015, I became distraught by some of the narratives from my fellow netizens and bloggers.  The commentaries revolved around (a) poor flood control project management, (b) graft and corruption, (c) screwed-up project priorities, (d) failed solid waste management practices, etc.  I should say all these causes are valid and people have the right to whine about the trouble, damage and inconvenience that they have to bear with floods.  The only encouraging light is that people seemed to be well-informed of our current state of affairs.

Wanting to provide a photo to illustrate the biggest reason for the recurring problem of flooding, I started searching and researching.  Finally, I found one which was a photo from a shared link on Facebook by my friend Kerr Viuya Lim of Tarlac City.  (Please see the accompanying photo to this article.)

Meaningful pictures do paint a thousand words.  This particular one shows the volume of solid waste that has been disposed off in this estero and the informal settler dwellings built on this waterway that has shrunk and impeded its ability to provide continuous flow of water/rainwater.

Nature has provided us with rivers, streams, esteros and other forms of waterways as a natural drainage system to prevent flooding.  But these waterways could only function if they are not impeded by infrastructure or used for other unworldly purpose such as a community garbage dump.

No amount of engineering intervention such as the Department of Public Works and Highway’s (DPWH) floor control project will ever work unless these waterways are restored back to their old form… therefore, (a) freed from silt, and (b) cleared and widened from all structures.  Anything less will only result to our perennial problem of flooding cause by clogged waterways.

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/)

REFERENCE:

Antonio, A. C., (2015). “So What Else Is New?”. Retrieved on June 16, 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2015/06/so-what-else-is-new.html

Mount Pinatubo and Mount Bulusan

MOUNT PINATUBO AND MOUNT BULUSAN

by Anton Antonio

June 16, 2015

The eruption of Mount Bulusan today suddenly brought back memories of Mount Pinatubo.  Why?... because both volcanoes erupted at almost exactly the same day in June 1991 and 2015.

“Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano in the Cabusilan Mountains on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga.  Before the volcanic activities of 1991, its eruptive history was unknown to most people.  It was heavily eroded, inconspicuous and obscured from view.  It was covered with dense forest which supported a population of several thousand indigenous people, the Aetas, who fled to the mountains during the Spanish conquest of the Philippines.  The volcano’s Plinian/Ultra-Pinian eruption on June 15, 1991 produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20^th century after the 1912 eruption of Novarupta in the Alaska Peninsula.  Complicating the eruption was the arrival of Typhoon Yunya (Diding), bringing a lethal mix of ash and rain to areas surrounding the volcano.  Successful prediction at the onset of the climactic eruption led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from the surrounding areas, saving lives, but the surrounding areas were severely damaged by pyroclastic flows, ash deposits, and subsequently, by the lahars caused by rainwaters re-mobilizing earlier volcanic deposits causing extensive destruction to infrastructure and changing the river systems months to years after the eruption.”  (Wikipedia)

Mount Pinatubo is the second-largest eruption of the 20^th century, and by far the largest eruption to affect a densely populated area, occurred on June 15, 1991.  Today, June 16, 2015, exactly (or almost exactly) 24 years after Mount Pinatubo erupted, Mount Bulusan erupted too.

“Mount Bulusan, or Bulusan Volcano, is the southernmost volcano on Luzon Islands in the Republic of the Philippines.  It is situated in the province of Sorsogon in the Bicol region, 70 kilometers southeast of Mayon Volcano and approximately 250 kilometers sountheast of the Philippine capital of Manila.  It is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines. Bulusan is classified by volcanologists as a stratovolcano (or a composite cone) and covers the northeast rim of Irosin caldera that was formed about 40,000 years ago.  It has a peak elevation of 1,565 meters above sea level with a base diameter of 15 kilometers.” (Wikipedia)

When the dates of eruption of these volcanoes are compared, one can only marvel at the timing of the eruption of Mount Pinatubo and Mount Bulusan.

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/)

REFERENCES:

Wikipedia. “Mount Pinatubo”. Retrieved on June 15, 2015 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pinatubo

Wikipedia. “Mount Bulusan”. Retrieved on June 15, 2015 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Bulusan

NIPAS Act: Definition of Terms

NIPAS ACT:  DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

by Anton Antonio

May 26, 2015

“The NIPAS Act stands for National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992.  Also known as Republic Act No. 7586, is “an Act providing for the establishment and management of National Integrated Protected Areas System, defining its scope and coverage, and for other purposes.” (Antonio, 2015)

In Section 4 of the NIPAS Act, several terms were defined which are very important in increasing the level of awareness on issues and concerns within protected areas, such as:

1. “National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)” is the classification and administration of all designated protected areas to maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent possible;
2. “Protected Area” refers to identified portions of land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation;
3. ”Buffer zones” are identified areas outside the boundaries of and immediately adjacent to designated protected areas pursuant to Section 8 that need special development control in order to avoid or minimize harm to the protected area;
4. “Indigenous cultural community” refers to a group of people sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions and other distinctive cultural traits and who have since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized a territory;
5. “National park” refers to a forest reservation essentially of natural wilderness character which has been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of exploitation except in conformity with approved management plan and set aside as such exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects, wild animals and plants therein and to provide enjoyment of these features in such areas;
6. “Natural monuments” is a relatively small area focused on protection of small features to protect or preserve nationally significant natural features on account of their special interest or unique characteristics;
7. “Natural biotic area” is an area set aside to allow the way of life of societies living in harmony with the environment to adapt to modern technology at their pace;
8. “Natural park” is a relatively large area not materially altered by human activity where extractive resource uses are not allowed and maintained to protect outstanding natural and scenic areas of national or international significance for scientific, educational and recreational use;
9. “Protected landscapes/seascapes” are areas of national significance which are characterized by the harmonious interaction of man and land while providing opportunities for public enjoyment through the recreation and tourism within the normal lifestyle and economic activity of these areas;
10. “Resource reserve” is an extensive and relatively isolated and uninhabited area normally with difficult access designated as such to protect natural resources of the area for future use and prevent or contain development activities that could affect the resource pending the establishment of objectives which are based upon appropriate knowledge and planning;
11. “Strict nature reserve” is an area possessing some outstanding ecosystem, features and/or species of flora and fauna of national scientific importance maintained to protect nature and maintain processes in an undisturbed state in order to have ecologically representative examples of the natural environment available for scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state;
12. “Tenured migrant communities” are communities within protected areas which have actually and continuously occupied such areas for five (5) years before the designation of the same as protected areas in accordance with this Act and are solely dependent therein for subsistence; and,
13. “Wildlife sanctuary” comprises an area which assures the natural conditions necessary to protect nationally significant species, groups of species, biotic communities or physical features of the environment where these may require specific human manipulations for their perpetuation.

These defined terms will certainly increase the level of awareness and knowledge on protected areas… NIPAS Act: Definition of Terms.

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/)

REFERENCES:

Antonio, A. C. (2015). “NIPAS Act”. Retrieved on May 26, 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/

Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. “Republic Act No. 7586”.  Retrieved on May 25, 2015 from http://www.gov.ph/1992/06/01/republic-act-no-7586/

The History of Pollution

THE HISTORY OF POLLUTION

by Anton Antonio

June 5, 2015

“Environmental pollution is defined as the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse changes.  It is the presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.” (Antonio, 2014)  But how did pollution come into being; when did it all start?

The beginning of pollution cannot be ascertained although most literature about pollution point to the discovery of fire by man himself.  Some information, however, indicate that pollution has been an identified problem since the Middle Ages. 

The use of synthetic materials after World War II changed the pollution landscape significantly.  Industries began to manufacture products made of synthetic materials such as plastics, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and inorganic pesticides such as dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT).  These materials, aside from being toxic, are non-biodegradable and accumulate in the environment.  These chemicals are also largely blamed for chronic diseases and have critically increased the incidence of cancers, physical birth defects, and mental retardation.  From the environmental standpoint, synthetic materials have contributed to the worrisome loss of biodiversity.

Pollution is also attributable to natural causes.  There is an accepted theory that the dinosaurs (of the Mesozoic Era) were wiped out by an asteroid that collided with Earth.  This occurrence created dust for an extended period of time that impaired photosynthesis… and, therefore, killing most plant life on Earth which subsequently starved the dinosaurs to death.  Just to properly describe and identify the Mesozoic Era… which is divided further into three periods: Triassic, Jurassic (which is the most familiar period), and Cretaceous.  But more than the natural causes, the more worrisome causes of pollution are man-made.

For more information on environmental pollution, please check on the following articles published in http://antonantonio.blogspot.com:

• “Coal Plant in Palawan?” (published: June 1, 2015);
• “Effects of Pollutants” (published: May 29, 2015);
• “Effects of Human Activities” (published: May 6, 2015);
• “Something Good Will Happen” (published: December 24, 2014);
• “Environmental Noise” (published: November 14, 2014);
• “Biologically Dead” (published: October 28, 2014;
• “Pollution” (published: September 25, 2014); and,
• “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch” (published: August 3, 2014)

Again, pollution is not a new phenomenon; it has been with us since time immemorial.  Knowing its early beginnings is not that critical anymore compared to the knowledge and awareness of why it still exists today… with deadly consequences for that matter.  However, there is an old adage that says we need to study history so we are not doomed to commit the same mistakes.  Therefore, there is also a need to study the history of pollution.

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/)

REFERENCE:

Antonio, A. C. (2014). “Pollution”. Retrieved on June 5, 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/09/pollution.html

Salt + Water = Energy

SALT + WATER = ENERGY

by Anton Antonio

June 8, 2015

“Salt + Water = Energy” is not a new formula that could be likened to Albert Einstein’s famous “E=mc2” equation.  Let’s try something at little bit fancier… this equation could also be expressed like this:  “J = NaCl + H2O”.  Well, whatever it is, is just what it is… “salt plus water equals energy”, period.

“Peak oil is a theory popularized by M. King Hubbert.  The peak oil theory was postulated out of statistical modelling approaches.  This theory states that at some point in time the maximum rate of extraction of petroleum will be reached, if it has not been reached already, after which the rate of production is expected to enter terminal decline.  Peak oil therefore, is the highest point of production to be followed by a steady decline in the volume of fossil fuel that can possibly be extracted from all the oil fields at present.” (Antonio, 2015)  This is indeed a worrisome theory that sets all of us asking “So what’s next after the oil fields dry up?”

It is for this reason that increasing effort is being focused in looking for alternative sources of energy.  But awareness of sustainable development strategies is leading technological efforts towards renewable forms of energy such as solar, wind and water.

The Philippines, having only two weather systems is a good place to develop solar energy programs.  Wind is also a possibility as the Bangui, Ilocos Norte windmills have proven.  But water remains to be a more attractive prospect since our country Philippines is an archipelago and, therefore, has bodies of water surrounding its 7,100 islands.  Another reason to be happy in developing water energy prospects is the fact that The Philippines has a coastal line of 36,751 kilometers; the 5^th longest in the world.  If saltwater is an asset, it is something we have in abundance along our coastline.

Filipino coastal villages and communities have reasons to be excited.  A Filipina engineer and social worker, Aisa Mijeno, invented a container that could produce light from an LED bulb for eight hours from two tablespoons of salt and a glass of water.  The lamp is equivalent to the lumens of seven candles.  For more details, please click on this link: http://www.wheninmanila.com/filipina-invents-lamp-that-uses-salt-and-water/.  Further development of this technology could only be towards the use of sea/saltwater to fuel such invention.

Accessing the use of sea/saltwater as a means to electric energy puts the Philippines at an advantage because of our archipelagic geography.  This funny sounding equation or formula may yet be as famous as Einstein’s “E=mc2”… salt + water = energy.

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/)

REFERENCES:

Antonio, A. C. (2014). “Peak Oil”. Retrieved on June 9, 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/10/peak-oil.html

Wheninmanila.com (2015). “Filipina Invents Lamp That Uses Salt and Water”.  Retrieved on June 9, 2015 from http://www.wheninmanila.com/filipina-invents-lamp-that-uses-salt-and-water/

Urban Agriculture

URBAN AGRICULTURE

by Anton Antonio

June 11, 2015

Urban agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around an urbanized area such as a village, town, or city.  These activities also occur in peri-urban (meaning:  are landscape interface or transition zones between the suburbs and the countryside or immediately adjourning an urban area) areas as well.  Within a highly urbanized setting, urban agriculture could be a better alternative to “green roofs” with the planting of vegetables instead of ornamental plants… also called “edible landscaping”.  Among the production technologies related to urban agriculture, aside from “edible landscaping” (the use of plants in the residential landscape for both aesthetic and food production purposes), are “green riprapping” (the interfacing of edible vine-type plants on a loose assemblage of broken stones erected in water or on soft ground as a foundation), “aquaponics” (a food production system that combines conventional aquaculture with hydroponics in a symbiotic environment), and “container gardening” (the practice of growing plants exclusively in containers instead of planting them in the ground).

The most common technology used in the practice of urban agriculture is “container gardening” because of its convenience, simplicity and low maintenance costs.  “Green riprapping” and “aquaponics”, on the other hand, may not apply to most urban dwellings and quite expensive to set up.

Urban agriculture has many benefits.  To name a few: (1) improves biodiversity and a mitigating measure to climate change; (2) supports the government’s clean and green program; (3) boosts the food security program; (4) improves health and nutrition with the use of organic agriculture principles; (5) supports recycling programs with the use of plastic containers; (6) provides fresh air and exercise for family members; and, (7) affords additional income and savings in the family budget.

“Edible landscaping/container gardening on green roofs” seemingly is the best form of urban agriculture and the ideal technology application in the Philippine setting.  My colleague in environment and natural resources management, Jabez Joshua Flores, who teaches and advocates “organic agriculture”, would not stop and be satisfied with the simple application of “edible landscaping” and “container gardening”.  Jabez will always choose to go the “organic way” because of its added health value.  My simple prescription, however, is converting all open spaces to any form of “green activity” in an urban setting.  These could definitely reduce the carbon footprint of an urban area.  This, aside from the provision of food (and other benefits mentioned above), is perhaps the most important function of urban agriculture.

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/)