Makati City News September 2011

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List of the 17 Regions in the Philippines
National - Capital Region ● I - Ilocos ● II - Cagayan ● III - C. Luzon ● IV-A - Calabarzon ● IV-B - Mimaropa ● V - Bicol ● VI - W. Visayas ● VII - C. Visayas ● VIII - E. Visayas ● IX - Zamboanga ● X - N. Mindanao ● XI - Davao ● XII - Soccsksargen ● XIII - Caraga ● XIV - CAR ● XV - BARMM

Within these 17 regions in the Philippines, there are 42,027 barangays, 1486 municipalities, 148 cities, 82 provinces. It has a democratic form of government and the freedom of speech is upheld by law. English is the "lingua franca" and is the mode of instruction in all high schools, colleges and universities. Laws and contracts are written in English.

• Minimize corruption and maximize prosperity with a Guarantee of One Senator per Region. They divided the Philippines into REGIONS, but kept SENATORIAL representation national with no accountability to any regions.. No wonder many regions remain poor. Petition for a regional senatorial election. All regions will have senatorial representation.

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Barangays of Makati City in the 4th district within the Metro Manila Area (NCR) of the Philippines
Bangkal | Bel-Air | Carmona | Cembo | Comembo | Dasmariñas | East Rembo | Forbes Park | Guadalupe Nuevo | Guadalupe Viejo | Kasilawan | La Paz | Magallanes | Olympia | Palanan | Pembo | Pinagkaisahan | Pio del Pilar | Pitogo | Poblacion | Post Proper Northside | Post Proper Southside | Rizal | San Antonio | San Isidro | San Lorenzo | Santa Cruz | Singkamas | South Cembo | Tejeros | Upgrade SHS Katipunan | Upgrade SHS Novaliches | Urdaneta | Valenzuela | West Rembo

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The Philippines has been a "decentralized" form of government since 1991, contrary to what most Filipinos think. Ever since the creation of Republic Act 7160, each LGU is responsible for its own domain. Even the smallest LGU the barangay creates its own Budget. It is not dependent on handouts from the city, municipality or province. "IMPERIAL MANILA IS A MYTH!", it does not exist anymore. The Philippine budget formulation system is not centralized. "Budgetary planning has been DECENTRALIZED since 1991". It is the responsibility of each LGU to submit their budgetary needs for review. Failure to submit is the problem.

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs. Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion. But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened . Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions. Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE? Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace? WHY?? There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance: The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

MAKATI GIVES ALL-OUT SUPPORT TO SYNCHRONIZED ACTION PROGRAM AGAINST DENGUE

by icrd

Friday, September 30, 2011

Source: http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/news/view.jsp?id=2780&page=1

The city government of Makati on Monday, October 3, will present Barangay Magallanes as a showcase of its progress in the citywide implementation of the “Synchronized Action to Fight Dengue in Metro Manila, Bayanihan para sa Kalusugan” spearheaded by the Department of Health Center for Health Development-Metro Manila (DOH CHD-MM).

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay said a media conference will be held this Monday at 8:30am at Magallanes Village Gym, Magdalena Circle, where he will join Director Eduardo Janairo and other DOH-CHD officials, barangay officials of Magallanes led by chairman Armand Padilla, and officials from the other villages and neighboring barangays.

“Makati is giving its all-out support to the synchronized action program against dengue, and we are glad to share our accomplishments to the public. We hope we will inspire other localities, especially those with a high incidence of sickness and death caused by dengue, to get their acts together towards making their communities dengue-free,” Binay said.

The mayor said immediately after the program was launched last August, the city government mobilized all concerned agencies at the city and barangay levels and other stakeholders to hasten its implementation. These include the Makati Health Department, Department of Education-Makati Division, Department of Environmental Services, and Liga ng mga Barangay.

Aside from conducting sustained clean-up operations in households, schools and common areas in the barangays of Makati, the combined teams have been working together in setting up ovi-larvi traps in households and schools to effectively monitor the presence of Aedes mosquitoes and destroy breeding sites.

The Makati Health Department (MHD) has also set up a Facebook account where it can post relevant information on dengue prevention and control. At the same time, updates from the various barangays, including photos documenting their weekly activities posted in the account, have enabled health officials to keep track of the program’s implementation status. The account, Mhd Dengue, already has almost 200 members to date.

Based on a report of the MHD, Makati has registered a total of 402 dengue fever cases from January 1 to September 15 of this year. To date, five deaths arising from dengue have been recorded in the city, the latest being a 27-year old female resident of Barangay Poblacion. The other four fatalities were all minors with ages ranging from three to 13 years old.

The MHD has been continuously conducting a massive health information drive on dengue through health center staff and school nurses. It has also laid larvae traps in the barangays and monitored the location of reported cases to identify high risk areas for dengue.

Makati govt owned collapsed frame

by Ferdinand Fabella

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideMetro.htm?f=2011/september/29/metro1.isx&d=2011/september/29

A NATIONWIDE organization of outdoor advertisers pointed to the Makati city government as the owner of the structure that collapsed Tuesday at the height of typhoon Pedring’s onslaught and injured two motorists.

The Makati-based Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines also clarified that the structure was not a commercial billboard but an “arc frame” not intended for regular advertising.

Motorists Leandro Torres and Lorenza Garcia were injured when strong winds toppled the steel structure, pinning them inside their Toyota Corolla sedan at the corner of Osmeña Highway and Gil Puyat Avenue.

A Mitsubishi Pajero sports utility vehicle and a passenger bus were also damaged in the incident.

The Makati city government acknowledged that it owned the collapsed structure.

City hall spokesman Joey Salgado said Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. has accepted responsibility and will most likely extend assistance to the victims.

OAAP president Ed Acosta said it has been a long-standing procedure for billboard operators to roll down all their advertising tarpaulins prior to an expected weather disturbance.

“We have advised our members and even non-members to roll down billboard tarpaulins and they complied to show and express our common concern for public safety,” he said.

Acosta also took a swipe at Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino for blaming billboard operators for Tuesday’s incident.

In a television interview, tolentino said the collapsed frame was “structurally defective” and did not comply with the regulation that it should withstand strong winds of up to 240 kilometer per hour.

Acosta said the MMDA chief should have checked his facts first before directly blaming billboard operators.

The MMDA is fighting a court order that stopped it from implementing a billboard ban.

Rapid transit system on Ayala Avenue proposed

Miguel R. Camus, BusinessMirror

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 | 10:09 AM

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/09/26/11/rapid-transit-system-ayala-avenue-proposed

MANILA, Philippines - A real estate association partly run by property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for a bus rapid transit system that will operate along Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

Anna Bautista-Dy, ALI vice president of the strategic Landbank Management Group, said the build-operate-transfer proposal submitted by the Makati Commercial Estate Association (Macea), could cost P1 billion. ALI is a “minority” stakeholder of Macea.

“The bus rapid transit system is one of the things we feel can really transform the city. We all know it is important but it needs to be done in a more streamlined manner,” Dy told reporters on Monday. She said Macea is still waiting for a response from the DOTC.

She said Macea will operate the system, which would run “end to end” within the central building district.

The new transit system aims to ease traffic along Ayala Avenue, a main thoroughfare in the country’s financial district.

The Ayala Avenue stretch will be exclusively serviced by the rapid-transit buses. It will be closed to other buses and jeepneys but open to private vehicles.

ALI is also developing the former Santa Ana Racetrack in Makati City into an “entertainment district,” parts of which will be ready for launch by 2012, Dy said.

“We would like more live performances. It will be a more outdoor-oriented [development],” Dy said, referring to plans for the 21-hectare property.

She said ALI has not yet decided whether the development will have a gaming component.

ALI first announced the partnership with Philippine Racing Club in February. Located in barangay Carmona, the property was used for horse-racing activities until the end of 2008.

ALI shares declined 1.03 percent to P13.50 each on Monday’s close.

Sprinklers for old buildings mulled

By CZARINA NICOLE O. ONG

Monday, September 26, 2011, | 4:20 PM

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/335685/sprinklers-old-buildings-mulled

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) of Makati City Monday requested for old and existing buildings and structures to be included in the two-year moratorium in complying with the installation of Automatic Fire Sprinkler System (AFSS).

In a letter to BFP-National Capital Region Director Chief Supt. Santiago Laguna, Makati Fire Marshal Supt. Ricardo Perdigon said old and existing high-rise buildings and structures should be included in the grant of two-year moratorium to comply with the requirement for installation of AFSS, provided that the buildings are compliant with other fire safety requirements provided in the Old Fire Code.

"Should they be included in the two-year moratorium, affected buildings and their respective tenants would be given the chance to be issued the Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC), to be able to continue their operations. This could increase Fire Code Revenues that would be beneficial and advantageous to the bureau,” said Perdigon in his letter.

According to him, the two-year moratorium on establishments affected by the Fire Code requirement will give building owners enough time to install the AFSS or sprinkler systems in compliance with the provision of the law.

Installation of AFSS in buildings is one of the new requirements under the new Fire Code which is more stringent in implementing fire safety measures.

Perdigon said that old and existing high-rise buildings within Makati City currently have no AFSS, and this must be included in the grant of two-year moratorium. The buildings, including their tenants, cannot be issued FSIC due to the violation.

Makati City mayor's vehicle catches fire

Sunday, September 25, 2011 | 09:08 AM

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/233382/nation/makati-city-mayors-vehicle-catches-fire

A vehicle of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. caught fire at the basement of the Makati City Hall before dawn Sunday.

No one was initially reported injured in the incident, according to a report on radio dzBB early Sunday.

The report quoted a security officer at the City Hall who said the Ford sport-utility vehicle's engine caught fire.

Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire, including the possibility that a battery short-circuited.

However, the report said investigators are still not discounting the possibility of foul play. — LBG, GMA News

Ex-soldier shoots boy dead

Friday, September 23, 2011 00:00

Source:http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/metro/13920-ex-soldier-shoots-boy-dead

POLICE launched a manhunt for a former marine soldier who allegedly shot dead his 11-year old housemate during a domestic dispute in Barangay East Rembo, Makati City yesterday.

City police officer in-charge Supt. Jaime Santos identified the suspect as Jude Darang, 29.

Darang was tagged by witnesses as the one who shot dead Aljon Darang Rasa inside their house on 24th Avenue.

The quarrel also resulted in the injury of Eduardo Darang, 21, who sustained multiple stab wounds.

Santos said they have yet to determine the cause of the trouble.

Both victims were rushed to the Ospital ng Makati in Barangay Pembo, where the victim died while being treated.

Police arrested suspects Dave Rasa, 19, a construction worker, and Jude’s 17-year old brother.

Santos said the victims and the suspects were living in the same house. Alvin Murcia

Weights from Makati City, Philippines

By Dennis Principe

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Source: http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/weights-from-makati-city-philippines-96329

In a rare local boxing event two highly-rated Filipinos are set to square off Friday night at the Makati Coliseum. Former WBA interim superflyweight champion Drian Francisco will battle one-time world title challenger Michael Domingo in a 10-round bantamweight bout. All eyes wil be on Francisco who is coming off a 12-round loss to Tepparith Singwangcha last May in Thailand. Domingo on the other hand has recovered from a controversial world title eliminator loss in South Africa when he knocked out Richard Samosir of Indonesia last July. This will be the first time two well-known Pinoys will fight atop the ring since former world champions Rolando Bohol and Dodie Boy Penalosa battled each other in 1992.

Drian Francisco 120 vs. Michael Domingo 120

Roberto Gonzales 130 vs. Balweg Bangoyan 130

Nino Magboo 122 vs. Rene Estudio 124

Jun Doliguez 127 vs. Sonny Gonzales 127

Lolito Sonsona 111 vs. Ronnie Rey Dabot 111

Renren Tesorio 106 vs. Leonardo Talisic 103

Venue: Makati Coliseum

Promoter: Saved by the Bell Promotions

TV: Solar Sports

50 sex workers rescued from Makati club

Wednesday, September 21, 2011 | 01:46 PM

Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=729470

MANILA, Philippines – Around 50 female sex workers, some of them students from various colleges in Metro Manila, were rescued when joint operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Makati City officials raided a night club in the city early today.

CIDG chief Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said members of Women and Children Protection Division (WCPD) of CIDG raided Club Pharaoh KTV located at Creekside Bldg, Amorsolo corner Javier, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

CIDG-WCPD chief, Police Superintendent Emma Libunao, said they are now preparing charges for violation of the Anti-Human Trafficking in Persons Act against the nine suspects that were also arrested.

Libunao said the raid at the Club Pharaoh KTV emanated from various complaints that the said establishment is engaging in sex trade and some of its workers are students.

Libunao said the presence of an “aquarium,” a place where customers can view and choose a female worker, is already an evidence of exploitation of women and constitutes a violation of the anti-human trafficking law. She said that aquarium can be likened to a glass container where the women are being sold as commodity for sexual services to customers.

Libunao added that based on their investigation, while customers have to pay five thousand pesos for the services of an “entertainer” inside the VIP, the woman was being paid for as low as P400 per hour by the management.

It was also learned that aside from the VIP room, the establishment have also private rooms if the customer choose to avail sexual services from the female worker of their choice by paying a total amount of P10,000.

Libunao added that the CIDG-WCPD have evidence that can prove that female workers of the said establishment perform sexual acts with customers inside the VIP and the other private rooms.

Shamcey named Makati's outstanding citizen

PIA Press Release

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=55254

MAKATI CITY, Sept. 20 (PIA) -- The city government of Makati on Monday conferred the “Gawad Lakan Tagkan,” the city’s highest award of merit, on Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup during her visit to her high school alma mater-- the Makati High School.

Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay personally presented the award, which was named after Lakan Tagkan, the pre-colonial ruler of the vast kingdom of Namayan in which Makati used to belong.

Binay said the city conferred the Gawad Lakan Tagkan to Supsup in recognition of the great success and honor she has brought to Makati City and the entire country.

“We regard Ms. Shamcey Supsup as a worthy recipient of the Gawad Lakan Tagkan for she is truly an inspiration to the Filipino youth. She is a wellspring of wisdom and experience, and an outstanding model to all Filipinos and other citizens of the world,” Binay said.

After the awarding ceremony at Makati High School, the city honored Supsup with a ticker tape parade on Ayala Avenue, which started from the Makati Central Fire Station until EDSA.

Hundreds of residents, city workers and visitors joined in the revelry.

Supsup graduated salutatorian of her batch at Makati High School in 2003 and was an active member of their Supreme Student Council. She was also sent to Japan as an exchange student scholar for the school year 2001-2002 and had been the school representative in various leadership seminars.

After graduating magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, she topped the Architecture Licensure Examination last year.

Relatively, other previous recipients of the Gawad Lakan Tagkan include Regina Paz Lopez of ABS-CBN Foundation for social service, Antonio Cabangon-Chua for media and public affairs, Francisco Licuanan III for business, and the late national artists Leandro Locsin for architecture, and Lucio San Pedro for music. (RJB/JCP/PIO Makati/PIA NCR)

Edsa, the road, not the revolution–How to survive it

By: Anne A. Jambora, Cheche V. Moral

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Source: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/14533/edsa-the-road-not-the-revolution%E2%80%93how-to-survive-it-2

Sunday, September 18th, 2011 | 1:58 AM

The world sat up—and applauded—when Filipinos staged the People Power Revolution in 1986, which came to be known as the Edsa Revolution. Since then, however, thanks to the increasing number of vehicles and people, the world (in a manner of speaking) is sitting through traffic on Edsa—and seething.

A 2009 survey showed that 300,000 commuters, every day, took this highway connecting mega Manila. That was two years ago. The number must have increased since then.

Edsa is an ugly stretch of infrastructure. It’s covered with soot and billboards. It’s an endless clutter. It’s the best proof how we don’t plan—or that we can’t follow either plan or rules.

But, like it or not, Edsa helps define our lifestyle for the simple reason that we can hardly lead a day without it.

Here, commuters give random but smart suggestions on how we can live—with Edsa

If you want to give a piece of your mind, post your comments on http://lifestyle.inquirer.net, or e-mail to lifestyle.inquirer @gmail.com.

Bus drivers!

I pass through Edsa five to six times a week. Since I don’t have to travel at rush hour, my ride is not very stressful. But the major problem are the bus drivers who think they own Edsa! More than improving the road or structure, change should start within ourselves by obeying traffic rules. And government should put the right person to strictly implement regulations.—Trisha Cruz-Cuason, 39, owner, Vintage Restore and Our Treasure Trove

Billboard jungle

I pass through Edsa almost every day. Bus drivers don’t follow traffic rules. They stop anywhere. There are unfinished road repairs and excavation projects which cause heavy traffic jam and accidents. Edsa has also become a billboard jungle.

Traffic decongestion should be a priority.

The government should improve the public transport system (modern mass transit rail lines/ more trains).

The public should also be notified about road work in advance, which should be finished on schedule.

And outdoor advertising must be be regulated.—Shelly Lazaro, 32, importer and distributor of beauty, health and wellness products; president, Rotary Club of Makati San Lorenzo

Government buses

I go through Edsa every day. The problem with bus drivers is that there’s no discipline. I’m prone to road rage, that’s why I chose to hire a driver when I came home after living in the US for almost 20 years…

The government should regulate the number of buses. Better yet, the government should own the buses, because it would be unfair to give the bus franchise only to the top two bidders. If buses are government-owned, the government can regulate the schedules of arrival and departure, which would teach Filipinos to stick to a schedule. If the bus arrives at a certain time, people will be forced to be at the bus stop at the appointed time. —Raul Matias, chocolatier-owner of Machiavelli Chocolatier New York

Repaint lines

I pass along Edsa almost every day. The color coding of the buses worked at the start but, for some reason, it’s back to the usual slow-moving traffic. I think all drivers, both for PUVs and private cars, must be educated about swerving, changing lanes and speed, etc.

Also, the bus stops with those cemented barriers don’t work. The lines of the lanes should be clear/repainted or even reflectorized so the vehicles don’t occupy two lanes at a time.

The roads should be smooth and without lubak.—China Cojuangco, chef

Political will

I live along Morato Street and work in Makati. I avoid Edsa except on Sundays and after midnight. I find the alternate route less stressful. I have no empirical evidence that my alternate route is faster or shorter, but nothing is more stress-inducing than looking at the rear end of cars crawling and stretching forever!

The answers are easy, but it’s the cost, political will and being hated by at least 13 million people that make any implementation of improvements worse than being on Edsa itself during a midnight-madness payday-Friday-it’s-raining day.—Marlon Rivera, filmmaker, fashion designer ad agency president

Bus franchises

I pass through Edsa daily. When I go home at night, there are too many half-empty buses plying Edsa. They act like they own the road, they block the main intersections, and they don’t stick to their bus lanes.

There are no proper bus pick-up and drop-off points for passengers, so half of them end up on Edsa. There’s trash all over the place because we don’t have proper trash bins.

The government should lessen the number of buses on the road by cutting down on bus permits or franchises given out. It should implement pick-up and drop-off points and enforce the rules. It should place trash bins in strategic places (the type that can’t be stolen!).—Nikka Abes, corporate communications manager, Nokia Phils.

Courtesy

I’ve learned to accept Edsa’s many flaws and live with them, which is easy if you take the stress-free innermost lane. To make Edsa better, it all begins with all motorists taking road discipline and courtesy to heart. —Faith Fernandez Aranton, 42, Avon Philippines head of PR and communications

Foot bridges

From my guest room window, I have a view of Edsa, which gives me enough warning to take a different route if I want to make my appointment on time.

I pass through Edsa at least once a week. So many buses are crowding the highway, and so many buses park anywhere to wait for passengers, becoming road obstructions. They also cut in and out of traffic.

There are not enough road signs, or they are not always visible. There are delinquent teenage boys opening taxis and snatching handbags. Foot bridges are so far apart. Passenger waiting areas are very narrow and unlighted, and with no overhang cover to protect people from the rain.

My suggestions: Add more road signs and improve their visibility. Assign roving patrols to deter juvenile delinquents and snatchers. Add more foot bridges and improve bus waiting areas so the passengers don’t spill out on the street.

Limit the number of buses running on Edsa, and apprehend traffic violators.

Citizens must also stop bribing traffic police to get out of a fix.

Government needs to run sting operations to stop this practice, and any traffic policeman who accepts money in lieu of giving a ticket should be terminated. —Christina Boyd, senior national sales director, Mary Kay

Undisciplined drivers

I get to pass through Edsa maybe only once a week, going to Makati. I normally use C5 since it is more convenient for me and there’s less traffic.

Every time I have to pass through Edsa, I feel I have to give myself time allowance because of the traffic, no matter the time of day. The buses scare me every time, too! So many undisciplined drivers; for me, they are the main cause of traffic.

More highways and alternative routes should be added. Or why not subways like in New York, plus additional trains. Or maybe, just educate and discipline the bus drivers once and for all.—Len Nepomuceno, fashion designer

Time limit

I pass through Edsa about four times a week. I hate the potholes and how buses and taxis seem to stop wherever they like without regard for other cars.

The government should ensure that roads are repaired regularly, and the MMDA should be vigilant in ensuring that buses and taxis stop in their correct zones and observe a time limit in their stops.—Vicki Abary-de Leon, features editor, Philippine Tatler

Monorail

I pass through Edsa at least 10 times a week. Problems: Errant buses, undisciplined drivers. Solutions: Implement motorcycle lanes, remove jeepneys along Edsa, reduce the number of buses, improve the road, add monorail or train track, and clear exit and entry points of traffic—Yoly Crisanto, Globe Telecom corporate communications head

Mass transit on C5

Traffic on Edsa is really a volume issue and can only be solved by rationalizing other routes. Best option is to put mass transit on C5, which is a parallel north-south connector for Metro Manila. Public transit plying C5 is all colorum, so a cost-effective mass transit solution (probably BRT or bus rapid transit) on C5 should be win-win solution for government, private operators and commuters.

I pass Edsa at least two to three times a week and lately traffic has been getting worse, even on weekends and holidays.—Kaye Tinga, civic volunteer

‘Rugby kids’

I go through Edsa every day.

Problems: Traffic, unruly drivers, bad road conditions, “rugby” kids, homeless families, panhandlers.

Solutions: I think the government should be extra-vigilant in making sure rules are followed. And if we are to be responsible citizens, we should not tolerate and encourage unlawful acts, but instead set a good a example.—Ronald Pineda, CEO of Folded & Hung

Alternate routes

I go through Edsa all the time. Many of our premiere stores (Makati and Cubao as well as North Edsa, Megamall, Mall of Asia) are in the route. This is also part of my regular commute from my home in QC to our corporate office in MOA.

Problems: Buses, especially in Cubao and Guadalupe areas, have a lot to do with congestion. There are also unannounced repairs. Solutions: More public transport and alternate routes; stricter traffic rules when it comes to buses.—Millie Dizon, SM VP for marketing

Billboards

I pass through Edsa every day of the week. Since I don’t drive, I always notice the new billboards. Edsa now looks like a billboard marketplace. There are just too many and some are pretty distracting. This causes some drivers to slow down, bringing about even more traffic.

Ideally, we should have a more beautiful Edsa with fewer billboards, and placed in a more streamlined way.—Sheena Dy, brand manager, Lancôme

Add MRT carriages

Unfortunately, I have to go through Edsa almost every day, twice a day. Problems: Traffic! buses, potholes, motorcycles, MMDA incidents, MMDA stalled vehicles.

Solutions: Regulate buses—there are just too many! Strictly implement the use of designated bus stops.

Also, stricter and consistent traffic rules for bus drivers and operators. Provide a more efficient mass transit system by adding carriages to the existing MRT.

Improve the quality of bus drivers. Mandate a thorough training of MMDA officers and instill in them greater discipline before they get deployed at Edsa.

Educate traffic enforcers to ensure that when they catch a traffic violator, they have to move the car to the rightmost lane and not interrogate the violator right smack in the middle of the road. Motorcycles, too, should not be allowed to ply Edsa! Introduce and encourage carpooling at peak hours, 7-9 a.m., 5-7 p.m.—Donna S. Perez, head of operations, American Express Adventure International Tours

Add traffic personnel

I go through Edsa an average of six times each week. I try to make it a point to take it outside of rush hours. Even with the recent MMDA crackdowns, the bus drivers are still reckless and uneducated on road rules. The government should improve regulations for bus operators and drivers, plus assign additional personnel to monitor them.—Erik Lacson, 42, IT consultant

Shaw underpass

I pass through Edsa at least 10 times in a week. Unruly drivers drop off or pick-up passengers at intersections, or overtake other buses that are doing exactly that, and in the process hog two, sometimes three, lanes. Choke points are, northbound: on the approach to the Shaw underpass where buses clog the service road and beyond; and again toward Cubao from Camp Crame.

There should be a stricter crackdown on colorum buses. Technology should be used to identify licensed buses.

In critical areas, install CCTV cameras that can zoom in on vehicle plates. Also, empower motorists to submit photos or videos of unruly vehicles that cut lanes.—Charisse Chuidian, hotel PR director

Provincial buses

Edsa is not really a part of my daily route, but I pass there thrice a week going to Makati. It’s like hell, especially during rush hour. Part of the problem is the undisciplined pedestrians and motorists, especially bus drivers! Government should strictly implement traffic rules and apprehend all violators. MMDA should revive the central terminals from north to south to prevent provincial buses from entering the city.—Edwin Tuyay, 53, on-assignment photographer, Bloomberg News

Discipline

I don’t take Edsa every week. It’s just too treacherous! I avoid it as much as possible because it’s such a pain to traverse it. I recently had to accompany someone in an ambulance and our only route to the hospital was Edsa on a Saturday night. Even with sirens blaring away, people were not giving way (especially the buses)! What should have been an easy patient transfer ended up a nightmare.

What should be done? It boils down to people: people in the vehicles, people directing traffic, people doing maintenance and those people trying to cross on foot (why are they trying to cross such a busy thoroughfare in the first place?).

Discipline is difficult to instill, yet it needs to be addressed. If those in charge would just follow through with plans and stay consistent, there might be some semblance of discipline on Edsa.—Bennii Obaña, musician and English teacher

Cubao to Crame

These are the problems: Undisciplined bus drivers hogging the road. MMDA/kotong cops in certain spots of the route. The traffic west-bound gets clogged in Cubao to Crame but loosens up after that, only to get clogged again at the Ortigas intersection. Snatchers who prowl the Guadalupe section during rush hour (they open your doors if unlocked and snatch whatever they can and run off).

Solutions: Reduce the number of buses; they seldom fill up anyway. Relocate all bus terminals that still operate on Edsa to smaller roads. Ban scooters.

Add green “eco walls” along the side walls of under- and overpasses. These are walls that can anchor plants to detox the polluted air there.—Alvin Uy, 45, writer

Alternative areas

I commute to and from Shaw, from SM North. That’s 10 times a day. Commuting is hell whether on the train or on a bus or cab. Why do we bother taking a shower in the morning?

But I see that government is trying. Buses have fast lanes. Trains are also frequent but still not enough. Maybe if we provide an alternate train route to ease the Cubao choke point? A Cubao-Pasay express train route, perhaps?

Also, there are just too many people in Manila accessing Edsa. It would be nice to promote alternative areas for business.—Angie Umbac, 40, campaigns coordinator, Rainbow Rights (R-Rights)

Makati implements tougher traffic laws

PIA Press Release

by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=54735

Saturday, September 17, 2011

MAKATI CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) -- The local government on Friday started implementing City Ordinance No. 2011-010 which amends certain provisions of the Makati City Traffic Code of 2003 and imposes stricter traffic regulations.

In a statement, it said the ordinance also imposes higher fines and penalties for drunk driving, blocking intersections and other traffic violations in the city.

According to Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay, the move is in line with the thrust of the city government to improve road safety and traffic flow in the country’s financial center, which has an average daily vehicular volume of 800,000 on regular workdays.

“The sheer volume of vehicles that ply our road network every day makes it necessary for us to take steps to ensure that motorists strictly abide by traffic rules and exercise discipline and courtesy on the road. We believe stiffer penalties are an effective deterrent to traffic violations that often cause accidents and traffic congestion,” Binay said.

The mayor said the ordinance has set higher fines for driving over a Yellow Box at an intersection, from P500 to P1,000 for the first offense, and for the second and third offenses, P2,500 and P5,000, respectively.

Disobedience to traffic control signals, on the other hand, will entail a fine of P2,500 and/or suspension of driver’s license and, for a public utility vehicle, suspension of Certificate of Public Convenience.

Binay said emphasis is being given on keeping intersections free and unobstructed because motorists, in trying to beat the red light, often enter the Yellow Box marking an intersection even if the path is not clear for an exit, and end up blocking the flow of traffic on all sides. The ordinance mandates a time limit of 15 seconds for a driver to move his or her vehicle out of a Yellow Box, reckoned from the time the traffic light facing him or her turns red.

Drunk drivers or those driving motor vehicles under the influence of drugs face stiffer sanctions in the city, as the ordinance, in addition to the P2,500 fine and/or imprisonment prescribed by the 2003 Traffic Code for the first offense, provides for the impounding of the vehicle.

The city will also strongly recommend to the Land Transportation Organization (LTO) the suspension or revocation of the drunk driver’s license. (RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)

Makati residents hit oil spill clean-up anew

by Ferdinand Fabella

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideMetro.htm?f=2011/september/15/metro2.isx&d=2011/september/15

RESIDENTS of oil spill-hit Barangay Bangkal in Makati City are up in arms over the planned installation of oil extraction equipment in their neighborhood that would supposedly hasten the recovery of oil contaminated groundwater.

In a petition addressed to Bangkal barangay chairman Fermin Eusebio, the residents said the Multi-Phase Extraction system would only bring noise and air pollution in the village, aside from causing vehicular traffic because of the influx of vehicles and heavy equipment of the First Philippine Industrial Corp.

FPIC, which owns the pipeline that had sprung a leak last year, is planning to put up the MPE in a leased property along Heneral Capinpin Street, right at the heart of the residential area.

“We oppose and object to the close proximity to our homes of the chosen location for the FPIC’s Multi-Phase Extraction processor. Our lives have already been turned upside down as a result of the FPIC fuel leak; we do not need any more unnecessary disruptions,” the villagers said.

The residents are also asking FPIC to provide them a “written, logical, and acceptable explanation” about the choice of location, including the expected air and noise pollution levels, the possible effects of extracted vapors that might be released to the atmosphere, and the volume of traffic along Heneral Capinpin Street.

MPE, or dual-phase extraction, uses a high-vacuum system to remove both contaminated groundwater and soil vapor from the subsurface. FPIC said it would take delivery of the machine from the United States within the year.

MPE has been endorsed by the Department of Science and Technology after it satisfactorily passed the Environmental Technology Verification early this year.

The performance of the technology, according to the DOST, has been proven already and verified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The DoST review of the proposed MPE technology was requested by the Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health in accordance with the government technology review protocol.

The committee is made up of the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Energy, and Health, and the city of Makati. It is mandated to ensure that the environmental remediation or removal of contaminants from Bangkal’s affected areas will be successfully implemented.

Makati readies ticker tape parade for Shamcey Supsup

Thursday, September 15, 2011 | 7:57 AM

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/232424/entertainment/makati-readies-ticker-tape-parade-for-shamcey-supsup

A ticker-tape parade in Makati City awaits Miss Universe third runner-up Shamcey Supsup upon her return to the Philippines.

In an article posted on the city government web portal, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said Supsup had graduated salutatorian from Makati High School (MHS).

"We are truly proud that Shamcey was a product of a Makati public school. Apparently, the city has not only produced outstanding alumni with scholastic achievements, but has also helped develop a world-class beauty queen," Binay said.

Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup said the support she received from Filipinos motivated her to do well in the pageant. Reuters

Aside from the ticker-tape parade along Ayala Avenue, a visit to Makati High School, where Supsup graduated in 2003, is also being prepared.

Binay said he has written Stella Araneta, who chairs the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) regarding the planned welcome for Supsup.

Supsup ranked a place higher than her predecessor, Venus Raj, who was fourth runner-up in the 2010 pageant.

Leila Lopes of Angola was crowned the 60th Miss Universe, making her the first titleholder from her country.

Aside from Supsup, the others who are part of Lopes' entourage are:

• Miss Ukraine Olesya Stefanko (1st runner-up);
• Miss Brazil Priscila Machado (2nd runner-up); and
• Miss China Luo Zilin (4th runner up).

Transferee at Makati HS

The same article said Supsup was a sophomore transferee at Makati High School, and shone not only in academics but also in extra-curricular activities.

She was an active member of their Supreme Student Council, it said.

Also, she was sent to Japan as an exchange scholar student for 2001-2002 and had represented the school in various leadership seminars.

"Showing signs of being destined to be a beauty queen early on, she won in beauty competitions in high school, such as Lakambini ng Aklatan, and was a favourite choice as muse in their school’s intramurals and proms, among others," the statement said.

Supsup, born on May 16, 1986 in General Santos City, is a licensed architect and topped the Architecture Licensure Examination in July 2010 after graduating magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. — RSJ, GMA News

Makati court halts MMDA drive vs billboards

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Thursday, September 15, 2011 12:23 AM | Updated as of September 15, 2011 8:26 AM

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/09/14/11/makati-court-halts-mmda-drive-vs-billboards

MANILA, Philippines – A Makati court has issued a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)'s campaign to take down large billboards in Metro Manila.

The court sided with the Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines, which filed a complaint after MMDA officials dismantled an advertising material of one of its members located in Kalayaan Avenue in Makati.

The complaint said the billboard was erected within a private property.

The billboard’s dismantling caused legal problems with the company’s client.

MMDA, meanwhile, expressed dismay over the TRO.

“Nakakatakot po ‘yung ganito kasi policy decisions ng pamahalaan na para sa kabutihan naman ng lahat, na kasama na din ang public safety kasi kapag may bagyo pinaparolyo natin iyan, e ngayon pahihintuin ka,” said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino.

MMDA said the billboard was taken down because it violated the building code.

According to the National Building Code, billboards must not exceed one-third of the roof’s building and must be at least 5 meters from the road.

MMDA added that only 18 billboards in Quezon City have permits.

The agency is planning to appeal the court’s decision. -- Report from Gretchen Malalad, ABS-CBN News

One dead, 2 hurt in demolition in Makati

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/232319/nation/one-dead-2-hurt-in-makati-demolition

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 | 08:00 AM

One person was reported killed while two others were injured after a wall of a house being demolished collapsed on them in Makati City Tuesday evening.

The body of the fatality, initially identified as a certain Julius Tumbocon, 29, was recovered from the rubble hours after the incident, radio dzBB reported Wednesday.

Citing initial police reports, the dzBB report identified the two injured as Rommel Magmula and Pepito Regala.

An initial investigation showed the wall and floor of the second floor of the house at the corner of Pasong Tamo and Kalayaan Avenue in Sta. Cruz village collapsed.

Investigators are still looking into whether the three victims were working on the demolition at the time of the incident. — RSJ, GMA News

MAKATI WANTS TO HONOR SHAMCEY SUPSUP WITH TICKER TAPE PARADE, VISIT TO HIGH SCHOOL ALMA MATER

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 | 02:28 PM

Source: http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/news/view_news.jsp?news_id=2775

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay today announced that the city government is planning to honor Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup, who graduated salutatorian from Makati High School (MHS), once she returns home.

The tribute includes a ticker-tape parade along Ayala Avenue and a visit to Makati High School, where she graduated in 2003.

Binay has written Stella Araneta, chairperson of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) regarding the planned welcome for Supsup.

“We are truly proud that Shamcey was a product of a Makati public school. Apparently, the city has not only produced outstanding alumni with scholastic achievements, but has also helped develop a world-class beauty queen,” Binay said.

Supsup was a sophomore transferee at Makati High School where she shone not only academically but also in extra-curricular activities. She was an active member of their Supreme Student Council.

She was also sent to Japan as an exchange scholar student for the school year 2001-2002 and had been the school representative in various leadership seminars.

Showing signs of being destined to be a beauty queen early on, she won in beauty competitions in high school, such as Lakambini ng Aklatan, and was a favorite choice as muse in their school’s intramurals and proms, among others.

Supsup was born on May 16, 1986 in General Santos. She is a licensed architect and topped the Architecture Licensure Examination in July 2010 after graduating magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

MMDA acts on street dwellers

By ANNA LIZA T. VILLAS

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/334167/mmda-acts-street-dwellers

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 | 1:42pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) highlighted the need for formulation of new measures in addressing the street dwelling problems in the metropolis amid the proliferation of minors being involved in robbery.

Amante Salvador, head of the Street Dweller Care Unit of the MMDA, cited that the street dwelling in Metro Manila and even in other parts of the country is a recurring problem, citing “we will rescue them today but soon after, they would return to the streets again.”

This year, some 4,250 street dwellers were rounded up in a series of clearing operations in some parts of Metro Manila. He said MMDA's street dweller care unit brings in the vagrants to the Jose Fabella Center of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Mandaluyong City for proper identification and documentation.

Meanwhile, the Makati City police station is boosting its visibility as a measure against suspected members of the group, "Batang Hamog," known to attack drivers and passengers inside their vehicles while stuck in traffic in Guadalupe, Makati City.

Last week, Supt. Jaime Santos, officer in charge of the Makati City police, said at least 10 minors, with ages ranging from 9 to 14 years old, have been turned over to the Makati City Social Welfare and Development (MSWD).

MAKATI STUDENT BAGS SILVER IN INTERNATIONAL MATH AND SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

Source: http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/index.jsp

Monday, September 12, 2011 | 2:54 PM

A Makati public school student has brought pride and honor to the city after bagging the silver medal in the math category in the recently concluded 8th International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) in Naga City.

In a report to Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay, DepEd-Makati superintendent Elena Ruiz said Patrick Allen Tañada, a first year student of Makati Science High School, was among the 30 math and 36 science contestants qualified to represent the country who were given intensive training by the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild of the Philippines (MTGP).

Delighted with the good news, Mayor Binay expressed his admiration for Tañada and said that such an achievement does justice to the substantial investments of the city government in raising the quality of public education in Makati.

“The outstanding achievements of students from the city’s public schools are gratifying to us. They serve to validate our genuine commitment to providing the youth of Makati, especially those from indigent families, free access to quality education that will empower them to succeed in life,” Binay said.

Ruiz said that last year, Tañada also did the city proud after being named one of the recipients of the Certificate of High Distinction Award in the upper primary division of the 2010 Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC), one of the world’s prestigious and the largest mathematics competition. The 12-year old resident of Barangay Rizal in Makati was one of the 900 students from the Philippines who were among 600,000 students worldwide who competed in the 2010 AMC.

Tañada, who was then a grade six pupil from Pembo Elementary School, was the only public school pupil who was able to join the country’s elite circle of math wizards at the AMC.

Ruiz also reported to the mayor other distinctions earned recently by Makati public school students in the field of mathematics. These include bronze medals won by the following: Jannylie Suhayne Cayabyab of Makati Science High School (MSHS) in the 2011 China Primary

School Math Olympiad in Beijing; Joshua Padua of Fort Bonifacio Elementary School III in the 2011 International Mathematics Competition in Singapore; John Angel Aranas of MSHS in the Hua Luo Geng Golden Cup Mathematics Contest, Hui Zhou, China; and Raymond Joseph Fadri of MSHS in the Indonesia International Mathematics Contest in Bali.

Meanwhile, Mikael Adriane Ochiai of MSHS was the top scorer, individual category in the American Regions Mathematics League in Las Vegas, Nevada, while Maria Lorena Tabao earned a Certificate of Merit in the 2011 International Mathematics Competition in Singapore. Another MSHS student, Patrick Allen Tañada, participated in the 2011 Po Leung Kuk Primary World Mathematics Competition in Hongkong.

In 2005, Jomar Gumboc, a grade five student from South Cembo Elementary School, won the bronze prize in IMSO while John Angel Aranas of Maximo Elementary School was part of the Philippine team that participated in the 6th IMSO 2009 held in Jogjakarta, Indonesia.

Before participating in the 8th IMSO in Naga, Tañada underwent a rigid Mathematics boot camp supervised by the MTGP. The MTG is an organization of volunteer Mathematics teachers committed to developing and promoting Mathematics education and training.

Aside from the Philippines, other countries that participated in the event were China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.

IMSO aims to improve competencies in Mathematics and Science among participating countries.

MAP bucks shorter work-week

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/333978/map-bucks-shorter-workweek

Sunday, September 11, 2011 | 11:09pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has joined the opposition against the planned shorter work-week bill in Congress saying such move will not address the unemployment problem of 11 million Filipino workers and the competitiveness issues affecting the country.

Earlier, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, the Joint Foreign Chambers and the Makati Business Club aired their disagreements over the proposed measure.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo has proposed "Four-Day Work Week Act of 2011," which will require workers to work 10 hours a day from Monday to Thursday, from the current 8 hours a day, five days a week.

“Without empirical data to support the claim the workers will save billions of pesos in transport fare by reducing one workday per week, the author simply presumes and hopes that workers and families will stay put in their homes on their day off and not be tempted to go malling,” MAP said echoing ECOP president’s Ed Lacson’s statement.

MAP also said the proposed bill accepts as fact the unproven benefit of prolonged holiday economics.

The country lags in competitiveness ranking and by working only four days a week (albeit compensating with a two hour extension for four nights) while the rest of the world work continuously five or six days a week, it will not be unexpected that we will further slide down in the competitiveness ladder.

In addition, MAP said the bill ignores the risk to workers’ health and safety by ignoring the universal norm (as prescribed by ILO) of eight working hours per day. To cite two specific examples – Manual labor and machine operators working on additional two hours for four days may suffer fatigue and loss of concentration on the job and may endanger their health and life and that of their fellow workers.

Workers’ efficiency and productivity may suffer due to fatigue caused by the stressful two-hour extension for four nights and may result in off-spec products.

The alleged savings for employers on electricity, water, etc. by compressing the workweek is totally negated by the eight-hour extension for four days, the statement said.

It will also derail the country’s integration with the rest of the ASEAN region as the bill will compel all sectors, public and private, to cut working days to four a week when the global economy, especially the stock markets, are in operation five days a week.

ASEAN is working towards integration of markets and the Philippines will be disconnected one day each week should the bill become law.

“Good intentions alone should never be the only criteria for passing a bill into law. Complete staff work and research must include the analysis on the impact of any bill on the economic, social, business environment and the country’s global competitiveness,” ECOP said in an earlier statement.

MBC also said that Congress should better prioritize the 32 priority bills that have been identified by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

“There are very clear priority bills and we are hoping that Congress can focus on these rather than go on different directions,” said Peter Perfecto, executive director of the Makati Business Club.

Perfecto even said he was not aware of any country in the top ranks of the Global Competitiveness Survey with a four-day work week policy. Australia is known for its four-day work week schedule.

Martin Crisostomo, representing the Business Process Association of the Philippines, said the BPO sector has a different business model and that the proposal should be studied further to determine its impact to this 24/7 industry.

The business groups have identified five priority bills they would like Congress to pass immediately. These are Rationalization of Fiscal Incentives, Anti-Trust, Data Privacy Law, Customs Modernization and Tariffs Act, Anti-Smuggling, Forest Management and Creative Industries. (BCM)

MAKATI POLICE NAB FIVE MINORS SUSPECTED OF PREYING ON MOTORISTS ALONG EDSA-GUADALUPE

Source: http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/index.jsp

Friday, September 9, 2011 | 4:00 PM

Operatives of the Makati Police apprehended Thursday evening five minors at the Cloverleaf along Edsa-Guadalupe Nuevo while conducting follow-up operations on the orders of Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay in light of reported incidents of taxi drivers and motorists being robbed while passing the area.

The five minors aged 14 to 16 years old, two of whom are Makati residents, were brought to the Mapagkalinga Drop-In Center in Barangay Olympia and turned over to the Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD) for appropriate disposition.

In his referral report to MSWD, PCInsp. Alfredo dela Cruz, chief of the Station Investigation and Detective Management Section of the Makati Police Department, said that the five minors were suspected of rugby use and involvement in a modus operandi preying on taxi drivers and motorists. He said the two young residents apprehended were from Barangay Cembo and Guadalupe Viejo, while the other three were residents of Taguig, Manila and Montalban, Rizal.

Actg. City Administrator and MSWD chief Marjorie de Veyra said her office will verify the addresses given by the minors through coordination with barangay officials and counterpart offices of concerned localities so that they can properly turn them over.

De Veyra said in the meantime, the minors will remain in their custody at the drop-in center. She said the two youths from Makati will undergo proper intervention, including counselling and dialogue with their parents, and will be asked to comply with other requirements before they can be released.

PDEA HAILS MAKATI ANTI-DRUG ABUSE COUNCIL (MADAC) AS BEST PRACTICE

Source: http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/index.jsp

Tuesday, September 6, 2011 | 2:37 PM

The Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) was conferred a plaque of recognition by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for its ‘exceptional contributions in preventive and control strategies in combating the drug problem in the entire area of Makati City’ yesterday at the PDEA National Head Office in a ceremony marking the latter’s 9th anniversary.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay thanked PDEA for citing MADAC as a best practice worth replicating in the nationwide campaign against illegal drugs, which he said strengthened their resolve to work towards a drug-free city.

“This latest achievement of MADAC has added fuel to our commitment to pursue a ‘drug-free Makati’ with unrelenting determination and through strategic collaboration with our stakeholders and mandated agencies like the PDEA. I congratulate the MADAC officials and personnel, led by P/Supt. Jaime Santos, for demonstrating exemplary dedication and hard work to effectively fulfil its crucial role in resolving the drug menace in Makati,” Binay said.

The mayor said that Makati continues to be strongly committed to supporting the attainment of the collective vision of a drug-free Philippines.

Based on its reports to the mayor, MADAC regularly conducts surveillance, test buy, and buy bust operations that have resulted in the arrest of a total of 46 pushers-users combined for the period of August 2010 to August 2011. During the said period, MADAC assisted and referred a total of 129 drug dependents and substance abusers to the Department of Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TRC) in Bicutan.

Through its training and seminar committee, MADAC conducts a massive campaign on Drug Awareness and Prevention in all school levels including the parents, teachers, heads, supervisors and administrators, and in the barangays. It is a continuing program of the Preventive Education, Trainings and Information Dissemination (PETID) of MADAC.

The city government’s innovative approach has enabled MADAC to maximize resources and personnel in its operations. All sectors of Makati are also represented in the Council, which meets every other month to gauge the drug situation in the city and adopt new policies and programs as needed.

Aside from undertaking relentless buy-bust operations and arrests of pushers, Makati through MADAC also provides comprehensive treatment, rehabilitation and after-care services, as well as livelihood assistance to rehabilitated drug offenders.

MAKATI HOSTS Orientation Seminar on Groundwater Management

Source: http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/index.jsp

Thursday, September 1, 2011 | 2:50 PM

The city government of Makati is hosting an orientation seminar on Groundwater Management in partnership with National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the Metro Manila Consortium on Urban Subsurface Environment Management (CUSEMA) tomorrow, September 2, 2011 from 8am to 12:30pm at the Executive Lounge and Session Hall at the 22/F of Makati City Hall.

Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay said the seminar aims to raise the awareness of concerned agencies and institutions, particularly the local government units, on the groundwater situation in Metro Manila and problems arising from over-extraction, such as water level decline, salt water intrusion and land subsidence.

Binay recently signed the Declaration of CUSEMA in Asia (Philippine Group) to affirm his commitment to taking a big step in ensuring that water is managed in a way that would benefit everyone, while protecting the environment.

Around 100 participants from local government units, national government agencies, private sector and the academe are expected to take part in the seminar. They will be briefed by resource speakers on the background of CUSEMA, Groundwater Situationer in Metro Manila, Groundwater Pollution, Groundwater Management in the Philippines (Laws/Policies and Institutional Structures), followed by an open forum. City officials from Makati and Malabon will also present an overview of their respective groundwater situations.

The Consortium was formed as a result of the Feedback Seminar on Research Project of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) held last November 3, 2010 at the University of the Philippines. RIHN is a research institute that conducts fixed-term empirical research projects to investigate human-nature interactions and advance the field of global environmental studies.

Based on the experiences shared by experts from seven metropolitan areas in Asia, namely, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Osaka, Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo, the participants found out that repeated subsurface environmental problems occur due to increase in water demand and urbanization. Moreover, the research in Metro Manila, which was validated by NWRB, UP-Marine Institute and Malabon City, showed an inadequacy in water-related data and information needed to make an analysis on groundwater modeling possible.

As a result, the members agreed to recognize the potential activities of agencies in the Philippines and other countries in terms of sharing information, skills and expertise.

Meanwhile, the stakeholders’ meeting in Bangkok held last March 1, 2011 led to the formation of CUSEMA to facilitate cooperation, collaboration, and effective communication among members; to enhance understanding of the elements and processes that shape the dynamic groundwater systems in Bangkok, DKI Jakarta and Metro Manila; and to address the issues and problems related to the sustainable use and management of these groundwater resources.

Under the Consortium, the members must collaborate on activities that include a) training and education for capacity building, b) research, information sharing and dissemination, and c) symposia and workshops like the Orientation Seminar on Groundwater Management, among others.

Aside from Binay, other local chief executives who signed the Declaration of CUSEMA include Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Malabon City Mayor Canuto Oreta, and San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez. The signatories from related agencies include Executive Director Vicente S. Paragas of National Water Resources Board, President and CEO Gerardo Ablaza Jr. of Manila Water Company, Inc., President and CEO Victorico Vargas of Maynilad Water Services, Inc., Administrator Gerardo I. Esquivel, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna, Director of Environmental Management Bureau, and Engr. Leo Jasareno, Acting Director, Mines and Geosciences Bureau. From the academe: Dr. Fernando Siringan, Marine Science Institute University of the Philippines-Diliman; Dr. Florencio Ballesteros, Jr. College of Engineering University of the Philippines-Diliman; and Dr. Karen Ann Jago-on School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines-Diliman.

The Consortium will exist for six years, from November 2011 to October 2017. After such period, the members will assess all activities and accomplishments of the Consortium, and decide whether to continue or cease its existence.