Sadly, the Central University Belt or U-Belt — where some of the country’s better known colleges and universities can be found — has deteriorated over the years.

It has, in fact, been described by urban development researchers as “dirty, dangerous and disorganized.” They also noted that “esteros and canals have been converted into septic tanks; traffic in the area is considered among the worst in the National Capital Region. The area has also become notorious for its high crime rate.”

The situation prompted various sectors, like the Central U-Belt Stakeholders’ Group which includes longtime residents and city government officials, to come up with a plan they called “Recasting Heritage in Urban Renewal” that would help restore the U-Belt to its former glory.

The urban renewal scheme, drawn up by planners from the University of the East and Far Eastern University, started eight years ago, according to Dr. Zenaida Manalo of the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning (UP-SURP).

from Inquirer.net

Twenty-one cities in the country are able to authorize numerous and varying procedures in starting businesses in their jurisdictions because, according to a private sector representative, they were given “too much autonomy” under the Local Government Code of 1991.

A representative to the government-created National Competitiveness Council suggested then that some of the taxation powers of local government units (LGUs) be reverted to the national government.

In a study conducted by the International Finance Corp. (IFC) and the World Bank on the ease of doing business in cities worldwide, the Philippines ranked 133rd out of 178 countries.

from ABS-CBNnews.com

The agreement was reached in a meeting last week among Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza, Marilao Mayor Epifanio Guillermo, Caloocan Mayor Enrico Echiverri and Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian

The officials also pledged to allot funds for the cleanup.

Mendoza called for the meeting to discuss the state of the river and find ways of solving the pollution problem.

Bulacan officials earlier said industrial and domestic waste from the cities of Caloocan and Valenzuela were contributing to the degradation of the Marilao River.

According to Guillermo, the body of water has become a catch basin of garbage from the metropolis and nearby areas in Bulacan.

read the rest of the story at Inquirer.net

The homeowners association in the area used to spend quite a lot for the cleaning of vacant lots which was necessary both for aesthetic and safety reasons. During the summer months, the thick growth of cogon that covered the unoccupied lots was a fire hazard.

Now, not only do residents save on grass-cutting expenses, they also have a ready source of fresh, nutritious and very cheap vegetables right in the village. The vegetables are so cheap – P10 for a bunch of pechay (Chinese cabbage) or P35 for ampalaya (bitter gourd) – more than enough for a family’s meal.

A retired civil engineer started the vegetable gardening project. Then, other residents, seeing the benefits, followed suit.

from Inquirer.net

The Department of Agriculture (DA), in cooperation with the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA), has set up an urban vegetable garden at its own compound.

Vegetable crops bred and developed by the Allied Botanical Corp. (ABC) are currently on exhibit at the DA compound. All PSIA member-companies are encouraged to showcase their crops for six months.

The ABC’s garden was set up last January and will be maintained until July. Visitors may view the vegetables and herbs in different stages, from planting to maturity.

The vegetables and herbs are harvested and brought to the office of DA Secretary Arthur Yap, where employees and visitors can buy them at affordable prices.

read the rest of the story from The Philippine Star

The city’s Market Development and Administration Department (MDAD) has proposed the major renovation of the public markets in Kamuning, Project 2, Project 4, Roxas, San Jose, Murphy, Galas, and San Francisco del Monte.

The MDAD said the city’s public markets had been in existence for 35 years and were now deteriorating and badly in need of repair.

It added that growing populations required the expansion of the public markets.

read the rest of the article at Inquirer.net

The LTFRB said the phase-out will be carried out this year on buses that are more than 15 years old.

“Buses that will not be used anymore will be bought for scrap by financing institutions and will be recycled. The money will then be used as deposit for new units,” said LTFRB chairman Thompson Lantion, citing a directive from Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

Hybrid buses will be powered by electricity and compressed natural gas, making them safe from pollution.

China-made hybrid units will cost about P6 million each. These are the ones currently being used in the United States, China and Macau.

from ABS-CBNnews.com