Category: press release

Muntinlupa approves ordinance to ban weekday karaoke and other distracting noises during online classes

Muntinlupa approves ordinance to ban weekday karaoke and other distracting noises during online classes

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In a bid to assist students and teachers during synchronous classes, including employees on a work-from-home set-up, the City Government of Muntinlupa is banning the use of videoke and other activities that create unnecessary noise disturbing residents in their study time and work at home.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed City Ordinance 2020-142 regulating the use of karaokes, videokes, and other similar equipment causing noise pollution in the community during weekdays and limiting its use and operation on weekends.

Fresnedi said the City Government recognizes the challenges of city residents in adjusting to distance and blended learning, as well as the working public, and how loud noises can distract them from concentrating on their activities.

Under the local ordinance, the use of karaokes, videokes, and other sound-making devices will only be allowed from 6:00am to 10:00pm during Saturdays and to 6:00am to 8:00pm during Sundays.

However, public announcements made by local and national government agencies using sound-producing machines/devices are exempted from the implementation of the ordinance. Residents who will violate the ordinance shall be penalized with a fine from P2,000.00 to P5,000.00 or imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days, or both.

Members of the Philippine National Police-Muntinlupa, Public Order and Security Office, City Security Office, Barangay Chairpersons and their personnel are set to augment monitoring and roving operations in the community to implement the regulation on videokes and other noise-making devices.

Recently, the City Government of Muntinlupa provided the first batch of 2,557 laptops and 28 photocopiers for public school teachers in a bid to help them adapt to distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

All Muntinlupa public school teachers in elementary, junior and senior high schools, including school heads, will each receive a brand new laptop with specifications prescribed by the Department of Education. Students who are in need will also receive tablets to help them access online learning resources.

Further, the Muntinlupa City Council also passed an ordinance imposing relaxed curfew hours in the city from 12:00 AM to 4:00 AM until November 30 and 12:00 AM to 3:00 AM beginning December 1 during the Community Quarantine.

The City Council also approved the easing of age-based stay-at-home restrictions allowing persons who are at least 18 and not over 65 years old in Muntinlupa to go out of their residence unless expressly prohibited under the national and local issuances.

As of October 26, Muntinlupa City has 4,609 confirmed cases with 4,390 recoveries, 69 active cases, 150 reported deaths, 114 suspect cases, and 403 probable cases.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NOT to distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, engagements, commerce and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Muntinlupa City approves Anti-Prank Callers Ordinance, violating minors to face suspension of LGU scholarship grant

Muntinlupa City approves Anti-Prank Callers Ordinance, violating minors to face suspension of LGU scholarship grant

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Individuals making prank calls to any emergency hotlines in Muntinlupa City will now be penalized through a local ordinance, while violating minors may face withdrawal of their scholarship grant from the City Government.

Recently, mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed into law Muntinlupa City Ordinance No. 2020-141 or the Anti-Prank Callers Ordinance to prohibit malicious and improper use of Muntinlupa City’s emergency hotlines and to ensure that the City Government can urgently respond to emergencies and crisis situations. The mayor stressed that emergency hotlines established by the City Government of Muntinlupa for responding to emergencies shall be free from receiving unnecessary calls at all times.

Fresnedi warned violators that the City Government will be partnering with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBl), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and Philippine National Police (PNP) for the identification of prank callers.

Under the local ordinance, making a false request or false alarm of an emergency will be penalized. Other prohibited acts include: willful conveying of fraudulent report to cause confusion or panic, making a malicious call to trick someone with the intention to threaten, harass, intimidate, or solicit any comment, request, or sound obscene and indecent, and repeatedly initiating unnecessary calls without speaking, deliberately hanging up or breaking the service connection as or after the call is answered.

Violators will face a penalty of up to P5,000 or imprisonment of 30 to 90 days. The number used to make the prank call shall be the primary determinant of the person to be prosecuted under the local ordinance.

For violators who are minors, a mandatory whole-day seminar shall be imposed by the Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management (MCDDRM) for first offense. Violating minors shall also face withdrawal of scholarship gran from the local government or incur P300 penalty (non-grantee) for second offense, and P500 for third and succeeding offenses. The fine shall be charged against the minor’s parents or guardians.

Last month, Muntinlupa City launched its local Emergency Hotline “137-175” in a bid to streamline the reporting of emergency cases and incidents, including quick response for emergency rescue cases which require police assistance, firefighter rescue services, traffic rescue services, and ambulance medical services.

Emergency calls received through the hotline are processed in the Muntinlupa City Command Center by designated officers from MCDDRM, Muntinlupa City Rescue, Muntinlupa City Health, Muntinlupa City Traffic and Management Bureau, Muntinlupa City Police Station, and Bureau of Fire Protection – Muntinlupa for coordination to their respective units.

As of October 21, Muntinlupa City has 4,578 confirmed cases with 4,351 recoveries, 78 active cases, 149 reported deaths, 126 suspect cases, and 410 probable cases.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NOT to distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, engagements, commerce and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa records lowest COVID-19 prevalence, 2nd lowest active cases in NCR

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa records lowest COVID-19 prevalence, 2nd lowest active cases in NCR

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Muntinlupa City records the lowest COVID-19 prevalence in Metro Manila and the second lowest active cases in the region, a sharp drop of from 768 cases in September 1 to 89 cases as of October 19.

Muntinlupa City Health Officer Dra. Teresa Tuliao reported the improvement in COVID-19 cases in the city to Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, and members of the local task force in a virtual meeting last October 20.

Tuliao said the recovery rate has further improved to 94.80%, an all-time high since the start of the pandemic, and Muntinlupa City now has the second lowest active cases in NCR following the Municipality of Pateros with over 49 active cases. She reported that no COVID-19 related fatality has been recorded over the last week.

The local health officer noted that Muntinlupa earned the lowest prevalence among Metro Manila cities with a rate of 0.16. The city’s prevalence rate or the number of cases over the total population is below the ‘acceptable rate’ of 1.0.

As of October 19, the doubling time in Muntinlupa City is at 17.94 days. Doubling time refers to the number of days for COVID-19 cases to double in number and the standard rate of transmission should be at 7-30 days to be considered decelerating. Tuliao said the improvement can be accounted to the city’s holistic approach in curbing COVID-19 which include surveillance-isolation-treatment strategies, intensified targeted mass testing, contact tracing, psychosocial interventions, and massive information drives, among others.

DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development confers COVID-19 Response Service Award to Muntinlupa City last October 16 in recognition of its programs to ensure the provision of quality health services in the community amid the pandemic. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Muntinlupa CHO has conducted at least 18,944 swab tests as of October 19 which is equivalent to 3.50% of the city’s population. The city surpassed the national target of testing two percent of the population.

Recently, the 144-bed We Heal As One quarantine facility has opened in Pacwood Site, Barangay Tunasan for COVID-19 positive, suspect cases, and residents who have undergone swabbing tests. Each room has a comfort room, air-conditioning unit, and supplies. Residents who will occupy the isolation rooms will be given COVID-19 essentials bag consisting of a hygiene kit, vitamins, medicine, thermometer, bedsheet, pillow blanket, and towels, among others.

Self-isolation or admission to city isolation facilities is mandatory for anyone who have undergone COVID-19 swab testing in Muntinlupa under City Ordinance 2020-126. Currently, there are 6 occupants in the facility from Barangay Ayala Alabang and Barangay Putatan.

DOTr Sec. Arthur Tugade lauded Muntinlupa’s strategies towards the fight against COVID-19 and vowed to continue to support the city’s COVID-19 response efforts. Tugade was assigned by the IATF to monitor Muntinlupa’s health system performance, critical care capacity, and stringent compliance to surveillance, isolation, and treatment protocols.

The Department of Health – Metro Manila Center for Health Development also lauded this development as it conferred the COVID-19 Response Service Award to Muntinlupa City last October 16 in recognition of its programs ensuring the provision of quality health services in the community amid the pandemic.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi welcomes the improvement of COVID-19 situation in the city highlighting the significant decrease of cases being monitored from by the hundreds down to the tens. However, the local exec warns residents not to be complacent with the positive results. He urged the public to continue to strictly follow minimum health protocols and safety measures such as wearing of face masks, observing physical distancing and washing of hands.

As of October 19, Muntinlupa City has 4,559 confirmed cases with 4,322 recoveries, 89 active cases, 148 reported deaths, 144 suspect cases, and 402 probable cases.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NOT to distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, engagements, commerce and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

MMDA, UPCMCFI laud Muntinlupa City as it earns positive rating in Metro Manila Smoke-Free Policy Compliance Study

MMDA, UPCMCFI laud Muntinlupa City as it earns positive rating in Metro Manila Smoke-Free Policy Compliance Study

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In a recent study conducted by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication Foundation, Inc. on the compliance level of NCR cities in implementing Smoke-Free Policies, the City of Muntinlupa earns a high rating receiving a ‘Very Satisfactory’ remark.

MMDA and UPCMCFI presented the results to members of the Muntinlupa City Smoke-Free Task Force last October 16 during a virtual meeting with Metro Manila LGUs execs.

Muntinlupa City earned a Very Satisfactory rating with a compliance rate of 74.1% in the Smoke-Free Policy Compliance Study among Metro Manila cities conducted last December 2019 to February 2020.  MMDA and UPCMCFI lauded the city’s strong commitment in promoting a healthy environment through the regulation of tobacco products. Local government units were assessed in four compliance metrics namely Advertising and Promotions, Enforcement, Selling, and Smoking Behavior in three observation venues including school (within 100m vicinity), transportation terminals, and moving public utility vehicles.

Among the compliance metrics, Muntinlupa City earned the highest rating on Advertising and Promotions with 99.1% and Smoking Behavior with 79.4%.

(L-R seated) Public Information Officer Tez Navarro, City Health Officer Dra. Teresa Tuliao, CHO exec Dra. Magdalena Meana, and Deputy City Administrator Roger John Smith. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi expressed his gratitude to MMDA and UPCMCFI for the recognition and vowed to continue its advocacy towards a smoke-free city especially amid the pandemic.

“We continually urge the public to quit smoking and live a healthy lifestyle especially amid the pandemic as a preventive measure against complications brought about by COVID-19,” Fresnedi said.

Muntinlupa City is a pioneer in enacting a Comprehensive Smoke Free Ordinance through City Ordinance No. 17-072 following President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) No. 26 or known as the Nationwide Smoking Ban. Under the local ordinance, the use and distribution of cigarette and tobacco products are prohibited in the city.

Since its implementation last 2017, the Department of Health (DOH) has conferred the Red Orchid Award to the City Government of Muntinlupa for two consecutive years (2018-2019) in recognition of its outstanding initiatives against tobacco use.

For more information or to report violators, you may contact the Smoke-Free Task Force or the City Health Office at 8935-6824 or visit the City Health Office-Muntinlupa Facebook Page.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NOT to distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, engagements, commerce and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Muntinlupa City approves landmark Freedom of Information ordinance, 4th in NCR

Muntinlupa City approves landmark Freedom of Information ordinance, 4th in NCR

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The City Government of Muntinlupa approved the landmark Freedom of Information Ordinance of 2020, the 4th city in the National Capital Region (NCR) to localize the FOI bill, to ensure transparency in local governance.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed the Ordinance 2020-139 or known as the FOI Ordinance of 2020 On October 14, 2020 to give Muntinlupa as well as non-Muntinlupa residents access to information, officials’ records, public records and documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, among others.

Fresnedi said the City Government recognizes the importance of the people’s right to government information by providing a local mechanism to ensure that these rights are respected and upheld.

City Ordinance 2020-139 is an adoption of Executive Order No.2 s. 2016 upholding the right of people to information on matters of public concern. Muntinlupa City is the 4th LGU in NCR to enact an FOI ordinance following Pasig, Valenzuela, and Quezon City.

Under the local ordinance, departments in Muntinlupa LGU are required to make public records available such as contracts, transactions and any information requested by a member of the public, except for sensitive information and matters affecting national security.

Any person who request access to information may consult the local FOI Focal Person for the processing of a request or may go directly to the concerned office that has the information being requested.

If the retrieved information has been approved for release, the FOI Receiving Officer shall immediately notify the requestor of the decision and release the information within fifteen (15) working days upon receipt of request.

Failure of any government officer to comply with the provisions of the ordinance shall be ground for reprimand for first offense, suspension of one (1) to thirty days for second offense, or dismissal from the service for third offense.

Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said the City Government supports the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s thrust on continuing proactive information disclosure efforts in the spirit of openness and transparency.

She noted that the IRR is still underway but the public can now coordinate with the Public Information Office being designated as the FOI concerned office.

For more information, visit Muntinlupa City’s website at www.muntinlupacity.gov.ph or contact the Public Information Office located at 2F Annex Building, Muntinlupa City Hall with tel. no. (02) 8886-7091 and email address lingkodbayan.muntinlupa@gmail.com.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NOT to distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, engagements, commerce and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Muntinlupa City partners with DOST, UP-IPB to train communities on hydroponics, provides free seeds and seedlings to promote urban farming

Muntinlupa City partners with DOST, UP-IPB to train communities on hydroponics, provides free seeds and seedlings to promote urban farming

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The City Government of Muntinlupa, through the Extension Services Office (formerly Department of Agriculture – Muntinlupa), launched its “Gulayan sa Lungsod ng Muntinlupa” program and has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and University of the Philippines Institute of Plant Breeding (UP-IPB) for the training of communities on innovative farming technologies and to promote urban agriculture.

ESO acting chief Malou Lobo said the city aims to revive urban agriculture and urban farming as a response to augment food security amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Lobo said the City Government has partnered with DOST and UP-IPB for the conduct of SNAP Hydroponics Training, an innovative farming technology, to two pilot communities in Brgy. Sucat.

She noted that the urban site in Doña Rosario Heights serves as the city’s Urban Model Farm while the farming site in Paradise Garden community is the city’s Communal Model Farm which is being managed by the 4P’s (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) beneficiaries. Recently, the DOST donated 200 S.N.A.P (Simple Nutrient Addition Program) Kit Solutions for Hydroponics to the City Government and were distributed to pilot communities.

This project brought Muntinlupa back to its agricultural roots. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

DA-ESO is working with 12 Home Owners Associations, three (3) Cooperatives, and six (6) Youth Organizations for the urban agriculture initiative. The agriculture department conducts regular urban farming site visitations, online trainings and monitoring of communities to ensure the sustainability of the program.

As of October 2020, at least 2,224 packs of vegetable seeds, 5,302 vegetable seedlings, and 118 liters of organic fertilizers were distributed to the different communities through the Sustainable Nutrition Augmentation Program.

Further, DA-ESO provides free seeds and seedlings to the public to further promote backyard farming. Residents and urban farmer may need to register via DA-ESO Facebook Page fb.com/daeso.muntinlupa.

Recipients will be asked to coordinate and send documentation of their progress to DA-ESO for monitoring. The department commits to provide recommendations and trainings to the recipients to help them grow their crops.

DA-ESO also launched Balitang Agri, a series of educational shows demonstrating proper ways of planting vegetable crops, as part of the department’s information campaign. Balitang Agri covers topics which include plant culture, soil groups, composting, and agricultural marketing, among others. For more information, visit DA-ESO Facebook Page or reach them at 5th Floor, Annex Building, City Government of Muntinlupa with tel. nos. 8861-6498 / 8861-3042.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NOT to distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, engagements, commerce and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

POPCOM-NCR, Muntinlupa City sign MOU on enhancement of local development planning

POPCOM-NCR, Muntinlupa City sign MOU on enhancement of local development planning

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The City Government of Muntinlupa formally entered into a partnership with the Commission on Population and Development-NCR to enhance the city’s planning process through the integration of population and development (PopDev) interrelationships and dynamics. 

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed a Memorandum of Understanding with POPCOM-NCR Director Lydio M. Español, Jr. and other local execs at Muntinlupa City Hall on October 14.

Also joining the ceremony were POPCOM-NCR ARD Joyce Hilvano and Accountant Samuel Bicaldo, City Administrator Engr. Allan A. Cachuella, City Planning and Development Officer Alvin Veron, and City Health Officer Dra. Tet Tuliao.

The Commission on Population and Development-NCR partners with the local government of Muntinlupa to enhance the local planning process last October 14. (L-R) POPCOM-NCR Accountant Samuel Bicaldo, City Administrator Engr. Allan A. Cachuella, City Planning and Development Officer Alvin Veron, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, City Health Officer Dra. Tet Tuliao, POPCOM-NCR Director Lydio M. Español, Jr., and POPCOM-NCR ARD Joyce Hilvano. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

The partnership aims to enhance the city’s Ecological Profile (EP) to ensure evidence-based development planning and integration of people’s actual needs and aspirations in the local development plan.

Under the MOU, POPCOM-NCR shall provide technical assistance to the City Government for the identification of population and development indicators that can be integrated in the EP to ensure comprehensiveness of local demographic and critical socio-economic indicators to be used as bases for development planning.

The Commission shall also mentor LGU personnel to develop a model of good practices for PopDev mentoring approaches at the local level.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi extended his gratitude to POPCOM-NCR for their commitment in assisting the city towards achieving sustainable and data-informed development.

Following the MOU signing ceremony, POPCOM-NCR execs turned over the commission’s donation composed of sets of personal protective equipment for local medical frontliners.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NOT to distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, engagements, commerce and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: New 144-bed ‘We Heal As One’ quarantine facility opens in Muntinlupa City

COVID-19 Crisis: New 144-bed ‘We Heal As One’ quarantine facility opens in Muntinlupa City

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A new “We Heal As One” quarantine facility for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients and suspect cases in Muntinlupa City was formally opened in Barangay Tunasan yesterday. The 144-bed quarantine facility has been constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways in partnership with the local government of Muntinlupa.

DPWH Secetary Mark Villar, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Mayor Jaime Fresnedi led the blessing ceremony of the emergency quarantine facility amounting to P45-million in Pacwood Site, Brgy. Tunasan.

(L-R) DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, and DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade inspected the newly constructed “We Heal As One” isolation facility in Pacwood Site, Brgy. Tunasan last October 13. DPWH and Muntinlupa LGU have converted 36 units of shipping containers as isolation rooms for positive COVID-19 patients, suspect and probable cases, and quarters of medical frontliners who will serve in the facility. Each room has a comfort room, air-conditioning unit, and bed supplies. Residents who will occupy the isolation rooms will receive a COVID-19 essentials bag consisting of a hygiene kit, vitamins, medicine, thermometer, bedsheet, pillow blanket, and towels, among others. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Fresnedi extended his gratitude to DPWH’s assistance for the construction of the additional isolation facility in the city which he notes as an augmentation in the local COVID-19 response efforts.

Also attending the ceremony were Office of Civil Defense Asec Hernando Caraig Jr., City Administrator Allan Cachuela, City Health Officer Dra. Teresa Tuliao, and CHO Isolation Facility Administrator Dr. Juancho Bunyi.

DPWH and Muntinlupa LGU have converted 36 units of shipping containers as isolation pods for positive COVID-19 patients, suspect and probable cases, and quarters of medical frontliners who will serve in the facility.

Each room has a comfort room, air-conditioning unit, and bed supplies. A wi-fi connection will also be installed in the facility. Residents who will occupy the isolation rooms will receive a COVID-19 essentials bag consisting of a hygiene kit, vitamins, medicine, thermometer, bedsheet, pillow blanket, and towels, among others.

The units.
Inside a unit.
A toiled and sink.

The City Government of Muntinlupa is implementing a mandatory self-isolation policy, or admission to city isolation facilities if requirements for home quarantine are not met as certified by the City Health Office (CHO), for anyone who have undergone COVID-19 swab testing.

The stringent measure aims to restrict movement of suspect cases and prevent possible carriers of the virus to travel and infect other individuals.

During the program, Public Works Sec. Villar reported that an additional quarantine facility with 200-bed capacity will be constructed in the Filinvest Tent Parking Area.

Transportation Sec. Tugade lauded the City Government’s hard work in executing surveillance, isolation, and treatment protocols, and its efforts towards the fight against COVID-19.

Further, he said that the city’s request for the opening of Susana Heights – MCX Access Road has been approved by the DPWH and DOTr and is expected to be accessible by December.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NOT to distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, engagements, commerce and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

A Look Back at Mantra #5 (1993)

A Look Back at Mantra #5 (1993)

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Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, Ultraverse fans and comic book collectors! Would you happen to be a fan of illustrator Terry Dodson? I first saw his professional work when I read Mantra #1 way back in 1993 just as my fellow comic book collectors were discovering the newly launched Ultraverse. After the Ultraverse ended, Dodson went on to work for Marvel Comics with projects such as the Storm mini-series and X-Men related comic books. In 2000, Dodson went to DC Comics and his project with them was illustrating issues of the Harley Quinn series. He even got to work on Wonder Woman comic books six years later.

You must be wondering – how did Terry Dodson first broke into the comic book industry and what was his first project? Check out this excerpt from a published interview.

How did you break into comic books?

By doing portfolio samples and taking them to conventions and showing them around. At first it was difficult to hear the critiques, but later on that’s what I wanted to know. What I was doing wrong. Fortunately, when I broke in 1993, they were handing out jobs to anybody with a pulse. I got my first job on Mantra, for the new Malibu Ultraverse.

See? It turns out Mantra of the Ultraverse was his comic book debut.

Now that the history lesson is done, we can see more of Dodson’s work on Mantra in the look back at Mantra , published in 1993 by Malibu Comics with a story written by Mike W. Barr and drawn by Dodson.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins when a man named Strauss faces Mantra and Warstryke. The armed guy presses Strauss for details about some defective merchandise while Mantra mentions to him about their deal. Strauss shows defiance by defending himself with a green field to protect him. Mantra blocks the flow of air into the field, forcing Strauss to give up and lose his protective field.

After a short talk with Strauss, Mantra and Warstrike chat on top of the building. In reaction to Mantra’s handshake as a sign of thanks for helping, the armed guy tries to get sexually involved with the mystical warrior even though he knows Mantra has a male soul occupying a woman’s body. Mantra defies him and flies away.

Along the way, a demon spots Mantra flying through the air. It turns out he has been looking for her and decides to make a move in pursuit of her…

Quality

What do I think about the story by Mike W. Barr? I find it brilliantly written. As the cliffhanger ending of issue got resolved early, the narrative smoothly shifts into Mantra’s other struggle – being a mother to Eden Blake’s children whom she lost quality time with due to superhero pursuits. There was also this really compelling drama between Eden and her mother (who in turn believes her daughter is failing her responsibility as a parent).

Lukasz – the male soul in Eden/Mantra’s beautiful body – is still obsessed with pursuing his search for answers but even so, he cannot simply abandon the family and household of the woman whose soul he displaced. In this particular comic book, Lukasz continued to adjust in his unexpected life as Eden.

I really like the way Mike W. Barr dramatized Lukasz dealing with family matters as well as career matters. All that led to what I would call the most unexpected superhero misadventures I’ve ever read that has something to do with the dimension of hand-drawn animation. That is something you, my readers, should read to find out. It is something very enjoyable!

In terms of visuals, this comic book showed more of the creativity of Terry Dodson. If you already enjoyed his art in the early Mantra issues, you will see something new and fresh here.

Conclusion

Mantra returns home to the family.

Undoubtedly Mantra is a great comic book to read as it has an excellent mix of drama, intrigue, characterization and many bouts of great spectacle (which nicely paid-off on all the build-up). By this stage in the Mantra monthly series, Lukasz/Eden/Mantra got developed more and the stakes have been raised in relation to Eden’s meeting with her boss.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Mantra (1993), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $8 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $26.

Overall, Mantra (1993) is highly recommended!

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COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City Government turns over 2,557 laptops, 28 photocopiers to public school teachers

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City Government turns over 2,557 laptops, 28 photocopiers to public school teachers

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The City Government of Muntinlupa provided laptops and photocopiers for public school teachers in a bid to help them adapt to distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi led a ceremonial turn-over ceremony of the first batch of 2,557 laptops and 28 photocopiers to Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Dominico Idanan and other school principals yesterday.

All Muntinlupa public school teachers in elementary, junior and senior high schools, including school heads, will each receive a brandnew laptop with specifications prescribed by the Department of Education.

Public schools are also set to receive photocopiers to aid in the printing of modules for the distance learning modality being implemented in the “new normal” of education in the country.


Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (4th from left) leads a ceremonial turn-over ceremony of 2,557 laptops and 28 photocopiers for public school teachers to Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Dominico Idanan (3rd from left) and other school principals last October 8. The local government of Muntinlupa will also provide tablets to public school students in the coming weeks in a bid to help them adapt to distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

“The City Government of Muntinlupa will continue to support our teachers and students to adapt to the changes of the education system, no one will be left behind. We will ensure that everyone can access all kinds of learning modalities whether online or offline,” Fresnedi said.

Further, students who are in need will also receive tablets to help them access online learning resources. The City Government awaits the delivery of the devices to be distributed to the students. Fresnedi added that the city’s scholarship program will continue to be a priority of the City Government.

Muntinlupa Scholarship Program (MSP) acting chief Alvin Veron assured the public of the continuity of the local government’s scholarship program despite academic calendar shift and changes in teaching modalities.

The scholarship program chief said MSP will synchronize its services with the new academic calendar and noted that there will be adjustments with the distribution of allowance. MSP also plans to implement a cashless disbursement of scholarship allowance starting with Senior High School students.

Muntinlupa City offers a comprehensive educational assistance program with over 71,000 scholars in elementary to college, including technical-vocational, graduate, law and medicine schools.

Elementary and alternative learning system students in Muntinlupa receive an allowance of up to P4,000 per year. For junior high school students, the local government provides up to P5,000, while senior high school students receive up to P6,000 per year.

Further, State Universities and Colleges students, including beneficiaries of Continuing Assistance for Reintegrating Students Program, receive a maximum incentive of up to P10,000 per semester depending on their academic performance. Other cash assistance are given to different scholarship categories.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

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