Tag: GMA Network

COVID-19 Crisis: NCR’s COVID-19 growth rate shrinks from 14% to 5% according to OCTA Research

COVID-19 Crisis: NCR’s COVID-19 growth rate shrinks from 14% to 5% according to OCTA Research

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As the nation has a renewed drive to have more people vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19, the COVID-19 growth rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) fell down significantly based on the findings of OCTA Research, GMA Network reported.

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

The one-week growth rate of COVID-19 infections in the National Capital Region (NCR) has decreased to 5%, independent monitoring group OCTA Research said Wednesday.

In a tweet, OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said that NCR’s growth rate as of Tuesday, August 9, was at 5% after logging 828 new COVID-19 cases.

This is down from the 14% growth rate recorded in the NCR on August 2.

Meanwhile, NCR’s reproduction number — or the number of people infected by one case — also went down to 1.17 as compared to the 1.24 recorded last week.

Aside from these, NCR’s one-week positivity rate — or the percentage of people found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested — also decreased from 17.4% on August 6 to 15.9% on August 9.

“This once again gives us hope that the peak of the wave in the NCR may occur by next week (no guarantees, of course),” David said.

He said Monday that the COVID-19 wave in the country was lasting longer than expected and could continue until the “ber” months.

David also noted that NCR’s seven-day COVID-19 case average slightly increased to 1,275. It now has an average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 8.85 per 100,000 population.

ADAR pertains to the incidence showing the average number of new cases in a period per 100,000 people.

NCR’s healthcare utilization rate was at 35.7%, while its intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy slightly went up to 31%.

“The trends need to be consistent for about a week before we can confidently say there is a downward trend,” David said.

Based on the findings of OCTA Research, the COVID-19 situation in the NCR has eased but that is still no reason to become complacent or careless. When going out of your home for work, meetings and other matters, keep on practicing caution by following health protocols. Keep on sanitizing yourselves constantly.

On the topic of immunity, I encourage you readers to inform the members of your local community to get vaccinated or boosted to truly achieve improved resistance against COVID-19. Never let the anti-vaccine fanatics fool you, even though they become violent and/or more aggressive with their lying, hypnotizing propaganda and fear tactics.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think latest findings of OCTA Research about COVID-19 infections in the National Capital Region? Have you been traveling around Metro Manila and went through thick crowds lately? If you have been boosted for COVID-19 previously, have you determined if you are qualified to get a 2nd booster shot? Did an anti-vaccine activist harass you recently?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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 with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

President Marcos on nuclear power plants in the Philippines

President Marcos on nuclear power plants in the Philippines

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Last March, I highlighted an article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) related to nuclear power for the Philippines. Personally, I favor the use of nuclear power and the construction of nuclear power plants in the Philippines not just because it will provide clean and abundant energy but also because technologies and other means related to it all have advanced through the years. 

That being said, it was good that our new President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., mentioned nuclear power during the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) specifically referring to the nation’s strategy towards building new nuclear power plants.

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

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. again expressed his desire to adopt nuclear energy as part of the country’s power mix, but said the government’s strategy has to be rethought.

“I believe it is time to re-examine our strategy towards building nuclear power plants in the Philippines,” Marcos said in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Marcos, however, did not mention the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), a project during his late father Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s regime which has been mothballed for more than three decades.

In 1976, Marcos Sr. ordered the construction of the $2.3-billion BNPP, but it was shelved after three years due to safety concerns.

The Duterte administration had pegged the cost of reviving the BNPP at around $1 billion.

The President, instead, said that “there have been new technologies developed that allow smaller scale modular nuclear plants and other derivations thereof.”

In October 2019, Russian State Nuclear Energy Corp. (Rosatom) Overseas JSC and the Department of Energy (DOE) signed a memorandum of intent on cooperation to conduct a pre-feasibility study on the construction in the Philippines of nuclear power plants based on small modular reactor (SMR) technology.

Nevertheless, Marcos said the Philippines will comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regulations for nuclear power plants “as they have been strengthened after Fukushima.”

The President said that public-private partnerships will play a role in realizing the goal of adopting nuclear power.

In the Philippine Senate, there is already support for President Marcos’ plan. Posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine News Agency article. Some parts in boldface…

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Tuesday he will fully support the plan of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to explore the country’s potentials on nuclear energy as a cheap and reliable source.

Marcos said in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday that if the country wants to attract investors, both local and foreign, energy-level production must be increased.

“Why not? We are one of the few countries that have not looked at the nuclear option in Southeast Asia. The countries that are developing nuclear power in Asia — Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, even Singapore, are looking at the nuclear option, smaller nuclear power plants, and even Myanmar. We’re already left behind,” Zubiri said in an interview with a news channel.

Despite being a renewable energy advocate, as evidenced by the Renewable Energy Act which he authored, Zubiri admitted that there are not enough efforts to produce the energy requirement the country needs over the next six years.

“If you want to have an 8-percent GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth rate, we better have an energy sector that is robust, that can deliver the power the different industries need to be able to power other programs and projects,” he said.

A nuclear power plant, Zubiri said, might take six years to develop starting from its infancy, but can deliver thousands of megawatts from a single plant.

He said the facility must be built right, strong enough to withstand calamities, and away from earthquake faults.

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, a known environmentalist, said she is open to exploring the possibility of nuclear energy but it must be considered “clean energy”.

“I may not be an expert in nuclear energy. I am open to hearing discussions and consultations with various stakeholders and experts in science on nuclear energy. I have read that nuclear energy is said to be clean. However, what about the nuclear waste? I am interested to know how it will be handled. At the same time, the safety measures,” she said.

Senator Francis Tolentino is likewise in favor of nuclear energy, which he learned has zero emission.

Meanwhile, the government of France is willing to help the Philippines on nuclear power development. France itself has been a major nuclear power player and therefore their willingness to share their expertise is significant for Filipinos. Posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

The French government is keen to help the Philippines develop its nuclear power program as the Marcos administration looks for other reliable sources of energy.

French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz said the embassy has met with some of the Cabinet members and nuclear power was listed among the key areas Paris and Manila could cooperate on.

“(T)here’s obviously an interest. As I said, we have an experience and expertise in many different sectors of renewable energy, including the nuclear sector,” Boccoz said at a reception in Makati City on Tuesday.

She said working on small modular reactors is “probably much more realistic” than reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

“I think that this is a thing of the past because the technologies have evolved so much that it wouldn’t really make sense to work to build this kind of project and it’s probably too big and it probably needs too much of the grid to be operational,” she added.

“So having a sort of more modular systems is probably much more realistic and also in terms of the terrain here and the systemic risks and others. These are much smaller units that can be much more easily protected.”

Boccoz, meanwhile, clarified that talks are still in the “very early stages” as Manila has to put in place a framework first.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the renewed national interest about nuclear power? Are the climate change extremists and modern day Leftists still lying to you that nuclear power is bad while unreliable energy forms like solar and wind power are better? Are you willing to give nuclear power in the Philippines a chance?

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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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. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Parañaque City police officers arrest gun ban violators

Parañaque City police officers arrest gun ban violators

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According to a GMA Network news report, Parañaque City police officers arrested three people for allegedly violating the implemented ban of guns in relation to the State of the Nation Address (SONA). The notable thing here is that the apprehension happened outside of Parañaque City.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…

Parañaque City cops arrested three people on Monday for violation of the ongoing six-day gun ban for the safety of the first State of the Nation Address of President Bongbong Marcos.

Unang Balita reported on Monday — SONA Day – that authorities acting on a tip tailed and cornered the suspects on Ongpin Street in Binondo, Manila.

Police said the suspects immediately surrendered.

An initial police investigation indicates the suspects were carrying service firearms as they were supposedly private security agents of a company.

Authorities said the three will face complaints for violating the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.

According to the report, the suspects have refused to give any further statement.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this latest news development? Could there be gun smuggling or a lot of loose firearms (unregistered weapons) within the City of Parañaque that could be connected to this recent development?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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 with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

Armed robbers who targeted online sellers got arrested by the police

Armed robbers who targeted online sellers got arrested by the police

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If you are selling products online and if you value your personal safety as well as your own business, you might want to refrain from meeting your customers in person (note: meet-ups) as a group of armed helmet-wearing robbers victimized an online seller at its business venue before getting arrested by the police, according to a GMA Network news report.

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

Police officers in Pasig City arrested on weekend five armed robbers who were preying on online sellers across eastern Metro Manila.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, authorities nabbed James Sy Natividad and three others after their leader, Jonard Bernardio, revealed their whereabouts.

Caught on CCTV, the suspects were seen breaking into a store and beating sales agents before stealing money and valuable items. One of the suspects was also seen pointing a gun at the victim.

Police Lieutenant Jaylord Estillore, chief of Station Investigation and Detective Management of Pasig Police, said the armed robbers were dubbed “Jonard Bernarbio Robbery-Holdup Group.”

“Mag-order online and then pagdating doon sa meet-up area doon nila bibiktimahin yung kanilang mga target,” Estillore said.

(They will order online and then when they arrive at the meet-up area, they will prey on their victims.)

Police Lieutenant Resel Guevearra, spokesperson of Pasig Police, reminded the public to be cautious with their transactions.

“I-validate po natin ang ating mga ka-transaction as much as possible doon tayo makipagtransact sa maraming tao,” Guevearra said.

(Let’s validate who we transact with. As much as possible, we should have transact in crowded places.)

Now here is the related news video about the same story. Watch the video and pay close attention…

As you can see in the above news excerpt and video, doing a “meet-up” even in a business venue with CCTV cameras recording is still risky to do. The suspects were seen wearing helmets which means they anticipated the place had CCTV cameras and knew how to hide their faces. It is indeed a good thing not only for the victims but also for the city that the police were able to stop and arrest them.

As I am writing this, it remains to be seen if this type of crime could have happened around the nation while remaining unreported.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? Do you think that online sellers with business venues should hire security guards to prevent the armed robbers (among those who ordered online) from taking over? When you sell online, do you insist on meeting your customers personally or do you prefer sending the products to them via courier? What is the one thing about customer meet-ups do you like the most when selling online?

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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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 as well as making a donation to support my publishing. 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 with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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: OCTA’s Dr. Guido David states that the growth rate of NCR COVID-19 cases is slowing down

COVID-19 Crisis: OCTA’s Dr. Guido David states that the growth rate of NCR COVID-19 cases is slowing down

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Even though it has been confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH) that the nation registered more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases for the period of July 4 to 10, 2022, Dr. Guido David of OCTA Research stated that there is a slowing down of the growth rate at 32%, according to a GMA Network news report.

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

The COVID-19 wave in the National Capital Region could already be close to peaking following the decrease of the weekly growth rate, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said Tuesday.

In a tweet, David said it is possible the COVID-19 wave in the region could have peaked already, citing the decrease of growth rate from 57% on July 4 to 32% on July 11.

He said the positivity rate was 10.9% as of July 10. The positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested.

“The indicators show a slowing down of the growth rate in cases and there is a chance that cases in the NCR are peaking or have already peaked,” David said.

“The trends should be clearer after a week. The seven-day average in cases in the NCR was 710 as of July 11, equivalent to an ADAR (average daily attack rate) of 4.93% per day per 100,000,” he added.

The ADAR pertains to the incidence showing the average number of new cases in a period per 100,000 people.

Now that you have read the above news, it is important right now to get yourselves vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19 not just for your sake but also for your family’s safety as well as your job. I urge you all to reject whatever pieces of misinformation and distorted details of COVID-19 that the anti-vaccine fanatics throw at you.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? Do you think that the NCR won’t end up with a higher average of new COVID-19 cases over the next few weeks? Have you encountered the anti-vaccine fanatics lately? Are you aware that anti-vaccine fanatics have no real solutions to offer with regards to the COVID-19 crisis everyone is struggling with?

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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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 with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

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: NCR cases growth rate spikes

COVID-19 Crisis: NCR cases growth rate spikes

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As the Philippines recently registered its highest single-day number of new cases of COVID-19 in months, OCTA Research announced that it found the one-week growth rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) spiked to 71%, according to a GMA Network news report.

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

The National Capital Region’s COVID-19 cases one-week growth rate climbed to 71%, independent group OCTA Research said Saturday.

The group said NCR’s “7-day average increased from 103 to 176 (as of June 11 to 17), a 71% increase.“

“This translates to an ADAR (average daily attack rate) of 1.24,” it added. ADAR pertains to the incidence showing the average number of new cases in a period per 100,000 people.

“The NCR reported 282 new cases on June 17, 2022, based on DOH data. With the exception of April 3 (when there was a high number due to possible backlog), this is the highest number of new cases since February 26, 2022,” OCTA said.

The coronavirus reproduction number meanwhile also went up to 1.80 in NCR as of June 14, an increase over the 1.40 as of June 7. The reproduction rate refers to the number of people infected by one case. A reproduction number that is below 1 indicates that the transmission of the virus is slowing down.

Also climbing up is the positivity rate in the region, now at 3.7%. This refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested.

OCTA however noted that despite the rise in these metrics in NCR, the hospital bed utilization and ICU utilization rates are still low at 22% and 17%, respectively.

“So far, the numbers we are seeing have been in line with our projections: a weak surge and no escalation of alert levels or restrictions because we expect our healthcare system will be able to manage the relatively low number of hospitalizations,” the group said.

OCTA then reminded the public to be responsible, follow health protocols and get COVID-19 booster shots to prevent infection.

As seen above, the COVID-19 situation in Metro Manila is getting worse in terms of infections but not with hospital bed utilization and ICU utilization which have registered low rates respectively. There’s no need yet to move the alert level system up. Such upward adjustments will depend on the metrics of the IATF. As we have seen before, more restrictions mean serious economic damage.

Key solutions to preventing a surge of new COVID-19 infections include getting vaccinated/boosted, wearing face masks and following health protocols properly. Along the way, I urge you to never let the anti-vaccine fanatics around you to fool you with their propaganda and misinformation tactics. Those anti-vaccine fanatics are loud and they don’t really offer any solutions on dealing with COVID-19.

Ignore those anti-vaccine fanatics and get vaccinated or boosted whenever you have the opportunity to do so. Call your local vaccination site or the local authorities now to find if you are eligible for a vaccine shot or a booster shot. When traveling around, wear your mask and follow local health protocols to avoid infection. The national authorities, meanwhile, should move quickly to allow comorbid patients access to 2nd booster shots and make adjustments to improve access to vaccines and vaccination hubs.

Let me end this by asking you readers: Does the recent spike of COVID-19 infections in the NCR scare you? Could it be possible that some of those who recently got infected were victims of the misinformation tactics of the anti-vaccine fanatics in our country? If have been boosted already for COVID-19, have you made moves to find out if you are eligible for the 2nd booster shot?

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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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 with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

COVID-19 Crisis: National Task Force (NTF) aims to fully vaccinate over 70 million people by June 30, 2022

COVID-19 Crisis: National Task Force (NTF) aims to fully vaccinate over 70 million people by June 30, 2022

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Have you been harassed by anti-vaccine fanatics lately? You better not pay attention to them because the Philippines still needs all the public’s understanding and cooperation to overcome COVID-19’s varied effects (in terms of health, economics and society) and push forward with the national recovery efforts. As part of those efforts, the National Task Force (NTF) announced that it is aiming to have more than 70,000,000 people nationwide fully vaccinated (two shots of most COVID-19 vaccines) by June 30, 2022, according to a GMA Network news report. Take note that this is not to be confused with either the 1st booster shot nor the 2nd booster shot.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 is eyeing to get at least 70 million Filipinos fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the Duterte administration ends on June 30.

During outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte’s Talk to the People aired on Monday night, NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said their target was based on the data gathered by the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC).

NVOC’s figures showed that the country’s average four-week jab rate for the first dose was at 321,083, while 242,606 second doses were administered on average over the same period.

“‘Yung atin pong best case scenario na bago po tayo matapos ang ating administrasyon, ang nakikita po namin ang pinaka-honest-to-goodness na aming assessment sa individuals with at least one dose, 75 million po tayo; and then ‘yung fully vaccinated po ay 70,087,920,” Galvez said.

(Our best case scenario based on our honest-to-goodness assessment is that 75 million people will get their first dose, while 70,087,920 will be fully vaccinated.)

As of June 6, a total 74,221,490 Filipinos have received their first dose, while 69,519,052 individuals were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The government earlier set a target of fully vaccinating 90 million by the end of Duterte’s term. However, NVOC chairperson Dr. Myrna Cabotaje said they would already be “happy” if they reach 77 million by then.

Galvez explained that the government originally aimed at vaccinating 70 million Filipinos based on the National Vaccination Plan. However, this figure was increased to 90 million due to the transmissions of new COVID-19 variants such as the Omicron sub variants BA.5, BA.2.12.1, and BA.4 which were recently detected in the country.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? If you have received your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, what was the brand and how long has it been since you got injected? Have you verified with your local community’s vaccination hubs or the local authorities if you are eligible for the 2nd vaccine shot? If there are already fully vaccinated people in your local community, did you notice if they already received their respective booster shots?

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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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 with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

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

SCTEX toll rates increase

SCTEX toll rates increase

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If you are planning to visit Subic Bay, Tarlac Province or Clark via the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), you will have to set aside more money for traveling as the toll rates will be raised tomorrow already, according to details in a recent GMA Network news report. This is the result of the Toll Regulatory Board’s (TRB) approval of the toll rate adjustment for SCTEX.

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

Motorists plying the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) may need to brace themselves against higher fees after the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) approved the toll rate adjustment, operator North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation said Saturday.

In a statement, NLEX Corp. said the TRB authorized the implementation of an additional P0.78 per kilometer for motorists using the SCTEX.

The adjusted toll rates will take effect starting June 1, 2022.

Under the new toll matrix, motorists with Class 1 vehicles traveling between Mabalacat City to Tarlac will be charged an additional P31.00.

Those with Class 2 vehicles traveling on the same route will pay an additional P61.00 while motorists with Class 3 vehicles will pay an additional P92.00.

Meanwhile, an additional P49.00, P98.00, and P147.00 will be charged on motorists using Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles, respectively, traveling between Mabalacat City and Tipo, Hermosa, Bataan which is near the Subic Freeport.

NLEX Corp. said the toll hike followed regulatory procedures and underwent thorough review. The increase also confirmed the periodic rate adjustments due in 2017.

“To support the public utility buses (PUBs) cope with the adjustment, they will be provided toll subsidies and allow them to continue to enjoy the old rates for the next three months,” the company said.

The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority is the builder and owner of the four-lane 93.7 kilometer SCTEX. The construction was partly funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

SCTEX opened to the public in 2008 and the management, operations and maintenance was privatized and awarded to NLEX Corp. in 2015.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about the approved toll rate adjustment for SCTEX? Does this discourage you from using the SCTEX to visit Subic Bay or Clark or other places connected to the said expressway?

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 Subic Bay related articles, read my Gourmet Garage Subic feature, my Xtremely Xpresso feature and articles about the 2022 Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) here, here and 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 with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

Suspects behind Las Piñas City abduction attempt arrested

Suspects behind Las Piñas City abduction attempt arrested

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Last week in the city of Las Piñas, an attempted abduction of a lady happened which was captured on CCTV. Fortunately for the lady who was actually grabbed by a male to enter the vehicle driven by a partner, the abduction attempt failed as her screams for help caught of the attention of some people, including motorcyclists. The lady was let free and the suspects’ car went away. Subsequently, the two individuals involved in the abduction attempt were arrested by the local police by means of a follow-up operation, according to a GMA Network news report.

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

A woman successfully fended off a man who tried to drag her into a vehicle in Las Piñas City on Wednesday evening.

CCTV footage shows the man standing by the open door of a vehicle, then grabbing the woman as she is walking past and trying to shove her into the car.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, the woman was able to pull herself away, while her screams alerted nearby diners and motorcycle riders.

“Yung rider sumigaw ng ‘hoy!’ At saka ‘yung sigaw ng babae ang lakas din at tatlong beses yata nagsisigaw. Eh sakto, kumakain kami dito. Tinakbo namin,” said Michael Reyes, who was nearby.

(One of the riders shouted, ‘Hoy!’ And then the woman was also shouting loudly, around three times. Fortunately, we were just eating here, so we ran to her.)

“Namumutla siya sa… parang na-trauma dun sa nangyari,” Arwin Cadayday, another witness, said.

(She had turned pale… as if she was traumatized by what had happened.)

The Las Piñas City Police arrested two suspects after tracing the vehicle through its license plate. Inside, they found a gun, ammunition, and a grenade.

One of the suspects, Leonard Alfaro, claimed their only motive was to rob the woman of her cellphone and some money.

The other suspect, George Caragdag Jr., claimed not to have known what Alfaro was going to do.

“Hindi ko naman alam na ganoon ang gagawin niya—mang-hold-up, maghahanap ng bata,” he said.

(He said he was just looking for money, so I let him in the car. I didn’t know he would do that—do a hold-up, look for a child.)

However, Las Piñas City Police chief Police Colonel Jaime does not believe the alibi of the suspects.

“Bakit mo i-abduct kung kukunin mo ang pera?” Jaime stated.

(Why would you try to abduct the woman if you were only going to take her money?)

The above report ended stating that based on police records, the two suspects were previously arrested and detained for a different case. The said suspects will be charged for attempted abduction.

Posted below is the Tagalog-language news video of GMA Network.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, how do you feel about this recent development? Do you believe the alibi of one of the arrested suspects that his only motive on abducting the lady was to get her money and mobile phone? Do you believe the other suspect who claimed that he was not aware what his partner was going to do?

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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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 with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

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

Foreign nationals arrested in Parañaque City for illegal possession of a gun with live ammunition

Foreign nationals arrested in Parañaque City for illegal possession of a gun with live ammunition

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Recently in the City of Parañaque, two foreign nationals – one Chinese and one Malaysian – were apprehended by the local police at the Okada Resorts & Casino as a gun inside a bag was found by x-ray, according to a report by GMA Network. An escape attempt by the suspects also happened.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the most recent report of the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

Two foreign nationals were arrested after a pistol was found in their bag while passing through an x-ray machine at a hotel entrance in Parañaque City on May 10, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Suspects Andrew Too Teck Wee, 34, a Malaysian and resident of Sta. Cruz, Laguna, and Zheng Yi, 29, a Chinese from Makati City, were nabbed by Parañaque Police around 10:53 p.m. at the VIP lobby entrance of Okada Resorts and Casino.

Based on a police report, the security x-ray operators saw a gun inside one of the bags allegedly owned by Yi through the monitor.

The security personnel then called for police assistance from the Tambo Sub-Station 2.

Wee and Yi also tried to escape but they were cornered by security personnel and were brought to the hotel’s office for investigation.

During the interrogation, the suspects failed to show the necessary documents authorizing them to carry a .40 pistol loaded with live ammunition.

Seized from the suspects were one Taurus caliber .40 pistol model PT 24/7 Pro with serial number SCP38509 and five pieces caliber .40 live ammunition.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this latest news development? Do you believe Parañaque will remain a hot spot of crime involving foreigners?

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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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 with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

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