Category: Development

Metro Manila had long ago set itself up for its own destruction by flooding

August 8, 2012 benign0 54 Comments

According to Mark McDonald in a New York Times blog post, the recent floods that hit Metro Manila this week “seem to have caused little public anger over further municipal dysfunction in the densely populated capital of more than 10 million” and that, instead, “Filipinos demonstrated a remarkable civic spirit as they shared news of…

Culture, Development, Government, Society

Metro Manila flood control master planning in chronic catch up mode over the last two decades!

August 8, 2012 benign0 12 Comments

Perhaps in this instance rather than refer to Philippine President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III by his catchy first two initials, he should instead be referred to as the ‘BT’ President — as in bad timing. Just two weeks before The Disaster that Could not be Named struck Manila and turned it into a real-life…

Development, Economy, Environment, Government

Could the Php 1.9 bn in flood control projects axed by Noynoy Aquino have saved Metro Manila from destruction?

August 8, 2012November 17, 2013 benign0 106 Comments

The latest deluge to hit Metro Manila once again demonstrates the sorry state of preparedness of state emergency services in the Philippines and the woefully insufficient flood control infrastructure of the country’s premier metropolis. Flooding brought about by days of southwest monsoon rains pounding the northern Philippine island of Luzon have once again paralysed vast…

Development, Economy, Government

Access to safe drinking water critical in the coming days to prevent diarrhea outbreak

August 7, 2012 benign0 1 Comment

With word out that “unprecedented” heavy rains may continue well into Thursday the 9th of August, persistent floods are expected to spawn a new risk to health. Diarrhea outbreaks now pose a threat to thousands of Filipinos impacted by flood waters. Health Secretary Enrique Ona has issued warnings about the dangers of contaminated drinking water…

Development, Environment

Philippine Reproductive Health Bill: politically-corrected beyond recognition

July 31, 2012July 31, 2012 benign0 71 Comments

The Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) is one hell of a beast. The Philippines’ Roman Catholic Church literally sees it as such — a beast straight out of hell that will undermine everything that it stands for. It has, today, come down to the vote: Will Philippine Congress approve or reject the bill? It is…

Culture, Development, Religion, Society

Former President Gloria Arroyo released on bail: Philippines plunges back into the Dark Ages!

July 25, 2012July 25, 2012 benign0 23 Comments

Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III has long maintained that the Philippines is impoverished because of corruption. He also maintains that said corruption was what described the last ten years stretching from 2001 up to 2010 — the period within which ruled former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA). We can then infer on the back…

Crime, Development, Government, Politics

President Noynoy Aquino’s 2012 SONA still blames GMA and takes credit for her work

July 25, 2012July 25, 2012 Ilda 80 Comments

A news report said that President Benigno Simeon â€œBSâ€ Aquino got a total of 120 claps while delivering his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) before Congress. In Philippine society, such trivial detail seems important enough to be highlighted. It is crucial to let the public know that the President is still popular particularly…

Development, Economy, Government, Media, Politics

Analysis of the 2012 State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Aquino III delivered before Congress July 23

July 23, 2012July 23, 2012 benign0 29 Comments

Number of classrooms made available, increased access to public healthcare, performance-based bonus incentives for government employees, mosquito traps to curb the spread of dengue, Sin Tax bills, jobs at BPOs, new airports in Bohol, a passenger terminal in Caticlan, properly paved roads… Yadda yadda yadda is what kicked off and sustained the 2012 State of…

Development, Government