Laguna de Bay’s algal bloom

THERE seems to be no end to the debates over the proposed merger of the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, with officers and personnel of the DBP also continuing their protests.

The DBP believes that with the merger, and with LBP as the surviving bank, it will be the DBP that will suffer retrenchment.

I have written the pros and cons of the proposed merger with the proposed merger having more cons, since it will create a huge retrenchment at the expense of the DBP.

Another con is the proposed merger will create such a behemoth financial institution for the government that could well impact against the private sector banking system with thousands of branches at almost every nook and corner of the country as a result of the merger.

Santa Banana, I also believe there’s some kind of conflict of interest on the part of Finance

Secretary Benjamin Diokno who is the main proponent of the merger since Diokno is the exofficio chairman of the LBP.

The problem, however, is, how far can the remaining gas system go since studies have shown the remaining deep water-gas reserve may not be enough to last 15 years.

And that’s for the DOE to study and confirm.

BBM would not have extended the project for another 15 years if he had not been advised by the DOE that the remaining gas reserves are adequate.

But, what is disturbing is the latest word from DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla that the remaining gas reserves may not last long.

If that is true, BBM could fire the energy secretary, which in effect could make Marcos Jr. a big liar.

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Return to masking

With some local government units (LGUs) reimposing the mask mandate following the surge of COVID-19 cases brought about by the Omicron sub variant XBB.1.16 Arcturus, a subvariant which is highly transmissible, health experts say there’s need for the Department of Health to reimpose a nationwide mask mandate.

The Mayor of Manila Honey Lacuna had required the masking mandate at the Manila City Hall, and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong had all Baguio City residents and visitors also wearing masks indoors and outdoors.

There had been reports that the uptick of COVID-19 cases had occurred in many provinces and cities, particularly in the National Capital Region and in Metro Manila.

The positivity rate in fact hit more than 25 percent requiring hospitals to reopen their COVID-19 wards.

While the DOH and health experts said the surge of COVID-19 cases may not be as alarming as it was in the past.

But it would do well for the DOH to warn LGUs that there is need for caution, and there’s need for the elderly and those with illnesses to be cautioned.

RECENTLY, the country’s largest lake Laguna de Bay opened out in news broadcasts and newspapers because of the reported algal bloom, a high-speed increase in algae density in the 2.8-meter deep lagoon.

Algal blooms are natural phenomena, but their frequency, duration and intensity are increased by nutrient pollution.

Good thing the Muntinlupa City Health Office was quick on the draw and assured lakeshore residents the algal bloom in the 900-square-km Laguna de Bay does not pose a threat to public health.

Experts have said exposure to high levels of blue-green algae and their toxins can cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.

Drinking algae-affected water or consuming food (such as fish or shellfish) containing toxins can lead to gastroenteritis, which can induce vomiting, diarrhea, fevers and headaches.

These toxins may also affect the liver or nervous system, according to experts.

Concerns associated with blue-green algae include discolored water, reduced light penetration, taste and odor problems, dissolved oxygen depletions during dieoff and toxin production.

Government data showed about 60 percent of the estimated 8.4 million people residing in the Laguna de Bay

Region discharge their solid and liquid wastes indirectly to the lake through its tributaries.

Shaped like a crow’s foot, with two peninsulas jutting out from the northern shore and filling the large volcanic Laguna Caldera, it drains its water to Manila Bay via the Pasig River.

Environmental concerns like water quality problems created by population pressure and industrialization, invasive