Solon cautions gov’t against selling military golf courses By Charlie V. Manalo 09/03/2011

Solon cautions gov’t against selling military golf courses

By Charlie V. Manalo 09/03/2011

An administration solon last Thursday cautioned against proposals to turn golf courses of the Armed Forces of the Philippines into commercial complexes for the purpose of generating income for the government because this would destroy what little greeneries that are left in Metro Manila.

According to Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, suggestions to destroy the various AFP golf courses in favor of malls and other commercial complexes purposely to raise revenues sounds logical, especially at a time that the government sorely need funds but this might have long-term effects on the environment.

“The golf courses does not only provide our veterans and the public a healthy diversion but more importantly, these areas are basically the only patches of greenery that can be found in Metro Manila aside from our wildparks that are sporadically located in the metropolis,” Sarmiento said.

“There is a need to balance such proposal because Metro Manila is running out of green spaces for carbon dioxide absorption,” he added as he noted that the unabated increase in vehicles and other sources of air pollutants has made Metro Manila one of the most polluted cites around the world..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110903nat1.html