Ways to ensure a flood-free home

Flood-prone properties may have tell-tale signs.

In the rainy season, it’s crucial to remain prepared and vigilant in order to stay safe, especially given the increasing severity of typhoon rains and winds today.

Geohazard conditions

If you’re eyeing to buy a new home, the first and perhaps most important step is to check whether the area is safe and not prone to flooding.

In 2012, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) advised prospective buyers to avoid disaster-prone areas by referring to geohazard maps. Familiarizing yourself with the surroundings is crucial for your property’s long term sustainability.

Review your area’s elevation as well. Naturally, higher elevations reduce the risk of flooding. Avoid as much as possible the so-called “catch basin” areas, where water tends to accumulate, making these more prone to flooding and drainage issues.

Tell-tale signs

Flood-prone properties may have tell-tale signs.

One indicator can be found in an unlikely place—the ground floor toilet. If water goes up when flushing, there is a high chance that septic tank effluents are blocked because of floodwaters.

Leaks on windowsills and water marks, especially those on nearby fences, walls, or even tree trunks within the vicinity, are indicators of a flood prone property while flapping roofs and clogged gutters are signs of an unreliable house.

Outside the house, mud on the road is a sign that the surrounding vicinity is vulnerable to bad weather conditions, as this indicates the “looseness” of soil.

Coatings and sealants can be applied to the property’s foundation,walls, windows, and doorways.

Structural integrity

But if it cannot be helped, ensure your property’s structural integrity. Properties built with flood-resistant material, such as concrete, glazed brick, steel hardware, pressure-treated and marine-grade plywood, ceramic tile, and polyester epoxy paint can withstand contact with flood water for at least 72 hours without significant damage.

Floodproofing coatings, sealants, and waterproof veneer, such as a layer of brick backed up against a waterproof membrane, can also help protect your home’s interior and keep water from entering. Coatings and sealants can be applied to the property’s foundation, walls, windows, and doorways.

Proper drainage will also help circumvent any incoming floodwaters. Foundation vents can provide outlets for floodwater to flow through, while sewer backflow valves can keep flooded sewage systems from backing up into the home. In this case, gate valves generally do the job better than flap valves as they provide better seals against pressure.

After the storm

If you ever find yourself affected by flood, be sure to assess possible structural damages, such as roof damages or foundation cracks. Check if there are any downed power lines around your property, and refrain from touching them or stepping in puddles or other small bodies of water near them to avoid electrocution.

Electricity and appliances are likely the first ones you would want to check. But make sure first that all electrical outlets are dry before switching on the main power source.

Power outlets that have been submerged in floodwater should be opened. Use an air compressor with a hose to flush out any remaining water, then leave your power outlets to dry for around two days before switching them on.

Upholstered furniture and mattresses are likely to have contaminants and bacteria from floodwaters, and as such, be sure to clean them with disinfectant and extract as much water as possible immediately. Take note that musty odors may be signs of mildew and may pose health risks.

For other wet surfaces, clean them with hot water and laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid to prevent water damage.

Source: Inquirer

How delayed financial planning drains your wealth

For many Filipinos, personal finance often takes a backseat to daily responsibilities. We tell ourselves, "I'll invest when things settle down," or "I'll start saving when I earn more." But while we wait for the perfect moment, time quietly moves on — and with it, the value of opportunities is lost.

Delaying financial decisions doesn't just postpone progress; it creates a hidden cost that becomes painfully visible later in life. The longer we put off financial planning, the more we miss out on our most valuable asset: time.

A tale of two investors

Consider two Filipinos Maria and Juan Maria starts investing P2,000 per month at age 25, consistently until age 60. Over 35 years, she contributed P840,000.

Juan waits until age 35 to start. He invests P3,000 per month until age 60, contributing P900,000 over 25 years.

Assuming an average annual return of 8 percent, Anna ends up with over P7.5 million, while Ben ends up with about P5.5 million.

Why? Because Anna gave her money more time to grow. This is the power of compound interest, where your earnings also start earning.

The key message: you don't need to start big — you just need to start early and be consistent.

The role of banks

Many Filipinos trust savings accounts and time deposits — and for good reason. Banks provide safety, convenience and deposits are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. They're ideal for emergency funds, short-term savings and daily transactions.

But problems arise when people park all their money there, thinking it's enough for long-term goals.

Here's why: typical savings accounts yield less than 1 percent per year, and time deposits offer about 1.5 to 3 percent. Meanwhile, inflation in the Philippines averages 3 to 4 percent annually.

This means your money may grow in pesos but lose value in purchasing power. For example, P100,000 in a savings account today may only have the purchasing power of around P55,000 after 20 years, assuming 3-percent inflation.

Even if your bank balance doesn't decrease, what you can actually buy with that money will shrink significantly over time. It's like your money is standing still while prices keep moving forward.

So while it's wise to keep some cash in the bank for safety and flexibility, it's not ideal to leave everything there — especially money you plan to use five, 10 or 20 years from now.

The emotional cost of doing nothing

Beyond pesos and returns, financial inaction carries emotional costs stress from not knowing where your money goes, regret and frustration when you realize how much time — and potential — you've lost. These emotional burdens often go unnoticed until it's too late.

Three small actions that make a big difference

1. Know where you stand. Understand your current financial picture: list all income sources, track expenses, write down debts and assets, and calculate your net worth (assets minus liabilities). Clarity is the first step to control.

2. Start small, stay consistent. Even P1,000 or P2,000 per month can grow significantly when invested wisely. You don't need a large windfall to begin — what matters is starting now. Set up automatic transfers to mutual funds or digital investment platforms. Consistency beats intensity in wealth-building.

3. Balance your financial strategy. Think in layers short-term (0–one year): bank savings, T-Bills or time deposits for emergencies; medium-term (one to five years): balanced or conservative investment instruments like bonds and FXTNS; long-term (five-plus years): growth-oriented investments like equity funds or real estate.

This ensures your money works with the right mix of accessibility and growth potential.

Don't forget protection

While growing your wealth is important, it's equally vital to protect what you already have — your income, health and family. Life is unpredictable, and emergencies can wipe out years of savings if you're not prepared.

Consider health, life and disability insurance. These safety nets help you and your loved ones stay secure, even when life throws challenges your way.

Think of protection as the foundation that keeps your financial house standing strong so your investment plans don't crumble when unforeseen events occur.

Time is your greatest asset

It's easy to focus on what we can't do right now: "I can't save more," or "I don't know where to invest." But far more dangerous is what we don't realize we're losing by doing nothing: time, peace of mind and future opportunity.

Every year you delay is your future value lost forever. Every small step you take today is a seed planted for a more secure tomorrow. You just need to start.

Source: Manila Times

Exclusions from the absolute community of property and conjugal partnership of gains

Getting married, Congratulations! We explain the exclusions under the Absolute Community of Property and the Conjugal Partnership of Gains. Knowing these differences will help you make a decision in choosing the right property regime for you.

Under the Family Code of the Philippines, there are property regimes such as:

(1) Absolute Community of Property;

(2) Conjugal Partnership of Gains; and

(3) Complete Separation of Property.

Absolute Community Property (ACP) is the default property regime for couples married without marriage settlement (or a prenuptial agreement) on or after August 3, 1988, which is the date of effectivity of the Family Code. It includes all the properties owned by either spouse before the marriage and all the properties acquired during the marriage which are not otherwise excluded. (Article 91, Family Code) Properties falling under the ACP are owned by the spouses in common regardless of whose name appears on the title or who paid for it.

On the other hand, in the Conjugal Partnership of Gains (CPG) regime, each spouse retains ownership of the property they brought into the marriage, but the income or fruits from these properties and all assets acquired during the marriage are jointly owned. (Article 106, Ibid.) Essentially, the spouses share the gains or profits acquired during the marriage under the CPG regime. The CPG can only apply if the spouses agree to it in a marriage settlement or pre-nuptial agreement before marriage. (Article 105, Family Code)

Regarding the exclusions from the ACP and the CPG, these are stated in the Family Code of the Philippines, specifically under Articles 92 and 109 of the said law, respectively.

Under Article 92 of the Family Code of the Philippines, the following shall be excluded from the ACP:

(1) Property acquired during the marriage by gratuitous title by either spouse, and the fruits as well as the income thereof, if any, unless it is expressly provided by the donor, testator or grantor that they shall form part of the community property;

(2) Property for personal and exclusive use of either spouse. However, jewelry shall form part of the community property;

(3) Property acquired before the marriage by either spouse who has legitimate descendants by a former marriage, and the fruits as well as the income, if any, of such property.

On the other hand, the following shall be excluded from the CPG under Article 109 of the said law:

(1) That which is brought to the marriage as his or her own;

(2) That which each acquires during the marriage by gratuitous title;

(3) That which is acquired by right of redemption, by barter or by exchange with property belonging to only one of the spouses; and

(4) That which is purchased with exclusive money of the wife or of the husband.” We hope that we were able to answer your queries.

Source: Ziggurat Real Estate