Muntinlupa City Government to purchase COVID-19 testing kits, eyes mass testing of city residents
In a bid to curb the rise in the number of novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) cases in Muntinlupa City, the City Government is set to purchase testing kits through its Quick Response Fund and eyes to conduct mass testing of its city residents.
The Muntinlupa City Council approved a resolution allowing Mayor Jaime Fresnedi to procure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines and testing kits following the rise in confirmed cases and persons under monitoring and investigation in the city.
As of March 24, the Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded eight confirmed cases in Muntinlupa with 146 persons under monitoring (PUM) and 72 patients under investigation (PUI).
Fresnedi said a more aggressive medical intervention is needed to effectively segregate, for quarantine purposes, the virus-stricken constituents of the city for appropriate medication and containing of the virus.
“Early detection of a COVID-19 infected person can deter the spread of the virus and the purchase of PCR machines and testing kits is critical in the determination of the medical assistance which must be administered to our constituents,” the local exec said.
While the City Government is eager to immediately purchase the testing kits to conduct a mass testing, Fresned added that the initiative is subject to the guidelines and regulatory standards of the Department of Health (DOH).
Muntinlupa LGU has designated Ospital ng Muntinlupa to house the testing area of the PCR machine upon the approval of DOH.
A field hospital has been constructed in Ospital ng Muntinlupa to treat patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Isolation areas in barangays are also in place for residents suspected to have contracted with the virus for monitoring by the local health office.
Barangay health workers and physicians in barangay health centers are on high alert against sustained local transmission in the communities. Health personnel in the barangay daily monitors reported cases of persons under monitoring and patients under investigation. PUMs and PUIs in the communities are given vitamins and medicines for those with underlying condition.
According to Muntinlupa City Health Office, there are currently two city residents under the care of two community isolation areas in Barangay Tunasan and Sucat for monitoring.
For concerns related to community quarantine and COVID-19, Muntinlupa City residents may reach hotline nos. 0977-240-5217 or 0977-240-5218.
This is an official Press Release issued by the City Government of Muntinlupa. 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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Groceries, Supermarkets and Other Exempted Businesses in Muntinlupa ordered to limit operation from 6AM – 6PM amid Enhanced Community Quarantine
Muntinlupa City Hall.
The City Government of Muntinlupa ordered exempted business establishments during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine to limit their operating hours from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM in a bid to reduce movement of people to effectively contain the spread of coronavirus disease COVID-19 in the city.
Specifically, the Muntinlupa City Council passed Ordinance 2020-070imposing of limited operating hours for convenience stores, sari-sari stores, talipapa, and groceries.
It shall also be mandatory for these establishments to implement social distancing during their operations set forth by the Department of Health and the Muntinlupa City Health Office. Violators shall be given a warning for first offense and cancellation of business permit for the remainder of the current year for last offense.
Earlier, the Muntinlupa City Council also approved the anti-hoarding ordinance that restrict bulk-buying of basic commodities to address the public’s panic buying.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi assured the public that there is no need for panic buying during the health emergency as there is enough supply of basic items. The local exec called for an emergency meeting with supermarket and grocery operators on Monday to ensure that there is no shortage of supply for Muntinlupa City residents.
Further, establishment offering non-essential services have been mandated to cease operations through Ordinance 2020-080.
Essential industries are exempted from cessation of operations including supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores, industries involved in food manufacturing, processing, distribution, and industries involved in the provision of medicines, medical supplies, and medical care. Other exempted establishments include banks, padala centers, water stations, and utilities. Muntinlupa City is now under a 24-hour curfew amid the enhanced community quarantine.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said the City Government will implement stricter measures after receiving reports that many residents are still going out in the streets and do not observe social distancing while the quarantine is in effect.
“Our barangay chairmen reported that the imposition of the 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM curfew hours is not an effective deterrent for the public to stay at home. For this reason, I have ordered the round the clock curfew so that our kababayans will remain in their houses and reduce their risks from being infected by the virus,” Fresnedi noted.
The mayor urged the city residents to refrain from going out unless it’s important and follow protocols provided by the local and national government.
For concerns related to community quarantine and COVID-19 testing, Muntinlupa City residents may reach hotline nos. 0977-240-5217 or 0977-240-5218.
This is an official Press Release issued by the City Government of Muntinlupa. 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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Muntinlupa City Government drafts school nurses to aid medical personnel in checkpoints amid COVID-19
In an effort to boost its fight against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the city, the City Government of Muntinlupa announced yesterday that it has drafted nurses who got assigned in public schools to serve as additional medical personnel in local quarantine control points.
Muntinlupa City Health Office acting chief Dr. Manuel Casador Jr. said twenty-seven city-paid school nurses have been assigned to three checkpoints in the city to help implement quarantine control measures including checking of temperature, survey of travel history and symptoms, among others.
“We have deployed our school nurses to augment the staff from the City Health Office and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office stationed in San Pedro – Muntinlupa boundary, Commerce Avenue checkpoint, and Victoria Homes checkpoint to ensure that no individuals suspected to have contracted with the virus can enter the city,” Casador said.
The local health officer added that isolation rooms have been installed in quarantine control points to accommodate individuals manifesting symptoms and high temperature for further assessment.
A field hospital has been constructed in Ospital ng Muntinlupa to treat patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Isolation areas in barangays are also in place for residents suspected to have contracted with the virus for monitoring by the local health office.
Barangay health workers and physicians in barangay health centers are on high alert against sustained local transmission in the communities. Health personnel in the barangay daily monitors reported cases of persons under monitoring (PUM) and patients under investigation (PUI). PUMs and PUIs in the communities are given vitamins and medicines for those with underlying condition.
According to Muntinlupa City Health Office, there are currently two city residents under the care of two community isolation areas in Barangay Tunasan and Sucat for monitoring.
As of March 23, Muntinlupa CHO recorded 145 Persons Under Monitoring (PUM), 69 Persons Under Investigation (PUI), and six confirmed cases in the city.
Recently, the local government also launched the Virtual Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Team on Facebook to provide psychological counseling to city residents amid COVID-19 crisis.
To date, the virtual psychosocial team has catered to 168 city residents. The project is facilitated by the City Health Office, Social Service Department, and Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office.
Further, the City Government has distributed initial relief packs to 3,940 families in five barangays in the city. Another 5,000 grocery packs will be released to different barangays in the coming week.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi assured the public that the City Government has adequate supply of basic commodities for distribution to indigent residents and daily earners affected by the disruption of work. Fresnedi added that the local government continuous to implement initiatives to help contain the spread of and encourages the public to stay at home during the health emergency.
This is an official Press Release issued by the City Government of Muntinlupa. 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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced by means of inquiring directly with an official of the City Government of Muntinlupa. 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.
After previously announcing their intention to implement stricter home quarantine all over the city in relation to the ongoing effort to halt the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the City Government of Muntinlupa confirmed today that it approved an ordinance making it official. As such, the entire city is now under a 24-hour curfew.
The City Council of Muntinlupa passed City Ordinance 2020-074 which was signed into law by Mayor Jaime Fresnedi dated March 21, 2020 (today).
For your reference, posted below are digital copies of the ordinance sourced from the City Government’s Facebook page. Just click to enlarge.
With regards to exemptions and a quarantine pass, below is the explanation by Muntinlupa Council Majority Floor Leader Coun. Atty. Raul Corro (sourced from City Government’s FB page).
I also learned directly from the City Government that Muntinlupa residents who need to travel to report for work outside the city should prepare evidence (identification essentially) of employment to local personnel who are implementing the curfew.
For more updates about Muntinlupa, come back here.
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced by means of interviewing a top official of the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan. 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.
Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) Takes Part in Communities Assistance Campaign Related to COVID-19
Informative flyers and hygiene kits were distributed by the Barangay BF Homes Youth Council to the residents in the mission areas. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang)
With the imposed enhanced community quarantine in effect, most businesses and all other activities of life have been halted. This shows just how tremendous microbes can have on people and society in general when it becomes widespread. Of course, I’m talking about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which has infected a few hundred people here in the Philippines.
With the enhanced community quarantine going on, officials of the barangays have been ordered to do their part on managing their respective local communities. To put things in perspective, there is the standard barangay unit led by its chairman (or captain) and council members (kagawads) who were elected into office by their constituents.
And then there is the youth council under the barangay referred to locally as the sangguniang kabataan (SK) which is led by elected officials the youth chairman and youth council members (SK kagawads).
For the topic of this post, I’m focusing on the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) which, as of this writing, is already doing really serious work on managing the Barangay BF Homes local communities in relation to the COVID-19 crisis that has affected everyone.
Barangay BF Homes SK kagawad Jerry Dalmero distributes a hygiene kit composed of soap and alcohol. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang)Barangay BF Homes SK kagawad Roselyn Regis gives to a resident. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang)
To put things in perspective, Barangay BF Homes is one very large local community in terms of both land area and population. As the late Parañaque Congressman Roilo Golez (1947-2018) told me years ago, Barangay BF Homes is a very vote-rich community in the city.
The Barangay BF Homes main unit led by Captain Paolo Marquez has been working hard implementing several rules (meant to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 infection) such as night-time curfew (8PM to 5AM), social distancing (persons are supposed to be a short distance apart from each other), ban on mass gatherings, educating the residents about coronavirus and more.
Barangay BF Homes SK kagawad gently hands over a hygiene kit to a lady. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan kagawad Alma Galindo)
For their part, the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) headed by chairwoman Mariel Angela Tumang and the SK kagawads have been working hard by visiting the many houses in the developing communities doing information campaigns about COVID-19 (with flyers being given to them personally) as well as distributing hygiene kits. Today, the BF Youth Council performed their duty by visiting eight mission areas and will continue to do so tomorrow in six mission areas.
BFSK Kagawad Anne Corre hands over a hygiene kit. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan kagawad Kelly Haboc)Even in a tight place like this, BFSK Kagawad Kelly Haboc persevered to hand out a hygiene kit. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan kagawad Kelly Haboc)BFSK kagawad Stephanie Sebullen gives a hygiene kit to someone at a store. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang)
Chairwoman Tumang confirmed to me that she and her team prepared five thousand (5,000) hygiene kits to be distributed to the residents at their respective homes. According to her, each kit comes with soap and alcohol which are essential for people to protect themselves with from the raging coronavirus. Along the way, they did their best to educate their constituents with discipline in mind.
“Maliit na tulong po na nanggaling sa amin pero alam po namin na hindi po ito yung lunas para makaiwas sa sakit ang talagang makakapaglunas po rito ay yung disciplina po ng tao. Sana po matututo nalang silang maging madisiplina, sumunod sa mga sinasabi ng gobyerno, manatili sa kanilang bahay at ingatan ang kanilang sarili,” BFSK chairwoman Tumang stated.
Barangay BF Homes SK chairwoman Mariel Tumang wearing a mask and protective clothes. (photo approved by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang for this website)
As Tumang made clear, the BFSK and Barangay BF Homes itself have been working hard on preventing COVID-19 from spreading in their local communities as well as doing their best to educate the constituents. All of these are being done in accordance to the rules and orders of the national authorities.
Watch out for further BF Homes and South Metro Manila updates here soon.
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Muntinlupa City Government to implement stricter home quarantine for residents due to rise of COVID-19 cases
Muntinlupa City Hall.
In a bid to slow down and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Muntinlupa, the City Government will implement stricter measures on home quarantine for city residents.
As of March 19, the Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded 55 Persons Under Monitoring (PUM), 43 Persons Under Investigation (PUI), and four confirmed cases in the city.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urged barangay officials to strengthen efforts in prohibiting city residents to get out of their homes amid enhanced community quarantine.
“We plead to our constituents to stay at home during this health emergency. The local government is restricting movement of people only for accessing basic necessities and essential work,” Fresnedi said.
The public is advised to stay indoors and consider cancelling non-essential travels as Muntinlupa also imposes curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting March 16 until April 14.
Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said PNP Muntinlupa augmented roving personnel and will start apprehending violators.
Recently, the Muntinlupa City Government ordered the closure of establishments including malls, beauty parlors, spas, barber shops, and similar establishments with potential face-to-face contact of clients. Those providing essential services were exempted such as banks, pawnshops, money transfer firms, groceries, supermarkets, drug stores, pharmacies, and hardware stores.
Restaurants, carinderias, and other eateries were only allowed to only accept take-out orders and refrain from providing dine-in services to ensure implementation of social distancing. Restaurant owners and operators were encouraged to post notices and warnings on the spread and ill effects of COVID-19 in their premises.
Further, public and private recreational facilities were also mandated to halt operations such as fitness gyms, swimming pools, saunas karaoke bars, and country club facilities for sports that entail close person to person contact. While, a liquor ban was enacted to prevent gathering opportunities for city residents in the duration of the quarantine period.
In a bid to address panic-buying, the Muntinlupa City Council also approved the anti-hoarding ordinance that restrict bulk-buying of basic commodities.
For concerns related to community quarantine and COVID-19 testing, Muntinlupa City residents may reach hotline nos. 0977-240-5217 or 0977-240-5218.
This is an official Press Release issued by the City Government of Muntinlupa. 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 plagiaristsand NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Mayor Fresnedi envisions Muntinlupa to be a “smart city,” leads its 25th anniversary
Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi with local officials in the celebration of the town’s silver anniversary last March 2. In his message, Fresnedi accounted Muntinlupa’s progress to its residents which he claimed as the city’s greatest resource. The local exec also highlighted the City Government’s sustainability initiatives in developing Muntinlupa as a “smart city” with focus on programs for education. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
This past Sunday (March 1, 2020) was the 25th anniversary of Muntinlupa as a City highlighting the historical date of March 1, 1995 which was the day when then Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law the key legislation (Republic Act Number 7926) that converted Muntinlupa from a municipality into a city.
On the morning of March 2 at the City Hall grounds, the City Government commemorated the silver anniversary. While considered as one of the youngest cities in the Philippines, Muntinlupa has become a front runner in its class in terms of competitiveness and quality of life for its residents.
The City Government organized a simple program for the city’s 25th founding anniversary and the celebration kicked off with a Thanksgiving Mass followed by a flag raising ceremony. Those who attended the program were Congressman Ruffy Biazon, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Vice-mayor Temy Simundac, City Councilors, City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela, barangay officials, and partners from the private sector and national government agencies.
In his message, Mayor Fresnedi accounted Muntinlupa’s progress to its residents which he claimed as the city’s greatest resource. He also highlighted sustainability efforts of the City Government in developing Muntinlupa as a “smart city” with focus on programs for education.
“As we look forward to the coming years, we are certain that the direction of Muntinlupa is only geared towards development and becoming a smart city of the future. For this reason that I commit to prepare every Muntinlupeño, focusing on their education, and to construct necessary infrastructure to enable residents face new challenges and adapt to emerging trends,” Fresnedi said.
The mayor highlighted the City Government’s initiative on expanding scholarship program from elementary to graduate school. He noted the recent allowance hike, including the increase of cash gifts awarded to board topnotchers and latin honor graduates. Muntinlupa City holds the highest number of scholarship program beneficiaries in the country with over 71,000 scholars.
Further, Fresnedi highlighted the construction of four school building, Aquatic Center, Track and Field Oval, groundbreaking of engineering college Colegio de Muntinlupa’s Building 2, and among others.
It is remembered that on March 1, 1995, Muntinlupa was converted from a municipality to a highly urbanized city and became the 65th city of the Philippines by virtue of Republic Act 7926. Today, it has transformed as one of the leading investment hubs in the country with nine equally progressive barangays and a population of 504,509.
The city has been recognized as a model city in the country bench-marked by LGUs in the country and garnered several awards from various governing bodies.
Some of the citations include the Seal of Good Governance from DILG, Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance from Regional Committee for Welfare of Children, Red Orchid Award, Jose Rizal Award for the fourth consecutive year, Gawad Bayanihan Award, Rank 1 (NCR) for Local Revenue Collection from Economic Enterprises, Rank 3 (NCR) for Manila Bay Clean-up Rehabilitation and Preservation Program, citation from National Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC), Gawad Pilak from the Landbank of the Philippines, Most Business-Friendly City Award in 2018, Green Banner Award and Outstanding LGU in Nutrition Program Management in 2018, MERALCO Luminaries Award in 2018, Government Efficiency and Resilience Award (3rd Place) from National Competitiveness Council in 2017 and 2018, respectively; and Union Internationale des Transports Publics Awards in 2017, among others.
This is an official Press Release issued by the City Government of Muntinlupa.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced by means of interviewing Ditas Antenor. 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.
Spotlight on BF HomeSarap, The Village Home-Cooked Food Directory
Do you love home-cooked food? Do you love BF Homes, the very large residential-commercial community that occupies portions of Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Las Piñas? Do you love grouping together on Facebook forming a very lively online community?
If you love all three, then you cannot go wrong with the BF HomeSarap Facebook group!
BF HomeSarap is not just any food-oriented, regional group on the social network. It is one of the fastest growing FB groups that highlights home cooking, good tastes, small enterprise and the BF Homes community members (plus friends).
BF HomeSarap’s growth in terms of membership is truly amazing. The FB group only started on April 2019 and from zero members it attracted to more than eight thousand (8,000+) members as of this writing! By comparison, there are other BF Homes-related (plus Barangay BF Homes-related) FB groups that lasted for years and still their respective memberships were exceeded by BF HomeSarap.
The FB group has described itself to be the resource for delicious home-cooked food (and drinks) right inside the village. As big businesses are prohibited, BF HomeSarap allows foodie sellers to post their specialties by showing pictures of the products, the name of the food or drink, prices and how they are being sold. What is notable about the group is that the people who make food at home are granted valuable opportunities to reach out to other members who might be interested to buy from them. In a business sense, the small food enterprises are able to make themselves known and gain chances to grow not only with selling products but also attracting new customers and establishing new business relationships.
And then something significant happened on December 7 and 8, 2019 – selected BF HomeSarap members came out in full force as sellers in the first-ever BF HomeSarap Community Food Fair and Bazaar which was held at the open-air basketball court and at the nearby covered stretch inside BF NorthWest, Parañaque City. That community event, which was organized by village governor-at-large Lorea Miren in cooperation with the BF NorthWest Homeowners Association and supported by PARA APP, was a big success as it attracted between 250 to 300 visitors (including Parañaque City Councilors Jackie Bustamante-Mendoza and Wahoo Sotto) and almost all the vendors sold out! Apart from that, a strong spirit of community interaction, business and socializing took place.
A look at just one section where the first-ever BF HomeSarap Community Food Fair was held inside BF NorthWest. This one was taken at a covered facility near the open-air basketball court (where the other vendors were present and selling too).
With all of these mentioned, you must be wondering: Who started BF HomeSarap in the first place? Why was it established? How did it happen? Where will BF HomeSarap head to now that its presence online and within the real environment inside BF Homes has been felt?
For all of you, my readers and food enthusiasts, I am happy to present to you my interview with BF HomeSarap founder and food stylist Ditas Antenor.
To begin with, Ditas Antenor worked in the corporate world as an advertising executive and worked with her employer’s big-time clients. After more than a decade managing multinational accounts in various multinational ad agencies, she moved on to the production side and there she became a food stylist. She even spent time in the United States to learn about food styling (for print and broadcast).
“I decided back then to take up food styling because I made plans regarding my career ahead of time,” Antenor recalled. “I really planned ahead. I could quit my nine-to-five job and engage in freelancing. So what would be a good, lucrative freelance job that I know I could be good at? That was food styling which is rare (in the Philippines.)”
Back then, food stylists in the Philippines were rare. Antenor became the fifth among the already established food stylists at the time. She eventually got hired by some clients and established herself nicely. Raised as an Alabang Girl, she and her children currently live in the Las Pinas City part of BF Homes subdivision.
BF HomeSarap’s origin and tremendous growth within Facebook
So how did BF HomeSarap start as a group within Facebook? It all started with a trigger on the part of its founder Ditas Antenor.
“There was a trigger. It was related to me and my kids moving into BF Homes subdivision coming from Alabang. Our house here in BF has been around for a very long time,” Antenor said. “My kids grew up with my cooking. Although they enjoy commercial foods like pizza or burgers that can be ordered, they can only eat those sometimes and ultimately they still love home-cooked food.”
Being the highly focused planner she has always been, Antenor had prepared menus for their family up to a few months ahead. She does the home cooking and, from time to time, her children cook adding variety. The love for home cooking, good food and relationships all connected with the beginning of BF HomeSarap.
“Then one day, I said to myself ‘maybe I should form a group’. I’m not an original member of the BF Homes community but still this is our home, even if I still maintain and occasionally stay in our Alabang house” Antenor recalled. “After doing an initial search for food-related FB groups that were related to BF Homes, I formed an FB group for BF by BF focused on home-cooked food.”
Along the way, the founder recalled her efforts on forming a name for the FB group that is unique and would strongly resonate with food enthusiasts and BF Homes residents and stakeholders. The result, clearly, was BF HomeSarap which was a clever combination of the name of the subdivision as well as the Tagalog word “Sarap” (English: Delicious).
“The name BF HomeSarap was formed out of my intention to include the local community’s name while reflecting people’s enjoyment of good home-cooked food. It had to be catchy and relevant at the same time. After searching for possible combinations of words, I came up with ‘sarap’ to partner with BF Homes,” she stated.
BF HomeSarap was created on April 2019 by Antenor reflecting her interest of good, home-cooked food her children would enjoy while establishing ties with the many members of the BF Homes community who share her interest.
The result? The membership of BF HomeSarap on Facebook went from zero to over eight thousand as of this writing. The members were a big mix of food enthusiasts as well as home-based cooks who are quietly selling food or drinks through their respective small-sized businesses. Already several small-time food sellers posted food or beverages for sale complete with contact numbers, prices, ways on how to avail of ordered items and the like. BF HomeSarap excludes the bigger, commercial food sellers giving more space and priority to the small ones. Along the way, there were a lot of buyers who had been searching for tasty home-cooked food. The result is BF HomeSarap establishing itself as a very lively online community whose members are united by home-cooked food and delicacies.
Of course, not just anyone could join the BF HomeSarap FB group. With the help of a few friends (who lived in BF Homes for a long time) and her daughter, Antenor and her co-administrators carefully review the many pending applications of FB users who wanted to join in as well as the many private messages sent.
“The membership of BF HomeSarap just kept on growing fast. Along the way, we made sure it would not become just another buy-and-sell type of Facebook group. I really wanted it to be an online community about good, home-cooked food and BF Homes which will be engaged with good quality content from time to time. I really want community engagement,” she said.
To engage the BF HomeSarap group members, Antenor researched online about the latest food trends, what kind of food people like lately, cooking tips, recipes and the like. The result was her releasing unique content in the form of articles, short videos, special greetings and customized images that get posted in the group occasionally. This approach of hers helped keep BF HomeSarap interesting and engaging, and prevented it from becoming stale or getting too flooded with sales-related posts.
For the future, Antenor stated that she is still striving to come up with ideas to make life better for the sellers and buyers of the group. She is exploring how to establish a dedicated delivery system that will carry BF HomeSarap’s name and cater to the clients’ needs. She and her team are also looking for other enclaves around BF Homes that could possibly host the next edition of the BF HomeSarap Community Food Fair this year.
With almost 9,000 members counted (and growing) and continued daily engagement, BF HomeSarap is undoubtedly the premier FB group focused on home-cooked food with the people of BF Homes in mind. Even FB users from the rest of South Metro Manila noticed the group.
“BF Homes is very unique,” Antenor said in relation to the group’s phenomenal growth and influence.
“When I cook, I continue to engage the community. There is, indeed, a wealth of home-cooked food in this community. You just need to look for it. You just need to know who cooked it. Also, level up your food in terms of nutrition and quality. If you want good food for your family, aim for home-cooked. It can be cheaper and yet it can be prepared with the same love and care for the family.”
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
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Note: Article cover photo contains images from the book “SULÓ: Where Taste Was Style”, written by author/founder Erlinda Panlilio, published in 2015 by Anvil Publishing.
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.
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
Author Carlo Carrasco 