Friday, March 11, 2011

Tsunami Warning for Philippine Provinces

Time to be aware people. If you don't already know there was an 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan, you should at least be aware that the same tsunami that rocked the place might end up here in the Philippines. Tsunami warning is up so please notify friends and loved ones in nearby provinces. We're lucky here in Cebu, we're quite protected being in the middle of different islands, but hope you will have compassion on others. Here's the announcement from Sunstar

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum raised tsunami alert level 2 on all provinces facing the Pacific Ocean just over an hour after the earthquake in Japan and shortly after the tsunami that followed.

These provinces include Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Quezon, Aurora, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur.

With this, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda announced the immediate evacuation of people living in Batanes and Ilocos Norte, which are expected to be first hit by the tsunami.

The Philippine Coast Guard said vessels cruising areas near the Pacific Ocean are no longer allowed to leave. They were advised to seek shelter.

People are also advised to stay away from the shoreline during this period. Those who houses are very near coastal areas facing the Pacific Ocean are strongly advised to go farther inland, said the Phivolcs.

Aside from the Philippines, other areas in the world that were placed under a lower tsunami watch were the Marshall Islands, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Guam, Micronesia and Hawaii.

Pag-Ibig Incentive for OFWs from Libya

I'm not the typical person who is up-to-date with current events. I'm usually the type who just takes cover in her own world. I think I have too many problems of my own in terms of work and family. Today though, I took some time to get updated with Japan and Libya and stuff. So here I am.

Let's start out with the OFWs from Libya. It's been terrible there, and they're limiting currency that can be brought back? That's quite unfair. But anyway here's a nice incentive break from Pag-Ibig. Read this from Inquirer

Under the special assistance program, Berberabe said Pag-Ibig members who fled the Libyan conflict would be given the option to withdraw their contributions even prior to the maturity of their savings.

Members may also opt for a six-month moratorium on the payment of their contributions, short-term loans or housing loans, provided they are updated with their payments

No penalty and interest will be charged during the period

Members in Metro Manila may file their application at the Pag-Ibig International Operations Group located at the Justine Building in Makati. Those in provinces may file their applications with the nearest branch.

But those with outstanding loans cannot avail of the package.

OFWs who fled Libya and now in the Philippines may now claim their P10,000 financial assistance from the nearest Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) regional office, the labor department

“I advise the OFW-repatriate to immediately file their claim,” said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz in a statement, adding that the processing of claims will be on a first come, first served basis.

She added that OFWs in the provinces should immediately contact the OWWA regional offices for assistance in preparing the documents needed for the release of the P10,000 financial assistance.

So far, 7,549 OFWs from Libya have already claimed the P10,000 cash assistance, OWWA said Friday.

This brings to P75.49 million the total cash assistance provided by OWWA so far, the agency said in a statement.

These days at least one in ten people have relatives that are overseas Filipinos. I do too, so if you know somebody who should be getting the break above. Please let them know. You'd do them a big favor.