A ranking official of the respected PCIJ (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism) noticed some valid observations which led him to condemn Bohol as a serious environmental risk.

Maybe, it should take pairs of eyes and noses from third parties to tell us what we Boholanos have known for far too long and for which we have immersed ourselves in a psychological "state of denial." Professional shrinks say people go to denial if the predicament is too painful to confront or are too guilty to admit because mere admission is a far greater pain than an actual punishment for such violation.

Raping and doing violence to Mother Nature can sow real neurosis - for after all how can Man return violence for all the love she has given man for free?

One starts with Panglao and one can enumerate the many small resorts sprouting in utter violation of the 20-meter salvage zone. Even the world - class Panglao Island Nature Resort - that celebrities and movie icons speak in superlative terms in Manila - is under the gun by the DENR. So is the group coming Eskaya Resort that boasts of high-end amenities out to perhaps rival old-time king (Bohol Beach Club) which is just a jog distance away.

The point is - both small and big fry - seem to be guilty of some kind of violation or another. Some controversies, however, remain on stalemate.

The vast powers of the town mayor and LGUs in general (with enough willpower) would have been a strong deterrent to this wanton degradation.

What is ironical is that even the town mayor of Panglao who owns a resort was among the first to be axed for violating environmental laws. So, how can we expect things to be implemented if the town executive himself was charged for a violation. This, even as Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan claimed he already complied with the environmental requirements imposed by the DENR.

But many other coastal areas in Bohol, as well, are as guilty - covering both resort and residential homes - along the shorelines which are violative of the salvage zone rule.

What is obviously seen nearer the city are the residential houses lining the National Highway alongside Laya Beach in Baclayon town.

This three-generations-old violation continues to exist and even propagates with impunity - and the hapless law unable to reach the offenders with its elongated hands.

It had apparently developed short hand(s) - which the last time we checked, is only good for using in dictation.

The technically-viable landfill situated in Albur remains a plan because it is an explosive political issue that no one will touch - not the least within this election year when politicians need all the voters they can deceive. Even the Dampas "Smokey Mountain" landfill of cosmopolitan Tagbilaran City is burstling at the seams.

The issue of a province-wide garbage disposal problem seems to have been avoided like a plague by politicians - which confirm the theory that they care about environmental issues the least. Far down their list than perhaps projects that they have vested interest in - politically and financially.

Even our showcase of Tourism - GMA's all-time favorite - Panglao is littered with side streets of "hanging garbage" because the garbage collection truckers seem to regularly develop amnesia or are waiting for gasoline prices to go down before they collect that stinking garbage in Panglao, for goodness sake.

We call on 1st District congressman Edgar Chatto to give this "garbage" priority - Chairman as he is of the House Committee on Tourism. Charity might as well begin at home if it has to start anywhere.

We think going back to basics - to provide for these intrinsic human needs - like garbage disposal and environmental protection - goes a long way in convincing people that our Government has the maturity and skill to run after mega-projects, like that much ballyhooed Panglao Airport. "First things, first" is as elementary as ABC.

This generation must remember that we inherited this once-upon-a time clean environment from our parents for us to be its steward to preserve it for our children and the next generation to use. Wouldn't it be a shame if all we leave behind as our legacy is an environment that is not only unpleasant to the eyes - but dangerous to life as well?

When it comes to preserving the environment, man seems to be his own worst enemy. DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes almost threw his hands in exasperation, that indeed, it is man who is perhaps the only species known to destroy his own habitat.

The ants don't do that to their aunt hills; not the bees to their beehives. And yet man cannot migrate to another habitable planet after he destroys Mother Earth.

Nature is often called Mother Earth precisely because it is what mothers provide man: life, sustenance, beauty and love. No greater love can be as unrequited as Man's propensity to destroy the only planet we know - often for pecuniary gains.

Former USA vice-president Al Gore whose main claim to fame is allegations of his being cheated by president George Bush Jr. during the polls is better known now as the "champion of the environment" with the recent release of his earth-shaking (pun intended) documentary on the horrors of global warning.

The Environment is such a pressing, gut-wrenching worldwide concern - that the shocking documentary has catapulted back from obscurity - Al Gore - into a serious contender for the Democratic presidential nomination. Of course, he still has to hurdle very popular New York senator Hillary Clinton, wife of the Other Clinton who was once pilloried for his "Oral Office" escapades. But that's another story.

All over the world, people and corporation officials are jailed for serious violations against the environment.

It seems the Philippines is pretending to be Rip Van Winkle and had slept the last 100 hundred years and not knowing what is "in" - what is "out."

The revealing findings of the most revered investigative team in the country about Bohol's own environmental recklessness - is certainly no sleeping matter.

How appropriate and funny the pun - if it was not as tragic as well.