⌛ have I left it too late/where now

As frustrating as it is, that is the reality. As expats we can't directly influence the government. The best we can do is create as small an environmental footprint as we can and support those groups that are involved with shaping the future of the country. The way we choose to live may speak volumes to those around us without us even realizing.

 

I can vouch that sirenna and yabs did not see eye to eye on TT !!
and yabs and i had it out quite a few times ... i dont always totally agree with him here and he isnt very diplomatic but he has a point

 

Yes Cebudiver

He has a very sad point.

Greetings J.Diver

 

Well, there are these guys.
UNIDO - Philippines: Abatement of Mercury Pollution (success story)
Of course, they are essentially politicians that do more talking than anything.
The World Bank has their International Development Association.
Perhaps expats should support and/or put pressure on groups based in their own countries that are working in the Philippines. Greenpeace did have a hand in getting the electric jeepneys. Small steps but positive ones.
And there's the USAID

 

I wonder how many new projects are actually incorporating this system?
Wastewater Treatment

 

I'm not going to comment on Koreans as I haven't met enough to form much of an opinion, yay or nay...but I will say this...we get heaps of Japanese tourists here in Australia. They are zero trouble. None, nada, zip. I've met plenty and they are wonderful guests. Courteous, obey the laws, they do what they're told (to a fault sometimes - when sleazy tour operators take advantage of them, and yes...it unfortunately does happen, hopefully not often). They love and appreciate Australian wildlife and nature here, and particularly the younger ones are adventurous enough to have a go at outback destinations. Dive operators have told me their Japanese clients generally have rusty diving skills but they follow the rules as best they can. If this isn't happening in the Philippines...I wonder why...

If you don't want Japanese tourists over there....can you please send them our way?

 

Hi all,

Tim, as always, you make some good valid suggestions. Supporting or being a part of an organization that has some influence in the Philippines seems as though it would get more accomplished than writing on your own to officials.

Sirenna, a couple folks here are saying you and yabs are not the same person, so for that mistake, I would like to say I'm sorry. I obviously don't agree with some things that you've said, but that's what conversations are about, right? Live I've said to yabs a few times (why I bothered is beyond me) is that it shows a great deal of racism and ignorance to negatively comment on a whole race of people. Once you say "the Koreans", or "those Japanese" in a negative connotation, then that is simply a mistake from my perspective, even if you throw in a "I have a Korean friend" like yabs has done (which we know is false in the first place), regardless, the damage is done. Do you see my point? If you pick out a place where you don't like the construction, I see no need to say those Koreans have bad taste, or are ruining, etc., etc., because "those" Koreans" do not work in a vacuum, there are Philippine officals, Philippine construction workers, Philippine plumbers, Philippine electricians, and so on. Because a buiilding doesn't suit your particular taste doesn't mean the building is truly horrible. I mean if I had my way, we would still be constructing buildings in a colonial fashion because that's my taste, but I see no sense in denegrating a whole race of people for their choice of style. Please excuse any typos, i have a new laptop and have to get used to the keyboard layout.

 

under vs overdevelopment

any old readers of thorntree like sirenna and yabs knew me as rayedwardthompson and cebudiver -
i have largely promoted this area and encourage the kind of development that leads to small scale resorts and the establisment of places like Apo that use tourist income to help protect what remains of the reefs and forests in the area - however , the large development projects - the large new hotels in boracay and alona , the new place being built in moalboal and now a large korean resort going up in liloan fishing village !! have me concerned about uncontrolled development - that is the point yabs has - but it is a double edge sword - it is necessary to have sustainable development or we are back to the days of dynamite fishing and no money for regulation - but i dont want the area to become pattaya either - look at places like costa rica and sipidan - overtouristed but still not overdeveloped - the natural environment is being protected because the powers that be there can see the long term advantages ... one can only hope the politicians here will come around in time -