Forbes Park residents up in arms

The Forbes Park residents are up in arms because of a plan to build an eight-story commercial building across the Shell Station at the corner of EDSA and McKinley. As it is, McKinley Road is already congested with traffic coming from Ayala Avenue especially with passenger jeeps having turned the area into their terminal. Concerned residents of Forbes Park and others who will eventually be affected by the proposed structure want to file a cease and desist order knowing they would be the ones who will suffer the consequences later.

The fact of the matter is, zoning is really unheard of in Metro Manila. Just take a look at what’s happening in Fort Bonifacio Global that is supposed to cater to the high-end market with some developer having constructed one-bedroom apartments in the area facing Manila Golf – which makes the whole thing look like a “hao-shao” development. It looks like all those initial plans to turn Fort Bonifacio into a trendy and self-contained upscale residential-commercial complex have remained just that – plans, because of the seeming lack of implementation for zoning principles. 

In the United States, zoning laws and regulations are strictly implemented, with state and local governments having authority to exercise police powers over private property. Laws have long been made restricting the kind of establishments or businesses that could be built around a particular area to preserve the character of a town or city. In New York City for example, the construction of the Equitable Building in 1916 triggered a slew of protests because the 38-story structure towered over other buildings and residences, blocking windows and views and obstructing sunshine for the other residents. This gave way to the enactment of stricter zoning laws which have been followed in most other states.

Today, zoning ordinances have become even more strict and complicated in the US, with everything controlled from the shape of skyscrapers down to the number of people who are allowed to inhabit a structure depending on the square-footage or the floor-area ratio. Even the kind of activities in an area can be regulated, down to the kinds of products that may be sold in a location. In fact, the flow of air is also checked to make sure that a new building will not hamper the air rights of existing buildings. In short, everything is calculated – which is what zoning is all about. Unfortunately in Metro Manila, we have thrown zoning out of the window, which is why we are in this mess right now, with pollution and traffic all adding to the stress in our daily lives. 

Live long and prosper

Speaking of stress, British author David McCandless has very useful tips on how men and women can add years to their life (and perhaps even add life to their years) through the following 10 pointers:

1. Think positive – because cynicism can kill and take out all the joy in life.

2. Drink red wine. Moderation is always good, so a glass or two of red wine a day is good for the heart. 

3. Exercise. At least 30 minutes of moderate activity everyday helps prevent cardiovascular illnesses.

4. Have sex at least twice a week.

5. Stay solvent. Health is wealth, and being healthy can increase life span by five years.

6. Stay slim, because obesity can lower your life expectancy by about 10 years.

7. Share the love. Now this one is only for Filipino men because we’re not sure if their wives will agree to it, but polygamy is said to add nine years to a man’s life.

8. Quit smoking. This is our unsolicited advice for the leaders of this country and others as well. Smoking can take away 10 years off your life.

9. Eat a lot less. Studies have shown that mice who eat less have longer life spans.

10. Last but not the least, meditate. Meditation can cut the risk of heart problems by 30 percent, while the risk for cancer is decreased by as much as 49 percent for people who take the time to sit still and quietly reflect.

Spy tidbit

–– We were at the Manila Hotel yesterday to listen to former US president Bill Clinton talk about the challenges of globalization and the mutual interdependence between nations and people. The place was crawling with security with even the Manila Bay shoreline tightly guarded to prevent vessels from entering the breakwater, you’d think it was the current US president being secured instead of a former president. It’s rather sad that because of the terror threat in Manila, the Philippines can’t be trusted even by an ally like the US to handle the security of Bill Clinton (now known as the husband of the more popular Hillary), who has chosen to cut down his visit to just 12 hours (just like the way George W. Bush did who shortened his Manila visit to eight hours) instead of the planned two days.

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