UP Ibalon Bicol: risk

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Manila oil depot poses risk to Pandacan residents

7/22/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

For a long time the oil depot in Pandacan at the heart of Manila seemed safe. There were no complaints to the presence of the fuel facility right beside congested residential and commercial areas.

“The depot, a 36-hectare cluster of harbor tanks containing 330.5 million liters of gasoline, crude oil and other flammable substances, was built in Pandacan in the 1910s by the “Big 3" oil companies: Chevron (then Caltex), Pilipinas Shell, and Petron Corporation (then Esso). At present, the Pandacan oil depot supplies around 1,800 retail stations in Metro Manila and outlying provinces. The oil depot is also said to supply around half of the country’s total demand for fuel and other petrochemical products.”----GMANews Tv (07/04/09, Calonzo, T.)

Yet, the threats of an environmental accident, natural disaster, earthquake damage, sabotage, and terrorism have grown. It is easy to understand why people started questioning the oil depot's safety. The facility is considered a disaster waiting to happen and concerned citizens, church leaders, and community groups are apprehensive and up against it.

The order of the Supreme Court in 2001 to relocate the fuel site was in recognition of such threats. But through a city ordinance, Mayor Alfredo Lim was able to reverse the decision. Thinking that the oil facility was bringing jobs (10,000 workers) and revenue (P100 million in annual taxes) to the city, the mayor and his supporters, ignoring the danger, believed it was better to keep the depot for the “common good.”

It is hardly for the common good if people's lives are at risk and a fire caused by oil explosion may bring death and destruction to residents who live in the area.

In averting disaster, it is better to err on the side of prudence. As the saying goes, a pound of prevention is better than a ton of cure. (Photo Credit: Etang) =0=

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Labels: depot, disaster, explosion, fire, fuel, Manila, Mayor Alfredo Lim, oil, Pandacan, risk, Supreme Court, terrorism, Totie Mesia

Technological hazard: more computer injuries reported

6/12/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

Personal computers (PC’s) at home have innate risks and pose some danger.

In recent study, the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database reveals a 732% increase in computer related injuries which is more than twice the increase of PC ownership of 309%. These injuries may be undercounted because the data involve only cover those that have been documented in emergency rooms.

“The most common diagnosis in all age groups was laceration -- 58.4% to the extremities and 41.3% to the head. Contusions and abrasions were the second most common injury.:----WebMD (06/10/09 Bill Hendrick and Louise Chang, MD)

As computers become integrated in the lives of people, most of the injuries, according to the Center of Injury Research and Policy, the Research Institute of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Ohio State University College of Medicine are attributed to hitting body parts, tripping, falling over PC components, getting caught in the computer equipment and straining extremities and muscles. (Photo Credit: StephanLedwina) =0=

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Labels: computers, Health, home, injuries, PC, risk, Technology, Totie Mesia

Manny Pacquiao: a disappointing role model?

5/11/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

The praises Manny Pacquiao got in beating Ricky Hatton during a boxing match in Las Vegas, Nevada had been extraordinary. He was truly deserving of such admiration from his adoring fans. Yet, in a rare read, I came across the editorial of Malaya----which was bold in criticizing the sports hero for not heeding the advice of health authorities in Manila and the World Health Organization (WHO.)

The humble entertaining boxer from General Santos City was stubborn. He couldn't be dissuaded from postponing his return so that the health protocol to keep the disease out of the country could be enforced. Billions of dollars had been spent the world over in order to prevent the disease from spreading any further.

“Manny Pacquiao was a disappointment as a role model when he turned a deaf ear to the appeal of health officials to undergo self-quarantine for at least five days before returning to Manila. There were two options presented to him. First, to postpone his return home for at least five days. Second, to closet himself for the same length of time if it was impossible for him to postpone his homecoming.”---- Malaya (05/10/09)

Manny’s slobbering VIP treatment is common in the Philippines. Almost no one in the country can speak against the boxing legend “who can’t go wrong”--- not even Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo and the politicians. The way some people trivialize health risks and disregard medical advice is rather worrisome. I hope nothing horrible comes along because Manny prevailed over the wisdom of Department of Health (DOH). (Photo Credit: Newkleus00)=0=

RELATED BLOGS: "May 8, 2009: H1N1 flu update" Posted by mesiamd at 5/09/2009; " Filipinos take risk in allowing Pacquiao to go home early" Posted by mesiamd at 5/08/2009

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Labels: diseases, DOH, epidemic, Flu, H1N1 virus, Health, Influenza, influenza virus, isolation, Manny Pacquiao, prevention, quarantine, risk, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, WHO

UP Ibalon Bicol

Manila oil depot poses risk to Pandacan residents

Technological hazard: more computer injuries reported

Manny Pacquiao: a disappointing role model?

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