Manila Guide Online

Reports have shown that Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando denied report that he put to waste a P1-billion flood warning system. According to a report which appeared in Newsbreak, the flood warning system could have been used to minimize the loss of lives and damage to property. Although some people might say this, the worst has come and it is our responsibility to learn and help one another.

MANILA, Philippines—Denying a report that he put to waste a P1-billion flood warning system, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando on Sunday said the equipment was still “operational but obsolete.”

Fernando said the Effective Flood Control Operation System (Efcos) was actually the basis for an evacuation warning issued to Marikina City residents at around 1 a.m. on September 26, the day Tropical Storm “Ondoy” submerged Metro Manila and nearby provinces in deep floodwaters.

He added that another warning was issued at 3 a.m. on the same day.

“As early as 1 a.m., there was a warning for Marikina residents to evacuate. The city was not yet flooded at the time,” he told listeners of “MMDA sa GMA,” the agency’s weekly program on radio station dzBB.

According to a report which appeared in Newsbreak, the flood warning system could have been used to minimize the loss of lives and damage to property.

Quoting sources, the report said Fernando let the equipment deteriorate because the cost of maintaining it outweighed its usefulness.

Financed by Japan, the 1992 project, Newsbreak said, gathered data from water gauges and water level stations which would provide authorities with “advance information on any overflowing of riverbanks along the stretch of the Pasig River, thus alerting them for potential flooding.”

It added that Efcos stopped operating in May 2008 due to budget problems.

Our government is one of the reasons that floods and lives were crushed. They should at least do something about their acts and responsibilities.

Due to the damages made Bagyong Undoy, it has been declared that there will be no sembreak for the students. During the typhoon, there were a lot of losses and that includes classes. During the event, classed were also suspended due to the massive rain and heavy winds. Since the semestral break will only last for a week,DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus said “We have to make up for the lost time so there will be no semestral break since it will only last for one week” .

TO MAKE up for lost time due to the suspension of classes over typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the Department of Education (DepEd) Sunday said there will be no more semestral break, while the Christmas vacation will be shortened for those who went on a one-week break since last week.

“We have to make up for the lost time so there will be no semestral break since it will only last for one week,” DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus said.

The one-week break for elementary and high school students usually takes place in the third to the last week of October.

At the same time, the DepEd chief said they are also considering alternatives for the students, such as holding classes on Saturdays, two-shift classes and a home study program.

“We are looking at flexible alternatives such as holding classes in covered courts and other structures in the affected areas,” he said.

Required

Lapus said holding makeup classes is necessary in order to attain the required 204 class days in a school year. Remedial classes are usually held on Saturdays and semester breaks.

The DepEd 2009-2010 calendar says the school year shall begin on June 1, 2009 and end on March 31, 2010.

First quarter

This is divided into 54 class days in the first quarter, 48 in the second and 51 each for the third and last quarter, Lapus said.

At the same time, the official also said that he already ordered DepEd-National Capital Region Director Teresita Domalanta and other regional directors to provide schools the necessary guidelines in holding makeup or remedial classes in accordance with DepEd Order 25.

He said the exceptions are: if the school is still not accessible via public transportation; if the school is being used as an evacuation center; and if the local government still suspended classes in the area.

Return

But he said that in general, many want to return to their classes.

The DepEd suspended classes in Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Metro Manila in the wake of tropical storm “Ondoy” since Monday last week.

To pave the way for the resumption of classes today, Lapus said they will try to consolidate evacuees in a single school to give way to the students.

Public schools in many flooded places are being used as evacuation centers.

The DepEd chief said evacuees staying in various public schools will be transferred to gymnasiums and bigger venues.

“Those that can be consolidated into other buildings will be done so that classes can be started. Also, we will utilize all covered courts and any available space for classroom instruction in the meantime,” Lapus said.

History is rich with numerous insights and inspirational events.  There a so many events in history that some people tend to forget. History keeps people together, it allow people to realize how the older generation fought with bravery. Although during the World War I, several events had been noted down to keep people aware of the contributions made by our forefathers. Recently a World War II tank was recovered at Manila Bay.

From the news:

A member of the Philippine Coast Guard jumps off the wreckage of a U.S.

that was recently recovered in the muddy waters of Manila Bay, in the Philippines on Wednesday Sept. 23, 2009. Authorities said the tank, which appeared to be an M4 Sherman tank minus its turret, was accidentally discovered underwater by a dredging company near the mouth of the Pasig River.

MANILA, Philippines -The Philippine coast guard says the wreckage of a U.S. tank has been dredged from Manila Bay’s muddy seafloor more than 60 years after the end of World War II.
Spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said Wednesday the M4A1 Sherman tank was accidentally discovered Saturday stuck in mud 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) underwater by a dredging company near the mouth of Pasig River.
Balilo says there appears to be no human remains inside the tank. It was discovered without its turret and tracks.
He says a Japanese 105 mm cannon was recovered nearby in July.
Manila was the scene of heavy fighting between U.S. and Japanese forces during the liberation of the Philippines in 1945, and war-era arms and ammunition have been found in the city.

Welcome to the only site that can help you get around Manila, Philippines. With a beautiful country filled with great spots to be in, get the needed help and instructions ranging from beaches, restaurants, and key places that Manila has been known for.

So if you happen to be in the Philippines and visiting Manila, this is the site to be. Get fresh scoops and reviews right from the very nose of Filipino bloggers on the web today.