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Post by EXO on Jan 10, 2007 11:16:44 GMT 8
The issue at Middleside is just an aspect of the greater question “ Quo Vadis, Corregidor?” [ Where are you going, Corregidor?”] As the tourist market of WWII Veterans has now ended, and there is a correspondingly smaller market of relatives and “buffs”, the “Heritage Memorial Island” market is failing to reach the raw customer numbers of even a few years ago. No longer can the custodians of its heroism install more statues, more plaques and more memorials, and expect wave after wave of awe struck tourists to come and pay respect to the rememberance of the heroes of yesteryear. Sure, there will always be a residual market, but the numbers have been heading toward uncommerciality. Don't get me wrong - there will always be a number of tourists who will do just that, me amongst them, and the market will still need to be looked after - but the numbers just won't be there. One option is to reinvent Corregidor as an Eco-Park. This has already been attempted – in name, in words, perhaps even by intent - but hardly not by action. So why not do it, but for real, this time? Getting an internationally recognised environmental audit would be the way to start on this. An audit would certify Corregidor’s eco-friendly creditentials, and would furnish a roadmap on how to reinvent Corregidor to become one of Manila's closest showcase natural ecological reserves. Why internationally recognised? Because if not, there will always be a suggestion that the Government had not retained a truly "independent" report. For instance, and to get the discussion rolling, I suggest: 1: No cats, No dogs, no domestic pets; if there are rats, then use rat-terriers, not feral cats. 2: No traps, no trappers; have a university study done of the monkey population to assess its health etc., and allow numbers to be trapped to provide breeding colonies elsewhere. Monkeys should not be in cages at the Coast Guard to provide for eating. 3: No night resident squatters on the beaches; 4. All introduced garbage from the island be removed from the island, not dumped, buried or burned after dark; 5: All waste products must be environmentally disposed of; bring shame upon the Metro Manila authorities concerning the floating tide of garbage they send to Manila Bay each day; 6. Actual enforcement of a fishing ban – no dynamite, cyanide or other fishing whatsoever, within a declared environmental zone; 7: Develop artificial reefs as fish breeding grounds, and perhaps as skindiving attractions. All of this should be done in a public manner, for two reasons: 1: The public and Corregidor's stakeholders do not trust that it be done behind closed doors; and 2: It is the beginning of a publicity campaign to establish Corregidor as an eco-destination, locally and internationally. So, “Quo Vadis, Corregidor?”
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Post by EXO on Feb 4, 2007 21:19:35 GMT 8
SEEMS THAT THIS ATTEMPT TO GET A DISCUSSION STARTED HAS MET WITH A BIG YAWN.
HASN'T ANYONE GOT IDEAS AS TO WHAT DIFFERENTIATES AN ECO-PARK FROM A COMMERCIAL TOURISM ATTRACTION? FROM A MEMORIAL?
IF THE OVERWHELMING REACTION IS INDIFFERENCE, I WILL CLOSE THIS TOPIC ON MY NEXT REVIEW SESSION
EXO
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2007 2:55:48 GMT 8
When most points have been so eloquently argued like you have, Paul, many people could be feeling somewhat incompetent in participating or devoid of better ideas than what have already been laid out here in the board. Others may be feeling sort of "impotent" to be able to cause any real or meaningful change in the direction that Corregidor should be taking, especially those who are based outside of the Philippines, and have the island "out of sight" and "out of reach."
However, I suggest that you reconsider any plans of closing this thread or taking it down because your first post in itself should serve as an excellent resource for the people who have taken up the advocacy, as well as for the present or future administrators of the island.
Independent plans are on the drawing board to create a means for Corregidorians and other groups to actively participate in regular conservation and tourism/travel activities on and off the island, and not leave its (Corregidor's) fate entirely in the hands of make-believe kings or monarchies.
Picking up from your first post here Paul, why don't we toss around some ideas as to where Corregidor should be going from here on:
1. A transportation study should be made on the feasibility of a RORO (roll on-roll off) run from Ternate, Cavite to Manila with a brief stopover in Corregidor. Theoretically, motorists traveling between Manila and Southern Cavite and Batangas should find it less stressful to take the RORO vessel than to drive the circuitous, traffic-choked land route via the SLEX and Star Tollway. With a brief stopover, this should make tourist travel to Corregidor cheaper because the usual cost to operate the tourist trip will be subsidized to a large extent by the longer RORO route and cargo. The existing fast-craft trips operated by Sun Cruises can then focus on high-value bundled tour packages.
2. Corregidor, being an island, should make an excellent open zoo. A study should be made on appropriate species it can support in addition to the existing species (monkeys, monitor lizards and other reptiles, deer, hawks, serpent eagles, fruit bats, small birds), but offhand there is a considerable amount of forage material for grazing wildlife species, like those that can be transfered from Calauit Island.
3. POST YOUR IDEAS AND ADD TO THE DISCUSSION
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2007 6:36:23 GMT 8
As I see it, the main problem is that people who are presently invovled (directly or indirectly) in the management of Corregidor Island have not as yet, accepted the fact that the the island faces many problems and is in dire need of assistance.
The rapidly diminishing market of World War II veterans should give them a cue as to how urgent this matter is.
In short, the powers-that-be should immediately focus on reassessing the 20-year old development plan that most of their passe' ideas are based upon.
I am alarmed by the way the National Historical Society has seemed to ignore the chipping and scrapping problems of the island, and in so doing, "closed ranks" with FAME and the CFI, who have to this date, been unable to answer the primary issues that we have brought up. The Heritage Conservation Society has likewise not responded to our calls to look into these matters.
The unfettered chipping and scrapping activities on the island (and the horrendous degradation of Corregidor's old structures) should by now, have given these organizations enough impetus to look into this very serious this matter.
Our appeals for a reassessment of the ongoing work at Middleside Barracks appear to have fallen on deaf ears, and it looks like that they are intent on going through with this project come hell or high water.
Makes one wonder why....
As Alice ("Alice in Wonderland") said, "Curiouser and curiouser!" [/i]
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Post by joe p patterson on Feb 13, 2007 2:48:30 GMT 8
hindsight is 20-20 as harry truman once stated, but when the u.s. gave the philippines their independence it would have been wonderful if there had been some kind of stipulation that the manila bay forts would have come under the control of the united states park department or some such supervision. the islands would have been philippine republic territory, but some type of arrangement should have been made for the united states government, with republic of the philippines cooperation, to control the "rock" and its neighboring islets. none of the scrap steel scavengers,etc would have been allowed to start the irreparable harm that has been done to this sacred, in my opinion, monument. it makes me ill contemplating what will become of this landmark in the future. i am glad, in this instance, to be nearly 75 years of age and wont live to see what will ultimately happen to the precious landmarks.
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Post by EXO on Feb 19, 2007 18:58:12 GMT 8
Joe,
It is sad that it was the nature of the Philippine government - for many decades - to classify Corregidor and the Forts as military installations, even through their days as true military assets had passed. This allowed their deterioration, and their "rape", to occur largely under a cover of secrecy.
(Caballo Island is still a current military depot, and the lack of access to it is, from the viewpoint of the Philippine Government and many other authorities, well justified. It's stocked with live munitions, and the fewer people kicking around it, the better. Personally, I think they're just so embarrassed at the state of decrepitude to which it has fallen. )
Thats the way things are in many other countries. The military use their powers to enrich themselves, and high rank is often taken as a justification for all sorts of abuses.
Corregidor came low on the priorities list, if it was ever there at all.
Consequently the military abused and looted it, actively or by default.
And when the loot was gone, they turned a blind eye whilst thieves, both government and private, scrapped what was left.
Thus, the island's present custodians (CFI, a creature of the Department of Tourism) inherited a very battered baby.
So in effect, the CFI is now the "supporting father" of a formerly abused military brat. Tough call!
And there are all sorts of excuses being made for the state of the island-child, except those which have been the real causes - (a) the decades of corruption and mismanagement during the military years, and (b) the lack of budget allocation by government to the Department of Tourism.
Whilst I am have been critical of the administration of Corregidor from time to time, I now accept that the CFI is being driven by circumstance and policy to a point where it needs to take steps which we outsiders might find unusual or curious - but are probably for the betterment of the island.
We military buffs will still be welcome on the Island, that for one hasn't changed.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2007 3:03:30 GMT 8
a few random thoughts (and please forgive my sarcasm):
1. i think the problems besetting the administration of corregidor are in part, if not wholly, due to larger issues. in particular, i would say it is a symptom of what is going on in the philippines as a whole. first of all (and i hate to be too harsh about this), but let's face it, the philippines is the sick man of southeast asia. the country is perennially beset by the problems of graft and corruption and mismanagement. and since corregidor is for all intents and purposes administered by the philippine government, it follows that the island's administration has not escaped that taint. corregidor is not alone in this, as similar complaints of "desecration of ruins", mismanagement, and constant bickering have been made with regard to the administration of the intramuros, the old walled city in manila.
2. but it cannot simply be direct corruption, if there is any (and it is arguable whether or not there is any with regard to the administration of corregidor). a large part of the problem, with regard to government, is the fact that as administrations change, whether it be at the head offices of the cfi or at the highest echelons of the philippine government, that the new regime comes in and completely undos all that the previous regime has done, with no transition whatsoever. the result is a serious lack of continuity. though changing times have forced certain necessary revisions to the island's development plan, if one looks at the history of the island's development plan, there seems to be a lack of cohesive direction -- first it's a memorial park, then it's a resort, next it's an eco-park. God help us if they announce sometime in the future that they're opening up enchanted kingdom west on the island.
3. the most basic problem is funding. you need funding for the basic upkeep and maintanence, as well as to support the infrastructure to sustain the island and its operations. which begs the next question, where does the money come from? the philippine government? good luck. it's having enough trouble paying for basic services such as education, health care, public works, oh and let's not forget graft and corruption. and i have yet to doubt a congressman or senator would be willing to part with some of his/her congressional development fund money (pork barrel) for what he or she feels is a bunch of rusting ruins. private donations can help somewhat, especially since private donors usually believe in what they are donating for. corporate donations can also be of help, but i wonder at what cost. some corporate donors perceive donations as another way of advertising (ever notice that all the railroad crossing signs in metro manila have been brought to you by ginebra san miguel gin). it is very frightening to think that battery hearn could have an abs-cbn sign hanging off of it, or that kris aquino could be standing in front of the malinta tunnel and saying in her loud, shrieking voice "game ka na ba."
4. the only other source of potential funding for the island is from the tourists. and therein lies the island's identity crisis. the island was originally developed as a war memorial; a monument to those on both sides who on that island gave their "last full measure of devotion." but as that "greatest generation" passes to the ages, that prime source of visitors to the island also goes. military buffs also comprise a significant segment of the island's visitors, but there are only so many of us who are warmongers.
5. it is helpful to examine who it is that now visits the island. i've been to the island 3 times (so i can't exactly claim to be an expert), but i have made several observations. sun cruises runs a single ferry (2 ferries on saturdays and sundays) with a capacity of about 100-150 (correct me if i am wrong). plus factor in about 30-50 overnighters, plus a few visitors coming from bataan and the resorts along the cavite shore. at any given time, there may be only 200 or so visitors to the island. at roughly the equivalent of $40-50 per head, a bit more for an overnight stayer.....hardly a dent in the bottom line. the demographic of this group seems to be tourist in nature, a motley group of those from other countries, a fair amount of balikbayans. only a handful are locals. thus the challenge is how does the cfi cater to these widely diverging groups of clientele, yet at the same time not attract so many that the island starts to take on all the trappings of the market in divisoria. when it comes to those prospective visitors from outside of the philippines, promotion, advertising, and dissemination of information maybe the keys to promoting the island as a tourist attraction. but this is predicated on first resolving whatever "identity crisis" there may be, and secondly coordinating its efforts with that of the department of tourism in promoting the country as a whole as a tourist destination. to attract this group, cfi can still appeal to this segment's sense of history, and the importance and significance of the place.
6. attracting local tourism to the island maybe a far more difficult proposition. in an era higher prices, lowered peso-dollar exchanges, and shrinking wages, the P1700-1800 tour package is out of reach for many filipinos. not to mention that sightseeing and history for that matter don't exactly interest the typical filipino(incidentally, my first trip to corregidor was a cut rate tour offered by mt. samat ferries for about P500, and it was a decent tour too; but from what i heard, that didn't last very long). they would rather spend their hard earned pesos in an sm mall than at a war relic. therein lies the dilemma that the cfi faces, and which may in part explain some of its actions. it must increase revenue by attracting more visitors, and the most readily accessable source of visitors is from the local market. to attract this group, it must cater to that group's likes and dislikes, which some have characterized as "pang masa" (for the masses); tastes which fall more into the pop culture category, and are to some extent incongruent with the interests of the non-locals. i believe the eco-park concept which the cfi is trying to promote is an attempt at compromise; to find common ground amongst two dissimilar interests. cfi is walking a tightrope indeed.
7. one thing i have observed in the philippines, having lived there on and off over the last 6 years, is a lack of respect, and at times a outright disrespect for the nation's history. this is sad, because the filipino people have much to be proud of with regard to its history and culture. in manila itself, much has been done to the detriment of it's historical heritage. the art deco jai lai palace demolished. mehan garden restored, then neglected, then turned into the city college. a starbuck built inside the intramuros wall. age old spanish style house succumbing one by one to the ravages of termites. once upon a time (so i'm told by my parents), it was a requirement for school children to be herded onto a ferry boat for what was then a 3 hour long boat ride to corregidor. those days are gone. history is perceived as a boring school subject in which students memorize useless facts and dates (the usual question #1 on the final exam in the college required jose rizal course is what does jose rizal's middle initial stand for). history is taught in schools not for the sake of the facts and dates; that in and of itself is meaningless. it is taught so that one may analyze, understand, and appreciate all that has happened before, so that one may analyze, understand, and appreciate all that is happening now and all that is yet to come. however, if history, or for that matter any subject or topic, is approached without regard for its intended purpose, it shall fail to instill any sense of appreciation for its value and worth. and if the people do not appreciate something, then why should any government anywhere do the same. that failure to perceive history as important and worthwhile on the part of individuals, government, and society as a whole is another factor in the story of corregidor.
8. with regard to corregidor's floating garbage problem -- good luck in bringing shame upon metro manila authorities. to give you a sense of how bad the garbage problem is, one need only go to that portion of the macarthur highway between valenzuela city and malabon. next to the san miguel brewery, there is a decaying, old, ready-to-collapse bridge there which spans the tullahan river. on the upstream side of the bridge, you will usually find a pile of garbage so thick that if you could walk on it. once the trash gets past the bottleneck, it floats down river, out to manila bay, and straight on out to the south china sea (right past corregidor). the chairman of the metro manila development authority (mmda) has been ranting and raving to the mayors and other local officials to do something about the problem, but those pleas have largely fallen on deaf ears.
9. stopping dynamite and cyanide fishing -- same thing, good luck. i think to some extent, the armed forces of the philippines (afp) ought to be brought in as a partner in the adminstration of corregidor insofar as protecting corregidor and the other fortified islands from the scrappers and squatters. the corps of engineers may be helpful in the maintenance of the island's infrastructure. appealing to the sense of pride of both the current and especially the retired generals and admirals may be an effective form of persuasion.
10. RORO access to corregidor? in as much as it would improve accessibility to the island, allowing your typical metro manila driver to have the run of the island would be a very bad idea. not to mention the necessity of providing what ever infrastructure would be needed to sustain vehicular traffic on the island (improved roads, gas stations, etc.).
11. one article on the corregidor.org site complained of the painting over of the more frequently visited guns with jungle green paint. it proposed that the guns should either be left in their pristine, rusting state, or that a special compound be applied which leaves the gun intact in color and appearance, and yet preserves the gun at the same time. leaving the guns as is will leave the guns vulnerable, because over time, corrosion will destroy the guns. applying jungle green paint leaves the guns unsightly to say the least. applying a special preserving compound begs the question how much does it cost and how do you pay for it. anyone have a creative solution for this?
12. i wonder if it would possible to create a joint management arrangement with the u.s. national park service. the u.s. government already administers national military cemeteries outside the u.s., including one in the philippines. such an arrangement ought to include forts drum and frank (and fort hughes as well should it ever be decommissioned as a philippine navy base). i sense, however, that such a proposal would meet opposition from grandstanding pseudo-nationalistic philippine politicians who would decry this apparent encroachment on philippine sovereignty. would outright purchase of the fortified islands by a private entity be a possiblity?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2007 17:11:32 GMT 8
hmmmm, for someone who's been to the island only three times, you sure do have a profound and solid grip of the issues and the little-known information about the island. Like EXO's posts, and all the other points already posted in this discussion board, this should be made part of the resources in any future study or convention on Corregidor. Allow me to comment on your random thoughts, drdemented: * on #1: The CFI is supposed to be a "private" foundation. It has a standing MOA with the Department of Defense to develop, manage and maintain Corregidor. CFI supposedly draws an annual operations and maintenance budget from the Philippine Tourism Authority which collects the mandated travel tax on all departures from the Philippines. While CFI is not a government agency, it's lifeblood comes mainly from people's money through the PTA. And even so, the Department of Tourism, which is the mother agency of the PTA, claims it has no operational or oversight control over CFI. There is something flawed about this and the whole set up deserves some kind of review and subsequent modification. Corregidor Island, unlike Intramuros, isn't pestered with hundreds of private interests (ownership, right-of-way, etc. issues) conflicting with heritage conservation. As such, CFI should have a significantly less problematic mandate than that of the Intramuros Administration. * on #2: CFI was created by the Aquino Administration right after the EDSA People Power Revolt of 1986. While the Department of Tourism and the PTA have changed captains from the Aquino to Ramos to Estrada to Macapagal-Arroyo administrations, the CFI has had only the late colonel and war vet Alfred Xerex Burgos, Sr. and presently, Art Matibag (who incidentally served as Burgos' number 2 man) as its administrative heads. So continuity it has had all this time. As to why they seem to lack "cohesive direction," maybe it's because they hardly communicate and consult with their various stakeholders. * on #3 "Funding": if it is still true that CFI draws its operations and maintenance budget from the PTA, then it goes without saying that it should get what it needs to run and maintain the island, no more no less. Not unless the PTA gives CFI less than what it actually needs. Other sources of funds are fees that they collect and from grants and donations. The question to ask is: "Are these properly, efficiently and professionally being managed? Or are these being wasted unnecesarily because CFI has always complained that it has no money? And because they are responsible for a national treasure and thriving on people's money, then they must be responsible to the people. Thus we, the people, have spoken. * On Tourism as source of potential funding ... IT IS and it's staring everyone in the face! But how can you move ahead if CFI, and FAME, prefer to live in the days of the WW2 vets and sentimental travelers? How can you move ahead if CFI chooses to curtail tourist movement on the island with that ridiculous memo instead of enhancing the whole travel experience to the island? I don't think cost is the issue, but rather "value for money." Remember that Boracay is bursting year-round with predominantly local tourists, working class folks, spending anywhere between P6,000-P12,000 for a 3-days/2-nights holiday. And yet pound-for-pound, Corregidor is still a better destination with infinitely better access to a 12 million population market base only 25 nautical miles to the east. Reinvention is the key. The thinking must shift from death and cemetery to living wilderness island. The "new market shift" product experiments were already quite successful requiring only minor modifications to adjust to belated market developments. But again, CFI's DEATH WARRANT, and I repeat DEATH WARRANT! won't help any. * CFI shouldn't look at the eco-park concept that it is "trying to promote" only as an attempt at a compromise, because it is the most logical option. That's why it should have been more circumspect in the manner that they handled those trees if indeed they were an obstacle to the Middleside Barracks "clean up" project. If it needs a little help on environmental appreciation, we would be very glad to help. * on # 8: "with regard to corregidor's floating garbage problem -- good luck in bringing shame upon metro manila authorities." Sounds awfully familiar, in fact quite similarly worded, to what EXO wrote in reply to an earlier post of mine. Are you EXO? ;Dhehehe * on #9: The military establishment has been part of the Corregidor equation, ever since. it just has to take a more active and responsible role, and redeem itself for the pre-CFI era of neglect and rape. * on #10: Please read back. My RORO proposal never suggested letting cars on the island. The idea is for a STOPOVER in Corregidor for passengers/tourists only. Conceptually, the RORO cargo should be able to subsidize the tourist passengers to make it more affordable than the present fast ferry service of Sun Cruises. * on #12: A joint undertaking with the U.S. National Parks service should be explored, perhaps as a component of any military assistance package to the Philippines, or "technical" compensation tied to the Visiting Forces Agreement. On the contrary, this could be one RP-US partnership that will be welcomed with open arms, IF HANDLED PROPERLY.Back in 1995, I discussed a similar idea with Mrs. Diana Negroponte, wife of then US Ambassador to the Philippines John Negroponte after an exhilirating hike to the tail of the island. She in fact wrote the National Park Service which in turn sent me a bunch of materials on the service. Several years later, I wrote a 2-part piece about the National Park Sevice in my defunct column "The Outdoorsman" entitled "Caring for a Nation's Legacy" in the November 26 and December 3, 1999 issues of the Manila Times. Perhaps, it's time to re-explore the idea. * Finally, no matter what you say about corruption in the Philippines and the country being the sick man of Asia, the fact and the truth remain --- that there are still good, honest and caring Filipinos (and foreigners) who are willing to step forward for a good and noble cause. And considering your seemingly immense knowledge, sound opinion and concern for Corregidor, you should actually count yourself in.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2007 10:45:34 GMT 8
Philippine presidential assistant on veterans affairs and assistant secretary Terry Adevoso was man enough to admit that the Quo Vadis Corregidor web campaign is a "wake up call" after all these years. National Defense College prex Commodore Carlos Agustin was decisive enough to call for a round-table discussion on Corregidor which happened yesterday 14 March 2007 at Camp Aguinaldo. The Friends of the Rock was there, represented by april_thunder who is heritage convenor. (April_thunder was an Air Force brat and is a descendant of a Corregidor veteran. His father, who served as Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force in the 1960s was an aerial recon pilot and flight instructor of the Philippine Army Air Corps and actually gave flying lessons to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower when "Ike" served as Gen. MacArthur's "best d**n clerk" in the Philippines. He was regimental adjutant of Filipino troops in Corregidor at the time of the Fall and was a POW in the New Bilibid concentration camp. After his release due to a lingering illness, he joined the guerilla movement doing what he did best, intelligence work.)During the round-table discussion, the military establishment supposedly called for a review and revision or updating of Corregidor's development plan for presentation to Congress (for budget allocation) when it convenes in July. This is the time for all good ideas to be placed on the table to help CFI chart the future course of Corregidor. Please post your ideas and suggestions here. A full account of the round-table discussion will be posted by april_thunder soon.
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Post by EXO on Mar 16, 2007 19:17:11 GMT 8
Just some housekeeping:
Should participants wish to post their suggestions (by way of reply to the previous post) to this board, would you please consider posting them as new topics -- people tend not to read through several pages, and IMHO, they get more replies if a new thread is opened.
This is an advisory only. This thread is not closed.
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