#world river day

[usbongkalikasan]

Pasig River Under Threat

Author: Geo Paulo Tambalo and Joshua Ezekiel Pante

Graphic Designer: Astrid Apellado

Pasig River In Retrospect

The Pasig River is a rightful Filipino treasure for its countless contributions to the nation’s history and success. Without its strong currents, natural interconnectedness, and formerly pristine waters, Manila would not have had the Tagalogs establish early civilization and the rest of the world subsequently rushing in for economic activity, development, and cultural and religious exchange. Even the very appearance of the capital city can be attributed to the river itself, as it allowed the lucrative Manila-Acapulco galleon trade to continue from 1565 to 1815 and eventually influence the infrastructures being built. Despite its utility in Filipino triumph and everyday life, the Pasig River was neglected and left to become a dumping ground of polluting waste, thus obtaining the "biologically dead" status [1].

A Looming Threat to Pasig River’s Potentials

With the Philippine government giving the green light to the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) project, the two decades' worth of multisectoral rehabilitation efforts put into the Pasig River may all come to waste. At 19.37 kilometers long and six lanes wide, the proposed infrastructure by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is elevated to traverse the entirety of the Pasig River and, more importantly, create more traffic space between the eastern and western sections of Metro Manila. SMC has control measures, as indicated in their Environmental Impact Statement, that address some emerging ecological concerns associated with the PAREX, like dredging to prevent flooding and waste removal to counter existing solid waste pollution [2]. However, an elevated expressway constructed on the riverbanks, partially covering the entire river, is nothing short of a structural limitation to the many potentials of Pasig River.

Potential to Support Diverse Forms of Life

Though SMC believes otherwise [3], the Pasig River is not dead. The river, including its banks, has now become home to 118 species of trees and vegetation, 39 species of birds, eight species of fish, and several aquatic plants, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) [4]. Life is especially evident for the groups of Filipino fisherfolks who have even shared their daily catches from the river, like "tilapia" and "hito," on social media platforms. Aside from sustenance, the Pasig River supports Filipino lives by providing space for recreation and a reliable route for humanitarian aid during earthquakes and other natural calamities [5].

But, should PAREX be built, the maximum potential of the Pasig River to support life may remain unfulfilled. Among the many possible ecological impacts of riverine highway development noted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency are the immediate destruction, fragmentation, and degradation of natural habitats, pollution from vehicular and construction processes, and disruption of soil and river processes, including the increased risk of flood, erosion, and chemical contamination in the long run [6]. Meanwhile, science advocates slam the elevated expressway for partially blocking the natural sunlight needed for making oxygen available to the recovering food chains in Pasig River [7].

Potential to Become a Natural Transportation Route

A perfect example of utilizing the water transportation capacity is the Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS). Unbeknownst to many Filipinos, despite being free of charge, this alternative mode of transport also links Metro Manila's eastern and western sections, from Escolta to Pinagbuhatan, while taking its passengers on a tour of several cultural landmarks along Pasig River, like the Manila Post Office. However, PRFS remains limited in services, with only 11 boats, each capable of carrying 36 to 55 passengers, and 12 stations [8].

SMC claims that PAREX, a project devoid of taxpayers' money, may complement the PRFS during its operational phase [9]. Though this ultimately suggests that Filipinos may fully maximize their monetary contributions, researchers suggest such an outcome is unlikely. The internationally recognized Braess Paradox states that new roads result in further traffic congestion in congested urban transportation networks [10], like the one in Metro Manila. Poor traffic flow is still the most likely case in the future since PAREX is designed to accommodate—and inevitably encourage—more private than public vehicles.

Potential to Protect Communities from Extreme Natural Events

Since time immemorial, the Pasig river has been protecting its vicinity from heat waves and flooding. Its natural ability to prevent the sun’s heat from being emitted back to ambient air keeps surrounding cities relatively cool [11]. With its constant currents, the Pasig River also keeps erratic rainwater from flooding communities [12].

PAREX presents the people near Pasig River with assurance and uncertainty. More heat-absorbing concrete structures from PAREX–and less sunlight reflected by the river–could only mean extreme heat incidents that threaten the lives of vulnerable Filipinos and other organisms. As the DENR still probes for the possible environmental impacts of the project, Filipinos are left with uncertainty over the effectiveness of dredging against floods [13].

Pasig River vs PAREX: The Final Verdict

Prioritizing the mobility of cars over the mobility of people, PAREX is just another life-depleting structure, a primary source of pollutants, and a structural symbol of non-inclusivity and environmental imprudence. Given that only about 12% of Metro Manila households own at least one car [14], the government must instead divert its political will from band-aid traffic solutions to long-term improvements on public transportation, waste management, and green spaces for the majority. Investments must not be made in such environmental risk that is ultimately incapable of addressing the increasing volume of private road vehicles—the underlying reason behind Metro Manila's traffic woes.

References

‌1.

Gilles SN. Revitalization of the Pasig River Through the Years: Bringing a Dying Ecosystem Back to Life [Internet]. Muhon Journal for UP College of Architecture (draft for review)2019 [cited 2023 Sep 24];Available from: https://www.academia.edu/5765195/Revitalization_of_the_Pasig_River_Through_the_Years_Bringing_a_Dying_Ecosystem_Back_to_Life

2.

San Miguel Corporation Infrastructure. Project Description for Scoping: Pasig River Expressway Project [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Sep 24]. Available from: https://eia.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PDS-Pasig-River-Expressway-Project.pdf

3.

Mangubat L. Pushback against the 19.4km PAREX, explained [Internet]. Spin.ph2021 [cited 2023 Sep 24];Available from: https://www.spin.ph/life/cars-and-tech/the-parex-protests-explained-a1017-20210929-lfrm

4.

The Philippine Star. The Pasig River: Our nation’s lifeline [Internet]. Philstar.com2019 [cited 2023 Sep 24];Available from: https://www.philstar.com/business/science-and-environment/2019/07/28/1938828/pasig-river-our-nations-lifeline#:~:text=More%20than%2030%20million%20kilograms,fish%2C%20and%20several%20aquatic%20plants

‌5.

GMA Public Affairs. “Trip to Pasig,” dokumentaryo ni Howie Severino | I-Witness [Internet]. YouTube2023 [cited 2023 Sep 24];Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiWqL1uq9f8&ab_channel=GMAPublicAffairs

6.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. Evaluation of Ecological Impacts from Highway Development [Internet]. 1994 [cited 2023 Sep 24]. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-08/documents/ecological-impacts-highway-development-pg_0.pdf

7.

Mangaluz J. DENR still probing possible environmental impact of PAREx [Internet]. INQUIRER.net2023 [cited 2023 Sep 24];Available from: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1793793/denr-still-probing-possible-environmental-impact-of-parex

8.

Naguna JL. Looking for a better commuting experience? The Pasig River Ferry Service might be for you [Internet]. PIA2023 [cited 2023 Sep 24];Available from: https://pia.gov.ph/features/2023/03/31/looking-for-a-better-commuting-experience-the-pasig-river-ferry-service-might-be-for-you

9.

San Miguel Corporation. SMC reaffirms commitment to build PAREX sustainably, reports gains in Pasig River cleanup initiative [Internet]. Sanmiguel.com.ph2022 [cited 2023 Sep 24];Available from: https://www.sanmiguel.com.ph/news/smc-reaffirms-commitment-to-build-parex-sustainably‌

10.

Nagurney A, Nagurney L. The Braess Paradox [Internet]. 2020. Available from: https://supernet.isenberg.umass.edu/articles/braess-encyc.pdf

11.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. Learn About Heat Islands | US EPA [Internet]. US EPA2014 [cited 2023 Sep 25];Available from: https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/learn-about-heat-islands

‌12.

Pedrajas J. PAREX would bring more heat, more flooding in NCR, various groups warn [Internet]. Manila Bulletin2021 [cited 2023 Sep 25];Available from: https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/29/parex-would-bring-more-heat-more-flooding-in-ncr-various-groups-warn/

‌13.

Mangaluz J. DENR still probing possible environmental impact of PAREx [Internet]. INQUIRER.net2023 [cited 2023 Sep 25];Available from: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1793793/denr-still-probing-possible-environmental-impact-of-parex

‌14.

Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities. “Liberate the 88%!”: Rep. Legarda echoes experts’ calls to prioritize Metro Manila majority of non-car owners [Internet]. ICSC | Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities2020 [cited 2023 Sep 24];Available from: https://icsc.ngo/liberate-the-88/

[mylifeinpixels]

Day hike grid

Lava plug rock formation 🪨

[chaiaurchaandni]

4 year old Ahmad Shabat - an israeli airstrike hit him, his parents & 4 siblings; he survived, they didn't - then they hit him & his father's relatives; he survived, they didn't - then they hit him & his uncle; he survived, his uncle didn't - both of Ahmed's legs have been amputated because of injuries. He survives.

i hope Ahmad gets to live. i hope he has a beautiful and fulfilling life. i hope he finds love and safety and comfort and success. i hope he finds happiness. i hope he heals. i hope he continues to survive. in spite of the violence, in spite of the trauma, in spite of the horror. in spite of the world.

[heartspark]

I'm a few days late to World otter day but still wanted to draw something for it! So here's an otter dragon, or, mermaid? ✨️🦦

Its up for sale on my other socials ✨️🦦

[family-aya]

"The Dog and My Child: The Lifelong Friend I Didn't Expect"

In the midst of the sounds of bombing that did not subside, and in the midst of the siege that took away everything beautiful from our lives, my little child found in his little dog a window to another world, a world filled with tenderness and hope. Even though life around us became heavy, full of fear and hunger, my child’s heart was beating with non-stop love, love for his little dog.

He took care of him every day, making sure to find him something to eat even if he had to split his small portion of food. They spent long hours together, running through the rubble, playing as if the war was far away from them. The dog was giving him a kind of security, and my child was giving him the same security in return, as if each of them was saying to the other: “As long as we are together, we will not give in to fear.”

One night, when it was raining fire and the sound of planes was shattering the stillness, my child held his dog in his arms and whispered to him, “Don't worry, we'll be fine...as long as we're together.”

In that moment, I realized that my child, despite all the destruction surrounding him, still retained his humanity. He and the dog represent the hope that war cannot destroy, the hope that lives in little hearts that know how to love and care, even in the darkest circumstances.

But this friendship, which connects two tired hearts, is threatened by lack and need. My child and his dog don't want much, just enough to sustain this shared life. A little food, some care, and an ounce of hope. Your donation will give these two companions a chance to stay together, in a world that has forgotten them, but is still full of hearts like yours, that can reach out to them.

@timetravellingkitty @deathlonging @briarhips @dirhwangdaseul @mahoushojoe @stil-lindigo

@rhubarbspring @schoolhater @pcktknife @transmutationisms @sawasawako

@feluka @terroristahorcsog @irhabiya @commissions4aid-international @wellwaterhysteria

@deepspaceboytoy @post-brahminism @khanger @kibumkim @neechees

@mangocheesecakes @kyra45 @marnotrawstw-o @7bitter @tortiefrancis

@toiletpotato @fromjannah @omegaversereloaded @vague-humanoid @evillesbianvillain

@aristotels @komsomolka @xinakwans @ @punkitt-is-here

@ot3 @amygdalae @ankle-beez @lonniemachin @dykesbat

@watermotif @stuckinapril @mavigator @lacecap @yugiohz

@socalgal @chilewithcarnage @ghelgheli @sayruq @northgazaupdates2

@vakarians-babe

[kingdomblade]

It's World Otter Day once again - I'd say you otter make the best of it!

(Psst - you can see full resolution + sketches of all these on Patreon!)

Support me on: Patreon | Twitter | DeviantArt | Instagram | Webtoon

[notbecauseofvictories]

have I somehow ruined myself for perfectly average movies? I watched both Robots (2023) and The Deer King (2021) and both of them were fine---Deer King was better, but suffered from trying to jam too much into a single film; Robots should have been more black-humored, delighting in its lazy sociopaths and their vaguely squalid world. But that's it, that's all they were---fine. Just fine.

Does this mean I have to watch exclusively Films now? I can't get into a movie unless it's black and white, or two hours of characters speaking sideways and having neuroses at each other?

[swan2swan]

Brooklynn Accidental Kill Count: 2

[b33viemm]

QUEERS FOR CEASEFIRE WORLD AIDS DAY

X

ID in alt click for higher quality

[admiralgiggles]

On World Photography Day, remember to find the charm in imperfection and the humor in an aquatic bird hiding from the rain.

[thehumanwiki]

rating all NuWho finales based entirely on how cool the titles are

because yea

(putting a read more because this will take a while, lol)

Bad Wolf / The Parting of the Ways

5/10. Bad Wolf is a cool name! For cool ppl! It’s the season’s mystery! It slays! But The Parting of the Ways? That could be used for like, half of the finales in this show. That’s a generic name. Not a fan. It even has one more “the” than it ought to. That’s a tryhard name. (Rose and The Doc don’t even part ways for another season! It’s a LIE!)

Army of Ghosts / Doomsday

6/10. Army of Ghosts! That’s freaky! It catches my attention! I’m interested, Mr. Davies, tell me more about that! Doomsday is also a generic name though. Like it could be used anywhere. It gets more points than S1 however because Doomsday is a very cool word and I like it a lot.

Utopia / The Sound of Drums / Last of the Time Lords

8/10. YES. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THESE TITLES. Utopia? That’s a word that can’t be applied to many other episodes! That’s a memorable word! That’s a fun word! The Sound of Drums? What the hell is so significant about drums?? In a FINALE episode?! There must be something SCANDALOUS about the drums, tell me everything! (And they did! But this isn’t about what happens in the episode this is just how hard the titles fuck.) Last of the Time Lords??? Holy shit! That means we’re delving into that aspect of him specifically, and you can’t duplicate that easily! But more importantly, that sounds cool! Cool names, absolutely W from whoever named RTD’s stuff.

The Stolen Earth / Journey’s End

5.5/10. Same boat as S1, tbh. The Stolen Earth? Excellent, no notes. Journey’s End sounds generic af though. But I gave it a half point lead because Journey’s End has the Vibes more than The Parting of the Ways, lol.

The Pandorica Opens / The Big Bang

8/10. Yea I see the vision Mr. Moffat, I see you. Love what you’ve done with the place btw. Like, neither title is generic! And both are super interesting! Look honestly I forget how to do commentary I’m just one sleep deprived fan who likes Vibes they just slap OK

The Wedding of River Song

9/10. Oh. Oh yes. Oh I am LOVING this. Nothing gets me going like seeing a wedding that is somehow the culmination of a high stakes season. Like, how is there a wedding there?! And. River Song is there? Do you promise? 🥺

The Name of the Doctor / The Day of the Doctor / The Time of the Doctor

6/10. OK I’m honestly not sure which ones are finales or not, but y’know what? The name matching is fun. I like that. That is good. But besides the first one, these are p generic episode names. Sorry.

Dark Water / Death in Heaven

8/10. Dark Water is a p good episode name. It’s not the most interesting, but I like it. BUT ***DEATH IN HEAVEN***?! Now THAT is a finale title! I have never SEEN such a title! THAT is an IMMACULATE title! SPLENDID!

Heaven Sent / Hell Bent

10/10. The matching names? The rhyming? The low-key religious theming? The ominous nature? EXCELLENT. No notes Mr. Moffat. Great vibes.

World Enough and Time / The Doctor Falls

9/10. I would give this striaght up 10/10 if I could figure out what “World Enough and Time” meant. The vibes are perfect but like. What does it mean 😭 And The Doctor Falls??? OH MY ATTENTION HAS BEEN GRABBED BY THE THROAT DO GO ON PLS—

The Battle of Ranskoor av Kolos

4/10. Kolos? What is this, Pokémon XY? Anyways, I feel like this is just dialogue that would be said in passing in a sci-fi novel that everyone forgets. Sorry 😞

Ascension of the Cybermen / The Timeless Children

7/10. Cybermen are OK. It’s a fine title, I have nothing against it. The Timeless Children??? The vibes are just SPLENDID here. Especially because it’s a Bad Wolf situation where it’s like “hey wait a fucking minute I’ve heard that somewhere else—” Good stuff! W for Chris.

Chapter Six: The Vanquishers

6.5/10. Adding chapter to the title does make it automatically cooler, so that’s a bonus half point right there. Otherwise, it’s neat. Like it’s good. The vibes are fine and I like them, but not THAT fine, y’know?

The Legend of Ruby Sunday / Empire of Death

7/10. Look, even if it’s not generic, anything with “death” in the title *feels* generic. The Legend of Ruby Sunday still saves this tho, because I am INTERESTED, girl. TELL ME EVERYTHING

In conclusion, episode titles peaked with Capaldi.

[downfalldestiny]

New day 🍂 !.

[jinnazah]

what kills me is how people here in the west are so …. willfully, blissfully, ignorant of what’s transpiring in palestine. like i have even seen poc, even seen HIJABIS still buying starbucks and i’m like …… i guess dumbfounded at this point. “oh but it’s just one drink” “oh but my one dollar won’t make a difference if i spent it or not” “well it’s not my problem, the middle east is always at war”

are people so arrogant they think they are the exception to what’s happening in palestine? in fact. the victim blaming against the palestinians is insane “well they should’ve just left” “well they should’ve agreed to a ceasefire” “well they shouldn’t have let hamas take over” you guys make me sick to my stomach!!!! my god this rhetoric is so narcissistic it hurts!!!!!

[iceinherheart-kissonherlips]

Jesus, he thinks, something is wrong with us, we are unwell, no one has ever felt any of this without destruction. Empires have fallen like this, he thinks, but it only makes him want her more, makes him look at his hands and think, My god, what a waste of time doing anything else but holding her. What a waste, and then he says aloud, JesusfuckingChrist what have you done to me? And she says, Kiss me.

He kisses her, thinks, Go on, ruin me. Wreck me, please. 

She kisses him back and she does. [x]

[rabbitcruiser]

Shades of Green

What do you think about my pic?  

[newsfrom-theworld]

wishing a happy father’s day to all the palestinian fathers who had to watch their children be bombed and burnt to death.