February 2018 Editorial: Comments and Suggestions on the Cawit Mangrove Plan

Editorial Cartoon: Reymark D. Banania

Manito LGU posted via Facebook that there was a meeting of the Municipal Tourism Sector, ALBAFAI, EDC and Bluewater Consultancy on the transformation of the Cawit Mangroves as a Tourism site.

This is commendable for two main reasons. First, the public is made aware that the LGU continues to plan for tourism and livelihood of Manito. Second, it is good that the LGU officials are showing they are open to suggestions from Maniteños. The post even explicitly solicited suggestions regarding any activities or infrastructure that would best suit the site. Openness to suggestions and comments is a mark of good leadership and governance.

We should give the LGU a nod of approval for initiatives such as this. This is the kind of LGU action that can potentially empower people.

There are indeed a lot of suggestions that people may proffer but to date, only two persons commented on the post. A certain Inri Dimdam commented:

“Dapat bago ang mga yan gawin muna ang magandang patubig ng Manito kasi yan ang malaking tulong sa banwaan… Tapos saka na ang mga project naan” (Before these [projects] are done, the water system of Manito should be solved first because that is a big help for the town… Then such projects can follow.”)

A certain Regie Bandejas Buitre seconded the comment.

These sentiments are not without basis. The LGU can proceed with the plans as desired. It just needs to solve surrounding issues. Tourists will need water. Tourist sites will need water for toilets and for cleaning utensils, should residents eventually set up food stalls and related establishments within the area.

Other measures must also be set in place even prior to the projects initial stages. Right now commercial establishments and residents seem to raise music and videoke to uncontrolled decibel levels. A mangrove tourism should be packaged as environment-based and environment-friendly. It cannot thrive with pollution in any of its forms -- whether it be solid waste, water, air, or noise pollution. Controlling these noise and loud music would be a test for Barangays like It-ba and Cawit, as well as the Municipal leadership. Can they regulate businesses and residents? On the other hand, we, the residents should not wait for regulation. We should learn to self-regulate; be more sensitive to our neighbors and voluntarily cooperate with our leaders.

May mga nagnenegosyo buda mga residente na nagpapatugtog ki sobrang kusog. Ang mangrove tourism dapat may marhay na kapalibutan buda maray sa kapalibutan. Dai maprogreso an turismo kun igwa ki ano man na klase ki polusyon, mapa-basura, tubig, paros o ribok man iyan.

Space limits the suggestions we can make in this issue. We shall proffer more suggestions in time as we also hear the voice of other Maniteños, both present and abroad. In the meantime, water supply, loud music, overloading, garbage disposal (at least, for commercial establishments) and the lack of street lights in It-Ba and at the Cawit bridge area should be the order of the day.

 Manito's Time, February 2, 2018