AFTER a recent earthquake in Northern Mindanao, I received a forwarded message in my Viber app, notifying me that there was an earthquake down south. That message came from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) that is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.
Perhaps it’s just me, or I may have missed a similar message from our own Philippine Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Either way, it made me wonder how and why the USGS was able to send an earthquake alert seemingly ahead of the PHIVOLCS.
Although I did not receive an alert from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the ASEAN Earthquake Information Center (AEIC), I know for a fact that these two agencies have earthquake data that they could share with us.
Could it be that both JMA and the AEIC might have shared that data already but we did not know about it?
It is public knowledge that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding some of our earthquake monitoring programs, and one of the conditions for that is for us to share our data with them.
But is there a condition that would require Japan to share data with us?
If so, we should be getting that data regularly from the JMA.
As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, we should also be getting earthquake data from the AEIC, but is that happening?
Perhaps the PHIVOLCS needs the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs in getting the data from both the JMA and the AEIC?
QUIAPO HERITAGE ZONE ADVOCACY
Just when I thought that local heritage groups have either weakened or have withered out, I was very happy to hear that a coalition of heritage home owners, heritage advocates and community members have been formed to advocate for the creation of a Quiapo Heritage Zone.
One of the members of the coalition is Dakilang Pamana ng Lahi (PAMANLAHI). The coalition, aptly named “Quiapo ng Puso Ko” is a non-stock, non-profit organization that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The coalition is advocating for conservation, and not demolition. Apparently, there are some efforts to demolish some of the heritage buildings by some people who are either ignorant of the law, or too emboldened to break those laws.
As part of their advocacy, they are looking for funds that could be used to restore and repair the sites.They are also asking for lower business permit fees, which is understandable because these properties may not be earning enough now.
They are also advocating that the design to restore the sites should follow standard designs that should be based on historical references that should also regulate the size of the buildings and the character of the environs, as well as the quality of the materials used.
They also said that all designs and all improvements should be done in consultation not only with the recognized experts, but also with the local community that has a stake in it more than anyone else./PN
