governance – Page 49 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Over 500 day care students vaccinated for polio in Las Piñas City

May 15, 2024May 2, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, more than five hundred children enrolled in local day care centers were vaccinated for polio over a 2-day period under the City Health Office (CHO), according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

A total of 550 day care students received oral polio vaccination during the two-day drive conducted by members of the City Health Office (CHO) last April 23 and 24.

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar said the team of CHO, led by Dr. Julie Gonzalez, conducted the oral polio vaccine drive among the city’s young students.

Aguilar said 250 young students were given oral police vaccine at the TS Cruz covered court in Barangay Almanza Dos on April 23 at the Saint Joseph Subdivision in Barangay Pulanglupa Dos on April 24 where 300 day care students received the vaccine.

Las Piñas City Vice-Mayor April Aguilar was present during the two-day activity and distributed gifts to the day care student.

The vice-mayor said the vaccine drive is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to maintain a polio- free status following global guidelines on disease prevention.

She said parents and guardians expressed their gratitude for the city’s proactive steps in ensuring the health and safety of their children.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you wish to see more polio vaccination drives for day care students be held around the city?

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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Bureau of Immigration (BI) says tighter visa rules for Chinese tourists to help ensure national security

May 13, 2024May 12, 2024carlocarrasco

The government here in the Philippines are trying to balance the nation’s need of security and the gains from attracting foreign tourists. Specifically speaking, the spotlight is currently on the handling of visa requirements from Chinese tourists as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) made clear the need to help ensure national security, according to a GMA Network news report.

The BI responded to the statement of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) that tighter visa rules for Chinese nationals could harm the nation’s tourism as well as the businesses connected with tourist activities. Take note that criminal/illegal activities involving Chinese nationals happened many times here in the Philippines (click here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here).

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

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Sunday that tightening the visa requirements for Chinese tourists would also help the Philippines protect national security, considering the illegal activities involving Chinese nationals.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval explained that while tourism is very important to the Philippine economy, the government also needs to implement stricter measures to protect public interest.

“We also have to look into the national security issue, the safety of the country. Kung merong mga ilegal na ginagawa [if there are illegal activities], I think it’s also important to have strict measures kung may nakikita na tayo na kakaibang nangyayari [if we see anything different happening] or mga activities that are probably inimical to national security or public interest,” she said.

Sandoval made the remark in reaction to the statement of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) that tighter visa rules for Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines could “discourage tourism and hurt businesses.”

She said that the BI has always been strict in inspecting arriving foreign nationals, particularly those involved in illegal activities.

Several Chinese nationals have reportedly been involved in organized crimes such as human trafficking, prostitution, kidnapping, and fraud. Some of them were also linked illegally working for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).

This prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to tighten the Philippines’ visa requirements for Chinese tourists amid a high number of fraudulent applications received in its embassy and consulates in China.

The DFA, however, ruled out ongoing tensions with China in disputed areas in the South China Sea as the reason for imposing more stringent visa measures for Chinese visitors.

Sandoval welcomed this development, saying it would add a layer of security in the Bureau of Immigration’s assessment of foreign nationals entering the Philippines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) that tighter visa rules for Chinese visitors could hurt Philippine tourism? Do you think that Chinese tourists could not behave themselves while they are in the country? Do you want visa rules on all Chinese visitors be tightened for the long-term? Did a Chinese national cause trouble in your local community lately?

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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Muntinlupa City Government sets tricycle fare

May 8, 2024May 7, 2024carlocarrasco

The City Government of Muntinlupa formally sets the minimum fare for all tricycles with franchise by means of passing a local ordinance, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Tricycle drivers or operators who violate the ordinance will be fined P1,000.

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

The Muntinlupa City government passed an ordinance setting the minimum fare for all tricycles with franchise.

Ordinance No. 2024-171 increased the minimum tricycle fare to P12 from P10 based on the request of the Muntinlupa Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, Inc. (FEDMUNTODAI).

The Tricycle Regulatory Unit (TRU) of the city government is mandated to recommend fares and it recommended to the City Council to approve the increase.

“Kinikilala ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Muntinlupa ang tungkulin ng mga Traysikel bilang isa sa mga pangunahing pamamaraan ng pampublikong transportasyon (The Muntinlupa City government recognizes the duty of tricycles as one of the main means of public transportation),” according to the ordinance. The ordinance covers all tricycles with franchise.

Under the ordinance, all tricycles are mandated to give 20 percent discount to senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities (PWD).

All tricycles in Muntinlupa are required to post a Uniform Fare Matrix (UFM) of each tricycle operators and drivers’ association (TODA) at their terminal and inside each tricycle to inform passengers.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you always ride a tricycle to go around the city? Did you encounter any abusive tricycle driver lately?

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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Las Piñas City Government’s health and wellness initiative attracts a few hundred adolescents

May 7, 2024April 26, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government announced that the opening session of the “Healthy Young Ones” activity attracted over two hundred adolescents at Robinsons Place Las Piñas.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post of April 25, 2024. Some parts in boldface…

On Friday, April 19th, over 200 adolescents gathered at Robinsons Las Piñas for the first session of the “Healthy Young Ones” Activity, a health and wellness event focused on educating young individuals about reproductive and sexual health. The event, spearheaded by Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar, in collaboration with the City Health Office under Dr. Juliana Gonzalez, aimed to foster awareness and responsibility among the youth regarding gender, sexuality, reproduction, and the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

This impactful session was part of a broader initiative to encourage healthy lifestyle choices among adolescents while steering them away from harmful behaviors, including drug use. The program was well-received, demonstrating the community’s commitment to nurturing well-informed and responsible young citizens.

Participation from various government sectors including the City Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, Sangguniang Kabataan, Local Youth Development Office, Social Hygiene Clinic, and the Dental Health Unit, highlighted the collaborative effort. The private sector also played a significant role, with contributions from The Challenge Initiative (TCI), Rotary Club Las Piñas, and Robinsons Place-Las Piñas, all supporting the city’s vision of a healthier future for its younger population.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think the health initiative will remain helpful for the adolescents?

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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Immigration officer relieved for allowing overstaying foreigner to pass through airport passenger gate without a clearance

May 2, 2024April 23, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently at the Clark International Airport (CIA), an officer of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) was relieved of his post as a result of allowing an overstaying foreigner to pass through the passenger gate with a clearance, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

An immigration officer has been relieved of his post and ordered investigated after he reportedly allowed an overstaying foreigner to pass through the passenger gate at the Clark International Airport (CIA) in Pampanga last April 17.

The foreigner, Indian national Jasbir Singh, was intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration’s Border Control and Intelligence Unit (BI-BCIU) before he could board a flight to Singapore.

In a statement, the BI said that the immigration officer, whose name was withheld pendng results of the investigation, allowed Singh to pass through the passenger gate without a stamp of clearance from the bureau.

According to BI-BCIU Acting Chief Vincent Bryan Allas, Singh presented his boarding pass with an immigration departure stamp and emergency travel document without a BI stamp,” it said.

“Allas said it was obvious that the passenger wanted to leave without paying the immigration fees and fines that overstaying alien tourists are assessed and required to pay before they could be cleared to leave the country,” it also said.

The BI noted Singh arrived in the Philippines last Dec. 9, 2023 and was admitted as a tourist for 21 days. He is now detained at the BI’s facility in Taguig City pending his deportation.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be even more overstaying foreigners in the country who might slip through immigration officers’ watch at the airports?

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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BIR extends deadline for online businesses to transition to new withholding tax system to July 14, 2024

April 29, 2024April 16, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced that July 14, 2024, is the new deadline for online businesses to transition to the new withholding tax system, according to a GMA Network news report. Previously the deadline was April 15, 2024 and online businesses with annual earnings of over P500,000 were to be covered by the 1% withholding tax.

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

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced Tuesday that it has extended the deadline for online merchants to transition to the new withholding tax system by 90 days.

According to the agency, Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 55-2024 extended the transitory period for compliance with Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 16-2023 until July 14 after considering the private sector’s request on the implementation.

“This 90-day extension of the transitory period under RR No. 16-2023 shows the BIR’s commitment in listening to the voice of the private sector,” BIR Commissioner Jun Lumagui said in a statement.

“This is part of my administration’s thrust on Excellent Taxpayer Service. We hear the thoughts of the private sector, and if the same is reasonable, then we make policy adjustments for the benefit of the Filipino people,” added Lumagui.

Under RR No. 16-2023, one-half of the gross remittances of e-marketplace operations and digital financial services providers to the sellers or merchants for goods or services paid through their platform shall be subject to a 1% creditable withholding tax.

The BIR said that the online transactions industry has experienced growth during and after the coronavirus pandemic but it appeared that many online sellers were not paying their share in taxes.

RR No. 16-2023 was signed by Lumagui and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno in December 2023.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that the new deadline will give all online businesses here in the Philippines enough time to transition into the new withholding tax system?

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 reminds businesses that permits should first be secured for marketing stunts

April 26, 2024April 12, 2024carlocarrasco

In light of an April Fool’s Day promo that convinced a person to really take the challenge physically, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminded businesses that they should secure permits from them in order to do any marketing stunts, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

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

Following the recent online uproar over takoyaki store’s marketing stunt on April Fool’s Day, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminded businesses to secure permits from the agency first before conducting such activity.

In an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Thursday, DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said a marketing stunt falls under the definition of sales promotion because its purpose is to increase customers and sales, as well as to promote the brand.

“Under the regulations, DTI has the authority over that. They have to secure a permit (for sales promotion),” Nograles said in mixed English and Filipino.

To recall, takoyaki store “Taragis” posted on Facebook on April Fool’s Day a dare to tattoo Taragis’ logo on one’s forehead, and whoever will do it will receive a PHP100,000 prize.

A person commented on a photo of him with the store’s logo on his forehead and asking the business owner, Carl Quion, where to claim his prize.

Taragis’ Facebook page made another post that the establishment does not have any responsibility on what happened because the post had a disclaimer.

The event caused uproar online, and on April 6, the business owner admitted that it was all a marketing stunt and the person who tattooed the business logo on his forehead was an accomplice.

“The establishment admitted that it’s a marketing gimmick to lure (customers), promote the establishment, (so) it appears to be promotional in that sense,” Nograles said.

“If they don’t have the promo permit from DTI, they can be held responsible for the violation of conducting (the) promotion without securing first the sales of promo permit,” she added.

Nograles said the DTI has a team monitoring establishments on their conduct of sales promotion both onsite and online.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that all businesses here in the Philippines that intend to organize marketing stunts should contact the DTI first before executing such moves? Do you think that more Filipinos should understand that April Fool’s Day itself always comes with clever forms of deception and temptation?

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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Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) nuclear energy investment plan for Philippines moves forward

April 25, 2024April 12, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently the administration of Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., and top officials of the Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) met in Washington, D.C., and discussed the progress of the company’s nuclear energy investment plan in the country, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

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

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday (Manila time) hailed the developments in the planned nuclear energy investment of Washington-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) in the Philippines.

Marcos met with USNC’s top executives, led by its chief executive officer Francesco Venmeri, in the United States (US) to discuss the progress in the firm’s commitment to bring a reliable and clean energy source to the Philippines.

“We are delighted to share the progress of our ongoing collaboration with Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. since our inaugural meeting in 2023. Their investment in Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs) promises a reliable and clean energy solution for the country,” Marcos said in a Facebook post after his meeting with USNC officials.

“This initiative ensures greater energy security, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and holds the promise of substantial economic gains for the Filipino people.”

During the meeting with USNC executives, Energy Secretary Rafael Lotilla briefed Marcos about the ongoing legislative measures in Congress that would provide the legal framework for the company’s planned investment and operation in the Philippines.

Lotilla told Marcos that the regulatory framework has been passed by the House of Representatives.

On Nov. 22, 2023, the House approved House Bill 9293, or the “Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, ” and last March 4, it also approved HB 9876 or the “Philippine Nuclear Liability Act.”

Marcos expressed hope that the bill gets passed in the Senate so that the necessary legal requirements could be completed soon to commence the project.

“You’re done already in the House. Okay. So, the elements that need to be there, the provisions that need to be (included), we can do in the Senate and then there’s one of course, is the bicam down the road. So, that would be the process from the government side,” the President said during the meeting.

“We spoke about this before. We’re going to go ahead with the program, with (the) project.”

Marcos’ meeting with USNC officials is a follow-up of their initial meeting in the US in May 2023, followed by the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on nuclear cooperation in Nov. 2023, and the firm’s participation in the US Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines in March 2024.

The USNC is a global leader and vertical integrator of nuclear technologies and services. Its major initiatives include the MMR, Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated (FCM) nuclear fuel, and nuclear power and propulsion technologies for space exploration.

The MMR is a fourth-generation nuclear energy system that delivers safe, zero-carbon, cost-effective electricity and heat to utilities, industry, and remote communities.

This will be USNC’s first investment in the country and it partnered with Meralco for an MMR study.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you feel confident that safe and secure nuclear energy in the Philippines will be realized before the decade ends? Are people in your local community knowledgeable about the potential benefits of nuclear energy?

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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Vehicles for PWD formally turned over by Las Piñas City Government

April 24, 2024April 16, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government formally turned over vehicles for the transportation and benefit of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) during a ceremony at City Hall, according to the City Government’s social media post.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…

The City Local Government of Las Piñas, led by Vice Mayor April Aguilar, conducted its weekly flag-raising ceremony this Monday, which included a significant initiative for the community’s disabled members. The ceremony featured the turnover of specially equipped vehicles intended for the transportation of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

Vice Mayor Aguilar, overseeing the event, emphasized the local government’s commitment to inclusivity and mobility for all citizens. She highlighted that the new vehicles would help PWDs access various services more easily and participate more actively in community life.

The event, attended by city officials and local leaders, underscores the administration’s efforts to enhance the quality of life for all residents, particularly those facing mobility challenges.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted with the turnover of vehicles for the local PWDs? Are there many members of your local community who identify as PWD?

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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Commission on Audit (COA) tells local governments to limit expenses of discretionary funds to amounts under law

April 22, 2024April 10, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently the Commission on Audit (COA) reminded local government units (LGUs) to limit the expenses of discretionary funds as it cited the case of one particular town that exceeded its “prescribed statutory limitation” for extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses (EME) by millions of Pesos in 2023, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Commission on Audit (COA) has reminded local government units (LGUs) against exceeding the “statutory limitation” on disbursements for extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses (EME) or discretionary funds taken out of their collected real property taxes (RPTs).

It cited the case of Eastern Samar’s Guiuan town which exceeded its “prescribed statutory limitation” for EME by P6.53 million in 2023.

In its annual audit report (AAR), COA cited its Circular No. 85-55A and Section 325(h) of Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code, which both provide the general limitation on the use of EME funding.

Section 325(h) of RA 7160 provides: “The annual appropriations for discretionary purposes of the local chief executive shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the actual receipts derived from basic real property tax in the next preceding calendar year. Discretionary funds shall be disbursed only for public purposes to be supported by appropriate vouchers and subject to such guidelines as may be prescribed by law. No amount shall be appropriated for the same purpose except as authorized under this section.“

COA said that under the law, Guiuan town should only have EME of P26,465.14, which is equivalent to two percent of the P1.323 million RPT collected in 2021. But, it said, the town used P6.56 million for its discretionary funds or an excess of P6.53 million.

It pointed out that discretionary funds are only supposed to be used by the Office of the Municipal Mayor, but Guiuan even allocated funds for different offices such as the Vice Mayor’s office, Municipal Investment and Tourism Office (MITO), and Municipal Treasurer’s Office, among other offices.

It said the Mayor’s Office used P2,611,254.77 EME in 2023, while the vice mayor used P500,000. MITO, it also said, spent P1,332,395, while the Municipal Treasurer’s Office used up P450,000 EME.

It noted that when its audit team confronted the municipal accountant about its excessive use of discretionary funds, the accountant explained that it committed an “honest error” in assuming that the EME account was a “misnomer for Other Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses account.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Is your local government practicing a disciplined approach on spending and the alignment of funds?

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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