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EN rri-T-F. Strategic Communication and Initiative Service

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ell/A SIRAI 11.11 I I [ l i:1 Li r 1 1 111- 4 At Zr I Roralrll rflit ungfluin C0111rIII INICA I II IN k(0 %HIV, Wily( 11111111111a10.1"...! 11411 IA I IV! c. Busines s. rtr S1,11 VII I. a tl..a T9-01-19 pcur Kaliwa Dam's forthcoming risks opportunity to approve or disap- prove te project without for&, but it has not happened. Second, the Kaliwa Dam will im- Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual peril around 170 species of plants found in almost 12,000 hectares of SERVANT LEADER forests. The construction of the dam threatens the rich flora and fauna in the mountains of Sierra Madre, ROTHERS and sisters, despite the continuous opposition which serves as the oxygen tank for to the Kaliwa Dam project, particularly by environmental the adjacent towns. Bgroups and native communities like the Agta-Dumagat- It is also important to focus on the Remontado allegiance, the Department of Environment and great effect of the Kaliwa Dam on the Natural Resources (DENR) issued an Environmental Compliance lives of the natives. In constructing Certificate to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System the dam, many natives are nearing (MWSS) this month. The ECC is a document needed for infra- the loss of their rights on their native structure projects that can negatively affect the environment. The land, livelihood and culture. Mean- ECC is one of the documents needed for the New Centennial while, repaying the country's debts Water Source—Kaliwa Dam project to push through. to China will come from every Fili- pino. Eventually, we will pay for the destructionof ournaturalresources. The DENR action got negative documents are incomplete. If the Kaliwa Dam is aiming to solve comments from different sectors From the Indigenous Political the water crisis, is it not a better way because of the many irregulari- Structure of Dumagat-Remontado to focus on preserving and restoring ties mentioned in the processes it Tribes in Tanay, , the free, pri- our forests and mountains? took. According to the Commission or, and informed consent wherein Brothers and sisters, is it righ- on Audit, the victory of the China all information and details related teous to build the Kaliwa Dam de- Energy Engineering Corp. in the to the project must be given per- spite numerous anomalies and the public bidding is suspicious since it mission by the tribes before initiat- possible damage the project can did not have the required permits, ing any construction, has not been cause? From DENR Undersecretary licenses and other important docu- completely implemented. Aside Benny Antiporda's statement, ma: ments. It seemed that an agree- from this, the construction of the jority of the people will benefit from ment between the MWSS and the access road toward the damsite is the Kaliwa Dam compared to those CEEC occurred first before the bid- currently progressing, at 35 per- who oppose it. But is it necessary to ding because, according to the law, cent. It is also clear in the EPIC that compromise the-welfare of the na- a bidder would be disqualified if the the affected communities have the tives and the environment for the

sake of our needs here in the Greater Manila area? by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and In his encyclical called Laudato broken the everlasting covenant. Si, Pope Francis said that there is Therefore a curse consumes the greater destruction to be caused Earth; its people must bear their by not giving importance to the guilt. Therefore Earth's inhabitants environment, where the number of are burned up, and very few are lef t." species of plants and animals would Brothers and sisters, let us not be cease to exist, compared to the ben- silent if we benefit from temporary efits from destroying nature. If the solutions at the expense of human- government continues to be blinded ity and the destruction of nature. and remains ignorant of the issues surrounding the Kaliwa Dam, what Make Ira habit to listen to Radio Veritas 846 is said in the Book of Isaiah 24:4- 6 Any Radyo ngSimbahan in the AM band, or through may occur: "The. Earth dries up live streaming at www.veritas846.ph and follow and withers, the world languishes its Twitter and Mstagram accounts @veritasph and and withers, the heavens languish YouTube at veritas846.ph . For your comments, with the Earth. The Earth is defiled [email protected]. STRATEGIC El PRE PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION LI g‘ STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER SERVICE AbaUNA SA Pre 11 - 01 - 19 TREE PAGE 1/ DATE

KAMM Num Solusyon sa kakulangan sa supply ng tubig ilalatag na pagrarasyon ng suplay Mapapansin natin ronment and Natural sementeryo. ng tubig dahil nangon- na kalat-lcalat ang mga Resources (DENR) na Maliban sa mas a- sumi na tayo mula dito ahensya kaya nagtu- babantayan ang imple- yang pamilya na aking noong Marso at nabig- tttruan kung sino ang mentasyon ng Kaliwa nakagisnan sa piling yan na ito ng solusyon. responsable sa kaka- Dam project, na isa ng aking mga magu- Ito ang dahilan kaya pusan ng supply ng lamang sa maraming lang, ang aking bud- nais silipin ng Palas- tubig. Dapat ding mag- proyelctong nakaamba, hing ama ang humu- yo ang anumang pag- paliwanag ang mga kasunod ng paggawad bog sa akin sa larangan labag ng mga water water concessionaire dito ng Environmental ng mapagtugong pa- concessionaire at pa- kung kaya pa ha nilang Compliance Certificate ngangasiwa at pamu- TWITTER: @Cog& Karla panagutin sa kanilang gawin ang kanilang (ECC). muno sa gobyerno. Sa pagkukulang. obligasyong suplayan Tiniyak nito na kanya ako natuto, at Inatasan ni Pangu- Bunsod ng nauulit ng tubig ang mga na- anumang paglabag at mula sa kanyang giya, . long Rodrigo Duterte na kahirapan sa supply sasakupan ng kani- hindi pagsunod sa ini- nakamulatan ko ang ang Metropolitan Wa- ng tubig, patuloy ang kanilang prangkisa. latag na kondisyon ng tamang gawi at kata- terworks and Sewerage masusing pagsusuri at Maliban sa nauna gobyerno ay magrere- patan sa paglilingkod- System (MWSS) na komprehensibong pag- nang mga pagtugon, sulta 'sa kanselasyon bayan. Utang na bob ' busisiin ang kontrata babalangkas sa isang pinamamadali na rin ng kanilang ECC. ko sa airing tatay ang ng mga water conces- polisiya na layong ng Pangulo ang maaa- Samantala, ito na- lahat ng kung sino at sionaire sa Kalakhang magpatupad ng reor- yos na pagtatayo ng man ang kauna-una- nasaan ako ngayon. Maynila kasunod ng ganisasyon sa lahat ng mga bagong pagkuku- hang Undas na hindi S a lahat ng ating pagkadismaya ng Pa- ahensya ng gobyerno nan ng supply na isa na namin malcalcasama mga kababayan, sa ngulo sa ipinatutupad na may kinalaman sa sa nalcilcitang solusyon sa pagdalaw sa puntod paggunita natin ng na patigil-tigil na ser- tubig bilang pagha- ng gobyerno upang ng aming mga mahal Undas ngayong taon, bisyo sa daloy ng tubig. handa sa pagbuo ng maibsan ang kalbaryo sa buhay ang aming nawa'y taimtim nating Hindi na dapat mu- Department of Water ng mga taga-Metro ama — si Speaker Pros- ipagdasal ang kalu- ling nararanasan ng na nasa balikat ngayon Manila. pero Nograles, bag- luwa ng ating mga mga taga-Metro Ma- ng dalawang kapulu- Nangako naman ang kus kasama na siya sa namayapang mahal sa nila ang panibagong ngan ng Kongreso. Department of Envi- aming dadalawin sa buhay. 6:::A STRATEGIC UPPER PAGET BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY li...... INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER yesaismoR c aERVICE halite •••••1C UNA SA BALITA )00- 11 - 01 - la TITLE PAGE I/ DATE

Water department ikakasa bago mag-Pasko Magiging pamasko Pagkatapos aniya ng ng liderato ng Kamara Pasko ay ang mga sena- kay Pangulong Rodri- dor naman ang didinig go Duterte ang pagpasa sa panukalang Depart- sa panukalang batas na ment of Water para magtatatag sa Depart- kung sakaling mapag- ment of Water. tibay ito ay agad na Sinabi ni Secretary to pipirmahan ni Pangu- the Cabinet Karlo Alexei long Duterte. Nograles na ang Depart- "Pagbalilc natin af- ment of Water ang medi- ter Pasko 'yung Senado um term plan rig Duterte na tang ang lculcumple- administration para mag- to niyan para mapirma- Icaroon ng lcaunting gin- han na agad ni Pangu- hawa sa nararanasang long Duterte," dagdag problema sa lcalcapusan pa ni Nograles. (Ai- ng supply rig tubig Into leen Tallping) an sa Metro Manila. Ayon kay Nograles, nangako si House Speaker Alan Peter Ca- yetano kay Pangulong Duterte na tatapusin niya ang panukala bago mag-Pasko at sikaping Malcalusot Ito sa third reading. "'Yung sa Depart- ment of Water, ang promise po ni Spea- ker Cayetano ay tata- pusin niya itong panu- kala bago mag-Pasko. So pagbalik nila from November to December ay maaaring maapruba- han na 'yan on third reading sa House of Representatives," ani Nograles. U All 1.111(„ rp,:r I nrimn 1111 Ii iPrIRI( PAIMHNI/CAIION 1" I IA I IS'EN / I "ipinornm"." I. '71 - 0 1 7 19

HAIr Facing a water crisis I understand that Maynilad plans to increase water treat- The alarm bells have been sounded this early. The rains ment plant capacity in Putatan from 300 mld to 900 mld, this year failed to fill up Metro Manila's one main source of equivalent to 600 mld, initial capacity of Kaliwa Dam. They water supply: Angat Dam. Fearful of being blamed again, will do this in modules of 150 mid. The first 150 mid is set for bidding. the water concessionaires are starting to ration water supply. As for the current crisis, Rartdolf Estrellado, COO of Mayni- Actually, even before they started rationing, the volume of lad said "upcoming mitigating measures are the increased water released from Angat Dam was at 40 cms (cubic meters production of our second Putatan plant from 100 mld (million per second) vs. normal release of 48 cms. This is because dam liters per day) to 150 mld, activation of around 50 mld of deep level remained below normal. Rains over Ipo Dam allowed the water companies to sustain wells, 20 mld of mobile treatment plants, and around 100 mld services despite the reduced allocation from Angat. They were from continuing reduction of NRW (non-revenue water)." hopeful that the dam would fill up by Rene Almendras, who now runs Manila Water for the DEMAND year end so we can get through summer. Ayalas told me that they were given permission by MWSS to AND But it hasn't been raining enough put up an additional 250 mld in Cardona, on the eastern shore lately. So, the water companies pulled , of lake. If things go smoothly with environmental SUPPLY the trigger and declared rationing. This , regulators and the LGUs, Manila Water can have 50 mld by simply means we have to be more sen- 2020 and the 200 in 2021. sible in using water. Manila Water will also depend on the rehabilitation of Perhaps we don't have to clean the Wawa Dam that was built during the colonial American oc- cars daily. We can recycle water used cupation in early 1900s. For a time, Wawa was the only water in washing clothes and dishes to flush source for Metro Manila. It was abandoned in the late 1960s toilets. We can be more conscious of pipe when Angat Dam became operational. leaks in our homes and even in public BOO CHANCO I am told that Wawa is waiting for final documentation ap- aWanted, places. proval from MWSS and other government regulators. Wawa Early this week, President Duterte Dam can add about 500 mld of new water source. threatened to use his extraordinary powers to get the con- Prime Water, the company Ricky Razon is using for the struction of the Kaliwa Dam started. Given the opposition Wawa project, said it would accelerate water availability by from indigenous tribes in the area supported by noisy leftist delivering 80 mld by 2021. Still not soon enough to help us groups, breaking ground for the dam project will be a big test next year. of Duterte's so-called political will. One last point. There seems to be an eagerness to wash I agree with President Duterte on this one. That dam project away government's fault in this crisis. The presidential has been talked about for decades, but no president had the spokesman is talking of taking over the private water distri- balls to get it constructed. And that's one big reason why we bution companies. have a water crisis in Metro Manila today. Without the dam, Of course, that delivers no new single drop of water. Worse, we are just throwing away eight billion liters of water per government management jeopardizes water distribution day from the Sierra Madre mountains to the Pacific Ocean. because government simply wouldn't know how to run the President Duterte is right to point out that the welfare of the operations that are otherwise efficiently managed by the two 20 or so million people in Mega Manila supplants whatever private water firms. rights a small group of people claim they have. But govern- These private companies have the expert staff and capa- ment must make sure the tribes are properly compensated bility to deliver water to all of us. There is no problem with and assisted to move to another nearby area. the filtration, and distribution infrastructure. The problem is water supply, and government is supposed to be responsible Still, the Kaliwa Dam will not solve the expected severe for that. water crisis by March 2020 or earlier. There are no immediate solutions that will deliver the volume of water Angat and Ipo Remember the days when government was responsible for dams cannot supply delivering water to our homes? Those were horrible days we The closest near-term strategy for the water firms is to shouldn't want to experience again. build additional water treatment capacity in their Cardona The private companies made a big mistake when they and Putatan facilities that draw water from Laguna de Bay. agreed to tweak their agreements to allow MWSS to be Tapping Laguna lake had always been a logical option. It is responsible for water supply. Government has a record of the country's largest lake and it is in a very convenient loca- miserably failing to keep up with our infrastructure needs. tion. But people haVe used the lake as their toilet for years. It was stupid to forget that. It is quite expensive to clean lake water to potable quality. Boo Chanco's e-mail address is [email protected]. Follow The cost of treating Angat water is Php 0.45 per cubic him on Twitter @boochanco meter versus Laguna water of P5.00 to P6.50. Maybe wider use of solar and wind energy can bring the cost down. Then again, too, additional Laguna lake treatment plants can go on line faster and capex shouldn't be as forbidding as building something like the Kaliwa Dam. The water companies invested in the Putatan and Cardona treatment plants because they had to expand their service areas. It was obvious MWSS will not be able to provide new water sources soon.

STRATEGIC I I UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY Pr LI assoglimm INITIATIVES PAGE TOWER SERVICE Standard 11-01-19 DATE Taking over water utilities Atienza also wants the water conces- sionaires to account for the money they have been collecting from consumers and funds borrowed from foreign in- stitutions under a Philippine govern- ment sovereign guarantee. He pointed out that the water concessionaires are WITH the relentless efforts of Buhay easily able to secure these loans under Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza, Congress the universal clean environment and just might grant President Rodrigo climate change principles. Duterte power to take over public water Water concessionaires Maynilad and utilities. Manila Water so far have not respond- This development came in the wake ed to Atienza's call for accountability. of more water service interruption by What he noticed is that leftist militants concessionaires Manila Water and are now also picking up his advocacy. Maynilad. He said that given the Left's communist Atienza, who is unrelenting in his ideology, the demand for better water campaign against the water utilities' ne- service might assume a tainted public glect since he was Environment secre- perception. tary in 1997, was able to get President Are the water utilities letting the Left Duterte to act on the people's complaint speak up on the issue given their ques- of poor water distribution. tionable credibility? Why don't they The lawmaker has been very vocal respond instead to relevant issues raised by Atienza who said that "in my case I don't have any ideology except to serve the people." The water companies Indeed, Atienza, according to many should be made supporters, should aspire for higher of- fice. But the Buhay Party-List congress- accountable for their man does not want to see any agenda inadequate service. attributed to his advocacy. He said such aspiration for higher office will be up to the people to decide at the right time. Meanwhile, the Manny Pan- about making the water utilities ac- gilinan-owned Maynilad Water Services countable for their inadequate service reiterated its support for the government despite huge amounts of funds being Kaliwa Dam project, saying it is a viable collected from resident consumers and long term solution to augmenting Metro business establishments for a water Manila's water supply shortage. There treatment facility. have been calls to stop the project by "If these public utilities were im- indigenous tribes in and Rizal. plementing a wastewater treatment They claim that the project in their an- facility, we could have been already cestral domain would destroy their availing of alternate sources in Manila livelihood. The P18.7-billion project is and Laguna de Bay," said Atienza, funded by China as a result of Duterte's pointing out that the water level sup- official visits to Beijing. ply of the precious liquid continues to But will the Kaliwa Dam serve the go lower in La Mesa Dam. poor and Metro Manila residents or will He thanked President Duterte for it simply fill the pockets of businessmen acting on his longtime advocacy of operating the two water utilities? an efficient water distribution system. Turn to AS

"The government has been pi , for the project but we have been w Taking... with them in the process of devf From Ahl the raw water sources because t, derstand the urgency of meeting , .iciso Atienza has his doubts about big Manila's water needs," said a M ni lad business giving priority to its consum- statement. The statement added tl as a ers which is why he is strongly for gov- water distributor, the company coil only- ernment to take over the water utilities. distribute water volume from . raw With many of the House members re- water source. alizing Atienza's advocacy, Congress Maynilad stated that it had been doing might just grant the President the power its part in implementing the necess ' to cancel the concessionaires contract infrastructure to meet the requirements and take over their operations. of a growing population in the PA et-0 Atienza does not consider this as his area. Maynilad said it is maximi ' victory but a win for the people who have limited supply so it can mitigate suffered long from the poor and costly wa- pact of the current low level of Mc ter services of the water utilities. Dam water. STRATEGIC TPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION Manila STORY STORY INITIATIVES PA E 1416(NERI SERVICE Standard 11 - 01 - 19 DATE TITLE . Dead in the water Dead... kaM pressures" and pressure on the budget For his part, Defense Secretary deficit cap. Delfin Lorenzana has also cautioned against rushing Cha-Cha and the shift NEDA's conclusion: The proposed to federalism, saying the government shift would lead to "unquantifia- needs to conduct a comprehensive pub- ble economic costs" and it would be lic information drive to let the people "difficult to ascertain whether or not know how federalism works. THE late Senator Aquilino "Nene" a federal structure will work in the But it's not only top public officials Pimentel Jr. was the most ardent advo- :' Socioeconomic Plan- who look askance at federalism. Last cate of a shift to a federal-parliamen- ning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia, year, surveys indicated that three in tary system of government to replace who is also NEDA Director Gener- the unitary-presidential one that we al, had also earlier warned that the four Filipinos do not approve of Char- ter change that would bring about the have at present. He even sat as co-chair regions in the country are not ready shift to a federal system of government of the Consultative Committee that for federalism, that the momentum President Rodrigo Duterte convened to of infrastructure improvement in the as they are more concerned with cop- draft a new Constitution that would set regions is going to be disrupted, and ing with high prices, and getting or into motion the shift to federalism. But that the shift to federalism would keeping a job so they can feed their with his recent passing, is the federalist entail immense expenditures, which families three square meals a day. project still viable? may increase the fiscal deficit to Filipinos also tend to look with Federalism's fervid advocates still gross domestic product ratio. suspicion at any attempt to revise insist that the shift to federalism would the fundamental law as they fear bring the country to a state of political, 11101111111— that behind this are ulterior motives, economic and social nirvana—or rea- including extending the term of sonably close to it—with the various With Pirnentel's recent elective officials. Initiatives by the regions, especially the poor ones, such passing, is the federalist Ramos and Arroyo administrations as the former Autonomous Region in to change the 1987 Constitution, for Muslim Mindanao and rechristened as project still viable? 11 instance, failed to take off as these the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, were perceived to be nothing more Caraga and Bicol, enjoying sustained MSS than ill-disguised moves to extend economic growth and well on the way Other economic managers also take their terms beyond their mandated to emancipation from poverty. But will a dim view of a shift to a federal sys- six years without reelection. it really? tem at this point. There's also the very real fear that the First of all, there's the gargantuan Finance Secretary Carlos G. shift to federalism, unless accompa- economic cost of the shift, with no less Dominguez III has gone on record as nied by a clear prohibition on political than the National Economic and De- saying that he is not totally opposing dynasties, would only strengthen their velopment Authority saying last year federalism as it is, but could not endorse hold on political and economic power. that it would cost a whopping P253.5 the federal road map in its present form, As we know, new and old political fam- billion, and this will be on top of the based on the draft shown to him, citing ilies already dominate Congress. Once total cost of running the government. its "adverse impact on fiscal space." it transforms into a constituent assem- Under two scenarios using the draft Dominguez told senators last year that bly, would these political families will- federal charter, NEDA said the incre- the country's positive credit rating may ingly give up their positions of power? mental cost of federalism would be a be put at risk if its proponents fail to I seriously doubt it. minimum of P156.6 billion and a max- address the fiscal issues related to the Given all this, I wouldn't be sur- imum of P253.5 billion on average. proposed shift to federalism. Rushing prised at all that federalism has been In the first year of implementation, the transition to a federal system with- effectively defenestrated and now prac- an additional PIO billion would be spent out addressing fiscal issues, he said, tically dead in the water. on building new offices for each of the may result in a large deficit and imperil 18 federated regions. The incremental country's credit rating. [email protected] costs running to billions of pesos will Then Budget secretary and now cover personnel services, maintenance Central Bank Governor Benjamin Dio- and other operating expenses, as well kno has opined that although he want- as the equalization fund equivalent to ed the economy opened up, the draft not less than 3 percent of the annual Charter prepared by the Constitutional national budget. Committee "does not do that." He said The agency likewise warned that the it would be key to a useful debate on proposed federal charter would lead to federalism if there was a study "look- "inevitable disruptions to the econo- ing at various scenarios. We can't just my's growth momentum and progress adopt a system of government without in infrastructure improvement ef- knowing the implications." forts," and would bring about "fiscal Tum to AS

STRATEGIC PEER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER somemmr „mmonmir SERVICE Standard 11-01 - 19 DATE rAcr I/ 2"

Takeover of water companies a bad idea RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte's warning to declare a The agency grappled with non-rev- enue water, or water pilferage, and state of emergency and take over the operations of failed to efficiently run the distribu- pthe two water concessionaires in Metro Manila amid tion business. a supply shortage will not solve the situation in hand. The government, thus, had to pri- vatize water distribution in the capital The shortage in Metro Manila and tion vigorously pursues water security region. MWSS, for one, cannot handle outlying areas stems from the swin- infrastructure projects. the huge investment outlays required dling supply of the Angat and Ipo President Duterte is empowered by in upgrading water pipes and putting a dams and the failure of the govern- the 1987 Constitution to declare a na- stop to water pilferage. ment itself to timely develop a new tional emergency and order the state to But Duterte can use his powers to source of water despite offers from the temporarily take over the operation of push for the speedy construction of private sector. privately-owned public utility or busi- the long-delayed 600 MED ICaliwa Rising population and economic ex- ness affected with public interest. Dam and other similar water infra- pansion have caught up with the lim- The option, however, will merely structure projects to address the over ited water supply in the capital region. bring the situation back to square one. dependence of concessionaires on the Authorities, including the Metropoli- The same water shortage will persist Angat Dam that supplies 97 percent of tan Waterworks and Sewerage System, because the government cannot draw the needs of Metro Manila and nearby already knew of a supply deficit of 57 much further on Angat Dam's resource. provinces. million liters a day as early as 2016. The The state, as proven in the past, is also The Kaliwa Dam and other infra- supply gap, according to a University of a bad business manager. The MWSS structure projects that address the the Philippines National Engineering ceded its control over water distribution basic needs of consumers should re- Center study, could balloon to 624 MLD in the capital region because of funding ceive national priority and be treated in 2021 unless the present administra- problems and budgetary constraints. as "projects of national significance." STRATEGIC ED UPPER PAGE] BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COM M UN I CATION STORY STORY ea INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER WMOOMW, „molar DERVICE: Standard 11-M-11P DATE TIDE: PAGE I 5.111 A UN ;It' r I I 1.111 Com eAr MN nr.or PM111111 hili 'PIA AP10,1111 Iron :Inn! 1111•111•••••••"" II I I IA N VES IS VII k m A AWedilb e'— gig Tfr7jobt C IOW

`Angat can withstand strong quake' By RAMON EFREN LAZARO to the Balara Water Filtration Plant then to households in Metro Manila. MALOLOS - Angat Dam has already Meanwhile, an environmentalist group been retrofitted to withstand a strong in Bulacan raised the scenario of a major earthquake, officials said yesterday. earthquake striking the province and Sevillo David Jr., executive director of where the evacuation centers should be the National Water Resources Board, said located. the rehabilitation of Angat Dam in Bula- Martin Francisco, chairman of the Sa- can, the primary source of water supply gip Sierra Madre Environmental Society in Metro Manila, was done two years ago. Inc., pointed out the risk of an "Angat In light of the series of earthquakes Dam break scenario" where villages that rocked Mindanao, David said they would be in harm's way should the dam have anticipated the "Big One" that might break during a major earthquake. occur so they decided to strengthen the "We are reiterating our call to the lo- dam structure. cal government units of Bulacan to make Dam officials earlier explained the public where the evacuation centers are main supply for the domestic water needs located in case a strong earthquake hits for Metro Manila comes from Angat Dam the West Valley Fault Line, causing the that flows down toward Ipo Dam then destruction of the Angat, Ipo and Bustos La Mesa Dam, before final distribution dams," he said.

I \ / { I IrAt..i I lIAr Al I 'I 151 iii IIi'iiI ‘ritr4 Stc )P.Y I r1 IA ‘11% ssIVOlri fl pi- 01 - 19 PI 1.AI! 3rd quake hits South, landslides alert raised BY MANUEL T. CATON %. ®awimailbox man of the NDRRMC. Mindanao Bureau Chief "Our operations in the affect- & JONATHAN L. MAY UGA V gonlmayuga ed areas are ongoing. Hopefully, there will be no more reported casualties," Timbal said. NOTHER strong earthquake hit The 6.5-magnitude earthquake Cotabato on Thursday morning, which struck Cotabato around 9:11 a.m. on Thursday sent frantic resi- Athe third to hit the same area this dents scampering for safety out- side residential and commercial month, sending people scrambling to buildings. open spaces seeking safety, as thousands One such mid-rise condomin- ium building outside downtown of affected families are still reeling from Davao City partially collapsed on the third strong quake after being the two previous earthquakes. condemned by engineers last Tues- 6•1••••1111111.ra PFWV,Pir VI91111.4sWiT . .AN • — istsa.aivin-aw day after the second quake. Davao City Hall extended the The National Disaster Risk Re- municipality in the Province of suspension of all classes and work duction and Management Council Cotabato. in public offices up to Monday (No- (NDRRMC) is verifying reports So far, the three earthquakes vember 4) to reassess the effect of that a chairman was have resulted in the death of eight the temblor. killed by falling debris of a covered people and injuries to 395 people, The second floor of the five- court in Makilala, a first-class according to Mark Timbal, spokes- story Ecoland 4000 condominium

tWe've already The epicenter ofThu rsday's qua ke was Aside from the Cotabato area, inten- s monitored cracks located 33 kilometers northeast of Talu- sity 7 ground shaking was also felt in ' nan,Cotabato, near the epicenters of the Kidapawan City, Santa Cruz, Matanao, in steeps slopes in some 6.6 magnitude earthquake last October Bar walan and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur. areas. This means the 29 and a 6.3-rnagnitudetremorrecorded Intensity 410 6 were felt in ía on October 16, ali9 in Cotabato. South Cotabato, General Santos City; soil is unstable and this Phivolcs Deputy Director Bart Bautista Tupi, and Isulan, and Lebak, in Sultan could result in landslides. told the BUSINESSMIRROR the earthquakes Kudarat, all the way to Gingoog City and It is best for LGUs to are all tectonic. "Earthquakes happening Cagayan de Oro City where an intensity in the same area several times is normal 3 earthquake was recorded. evacuate people at because of the movement of plates un- risk, if there are any, to derground. There are several local active Evacuation continues safer grounds to avoid faults in the area, so we expect more SINCE the hi st earthquake, a 6.3-mag- disaster."—BALTISTA Ca' thquakes to happen," he said. nitude that struck on October 16, resi- dents. of affected areas have started to Warning on landslides evacuate. The evacuation continued as ',macs is tiling out the possibility of collapsed on Thursday morning, a stronger 6.6-magnitude earthquake tsunamis, But.iiista advised , oncerned bringing the entire building one was felt anew. LGUs, particularly in areas where the floor down, with wide cracks at its So far, a total of 4,604 individuals are tremors were strongly felt, to be cau- currently staying in three emergency center. Nine occupants were injured tious against the possibility of landslides. and were rescued, eight of them evacuation centers, said Thnba I. These "Landslides can happen in steep evacuation centers--one treated on site, and one sent to a ill Magsaysay, slopes in the affected areas," he said. Davao del Sur, and two in Makilala and hospital for treatment of a lacera- "We've already monitored cracks in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato—are tion at the forehead. steeps slopes in some areas. This means now providing tempoi ary sheiterto 2,035 SEE "3RD QUAKE:. A2 the soil is unstable and this could result individuals. in landslides. It is best for LGUs to evacu- Timbal credited the concerned LGUs ate people at risk, if there are any, to safer with immediately providing theevacuees grounds to avoid disaster," he said in a their basic needs such ()stood, water arid mix of English and Filipino. medicine, as is the NDARMC protocols.

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"We have a regulation that LGUs, in Elsewhere, Duterte-Carpio disclosed case of natural calamities, will take care Cracks on building THE 56-room Ecoland condominium that cracks and damage were found in of the evacuees. There is already prepo- in Davao City was recommended to the two main bridges in downtown, sitioned food, water and medicines in be condemned after city engineers Engineers will reassess the Bankero- the areas near the evacuation centers;' han Bridge over the. n ew cracks found found cracks on the building during he said. and have limited the entry of vehicles the second strong quake on Tuesday Aside from evacuees sheltered in at the Bolton Bridge to only below 20 (October 29). Mayor Sara Duterte-Car- the three evacuation centers, 2,035 oth- tonnage weight, saying engineers de- pio said city engineers visited the con- ers have opted to put up camps in open tected a damage on the diaphragm wall dominium and already informed the spaces near their homes, Timbal said. of the bridge. building administrator a day earlier. According to Timbal, all evacuees are She said there was no tsunami alert She also called on the administrator adequately provided for by LGUs, but he or warning. to check if they were Informed of the said the NDRRMC hassent augmentation supply to the affected areas as early as order to condemn the building. She said the administrator confirmed the NGCP sustains damage THE National Grid Corp. of the Philip- Wednesday. information but disclosed some rent- pines (NGCP) said it sustained damage "Justin case the lobl supply runs out, ers did not heed the information, pur- to its Kidapawan City substation due to the augmentation supplies will be used;' portedly because they have nowhere Thursday's earthquake but assured the he said. to transfer immediately. public its Mindanao transmission back- Meanwhile, he cautioned the public The mayor was told thatonly 15 rooms bone is intact. against spreading or passing on "fake were occupied that ti me. A check by 911 It did not elaborate on the extent of news" predicting the next strong earth- Emergency responders from the rooftop the damage but said it has made "nec- quake. down to the third Floor found no one nor essary technical adjustments:' For the "We advise the public not to believe did they hear of any distress SEThe re- meantime, it shifted the load toTacurong In these hoaxes because they only add sponders have been helped by a Coast substation while itwas undertaking mea- to the tension and cause panic We ad- Guard canine unit trained to sniff cadav- sures to restore transmission services to vise the public to monitor official reports ers to check on the second and lower affected customers. from the NDRI3MC and Phivolcs onlysaid floors. It said there were no other reports Timbal. Duterte-Carpio said the second floor of transmission facilities or high-voltage had collapsed and the 911 responders equipment affected in the areas where have to use a boom equipment to avoid the earthquake was felt. touching anything that might cause fur- ther damage. STRATEGIC El UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES 4 PAGE TO eleiterater SERVICE A100 NANORNMUITANO DMAYP4A400 TAaston RA BOMA 31-01-19 PAGE 1/ DATE

Polillo Group of Islands at , Quezon bilang national tourism zone

PINANTJNUKALA ni Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga na ideklara ang Polillo Group of Islands at Iang munisipali dad ng Mauban, Quezon bilang national tourism zone. Sinabi niya na ang mamainayan ng Quezon province ay tiyak na maldkinabang sa kanyang panulcala, dahil lilikha ito ng kabuhayan at maghihikayat sa mas maraming aktibidad sa kanilang probinsiya. "Tourism plays a significant role in the social, economical, cultural, and environmental development of the society. It contributes to sustainable development of the country. It creates jobs and opportunity for people to increase their income and improve their living conditions," ani Enverga, chairman ng House Committee on Agriculture and Food. "The tourism industry is one of the world's fastest growing economic sectors and largest employer of country's manpower," banggit niya. Isinulong ni Enverga ang pagpasa ng House Bill 2680 na nagdedeklara sa Polillo Group of Islands, na binubuo ng mga bayan ng Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, Patnanungan at Jomalig; at ng munisipalidad ng Mauban bilang national tourism zone. "Polillo Main Island, consisting of coastal municipalities of Polillo, Burdeos, and Panukulan are holiday paradise in the Pacific Ocean, has remained largely untouched by tourism to this day. In between these municipalities are various existing and potential beach resorts notably, Treasure Island in Panukulan and Isla Polillo and more than a dozen resorts. Not to mention the famous Resort and the Minasawa Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary an islet where threatened birds live and thrive," sinabi niya. Binanggit niya na sa bayan ng Polillo lamang, 25,000-ektarya ng coral reefs ang matatagpuan. Sinabi ni Enverga na ang lcahit na hindi kasama ang Mauban, Quezon sa Polillo Group of Islands, ito ay isa ring "tourism potential." Sikat sa Mauban ang Island, na bantog sa mahaba nitong dalampasigan tuwing low,tide. Mg isla ay matatagpuan sa Lamon Bat, Mauban at madalas na maikukumpara sa Boracay Island sa Aklan. "This bill seeks to commence the development and promotion of the tourism potentials of the Polillo Group of Islands and Mauban, Quezon by declaring it as a tourism zone. Through this: heightened economic activities will happen and the people will benefit and the development of the islands will be achieved," ani Enverga. Inaatasan ng 11B 2680 ang Department of Tourism (DoT) sa pakikipagtulungan ng Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (I lEZA) at ng iba pang kaukulang ahensiya ng gobyerrto na maghanda ng development plan na kinabibilarigan ng pagtatayo, pagicakabit at pagrnamantine ng mga naaayong pasilidad at imprastraktura sa grupo ng mga isla. "The development plan shall ensure the preservation, protection and enhancement of the natural features, historic significance and cultural heritage of the tourism zone, while providing sustainable economic opportunities for the local community," nakasaad sa panukala.

Charissa M. Luci-Atienza

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Chile cancels 41 APEC summit, major climate gathering

SANTIAGO — Chile withdrew Violent riots have left large 'VERY DIFFICULT' Jorge Heine, a former Chilean on Wednesday as the host of parts of Santiago shut down, The environment minister of minister and now politics profes- an APEC summit next month with the metro transport system Costa Rica, which hosted a small- sor at the Pardee School of Global at which the United States and suffering nearly $400 million in er climate change meeting known Studies at Boston University, China had been expected to sign damage. said the effects of the decision A total 7,000 people have been as PreCOP25 earlier this month, a deal to ease a trade war that has said it looked very difficult to on Chile's international standing hurt the global economy, as rag- arrested and Chilean businesses stage a replacement COP like could be significant. ing street protests gripped the hit with losses of around $14 bil- Chile had planned. • "Such summits cannot be re- South American country. lion. "Anyway you look at it organiz- scheduled at will, as heads of state The abrupt move — which The Chilean government said ing a COP in Costa Rica is illusory, have their agendas full," he said. came after iveeks of riots over on Wednesday that the final of the it's impossible, beyond our capa- "The credibility of Chile as a inequality in Chile that have left Copa Libertadores, the region's bilities, it's out of the question," serious international actor and at least 18 people dead — plunged top soccer tournament, would Costa Rica's Environment and interlocutor has been compro- the Asia-Pacific Economic Co- still go ahead as planned at Santi- Energy Minister Carlos Manuel mised, and will not be easy to operation (APEC) meeting into ago's national stadium on Nov. 23 Rodriguez said. recover." — Reuters disarray, with participating coun- between Argentina's River Plate Chile's withdrawal — the first tries caught off-guard and no al- and Brazilian club Flamengo. time a nation has pulled out of ternative venue lined up. hosting a major climate summit Chilean President Sebastian CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT at such short notice — threw the Piiiera, fighting for his political The major United Nations C0P25 process into confusion and dealt survival, said he had taken the climate summit had been due to a further blow to Chile's much- "painful" decision to cancel the take place in Chile between Dec. vaunted image as one of the most summit, as well as the high-pro- 2 and Dec. 13. stable countries in LatinAmerica. file C0P25 international gather- That summit would have "This has been a very difficult ing on climate change in Decem- brought delegates from around decision, a decision that causes us ber, to focus on restoring law and 190 nations to talks aimed at order and pushing through a new thrashing out details of how to a lot of pain, because we fully un- reduce global emissions to meet derstand the importance of APEC social plan. and COP25 for Chile and for the "As president to all Chileans I the Paris climate agreement. world," Mr. Pifiera said. must always put the problems and Climate change teen activ- A foreign diplomat in Chile interests of Chileans, their needs, ist Greta Thunberg, who was who asked not to be named their desires and their hopes, traveling across the Americas to chafecterized the reaction to first," he said in a brief statement the event, said on Twitter: "My the cancellation as "more sad at the La Moneda presidential thoughts are with the people of than angry," but said he and oth- palace in Santiago. Chile," adding that she would now ers breathed a collective sigh of The APEC summit was pause her voyage and await fur- relief as logistical and security scheduled to bring together 20 ther information. concerns had mounted with the world leaders on Nov. 16-17. US The United Nations is urgently unrest in Santiago. President Donald Trump and his seeking a new venue for the con- Mr. Pifiera fired almost half Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping ference, but said it may need to his cabinet this week — including had been due to sign an interim be delayed. his finance, interior and economy agreement to end the 15-month- Chile's environment minister, ministers — in a bid to quell the old trade war. Carolina Schmidt, said several op- protests, but to little effect. The cancellation might deny tions were on the table, including With Mr. Pffiera's popularity the two leaders a chance to meet the United Nations' headquarters at an all-time low, Clileans have on neutral soil soon but the in New York and Geneva. She said been calling for nAr protests, Trump administration said it &till three other countries had also while the UN has said it will send expects to sign the deal with expressed interest but did not a team to investigate allegations na next month. A White House name them. of human rights abuses by secu- official told Reuters that Chile's Ms. Schmidt said thile would riW forces. cancellation of the trade summit retain presidency of the meeting. had caught the administratioithy surprise.