Monday, March 5, 2018

Like a Miss Universe with a body odor

“I hate to say this, but I'll repeat it: After death, all we know that you do is stink.”
--Jack Kevorkian

By Alex P. Vidal

NEWARK, New Jersey
-- Let’s not be confused by the ongoing furor over Boracay Island, tagged as a “cesspool” by President Duterte, and threatened with a closure after being hounded by an ecological crisis.
Boracay isn’t doomed yet. It is still pristine as anyone who has been there can imagine.
It hasn’t lost its luster and beauty in the eyes of a true-blue beach goer.
As a matter of fact, statistics show more visitors from all corners of the globe continue to arrive weeks after the presidential dressing down.
Tourists are unfazed by Boracay’s environmental woes and aren’t worried by the danger of swallowing algae in the waters.
There is no doubt that the white beach in Malay, Aklan in the Philippines remains to be one of the best beaches in the world.
In fact, in TripAdvisor's 2018 Traveler's Choice Awards, the island located in the central Philippines ranks second among white beaches in Asia.

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The problems on environment and apparent neglect by some municipal officials are matters that Boracay stakeholders and the local government unit (LGU) will have to address seriously if we hope to sustain the beach’s life and reputation.
Just like other tourist spots anywhere in the world, Boracay has its own share of infamy and infirmities.
There is no perfect tourist destination in the world.
Even individual beauties have demerits and foibles.
Not all bodybuilding icons are healthy.
Not all beauty titlists have excellent hygiene.
Boracay’s case can be likened to a Miss Universe with a body odor.
The facade is startling, but underneath the armpits, there’s a stink that even a loving mother can’t tolerate and bear inhaling.
President Duterte and the environment and local government officials are the loving mothers trying to convince the Miss Universe daughter to take a bath and eradicate the unwanted dead rats in spaces between body and arms.
Amid the admonition and cleanliness program, life must go on for the Miss Universe.
In other words, Boracay should still be “business as usual” amid the hullabaloo.

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Nothing can now stop the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multipurpose Phase II (JRMP II) project in Calinog, Iloilo.
Once the project’s actual construction unfolds in June this year, more Ilonggos will be benefited--from vendors to suppliers of construction materials, and job seekers.
More importantly it will solve the perennial problem on flash floods, irrigation of 32,000 hectares of farm lands, supply of water to households and business, and produce some 17,000 local jobs.
Due to its economic costs, social and environmental impacts and potential for environmental disasters it was dubbed as a “mega damn”.

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