Barangay Pook is Blessed

Some fifty local people from barangay Pook convened once more at the Don Simeon and Dona Encarnacion  Cipriano Library after a two months break .These free medical check- ups  started four years ago when Lt Chita de la Cruz-Heap PCGA, President of Kool Earth, the Environmental Arm of Aklan and Marine Environmental Protection Officer, noticed that many of the locals were struggling to cope with their various  medical situations.

Lt Heap brought this observation to the attention of the children of Don Simeon and Dona Encarnacion Cipriano,  and without any  hesitation Dr. Remedios Cipriano- Gammad,  a retired doctor, together with her sister Mrs. Clarita Cipriano- Fernandez, a retired Med Tech, both from the US, offered their free services to the locals of Pook.

This medical group was formed there and then and the sisters were joined by another retired nurse from the USA, Nurse Lucy Marte-Reloj. Another nurse, Clare Ann Cipriano-Magallanes, the niece of Dr. Gammad, recently joined the practice. Estrella de la Cruz acts as receptionist and other volunteers  clean the venue and prepare meals for breakfast for the patients after their check ups. 

Most of the time  patients receive free check-ups and free medication. From time to time people from the neigh boring areas also come to avail themselves of these free services, and they are invariably accommodated. This service is fully funded by the family and held  every last Saturday of the month.

(Pictures to follow)

Kool Earth in Brgy. Estancia

 President's Update

Kool Earth is busy with projects in various barangays in Kalibo but the main project right now is ongoing in the barangay of Estancia where the barangay Chairman, Kagawad Amelyn Fernandez and NGO Dehly Sarabia Diangson are working hand in hand with the locals and really achieving a lot. They are not only into clean up drive in their area but they also deal with their own beautification contest in every sitio, so any one who wants to help kool earth collect prizes for the winners see our contact address and connect with us.

Barangay Chairman Edison Inocencio also offers a three thousand pesos prize for the cleanest and beautiful sitio. Other prizes will go to the most beautiful house gardens, front and back yards. They are busy in Estancia especially in Libtong where the Aklan river is flowing swiftly.

Chita

Go Paperless

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Cheers!

KE MODIFIED VMG

KOOLEARTH MINUTES IN CAPSULE

September 11, 2012

Greenwich, Gaisano Kalibo

The VMG were modified and as follows:

VISION

K.E. foresees a cleaner, greener and healthier environment.

MISSION

Kool Earth, Inc. as an environmental advocate is committed to educate, inform, collaborate and encourage citizens to be pro-active/get involved for a healthier community.

GOALS

1. To inform and encourage the community how important it is to have a cleaner, greener & healthier environment.

2. To collaborate with law-enforcers and concerned groups like the government, private individual/entity, the media, civic-socio & religious organization, the academe and other linkages in implementing environmental laws.

3. To advocate policies, practices for the care, protection and conservation of the ecosystem.

OUR STRATEGIES

• Information Dissemination (school campus tour/pool of speakers/trainers availability)

• Materials Recovery Facility/Solid Waste Management (with private entity collaboration - Fil Bake Environmental Management Group: Aim - Zero-Waste)

• Sanitation and Hygiene (information dissemination)

The group agreed to collaborate with Fil-Bake Environmental Management Group whose aim is Zero-Waste regarding the over-seeing of the MRF equipment. Once it can produce results, the management is willing to pay-back the equipment so that KE will no longer be responsible for its maintenance. Pres. Chita is very happy with its decision suggested as it will not hinder KE to move forward, while having concerns of funds to maintain the said MRF equipment. The owner of the land and the donor will be notified by Pres. Chita.

Sec. Megs will take charge of sending letter requesting DepEd assistance to collaborate with the school-based community environmental group – YES-O to support the advocacy of KE; to help in the information dissemination of KE and its partners calendar of events and results through the Aklan Tri-Media and its documentation.

The group likewise was very willing to be invited to speak about the organization, its projects and collaboration. The private medical practitioners who are members of KE like Dr. Felma Dela Cruz, Dr. Bea Yasa-Diel and Dr. Cynthia Dela Cruz were among the physicians who are active and always willing to speak about the harm of waste to our body-system, together with Pres. Chita and Sec. Megs who will be talking about the ordinances, law and the like. 

Because of being burn-out and succession is a problem in every civic organization, Dr. Cynthia Dela Cruz, having recently attended the Ateneo Center for Continuing Education, one-week seminar on leadership and management, shared the following views to the group the system learned during her one-week course. 

1. EXECUTION (to prioritize goal and align task according to the capacity of the leader/members)
2. CALENDAR (start date/end date, projects should be time bound)
3. RESPONSIBILITY (point out responsible person to lead)
4. LEADERSHIP (delegate task, do not over-do/work, take one step-at-a-time)
 

As paperless is encouraged, if possible,  all the information for the members will be sent to their email, mobile numbers and or to be posted in the website.

For your guidance.

Nvcians Leading Responsible Actions

A very impressive and a promising performance was recently staged by the Northwestern Visayan Colleges Environmental Club. Three hundred and nine students from various departments including the Dpts. Of Natural Science, Health Science, Health Service, Ecology, Department Officers, the Artes Circle Club, the  High School Department, and the BSBA2. This club is under the firm supervision of Mrs. Lorna Sison, a  hardworking and dedicated advocate of the preservation of our environment.

          The objectives of this activity are to make the students aware of the provision of the Ecological Solid Waste  Management Code of Kalibo, as well as the provisions of the School Based Solid Waste Management program of NVC.  Also to inform the students of the correct procedures for waste segregation and disposal, and to identify the respective duties and responsibilities of each group of students involved in the implementation of the school-based solid waste management program.

           After an inspirational message from Dean Reinalda I. Magdaluyo, the orientation commenced. A discourse given by Ms. Adorada T. Reynaldo, Public Service II, Head of the Solid Waste Management Service LGU, on Ecological Solid Waste Management Code of Kalibo was much appreciated by students and teachers alike.

         The audience was given a short respite from this serious topic  with an intermission provided by Jomer Zonio and company.

          The School Based Solid Waste Management Program was presented by the President of the Club, Miss Vanessa Gervacio, who was assisted by Vice President Mr. Nino Shari Balontong. Whilst Vanessa was presenting their ideas, Ms. Reynaldo took the opportunity to test the knowledge of the students by introducing them to a fun game of knowing which garbage goes where, and of course the students had lots of fun. Three of the groups received prizes.

          This was followed with a brief talk on ‘Proper Composting’, which was  delivered by the author of this report.  An open forum[i] for questioning was presented to the students regarding what they had learned. There were three winners in the persons of  Tifany Nobleza, Mylah Depedro, and Abygail Romero. The four color coded garbage containers that the students presented were really amazing. They had demonstrated their understanding of the issues at hand. With this kind of awareness, the students will make NVC a promising institution such that others might be inspired to imitate their innovation. This awareness will help all of us in our day to day  existence, and hopefully will really slow down the destruction of planet Earth during our time. For young people ‘Ningas Kugon’ is not the answer to our current situation, but rather it is ‘more work and less talk’./CH

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ENCHANTING BALETE

 Another year, another challenge, another adventure not just for the children of the various Balete Elementary and secondary schools, but also for the judges who came to experience the enchantment of Balete.

          This 2^nd Eco Art and Recycle Art Contest is also my second time to judge children’s work in this town. It is definitely a challenge for me to judge the best work of those young people who joined the

competition,  and an adventure to be enchanted by the beautiful nature which surrounds the town of Balete.

          What is so enchanting about this place is that the community seems to work together from the young adults to the elders, and they always wear a winning smile. The children are polite, quiet, and   are most definitely extremely talented judging by their entries in this contest.

          They had creatively expressed their artwork in the theme of the 4R’s – which means Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and according to the organizer, Riveting. The children most certainly delivered their   best.  I even mistook the Balete tree for an enchanted castle, though I was politely informed that that was in fact a tree.

          The dedicated, hardworking organizer of this event is none other than the treasure of Balete, Honorable Patrick F. Lachica, together with Mrs. Ana Sandra N. Paunillo and Mrs. Nyl L. Gallardez. But first things first, before we were taken to the venue of the contest we were invited to the Basura Garden owned by the parents of Honorable Patrick Lachica. We were given a sumptuous lunch and I had the opportunity to once again investigate what kind of garbage Mr. Cip Lachica had added to his collection. I also managed to purchase some souvenirs from the shop run by the energetic Mrs. Lachica.

          During the two hours given to the children to finish and display their work, the judges were invited to their mini forest, and I was glad to participate in planting some trees. I was informed that we have planted approximately 55 trees in many parts of the landscaped areas. With the help of the PNP of Balete, the PTA officers, the DENR, the Dep Ed, and LGU’s officials and students, I managed to plant one Neem Tree.

          It was hard work, but judging the children’s entries was even harder, but in the end we managed to select the winners.

          On the secondary level, first prize went to John Noel Monreal and Ryan V. Bantigue from Jose F. Menez Memorial National High School. Their coach was Ms. Lee Ann G. Rodriguez. Second place went to Mariafe Bontogon and Janeth  Rentillo of Balete Academy, with coach Ms. Sheena Mae Cualing. The third prize was awarded to John David Gallardo and Dave Sean Pelayo of Jose B. Legaspi Memorial National High School, with coach Ms. Editha Apruebo.

       At elementary level the winners were as follows: First prize to Melanie Quillano and Jan Leoneth Relado of Arcangel Sur Elementary School, with coach Ms. Cecille Felipe. Second prize to Roshi Ivan Cuatriz and Adrian John Savedor of Morales Elementary School, with Ms. Roselyn Cuatriz as their coach. Third prize was awarded to Kimberly Santiga and Gabriel Santiga of Balete Elementary school, with coaches Ms Annaliza Villaruel and Ms. Marnivic Villaruel.

          The Eco Art Board of Judges included Architect Jose Dureza, who is also an artist known for his  water color paintings, together with Ms. Sumra dela Cruz-Rojo, another artist who is also the curator of the Kalibo Museum. Also on the panel of judges were Miss Jessie Y. Gerardo, Science Supervisor of Dep Ed, Mr. Roy Escalona, President of the Aklan Kamera Organization, Mr. Cip Lachica, a man known not just for his sculptures but also for the Basura Garden, and yours truly, Kool Earth President and Marine Environmental Protection Officer for Region 6.

        The Honorable Peter C. Recidoro, SB member of Balete, Mrs. Lucita P. Recidoro, District Supervisor, and Mr. Julio R. Gallardez Jnr, the headmaster of Balete Elementary School, were with us for the whole enchanting afternoon./CH

KE ACCREDITED BY SP AKLAN

Adventure on the Shore

                                             

Mabilo, Kalibo -   “The highest form of national security is environmental stability.”

 Some twenty one officers and members of the 611^th Coast Guard Auxilliary Squadron, headed by Capt. Winston  Carillo PCGA and Lt. Senior Grade Chita de la Cruz-Heap - head of the Marine Environment Protection Office, PCGA, and President of Kool Earth,  joined forces with the Barangay Council of Mabilo to assist with their coastal clean-up drive.

Captain  Rany de Felipe, together with his committee and twenty nine (29) members of SKBK Mabilo chapter, the SAKABAMA, led by Kagawad Lorena Candolita,  gave the PCGA a warm welcome. The group managed to cleaned-up 1.5 kilometers of the sea shores of Mabilo in only one hour’ time.

After the clean up the council provided well earned snacks to the fifty five workers.  The group then listened to the talk of Mrs. Chita de la Cruz-Heap,  who also serves as the federation adviser of SKBK, on how to segregate  garbage not only collected from the seashore but also from their homes.

Mrs.de la Cruz- Heap emphasized the importance of the participation by each and every one in protecting our environment since this is the only home that we have.  When the environment suffers, our people suffer too. She also commended the enthusiasm of the’ Kababaihan’ and the Mabilo barangay council for extending their full support. Mabilo is also the last of Kalibo’ barangays on the road to New Washington.

Her address  was followed by a short talk by Capt. Winston Carillo about the PCGA, which  like  Kool Earth does not recruit members. The PCGA allows people to feel in their heart the importance of volunteerism, and welcome those who offer their help without reservation.  Volunteers wishing to become members of the PCGA are first vetted by the  committee, and once accepted they go through a thorough training schedule which covers the various aspects of PCGA’s  involvement such as rescue, first aid, and many more.

Mrs Chita de la Cruz-Heap once more reminded those who attended that “It is not what we gathered but what we have scattered that tells what kind of life we have lived!”

One Kind of Partnership

Kalibo, Aklan- In response to growing concern about Kalibo’s garbage problem, the Local Government Unit of Kalibo has called for support for its Ecological Solid Waste Management Program. In response to this request the Samahan ng mga Kababaihan sa Bayan ng Kalibo, with the assistance of  Kool Earth, has decided to embark upon a partnership project for a cleaner Kalibo.

SKBK members after receiving their IDs as deputized Solid
Waste Management enforcers of Kalibo.

A solemn but joyous celebration of  partnership towards a Cleaner and Healthier Kalibo between the Local Government Unit (LGU) and the Samahan ng mga Kababaihan sa Bayan ng Kalibo (SKBK) was held on the third floor of the Kalibo Municipal Function Hall on February 15^th. The meeting culminated with the distribution of ID’s deputizing the SKBK women as Solid waste management enforcers.

 Ms. Nina Jhoy R. Pinolan sang an inspiring invocation at the commencement of the ceremony. Vice Mayor Madeline A. Regalado acknowledged that there would most likely be difficulties which the members  of the SKBK would encounter when they begin their voluntary service which is scheduled to begin within their own barangays. She went on to say however that she believes that these women will succeed in their noble endeavor none the less.

Her welcome remarks were followed by the acknowledgement of guests and participants by Ms. Adorada Reynaldo, Public Service Officer II of the LGU, and   Mistress of the Ceremony.  This acknowledgement was followed by an environmental song composed and sung by a talented employee of the LGU, Mr. Mark Anthony Sevilla

The Honorable Mayor Lachica offered a touching message in which he thanked the eighty six women and four men who were deputized for their unreserved support of the Solid Waste Management Code of Kalibo, Municipal Ordinance 2009-004.

Some of the women were asked what motivated them to embark upon this difficult and unpaid project, and their reply was,” We do not do this for the sake of money. We do this in order to prepare a place for our children and for our grandchildren so that they can live in a place where they can be proud of their ancestors.”

“We reiterate that we do not do this for the sake of politicians. Regardless of whoever may be in power now, they should count themselves lucky that the women of today are here to give them a helping hand in minimizing their work load.”

Many more projects have been planned, but the deputation of the women as solid waste management enforcers is a big step in the right direction, and will be a great help not just for the Poblacion of Kalibo but also for the 16 barangays.

The women believe that with the continuing support and participation of everyone concerned, this aspiration will be achieved. They also believe that our current dilemma has been cause by human beings, both as a consequence of corrupt practices, and also by the ongoing abuse of the planet.

More inspiring messages of support were delivered by  the SKBK President, Mrs. Editha Rubio, Hon. Ananias V. Solina President , Liga ng mga Barangay and Police Superintendent Aden T. Lagradante, Chief of Police  of Kalibo Police station.

The event was closed with inspiring remarks from Engineer Jessie C. Fegarido in which he expressed a message of hope. ”Thank you for your cooperation” he said. “I hope that your enthusiasm will not end today as we close this event because a vast job awaits you in your respective barangays. We hope that what you have started will become a flame of hope in your own barangay towards achieving  greener and cleaner surroundings for all of us to enjoy.”

“Thank you once again, and I trust that you will take home with you the spirit of public service, cooperation, hard work, dedication to your duty, a sense of humor, together with the inspiration that was shown to us by Madam Chita Heap and Madam Edith Rubio. With the support of our Local Chief Executive, Mayor  William S. Lachica, our Sangguniang Bayan through our Vice Mayor Madeline Regalado , to all the barangay chairmen, and  NGO’s, let us make Kalibo the center of attention not only the province of Aklan but also our nation as a whole, and even the entire world. We trust that due to our bayanihan spirit we will be able to make Kalibo the cleanest town in the Universe, and even surpass the accomplishments of Palawan and Davao!”

AKLAN HYDRO PROPOSAL

OUR STAND

KE has sent this same sentiments to many GO's departments regarding a proposal to construct a hydroelectric power plant in the Aklan River at Dalagsaan, Libacao that will serve the needs of the people of Panay. If it were fully implemented, this project would also provide much-needed potable drinking water and irrigation water for Iloilo.  We have also written to Senator Loren Legarda in her capacity as Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

 As you know, there is a severe overall shortage of electrical power in the Philippines. Western Visayas currently has a shortage of approximately 62 MW of power compared to peak requirement, and this shortfall is being ‘managed’ by the NAPOCOR by means of rotating ‘brown outs’. Energy and local government officials are pushing for the establishment of coal-fired plants in Panay Island to ensure a stable energy supply and to break the island’s reliance on imported energy from the geo-thermal plants in Leyte and the Visayas Power Grid. However, we believe there is a better alternative, using renewable energy resources that could result in lower production and transmission costs, thereby producing cheaper electrical power for consumers in Panay Island. 

We have also attached an Executive Summary outlines to the proposal to resurrect the project that was cancelled in 2008 to construct a hydroelectric power station at Dalagsaan that will produce up to 150 MW at a projected cost of US $420 million, for which California Energy completed a two-year feasibility study.  This would provide a reliable and much cheaper power supply for all of the residents of Panay Island, and reduce the burden on the National Grid.  It will also enable local authorities to control the down-river flow of water, thus greatly reducing the risk of flooding in Kalibo, as happened during Typhoon Frank, whilst providing potable drinking and irrigation water for Iloilo, at an estimated cost of US $ 150 million.

 We would be most grateful if the Senate would consider endorsing this proposal to the Office of the President and to the DOE.

(We have received replies and all communications from the National office points to our DENR Regional and the Local Government in Aklan.) Say nyo?!!!

Here below is that Executive Summary:

An Evaluation of the Different Methods of Producing

Additional Electrical Power in Aklan Province

Executive Summary

Introduction

1.  There is a severe overall shortage of electrical power in the Philippines. Western Visayas currently has a shortage of approximately 62 MW of power compared to peak requirement, and this shortfall is being ‘managed’ by the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) by means of rotating ‘brown outs’.  The DOE projected that the Cebu-Negros-Panay Grid would need a total of 261 MW in 2010 to avert a power shortage.  Energy and local government officials and business groups are pushing for the establishment of coal-fired plants in Panay Island to ensure a stable energy supply and to break the island’s dependence on imported energy from the geo-thermal plants in Leyte and the Visayas Power Grid. However, we believe there are cheaper alternatives, using renewable energy resources that could result in lower production and transmission costs, thereby producing cheaper electrical power for consumers in Panay. 

Nuclear Energy and Coal Fired Plants

2.  In the light of the recent cataclysmic nuclear disaster in Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami, we question the advisability of constructing any nuclear energy plant in a country like the Philippines, which is prone to frequent earthquakes, because of its position on the edge of a tectonic plate.  We consider it would be imprudent to commission a nuclear plant located in Bataan at the center of the Philippine archipelago, within 50 kilometers of Metro Manila, by far the most heavily populated area of the Philippines.  We also question whether the Philippines would be able to cope with a nuclear disaster, given that a modern and highly sophisticated country like Japan, which has significant experience in this field, is clearly struggling to overcome massive technical difficulties.  We are also opposed to the construction of additional coal fired power stations that will contribute negatively to global warming.

Alternative Methods

3. The attached paper, which you may wish to refer to, considers the advantages and disadvantages of various different methods of producing additional electrical power in Aklan Province and compares the relative merits of biomass against solar, wind and hydroelectric systems. Whilst there are some advantages to biomass, the system is neither cheap, efficient nor environmentally friendly.

4.  Considering that the energy shortfall for Panay is already 62 MW and that this is projected to increase exponentially in the years ahead, by far the best solution would be to resurrect the hydroelectric project that was planned for the Aklan River at Dalagsaan, for which California Energy conducted a two-year feasibility study.  CalEn had proposed the construction of an 80 MW hydroelectric power station at a projected cost of US$420 million, including roadways, bridges, powerhouse, underground tunnels, the hydro dam and the cost of the experts needed to complete the specialized technology and designs. They estimated that the power station could produce up to 150 MW.  Unfortunately CalEn cancelled the project in 2008, citing the global financial crisis and the lack of response from MWSS in Manila to an unsolicited proposal that the company had submitted to MWSS, which was effectively a pre-condition of the Libacao Project. The fact that CalEn were planning to construct an 80 MW hydroelectric plant in the Aklan River at Dalagsaan already confirms the feasibility of so doing.  Even if CalEn cannot be persuaded to reconsider their decision, there is the possibility that another company would agree to fund and construct the plant, preferably as a National Build Operate and Transfer Project under the auspices of the DOE.

Potable Drinking Water for Iloilo

5.   Water in the reservoir above the main dam at Dalagsaan could be used to provide another essential by-product.  There is currently a chronic shortage of potable drinking water in Iloilo, which could be alleviated by the construction of a tunnel through the hills from the Aklan River Valley to Calinog, Iloilo, which is at a lower elevation, to provide a continuous supply of potable drinking water for Iloilo.

Flood Control and Improved Irrigation

7. The construction of a dam at Dalagsaan will enable the local authorities to control the down stream flow of river water, so that the danger of a catastrophic flood, as happened during Typhoon Frank in 2007, which killed 53 people and made 12,000 Aklan families homeless, can be eliminated.  This will greatly reduce the risk of flooding, particularly in Kalibo and Numancia. The irrigation system in Aklan could also be upgraded to provide an improved and uninterrupted water supply to agricultural rice land in the Province.  The reservoir itself could be used for fish farming to provide an alternative source of food and income for the indigenous people of Dalagsaan.

Conclusion

8.  It would be feasible to construct a large hydroelectric power plant in the River Aklan at Dalagsaan under the auspices of the Department of Energy.  According to estimates this plant could provide between 80 and 150 MW of electrical power, which would more than offset the shortfall in the Island of Panay.  This would provide a reliable and much cheaper power supply for all of the residents of Panay Island, and reduce the burden on the National Grid.  It will also enable local authorities to control the down-river flow of water, thus greatly reducing the risk of catastrophic flooding in Kalibo and Numancia, whilst providing a constant supply of potable drinking water for Iloilo. The relocation and support of the indigenous people affected must be safeguarded as part of the project.