Thursday, June 19, 2003
THE KATIPUNAN TREES GET A STATEMENT
circulated via e-mail to alumni of all three schools.
STATEMENT FROM ATENEO, MIRIAM AND UP
We Need Real and Long-term Solutions
We strongly oppose the removal of trees and destruction of islands along Katipunan Avenue. These measures will not solve the traffic problem. We need real and long-term solutions.
The MMDA is trying to do its job by widening Katipunan in order to reduce traffic. However, we contend that cutting the trees and removing the islands are in fact measures with high cost and little gain.
The damage to the environment, the compromise of safety, the deterioration of quality of life, the devaluing of community effort and the harmful anti-nature messages conveyed to the younger generation are too high a price to pay for improbable gains in traffic reduction.
We ask MMDA not to rush into their standard solutions that may have worked elsewhere but may not be appropriate or optimal given that nature of Katipunan. Katipunan is home to three major educational institutions--the Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College and the
University of the Philippines--who have been in the area since the early 1950s. Certainly speed norms even for highways have to be adjusted to this school zone.
We should not have to remind MMDA about the appropriate consultative processes required for major change efforts that affect the life of a community.
Thus, we ask that the various sectors of the Katipunan community and the MMDA work together to explore alternative solutions to the traffic problem. Specifically, we propose that all removal of trees and islands be stopped for a six-month period. During this period,
alternative measures should be seriously studied and tested. These would include (among others) the following:
I. Decongestion of Katipunan
A.Improved system of public transportation to the area
B.Possible connecting road between Ateneo and Miriam College
C.Schemes such as pick up and ride for students,
Katipunan "shuttles" or "ikots", carless days, etc.
II. Proper and strict traffic management and control
A.Enforcement of traffic and parking rules along Katipunan
B Improved system of traffic lights and better trained traffic personnel
C.Proper placement and use of service roads and sidewalks
III. Attitude and behavior change
The officials, faculty, students and employees of the Ateneo, U.P. and Miriam College, parent groups, owners of business establishments, residents, environmental activists, traffic and transport experts and all other concerned groups in collaboration with the MMDA
should work hand in hand for "hard" as well as "soft" real, long-term and sustainable solutions -- solutions that work, that we can be proud of and that we can all live with for a long time to come.
BIENVENIDO F. NEBRES, S.J.
President Ateneo de Manila
PATRICIA B. LICUANAN
President Miriam College
FRANCISCO NEMENZO
President University of the Philippines
circulated via e-mail to alumni of all three schools.
STATEMENT FROM ATENEO, MIRIAM AND UP
We Need Real and Long-term Solutions
We strongly oppose the removal of trees and destruction of islands along Katipunan Avenue. These measures will not solve the traffic problem. We need real and long-term solutions.
The MMDA is trying to do its job by widening Katipunan in order to reduce traffic. However, we contend that cutting the trees and removing the islands are in fact measures with high cost and little gain.
The damage to the environment, the compromise of safety, the deterioration of quality of life, the devaluing of community effort and the harmful anti-nature messages conveyed to the younger generation are too high a price to pay for improbable gains in traffic reduction.
We ask MMDA not to rush into their standard solutions that may have worked elsewhere but may not be appropriate or optimal given that nature of Katipunan. Katipunan is home to three major educational institutions--the Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College and the
University of the Philippines--who have been in the area since the early 1950s. Certainly speed norms even for highways have to be adjusted to this school zone.
We should not have to remind MMDA about the appropriate consultative processes required for major change efforts that affect the life of a community.
Thus, we ask that the various sectors of the Katipunan community and the MMDA work together to explore alternative solutions to the traffic problem. Specifically, we propose that all removal of trees and islands be stopped for a six-month period. During this period,
alternative measures should be seriously studied and tested. These would include (among others) the following:
I. Decongestion of Katipunan
A.Improved system of public transportation to the area
B.Possible connecting road between Ateneo and Miriam College
C.Schemes such as pick up and ride for students,
Katipunan "shuttles" or "ikots", carless days, etc.
II. Proper and strict traffic management and control
A.Enforcement of traffic and parking rules along Katipunan
B Improved system of traffic lights and better trained traffic personnel
C.Proper placement and use of service roads and sidewalks
III. Attitude and behavior change
The officials, faculty, students and employees of the Ateneo, U.P. and Miriam College, parent groups, owners of business establishments, residents, environmental activists, traffic and transport experts and all other concerned groups in collaboration with the MMDA
should work hand in hand for "hard" as well as "soft" real, long-term and sustainable solutions -- solutions that work, that we can be proud of and that we can all live with for a long time to come.
BIENVENIDO F. NEBRES, S.J.
President Ateneo de Manila
PATRICIA B. LICUANAN
President Miriam College
FRANCISCO NEMENZO
President University of the Philippines
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Pink urinals installed along on Edsa
Many Filipino men have a nasty habit of urinating on walls, posts and corners like dogs. Certainly, this habit, like spitting anywhere, should be discouraged. And to help uphold not only a visually appealing metropolis but also one that’s tamed in scent, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has set up pink urinals along the stretch of Edsa.
Patterned after the urinals designed for the sidewalks and other public places in Marikina City, the MMDA has installed the same urinals to discourage men from peeing on the streets and sidewalks.
The urinals are walled by a pink metal sheet like a horse’s shoe and inside, a drainage pipe sticks out to provide relief for men called by nature while on the road.
Finally some common sense. Now how about installing trash cans everywhere?
Many Filipino men have a nasty habit of urinating on walls, posts and corners like dogs. Certainly, this habit, like spitting anywhere, should be discouraged. And to help uphold not only a visually appealing metropolis but also one that’s tamed in scent, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has set up pink urinals along the stretch of Edsa.
Patterned after the urinals designed for the sidewalks and other public places in Marikina City, the MMDA has installed the same urinals to discourage men from peeing on the streets and sidewalks.
The urinals are walled by a pink metal sheet like a horse’s shoe and inside, a drainage pipe sticks out to provide relief for men called by nature while on the road.
Finally some common sense. Now how about installing trash cans everywhere?
Less trees for wider roads, faster travel
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be pushing through with their plan to uproot the trees that line some roads of the metro to facilitate their road widening project despite the strong opposition of environmentalists and some politicians.
...Likewise, he contested that the presence of trees on the roads would not help as much in decreasing air pollution levels as asserted by environmentalists, reasoning that the level of vehicular emission is directly proportional to its speed. Therefore, the faster the vehicle travels the lesser pollution it would cause.
He also stated in a report that most of the trees they would be plucking will have a great chance of survival with the new method of uprooting called “balling,” which the MMDA would be implementing with the assistance of the Marikina City government.
This just shows you how damn stupid out officials are. With no thought for the future, they decide to uproot and transplant trees, claiming this a means to the end which is decreasing traffic congestion. Pfeh. I sincerely DOUBT it.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be pushing through with their plan to uproot the trees that line some roads of the metro to facilitate their road widening project despite the strong opposition of environmentalists and some politicians.
...Likewise, he contested that the presence of trees on the roads would not help as much in decreasing air pollution levels as asserted by environmentalists, reasoning that the level of vehicular emission is directly proportional to its speed. Therefore, the faster the vehicle travels the lesser pollution it would cause.
He also stated in a report that most of the trees they would be plucking will have a great chance of survival with the new method of uprooting called “balling,” which the MMDA would be implementing with the assistance of the Marikina City government.
This just shows you how damn stupid out officials are. With no thought for the future, they decide to uproot and transplant trees, claiming this a means to the end which is decreasing traffic congestion. Pfeh. I sincerely DOUBT it.
MMDA to propose ordinance against “burloloys” and noise pollution
The MMDA will be submitting an ordinance against buses and other vehicles with loud horns plying the metro streets in the next conference set with the Metro Manila Council.
The idea of submitting this ordinance came after the MMDA was flooded with complaints from residents of private villages in the areas near Edsa. The residents complained of noise pollution, citing buses who indiscriminately honk their loud horns to get passengers at intersections.
The MMDA suggests that to provide immediate response, the traffic enforcers will be given the order to crush and destroy the horns of apprehended buses.
I love the "cursh and destroy". If only they put their heads together and solved the damn TRAFFIC problem, or at the very least fixed up all the construction being done on the roads, then maybe there'd be less need to toot our horns.
The MMDA will be submitting an ordinance against buses and other vehicles with loud horns plying the metro streets in the next conference set with the Metro Manila Council.
The idea of submitting this ordinance came after the MMDA was flooded with complaints from residents of private villages in the areas near Edsa. The residents complained of noise pollution, citing buses who indiscriminately honk their loud horns to get passengers at intersections.
The MMDA suggests that to provide immediate response, the traffic enforcers will be given the order to crush and destroy the horns of apprehended buses.
I love the "cursh and destroy". If only they put their heads together and solved the damn TRAFFIC problem, or at the very least fixed up all the construction being done on the roads, then maybe there'd be less need to toot our horns.
CONDOMS UNPOPULAR AMONG PINOYS - SURVEY
The Philippine National Statistics Office (PNSO), in its 2002 Family Planning Survey, said that condom usage "did not vary significantly" from 1995 up to last year. The survey revealed that of the 29,760 respondents interviewed for the survey nationwide, only 1.6 percent admitted using condoms for birth spacing.
No wonder overpopulation is our constant companion. And by the way, 1.6% of 29760 people is 476.16 people. I can't imagine how 0.16 of a person can wear condom. But that merely shows my ignorance of and disdain for, statistics. Go forth and multiply, Pinoy.
The Philippine National Statistics Office (PNSO), in its 2002 Family Planning Survey, said that condom usage "did not vary significantly" from 1995 up to last year. The survey revealed that of the 29,760 respondents interviewed for the survey nationwide, only 1.6 percent admitted using condoms for birth spacing.
No wonder overpopulation is our constant companion. And by the way, 1.6% of 29760 people is 476.16 people. I can't imagine how 0.16 of a person can wear condom. But that merely shows my ignorance of and disdain for, statistics. Go forth and multiply, Pinoy.
