A safer workplace makes for happier and more productive employees. With so many on-the-job injuries occurring on a daily basis, workplace safety remains a key concern in the country’s labor industry.

A recent report released by the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health or National COSH pair personal stories to government data. The report highlights the need for more reforms on worker health and safety.

Released just days before the Workers’ Memorial Day weekend, the report reflects on recent accidents from 2011 and reminds employers to follow proven safety practices and complying with standards imposed by OSHA. Unfortunately, many companies complain about these regulations, choosing profits before employee safety.

The report also pushes for reforms designed to better protect temps, immigrants and energy-sector workers who work in hazardous workplaces. It emphasizes the need for adequate training and better safety protocols. It also puts emphasis on workplace violence, inadequate fines for violations, and whistle blower protection.

The numbers are baffling. According to supporting figures, nearly 13 workers are killed on the job every day. This is a clear warning sign to legislators to come up with tougher laws that would encourage employers to take workers’ safety more seriously and allow workers to make it home safely after their shift.

As many of these accidents are preventable, it is hoped that the eye-opening report makes an impact among federal and state lawmakers in the hopes of exposing any shortcomings in the system.

While lawmakers put more time in debate and less in actually legislating reforms that support worker safety, victims are often encouraged to speak to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration official for assistance.

Living trusts allow a family to customize their estate planning based on the individual needs of each family member. It is also effective in avoiding taxes as well as the probate process which we all know can be very expensive.

The death of a loved one can start off a complex legal and business process. Often, it falls to relatives to deal with the affairs of the departed’s estate. It is important that living trusts and wills are carried out and followed through to avoid issues that hurt beneficiaries after the departure of their relative.

Typically, it is important to start funding a living trust while the person is still around to do so. The effectiveness of a living trust is dependent on this. It means that trusts needs to have assets re-titled to it in order to reflect the ownership of the trust. Bank accounts, investments, stocks, bonds and assets all have to be re-titled accordingly.

Bank accounts can be easily transferred and bank managers can assist in the process. Investment accounts require that a new account be established first before transferring existing accounts. Stocks are a bit more complicated as it will require a stock power which must include a Medallion guarantee stamp. Savings bonds require that government forms be filled out and stamped with the same Medallion stamp.

Real estate is transferred into a trust through a new deed prepared by an attorney. Personal property can be willed into a trust or transferred using an Assignment of Personal Property. Approval of other partners is required before interests in private stocks can be transferred. This may require a lawyers help. Life insurance can be easily designated to the trust which will act as the beneficiary of the policy.

Finally, like most states, retirement accounts like IRAs may require the help of an expert. Often IRAs are not taxed while it is locked. A transfer of these accounts may have serious tax ramifications.

This is why the help of a knowledgeable legal professional may prove invaluable in estate planning because they have the knowledge and experience to properly manage and execute any estate plans. Legal professionals are able to sit down, discuss available strategies and even do the necessary legwork. They can also be relied on to carry out the estate’s will and trust.

For years, we Filipinos have been viewed negatively by foreign eyes. We’ve suffered ethnic slurs, racial profiling and more.

During the different periods of our history, colonizers, in an effort to demoralize us, called us “indios,” “monkeys,” and “baka.” Translated, these slurs mean just about the same thing --- “idiots”.

Some still continue to call us names in recent years such as the time when someone relegated us as a nation of nannies. Accusations of ignorance, incivility and opportunism have somewhat turned Filipinos into cheap artists offering cheap labor.

We swallowed our pride and allowed ourselves to be the so-called “bitches” of other countries because of poverty. And yet, we are also to blame for our own misfortunes.

Political minds at play met undignified words with their brand of verbal retaliation and nothing more. While we hurrah their efforts, not much has changed. After two EDSA revolutions, we are still the same old country basking in our perennial triumph of being the next tiger economy of Asia that couldn’t seem to shrug off the word “next.”

But how can this country jump to the next level when it’s in such a mess?

Dan Brown’s recent novel, Inferno, was quick to point out that Manila is “the gates of hell.” While he did not lambast the Philippines entirely, Manila, for all practicalities sake, is the Philippines. It is our nation’s capital and the city that represents everything that is our country to the rest of world. To describe it as filthy and evil says an awful lot about us Filipinos.

Criticism should be a catalyst for change. It’s funny that we’ve been so negatively criticized and branded before but remain numb and unwilling to change our selfish ways.

I don’t like Manila or my country being branded the gates of hell no more than the next guy. And yet, urbanization anywhere here leaves a trail of garbage and corruption unimaginable. And so, I would be a hypocrite not to agree that somewhere in this country, hell has an office.

Am I angry at Dan Brown? No. Am I angry with my fellow Filipinos? Not really. I’m just disappointed and amazed that despite years of negative branding, we’ve continued to tolerate the same. We haven’t grown, we got stunted.

But why would Mr. Brown call us that? For the uninitiated foreigner who enjoys a higher standard and quality of life, our country might as well be the gateway to hell.

The stench of rot, defecation and piss that greets you in Manila is probably as putrid as hell itself. Sadly, that’s just the first thing one has to face if they wish to acclimate themselves to our country.

I’ve had the opportunity to live in Canada for over a decade as a federal government public servant. I travelled to the U.S., visited Australia, and crossed the pond to Europe. Unfortunately, the Philippines is a far cry from the places I’ve seen.

I always had high hopes that there’ll be changes in our beloved country. But not much really happened. We are still a desperate nation ruled by selfish people who only want to enrich themselves. There’s poverty, corruption and kids who are undisciplined. Our nation’s future is secured. We will dejectedly endure more of the same.

Rich countries are prosperous for a reason. There are probably a hundred reasons why they’ve become powerful. I won’t elaborate on that. All I can say is that their leaders and their citizens are truly concerned and genuinely care in protecting their nation’s best interests. Unhindered by religious dogmas, they change constantly…for the better.

One example I observed is that they don’t mind the mess inside their homes but they freak out when someone throws garbage on the street when it’s not collection day. We Filipinos work the other way around. We are clean inside our homes but we are apathetic to anything outside of it.

We are a nation who is more interested in the cultures of other. Some foreigners even questioned our identity and authenticity citing our ability to embrace foreign cultures better than we do with our own. Thanks to our fascination to foreign media, we became culturally-savvy. And yet, we fail pick-up the very virtues that made them so great.

Nothing is wrong with taking inspiration from others or from going abroad to work. I did it and I think it was one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. And like most expatriates, I’d rather be here. But you can’t buy in completely to that notion when you see how our country is being panhandled.

We are a paradox. Despite our better points, we prefer to put the bad ones out on display. If that’s the case, then why are we so offended of being viewed so negatively? How do we expect foreigners to love our country when we ourselves can’t even stand it?

In my experience, Filipinos who go to these beautiful countries tend to adjust and abide by their rules. It stupefies me that we can’t muster any effort to do that here.

Truth hurts. It always does. But we’ve only resorted to countering with words. Too much talk, not much work. If we wish to be competitive, we have to take action.

Negative reactions will not change how the world sees us. We have to change how we think and start really caring if we want to gain the respects of outsiders. We can’t ride the coat tails of other Filipinos who became successful internationally. We have to do it collectively or risk sharing the downfall.

As for Mr. Brown, I think we should be thankful he pointed out our faults. He should even be commended. I haven’t read the book but I’m interested. I want to know how others view us as a people. And maybe everyone should have the same opinion on the matter.

Criticism should be a catalyst for change. It’s funny that we’ve been so negatively criticized and branded before but remain numb and unwilling to change our selfish ways.

Just my two cents…

Hollywood helped make prenups quite popular in recent years. Despite its new found popularity, bringing up the subject of prenuptial agreements can still open up a can of worms causing partners to question trust and honesty concerns.

According to a 2012 American Institute of CPAs survey, money is a big source of problem between couples. It is among the biggest reason for many bouts between couples which eventually leads to a divorce. Many wealthy investors however see advantages in prenups seeing them as a tool that can easily sort out disputes. 

Wealthy folks, those with at least $5 million in net assets, were recently surveyed by an investment site about prenups which found that almost all of them were in favor of having such legal documents before saying “I do.” In fact, over two-thirds of this exclusive group recommends preparing and signing prenuptial agreements to anyone looking to marry.

The survey also asked what advantages a prenuptial agreement presents. The respondents pointed out four major benefits namely asset protection, opens up discussions, protection for heirs and inheritors, and property division.

Of course, a prenup is designed to protect one’s assets and separates any liabilities acquired prior to marriage. On this end, it can do wonders especially in a property dispute ensuring a smoother sailing divorce. It also prevents spouses from acquiring these pre-marital assets should children be named as benefactors.

The survey also found that respondents believe discussions about prenups, as difficult as it may be, can get couples accustomed to talking about their finances. It allows for a frank and open discussion of money concerns, not just of assets but of all liabilities as well.

Prenuptial agreements are a thorny subject that many find intimidating to talk about. But if we consider the opinions of the wealthy and powerful, we will find that there are benefits to opening up discussions on the matter.

Nobody said that breaking up doesn’t hurt. Divorce tends to be stressful and going through it alone only makes it more difficult. For those going through a divorce proceeding, it can get very traumatic.

The good news is that love after a divorce is still possible. There are many lessons to be learned that could be useful in future relationships. A recent article tackles five love lessons that help those who went through the pain of divorce bounce back, recover and start over.

According to experts, when one views each date and relationship as their teacher, important love lessons will be learned along the way. These lessons can help in developing a positive outlook as one journeys to find love again, even after a divorce.

The first lesson is to understand that not all relationships are meant to be forever and blaming one’s self for why the marriage fell apart isn’t advisable. Breakups happen for a reason, and often it takes both parties to ruin it. Having a sympathetic legal professional tackling the complexities of a divorce could prove invaluable in getting one’s mind out of the divorce legalities.

Each breakup or divorce exposes certain red flags and it’s important to identify each one sooner. This second lesson talks about knowing exactly what a potential lover should look for in their future relationships by setting standards and boundaries.

Third, a person’s self-esteem and confidence attracts the quality of their mates. Those that live in a mess will soon discover that it’s up to them to raise themselves up and get their lives together.

The fourth lesson talks about finding the source of happiness. A person who is happy and exudes certain positivity tends to pull people who are equally self-fulfilled to them. Happy people create happy relationships. This increases the chance the relationship will succeed.

Finally, the wounds of a divorce take time to heal. Learning to wait, knowing what worked and what didn’t, and making one’s self happy should be the priority before moving on to the next relationship.

Deaths caused by drivers on the phone were recently found to be seriously underreported. While the perils of distracted driving continue to be understated, several car accidents here are suspected to have been caused by distracted motorists who are either answering their phones or replying to text messages.

According to sources, a recent analysis of state and federal data by the National Safety Council or NSC revealed that there was strong evidence drivers involved in many accidents from 2009 to 2011 had been using a cellular device at the time.

The study also revealed that only half of the accidents from 2011 were coded in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA’s accident database as involving cellphone use. It was an improvement from previous years which saw only eight percent in 2009 and 35 percent in 2010. Yet, it is still a far cry from actual numbers that could’ve convinced lawmakers to pass new laws to prevent such distractions.

The problem seen by the NSC is the lack of effort to record the specific circumstances of each accident. Even when drivers already admitted to using their cellphones, authorities still fail to record it in the database. The NSC suspects that the number is much higher than what is being reported. Unfortunately, accurate statistics may be a definite improbability.

The NSC’s data is considered by many, including insurance companies, as the bible from which data about accidents are based. Yet, the council’s analysis found large variations among states in their reporting of distracted driving. One official told sources that unless drivers tell officers that they were on the phone, distracted driving doesn’t get reported. A subpoena is necessary in order for officers to investigate cellphone use in most states.

NHTSA acknowledged weaknesses in their data but promises that efforts are underway to strengthen collection practices by working with local authorities and lawmakers. So far 35 states have told the Governors Highway Safety Association or GHSA that they have adopted new forms to report cellphone use during accidents.