April 5, 2010
Don't blame the rains
Because of the long and wide Pasig River, which connects Manila Bay on the west and Laguna de Bay in the northeast, many cities in Metro Manila are crisscrossed by its numerous estuaries and tributaries. Unfortunately, with the fast and uncontrolled growth of this largest of the Philippines' urban centers during the sixties and seventies, the river system was completely neglected. The esteros of the cities of Manila, Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Taguig and Marikina are little more than open sewers. This particular garbage-choked estuary is in Binondo, Manila. It will take much more discipline and political will than we have shown so far to rehabilitate this very important resource. And people wonder why we always get floods during the rainy season.
So sad and unnecessary! We also have problems with flooding in many areas - especially after heavy rains. But, as you say, don't blame the rains. We've been paving over paradise for years and the water has no place to go anymore.
ReplyDeleteThe rich developers continue to get richer on the backs of the rest of us!
What a shame. These little canals and riverways have such potential to be great urban spaces. The blight of it all may be perfect, but your photo is very nice.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's sad. I wish we could get it together when it comes to things like this.
ReplyDeleteBut interesting photo!
I think it is like that in a lot of places.
ReplyDeleteA very important entry of yours. One hopes that it will be read from those responsible.
ReplyDeletePlease have a nice start into the new week.
i like the grittiness of this shot Hilda
ReplyDeleteIt will take much more discipline and political will than we have shown so far to rehabilitate this very important resource>>> discipline alone we lack so much. strict implementation is at its worst. nobody even care to warn others who throw their garbage on rivers.
ReplyDeletesurprenant ce canal qui passe entre deux batiments bien gris, Brel aurait chante "un canal c'est perdu"
ReplyDeleteThis is not good news. Good that you bring it to light.
ReplyDeleteAlmost all our minor canals aren't so different from this.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to know this. Maybe with your excellent photo journalism you can raise awareness and trigger a call to action.
ReplyDeleteIt seems difficult to get the right amount of balance between droughts and floods. I guess cities still have many things to overcome :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't tell it was a flood. From your shot it just looks like a nice canal or something. The stillness make great reflections but it could also breed lots of mosquitoes.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately you are not the only nation suffering from the neglect of their waterways. I wonder when we'll wise up?
ReplyDeletePeople are so slow to learn, I'm afraid. Hopefully, enough people will become wiser very soon. It has taken years and many dedicated people to clean up the Don River Valley in Toronto. A clean river is such a beautiful sight!
ReplyDeleteI see very well that you show your concern and make your criticism and protest against this health problem (and environmental)
ReplyDeleteJames:
ReplyDeleteIt's not a flood and it is a creek. But definitely not a nice one.