Full of it
Impeachment frenzy. Paralysis will descend upon legislation once the impeachment process against both President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Vice President Leonor Gerona Briones gets underway. This is the sentiment of many as articulated by Rep. Harry Roque.
Well, crystal balls are meant for predictions. Its useless here as paralysis is now inevitable. The complaints have already been filed and the process is now in motion. The only remedy now to avoid rigor mortis is speed: junk the complaints outright (as I anticipate the Committee on Justice will do on the Duterte impeachment complaint) or junk the Robredo complaint but not before the Congressmen show their colors in another round of shaming, as they did to Senator Leila de Lima.
Playing games. While the complainants may truly believe the grounds they cited, to the general public the exchange of complaints reeks of politics. Vendetta politics, party scorned politics – however called, it’s still the same fecal virus. And it’s spreading everywhere, even to votes properly left to the individual conscience of legislators.
The loser here is the public as the danger is that the system will be diminished. Because of these political games, this awesome tool of impeachment, long treated as an avenue of last resort, will lose its legitimacy in the eyes of the public. It was once considered as an extremely sensitive proposition dealing, as it does, with criminal behavior of high officials and tampering, as it might, with the popular will expressed through the ballot. It may soon become just another ordinary unchecked executive/legislative weapon with the potential to upset the balance of power at a whim.
Paradise lost. In sustainable development jargon, green is good. The “greener” you are, the more environmental or ecologically friendly for the rest of us. But for beach water, green is never good. And its worse if the green water should turn up at our country’s No. 1 tourist destination.
Of course, we are speaking of Boracay and its annual stigma of slimy algae. This phenomenon, widely reported this past week, has apparently been around for several years now. I know this to be true because, with one swipe of the keyboard, google produced horror stories from as far back as 2012. Tales of disappointment and even disease as shared by disillusioned Boracay visitors.
No green joke. The cause of the slimy algae on the water is simply … waste. Coliform from human waste, animal waste and dying organic matter. Waste which turns waves on the beach front a horrid shade of green and produces a stench, not just a whiff. And the green slimy, waste fed algae is dumped by the movement of the waves on the immaculate shore, leaving a trail of toxic, “radioactive” filth.
The Boracay success story literally has a “back” story. Commercial establishments are mandated to connect to the wastewater treatment facility set up on the island before safe discharge of their waste. As of the latest audits, the count ranges from 30 to 50% only of establishments that are actually connected. The rest discharge directly into the pristine waters.
In 2015, coliform bacteria readings in drainage outlets would reach as high as 47,000 (mpn) per 100 milimeter (ml). This is disastrous when you consider that the safe level is 1,000 mpn/100ml for swimming and other water activities.
The local government unit should step up. Or are we again going to wait for the Habagat to return so that the problem can solve itself?
River rescue. One of the successful projects initiated by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez (prior to her joining the Duterte Cabinet) is the rehabilitation of the esteros, creeks and other tributaries feeding into Pasig River. All across the metropolis, we see linear water parks teeming with plants and with riverine water less putrid than normal. These areas were once unsanitary and unsightly communities. Through the combined efforts of Secretary Lopez and the residents themselves, they have been rescued and given a new lease on life.
Cleaning the arteries is, of course, a prelude to making it easier for the heart. For this we need ammunition. Any endeavor to resuscitate a river as deceased and diseased as the Pasig would necessarily entail a lot of resources. But we haven’t heard any action plan from the palace regarding the river except the President’s plans to have his rogue cops eat water lilies to clean it up.
Unsolicited proposal. The success of the initiatives of Sec. Lopez shows us the critical role the community plays. Let tap them all. How about a wooden miniature boat regatta where every establishment – specially the violators – along the river would be invited to back an entry, for a huge joining fee? Each boat backed would also have a charity beneficiary to enjoy a grand prize if it crosses the finish line first. Proceeds of all the joining fees will go to the purse for cleaning up the river.
First Filipina. Senator Leticia Ramos Shahani was a public servant all her life. She was a former Chair of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, a former United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, Ambassador to Romania and Australia, among many other offices, before serving with distinction in the first Senate after Martial law, as Senate President Pro Tempore. In most of these positions, she was either the first woman or the first Filipino, or first woman and Filipino. My father served with her in the Senate. I had the privilege to share advocacies with her as part of P1NAS (Pilipinong Nagkaisa para sa Soberanya) these last two years. Her life was a great gift which is why her passing is a great loss to all. Our sincerest condolences to her family. Happy Birthday Manong. Tomorrow, March 26, would have been Senator Ernesto M. Maceda’s 82nd birthday. We thank all his family, friends and supporters who continue to miss him and to honor his memory with their prayers and remembrances.