Yolanda was very much in our mind as we bid goodbye to 2013 and welcomed 2014.
Our place in Guisijan, Laua-an, Antique was one of those hit by Yolanda. Not as bad as Leyte and Samar but there was still a lot of repairing and fixing to do.
By Rex Robles, VERA Files
One reason why the report seems superficial and incomplete is that it failed to attach true copies of essential navigational documents.
As a rule, whenever a Navy ship leaves port for any destination, the path or course it is to take to reach its destination is set down beforehand on a maritime map, commonly referred to as a chart. This is required for those navigating over water and all Navy vessels, except small boats on short trips along a coastline or a river, must perform this basic task.
The charted course is an official record of a ship’s movement and, together with the Quartermaster’s logbook that records the actual position, heading and speed of the ship at any time, will form an important part of any investigation involving that ship and its crew.
By Rex Robles,VERA Files
It was 1974 and I was taking up an advanced course in Mechanical Engineering at the US Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. For our final exam in Oceanography, our professor simply called the twelve of us to his office one by one and asked us a few questions. I noticed a certain level of interest in the Philippines that I did not expect.
For instance, he showed me a satellite photograph of Manila Bay and asked me what I thought about a plan to build a highway along the Manila-Cavite coastline. I mumbled some comment on how the ecology in the area would be affected.
Then he showed me photographs of the entire Sulu Sea with what looked like ridgelines in the water running roughly parallel to Palawan. I was intrigued. My professor, who is based in New Zealand, told me they were a dozen or so swells that go northwest at certain times. At other times, they go the opposite way.
President Aquino is being consistent when he said that the government will not be filing a diplomatic protest against China for the intrusion of a fishing vessel that got stuck in Tubbataha Reef in Sulu Sea, 150 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.
After all, he didn’t also protest to the United States when the minesweeper USS Guardian got stuck and caused extensive damage to the reef which is Marine Protected Area three months ago (Jan. 17). It took the US navy three months remove the 1,300-ton, 68-meter-long Avenger Class minesweeper piece by piece. It was completed last March 30.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said April 7 that a diplomatic protest against the U.S was “unnecessary” because the superpower has been cooperating with the maritime investigation and has committed to the compensation and rehabilitation of the reef.
May 2013 be kind and good to all of us. From my favorite work place.Our place in Guisijan, Antique.
Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chair of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and acknowledged expert on international law, and Loren Legarda, chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations and co-chair of the Legislative Oversight Committee on the VFA, are calling for an investigation of the dumping in Subic Bay of Glenn Defense of toxic wastes from a US navy ship, Emory Land last month.
It has been reported that Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chair Roberto Garcia is investigating the incident and is asking Glenn Defense side on the illegal act.
If you see any politician campaigning at the cemetery as we remember our loved ones who have passed away, erase his name from the list of the candidates that you will not vote in the May 2013 elections.
Even if they are not physically present many politicians take advantage of the crowd to have their followers distribute materials about them. The ultimate Epal.
Epal is slang which for the tagalog word ma-papel ( credit grabber or scene stealer).
Last Tuesday, Trillanes, , who chairs the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization, filed a bill that seeks to eradicate the unethical practice among public officials of claiming credit for various public works projects funded by taxpayers’ money.
Senate Bill No. 3310 is the consolidated version of the bills filed by Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago
“This measure was put forward in relation to the prevalent unethical practice among our public officials who affix their names and/or pictures to announcement of projects which were funded or facilitated through their office, despite the fact that these projects were funded using the taxpayers’ money,” Trillanes said.
With the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck in Eastern Samar last Friday; 5.9 in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao last Monday, 5.6 in Bukidnon and PAGASA’s statement that they are expecting about 10 more typhoons before the end of the year, their concern has become urgent.
I was with three other reporters . The purpose of the trip, as JB Baylon, Nickel Asia’s new vice-president for communications told us, was to show us “responsible mining.”
JB, who used to be with Coca-Cola Export said, the reason he took the Nickel Asia job, at the time when the industry is getting a beating from environmentalists, was “ I believe there CAN be responsible mining operations like the Rio Tuba operation, and mining should be nothing less than responsible. “
Briefing us on Nickel Asia’s operations was no less than its president, Jerry Brimo.
By MARILYN MANA-AY ROBLES, VERA Files
The week past was very revealing. Filipinos again displayed resilience in the midst of tragedy. As the floods came and swept away treasured material possessions people grinned and bore it out. Some were unable to have food for days and shivered in the cold. Even the untimely death of loved ones buried in mud was taken as mere fate. Could something have been done to prevent or reduce the effect of this calamity?
Yes, something could have been done. We have a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) if you need help. They operate 24/7.
The hotlines of NDRRMC are 911-1406, 912-2665 and 912-5668.