Marcos makes a pitch for local battery production to US firms

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday made a pitch to American businessmen the plan of the Philippines to pursue local battery production, with the help of foreign technology and capital, as a solution for the country’s problems in energy supply and other energy-related issues.

the government endeavors to move the Philippines’ energy mix from traditional fossil fuels to renewables.

“And the part that batteries will play in that whole system cannot be overstated. And that is why it would be very good if we could bring the industry into the Philippines,” Marcos said, adding that battery production is an important pivot for the country with the advent of climate change.

go beyond mineral extraction to actual battery production to prop up the local value chain, technology and strong industry participation are needed to see this materialize.

“But to do that we need technology, we need of course the capital and the resources to undertake such activities. They are not small projects and so they require major funding and that again is another part of the situation that we have to deal with,” FOIL, P10 FMARCOS, P10

During a fireside chat at the Blair House in Washington with US businessmen, Marcos underscored the great potential of local battery production as

He said for the country to

“Init kaayo,” my nephew said recently.

At that time, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the heat index in various parts of the country “may hit 40°C and above.”

“At midday, expect highest air temperatures at 34-35°C in several areas,” the country’s weather bureau said. “But the heat index – or the heat felt by our bodies –may possibly exceed 40°C.”

That’s too hot to handle, indeed!

As warm-blooded beings, we maintain our body temperature with a narrow range (within one or two degrees of 37°C) despite large fluctuations in external temperatures.

“This internal temperature range must be maintained for the body to function normally,” pointed The Merck Manual of Medical Information. “Body temperature that gets too high or too low can result in serious injury to organs or death.”

Heat sickness, health experts tell us, is a fast-acting, dangerous killer. Examples include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

Trees Versus Extreme Heat

heatstroke.

Heat cramps are associated with a lack of fluids, high temperatures and a lack of physical conditions. They can be treated with water, cool air, and rest.

Heat exhaustion, on the other hand, is a serious illness and should be carefully monitored. Cool, shady environments, liquids, cool rags placed on various areas of the body, and replenishment of electrolytes are used to treat this condition.

Heatstroke is the most severe form of heat-induced illness. In fact, it is a medical emergency. The person must be brought to the hospital at once.

“Heatstroke can kill or cause damage to the brain and other internal organs,” says the website, webmd.org. “Although heatstroke mainly affects people over age 50, it also takes a toll on healthy, young athletes.”

Indeed, heat has a profound impact on our health. The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) said that extreme heat is responsible for hundreds or thousands of deaths around the world every year.

“It is also associated with an increased risk of conditions including heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Heat also exacerbates mental health conditions, hampers cognitive functioning and makes a person more aggressive,” Forbes observed.

One sustainable and less expensive way of beating extreme heat is trees. A study published in the Lancet medical journal said that planting more trees in the cities could cut the number of people dying from high temperatures in summer.

We can add the dry spell and long drought which the forthcoming El Niño brings.

“The cooling effect of trees comes largely from shading and transpiration, which is when water within the tree is released as water vapor through their leaves,” explains New Scientist. “This process takes heat energy from the surrounding environment for evaporation, lowering the surrounding temperature.”

Transpiration, my high school science teacher told us, is “loss of water through small tiny pores of leaves called stomata. When this water comes on the surface of the

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

“A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem.” - ALBERT EINSTEIN.

*******

As Einstein hit the nail on the head, Filipinos seem not being able to make heads or tails of their responsibilities, functions, roles and duties.

Public servants are morally obliged to be diligent and disciplined - and public service obliges them to be on their toes 24/7.

Why 24/7?

Because life and public service do not cease after office hours.

Everything on this earthly plane grinds non-stop 24 hours a day.

Excuses for omissions and commissions of mistakes do not acquit those responsible in public service.

Thus, when the power outage at the NAIA Terminal 3 occurred anew (the first was on January 1 (New Year’s Day 2023), airport leaf, the water evaporates thereby causing a cooling effect.”

This is the reason why we feel comfortable when we stand under a tree.

“Trees and other plants help cool the environment, making vegetation a simple and effective way to reduce urban heat islands,” the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said.

Studies have shown that areas shaded by trees may be 11-25°C cooler than the peak temperature of unshaded areas. Evapotranspiration, alone or in combination with shading, can help reduce peak summer temperature by 1-5°C.

But where have all our trees gone?

A few years back, I accompanied an American friend who visited a Bible school somewhere in the outskirts of Davao City. It was too late when we arrived at the place. Since there was no more electricity by 9 pm, I decided to sleep immediately.

When I woke up the following day, I didn’t see my companion in his bed. I was wondering where he went. But since it was too early to wake up, I decided to go back to sleep. It was around 6 in the morning when I heard my friend calling my name.

“What’s up?” I inquired. “I just came from that mountain up there. I went jogging. I saw this sign (showing something written on his palm). Can you read what this means?” he begged. Well, it was written in our vernacular so he didn’t understand what it meant. It said: “Guinadili ang pagpamutol sa mga kahoy!”

When I told him what those words were, he smirked. “Are you kidding me,” he said. “There are no more trees out there!”

Some records showed that 54 years after Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan “rediscovered” the Philippines, ninety-two percent (27.5 million hectares) of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares was covered with forests. This went down to 70 percent (20.9 million hectares) in 1863, then to 64 percent (18.9 million hectares) in 1920, and 36.3 percent (10.9 million hectares) in 1970.

Despite laws banning cutting of trees, deforestation still continues. So, don’t wonder why it is very hot these days.

Airport Power Outages

NEGATE NATION-BUILDING EFFORTS

and transportation authorities at the DOTr were again crucified for their lackluster performance.

One of the most sensitive areas in the national bureaucracy, the DOTr and its attached agencies have been under fire since the department went solo as a full-pledged cabinet portfolio.

The NAIA has been poorly rated as one of the worst airports around the world. But having been tagged notoriously failed to propel Congress, government policy-makers and the sitting DOTr officials themselves to craft a permanent template to erase the bad image abroad.

Every Juan, Jose and Pedro know that airports are the country’s showwindow that mirrors what a foreign visitor expects to see when he steps in and passes through immigration desks. News reports said close to 10,000 passengers were stranded because their flights were canceled as all electronic and digitalized equipment were down and out.

Filipinos are not short in creativity, organization and management but the two power outages smacks of government inefficiency, indolence and low IQ.

How then are we going to attract foreign tourists, businessmen, investors and travelers to come and see for themselves what the Philippines has in store for them if our airports are not in good shape, the equipment faulty and the personnel in disarray?

Sabotage was one of the lame excuses the DOTr offered which altogether would be considered an unacceptable mind-blowing alibi.

A saboteur group angry to strike back at the Marcos government would have eyed a HUGE, BIG landmark that would create an explosion like Mt. Pinatubo, the impact of which the international news community would pick up and take notice.

Tourism, investment and business concerns are suffering ultimately because government officials do not live up to their roles.

Filipinos are prominently known to be good copycats.

How come we cannot ape what Singapore is doing?

Our tiny island city-state neighbor operates the most beautiful and most efficient airport in the planet, thus attracting millions of visitors every year.

Considering that Singapore has a multi-ethnic society, how come its government is able to compete (with flourish) against the best Western economies?

As far as I am concerned, Singapore is the best standard we Pinoys should gauge our performance against in various aspects of governance.

Historically, Filipinos have a good idea of how the Singaporeans zoomed out of the “dark” and stood prominently in the light.

The Philippines and Singapore were both victims of Japanese occupation.

It broke out of the Malaysian

Confederation soon after World War II and relentlessly pursued a national goal that makes Singapore the envy of the world today.

Hopefully, Sec. Jaime Bautista wakes up to the reality and send some of his key men to undergo a serious study of Changi’s operations and implement them to the letter here.

His long fruitful experience with PAL as its head honcho actually made him most qualified as DOTr chief.

Or, propose to Congress to enact a law that approximate’s all of Changi’s operational success. Shouldn’t everything be done and no stone unturned as long as the job is done well?

My greatest fear today is: Suppose, another power outage happens, will there be new alibis? Will a saboteur be finally identified and arrested?

Or was that just a figment of a naughty imagination? (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!