A new approach to development and environmental care

MANY, if not most, major development projects in the Philippines provoke strong protests from some quarters because of environmental concerns. This is quite understandable, as most parts of the Philippines are ecologically important areas in one way or another, and it is difficult to avoid conflicts between the equally valid goals of preserving the environment and pursuing development to improve and enrich the nation. Some familiar examples where these conflicts have been particularly sharp include the Kaliwa Dam project, the various reclamation projects being carried out in Manila Bay, and the proposed Rizal wind farm, which we discussed in a recent editorial, as well as virtually every mining or power generation project ever proposed.