THE Greek philosopher Thales theorized that life originated from water as every living being is dependent on water for life. While this may not hold water (pun intended), as even his student Anaximander later refuted him, one thing is certain — we all are still dependent on water and if there would be one last battle, it would be a fight for water.

Last year, Japanese authorities announced a plan to release about 1.3 million tons of water from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. This was after an assurance from the government that the water to be released would not pose a threat to human health or the marine environment, as it had already been treated to remove most radioactive materials.

However, protesters, including local fishing communities and countries in the region, say otherwise as the water will still contain tritium, a naturally occurring radioactive form of hydrogen that is technically difficult to separate from water, thus posing a risk to local fisherfolk — a double whammy after having suffered great devastation from the magnitude 9.0 earthquake which triggered a huge tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people on Japan’s northeastern coast almost 12 years ago. The tsunami ended up crashing into Fukushima Daiichi, knocking out its backup electricity supply, triggering meltdowns in three of its reactors and sending large quantities of radiation into the atmosphere in the most serious nuclear accident since Chernobyl a quarter of a century earlier.

According to Japanese authorities, the wastewater in Fukushima is being stored in more than 1,000 tanks, which they say need to be removed so the plant can be decommissioned — a process expected to take from 30 to 40 years. Probably the reason why they want it released as soon as possible is to expedite the decommissioning.

Not only local fisherfolk have voiced their dissent but South Korea and China have joined the opposition as both countries raised “grave concerns” about the proposed release.

In fact, South Korea has yet to lift its ban on Fukushima seafood. They are not alone. Yesterday, as the world celebrated Environment Day, a group of local environmentalists here in the Philippines banded together and joined the calls to pressure Japan into forgoing its plan to release “contaminated waters” from Fukushima.

Calling themselves Bantay Nukleyar, the group, composed of professionals, students, sports enthusiasts, among others, announced that they plan to stage some kind of protest action in Palawan on Thursday, June 8, on the coastline of Busuanga in Palawan.

According to the group, they picked the Palawan coastline as the island is the country’s last frontier.

And they could not have chosen a better place to voice their concern. A big “No!” to polluting our waters — be it in Japan or anywhere else.

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If the fisherfolk of Japan suffered a double whammy in the 2011 killer quake, local governments have two reasons to celebrate.

This was after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. made twin announcements — first, issuing instructions to study and review an executive order issued by his predecessor on devolution; and second, issuing an order to provide special funds for poverty-stricken localities in the country.

Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone welcomed both moves as he expressed the hope the devolution order would eventually be scrapped as it only adds a financial burden to local governments.

Devolution is the transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, especially by the central government to local or regional administration.

With regard to the additional funds, Evardone said it would surely help them “accelerate” development in the province.

“President Marcos has committed to establish a special fund to help poor localities. This is on top of the national tax allocation that local government units (LGUs) receive annually for our share from national taxes,” he said in a text message to the Inquirer on May 20,” said the Eastern Samar governor.

“Being a former local chief executive, I think PBBM knows whereof he speaks, particularly the plight of poor LGUs. There is really a need to give them a fighting chance to provide basic services, reduce poverty and hasten development,” he added.

“Our poverty incidence for the total population decreased from 49.5 percent in 2018 to 37.7 percent in 2021, or a decrease of 11-8 percent, the highest reduction among the provinces in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) based on the latest PSA survey. I assumed the post of governor in 2019, and with focus on anti-poverty programs, we were able to substantially reduce our poverty incidence, the biggest drop in the whole of Eastern Visayas. We just need to sustain it if we can have fresh and additional funds,” he explained.

The additional fund, Evardone said, will enable poor LGUs to accelerate their development “and ensure that we can deliver more essential social services to our people.”

Here’s what you get when you have a former local chief executive at the helm of the national government. You can expect them to understand the plight of the LGUs.

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We had planned to stay at a famous hotel by the bay with its equally famous infinity pool for the whole duration of our trip to Singapore. But as it turned out, it was hosting a gaming convention to coincide with our schedule. Thus, we got to stay only for two nights there and reluctantly moved to another place — the Rendezvous Hotel Singapore by Far East Hospitality.

Actually, I’m already comfortable with this hotel, having stayed there before the pandemic struck. But what made our stay there this time more memorable and enjoyable was the fact that the hotel now employs Filipino staff.

And who could better give justice to the word hospitality than Filipinos? You don’t shout Philippine hospitality to the world for nothing.

And these two female staff of Rendezvous — Cristina Angelica Manzano and Maybelle Ann Peconcillo, both Filipino — are the epitome of Philippine hospitality.

We were so lucky to have met them there. They assisted us in every way, made our stay comfortable and enjoyable.

Hope to meet you again soon, Cristina and Maybelle.