Urban Life
Saving Lake Lanao
Friday, 18 May 2012 00:00
LAKE Lanao. Old as time. Significant as life. It had been a meek witness of the Moro wars where Moro heroes had shed blood and sacrifi ced lives for them to keep it. Now it has signifi cantly been degraded by time. Located in the central part of Lanao del Sur, the Lake Lanao measures 349.4 square kilometers and is the second largest lake in the country, next to Laguna de Bay. It is also one of the 17 ancient lakes in the world, believed to have existed 5.5 million years ago. It provides 50%-60% of the total power supply in the entire Mindanao, fed by four major rivers, namely Ramain, Taraka, Gata and Masiu. It is tapped by seven hydroelectric plants and serves the economy of places surrounding it because of the different businesses it fuels such as the selling of freshwater products and transportation to and from coastal provinces.
Besides the economic assistance the lake provides for its people, it also serves as the identity of the Meranaos. Literally, the word "Meranao" means dweller of the lake. Meranaos could also mean people of the lake. However, according to Pipalawan Naga, environmental consultant at the Lanao Sur Provincial Capitol, the term Lake Lanao "is a redundancy of words because 'Lanao' is merely a corruption of ranao, a Meranao word for lake...resulting to 'Lake Lake'." For the last years, the lake has been a subject of many environmental groups because of its degradation.
Col. Tatar Boriongan, chairman of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Offi ce, said that of the 18 endemic species of fi shes found in the lake only 3 of them are left. Others have been declared extinct. According to Dr. Paduman Paporo, president of the Philippine Muslim Women's Council, which has the preservation of the lake as one of its advocacies, the extinction is caused continually by the garbagedumping of the residents, by the introduction of foreign species of fi shes for breeding purposes (thereby endangering the old endemic species), and fl uctuation of water levels. Naga said the damming of a natural lake causes it to have imbalanced water levels which then adversely affect marine life. The dams were put to manipulate the fl ow of water into the turbines which extract mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is then converted into the electric power that is supplied in the entire Mindanao.
However, according to lawyer Homer Pacilan, spokesperson of the National Power Corporation- Mindanao Generation, NPC is strictly following the laws regarding the management of the dams. He said that "under the law, we are allowed only to draw a minimum amount of water to generate electricity." He added that "Our (NPC's) operations are done with due care...without destroying its [lake] condition and adversely affecting the communities surrounding it." Also, he stated that NPC only aims to "harness the potential of the water to generate electricity." Pacilan explained that once the water level of the lake has reached its lowest, then they shut down their operations to avoid negative effects on the lake and its surroundings as well. This shutting down, though, in turn, minimizes the supply of electricity in the entire Mindanao.
The water level of the lake is constantly changing, depending on the weather, Pacilan added. Furthermore, the provincial capitol said the Lake Lanao is not under the jurisdiction of the city, provincial and even regional environmental and natural resources offi ces. The Save Lake Lanao Movement (Sallam), headed by Naga, has been in a close link with the provincial government to jointly conduct studies and organize activities to protect and preserve the lake. With this, among the projects that have been conducted for the benefit of the lake was the tree-planting activity wherein the provincial capitol provided the seedlings. It also fi - nances other groups to conduct activities for the betterment of the lake.
In his Integrated Ecosystem Management Program in 2009, LDS Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. had sponsored the masteral degree in Public Management in Environmental Governance of some 20 scholars in Ateneo de Manila. All of the scholars have graduated in 2011 and are now part of various environmental projects, especially on the lake. Naga is one of them. Another group, the Philippine Muslim Women's Council under the presidency of Dr. Paduman Paporo, holds annual cleanup drives in the surroundings of the lake. It also sponsors Lake Lanao information drive in Marawi City and neighboring towns.
On the other hand, the regional of fice of DENR in Cagayan de Oro is the one assigned to the lake. Forester Samer Ambula, DENR-10's designated offi cer for the lake, said there is "a line-up of activities in the light of the protection, development and management of the Lake and its surroundings." These activities are being made under the authority of the Protected Area Management Board, which is a multi-sectored unit that involves local government units, non-government organizations, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and "other stakeholders," Ambula said.
Tree-planting activities are being conducted also under President Noy Aquino's National Greening Program. Ambula said planting more trees will help improve the state of the lake since they will lessen soil erosion and, in turn, prevent negative effects on the quality of water and marine life. Meanwhile, Senator Loren Legarda had submitted Senate Bill 3097, or the Lake Lanao Development Authority of 2012, which aims "to promote and develop Lake Lanao in a sustainable manner along with the surrounding areas that comprise its region." The LLDA will have the authority to issue Environmental Compliance Certifi cates/Certifi - cate of Non-Coverage that will serve as permit for any projects or activities that will affect the Lake Lanao Area. Most importantly, it mandates the National Police Commission to create the Lanao Lake Police that will be "trained especially for the enforcement of fi sheries and environmental laws and the rules and regulations duly promulgated by the said authority." Nonetheless, Lake Lanao is in need of help from its people, said Dr. Paporo. "The lake is our identity. If we let it die, then where shall we live?" She stated that it will take a long time to actually save the lake from being totally degraded and that it needs the help of the government and the youth, particularly. "If we let them destroy it, we let them destroy us....We have to save the lake. Then the lake will save us," Dr. Paporo stressed.
By HANIAH KRYS ILUPA and ZAIRNEE SALIC
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Sun Cellular Employees Team-Up for Benefit of Pediatric Cancer Patients
Friday, 18 May 2012 00:00
SUN Cellular employees gathered to donate blood to Pediatric Cancer Patients of the Philippine Children's Medical Center. Sun Cellular's senior vice-president for Postpaid, Broadband, New Business Marketing and Marketing Services Ricky Pena, led the over 100 employees who took time to join the cause. "This is our way of reaching out to the young patients of PCMC. We want to alleviate their plight and that of their families even in our own small way. Besides this is a good way of fostering camaraderie amongst us employees," Pena says.
Apart from Pena, other Sun Cellular executives also rolled-up their sleeves to lead their respective divisions in joining in the noble cause. The PCMC has dozens of patients currently being treated by their pediatric cancer unit.
Most of the patients, who are even as young as a newborn, are affl icted with leukemia, and need regular blood transfusion. "We are really happy with the turn-out. This donation will go a long way, and we certainly appreciate the enthusiasm of Sun Cellular employees in helping out our patients," says Dr. Jason Silva of the Pathology Department of the PCMC. "We intend to carry out events like this on an annual basis. Just as we concern ourselves in rallying our employees to work hand-in-hand in providing best value communication services, efforts should also be exerted in encouraging employees to band together for a worthy cause," says Reuben S.J. Pangan, vice-president for Customer Relationship Management of Sun Cellular. Sun Cellular is a member of the PLDT Group.
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Zamboanga Int’l Airport to change interior design
Friday, 18 May 2012 00:00
HAVING an attractive and orderly airport can help increase investments and improve tourism, Teresita Socorro Ramos, vice chair of the Regional Development Council 9, said during the launching of the Zamboanga International Airport Interior Design Contest Tuesday morning. Speaking to reporters, Ramos said the contest is a most welcome move to improve the airport citing economic development that will result from the project. "Our ports, both air and sea ports, are our doors to those not from here. The look of these can either persuade or discourage investors and tourists from coming back here," Ramos said. Depar tment of Tourism regional director May June Bugante affi rmed Ramos's statements on improved tourism in the city.
"Tourists immediately notice the airport. This creates an impression of the place. If they have good impression, then it will inspire them to come back. This project will really help improve our tourism," Bugante said. The contest was conceived after the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region inspected the airport last year. The visit made it clear that the improvements made in the airport is still lacking and that further initiatives should be made, thus, the idea of an interior design contest was discussed. George Ledesma, RPMC-Ad Hoc Committee chair in charge of the contest, said the need to improve the airport gathered support since the proposed transfer of the airport in the east coast may have to wait for a while due to lack of funds and vital requirements to justify the transfer.
"This contest aims to improve the present airport especially its interior to improve services to the public. We have received a lot of complaints especially in the check in area. At present, we don't have any blue print for improvement of our airport. This contest aims to address that issue. We need to have a master plan for future improvement of our present airport to make our city more attractive to visitors," Ledesma said. PNA
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Physicians urged to discuss healthy lifestyle prescription to patients
Friday, 18 May 2012 00:00
IN support of the Department of Health's calls for promoting a healthy lifestyle, the Philippine College of Physicians gives its members a healthy lifestyle prescription to be discussed to their patients. The PCP, affi liate society of the Philippine Medical Association and a member-society of the International Society of Internal Medicine, has 7,660 members composed of Fellows, Full Members and Affi liate Members. The healthy lifestyle prescription was distributed to its members during the 42nd Convention of the PCP at the SMX Convetion Center.
Dr. Linda Lim Varona, an allergist and member of the PCP, said the healthy lifestyle prescription ideally would be better discussed by the physicians to their patients. Here it goes:
1. Stop Smoking. This is the single most important factor in improving the quality of your health. Smoking is linked to a host of serious diseases including cancer, heart diseases and stroke. Your fi rst priority should be to quit smoking.
2. Diet. Avoid high fat diet, e.g., French fries, burgers, processed foods, junk foods, pork, beef, cakes, soft drinks, ice cream, etc. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Additional Diet Restrictions:
3.Exercise. Being physically active is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise daily 30 minutes, e.g., walking, running, dancing, etc.
4. Maintain ideal body weight - Body Mass Index (BMI).
5. Stop alcohol drinking. If you have not started, do not drink alcohol.
6. Sleep for eight hours a day.
7. Take prescribed medications regularly.
8. Visit your doctor regularly.
9. Reduce stress by relaxation, exercise, meditation, talking to family or friends about your problems, etc.
10. Be happy.
"People tend to rely on medications and not thinking that it is through a healthy lifestyle that makes their healing or recovery fast ," Varona said, adding that even physicians tend not discuss lifestyle modifi - cation to patients and preferred giving prescription drugs. PNA
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Owwa 10 opens course on Arabic culture
Tuesday, 15 May 2012 00:00
IN order to provide learning support mechanisms for departing household services workers for the Middle East, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) has fully decentralized its Pre- Departure Orientation Seminar in Region 10. The fi rst batch of 25 trainees fi nished the one-day PDOS, followed by a three-day intensive training under the Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program last April 30 and May 2 to 4, 2012 at the Owwa Regional Offi ce in Cagayan de Oro. They were hired by three different local recruitment agencies. Three of the participants are leaving for Dubai, United Arab Emirates while the other 22 workers are bound for Kuwait. PDOS covers the following topics: General Orientation about the Country of Destination, Migration Realities, The Work Contract, Health and Safety and Managing Finances, among others.
Meanwhi le, the CPDEP course includes Arabic Language and Culture Familiarization and Stress Management. The CPDEP is Owwa's response to address the needs of the vulnerable groups especially the household service workers. It aims to educate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and prepare them for their working environment abroad where the culture and language are entirely different from that in their own country. The seminars are held on a weekly basis. Ready-to-leave household services workers who hold regular Philippine passports have already signed employment contracts and have been issued working visas by their countries of destination are qualifi ed to attend, provided that they are properly endorsed by their local agencies to Owwa Region 10. OWWA 10
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