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Company
Profile
Ascott Group -
"Where Success Resides"
"A
seamless blend of comfort and convenience. An atmosphere
of warmth and friendly service. Only at Somerset Serviced
Residences can you find the delightful experience of successful
expatriate living."
Asia Pacific's Largest
The Ascott Group is the largest international serviced residence
chain in the Asia Pacific with more than 8,000 serviced
residence units in 20 cities across 11 countries in Asia,
Australasia and the United Kingdom.
The Ascott Group is represented by The Ascott, Somerset
and Oakford brands. The group's stylish Somerset Brand,
located in the business hub of major cities, is targeted
at senior to upper management successful expatriates.
Currently it is now the biggest in the Philippines with
290 apartments commanding a 45 percent market share of the
city's deluxe serviced residence market. With the latest
addition of Somerset Salcedo Makati to the Ascott family
(the recently rebranded property formerly known as Stamford
Court Salcedo), Somerset brand now offers a choice of two
properties in the Philippines, its other property being
Somerset Millennium Makati.
Somerset Millennium, Makati - 138
units, 104 Aguirre St.,
Legaspi Village, Makati City
The residence is located in the heart of Makati City's business
and entertainment district. The Landmark and Glorietta shopping
malls as well as the Pasay Road fine-dining area are a ten-minute
walk away. It also has easy access to the Fort center, where
the renowned British School and International School are
located. From the residence, one can get a panoramic view
of Manila Bay and the Makati Skyline. Units range from deluxe
to two-bedroom apartments.
Somerset Salcedo, Makati - 150 units,
H.V. Dela Costa cor
Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
The Powerplant shopping and entertainment mall at Rockwell
Centre is a ten-minute drive away. Nearby, Makati Avenue
offers a variety of fine-dining restaurants. Within Salcedo
Village, different embassy offices are located. Units range
from studios to three-bedroom residences.
Enriching Living Experience
As Somerset serviced residences cater to guests on longer
stay, they seek to enrich guests' living experience with
resident programs that provide opportunities for community
integration, business networking and recreation. Somerset
staff also assist guests and their families with daily living
support services.
Comprehensive Facilities & Services
Somerset Serviced Residences offers 138-150 different rooms
to suit every budget. The residences provide daily maid
service, breakfast reception, and security services. Each
furnished apartment has a fully equipped kitchen and living
room with cable television, IDD/NDD telephone and entertainment
facilities.
Across Major Gateway Cities
In its strive towards leadership in the global serviced
residence industry, The Ascott Group today commands pole
positions in many gateway cities such as Singapore, London,
Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney,
Auckland, Melbourne and Tokyo.
For enquiries and reservation, please call
Telephone: 888-0505 and 888-6668
E-mail: enquiry.manila@the-ascott.com
Online reservations: www.the-ascott.com
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Chapter
13 -
Dealing with Emergencies
Typhoons
| Earthquakes
Other Volcanic
Activity | Other
Emergencies
Contingency
planning - preparing for the unexpected should
be an essential element in any family or personal
routine. When locating to another country
and especially one where the unexpected regularly
occurs, it becomes essential. With some emergent
situations such as typhoons, there is at least
a warning ahead of time while others will
strike unexpectedly. How you cope with this
aspect of life in the Philippines will depend
in large measure on how you prepare ahead
of time.
A word of advice at the outset: The embassies
of some countries operate a warden system
for their nationals within each area. Upon
arrival find out if your embassy operates
such a system. If so, register your presence
and enquire what information they make available.
The more you are informed, the better you
will be prepared.
Typhoons
A typhoon is a tropical storm of damaging
proportions. In the United States they are
known as hurricanes while in Australia they
are called cyclones.
Commonly it is believed that the word derives
from the Chinese Tai-fung meaning "big
wind" others claim its origin is Greek-Arabic
from tuphõn or "whirlwind."
Typhoons can hit at any time of the year but
are most likely to occur in the Philippines
from July to October.
There are generally four types of typhoon:
- Tropical depressions have wind speeds
of 29 mph (46 kph) or less.
- Tropical storms have wind speeds between
29 mph (46 kph) and 55.5mph (89 kph).
- Typhoons have wind speeds between 55.5
mph (89 kph) and 114.5 mph (183 kph).
- Super typhoons have wind speeds greater
than 114.5 mph (183 kph).
In the Philippines, four signals are hoisted
progressively at the onset of a typhoon:
Signal #1 signifies
a threat of an approaching typhoon or tropical
depression within thirty-six hours.
Signal #2 indicates
the likelihood of a typhoon within twenty-four
hours.
Signal #3 means
that a typhoon is expected within eighteen
hours.
Signal #4 is
used to denote a direct hit by a typhoon within
twelve hours.
As soon as the first typhoon signal is raised
you should begin preparations. Quite often
the approach of a typhoon will bring heavy
rains and render roads - even arterial roads
within the metropolitan area impassable. Be
aware of the needs of your office staff to
reach their homes in such circumstances.
Quite often power outages occur during storms.
These outages can last from minutes to several
days. On occasion, water supply can also be
interrupted.
Once the Number 3 signal is raised schooling
is suspended and government offices are usually
closed. Private business takes its cue from
government announcements.
Two radio stations provide regular typhoon
and road conditions: radio DZHP at AM 1130
KHz and FM station WLS at 97 MHz. Information.
Cable TV channel ANC - Channel 21 also broadcasts
regular news bulletins updating typhoon information.
Typhoon Preparations
Typhoons present not only a danger to property
but also to family health concerns. During
a typhoon, impure water, spoiled food and
undisposed garbage and sewage can lead to
sickness. Normally provided services may not
be available for days during an emergency.
You should prepare your household to function
without outside services for at least several
days. The following measures will help your
family members to stay healthy during a typhoon:
- Store enough drinking water to last
through seven days: at least two gallons for
each family member, three gallons for each
child under three years of age. People can
survive for quite some time without food,
but safe water is a necessity. During a typhoon,
normal water supply for drinking and sewage
disposal may be disrupted. Either fill clean
containers from a known potable source or
purchase bottled water from reliable local
distillers. Emergency drinking water can be
made by adding five drops of household bleach
to one gallon of water or by boiling water
for 15 minutes. To reduce consumption of emergency
drinking water, supplement with other fluids
such as canned juices and sodas.
- Keep enough canned food on hand for
seven days. Power outages can be counted on
during and after typhoons and naturally, refrigerators
and freezers will not operate. If the power
outage is lengthy, fresh food may spoil. Powdered,
condensed or evaporated milk is a handy substitute
for fresh milk. When purchasing emergency
food supplies, stick to items that can be
eaten without cooking. Electrical power may
be disrupted and gas supplies difficult to
obtain for days.
- Fill all bathtubs, sinks and containers
with water, then use this water to operate
toilets. If the water supply is disrupted
during a typhoon, flush toilets cannot be
used because there is not enough water in
the toilet tank to flush waste refuse down
the sewer.
- Have household insecticide and deodorant
spray on hand.
- Be sure to have the following on hand
1. Emergency medical kit (as per earthquake
procedures - see box);
2. Flashlights and extra batteries, rechargeable
lanterns and candles (including matches;
3. Portable radio and extra batteries;
4. Water and food in the cupboards (see earthquake
procedures);
5. Portable gas stove and extra gas canisters;
6. Personal hygiene items in the cupboard
(see earthquake procedures);
7. Cellular telephone that is kept fully charged;
- Check roof, doors and windows for leaks
and make sure all latches are secure and not
damaged;
- Obtain plastic sheeting for furniture
protection and tape for windows;
- Organize valuable papers into a waterproof
packet;
- Collect tin cans to put under furniture
feet.
Typhoon Conditions
Please
note that these are progressive tasks, for
example by the time there is a Condition 4,
you should already have completed the tasks
for Conditions 3,2 and 1.
Signal 1 - destructive
winds or between 30 - 60 kph and intermittent
rain that can be heavy and which often causes
flooding:
- Fill your gas tank; power loss may
disable pumps during storms;
- Make extra ice cubes (4-6 trays) for
short-term cold storage if power fails. If
the power goes out, open the refrigerator
and freezer as little as possible. A refrigerator
will maintain its temperature for 24 hours
or more unless opened. Use an ice storage
chest for short periods of 24 hours to 48
hours;
- Fill bathtub and sinks with water for
cooking and flushing;
- Use plastic wrap around stoppers to
seal drains;
- Check bottled water supply;
- Listen to the radio for regular typhoon
updates. Within 36 hours from landfall, most
radio stations include hourly typhoon updates
as part of their regular newscasts.
Signal 2 - destructive
winds and heavy rains expected in 24 hours;
winds of between 60 - 100 kph; heavy rains
and severe flooding can be expected in low-lying
areas;
- Move furniture away from windows;
- Empty cupboards of water perishable
items if near windows or doors;
- Roll up rugs and place on furniture;
- Place furniture legs in tin cans or
on bricks in case of flooding;
- Remove debris and loose equipment from
your yard;
- Tie down or trim trees and bushes;
- Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest
setting.
Signal 3 - destructive
winds and heavy rains expected in 18 hours;
winds of more than 100 kph;
- Business and commerce closes down;
- Typhoons become the top news story
on radio and television. Hourly newscasts
begin with a typhoon update;
- Traffic is restricted to emergency
vehicles only;
- Power loss is common. The electric
company monitors power outages and repairs
will be made as soon as possible. Do not tie
up the telephone system with unnecessary reports;
- Park your car in a car park or on high
ground and in an area free from falling trees
or flying debris;
- If leaks develop in the ceiling, you
may have to make a small drain hole to localize
the leakage;
- To prevent windows from shattering
and to minimize leaks, tape all windows except
one on the side of the house away from the
storm. Leave this one window open a few inches
to avoid creating a vacuum in the house. Expect
some leakage in any case.
Signal 4 - a
direct hit within 12 hours and gusts of more
than 185 kph; torrential rain and widespread
flooding;
- Stay indoors, away from windows and
keep curtains closed. Winds can knock adults
and children down, snap power lines and shatter
glass;
- Store all refuse in large plastic trash
bags and close them securely. Debris and empty
cans attract insects that may carry disease
into your home. Household insecticides may
also be helpful to discourage insects;
- Do not leave your home if the winds
suddenly die down. You are in the eye of the
storm and winds will resume with full force
from the opposite direction.
- Typhoon Recovery - the typhoon's radius
has cleared the immediate area but danger
still exists;
- Stay at home! Roads may be blocked
due to landslides, flooding or downed power
lines or trees;
- Traffic restricted to official vehicles
only. Offices, facilities remain closed;
- Do not go "sightseeing."
Danger still exists due to downed power lines
and local flooding.
Wait for notification that it is safe to leave
your home.
Click here to download
the PDF Version of this Chapter.
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