ELLALYN B. DE VERA
March 5, 2011, 6:28pm
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has designated a two-hectare “critical habitat” for the threatened Rafflesia flower in Bukidnon.
Rafflesia schadenbergiana, locally known as “bo-o” or “kolon busaw” among Bukidnon’s Bogobo and Higaonon tribes, is the Philippines’ largest flower, which measures up to 80 centimeters or 39 inches in diameter and can weigh up to 10 kilograms or 22 pounds.
Under the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2011-02, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje declared a two-hectare piece of land situated in Sitio Kalanganan, Barangay San Vicente in Baungon, Bukidnon and called it the “Rafflesia schadenbergiana Critical Habitat” to ensure the survival of the “critically-endangered” flower.
The Rafflesia schadenbergiana was named after Alexander Schadenberg, a German ethnologist who made several expeditions to the Philippines.
The species was first collected in the vicinity of Mount Apo in 1882 and was believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994 in Mt. Matutum, South Cotabato.
In 2007, its presence was also recorded in Baungon, Bukidnon, just outside the Mount Kitanglad Natural Park.
“The Philippines takes pride in the endemicity of its biodiversity. The newly issued administrative order protecting the natural habitat of rafflesia will allow the DENR to work closely with the surrounding communities in ensuring the survival of the country’s largest flower, which, unfortunately, is a threatened species. By all means, we need to keep the critical habitat free from exploitation or destruction, and we can only do this through partnership with the local populace,” Paje said.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Squatting not a barangay burden
Plain View
By ATTY. ROMEO V. PEFIANCO
February 23, 2011, 10:28pm
MANILA, Philippines – DILG this week shifted to 44,000 barangays the responsibility of stopping the spread of squatter communities nationwide.
What we know is that squatting on private/public land cannot be stopped even by the national government in cities like Manila, QC, Pasay, Caloocan, Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong, all other local governments in NCR, and in all cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Spread of squatting
Squatting is a social and economic menace that has evolved in the last 50 to 60 years, especially in capital cities. River banks, shallow creeks (esteros), and small waterways have been claimed by squatters for some filthy reasons: 1) disposing of human waste and garbage is made easy, 2) their shanties are located near their place of work, 3) squatters run an underground “business or trade” that requires small capital, and 4) they can easily organize a form of “front” for election purposes.
Battlecry
Last December, the demolition of squatter leantos and shanties was stopped by President Noynoy before Christmas on humanitarian grounds.
What caught the TV viewers’ attention was their battlecry while defending themselves with steel bars and stones. They shouted, “Napakinabangan ninyo kami ng matagal” (We were useful to you for a long time). Yes, their deep grievance carried the ring of truth, especially their usefulness before and during election in May every three years.
Control in haciendas
In small provinces, about 20 of them, where poverty level has not gone down in the last few decades, the barangay officials themselves build their homes on land they don’t own.
Even in big and rich provinces where sugarcane is the principal crop, land ownership in a big town is shared by a few families which they call haciendas.
There are barangays in old and big towns that are fully located within the haciendas. The barangay government functions only with the consent of landowners.
Squatters’ beehive
In November, 1949, a maverick politician was elected congressman in the second district of Manila that includes Quiapo. He was a Negrense (from Talisay and Bacolod) named Arsenio Hilario Lacson. The nation’s capital became a beehive for squatters coming from various provinces and towns in Luzon and the south.
Their votes not needed
In November, 1951, Rep. Lacson decided to run for mayor and one of his major campaign pledges was to relocate or return all Manila squatters to their hometowns. But the candidate made it clear that their votes were not needed. NP Lacson won election by a landslide against a veteran politico and incumbent LP Mayor Manuel de la Fuente.
Demolition
Lacson’s campaign versus squatting, especially in Intramuros in the vicinity of MB, was completely successful after six years. Shacks, shanties, lean-tos made of old plywood, burned GI sheets, and pieces of wood left by anay were demolished on riverbanks, esteros, roadsides, and sidewalks.
Holdout
The last enclave to be vacated were the ruins of an old building destroyed in Liberation ’45 on Juan Luna, Binondo. It was aptly named Casbah (after the crowded quarters in Algiers). The squatters fought the city’s demolition teams to a halt and Lacson was forced to use half a dozen firetrucks to “finish” the relocation of Casbah’s tenants – dips, muggers, petty robbers, and other purveyors of vices big and small.
Re-claiming NCR
After Lacson, the nation’s capital was speedily reclaimed by squatters that slowly invaded all cities of Metro Manila. And no politician of stature ever wasted time to control squatting.
In the NCR, the squatter population is either guessed or estimated between 3.5 M and 4.5 M and QC is reported to be the nation’s squatting capital and leads all cities detached from Rizal province – Navotas, Malabon, Caloocan, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Taguig, and Pasig.
Squatters anywhere
There’s no estimate of the squatter population nationwide. In provinces, cities, and towns, squatters build their “homes” on farms, highway shoulders, roadsides, public land, etc.
Controlling squatters, now promoted to “informal settlers,” is a tall order given to barangay officials. (Comments are welcome at roming@pefianco.com).
By ATTY. ROMEO V. PEFIANCO
February 23, 2011, 10:28pm
MANILA, Philippines – DILG this week shifted to 44,000 barangays the responsibility of stopping the spread of squatter communities nationwide.
What we know is that squatting on private/public land cannot be stopped even by the national government in cities like Manila, QC, Pasay, Caloocan, Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong, all other local governments in NCR, and in all cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Spread of squatting
Squatting is a social and economic menace that has evolved in the last 50 to 60 years, especially in capital cities. River banks, shallow creeks (esteros), and small waterways have been claimed by squatters for some filthy reasons: 1) disposing of human waste and garbage is made easy, 2) their shanties are located near their place of work, 3) squatters run an underground “business or trade” that requires small capital, and 4) they can easily organize a form of “front” for election purposes.
Battlecry
Last December, the demolition of squatter leantos and shanties was stopped by President Noynoy before Christmas on humanitarian grounds.
What caught the TV viewers’ attention was their battlecry while defending themselves with steel bars and stones. They shouted, “Napakinabangan ninyo kami ng matagal” (We were useful to you for a long time). Yes, their deep grievance carried the ring of truth, especially their usefulness before and during election in May every three years.
Control in haciendas
In small provinces, about 20 of them, where poverty level has not gone down in the last few decades, the barangay officials themselves build their homes on land they don’t own.
Even in big and rich provinces where sugarcane is the principal crop, land ownership in a big town is shared by a few families which they call haciendas.
There are barangays in old and big towns that are fully located within the haciendas. The barangay government functions only with the consent of landowners.
Squatters’ beehive
In November, 1949, a maverick politician was elected congressman in the second district of Manila that includes Quiapo. He was a Negrense (from Talisay and Bacolod) named Arsenio Hilario Lacson. The nation’s capital became a beehive for squatters coming from various provinces and towns in Luzon and the south.
Their votes not needed
In November, 1951, Rep. Lacson decided to run for mayor and one of his major campaign pledges was to relocate or return all Manila squatters to their hometowns. But the candidate made it clear that their votes were not needed. NP Lacson won election by a landslide against a veteran politico and incumbent LP Mayor Manuel de la Fuente.
Demolition
Lacson’s campaign versus squatting, especially in Intramuros in the vicinity of MB, was completely successful after six years. Shacks, shanties, lean-tos made of old plywood, burned GI sheets, and pieces of wood left by anay were demolished on riverbanks, esteros, roadsides, and sidewalks.
Holdout
The last enclave to be vacated were the ruins of an old building destroyed in Liberation ’45 on Juan Luna, Binondo. It was aptly named Casbah (after the crowded quarters in Algiers). The squatters fought the city’s demolition teams to a halt and Lacson was forced to use half a dozen firetrucks to “finish” the relocation of Casbah’s tenants – dips, muggers, petty robbers, and other purveyors of vices big and small.
Re-claiming NCR
After Lacson, the nation’s capital was speedily reclaimed by squatters that slowly invaded all cities of Metro Manila. And no politician of stature ever wasted time to control squatting.
In the NCR, the squatter population is either guessed or estimated between 3.5 M and 4.5 M and QC is reported to be the nation’s squatting capital and leads all cities detached from Rizal province – Navotas, Malabon, Caloocan, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Taguig, and Pasig.
Squatters anywhere
There’s no estimate of the squatter population nationwide. In provinces, cities, and towns, squatters build their “homes” on farms, highway shoulders, roadsides, public land, etc.
Controlling squatters, now promoted to “informal settlers,” is a tall order given to barangay officials. (Comments are welcome at roming@pefianco.com).
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Bills against pollution doesn't go far enough
Philippine Daily Inquirer
A national law to regulate noise pollution is long overdue. House Bill 7072 authored by Reps. Dato Arroyo, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez et al. could be a step in the right direction, but by limiting its scope to cover only noisy car engines and the blowing of horns in “non-commercial districts,” its authors stopped short of crafting an encompassing and effective law.
Haven’t these lawmakers noticed that, more than automobiles, most of which are equipped with regulation exhaust/muffler systems, the noisier vehicles that pass through non-commercial or residential areas are tricycles, motorcycles and jeepneys with straight exhaust pipes? And if the real intent of the law is to safeguard the general health and well-being of residents in non-commercial districts, then why have its authors left out other sources of noise pollution? Some of these are:
1. Backyard/home businesses producing more than normal noise like metal fabrication shops, etc.;
2. Fighting cocks and other noisy animals (including dogs);
3. Street parties and wakes where people create noise;
4. Karaoke singing and other forms of amplified sound (whether outside or within the bounds of one’s property) above the ambient noise level or that “disturbs” or causes discomfort or annoyance to others beyond one’s property line;
5. Playing of loud music inside restaurants, stores and malls which make normal conversation impossible.
Finally, why limit the prohibition to the period from 8 p.m. till 8 a.m.? Noise pollution is still noise pollution between 8:01 a.m. and 7:59 p.m.
Noise pollution, like air pollution, causes slow death. It is like assault with a deadly weapon. It is a crime against life. Our lawmakers should get real.
—JOEY K. MONTALVO,
Nordson Green Earth Foundation,
115 Paseo de Roxas,
Bel Air IV, Makati City
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In connection with the above news, many residents of Baranggay Central I, Palompon, Leyte were so happy to learn that finally the BLITZ GRILL Beer and Grill located at Evangelista Street have been closed since Saturday, September 10, 2010.
Said establishment was a constant irritation to neighbors who has to endure the suffering every time they extend their operation to the wee hours of the morning causing most of them to suffer sleepless nights and tired bodies.
It was reported also that there are some customers who were able to bring inside the establishment their personal guns, when this is supposed to be taken by security personnel of establishments for safekeeping.
It was also claimed that some gun owners under the influence of liquor were able to illegally discharged their guns to the detriment of other law abiding customers who are just there to enjoy the night with friends, but instead were abused by these mindless critters.
Who knows, maybe other customers are also into drugs, provided that they are paying customers, the owners don't just give a damn even if what they're doing are illegal or not. "It is their concern, not ours"
In the last petition by residents of the said Baranggay, Mr. Charles Chiong, whose hotel establishment, is directly beside the protested Karaoke and Grill bar, complained that hotel guest cannot sleep due to the noise emanating from the said bar. Residents are just hoping that this is not temporary, especially if politics would enter the picture, then goodbye again to the community's wish for an undisturb and unpolluted environment
In a related action, the local LGU approved an ordinance last November 2009, "Prohibiting Nuisance in the Municipality of Palompon, Providing Penalties For Violators Thereof, and for Other Purposes" - authored by Mun. Councilor GILBERT MANONGSONG. A similar decision of the Supreme Court en banc was noted by the undersigned which I quote:
"EN BANC
G.R. No. L-17760 October 31, 1962
RAMCAR, INC., Petitioner, vs. EUSEBIO S. MILLAR, ET AL., Respondents.
REYES, J.B.L., J.: chanrobles virtual law library
Petitioner Ramcar Inc., operates and maintains an auto repair and body building shop at No. 1241 (formerly No. 1377) General Luna Street, Ermita, Manila, while the seven private respondents reside near or around the shop. Respondents brought an action before the Court of First Instance of Manila to abate the said establishment as a nuisance. That Court, after trial, dismissed the complaint, and not satisfied with the decision, the plaintiffs (respondents now) appealed the case to the Court of Appeals. The appellate court reversed the trial court's decision and entered judgment against Ramcar, Inc. as follows:
WHEREFORE, the decision of the lower court is hereby reversed and another one rendered declaring that the operation and maintenance of the establishment of the defendant corporation at No. 1241 (formerly No. 1377) General Luna St., Ermita, Manila, is a public nuisance and violates the provisions of Zonification Ordinance No. 2830, as amended by Ordinance No. 2906, of the City of Manila; ordering the defendants-appellees to remove the said establishment and all buildings and structures built therein within 30 days from the finality of this judgment; and, condemning defendant-appellee Ramcar, Inc., to pay plaintiffs-appellants the sum of P10,000.00 as special damages and P2,000.00 as attorney's fees, without costs in this instance".
I hope that our local business establishment will try to follow the law to the fullest or else the full force of the law will follow them whatever they do and wherever they go.
It can be gleaned from the above, that though the law is late in coming, it will surely catch up with them, whether they like it or not. Surely "karma" is the fruit of whatever you planted. The concerns of the many should always prevail against the concern of the few.
When in Cebu City, please visit also gregmelep.com for your retirement and real estate needs.
A national law to regulate noise pollution is long overdue. House Bill 7072 authored by Reps. Dato Arroyo, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez et al. could be a step in the right direction, but by limiting its scope to cover only noisy car engines and the blowing of horns in “non-commercial districts,” its authors stopped short of crafting an encompassing and effective law.
Haven’t these lawmakers noticed that, more than automobiles, most of which are equipped with regulation exhaust/muffler systems, the noisier vehicles that pass through non-commercial or residential areas are tricycles, motorcycles and jeepneys with straight exhaust pipes? And if the real intent of the law is to safeguard the general health and well-being of residents in non-commercial districts, then why have its authors left out other sources of noise pollution? Some of these are:
1. Backyard/home businesses producing more than normal noise like metal fabrication shops, etc.;
2. Fighting cocks and other noisy animals (including dogs);
3. Street parties and wakes where people create noise;
4. Karaoke singing and other forms of amplified sound (whether outside or within the bounds of one’s property) above the ambient noise level or that “disturbs” or causes discomfort or annoyance to others beyond one’s property line;
5. Playing of loud music inside restaurants, stores and malls which make normal conversation impossible.
Finally, why limit the prohibition to the period from 8 p.m. till 8 a.m.? Noise pollution is still noise pollution between 8:01 a.m. and 7:59 p.m.
Noise pollution, like air pollution, causes slow death. It is like assault with a deadly weapon. It is a crime against life. Our lawmakers should get real.
—JOEY K. MONTALVO,
Nordson Green Earth Foundation,
115 Paseo de Roxas,
Bel Air IV, Makati City
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In connection with the above news, many residents of Baranggay Central I, Palompon, Leyte were so happy to learn that finally the BLITZ GRILL Beer and Grill located at Evangelista Street have been closed since Saturday, September 10, 2010.
Said establishment was a constant irritation to neighbors who has to endure the suffering every time they extend their operation to the wee hours of the morning causing most of them to suffer sleepless nights and tired bodies.
It was reported also that there are some customers who were able to bring inside the establishment their personal guns, when this is supposed to be taken by security personnel of establishments for safekeeping.
It was also claimed that some gun owners under the influence of liquor were able to illegally discharged their guns to the detriment of other law abiding customers who are just there to enjoy the night with friends, but instead were abused by these mindless critters.
Who knows, maybe other customers are also into drugs, provided that they are paying customers, the owners don't just give a damn even if what they're doing are illegal or not. "It is their concern, not ours"
In the last petition by residents of the said Baranggay, Mr. Charles Chiong, whose hotel establishment, is directly beside the protested Karaoke and Grill bar, complained that hotel guest cannot sleep due to the noise emanating from the said bar. Residents are just hoping that this is not temporary, especially if politics would enter the picture, then goodbye again to the community's wish for an undisturb and unpolluted environment
In a related action, the local LGU approved an ordinance last November 2009, "Prohibiting Nuisance in the Municipality of Palompon, Providing Penalties For Violators Thereof, and for Other Purposes" - authored by Mun. Councilor GILBERT MANONGSONG. A similar decision of the Supreme Court en banc was noted by the undersigned which I quote:
"EN BANC
G.R. No. L-17760 October 31, 1962
RAMCAR, INC., Petitioner, vs. EUSEBIO S. MILLAR, ET AL., Respondents.
REYES, J.B.L., J.: chanrobles virtual law library
Petitioner Ramcar Inc., operates and maintains an auto repair and body building shop at No. 1241 (formerly No. 1377) General Luna Street, Ermita, Manila, while the seven private respondents reside near or around the shop. Respondents brought an action before the Court of First Instance of Manila to abate the said establishment as a nuisance. That Court, after trial, dismissed the complaint, and not satisfied with the decision, the plaintiffs (respondents now) appealed the case to the Court of Appeals. The appellate court reversed the trial court's decision and entered judgment against Ramcar, Inc. as follows:
WHEREFORE, the decision of the lower court is hereby reversed and another one rendered declaring that the operation and maintenance of the establishment of the defendant corporation at No. 1241 (formerly No. 1377) General Luna St., Ermita, Manila, is a public nuisance and violates the provisions of Zonification Ordinance No. 2830, as amended by Ordinance No. 2906, of the City of Manila; ordering the defendants-appellees to remove the said establishment and all buildings and structures built therein within 30 days from the finality of this judgment; and, condemning defendant-appellee Ramcar, Inc., to pay plaintiffs-appellants the sum of P10,000.00 as special damages and P2,000.00 as attorney's fees, without costs in this instance".
I hope that our local business establishment will try to follow the law to the fullest or else the full force of the law will follow them whatever they do and wherever they go.
It can be gleaned from the above, that though the law is late in coming, it will surely catch up with them, whether they like it or not. Surely "karma" is the fruit of whatever you planted. The concerns of the many should always prevail against the concern of the few.
When in Cebu City, please visit also gregmelep.com for your retirement and real estate needs.
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