Did you know that Esteros (waterways) in Metro Manila play a vital role both in society and in our environment? It served as trading and transport route during the Spanish Era. As a small ecosystem and contributory stream to larger water bodies, it filters pollutants, recycles potentially-harmful nutrients, absorbs excess water during heavy rains, and help recharge underground aquifers. Despite their historical and ecological significance, these waterways however remain neglected. There are approximately two hundred seventy (270) esteros in Metro Manila that are poor in state. They are extremely polluted, causes frequent flooding due to waste, holds large number of informal settlers, surrounded with huge establishments encroaching its perimeters and lack proper management. Our “own” Estero De Maytubig and Estero Fort San Antonio De Abad are no different. To respond to this situation, De La Salle University (DLSU) has decided to participate in the rehabilitation of its nearby Esteros. It is our priority contribution to risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures in our own community. The university through the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) became part of the Adopt-an-Estero Program in collaboration with Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the City Government of Manila in June 2016. The project aims to a) restore the ecological services of Estero De Maytubig and Estero Fort San Antonio De Abad; b) raise public awareness on its intrinsic values; c) collaborate with internal and external stakeholders; and d) sustain efforts through policy and regulation. Last October 1, COSCA mobilized various stakeholders for the first clean-up of the two esteros. With the theme “Bayan Ko, Linis Ko,” the clean-up was organized in support to the country’s National Clean-Up Day. A total of 147 people composed of 4 DLSU students, 3 ALS-DLSU students, 22 DLSU employees, 74 Barangay Partners (707, 714, 717, 718, 719, and 720), 5 EMB-DENR technical staff, 17 DPWH workers, 8 MMDA personnel, and 14 Manila LGU staff, participated in the event. The event was graced by DLSU Vice President for Lasallian Mission, Br. Michael J. Broughton FSC and COSCA Director, Ma. Lourdes F. Melegrito. Through their combined efforts, fifty (50) sacks of wastes were collected. Future plans include partnership with the Gokongwei College of Engineering (GCOE) for research and technology development, consultation at the Barangay and City level for long-term interventions and linkage with business sectors surrounding the estero. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143
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Last September 27, 2016, De La Salle University hosted Luzon Lasalle Schools during the "One La Salle Reflection Session on Extra-Judicial Killings (EJK) and Human Rights (HR)" organized by the Lasallian Justice and Peace Commission (LJPC). The session started with an opening prayer lead by Mr. Peter Miles Sollesta and the singing of the National Anthem. Br. Michael J. Broughton FSC, DLSU's Vice President for Lasallian Mission welcomed participants from Luzon schools to the event. De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) President and Auxiliary Brother Visitor, Br. Jose Mari Jimenez FSC, then shared his appreciation and support for the community's efforts in raising awareness on EJK and HR. Read: Pastoral Letter Against the Culture of Death Related: University Student Government's Manifesto on the Marcos Burial Justice System is Key Atty. Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno, Dean of DLSU's College of Law, then spoke next on the topic "Martial Law, Extra-Judicial Killings and Human Rights." During his presentation, Atty. Diokno drew many parallels between our current situation and the situation during the dark years of Marcos dictatorship where human rights were also wrongfully blamed for the ills of the country and where fear and violence were also used to enforce the law. He emphasized instead that it is the deplorable state of our justice system that is causing the proliferation of drug syndicates and corrupt politicians in our country. He decried that taking the law into one's hands, through extra-judicial killing, does not address the problem but only makes matters worse. "The key to stopping crime and corruption is to have a justice system that works the way it is is meant to work." Disconnect Between Faith and Action Like Atty. Diokno, Br. Michael Valenzuela FSC, Member of the Board of Trustees of De La Salle College of St. Benilde, also shared his personal account of the Martial Law Years. He then presented the seeming disconnect between people's faith and their responses to EJK. To address this, Br. Valenzuela shared how Catholic Social Teaching (CST) could provide Lasallians with a framework that could help bridge this gap. CST, he adds, is not only for the Catholic. The framing of the United Nations' Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR), a secular document, was in fact highly influenced by it. Watch: Reflection Session on EJK and Martial Law (37:02) Read: The Universal Declaration on Human Rights "There is a disconnection between our faith The session ended with the closing message of DLSP Lasallian Mission Services (LMS) Director, Ms. Grace Lazo and a noise barrage held along Taft Avenue. (Click image and watch the video: "While we resonate with our government's desire to…") Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 Last September 17, 2016, the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), Manila Bay S.U.N.S.E.T Partnership Program Inc. (MBSPPI), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and Leveriza Partner Communities made and threw Effective Microorganism (EM) Mud Balls at the Estero Fort San Antonio de Abad and Estero De May Tubig to help improve water quality at the said waterways. The EM Mud Balls technology utilizes naturally occurring microorganisms which are able to purify and revive nature. It makes use of effective microorganism activated solution (EMAS) in enhancing and improving water quality thereby restoring aquatic habitats and ecosystems. The EM Mudball making workshop and dropping activity was conducted to create an awareness among community members of the EM technology as a step to help improve the water quality of the esteros. The said activity was participated by 18 DLSU-COSCA Alternative Learning System (ALS) students, three (3) representatives from Barangays 720, 718 and 717, five (5) service personnel from DLSU, 15 trainer-facilitators from Earth Ventures, Inc., 6 representatives from the LBP, and 6 COSCA personnel . MBSPPI and LBP supported the Effective Microorganisms (EM) Mudballs Technology workshop facilitated by Earth Venture, Inc. Prior to the mudball workshop, COSCA’s Ms. Terteen Omana, Development Specialist for SDG- L-ENVisage facilitated the orientation of barangay representatives on Climate Change, the EM Technology and the Estero Rehabilitation Initiative. DLSU formalized its partnership with MBSPPI last August 20, 2016. MBSPPI is a partnership of twenty-one (21) government and private institutions committed to protect and clean-up the coastal area of Manila Bay, including its tributaries. With DLSU, the following organizations were welcomed as new members in the Partnership: 1) the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-National Capital Region (NCR) Office, 2) Department of Public Works and Highways –NCR Office, 3) Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and 4) Villar Sipag at Tiyaga Foundation, Inc. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 |