Environmental issues have been hounding Boracay for 20 years
Coliform bacteria scare and other environmental issues have been hounding Boracay
Island in Aklan province over the past 20 years, mostly blamed on inadequate septic
and sewage systems.
Because of the drop of tourist arrivals in 1997 due to the increase in coliform levels,
Boracay built a potable water supply system, sewage treatment plant and solid waste
disposal system that was run by the Philippine Tourism Authority.
Seven years later, in 2004, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) reported that the coliform crisis persisted as not all businesses on the island
to the sewage
system.
At that time, only 50.5 percent of hotels and restaurants and only 24.9 percent of the
households had installed pipelines connecting to the centralized sewage treatment
plant that began operations on the island in 2003.
In 2009, after waters off Boracay were contaminated with fecal coliform generated by
human wastes, Boracay Island Water Co. won the contract for the project to give
Boracay improved supply of potable water and efficient sewage system.
Algal blooms appear
In 2011, a study conducted by the McKeough Marine Center, which is based at Xavier
University-Ateneo de Cagayan, said that reefs in Boracay had reached an alarming
state of deterioration and urgently needed protection and rehabilitation.
Beginning in 2015, residents observed that algal blooms began to appear as early as
January or February and occurred longer.
Before, the algal blooms appeared only in March and April, and only in the area
where tourism development was first concentrated.
Algal bloom along Boracay’s shoreline indicated water pollution resulting from “poor
waste management with sewage being dumped into the waters,” the DENR said.
Many business operators and residents claimed that the algal bloom was seasonal and
“natural,” but environmentalists said it was an indication of feces and other waste
materials polluting the water.
The DENR said the Environmental Management Bureau in Western Visayas reported
that coliform bacteria levels in a water sample taken from a drainage outlet that
emptied into the sea at Sitio Bulabog exceeded safety standards.
The coliform bacteria levels reached 47,460 mpn (most probable number) per 100
millimeter. The safe level for water for swimming and other human contact activities
is 1,000 mpn/100 ml.
Apart from the serious health and sanitation hazards, coliform bacteria found in
human and animal waste could also adversely affect marine life and coral reefs.
Rice tariffication may lead to NFA abolition – Palace
MANILA, Philippines — The measure that imposes tariffs on rice imports could lead
to the abolition of the National Food Authority (NFA), Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. noted that the rice tariffication bill would
liberalize the importation of the staple to ensure enough supply.
“That’s the direction we are heading to. The bill on tariffication would allow everyone
to import rice and tariffs will be imposed. If it is implemented, the NFA will be
rendered useless,” Roque told radio station dzRB in Filipino.
The rice tariffication bill was approved by the House of Representatives last August.
Authors of the bill said it would solve the rice supply shortage and stabilize prices.
The measure seeks to replace the quantitative import restrictions on rice with tariffs
and create the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.
House agriculture committee chairman and ANAC-IP party-list Rep. Jose Panganiban
Jr. said the measure would generate P20 billion in tariffs every year that could
subsidize the country’s rice farmers.
The NFA was formed by the late president Ferdinand Marcos in 1972 to ensure food
security and provide the poor access to cheap rice.
Does Federalism Make Sense For The Philippines?
Next on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s agenda is changing the country's form
of government under a new constitution. The move has provoked a backlash among
certain sections of society, ranging from the business sector to the church and media,
which have questioned the rationale for constitutional change. A recent survey by
Pulse Asia found that 67% of Filipinos oppose the change, while only 18 percent were
in favour and the other 14 percent were undecided.
Critics contend that the move is part of a plot to extend the president’s term in office.
In response, Duterte has sought to reassure the public that he will not extend his term
beyond his constitutionally mandated six years, which is due to end in mid-2022.
Leaving aside the conspiracy theories, a federal form of government, if enacted, will
likely prove a bane rather than a boon for the country. Federalism may end up only
reinforcing socio-economic and ethno-political fault lines in an already divided
archipelagic nation.
The Federalist Blueprint
Last month, a special consultative committee, made up of leading jurists and political
scientists who were handpicked by the president, finalized the draftof a new
constitution.
Duterte has already endorsed the draft, but the Philippine Congress is not under any
obligation to adopt it in its current form. Thus, the draft serves more as a reference
point rather than the final substance of a new constitution, which will have to be
approved by a majority of the electorate in a future referendum.
Some candidates in the 2016 national elections have been vocal about their support for
federalism.
Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte, and vice presidential bets Alan Peter Cayetano (his
running mate) and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, in particular, have been championing it.
Supporters of federalism say it will evenly distribute wealth across the country instead of the
bulk going to "imperial" Manila. Detractors, like presidential candidate Grace Poe, say it will
further entrench political dynasties in the regions and create confusion over responsibilities.
Read on to find out more about federalism and its perceived advantages and disadvantages.
What is federalism?
It is a form of government where sovereignty is constitutionally shared between a central
governing authority and constituent political units called states or regions.
In basic terms, it will break the country into autonomous regions with a national government
focused only on interests with nationwide bearing: foreign policy and defense, for example.
The autonomous regions or states, divided further into local government units, will have primary
responsibility over developing their industries, public safety, education, healthcare,
transportation, recreation, and culture. These states will have more power over their finances,
development plans, and laws exclusive to ther jurisdiction.
The central government and states can also share certain powers.
How is it different from what we have now?
We presently have a unitary form of government. Most administrative powers and resources are
with the national government based in Metro Manila. It's Malacañang that decides how much to
give local government units. The process is prone to abuse, with governors and mayors
sometimes having to beg Malacañang for projects they believe their communities need.
How local government units spend their budget has to be approved by the national government.
In federalism, the states will have the power to make these decisions with little or no interference
from the national government.
Examples of federal countries: United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, India, Malaysia.
Regions have their own unique problems, situations, geographic, cultural, social and
economic contexts. Federalism allows them to create solutions to their own problems
instead of distant Metro Manila deciding for them.
The states can establish policies that may not be adopted nationwide. For example,
liberal Metro Manila can allow same-sex marriage which the state of Bangsamoro,
predominantly Muslim, would not allow. In the United States, some states like
Colorado and Washington have legalized recreational marijuana even if other states
have not.
This makes sense in an archipelago of over 7,000 islands and 28 dominant ethnic
groups. For decades, the national government has been struggling to address the
concerns of 79 (now 81) provinces despite challenges posed by geography and
cultural differences.
With national government, and thus power, centered in Metro Manila, it's no surprise
that development in the mega city has spiralled out of control while other parts of the
country are neglected.
More power over funds, resources. Right now, local government units can only collect
real estate tax and business permit fees. In federalism, they can retain more of their
income and are required to turn over only a portion to the state government they fall
under.
Thus, local governments and state governments can channel their own funds toward
their own development instead of the bulk of the money going to the national
government. They can spend the money on programs and policies they see fit without
waiting for the national government's go signal.
Promotes specialization. The national and state governments can specialize in
different policy domains. With most administrative powers now with the regional
governments, the national government can focus on foreign policy, defense, and other
nationwide concerns, like healthcare and taxation.
States have more autonomy to focus on economic development using their core
competencies and industries. The state of Central Luzon can focus on becoming an
agricultural hub. The state of Mimaropa, home to Palawan, can choose to use eco-
tourism as its primary launch pad.
Possible solution to the Mindanao conflict. The creation of the state of Bangsamoro
within a federalist system may address concerns of separatists who crave more
autonomy over the administration of Muslim Mindanao.
Decongestion of Metro Manila. Through fiscal autonomy for state governments,
federalism will more evenly distribute the country's wealth. In 2015, 35% of the
national budget went to Metro Manila even if it represents only 14% of the Philippine
population.
Lessens dependence on Metro Manila. When there is political upheaval in Metro
Manila, other regions that have nothing to do with the chain of events are left waiting
for the resources that ony the national government can release. With federalism,
regions work independently of Metro Manila for most concerns.
Brings government closer to the people. If detractors say federalism will only make
local political dynasties more powerful, supporters give the argument that, in fact, it
will make all local leaders, including those part of political dynasties, more
accountable to their constituents. State governments will no longer have any excuse
for delays in services or projects that, in the present situation, are often blamed on
choking bureaucracy in Manila.
Assuming more autonomy for regions leads to economic development, there will be
more incentive for Filipinos to live and work in regions outside Metro Manila. More
investors may also decide to put up their businesses there, creating more jobs and
opportunities to attract more people away from the jam-packed mega city.
Encourages competition. With states now more self-reliant and in control of their
development, they will judge themselves relative to how their fellow states are
progressing. The competitive spirit will hopefully motivate state leaders and citizens
to level up in terms of quality of life, economic development, progressive policies,
and governance.
CONS
Possibly divisive. Healthy competition among states can become alienating – creating
rivalries and promoting the regionalism that some say already challenges the sense of
unity in the country. It could enflame hostilities between ethnic groups in the country
like Tagalogs, Cebuanos, Bicolanos, Ilocanos, Tausugs, and Zamboangueños.
Uneven development among states. Some states may not be as ready for autonomy as
others. Some states may not be as rich in natural resources or skilled labor as others.
States with good leaders will progress faster while states with ineffective ones will
degrade more than ever because national government will not be there to balance
them out.
But in some federal countries, the national government doles out funds to help poorer
states. A proposed Equalization Fund will use a portion of tax from rich states to be
given to poorer states.
Confusing overlaps in jurisdiction. Where does the responsibility of state governments
end and where does the responsibility of the national government begin? Unless these
are very clearly stated in the amended Constitution, ambiguities may arise, leading to
conflict and confusion. For instance, in times of disaster, what is the division of
responsibilities between state and national governments?
May not satisfy separatists in Mindanao. Separatists are calling for their own country,
not just a state that still belongs to a larger federal Philippines. Federalism may not be
enough for them. After all, the conflict continues despite the creation of the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
How the Philippines would look when federal
In some proposals, there will be 10 or 11 autonomous states. Senator Aquilino
Pimentel Jr envisioned 11 states plus the Federal Administrative Region of Metro
Manila.
The bad and good of martial law
SOME sectors are maligning President Duterte, but so smart enough, can play with words and in many
instances he can get away with it. Just like today, September 21, he declared it a national protest day and
work and classes in schools were suspended. And he said today is not a holiday.
And it is an obvious irony. And for the millennials, this is the day in 1971 when then President Ferdinand
E. Marcos declared martial law. And later Marcos declared it as a National Thanksgiving Day while he
was still in power. And it was scratched when the Aquinos assumed power.
I will never forget September 21, 1972. I was driving on my way home to Angeles from a two-week
works in Olongapo City where earlier my boss lawyer Rogelio Bangsil and my late cousin Ceferino
"Nonong" Lumanlan opened our third casino, the Big C on the top floor of a hotel owned by a certain
Conrad Tiu.
Alone in the car and wanted to have soft music, I switched on my radio but can't get any. All of the
stations are garbled, except for one and hear repeatedly the voice of then Press Secretary Francisco "Kit"
Tatad. He was reading the martial law proclamation.
And the next day, I went to the Tea House Hotel along the Jake Gonzales Boulevard in Angeles City and
met fellow reporters. There I learned that many members of the opposition, businessmen and media
persons were locked up and detained in Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo. His main political rival
Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino was sought by then constabulary General Romeo Gatan and placed him in jail.
Marcos was on top of the situation.
There were both bad and good things brought about by martial law. Many were saying that in those first
years of martial law where discipline among Filipinos was observed.
Corruption even on most known corrupt agencies like the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal
Revenue had grinded to a halt. Where some BOC officials used having lunch at the Manila Hotel, brought
home cooked baon instead. Similar abuses where curbed. Criminality went down because curfew was
enforced.
Government infrastructures were finished on time and First Lady Imelda Marcos took charge. The
Philippine Heart Center, Kidney Center, Folk Arts Center, and Cultural Center of the Philippines etc.
were built.
The bill of rights was suspended. People locked up jail without warrants. Congress was abolished, and put
in place was the Interim Batasan Pambansa with only Marcos minions getting membership.
Opposition in the invented congress never played an independent role. It was more of a rubber stamp.
Subservience to Marcos was so evident. Legislation was mostly done in Malacañang by way of issuance
of proclamations.
In those years of martial law, bad things far outweigh the good things. It can even be summarized as a
failure of democracy is a total failure for country. So the cry today, for those who suffered during those
years and the millennials who study and have deep sense of history, "Never again to martial law."
