I would like to commend the Customer Service Regulation Office of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems (MWSS) for their help this morning.
I was helping an American colleague who is doing a research on fluoridation in the water system in the Philippines. I initially inquired with the DENR-EMB (they have no idea), DOH (no one's answering their trunkline) and BFAD (only the clerks were there, the technical people are all out and no one knows when will they be back) but they were all at loss who is the lead agency for this, at least in terms of policy.
However, when I called MWSS-RO, I was only transferred once (a feat for any company using a trunkline), and after stating my concern, the lady I spoke to called the person best to answer my queries. And yes, that person was able to answer me. And to top it all, no one seemed irritated with my call (another rarity, especially in government offices) and the person knew what he was saying. He even gave me additional contacts where I can verify his information. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the name of the person but whoever you are, I salute you!
*Update: The name of the nice fellow is Mr. Bong Cordova. Thank you Mr. Cordova!
ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Five Congressmen have urged the House of Representatives to support the stand of officials and residents of Guimaras against mining operations on the island-province.
House Resolution 841, filed on Oct. 10, calls on the chamber to support the opposition of Guimarasnons against the entry and operations of mining companies.
The resolution was sponsored by Guimaras Rep. JC Rahman Nava, Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño, Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan and Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.
In the resolution, the congressmen described the island as rich in natural resources and one of the pristine popular tourist destinations in the country.
Click here to read the complete story.
(Submitted entry)
We got our tickets, came 30 mins late and started enjoying the flick. After an hour, right on the one of the most exciting parts, there was a black out in the screen, lights on around the movie house. Wondering why, I looked at the technical room and started gazing around. I saw 20 of us watching the film. Thinking it was only an ordinary technical problem, I just let it pass. After a few seconds, the film resumed. But this time, it's different. We can not see the subtitles anymore. So I was starting to freak out. The fact that the setting was in China, so we expect subs, right? After 20 mins. black out again. This time, with the lady assisting in the cinema saying "Sandali lang po.." WHAT! Sandali lang po!! First time in my seeing a movie in a big screen ever i heard saying from the staff, SANDALI LANG PO. (Parang nakikinood lang sa kapitbahay ah). Knowing my rights as a consumer, I started saying that this is not right. We paid for 100 bucks to watch in the big screen and this is all we got? Sandali lang po! (I thought You've got it all for us?).
I was in the brink of losing my patience, but I still remained composed. I was just raving that I will call the management of the cinema about this not-so-good experience. It just pisses off when you're watching a very good film with so much "bloopers" in between. Nawawala yung excitement.
Here's the catch. Those black outs happened just in the middle of the must-see fight scenes and yeah, during the climax - just when the adrenaline-rush is almost there. Then what, sandali lang po? Gee.
Sorry for my being sarcastic, but I think any movie goer would also react that way. Specially if they paid for it. and golly, the incident happened 3 times. What now?
Haay. The day is over. and I still can't move on with what happened. Probably tomorrow morning, I'll ring the management's office for that matter. Tell my not-so-good experience hoping it will not happen anymore.
Mukhang sila ata ang dahilan ng lumalaganap na Piracy. Haha. Laugh out loud.
To read the ntire article, please click here.
Adapted from "The Green Guide" #77, The Green Guide Institute.
With all the recent press about plastics leaching harmful chemicals into food, we want to be sure we’re using the safest materials in our children’s lunchboxes.
Get the scoop on which plastics are safe to use right here:
Chemicals that leach from plastic containers into food include suspected carcinogens or endocrine disrupters, which have been linked to reproductive system harm. Plastic used for containers can be identified by their recycling codes, as listed in this article.
Most wraps on pre-packaged foods lack identifying symbols. Here is a great list from The Green Guide Institute from which you can tell at a glance the plastics that are safe for food storage and those that aren’t:
As a precaution, you can unwrap these foods and store them in nontoxic glass, ceramic or steel bowls, or Ziploc bags (made of LDPE). Heat promotes leaching:
To be safest, never microwave or heat foods in plastics.
1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET): No known hazards.
2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): No known hazards.
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or vinyl): Plasticizers are added to many PVC products to make them flexible. These include phthalates — suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), DEHA, another possible EDC, was found to leach from PVC cling wraps into cheese. Grocery stores commonly use PVC to wrap deli meats and cheeses. Reyonds cling wrap is PVC. Some waters and vegetable oils are bottled in PVC. Ad PVC’s manufacture and incineration produces highly toxic dioxins, as does the PVDC used in Saran Wrap, according to Consumers Union.
4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): No known hazards.
5. Polypropylene (PP): No known hazards.
6. Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam): Made from styrene, a suspected carcinogen, PS also contains p-nonylphenol; both chemicals are suspected EDCs. Do not consumer fatty foods or alcoholic beverages from Styrofoam containers; styrene can leach into these substances. Some opaque plastic cutlery is PS, as well.
7. Other Resins, including Polycarbonate (PC): Most clear plastic baby bottles and 5-gallon water bottles are made of PC. Bisphenol-A EDC in PC, has been found in water and heated infant formulas bottles in PC, as well as food cans lined with a plastic film.
For some more great tips on how and why to reduce your use of plastics –and for which ones are the biggest concern for your health and the environment — read these new guidelines from The Green Guide Institute .
This article was reprinted from “The Green Guide” newsletter, a publication of The Green Guide Institute. Since 1994, “The Green Guide” has been a premier consumer source for practical everyday actions benefiting environmental and personal health. Want more practical solutions that benefit the environment and personal health? Subscribe online to The Green Guide.
Choose your water bottles very carefully in order to prevent chemicals in the plastic from leaching into your water.
Plastic water bottles are very convenient for carting water around when we are on the go, as they don't break if we drop them. However, it is worth paying attention to the type of plastic your water bottle is made of, to ensure that the chemicals in the plastic do not leach into the water. If you taste plastic, you are drinking it, so get yourself another bottle.
To be certain that you are choosing a bottle that does not leach, check the recycling symbol on your bottle. If it is a #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), or a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene), your bottle is fine. The type of plastic bottle in which water is usually sold is usually a #1, and is only recommended for one time use. Do not refill it. Better to use a reusable water bottle, and fill it with your own filtered water from home and keep these single-use bottles out of the landfill.
Unfortunately, those fabulous colourful hard plastic lexan bottles made with polycarbonate plastics and identified by the #7 recycling symbol, may leach BPA. Bisphenol A is a xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor, meaning it disturbs the hormonal messaging in our bodies. Synthetic xenoestrogens are linked to breast cancer and uterine cancer in women, decreased testosterone levels in men, and are particularly devastating to babies and young children. BPA has even been linked to insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes. For more of the science on the effects of BPA on our endocrine system etc. see these studies: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal. Nalgene, the company that manufactures the lexan water bottles also makes #2 HDPE bottles in the same sizes and shapes, so we have a viable alternative.
Unfortunately, most plastic baby bottles and drinking cups are made with plastics containing Bisphenol A. In 2006 Europe banned all products made for children under age 3 containing BPA, and as of Dec. 2006 the city of San Franscisco followed suit. In March 2007 a billion-dollar class action suit was commenced against Gerber, Playtex, Evenflo, Avent, and Dr. Brown's in Los Angeles superior court for harm done to babies caused by drinking out of baby bottles and sippy cups containing BPA. So, to be certain that your baby is not exposed, use glass bottles.
Check the recycling numbers on all your plastic food containers as well, and gradually move to storing all food in glass or ceramic.
Store water in glass or brass if possible, and out of direct sunlight.
From http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/2007/03/29/plastic_water_bottles
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