Senator Manny Villar (who just topped the SWS presidential survey with Kabayan Noli de Castro) left for Spain on the eve of a senate ethics probe. Wagging tongues say a big-time businessman, a common friend of Villar and Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, arranged a meeting for both leaders. What's the subject of the meeting, he did'nt say. Villar left despite assurances from Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile that the august body will be fair in handling the probe.
This is quite disturbing---hearing Villar meeting Mrs. Arroyo. What will they be discussing, since Villar is not the senate president anymore? Will Arroyo be convincing Villar to put his vote on charter change or will it be about fielding a common administration slate come 2010? Or, will Arroyo be getting assurances from Villar on her post-2010 fate?
Whatever it is, one thing is for sure---Villar is just being consistent. Remember that despite public showing of Villar and Erap together, Villar's camp remained "loyal" to Mrs. Arroyo. Among the presidentiables, Villar is the only one not criticizing Mrs. Arroyo and her demon cabinet. Maybe Mrs. Arroyo wants Villar to go with her anointed, Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro and form a formidable team come 2010? A Villar-Teodoro teamup is not far-fetched considering that Villar is still seeking for someone to go with him in campaigns.
Is Villar the one minority senator Aquilino Pimentel referred to as "pseudo" oppositionist?
By the way, the Central Police District (CPD) just cleared ABS-CBN news anchor Ted Failon from parricide charges. They have'nt released the report yet, but initial information shows that the CPD has not enough physical evidence to buttress that parricide charge.
And for those who call Palawan their home, a big-time billionaire logger by the name of Don Jose "Pepito" Alvarez is thinking of dipping his fingers in Palawan politics. He wants to replace incumbent Palawan governor Joel Reyes.
During Marcos time, Alvarez was among the strongman Marcos business associates. He grew his wealth during the dictatorship and it was under the time of Ramos and Estrada that Alvarez recovered his wealth. He came back into the limelight through his disastrous pastime, big-time logging operations. He's being credited of shaving all those mountains of precious trees.
What would happen to Palawan should Alvarez become successful in his bid for governor? Alvarez, some say, is thinking of the billions of dollars worth of petrol dollars lying dormant in that province and those billions more from commercial tourism. For those who love Palawan, go there now. Take tons of pictures. Take some wildlife if you can, and even trees and wild scrubs. Because when Don Alvarez becomes successful and take over Palawan politics, you may not see one single living wildlife there.
Showing posts with label northern palawan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label northern palawan. Show all posts
Monday, May 4, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Save Boayan Island from Commercial Tourism!
What's happening to the town of San Vicente in the province of Palawan is a prime example why we can't entrust the lives and welfare of our people to our local officials. If we are to agree on a federal parliamentary form of government, we might yet end up with practically all prime and pristine lands of this country destroyed due to the capriciousness and rapaciousness of those who'll rule this Paradise called Filipinas.
Residents of San Vicente are up in arms over the scare and bullying tactics being done by San Vicente mayor Antonio V. Gonzales. A former executive of the biggest logging firm owned by billionaire Jose Pepito Alvarez, Gonzales ran and won the mayoral post in this once quiet town. After winning the elections, Gonzales marshaled the entire town on a selling spree and for what? To transform the place into a multi-billion tourism estate.
Nothing wrong here except that, as of late, the construction of tourism facilities has already disrupted the ecosystem. A hill has already been destroyed and some age-old trees have already been cut. Natural springs have been destroyed and what's worst, the pristine paradise called Boayan Island is now being threatened by commercial tourism interests.
It seems that Mayor Gonzales is lusting for millions of pesos worth of commissions from these tourism projects in exchange for destroying the natural wonder that is San Vicente, Northern, Palawan.
The target for this monumental environmental destruction in the name of commercial tourism is a 15 kilometer stretch of beach with world-class fine, white, powdery sand called Long beach. Long beach is reputedly better than Boracay beach sand. The buying spree started when the local government gave permission for commercial tourism companies to occupy these beach fronts. A marina is being built right now as we speak. Residents said the marina already destroyed the natural protective barriers that shield San Vicente from torrential storms and strong waves.
Aside from the Long beach, rapacious commercial tourist groups are eyeing the natural wonder called Daplac cove. Boayan Island is part of that cove of pristine wonder.
For local residents, Boayan Island is a place very close to their hearts. One of its residents, D. Roxas, a daughter of Sixto Roxas, has been living in the island for more than twenty years with her French husband. She described the place as a heavenly paradise, teeming with rich wildlife and a stretch of fine powdery sand.
An investment group called Palawan Cove Development Corporation in partnership with Boracay-based Discovery Suites has obtained a licence to develop the Daplac cove into a high-end luxury resort.
Nothing wrong with the vision except that it will totally destroy the ecosystem in Daplac, endangering wildlife and opening the place into more predations and environmental destruction brought by commercial tourism. Imagine thousands of uncaring tourists flocking to the place and trashing around. Just think of those tons of garbage destroying the natural beauty of Boayan Island, Daplac cove and the rest of the town of San Vicente in Northern Palawan due to commercial tourism.
This shows you how perverted the view of government in terms of tourism. Why Tourism secretary Ace Durano agreed on this is beyond me. Tourism is good, yes, because it generates employment and much-needed revenues. Yet, growth and progress should be tempered with environmental welfare.
Eco-tourism should forever be the policy of this government simply because these natural wonders which God gave us is not just for the present generation---it is also for the future generation of Filipinos to enjoy. These future Pinoys have every right to see their Motherland protected against commercialism.
Let this be our crusade. Every Filipino who loves the Motherland should see to it that these God-given gifts, like Daplac Cove and Boayan Island would not be ravished by these commercial tourist entities. If we need to launch a revolt against the government, we will.
Residents of San Vicente are up in arms over the scare and bullying tactics being done by San Vicente mayor Antonio V. Gonzales. A former executive of the biggest logging firm owned by billionaire Jose Pepito Alvarez, Gonzales ran and won the mayoral post in this once quiet town. After winning the elections, Gonzales marshaled the entire town on a selling spree and for what? To transform the place into a multi-billion tourism estate.
Nothing wrong here except that, as of late, the construction of tourism facilities has already disrupted the ecosystem. A hill has already been destroyed and some age-old trees have already been cut. Natural springs have been destroyed and what's worst, the pristine paradise called Boayan Island is now being threatened by commercial tourism interests.
It seems that Mayor Gonzales is lusting for millions of pesos worth of commissions from these tourism projects in exchange for destroying the natural wonder that is San Vicente, Northern, Palawan.
The target for this monumental environmental destruction in the name of commercial tourism is a 15 kilometer stretch of beach with world-class fine, white, powdery sand called Long beach. Long beach is reputedly better than Boracay beach sand. The buying spree started when the local government gave permission for commercial tourism companies to occupy these beach fronts. A marina is being built right now as we speak. Residents said the marina already destroyed the natural protective barriers that shield San Vicente from torrential storms and strong waves.
Aside from the Long beach, rapacious commercial tourist groups are eyeing the natural wonder called Daplac cove. Boayan Island is part of that cove of pristine wonder.
For local residents, Boayan Island is a place very close to their hearts. One of its residents, D. Roxas, a daughter of Sixto Roxas, has been living in the island for more than twenty years with her French husband. She described the place as a heavenly paradise, teeming with rich wildlife and a stretch of fine powdery sand.
An investment group called Palawan Cove Development Corporation in partnership with Boracay-based Discovery Suites has obtained a licence to develop the Daplac cove into a high-end luxury resort.
Nothing wrong with the vision except that it will totally destroy the ecosystem in Daplac, endangering wildlife and opening the place into more predations and environmental destruction brought by commercial tourism. Imagine thousands of uncaring tourists flocking to the place and trashing around. Just think of those tons of garbage destroying the natural beauty of Boayan Island, Daplac cove and the rest of the town of San Vicente in Northern Palawan due to commercial tourism.
This shows you how perverted the view of government in terms of tourism. Why Tourism secretary Ace Durano agreed on this is beyond me. Tourism is good, yes, because it generates employment and much-needed revenues. Yet, growth and progress should be tempered with environmental welfare.
Eco-tourism should forever be the policy of this government simply because these natural wonders which God gave us is not just for the present generation---it is also for the future generation of Filipinos to enjoy. These future Pinoys have every right to see their Motherland protected against commercialism.
Let this be our crusade. Every Filipino who loves the Motherland should see to it that these God-given gifts, like Daplac Cove and Boayan Island would not be ravished by these commercial tourist entities. If we need to launch a revolt against the government, we will.
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