Clear and present concern?

There are times that you can’t really tell who your readers are. This I have proven time and again and the last time was mid this week during one of the ‘million’ cocktails I have to attend relevant to my being a journalist and TV host.

The gentleman introduced himself as a geologist, whose expertise is on soils. He took considerable interest on what appeared on this column last Saturday (‘The Pandacan depot saga lives on’, Philippine STAR, Feb. 7, 2004), which made mention of the possibility of having soil contamination in and around the Pandacan area where the oil depots are located.

He was surprised that such prospect of soil contamination that may be caused by chemical residues was only being raised now despite the presence of the oil and fuel storage facility for several decades already.

I asked him categorically if it was possible that there was really soil contamination in the area. And he responded categorically that the possibility couldn’t be discounted. The only way to find out for sure though is to conduct actual inspection and tests in the area. It would also be necessary to find out the historical movement of the location of the storage tanks in order to pinpoint exactly where to start the tests and map out possible seepage routes if any.

As you may already know, the presence of the oil depot in Pandacan has been an issue that is being decided in the courts. The government of the City of Manila wants it out for safety and security reasons – safety due to the volatility of the materials and chemicals being stored and transported in and out of the area and security as such facilities always rank high in the list of areas for terrorists attacks.

But the oil companies maintain that the facility is safe and made even safer by a buffer zone put up to distance the storage facility from the residents in the locality. They also project an inevitable increase in oil products prices should there be a re-location of the depots to cover for the vast expenses.

As the issue is in the hands of the courts, I can only stick to reporting its background for info dissemination purposes and not to discuss its merits.

But the prospect of soil contamination was never discussed in any of the forums between the Manila City Hall officials and the oil companies nor is it part of the issues being handled by the courts. Neither is the consequence of soil contamination, should it really exist was ever a part of any discussions. Consequences like adverse health effects for residents and what the oil companies would do should it be a reality was never part of the agenda.

The reaction of an expert on soils regarding the possibility of soil contamination in the area stands it is possible. Now the question is, is it?

The saga continues.

An Award Given Only When Deserved

In the 36-year history of the Management Man of the Year Award, it was conferred only 25 times, proof that the award is only given if there is someone deserving of its honor and prestige.

Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting, chairman and chief executive officer of Planters Development Bank, for his significant role in the growth of small and medium enterprises and for successfully attracting respected foreign financial investors like the World Bank’s International Finance Corp., Asian Development Bank and the Netherlands Development Finance Co. – to invest in the Philippines even at the most uncertain economic conditions, was conferred the highly prestigious award by the Management Association of the Philippines in fitting awarding ceremonies held at the Peninsula Hotel last Jan. 26.

Another foremost consideration for the award was Ambassador Tambunting’s successful steering of Planters Development Bank to such phenomenal growth – from a single office in 1972 to 70 branches nationwide with a current rank of the country’s 22nd largest bank with consolidated resources of P30 billion and capital of P2.8 billion.

B&L congratulates Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting, 2003 MAP Management Man of the Year.

Still Undecided Tonight?

If you are still in a quandary as to where it’s best to spend the evening tonight considering all the ads and promos that are splashed all over the newspapers or repeatedly flashed on the television screens for concerts and special Valentine’s Day performances, why don’t you check out the Century Park Hotel?

Just consider this line up of dynamic performers who will share the same stage at the Grand Ballroom of Century Park Hotel to give you an evening to remember Ivy Violan, Dulce, Jinky Llamanzares, Lance Raymundo, George Tagle, Aria and Kaye Dacer – all exponents of R&B, soul and ageless standards.

Spending your evening at the Century Park Hotel this Valentine’s Day may not only give you moments to remember, it can also help some souls benefiting from the Home for the Angels Foundation, which shall receive the proceeds of this concert.

You still have time to contact the very friendly guys who run CPH’s PR department, headed by Steve Naguiat together with Toti Palileo or the Banquet Sales Office if you are still undecided as to where to bring your date tonight.

I know the appropriate greeting for today is Happy Valentine’s Day but many insist that it’s also correct to say Happy New Year! It beats me.

Whatever. Enjoy, lovers. And that include husbands and wives.

VAT, Excise Tax, Etc., With Commissioner Parayno

Why are lawyers and doctors subjected to VAT when they do not engage in business? Why subject the AUVs to excessive excise tax, which in turn caused a tremendous price increase and a sharp decrease in sales, when a slew of downstream industries depend on their continued production to keep alive and thousands of plant workers to hang on to their jobs? What has happened to celebrated tax evasion cases? Has the lifestyle checks on BIR personnel reduced graft and corruption in this government agency?

These are the questions lined up on this week’s edition of Breaking Barriers (Wednesdays, 11 p.m., IBC TV-13) as Rey and I try to break barriers with BIR Commissioner Guillermo Parayno, Jr. so the viewing public may know.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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