On Business Mirror: How to Prepare for Natural Disasters

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Considering that the Philippines experiences numerous natural calamities each year – from typhoons and floods, to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions – it is important that you know the basics when preparing for natural disasters. Being ready would greatly reduce the risks and harm that a natural calamity might cause. It can save your home and other belongings from damage and even save lives.

As July is declared as National Disaster Consciousness Month, Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corp., an Italian-Filipino company that designs and develops sustainable properties nationwide, among them its flagship project in Cagayan de Oro called Primavera Residences, lists down the essentials in disaster prevention.

 

Featured in Business Mirror, 30 July 2014

How to Prepare for Natural Disasters

Posted by Primavera Residences on

How to Prepare for Natural Disasters_infographic_resized

They say that prevention is better than cure, and this couldn’t be more true when it comes to natural disasters. Considering that the Philippines experiences numerous natural calamities each year – from typhoons, floods, to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions – it is important that you know the basics when preparing for natural disasters. Being ready would greatly reduce the risks and harm that a natural calamity might cause. It can save your home and other belongings from damage, and even save lives.

As July is declared as National Disaster Consciousness Month, we list down the essentials in disaster prevention. Here are simple steps that you can take to prepare for natural disasters.

  • Assemble an emergency kit at home. The kit must contain emergency supplies such as first aid, flashlight, batteries, blankets, rope, bottled water, etc.
  • Prepare an emergency contact list containing the names, numbers and addresses of the people you need to communicate in case of an emergency. Include relatives and friends you don’t live with. Keep this list in handy such as in your wallet or phone.
  • Store food with long shelf life. This can come in handy when you’re stranded at home and can’t go out in case of massive flooding. Make sure to store them in a safe area away from floods.
  • Know your community’s emergency hotline and keep them in your address book.
  • Make sure your home has emergency exit routes such as fire exits. If working, learn about your company’s emergency plan. Be mindful of exit routes in your office building.
  • Participate in fire/earthquake drills at home and at work.
  • Be alert and updated on the latest weather bulletin.
  • Know the storm warning signals and flood/volcanic eruption alert levels.
  • Secure your home with prevention safety systems and equipment such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, etc.
  • Know how to shut off electricity and gas at home.
  • Your pets are part of your family. Keep information on dog tags updated. Be ready to evacuate with your pet by having a crate or carrier containing a week’s worth of pet food and medicine.

While these steps are helpful in preventing or minimizing disasters, there are also other factors at play that can further reduce the risks of damage during natural calamities. For instance, the way structures are built and where they are located can have great impact on the safety of their occupants.

It is important then that property developers and architects should take into consideration the climate and locality of the place when building and designing homes. In essence, structures should be built with the environment in mind. Avoid building your home in flood-prone areas. Do not use substandard construction materials.

Buildings should be disaster-resilient and can withstand extreme weather conditions. Through the application of methods and best practices in sustainable development, homes can be more secure and the effects from natural disasters can be mitigated.

Primavera Residences Developer Among Global Leaders Invited by Malacanang to Help Develop Sustainable Solutions for the Philippines

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PCSI Malacanang Dinner - Italpinas photo

Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corp. (ITPI Corp.), the developer of Primavera Residences in Cagayan De Oro City, recently shared a dialogue with the delegates invited by Malacanang for a discussion on sustainable solutions.

The reception and dinner at Malacanang was part of the recently concluded Pacific Cities Sustainability Initiative (PCSI) 2nd Annual Forum, which was attended by civic groups, global leaders in urban planning and property development, environmentalists and sustainability experts, as well as members of the private sector. Dubbed, “Creating Resilient and Livable Cities,” the forum addressed the growing concern on the impact of climate change and urbanization on communities. It also sought to develop solutions for a more sustainable city while also enhancing the economic development of a country.

“We have seen how communities were destroyed by strong calamities. This has never been more relevant and alarming than the recent Typhoon Haiyan that devastated the Philippines,” said Romolo V. Nati, the executive chairman and CEO of ITPI.

“As a green property developer, our concern is to spread awareness on ideal solutions for building communities that can not only withstand natural disasters but also reduce the impact on the environment. To build eco-friendly properties that complement and adapt to nature has always been our mission,” Nati added.

Primavera Residences, ITPI’s first project, is a fine example of sustainable housing. It is the first and only eco-friendly mixed-use property in Cagayan De Oro City. Its unique green features include photovoltaic solar panels at the roof that produce renewable energy and an inner courtyard that helps create natural ventilation. The residential and commercial building is also typhoon resistant and designed to withstand earthquakes. ITPI is a young property developer in the Philippines that specializes in green architecture and design. It aims to build environment-friendly properties in secondary cities of the country.

Discussions in the forum were focused on disaster preparedness, recovery, sustainable housing, integrated planning, and good governance. Forum delegates were also treated to a tour of some of the country’s key attractions including Bonifacio Global City, Marikina City, and Intramuros.

“The PCSI Forum will give interested mayors and their administrators the chance to draw ideas and principles from the experiences of the gathered expert participants,” shared Doris Magsaysay-Ho, chair of the Asia Society Philippine Foundation.

PCSI stressed the need for an urgent solution to the global problems in extreme weather and climate change affecting communities today, particularly that of the Philippines. “Manila is just the latest step in a long term effort to address one of the great challenges of the 21st century by ULI and the Asia Society,” stated N. Bruce Bickering, Vice President for Global Programs of Asia Society. The Urban Land Institute (ULI) was also one of the forum’s organizers.