Information : Quezon City Fast-Tracks Business Registration

Generally, when people think of transacting at national and local government offices, three things  come to their mind :  red tape, corruption and bribery. Who wouldn't? Anyone who has had a chance of doing a transaction in a government office, at one time or another, has  some experience or  story to tell about any of the three mentioned. Sometimes it is about corrupt practices of civil servants, but oftentimes,  it is about  the frustrating red tape in government offices. 


We have come to accept  red tape as "given" and "normal" in government  offices. Some of us have learned to skirt the system by offering bribes to civil servants  or  getting help from "entrepreneureal" civil servants to facilitate our transactions. Red tape is not corruption per se, but it has become the cause of corrupt practices in government offices.


But once in a while  we see glimpses of hope, when we hear news that government offices, particularly at local government level, are doing some initiatives to get rid of these corrupt practices and the bureaucratic system called red tape. Actually, a lot  local and national  government offices have been successful in eliminating red tape. Cases in point are :  Marikina City which has been a model city in local government management and LTO  Mall Branch Offices for Drivers' License Renewal. 


Recently, the Quezon City local government did a very commendable job of  ridding or reducing red tape to a minimum, in the process of registering a business in that city. What used to be a transaction that takes at least five days to do, is now reduced to a 30-minute transaction. How did they do it?

Here are some excerpts from an Entrepreneur Philippines magazine's article on the subject and explaining how the Quezon City local government did it.

"In 2010, Mayor Bautista launched the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) which reduced the local government process of registering a new business to just a visit to the BOSS office."

"Now, the Quezon City Government has linked the BOSS process to the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) which is government-initiated, web-based system that links a new business to at least seven government agencies, reducing the need for an entrepreneur to transact with the several offices just to get his business fully operational."

"This system streamlines the steps for starting a business in the city to a convenient 30 minutes, with local government reforms complemented by systems innovations from the national government"

Let's hope that similar initiatives be done by other cities and municipalities. 

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista

Two thumbs up for Mayor Herbert Bautista  and the Quezon City Local Government on this one! 

Please click link below to read related article :
http://www.entrepreneur.com.ph/get-started/article/register-your-business-in-30-minutes

Source : http://www.entrepreneur.com.ph/

People : Private First Class Edel Llamas a Hero

Private First Class Edel Llamas a hero

This post is posthumously dedicated in honor of Private First Class Edel Llamas for his heroism.

Soldiers and teachers are the most unappreciated civil servants in our country despite their great contributions to our society. Compared to other professions they are underpaid but still they are dedicated to their calling. They sacrifice a lot of their family time and personal ambitions because of the responsibilities and requirements of their professions. This is specially true of soldiers who are assigned to places far away from their families.

The citizens of this country enjoy life, peace and order because of these soldiers who are always 

guarding the citizenry from the "enemy". But most of us take this for granted. Sad but true. Sometimes these soldiers just fade away unnoticed and unhonored despite their sacrifices. 

Here is one soldier, by the name of Private First Class Edel Llamas who sacrificed his life in line of duty. He died fighting and sacrificing his life to save his platoon of 29 soldiers from being massacred in an ambush by the NPA. He died protecting our freedom for us to live peaceful lives. He died a hero.

Let's honor our soldiers, let's honor soldier Edel Llamas, a hero.

Related Link: 

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/27919/army-private-sacrifices-life-to-save-his-platoon-in-npa-ambush

News Source : http://www.interaksyon.com/

Information : Top 10 and List of Successful Examinees - March 2012 PRC Real Estate Broker Licensure Exam

Congratulations to all passers of the March 2012  PRC Real Estate Broker Licensure Examination.
Below is the list of those who garnered the Top 10 positions and the complete list of successful examinees. A total of 3,192 passed the examination out of the 4,801 examinees.

Click list to enlarge

Click link below for complete list of  Top 10 Examinees :

http://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/REB0312t10.pdf

Click link below for complete list of Successful Examinees :

http://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/REB0312se.pdf

Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will start on Thursday, March 29, 2012 until Tuesday, April 10, 2012. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 2 pieces passport size picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 1 piece 1” x 1” picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession and submission of Original Surety Bond, minimum amount of which is P 20,000.00, with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)/Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) as Obligee and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2012-2015. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

Source :   www.prc.gov.ph

Travel : NAIA Terminal 1- Ranks 2nd of 10 Worst Airport Terminals in the World

NAIA Terminal 1

I have heard it so many times that our airport (NAIA 1) is one of the worst. Having traveled to other countries and seen some of the most  efficient and beautiful airports  (Changi, Dubai, Rhiyadh, Hongkong) I have accepted the fact that our airport is really old or  bad - structure-wise or design-wise. 

Recently, I read surveys on the worst airports and surely NAIA 1 is always included in them. 
I read the surveys to find out what were the criteria and reasons why an airport is considered bad or worst. Knowing one of the reasons  for the inclusion  of NAIA 1 in the  10 worst airport of the world really made me feel disappointed. I would understand if the reasons for inclusion are : bad building design ( it's a very old airport there's nothing you can do about it ) or  rude airport staffs (this is not only in Manila, I have encountered ruder airport staffs at airports in Bangkok and Hongkong, I think it's something common in all airports.) 


But if the reason is dirty, no water and not working toilets  I think something is very wrong. This has been the complaint and problem at the NAIA 1 for as long as I can remember. This is not a problem that requires a genius to solve it. It's just basic cleaning and maintenance.  I don't even think the problem requires much money. With the P700 terminal  fee collected from each of  the thousands of OFW and tourists leaving everyday I think that is more than enough to get funds from to solve this problem.( They even reduced the terminal fee recently, so it's definitely not a funding problem). Why didn't any of the past NAIA 1 terminal managers or the current one able to solve this problem? I hope somebody can enlighten me on this matter.


Attention Mr. Dante Basanta, (NAIA Terminal 1 Manager). What's going on Sir?


Here's one of the recent surveys and what it says about NAIA Terrminal 1 : 
( Source : Frommers.com ) 


     Manila Airport Terminal 1, Philippines

Last May, the ceiling at Manila airport's Terminal 1 caved in, injuring two people. That's part of why Sleeping in Airports rated it the world's worst terminal last year."The terminal has been a frequent target of criticism with travellers and the business community complaining it is congested, run-down and filthy, with toilets that do not work," Agence France Presse commented. According to SleepingInAirports.net, bribery and theft are also rampant in the terminal. The negative press attention seems to have had some effect; this November the Philippine government said it would renovate the terminal starting in January. It looks like changes can't come too soon.

JFK Airport Terminal 3

          10  Worst Airport Terminals

• 1) JFK Airport Terminal 3, New York City
• 2) Manila Airport Terminal 1, Philippines
• 3) Moscow Sheremtyevo Airport Terminal B/C, Russia
• 4) Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi
• 5) Paris -- Charles de Gaulle Airport, Terminal 3
• 6) Amman Queen Alia Airport
• 7) LaGuardia Airport US Airways Terminal, New York City
• 8) Newark Airport Terminal B
• 9) "Paris" Beauvais Airport, France
• 10)  Chicago Midway Airport

Click link below to read complete article :

http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/?p=1&group=786&cat_cd=AIRFARE#slide

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/york-jfk-airport-terminal-worst-world/story?id=15380416#.T27dJRy7La4

Trivia : Famous Philippine Halo-Halo

The Time Magazine featured halo-halo of Manila Pen

The talk-of-the-town Digman halo-halo of Cavite 

It's summer and the heat is on. It's halo-halo time once again. Although halo-halo is available  all-year-round, it is during summer time when you best appreciate this cooler. There are similar coolers  in other parts of Southeast Asia called "kachang" but it doesn't come close to the taste, ingredients and appearance of our very own Philippine halo-halo. In fact our halo-halo has been featured in the Time Magazine.

 You can buy halo-halo in most restaurants, fast food chains and sidewalk stalls, but where can you buy the best halo-halo in town? There are many good and delicious  halo-halo everywhere. Different versions and ingredients, depending on the restaurant, location or region. Like the famous Razon's of Pampanga which has only two ingredients : crushed saba and macapuno plus the standard ube and leche flan toppings, and finely shaved milked ice that makes their halo-halo unique. But  there are only few famous must-taste halo-halo which every halo-halo-loving  Filipino should try. Two of these are the Manila Peninsula halo-halo and the "talk of the town" Digman halo-halo of  Cavite.

What makes these two halo-halo so special? Well, for the Manila Pen halo-halo, it is the famous halo-halo featured in the Time Magazine, citing it as “the best legal high”. It is supposed to be the most expensive halo-halo in town and you have the pleasure of being  served at the similarly popular lobby of Manila Pen (It's the ambiance. . . you know). And for the Digman halo-halo of Cavite, this is the traditional Filipino halo-halo famous for its ingredients and taste. Delicious halo-halo is synonymous with Digman halo-halo or vice-versa. Shall we try them? Let's go to Digman in Bacoor,Cavite and Manila Pen in Makati then!

Picture Source :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/taralets/3076516010/

http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/halo-halo-and-noynoying-at-the-pen

Related Link :

http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/halo-halo-and-noynoying-at-the-pen

Trivia : "NOYNOYING" Has Gone Uncontrolled

How to do Noynoying

Ninoy is remembered for his heroism, Cory is remembered for "people's power" and Pnoy will be remembered for  "Noynoying"? Wha!? Unfair? But with the way the "word" has gone by now, it just might.


Definition :
“noynoying” — sitting idly and looking bored, chain-smoking, daydreaming or staring blankly at the sky    
Source : Manila Standard Today


Noynoying is now the craze for protest action or better to say "inaction". If there's anything good derived from Noynoying , it has made protests non-violent.


"Noynoying" has gone viral in the internet, gone international  in the press and broadcast media. And the word's definition  is evolving fast. The best  rather "meanest" definition so far is "Noynoying - the art of doing nothing".


But how did it all started? They say the word was coined because of the President's inaction and "don't care attitude" in attending the needs of typhoon victims during Typhoon Pedring.  He only attended and visited the victims days after the typhoon, and after much criticism on his inaction. Initially the word means "procrastination". Pnoy's procrastination.


 The word's definition has now expanded to mean other things : indolence, indifference and insensitivity. And its definition is continuously expanding!  "Noynoying" is now in Wikipedia, so what's next? A new word for Webster? 


"Noynoying" has gone uncontrolled. Like a dividing organic cell, it seems to have a life of its own and growing. Ironically, it is growing by feeding on the arrogance and lies of those people who want to terminate it. So expect the "word" to be around for a while. And hopefully, not permanently in a lexicon for Pnoy's sake.


Picture Source :   Wikipedia
Related Links :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noynoying
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/2012/03/22/indolence-revisited/

Environment : A Glowing Blue Sea

Finally, I found a scientific explanation to what I had seen years ago when I went to Busuanga Island in Palawan, and with a picture at that. I saw it in a National Geographic article (see article below). It's bioluminescent plankton!  I don't know if others have seen this phenomenon : the sea glowing with a blue-white light at night. I haven't seen it in any other places. I hope others will have the chance to see it  because it is really an amazing sight.

The sea glowing with blue-white light

Related article :
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/pictures/120319-glowing-waves-ocean-blue-bioluminescent-plankton-science/?source=link_fb20120319news-glowingwaves#/glowing-waves-bioluminescent-ocean-life-explained-scintillans_50152_600x450.jpg

Picture Source :  National Geographic

Travel : Holy Week Train Schedules

Next to Christmas , Holy Week is the longest holiday in the country. For those planning to spend the long religious holiday somewhere, why not go south of Manila : Laguna, Quezon and the Bicol provinces? With so many historical Catholic churches in these provinces,  you can do  your religious obligations  and meditation but at the same time spend a great vacation. Here's a suggestion : do your " Visita Iglesia" (church visitations)  in these provinces and go to towns/cities with churches  near or along along the PNR train routes using the Bicol Express and Mayon Limited trains. Crazy idea or impossible? Not at all. Just schedule your itineraries and train trips; and book your train and hotel accommodations in advance.  Here's an example: spend your Holy Thursday and Good Friday (no trips on this day) somewhere in Laguna or Quezon, then  spend  Black Saturday somewhere in Camarines Sur or  Camarines Norte and finally celebrate  the Easter Sunday in  Albay. Looks like  fun, isn't it? Try!

For those planning to go south of  Manila  this Holy Week, please check the  PNR train schedules below and book early.

Holy Week Train Schedule

Date	Bicol Express	Mayon Limited		Special Train	Commuter Trains
		De Luxe1	Ordinary1		Manila-Biñan2
3-31-2012 Saturday	T-611 T-612	T-714	T-815		Southbound Northbound
4-1-2012 Sunday	T-611 T-612	T-714	T-815		Southbound Northbound
4-2-2012 Monday	T-611 T-612	T-713	T-816		Southbound Northbound
4-3-2012 Tuesday	T-611 T-612	T-714	T-815		Southbound Northbound
4-4-2012 Wednesday	T-6113 T-612	T-713	T-816	PS-01	Southbound Northbound
4-5-2012 Holy Thursday	T-611 T-612		T-815		Southbound Northbound
4-6-2012 Good Friday	NO TRIP
4-7-2012 Black Saturday	T-611 T-612		T-816		Southbound Northbound
4-8-2012 Easter Sunday	T-611 T-6123	T-714	T-815	PS-02	Southbound Northbound
4-9-2012 Monday	T-6113 T-6123	T-713	T-816	PS-01	Southbound Northbound
4-10-2012 Tuesday	T-6113 T-6123	T-714	T-815	PS-02	Southbound Northbound
1 De Luxe: Aircon & Reclining Seats; Ordinary: Non-Aircon with Overhead Fans. 2 First trip NB: 5:20 AM (Biñan-Manila) ; SB: 5:05 AM (Manila-Alabang) 3 These trips have an additional Family Sleeper coach.

Holy Week Timetable of  Trips

Train	Type	Departs	Arrives	No. of Coaches	Capacity
T-611	Bicol Express	6:30 PM Manila	4:30 AM Naga	3 Family Sleeper	90
				1 Reclining Aircon	60
					150
T-612	Bicol Express	6:30 PM Naga	4:30 AM Manila	3 Family Sleeper	90
				1 Reclining Aircon	60
					150
T-713	Mayon Limited Deluxe	8:30 PM Manila	7:00 AM Ligao	3 Reclining Aircon	90
T-714	Mayon Limited Deluxe	7:15 PM Ligao	5:30 AM Manila	3 Reclining Aircon	90
T-815	Mayon Limited Ordinary	8:30 PM Manila	7:00 AM Ligao	3 Non-reclining Ordinary	240
T-816	Mayon Limited Ordinary	7:15 PM Ligao	5:30 AM Manila	3 Non-reclining Ordinary	240
PS-01 PS-02	Special Trip			3 Non-reclining Ordinary	240

Source :    http://www.pnr.gov.ph/index.htm

Travel : Mayon Limited Trip Schedule to Albay

It's summer time once again and one good place to go for a good vacation is the Bicol region which abounds with beautiful beaches, sceneries and unique things to offer. Although Bicol is lagging behind  in development and tourism infrastructures compared to other tourist destinations, it has one big advantage over the other places  in the country. It is the only region in the country with a train system and it has good trains at that. With the recent operation of the new trains of PNR :  Bicol Express and Mayon Limited, it will surely be a smooth ride all the way to Bicol. For  your fare budget, you have options to take the ordinary or deluxe trains for the Mayon Limited ; or  choose an economy, reclining aircon, family sleeper or executive sleeper  coaches for the Bicol Express. 

Because of  new developments (CamSur Water Sports Complex, Misibis Bay Resorts, etc) and renewed interest  in the region  triggered by the "repackaging" of CamSur, Bicol region is reported to be attracting more tourists now. The ever majestic Mayon Volcano (erupting or not)  and the regular migration of  the friendly giant whale sharks in Donsol, Sorsogon are just two of the  unique and world-class attractions that Bicol has to offer  to local and foreign tourists. Add to that their trains : Bicol Express and Mayon Limited, Bicol region is ready for big-time tourism boom.

Here is the PNR train Mayon Limited  trip schedules for Manila-Ligao and Ligao-Manila routes.

Click to enlarge

Click map to enlarge

PNR train route map

For more detailed information please click links below :

Source :              https://www.facebook.com/pnrailways     http://www.pnr.gov.ph/mayon_limited.htm

Announcement : Approved Real Estate Appraisers - PRBRES Resolution No. 07 (Series of 2012)

Here is the list of PRC Approved Real Estate Appraisers :

Approved Real Estate Appraisers ( PRBRES Resolution No. 07  Series of 2012 )  

Under Sec & 20 Art III of RA & 9646 :

Click list to enlarge

Please click link below  to see list of approved real estate appraisers : 

http://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/resolution_appraisers%2007_03142012-withoutExam.pdf

Registration for the issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card (ID) will start on March 16, 2012 but not later than March 27, 2012 at the Registration Division Ground Floor Unit C, Window 27. The Oath taking ceremonies of the Real Estate Service practitioners for Consultants, Appraisers and Brokers, to be held on April 18, 2012 at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Manila at 1:00 o’ clock in the afternoon. Those who were included in the prior approved resolutions may opt to attend the oath taking.

Source :                                      http://www.prc.gov.ph/default.aspx     

Announcement : Approved Real Estate Brokers - PRBRES Resolution No. 06 (Series of 2012)

Here is the list of PRC Approved Real Estate Brokers  :

Approved Real Estate Brokers  ( PRBRES Resolution No.06 Series of 2012 )  

Under Sec & 20 Art III of RA & 9646 :

Click list to enlarge

Click link below to go to PRC website and download complete list : http://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/resolution_broker%2006_03142012-withoutExam.pdf

Registration for the issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card (ID) will start on March 16, 2012 but not later than March 27, 2012 at the Registration Division Ground Floor Unit C, Window 27. The Oath taking ceremonies of the Real Estate Service practitioners for Consultants, Appraisers and Brokers, to be held on April 18, 2012 at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Manila at 1:00 o’ clock in the afternoon. Those who were included in the prior approved resolutions may opt to attend the oath taking.

Source :                           http://www.prc.gov.ph/default.aspx

Announcement : Room Assignments for the Real Estate Broker Licensure Examinees on March 18, 2012

Room Assignments for the Real Estate Broker Licensure Examinees (Metro Manila and Iloilo)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Examinees should report before 6:30 in the morning every examination day.LATE EXAMINEES WILL NOT BE ADMITTED.

2. Bring the following: Notice of Admission (NOA), Official Receipt, pencils no. 1 or 2,  black ball pens, metered-stamped window mailing envelope, long brown and long plastic envelopes. 

3. CELLULAR PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC GADGETS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

4. Wear the prescribed dress code.

Shown below are the room assignments of examinees :

Click link below for complete list of Room Assignments of Examinees for Metro Manila :

http://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/REAL_BROKER0312ra.pdf

Click link below for complete list of Room Assignments of Examinees for Iloilo :

http://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/REB0312ra.pdf


Click link below for complete list of Room Assignments of Examinees for Davao :
http://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/REB0312ra_davao.pdf

Source :                            http://www.prc.gov.ph/default.aspx

People : Gina Lopez Fighting for her Advocacy

THIS POSTING IS DEDICATED TO THE CELEBRATION OF
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2012

Lately, the mining issue has been a very contentious one. With people on opposite sides of the issue giving their own argument and rationale. It's a breath of fresh air seeing Ms. Gina Lopez, a scion of the Lopez clan and Managing Director of the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.,  taking up the cudgels for  the  anti-mining advocates. 

And seeing Ms. Lopez  fighting for an advocacy that will pit her against people in her own "class"       (read : the rich - who own these mining companies)  is really admirable. A woman who fights for what she believed is right. And right she is, on her anti-mining stance.

May her tribe increase! And two thumbs up for her advocacy on anti-mining! 

Ms. Gina Lopez 

Picture Source  :  www.environmentphilippines.com

Places : Boracay Takes No.1 Spot on Asia's Top 10 Beach Destination

Need we say more? The best beach in the world is right here in our country. Consistently on the top of surveys as one of the "Best Beach" in the world, travelers and beach enthusiasts this time have put Boracay on the top spot as the No.1 beach destination in Asia for 2012 beating the other contending beach destinations in Asia. Boracay doesn't need to prove anything anymore.

But Boracay is in danger of over-development. For those people who have gone and seen Boracay twenty five or thirty years ago, Boracay then is different from the Boracay now. Then, most of Boracay's accommodations and hotels were made of native materials and designs which blended well to the island's atmosphere of island living. Electric power was limited and provided only by private generators for limited hours. Most of the houses in the island were lit with "lamparas" and candles. The island residents were very much kinder. All the beaches, specially the popular White Beach were really pristine. It was very beautiful then. It is still beautiful now but indeed development and commercialization has its price. Anyway, it is still "Asia's No1 beach destination". Go visit now!

Please click below to see Asia's top 10 beach destination :
http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches-cDestinations-g2

Source :  http://www.tripadvisor.com/

Related Link :
http://theprojectreview.blogspot.com/2012/07/travel-boracay-is-worlds-best-island.html

Trivia : A Jackie Chan Story

I had always admired superstar Jackie Chan for his skills as a martial arts expert and as an actor-comedian. In fact I normally watch a movie if he has a movie showing. You are never short-changed when watching his movies knowing that that he doesn't have doubles in his stunts and he has this perfect comedic timing. Another thing admirable of him is his philanthropy and support for worthy causes. He is a UNICEF ambassador and presently a supporter of the Rotary International "This Close Polio Campaign".

When I was working in Kuala Lumpur, I had a close encounter with him. It was on news that Jackie Chan was doing a film in Kuala Lumpur at that time and one time while I was driving in the suburb of K.L., I saw his film crew doing a scene on the hi-way. I was almost tempted to stop my car and watch the shooting. I slowed down my car and was about to pull over, but decided not to since I still had some work to attend. That was the closest I  got getting near the the martial arts superstar.

Anyway here's  a very interesting story about Jackie Chan :

Jackie Chan

Please click link below for Jackie Chan story :
http://superchanblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/unicef-tales.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SuperchanBlog+%28SuperChan%27s+Jackie+Chan+Blog%29

Source :   http://superchanblog.blogspot.com/

People : The CJ Impeachment Trial- The Pedro Aguilon's Affidavit

I just read this affidavit of a certain Mr. Pedro Aguilon which is about a maltreatment complaint against  CJ Corona back in 1997. This is already history actually. I don't know if this affidavit is for real but the way it looks, it seems authentic with  the name and number of the notary public stamped on it. An 83-year old man complaining against rich and influential people? But afraid to file a case?

How would this affect the impeachment case? I have no idea. The only thing I am concerned about is its implication on the position of the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court. If this is not true, it has besmirch that position and the institution. And on the other hand, if it's true? Our nation is cursed! It's time for divine intervention.

Please click to enlarge

Pedro Aguilon's Affidavit

Source :   http://justiceleaks.net/2012/03/06/aguilons-affidavit/

Environment : West Valley Fault News Update

This is a follow-up on the last post I did "How an earthquake fault line actually looked?" As mentioned in that post, research and study are being made, and corollary to that is the finding based on a recent report on a study made by the Quezon City local government and Philvocs on the West Valley Fault   (which traverses a big portion on the real estate map of the city). Both groups involved in the study said that the area is "unlivable" as they renew the warning on living along the West Valley Fault. 

Let me sidetrack a while on the subject. Why my fascination on posting about earthquakes and faultlines? With the recent consecutive earthquakes (as recent as yesterday in Masbate) and the recurring movements of the different fault lines and trenches in the country I think it is just timely to inform  the readers of what's going on and why this is happening. This is not to sow fear or panic but explain to people the scientific cause and effect of this natural phenomenon. Preparedness coupled with a clear understanding of earthquakes and fault lines will be a big help if ever they happen. 

Fear sometimes is a product of ignorance and I think  giving the people the facts is a way of eradicating fear of the unknown. That these earthquakes happening now are not prelude to the "Finale" on December 21, 2012 as predicted in the ancient Mayan Calendar ( now that is sowing fear!!!)

I guess living in Marikina Valley between two fault lines, and living in a subdivision less than a kilometer away from the West Valley fault is also a big contributing factor why I always tackle the subject, so my interest on the subject is understandable. On a bigger scale the Philippine lies between two tectonic plates so I guess we( Pinoys) all ought to understand this phenomenon and learn to live with it. 

It was just coincidental that my very first blog post was about the Geohazard Maps of Metro Manila which is about fault lines. I just thought then that people should be aware of this not commonly disseminated information on fault lines. And that this would interest people specially if it concerns the safety of the property they will be buying. Sort of  a "Caveat emptor" Latin for "Let the buyer beware."

Here's the news update on the West Valley Fault :

The West Valley Fault

The West Valley Fault - Quezon City Section

Marikina Fault Line System :

http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/images/IEC/phivolcs_mvfs1997.pdf

Please click link below for the news update on West Valley Fault : 

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/26093/its-unlivable-qc-phivolcs-study-renews-warnings-over-west-valley-fault

Source :  http://www.interaksyon.com/ 

Related Link :

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/72980/video--if-it-moves-west-valley-fault-will-produce-quake-as-powerful-as-central-visayas-tremor