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Tuesday, September 2, 2025
As the world fails on plastics, the Philippines must act
By Manila Bulletin
Published Aug 31, 2025 12:05 am
The world had a chance last week to take a major step toward solving the plastic pollution crisis—but failed. At the United Nations-led negotiations in Geneva for a global plastics treaty, nearly 200 countries could not agree on one of the most essential measures: a cap on plastic production.
This failure sends a grim message. As the world produces over 400 million tons of plastic annually, with projections of a 70 percent increase by 2040, global inaction shifts the burden onto individual countries—especially those already overwhelmed by plastic waste. For the Philippines, which has long suffered from the dual threat of plastic pollution and flooding, this should be a wake-up call.
Now more than ever, local solutions must step up where international agreements have stumbled. One of those solutions could be the proposed Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Act, filed in 2023, which the Department of Energy (DOE) is pushing anew amid recent devastating floods across Metro Manila. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the bill—which has already passed the House and is awaiting Senate approval—could be a turning point, providing a regulatory framework for converting solid waste into energy.
The Philippines is at a critical crossroads. The “sachet economy,” driven by poverty and convenience, has made single-use plastic packaging—especially for food, toiletries, and household products—a dominant part of everyday life. Unfortunately, these plastics, especially flexible packaging, are virtually non-recyclable. They clog waterways, cause massive urban flooding, and increase public health risks, including the recent spike in leptospirosis cases reported by the Department of Health.
Without international pressure to reduce plastic production at the source, countries like the Philippines are left to manage a growing mountain of waste with inadequate infrastructure and inconsistent local policies. This is where the WTE law could help—not as a cure-all, but as a part of a broader strategy to deal with non-recyclable waste and reduce the volume of garbage choking our drainage systems.
Critics of waste-to-energy systems point to potential air pollution and toxic emissions. These are valid concerns and must be addressed with stringent environmental regulations and transparency. Done right, WTE offers a dual purpose: reducing the waste that contributes to flooding and generating renewable energy in the process.
But this approach must not replace or excuse more sustainable strategies. Recycling, though limited in effectiveness—only six percent of plastic globally gets recycled, according to the OECD—still plays a role. Reuse systems and alternative packaging materials must also be pursued aggressively. But as the global plastics treaty negotiations revealed, relying on recycling and reuse alone won’t solve a crisis fueled by ever-increasing plastic production.
At Geneva, even a watered-down draft treaty failed to win consensus. It omitted essential provisions like chemical disclosure, reuse mandates, and production caps. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: "I deeply regret that, despite earnest efforts, negotiations to reach an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, concluded without achieving a consensus."
Guterres' statement comes following high-level talks that failed to reach an agreement on a global treaty to combat plastic pollution due to disagreements over prioritizing a phase-out of plastics or enhancing waste management systems.
In the absence of global action, national governments must lead with a long-term vision which includes the reduction of plastic production, investing in truly sustainable alternatives, supporting waste workers, and building resilient cities.
With the rainy season worsening, plastic waste surging, and many flood control infrastructure found as substandard, or ghost projects, the country should chart a clearer path toward environmental survival.
PAGASA: Moon to turn blood red for 1 hour 22 minutes during September 8 eclipse
A total lunar eclipse will cast a deep red glow over the Moon in the early hours of September 8, 2025, as seen from across the Philippines. The celestial event will reach maximum eclipse at 2:12 a.m. (PAGASA)
By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Published Sep 1, 2025 01:12 pm
A total lunar eclipse will be visible across the Philippines in the early hours of Sept. 8, with the Moon expected to glow a deep red for about one hour and 22 minutes, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
The event will begin late on Sept. 7 at 11:27 p.m., when the Moon enters Earth’s penumbral shadow. The partial eclipse phase starts at 12:27 a.m. on Sept. 8, gradually darkening the Moon.
Totality, which is the period when the Moon is fully covered by Earth’s umbra and appears blood red, will last from 1:30 a.m. to 2:53 a.m. It spans one hour, 22 minutes, and 54 seconds.
The maximum eclipse will occur at 2:12 a.m.
PAGASA said the astronomical event will conclude at 4:57 a.m. when the Moon completely exits Earth’s penumbral shadow.
PAGASA’s Astronomical Observation and Time Service Unit chief Mario Raymundo explained that the reddish tint is caused by sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere, which casts a red glow on the Moon’s surface during the eclipse.
“This total lunar eclipse will last approximately one hour and 22 minutes, which is quite long for this type of event,” Raymundo said in an interview.
He added that the longest total lunar eclipse visible from the Philippines lasted one hour and 40 minutes, recorded in 1953.
Raymundo described the chances of clearly seeing this month’s eclipse as somewhat “suntok sa buwan” (a long shot), since it coincides with the southwest monsoon or “habagat” season, which often brings cloudy skies and rain.
Still, weather permitting, the total lunar eclipse will be visible across most parts of the country.
Unlike solar eclipses, total lunar eclipses are safe to watch without special equipment. While binoculars or a small telescope can enhance the view, they are not necessary.
The public is encouraged to find a dark area with a clear view of the sky to fully appreciate the celestial event.
Raymundo added that PAGASA will open its Astronomical Observatory in Quezon City to the public for eclipse viewing on the evening of Sept. 7.
The next total lunar eclipse visible from the Philippines is expected on March 3, 2026.
Ombudsman creates special panel of investigators to probe 'anomalous' flood control projects
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The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has created a special panel of investigators to probe the reported anomalous flood control projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units (LGUs). The panel will look into "anomalous flood control projects of the government, both local and national, and the alleged corrupt practices involved therein, including the misappropriation of public funds." Read more |
Why are some very smart people so quiet?
In general the most intelligent people tend to be more introspective. What I remember from these studies is that:
The most intelligent people tend to be less interested in common topics
They tend to enjoy silence and introspection more
By saying things that are not so common for other people, they tend to be isolated, so they soon get used to it and start entertaining themselves with something more interesting than talking to others.
The same study indicated that it is not possible to identify if they are naturally more quiet or introspective or if by presenting different thoughts, opinions and actions, they become the target of jokes, mockery and therefore gradually withdraw.
The study also indicated that it is not 100%, the truth is that I did not learn the percentages that were mentioned, but in general it was above 60% of those who have an IQ above average.
Monday, September 1, 2025
Trial by social media
“Iskolar ng bayan” is a badge of honor usually associated with a graduate from the University of the Philippines. The term signifies not just the intellectual formation that one has received from a premier university, but also the civic responsibility that comes with an education that is funded by taxpayer money.
In the past few days, however, the term has taken on a more cynical meaning. Through Reddit threads, TikTok videos, and Facebook/Instagram posts, ordinary citizens have been calling out the extravagant lifestyles of different government officials and contractors who have been tied to anomalous flood control projects, claiming that their questionable wealth are from sham bids and backdoor deals. This includes the expensive university degrees their children obtained overseas, earning them the ironic label of “scholars ng bayan.”
Not too long ago, these political children were admired (even lauded) for the designer bags, luxury cars, and expensive jewelry they shared on their social media accounts. Many have made a career as influencers, posting from their private jets or their latest trips abroad. Once in a while, they would thank their parents for funding their lavish lifestyles, with one even calling her father her “never-ending ATM.”
Today, many of those accounts have been locked as private and are now hidden from public view. What used to be aspirational content is now considered incriminating, as anonymous users dig through old feeds and resurface photos with a detailed price breakdown of every item they own. One Reddit user even gave step-by-step instructions on how to retrieve deleted or archived posts, while another made a consolidated directory cataloguing all the gathered evidence/screenshots of each family’s “ill-gotten wealth.”
Before last week, many were quick to accept that some Filipino families simply existed at that level of wealth, rarely pausing to ask where the money came from. The harder truth that needs to be acknowledged is how we, as a society, helped normalize and collectively enabled the lifestyles of these political families. Filipinos have long gravitated toward celebrated displays of affluence. As the now-infamous Discaya features illustrate, media humanized these personalities through stories that framed their privilege as aspirational, while giving them a veneer of relatability. Social media followers strengthened their soft power through every like and share. Brands that collaborated with these individuals conferred status and credibility. Perhaps what is so important about this issue is not only the long-overdue scrutiny of these families, but also the uncomfortable recognition of our own complicity.
Political theorist Jürgen Habermas defined the public sphere as the realm where private citizens come together to debate matters of public concern. The past week is a good example of how social media platforms have effectively taken on that role. Despite being conducted in informal settings, this “trial by social media” could lead to real consequences for reputations, careers, and even government inquiries. For instance, public pressure has already reached the higher levels of government. President Marcos recently ordered a lifestyle check of government officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways and other agencies. When criticized about his own family’s wealth, the President said that he is more than willing to be subjected to a lifestyle check as well.
While I am not a big fan of the indiscriminating nature of cancel culture, the past few days have felt like a satisfying form of comeuppance. In an era of selective justice and seeming impunity, these Reddit threads are starting to feel like a legitimate way of pursuing accountability since formal mechanisms don’t always yield results. As one user noted, the hope is that this newfound determination to investigate and call out questionable practices will not be confined to flood-control contracts alone, but will extend to anomalous bids in health, education, and other public services.
Of course, this type of no-holds-barred tribunal is not without risk. While it can pierce impunity, it also blurs the line between accountability and mob justice. Whistle blowing on Reddit, and social media in general, relies heavily on anonymous or pseudonymous accounts. While it offers protection for the whistle blower, it can just as easily serve as a breeding ground for misinformation and harmful conspiracy theories to flourish.
And yet, we cannot dismiss the significant contributions it can make to advance public discourse. If the once seemingly invulnerable scions of political dynasties are now retreating from the spotlight, it means that those in power are feeling the weight of public scrutiny. Whether these viral posts and message threads will lead to an actual investigation and systemic reform, or simply to more careful curation of what these families share publicly, remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: more Filipinos are refusing to stay silent. The ongoing “trial by social media” of these officials’ extravagant lifestyles may be messy, flawed, and less than ideal, but it has definitely made the issue quite impossible to ignore.
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Davao Skylines is feeling nostalgic in Davao City.
Good bye uso-uso na ba ni? 
While the full-scale bus system is planned to be partially operational by 2027, the transitional phase caused a vacuum: jeepney franchises have been reduced or not renewed in expectation of the new system.
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