Makati High-Rise To Go High-Tech!

The Makati City government has ordered owners of high-rise buildings in the city to install seismograms (a.k.a. accelerometers) to monitor ground movement during earthquakes as well as the building's response during typhoons.  Makati mayor Jejomar Binay cited the recently issued memorandum by Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)* to building officials and local engineers as the reason for this necessity.  The directive also covers buildings under construction as well as those still in the design stage.  City building official and city engineer Nelson Morales issued a memorandum to all developers, contractors, owners, and administrators of high-rise buildings to comply with the said directive.  Buildings completed without the device installed will not be granted occupancy permits by the city government, he said.

*DPWH Memorandum Circular no. 03 (March 31, 2011) Section 105(2) of the National Structure Code of the Philippines, requires the installation of accelerometers or seismograms in structures measuring over 50 meters high.

Ummm... I think they meant seismographs.  Seismograms are the paper records that seismographs spit out.  You don't install paper records!  Sheesh, might as well build the high-rises with toilet paper.




Seis-mo-what?

Jon

Informal Settlers: The scourge of the land owner

Laperal Compound in Makati City

Well, I'm not gonna delve into a philosophical tirade about informal settlers (or squatters), this is really just an update on the clash between informal settlers of the fire-razed Laperal Compound in Makati City (EDSA-Guadalupe) and the demolition team last April 28, 2011.  More than a dozen people were reportedly hurt in the clash between the clearing team and residents (meant to be used as a general term, I'm sure).  The "residents" threw rocks at members of the demolition team and police authorities who were involved in the relocation efforts.  The President has directed Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to hold a dialog with the informal settlers and resolve the issue peacefully, and to ensure adequate resettlement.  Last Thursday, Robredo rushed to the site to help stop the violence but instead ended up in a word war with current Makati city mayor Jejomar Binay Jr.  Mayor Binay allegedly faulted Sec. Robredo for deploying only a small number of policemen to defuse tension in the area that has been declared a danger zone.

So landowners, make sure you fence your property if you're not going to put up a structure or a building yet; don't let up in paying your real estate property taxes either.  If you have informal settlers on your land, you can basically expect to spend more on relocating them, assuming you can get them to leave peacefully.


Fence it or lose it,

Jon

Eton Properties added, Finally!

It took me some time to update my website to include the excellent Eton Properties in my listings, but it's definitely worth the time and effort!  Among the properties I'm marketing are:

• Eton Residences Greenbelt (only 2 more units are for sale!  That's how marketable it is!)
• Eton Parkview Greenbelt (another excellent real estate investment or principal residence)
• Eton Emerald Lofts (right in the heart of Ortigas Center - just perfect!)
• 8 Adriatico Manila (just beside Robinson's Manila, how great is that???)
• Aurora Heights (affordable and excellent location - can you spell "RENTAL BUSINESS"???)

Since Eton Residences is close to being sold out, I'll just add our newest pre-selling condo project in Makati - First Homes Makati!  I'll post again once I get it up and running (hopefully w/in the week).

Not to be outdone, 2 Torre Lorenzo is selling like hotcakes!  If you had a property just across DLSU in Taft Avenue in Manila, what kind of investment possibility do you think that means for you?  Do the math... Or better yet, ask me about it and I'll do the math for you hehe =D.  Price increase happening this March 2011!  Ah if only I could buy a unit, I'd be on my way to becoming a landlord (ooohhh the title sounds nice!).

Talk soon,

jon