COVID-19 Crisis: Contact tracing efforts in Muntinlupa City through StaySafe.PH app tightened in response to rising COVID-19 cases

With tighter contact tracing efforts and integration of local COVID-19 data in the StaySafe.PH system, confirmed cases and their close contacts in Muntinlupa cannot falsify their health condition and will be barred entry from local establishments.

The City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of Muntinlupa and Management Information System Office have started tagging COVID-19 cases in the StaySafe.PH app allowing establishments to identify confirmed, probable, and suspect cases based from real-time data from the City Health Office.

Since March 9, 2021, the profiles of all individuals under the surveillance of Muntinlupa CHO were identified in the contact tracing system and were adjusted accordingly. Individuals with purple screen corresponds to “Government Declared as CONFIRMED,” orange screen as “Government Declared as PROBABLE,” and red screen as “Government Declared as SUSPECTED.”

Establishments are advised to prohibit entry, isolate immediately, and report to the City Health Office or Barangay Health Emergency Response Team those individuals with non-eligible screens upon scanning of the StaySafe.Ph QR Code. Upon recovery, the profile of individuals with confirmed or probable status will revert to “good condition” with a green screen and will be allowed entry to establishments anew.

The color-based indicators from StaySafe.ph app. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Recently, the City Government of Muntinlupa, in partnership with the Department of Health, launched the Staysafe.PH app as the official digital contact tracing system in the city and has implemented a “No QR Code, No Entry Policy” in all commercial establishments, workplaces, churches, and government offices in the city.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urged all residents and owners of establishments in the city to use the StaySafe.PH app amid rising COVID-19 cases. He said the adoption of StaySafe.PH in Muntinlupa is in compliance with the national government’s recommendation for a uniformed contact tracing system to prevent further COVID-19 transmission, especially with the detection of the contagious variants in the country.

All residents and visitors who will enter, work, or do business in all indoor or enclosed public and private establishments in Muntinlupa shall be required to download and register at the StaySafe.PH application and secure a unique QR Code which they can store on their phone or print for physical copy. QR Codes for non-smartphone user registrants shall be generated by their respective barangays and shall be distributed to where the registrant resides.

Members of the Muntinlupa City StaySafe.Ph Task Force has conducted regular inspections to ensure compliance of local public and private establishments. As of March 11, 2021, the local Task Force has issued 235 notice of violations to non-compliant establishments.

Violators will be charged with P2,000 penalty and suspension of franchise or business permit until violation has been rectified for first offense, P3,000 for second offense, and suspension or revocation of franchise or business permit including P5,000 for the third offense. In case the offender is a government official or employee, the maximum penalty shall be imposed including the filing of administrative, civil, or criminal action.

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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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Muntinlupa City’s 26th anniversary celebrated

From a former sleepy town in the south, Muntinlupa City, now a bustling metropolis and leading business-hub in Metro Manila celebrated its 26th anniversary yesterday.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi together with other local executives led the cityhood anniversary, a special (non-working) holiday by virtue of RA No. 9191. A simple program was organized at the Muntinlupa City Hall Quadrangle starting with a thanksgiving mass and followed by the inauguration of the Cupang Health Center and simultaneous distribution of food packs in different local communities.

The anniversary celebration held at the quadrangle of Muntinlupa City Hall. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi delivered his remarks. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

In his message, Fresnedi reported the city’s COVID-19 Vaccine Plan and his willingness to be inoculated to encourage the public to avail the government’s vaccination service.

“I am ready to be vaccinated, along with our City Councilors and Congressman Ruffy Biazon, upon the arrival of supply in in Muntinlupa to build the confidence of our constituents in the vaccines approved by our Food and Drug Administration,” Fresnedi said.

Muntinlupa City has secured 400,000 doses from British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca through a tripartite agreement with the National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF). The city’s COVID-19 vaccination plan and other best practices on public health earn praise from officials of the Department of Health’s Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team.

The City Health Office has identified 6,758 medical frontliners from barangay health centers, emergency responders, public and private hospitals/clinics to be prioritized in the roll-out of vaccines. Under the local COVID-19 vaccination plan, there will be 82 vaccination teams to be deployed in 35 vaccination posts and 8,200 target individuals to be vaccinated per day.

The Cupang Health Center is one of the recent projects fulfilled. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

On February 26, the City Government of Muntinlupa launched “Merkado sa Muntinlupa,” an open-air market and bazaar located in Sports Complex open grounds along Laguna Lake as part of the cityhood anniversary. Merkado sa Muntinlupa is an outdoor market showcasing homegrown products and is open on weekends, every Friday 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm and every Saturday-Sunday, 8:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Further, a new park in Alabang Viaduct including the newly constructed Muntinlupa National High School Tunasan Annex Covered Court and Extension of Muntinlupa Student Center for Life Skills in Brgy. Tunasan were inaugurated last week in celebration of Muntinlupa’s anniversary.

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 (2015 Census).

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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.

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

Majority of Metro Manila Mayors support shift to MGCQ status by March 1, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte will have a big decision to make that will affect millions of residents and businesses in Metro Manila as a majority of the mayors voted to shift the metropolis from general community quarantine (GCQ) to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) status by March 1, 2021, as based on a news release on Philippine News Agency (PNA) that got published just last night.

Here’s an excerpt from the PNA report:

The Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of Metro Manila mayors and national government officials, has voted to support the proposed shift to the less restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in Metro Manila.

“Ang karamihan po ng alkalde ng kalakhang maynila ay bumoto na MGCQ na po ang magiging posisyon nila pagdating sa Metro Manila (Most of the mayors in Metro Manila voted for having MGCQ as their position in Metro Manila),” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said in a press conference on Thursday.

This, he said, will be sent to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and to President Rodrigo R. Duterte who will make the final decision on whether to implement eased quarantine restrictions by March 1.

He declined to provide the actual number of votes the proposal received but said that all Metro Manila mayors will support the decision.

Indeed, Abalos did not reveal the number of Yes and No votes but the Manila Bulletin reported that the score among Metro Manila mayors was 9-8 in favor of MGCQ.

To put things in perspective, Metro Manila still has yet to adjust to MGCQ status. Metro Manila is the hot spot of multiple cities where a lot of residents as well as business entities of varied sizes are located at. Right now, the nation needs a major boost to its economy even as there is still the need to be vigilant to avoid new COVID-19 infections. Lots of people in the metropolis remain unemployed and badly need income, and having Metro Manila shift to MGCQ status will help revive other businesses and pave the way for more people to get back to work.

It would be nice to see the Metro Manila Council research more and observe closely how other cities and provinces are doing while maintaining MGCQ statuses for months already.

On a grander scale, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) supports the recommendation to have the entire nation placed under MGCQ status by March. The said recommendation was made by Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua in recent times. Below is an excerpt from the PNA report:

“It is about time we move to MGCQ after a year of lockdown,” Lopez told reporters in a Viber message Tuesday. “Lockdown was supposed to buy us time to prepare our health system and improve contact tracing and ‘Trace-Test-Treat’.”

Since June 2020, the National Capital Region (NCR) has not graduated from GCQ status, a stricter community quarantine measure than MGCQ.

It even went back to much stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from Aug. 4 to 18 last year as health care facilities in Metro Manila were overwhelmed due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases during that period.

“As the Philippines recovers, Metro Manila has a very weak recovery, worse in employment and hunger recovery, and that means more urban poor. The damages to malnutrition and other health and social issues will be irreversible,” Lopez said.

NCR accounted for around 40 percent of the Philippine gross domestic product (GDP).

But Lopez added the reopening of more economic activities should depend on the Covid-19 statistics.

As pointed out by Trade secretary Lopez, Metro Manila is lagging behind in terms of recovery from the pandemic. Apart from joblessness and lack of income, poverty in the National Capital Region is an important problem to solve. The more people fall under poverty, the more local government units (LGUs) need to exert and spend their limited resources to support them.

Right now, the Metro Manila Council’s approval of shifting to MGCQ status will soon be dealt with by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and President Duterte.

In ending this, here are some videos about combatting the China virus.

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Muntinlupa City at Work – February 3, 2021

The City Government of Muntinlupa continues to serve its constituents by executing varied forms of public service. To catch up with what they’ve been doing lately, here is a quick look at the recent developments in the city.

Recently at City Hall, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi led the donation of several transport vehicles donated by the City Government to varied agencies in an effort to improve the rendering of public service in the city. Among the vehicles were modern tricycles for city frontliners, transport vehicles for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and more.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi presents to BJMP Muntinlupa execs a transport vehicle to be donated by the local government to their agency in a bid to improve the delivery of public service in the city. Fresnedi led the blessing ceremony of four service vehicles and five hybrid multi-cabs for frontline agencies including the City Health Office and Business Permits and Licensing Office during the City Government’s regular flag raising ceremony on Monday morning. The local exec vows to strengthen frontline offices in the City Government and to support partners from the National Government as part of its COVID-19 response efforts. As of January 31, Muntinlupa City has 73 active cases, 5,351 confirmed cases with 5,109 recoveries, 169 reported deaths, 92 suspect cases, and 389 probable cases. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
The mayor and other officials posed with the new vehicles. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

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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.

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

Muntinlupa City at Work – January 25, 2021

The City Government of Muntinlupa continues to serve its constituents by executing varied forms of public service. To catch up with what they’ve been doing lately, here is a quick look at the recent developments in the city.

Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) officials visited Muntinlupa City’s Business Permit Renewal Hub at Muntinlupa Sports Center for an inspection audit last January 21. ARTA lauded Muntinlupa’s policies on Ease of Doing Business including the Zero Contact Policy, Queuing System, and strict implementation of minimum health protocols. Joining the audit were: ARTA Deputy Director General (DDG) Ernesto V. Perez, Director Grace Fernandez, ARTA exec Atty. Marco Balleser, DILG Muntinlupa representative James Fadrilan, and LEIPO Gary Llamas. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
Tri Motors Technology Corporation and Jesus V. Del Rosario Foundation, Inc. turned-over five units of Bajaj RE tricycles to the local government of Muntinlupa as part of its partnership with the City Government. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (center) received the tricycle units from JVR Foundation executive director Gina Bulanhagui (4th from left) and Tri Motors Technology Corp. group chief financial officer Fritzie Castro (left) last January 21. The local exec extended his thanks to Trimotors and JVR Foundation and said that the donated tricycle units will help augment the city’s COVID-19 response and the upcoming vaccination program. Also joining the ceremony were (L-R) City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela and General Service Officer Cristina Andres. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
Newly installed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos paid a courtesy call to Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi last January 15. Chairman Abalos discussed MMDA’s plans to decongest traffic in NCR, including the COVID-19 management in the region to Mayor Fresnedi. Also attending the courtesy call were Chairman Abalos’ Chief of Staff Jimmy Isidro, Muntinlupa City Administrator Allan Cachuela, Coun. Louie Arciaga, and other local officials. (Source – Muntinlupa PIO)

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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.

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 partners with Staysafe.PH for mandatory contact tracing in establishments

The City Government of Muntinlupa partners with Staysafe.PH to implement a “No QR Code, No Entry Policy” in all establishments for mandatory contact tracing effective January 2021.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi approved City Ordinance No. 2020-181 mandating the installation and use of Staysafe.PH system as an automated contact tracing through the use of QR Codes in all commercial establishments, workplaces, churches, and government offices.

All residents and visitors who will enter, work, or do business in all indoor or enclosed public and private establishments in Muntinlupa shall be required to download the StaySafe.PH application and register to secure a unique QR Code which they can store on their phone or print for physical copy.

QR Codes for non-smartphone user registrants shall be generated by their respective barangays and shall be distributed to where the registrant resides.

Fresnedi said the adoption of StaySafe.PH in Muntinlupa would help in the uniform efforts of the government in contact tracing and in the prevention of transmission of COVID-19.

Under the local ordinance, all establishments in the city are mandated to designate personnel to ensure each individual who will enter their premises possesses a StaySafe.PH unique personal QR Code.

The establishments are also required to provide a scanner and personnel who shall scan and monitor the authenticity of the QR Code of the registrants prior to entry. All customers, visitors, and employees of the public and private establishments shall not be allowed entry unless they present their own QR Code.

Allowing other person to use an individual’s unique QR Code to gain entry into the premises of the covered establishment and intentionally registering more than once for the purpose of possessing more than one unique personal QR Code shall be prohibited. Covered establishments shall be required to transmit a copy of their digital log book to the City Health Office on a daily basis for data integration.

For non-compliant establishments, violators will be charged with P2,000 penalty and suspension of franchise or business permit until violation has been rectified for first offense, P3,000 for second offense, and suspension or revocation of franchise or business permit including P5,000 for third offense.

In case the offender is a government official or employee, the maximum penalty shall be imposed including the filing of administrative, civil, or criminal action.

On December 21, the City Government conducted a training and orientation on the implementation of Staysafe.PH as the official contact tracing system of the city for the operators of malls, supermarkets, and other large-scale stores.

Recently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued MC No.2020-129 enjoining local government units to use of StaySafe.PH v.2 application system as the official social distancing, health condition reporting, and contact tracing system that will assist in the government’s response to COVID-19.

As of December 20, Muntinlupa City has 43 active cases, 5,053 confirmed cases with 4,845 recoveries, 165 reported deaths, 44 suspect cases, and 237 probable cases.

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The above information and images were provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. 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, 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

Muntinlupa City to strengthen campaign on firecrackers ban, aims three-year zero casualty streak

Following the success of the local ban on firecrackers and achieving zero firecracker-related injuries during the holiday season on 2018 and 2019, the City Government of Muntinlupa is all set to strengthen its campaign aiming for a three-year zero casualty streak.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urged the public to strictly observe the on-going ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, including open pipe mufflers and other modifications, during the Christmas and New Year celebration. Fresnedi said this initiative is also a protective measure to prevent COVID-19 transmission from social gathering among constituents.

DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development lauded Muntinlupa City as a model LGU in implementing the ban on firecrackers and fireworks in NCR. Muntinlupa is the sole LGU to have reported zero casualty and firecracker-related injury in Metro Manila for two years in a row.

The mayor ordered the Peace and Order Council, in coordination with Muntinlupa City Police Station, to install checkpoints and conduct inspections and clearing operations on thoroughfares and marketplaces to apprehend violators.

Recently, the Muntinlupa City Council passed Ordinance No. 14-092 prohibiting the display and distribution of firecrackers in Muntinlupa as part of its efforts to reduce cases of casualties and harmful effects of pyrotechnic devices to health and the environment.

Violators will be fined with P1,000 up to P5,000 penalty. While commercial establishments selling firecrackers may face revocation of permit and license to operate in pursuant to penalties provided in the ordinance.

Further, mall owners or similar establishments may organize fireworks displays in designated areas upon securing a permit from Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police.

While alternative noise-making activities are encouraged, the Muntinlupa Traffic and Management Bureau warned motorists that the use of aftermarket mufflers, or removal of such, which emit excessive loud noise causing disturbances in the holiday season will be apprehended.

As per City Ordinance 04-022 or the Muntinlupa City Traffic Code, motorists shall equip their vehicles with a muffler to prevent unusual noise.

Recently, the Department of Health also discouraged the use of “torotot” and whistles during the holiday season as it poses risk of spreading COVID-19 through the release respiratory droplets from using these instruments. The public is encouraged to use beat drums, blow car horns or use various household items to make noise on New Year’s Eve instead.

To report violations, you may coordinate with the following offices: MTMB (8831-9884), PNP Muntinlupa (8862-2611), BFP Muntinlupa (8842-2201), and Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management (8925-4351).

As of December 15, Muntinlupa City has 5,025 confirmed cases with 4,814 recoveries, 48 active cases, 163 reported deaths, 40 suspect cases, and 241 probable cases.

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The above information and images were provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. 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, 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

Las Piñas City at Work (December 10, 2020)

Here are the latest developments related to the public service the City Government of Las Piñas has been doing.

Yesterday, the City Government headed by Mayor Imelda Aguilar with Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery formally accepted the donation of two thousand hot meals and bottled water from Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (Task Force Zero Hunger chairperson) under the PILIPINAS Kontra Gutom (PKG) multi-sectoral coalition.

From left to right: Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles and Mayor Imelda Aguilar at City Hall. (source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)
Secretary Nograles and Mayor Aguilar do a ceremonial pose related to the donation of 2,000 McDonald’s hot meals and bottles of water for drinking, for the benefit of local residents. (source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)

The mayor had the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to lead the distribution of the hot meals (provided by McDonald’s) and bottled water to the residents of Christian Habitat in Barangay Talon Uno.

A few of the donated goods being distributed. (source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)
The donated meals and drinks being released to local residents of Christian Habitat in Barangay Talon Uno. (source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)

The City Government thanked Secretary Nograles for the donation that benefited residents.

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The above information and images were provided by the Las Piñas City Government for the purpose of public information and transparency. 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, 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

Muntinlupa City at Work (December 8, 2020)

26 GRAB RIDERS RECEIVE STIMULUS PACKAGE FROM MUNTI LGU: The City Government of Muntinlupa rolled out the distribution of stimulus packages for Batch 3 and 4 ‘Deliver to Recover’ program beneficiaries. Congressman Ruffy Biazon (center) and Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (right) led the turn-over ceremony of stimulus packages to 26 beneficiaries last December 7 at Muntinlupa City Hall. The local government is assisting displaced workers and public transportation drivers in the city that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with their Grab application. A stimulus package amounting to P7,500 which include Grab uniforms, food insulated box, P2,500 worth of e-wallet credit, and P2,500 cash assistance as initial cash revolving fund are also given to qualified applicants. The City Government entered a partnership with Grab Philippines for the registration of 500 city residents. The application process is still ongoing through PESO Muntinlupa Facebook Page or via http://bit.ly/MuntiGrab. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
ZERO-INTEREST LOAN FOR MICRO ENTREPS IN MUNTINLUPA: Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (center) turns over P1.4 million zero-interest loan assistance to Tulong Negosyo Batch 118 representatives, dubbed as “Muntipreneurs,” last December 2 in a bid to help local businesses recover from the economic disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. 57 micro entrepreneurs were provided with the loan assistance this month. Tulong Negosyo caters to MSMEs and provides micro finance assistance which ranges from P2,000 up to P150,000 depending on the business capital ceiling and payment record of beneficiaries. Muntinlupa City is the first LGU to introduce the micro-financing program. Fresnedi vows to continue the program and assist Muntipreneurs especially in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media releases. 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, NO to distorted views, NO to reckless publishers, and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila-related community developments, engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, visit and join the growing South Metro Manila FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Muntinlupa launches the BEST (Business E-payment System), online business registration as e-governance innovations amid the pandemic

The City Government of Muntinlupa formally introduced a contactless and cashless processing of business applications and payments through the launching of BEST (Business E-payment System), an e-governance innovation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a bid to address the challenges of the pandemic to face-to-face transactions, the City Government, through its partner banks Development Bank of the Philippines and Landbank of the Philippines, formally launched the Business E-payment System (AKA Muntinlupa BEST) yesterday.

The counters where business applicants and taxpayers can do their transactions. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi says the City Government developed the project to adapt to the “new normal” of public service which requires an open government approach and use of digital platforms.

Fresnedi added that through the e-governance initiative, the risk of COVID-19 transmission will also be prevented due to reduced contact of clients and government employees who will process their applications.

Muntinlupa BEST is an online payment alternative that will allow locators in Muntinlupa City to accomplish business permit applications and transactions through any internet-enabled device. Taxpayers can access the online platform via www.muntinlupacity.gov.ph and accomplish transactions including application for New Business Permit, Renewal of Business Permit, Application Status Inquiry, Billing and Payment, and Payment History.

Upon assessment and verification of payment, the Muntinlupa Business Permits and Licensing Office shall endorse an advanced e-copy of the requested permit to the client via email.  The total processing time is shortened to around 30 minutes for applications with complete set of requirements.

Clients can schedule the pick-up of original documents or arrange delivery via courier service. The platform also serves as online portal for transactions processed by the Treasury Office which include application and submission of requirements, acquisition of assessment billing, Order of Payment and e-Payment for the convenience of taxpayers.

Payments can be processed through Bancnet and PESONet partner banks or over-the-counter via ECPAY, Bayad Express and 7-Eleven outlets. Taxpayers can now conveniently pay their taxes at their own time and within the safety of their homes.

Safety protocols and high-tech equipment are on place to ensure a safe environment for everyone. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Muntinlupa BEST is facilitated by the city’s BPLO, the Mayor’s Office, the Management Information Systems Office, and the City Treasurer’s Office, Muntinlupa City is a frontrunner in business innovations which include the Single Window Transaction – Muntinlupa Business One Stop Shop. It is an innovative single-interface business registration process consisting of three simple steps with one and the same staff from start to end of the transaction for as fast as fifteen minutes.

Muntinlupa’s initiative in government efficiency has been recognized by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) as one of the best practices in the country.

SWiT-MBOSS qualified as a finalist in the 4th International Best Practice Competition (IBPC) organized by the Asian Productivity Organization. Muntinlupa City shared runner up standing with Texas Instruments (Philippines) and City of El Paso, Texas (USA), while tied as the competition’s champions were Al Jazeera International Catering LLC (UAE) and Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (UAE).

Further, Muntinlupa City has been adjudged as one of the winners of the Digital Cities Philippines Awards for Best Practices in eGovernance for Local Government Units. In 2018, Muntinlupa bagged the 2nd place in the Best in eGOV Government Inter-operability (G2G) category for its Budget Management and Monitoring System (BMMS) besting 65 entries from 36 LGUs in the country.

Muntinlupa City is the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Most Business-Friendly LGU in 2017 and 2018.

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

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to distorted views, NO to reckless publishers, and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila-related community developments, engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, visit and join the South Metro Manila FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673