Effective flood control projects that can be benchmarked in the Philippines

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This could be benchmarked in the Philippines especially that Philippines is flooded very often     

Magnitude 7.1 earthquake hits southern Japan, 13 had been confirmed dead

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From ABC news

A magnitude 7.1 (7 or 6.8 based on conflicting assessment) has hit southern Japan, Kyushu island, with 13 confirmed dead.  The airport was closed, train service ceased, water and electricity service stopped.   With hundreds of thousand evacuated due to aftershocks...  There was a tsunami warning which was later lifted.  

The 2nd floor of Aeon mall collapsed, and there was a reported gas explosion.   Employees and guests were trapped.  

This tops the suffering of Japanese;  this is on top of rains and flooding they are all ready suffering

We sympathize and we are with the people of Japan and victims at Kyushu island in this terrible disaster.

A swarm of earthquakes also hit the Philippines Wednesday 77 in all... with 4 in magnitude 5 and above 

Making the poor productive (or restoring wealth); or how leaders destroy the country they lead

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This post is alarmed at so many welfare programs in cash in form of "ayuda" that are definitely draining the treasury.    At the same time we see lack of support to the sector that pays it all:   the taxpayers... The Revenue offices and the LGU s are bearing hard on tax payers:   support for the unproductive sector of the economy and difficulties for those who generate the revenue.  Developing human resources.  Thats our purpose in life:   to develop our gifts and use it to advance the world.    Not promote dependence an mendicancy

We were taught in grad school is social philosophy that the goal of the govt is to make the poor productive and not creating a welfare state.   Social states were not productive and failed.  Look at Venenzuela to see why its economy is in shambles.

And yet this persists in the country and to fund huge social welfare programs, the country has to borrow in trillions   Wait to see the consequence

This post avoids long discourse on this topic;   its beyond the scope of this article...

While we need to help those who cant eke out their living and have challenges, most of the fund can be used to fund:   training to be more productivee, livelihood programs, increasing farm productivity.   Of course corruption has removed most of the resources for these programs

Germany's Chancellor Merz - social welfare state no longer financially viable

Welfare state

You Tube - Venenzuela economic collapse

Manila DND chief dismisses scholars claim that Batanes is part of China

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 There is a recent claim by Chinese scholars that Batanes is part of Chine. The DND DFA have all ready denied and disagreed with this claim.  The soc media is filled with funny comments regarding this latest claim Some parties claim that China is a province of the Phil and probably part of greater Binondo.

The Chinese are good people and only those in the military or those who are agressive and are hawks hav ethis opinion,  Chinese are good people, love good food, are intelligent and reasonable.  We share the same typhoons, and flood  and we take pity on those affected by typhoons that hit the PhL too.   No time to trade barbs on petty things...

Realities about the Philippine economy

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While other posts praise the growing PHL economy (now no 34 in GDP ranking!!!) others just like this post criticize its performance and say PHL is a house of cards    

As someone who has invested in the countryside, and go around frequently for the site visit, Ii conclude that much local investment has been made and we can not escape the fact that there is progress and much stride has been made in country side development.  And the truth is Western countries cant help but notice the growth rate of the PHL and that it has become an alternative for sites of manufacturing for those who leave China or Vietnam

Certain level of skill and ability has been built on AI, computers, semiconductor and even on infrastructure design and construction by Filipino architects and engineers

Self development personal improvement is prevalent among Filipinos and that is something not mentioned in the article/video.

We can move forward despite the questionable leadership in the country   

Are factories moving from Vietnam to the Philippines?

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These are good news for the kababayan and continued high growth rate of the Philippines.  (In spite of the misconduct  at the Legislative and other branches of the govt)

A $3 trillion heist by a European powerhouse in the Philippines; Philippines would have been a very prosperous country were it not for this?

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It was alleged in this video that a European powerhouse, a top 20 nation in total GDP had $3 trillion heist on the Philippines about 70,000 tons of gold.  This was based on records dug by a Philippine historian, Ambeth Ocampo.  Like the rest of its conquest Spain found out that Philippines had plenty of gold mines the most famous of which were in Surigao, Benguet, Camarines (the Paracale) and numbering about 200 +.  Spain had forced mining activity that brought the gold to Spain using the galleon trade from Manila to Acapulco, and from thereon to Spain.  (There is another video that the mountains of gold did more harm than good to Spain.  This caused inflation and encouraged lack of productivity among its citizens

Manila was rightfully known as "Queen of the Orient"

There are hints that Spain should repay, render reparation to the Philippines.   $3 trillion isi about  PHP 180 trillion and would do much erase the Php 17 trillion current debt.

Had there be no such heist, the Philippine infrastructure, health care and education would have been one of the best in the world, and truly Philippines would be the Pearl of the Orient Seas.

Would this post make many Filipinos furious?   Before it was foreigners committing heist, now its compatriots.   

Heist through legalities (allocables, flood control projects, budget insertions) by the rulling class?

US going to be bankrupt?

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Is US going to be bankrupt?  Many pundits say yes.

What are the factors that may lead to this?

1.  US $38 trillion debt. Its debt service is over $1 trillion much more than US spending on military and health.    Its ratio of debt service to GDP is 121% and many say the threshold is of 120% has been crossed.

2.  End of US as reserve currency.  The pegging of US dollar to gold was ended in 1971 when fmr Richard Nixon ended convertibility of US dollar to gold.  France collected US gold and so with many other countries and Pres. Nixon saw it fit to end the Bretton Woods agreement in 1944 that pegged US dollar to the gold.  This meant less US countries are using US dollar as reserve and that means more US dollar coming home to roost

    Another cause for dumping of US dollar from its reserve currency status were:  weaponizing the dollar vs Russia.   Every country is vulnerable to such sanction and thus avoided the dollar.  

    BRICS countries are dumping the dollar as reserve currency and having their own electronic transfer system bypassing SWIF

3.  End of the 50 year Petro dollar.  There was so called Petro dollar agreement between Henry Kissinger  where the deal was for making KSA ask for payment in dollar, and in return US would support KSA by arms and security.   KSA also would invest petro dollars in US treasury.   It was seen, like the Japan  Yen, KSA recycling the payment by USA back to US (even when the oil was purchased) thus supporting the US cheap lifestyle (as with the Plaza accord for Japan)

    Thus US printed more US dollar to support this oil purchase in dollars. US exported inflation to KSA and supported US debt

4  What this means:

     The cheap US Petro dollar coming home to to roost and US mainland will be flooded with dollars and hyperinflation will be the tune of the day.  Currency debasement is prelude to collapse:   it has happened to Roman denarius, Spanish pesetas, UK pound sterling.  It can  and will happen to US dollar

5.   Japan is now selling off its $1.3 trillion holding of US treasuries (to finance it QE to support the moribund Japan economy.   They are raising  the local bonds to near 2% (from negative) pausing Japans appetite to US treasury.  That means less  buyer for US treasuries, and less liquidity for USA.  Japan is probably reeling to US Trumps 50% export tariff to Japanese goods (despite the Plaza accord)

6.  What are your alternatives?  (Survivalists were right)

    1  Invest in commodities:   food supplies, bottled water, canned goods:   meat fruits and vegetables

    2.  Invest in farmlands as Zuckerberg,  Bill Gates.

Philippines is a safe haven after all.   Rich natural resources:  seas for food, plenty of farmlands.  Many may see Americans escaping difficulties at US homeland due to this forthcoming collapse:  US bankruptcy.  It is expected that life will be hard in USA. 

Why there was violence in the streets of Manila yesterday,, September 21, 2025

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It was heart pounding watching these videos.  It makes you  afraid but you could notice that those leading the violence looked like they are provocateurs and perhaps paid:   they wore bonnets, had black clothing and wore masks. They were not protesting or  holding a rally.  They were destroying and fighting and hurting authorities.  They destroyed traffic lights, islands and barriers.   This is no way to protest against wrong doing by doing another wrongdoing   They are organized.    And that should be investigated.  The destruction of public property was just as sad and ironic:   protest vs those who plundered govt property.

This post condemns the acts of plunder and pillage of govt treasury;  equally condemnable were acts of anarchy  and crimes against police officers (who had nothing to do with the acts of high govt officials).  We value order vs disorder.  WE are sure there is still Divine Justice

The Sept rally was a perfect storm for many factors:

1.  The Duterte PBBM conflict which included the arrest and extradition to the Hague of PRRD;

2.   The flood control scandal which were featured live on TV provoking anger in many of the watchers.

3.    The anti PBBM growth wanting him to step down for poor governance

4.    The scandalous and hurting display of wealth by nepo babies, the contractors, employees and official of the govt department for roads and highways;  pictures of millions stacked for distribution  to the commissioners (elected govt officials?)

5.   Anomalous GAA with insertions, the diversion of Philhealth, PDIC funds to be part of UA

6.    The widespread huge corruption of govt funds and taxpayers money.

7/    The floods brought about by typhoons and coupled with 2.

The riots were bound to erupt and explode and they did.   

We do not want this order.  We want Peace.   in the Philippines

South Korean President declares martial law, then hours later recalls the order

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Embattled Souuth Korean President  Yun Sook Yeol Tuesday night declared martial law;  the parliament hurriedly convened to declare the declaration null, and hours later the President had no choice but to recall the order.   The news is riped wih calls for his resignation impeachment.

Shall there be a copycat in this country.  Shall there be a Part II of martial law in this country if disorder will escalate due to impeachment of vp and mass action being planned

Gusto ko pa rin sa PHL

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After touring a shoppers paradise my conclusion is that our country PHL is better than the supposed paradise.

Why?

1.  It is cheaper here.   The hotels, the fare, the grocery items, the food in resto prices are 2 to 3x more expensivve in the PHL.  The wages are hight but so are the living expenses.

2.  There are not much to see.  The tall buildinga dn the malls. We have them at MoA and BGC and even in the provinces.  They are no longer unique.

3.  We have kinder more cheerful, staff at hotels and resto.  It is not so over there.

So sa Pilipionas kong mahaal pa tayo, Kabayan

This is a growing problem in the world - not only was this observed in the Philippines; its not fun to have goals to emigrate?!

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What is happening to the dream big by going abroad?   The YT is not replete with videos of homelessness in California, Florida, Washington, UK

There are homeless people, unsheltered.  In the Philippines, we are luckier, there are shelters over the heads of people.  The unsheltered abroad lives in tents:

This was exacerbated by the influx of refugees, asylum seekers

Homelessness in Washington

Homelessness in Florida 2024

Homeless in UK

Homelessness in USA

150 million people worldwide are homeless

Poverty in the Philippines

State of flooding in MM; barges collide with bridges, 600,000 individuals evacuated; relief and rescue on going

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Its a disaster;  state of calamity in the country,     600,000 individuals evacuated.  Relief and rescue operations ordered and on going.         

Caused by typhoon Carina which has intensified and OTW to Taiwan.

NDRRMC has repeatedly warned residents of flooding and landslide in affected areas.   Typhoon holiday was declared:   schools and stock trading were suspended.   

Worse than war?

We are a great country, with great achievement

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Because of this post, many Filipinos comment have been largely negative and blame many things for being a laggard.  

We have been affected by politicians and doomsayers who seem not to find anything good in us.

No need to denigrate, to be a detractor of our own country.  We need to always seek the good in us and the Philippines

We have to be proud of our achievement for having one of the highest GDP growth in South East Asia and in the world.

There is too much to be thankful for and be grateful for our country.  And to be proud of it.  Our fast growing population will be our strength.  Many countries like Japan and SK will look up to Philippines  for workers to take care of their olds, and to man their factories

Food Security in the Philippines

Increasing tensions, encounters, provocations - who is exercising restraint?

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 Can this spark a new conflict, a world war? We pray

Scam warning

 

Secrets, dark side of the Philippines

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Scam warning

Lies about the Philippines:

1.   That we live on trees;

2.   That we have tails like the monkeys;

3.   That most people live in extreme poverty and squatters

4.   That majority work in call centers and are nannies abroad

5.   That many Filipinas works as prosti abroad, are gold diggers

6.   That the govt is corrupt and there is no hope for progress

7.   It is so crime ridden, there are insurgents and unsafe to live

8.   Its economic and banking system sucks

9.   That we are antiquated and so behind in many things

10.  Many things dont work:   power, water, telecom

Rebuttal  point by point

1.   That we live on trees;

      These were old tales during the American regime.   Many areas are now deforested so there are

       few remaining trees.  Many people still live on farms, like the mayor of Bamban Tarlac a Chinese

       

      Many resorts in mountainsides, above the clouds, with great city or mountain scape have been

      built during the pandemic.

      There is a tribe in Mindoro Mangyans but now live in regular homes and wear regular Western                 clothes..   They go to schools.  Their villages are indistinguishable from other villages

2.   That we have tails like the monkeys;

      There were few monkeys seen inside Subic bay and at the zoo.  Other than that we have not seen

       monkeys.   Read too much on Darwin

      Outdated information.  False

3.   That most people live in extreme poverty and squatters

      ADB and the govt have both addressed this poverty problem.   This was at 50% in 2,000.  However

      some provinces show a small 10% incidence of poverty.  There is 4Ps program where the poorest

      of the poor are given financial assistance in exchange for:   work program, and undertaking to send

      their children to school

4.   That majority work in call centers and are nannies abroad

      This is true.   BPO workers and OFW bring in up to 20% of GDP,.  BPO will continue to rise

       since this reduces much the labor cost in the West by as much as 100%.   

      Even in the Philippines we run out of nannies.   Our countrymen seek jobs that pay more than

      Philippine wages.  That is why they go abroad. Most of them have college degrees.  But it should

      not demean our country men.   Many citizens seek the same route.

     But such OFWs have brought in progress to the country:   built houses, established businesses,              intermarried with foreigners.  Brought in investments.   And produced beautiful  Fil Ams.  Euro ams

5.   That many Filipinas works as prosti abroad, are gold diggers

       There are many exceptions.  Maybe 1-5%  do.  As they are even in other countries  The desire

        for self progress is universal and intense

6.   That the govt is corrupt and there is no hope for progress

      As all govt are:   Japan, Indonesia, USA, UK etc are corrupt  Where there is power, there is

      corruption, and its absolute.  If nothing moves because of a powerful person or official, you

      are forced to come across.

      May be but its not an excuse, our countrymen ape their Western counterparts.   But corruption 

      must be stopped or even reduced.   Or least, PHL must rise in ease of doing business ranking

7.   It is so crime ridden, there are insurgents and unsafe to live

      The NPA, the armed arm of CPP have been under constant attack by PNP and military  Its 

       leadership has been decimated   Many have gone to peaceful mode of living, and even openly

       fought them in media and political front

8.   Its economic and banking system sucks

      The current BSP govt worked with Federal Reserve Bank of NY.  Many members of the economic 

       team are graduates of US investment bank.  So far the economy has been sound.  They have

       closed many rural banks and  insurance companies that are weak

       PHL has been the darling in economic growth even in pandemic times and even beat top economies

       in progress.   

       If you go to MoA and BGC it is as if in you are foreign cities.

      PHL has a huge FX reserve.  It is projected by foreign think tanks that PHL will be 18th richest

     economy by 2050.

      PHL has robust electronix, shipbuilding, real estate, financial businesses.  Its shipping and airlines

      businesses are booming and expanding

     Many of economies:  Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia UAE, KSA had many Filipinos as their top 

     executives.  Its doctors are nurses are some of the world's best 

9.   That we are antiquated and so behind in many things

      Internet has brought PHL instep with the rest of the world.  SMS in the PHL was ahead of

      of US and rest of Asia.  Many infrastructure projects are underway:    subways, light rail transit

      roads and bridges.   RE.

     So many great things are underway.

10.  Many things dont work:   power, water, telecom

      Occasionally we have water outages, and power outages.   Due to wrong computation of power d

      power and supply.  Or due to increase in price of fuel.  But by far and large we are ok.

      We have almost free SMS, cp calls are ok.   Netflix, FB, DM works.

    SEE FOR YOURSELF AND VERIFY THE LIES

There are crimes, homelessness, street people, street dwellers, graft and corruption anywhere in the world:  developed. less developed, third world country.   

Philippines, the only country that answered the call of IRO for refugees

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Again it was Pres. Quirino who again answered the call for asylum.

Asylum for white Russians at Tubabao Guian, Samar, Philippines

It is sad to note how easily many forget the generosity and benovalence of the Filipino people

(We sent 30 people on college scholarship and we wonder if they still remember or are grateful

for that act)

Awesome. Warning to the bully, strengthening strategic advantage

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Is it going to be a deterrent to bullying.   So that the bully meet its equal (or master)

Families, dynasties at Senate and in the entire country

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The political system with Anti Dynasty provision notwithstanding is characterized by families lording it over the entire country.  It is a Yap Territory, Tan territory, bailwick of __________;   They have been running politics in this province since this is time immemorial.

It is like having a monarchial, family system running hte  country.    So at Senate we have family members:

1.  Cayetano  -   Pia and Allan;

2.  Villar  -  Mother and son

3.  Estrada -  Jinggoy and JV

Thats 6 out of 24 posts held by families

Had Binay made it, it would have been 4

Is it good for the country?   So far we know it is good for their families, especially if they have business interest to protect

So what do we expect?   Its all in the family?

How can we in sincerity defending the constitution.   That we are patriotic 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/families-capture-more-senate-seats-2022/

The die is cast; they have crossed the Rubicon

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It is just 11 days just before the May 9,2022 local and national election.  The latest survey still show the same results and bric bracs continue to be thrown among supporters at social media.  They look more rancid and pointed.  One of the parties have gone on house to house sectoral campaign.  But most of the voter are very unlikely to change votes  They show pictures of stores changing tarpaulin

Those who lead the surveys are more likely to be the winners.  One such candidate Cong Marcoleta because of the surveys, quit the senatorial race He saw the futility of it all. .  Those in the senatorial race in the 30th or 40th ranking should face reality and expect nothing more.   And so with the 8 other candidates for Presidency 

Only the final voting will remove the sense of apprehension and suspense.  We will never know the truth who the liars and thieves are unless our courts prove them to be so.   Like any human rights respectful citizen, the brand on the character of the person shall be evidence based.   If the opposition really are morally upright, they should have sent the concerned parties behind bars.