Directory of the 15th Congress: Dear Readers please help us update this!

Editor's note: With the looming budget cut of the University of the Philippines System and other State Universities and Colleges, we are encouraging all of our readers to write all the Senators and Congressmen they know to restore U.P.'s and other SUCs budgets to their optimal levels. We have posted the directory of the Senate here. Unfortunately, in the case of the 15th Congress, there is not a lot of transparency, and we have only managed to piece together a partial list of Congressmen from primary, secondary and tertiary sources, because the House of Representatives secretariat itself has thrown a massive cordon sanitaire between the representatives and the people they represent by making their contact details (by email in particular) unavailable to members of the public.

Troubled with the thought of such a lack of transparency, we went to sleep over the problem and we woke up this morning with the bright idea of asking our readers to help us in this massive quest!

We would like to ask our readers to help us out in producing this definitive guide which is of great use to individuals, NGOs, people's organizations, foundations, etcetera to email their congressmen and women about SUCs budget cuts, the RH bill and other pressing matters.

The Diliman Diary has posted a Google link, which allows readers to edit the information by posting the names and contact details of the congessmen and women they know. If you have any contacts please go to the link and you will be able to edit the information. This is an incredibly precious resource for members of the public, so please help us out with this. You won't regret it!

Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmwZxG_XzknNdFpJU2pmQ0llZ1RTTk4xZFB0U25WZ2c&hl=en_US

Rotting fish: another food for thought

By Flor Lacanilao

Most of the fish kills in the country are in lakes and coastal waters where excessive fish farming in cages or pens are located. A common cause is pollution build-up from industrial & domestic wastes, agricultural fertilizers & pesticides, and culture-fish feces & excess feeds. These excess dissolved nutrients can trigger phytoplankton or algal blooms and subsequent decay, further causing degraded water condition (e.g., toxic or oxygen deficient) that may cause fish diseases and subsequent death or fish death directly. This brief is excerpted from 1986 and 1987 reports (see Notes below).

The Laguna Lake show how unregulated practice of aquaculture has given rise to conflict of interest, which caused serious ecological, social, economic, and political problems. Let me tell a story on Laguna Lake frequented by fish diseases and deaths in the 1980s. 

Way back in 1961-1964, when there were no fishpens, the annual catch of small fishers in the Lake was 80,000-82,000 tons. In 1968, a survey showed that some 8,000 full-time and 2,000 part-time fishers used the Lake as a communal fishing ground. For shrimps and molluscs, it was about 240,000 tons. The bulk of this catch was used for animal feeds, mainly by the duck-raising industry.

There were 23 species of fish caught in Laguna Lake, with the goby (biyang puti) and perch (ayungin) as the dominant species. Carp, catfishes (hito and kanduli), snakehead (dalag) and tilapia were also caught in the lake in addition to migratory species from Manila Bay, which came via the backflow of the once unpolluted Pasig River.

In 1971, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) introduced fishpen culture with a 38-hectare pilot project at Looc in Central Bay. Milkfish (bangus) was chosen because of its market value, and it feeds directly on phytoplankton, which was abundant in the lake. The project gave encouraging results, like producing 3.5 times more fish per hectare over that in open waters. “The lake fish pen aquaculture has been estimated to have a potential for expansion to 20,000 ha of fish pens having an annual production value of 320 million pesos.” This prompted businessmen and entrepreneurs to go into fishpen culture. Development expanded to 4,800 hectares by the end of 1973; the gross annual value of production in 1973 was P76.8 million.

Data in 1982 showed that fishpens, then 31,000-hectares, produced 62,000 tons of fish, while the open waters yielded only 19,000 tons for the small fishers – or a total lake harvest of 81,000 tons. This was clearly equivalent to the yearly catch of small fishers in 1961-1964 before the introduction of fishpens.

The excessive growth of the fish culture industry in the Lake later proved counter-productive. The milkfish took more time to grow because of increased competition for natural food, the 4-month rearing time had stretched to 8-15 months. This was corrected with supplemental feeding, which also allowed increasing the fish stock. Meanwhile, the catch of the small fishers dwindled to one-fourth that of their pre-fishpen catch, which was predictable from the start. 

What the fishpens did was rob the small fishers of their traditional catch -- by reducing their fishing areas, competing with phytoplankton that fed the milkfish, polluting the waters, and reducing the fish catch from open waters. Note that the native species depended on the phytoplankton for food directly and indirectly through food chains. Further, water circulates in and out of the fishpens, bringing in food and taking out wastes and excess feed to pollute the open-waters.

The conflict was between the community of poor fisherfolk of more than 15,000 families and the group of a few hundred rich fishpen operators. In a report published in the newspapers, the LLDA identified an elite group of fishpen operators owning 10 of the largest fish pen areas on the lake totalling more than 4,000 hectares (the law says, no person or corporation can own more than 50 hectares of fishpen concessions). The list showed members of prominent families, including politicians and ranking military officers.

The fishpens have also deprived the shrimps and molluscs in the lake of their food budget. This adversely affected the small-scale industries, which use these products and provide livelihood for many lake-shore families. In addition, the fishpens contributed to the deterioration of the lake for water supply and obstructed the navigation lanes.

Florlaca

Notes

1. Flor Lacanilao. 1987. Managing Laguna Lake for Small Fishers. SEAFDEC Asian Aquaculture 9(3): 3-4.

2. Jon Davis, Flor Lacanilao, & Alejandro Santiago. 1986. Laguna de Bay: Problems and Options. White Paper No.2, Haribon Foundation.

3. See also “Extensions of ‘The Tragedy of the Commons” by Garrett Hardin. 1998. Science 280:682-683.

(Dr. Flor Lacanilao obtained his Ph.D. (specialization in comparative endocrinology) from the University of California at Berkeley. He served as chairman of the Zoology Department at UP Diliman, chancellor of UP Visayas, and chief of SEAFDEC in Iloilo.) 

Diliman Video of the Week: Coins: Issues in Circulation

CEBU CITY-- Coin shortage is becoming a serious problem in the country despite the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) minting 15.6 billion pieces of coins worth P16.9 billion as of December 2009.


This wide-reaching shortage exists because coins are usually left at home, stored in piggy banks, hiding inside cabinets and car compartments, scattered on top of the refrigerator, gathering dust and forgotten, according to a multimedia special report published by Sun.Star Network Exchange (Sunnex) at http://www.wix.com/sunstaronline/coins.

The report, which looked into the effect of coin shortage on vendors, drivers, business and financial institutions that need these coins to responsibly transact with the public, said each Filipino holds 150 pieces of coins, with the BSP producing more than 11 billion pieces every year.

Read the rest here.

UP, Ateneo, UST, DLSU make it to Top 200 Asian universities - Nation - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News

"U.P., Ateneo, UST and DLSU made it to the list of Top 200 Asian universities according to Quacquarelli Symonds Asian University 2011 Rankings which were released Monday."

"State-run University of the Philippines was ranked 62, Ateneo de Manila University was 65th while the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the De La Salle University (DLSU) were 104th and 107th, respectively."

Read the rest here: UP, Ateneo, UST, DLSU make it to Top 200 Asian universities - Nation - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News

Meantime, Professor Danilo A. Arao, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Director, System Information Office of U.P. commented on his Facebook page about U.P.'s continued disinterest in participating in the Times Higher Education Survey (THES-QS) beginning with the administration of former U.P. President Emerlinda R. Roman (see: http://www.up.edu.ph/features.php?i=94), and even now under the current U.P. President Alfredo E. Pascual.

"As you know, participating in this particular survey costs more than two million pesos (based on the package price offered by THES-QS in 2008). You also know how "financially challenged" our beloved university is right now," he said in response to an inquiry we posted to him. Professor Arao also referred to the "the not-so-clear methodology of THES-QS," as basis for questioning the participation of U.P. in this particular survey.

The U.P. link quotes THES-QS as saying that rankings can easily be distorted if institutions do not submit data and in 2008 U.P. did not participate. U.P.'s overall rankings as per THES-Q (http://www.topuniversities.com/institution/university-philippines/wur) were: 2008 (276), 2009 (262) and 2010 (314).

Electric Vehicles Hold Promise of Bluer Skies for Manila

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III today transferred 20 Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded electric tricycles (e-trikes) to the City of Mandaluyong, marking an important first step towards a sustainable, energy-efficient transport model for the country.

Emissions from the transport sector currently represent 30% of all pollution in the country, and approximately 80% of air pollution in Metro Manila. A sizeable proportion of vehicle emissions are attributable to inefficient public transport, particularly from tricycles, jeepneys and buses.

The 20 e-trikes are part of an ADB-funded project to introduce energy-efficient transportation alternatives in the Philippines. ADB is currently in discussions with the government and other development partners on a proposed project to significantly scale up the rollout of energy efficient e-trikes in Manila and other urban areas as early as 2012.

"Working together, we can give Manila cleaner air, bluer skies, and a more livable environment," said Kunio Senga, Director General of ADB's Southeast Asia Department. "The Philippines is assuming a leading role in Asia in supporting green transportation alternatives, and if e-trikes are followed by new fleets of electric buses and jeepneys, the effect could be transformative."

Over 3.5 million motorized tricycles are currently operating in the Philippines, producing more than 10 million tons of carbon dioxide and using close to $5 billion of imported fuel each year. Motorized tricycles - which are motorcycles with sidecars - are popularly used as low-cost public transport for short distances.

"Every 20,000 e-trikes that are introduced to Manila's streets will save the Philippines 100,000 liters of foreign fuel imports each day, saving the country about $35 million annually," said ADB's Principal Energy Specialist Sohail Hasnie. "This initiative not only benefits the environment, but it also supports the Philippines drive to become more energy independent."

Though the new e-trikes have higher up-front costs, older petrol tricycles are more than twice as expensive to operate and maintain in the long run. The cost savings will directly increase the incomes of e-trike operators.

The new ADB-supported e-trikes use lithium ion batteries, commonly used in laptop computers and mobile phones. The batteries can be recharged approximately 2,000 times, in contrast to lead acid batteries used in older e-trike models that need to be replaced every two years.

A recently concluded phase-one ADB pilot project demonstrated that the Philippines has the local manufacturing capacity and technical skills base to build and maintain a large e-trike fleet. Once thousands of e-trikes begin to be manufactured, many new jobs could be created.

Factoring in electricity required for charging the batteries, the e-trikes' carbon footprint will be less than one quarter of petroleum-fueled tricycles' carbon dioxide emissions.

As part of the pilot project, ADB will install four charging stations in Mandaluyong City, which will be able to charge the e-trike batteries to 50% capacity in less than 30 minutes. One of the charging stations will use solar energy.

(Source: http://www.adb.org) 

Diliman Video of the Week: Hands Not Spoons - VOST 2011

vitamins-ph.com: Doctor Urges Doctors to Partner with LGUs to Treat the Poor

Dr. Oscar Hilario, vice president of the MMG-Aklan, said the aggressive move of President Aquino in further strengthening the Philippine Health Insurance (Philhealth) is one of the concrete ways of helping the poor gain access to quality health.

Vitamins Philippines Health Partnerships
Vitamins Philippines invites partnerships with LGU's and Doctors nationwide to help and support all Filipinos to live healthier lives.

Read the rest here: vitamins-ph.com: Doctor Urges Doctors to Partner with LGUs to Treat the Poor

Philstar.com: DOJ Clears AFP of role in death of U.P. Botanist Leonard Co

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has cleared government troops of any liability in the killing of noted botanist Leonardo Co and two guides in an encounter with communist rebels in Leyte last November.

In a 26-page report, a fact-finding panel composed of Assistant State Prosecutors Diosdado Solidum Jr. and Bryan Jacinto Cacha and lawyer Romulo Asis of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Death Investigation Division said the soldiers involved in the firefight were not responsible for the death of 56-year-old Co, Sofronio Cortez and Julius Borromeo.

The bullets that killed the three, according to the panel, came from the lines of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Read the rest here: Philstar.com: DOJ Clears AFP of role in death of U.P. Botanist Leonard Co

There is a Need to Amend R.A. 9500 or the 2008 University of the Philippines Charter

By Chanda Shahani

The Chief Officer of at least one state body may be removed for a reason, such as for “neglect of duty; abuse of power; oppression; incompetence; unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct; commission or toleration of irregularities in the conduct of examination or tampering of the grades therein, or for any final judgment or conviction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude.”

This writer is currently taking a two-month seminar at the Urban Institute of Real Estate at Makati City and has been introduced to Republic Act 9646, which is an act regulating the practice of real estate service in the Philippines (see: http://tinyurl.com/2adzk5r). The removal of the Chairperson or Members of the Board the Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Services (PRBRES) is fairly straightforward, and allows its very head to be removed for cause. As a standard tool to put in a system of checks-and-balances in the PRBRES, this seems reasonable. In fact it would seem to be reasonable to have such a system for any entity made up of men and women

But the University of the Philippines System has no such clause in Republic Act 9500 or the 2008 University of the Philippines Charter (see: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2008/ra_9500_2008.html) which outgoing U.P. President Emerlinda R. Roman lobbied extensively for in both Houses of Congress. The lack of such a standard clause in the draft bill, made by U.P. itself, should have, for fairness' sake, specifically allowed the U.P. Board of Regents to remove a sitting U.P. President, and is a major flaw in the U.P. Charter and had it been present, could have ameliorated many of the massive protests against the administration of President Roman for what many say is her six-year track record of “undemocratic governance.” At the very least, the threat of removal by the BOR should have tended to water down the vigor with which many of the objectionable decisions were carried out under the outgoing Administration.

Even Philippine Normal University, a comparably equivalent State University with its own Republic Act 7168 which is an act converting the Philippine Normal College into a state university allows for the removal of a President “for cause” (http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1991/ra_7168_1991.html)

by the Philippine President upon the recommendation of PNU's BOR.

But the Philippine President no longer wields the power to exercise command votes within the BOR to choose whom he or she wants to be the next U.P. President. R.A. 9500 virtually guarantees that an independent BOR is made up of many different stakeholders with none commanding a majority of the vote. Unfortunately, as can be seen in the case of the outgoing U.P. Administration, the temptation to wield dictatorial powers was too great to withstand, and so the outgoing administration found itself meddling in the composition of the BOR itself in order to sustain decisions that are now being called into question.

This writer will be discussing more of the global implications of the past actions of the outgoing U.P. Administration in its upcoming article, “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire – Then and Now” (see: http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2011/01/coming-soon-decline-and-fall-of-roman.html).

But in the meantime, this writer ends this article with the observation that R.A. 9500 needs to be amended via a piece of legislation filed in Congress and that among other issues, it needs to include the insertion of a provision allowing for the removal of a sitting U.P. President if we are not to repeat the same mistakes and debacles of the past six years. This is necessary for structural reasons as the insertion of such a provision helps put the necessary mental pressure on any sitting U.P. President to hew more closely to the straight and narrow path. This provision, coupled with constant oversight by vigilant sectors, acts as the necessary check-and-balance on that huge and unwieldy organism known as the U.P. System.