journalism – Page 10 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Las Piñas City Councilors Santos and Medina push for 2nd legislative district

December 3, 2024November 24, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, City Councilors Mark Santos and Henry Medina pushed for the establishment of a 2^nd legislative district pointing to the growing population, the voice of the constituents, development of the city and other factors, according to a Manila Times news report.

For the newcomers reading this, Las Piñas City currently has one seat in the House of Representatives and its population has exceeded 600,000 since 2020.

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

LAS PIÑAS City leaders are pressing for the creation of a second legislative district, citing the local government’s growing population and the need for broader representation in the House of Representatives.

City Councilors Mark Anthony Santos and Henry Medina filed a resolution urging Congress to establish an additional congressional district for Las Piñas, a city that has seen significant population growth since it became a city in 1997.

According to the 2020 census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Las Piñas had a population of 606,293, way above the constitutional requirement of 250,000 residents to qualify for another legislative district.

Section 5, Article VI of the Philippine Constitution provides that each legislative district “shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. Each city with a population of at least two hundred fifty thousand, or each province, shall have at least one representative.“

Currently, Las Piñas is represented by a single congressional seat despite its population and administrative structure. The city has two councilor districts that are used for electing six city councilors from its 20 barangay (villages), but this bifurcation has yet to translate into additional representation in Congress.

Las Piñas’ journey to cityhood began in 1997 under then-president Fidel V. Ramos, with residents overwhelmingly supporting the change in a plebiscite.

Since then, the city has undergone rapid urbanization and population growth, further strengthening the case for additional representation.

Despite these developments, proposals for a second congressional district have not gained traction until now.

“With the creation of another congressional district representation in the House of Representatives, the voice of Las Pinyeros will be heard in a broader arena,” Santos said as he highlighted the benefits of increased representation.

Medina echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that an additional district could lead to improved public services, increased budget allocations and accelerated development for the city.

He pointed out that the establishment of a second district would allow the city’s growing population to have more direct representation in national governance.

This, in turn, could translate into better legislative focus on local issues, from infrastructure and education to health care and economic development.

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 believe it is high-time for Las Piñas City to have a 2^nd congressional seat? What do you think is the problem preventing Las Piñas City from having another seat in the House of Representatives?

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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BSP coin machines collection approaching P1.1 billion

December 3, 2024November 25, 2024carlocarrasco

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed online recently that the collection of its coin deposit machines (CoDMs) is gradually approaching the P1.1 billion mark. The latest statistics are accurate of as November 15, 2024.

Based on the latest statistics, a total of P1,082,972,600.36 (7.34% higher than the previous count of P1,008,889,490.24) in coins got deposited into BSP machines on 255,906 transactions from customers. In terms of physical quantity, 280,173,379 coins were deposited.

Doing the math on the latest statistics, customers averaged P4,231.9156 per transaction at the machines. As for the grand total Peso amount divided by the number of coins deposited, the average is P3.8654 per coin deposited.

When it comes to the number of coins involved with each transaction, 280,173,379 coins divided by 255,906 transactions resulted in an average of 1,094.8293 coins per transaction. This result shows that a lot of people out there are making big deposits by the jars and bags at the coin deposit machines. I can only speculate that there are families or local businesses that have decided to collect all their loose change for deposit into BSP’s coin machines even if it means waiting long in the line.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you were able to deposit coins in the BSP coin machine, how long did you have to wait for your turn? Did you notice anyone bringing bags or jars full of coins for deposit at the nearest BSP coin machine in your local community?

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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Maynilad’s water reclamation plant in Muntinlupa City to fully operate very soon

December 1, 2024November 25, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, water concessionaire Maynilad confirmed that its 1.6 billion water reclamation is on track to start fully operating by the end of this year and it will serve more than thirty thousand residents in four barangays in the city, 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…

Maynilad Water Services announced that its water reclamation plant in Muntinlupa is nearing completion and will be fully operational by year-end.

Built at a cost of P1.6 billion, the Cupang Water Reclamation Facility and sewer conveyance system are located in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa.

It said it is now preparing for the testing and commissioning of the facility, which was designed to treat up to 46 million liters of wastewater per day.

The plant uses the conventional activated sludge technology to effectively remove pollutants from wastewater, contributing to a cleaner ecosystem.

When it becomes fully operational, the plant will serve about 33,000 customers in Barangays Sucat, Buli, Cupang, and Bayanan in Muntinlupa. The wastewater from the communities will be treated before it is discharged.

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 think the new water reclamation facility of Maynilad will be very helpful in the years to come?

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 Mayor Aguilar provides financial assistance to the family of a victim

November 30, 2024November 22, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, Mayor Imelda Aguilar provided financial assistance to the surviving family of a woman who was stabbed to death by her ex-husband, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar distributed financial assistance to the family of the entertainer who was stabbed 25 times by her ex-husband on Nov. 18.

The family of the victim identified as “Janilyn” visited Aguilar on Nov. 21 to seek assistance for the release of the victim’s body from the funeral home.

Aguilar was joined by Vice Mayor April Aguilar in handling the financial aid to the family.

Police investigation showed that Janilyn had a confrontation with her ex-husband identified as “Dennis” on Monday which led to the stabbing. He was later arrested by the police during a follow-up operation.

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 satisfied with the way the mayor reacted to the victim’s family who needed financial assistance?

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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Woman stabbed to death in Las Piñas City, former husband arrested

November 29, 2024November 22, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, a woman was found dead on an open field in Barangay Manuyo Dos and the local police arrested the victim’s ex-husband in response to the claim of a witness according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Members of the Las Piñas City Police arrested the former husband of an entertainer who was found dead at an open field in Las Piñas City on Monday, Nov. 18.

Las Piñas City Police chief Col. Sandro Tafalla said the suspect, identified as alias “Dennis,” was arrested after he was pinpointed by a witnesses as the last person seen with the victim, identified as alias “Janilyn.”

Tafalla said Dennis was arrested at around 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the house of the victim on P. Manahan St., Pasay City.

He said a security guard of Fine Property reported to the police that he heard a commotion in an open field in Gatchalian Road, Barangay Manuyo Dos at around 12:00 noon on Monday.

The witness said a male person wearing a blue half face helmet, black jacket, and maong pants on board a blue /red motorcycle was with the victim during the commotion.

Responding police officers found the body of the victim with multiple stab wounds in the different parts of the body and rushed her to Las Piñas District Hospital for treatment but was declared dead.

The police recovered a broken cellular phone at the crime scene and discovered that the victim’s last conversation was with Dennis.

Tafalla said a Shopee delivery called up the cellular phone of the victim leading to Janilyn’s identity who was first declared as unidentified.

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? When was the last time a stabbing incident happened within your local community?

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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COMELEC to launch massive voter education campaign for 2025 elections this December

November 28, 2024November 27, 2024carlocarrasco

Starting December 2, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will launch a massive voter education campaign related to the 2025 National and Local Elections and the use of automated counting machines (ACMs), according to a GMA Network news report.

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

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to launch next month a massive voter education campaign to demonstrate the use of automated counting machines (ACMs) to stakeholders ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Wednesday said at least 2,000 ACMs were distributed to all barangays in the country in preparation for a roadshow caravan slated from December 2, 2024 to January 30, 2025.

“Mula December 2 to January 30, pupunta ang local Comelec sa mga kababayan natin upang mai-demo, maipagamit sa kanila at sila mismo ma-experience ang mga makina at malaman nila paano ito magamit,” Garcia told reporters during the delivery of the last batch of ACMs at the Comelec warehouse in Biñan, Laguna.

(Local Comelec officers will go to communities to demonstrate how the machines work.)

South Korean firm Miru Systems delivered a total of 9,860 ACMs to Comelec on November 27, completing the 110,620 ACMs required for the 2025 midterm elections.

All ACMs and election peripherals are undergoing hardware acceptance tests (HAT) at the Comelec warehouse, where the machines’ hardware components — including its battery mode operation, screen, printer, camera, scanner, audio, USB ports, LED sensors, external keypad, network, and HDMI — are being tested. A random 5% of each batch of deliveries will also undergo stress tests.

“We are proud to have finished delivery of our new and more sophisticated machines, and will continue to work diligently with the Comelec as these machines undergo strict quality control and security tests,” Miru Systems VP Ken Cho said.

In September, the Comelec said it was expecting Miru to finish the delivery of all ACMs by November, a month ahead of schedule as the firm earlier promised to complete the delivery of the machines in December.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the 2025 National and Local Elections will be organized cleanly and efficiently under the COMELEC and the new provider of voting machines?

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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Wider SLEX stretch of Susanna Heights-Calamba to open this December

November 28, 2024November 27, 2024carlocarrasco

Next month, the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) stretch of Susanna Heights to Calamba will be wider and opened in time for the Christmas season as assured by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) chairman and CEO Ramon Ang, according to a GMA Network news report.

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

The new configuration of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) from Susanna Heights, Muntinlupa to Calamba, Laguna — with six lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides —is expected to open in December in time for Christmas, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) chairman and CEO Ramon Ang has said.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ang said the at-grade expansion on SLEX, undertaken by San Miguel unit SMC SLEX Inc., was “proceeding on schedule, with the said 29-kilometer stretch slated to open in the third week of December.”

The construction of the section from Calamba to Sto. Tomas, Batangas, and the expansion of 20 bridges connecting the SLEX main carriageway will be completed by July 2025, the SMC chief said.

“This December, as our countrymen prepare to celebrate Christmas and travel more to spend time with friends and family, they can look forward to a wider, better SLEX. This will help in significantly reducing traffic buildup during the holiday rush,” Ang said.

“The SLEX expansion is a major undertaking that entailed significant effort and investment, and a lot of patience and cooperation from motorists and stakeholders. We are very glad that motorists can soon enjoy faster trips to and from Southern Luzon,” he added.

Ang said that ensuring that SLEX is fully operational throughout the construction period has been a consistent priority of the company.

“Our contractors and project teams continue to do everything they can to minimize impact on vehicle traffic,” Ang said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you plan to travel far via the SLEX this coming Christmas season?

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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Raid in Las Piñas City nets illegal drugs worth P34 million, one high-value suspect arrested

November 26, 2024November 19, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, a raid that took place at a condominium building resulted in the seizure of P34 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of one high-value individual, according to a Philippine Star news report.

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

Five kilos of shabu with an estimated value of P34 million were recovered when anti-narcotics agents raided the house of a suspected drug dealer in Las Piñas City on Saturday.

Armed with a search warrant issued by a Las Piñas court, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided a condominium building along Alabang-Zapote Road in Barangay Almanza Uno.

The anti-narcotics operation targeted two high-value suspects. One of them, identified as Kenneth Bandong, 30, was arrested. Bandong’s cohort, a woman, was not around during the raid.

PDEA agents said they found five kilos of shabu in the condominium unit. Bandong is facing cases for illegal drug possession under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

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 that someone in your local community could be secretly engaging in illegal drugs?

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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Lower-than-expected economic growth for the Philippines until 2025

November 26, 2024November 19, 2024carlocarrasco

Based on the recent findings of Citigroup, Inc., the growth domestic product (GDP) of the Philippines will grow at a lower-than-expected rate until 2025, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

THE Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to expand slower than the government’s target until 2025, Citigroup, Inc. (Citi) said.

Citi cut its GDP growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.8% this year but kept its 6% growth forecast for 2025. This is below the government’s 6-7% target this year and 6.5-7.5% goal next year.

“We lowered 2024 GDP growth slightly from 6% to 5.8%, mainly due to a weak third-quarter outturn that had been a result of several temporary, weather-related factors,” Citi economist for Thailand and the Philippines Nalin Chutchotitham said in a report.

The Philippine economy slowed to 5.2% in the July-to-September period from 6.4% in the second quarter and 6% a year ago. This was also the weakest growth since the 4.3% expansion in the second quarter of last year.

“Nonetheless, we think it would be misleading to view the weaker third-quarter expansion as the start of a slowdown as several negative factors in the third quarter are one-off events,” Ms. Chutchotitham said.

She said the weakness in third-quarter economic growth mainly stemmed from the drop in agriculture production, construction activity and net exports.

Despite the weak third quarter, Citi expects growth to accelerate in the fourth quarter as domestic demand is seen to pick up due to easing inflation and lower rates.

“We expect fourth-quarter 2024 GDP growth to accelerate to 6% year on year. Household consumption is expected to continue improving, supported by lower interest rates and improved consumer sentiment as inflation continues to stabilize.”

In the first nine months, GDP grew by 5.8%. The economy would need to grow by at least 6.5% in the fourth quarter to meet the lower end of the government’s 6-7% target.

“With the storm season passing soon, we also expect infrastructure projects’ progress to proceed at a faster clip in the fourth quarter and first quarter of 2025,” Ms. Chutchotitham said.

Domestic demand will also likely be sustained by improving employment conditions, remittance growth and bank lending.

“The RRR (reserve requirement ratio) cut of 250 basis points (bps), effective on Oct. 25, would also release more liquidity into the banking system and likely continue to support strong credit expansion,” Ms. Chutchotitham added.

The central bank last month reduced the RRR for universal and commercial banks and nonbank financial institutions with quasi-banking functions by 250 bps to 7%.

“We also maintain our expectation of 6% growth in 2025 but see some upside risks due to tailwinds from more rate cuts,” Citi said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will likely cut by 25 bps in December and by a total of 75 bps next year, according to Citi.

This year so far, the central bank has reduced interest rates by 50 bps since August. The Monetary Board is set to hold its last rate-setting meeting of the year on Dec. 19.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines still has enough momentum to exceed the 4^th quarter growth targets of economists?

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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Three foreigners arrested in Parañaque City over shooting incident at a residential complex

November 25, 2024November 14, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, three foreign nationals – two Chinese and one Cameroonian –were arrested over a shooting incident that wounded another foreign national at a residential complex, 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…

Three foreign nationals were arrested in a shooting incident that wounded a Chinese national in Parañaque City, the Southern Police District (SPD) said on Thursday.

In a report, SPD Director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang identified the suspects as alias Shi, 31, and alias Sui, 33, both Chinese nationals, and alias Edwin, 39, a Cameroonian.

They were arrested after a shooting incident occurred at a residential complex in Barangay Don Galo on Wednesday morning.

The victim, a money changer employee residing in the complex, identified as alias Li, a 35-year-old Chinese national, sustained gunshot wounds and is currently receiving medical treatment at the San Juan De Dios Hospital in Pasay City.

He identified the suspects to the police, leading to a swift operation that resulted in the arrest of Shi, Sui, and Edwin.

During the arrest of the suspects, operatives seized 200 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP1.2 million, a 9mm Glock 19 pistol, one magazine, ten live ammunition, two empty shells, one bullet slug, three butane gas canisters, and two pointed weapons.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that the city will remain a hot spot of criminal activity involving foreign nationals? Why do you think foreigners who engage in violence and possess firearms commit crime in Parañaque?

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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