Thank you readers and friends who contributed to the discussion of addressing the Sand Quarrying problem in Lake Mainit.Unfortunately, I have no direct access to the Mayor nor the Barangay Captain. I know some of you have. Just kindly relate to them how concerned we are, and how willing we are to help.
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But fortunately, I have direct access to the LMDA Manager, Engr. Kaiser Recabo. Glad that he was able to shed some light about the issue, and the struggles he had for the past 10 years.
He was even threatened to be sued before the ombudsman by prominent personalities in Mainit for not taking action. In fairness, the LMDA has already brought the problem to the attention of every possible arena within the province, from the households, to the lakeshore community, to the barangay, to the LGU, up to the provincial government. He admitted making enemies out of personally apprehending people in the business of sand quarrying... the manghahakot, the managers, the operators, the buyers. He continues to do so, and with the Pidjanga Blog Community's attention to it, LMDA's hopes for more immediate action to the problem THIS YEAR!
In between the lines, I've sensed that in some parts of the lake, sand quarrying is permitted. What the LMDA has lobbied for is to contain the operations within the permitted zone. But who would to get sand from Tapian when it will cost them more gasoline and time. Operators can have it in the park area, in the BLISS, in the Panayakpan... easily!!! Both the municipality and the barangay generate income from this (tax), and so, logically, terminating the operations means termination of income.
Now, how do we go about this?
I think it is about time to volt our powers in (ala Voltes V), make a concerted effort to raise our voices as one, and storm the authorities with our advocacy... SAVE our Lake!!!
In this cause, I quote the American Indigenous people "We do not inherit the Earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children." Indeed, let's conserve and preserve Lake Mainit... let it remain a living lake for our children and grandchildren. Let us be caretakers of this God's beautiful gift... the Philippines' deepest and cleanest lake!
Support me in this cause... be a caretaker!"
(I opened in January 1, 2008, a new blog dedicated to Lake Mainit. I do not know how to make it more relevant. But it is there... www.lakemainit.blogspot.com)
He was even threatened to be sued before the ombudsman by prominent personalities in Mainit for not taking action. In fairness, the LMDA has already brought the problem to the attention of every possible arena within the province, from the households, to the lakeshore community, to the barangay, to the LGU, up to the provincial government. He admitted making enemies out of personally apprehending people in the business of sand quarrying... the manghahakot, the managers, the operators, the buyers. He continues to do so, and with the Pidjanga Blog Community's attention to it, LMDA's hopes for more immediate action to the problem THIS YEAR!
In between the lines, I've sensed that in some parts of the lake, sand quarrying is permitted. What the LMDA has lobbied for is to contain the operations within the permitted zone. But who would to get sand from Tapian when it will cost them more gasoline and time. Operators can have it in the park area, in the BLISS, in the Panayakpan... easily!!! Both the municipality and the barangay generate income from this (tax), and so, logically, terminating the operations means termination of income.
Now, how do we go about this?
I think it is about time to volt our powers in (ala Voltes V), make a concerted effort to raise our voices as one, and storm the authorities with our advocacy... SAVE our Lake!!!
In this cause, I quote the American Indigenous people "We do not inherit the Earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children." Indeed, let's conserve and preserve Lake Mainit... let it remain a living lake for our children and grandchildren. Let us be caretakers of this God's beautiful gift... the Philippines' deepest and cleanest lake!
Support me in this cause... be a caretaker!"
(I opened in January 1, 2008, a new blog dedicated to Lake Mainit. I do not know how to make it more relevant. But it is there... www.lakemainit.blogspot.com)
Post: Zimm (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
Jan 19, 2008
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