economy – Page 54 – Author Carlo Carrasco

COVID-19 Crisis: Metro Manila under GCQ from September 8 to September 30, 2021

September 7, 2021September 6, 2021carlocarrasco

Finally, residents and businesses of National Capital Region (NCR) will experience relief and added liberty as the national authorities declared that starting September 8 until September 30, Metro Manila will revert back to general community quarantine (GCQ) according to a report by the Manila Bulletin. It should be noted that August 2021 was full of restrictions for Metro Manila such as the sudden enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the prohibition on outdoor exercise and the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) (which saw an extension) due to the rise of COVID-19 cases. These same restrictions also resulted damaged to the national economy in the form of increased unemployment and further business hardship which prompted the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to make a proposal with economic recovery in mind.

Very recently, granular lockdown action happened around the NCR and such forms of restrictions look like will become the new normal for communities with infections.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

After enduring a month of strict lockdown, Metro Manila will shift back to a general community quarantine (GCQ) although it will also serve as the pilot area for the implementation of granular lockdowns starting Sept. 8 until the end of the month.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement on Monday, Sept. 6, or a day before the expiration of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status of the National Capital Region (NCR).

In his press briefing on Monday, Roque announced that Metro Manila will be placed under the more lax GCQ beginning Sept. 8. He also confirmed reports that granular lockdowns will be implemented in the region as a new tact against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Roque said limited dine-in services and religious gatherings will be allowed again in Metro Manila once it shifts to GCQ.

Granular lockdown

However, Roque said details about the granular lockdown were still being finalized and will be announced before Sept. 8.

He explained that it will be the governors and mayors who will decide on the granular lockdowns. The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases can reverse the decision of the local chief executives, he said.

The Palace official explained that the granular lockdown should cover the smallest area as possible.

“The granular lockdown does not have to be an entire barangay. It can be a street, it can be a house, it can be a community. It should be as granular as we can,” he said.

According to Roque, the government shifted to granular lockdowns because the number of COVID-19 cases did not seem to go down despite the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)–the strictest quarantine level possible.

“Ang tingin ng mga eksperto, mas epektibo po kung tayo po talaga ay magpapatupad ng systematic at scientific granular lockdowns (Exprets think that the implementation of systematic and granular lockdowns will be more effective),” he said.

We have the Lord to thank for the Metro Manila GCQ. So much economic damage has been done already and it is high time for businesses and the affected employees to move forward and lead the way for economic recovery. It is also high time for the faithful to be allowed to worship the Lord on-site at church facilities as it is a fact that online worship is very limiting (especially when Zoom is used as a digital platform). When it comes to public health, people of Metro Manila should have more freedom and time to exercise outside of their homes to gain fitness and strengthen their immune system which itself is crucial during this pandemic.

Of course, each and every individual has a personal responsibility to properly follow health protocols (social distancing, using sanitizers, contact tracing and more) whenever he or she enters a church to worship the Lord, or enter a restaurant or a personal care service provider to be served, or visiting random places outdoors. Each of us has a role to be taken seriously to stay safe, be safe and avoid getting infected while moving around in public to fulfill our respective objectives.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Does the new GCQ announcement for Metro Manila surprise you in relation to the daily high numbers of new COVID-19 infections?

If you are a Metro Manila resident, do you trust your mayor or the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) when it comes to making big, sweeping decisions that affect you and your family? Have you prayed to the Lord to enlighten all the government and community leaders so that they can do their jobs better and rightfully?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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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

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on the lookout for local vloggers who made millions of pesos

August 26, 2021August 24, 2021carlocarrasco

Are you a vlogger based here in the Philippines who made a lot of money recently? Be aware that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is on the lookout for vloggers they might find taxable. The other day, it was reported by the Manila Bulletin that the BIR is paying close attention to a certain unidentified couple who allegedly earned between P50 million to P100 million (US$1 million to US$2 million based on the latest foreign exchange rates) that past few years and the deletion of their social media channel was seen to be a move to avoid taxation. It should be noted that the BIR launched a campaign focused on social media influencers or SMIs.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin article. Some parts in boldface…

A couple, who reportedly raked in multi-million pesos from video blogging (vlogging), abruptly deleted their social media channel in what the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officials believe to be an attempt to avoid paying taxes.

Based on the initial investigation of the BIR, the couple earned P50 to P100 million in the past two years which enabled them to buy luxury vehicles and built a mansion somewhere in Metro Manila.

BIR sources said the couple deleted their channel days after BIR Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay announced a crackdown against social media influencers (SMIs) who have been receiving earning huge sum of money from social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook by compelling them to pay taxes.

The couple, BIR officials said, had more than 11 million subscribers. The names of the pair were withheld pending the outcome of the investigation.

But the BIR said it will still run after the couple, saying deleting the social media channel will not excuse them from paying taxes.

Vloggers are classified as self-employed subject to 12 percent value-added tax if annual income is P3 million and more, eight percentage tax if less than the amount and tax exempt if not more than P250,000.

Dulay advised vloggers to be truthful in their income tax declaration to avoid facing tax evasion charges.

The article ended stating that social media influencers cannot hide their respective income because the “tax authorities of countries where the social media platforms are based are obligated to furnish the BIR with their salaries under a tax treaty agreement with the Philippines.”

For the newcomers reading this, the penalties for tax evasion has been updated this year in accordance to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act. A person found guilty of tax evasion, the financial penalty is now P500,000 to P10 million. Imprisonment will be 6 to 10 years.

In closing this piece, let me ask you readers: Do you believe that the BIR’s search for qualified vloggers or SMIs to tax is good for the Philippines? Do you believe that your favorite vloggers or SMIs have a legal obligation to pay taxes? Do you believe that the affected vloggers/SMIs will react by promoting/favoring the politicians or potential election candidates who oppose the current administration?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: EastWest Bank employees and partners receive protection through FilVax COVID-19 vaccination program

August 25, 2021August 24, 2021carlocarrasco

Are you looking for something inspiring or interesting during this pandemic? Check this out…EastWest, a major bank here in the Philippines, had its employees and the personnel of its partners vaccinated for COVID-19 recently.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from EastWest’s announcement sent to me via email. Some parts in boldface…

We’re glad to announce that we’ve now made an important step in fighting COVID-19 by vaccinating our employees and partners across the Philippines!

Last August 3, EastWest and its parent company Filinvest Development Corporation had launched FilVax, a conglomerate-wide vaccination program. Our EastWest employees, janitorial services, drivers, messengers, security guards, and other partners had begun receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine at its supersite in Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, with more sites to be launched across the country soon after. This is part of the 100,000-dose order of the Filinvest Group, and is open to all of EastWest’s employees and partners nationwide, beginning with the bank’s frontliners. We are aiming for full vaccination of our employees by this October.

The vaccination program is the latest initiative in our efforts to protect our customers and employees from COVID-19, which include regular sanitization and disinfection of stores, a remote working setup for employees, and private shuttles for employees reporting for work in our stores. With these efforts, your safety and our uninterrupted service for all your banking needs continue to be our top priority.

It’s nice to see that EastWest made moves to protect its workforce plus other personnel from the dreaded effects of COVID-19. This means it is safe to visit their bank branches and do over-the-counter transactions. Moves like this one is key to help the nation’s economy recover. EastWest and its FilVax program deserve admiration. Getting vaccinated is truly essential!

Meanwhile residents of Muntinlupa City who remain unregistered and unvaccinated should make a move to get registered by learning the ways to do it. Those who are prepared (with personal information available) and willing to go through online registration for the free vaccines in Muntinlupa are encouraged to click https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about EastWest Bank employees and partners getting vaccinated for COVID-19? Do you bank regularly at EastWest? How many EastWest banks are there in your local area right now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: MECQ in effect in Metro Manila until August 31, 2021

August 21, 2021August 20, 2021carlocarrasco

Finally, the surprise enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for Metro Manila has ended as the national government announced late Thursday night that the new level of restriction for the metropolis is the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) which is now in effect and will last until August 31, 2021. For the newcomers reading this, MECQ is supposed to be lighter than ECQ when it comes to restrictions.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

The quarantine classification in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Laguna and Bataan has been downgraded from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to modified ECQ (MECQ), Malacañang announced Thursday.

This, after President Rodrigo Duterte, upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EUD), approved the latest quarantine status in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Bataan, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“These latest classifications are without prejudice to the strict implementation of granular lockdowns,” said Roque, also acting as IATF-EID spokesperson, in a press statement.

Roque said Metro Manila will be placed under MECQ from Aug. 21 to 31.

Bataan, on the other hand, will be under MECQ from Aug. 23 to 31, he added.

Metro Manila, Laguna, and Bataan were initially placed under ECQ, the strictest form of community quarantine, due to the spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections.

Roque stressed that despite the deescalation of quarantine level, religious gatherings should remain “virtual” in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Bataan.

He added that indoor and al-fresco dine-in services, as well as personal care services such as beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and nail spas should remain prohibited.

Roque said local government units in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Bataan are likewise directed to improve the vaccination rates within their localities, as well as intensify the “Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) strategies to control the spread of Covid-19.

And here is a related news video to watch…

In an article by the Manila Bulletin, curfew hours in Metro Manila still remain and quarantine passes (QPs) are not required. MECQ also means no cash aid (ayuda) will be released by the national government. There are also other MECQ-related guidelines to follow in another article by the Manila Bulletin. As for the unpopular ban on outdoor exercise approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC), that one has ended and therefore the freedom to exercise outside our homes has been restored but to a certain extent.

As seen in the details regarding MECQ, there is no real ease nor positive change for several businesses and churches. Restaurants, coffee shops and convenience stores that have tables and chairs are still prohibited from having customers dining inside and on the immediate space outside their joints. In a business sense, this is bad because take-out and delivery services are not good enough for food/beverage sellers to make their ends meet. People of faith, meanwhile, are still literally blocked from worshiping the Lord physically at the venues of their faith communities or ministries. As such, the online form of worship in Metro Manila is still the way but I can tell you from my experience that onsite, physical presence worship of the Lord is the better and more preferable way to worship Him. Online worship has its limits and it lacks the immersion that on-site, physical worship has.

That being said, I encourage you all reading this to pray to God to enlighten all the public officials (from the barangay up to the national level) to look up to Him and come back to Him for His guidance which they really need when it comes to managing the people and their communities as everyone still struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic. The public officials need prayers for the Lord to guide them, strengthen them and prevent them from getting lost.

It should be noted that just days ago, the Metro Manila Council left the decision on community control to national government. Just think about that! Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Benhur Abalos and the mayors met and that was all they could come up with – letting someone else decide for the many millions of people living and struggling in the National Capital Region (NCR).

As such, praying to the Lord to help the public officials is very much needed. It is a fact that each local government unit (LGU) in Metro Manila is struggling not only with their respective COVID-19 vaccine operations but also with all other functions.

Also pray to the Lord that the national government will be more accommodating to the businesses and churches that got negatively affected by these community quarantine levels. Pray to the Lord that the employees, the business owners, the people of faith, the pastors and ministries will be assisted and accommodated better.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about the shift to MECQ for Metro Manila? If you are a manager or owner of a restaurant or coffee shop, how did the recent ECQ affect you and your employees?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: 118 businesses in Las Piñas City awarded with Safety Seals

July 16, 2021July 14, 2021carlocarrasco

To ensure that business establishments are safe for customers to visit and do business transactions in during this COVID-19 pandemic, the inspection team of the City Government of Las Piñas found one hundred and eighteen businesses qualified for the Safety Seal as revealed in a recent Manila Bulletin news report. That is a majority of the recent inspection of almost one hundred fifty businesses they visited.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

The Las Piñas City government inspection and certification team has already inspected 149 business establishments around the city.

Out of the evaluated establishments, 118 have already been awarded with safety seal certification for passing the checklist in the implementation of health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Safety Seal Inspection Team formed by Mayor Imelda Aguilar is composed of City Administrator Reynaldo Balagulan, City Public Information Officer-Paul Ahljay San Miguel, and other offices in the city government.

According to the report, 31 business establishments that were inspected and evaluated still need to comply with other requirements before they will be awarded with safety seal certification.

Aguilar called on all business establishments in the city to comply with the checklist requirements.

She said the safety seal certification will allow businesses the opportunity to gradually increase their operating capacity.

For the newcomers reading this, business establishments having Safety Seals posted should restore business confidence at least in the short term. Within Las Piñas, SM Southmall itself got certified safe. Offices at Las Piñas City Hall qualified for Safety Seals. Whether an office or a business establishment has a Safety Seal or not, visitors can still do their parts in meeting health protocols by wearing face masks and face shields.

With regards to local COVID-19 matters, any Las Piñas resident reading this who has yet to get registered for free COVID-19 vaccines can learn the ways (4 methods) by clicking here. Anyone who is ready and willing to register online can click bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Have you visited any local business there in Las Piñas that does not have a Safety Seal yet? Did you witness the City Government’s inspection team do their work?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: Foreign direct investments spiked in April 2021 in connection to CREATE Law, economic reopening and other factors

July 15, 2021July 13, 2021carlocarrasco

It’s been months since the last time I wrote about the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises act otherwise referred to as the CREATE Law. For the newcomers reading this, the CREATE Law was designed to cut down corporate income tax which should lead to the creation of new jobs and the attraction of investment in mind. The said law is really crucial in this COVID-19 crisis we are all still living with.

Recently, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) published an article stating that a huge rise of foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the country was realized this past April and the CREATE Law was one of the factors behind it.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

An economist has attributed the rise of foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the country in April 2021 to the implementation of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law and the opening of the economy.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday reported the 114.4-percent year-on-year jump of net FDI inflows to USD679 million last April from USD317 million in the same period last year.

In a report, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said lower interest rates and lower cost of some inputs like real estate property and leases are plus factors that enticed higher FDIs.

“Some foreign investors may have started to come in view of the progress made on the CREATE law, which was finally signed on March 26, 2021 and reduces corporate income tax rates to 25 percent for large corporations (from 30 percent) retroactive July 1, 2020, thereby narrowing the gap with the tax rates in other Asean/Asian countries, and also provides greater certainty on investment incentives, thereby helping attract more FDIs and making some foreign investors on the sidelines in recent months/years to become more decisive and finally bring in more FDIs into the country,” he said.

Ricafort said positive credit rating actions on the Philippines, which even got its first-ever A-level credit rating, A-, from the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) in June 2020, also boosted investors’ sentiment on the domestic economy.

The positive credit rating actions, he said, “reflect improved international investor confidence in the country, manifesting the country’s improved economic fundamentals, as well as the country’s attractive demographics.”

These factors are, however, expected to be countered by the still high number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, aggravated by new variants that are reported to be more contagious.

Ricafort believes that higher government spending, especially on infrastructure, and the accommodative monetary policy by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) are seen to further support the rise in net FDIs.

The above article is indeed filled with good news that our nation badly needs, especially since there are still many millions more people around the country who have yet to get vaccinated and the fact that lots of businesses are still struggling. In recent times, patients under the A4 category have been gradually vaccinated for COVID-19 and that is a very good thing because it under that very category where the nation’s laborers are listed. There are still lots of unemployed workers out there who badly need vaccines and jobs, and it does not help that certain local government units (LGUs) had to temporarily suspend their local vaccination operations due to a lack of supply of vaccines. There are supposed to be around 13 million doses of vaccines to come into the Philippines this month, and so far some of that have arrived (click here, here and here).

More on economics, apart from the rise of FDIs last April, it was reported that the local demand for office space nationwide grew by 38% rising from 122,000 square meters (sqm) in the first quarter of 2021 to 169,00 sqm. in the second quarter. It was described to be the strongest office demand since the start of the pandemic.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Does the recent news about the sharp rise of FDIs in our country make you confident about your economic prospects? How much do you know about the CREATE Law and what further positive effects it can generate for the country? If you have been unemployed, how long have you been out of work?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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DTI-NCR provides carinderia kits to 75 “Muntipreneurs,” Mayor Fresnedi receives Resilience award

July 9, 2021July 8, 2021carlocarrasco

The Department of Trade and Industry – National Capital Region Office has turned over Carinderia Kits to food retailers and other micro-entrepreneurs in Muntinlupa, dubbed as “Muntipreneurs,” in a bid to help them recover and improve their businesses amid the pandemic.

DTI-NCRO Regional Director Marcelina Alcantara, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, and Congressman Ruffy Biazon led the Awarding Ceremony of Carinderia Kits worth P8,000 each to seventyfive beneficiaries of the Livelihood Seeding Program – Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB) at Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Brgy. Tunasan last July 7.

*City Government officials led by Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and the 75 Muntipreneurs. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

The LSP-NSB is a program of DTI that allows a wider reach of business development assistance by bringing government services closer to the people through partnerships between relevant local government units and DTI officials.

The program aims to provide individual package of livelihood kits that contains items that could aid in the recovery of affected individuals during catastrophic events including health disasters like epidemics and pandemics.

Other services offered by the LSP-NSB include business registration assistance, SME counseling, product development, financing facilitation, market/business matching, trade promotion, investment promotion, business information and advocacy, trainings, seminars, and workshops, among others. LSP-NSB beneficiaries will undergo monitoring and evaluation to ensure the growth of their businesses.

Other officials attending the program include LSP-NSB National Program Manager Asec. Dominic Tolentino, Muntinlupa Local Economic and Investment Promotions Department chief Gary Llamas, and City Administrator Allan Cachuela.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi extended his thanks to DTI-NCR for providing assistance to local entrepreneurs. He hoped that programs for micro-entrepreneurs in the city will help revive the stalled local economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the program, DTI-NCRO officials also conferred the Certificate of Recognition for being Rank 1 in the Resilience category (HUCs) of the recent Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index to Mayor Fresnedi.

*Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (3rd from right) receives the Resilience Award from DTI-NCRO. Also present was Congressman Ruffy Biazon and other local officials. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

For inquiries and other information, interested micro entrepreneurs may contact the local Negosyo Center at Plaza Central, Brgy. Poblacion at 0917 5120269 and look for Ms. Bea Trozado.

In a similar program, the City Government of Muntinlupa also provides financing assistance to micro-entrepreneurs and MSMEs through Tulong Negosyo Program’s zero-interest loans (formerly Dagdag Puhunan). Muntinlupa is the first LGU to introduce the micro-financing program.

Tulong Negosyo caters to MSMEs and provides micro-finance assistance ranging from P2,000 up to P150,000 depending on the business capital ceiling and payment record of beneficiaries. The program aims to provide additional capital for business expansion for aspiring and established business owners in Muntinlupa.

For more information, visit the Joint Resources Financing Program – JRF Facebook Page or visit them at 2F Plaza Central, Brgy. Poblacion with contact numbers 8772-3457and (0921) 888 6124.

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The above information was sourced from the official press release of the Muntinlupa PIO. Some parts were changed for this website.

COVID-19 Crisis: No hospitalization, deaths recorded after full vaccination according to FDA

July 5, 2021July 1, 2021carlocarrasco

Were you fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with two doses already? There is something worth paying attention to related to health and immunity towards COVID-19, particularly on what happens once a person successfully got two doses. I’m talking about the local Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which declared that there were no hospitalizations and no deaths related to COVID-19 recorded after more than two weeks of getting the 2^nd dose.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) article. Some parts in boldface…

Out of the 8.4 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines administered as of June 20, no hospitalization and deaths due to Covid-19 were observed after more than 14 days of getting the second dose and only 0.6 percent reported reactions, the Food and Drug Administration said.

Preliminary data presented by FDA Director General Eric Domingo showed that some Covid-19 infections occurring after vaccination were recorded after more than 14 days from the second inoculation but all were mild cases.

In a news release, the FDA said Sinovac, with 1.6 million individuals completing the two doses, recorded 33 infections. AstraZeneca with 428,000 individuals vaccinated with the full dose, recorded one infection.

Pfizer had one infection after 82,800 individuals were vaccinated with two doses. There were no recorded infections in Sputnik V among the 14,000 individuals who received the full dose.

The performance of Covid-19 vaccines in the country, as initially reported by the FDA, supports the results of the clinical trials and real-world data reported by several countries that vaccines prevent hospitalization and deaths.

Health experts locally and abroad have reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated as an additional layer of protection against Covid-19.

Among the common reactions after vaccination included increased blood pressure, pain in the injection site, headache, fever, dizziness, rashes, and respiratory symptoms. No local events of blood clotting and myocarditis were reported.

“To date, the evidence gathered from all causality assessments has concluded that all serious reactions reported were unrelated to the Covid-19 vaccine. We reiterate that vaccines with emergency use authorization are safe and effective against Covid-19 and the benefits of using them outweigh the risks,” Domingo said.

The Department of Health and the FDA emphasized the importance of completing the required two doses, as maximum protection sets in two weeks after getting the second dose.

“Gaya ng ating nakita sa mga clinical trial, kapag tayo ay nakakompleto ng 2 dose ng bakuna ay walang naospital at walang namatay dahil sa Covid-19 matapos ang 14 araw (The clinical trials show that when we have completed the required two doses, no one gets hospitalized or die from Covid-19 after 14 days). Vaccines do protect us from getting severe Covid-19 and prevent hospitalization and death. We urge everyone to get vaccinated when it is their turn to protect themselves and their families against Covid-19,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

While the preliminary report shows that chances of hospitalization and death are reduced, fully vaccinated individuals may still get infected with Covid-19 and therefore may still infect others, especially those who have not received their vaccines yet.

So there you have it! The FDA and local health officials found that being fully vaccinated (2 doses) for COVID-19 is really helpful in the sense that you become more protected from the coronavirus, although not necessarily 100% protected. By analyzing the risks and the high costs of medical care today, it is more preferrable to avoid hospitalization for COVID-19 and this alone should motivate the unvaccinated to get registered and vaccinated.

Getting fully vaccinated also enable people – especially the unemployed – to get back to work and become part of the economic recovery effort. In fact, COVID-19 vaccination was cited in the ease of national unemployment for the month of May. Here is an excerpt from another PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

The economic managers added that 1.5 million jobs were created between April and May this year.

“Following the trend of recovery from the previous months, total employment remains above pre-Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) levels with a net job creation of 2.2 million since January 2020,” they said.

They are also optimistic that the National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS) and the faster rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination program will support the government’s target to grow the economy by 6 to 7 percent this year.

Some 829,662 economic front-liners under the A4 priority group have received their first dose of Covid-19 jab since the list was expanded last May 27.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Have you been vaccinated with two doses for COVID-19? What was the brand of vaccine you got injected with? Do you believe that the Food and Drug Administration conducted their research properly?

As far as employment is concerned, do you consider COVID-19 vaccination essential?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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New gas station in Las Piñas City

July 2, 2021June 30, 2021carlocarrasco

Did you notice an eye-catching, new gas station while driving here in South Metro Manila? There is one in Las Piñas City called Cleanfuel and it sure has a notable color scheme that makes it visually stand out.

*Cleanfuel’s gas station opened recently in Barangay Pamplona Tres. (source – Cleanfuel Facebook page)*

What is also notable was that the brand new Cleanfuel gas station got featured in the Business Mirror. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article. Some parts in boldface…

The aggressive stance of leading independent oil company Cleanfuel to tap new market is being exercised anew with the recent opening of its premier station in Las Piñas City.

The inauguration of Cleanfuel Alabang-Zapote station has provided easy access to affordable yet quality fuel products to private motorists, public utility, and commercial transport.

The latest location of Cleanfuel serves as one of the gateways in the South Metro Manila, catering to the large volume of vehicles coming to and from Muntinlupa, Las Piñas and Bacoor, Cavite.

Located along the busy stretch of Alabang-Zapote Road in Barangay Pamplona Tres in Las Piñas City, this 2,400-square-meter retail station will be beneficial to all types of motorists as it offers topnotch fuel products including Clean91, Premium 95, and high-grade diesel as part of the company’s mission to offer outstanding yet affordable products.

Aside from the products at the new station, the company also prides itself with the first-class amenities offered to customers such as clean and spacious air-conditioned restrooms, commercial space leasing, air-and-water services, cashless payment options, and loyalty rewards program.

The newly-opened station in Alabang-Zapote road, which stretches for nine kilometers and connects roads towards Alabang, Muntinlupa, and Las Piñas, will include added amenities from its leasing tenants such as a carwash bay area, food store outlets, and motorcycle stores.

Providing more value to its patrons is one of Cleanfuel’s best offerings and the VIP Rewards card (which is being offered FREE in all branches) can make the most out of every top-up as customers earn points; redeem exciting items, and discounts from its establishment partners.

“This is such an important occasion for us as we open our first branch in one of the busiest commercial district in the South. We’re excited to provide motorists a new level of customer service, quality fuel, and world class facilities,” said Atty. Jesus “Bong” Suntay, president of Cleanfuel Group of Companies.

Suntay explained, “With businesses slowly opening up and our economy recovers, we at Cleanfuel, through our continuously-growing station-network will be ready to provide the most competitive pricing in the market to help motorists. Our vision is to help our customers maximize their earnings by providing quality fuel at the lowest price possible.”

While the threat of the pandemic is still within the horizon, Cleanfuel customers can expect the same safe and risk-free environment as its workforce continuously upholds safety health precautions like wearing face masks and face shields, thermal scanning of personnel, social distancing, disinfection of workstations, and hand washing. Cashless payments are also made available.

Wow! Cleanfuel and its PR department/partner really went all out with their heavy and lengthy message through Business Mirror. Their gas station did not simply open but offers a lot for customers to enjoy and that the business itself is meeting with health protocols. The company president also stated that they will open more stations, including in key areas of the National Capital Region (NCR).

For South Metro Manila, this new business is a welcome development especially as the country is on pace for economic recovery and that means consumer spending – including buying fuel and automobile-related services or products – are gradually moving back to pre-pandemic levels. Really, when it comes to restoring prosperity, creating jobs and providing customers choices for products and services, the capitalists can make those happen. The socialists cannot do the same.

*Sports cars at the newly opened Cleanfuel station! (source – Cleanfuel Facebook page)*

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Have you visited Cleanfuel in Barangay Pamplona Tres yet? If you did, were you able to buy fuel and spend time at their station? Does Cleanfuel’s claims of first-class amenities prove to be true? Are their fuel rates attractive? Do you want to see more Cleanfuel gas stations open?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: 30,518 Las Piñas City residents fully vaccinated

June 14, 2021June 13, 2021carlocarrasco

How many residents in your locality successfully got vaccinated for COVID-19 with two doses? Over in Las Piñas City, it was reported by the Manila Bulletin (citing the City Government and the local health office’s COVID-19 statistics as of June 10, 2021) that 30,518 residents have been fully vaccinated (injected with two doses). Take note that it was only days ago when the grand total of city residents vaccinated exceeded the 100,000 mark.

You must be wondering – what are the breakdowns? To make things clear, here is an excerpt from the news report. Some parts in boldface…

A total of 30,518 Las Pinas City residents are now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Las Pinas City government announced on its Facebook page that a total of 13,749 senior citizens and 12,803 adults with comorbidities have already been fully vaccinated.

Out of the 5,322 health care frontliners, 1,885 have yet to receive their second dose of the vaccine.

Mayor Imelda Aguilar appealed to the city residents to finish their second dose to get maximum protection against COVID-19.

Aguilar, however, said that even if they are fully vaccinated, the residents should still follow the standard health protocols.

She also asked the city residents to be part of the “Ligtas na Las Pinero, Lahat Bakunado” vaccination program.

Records show that a total of 82,234 individuals in the city have already had their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The above report ended with statistics showing that 6,837 patients under the A4 category have been vaccinated and among them are 529 who have been fully vaccinated. It is good to see that the local number of A4 patients vaccinated has quickly reached in the thousands already. That’s impressive as it was only last week that A4 patients vaccination started. The A4 patients vaccination is crucial to the local and national economy as that group includes most of the workers who are essential to the many businesses already struggling during this pandemic.

Below for your reference is the city health office’s statistics and breakdowns accurate as of June 10, 2021.

*Official statistics as of June 10, 2021.*

Any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for free COVID-19 vaccines can learn the ways (3 methods) by clicking here. Anyone who is ready and willing to register online can click bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you a Las Piñas resident who got fully vaccinated? How was the local processing and waiting time during your second appointment at the local vaccination site? How long did it take for you to get vaccinated for the 2^nd dose?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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