The Korean invasion

It’s good to know Senators Loren Legarda and Migs Zubiri are looking into the issue of the two Korean-owned condominium buildings right in the middle of the rainforest in Subic.  There are possible environmental violations since the two buildings are located in a watershed forest reserve under the government’s National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) law. Just when everybody’s concerned about global warming and the dangerous effects of climate change, we see an example of desecration of a critical natural resource in the name of foreign investment.

With due respect to South Korean Ambassador Hong Jong-ki who is a friend of ours, the fact is quite a number of Koreans are abrasive and arrogant, and many of them are initiating projects that are proving to be harmful to the environment. Last year, some of them tried to pull a fast one with the attempted construction of a high-end resort and spa project near Taal’s crater. Had it not been for the vigilance of local residents and environmental groups, this absurd idea would have been pushed through – with the approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

I have nothing personal against Koreans. I actually have a number of Korean-American friends and some of my favorite cellphones and electronic gadgets are made by Samsung, LG, etc., but some of them have no respect for the people or the culture in their host country. In the golf course, there have been several complaints because they don’t follow even simple gentlemanly rules that say you should wait for people to get out of the green before you start to hit the ball.

But this Subic condo issue is something that is really serious. People should start looking into these Korean-initiated projects that could pose hazards not only to the environment but the people. Early this year, some Filipino workers died in two separate accidents at Hanjin’s shipyard facilities, and there have been some allegations that safety issues were involved. It looks like Pandora’s Box has been opened with the revelation about the buildings since it has triggered the issue of discrimination against Filipinos on housing and other policies, plus reports that some displaced tribal communities have not been properly resettled or compensated.

Once again, Tong Payumo and Dick Gordon are at each other’s throats. The two former SBMA administrators are engaged in a word war about who was responsible for the approval of the project. Their protégés are also being dragged into the picture with Payumo pointing the finger at current SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, a Gordon protégé – while the senator wants SBMA environmental officer Amethya Koval, said to be a Payumo appointee, sacked. Tong and Dick can argue and point the finger at each other all they want – but let’s get to the bottom of this controversy and find out who was responsible for this despicable act against the environment.

According to the Department of Tourism, Koreans topped the number of visitors into the country last year with more than 650,000 – twice the number who came in 2003.  As a matter of fact, Filipinos are talking about a “Korean invasion” – and they could just be right on the money with Korean presence in so many aspects of Filipino lives including our TV channels. If one could recall, a Korean girl named Sandara Park was the big winner in ABS-CBN’s talent search a few years ago. Today, “Koreanovelas” are raking in ratings in the big networks.

Koreans are practically everywhere in the country – putting up schools, banks and other buildings in Boracay, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Manila. In Boracay, a lot of establishments are being run by Koreans mainly for Koreans. The same is true for Baguio with reports that locals are getting tense over the influx of Koreans who reportedly use dummies to acquire prime property in Baguio. Some of them are said to have started constructing high-end buildings and are driving rental prices up – to the disadvantage of local businessmen.

The way things look, animosity is starting to build up against Koreans, with locals beginning to feel that they are being marginalized to accommodate the interest of these foreigners.

There’s no question it’s really all about money, but if it’s going to endanger the future of our children – forget it. We have to remember what the Bible says: “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?” Indeed – what would it profit this nation if we get all these foreign investments at the cost of endangering our natural resources?

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By the way, I would like to congratulate Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro’s wife, Congresswoman Nikki Prieto-Teodoro, whose Special Committee on the Welfare of Children and Special Persons was made a Standing Committee by the House of Representatives. Nikki is a staunch advocate of women’s and children’s rights, and she really worked hard to have this committee created to safeguard the rights of children.

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