THE PHILIPPINES’ FORUM FOR INTERNATIONAL READERS SINCE 1981
www.expatphilippines.ph
February 7-20, 2016 Vol. XXXIV No. 9
N E W S PA P E R
“I wanted my photo to have a human element on it, so I waited for passers-by. I saw one man walking and approached him for the shot. Upon seeing the photo, it surprised me that his [baseball] cap had the text "Quality of Life" written on it, giving the photo more meaning. It somehow asks the viewer which candidates they think can improve the lives of our countrymen. And the vision seems blurry, a representation of clear uncertainty,” brilliant lensman Martin San Diego wrote about this photo taken almost three years ago. Different elections, same uncertainty. For more of San Diego’s amazing shots, visit www.flickr.com/martinsandiego.
DENR urges ‘GarbageFree’ elections By VIA BAROMA
A
s the May 9 election approaches, familiar scenarios of politicians hanging their campaign posters along the streets will soon be seen. In line with these, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently launched the initiative "Garbage-Free Election 2016." The DENR partnered with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Commission on Election (COMELEC) in its drive that aims for the proper disposal of campaign material waste and to help in cleaning up the surroundings after the polls. The three government agencies will be working together to ensure that the 2016 elections respect the country's law on garbage management or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 9003).
Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the campaign was launched in anticipation for the large volumes of waste produced during the election period due to proliferation of posters, flyers and other campaign paraphernalia. "With the number of candidates on the campaign trail, one can just imagine the volume of campaign materials that will be generated and most of these will end up as garbage," Paje said. Political parties and candidates will also be told not to cut, destroy, or damage trees and plants of scenic value along public roads, plazas, parks, schools, or other public places not designated as common poster areas. "This is the topmost concern we have and our partners in the green movement who we are intensifying their campaign for a greener election, calling on the candidates themselves
to clean up their act," he added. The DENR’s waste-free elections campaign, which was first implemented during the 2013 midterm elections, is based on the provision of Republic Act 9003 also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. At present, the campaign is supported by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, major political parties, party lists, candidates, youth leaders and civil society members. DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones led the signing with DILG Policy Compliance Monitoring chief Rhodora Flores, and Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, along with local environment and natural resources officers (ENROs) representing 45 local page 3 government units.
Upgraded Cebu airport to be replicated By RICHARD RAMOS
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ore than just a fancy display of shining innovations, novel facilities, and upgraded customer satisfaction, the new and improved Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) will serve as a model for other airports in the country to follow and emulate as a result of the numerous improvements introduced by the GMR-Megawide group as the new airport management body. This was what Transportation and Communications Secretary Jun “Emilio” Abaya meant in a recent media gathering as he declared that his office will issue five PublicPrivate Partnership contracts to benefit five regional airports situated in the Visayas and Mindanao. These five airports, to be divided into two bundles, consist of Iloilo and Bacolod; and the Bohol, Davao, and the Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro. Interested parties can bid for one or both bundles as long as they are willing to spend over PhP100 page 4 billion for the entire package.