Strategically located in the country’s center of urban and industrial development, Laguna de Bay (LdB) is the largest inland body of water in the Philippines and the second largest lake in Southeast Asia. It has a surface area of 900 km2 or 90,000 hectares, which is larger than the land areas of Singapore or Metro Manila (MM) and larger than the surface area of Lake Geneva.

The lake is located along MM, Laguna, and Rizal provinces, parts of Batangas, Cavite, and Quezon. With a maximum length of 41 kms, maximum width of 36 km, and an average depth of 2.8 m, Laguna Lake is the main source of water, fish, aquaculture, agriculture food commodities, and industrial raw materials and manufactured goods. Furthermore, according to the 2005 census of NSO, the lake has a watershed population of 13.2 million.

Immortalized in the artwork of Amorsolo and in the poetry of Jose Rizal, the LdB and its surrounding environs claim an important position in our nation’s collective memory. However, its beauty and significance to the Filipinos are not a thing of the past; LdB is a living lake which continues to nourish this nation, providing water for us to drink as well as much food to our tables.

Today, our beloved LdB is in danger. She has suffered catastrophic neglect and abuse, and her condition is critical. The prominent issue is the treatment of the lake as a “back of the house” rubbish bin. Understandably, this kind of activity gives rise to developments that turn away from the lake.

Palafox Associates envisions a paradigm shift, which will encourage inhabitants to care for the lake as a “front door of development,” a feature and resource instead of neglecting the lake as a “back of the house” eyesore and rubbish bin. It is challenging to accept this vision, as the days when Amorsolo and Rizal so endearingly painted and wrote about LdB are long gone.

However, we can benefit from looking at example cities where once abused and neglected bodies of water have recovered their past magnificence and now serve as centers of urban waterfront development; these examples include the Chicago’s Lake Michigan, San Francisco Bay Area, Lake Geneva, Hanoi’s Lakes, River Seine in Paris, London’s River Thames, the New York’s Hudson, Singapore River, Dubai Creek, and Paseo del Rio in San Antonio, Texas, among others.

Present Condition

Storms, typhoons, rains, floodwaters, mud, silt, pollution, deforestation, illegal logging in uplands, abuse of the lake, and rapid urban expansion, generally growing outward from the MM area toward Laguna Lake region greatly affected LdB and its environs. The Calabarzon sub-region (the area which the lake occupies) now houses 15% of the nation’s population as it has become the catch basin to MM’s population and urbanization over-spill. The possible consequences of this rapid swelling of population include food and water shortages, increase of traffic congestion, and environmental degradation.

Despite rapid urbanization and suburbanization, LdB still flourishes as a center for agricultural and aquacultural activities. These activities include the growing of rice, animal husbandry, duck-raising, fishing and fish farming. LdB has a production capacity of Manila’s freshwater fish. Further pollution of the lake poses a major threat to this significant food supply.

Another resource threatened by continued pollution is the water itself. This is perhaps one of the most critical issues facing our nation, as it is quite simple to understand that water is the lifeblood of any human settlement. If the current trends continue, we may not have enough drinking water in MM in seven years. It is projected that within the next 30 years, the entire nation will experience a lack of potable water due primarily to pollution of our water resources. LdB serves as perhaps the single most important potential future source of potable water for the Manila Bay Metropolitan Region and Calabarzon.

Because of its strategic location, LdB has many water transport potentials. The most accessible and most commonly used thoroughfare is the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Traffic is bottlenecked at SLEX, though this serves as the main route for vehicles going to and from the South, Calabarzon to MM. Improvements in the area would relieve much of the regional congestion as well as provide opportunities to access many sites of potential interest to tourists and investors, including the Morong Church in Rizal (one of the oldest churches in the Philippines), the Angono Artists’ house, the Daranak/Batlang Falls, the Woodcarvers’ town in Paete, man-made reservoirs, the Hot Springs of Los Baños, Pagsanjan Falls, and other tourist destinations in the region.

Waterfront Development: The Vision

The objective of waterfront development is to engender an appreciation of the water that sustains us. Palafox Associates envisions a lakefront of walkable and bikeable linear parks and promenades for lakeshore communities to enjoy its shores in hopes that such development will encourage inhabitants and visitors to turn toward the lake as proud custodians.

The rehabilitation and development of LdB proceeds with certain essential goals in mind including the integration of the objectives of governmental and non-governmental agencies, such as the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), communities, business, local chapters of government, industries, and institutions. Together we strive toward a common goal of sustainable development and the future livelihood of the LdB region. Considering the opportunities, the worsening present condition and our continuing future dependence on Laguna Lake (LL), it is not only desirable to improve the conditions of LL; it is imperative.

Rehabilitation and Conceptual Design

This project reflects the optimism of rehabilitating the current state, tapping opportunities, and ensuring the environmental integrity of LL. In anticipation of the population boom and intensified urban growth of areas around the lake, it is essential to plan and design its macro-, meso-, and micro-scale components. But beyond the design sketches, and technical drawings, the approach of these designs follows the Palafox Associates’ Triple-E Paradigm, representing the fundamental principle of Environmental sustainability, social Equity, and Economic progress and profitability.

As earlier mentioned, orienting developments facing LL is a considerable antithesis to the often contemporary development paradigm of facing developments away from bodies of water. In contrast to many developments that place rivers, lakes, and other waterways at the backdoor of development, the project looks at the many opportunities LL has to offer. Such opportunities include its function as a viable transport corridor alternative to the congested roads of MM as well as land expansion that models the harmonious balance between sound environmental and man-made developments. With such developments aimed toward LL, all the more it becomes important to ensure that sustainability through the Triple-E Paradigm be thoroughly put into practice.

In the macro-scale perspective, the project involves the analysis and conceptual proposal of the potential linkages and active development areas around the lake and beyond. Magnified closer, the meso-scale context looks at the conceptual planning of a sustainable and environment-friendly mass transport system that will link MM to various coastal areas within LL. Routes and nautical channels were delineated, in which after their dredging, will allow access of commuter and commercial boats around the lake. Stations within the lake were also identified.

These areas are a unique feature of the project where artificial islands are made from dredged materials and are planned as green developments of open spaces, parks, flora and fauna sanctuaries, and low-environmental impact developments. To add, ferry stations are also designed, applying green architectural principles.

Water Transport System

As mentioned, the development of an efficient and environment-friendly mass transport system is proposed to service various growth areas around LL. These growth areas, where the ferry stations are proposed, are Binangonan, Taytay, and Angono in the Province of Rizal, Taguig City, and San Pedro and Santa Rosa in the Province of Laguna. These stations have linear and perpendicular connections. Linear linkages refer to ferry service routes that stop at consecutive stations, while perpendicular linkages cross to other stations while bypassing others.

It is anticipated that economic and population growth will soon disperse to the eastern side of LL. To this effect, accessibility and efficient transport becomes an essential. Thus, several additional stations are proposed that will service the southern and eastern areas of Laguna and the central northern areas of Rizal. This expansion will comprise the second phase of the LL Water Transport System. The identification of these suitable areas for service expansion and the designation for additional ferry terminals are based on their demographic, economic, and tourism trends. These proposed stations are located in Cubayao, Calamba City, Los Baños, Bay, Santa Cruz, Sinoloan in Laguna, and Jalajala and Tanay in Rizal. Similarly, they will all have similar linear and perpendicular connections.

Eventually, the LL Water Transport System will be integrated with the current Pasig River Transport System, thus expanding water transport from Manila to as far as eastern Laguna and Rizal. There is also potential to integrate the proposed Manila Bay Water Transport System to the integrated LL-Pasig River Transport System, ultimately tapping the potentials of water transport for increased accessibility, efficient flow of people, goods, and service, and the strengthened linkages from various LGUs. Further feasibility studies and planning will be recommended.

Transport Linkages

In the larger regional perspective, it is anticipated that the prioritized ports in the western section of LL as well as the proposed port expansion in the northern, southern, and eastern areas will act as gateways to farther regions and significant access points. For example, the role of Siniloan Station in the eastern portion of LL will become crucial as stronger land access is prioritized to link the eastern coast of Luzon to LL. Cargo megaships that traverse from far away across the Pacific Ocean may call port to the eastern coast of Quezon Province, where cargo and goods travel through land to reach Siniloan Point and distributed elsewhere after sailing within designated routes within LL.

Numerous plans have already called for the connection of Manila Bay to the Pacific Ocean, which also traverses several stations such as those located in Binangonan, Taytay, Angono, and the proposed expanded station of Tanay within the LL Water Transport System. These stations become tributary gateways to the southern areas of LL. Allowing a north-south linkage reverses the stigma of LL being a blockade of access for the southern coastal towns of LL to reach Rizal Province and other northern areas beyond.

Other proposed ferry stations that have gateway potentials include Santa Rosa, Calamba City, and Santa Cruz. These gateways connect the southern stations of LL overland to terminus coastal areas. Each route also has certain dominating land use characteristics. The western corridor linkage from Santa Rosa City station to Nasugbu, Batangas, is a more tourism-dominating route, passing by tourist destinations of Tagaytay while ending at the beach town of Nasugbu. On the southern section, the Calamba-to-Batangas-City corridor highlights commercial and institutional development as its main development thrust. Another route, with Calamba City as its main ferry station as well, crosses Taal Lake to Taal town proper, and potentially as far as Puerto Gallera. The route from Santa Cruz to Mauban, Quezon, on the other hand, looks at opening an additional access linkage of the LL region to the Pacific coast. Overall, all ferry stations will play significant roles for these development corridors to ensue.

During and after Ondoy, Laguna Lakeshore was flooded for more than 65 days. From more than 80,000 hectares, the footprint of the lake expanded to 115,000 hectares; much larger than the land areas of Metro Manila or Singapore. This excess water could be stored or collected to supply water to MM. The holding capacity of LL could be increased tremendously by deepening, desilting, and dredging the lake. With dikes around the lake and our proposal to integrate the water reservoir underneath the walkways, promenade, and parks, we could have huge volumes of water supply and a world-class urban waterfront development more than 200 kms long. An urban land for lakeshore waterfront urban development can be planned, designed, and developed similar to the lakeshore cities around Lake Michigan like Chicago and other cities, or around Geneva Lake like Geneva and other European cities.

A Call To Immediate Action

Twenty-one rivers, the Manggahan floodway, and other waterways flow into LL. It is now both very critical and imperative that it should be dredged and desilted to make it deeper and increase its holding capacity for rainwater and floodwater to avoid further disastrous floods in MM, Laguna, and Rizal; and create green islands or eco-islands out of the dredging and silting. These are two of the 23 major recommendations we put forward to the previous and current administrations, which include desilting, dredging, and creation of green islands.

This article reflects the personal opinion of the author and does not reflect the official stand of the Management Association of the Philippines. The author is a member of the MAP Board of Governors and principal architect — urban planner founder and managing partner of Palafox Associates. Feedback at map@globelines.com.ph. For previous articles, please visit <map.org.ph>.

Angono is ASEAN focal cultural site

ANGONO, Rizal – This town, also known as the country’s Arts Capital, has been chosen as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Cultural Capital Site for this month.

The ceremony tapping Angono as ASEAN Cultural Capital Site coincided with the week-long celebration of this town’s 72nd foundation day.

“Angono is a true haven for culture and the arts,” said Governor Casimiro “Junjun” Ynares, III during the official turn-over of the ASEAN flag to the municipal government from the province of Bohol, which was the last Focal ASEAN Cultural Capital Site.

The ceremony was attended by Indonesian representative Ahimsa Soekarlono; United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Commissioner Cecile Guidote-Alvarez; National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman, Vilma Labrador; and Ms. Ardy Araneta, representing Gov. Edgar Chatto of Bohol.

Meanwhile, as a climax to the week-long celebration, Angono launched the Angono Artists Village concept, through the cooperation and able support of the NCCA, UNESCO, Gawad Kalinga and the provincial government.

The proposed community is envisioned to provide residency for underprivileged but deserving Filipino artists as well as a multipurpose venue for art workshops, performances, and residency programs.

The houses shall be named after artist-heroes of the Philippines (e.g. Dr. Jose Rizal) and shall adopt Asean architectural influences in their design

RIZAL PROVINCE — Rizal Governor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III has created a task force to monitor and control of pest infestation in the province, following the alarming attack of armyworms in plantations across Southern Tagalog.

Ynares signed on Monday Executive Order No. 6 Series of 2010, establishing the Provincial Task Force which is tasked to conduct necessary measures to address the problems on infestation of armyworms and other agricultural pests.

Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) chief, Dr. Reynaldo L. Bonita was designated chairman of the task force which also includes 21 others as officers and members.

Bonita said the creation of the task force by Ynares could be the immediate solution that the province government sees now that the armyworms had already destroyed some 12 hectares of rice and vegetable crops in Jala-Jala town during the past three weeks.

Armyworms are a type of caterpillar that usually feeds on rice, vegetables and grass during the night and stay inactive and hiding in vegetation, loose soil and soil cracks during the day.

As of Tuesday, there has been no report of infestation of the armyworms in other municipalities of the province, Bonita said.

Regular consultations are being conducted by the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) with the farmers and farmer cooperatives all over the province to disseminate information on the means to kill the particular type of caterpillar which attacks at night in large number, as per regulations of the  Department of Agriculture and other national government agencies.

The PAO reported to Ynares that the infestation on Jala-Jala has already been controlled three weeks ago.

The functions of the task force also include the recommendation of ways to control the growth and infiltration of armyworms and other pests and diseases that damage the crops; formulation of plans and policies with regard to the control and prevention of the pests and facilitate implementation of the same; coordination with the local government units and private sectors in order to attain a pest and disease-free agricultural crops; to formulate, disseminate and advocate policies, principles and implement guidelines in the development and promotion of pest and disease free crops and development and provision of services for furtherance of agriculture in the province.

By Nel B. Andrade

A day after House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. refused to let him use the sprawling Batasang Pambansa grounds for his training, Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao of Saranggani is targeting the towns of San Mateo and Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) in Rizal province as possible training sites.

The boxing champion-turned-lawmaker on Friday said that he was not that serious in using the Batasan grounds as a training area, adding that he was ‘only anticipating the workload he would face once the different plenary committees in the House of Representatives start holding hearings. The Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City is home to the House of Representatives.

“Malaki ang lugar diyan [The place there is huge],” Pacquiao said, referring to the Batasan, “pero kailangan ko ang [mga] bundok para sa jogging [but I need mountains for jogging].”He added though he still has not decided which of the two Rizal towns he will use as a training ground.

“Baka sa Montalban [now Rodriguez], o kaya sa San Mateo ako magte-training [I might be training at Montalban, or perhaps in San Mateo].”Pacquiao is eyeing the two towns for their proximity to the Batasang Pambansa.

“Hindi naman talaga ako magte-training sa Congress. Wala namang gamit ang gym diyan [I’m actually not going to train at Congress. The gym there has no equipment],” he said.

Besides attending to his congressional duties and functions, the boxing icon said that he could only play basketball there with his colleagues after work and nothing else. Despite Belmonte’s pronouncement that he cannot train at the Batasan grounds, Pacquiao said that he harbors no ill feelings about it. He even admitted that it was improper to train there.

“Naintindihan ko naman ‘yun [I understand that],” he added, referring to Belmonte’s decision.

During a press conference on Thursday, the House Speaker said that Pacquiao should not train at the Batasang Pambansa grounds.

“No, it is not a good idea, sports should be sports,” Belmonte told reporters then, saying that Philippine sports should not be politicized. “This is a political place and people may be coming over to watch him.”

But Belmonte said that he supports Pacquiao as a boxer.

The Sarangani lawmaker is reportedly scheduled to fight Antonio Margarito of Mexico on November 13.

http://www.manilatimes.net
By Ruben D. Manahan 4th, Reporter

The national government, through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has turned over to the provincial government of Rizal some P29 million worth of completed development projects that will benefit residents of remote villages in the province.

The AFP said that the completed projects under the “Kalayaan sa Barangay Program” (KBP) include school buildings, water system, electrification, health center, and farm-to-market roads. KBP is part of government efforts geared towards the eradication of insurgency.

The 22 completed countryside development projects were turned over to the Rizal provincial government in a ceremony held at Barangay Kat Bayani in Tanay recently. (Elena Aben)

RIZAL PROVINCE – The provincial government is transforming the parents of students in public schools here into “super moms” and “super dads” as they undergo training on disaster management preparedness as part of the risk reduction measures in case disasters such as the great flood from tropical storm “Ondoy” last year.

This came as Rizal Governor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares, III, and the provincial council agreed on having a venue and other logistical support for the first-ever workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction Management for some 322 officers of the Federation of Parents-Teachers Association (FPTA) in the province. FPTA President Anthony Mateo said the workshop, to be held from August 17 to September 6, will be administered by the Oxfam GB, an international non-government organization which was one of the first groups to respond to disaster victims right after the onslaught of storm Ondoy in the province. (Nel B. Andrade)

With the opening of a new facility for neglected and abandoned older persons in Tanay in Rizal province, the Social Welfare department is urging the private sector to help government efforts in setting up care facilities.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) acting Secretary Celia Capadocia- Yangco pointed out a growing concern for the care of the elderly, especially amid the growing trend of labor migration.

“With more and more Filipinos considering going abroad to seek employment opportunities, their attention to the elderly in the family undermined,” she said in an interview with GMANews.TV.

She added that more and more care facilities need to be put up to ensure the well-being of older people among us.

“If there are care facilities available, Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are willing to pay for the care of their elderly members,” she said.

Yangco said the DSWD has decided to transfer the Golden Acres (home for the abandoned and neglected elderly) from Bago Bantay in Quezon City to Sampaloc in Tanay, where a bigger and better facility –the Golden Acres: Haven for the Elderly –has been erected.

She added that some 270 elderly who have been staying at Golden Acres in Bago Bantay, Quezon City can now find fulfillment in the comfort of the new facility.

The new center has nine cottages that can accommodate 300 elderly people at a given time. It has two staff houses, multi-purpose building, an infirmary unit, and one unit each for the central kitchen and central laundry, as well as the administration building.

In 2008, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allocated P200 million for the transfer of Golden Acres from Quezon City to Tanay.

Being managed by the DSWD, the new facility sits on a hilly 10-hectar lot, a conducive environment for the care and well-being of the elderly.

“The Golden Acres: Haven for the Elderly is designed to be a center of excellence, equipped with brand new facilities to ensure the well-being of the older persons,” Yangco said.

Earlier in April, the first batch of some 30 able-bodied older persons were transferred to this facility together with Golden Acres staff for them to enjoy quality senior lives, according to Acting Secretary Yangco.

Aside from managing the Golden Acres, the DSWD also operates residential care centers for victims of trafficking – the Haven for Women and the Marillac Hills. Both centers are in Alabang in Muntinlupa City. [See: RP presses for tough intl action vs cyber child porn]

The Haven for Women caters to disadvantaged women, 18 to 59 years old, who were abused, exploited and trafficked, while Marillac Hills is a rehabilitation center for girls and teenagers, 7 to 17, who were abused or were in conflict with the law. —Fernando dela Cruz/LBG, GMANews.TV