HOW come Phivolcs director Renato Solidum keeps issuing warnings of a great earthquake that’s going to hit Metro Manila? And another one in Central Luzon and Pampanga province will suffer the hardest hit. And in those declared warnings, the public is paying not much attention and that government’s preparation is inadequate.
And then there is this “philosopher cum astronomer” in the Villa Angeles Tennis Club group who firmly believes in himself. He firmly believes in himself that he is more knowledgeable than Solidum declaring that there is a planetary crisis? And maybe he must be watching too much of those shows on National Geographic channel that according to him the end time is nearing as prophesied in the revelation of the bible?
We don't learn from our mistakes. The people should reduce their desires. Environmentalists’ pleas won’t help. Droughts, landslides, earthquakes. Mother earth is suffering. The disease is climate change. The four horsemen of the Apocalypse are already mounted on their horses’, the philosopher declared in rapid fashion. The group didn’t clap their hands but laughter coming from the Tong-its players came much louder.
With regards to government preparations, which is observed to be inadequate, methinks it is quite true. Let’s make the construction boom inside Clark Freeport as a case in point. Please notice that at no time in the history of Clark since it started as a cavalry camp in 1902 where high rise buildings are being built in good numbers. They sprouted like mushrooms as we write this article. There are now multi-storied hotels completed and others are on-going constructions. There’s the Marriott Hotel besides Widus Hotel Casino. At the slopes of the mountain range at the back of Fontana Leisure and Resort more buildings are being constructed. Those are the Hilton and Hyatt hotels. The Gotianun group will build more multi-storied buildings in their recently acquired Mimosa Leisure estate.
Those several tall buildings lined up fronting SM Mall Clark once you enter the main gate of the Freeport are nearing completion. Now the question may arise. Was there adequate study if all these structures inside Clark Freeport can withstand the big one predicted by no less than Director Solidum? Particularly those many buildings of Sun Valley? Are all those constructed buildings got the approval of the National Building Code? As far as I know, Clark Development Corporation does have an engineering department but I just don’t know if they have structural engineers whose expertise may range from soil analysis to building integrity. Having said it all, may we ask what preparations are being done? If none please admit it so that corrective measures maybe instituted. If there is, then by all means make it known to the general public. It’s never too late you know!
TIDBITS: Around seven more weeks (try counting) candidates who will seek public office will troop to Commission on Elections offices to file their certificates of candidacy. We would know then who’s in the running...In Angeles City, Alex Caugiran has been meeting members of the 40,000 strong ABEKA. Photos I see downloaded on Facebook. It is a case of early bird catches the worm...My lawyer friend Adelaido Rivera celebrated last week his birthday and he had the whole political force of Mabalacat City in attendance, sans incumbent Mayor Cris Garbo. Vice Mayor Christian Halili and former Mayor Boking Morales were seen in huddle most of the time.