The prevailing Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) continues to dump rains in Southern Mindanao. Residents of the regions of Caraga, Davao and SOCCSKSARGEN are advised to monitor updates as cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms prevail today. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Considered as the breeding ground of Low Pressure Areas (LPA), the ITCZ is the boundary of two winds coming from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The convergence of winds form convective clouds, bringing rainy weather in affected areas.
As of now, no weather disturbance is expected to affect the country in the next 24 hours. However, in an interview with Panahon TV, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Robb Gile said that an average number of 1 to 2 tropical cyclones usually enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) during the month of June.
Apart from the ITCZ and tropical cyclones, other weather systems that may be dominant this month include the Southwest Monsoon or Hanging Habagat and the Ridge of a High Pressure Area, which may prevail during monsoon breaks.
Rush hour or not, traffic congestion has become a normal scenario in EDSA these days.
The 23.9-kilometer highway is a daily contributor to worsening air pollution as vehicles spend hours in non-moving traffic. Commuters are in a “war zone”, fighting for a seat or a safe ride in crowded buses or trains to get to their destination.
Aside from the sheer volume of vehicles, traffic is also caused by the motorists’ lack of discipline, bad roads and seemingly endless road constructions. Rush hour is no longer the root cause of congestion; rather it just now complements these deeper problems.
The Problems with Motorists and Pedestrians
Motorists cutting off each other and recklessly changing lanes cause traffic and accidents. In addition, an article by Chua stated that traffic lights mean little in Metro Manila. Some forms of public transportation like buses take up more space in the road even though they are colorum or have double plates.
But road accidents and pollution are not only the sad effects of road congestion. According to the study made by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), “the Philippines risks losing P6 billion a day by 2030 because of worsening traffic jams.” The study also specified these effects: value of time lost due to delay, that if the public transport system is improved, commuters can save their travel time by 49 minutes per trip or save at least 18 Pesos a day. In terms of fuel, because of congestion more motorists increased their fuel consumption thus increasing greenhouse emission causing pollution as well as increase their spending on fuel not to mention the increase of fuel prices, it vehicle operating costs, and health hazards.
According to a study authored by Palmiano et al., published in UP-National Center for Transportation Studies, almost 80% of the public transportation that shares the road in Metro Manila is the jeepneys. These 18- to 22-seat vehicles progressed from American army service jeeps left after World War II, provide inexpensive and convenient service to commuters. However, they can also cause disruptions in traffic flow because of the “aggressive and problematic” driving behavior especially when stopping to pick up or unload passengers.
Bicycle: Alternative Transportation?
These days, bicycles are becoming popular among commuters who cannot afford cars. Although, these cannot accommodate a lot of commuters to lessen the number of vehicles present on the road, bicycles can hopefully reduce traffic, in terms of the number of four-wheel vehicles on the road.
University of the Philippines (UP) Engineering Professor Jose Regin Regidor believes that the country needs to build a mass transit system to ease congestion. But since this will take time, he suggests starting with simpler solutions such as walking and cycling. He added that the government and the people should learn from neighboring countries where infrastructure is built around walking and cycling safely. “There are many good practices, we can probably borrow from Tokyo, we can borrow from Bangkok, we can get from Jakarta and Singapore. I think it’s important for us to be able to share these experiences, and among those experiences is really not to rely much on automobile, not to rely much on the cars,” he said.
Despite the popularity of bicycles, the risk among cyclists is high in Manila. According to Roberto P. Esquivel, former Head of MMDA’s Sidewalk Clearing Operations, bicycle lanes here tend to eat into the sidewalks intended for pedestrians—a clear sign of the lack of cycling-friendly infrastructure. He adds, “cyclists, cannot compete with the flow of motorcycles and all other vehicles. But if you are in a group of cyclists, I think it’s safe to occupy the left corner or right corner of the highway.”
Author chatting with Esquivel
Esquivel also believes that before addressing the problems in traffic, one must first ensure the proper enforcement of all rules and regulations. Traffic enforcers should stay loyal to their profession and not be agents of abuse, extorting violators. Law enforcement should always be top priority; it is only through consistency can the citizens learn to follow road rules.
So, is there a solution to Manila traffic? Yes, if both pedestrians and motorists do something about it. Even the simplest actions will create an impact. Our lack of discipline may be a problem but we are also the solution—by being better citizens whether we are pedestrians or motorists.
References:
1.Chua, Jason. nd. “The Problem of Traffic in Metro Manila”. https://sites.google.com/a/my.xs.edu.ph/joshua-chua-14/social-studies/the-problem-of-traffic-in-metro-manila
2. Flatplanet. 2014. “Traffic Problems in the Philippines and Proposed Solutions”. http://www.flatplanet.com.au/hard-heads-the-bpo-business-case/229-traffic-problems-in-the-philippines-and-proposed-solutions-
3.Palmiano, Hilario Sean, Ueda, Shimpei, Yai, Tetsuo. 2004. “Analysis of Delay caused by Midblock Jeepney Stops using Simulation”. http://serp-p.pids.gov.ph/serp-p/details.php?pid=4377¶m=jeepney
4. ABS-CBN News. 2015. “How to reduce traffic congestion? Provide more walking, cycling areas”. http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/metro-manila/v1/11/13/15/how-to-reduce-traffic-congestion-provide-more-walking-cycling-areas
-By Panahon TV Intern Kim Anthony Huesca
ITCZ soaks parts of Mindanao
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) continues to affect Southern Mindanao.
ITCZ is characterized as an area where winds coming from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet; this interaction results to rains in the affected areas.
As this weather system prevails, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced in Mindanao today. Rains have been affecting the region since last week, prompting the cancellation of classes and declaration of State of Calamity in Kabuntalan and other areas in Maguindanao due to widespread flooding.
Light to moderate rains will also affect the regions of Central Visayas and Negros Island. In the rest of the country including Metro Manila, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail only with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Rainy first day of school in parts of Luzon and Mindanao
According to the Department of Education, an estimated 28 million students officially opens the school year 2017-2018 today. As students and teachers head back to school, rains will prevail in some parts of Luzon and Mindanao.
According to PAGASA, the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat is still affecting the western section of Northern and Central Luzon, while the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is affecting Southern Mindanao. Due to these weather systems, cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms will be experienced in the Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Maguindanao, Soccsksargen and Davao Del Sur including Davao City. In the rest of the country including Metro Manila, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail except for isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
In an interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Samuel Duran, he mentioned that morning rains will be more frequent as Habagat prevails.
However, Duran clarified that there is no weather disturbance in the county within the next three days.
Moderate rains continue in Palawan
The Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat continues to affect the eastern section of Luzon.
As this weather system prevails, Palawan will continue to experience light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms. In the rest of the country including Metro Manila, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail only with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
With rains concentrated in Palawan, humid weather is still expected to prevail in most parts of the country.
Get to Know Habagat
Every year, when the rainy season begins, Habagat begins to affect the country. Due to its warm and moist characteristics, Habagat causes monsoon rains that could last for a couple of days or even a week. Here are things you must know about this weather system:
Light to moderate rains in Palawan
On the first Saturday of June, the Southwest Monsoon, which is warm and moist air locally known as Habagat is still affecting the western section of Luzon.
As this weather system prevails, cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms will be experienced in the province of Palawan. In Metro Manila and the rest of the country, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail.
While the Habagat dumps rains on some parts of Luzon, residents are alerted against heavy rains, which may trigger flash floods and landslides. It can be recalled that five persons perished in a landslide that occurred in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan last Monday night. According to reports, the victims were composed of a family of four and an infant.
Photos courtesy of Brigada News FM Palawan.
However, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza clarified that there is no weather disturbance affecting the country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIE_MuLGYuQ
Situated at the foot of Mount Banahaw, the municipality of Liliw is hailed as the “Footwear Capital of Laguna.” For more than 50 years now, its footwear industry has been churning out cheap and durable slippers sold both in town and online retailers. Sixteen years ago, the Liliw Tourism Council began the annual “Liliw Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival”, which became popular among tourists. But aside from its affordable footwear, cold water springs and native sweets, there’s one more thing to look forward to in your next visit to this town!
Because of its cool weather that plays from 10 to 29 degrees Celsuis, flower production thrives in this area. And such is also the reason why a strawberry farm can be found here.
Photo by Emmanuel Cortez
Michael John Valencia, one of the organic farmers of Lolo Kap’s Strawberry Farm, narrated that the plantation began three years ago with a single strawberry plant from California given by Dr. Rey Lantin of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to his friend Mario Cortez, the owner of the farm. A year later, the plant had adapted to the environment and bore fruit. Even the farmers were surprised that the plants thrived, allowing them to enjoy an initial harvest of at least five kilos every other day during the fruiting season. The strawberries were sold at Php 200 to 250 per kilo.
Valencia noted that during rainy season, runners or shoots springing from the root increase in numbers in preparation for harvest season, which happens every six months. The farm plans to produce 10,000 seedlings to propagate strawberry plants in Laguna so that Liliw will be eventually known as the Strawberry Capital of CALABARZON. Each seedling costs 25 pesos.
Photo by Alyssa Jane Santos
Overripe or damaged strawberries are put into good use. Just like in Baguio, strawberry jam is available here at Php 80 or more depending on jar size.
Oganic Farmers (left to right Michael Valencia and Emmanuel Cortez)
Aside from strawberries, other organic vegetables that can be brought here are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, parsley and lettuce. As of now, the area is still being developed, but the owner hopes to fully open its farm’s doors during the fruiting season when temperatures drop in December until February next year!
Photo by Dennis Cabral Datu (Mario Cortez, strawberry farm owner)
How to get to Lolo Kap’s Strawberry Farm?
1. Ride a bus bound for Lucena that will pass through San Pablo, Laguna.
2. Get off SM San Pablo and ride a jeep to bayan. Get down at the Manga Circle near the San Pablo Fire station.
3. Ride a jeepney bound for Nagcarlan/Liliw.
4. Before reaching the Liliw town proper, get off at the Laguan Day Care Center along the main road.
5. Enter the narrow road on the right. Upon reaching Barangay Ibabang Sungi, stay on the road until you reach Ilayang Sungi. A few meters away, you can see the greenhouse where the farm is located.
Photo by Evangeline Moncada Sollodin