The first time I watched âAn Inconvenient Truthâ, I was shocked, restless and brokenhearted. Pictures of dried lakes and falls, avalanche, increasing water level, decreasing land area, etc., knowing all of these saddens me. Our natural resources is depleting quickly due to our negligence. Moreover, I began to question what the authority is doing to address this alarming environmental issue. I also felt guilty mainly because Iâm clueless of this issue and I donât know if what Iâm doing worsens global warming. Though I realized that it is a global concern that needs to be address right away in order to slow down or stop the effects of global warming, people should really take part in addressing this environmental crisis.
      In the Philippines, I want to think that by now Filipinos and people around the world have learned an important lesson. The super typhoon Haiyan have wrecked the middle region of the country. This a new category of storm and its magnitude can be seen in remains of its devastation. I think that this is what we did to nature that has now taken its toll and making us pay. The magnitude of recent typhoons besides Haiyan that hit the country nowadays is unimaginable as seen by its casualties. In Metro Manila, floods stayed for days and itâs happening now every typhoon. Rivers are polluted like Pasig River due to disposal of waste maybe of illegal settlers, passersby and companies too. Litters are in the streets everywhere. As a result of these, even small amount of rainfall clogged the drainage which causes flood and disrupts work and school.
     As a long time commuter, every day I see mountains of garbage every corner specially near establishments and food carts and their patrons throwing their food litters everywhere, students and adults doing the same thing, men peeing on walls or public utility jeeps, etc. and it really annoys me. Throwing garbage in Manila Bay, Pasig River, high way or streets is normal in Metro Manila. People cared less of the environment. They have no sense of responsibility and accountability. They do not fear the law because no one is STRICTLY enforcing them. And so, I strongly suggest to Mayor Estrada or to Chairman Tolentino to consider my three suggestions to improve the discipline and waste disposal in the metro.
      Well, maybe my suggestion is a reiteration of what has been implemented. I think what Metro Manila needs is strict implementation of the law. Show that you really punish people who disobey it. First, I would like to suggest to totally ban the sidewalk vendors. Of course, they would say I empathize with them but their presence causes garbage, well not only them but buyers too. Buyers of their products tend to dispose their trash everywhere when they donât see trash bin. Perfect example is in Post Office, Lawton. This office or near this office distributes Pantawid Pamilya of PNoy which gives additional financial aid to family belonging in the low-income bracket. Whenever there is a schedule of cash distribution, a large number of people lines up Post Office building.  Along the way where they lined up, litters of food they bought from vendors (taking advantage of small earnings), were on the sidewalks. When they leave, they leave a mountain of trash. Then street sweepers collect the trash without complaints. The local government should give power to street sweepers to arrest people littering on the streets. Reprimand disobedience of the law with penalty right away. And to help the livelihood of those displaced vendors, the government should build commercial buildings for sidewalk vendors and stall owners for a cheaper lease. I would say make it illegal to sell on the streets but I think itâs already a law.
     Second, strictly implement âno houses near or under the bridge, rivers and bayâ. The local government should keep these families away from this location. Families living near it tend to dispose their waste in the water or where they reside. They do not dispose of their garbage properly. You can see this people in Pasig River, Roxas Boulevard, under any bridge. Families who have long been residing in these areas. Nobody forces them to leave or if they did, they grew tired. The local government should strictly enforce this. I think the local government of Manila has done this. Mayor Estrada has relocated these families and will penalize the barangay chairman if these families return. I hope this will solve the problem upon strict implementation.
     Third, conduct information dissemination seminars on environmental awareness. Starting in schools, companies and barangay. Make the barangay chairman active in supporting this cause. Make the people aware of the cause of this serious issue in the world we live in. Make them care. This is not just for us but also for the people of the future. Make them see and experience the best of nature. Instead posting billboards of sexy or famous celebrities promoting your product, use it to inform. Send out pamphlets showing everything they need to know in global warming and what they can do to prevent it. And this should be written in local dialect. Barangay officials should report to the Mayor monthly on the status of their campaign. Start conducting seminars and training in barangay level with the household participating.
    Al Gore said that people react to climate change when itâs too late. Well, it is definitely true. But for me education is the key. If people are properly inform, obey rules and fear the law and show concern on nature, then this world would have a chance of a cleaner environment and sustainable resources in the future. So act now, save now!
