Earthquakes: Hazardous To Your Health!

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is calling for a review (about darned time!) of the Building Code of the Philippines in response to the recent series of strong earthquakes that hit Japan, Haiti, Chile and New Zealand.  The trumpet call was sounded in response to the growing public concern on the structural integrity of houses and buildings in the country.  DENR Secretary Ramon Paje directed the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to work for the integration of the Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment Report (EGGAR)* into the Environmental Impact Statement System required under Presidential Decree 1586.

*DENR Administrative Order 2000-28 sets down the implementing guidelines on engineering geological and geohazard assessment as additional requirement for ECC applications covering subdivisions, housing and other land development and infrastructure projects.  

Well now, let's all hope and pray that they actually get any work done, and quickly.  Seems like another case of 'too little, too late,' but then again, it's better late than never!

 
Let's all live underwater,

Jon

PAG-IBIG rocks the house!

The Atrium in Makati, the 8-storey building that houses the HDMF (PAG-IBIG), was evacuated yesterday in panic over a series of tremors.  Engr. Rodel Baldedora, building admin, suspects that the movements may be caused by thermal expansion.  Hairline cracks have been found across the ceiling of the 5th floor, which will be further assessed by the city engineers.  In the meantime, PAG-IBIG transactions will be handled at the nearby Justine Building.

So there you have it, PAG-IBIG is so HOT that the building is starting to suffer from thermal expansion (^_^)V.  Let's hope nothing untoward happens further, since a lot of our countrymen rely on this excellent service to finance their homes & home-repairs.


Bring your whistles,

Jon