Disaster Management 101

I read somewhere and quite sometime ago, something like; "

When you try to apologize, comfort or make amends with the people you have offended or harmed, make sure that the act is genuine."

I have forgotten where I read those lessons but it is what came to my mind in the aftermath of the hostage crisis.

Kris Aquino went to see the survivors of the tragedy and quietly took the curses thrown to her face by one of the ladies. The media and critics drowned such act for it wasn't helpful to the critics' cause or very newsworthy for the media compared to the other things that were happening that day.

In contrast, the management of a shipping company was said to have given insurance benefits to survivors of a ship's sinking -- in exchange for the signing of a document that frees the firm from any liability.

In the news today, a US based company immediately made available $100 Million dollars in cash as emergency assistance to the residents affected by a gas pipe explosion. That, they did while guaranteeing that those who avail of the money may still sue them for the damages caused by the explosion. Read the news here.

Compare and contrast the three examples that I wrote about and tell us what damaging party will go out being less damaged by what happened.

Ciara Sotto Pole Dances

Here's a Youtube video of Filipina singer-actress Ciara Sotto performing a pole dance routine in a TV show. She did it very tastefully and so full of grace. All I can say is.. Wow!

Those who steal for me..

Will steal from me!

All bosses, never forget this.

Never even think of shortchanging your suppliers, contractors or anybody else. The people who does this for you, will do it to you.

And it will be a lot sooner than you think.

Walang Wangwang, Walang Blinker: My Suggestions

In regard to President Noynoy’s (P-NOY) directive to strictly enforce the “No Siren, No Blinker” (WALANG WANGWANG, WALANG BLINKER) policy, except for those covered by exemptions like ambulances and police vehicles responding to emergency situations, I have the unfortunate situation of seeing an SUV with its blinkers on. I am sure that the SUV had no exception and I am almost sure that it did not have as its passenger the President, Vice President or Speaker of the house. I am also very sure that the SUV was not a marked emergency vehicle and neither was it responding to an emergency. My problem is that I did not have a camera to gather evidence that I can post here.

My suggestion is for the government to come up with text, email and phone hotlines that will handle reports. There is already the Dial 166 emergency hotline which I think is very good. However, with the increase in emergency calls, the government should add more operators and dedicated phone lines. As for the mobile text component, all cellular phone companies should dedicate one number (166?) as its emergency text number and another one (661?) to process non emergency reports. In the text hotline (661), the general public may report their corrupt barangay captains and local officials and similar complaints to include the illegal blinkers and sirens.

The authorities may then write summons to the registered owners of the vehicles or, they may conduct spot inspections. The action reports may then be loaded into a website for the general public to know that something is being done. This kind of timely action and feedback system is very important in keeping the public’s trust in the government.

A similar hotline may be done through the email system and for sure, P-NOY’s term will be seen positively by most people.

Another Photo

While we are at the topic, here's a similar photo that I found in the net.

Funny Tiangge

Would you believe that our enterprising Flee Market vendors actually use such term?

I'm Back

It’s been over a month since I last posted and I would like to apologize to whoever came and found no update.

My schedule took me out of the office more often than I actually preferred but I think it was better for my health. Being seated most of the time leaves my lower back to support my upper body and that can be disastrous in my old age. Standing is easier on the body for one’s whole body weight is equally distributed among the parts and that prevents lower back pains.

Anyway, that will be my post for today. I will come back tomorrow for a new topic that I hope would interest you.