ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
As this piece is being written , about a few hours ago a 6.2 Magnitude quake hits the Calatagan Batangas area, it reportedly rattles Luzon and aftershocks are coming in including the 2:24 PM which is on record at the Philvolcs website .
On 6 February 2023, at 04:17 TRT (01:17 UTC), a Mw 7.8 earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria. The epicenter was 37 km (23 mi) west–northwest of Gaziantep.[2] The earthquake had a maximum Mercalli intensity of XII (Extreme) around the epicenter and in Antakya. It was followed by a Mw 7.7 earthquake at 13:24.[3] This earthquake was centered 95 km (59 mi) north-northeast from the first.
There was widespread damage and tens of thousands of fatalities. (Wikipedia )
The 1990 Luzon earthquake struck the island of Luzon in the Philippines at 4:26 p.m. on July 16 (PDT) or 3:26 p.m. (PST) with an estimated moment magnitude of 7.7 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent) and produced a 125 km-long ground rupture that stretched from Dingalan, Aurora to Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya. The event was a result of strike-slip movements along the Philippine Fault and the Digdig Fault within the Philippine Fault System. The earthquake’s epicenter was near the town of Rizal, Nueva Ecija, northeast of Cabanatuan.[6] An estimated 1,621 people were killed,[7][8] most of the fatalities located in Central Luzon and the Cordillera region.
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake with an intensity of 8 struck Casiguran, Aurora at 4:19 a.m. on Aug. 2, 1968, the most severe and destructive experienced in the Philippines then, leaving “several millions of pesos worth of damage.” Phivolcs said 270 people were killed and 261 were injured as a result of the earthquake
In conclusion, earthquakes are deadly, destructive forces that mortals like us cannot withstand.
We are frequently reminded of both the BIG ONE and the BIGGER ONE. even if only to emphasize the earthquake’s potential for destruction.
Everyone is going about their daily lives unconcerned with the possibility that the Big and Bigger Ones are approaching any minute.
Earthquake drills and even fire drills are still just normal exercises that receive no attention because they are a common occurrence.
However, the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria are a horror into which I will not go because of how deadly and destructive they are.
GCash downsides
Many people have already resorted to using Gcash for cashless transactions in today’s digital age as this platform offers convenience and ease of transaction to its users. However, like any other technology tool, GCash has its downsides as well. What are its main disadvantages, and how can these downsides be mitigated?
One big drawback of GCash transactions is the security risk involved. Because transactions happen purely online, without any physical exchange of cash, GCash users become vulnerable to cyberattacks and identity theft. Hackers might gain access to a user’s account and transfer funds without their consent. This issue can be mitigated by setting strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and never sharing personal details with unauthorized persons.
Another downside of GCash is that some vendors do not accept it as a form of payment. GCash is still a relatively new platform in the Philippines, and so not all merchants are yet on board with it. This issue is likely to be resolved over time as more businesses become aware of the benefits of GCash for customers and merchants alike.
The unavailability of GCash top-up centers in certain areas also limits its usability. Top-up centers are required to put cash into one’s GCash account, and their location in some provinces and rural areas is limited. This leaves GCash users in these areas at a disadvantage, as they cannot use it as effectively. This can be mitigated if GCash partners with more businesses to act as top-up centers, or if it integrates with traditional banks to enable online top-up transfers.
GCash can also be limited by its daily transaction limits, which is Php 100,000 (about $2,034) per day and Php 500,000 ($10,170) per month. For users who need to transact larger sums, this may prove inconvenient. This drawback is necessary, however, to prevent its use in illegal activities such as money laundering, terrorism financing, and other fraudulent activities.
Moreover, GCash transactions rely on a stable internet connection to function properly. However, not all areas in the Philippines have reliable internet access, and this can limit its usability. In addition, if the system itself experiences technical downtime, users are left unable to transact. This can be mitigated by improving internet infrastructure and resolving technical issues as quickly as possible.
Lastly, GCash may not be equally accessible to all individuals, particularly those who are unbanked or have limited access to digital technologies. Some individuals may not have the technological know-how or devices required to use GCash, which limits its reach. In addition, some may not have the required identification documents to register for GCash accounts, creating a digital divide in society. This issue can be mitigated by improving digital literacy, providing hardware resources such as smartphones or tablets, and improving documentation accessibility.
GCash may have provided a convenient way to transact online, but with it comes some downsides. But there are ways to mitigate their impact. If these concerns are addressed appropriately, GCash could be a tool to speed up financial transactions, save time, and provide excellent value for users.