RELATED LITERATURE
Fraternity helps Mandaue get rid of wall graffiti
WALLS defaced by graffiti in Mandaue City may soon get cleaned with the help of outreach efforts of a fraternity.Members of the Tau Gamma Phi started painting graffiti-marred walls i in the main streets of barangay Guizo last Saturday. Nognog Angeles, one of the leaders of the fraternity also known as Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity, said they will mobilize the group’s 14 chapters in city for the clean-up. Aside from restoring walls, the group is also cleaning clogged drainage and will donate a waiting shed in barangay Guizo. The project of the fraternity is supported by the city government according to Jamaal James Calipayan, executive secretary of Mayor Jonas Cortes. The city government is providing the group with paint, he said. Calipayan said the city government suggested to the Tau Gamma to focus their campaign in the city center, like barangay Ibabao-Estancia and Alang-alang, aside from Guizo. Calipayan said they are calling on other fraternities to join the campaign. Frederick Bejo, project pointman of Tau Gamma said, they have also asked their chapters to identify areas to work on. /correspondent Jucell Marie P. Cuyos
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/313837/fraternity-helps-mandaue-get-rid-of-wall-graffiti#ixzz2NXkK1cjo
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Purok leader uplifts community
A 55-year-old mother has her hands full as she convenes more than 200 households that compose the purok she heads—Purok Upper Tawog—in barangay Valladolid, Carcar City. Surrounded by parents of different ages, mostly young mothers carrying their children, Julieta Gomera opens the floor for discussions on how to further improve their community, stopping once in a while to listen to suggestions. During the purok’s general clean-up activity every Saturday, Gomera calls out to members and signals the start of their initiative. Because of her soft voice, she uses a mega phone. Minutes later, members come out of their houses bringing brooms, bolos and other gardening tools. Gomera proves that actions speak louder than words in leadership. As a purok leader, this mother of eleven is on duty for her purok round-the-clock, addressing concerns of members that range from minor squabbles to financial problems. She resolved troubles between couples and offered financial assistance—P100 or P150—out of her own pocket to members in need. Her willingness to help was borne out by her kind parents who used to invite people and give them free meals. “My parents taught me how important to help people in need. And help does not only come in the form of money, but also time and effort,” she said in Cebuano. Gomera has been serving for 12 years as school officer, choir member, a Couples for Christ member, and president of Kalipi, a women organization in her barangay. When Purok Upper Tawog was established in May, majority of the household members elected Gomera to lead them because of her experience in community service. “It is God’s grace to be a full-time mother and a purok leader, among others. As long as I am alive, I want to continue dedicating my time to my family and to the community. Through these acts, I could fully say, I have lived a worthy life,” she said. Gomera does not receive any honoraria or salary for her being purok president.
The purok system is part of the initiative of the expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures Our Cebu Program, the joint development program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and the Province of Cebu that aims to make Cebu a more liveable place.
Purok is a smallest unit of governance composed of 20 to 50 or more households as members. Given the mandate through local ordinances enacted by barangay or municipal/city sanggunian, a purok can perform government functions with the coordination and supervision of the local officials. The Purok Upper Tawog is divided into five groups wherein every group is assigned to clean everyday their purok. Every Saturday, they have a general clean-up while every Sunday, husbands dedicate their time constructing their purok center. “The people are now well-disciplined. I don’t need to shout at them because they already know their responsibilities,” she added, recalling how households used to be passive about the trash left scattered in their area before the creation of their purok. Members now collect plastic bottles and sell them to the barangay in exchange for school bags for every five kilos of plastics. “This is already a big help for parents who could not afford to buy a school bag for their children,” Gomera said.
Every last Sunday of the month, purok members gather together in the chapel to hold their monthly general meeting. Included in the agenda are issues on parenthood, rights of the children, environmental issues, and plans for the purok. Members also created a vegetable garden where onions, ginger, cabbage, lemon grass, and malunggay grow abundantly.
“The neighborhood no longer needs to buy vegetables from the market. We could harvest them from our small garden,” she said. Gomera recalled that the biggest challenge she experienced was when their first purok center was forcibly demolished by the landowner. She said the center was almost done and it only needed finishing touches when the demolition took place.
“I was not sad for the materials and money wasted. I was disappointed because I saw how the husbands worked very hard to build our purok center,” she said. A good neighbor, Junina Bargayo, donated a new parcel of land for their new purok center. The construction of the second purok center showcases the bayanihan spirit of the members. It will be finished next month.
“The materials used in the construction of the center came from the voluntary contributions of the members. Some donated nipa huts, hollow blocks, kawayan (bamboo), and any amount of monetary contribution,” she said. She personally cooks mongo, five kilos of corn, and dried fish to be served to the workers of the center. Purok members contributed their harvested bananas and kamote during mealtime. “Even husbands and children now help in our daily activities. We not only improved our purok but our attitude towards one another,” she added. She plans to have a tabo (small market fair) in their purok where harvested vegetables in the garden will be sold to near sitios or barangays. The profit will be used to fund future development projects in the purok. “I dream that someday our purok will win an award. It is a satisfying feeling that people appreciate the improvements that we have. But now, I am content with our progress,” she said. Gomera admitted that many people questioned her goodness and active community service. Some were running rumors that she will run for office. “God knows my purpose for helping others. I am not doing this for my own good but for the good of the many. In time, they will know how a small kind act can help a person in need,” she explained. Her husband works as a furniture sample maker in Saudi Arabia. To add income to her husband’s salary, she makes and sells bibingka (rice cake) in the area. With seven kids to raise, she makes sure that before leaving the house, meals are already served and concerns of her children are addressed.
“Though the concerns of our household are a priority, we can always extend help in every way we can to others and the community at large,” she said. /By Chrisley Ann Hinayas/Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/280444/purok-leader-uplifts-community#ixzz2NXku1FDm
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The purok system is part of the initiative of the expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures Our Cebu Program, the joint development program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and the Province of Cebu that aims to make Cebu a more liveable place.
Purok is a smallest unit of governance composed of 20 to 50 or more households as members. Given the mandate through local ordinances enacted by barangay or municipal/city sanggunian, a purok can perform government functions with the coordination and supervision of the local officials. The Purok Upper Tawog is divided into five groups wherein every group is assigned to clean everyday their purok. Every Saturday, they have a general clean-up while every Sunday, husbands dedicate their time constructing their purok center. “The people are now well-disciplined. I don’t need to shout at them because they already know their responsibilities,” she added, recalling how households used to be passive about the trash left scattered in their area before the creation of their purok. Members now collect plastic bottles and sell them to the barangay in exchange for school bags for every five kilos of plastics. “This is already a big help for parents who could not afford to buy a school bag for their children,” Gomera said.
Every last Sunday of the month, purok members gather together in the chapel to hold their monthly general meeting. Included in the agenda are issues on parenthood, rights of the children, environmental issues, and plans for the purok. Members also created a vegetable garden where onions, ginger, cabbage, lemon grass, and malunggay grow abundantly.
“The neighborhood no longer needs to buy vegetables from the market. We could harvest them from our small garden,” she said. Gomera recalled that the biggest challenge she experienced was when their first purok center was forcibly demolished by the landowner. She said the center was almost done and it only needed finishing touches when the demolition took place.
“I was not sad for the materials and money wasted. I was disappointed because I saw how the husbands worked very hard to build our purok center,” she said. A good neighbor, Junina Bargayo, donated a new parcel of land for their new purok center. The construction of the second purok center showcases the bayanihan spirit of the members. It will be finished next month.
“The materials used in the construction of the center came from the voluntary contributions of the members. Some donated nipa huts, hollow blocks, kawayan (bamboo), and any amount of monetary contribution,” she said. She personally cooks mongo, five kilos of corn, and dried fish to be served to the workers of the center. Purok members contributed their harvested bananas and kamote during mealtime. “Even husbands and children now help in our daily activities. We not only improved our purok but our attitude towards one another,” she added. She plans to have a tabo (small market fair) in their purok where harvested vegetables in the garden will be sold to near sitios or barangays. The profit will be used to fund future development projects in the purok. “I dream that someday our purok will win an award. It is a satisfying feeling that people appreciate the improvements that we have. But now, I am content with our progress,” she said. Gomera admitted that many people questioned her goodness and active community service. Some were running rumors that she will run for office. “God knows my purpose for helping others. I am not doing this for my own good but for the good of the many. In time, they will know how a small kind act can help a person in need,” she explained. Her husband works as a furniture sample maker in Saudi Arabia. To add income to her husband’s salary, she makes and sells bibingka (rice cake) in the area. With seven kids to raise, she makes sure that before leaving the house, meals are already served and concerns of her children are addressed.
“Though the concerns of our household are a priority, we can always extend help in every way we can to others and the community at large,” she said. /By Chrisley Ann Hinayas/Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/280444/purok-leader-uplifts-community#ixzz2NXku1FDm
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Mactan resorts launch ocean cleanup project
IN support of other organizations working to protect the environment, the Japanese Association of Travel Industries (Jatic) organized an ocean clean-up project with the help of its member-resorts. Last April 21, the project began with a press conference before the underwater cleanup. Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza assured the city’s support on the project.
The cleanup, which is set once every two months, will be headquartered at The Anemone Resort where the dive shop is.
The pilot cleanup dive, which was sponsored by member-resort Costabella, took almost two hours. Divers in three pump boats retrieved bags of trash, including broken bottles, assorted plastics and underwear.
Department of Tourism Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, who was present during the activity, lauded Jatic for their initiative.“I’d like to commend Jatic for initiating the project. You have our department’s support,” said Montecillo.
The next cleanup dive is set in June. /Anabelle L. Balanzar
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/184959/mactan-resorts-launch-ocean-cleanup-project#ixzz2NXlBLVks
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BPI volunteers clean beach for Climate Impact
THE ailing environment suffers in countless ways, from the deforestation of the land, destructive fishing of the seas, mismanagement of solid waste, to the volumes of toxins released into the air.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands Dumaguete Cluster employees, under its BPI Bayan Volunteeerism Project, decided to step out of its comfort zone and offer a day of voluntary service to the environment.
Every Saturday since August 2011, the BPI family, together with partners from the Focolare Movement, Century Security and Protective Agency, Silliman University Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences and the officials and residents of barangay Bantayan, trooped to Silliman Beach to clean the area of plastics and other solid waste and to prepare for Climate Impact Day on May 5.
Climate Impact Day is an internationally coordinated advocacy day addressing the negative impact of too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a by-product of fossil fuel burning released into the atmosphere from vehicles, factories and other machines. This is creating a heat trapping blanket around the earth keeping heat close to the earth and unable to break out beyond the atmosphere. Scientists call this the Greenhouse effect, which causes the global warming.
The advocacy of the Climate Impact Day is to engage the whole world in doing something to bring the CO2 level to 350 parts per milliion or below, which is defined by scientists as the safe threshold which the earth is sustainable. CO2 in the atmosphere is presently at an alarming 392 PPM.
The BPI Bayan Volunteerism Project is gathering discarded plastics and other solid waste for proper disposal not only to beautify the area but also prevent more CO2 emission in the atmosphere when these plastics are burned.
It is also clearing an area at the north end of the beach for the planting of 350 mangrove trees that will contribute to the absorbing of CO2 from the atmosphere.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/181149/bpi-volunteers-clean-beach-for-climate-impact-day#ixzz2NXlS1WK9
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The Bank of the Philippine Islands Dumaguete Cluster employees, under its BPI Bayan Volunteeerism Project, decided to step out of its comfort zone and offer a day of voluntary service to the environment.
Every Saturday since August 2011, the BPI family, together with partners from the Focolare Movement, Century Security and Protective Agency, Silliman University Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences and the officials and residents of barangay Bantayan, trooped to Silliman Beach to clean the area of plastics and other solid waste and to prepare for Climate Impact Day on May 5.
Climate Impact Day is an internationally coordinated advocacy day addressing the negative impact of too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a by-product of fossil fuel burning released into the atmosphere from vehicles, factories and other machines. This is creating a heat trapping blanket around the earth keeping heat close to the earth and unable to break out beyond the atmosphere. Scientists call this the Greenhouse effect, which causes the global warming.
The advocacy of the Climate Impact Day is to engage the whole world in doing something to bring the CO2 level to 350 parts per milliion or below, which is defined by scientists as the safe threshold which the earth is sustainable. CO2 in the atmosphere is presently at an alarming 392 PPM.
The BPI Bayan Volunteerism Project is gathering discarded plastics and other solid waste for proper disposal not only to beautify the area but also prevent more CO2 emission in the atmosphere when these plastics are burned.
It is also clearing an area at the north end of the beach for the planting of 350 mangrove trees that will contribute to the absorbing of CO2 from the atmosphere.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/181149/bpi-volunteers-clean-beach-for-climate-impact-day#ixzz2NXlS1WK9
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Clean-up drive in coastal areas launched in aftermath of ‘Pedring’, ‘Quiel’
MANILA, Philippines – Due to the effects of the recent typhoons and climate change, nature-loving volunteers have decided to do a coastal clean-up drive once every week, according to a report on Radyo Inquirer 990AM.
Volunteers included The Villar Foundation, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Red Cross Las Pinas, and high school student and teachers from various schools, and non-government organizations such as the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, the report said.
There will also be a Kayaking clinic every Friday afternoon and a “Bahangka-making” (from the word “Baha” which means flood and “Bangka” which means boat) which will be distributed to various villages in Las Pinas.
The volunteers are inviting all nature-loving people to come every Friday at 6 a.m. to the Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism area to join in cleaning the coastal area.
They are also urging the public to be responsible in disposing their trash, especially plastics, to avoid what happened in Bulacan and Pampanga in late September and early October when back-to-back Typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” spawned rains that caused flooding, rendering thousands of residents homeless.
Readmore:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/72053/clean-up-drive-in-coastal-areas-launched-in-aftermath-of-%e2%80%98pedring%e2%80%99-%e2%80%98quiel%e2%80%99#ixzz2NXlhjgBI
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Volunteers included The Villar Foundation, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Red Cross Las Pinas, and high school student and teachers from various schools, and non-government organizations such as the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, the report said.
There will also be a Kayaking clinic every Friday afternoon and a “Bahangka-making” (from the word “Baha” which means flood and “Bangka” which means boat) which will be distributed to various villages in Las Pinas.
The volunteers are inviting all nature-loving people to come every Friday at 6 a.m. to the Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism area to join in cleaning the coastal area.
They are also urging the public to be responsible in disposing their trash, especially plastics, to avoid what happened in Bulacan and Pampanga in late September and early October when back-to-back Typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” spawned rains that caused flooding, rendering thousands of residents homeless.
Readmore:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/72053/clean-up-drive-in-coastal-areas-launched-in-aftermath-of-%e2%80%98pedring%e2%80%99-%e2%80%98quiel%e2%80%99#ixzz2NXlhjgBI
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Volunteers clean up Lapu-Lapu drainage
A total of 700 volunteers recently trooped to the main thoroughfares of barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City to clean up its drainage and sewerage system.
The Mactan Economic Zone 2 – Multipartite Monitoring Team, in partnership with the Lapu-Lapu City government, MEZ2 enterprises, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, desilted the canals and drainage pipes from Maximo Patalingjug to Basak-Marigondon Road in the annual drainage cleanup drive.
AboitizLand, developer and administrator of MEZ2, mobilized their employees to volunteer for the annual undertaking.
Marissa Codiñera-Gorosin, AboitizLand’s MEZ2 Health Safety and Environment officer, said more residents in Lapu-Lapu City participated in this year’s activity in celebration of National Clean-up Month.
She said the growing number of participants led to the success of the event.
About 30 cubic meters of solid waste were collected from the 3.4-km long drainage pipes during the half-day event.
Last year, around 300 volunteers retrieved six cubic meters of solid waste from 2-km long drainage pipe.
The cleanup drive aimed to raise awareness among the residents on the benefits of garbage-free waterways. Garbage clogs canals and causes floods during the rainy season.
Also participating in the cleanup were Philippine Air Force, Red Cross Lapu-Lapu chapter, barangay Basak officials and ROTC students of the Philipine State College of Aeronautics.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/94723/volunteers-clean-up-lapu-lapu-drainage#ixzz2Np42eg2w
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Army joins coastal clean-up in Bais
THIRTY military personnel from the Army’s 302nd Brigade and the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) participated in the Bayanihan coastal clean-up drive along the shorelines of barangays Looc and Okiot in Bais City, Negros Oriental.
The activity undertaken by the city government of Bais aimed to protect the marine ecosystem to ensure sustainability of its resources for the welfare of the residents, Army Information officer Capt. Anacito Naz said.
The clean-up drive was also participated by the local government officials and residents of Bais City, students of Negros Oriental State University, City Environment and Natural Resources personnel and other stakeholders in the city.
Bais City supports the celebration of the International Coastal Clean-up October every year. This year’s celebration had the theme “Bayanihan Para sa Karagatan.”
The yearly event promotes the conservation of inland lakes, rivers, oceans and underwater sites by removing plastics and other debris.
Meanwhile, Col. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the Army’s 302nd Brigade, said the brigade’s participation in the coastal clean-up activities manifests their concern on the importance of protecting and preserving the environment for the benefit of the residents, especially the incoming generations.
The 302nd Brigade also participated in the coastal clean-up drive initiated by the Dumaguete-based Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and Negros Oriental High School batch 94’ along the shorelines of Rizal Boulevard to barangay Calindagan in Dumaguete City.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/300248/army-joins-coastal-clean-up-in-bais#ixzz2Np51WZnC
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Rio steps up drive to clean up city’s biggest slum
Residents watch as police attend the inauguration of a Police Pacification Unit at the Rocinha slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. Government control over the shantytown is seen as strategic as Rio prepares to host the 2014 soccer World Cup and 2016 Olympics. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
RIO DE JANEIRO—Brazilian authorities stepped up a drive to clean up Brazil’s largest shantytown Thursday, with a permanent police unit deployed in the hillside favela overlooking Rio’s most famous beaches.
The stationing of 700 police in Rocinha came 10 months after security forces wrested control of the area from drug gangs as part of a campaign to stamp out crime and restore security ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.
The so-called Police Pacification Unit (UPP) replaces 400 police personnel that had been patrolling the favela — located on a hillside wedged between two of Rio’s wealthiest neighborhoods — since November’s massive security sweep.
“Police are here and here to stay,” Rio de Janeiro state governor Sergio Cabral said during a ceremony held under a persistent drizzle at the entrance of Rocinha, which is home to 70,000 people.
“We are not going to spare any efforts and we are determined to establish proximity with the people of Brazil’s biggest favela,” Colonel Rogerio Seabra, who is coordinating the pacification effort, said earlier.
But officials cautioned that fully bringing the area — a maze of narrow streets which for years had been under the sway of narcotraffickers — under control would take time.
Violence has been reduced and drug traffickers no longer carry weapons in the streets, according to residents, although 12 murders have been recorded so far this year.
Only 20 percent of this huge community can be patrolled by car, with officers having to cover the rest of the area on motorcycle or on foot, the new head of the Rocinha UPP, Edson Santos, told reporters.
He added that 100 surveillance cameras would be installed to improve security.
Since last November, “the situation has improved a great deal. Now we can walk the streets without worry, something which we could not do before. But a lot remains to be done,” said Edwirges Mattoso Kneip, a 63-year-old retiree.
“There are criminals robbing houses. I cannot leave my house unattended. Before the druglords banned robberies inside the favela” and perpetrators faced cruel punishment, added the woman, a former bakery employee wearing a t-shirt adorned with the Olympic banner and the Rio 2016 logo.
“The people of Rocinha accepted us. There are some criticisms of the UPP. We know that changes take time. We will notice them when the children of today turn 15, 20 years old,” said Erir Ribeiro Costa Filho, chief of Rio state’s military police.
“Security is improving. Children can spend more time in the streets,” said a 22-year-old resident who would not give her name.
Police said members of the new UPP will try to establish relationships with residents, whose help is seen as crucial to combat crime.
So far, authorities have deployed 28 of the UPPs in 175 local communities, with 6,770 agents, according to military police statistics.
Authorities plan to deploy 40 UPPs by 2014.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/274712/rio-steps-up-drive-to-clean-up-citys-biggest-slum#ixzz2Np5bLk3Z
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PDI joins Hands on Manila volunteers in clean-up of Freedom Island
Government agencies, schools, NGO’s join the clean up drive at the Manila Bay near the U. S Embassy on Saturday.INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines – Empty packets of instant 3-in-1 coffee and Boy Bawang native snacks turned out to be a constant litter when some 1, 230 volunteers scoured the shoreline of Freedom Island at the edge of Manila Bay for the annual Servathon 2012 recently.
Even Junie del Mundo, president of Hands On Manila and chair of Servathon 2012, noted this. “I’ve never seen so many wrappers of Boy Bawang,” Del Mundo said, referring to the popular native snacks of corn kernel fried in garlic.
Television host-actor Marc Nelson, a regular volunteer of Hands on Manila also expressed shock at the amount of discarded plastics found on Freedom Island.
“I hope people would realize the adverse effects of throwing away plastics. We should be more careful,” he said.
Volunteers from 21 corporations, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer of the Inquirer Group of Companies, collected some 5,000 kilos of garbage – roughly the weight of 5 cars – consisting mostly of styrofoam, plastics, assorted footwear, tootpaste tubes, shampoo sachets and palm-size foil packets of assorted instant food and drinks, like coffee, cereal oats, chocolate.
Remarkably absent from among the mounds of garbage was the Tetra Pack that is used to package retail assorted fruit juices.
A bigger, thicker version of the instant coffee foil packets, the Tetra Pack used to pose a big problem in garbage management until an NGO started recycling the material into ladies’ bag.
Now on its 7th year, the annual ‘Servathon’ was concentrated mainly in mainly cleaning up the shoreline of Freedom Island, a 635.14-hectare sanctuary for more than 80 species of local migratory birds.
In the past, Servathon volunteers were distributed in several projects. Last year, for instance, the Inquirer volunteers were assigned to repaint the walls and ceiling of a half-way home for runaway girls in Pandacan, Manila.
The Freedom Island, deemed as Las Pinas – Paranaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area, considered for government reclamation.
Roy Velez, chairman of the Save Freedom Island Movement, said the entertainment center, port, business park, roads, and universities similar to the Mall of Asia Complex, would be built on the reclaimed Freedom Island.
Velez said the reclamation would most likely lead to more floods since Freedom island’s parallel cities (the 8 barangays in Paranaque and the 14 barangays in Las Pinas) are considered ’low-lying grounds.’
“Pag nareclaim ang island, matatakpan ang 2 ilog sa Paranque at Las Pinas, the cities’ major tributaries. If matatapkpan ang estero, maiipon ito at di kakayanin ang volume, tataas ang tubig, babahain ang Las Piñas at Parañaque.,” Velez said.
The companies who participated in Servathon 2012 included: BPI foundation, CIBO, Converge Asia, Inc., EON, FEU, Forum K of Entrepreneurs Organization, HSBC, JP Morgan, LBC FOundation, Megaworld Foundation, Inc., One Meralco Foundation, Ortigas & Company, Pancake House, PDI, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc (PTC), Rockwell Land Corporation, Romulo Law Offices, Senate of the Philippines, Thomson Reuters, True Value and Wells Fargo.
Hands on Manila is in partnership with the Save Freedom Island Movement, Earth Island Institute Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-NCR.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/296694/pdi-joins-hands-on-manila-volunteers-in-clean-up-of-freedom-island#ixzz2Np6hm6AE
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MANILA, Philippines – Empty packets of instant 3-in-1 coffee and Boy Bawang native snacks turned out to be a constant litter when some 1, 230 volunteers scoured the shoreline of Freedom Island at the edge of Manila Bay for the annual Servathon 2012 recently.
Even Junie del Mundo, president of Hands On Manila and chair of Servathon 2012, noted this. “I’ve never seen so many wrappers of Boy Bawang,” Del Mundo said, referring to the popular native snacks of corn kernel fried in garlic.
Television host-actor Marc Nelson, a regular volunteer of Hands on Manila also expressed shock at the amount of discarded plastics found on Freedom Island.
“I hope people would realize the adverse effects of throwing away plastics. We should be more careful,” he said.
Volunteers from 21 corporations, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer of the Inquirer Group of Companies, collected some 5,000 kilos of garbage – roughly the weight of 5 cars – consisting mostly of styrofoam, plastics, assorted footwear, tootpaste tubes, shampoo sachets and palm-size foil packets of assorted instant food and drinks, like coffee, cereal oats, chocolate.
Remarkably absent from among the mounds of garbage was the Tetra Pack that is used to package retail assorted fruit juices.
A bigger, thicker version of the instant coffee foil packets, the Tetra Pack used to pose a big problem in garbage management until an NGO started recycling the material into ladies’ bag.
Now on its 7th year, the annual ‘Servathon’ was concentrated mainly in mainly cleaning up the shoreline of Freedom Island, a 635.14-hectare sanctuary for more than 80 species of local migratory birds.
In the past, Servathon volunteers were distributed in several projects. Last year, for instance, the Inquirer volunteers were assigned to repaint the walls and ceiling of a half-way home for runaway girls in Pandacan, Manila.
The Freedom Island, deemed as Las Pinas – Paranaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area, considered for government reclamation.
Roy Velez, chairman of the Save Freedom Island Movement, said the entertainment center, port, business park, roads, and universities similar to the Mall of Asia Complex, would be built on the reclaimed Freedom Island.
Velez said the reclamation would most likely lead to more floods since Freedom island’s parallel cities (the 8 barangays in Paranaque and the 14 barangays in Las Pinas) are considered ’low-lying grounds.’
“Pag nareclaim ang island, matatakpan ang 2 ilog sa Paranque at Las Pinas, the cities’ major tributaries. If matatapkpan ang estero, maiipon ito at di kakayanin ang volume, tataas ang tubig, babahain ang Las Piñas at Parañaque.,” Velez said.
The companies who participated in Servathon 2012 included: BPI foundation, CIBO, Converge Asia, Inc., EON, FEU, Forum K of Entrepreneurs Organization, HSBC, JP Morgan, LBC FOundation, Megaworld Foundation, Inc., One Meralco Foundation, Ortigas & Company, Pancake House, PDI, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc (PTC), Rockwell Land Corporation, Romulo Law Offices, Senate of the Philippines, Thomson Reuters, True Value and Wells Fargo.
Hands on Manila is in partnership with the Save Freedom Island Movement, Earth Island Institute Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-NCR.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/296694/pdi-joins-hands-on-manila-volunteers-in-clean-up-of-freedom-island#ixzz2Np6hm6AE
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Deal inked to clean up creek in Toledo City
The Global Business Power Corp., through its subsidiaries Toledo Power Company and Cebu Energy Development Corp., recently signed an agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas to support the department’s “Adopt an Estero” project.
The “Adopt an Estero” project aims to clean up rivers and creeks in Central Visayas.
Global Power’s Toledo Power and Cebu Energy plants have adopted a stretch of about 500 meters in Luray creek, barangay Luray, Toledo City as project area.
“In cooperation with the DENR, we are positive in achieving a cleaner, safer and healthier metropolitan environment for the community in Toledo City through our massive river cleanup drive. Our campaign shall also include promotion of good sanitation and solid waste management practices among the households living along Luray creek to ensure sustainability of the project,” said engineer Leah Diaz, GBPC vice president for Toledo site.
Toledo Power and Cebu Energy respectively allocated P200,000 and P400,000 to maintain the cleanliness of Luray creek for two years. Aside from constructing sanitation facilities in the area, the non-infrastructure components of the project include replanting of mangroves to prevent soil erosion, regular clean-up activities, establishment of information, education and communication (IEC) materials to promote community awareness on water pollution and proper solid waste management and gathering of related baseline data.
“With the cooperation of our community partners, the local government officials, and with the support of DENR, we are confident to achieve a healthy, clean and safe Luray creek,” Diaz said.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/325457/deal-inked-to-clean-up-creek-in-toledo-city#ixzz2Np6vb7NY
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The “Adopt an Estero” project aims to clean up rivers and creeks in Central Visayas.
Global Power’s Toledo Power and Cebu Energy plants have adopted a stretch of about 500 meters in Luray creek, barangay Luray, Toledo City as project area.
“In cooperation with the DENR, we are positive in achieving a cleaner, safer and healthier metropolitan environment for the community in Toledo City through our massive river cleanup drive. Our campaign shall also include promotion of good sanitation and solid waste management practices among the households living along Luray creek to ensure sustainability of the project,” said engineer Leah Diaz, GBPC vice president for Toledo site.
Toledo Power and Cebu Energy respectively allocated P200,000 and P400,000 to maintain the cleanliness of Luray creek for two years. Aside from constructing sanitation facilities in the area, the non-infrastructure components of the project include replanting of mangroves to prevent soil erosion, regular clean-up activities, establishment of information, education and communication (IEC) materials to promote community awareness on water pollution and proper solid waste management and gathering of related baseline data.
“With the cooperation of our community partners, the local government officials, and with the support of DENR, we are confident to achieve a healthy, clean and safe Luray creek,” Diaz said.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/325457/deal-inked-to-clean-up-creek-in-toledo-city#ixzz2Np6vb7NY
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