Category: press release

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City mayor Fresnedi gets vaccinated with AstraZeneca

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City mayor Fresnedi gets vaccinated with AstraZeneca

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Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi received his first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine after President Rodrigo Duterte allowed the inoculation of mayors in “high risk” cities and towns.

Fresnedi, who is also a senior citizen at 70-years-old, has been vaccinated with the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine together with other healthcare workers and persons with comorbidities from priority groups yesterday at Muntinlupa National High School – Tunasan Annex, Brgy. Tunasan.

Muntinlupa mayor Jaime Fresnedi receives his first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

As of April 7, Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded a total of 5,333 individuals from A1 priority group (healthcare workers) who were inoculated, of which 2,383 received SinoVac and 2,950 inoculated with AstraZeneca. While 1,043 individuals received the vaccine from A3 priority group (persons with comorbidities), of which 977 were given SinoVac and 66 received AstraZeneca.

The local exec urges qualified residents who are members of the priority groups to avail the vaccination services of the government for them to have an added protection against the adverse effects of COVID-19.

He also encouraged the public to pre-register in the city’s COVID-19 vaccination registration through www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac and to still strictly observe health protocols such as frequent hand-washing, wearing of face masks and face shields, and physical distancing.

Recently, the City Government of Muntinlupa has reduced the composition of its skeletal workforce including its operating hours following a surge of COVID-19 positive cases among staff.

Through Executive Order 13 s. 2021, the manpower reporting in the City Hall premises was reduced and operating hours were limited from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The City Health Office recorded a high attack rate of up to 211 cases per 1.000 population among employees from March 27 to April 2.

The reduction in the work force covers offices in the Main Building, Annex Building, and People’s Center starting April 5, 2021 to give way to intensive disinfection, testing, and quarantine measures.

On April 5, the City Health Office has conducted a mass antigen testing of staff who reported physically for work. The CHO is closely monitoring all positive and probable COVID-19 cases among the workforce and implements strict isolation protocols, including contact tracing.

Further, Muntinlupa City started distributing the emergency subsidy from the national government to families affected by the enhanced community quarantine in NCR Plus. An initial pay-out for 1,322 beneficiaries was conducted at Tiosejo Covered Court, Brgy. Tunasan and Sucat Elementary School, Brgy. Sucat last April 8.

The priority beneficiaries for the financial assistance include SAP beneficiaries, SAP wait-listed, those belonging to vulnerable groups, and low-income individuals, among others. The City Government has distributed the assistance in cash amounting to 1,000 pesos per individual with a maximum amount of 4,000 pesos per family.

As of April 8, Muntinlupa City has 8,483 confirmed cases with 6,724 recoveries, 1,434 active cases, 225 reported deaths, 232 suspect cases, and 632 probable cases.

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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City Government receives P442-M from national gov’t, to start subsidy pay-out today

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City Government receives P442-M from national gov’t, to start subsidy pay-out today

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The City Government of Muntinlupa announced that it has officially received P442,191,000 from the Department of Budget and Management and Department of Social Welfare and Development as part of the national government’s emergency subsidy to families affected by the enhanced community quarantine in NCR Plus.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed an executive order for the distribution of financial assistance amounting to P1,000 per individual with a maximum amount of P4,000 per family to target beneficiaries which include individuals from the Social Amelioration Program, 4Ps, low-income individuals, and those working in informal economies affected by the community quarantine, among others.

Fresnedi said qualified Muntinlupa city residents will receive the assistance in cash to help them recover from economic disruption brought about by the imposition of ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) in Metro Manila. At least 80% of the population of Muntinlupa is set to receive the emergency subsidy.

An initial pay-out will be facilitated in Tiosejo Covered Court, Brgy. Tunasan and Sucat Elementary School, Brgy. Sucat this afternoon at 2:00PM. The recipients will be assigned to different schedules to ensure compliance on social distancing and other health measures.

The local exec noted that the assistance will be in cash because the City Government has already been providing food packs to city residents since the beginning of the pandemic.

This past March, the Muntinlupa Social Service Department provided 9,989 food packages to tricycle and jeepney operators and drivers, daily wage earners who were affected by the lockdown, families of city scholars, and other members of disadvantaged groups. Each food box contains grocery items worth 785.00 pesos. Muntinlupa LGU has distributed 695,184 food boxes to city residents from March 2020 up to present.

Fresnedi called for a coordination meeting with barangay officials on Tuesday for the roll-out of the financial assistance in the communities.

Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said the City Government will be tapping barangay information officers for the posting of approved list of beneficiaries as mandated by the national government.

As per Joint Memorandum Circular 1 of DBM, DSWD, and DND, LGUs are enjoined to post in its official website, social media accounts, and at conspicuous places the list of approved beneficiaries limited only to the names of beneficiaries including their barangay and district.

Further, LGUs shall manage and conduct the distribution of the emergency subsidy within fifteen (15) calendar days from release of Notice of Cash Allocation if the assistance is done in cash and within thirty (30) days if assistance is given in kind.

As of April 7, Muntinlupa City has 8,416 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 6,664 recoveries, 1,531 active cases, 221 reported deaths, 232 suspect cases, and 632 probable cases.

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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City Hall reduces workforce, office hours due to surge of COVID-19 positive cases

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City Hall reduces workforce, office hours due to surge of COVID-19 positive cases

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The City Government of Muntinlupa announced that it is reducing the composition of its skeletal workforce including its operating hours following a surge of COVID-19 positive cases among staff.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed Executive Order 13 s. 2021 ordering the reduction of manpower reporting in the City Hall premises and the local government’s operating hours after recording a high attack rate of up to 211 cases per 1000 population among employees from March 27 to April 2, 2021.

Fresnedi said the reduction in the work force covers offices in the Main Building, Annex Building, and People’s Center took effect yesterday to give way to intensive disinfection, testing, and quarantine measures.

On April 5, the City Health Office conducted a mass antigen testing of staff who reported physically for work. The CHO is set to closely monitor all positive and probable COVID-19 cases among the workforce and implement strict isolation protocols, including contact tracing. He added that the office hours shall be limited from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Daily disinfection of offices and other facilities within the compound shall take place starting at 3:00 PM.

“We ensure our constituents that the local government is enforcing preventive measures to manage and prevent risks against COVID-19 to ensure the safety of our employees and the public who will transact in the City Hall. While we are running business-as-usual, we enjoin the public to take advantage of online platforms in transacting with the local government,” Fresnedi noted.

A satellite work station shall be installed in the City Hall Quadrangle which aim to reduce the impact of COVID-19 transmission in outdoor environments.

Under the local EO, departments and offices are instructed to conduct virtual meetings and avoid person-to-person meetings, especially when it involves more than three individuals. Employees rendering service on a work-from-home set-up that are caught engaged in unofficial acts during work hours shall receive sanctions and other relevant penalties.

As of April 4, Muntinlupa City recorded 7,820 confirmed cases with 6,378 recoveries, 1233 active cases, 209 reported deaths, 206 suspect cases, and 814 probable cases. Recently, the Ospital ng Muntinlupa announced a 136% bed capacity utilization on COVID-19 related cases as of April 4.

Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said barangays were ordered to reactivate local isolation centers to accommodate asymptomatic cases and residents with mild symptoms to decongest primary health care and quarantine facilities.

Further, Muntinlupa City has started vaccinating members of A3 and A4 priority groups which include persons with comorbidities and frontline personnel in essential sectors, including uniformed personnel starting April 5 in 12 initial vaccination centers.

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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City Government distributes food boxes to disadvantaged groups ahead of national government assistance

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City Government distributes food boxes to disadvantaged groups ahead of national government assistance

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The City Government of Muntinlupa released food boxes to several indigent residents and other displaced workers in the city ahead of the national government’s “in-kind” assistance in a bid to help them recover from economic disruption brought about by the imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila.

Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said the Muntinlupa Social Service Department provided 9,989 food packages to tricycle and jeepney operators and drivers, daily wage earners who were affected by the lockdown, families of city scholars, and other members of disadvantaged groups for the month of March.

Tricycle Regulatory Unit chief Willy Gomez leads the distribution of food boxes to tricycle drivers and operators from District 2 at Muntinlupa Sports Complex last March 30. The local government continues to provide relief packs to indigent residents and other displaced workers in the city as part of the local economic recovery program. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Navarro noted that each food box contains grocery items worth P785.00. She added that Mayor Jaime Fresnedi ordered the continuous distribution of food boxes to Muntinlupa residents as part of the local economic recovery program.

Muntinlupa LGU has distributed 695,184 food boxes to city residents since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last March 2020 up to present.

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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: 5,926 health workers in Muntinlupa receive COVID-19 vaccines, City Government prepares for seniors’ vaccination

COVID-19 Crisis: 5,926 health workers in Muntinlupa receive COVID-19 vaccines, City Government prepares for seniors’ vaccination

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The City Government of Muntinlupa announced that it has completed vaccinating frontline health workers from primary public and private hospitals providing COVID-19 care and has started preparing the vaccine roll-out for senior citizens.

National Immunization Program Coordinator for COVID-19 in Muntinlupa Dra. Maria Rochelle Abat said the City Health Office recorded 5,657 frontliners from Ospital ng Muntinlupa, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Medical Center Muntinlupa, and other private hospital who received Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines as of March 29, covering 108% of the priority group population.

Further, Abat noted that the inoculation of City Health Workers is ongoing and 269 (37%) local frontliners such as members of barangay health emergency teams and contact tracers have already received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

A group of frontline health workers waiting to get vaccinated for COVID-19. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Muntinlupa City Health Office acting chief Dr. Juancho Bunye said the City Government eyes to complete the vaccination for the remaining A1 sub-priority group of frontliners from stand-alone facilities, clinics and diagnostic centers, dental clinics, and other institutions within the next two weeks, targeting 444 individuals per day, before proceeding to inoculate the senior citizens.

Bunye added that CHO is coordinating with the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs in preparing the vaccination of more than 45,000 senior citizens in Muntinlupa. He added that 19 public schools, including one private school, were identified as vaccination centers for the roll-out for seniors.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urged the senior citizens and other members of the priority groups to avail the vaccination services of the government for them to have an added protection against the adverse effects of COVID-19.

He also encouraged the public to pre-register in the city’s COVID-19 vaccination registration through https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac and to strictly observe health protocols such as frequent hand-washing, wearing of face masks and face shields, and physical distancing especially during the implementation of ECQ in Metro Manila.

A health worker gets vaccinated. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Recently, Ospital ng Muntinlupa announced a 129% bed capacity utilization on COVID-19 related cases.

Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said barangays were ordered to reactivate local isolation centers to accommodate asymptomatic cases and residents with mild symptoms to decongest primary health care and quarantine facilities.

Navarro added that the City Government through the Department of Disaster Resilience and Management will intensify its citywide cleaning and disinfection activities in a bid to prevent further COVID-19 transmission.

As of March 29, Muntinlupa City has 7,051 confirmed cases with 5,945 recoveries, 908 active cases, 198 reported deaths, 242 suspect cases, and 759 probable cases.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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S-PaSS now essential for those who need to travel far and pass through police checkpoints

S-PaSS now essential for those who need to travel far and pass through police checkpoints

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Moving around the Philippines, specifically in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the nearby provinces, has gotten tougher as President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the shift into ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) for the said places. ECQ is a more restricted status that will last from March 29 to April 4, 2021. Again, this is the national government’s response to the recent spike in new COVID-19 cases which are very disturbing.

To put things in context, here is an excerpt about ECQ from Philippine News Agency’s (PNA) report…

An ECQ status mandates all households to observe strict home quarantine. Movements will be limited to Authorized Persons Outside Residence, those accessing essential goods and services, and workers in establishments allowed to operate.

Mass gatherings (more than 10 persons outside and non-household members indoors) and face-to-face classes are also prohibited in ECQ zones. Mass transportation is allowed at limited capacity.

With regards to local travel during this time of ECQ, the S-PaSS  (Safe, Swift & Smart Passage) online travel management system is more essential and it has an app that can be downloaded for free. This is the same S-PaSS that the City Government of Las Piñas promoted recently.

For those who have not been familiar nor started using it, the S-PaSS was designed to facilitate a safe, swift and smart coordination of travels to destination LGUs (local government units). The traveler may check if the destination LGU has a restricted or unrestricted travel policy. If the LGU is restricted, the traveler must use the S-PaSS to apply for a TCP or Travel Coordination Permit. Travelers are free to visit any unrestricted destination LGU, however it is recommended to generate a TPP or Travel Pass-Through Permit if they will be passing through LGUs with restricted statuses.

The S-PaSS is now the subject of a new article published yesterday at Philippine News Agency (PNA) and below is an excerpt…

The new paperless app S-PaSS (Safe, Swift and Smart Passage) recently launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) offers a convenient and safe way to process travel authority online for local travelers, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas on Saturday said.

Sinas said S-PaSS will boost the PNP’s imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the quarantine control points (QCPs) that have been set up in different local government units (LGUs).

“It will continue to help and benefit LGUs in recording and monitoring in real time, traveler’s information, such as those who are going in and out of their respective localities,” Sinas said in a statement.

He said the implementation of S-PaSS by Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) promises to be a one-stop-shop app for the local stranded individuals (LSIs), returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), emergency travelers (ETs) and other essential travelers during the pandemic.

“The PNP welcomes the development of this local mobility feature as a tool which integrates the processing system for the issuance of Travel Pass-Through Permit or TPP and Travel Coordination Permit or PCP, Travel Authorities and QR codes which quickly generates real-time reports needed,” he added.

Despite the use of the mobile S-PaSS app, Sinas said police deployment will continue to ensure strict public adherence to the implementation of minimum public health and safety protocols.

Last Friday, the DOST and partner government agencies officially launched the S-PaSS, a one-stop online communication and coordination platform for LGUs.

As you can see in the above information, the S-PaSS is crucial for those who need to travel far distances and reach their respective destinations (notably local government units). Apart from helping motorists, other travelers such as returning overseas Filipinos, the stranded people and the essential movers can avail of the system to move around. The Philippine National Police (PNP) recognizes S-PaSS officially.

To learn more about S-PaSS, https://www.facebook.com/spassph or visit their official website at https://s-pass.ph/

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Four communities in Muntinlupa placed under localized lockdown due to rise in COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 Crisis: Four communities in Muntinlupa placed under localized lockdown due to rise in COVID-19 cases

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The City Government of Muntinlupa added two more communities under localized lockdown, in addition to two areas previously placed under stricter community quarantine, in its latest attempt to prevent further COVID-19 transmissions.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed an executive order declaring a 15-day Extreme Localized Community Quarantine (ELCQ) in St. Anthony St., JPA Subdivision in Brgy. Tunasan and Amparo St. in Brgy. Poblacion starting 06:00 a.m. of March 26 until April 10, 6:00 a.m.

Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) acting chief Dr. Juancho Bunyi said the areas have become areas of concern after recording a high attack rate of 32 per 1,000 population and a doubling time of 3 days from March 18-22 for St. Anthony Street, while a high attack rate of 17.14 per 1,000 population and narrow doubling time of 3 days were recorded from March 16-25 in Amparo Street.

He noted that clustering of cases were observed in the communities subjected to the localized lockdown and social distancing and the strict use of face masks are not strictly followed. Further, the City Health Office recorded a high population of senior citizens for both communities.

St. Anthony St., JPA Subdivision in Brgy. Tunasan has 155 residents and 8 active cases while Amparo St. in Brgy. Poblacion has 175 households and 7 active cases as of March 25. CHO is set to conduct a mass testing in the community and will intensify its detection, isolation, and treatment strategies. Contact tracing of close contacts will also be facilitated.

The City Government through the Social Service Department and Barangay will provide additional relief food packs and other basic goods during the effectivity of the ELCQ. PNP Muntinlupa is set to augment roving personnel in nearby areas to ensure the public’s strict compliance to health protocols.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi asks for the cooperation of the residents from the affected communities and urged them to observe health protocols such as frequent hand-washing, wearing of face masks, and physical distancing.

Previously, the City Government placed Cruzero St., Villa Carolina 1 in Barangay Tunasan and 124 Purok 1 in Barangay Cupang starting March 13 and will end on March 28, 6:00 a.m.

As of March 25, Muntinlupa City has 6,699 confirmed cases with 5,773 recoveries, 735 active cases, 191 reported deaths, 195 suspect cases, and 697 probable cases.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

SMC President Ramon S. Ang declares Skyway northbound extension structurally complete

SMC President Ramon S. Ang declares Skyway northbound extension structurally complete

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Motorists coming from south of Metro Manila (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and other southern destinations) here in the Philippines will have something good to look forward to as San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president Ramon S. Ang formally announced that the northbound section of the Skyway Extension project has been completed structurally and by the end of this month, asphalt-laying will be done.

This announcement by the charismatic businessman and infrastructure developer reflects his corporation’s commitment to the public providing a long-term solution to the traffic congestion problems of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), particularly the area approaching the Alabang area of Muntinlupa City. It is San Miguel Corporation that spearheaded this project in coordination with the national authorities. This is a great example of how a major private sector player (as well as one of the Philippines’ largest corporations) made a breakthrough on Philippine infrastructure that will benefit many motorists and passengers in the generations to come. This is something that the anti-prosperity, anti-business, socialist and Communist fanatics cannot discredit.

Going back to the announcement, below is an excerpt from the press release published through the Philippine News Agency (PNA) website…

“I’m happy to announce that soon, we can open the northbound section of the Skyway Extension for our motorists coming from the south. This almost four-kilometer, three-lane expansion will have an additional capacity of 4,500 vehicles per hour, significantly easing congestion and allowing motorists to bypass the Alabang viaduct. Those coming from SLEX or MCX can go up the ramp at Susana Heights, and directly go to Makati, Manila, Skyway 3, all the way to Quezon City and North Luzon Expressway,” he said in a statement Wednesday. 

Ang said one can be at NLEX in 25 to 30 minutes instead of two to three hours, and bypass the usual traffic chokepoints such as Alabang, Magallanes, and Edsa. 

“This will be a big relief to so many motorists and will do a lot to ease traffic in southern Metro Manila, including on public roads leading to SLEX and Skyway,” he added. 

Conceptualized and fully funded by SMC, the Skyway Extension project started in late 2019. The northbound section stretches 3.99 kilometers from Susana Heights to Sucat. 

It is seen to decongest SLEX and Skyway at-grade traffic by diverting motorists straight to the elevated Skyway. 

The project was originally set for completion by December 2020 but was affected by delays and work limitations brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) global pandemic, starting with the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) implemented beginning middle of March last year. 

Ang thanked motorists and stakeholders, including the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, the local government of Muntinlupa, and private companies such as Filinvest, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and Meralco, for their full cooperation and support for the project.  

While those were a lot of details, I did notice that there is no fixed date yet as to when exactly will the northbound structure (the wide ramp of which is located many meters before the Filinvest Exit and the Alabang viaduct) will be opened to the public. To put things clearly, SMC and its contractors are doing the finishing touches.

Regardless, this is still great news and in due time the opening will happen. I guess it will be opened formally during the summer season. Once a new update has been made, I will update you all.

In the meantime, please kindly share this to motorists, relatives or friends you know who need to travel from the south to the Metro Manila and to the north.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: National Capital Region (NCR) and 4 nearby provinces now under GCQ until April 4, 2021

COVID-19 Crisis: National Capital Region (NCR) and 4 nearby provinces now under GCQ until April 4, 2021

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It is all over the news and already a lot of people got affected specifically in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal. This past Sunday, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) issued a new resolution (Resolution #104) in response to the spike of COVID-19 cases in the country. There was a single-day high of 7,999 new COVID-19 cases reported recently followed by blaming the government and economic managers.

Firstly, there is no lockdown which is good news. This is about retaining the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) status for NCR while the four nearby provinces have fallen under the same status.

To put things in perspective, posted below are excerpts from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) report…

Excerpt 1

Under IATF Resolution No. 104, he said only essential travel into and out of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal will be allowed.

Excerpt 2

Traveling into and out of Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal will be prohibited. We will have a sort of bubble in NCR, and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal,” he said.

Travel of authorized persons outside their residences (APORs) such as essential workers, health and emergency frontline services personnel; government officials and government frontline personnel; duly-authorized humanitarian assistance actors; persons traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons; persons going to the airport for travel abroad, returning overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be unimpeded for as long as they show their respective work identification cards.

Individuals crossing zones for work or business and going back home will also be allowed to travel to and from the said areas.

“Kung kayo ay uuwi, essential travel po ‘yun. Kailangan lang magpakita ng ID kung saan ka talaga nakatira (If you’re going back home that’s essential travel. All you need to do is show your ID to prove that you live there),” he said.

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Public gatherings limited

All public gatherings, including religious gatherings, will be prohibited but weddings, baptism, and funerals will be allowed but must observe a 10-person venue capacity.

Current operational capacities of essential and non-essential services and industries will remain.

However, face-to-face meetings, group meals in workplaces will be prohibited. Instead, work-from-home and virtual meetings are encouraged.

Roque said the IATF resolution also enjoins the private sector to adopt similar alternative working arrangements as those in place in the executive branch of government such as operating on a 30 to 50 capacity.

Only outdoor dining allowed

As for dining, Roque said only outdoor dining will be allowed in areas under GCQ while indoor dining will be strictly prohibited.

“Pagdating po sa mga restaurants, ang papayagan lang po yung mga outdoor dining (When it comes to restaurants, we will only allow those with outdoor dining),” he said.

Outdoor dining must observe a maximum of 50 percent venue capacity.

Take out and delivery is encouraged, he added.

Wear masks at home

Although the economy will stay open, Roque said the IATF resolution will require persons below 18-years-old and above 65-years-old, those with comorbidities, and pregnant women to remain inside their residences at all times.

The IATF resolution also advises the wearing of face mask at home especially when living with elderly and vulnerable.

Accepting of visitors outside immediate family or household is strongly discouraged.

Operations of driving schools, traditional cinemas and video and interactive game arcades, libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers, limited social events at accredited tourism establishments and limited tourism attractions will be temporarily suspended except open-air tourism attractions.

Before the IATF’s new resolution was issued, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) went ahead in shortening the hours of voter registration as well as suspending the organizing of satellite registration (registration processes held outside of their office) which started yesterday. People around the Philippines have until the end September 2021 to register themselves or adjust their respective voter statuses in preparation of the May 2022 presidential, national and local elections.

For their part, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced yesterday that it would yield to public health concerns in relation to the GCQ status for NCR and the 4 nearby provinces.

With regards to the IATF’s prohibition on indoor dining, already the shopping malls and restaurants here in South Metro Manila have made adjustments and updated their customers. Sigekiya Ramen announced that their restaurant at Commercenter, Filinvest City in Alabang, is still allowed to accommodate paying customers for outdoor dining. Like many others, they also offer takeout and delivery services. Alabang Town Center and Festival Mall in Alabang posted updates about safety protocols in accordance to IATF Resolution #104.

With all these developments in place, people in the NCR and the affected provinces under GCQ will have to adjust. It is okay to keep reporting to work but there is a need to be cautious with regards to personal safety and avoiding COVID-19 infection as much as possible. There is also the need to prioritize where to go and what to do. All of these are in effect until April 4, 2021 and here is hoping that the current situation will improve (that the daily COVID-19 count of new cases will go down) so that the new round of restrictions under GCQ will not be extended.

Better yet, I encourage you all to look up to our Lord Jesus and keep having unwavering faith in Him. I also encourage you all to read chapter 91 of the Book of Psalm in the Holy Bible and pray in tongues to our Lord in the privacy in your respective rooms (with the door shut closed). Open your heart to the Lord, always.

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Muntinlupa City Council and Brgy. Poblacion approve resolutions vs closing of Bilibid road to NHA

Muntinlupa City Council and Brgy. Poblacion approve resolutions vs closing of Bilibid road to NHA

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Following the construction of a wall in Bilibid Road going to Southville 3 by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), the Muntinlupa City Council and Barangay Poblacion passed separate resolutions condemning the action and requesting the immediate opening of the access road.

Majority Floor Leader Coun. Raul Corro said the city council have passed resolutions on yesterday requesting the Department of Justice (DOJ) to order BuCor to reopen the road going to and from NHA, Southville 3 and requesting Congress of the Philippines, thru Cong. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation.

In a recent Facebook post, Coun. Corro reiterated that BuCor’s action of preventing residents from passing through the NBP to go to other areas in Muntinlupa is illegal.

“Maliwanag na labag ito sa karapatang pantao ng mga residente ng Southville 3 at ginawa ito na walang ‘due process of law’ at labag sa kanilang ‘equal protection of the law’ na ginagarantiya ng ating Saligang Batas,” Corro noted.

While the Sangguniang Barangay of Brgy. Poblacion has also conducted a special session to approve a resolution condemning BuCor’s wall installation on Bilibid Road. Southville 3 is a socialized housing project of the National Housing Authority located within the National Bilibid Prisons Reservation with 8,000 families or at least 40,000 residents.

On March 20, Congressman Ruffy Biazon visited the area and talked to BuCor officials for the removal of the wall. Biazon said the wall is an obstruction to free passage in public roads and violates Article 694 of the Civil Code of the Philippines.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi also sent a letter to BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag urging him to remove the wall. Fresnedi appealed to Bantag to use his “sense of compassion and soundness of reason in reconsidering your decision to what appears to us as a permanent closure of the portion of road that connects the said community to the rest of Muntinlupa.”

The local exec said it would have been better if BuCor have coordinated with the City Government and the affected residents of its plans to close the road so that all parties would come up with a viable solution to the issues on the subject matter.

Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said BuCor did not inform the City Government of its plans in building a wall in the area.  She added that BuCor only sent a letter on March 18 to Poblacion Bgy. Captain Allen Ampaya informing him “that paths leading to the NHA, South Ville 3 and the route in front of Tower 8 going to the Minimum Security Compound will not be accessible to all pedestrians and motorists starting from March 20, 2021 (Saturday) at about 5:00 AM until further notice.”

Alternative route for Southville 3 residents going to Poblacion is through Biazon Road, passing through Daang Hari Road in Bacoor, Cavite and Las Pinas, Bgy. Ayala Alabang, Bgy. Alabang, Bgy, Bayanan and Bgy. Putatan.

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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

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