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Showing posts with label Pollution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pollution. Show all posts

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Plastic Bag Ban in Quezon City

At first thought, it seems right to ban the usage of plastic bag. The improper disposal of plastic causes clogging in the drainage system and has been suspected to be the primary cause of flooding. Quezon City is one of the cities that started banning the use of plastic bags. To discourage consumers to use plastic bags, they have placed a 2 peso charge for every plastic bag. I am all in favor of reducing the usage of plastic bag. However there should be an alternative.

This based on my experience. On my way home from work, I went to one of the 24 hour convenient store in Quezon City. I bought a few instant noodles and some other stuff. I was in the counter waiting patiently for my turn to pay. When it was finally my turn, I was asked by the cashier if I am willing to pay for the plastic bag. I don't mind paying for the plastic bag, but I asked if they have a paper bag instead. They said that they don't provide the paper bags. At that time I didn't know about the ordinance about the fee for each plastic bag. So I asked why they are charging two pesos if they were giving it for free before the ban took effect. This the answer of the cashier. The plastic bag are expensive that is why they are charging two pesos.

I don't mind paying the 2 pesos per plastic bag since I bought a lot of stuff. If I bought only 1 or two items, that would be fine. But given that I bought a lot of stuff that I couldn't carry without a bag, plastic or paper, I was obliged to pay the fee. I think establishments should provide alternative. If I bought around 15 canned goods, should they be obliged to provide a paper bag? I am still searching the net if business are obliged to provide an alternative to plastic bags. But you do know the answer please let me know

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Saturday, August 28, 2010

August 26 Flooding in the Philippines

I was on my way home from SM North EDSA last August 26, 2010. I never thought that a few minutes of rain could cause that much flooding. Some people may easily point the blame on Global warming for the flooding that day. But I think poor waste management is also responsible. Of course climate change is also a factor since the amount of rainfall was not usual but we also have to realize that by simply throwing away a small candy rapper could contribute to the garbage that is clogging our drainage system.  Check out the photos that I took using my mobile phone.


In front of Trinoma Mall









Just beneath the walkway from SM North Edsa Mall and Trinoma



Along Mindanao Avenue before turning right to Project 6

Monday, August 23, 2010

Climate change not solely to blame for Asia's massive floodin

Flooding is not uncommon but recent flooding in Philippines and Pakistan has shown that it might intensify in the future. Pakistan recently was hit by a massive flood that has claimed the lives of at least 1400 people. Last year Typhoon Ondoy (International name Ketsana) caused massive flooding that has submerged eighty percent of Metro Manila and killed at least 400 people. It is said the amount of rainfall in the Philippines during Typhoon has been  the highest in the last four decades.  Asian Leaders easily point the finger to climate change. Of course climate change is a big factor but it is not the only reason. People seem to ignore the fact that human activities are also a factor to the flooding.

Human Activities such as deforestation is one of the reasons why the frequency of flooding increases. A study by Australia’s Charles Darwin University and National University of Singapore stated that 10 percent decrease in forests is the reason why the frequency of floods increase by four to twenty eight percent.

Another factor is Pollution. Millions of homes have been erected along flood plains and water sources. Large amount of garbage are improperly dispose especially in the Metro Manila area. Garbage disposal has been a problem and no concrete solution has been proposed or made in the last few years. The garbage clogged up the sewage and waterways magnifies the flooding.

Waste management has always been a problem in the Philippines. Public officials have always had a problem in finding a suitable place to dump Metro Manila’s garbage. They should look on how to improve waste management. Proper land management is also needed to minimize pollution along flood plains. But the most important thing that they have to monitor is the deforestation. Illegal logging has been  a problem for years. They should create strict laws on how to deal with this problem and assign people to management the country’s natural resources properly. Planting one three at a time may seem like a lost cause. But the China reforestation efforts in the 1980s is one the reason why forest cover in Asia is somehow increasing.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Nueva Vizcaya approves Smoking ban

Governor Luisa Cuaresma, a known smoker, recently signed an ordinance banning smoking in public places and transportation. Under the new ordinance violators would be fine PHP 1,500 for the first offense, second time offenders would be fine PHP 2,500 and PHP 5,000 would be imposed for third time offenders. For those who could not afford the payment of this fine would be subjected to community service.

Private establishments or franchisees of public conveyances that violates this ordinance would find their license revoked or suspended depending on the mode of their violation. Posters and billboards of cigarette advertisements have already been removed from certain establishment.  Ashtrays in public workplace as well as installation of “No smoking signs” in prohibited areas would be put up once the ordinance has been fully implemented. The Municipal health offices in Nueva Vizcaya are providing help through their Smoking Cessation Program (SCP).

Under the constitution, there are laws that prohibit smoking in public places as in any mode of transportation. Section 24 of Republic Act (RA) 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 prohibits smoking inside enclosed public places and public vehicles. Local government units are directed by law to implement the provision. Section 5 of RA 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 prohibits smoking in certain public places whether enclosed or outdoors like centers of youth activity, public facilities, and public conveyances.

This is ordinance would be a great way to minimize carbon emission and would be beneficial to residents of Nueva Viscaya. It all comes down to implementation. Laws against smoking in public places have been in place for quite some time. And yet the implementation of the law is still not evident. It all comes down to the will to implement this law. Wouldn’t it be great for the Philippines to be as smoke free like Singapore? This would be beneficial for the well being of the environment and people’s health

Proposal for creation of Environmental Protection Agency

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri filed a bill on July 7, 2010 proposing the creation of an Environmental Protection agency (EPA) which would focus specifically on the country’s growing problem on pollution. The purpose of the new agency is conduct detailed research on Air pollution, water hazards, solid waste disposal, radiation and pesticides. The agency is also tasked to monitor and implement solution on how to minimize if not eradicate the pollution problems of the country.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) function is the implement government’s law on environment and the proper management of the country’s natural resources. The new agency would be responsible for establishing and enforcing environmental protection standards. They would also be tasked to advise the president and the congress on the enactment of laws which would deal with environmental protection and conservation of natural resources. Senator Zubiri said that the new agency would solely deal with matters that have a relation only to the protection, preservation and enhancement of the environment. They would also create specific rules and regulation for the control of water, air and land pollution.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

PCG failed to identify people responsible for Oil spill in Batangas

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has failed to pinpoint the people responsible for the oil spill in the Batangas shoreline. The Oil spill threatens the livelihood of over 91,000 people living in Calatagan. This oil spill would not only hurt their pockets (fishing is the primary source of income in Calatagan) but also their tummy as they really on the fish they caught for food.

Local fishers discovered the oil spill that is measured 80 meters by 4 meters. The disaster has already affected a declared fish sanctuary and a mangrove forest. The Haligi ng Batangueñong Anakdagat (Habagat) and the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) have expressed their dismay on the PCG’s effort to indentify and apprehend the people responsible for this oil spill. Several Local Fishers who discovered the Oil spill said that four foreign fishing boats were in the waters near Calatagan at that time.

Oil spill could cause economic ramifications to fishers in Calaca, Lemery, San Juan, Lian and Nasugbu. It is estimated that 10,000 families who do their fishing in Balayan Bay would be affected. The Department of Environment and Natural resources (DENR) has already sent field officers to find out who is responsible for the oil spill. Militant Fisherfolk group is not satisfy with pace of the DENR’s response to this incident.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

How do you minimize the use of plastic?

Gone are the days where Filipinos bring their bayong ( a traditional woven basket) to the market and used it to bring home their purchases. Instead supermarket are now using plastic bags. Everything is plastic. The basic needs that we use on a daily basis are in packaged in plastic. From your three in one coffee to your take out order from your favorite fast food, everything involves plastic. The problem with plastic is that it doesn’t dissolve. So everyday the pile of plastic collected from the garbage is getting higher.  Last year the floods that country experienced is not entirely because of the typhoon. The poor garbage disposal is also a big factor that lead to massive flooding in the Philippines. Plastic and other garbage clogged the sewage and leads to the flooding. 


So how do we minimize the use of plastic? These are some useful tips
1.       1. Use reusable or recyclable plastic packaging
2.       2. When your taking out food and plan to eat home, don’t ask for the plastic utensils. When buying your cup of Joe from your favorite coffee shop just bring your own mug. I think some coffee house offers incentive if you bring your own mug when purchasing their products.
3.       3. Use a fabric bag when going to purchase your grocery. Every time I go to SM north EDSA and purchase my groceries, I use the fabric bag and it doubles my reward point. Every Wednesday, the hypermarket in SM north EDSA would not put your groceries in plastic bag but they use paper bags instead. If you wish to purchase your plastic bag,  you would have additional charges.
4.       4. If you’re buying single item, you don’t to ask for the plastic bag. Instead you could put your purchases in your bag or your pocket assuming that the item is not that bulky. This would help a lot in trying to minimize the use of plastic.
5.       5. Use the plastic bag you have collected and use them as trash bags. Maximize the use of trash bag. Don’t throw it when it is not that full yet. 



Small steps would go a long way. The more plastic that we use, the more trees that we cut down. President Benigno Aquino III has declared support on banning single use plastic bags and other plastic based disposable containers during his campaign for presidency.

Monday, January 25, 2010

If the Earth is like a human body

If the Earth is like a Human Body, I would have to say that the trees are its lungs while the masses of water are the planet’s blood. Pollution is turning the water in planet to be inhabitable for certain species. I would have to say water pollution is the leukemia of the planet. Trees are the Planet’s lungs. Due to the worsening of Air pollution and increase in the greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, the planet would possible have lung cancer within a couple of years.
So if the earth is like a human body, I guess human beings are cells. There are cancer cells, those people who don’t care about the planet and prioritizes the accumulation of wealth over the environment. They cause nothing but trouble for the planet. And there are white blood cells; these are people who fight the disease called Global warming.
If the Earth is like a human Body, Global warming is like a high grade fever. If not treated, may cause brain damage, seizures and other complications. The rising of the planet’s temperature has caused the increase in frequency and intensity of storms, drought and rainfall.


If global warming is just as simple as a fever, we won’t be in that much of a problem. If global warming is a like a human’s fever, I wonder what would be the medicine for it?  
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Davao City's smoking ban

You have to praise the leaders of Davao City for implementing a City wide smoking ban in Public Places. I think a similar smoking ban was implemented in Makati but it didn’t last that long. For the first few weeks, they were rounding up people who smoking in public places.  But after a few weeks more, it seems like that there was no Smoking Ban to begin with. I think the biggest difference is that Davao has created an Anti-smoking task force while in Makati, those who are catching smokers were part of the traffic enforcers pool.  From January to July of Last year, 690 violators were apprehended by the Task force. The Ban includes government and private offices, bars, malls, churches and even Public transportation.  
I think every city in the Philippines should follow Davao’s example.  Though apprehending smoke belchers should be a priority too as well as those who burn their garbage. It’s not only dangerous to a person’s health but is also adds up to the greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.
City ordinance like this helps a lot in fighting Global warming. With the failure of climate conference in Copenhagen, little steps like this would a long way to help preserve the environment. I hope that who ever is elected for public office this May would have a strong commitment to preserve the environment


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