Virtually every stream, lake, river and aquifer in our state of Kentucky is used as drinking water source. Protecting these source of water from contaminants is a major state's priority in protecting the health of the people of Kentucky.

Water treatment is essential to ensuring Kentuckians with clean supplies of drinking water, planning and conservation is also very important in protecting water supplies. Kentucky is fortunate to have abundant water supplies. However, the availability of clean drinking water varies widely across the state. Droughts, contamination problems, and inadequate treatment capacity have affected drinking water supplies of many communities throughout Kentucky.

Contaminants can enter water a number of ways and come from a range of sources. In Kentucky, polluted runoff washed into streams, rivers, and lakes from farmlands and coal mines is the leading cause of water pollution.

The Kentucky Division of Water announces recently the release of the state Stream and Wetland Conservation Plan survey results.this is very important survey because some of us don't realize that we exploit our nature especially the source of our drinking water here in Kentucky. With funding from the United States Environmental Agency(EPA), Dr. Stephanie McSpirit of Easter Kentucky University was contracted to design the survey and get input from various stakeholders. Over 800 stakeholders were surveyed and included environmental professionals, federal and state regulators, farmers, homeowners, coal industry representatives, stream restoration engineers,and foresters.

When asked to reflect on the major challenges affecting Kentucky's streams and wetlands, many Steering Committee members, as well as other stakeholders from across the state, made reference to either the impacts of development or resouce extraction. Both were cited as two of the greatest challenges in protecting our state's water resources from further degradation and decline.

This was also mirrored in online survey, insofar as the effects of Development (sewage, residential growth and storm water) as well as the effects of coal were rated as the serious, "very serious" impacts. Many survey respondents really showed a huge concerns the detrimental impacts on our state's water resources. Fifty-six percent of survey respondents rated sewer and straight pipes and forty percent of respondents perceived the impact of coal and energy development.

KENTUCKY'S DRINKING WATER

><
Drinking water suppliers now provide reports (sometimes called consumer confidence reports), that tell where drinking water comes from, and what contaminants may be in it. If your drinking water comes from a private well, you are responsible for your water's safety. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules do not apply private wells. EPA recommends that well owners have their water tested annually.

Public water and water distributions systems in Kentucky are regulated by Division of Water (DOW). The DOW works to ensure public health protection through primacy of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and the provision of potable water. Potable water is the finished water after treatment, that is safe and satisfactory for drinking.

Primacy refers to primary enforcement responsibility awarded to the state by Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) and enhance the quality and quantity of kentucky's water resources for present and future generation through voluntary, regulatory and educational programs.

Anyone proposing to conduct activities that result in physical disturbances to wetlands or streams need a Water Quality Certification to ensure Kentucky Water Quality Standards will not be violated.

DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES ( MY HOMETOWN)

Davao city is the largest city located on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. This is the city where i was born and grew up. This is the city where my family live. I had a lot of memories here and it stays in my heart forever where ever i go. I know more than 8,000 miles to get there from where i am now (USA)but how I wish I can visit every now and then, but because of the distance and of course the monetary aspect is the number one issue....

Davao city is one of the Philippine's most progressive cities. Its int'l airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the southern part of the Philippines. The city boasts of some of the finest beaches and mountain resorts in the country and its proximity to the Philippine's most captivating diving spots as well as it's highest peak of Mt. Apo.

The captivating "waling-waling" orchid, the exotic Durian fruit, the high and mighty Mt. Apo Mountain, and the king of skies Philippine Eagle are among Davao city's natural pride. The citty's nature touch and unique characteristics have inspired among people from neighboring cities, and even countries, to make it their home.

Davao city has a long emerged a highlight for business and tourism in the whole southern Philippines. What makes it and ideal place for livelihood and business is its natural advantages. the fertility of the land soil and abundance of water source, not to mention it is situated in a Typhoon-free zone, are just some of the factors that makes Davao city living worthwhile.

CLOUD 9 SIARGAO ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

If you are adventurous and wants to conquer the waves in the ocean, Cloud 9 is one of the best choices to go if you are planning to go visit in a foriegn country, especially my country (Philippines). A lot of things to do waiting for you there to get away the everyday grind for a while and you are having the best times you'll ever have as well as it's where a lot of good memories will be made.

Cloud 9 is one of the best known surfing waves in Siargao, Philippines. the island is greatly influenced by the winds and currents coming uniterrupted from the Pacific ocean. The island's Pacific-facing reefs are situated on the edge of the
Philippine Trench, and the extremely deep offshore waters assures the ocean swells have undilluted power when they encounter the many coral and rock reefs.

It is a perfect surfing destination. It is such a lovely place. This right-breaking reef waves is the site of the Annual Siargao Cup, a domestic and international surfing competition.

Its waves combines the best quality features of the top-rated waves of Hawaii's fabled "pipeline" and the top-billed waves of Indonesia. Its huge, powerful rollers have been ranked among the top five breaks in the world.

BORACAY....ISLAND PARADISE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Boracay Philippines is one of the Philippines most popular destination. It's white sand beaches are the island's main draws. It's amazing sunsets, and romantic scenery. It was voted by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook as one of the best beaches in the world.

Boracay island was a well-guarded secret, almost possessively so that only a few knew of it's existence. It was only when a foreign movie crew accidentally "discovered" this island paradise, which included rave reviews that changed the Island's pace from that of being a quite secret to eventually being voted as having the best beach in the world.

I remember in the summer of 2009 when i did visit my family back in the Philippines, I decided to go Boracay together with my two best friends to escape the pollution and the heavy traffic of the city. We headed to the airport to get plane tickets to fly. It was a long painful and agonizing wait for our flight. I started to hear and and feel rumbles in my tummy....i realized that it was 8am when we last ate. And it's already 4pm.

After setting in our hotel, we went for a stroll and found ourselves in a beachfront restaurant where we have probably the best dinner to date...( I was starving to death). Afte dinner, we went for a walk along the beachfront to see what one of the best beaches in the world. We sat in the sand and drunk some red wine and just simply enjoying the cold evening.

We woke up early the next morning the sun is very bright and the beach was enticing. All were quit as we ate our breakfast and perked ourselves up with double cups of steaming brewed coffee from the nearby starbucks.

After this hefty breakfast, we were ready to roll. We rented a boat to take us snorkeling and around the island the entire morning. I enjoyed getting tan, I really missed the tropical weather in my country.

We did sunset sailing which was my favorite activity of the day, it was amazing...As the evening came we went clubbing and got some drinks and met new friends. We had fun..fun...fun. the evening progressed and we felt tired and we found oursleves to hotel rooms and finally sign off...

We stayed in Boracay for five days and that was a terrific vacation together with my dear friends...

WRIGHT PARK OF BAGUIO CITY

Situated near the Mansion in Baguio City, Wright Park is one of three most visited and beautiful in the Summer Capital of the Philippines. Aside from Burnham park and Mines View Park, this amusing park is relaxing and refreshing place to see in the city.

Identified by locale people as Pool of Pines, Wright Park has majestic and fascinating pine trees. It has a scenic and enticing view. The park has a rectangular man-made lake that is surrounded by spectacular and alluring pine trees. Wright Park is very attractive even at night since it has beautiful streetlights that allow tourists to have a glimpse at the attractive flowers.

Horse back riding is one of the main features of Wright Park. To reach the spacious area at the park where tourists can ride horses, tourists need to walk through a stairway near the center of the site. Horse guides at Wright Park are accredited and skilled horse riders so that tourists can relax and have fun. Horse guides also make sure that horse riders are safe so they usually accompany beginners or they ride along with the children to assure their safety.

One of my earliest childhood memories is of a pony ride at Wright Park during one of my few visits to Baguio City, when I was about six years old. I remember that it was pretty large black horse that was a little frisky, that I first rode and what an adrenalin rush ( could not have known that then ) it was for me to ride like the wind, or even just to commune with nature and interact with one of the most magnificent creatures on earth.

I remember that in the late 1970's, an hour on horseback was just 5.00 pesos, which was about a day's wages in the Philippines. Of course the rates for three decades later have changed, and there are other riding areas in the city, but the most popular venue for horseback riding for visitors and locals alike is still Wright Park.

The Mansion in Baguio City

Baguio city has the most visitor attractions, and one of these is THE MANSION. It is one of the most visited and photograph landmarks of the city of Baguio. With it's beautiful gardens and a well-manicured lawn, it is a favorite site for the tourists.

Before I went to america four years ago, I visited The Mansion together with my family. I wanted to visit again the place and the city that I always dreamed of living in, since when I was a kid. I'm always thinking and always in my heart wherever I go this place. Imagine all these...clear blue morning skies, foggy afternoon, and chilly romantic evenings. The Mansion is located in the eastern part of Baguio.

We had a road trip going to the city. I still remember how it was fun riding a van together with my family. My dad, my sister and her only daughter, my brother and his one daughter and one son. How I wished that time that my mom was with us but she was passed away eight years ago. We used Kennon Road going up there. There are four roads that u can use going there. I was the most excited to see the Mansion. Going up to Baguio is very fun and amazing. This is the city in the sky with the height of 5,000 feet above sea level. While we were on the road we saw the most spectacular with amazing scenery, from pine forests to mountains with waterfalls disgorging fresh mountain water into the valleys.

When we arrived there we got the Hotel near the Mansion. First thing we did was to visit "The Mansion" the most historical place in Baguio. The majestic and palatial Mansion was built in 1908 as the official summer residence for the U.S. Governors-Generals.

It was badly damaged during the Second World War and was rebuilt in 1947. Since then, it has served as the holiday home and working office for each President of the Philippines during his or her visits to Baguio.

More recently, the Mansion House has been the site of a number of International conferences. Mansion house consists of an elegantly-designed main building and guest house. The elaborate main gate, made of ornate ironwork, is said to be replica of one of the main gates at Buckingham Palace, London.

Lastly, over the road from the Mansion House is Wright Park, we took the kids there, a place where children are often seen riding the ponies that are available for hire. Dotted all around the nearby hills are the holiday villas of the wealthy.

We had a great and memorable visit in this place. In my mind this is not the last time that I gonna visit this wonderful and beautiful place in my country. I WILL COME BACK.....

The famous golf course in Baguio city Philippines

The Camp John Hay golf course was designed by Nicklaus' Golden Bear International, and is one of the best of the best in the Philippines. It is located 5,000 feet above sea level, and is sorrounded by rolling hills, crystal clear lake. Pine-tree challenging course winding it's way through the mountain complex. The facilities include, pro-shop, driving range, log cabin clubhouse, veranda restaurant, jacuzzi, and a lot more. Name it and they have it.

Playing golf on Baguio city is one very popular attraction and pastime for both visitors and residents. It is the annual site of the Men's Filipino-American International Tournament.

It definitely can compare favorably with the finest in the world with it's elegant log-architecture and interior design, the golf clubhouse has likewise impressed many a visitor. It conforms to the environmental standards set by the Golf Course Commission of the USGA and other international golfing agencies.

Camp Joh Hay, Part of Baguio City

From a rest and recreational base for the American Soldiers stationed in the Philippines after the Spanish-American War, to an interment facility for Japanese nationals just prior to World War II, to a Japanese concentration camp and army post during the occupation, to a bombed-out ruins after the World War II and back to a beautiful and scenic mountain, resort for American military personnel, Camp John Hay's history had undergone a colorful and sometimes traumatic path.

Pres. Theodore Roosevelt reserved an area for military use. This area was named Camp John Hay in honor of the Secretary of State, JOHN HILTON HAY, during the administration of Pres. Mckinley and Roosevelt. The camp was used as a resort and a vacation center for the troops in the lowlands to renew their health from the rigors of the tropical climate.

Now Camp John Hay is the official Baguio Residence of the American Ambassador. Through the years and succeeding commanders had built on and improved this beautiful retreat. There are beautiful lodging, conference and recreation facilities to serve the thousands of U.S. personnel who annually visit this "Mountain Paradise". Camp John Hay provided numerous recreational and club activities that suit the needs of the visiting U.S. military of all ranks and their families. Various types of outdoor sports are available. The John Hay golf course is one of the most beautiful, unique and unusual 18-hole golf courses in the world.

THE ATTRACTIONS AND LANDMARKS OF MY COUNTRY (PHILIPPINES)

BAGUIO CITY is one of the attractions of my country. This was established by Americans in 1900. All the facilities, parks and landmarks here was designed by american architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham. We used to call Baguio as " Little America". This is the only place where we can grow strawberries and pine trees because of it's mild climate. The temperature in the city is 8 degrees celsius lower compared to the average temperature of the rest of the country. Average temperature ranges from 15 to 23 degrees celsius. Baguio city is the Summer Capital of the country.

A visit in Baguio city is like reaching the sky that you could actually touch and embrace the clouds. It's located 1,500 meters above sea level. In November, wild sunflowers appear on the hillside signaling the end of the rainy season, and Baguio becomes a tropical paradise until May. Cristmas season is when it glows with the nippy wintry air, and coats, hats and scarves are the outfits of choice which makes it different compared to the rest of the country.

Baguio is gifted with a variety of cultural, historical and scenic attractions that make it an important and interesting destination, favorited by local and foreign tourists, whole families on vacation, honeymoon couples and large convention groups. Boasting great natural beauty, chilly weather, a tourist-friendly people and extraordinary vistas.

Baguio city is well known as a site of the formal surrender of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita and Vice Admiral Okochi. It is where they gave up the entire Imperial Japanese Forces to American Authorities at the high Commissioner's Residence( now the United States Ambassador's Residence).