Kills You Little by Little

       Epifanio de los Santos Avenue , commonly referred to by its acronym EDSA, is a limited-access circumferential freeway around Manila, the capital of the Philippines. It is the main thorough fare in Metro Manila passing through 6 of the capital region's 17 local government units, namely, from north to south, Caloocan, Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati and Pasay. The road links the North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak in the north to the South Luzon Expressway at the Magallanes Interchange in the south, as well as the major financial districts of Makati Central Business District, Ortigas Center and Araneta Center. It is the longest and the most congested highway in the metropolis, stretching some 23.8 kilometers. Not surprisingly EDSA is one of the most thoroughfares in the country. We all breathe this polluted air and we try not to think of the consequences to our health.

       Last Saturday, March 15 2015, we went to EDSA to interview some of the people who lived there and we also experienced the pollution at EDSA during that day, we can see the smoke coming from the vehicles are almost black and the people who live their lives in EDSA are now used to it and they don’t know the consequences they can get. According to our professor in Environmental Technology and Society, one of the most noxious air pollutants is nitrogen oxide, which is produced by vehicle emissions. Nitrogen Oxide reacts with volatile organic compounds to form smog, and it forms small particles that can penetrate the lungs and cause health problems.

       We have videos and pictures that can show you how polluted EDSA is and what it can do to your health and most especially what us people can do to reduce this air problem in EDSA.

Philippines' Paradise

We visited the famous Puerto Princesa last January 21-25, 2015 wherein we witness its beauty and richness. We have to say it’s a once in a lifetime experience that we will never forget and forever will be treasured to see this beautiful site that constantly made its name known all over the world. Some of share our experience in one of the most beautiful tourist spots of the Philippines and probably in the world too.

Julius Bojos quoted:

"When we had a tour of Palawan I had two of the best experience. First are those trips to the Underground River in Puerto Princesa and second is the island hoping to Honda Bay. This two tourist spots in Palawan are the most visited places. Being loved in this island paradise is an unforgettable experience because of those bodies of water that I encountered, it is very fertile or it is not damaged by any kind of human distractions, they are very fresh as you can drink the water from it directly."

Almira Aure mentioned:

"I can say that those bodies of water in Puerto Princesa specifically in Honda Bay are really clean its color was blue and even dark blue which is really pleasing into the eyes. Like other beaches it is salty as well but at least you don’t have to worry when you drink some of it unintentionally because you don’t see some diapers floating or any human waste. It is well taken care off. Snorkeling is a way to see fishes underwater and we’ve got the chance to experience it there and saw lots and lots of fishes and corals which just show that it is still a safe water. The waters in Underground River are green maybe because of the plants down there however it is still considered clean. Yet I can say that the best thing about it is you can’t smell any foul smell or see any floating things."

Meriedith Umlas cited:

"There is no doubt why the Puerto Princesa, Palawan Underground River is one of the 7 wonders of the world. Palawan is surrounded by beautiful scene and clean surrounding. There is never a moment where you will be upset about the place because everywhere you look, everywhere you go you’ll be amazed by its beauty. One of the best things in Palawan is the clean water. In every island or beach you go, you will be in love with the clear and blue water of Palawan. Also, you’ll be amazed how the people of Palawan protect some water bodies because in some places tourists are not allowed to swim for water’s protection. One of the tour guide of the underground river said that most of the fresh water in the underground river is mixed with salt water because of the small openings in the underground. As a result, some shells are living on the bottom of the rock formations."

There is one thing in common about our experiences, we are amaze on how beautiful one island could be when people know its worth and takes care of its beauty. We may not see as much scenery as it have but we can say that it is really a beautiful that we can never ever forget the feels it give.

Sewage Treatment Plant

by Julius Bojos and Martin Lomibao

Philippines’ population lacks access to safe drinking water. Millions die every year from waterborne (bacteria contaminated water) and water washed (insufficient water for washing and personal hygiene) related diseases. Diarrhea alone, a life-threatening symptom of a number of waterborne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and bacillary dysentery, kills 1.5 million people every year - most of them children under the age of five. Malnourished children are at greater risk.

Access to clean water is a key factor in reducing poverty, improving health and achieving sustainable development. Improved health from contamination-free water not only promises a better quality of life, but eases pressure on health care systems, and can drastically reduce the number of work days missed from ill health.

Here at De La Salle University - Dasmariñas, we have our own way to clean our waste water with the help of the Environmental Resource Management Center (ERMAC) which is responsible for the initiation, implementation, supervision and evaluation of all the university's programs and policies together with its compliance to national government standards related to environmental management and safety, pollution control and disaster risk reduction. This office manages the waste water of our university with the help of a project what we call “Sewage Treatment Plant” or “STP” which is responsible of recycling the waste water of our university, from waste water to class C water.

The STP process have 3 steps: 1) Collecting, 2) Irritation and 3) Filtration. First step is to collect the waste water from different colleges, then the second step is irritation which separates the solid waste from the liquid waste and the last step is filtration which cleans the water through different tunnels of the Sewage Plant. The water product of this process is directed to the river.

We Lasallians call ourselves a Green level university because of being one of the universities who is aware of our earths dying level and with this kind of simple actions we know that somehow we can help. We can be the start of the change.

Pollution and Cleanliness in Cavite

by Mae Ambion

We all produce waste each day, and what you or I consider waste might not be worthless to someone else. But have you ever wondered where our personal, household, and office wastes are being disposed?  Have you ever asked where your waste goes, what happens to it once you throw it out and what are its consequences?

Here are the different ranks of the Pollution and Cleanliness in Cavite Philippines. Updated September 2014. If the value is 0, it means it is perceived as very low, and if the value is 100, it means it is perceived as very high.

With dirty, polluted water come increasing cases of water borne diseases as well as other sickness caused by chemical pollution. We must learn to unlearn this ‘reality.’ we have to educate everyone about what garbage can do to the environment. Clean water is the given we must protect if we are to ensure that our water will continue to sustain life well into the future. Education is the solution.

Water Pollution

by Meriedith Umlas

Fourteen billion pounds of garbage mostly plastic, is dumped into the ocean every year. With this, there’s no doubt that our water system is suffering with this distress. Many water systems now are wasted, contaminated and unhealthy for people. What will happen if this problem continues? Can we stop this water pollution? 

Water is one of the most important things for us to survive. Forget the food but not the water. People need clean water for to survive. But as what we see in our environment today, many clean water sources is endangered. Soon, we will face a big water crisis if we won’t make a move to this problem and if we won’t stop in destroying our water properties.

We can’t blame anyone else but only ourselves for what is happening in our water system.  80% of the water pollution is caused due to us-due to domestic sewage like throwing garbage on open ground and water bodies. We are the reason why we are facing this problem. Despite of this, we can still stop this problem. If garbage is one of the reason of water pollution the stop throwing garbage anywhere. Let us practice the proper waste disposal. Second, use water wisely. This is to prevent the water shortage. Third, dispose chemicals properly. Do not throw chemicals into sink drain or toilet. Look for the proper disposal of chemicals. Fourth, install proper filters at home to help clean the water at home. The very first step to save our community starts at home. A very simple and little act to save and preserve water can help our water systems. These are very simple ways to prevent water pollution but these are the best ways to protect our water systems. It’s not too late to save our water system. We need to do this for us to survive and lessen the water pollution. Everybody can help. Each one of us can save our water system and prevent water crisis.