Hey everyone! If you are looking for a new destination for your Christmas shopping or shopping for your needs, then be informed that there will be a Christmas bazaar inside Alabang Hills Village in Muntinlupa City that will start from November 29 up to December 1, 2019.
According to an Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) official, the bazaar (formally titled Baratilo & Bingo sa Pasko) will be held at the two covered basketball courts and at a portion of the grass near the old village clubhouse. The schedule of the organizing of the bazaar will be from 9AM to 9PM on each of the three days.
More notably, the AHVA revealed to me that there will be a lot of sellers. As of today, confirmed are 72 sellers of dry goods, 32 sellers of food and beverages, and 29 ukay (used items) sellers. Expect to see a big mix of products like clothes, shoes, bags, household items, appliances and the like. As written on the bazaar’s title, there will also be bingo games held although the precise venue and other key details are not yet available as of this writing.
As with the past bazaars and special events held in the village, non-residents are welcome to visit and shop in the bazaar. Naturally, non-residents who are bringing vehicles that do not have Alabang Hills stickers are required to leave their ID cards at the village gate in order to enter.
For more information, contact the AHVA by calling landline 8850-8254 and 8850-9631.
The candidates during the late stage of the Mutya ng BF Homes.
About a month ago, the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) and its personnel pulled off something pleasurable which its constituents enjoyed. I’m talking about their beauty pageant called Mutya ng BF Homes.
Held on the evening of October 19 at the Phase 1 gym along Pilar Banzon street, BF Homes subdivision, Parañaque City, the Mutya ng BF Homes was, in my view, nicely organized and it had a touch of class. Organizing aside, the decorations were eye-catching and the lighting system was of high standard. The BFSK headed by chairperson Mariel Angela Tumang accompanied by SK Kagawads Alma Galindo, Roselyn Regis, Jerry Dalmero, Kelly Haboc, Irene Juanico, Anne Gabrielle Corre and Stephanie Sebullen plus SK secretary Darrenz Fabros and SK treasurer Jefferson Ching.
The Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) kagawads and their chairperson on stage.
The pageant showcased sixteen candidates composed mainly of ladies from the developing communities and a few from private subdivisions of BF Homes. Previously I wrote about the screening of candidates which was held at Barangay BF Homes hall along Elsie Gatches street (and NOT in the Barangay BF gym which a certain BF Homes community print media publication claimed in its pretentious and unprofessional front page story) which I personally attended (check out the videos of the screening I posted on my official FB page plus the pictures in my article) From the screening to the pageant itself, I can say the BFSK is dedicated to realizing its special event.
Who were the winners? Declared as Mutya ng BF Homes 2019 was Charity Dawn Jamon of Target. Other major winners by category were Maria Carla Ret of Masville (Tourism), Samantha Danielle Samooc of Clinicville (Parish), Aira Kate Kawit of J. Estrada 1 (1st Princess) and Blessed Joy Catugda of Governor Santos (2nd Princess).
On the other categories, declared as Best in Swimwear and in Casual Wear was Jamon of Target, while Best in Production Number, Evening Gown and Sunduan went to Samooc of Clinicville. The winners received varied prizes from the sponsors as well as honors related to their respective titles.
Nothing like being called as the award winner.Charity Dawn Jamon won the Best in Swimwear award and posed with the BFSK.
Apart from the showcase of the candidates per category through the night, the BFSK itself performed a few times on stage to the delight of the many spectators who cheered a lot. Along the way, SK Kagawad Alma Galindo sang to the delight of the audience. She proved that she is as talented as she is pretty.
More on the audience, there were a lot of youth present and they enjoyed the event. There were also guest appearances by City Councilors Binky Favis and Tess de Asis (who on stage confirmed she participated in beauty pageants during her youth), Barangay Kagawad Cielo Lazatin with husband Alfred (former Barangay Kagawad) and more.
The candidates on stage.
Ultimately, the successful organizing of the Mutya ng BF Homes proved that the BFSK can deliver a fun-filled event apart from engaging a large number of community youth with seminars, sports-related events and other activities. The BFSK is clearly moving forward with its independence from Barangay BF Homes. Also I encourage the private sector stakeholders reading this (note: watch your back for those sleazy, unethical and irresponsible local community print media practitioners who ripped off my South Metro Manila articles and used key details for their publishing without my consent. They think they can fool you into advertising with them) to take a close look at the BFSK for possible sponsorship of their upcoming events and activities.
The year is not yet over but I personally congratulate chairwoman Mariel Tumang and the kagawads and officers of the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan for what they achieved since they took office in mid-2018. The SK system of the Philippines, as we know it, is modernizing a lot since it was reformed and its results are being realized in the BF Homes community.
Watch out for what the BFSK can pull off in twenty-twenty.
Plastics Collection Drive at Minbduilders Preschool Nets 88 Kilograms Worth of Materials
Mindbuilders Preschool Directress Marah V. Estuesta with her husband Richard and their daughter. (source – Mindbuilders Preschool)
The latest plastics drop-off project (a collection drive) that took place at Mindbuilders Preschool along Tropical Avenue, BF International, Las Piñas City on November 5 and 6 turned out to be another success for the school and its strategic partners Envirotech Waste Recycling, Inc. and Pure Oceans Philippines.
According to Mindbuilders Preschool Directress Marah V. Estuesta, donors this time around dropped off a total of 88 kilograms worth of plastic materials composed of plastic bottles (the most visible ones I saw during my visit), candy wrappers, take-out containers, CD and DVD cases, plastic containers of electronic products and the like.
At 88 KG, that’s an improvement of 3.9% over the amount the partners collected from the donors on August 29 and 30. To put things in perspective, 88 KG is over 190 pounds.
All the materials were collected by Pure Ocean Philippines and forwarded them to Envirotech Waste Recycling. Envirotech specializes in upcycling which is the process of making new furniture and items out of old materials (specifically plastic). As shown on local TV, Envirotech has the equipment and processes to upcycle collected plastic material and turn them into brand new plastic chairs and tables. The conversion processes generate a very minimal amount of fumes and below the limit set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
More plastic materials were collected from donors this time.
You must be wondering if I myself donated any plastic in this latest project. Yes I did! I donated even more plastic materials than the previous time. I do care about the environment and I also saw the opportunity to get rid of plastic materials from our household.
If you intend to get rid of all excessive plastic materials of your household or your business establishment (or your church), then mark your calendar for the next plastics drop-off project at Mindbuilders Preschool scheduled for February 6 and 7, 2020. Knowing that, you better start preparing for it if you intend to reduce plastic materials at your place.
For more information, call Mindbuilders Preschool at 0927-2062506 or their landline at 88257419. Visit their official FB page by clicking here.
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To others reading this, if you are dissatisfied with print media and you want your community/organization/business to be featured on this website, please contact me locally via mobile number 0905-3350831 or via email at Carlo.Carrasco@gmail.com
We can negotiate, work together and be achievers together.
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. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenoris still available in paperback and e-book format. 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
This past October, Barangay BF Homes sent a request to the City Government of Parañaque to review the permits they issued to business establishments operating in their local community that built illegal structures and initiated construction projects along the sidewalks.
Barangay BF Homes chairman Paolo Marquez confirmed this development to me in relation to an October 1, 2019 letter that they received (on October 3) from developer BF Homes, Inc. (BFHI).
In that letter, BFHI Vice President for Production Engr. Fernando Javier told the barangay captain that most business establishments in the local community have built illegal structures along the sidewalks which are intended for public use.
The BFHI executive pointed out that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued on July 29, 2019 a memorandum circular (Number 2019-121) in which President Rodrigo Duterte expressly directed local chief executives to rid the roads and sidewalks of illegal structures and constructions that were being used for private ends.
The memorandum circular, signed by DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Ano, stated:
Relatedly, local chief executives are hereby directed to revoke permits that give authority to private entities to occupy public roads, alleys and other thoroughfares. Prudence must also be observed in placing street signs and signages to avoid exacerbating problems on obstructions. Moreover, local sanggunians are enjoined to revisit ordinances and similar legislative measures to ensure responsiveness to this presidential directive and consistency with related laws and policies.
For strategic implementation of this Circular, all provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs), cities and municipalities shall prepare an inventory of all roads within its jurisdiction.
To put things in perspective, varied city governments around the country implemented road clearing operations on roads and sidewalks.
But going into the Barangay BF Homes community, which by the way is huge, BFHI not only urged captain Paolo Marquez to act (the developer will report the matter to the DILG and the Office of the President if no significant results are realized), but they also wrote twice to the Sangguniang Barangay (Barangay BF Homes council) on November 2018 about clearing obstructions along sidewalks. BFHI reminded Marquez that the Barangay BF Homes Council claimed it will refer their demand (note: in response to the November 2018 letters) to the City Legal Office and, so far, the developer has not received any updates from the barangay.
With regards to Barangay BF Homes responding to the October 1, 2019 letter of BFHI, captain Marquez told me that they will see developments first before issuing a response to the developer. So far the barangay has yet to see an official response from the City Government whom they requested to review all permits that were issued to business establishments (including those that built illegal structures on sidewalks). It also remains to be seen if the City Government under mayor Edwin Olivarez will actually revoke the business permits of businesses found guilty of obstruction in accordance to the DILG’s July 29, 2019 memorandum circular.
Back to captain Marquez, he also mentioned that the barangay itself initiated street clearing operations back in August. To conduct clearing operations on Aguirre Avenue (which is a very long road all of which occupies the jurisdiction of Paranaque City), the barangay will have to engage with a private stakeholder first.
To put things in perspective, BF Homes, Inc. NEVER donated the roads and sidewalks to any local government unit (LGU) or homeowners association (HOA) which explains why they have the right to complain about illegal structures on the sidewalks. The BF Homes community, by the way, also stretches into the cities of Las Piñas and Muntinlupa.
Back to the barangay, there recently was a reform of the Parañaque system of processing business permits in which the barangay no longer processes applications for business clearances (clearly, they no longer issue the said clearances) and that business owners who wish to renew permits can go straight to City Hall, specifically at the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO). Under the old system, business owners had to apply for a biz clearance at the barangay and secure it first (because it was a requirement back then) before proceeding to BPLO of the City.
Future updates on this ongoing development concerning the BF Homes community will be posted here once they happen.
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. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenoris still available in paperback and e-book format. 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
The event was held at a facility along Tropical Avenue in BF International, Las Piñas City. The main focus was on curbing bullying (which victimizes a lot of people of different ages around the world each year), protecting young children from bullies (and preventing them from becoming bullies themselves) and helping people understand what it takes to recover from the many negative effects of bullying.
During that particular day, I managed to watch a short storytelling activity done by Nikka Martinez-Garcia, the wife of local actor Patrick Garcia (Batang PX, Love Me Tomorrow). Among those who attended the storytelling were lots of children (including Southville students), parents and other guests.
Nikka Martinez-Garcia tells a story about being kind and friendly to the kids in attendance. The storytelling was a part of the anti-bullying theme of the 2-day event.
There were also parenting talks and games held.
I have to admire Southville for dedicating two days filled with activities that are meant to help people deal with the social menace of bullying. I myself grew up and got bullied a few times at school during an era in which anti-bullying campaigns were not too common and were not organized in many schools.
Bullying has tremendous negative effects on victims, especially with the psychological side. It is one painful thing to get hit hard physically by the bullies, it is a worse thing to be traumatized deep inside and be scarred mentally.
Several kids with some parents and guardians in attendance.
Bullying is not limited to the physical environment. It can also be digital and there is such a thing as cyber bullying. The sad thing about the advancement of technology and Internet connectivity is that social media makes people more vulnerable to online bullying.
Think about it carefully. Imagine for example you post something on Twitter with the intention to enlighten or inspire others positively. Then suddenly one Twitter user reads it, somehow gets offended and then goes all out against you with insults, angry thoughts and other forms of negative expressions. Even worse, other Twitter users suddenly joined that harsh user on bashing and shaming you without thinking. Believe it or not, there are some people out there who actually enjoy bullying because they somehow found satisfaction by doing it.
Several books were put on sale as part of the 2-day anti-bullying event at Southville.
Bullying, whether physical or digital, is indeed a serious problem to deal with.
Going back to the 2-day event, it was really nice of Southville to organize it. There definitely should be more anti-bullying events held not only in schools but also in commercial places and within the local communities.
I previously published an article about mobbing, which is related to bullying. You can read it by clicking here.
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To others reading this, if you are dissatisfied with print media and you want your community/organization/business to be featured on this website, please contact me locally via mobile number 0905-3350831 or via email at Carlo.Carrasco@gmail.com
We can negotiate, work together and be achievers together.
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. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenoris still available in paperback and e-book format. 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
Muntinlupa City is among 2019 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awardees
Today the City Government of Muntinlupa announced that they have been feted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as one of the 2019 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awardees for its excellent delivery of public service. This latest development continues to show why Muntinlupa is a standout city among South Metro Manila’s cities.
DILG Sec. Eduardo Año turns-over the 2019 Seal of Good Local Governance award to Mayor Jaime Fresnedi during an awarding ceremony at Manila Hotel last November 4. SGLG is the DILG’s progressive assessment and reward system that gives LGUs distinction for their remarkable performance across various assessment areas in governance. Also attending the program were Muntinlupa City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela and DILG Muntinlupa Field Office chief Bernadette Ferino. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
The prestigious SGLG award was received by Mayor Jaime Fresnedi from DILG Sec. Eduardo Año during the awarding ceremony held at the Manila Hotel yesterday. With the mayor were City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela and DILG Muntinlupa Field Office chief Bernadette Ferino.
Despite having a more stringent assessment criteria for the award, the City of Muntinlupa has passed “all-in” seven assessment areas in governance namely: Financial Administration; Disaster Preparedness; Social Protection; Peace and Order; Business Friendliness and Competitiveness; Environmental Protection; and Tourism Culture and the Arts.
To put things in perspective, Muntinlupa City was among the three hundred and eighty local government units (LGU) in the country conferred with the coveted award in governance. In the National Capital Region or NCR, only eight LGUs received this year’s Seal including the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Pasay, Quezon City, and San Juan.
Fresnedi thanked the DILG for its recognition of Muntinlupa’s commitment in improving local administration and service delivery for Muntinlupeños.
“We are honored to receive this award as it validates our efforts towards local governance reforms and development. This recognition is an outcome of the collective efforts of dedicated city officials and employees who tirelessly worked in facilitating a transparent, caring, and accountable government for the people,” the mayor said.
As an incentive, 2019 SGLG recipients are set to receive Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) to finance local development projects and capacity development assistance from the DILG.
To be clear, SGLG is the DILG’s progressive assessment and reward system that gives LGUs distinction for their remarkable performance across various pillars. This year’s award is the second SGLG award conferred to Muntinlupa City after receiving the same recognition in 2015.
Furthermore, Muntinlupa City was also awarded with three major awards from the Department of Health (DOH) last November 4 at the Metro Manila Center for Health Development’s “Gabi ng Parangal” held in Crowne Plaza Manila.
The DOH conferred the City Government with Best in Rabies Prevention and Control Program, Best in National Voluntary Blood Services Program, and Plaque of Appreciation for the implementation of the Universal Health Care.
More about the NCR city governments and the DILG’s organizing of the 2019 Seal of Good Local Governance awards, I reached out to my contacts at the City Government of Parañaque and asked what was their reaction about their city NOT receiving the prestigious SGLG award. They did not reply at all today.
I guess it’s more comfortable for them to remain silent than answering tough questions about competition with other city governments. Now I’ve got to check with one other South Metro Manila city regarding the SGLG awards.
Hey everyone! Did any of you notice something unusual while driving along Concha Cruz Drive inside BF Homes subdivision, particularly at the corner of Domingo Poblete street in Parañaque City?
There is a church there called Bread From Heaven Christian Fellowship, Inc. (for short, I’ll call them Bread From Heaven) and recently developer BF Homes, Inc. (BFHI) called their attention regarding their occupation of a portion of the Open Space within Block Number 82.
To put things in perspective, the developer issued to them a letter of demand to comply dated October 14, 2019 which the church formally received on October 17, 2019.
BFHI President Engr. Fernando E. Javier wrote to Bread From Heaven that they required them to strictly comply with the terms and conditions of the Authority to Use (granted way back on April 8, 1986) the 460-Square-Meter portion of the 1,295 Square Meter comprising Block Number 82 for the construction and maintenance of a church building and a multipurpose hall.
Javier wrote that it came to the developer’s attention that Bread From Heaven failed to abide by such terms and conditions. It was pointed out that Bread From Heaven is using the entire area of Block Number 82 and has encroached into a portion of Block Number 33 (classified as an Open Space titled in BFHI’s name). These recent actions by the church, Javier wrote, constitute a violation of the authority that was granted to them.
“In view thereof, we hereby REVOKE your organization’s Authority to use Block 82, and DEMAND your organization to peacefully VACATE Blocks 82 and 33 within the period of fifteen (15) days from receipt hereof,” wrote the BFHI president in the letter.
Javier added that if Bread From Heaven does not comply, then the developer will not hesitate to initiate moves to evict them.
To calculate time, fifteen days starting from October 17 (the day Bread From Heaven officially received the letter) would mean the deadline is on November 1 which happens to be a holiday nationwide. The next business day after that would be November 4.
To make things clear, open spaces here in the Philippines are meant for the enjoyment and use of local residents, and at the same time are supposed to be free from the commerce of man. It is always the developer that creates open spaces in accordance to law. There is a national law about open spaces called Presidential Decree Number 1216 which you can read here.
With regards to BF Homes subdivision, which has a very long history and occupies land that fall within the jurisdiction of not just one but three different South Metro Manila cities – Parañaque, Muntinlupa and Las Piñas – there are several open spaces created by the developer that, believe it or not, somehow got occupied by varied groups and even businesses. BFHI continues its effort to reclaim the open spaces through legal proceedings. To be clear, the developer NEVER donated BF Homes subdivision (including the open spaces) to any homeowners association nor to any local government unit (LGU).
Stay tuned for the next development regarding the conflict between BFHI and Bread From Heaven.
Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) kagawad Alma Galindo announced the remaining activities and events of the year.
The BFSK will organize the Calamity Preparedness seminar on November 1, the Financial Literacy and Micro Business seminar on November 10, the Self Defense and Drug Awareness Campaign seminar on November 16, the Poster Making activity on November 23, the Sports Clinic activity on November 24 and the Sportsfest (Chess and Badminton) on November 30. All these events will be done at the Phase 1 gym along Elsie Gatches inside BF Homes subdivision.
On December 1, a Sportsfest with swimming lessons will be held although the venue has yet to be finalized. On December 14, the BFSK will organize a Miss Gay event at the Phase 1 gym. On December 22, the BFSK’s special campaign Waste Wise for Rice will be held in the developing communities of Masville, Estrada 1 and 2, Sampaloc Site 1 and 2, Governor Santos, Lagoon, Dela Rama, Target, Clinic and Ipil Site.
Finally, on December 28, the BFSK will organize the Year-End Katipunan ng Kabataan at the Phase 1 gym which was described to be something exciting.
The BFSK is on a roll and has been successful in attracting and engaging youth from around the barangay. Considering how much they achieved, imagine what BFSK chairperson Tumang and her team could pull off in twenty-twenty.
To learn more about the BFSK, visit their FB page right here.
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To others reading this, if you are dissatisfied with print media and you want your community/organization/business to be featured on this website, please contact me locally via mobile number 0905-3350831 or via email at Carlo.Carrasco@gmail.com
We can negotiate, work together and be achievers together.
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. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenoris still available in paperback and e-book format. 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
This past Sunday, a general meeting of the Barangay BF Homes Assembly took place at the 2nd floor of the barangay hall along Elsie Gatches street, Parañaque City. Barangay chairman Paolo Marquez, who has been serving since the middle of 2018, led the reporting of achievements and discussion of recent developments. The general meeting was done in compliance with the order of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Seated at left were Barangay BF Homes Kagawad Sheryll Ortonio-Gonzales, Chairman Paolo Marquez, Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson Mariel Tumang and Kagawad Cielo Lazatin.
On the topics of health and emergency response, Marquez announced that a total of 427 ambulance services were rendered over a 3-month period while basic services rendered were at around two thousand transactions handling over one thousand and five hundred recipients. The barangay currently has two ambulances – one of which is a modern vehicle made possible by the office of then District II Representative Gus Tambunting – and the captain announced that the local residents’ access to use an ambulance has improved lately.
On general barangay transactions, Barangay BF Homes handled over sixty thousand transactions and processed over 13,400 cedulas (community tax certificates) since January this year. Such transactions were processed by a team in a small office at the ground floor of the barangay hall.
The captain also announced the issuance of a new ID card for barangay residents that will not only identify them properly but also be accepted by the local banks. The barangay launched a new system that records significant information of the residents like their names, addresses, contact numbers, social security numbers and more. The new ID card uses new technology that can be read by scanners and make electronic verification happen.
The barangay captain shows the new ID card for residents.
On the topic of gender, it was announced that the barangay caught forty children or minors who violated the existing curfew laws. What Marquez and his team noticed was that there were several children, who came from depressed communities, who deliberately violated the curfew to get apprehended and take advantage of the cooler interiors of barangay hall which they found more comfortable to sleep in even for just a few hours. In response to this trend, the captain announced that the barangay has coordinated with the local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to take curfew-violating minors into their own facility.
When it comes to crime, there were four cases of gambling and theft, twenty-two cases of physical injury, one case of rape and one case of the use of a minor as a drug courier.
On the topic of violence against women and children there were thirty cases of physical violence recorded plus three cases of psychological abuse and nine cases of economic abuse.
What struck people during the meeting was Marquez’s announcement that after carefully examining the physical evidence of a pregnant woman who got abused by a man she was involved with, he had the man arrested. The barangay captain stressed that his administration is aware of the delicate condition women experience when they are at least four months pregnant and they strongly oppose any form of physical abuse that affect them.
On the environment, Marquez said that the barangay has personnel working in coordination with the City Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) on declogging waterways and creeks, including those located near Presidents Avenue and Pergola Mall.
Parañaque District II Representative Joy Tambunting (left) took time out from her busy schedule to appear in the general meeting and delivered some updates to the constituents.
On the topic of dengue, it was announced that Barangay BF Homes has one hundred and eighty cases recorded. The barangay captain said that his team will continue to perform fumigation by means of fogging which involves the use of a motor-powered machine that generates smoke (sourced from a specific chemical targeting mosquitoes). The use of misting or liquid spray, Marquez stressed, is not too effective on public places due to the rainy season. Such spray is effective only inside the household. Dengue is spread by mosquitoes (carrying the dengue virus) by means of biting a person’s skin. Barangay BF Homes is taking the dengue problem very seriously and, as I wrote before, they took action ever since. It is notable that in Parañaque City as a whole, dengue cases increased a lot this year with 1,702 cases (January 1 to September 14) recorded versus the 1,174 of the same period a year before. Paranaque is also the 4th highest ranking city in the National Capital Region (NCR) with dengue cases recorded.
Interestingly, Marquez explained that there are four strains of dengue virus and among them are two strains that can affect a person only once respectively (as the person becomes immune to the two strains after infection).
When it comes to stray dogs, the barangay now has a dog pound and already they turned over to the Parañaque City Veterinary Department ten dogs. Loose dogs are a long-time problem in the community, even inside BF Homes subdivision. Many times before, I encountered such dogs while traveling along Aguirre Avenue. It’s nice that the barangay has a facility and the personnel to get rid of the loose dogs to make the streets safer for both motorists and pedestrians.
On barangay zoning, Marquez reiterated that due to the reform under Republic Act Number 11032, the barangay no longer has the responsibility to issue business clearances and all business owners will have to go straight to city hall to apply for their respective business permits. In the old days, business owners had to apply for a business clearance at the barangay and once they receive it, only they could they go to the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) at the city government for the biz permit. This reform from the top is clearly a relief to the barangay which previously had to set up several computer units and printers to process all the applications of the many, many businesses of Barangay BF Homes each time the businesses are due to secure new permits.
More on zoning, it was announced that there were 126 construction permits issued and 84 permits for renovation and 24 permits for demolishing.
Regarding barangay livelihood, a total of seventy-four students have enrolled for cooking, caregiving and food-and-beverage courses. Future courses about carpentry and basic electrical work will be held very soon. Captain Marquez stressed the importance of carpentry as there is a good demand for carpenters and higher-than-average daily wages await them. As such, he encouraged manual laborers and other job seekers to take enroll in the carpentry course.
The birthing and lying-in center of the barangay will be renovated very soon with expansion in mind. The physical work on the center will take place sometime in 2020. On urban poor matters, the barangay organized off-site activities serving 2,368 residents and they organized feeding activities that served 4,750 people.
The barangay lupon reported that it has a total of 98 crime cases and 68 civil cases. A total of fourteen cases were dismissed while sixty-six were settled.
The Others
Early during the meeting, Parañaque District II Representative Joy Tambunting visited and announced that her office is working closely with the barangay and together they have new infrastructure projects in development. The working relationship between the barangay and the office of the congresswoman was described as harmonious.
Later, barangay kagawad Sheryll Ortonio-Gonzales announced that the gender committee successfully organized events they planned such as the “Bida ka Mars” activity and a seminar for violence against women and children. Barangay kagawad Cielo Lazatin reported that a donation drive of the barangay is ongoing and the committee on nutrition made a lot of progress. For her part, Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) chairperson Mariel Tumang said her team just accomplished successfully a youth camp in Laguna province that very weekend. She also highlighted the accomplished events that attracted community youth in great numbers such as the Linggo ng Kabataan event (which attracted more than 300 participants), the Mutya ng BF Homes pageant (which drew a large audience and helped the BFSK’s Facebook page likes double), the Waste Wise for Rice drive and varied seminars.
Barangay BF Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson Mariel Angela Tumang gave the assembly updates. On the foreground was SK Kagawad Alma Galindo.
The general meeting ended with Marquez’s closing remarks stressing that the barangay and its teams of personnel need the cooperation of the stakeholders – the businesses, the residents and community organizations – to realize continued services and make progressive change happen. Subsequently the members of the assembly and guests were served with catered food.
Under the leadership of captain Paolo Marquez, Barangay BF Homes is taking its public service seriously. What will happen in the next several months going into the year of twenty-twenty should be interesting.
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To others reading this, if you are dissatisfied with print media and you want your community/organization/business to be featured on this website, please contact me locally via mobile number 0905-3350831 or via email at Carlo.Carrasco@gmail.com
We can negotiate, work together and be achievers together.
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When it comes to being competitive among the many cities of the Philippines, making the Top Ten of the most important category is a big achievement already. Thanks to the respective news releases of Business Mirror and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) the latest Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) for 2019 showed that Muntinlupa City is now the 8th most competitive highly urbanized city (HUC) of the entire nation.
Specifically, Muntinlupa is one of six Metro Manila cities that made the Top 10 of the Most Competitive Highly Urbanized Cities category as revealed during the 7th Regional Competitiveness Summit held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on October 24.. The city that is home to Ayala Alabang, Alabang Hills, Filinvest City and Northgate Cyberzone is the only South Metro Manila city to make it in the Top 10 of the said category. This is a notable improvement over last year’s results.
Muntinlupa’s Public Information Officer Tez Navarro responded to my inquiry by saying that their administration is glad that the city made it in the Top 10 among HUCs. I also made inquiries to my sources within the city governments of Parañaque and Las Piñas and, as of this writing, nobody responded. The Most Competitive City for HUCs is Quezon City.
In my view, it’s not surprising that Muntinlupa made it big given the City Government’s (headed by Mayor Jaime Fresnedi) continued public services, efficiency and the local economy’s strong growth. Muntinlupa also made it in the Top 10 on the categories of government efficiency and infrastructure.
As for Parañaque, this year marks another chapter in history in which the city (whose local government unit is led by mayor Edwin Olivarez) failed to break into the Top 10 among Highly Urbanized Cities. In the 2018 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, the city that is home to BF Homes subdivision as well as those fancy casinos and resorts of Entertainment City ranked 14th among HUCs and 21st place overall in the competitiveness chart that includes HUCs and component cities.
Going back to this year’s Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, Parañaque got tied with Caloocan City for the 3rd place ranking for the Most Improved LGUs category among HUCs. The Most Improved LGU for Highly Urbanized Cities is shared at the top by Valenzuela and Malabon. When it comes to economic dynamism and infrastructure, Parañaque got mentioned.
Now that the CMCI for 2019 has been published, now is a good time to take a close look at the infrastructure quality and government efficiency in Parañaque. Very recently traffic along Presidents Avenue (the road that connects Dr. A. Santos Avenue with the BF Homes commercial zone and the villages) worsened due to the three road operations (two belonging to Maynilad and one with the Department of Public Works and Highways) happening there at the same time. Those operations occupied significant space on the road making the flow of traffic tighter and more congested. Already motorists who travel regularly along Presidents Avenue are already annoyed with the worsened traffic congestion and a few of them questioned as to why is it that the City Government did not bother to send inspectors on the three road operations. Going back to this year’s CMCI, government efficiency is clearly where Parañaque is lacking.
As for the City of Las Piñas, there is a lack of available information as to how it fared among HUCs in varied categories as of this writing.
Ranking the Competitiveness
According to the CMCI website, The rankings of Cities and Municipalities are based on the sum of their scores on four pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure and Resiliency. Provincial rankings meanwhile are based on population and income weighted average of the Overall scores of cities and municipalities under a province.
The Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index or CMCI is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development.
