>> “Cleaning Up..” cont. from page 23
>> “Say No...” cont. from page 25
but also the extent of the siltation. Most of the silt emanates from the nearby Sierra Madre range and the foothills that abound in Rizal and Laguna provinces. The wanton destruction of forest cover and nature habitats has resulted in the loss not only of precious topsoil, but any other kind of soil, leaving these areas previously rich in tropical growth now relatively barren.
description. Plastic bottles were stacked next to each other in bags made of transmissible fishing net. Bags were tied up next to each other securely to form a square shaped platform. The platform’s (boat) dimensions were 6 meters in length and 2 meters in width and 1.5 meters in height. The platform’s forward and aft draft is 0.3-0.4 meter with a max depth of 1 meter. The boat’s estimated weight is 150-170kg. Its maximum capacity is 7-10 people. The steering process is done with pedals. One
The task is a Herculean one, and I salute Ms. Gina Lopez and her Bantay Kalikasan Foundation, together with the government agencies that have finally bit the bullet and started on this interesting exercise.
sail is installed in the middle part of the platform/boat and three flags of two supporting classmates (Philippines and India) plus my country’s flag. Moreover, the two biggest TV networks (GMA 7 and ABS-CBN) aired this event to show the success of my project that was described as one of the best ever creations that contribute to environmental awareness that focuses on water pollution. I hope that the effect of my friendly campaign against environmental pollution will have the following impacts: increase people’s moral and emotional understanding
about local environment; inspire a possible spiraling effect with similar projects by other individuals; instill a positive memory about this project for future generations especially for kids; and inspire others to replicate this model or similar products with lower costs. The project also enabled goodwill among AIM students and it helped us develop our managerial skills while understanding local environment issues. I encourage other AIM students to choose similar projects and unique ideas for the future. Therefore, I hope that people will continue this idea and “Say No to Pollution.”
Talk of dredging the river must consider that the Pasig is a relatively short waterway. Its mouth in Manila Bay is not too far from the other end, Laguna de Bay. The water flows back and forth depending on the tides, making it difficult to consider bringing in large dredgers to do said work. The problem is compounded by the very low overhangs of many of the bridges that span the river, a prime example of which is Jones Bridge. Dredging the river cannot be done in isolation of the wave action at its mouth in Manila Bay and the silted area that is Laguna de Bay. Then, there is also the problem of what to do first: Clean up or Dredge or Aerate, etc. Those of us who are topical fish hobbyists laugh at the fears expressed by many on the presence of the so-called Janitor Fish, which is more properly called Plecostomus. A computer search of the species will make one realize that what they accuse the fish of being is not really correct. I have had this species of armored catfish in my aquarium tanks and in the relatively large fishpond I have at home, and have yet to see signs of the behavior they are accused of. The Pleco subsists on a diet of algae and small crustaceans, and maybe the small occasional fish that wanders into its mouth while it is feeding in its typical upside-down position. Myth busted! The task is a Herculean one, and I salute Ms. Gina Lopez and her Bantay Kalikasan Foundation, together with the government agencies that have finally bit the bullet and started on this interesting exercise. This will not succeed overnight, and will probably be a 10- to 20-year project. Then, just maybe, my generation may be able to jump into the Pasig to take the proverbial swim without gagging on the refuse and detritus that plagues the river just now.
A I M A LU MN I L E A D E R SH I P MAGA Z I N E Secon d Qu a r te r 20 0 9
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