Speak truth to power, keep power in check

Boracay has been closed due to alleged water pollution and other environmental violations. Allegedly, untreated dirty water coming from kitchens, toilets and canals are directly discharged into the sea resulting in algal blooms and high levels of coliform bacteria. This is probably going on for many years. I saw the comment of a foreign tourist in tripadvisor.com back in 2009 that sewage is being pumped into kiteboarding waters off Bulabog beach on Boracay island.

The sewage problem can be corrected by infrastructure. Right now all establishments are being required to connect to the sewage lines of the island’s service provider. But there is one pollutant which is difficult to control and which up to now is unregulated and has the potential of destroying delicate marine environment. That is sunscreen lotion. Yes, the lotion that protects us from being scorched by the sun has harmful side effects to our corals and other marine cr eat ur es.

According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), many sunscreens contain oxybenzone, a chemical that helps filter out the ultraviolet rays that cause skin cancer. Unfortunately, research indicates that it also makes corals more susceptible to the bleaching events that have damaged famed reefs around the world. Other research indicates that it can also harm fish, sea urchins and mammals.

Oxybenzone is part of a family of chemicals that are often added to plastics to prevent them from photo-degrading, and to drinks bottles to protect the contents. They also preserve the colours and scents of hundreds of products including hairsprays, soaps and nail polish. Oxybenzone, pass through wastewater plants unfiltered and end up in our rivers and oceans.

Even without the link to coral decline, many countries have restricted the use of oxybenzone because of concerns that it could harm people’s health, for instance by triggering skin allergies. Researchers are also scrutinizing its impact on hormone levels.

According to the US National Parks Service, 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen lotion enters reef areas annually. This does not spread out rapidly or evenly over the entire WILL they still insist ocean, but concentrates on popular tourist sites. It is estimatedthat90%ofsnorkeling/divingtouristsareconcentrated on pushing the federal on 10% of the world’s reefs. This means that popular form of government after reefs, such as those in national parks, are exposed to the a considerable majority of majority of sunscreens. Filipinos have expressed

Several cosmetics firms are already offering “reef-friendly” their opposition to the products that use zinc or titanium oxide instead of the proposal? The recent Pulse Asia survey showed more controversial ingredients. So check the labels of your that 64 percent of Pinoys are not in favor of sunscreen and choose those that contain these ingredients. changing or amending the 1987 Constitution.

Some countries have already taken action to protect vital The results indicated an increase of 20 percentage tourist industries. Mexico allows only “biodegradable” sunscreen in some of its premier marine parks. Lawmakers points from the 44 percent who opposed in Europe and Hawaii have pushed for more sweeping bans. Charter change in another survey conducted In the United States, the National Parks Service encourages by the same research firm in 2016. visitors to use alternative products or just to cover up with Certainly, the proponents of federalism, hats and long-sleeved swimwear. The Philippines which has especially here in Negros Occidental, will not many beautiful corals like those in the Tubbataha Reef, should also come up with regulations against sunscreens. easily accept this survey as a sign of defeat to

By the way, I just found out that sunscreen and sunblock their ongoing campaign. They are so engrossed lotions are not the same. Sunblock contains both organic in their advocacy that they tend to ignore and non-organic ingredients that sit on top of the skin contrary opinions. They are so convinced that acting as a barrier between your skin and damaging UV rays federalism is the only way for the economy by reflecting or scattering UVB light. Sunscreen on the other to prosper and eventually, alleviate poverty. hand penetrates the skin and absorbs the UVA rays before In fact, the different groups selling the they are able to reach and damage the dermal layer.

Sunblocks are formulated to shield against UVB rays, while federal ideology to the people have been very sunscreens protect against UVA. passionate in their advocacy works. But the

majority of Pinoys have spoken and they must

RODRIGO Duterte’s presidency has altered and controlled the public discourse so radically in its favor in ways rude and bold. One tragic result: it has restricted and narrowed the celebrated freedom of the Philippine press and the people’s cherished right to know.

In his first 22 months in power, Mr. Duterte has earned the dubious honor of logging 85 various cases of attacks and threats on these dual values that the Constitution upholds as inalienable rights of the citizens. The number far exceeds those recorded under four presidents before hi m.

Separately and together, these 85 cases have made the practice of journalism an even more dangerous endeavor under Duterte.

From June 30, 2016 to May 1, 2018, these cases include the killing of nine journalists, 16 libel cases, 14 cases of online harassment, 11 death threats, six slay attempts, six cases of harassment, five cases of intimidation, four cases of website attack, revoked registration or denied franchise renewal, verbal abuse, strafing, and police surveillance of journalists and media agencies.

These cases project the force of presidential power dominating the political sphere, with zealous support from Duterte allies and appointees, and their sponsored misinformation army online and off. They have hurled at members of the press insults and unfair labels, and allegations of corruption and misconduct without firm basis in fact or in law.

These cases linger amid effete efforts at solution by state agencies, and in the context of the hostile and vicious discourse against the administration’s critics and the critical media.

The President, Cabinet members, and the House of Representatives have imposed and proposed unprecedented restrictions on journalist access to official news events. Congress and executive agencies have denied or delayed the corporate registration or franchises required for operation of media companies.

Some journalists and media groups have also reported police surveillance of their movement and their places of work.

Attacks on press freedom diminish not just the news media. These weaken the capacity of the news media to sustain the people’s unfettered exchange of ideas about public issues. Presidential intolerance of criticism is now a well established aspect of Duterte’s leadership. While he is not the only chief executive who has become sensitive to press criticism, Duterte has made sure that everyone understands that misfortunes could hound and befall his critics.

And yet Duterte had promised change; his government should thus tell the people when and where change has come to fruition, and whether it has triggered better or worse results. By keeping citizens and voters fully informed about what and how those they have raised to power are doing right or wrong, a free press sustains and strengthens democracy.

That is not quite the situation under Duterte as yet. Intimidated, restrained, and threatened with consequences, the news media have been significantly constrained to report well and fully on the war on drugs, the siege of Marawi, cases of alleged corruption in high office, questions about the wealth of the Duterte family,

the public debate on Charter change and federalism, the shutdown of Boracay, and not the least significant, the incursions of China in the West Philippine Sea.

Rodrigo Duterte has brandished the power of fear. His threats and attacks bear the full weight of his office, the highest in the land. No need to test constitutional limits. All he seems to want to do is to make enough journalists understand that they should be very afraid.

But, like fear, courage could be contagious. And unlike fear that disempowers, courage built on the power of truth and the unity of all in media is a force that empowers.

To stand firm and to stand united for press freedom and democracy, to speak truth to power and to keep power in check — this much the press owes the people. And whoever is president, the paramount duty of a free press in a democracy is to defend and uphold the people’s right to know, with unqualified courage and unity.

— Sunnex