It keeps coming back like a song

Sometimes you meet the most interesting people in the most peculiar circumstances. Take this chance meeting I had with a very respectable lady who was in her sixties in one of those fruit and vegetable stalls that line up the main road of Tagaytay City last Good Friday while I was shopping for cantaloupe or what’s more commonly known hereabouts as "melon".

The lady, a balikbayan who’s staying in the country for a month visiting relatives and friends after having been gone for two decades staying in the States, said she recognized me as one of the guys on the TV program Breaking Barriers (Wednesday, 11 pm, IBC TV-13), which she saw last Holy Wednesday. Digging deep into my memory bank and agonizing for what seemed like eternity, I finally remembered that on that day we aired a replay of the interview we had with the country chairman of Pilipinas Shell, Mr. Ed Chua.

We had a long talk, about 30 minutes or so. I said long because all the time we were standing up. Although despite several years my senior, she didn’t seem to mind it and I had to look the same not showing any sign of my close to folding knees, which have been several times injured after more than two decades of playing badminton and an unrestricted stay on the basketball courts in my youth.

Our conversation centered on an issue that seemed to refuse to die but actually keeps on coming back like an old song – possible soil contamination in Pandacan, one of the issues that were discussed at length during our TV interview with Ed.

According to the lady, she has nieces and nephews who live in the immediate vicinity of the Pandacan oil depots. And she worries no end about their well-being. As you may very well know there is an on-going legal battle between the oil companies (Shell, Petron and Caltex) and the city government of Manila regarding the continued stay of the oil depots, which is considered by city officials as inimical to the residents in the area as this could very well be a prime terrorists’ target.

Soil contamination not being a part of the legal entanglements, is an issue that can actually be discussed without risk of being held in contempt as the discussions on the continued stay of the oil depots are considered sub judice.

The lady honestly believes that the possibility of soil contamination in the area cannot be discounted considering that the oil depots have been there for more than 90 years. Although she admits that she just cannot put her finger on what adverse effects soil contamination may have on the residents of the area the lady feels that the government should step in to help ensure the safety of the populace by at least exerting efforts to really determine if there is contamination. If there is, to what extent is the contamination and what adverse effects the contamination may have on the residents?

I have written about this issue in my past columns but have stopped momentarily after a middle level executive from one of the major oil companies approached me and promised to supply me with their position paper on the controversy. But none has been given so far. But I note with concern their marked interest on the matter. I was also made to understand that their principals abroad have shown interest on my writings.

Be that as it may, the issue lingers and may come back over and over again until perhaps the oil companies would make a firm stand. At the moment the issue only stands on the possibility of the presence of soil contamination. The issue of what the possible adverse effects of such contamination and the compensation to the residents if and when the presence of soil contamination produces adverse effects is not even being brought to the table yet.

I guess the saga continues.

ROTC Promotes Sportsmanship And Camaraderie

Some of those who have completed civilian military training through four semesters of ROTC or Reserve Officers Training Corps in college when it was still a requirement prior to graduation may have formed the impression than ROTC is nothing else but drills and ceremonies.

A recent shooting competition held at the Command Firing Range of the ARESCOM or the Army Reserve Command at Camp Riego de Dios in Tanza, Cavite, should change that possible mind-set about the ROTC. The very first shooting competition ever held aims to encourage the youth to join the ROTC program not only to develop their shooting skills but also to promote sportsmanship and camaraderie among themselves.

Army Chief MGeneral Efren Abu who was the guest of honor was represented in the event by MGen Raul Relano, the Army vice-commander, who also fired the first ceremonial shot to formally open the competition. He was accompanied by BGeneral Dionisio Torina, CG ARESCOM and Mayor Melencio de Sagun, Jr. of Trese Martirez City.

A total of 26 selected ROTC cadets and 13 RCDGs competed in M16 and Caliber 45 shooting competition where winners and participants were awarded with trophies, plaques and certificates of participation by MGen Claudio Estalila, Deputy Chief of Staff for reservists and retiree affairs.

The shooting competition is just one of the many activities lined up by the ARESCOM in its continuing efforts to promote awareness on the ROTC among the populace.

The Mining Industry Back To The Pits?

The recent monumental decision made by the Supreme Court affecting the mining industry shall be put on center stage this Wednesday on Breaking Barriers (11 p.m. IBC TV-13) as we spotlight Mr. Benjamin Philip Romualdez, president of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines. My brother Rey and I shall break barriers in order to get deeper insights into issues and controversies that surround the local mining industry.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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