Congestion on both sides of Epifanio delos Santos, commonly known as EDSA, is an ordinary sight especially during rush hours. Even as buses are confined to the carousel lane, the Metro Manila Development Authority is doing all strategies to ease the flow. MMDA also believes that a factor is that the volume of private vehicles continues to increase by the day. EDSA, a 23.8-kilometer main thoroughfare, was constructed in 1940 to connect Metro Manila cities from Roxas Blvd in Pasay City the south to McArthur Highway in Caloocan in the north.
Eco-Friendly Water Solutions for N.Samar
THE LARGEST CEBU-BASED desalination plant that generates up to 20 million liters of potable water daily (MLD) is coming to Northern Samar. The plant can meet the daily water consumption needs of approximately 20,000 households.
Vivant Water, the water infrastructure arm of the Cebu-based conglomerate Vivant Corporation, recently demonstrated the capabilities of its desalination plant in Cordova, Cebu, to Northern Samar’s 2nd District Congressman, Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan, accompanied by officers of the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (PEDIPO).
Emil Andre M. Garcia, Vivant president, said this the state-of-the-art facility investment cost ₱1.2 billion to construct. The Cordova desalination plant is the first of its kind in the country.
POTABLE SEA WATER
Utilizing a process that removes salt and other impurities from seawater, the desalination facility ensures a steady supply of fresh water suitable for community use.
Addressing the critical water shortage in Metro Cebu, Garcia pointed out the stark disparity between the high demand, approximated at 500 to 600 MLD, and the significantly lower supply, which fluctuates between 100 to 250 MLD and often falls below 200 MLD during the dry season.
The desalination plant, is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project with the Municipality of Cordova, Cebu, aims to alleviate this water scarcity.
Congressman Ongchuan expressed interest in adopting a similar desalination project for the benefit of the second district t of Northern Samar.
Consequently, Gov. Edwin C. Ongchuan has instructed PEDIPO’s PPP unit to explore a potential partnership with Vivant, leveraging the PPP framework to enhance local water supply infrastructure.
WIND POWER PROJECT
Vivant Corporation has announced plans to launch a 200-MW wind power project in Allen, Northern Samar by 2026, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainable and renewable energy solutions.
Vivant’s engagement spans various sectors, including electric power generation and distribution, retail electricity, and recently, the water industry.
With a diversified portfolio encompassing bulk water supply, wastewater treatment, and water distribution, Vivant aims to address critical infrastructure needs and foster sustainable development in the regions it serves.
Challenges, Opportunities in Appointing, Designating Government Agencies Execs
IN THE PHILIPPINE government, the appointment and designation of officials follow a structured legal framework primarily governed by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
The CSC ensures that these posts, particularly those in the career service, are filled based on merit and fitness, adhering to professional competence, integrity, and public accountability.
In agencies where leadership plays a crucial role in policy implementation, revenue generation, and law enforcement—such as the Bureau of Customs (BOC)—other considerations beyond CSC rules also come into play.
As one of the country’s key revenue-generating agencies, the BOC operates under the Department of Finance (DOF) and is tasked with enforcing customs laws, collecting duties and taxes, and combating smuggling.
Individuals who lead the BOC hold highly sensitive positions that demand technical expertise, political trust, and administrative discretion. Their appointments are influenced by civil service qualifications, presidential prerogative, and sectoral interests, making the selection process complex and multifaceted.
PRESIDENT’S PREROGATIVE
At the helm of BOC is the Commissioner who serves at the pleasure of the President. Unlike career officials who undergo stringent CSC qualification procedures, the Commissioner is chosen based on executive discretion. The President can appoint and replace the Commissioner at any time, a practice that aligns with the agency’s critical function in enforcing national trade policies, securing borders, and ensuring customs revenue meets government targets.
Over the years, the selection of Customs Commissioners has often reflected the administration’s priorities.
Some Presidents have appointed experienced career officials from within the BOC, believing that institutional knowledge is key to effective leadership. Others opted for outsiders —retired military generals, law enforcement officers, or private sector executives— hoping that fresh perspectives and strong enforcement backgrounds can curb corruption and improve efficiency.
A SIGNIFICANT POST
Other than the commissioner, customs collectors —who oversee the country’s ports and sub-ports— play an equally important role. They are responsible for ensuring the smooth collection of customs duties, enforcing trade regulations, and preventing illicit activities such as smuggling and misdeclaration of goods.
While still subject to CSC rules, their appointments often involve additional layers of scrutiny and political considerations.
While CSC rules establish the foundation for government appointments, certain positions within BOC, especially those at the highest levels, require additional considerations. These factors, though not explicitly stated in civil service laws, significantly influence the placement of key officials.
APPOINTMENT PROCESS
Trust and political alignment play a vital role in the selection process beyond qualifications. The President needs assurance that the appointee can implement policies effectively and maintain the agency’s integrity.
Although some commissioners and collectors are appointed from within the BOC, many come from diverse backgrounds, such as law enforcement, military service, finance, and trade regulation.
The belief is that individuals with specialized expertise in these fields can bring much-needed reforms to an agency historically plagued by inefficiencies and corruption.
NATIONAL SECURITY FOCUS
The BOC has long been scrutinized for corruption and inefficiencies. As a result, many administrations have chosen to appoint individuals with strong anti-corruption backgrounds who are anticipated to clean up the agency and enforce stricter regulations.
Customs collectors assigned to major ports —like Manila, Batangas, and Cebu— are expected to meet or exceed revenue targets. Officials who demonstrate exceptional performance in revenue collection, compliance enforcement, and operational efficiency are often retained or promoted to higher positions.
Given the BOC’s role in border security and trade facilitation, its officials must align with the government’s broader economic and security strategies. There is strong emphasis on national security, particularly in times of heightened threats related to smuggling, terrorism financing, and illegal trade.
A DELICATE BALANCE
The appointment of BOC officials highlights the delicate balance between professional qualifications and political realities. While the CSC ensures that career service officials are appointed based on merit and fitness, selecting top Customs officials goes beyond CSC standards.
Throughout history, the BOC’s leadership structure has been shaped by legal requirements, executive discretion, political endorsements, and reform agendas. Some administrations prioritize institutional stability by appointing career Customs officials, while others focus on bringing in external leaders to drive reforms.
In all cases, the overarching goal remains the same: to create an efficient, transparent, and effective BOC that upholds its mandate of revenue collection, trade facilitation, and national security.
CSC rules do not solely dictate the appointment and designation of BOC officials. While merit-based qualifications and regulatory compliance remain essential, the President’s trust, political landscape, security concerns, and economic priorities also play a crucial role in shaping the agency’s leadership.
In a highly strategic and often controversial agency like BOC, selecting its officials remains both a challenge and an opportunity—one that requires striking the right balance between competence, integrity, and political realities.
Is Bird Flu About To Become A Global Epidemic?
BIRD FLU —OR the H5N1 strain —was first detected in China in 2013. But now another strain H7N9 is wreaking havoc in the United States, which first detected it there in 2017. The US had since been moving heaven and earth to contain it.
According to a Reuters report (written by Sybille de La Hamaide) the US continues to grapple with another bird flu strain that has infected humans and caused egg prices to hit record highs.
“The spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has ravaged flocks around the world, disrupting supply and fuelling higher food prices. Its spread to mammals, including dairy cows in the US, has raised concerns among governments about a risk of a new pandemic,” she added.
The strain that has caused most damage to poultry in recent years and the death of one person in the US is the H5N1.
The H7N9 bird flu virus has had a high death rate among humans worldwide killing 616 people, or 39 percent, of the 1,568 people infected worldwide since it was first detected.
COMPREHENSIVE STRAIN
The H7N9 bird flu virus has had a high death rate among humans worldwide killing 616 people, or 39 percent, of the 1,568 people infected worldwide since it was first detected, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
The latest outbreak of H7N9 was detected on a farm of 47,654 commercial broiler breeder chickens in Noxubee, Mississippi, the Paris-based World Animal Health Organization said in a report on Monday, citing US Authorities.
“Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H7N9 of North American wild bird lineage was detected in a commercial broiler breeder chicken flock in Mississippi. Depopulation of the affected flock is in progress,” the report says.
“The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with State Animal Health and Wildlife Officials, are conducting a comprehensive epidemiological investigation and enhanced surveillance in response to the detection,” it added.
CHICKEN PRICE SOARS
On July 22, 2024, the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) said the impact of chicken shortage was already evident on July 17, 2024, with retail prices in local markets of Metro Manila surging to a record high.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported prices for whole-dressed chickens ranging from P190 per kg to P250 per kg, up from P160/kg to P220/kg in the previous month.
United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) president Jose Gerardo Feliciano attributed this price spike to reduced broiler stocks. This led producers to decrease flock sizes in response to recent financial losses. Furthermore, the farmgate price for day-old chicks has nearly doubled, reflecting tight supply conditions.
The USDA in its 2024 report entitled “Livestock and Poultry: World Markets and Trade” revealed that the national chicken consumption in the Philippines would reach 1.988 million MT in 2024 while local production would be at 1.54 MMT, indicating a shortfall of 465,000 MT of chicken meat.
DEMAND CHALLENGES
The shortage is expected to push prices up at both farmgate and retail levels, considering challenges of the sector in meeting the demand.
Such challenges include rising production costs, including higher prices of imported feed additives and the impact of poultry diseases, which boosted price surge.
The rising chicken meat prices in local markets have heightened the appeal of imports. On July 18, 2024, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) reported a 4.98 percent increase in chicken meat imports from 172.64 million kg in the first five months of 2023 to 181.23 million kg for the comparative period in 2024.
Chicken meat imports now account for 34.5 percent of the country’s total meat imports, with Brazil, the US, and Australia being the leading suppliers.
Action Movies On My Mind
After “SekSinema (Gender Images in Philippine Sex Cinema Enfolding Pandemia)” I am doing “Bakbakan (Action Movies in the Philippines)” to be published by BVV8 Media Productions.
I have already written the outline of the project and culled photos —stills, studio pictorials, candid, set snapshots, etc.— exclusive or shared, about the topic from my files stored in my vault.
Before the advent of cellphone cameras, instamatic cameras like Asahi or Olympia with Fuji film or negatives in it or Kodak with the same filaments were in vogue among entertainment press covering various events— press conferences, visits on location shoots of movies, especially, and yes, tapings of TV shows, when exclusive and monopolized tube productions were not yet lording them over minor or secondary even equally big networks.
ART IN THE HIGHEST FORM
Action movies are typically the gun toting, kicking and boxing, fistfights, gunfights, explosions, car chase, espionage, undercover agenting, thriller, karate, judo, the “kiss-kiss, bang-bang” type, etc.
But action movies are also basically the manner by which a character in the narrative is motivated by stimuli, situations, conflicts and other circumstances within and without the persona as in tension, internal and external, the problems solved in the denouement and finally the purgation of minds and emotions in reel world.
Action movies are also art in the highest form but sadly, in the context of many local films, the logic and credibility of this genre are lost thereby making them mediocre commercial ventures.
There were attempts, though, to level up action movies to excellent mimesis of action-filled real life of the quotidian like Arnel Barbarona’s “Tu Puy Imatuy” (2017), Arnel Mardoquio’s “Crossfire” (2011), Gerry dr Leon’s “The Moises Padilla Story” (1961), etc.; Celso Ad Castillo’s “Asedillo” (1971) etc., Lino Brocka’s “Santiago” (1970), “Bayan Ko, Kapit sa Patalim” (1984), etc.;
(Mario O’Hara’s “Bagong Hari” (1986), Ishmael Bernal’s “El Vibora” (1972), “Wating” (1994) etc., Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Alpha: The Right to Kill” (2018), “Motherland” (2024), etc. Lav Diaz’ “Hesus Rebolusyonaryo” (2002), “Serafin Geronimo: Kriminal sa Baryo Concepcion” (1998), “Panahon ng Halimaw” (2018) etc., Erik Matti’s “OTJ (On the Job) 1 and 2 (Missing 8)” (2013 and 2021, respectively), Romy Suzara’s “Pepeng Shotgun” (1981), Joel Lamangan’s “Dukot” (2009), “Death Row” (2000), etc., and Richard Somes’ “Ishmael” (2010), “Supremo” (2012), among many others from no-nonsense directors.
They’re arguably action-drama but intense acts just the same.
Critics might say they’re pure action movies but they are also mutations of drama-action for there is no straight action from beginning to end of a film.
CHAMPS OF THE OPPRESSED
It just so happens that the lead stars of the projects are established action heroes or built in the image of an action star albeit with clayed feet— champion of the oppressed, deliverer of justice and freedom though a barrel of a gun or turn a villain into a punching bag, savior of the underdogs etc.— that made them hyperbolic.
The late Fernando Poe, Jr. was dubbed King of Philippine Movies while he also acted melodramatic, sang and sometimes unconsciously played “cutesy patootsie” like a matinee idol in some big screen scenes.
Lito Lapid is a sexy and dramatic star with daring stunts on the side especially in his earlier films like “Yakapin Mo Ako, Lalaking Matapang” (1980), “Kastilyong Buhangin” (1980), “Gaano Kita Kamahal” (1981), etc. or bed scenes with leading ladies the way Ramon Revilla, Sr., Rudy Fernandez, Ace Vergel, etc. did in the recent past and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Phillip Salvador, Robin Padilla, among others, not excluding their copycats, are still doing in the present.
Even Chinese kung fu movies aren’t entirely action but there are ingredients of multiple genres like drama, sex, fantasy, etc. Bruce Lee’s martial arts cinema had derivations from classics while Jackie Chan’s outings are peppered with comic antics and highly-charged emotional scenes to a certain extent mawkish.
Thailand’s “Ong Bak” series which stars Tony Jaa who is widely known as Tatchakorn Yeerum, aside from hardcore Muay Thai, silat, among other indigenous self-defense moves, have poignant Asian drama as well.
In the home front, the more palatable mishmash of an action menu, the merrier, the more attractive however cynics and naysayers calling out action films dead.
“Bakbakan (Action Movies in the Philippines)” is more than a biography and public landscapes of action superstars and their semiotics.
US-China Tariff War Worsens
WHO WILL BACK down in the worsening tariff war between the United States and China?
Nobody knows yet, but the US stepped up its tariff offensive against China with an announcement that Washington will impose 104 percent tariffs on Chinese imports beginning Thursday this week.
The response of the US imposing 104 percent tariffs on Chinese imports was in retaliation for Beijing’s 34 percent tariffs on US imports.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump tariffs on all products from China entering the American mainland.
“There will be 104 percent tariffs going into effect on China tonight at midnight,” spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a media briefing at the White House on Wednesday.
“It was a mistake for China to retaliate,” she added.
Leavitt said that in the face of the imposition of the tariffs on China, it is time for Beijing “to make a deal” with Washington.
[I]f Beijing is interested on making a deal, (Trump) would be “incredibly gracious”… But he’s going to do what’s best for the American people.…The Chinese want to make a deal. They just don’t know how to do it.
MAKING A DEAL
Trump said that if Beijing is interested on making a deal, he would be “incredibly gracious.”
“But he’s (Trump) going to do what’s best for the American people. … The Chinese want to make a deal. They just don’t know how to do it,” Leavitt said.
Trump ordered 10 percent minimum tariff on all imports and higher reciprocal tariffs on the trading partners of the US, which counts China and the European Union.
Leavitt added that the US is waiting for its trading partners to start making deals with Washington.
“He directed them to have tailor-made trade deals with each and every country that calls up this administration to strike a deal,” she added.
“As the president said, the reciprocal tariffs, which will continue to go in effect as these deals are negotiated and ongoing, will generate trillions of dollars in revenue to the United States,” she said.
Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty
Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Chief Ruel Rivera seal the renewal of their collaboration under the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) Program.
This links agrarian reform beneficiaries with BJMP facilities to supply fresh and local produce for persons deprived of liberty nationwide.
Rivera noted over P30 million in produce was purchased from farmer organizations in 2024, with over 357 jail facilities nationwide have existing marketing agreements with their local ARBs.
He also urged expansion of these local sourcing agreements, currently active in most BJMP facilities.
The renewed partnership underscores the government’s commitment to supporting farmers while addressing the food needs of jail facilities.
Convicted General Dupes Sandigan
CRIME DOES PAY but not a convicted army general who was released by a court embarking on a compromise that he’ll plead guilty for a lesser crime and pay a hefty fine corresponding to the admitted crime.
Taking the case of a convicted Army General Carlos Garcia, he managed to walk out of jail via the so-called “plea bargaining.”
In a 15-page resolution issued by the Sandiganbayan Second Special Division, the court made an indirect admission on what appears to be “putting one over the court.”
According to the Sandiganbayan, Garcia has yet to pay the P408-million fine set by the court in connection with his conviction in 2022 for direct bribery and money laundering in connection with the illegal wealth he amassed from 1993 until 2004 – for which the anti-graft court issued “writs of execution.”
A writ of execution is a judicial remedy to compel the implementation of an earlier court resolution. In Garcia’s case, the court hoped that writ of execution would compel the convicted general to pay up.
PLEA BARGAIN PACT
Plea bargaining is a common practice in the criminal justice system where the prosecution and the defense negotiate an agreement to resolve a criminal case without a trial — or to cut short jail time.
In the case of Garcia, he agreed to plead guilty to a lesser crime to cut his jail time, even as the agreement somehow “decongested” the court of cases that has been under litigation beyond the 180-day deadline as provided under a Supreme Court decision.
Garcia’s camp however insisted that the convicted general is already a pauper after paying P135.4 million – an amount that is way below the P1.5 billion that was allegedly plundered during his senior stint in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”
Garcia, who was then the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Comptrollership, is known for the AFP Corruption Scandal embarking on the so-called “pabaon scandal,” a scheme bestowing “hefty goodwill money” to retiring AFP senior officers.
SANDIGAN’S DISBELIEF
The court however doesn’t seem convinced that Garcia is already a pauper and no longer capable of paying up, notwithstanding the plea bargaining agreement that was signed by the prosecution and defense panel.
“As discussed above, the amount of P135,433,387.84 surrendered to the Republic in accordance with the Plea Bargaining Agreement was given by way of restitution for criminal acts and constitutes an admission of civil liability arising from the commission of a crime,” Sandiganbayan Special Second Division countered.
“As the accused pleaded guilty to the crime of direct bribery, the Court is duty-bound to render the requisite penalty as dictated by law,” it added.
The court also found no merit in Garcia’s claim of insolvency or inability to pay as the government supposedly already forfeited all his assets and properties.
WHAT WENT BEFORE
The cases stemmed from Garcia’s alleged receipt of kickbacks, commissions and “shopping money or gratitude money” in several government projects or transactions when he was the AFP deputy chief of staff for comptrollership with the rank of major general.
An investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee also revealed Garcia was allowed to pocket some P165 million in “pabaon” or send-off money before his retirement in 2004, as per testimony of former budget officer George Rabusa.
The way the money was diverted was uncovered by Commission on Audit auditor Heidi Mendoza when she testified on a House of Representatives Committee on Justice
An estimated P1.5 billion in AFP funds were allegedly placed anomalously in an unaudited pool of discretionary resources. Under the system, Garcia was accused of amassing no less than P303 million – on top of the P164 million that he got when he reached the mandatory retirement age.
WHAT ABOUT OTHERS
The scandal resulted in the filing of plunder charges against six retired generals and five other officers including AFP chiefs Roy Cimatu and Diomedio Villanueva; retired military comptrollers Garcia and Jacinto Ligot; retired major general Hilario Atendido; former brigadier general Benito de Leon; retired lieutenant colonel Ernesto Paranis; active-duty officers Cirilo Tomas Donato and Roy Devesa; former civilian auditor of Divina Cabrera; and former accountant Generoso del Castillo.
Rabusa testified that all of the AFP chiefs of staff were recipients of send-off money. Allegations that they received send-off money were denied. The late Environment Sec. Angelo Reyes (himself a former AFP chief of staff) whose name forms part of the list of the supposed “recipients” opted to kill himself rather than testify in Congress.
Of the 11 senior AFP officials only Ligot and Garcia, who were the AFP’s comptrollers when the system was in place. Interestingly, both of them found their way out of jail – Ligot was acquitted, while Garcia was released via plea bargain.
Govt backs ASEAN response to Trump tariffs
The Philippines backs a unified response by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to the tariffs that the United States will impose globally starting April 9, 2025.
This, as Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s economic team will meet on April 8 to discuss the government’s action to the reciprocal tariffs ordered by US President Donald Trump.
“We are really going to do that,” Roque said, “Yes, of course, as we all work together as ASEAN.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim earlier said he had telephone discussions with other ASEAN leaders, including Marcos, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Singaporean President Lawrence Wong, and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, to coordinate an ASEAN-wide response to the US reciprocal tariffs.
ASEAN member-states will be the one of the hardest hit with Trump’s new tariff order, slapping Cambodia with 49 percent tariff, Laos with 48 percent, Vietnam with 46 percent, Myanmar with 46 percent, Thailand with 36 percent, Indonesia with 32 percent, Malaysia with 24 percent, and the Philippines with 17 percent.
“We view with guarded optimism that the recent US imposition of reciprocal tariffs will provide strategic opportunities for the Philippines to improve its economic relationship with the US. As we have expected, the Philippines is among the least hit among key exporters to the US,” Roque earlier said.
In 2024, the US imported $14.2 billion from the Philippines, which increased by 6.9 percent from 2023 level, while it exported $9.3 billion. This left the US with a trade deficit of $4.9 billion with the Philippines in 2024, the US Trade Representative data showed.
According to the DTI, US accounted for 17 percent of Philippine exports in 2024.
Bulk of the Philippine outbound shipment to the US are electronic products, or sharing 53 percent of the total exports to the US.
“Overall, about 10 percent of our total trade involves the US,” Roque said.
She said there are Philippine goods exempted from the reciprocal tariffs such as copper ores and concentrates, and integrated circuits, among others.
Roque cited another opportunity for the Philippines amid the new tariff imposition.
She said the lower tariff for the Philippines than Thailand will make the former’s coconut products cheaper in the US market.
Undesirable Alien
Interior and Local Governments Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla presents Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, the Russian-American vlogger, tagged as an undesirable alien by the Bureau of Immigration, during a press conference in Quezon City on Monday morning, April 7, 2025. Zdorovetskiy was caught blatantly disrespecting security guards, women, and motorists on his vlogs that went viral.
Araw Ng Kagitingan
April 9 is an important day for Filipinos, a day for everyone to recall and pay tribute to the country’s heroes who sacrificed with their lives, for the independence of the Philippines as a sovereign nation. It is designated as a special non-working holiday, for all Filipinos to look back, reflect and commemorate the courage of the Filipino soldiers, driven by their deep love for the country’s independence as a sovereign state in the international community of nations.
While it focuses on the brave stand of the Filipino and American soldiers to fight off the Japanese invaders in Bataan in the first half of the 1940s, it behooves every Filipino to remember and reflect on the inspiring self-sacrifice of all the Filipino heroes, like Lapu-Lapu, Fathers Gomez-Burgos-Zamora, Diego and Gabriela Silang, Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Teodora Alonzo (Tandang Sora), Antonio Luna, Juan Luna, Apolinario Mabini, Macario Sakay, and many others who dedicated their lives in fighting off the Spanish, American and Japanese colonial administrations.
Of course, it goes without saying, that the heroic sacrifice of those who fought the brutal Marcos Martial Law regime from 1971 to 1986 should never be forgotten and must also fittingly be remembered and given due recognition with their stories shared in the history classes particularly of elementary and high school students.
HEROISM & SUPREME SACRIFICE
In this regard, our public officials from President Bongbong Marcos, VP Sara Duterte, the Senators, Congressmen, the Supreme Court justices and down to the LGU officials are expected to lead the celebrations in their respective jurisdictions, to highlight the importance of remembering the heroism and supreme sacrifice of the country’s national heroes.
Note that our paper currency, in various denominations, has prominently displayed the faces of some of our national heroes. (BUT, the Central Bank, under this current Marcos-Duterte regime, stupidly replaced some of the heroes’ faces with those of animals!
Netizens expressed their disappointment in social media, and wondering if the idea-people in the Central Bank meant to obliterate the self-sacrificing patriotism embodied by the national heroes. Did they opt, traitorously if so, to put some Chinese or American symbols, as the former president now in an ICC prison in the Hague apparently showed his personal preference in word and in deed, at the height of his power as head-of-state?).
KEEPING THE SPIRIT
The commemoration of the courageous nationalist and patriotic self-sacrifice of our national heroes, on their respective birthdates or on other dates collectively honoring them, must be seriously implemented in all LGUs nationwide, and especially in schools and colleges, along with all government institutions –- to keep the Spirit of Love of Country instilled in the heart of every Filipino.
Especially at this time of President Xi Jin Ping’s China continuing aggression on our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, and President Trumps’ self-serving trade wars against more than 80 countries, the nationalist spirit of the Filipinos must be renewed vigorously by the government, by emphasizing and encouraging a patriotism-event-to-remember in all LGUs, government institutions, and in schools and colleges nationwide.
These significant dates of remembrance, dedicated to the heroism of our national heroes, actually should be a date when all of our public officials seriously reflect on how best they can emulate the heroes’ self-sacrificing love of country.
And, as mandated, to keep their spirit of “SERVE THE PEOPLE,” as clearly stated in the Constitution “to build a just and humane society.” Indeed, today, more urgently, the Filipino people are expecting that the Marcos-Duterte administration will at least start providing the people the P20/kg of rice, STOP extra-judicial killings (EJKs), and China’s encroachment into our sovereign territories.
Rizal IP group finally finds an ally in the Senate
PILILLA, Rizal — After eight long years, the indigenous group who were shoved away from their ancestral domain by a private contractor masquerading as environmental stewards finally finds an ally in the Senate.
In an interview shortly after meeting local farmers, Senator Imee Marcos took a swipe at the memorandum of agreement signed by the late Environment Secretary Gina Lopez with a construction company, to whom the government “effectively ceded custody and authority over an area as big as Pasig City.”
“The MOA entered into by the DENR Secretary that time is void from the very start… saan ka ba naman kasi nakakita ng kontratang may perpetuity clause. Tapos wala man lang napapala ang gobyerno,” said the reelectionist senator.
She likewise cited the urgent need for the Department of Agriculture to extend a comprehensive assistance program that is “conducive to what they have been accustomed to.”
“The Dumagat-Remontados of Rizal are known for their knack in planting root crops… hence, the government assistance program should be centered on a complete cycle starting from cultivation, harvesting, processing, distribution and sales,” Sen. Marcos said in the vernacular.
But even before that, Marcos urged the “concerned government agencies” to ensure that the Rizal-based IP groups have a place to plant their crops.”
“Kasi from what I heard and read in the news, kasama yatang binakuran yung ancestral domain ng mga Dumagat-Remontados… meron din mga lehitimong magbubukid na pinalayas sa sariling taniman,” Marcos added.
The presidential sister, who authored a legislative bill — the Agrarian Emancipation Act, which effectively amended the outdated agrarian reform law, emphasized the urgency for the government to transfer emancipated agricultural land to the farmer beneficiaries, if only to prevent a similar incident from taking place in the future.
“Ito kasing agrarian reform law, ang tulong niyan is nakapagbigay tayo ng mga titulo, pero collective title na pag sinipat mo yung likod may nakatalang pagkakautang… mabuti na lang nagawan natin ng paraan yung tinatawag na condonation… wala na silang utang,” she further averred.
But still, Sen. Imee believes condonation isn’t enough – “tutulong na rin lang ang gobyerno, lubos-lubusin na para siguradong makakatayo sa sariling paa ang sektor ng agrikultura.”
She also urged the government to recalibrate its food security strategy. “Paunlarin muna natin ang local agri sector. Pag nagawa natin yan, hindi na natin kailangan umangkat sa ibang bansa…. Ang pinapayaman kasi natin yung agri sector sa mga karatig bansa natin sa Asya.”
Study Shows Bottled Water Ain’t Safe
FOR the longest time, many are living under the impression that commercially sold bottled water is safe for human consumption, for which a long list of businessmen invested in what appears to be a lucrative business embarking on “needs.”
In a study published by Communications Biology, a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal covering research in biology, bottled water is the main source of microplastics, doing damage to the intestinal wall and kidneys and causing systemic inflammation.
“Microplastics in drinking water and food are being ingested by humans, causing damage to internal organs after being absorbed through the digestive system. That’s most notably occurring in the kidneys,” reads part of the study.
The study also found microplastics — tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in length — are the primary carriers of the environmental pollutant Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) into the body. The specific pathways are not fully understood, but there is evidence that BaP is being absorbed primarily through the intestines after oral ingestion, posing health risks.
TINY BUT ALARMING
Part of the same study hinted at difficulties in addressing microplastics in the environment “since they are nearly impossible to clean up because of their tiny size.”
Citing documented cases, the Communications Biology claims microplastics have been “found in the stomachs of humans and animals, as well as in the air, soil, tap water, food, and drinks. They are also accumulating in our oceans, causing damage to coral reefs and oceanic ecosystems.”
For one, microplastics are not found in nature. The most recent global environmental concern is manufactured by humans, which makes it improbable to be broken down by organisms.
STUDY METHODOLOGY
The study on microplastics — identified in diverse settings, including drinking water, freshwater, food, air, and marine environments — employed stereomicroscopic and µ-Raman techniques to analyze water samples from ten widely consumed bottled water brands, aiming to detect and characterize microplastics (MPs, for brevity).
Additionally, the oral consumption of MPs per capita was estimated. The average abundance of MPs ranged from 9 ± 1.00 MPs/L to 3 ± 1.73 MPs/L across all brands
Various MPs shapes were observed, including fibers, fragments, films, and pellets, with fibers being predominant (58.928%). MPs were categorized by color into five groups (red, blue, black, yellow, and transparent), with red comprising approximately 35.714% of the total count.
All identified MPs were less than 500 µm in size.
DAILY WATER INTAKE
The study confirmed the presence of eight different polymer types in bottled water that “health-conscious” people consume on a daily basis.
Unknown to consumers, bottled water contains polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polybutylene1, isotactic polypropylene, Nylon 6-α polymorph, and polyvinyl alcohol.
The estimated daily intake of MPs per person is pegged at 0.42 MPs, translating to an annual intake of 153.3 MPs per person.
The origin of MPs in bottled water was likely attributed to both raw water sources and packaging materials, underscoring the need for further investigation. Given the potential health implications of human exposure to drinking water MPs, careful consideration should be given to the use of plastic packaging for potable water.
REDUCING MICROPLASTICS
Addressing health risks caused by microplastics in the environment doesn’t need a rocket-science solution. All we have to do is to reduce plastic use. In some cases, plastic use is unavoidable, for which recycling was conceptualized.
In the Philippines, there is a law referred to as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act 9003) which provides a framework for local government units (LGUs) to implement integrated solid waste management plans, aiming to reduce waste by at least 25% through the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle).
However, the government can not solve the problem without public compliance and cooperation. Example, consider reusable water bottles over single-use plastics. Use eco bags or baskets rather than disposable bags.
Proper recycling of plastics is also a must to keep plastics from evolving into microplastics that we can breathe and ingest.
LGU Hospital Cuts Operating Hours
TAYTAY, Rizal — In what appears to be another first in the Philippines, a local government-run public healthcare institution has reportedly cut its operating hours amid lack of doctors to attend emergency cases.
In a Facebook post that has since gone viral, netizens took turns lambasting the supposed failure to address health emergency situations at the Taytay Emergency Hospital, a local government unit-owned and operated medical facility.
The post had photos of a hospital utility worker seated on a bench in a diagonal position blocking at the hospital entrance.
A hospital should ideally be open 24 hours a day, especially its emergency department, to ensure immediate access to medical care for patients experiencing critical or life-threatening situations at any time, regardless of the day or hour.
DEPRIVED LOCAL FOLKS
According to the netizen behind the Facebook post, she went to the Taytay Emergency Hospital amid symptoms of a “stroke.”
“Nakakadismaya emergency kagabi… pumunta kami dahil masama pakiramdam ko manhid katawan ko, sakit ulo batok, yun pala sobrang taas na ng BP ko. Totoo pala mga nabasa ko post reklamo dyan hospital Taytay Emergency… walang doktor.”
She claimed that it wasn’t just her who was deprived of emergency treatment. “Maya-maya pa may dumating humingi ng tulong may aksidente… wala din aksyon umalis na lang kami. Mayor Allan (de Leon) sana po umaksyon kayo nangyayari Taytay Emergency,” reads part of her Facebook post.
She nevertheless got treatment in another hospital, but had to ask help from relatives and friends who pooled funds to pay her bill for saving her life.
CLOSED BEFORE SUNSET
According to another resident by the name of Yayam Dizon, Taytay Emergency Hospital is operating on limited “business” hours — from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon.
While most government offices strictly adhere to 8 to 5 working hours, public hospitals are supposed to be 24-7, Dizon said.
“Saan ka ba naman nakakita ng Emergency Hospital na 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM lang? Ano yun kapag may emergency situation sasabihin sa pasyente at pamilya nito bumalik na lang bukas dahil sarado na kami?,” a sarcastic first paragraph of a separate Facebook post reads.
The local government has yet to issue a statement.
UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
In 2019, then President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11223, otherwise referred to as the Universal Health Care Act (UHC Act) primarily designed to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all Filipinos.
Under RA 11223, all Filipinos – regardless of age, socio-economic status, gender,, ethnicity are automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).
The law ensures protection of citizens from financial hardship, expands the health benefit packages, brings more doctors to remote communities, improves overall health system performance, and ensures equitable access to quality and affordable health care.
Criminal Justice System In The Philippines, Currently
AT THE HEIGHT of Duterte’s War on Drugs, the criminal justice system was viewed as weak, inefficient, and corrupt. This brought to conclude that police could not be trusted and that other law enforcement agencies were gleaned as protectors of drug syndicates.
In my research and studies, victims complained that the prosecution and the courts as “too slow”. Trial proceedings often took several years. They say, only the rich, powerful, and well-connected have access to justice. Wealthy individuals could easily secure bail even in serious offenses, while poor people languished behind bars for the most minor and petty offenses.
The correctional system was equally a failure. Jails and prisons were extremely overcrowded. Inmates had to rely on their own resources to survive. A mayores system emerged to compensate for the lack of custodial staff. Inmate gangs became essential in mediating conflicts and managing the day-to-day needs of the facilities. In the process, inmates gained access to amenities such as cell phones.
In partnership with corrupt guards, drug use and the drug trade proliferated inside some of the largest jails and prisons. As a result, inmates became more hardened, learning criminogenic trades while behind bars. Upon release, they struggled to reintegrate as responsible citizens.
THE RIGHT THING, ACCORDING TO DUTERTE
It was this state of affairs that President Duterte railed against to justify his draconian policy on the war against drugs and criminality. Duterte should have first reformed the police force to make them more professional and capable of performing their duties effectively. Instead, majority turned into his (seemingly) personal allies.
Guided by Duterte’s singular belief that he was doing the right thing for the country, he unleashed the same police force to target drug addicts. As reflected in the victims’ relatives’ testimonials, the same force to his instructions as “complete authority” to trample on the human rights of “suspects”, bypass due process, and even provoke suspects to fight back. “Kapag lumaban, patay!”
How were the police “rewarded”?
FOR FANATICS, IT’S ACCEPTABLE
Duterte supporters and fanatics endorsed this same mind though. They became “legally” cynical, believing it was acceptable to kill drug addicts since the traditional justice system was unlikely to hold offenders accountable “fast”.
They dismissed the rule of law as a mere technicality exploited by the rich and powerful. They reduced human rights to a ploy designed to protect offenders. They mocked court procedures like due process and equal protection as mere tactics to delay punishments.
And while Duterte and his supporters fully understood the weaknesses and inequities of the justice system, they did nothing to improve it. Worse, the same system to wage a bloody drug war was acceptable to them.
Consequently, this magnified how the corrupt system preyed on the Filipino people. Only impoverished drug addicts or users were “eliminated”.
Hardly were there drug lords that perished in this selective drug war. Others suspected that under the Duterte regime the drug lords remained untouched.
A SYSTEM THAT NOW WORKS
Ironically, now that Duterte is detained at The Hague on charges of Crimes Against Humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC), his supporters claim that the Philippine criminal justice system is functioning effectively and that he should be tried here.
Duterte supporters also now assert that the police system works and that if evidence of his crimes exists, victims of the drug war should file their cases with local authorities.
Duterte’s supporters now claim that the local court system is effective and that local judges — not foreigners who supposedly know nothing about the Philippine justice system — should decide his guilt.
Have they conveniently forgotten that Duterte and his allies intimidated actors in the criminal justice system by publicly including their names in the “Matrix,” or list of supposed drug coddlers?
PANACEA TO THESE AILS
There is still much to be done to improve the criminal justice system. Police must be professionalized. Disposition of cases must be expedited. Jail and prison overcrowding must be addressed. Alternatives to detention and incarceration must be introduced.
Best practices in risk assessments and rehabilitation must also be adopted.
More importantly, Duterte must be held accountable for the brutal drug war and the crimes against humanity that he unleashed upon the Filipino people.
For the Philippines to recover from the mayhem Duterte inflicted on its criminal justice system, that process must begin with holding him accountable at the ICC.
Global oil prices a major contributor to lower February inflation
Despite the government cheering its efforts to control inflation this year, the reality is the lower global prices of crude have been on a downtrend despite ongoing geopolitical conflicts, also contributing significantly to the downtrend of the consumer price index.
This, as the inflation rate in March this year settled at 1.8 percent, marking a nearly five-year low, mainly due to the slower price increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages, particularly lower prices of rice.
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa said in a press briefing that last month’s inflation was lower than the rate in February 2025 at 2.1 percent and the 3.7 percent in March 2024. Also, the inflation last month was the lowest since June 2020.
While the PSA attributed the slower pace of price increases in March 2025 to the easing of food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation at 2.2 percent from 2.6 percent a month ago, inflation in the transport group recorded -1.1 percent in March 2025 from -0.2 percent in February 2025.
This sector contributed 27 percent to the downtrend in inflation in the previous month due to lower prices of gasoline and diesel, as well as slower pace in fare increase in passenger road transport.
A check of global oil prices showed these were on a downtrend since early this year, hitting below $65 per barrel (WTI) in the latter part of March. This is a significant decrease from the above $80 per barrel (WTI) in March last year,
And while food and non-alcoholic beverages shared 50.2 percent to the downtrend in inflation, the prices of food also depend on the cost of fuel as food products need to be transported.
When it comes to food inflation in particular, cereals and cereal products recorded a deflation, or decrease in prices, of 5.2 percent last month from a deflation of 3 percent in February 2025.
This commodity group includes rice, which recorded negative inflation for the past three months: -2.3 percent in January, -8.4 percent in February, and -7.7 percent in March.
Mapa said that since the Executive Order 62 took effect in July 2024, which reduced the tariff on imported rice, prices of the staple have substantially declined.
“Kung i-compare natin noong—say, base natin noong July 2024, kung saan nagsimula ‘yong reduction sa tariff, bumaba na rin substantially ‘yong presyo ng bigas per kilo [If we compare it to—(let’s) say, based on July 2024, when the tariff reduction started, the price of rice per kilogram has substantially decreased],” he said.
Citing PSA data, Mapa said comparing the prices from July 2024 to March 2025, average price reduction for regular milled rice was at P4.90, or from P51.11 per kilo to P46.09 per kilogram (kg).
Well milled rice also declined in the same period by P4.19 per kg., or from P56.44 per kg. to P52.25 per kg., and by P2.60 per kg. for special rice, or from P64.75 per kg. to P62.15 per kg.
However, the price of regular milled rice in July 2023 was P41 per kg, and P45 per kg for well-milled rice. Meanwhile, restaurants and accommodation services, with an inflation of 2.3 percent, shared 16 percent to the downtrend of inflation last month.
PH in better position to deal with US reciprocal tariffs
The Philippines is in a better position compared to other Asian nations once the reciprocal tariffs that United States will impose globally takes effect.
Under US President Donald Trump’s executive order, Philippine goods entering the US market will be levied 17 percent, still below the tariff for other member-states under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) like Cambodia at 49 percent, Laos at 48 percent, Vietnam at 46 percent, Myanmar at 46 percent, Thailand at 36 percent, Indonesia at 32 percent, and Malaysia at 24 percent.
US reciprocal tariff on Philippine goods is the second lowest in ASEAN, only above Singapore at a rate of 10 percent.
“We view with guarded optimism that the recent US imposition of reciprocal tariffs will provide strategic opportunities for the Philippines to improve its economic relationship with the US. As we have expected, the Philippines is among the least hit among key exporters to the US,” DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said in a Viber message to reporters.
“In light of the new tariffs announced, the Philippines can be in a better position than other neighboring countries because of the relatively lower tariffs imposed,” she added.
Reciprocal tariffs on Asian economies were also higher than the Philippines like China at 34 percent, Taiwan at 32 percent, India at 26 percent, South Korea at 25 percent, and Japan at 24 percent.
The new tariffs will be implemented starting April 9, 2025, or what Trump called “liberation day”.
With Trump’s new tariff order, Philippine exports previously enjoying lower or zero tariffs will face a uniform 17 percent tariff when entering the US market. This means Philippine goods will become more expensive in the US and it has potential to reduce revenues and cut workforce for industries reliant on US trade.
The US is the biggest market for Philippine exports, reaching $14.2 billion last year, reflecting an increase of 6.9 percent from 2023. On the other hand, the country imported $9.3 billion worth of products from the US, for trade deficit surplus of $4.9 billion, according to US Trade Representative data.
According to the DTI, the US accounted for 17 percent of Philippine exports in 2024.
Bulk of the Philippine outbound shipment to the US are electronic products, sharing 53 percent of the total exports to the US.
“Overall, about 10 percent of our total trade involves the US,” Roque said.
She said there are Philippine goods exempted from the reciprocal tariffs such as copper ores and concentrates, and integrated circuits, among others.
“We are carefully studying the impact of reciprocal tariffs on agri-based products, particularly food exports noting that these are not covered by the exemptions,” Roque said.
Roque cited another opportunity for the Philippines amid the new tariff imposition.
She said the lower tariff for the Philippines than Thailand will make the former’s coconut products cheaper in the US market. “The task at hand right now for DTI and other government agencies is how to act fast and take advantage of this new development,” she added.
Why You Should Care About Heart Failure
Heart failure (HF) is a growing yet often overlooked health crisis in the Philippines. The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) urges Filipinos to take heart health seriously before it’s too late.
Heart Failure: A Silent Threat
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and HF—a condition where the heart struggles to pump blood efficiently—is often a consequence of untreated CVD. In advanced cases, a heart transplant becomes the only viable option, but access to this life-saving procedure is severely limited in the country.
During PHA’s Usapang Puso sa Puso webinar on March 27, 2025, experts discussed the far-reaching impact of HF on patients, families, and the healthcare system.
Why You Should Be Concerned
Dr. Liberty Yaneza of the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) warns that individuals with hypertension, diabetes, or existing heart conditions face a high risk of developing HF. In its advanced stages, conventional treatments often fail, leaving patients with few options.
PHA director Dr. Avenilo “Jun” Aventura Jr. highlights the urgent need for government support in heart transplant programs, similar to the assistance provided for kidney transplants. Currently, PHC is the only hospital in the Philippines performing heart transplants, significantly limiting access to those in need.
Recognizing Heart Failure: The ‘Great Mimicker’
HF symptoms can be mistaken for other health issues, making early diagnosis crucial:
- Shortness of breath, especially when lying down
- Waking up gasping for air
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, or neck veins
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
Ignoring these symptoms can be dangerous. Early detection saves lives.
The Four Stages of Heart Failure
- Stage A: Individuals at high risk (e.g., those with hypertension or diabetes) should focus on prevention.
- Stage B: No symptoms yet, but heart damage may already exist.
- Stage C: Symptoms begin affecting daily life.
- Stage D: Advanced HF leads to frequent hospitalizations and severe limitations.
What You Can Do
- Monitor your health by tracking blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar, and weight.
- Take maintenance medications if diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease.
- Adopt a heart-healthy diet by reducing salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, and cholesterol.
- Stay active with doctor-approved exercises.
- Quit smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
The Need for Government Action
Dr. Yaneza stresses that PHC’s Heart Transplant Program requires full government backing, including financial support for lifelong post-transplant medication. Without it, many patients remain without options.
HF Clinics: Prevention Over Cure
The PHA’s National Heart Failure Network (NHFN), launched in 2021, connects 18 PHA chapters, 26 training institutions, and numerous healthcare professionals to enhance awareness and patient care. Expanding HF clinics nationwide can lead to early detection and improved management, reducing the number of severe cases.
Act Now
HF doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a gradual decline. Getting checked, staying informed, and prioritizing heart health can make all the difference. As Dr. Aventura puts it, “Let’s not wait until it’s too late.”
US and Europe gird for tariff war
It is final – the United States will impose “reciprocal tariffs” globally, with Europe among those most agitated by the move.
The White House said that the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on nations as a major milestone in US history.
“Tomorrow, April 2, 2025, will go down as one of the most important days in modern American history,” spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
“Our country has been one of the most open economies in the world, and we have the consumer base, hands down the best consumer base, but too many foreign countries have their markets closed to our exports. This is fundamentally unfair,” she added.
The White House said that the import duties will be “effective immediately” after Trump’s announcement on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).
For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday issued a stern warning to the US over its escalating trade tariffs.
“We do not necessarily want to retaliate, but we have a strong plan to retaliate if necessary,” von der Leyen said at the European Parliament Plenary debate.
Von der Leyen stressed that across-the-board tariffs would only worsen the situation by driving up costs, fueling inflation, and creating bureaucratic burdens for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.
Analysts are also not optimistic on the outcome of the move the US to impose tariffs, which are expected to hit cars, luxury goods, and food items, among many others.
“I can’t recall a situation where the stakes were this high and yet the outcome was so unpredictable,” said Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers as quoted by Reuters. “The devil is going to be in the details and nobody knows the details.”
“You cannot make important decisions on your supply chain when the rules of the game keep changing,” said Peter Sand, chief analyst at freight pricing platform Xeneta.
Pure Talk, Zero Walk
WHEN the Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga was tapped to lead the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Filipinos were under the impression that her stint would make a difference in view of wanton disregard of laws covering nature and ecology.
After all, her credentials seemed far more impressive than her predecessors.
In fairness, she did well during her early stint – hoisting red flags on a dubious contract entered into by the DENR with a construction company lording over a 2,700-hectare portion of the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, and that of the commercialization of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.
She likewise flagged down the massive reclamation in the guise of “land developments” at the Manila Bay, only to cave in to pressures coming from the same breed of oligarchs and patrons in the government.
Yulo-Loyzaga recommended a halt to reclamation on a handful of conglomerates – except for two projects in Pasay City – a decision which looks more like a selective policy.
RECLAMATION ACTIVITIES ON HOLD
Barely two years after recommending the suspension of “all reclamation activities” at the Manila Bay, Yulo-Loyzaga hinted at the completion of the cumulative impact assessment by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute and the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation (MERF), which cited adverse effects of reclaiming parts of the Manila Bay.
Yulo-Loyzaga said that without flood management plans, the government cannot move forward with land reclamation projects in Manila Bay, even as she now claims its continuity would adversely affect the environment in view of the absence of a viable flood management plan.
She likewise cited other concerns which include traffic, water and electricity supply, waste management, and the livelihood of fishermen in the area.
Spanning almost 2,000 square kilometers, the Manila Bay area covers Metro Manila and eight provinces. Four of these are located along the coast — Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, and Pampanga.
Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, and Tarlac are connected to the bay through the several river systems that drain into it, like the Pampanga River (from Nueva Ecija), Pasig River (from Rizal), and Zapote River (from Laguna).
IRREVERSIBLE IMPACT
According to the study commissioned by the DENR in 2023 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended reclamation projects, Manila Bay’s physical environment is crucial to the circulation and drainage of water in Metro Manila.
Interestingly, Yulo-Loyzaga has yet submitted a recommendation asking the President to permanently stop the Pasay City reclamation projects which compromise food security, violate our constitutional rights to a healthy, balanced, safe and resilient environment and the rights of artisanal fisherfolks and coastal communities to access their fishing grounds and livelihoods.
The government should immediately take measures to permanently stop these projects which have been inflicting irreversible impact to the environment. The DENR’s failure to undertake its mandate is simply unjust and unacceptable.
Aside from the Manila Bay, there are 52 other reclamation ongoing projects in the country, including the project in Coron that has been forfeited by the government. Of this number, 22 projects are located in Manila Bay, and half of these or 11 are already underway. Outside of Manila Bay, the PRA lists a total of 30 projects – 14 were approved plus Coron; and 15 applications under Executive Order 74 with memoranda of understanding.
The projects were approved despite the fact that Manila Bay has been identified as a Key Biodiversity Area by the DENR and other groups. It is a rich sardine spawning ground as shown by the data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (BFAR-NFRDI). It also serves as an important habitat for millions of migratory birds from the northern hemisphere.