Overlooking Fire Safety and Quakes

Although I don't full picture the engineering significance of what makes for good steel, the allegation is not surprising.

Over the last 12 years, buildings have been erected in the country using a weaker type of steel bars, and manufacturers and structural engineers have been hiding this fact from the public, a group of public safety advocates said on Thursday.

Inquirer, 2018

If preparation against fire can be overlooked what more for earthquake?

There were no “proper fire exits in the building,” IOHSAD and other labor advocates found out. (Kentex factory fire) 

Manila Times, 2015

An initial investigation of 23 establishments surrounding the ill-fated Kentex factory in Valenzuela City also showed violations of the country's fire code, President Benigno Aquino III revealed on Monday, June 1.

Rappler, 2015

“Dubbed as the worst fire in Philippine history, which claimed many young lives and several others, the ash and soot of what remained of the structure once known as the Ozone Dance Club led to questions and subsequent investigations of its structural integrity and fire safety measures,” read the ruling.

Philippine Star, 2014

Ozone Disco - Rappler and Photo by AFP

A 38-storey building in Ortigas complex in Pasig has failed to comply with fire safety requirement imposed by the Fire Code of the Philippines, a top official of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said yesterday. 

Philippine Star, 2002

How can you lose a boat and not know?

Looking at mainland Panay Island from atop the hills of Mararison Island.
Photo from Byajayro

As written in Panay News. 

The speedboat was three to four kilometers from the shoreline of Barangay Aras-Arasan at the time. 

All the passengers, except Dable, were able to hold onto the speedboat when it flipped. According to Jaromay, the speedboat hit Dable on the head.

Tan and Barrentos, on the other hand, swam for more than two hours to the shoreline to seek help until fishermen saw them, Jaromay added.

“Mayor Tan went on board a pump boat and went back to where the boat capsized and rescued his friends and visitors,” the police chief said./PN

I am someone who can't swim and has been to Mararison which is why this news is hitting me a little wrong. 

Competitive Price