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It’s been a few months since
we have seen and experience number of natural disasters, man-made catastrophes
and armed conflict from the second half of 2013. From Typhoons like Santi,
Labuyo, Maring, Zamboanga Rebellion, 7.2 magnitude earthquake of Bohol and Cebu
Islands and lastly the Super typhoon of Yolanda (International Name: Haiyan).
These incidents have made a great impact and consciousness in the minds of many
to prepare for any disasters in the near future or unforeseen circumstances. In
one statement of Dr. Marqueza Reyes of Earthquake and Mega-cities Initiative
during an interview at ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel) that the "Typhoon
Yolanda will be benchmark for disaster preparedness in the years to come"
if there will any more Category 5 storms coming in the archipelago.
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Are we prepared for these unforeseen events?
Most Filipinos are not or
ill-prepared on these event but anyone can prepare in an unlikely event
from fires, earthquake or even in accidents. A lot of useful information or
resources can be found on books, media and internet on what to do on any
situations. Attending oneself to seminars, trainings and workshops is very
useful and enriching especially in experiencing a simulation or a drill of this
during a workplace or school workshop. An example of this is the brief
presentations of basic first aid, earthquake and fire drills conducted by
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Red Cross or other private agencies
on medium to large companies, communities and schools.
Do you have the right tools, equipments or the "bug-out bag"?
Survival experts have different
recommendations depending on how to survive in dire situations. Most of them
would require you to stack up your bug-out bag with basic survival essentials
such as food, water, clothing, communications (extra mobile phones / two way
radios) and emergency funds (cash) in case of experiencing a disaster in life
which is good for three (3) days. Other personal information, such as
passports, medical record, insurance policies and others are important during
and after recovery.
Are you and loved ones protected?
Do you have the necessary life
insurance and health insurance in case you get injured or hurt or worst comes
to worst lose your life or your loved one in the process. Although, the economy
and population are growing this does not translate in the demand of insurances
with only 1.1% of the Filipinos are insured according to Philam Life study in
2012. However, 81% of Filipinos have social health insurance provided by
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) as this agency claimed in
their 2013 report. These insurances are essential for everyone who intend to
secure themselves. Life and Health insurance are designed to provide a benefit
in the event of loss of life, accident, illnesses etc).
Are your properties protected?
Do you the non-life insurances
such as fire, earthquake and flood insurances for your automobile or your home?
Non-life insurances provide payments depending on the loss from a particular
financial event. This type of policy is also known as general insurance, or
property and casualty insurance. Non-life insurances are available among
insurance services providers.
Have you planned your exit strategy
Responsible people somehow
must take initiative to educate and protect themselves and loved ones and their
properties from disasters. They must take charge in order to prevent, prepare
or lessen the damage or loss in these types of scenarios.
________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Benedict Baluyut, is a
certified real estate professional (PRC Real Estate Broker) a regular member of
Registered Financial Planner - Philippines. He writes from time to time with
Registered Financial Planner Column at Business Mirror and MoneySense, a
Personal Finance Magazine in the Philippines. Catch him on Facebook page
Pinoymoneyvantage | Follow me on
Twitter | Add on Google+ or visit his
official blog at http://www.pinoymoneyvantage.net.
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