We’re all choking to death

This weekend a significant number of people in Metro Manila had difficulty breathing, feeling a thick blanket of smog hanging in the air. Many have noticed the worsening air pollution levels in the past few weeks – bringing to mind warnings from a doctor that indoor dwellers can suffer from the adverse effects of industrial pollution mainly due to vehicle emissions. One can only imagine the pollution residents living near major thoroughfares are exposed to with gas and carbon emissions covering the air like a gray layer as seen in this photo taken near the Domestic Airport last Saturday morning.

We are not far from China where pollution levels have become deadly, prompting the government to order the closing down of over 100 factories in Beijing alone. Last year, over 8,000 premature deaths were attributed to air pollution in Beijing and Shanghai but the figures are believed to be higher. Experts from world organizations have predicted the same for Metro Manila to be almost in the same condition.

We were saddened to hear the bad news about Gus Ojeda, the brother-in-law of Secretary Mar Roxas. Gus was jogging on his treadmill at his home in the Araneta compound in Cubao when he suddenly collapsed and died. We are convinced this was due to the lack of oxygen – an offshoot of bad air quality – which was particularly bad this weekend. Gus and his wife Ria Roxas just had a full checkup in Singapore and were both given a clean bill of health. Gus was particularly close to Mar who was like a brother and close golfing buddy.

We really need to do something and drastically improve the air quality in Metro Manila – something that Gina Lopez has been batting for through Bantay Kalikasan. Sen. Loren Legarda has been strongly advocating for the same through legislation, and in fact is opposing the DOTC’s recent decision to remove carbon dioxide from the list of gases for vehicle emission testing. CO2 is the biggest air pollutant and a major cause of global warming and climate change, and everyone should do his bit to prevent ozone-depleting gases from causing the untimely death of good young people like Gus Ojeda.

Reaction to Ayala Alabang controversy

We received a reaction and two letter attachments from Candy Carrascoso-Palisoc regarding our January 7 column item (“Another controversy in Ayala Alabang”) regarding the construction of a three-storey barangay community center along Narra and Maria Cristina Parks, saying that Barangay Ayala Alabang and the Ayala Alabang Village Association have not fully complied with the requirements of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) and Ayala Land, Inc. (developer and landowner). According to the HLURB letter addressed to Augie Palisoc Jr., approval for the construction may be given subject to certain conditions, like compliance with PD 1216, PD 957 and other applicable laws; consent from the AAV Homeowners Association and ALI and necessary permits from concerned government agencies.

But according to Barangay Secretary Baby Carandang, final approval for applications as in the case of the Barangay Community Center has long been devolved to concerned local government units, in this case Muntinlupa City, which approved the construction via Resolution No. 12-222 passed last August 28, 2012, noting that “…the HLURB has formally endorsed the project because of the long-term lease given to the Barangay by the AAVA which is the custodian of the said open spaces.” The Jan. 30, 2013 letter from ALI to AAVA was also sent five months after the approval of the construction by the Muntinlupa City Council, Carandang explained. 

Urban planner Jun Palafox who is doing the project said the building (which will house a senior citizens center and a clinic) will blend in with the environment and will not destroy the trees, the parks or the playground as some residents are claiming.

Presidential no show

President Aquino begged off at the last minute from the grand opening of the Fairmont and Raffles Hotels in Makati City due to scheduling problems, or perhaps because it was his birthday. However, the launch of the “iconic twins” was very successful, with no less than her Majesty the Queen of England showing up.  Actually, it was a dead-ringer, look alike of the British monarch who graced the event, shown in photo with Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Chris Thornley.

The hotels are under the Toronto, Canada-based Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, which supposedly explains the presence of “Her Majesty” who is the head of state of Canada. We congratulate director of communications Monique Toda for the fantastic event that included impressive A-list guests.

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