I was in Manila over the weekend and stayed at the AIM Hotel. They had a magazine in the room called MoneySense, a magazine that only a few businessmen or AIM students get to read. What caught my attention was an article written by its editor, Mr. Heinz Bulos entitled “Best Places to Live.” This was the best places to live in the Philippines. Cebu was in the bottom of the top 20 in this list!
Here are the top best cities according to the writer: 1. Bacolod 2. Makati 3. Davao 4. Marikina 5. Ilo-ilo 6. Las Piñas 7. Pasig 8. San Fernando 9. Mandaluyong 10. Quezon City 11. Manila 12. Batangas 13. Cagayan de Oro 14. Muntinglupa 15. Angeles 16. Baguio 17. Lipa 18. Calamba 19. General Santos 20. Cebu. Are you surprised? Well, the methodology they used was copied directly from the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project (PCCRP) of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), where Cebu fared poorly due to bad infrastructure development and other factors.
At the start of his editor’s note, Mr. Bulos said, “Compiling a “Best Place to Live” in the Philippines just screams for complaints and criticism. After we came out with the results, I was actually disappointed, even perplexed, that some of my favorite cities weren’t even included or were so far down the ranking. As for you, are you aghast that your city is not on the list or is at the lower rung? Sorry, we didn’t hand-pick the list based on personal opinion. How can Cebu or Baguio be at the lower ranks of the top 20? Finally he added, “You may also be annoyed by the fact that Metro Manila cities dominate the list.”
I’m writing this article because of my disappointment that Cebu ranked so poorly. I decided to write this only here in The Freeman and not in the Philippine Star because as I said, no one knows about this magazine. I’d rather not scream about this in paper of national circulation. But the author wasn’t fair at all because he compared Cebu to all the other Metro Manila cities. This fellow, whose name sounds very foreign, probably doesn’t know that we do have a Metro Cebu, which shouldn’t be compared to Pasig or Muntinglupa! On this alone, AIM made a mistake by allowing this article that doesn’t compare apples with apples, but with oranges!
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I have this emailed letter from a Capt. Tito Alfafara, which is self-explanatory and is a serious concern for environmentalists.
“ Dear Mr. Bobit S. Avila: I observed how toxic material like plastic (of any form) was disposed especially in our area in Mohon (Valley View Village) by some of our neighbors. I think not all know that this plastic material was toxic and very dangerous to everybody’s health if inhaled. Some of our neighbors burned plastic materials in any form; they include this when they are burning their garbage, maybe because of ignorance of the Clean Air Act. I was so alarmed and mad why they do this because it endangers the health of all neighbors and to other people around who can inhale it.
Further, as a ship captain, I delegate to my chief officer that segregation of waste onboard was followed strictly according to the Rules and Regulation of Maritime Pollution Act. No incineration of plastic material in any form was carried onboard, that all this plastic materials is segregated and turned over to an official collector of garbage every time we arrive in a certain port with facility that handles such kind garbage. Certificates are issued to act as evidence and reference for future inspections because if you will not comply bigger penalties in US dollars and prosecution are imposed to violators.
The Philippine Government already approved the Clean Air Act for implementation in the disposal of toxic material such as plastic (no burning of plastic in any form), the Clean Air Act was created and approved for this purpose, to protect the health of the people of this toxic material.
I would like to suggest to you to help for an urgent information campaign regarding the prohibited burning of plastic material (in any form) through your column. Include information to public officials like the Governor of Cebu and all mayors and should be disseminated to all barangay officials and all the sub-divisions including schools in the City and towns of Cebu, using posters and flyers.
That awareness regarding the deadly inhalation of this toxic material will be known to all and that those who will violate will be dealt with according to the penalty of the provision of the Clean Air Act. I trust that this appeal will not go in vain for those whose health are dangerously threatened. With kind regards, Capt. Tito Sanchez Alfafara (tsalfafara@gmail.com)”