STOP THE KOREANS! The Koreans are Skinning Subic!

http://mamomoondok.multiply.com/journal/item/15/The_Koreans_are_Skinning_Subic
If you are having a hard time reading the article on that site because of the background- I copied and pasted it here:

The Koreans are Skinning Subic! Dec 2, '08 11:48 AM
for everyone
(http://mamomoondok.multiply.com/journal/item/15/The_Koreans_are_Skinning_Subic)

If you like Subic not because of what it is, but because of its lush greens, age old and huge trees, birds, monkeys, butterflies, the clean air, the natural park, and the verdant mountains, I'd like to let you know that very soon, 300 AGE OLD & FOREST TREES WILL BE CUT, and another MOUNTAIN WILL BE CLEARED IN FAVOR OF A CASINO PROJECT by the KOREANS. First it was their housing project. And they got away with it. By the blessing of this sick government. Now, because the Koreans have sensed that it is very easy in the Philippines to get away with our conservation laws, and we are not very particular about keeping our trees, and the management of Subic is not very much concerned nor appreciate their trees, and the DENR is silent (as lame duck), THE CASINO PROJECT WILL COME, AND THE TREES WILL GO.

I think the deeper root to the problem is not the approval of the project, but the inability of the Subic ecology/natural department & DENR to know their specific jobs, and their inability to appreciate the importance of trees in sustaining the ecological balance. The Philippines is the fastest region in Asia in losing its forest, (RP lost forest fastest in Southeast Asia--EU official.. Country also 7th in the world By Veronica Uy, INQUIRER.net) contributing to the decline and extinction of many of its diverse and unique flora and fauna. With the incompetence of those in charge, and the attraction of easy money, wealth without hardwork, they DESTROY OUR NATURAL TREASURE, IN FAVOR OF GAMBLING! What kind of government is this? and what kind of authorities do we have?

I appreciate Arch Jun Palafox on his stand. Arch Palafox is a world-renowned architect who developed and designed famous parks, malls, and establishments, including the Ayala Land projects. His understanding on the importance of trees is very much inculcated in his designs, and the preservation of the environs, always first and foremost, as his love for his country. He gave up $1M project for his disagreement against the Koreans in killing the trees. A challenge to our fellow architects, really. Money or what? The Koreans know they could not do this in Korea. But they know it is easy in this country.

"Amethya dela Llana-Koval, head of the SBMA Ecology Center, said the project site is within the central business district of the free port zone that is not classified as a protected area"- according to the article. But until where and when will she stop issuing these statement? If any investor would come and identify a new site, would she say the same? Does she know that it is almost impossible to revive and age-old tree? Even the highest care given in handling and balling does not guarantee survival, when a tree is old. Have they done this before? Can she show us how? I've been planting trees all my life, from seedlings to balled, but it is almost impossible to revive an age old tree. It is not that easy. She is sugar-coating and telling us in a way- come what may, she has the blessing of the project. Ouchh!!

Hanggang ngayon pa ba ay alipin pa rin tayo ng mga banyaga? Hanggang kailan matatapos ang ating pagiging sunud-sunurin sa naisin ng mga banyaga dahilan lamang sa pera? Sa pera na ang ituturo sa atin ay ang pagsusugal at pagbebenta ng laman ng ating mga lakambini? Hangang kailan matatapos ito? Marami pa naman mga bakanteng pwesto sa Subic, bakit ninanais nila ito ilagay sa bundok na kung saan kailangang putulin ang mga mahigit pang 300 na puno, na matatanda pa sa ating mga ninuno? Bakit hndi bigyan pansin ng ating pamahalaan ang iba pang industriya na magiging kapakipakinbang sa ating mamayan? malinis at marangal? Nagtatanong lang po, at naghihinagpis sa mga nangyayari sa ating inang bayan.

Here's the LINK TO THE ARTICLE: http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/theenvironmentreport/view.php?db=1&article=20081129-175207

Tips on the importance of trees: (in case Llana-Koval and DENR sec, and his people do not know this):

One huge tree saves 200gallons or 800 liters of water. Cut those trees, and there's 240,000 liters of fresh water turned to flood, enough to supply fresh water to 50 families. 3-4 trees converting 2.5kg of CO2 to oxygen. That's almost 200kg of CO2 cleaned from space everyday, or equivalent to cleaning 200 households CO2 waste. BUT IT IS MORE THAN THE TREES. The life sustained in the undergrowth, the wildlife hosted for their breeding, adn food..the ecology, IT IS LIFE.

PLEASE, LET US JOIN HANDS, and spread the word!