COVID-19 Crisis: AztraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines used on health workers in Las Piñas City

The City Government of Las Piñas announced that vaccines sourced from AztraZeneca and Sinovac were injected into their local health workers including personnel in Temporary Treatment and Management Facilities (Safe 1 and Safe 2) at the vaccination site at the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Gymnasium, in Barangay Pamplona Tres.

A local health worker got vaccinated for the China virus. (photo source – City Government of Las Piñas)

As part of their local campaign against COVID-19 (China Virus), the said vaccines were used depending on the health and protection of front liners. The City Government continues to work to ensure the protection of health, safety and the welfare of the people during this time of pandemic. Already Senator Cynthia Villar expressed happiness about the city’s vaccination rollout.

Meanwhile, local citizens who wish to avail of COVID-19 vaccines are encouraged to get themselves registered with the City Government by means of digital method (QR code scanning, Google account to be used) or the manual method. For reference about Las Piñas vaccine registration, posted below are official images of instruction.

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The above information was provided by the Las Piñas City Government for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

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 as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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S-PaSS now essential for those who need to travel far and pass through police checkpoints

Moving around the Philippines, specifically in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the nearby provinces, has gotten tougher as President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the shift into ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) for the said places. ECQ is a more restricted status that will last from March 29 to April 4, 2021. Again, this is the national government’s response to the recent spike in new COVID-19 cases which are very disturbing.

To put things in context, here is an excerpt about ECQ from Philippine News Agency’s (PNA) report…

An ECQ status mandates all households to observe strict home quarantine. Movements will be limited to Authorized Persons Outside Residence, those accessing essential goods and services, and workers in establishments allowed to operate.

Mass gatherings (more than 10 persons outside and non-household members indoors) and face-to-face classes are also prohibited in ECQ zones. Mass transportation is allowed at limited capacity.

With regards to local travel during this time of ECQ, the S-PaSS  (Safe, Swift & Smart Passage) online travel management system is more essential and it has an app that can be downloaded for free. This is the same S-PaSS that the City Government of Las Piñas promoted recently.

For those who have not been familiar nor started using it, the S-PaSS was designed to facilitate a safe, swift and smart coordination of travels to destination LGUs (local government units). The traveler may check if the destination LGU has a restricted or unrestricted travel policy. If the LGU is restricted, the traveler must use the S-PaSS to apply for a TCP or Travel Coordination Permit. Travelers are free to visit any unrestricted destination LGU, however it is recommended to generate a TPP or Travel Pass-Through Permit if they will be passing through LGUs with restricted statuses.

The S-PaSS is now the subject of a new article published yesterday at Philippine News Agency (PNA) and below is an excerpt…

The new paperless app S-PaSS (Safe, Swift and Smart Passage) recently launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) offers a convenient and safe way to process travel authority online for local travelers, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas on Saturday said.

Sinas said S-PaSS will boost the PNP’s imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the quarantine control points (QCPs) that have been set up in different local government units (LGUs).

“It will continue to help and benefit LGUs in recording and monitoring in real time, traveler’s information, such as those who are going in and out of their respective localities,” Sinas said in a statement.

He said the implementation of S-PaSS by Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) promises to be a one-stop-shop app for the local stranded individuals (LSIs), returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), emergency travelers (ETs) and other essential travelers during the pandemic.

“The PNP welcomes the development of this local mobility feature as a tool which integrates the processing system for the issuance of Travel Pass-Through Permit or TPP and Travel Coordination Permit or PCP, Travel Authorities and QR codes which quickly generates real-time reports needed,” he added.

Despite the use of the mobile S-PaSS app, Sinas said police deployment will continue to ensure strict public adherence to the implementation of minimum public health and safety protocols.

Last Friday, the DOST and partner government agencies officially launched the S-PaSS, a one-stop online communication and coordination platform for LGUs.

As you can see in the above information, the S-PaSS is crucial for those who need to travel far distances and reach their respective destinations (notably local government units). Apart from helping motorists, other travelers such as returning overseas Filipinos, the stranded people and the essential movers can avail of the system to move around. The Philippine National Police (PNP) recognizes S-PaSS officially.

To learn more about S-PaSS, https://www.facebook.com/spassph or visit their official website at https://s-pass.ph/

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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 as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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

Muntinlupa City Council and Brgy. Poblacion approve resolutions vs closing of Bilibid road to NHA

Following the construction of a wall in Bilibid Road going to Southville 3 by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), the Muntinlupa City Council and Barangay Poblacion passed separate resolutions condemning the action and requesting the immediate opening of the access road.

Majority Floor Leader Coun. Raul Corro said the city council have passed resolutions on yesterday requesting the Department of Justice (DOJ) to order BuCor to reopen the road going to and from NHA, Southville 3 and requesting Congress of the Philippines, thru Cong. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation.

In a recent Facebook post, Coun. Corro reiterated that BuCor’s action of preventing residents from passing through the NBP to go to other areas in Muntinlupa is illegal.

“Maliwanag na labag ito sa karapatang pantao ng mga residente ng Southville 3 at ginawa ito na walang ‘due process of law’ at labag sa kanilang ‘equal protection of the law’ na ginagarantiya ng ating Saligang Batas,” Corro noted.

While the Sangguniang Barangay of Brgy. Poblacion has also conducted a special session to approve a resolution condemning BuCor’s wall installation on Bilibid Road. Southville 3 is a socialized housing project of the National Housing Authority located within the National Bilibid Prisons Reservation with 8,000 families or at least 40,000 residents.

On March 20, Congressman Ruffy Biazon visited the area and talked to BuCor officials for the removal of the wall. Biazon said the wall is an obstruction to free passage in public roads and violates Article 694 of the Civil Code of the Philippines.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi also sent a letter to BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag urging him to remove the wall. Fresnedi appealed to Bantag to use his “sense of compassion and soundness of reason in reconsidering your decision to what appears to us as a permanent closure of the portion of road that connects the said community to the rest of Muntinlupa.”

The local exec said it would have been better if BuCor have coordinated with the City Government and the affected residents of its plans to close the road so that all parties would come up with a viable solution to the issues on the subject matter.

Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said BuCor did not inform the City Government of its plans in building a wall in the area.  She added that BuCor only sent a letter on March 18 to Poblacion Bgy. Captain Allen Ampaya informing him “that paths leading to the NHA, South Ville 3 and the route in front of Tower 8 going to the Minimum Security Compound will not be accessible to all pedestrians and motorists starting from March 20, 2021 (Saturday) at about 5:00 AM until further notice.”

Alternative route for Southville 3 residents going to Poblacion is through Biazon Road, passing through Daang Hari Road in Bacoor, Cavite and Las Pinas, Bgy. Ayala Alabang, Bgy. Alabang, Bgy, Bayanan and Bgy. Putatan.

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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South

Las Piñas City Government tells travelers/motorists to avail of S-PaSS (Safe, Swift and Smart Passage) service online

Yesterday the City Government of Las Piñas formally announced that travelers can avail of the service of S-PaSS (Safe, Swift & Smart Passage), an online traveling management system that can be used to travel to provinces or cities with applicable travel restrictions.

In case you need it for your destination local government unit (LGU), here are the following steps or guidelines for creating an S-PaSS Account and getting your travel documents online.

Information published by the City of Las Piñas Facebook page.

With the S-PaSS, it will facilitate for users a safe, swift and smart coordination of travels to the destination LGUs. The traveler may check if the destination LGU has a restrict or unrestricted travel policy. If the LGU is restricted, the S-PaSS must be applied for a Travel Coordination Permit (TCP). The travelers are free to go to any unrestricted destination LGU, however it is recommended to generate a Travel Pass-Through Permit (TPP) if they will be passing through LGUs with restricted statuses.

Information published by the Facebook page of S-Pass.

Once again, everyone is reminded to continue to be careful, be disciplined and adhere to health and safety protocols.

About S-Pass

S-PaSS is a travel management system developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) VI primarily intended to make travelling of Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs), Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) Emergency Travelers (ETs), and other travelers during this pandemic Safe, Swift, and Smart.

The system was designed to help users facilitate their travels when going to provinces or cities that have travel restrictions

To learn more about S-PaSS, https://www.facebook.com/spassph or visit their official website at https://s-pass.ph/

For updates about the city, visit https://www.facebook.com/cityoflaspinasofficial

For South Metro Manila discussions, visit and join the community in Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

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The above information was sourced from the City Government of Las Piñas and from S-PaSS.ph

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: Almost 2,000 healthcare workers in Las Piñas vaccinated

According to a news report published by the Manila Bulletin recently, the City Government of Las Piñas announced that almost two thousand medical and health frontliners got vaccinated since their local vaccination program launched on March 9, 2021.

Below is an excerpt for the more specific details as reported by Manila Bulletin…

The Las Piñas City government reported that 1,982 medical and health frontliners from different hospitals, public and private, in the city had already vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The city government started its vaccination rollout on March 9 with the theme “Ligtas na Las Pinero, Lahat Bakunado” at the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, one of the city’s identified vaccination sites.

Medical and healthcare workers of the University of Perpetual Help Medical Center were inoculated with China-made Sinovac vaccines at the start of the vaccination rollout.

Mayor Imelda Aguilar said that frontline employees of the UPMC on March 15 were inoculated with AstraZeneca vaccines.

The mayor also confirmed that with regards to the Sinovac vaccines, the City Government received over 1,200 doses of it from the National Government and were immediately used to inoculate frontliners. As reported before, the City Government’s goal is to vaccinate all city residents who in turn can get themselves registered.

Before the vaccination officially started, a simulation was held at the vaccination site at Las Piñas Elementary School Central, P. Diego Cera, Barangay Elias Aldana. On March 9, at the vaccination site at the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Gymnasium, in Barangay Pamplona Tres, Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery and other local officials attended and observed the launch of the vaccination rollout.

Image from the March 9, 2021 vaccine rollout.

How can local residents get registered for the vaccine?

In accordance to what was established, each family will be given profiling forms to be filled up. The steps for manual registration are as follows:

1. Make sure that all the requested details in the form are answered.

2. Submit the understood forms to your barangay / Homeowner’s Association (HOA).

3. Include one (1) 2 x2 size ID photo and photocopy of any government issued ID with address.

As for online registration, the steps are as follows:

1. Scan the QR Code or go to bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination in your web browser.

2. Log in using your GOOGLE ACCOUNT

3. Answer the questions and make sure your details are correct.

4. Attach a scanned copy / photo of your valid ID or proof of residence.

For updates about the city, visit https://www.facebook.com/cityoflaspinasofficial

For South Metro Manila discussions, visit and join the community in Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

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The above information was sourced from the City Government of Las Piñas and Manila Bulletin.

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: Vaccination efforts in Las Piñas City ongoing, locals encouraged to get registered

Finally, the local campaign against COVID-19 is on the roll in the City of Las Piñas! The other day (March 9, 2021), the Las Piñas City Government formally started its COVID-19 vaccination program with the theme “Safe Las Piñero, All Vaccinated” for the three hundred medical front-liners of the University of Perpetual Help Medical Center at the vaccination site in University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Gymnasium, in Barangay Pamplona Tres.

Varied local officials led by Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery (in blue shirt) at the vaccination site. (source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)

The program was spearheaded by Vice-Mayor April Aguilar-Nery and Dr. Ma. Paz Corrales, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Health-National Capital Region (DOH-NCR). Also present at the activity were City Administrator Reynaldo Balagulan, members of the City Council, doctors of the City Health Office (CHO) Dr. Ferdinand Eusebio, Dr. Julie Gonzales, Dr. ELeenor Gumpal, Dr. Julio Javier, and department heads.

The Sinovac vaccine was first injected into medical front-liners Dr. Jose Edzel Tamayo (Medical Affairs Executive Officer of UPHMC); Elvie Carandang (Finance and Accounting Manager) and Neil Jaymalin (Chief of Staff), all of whom served as the city’s “COVID-19 influencers” to encourage Las Piñas residents to immediately register and get vaccinated for their protection against the China virus.

Vice Mayor Aguilar-Nery personally observes the vaccination. (source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)
People waiting their turns at the vaccination site on March 9, 2021. (source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)

Under the leadership of Mayor Imelda “Mel” T. Aguilar, the City Government aims to vaccinate all city residents after securing 500,000 doses of vaccine after allocating P250-million for the purchase of additional vaccine against COVID-19 for residents.

As far as the City Government is concerned, the security of the health, safety and welfare of the constituents remain priorities. Previously the City Government and its strategic partners conducted a simulation on how the vaccination will take place.

Everyone is reminded to continue to be careful, be disciplined and adhere to the health and safety rules.

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The above information was sourced from the City Government of Las Piñas.

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: Vaccination site at Barangay Manuyo Dos inspected ahead of planned Las Piñas City vaccination drive

Yesterday Las Piñas City Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery together with officials of the City Engineering Office conducted an ocular inspection at one of the official vaccination sites located at the Gatchalian covered court in Barangay Manuyo Dos. . Rose Bantog, head of City Engineering Office, at one of the city’s vaccination sites, at Gatchalian Covered Court in Barangay Manuyo Dos today, March 3, 2021.

Las Piñas City Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery and other officials during the inspection at the vaccination site in Barangay Manuyo Dos yesterday. (source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)
The vaccination site at the Gatchalian covered court in Barangay Manuyo Dos. (source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)

Rose Bantog, who leads the City Engineering office, was with the Vice Mayor. At the site were sections for registration, counseling, screening and vaccination, complete with chairs that were placed strategically for social distancing. The inspection was done to ensure that the established standards based on the vaccination plan of the City Government are properly followed before starting the upcoming vaccination drive for the people of Las Piñas.

The City Government of Las Piñas insists it is prioritizing the health, safety and welfare of its constituents, especially during this time of pandemic. The public has been reminded to continue to be careful, to maintain discipline and keep on following the local health and safety protocols.

Previously the City Government and its strategic partners conducted a simulation on how the vaccination will happen. Registration for the COVID-19 vaccine is being conducted.

For updates about the city, visit https://www.facebook.com/cityoflaspinasofficial

For the history of the city, visit https://www.laspinascity.gov.ph/about-us/6/about-las-pinas

For South Metro Manila discussions, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

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This article used details sourced from the social media post of the City Government of Las Piñas.

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

No vaccine for COVID-19, no MGCQ for the Philippines

People here in Metro Manila who have gotten tired with the general community quarantine (GCQ) limitation during the COVID-19 pandemic will have to wait a bit longer as President Rodrigo Duterte refused to shift the entire nation to the less restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) status because the vaccination for COVID-19 should be done first.

This was announced during the Cabinet meeting last night. Below is an excerpt from the Philippine News Agency report…

“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gave his directive to the Cabinet that the Philippines would not be placed under modified general community quarantine unless there is a rollout of vaccines,” he said in a statement.

While Duterte acknowledged the need to reopen the economy, Roque said the President refused to put people’s health and safety at risk.

“The Chief Executive recognizes the importance of reopening the economy and its impact on people’s livelihoods. However, the President gives higher premium to public health and safety,” he added.

The President made it clear that the vaccination roll-out should go first before shifting the entire nation into MGCQ control. While it is clear that reopening the economy is essential, Duterte prefers to take time to be cautious and reduce the risks of new infections. As far as he is concerned, vaccines should go first.

It has already been reported that vaccine shipments to the Philippines have been delayed. This is undoubtedly bad news for the entire nation as there are lots of people who lost their jobs and fell into poverty as restrictions severely brought the economy down. The more people fall down into poverty, the more expensive it becomes for local governments to serve them. Speaking of local governments, the City of Las Piñas made preparations for COVID-19 vaccination and already they are handling the applications of constituents who applied to register themselves. Over at Muntinlupa City, meetings and preparations for COVID-19 vaccines were done.

Going back to Metro Manila, a majority of mayors voted to have the metropolis shift to MGCQ status by March 1. As the President made the rejection and insisted vaccination should go first, business owners, their affected employees and the unemployed will have to wait longer before MGCQ will be declared not only for the National Capital Region (NCR) but for the entire nation. The MGCQ status for the Philippines is key to economic revival which the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) supports.

For those of you reading this, do you think the President made the right decision? Would you insist on declaring an MGCQ status nationwide without the COVID-19 vaccines? Please answer by commenting below. Thank you.

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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 as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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

March 1, 2021 a special holiday in Muntinlupa City

The City Government of Muntinlupa announced yesterday that March 1, 2021 (Monday) is a special non-working holiday in the city in accordance to Republic Act Number 9191 (RA 9191).

Formally approved on February 2003 by then Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, RA 9191 is titled “An Act Declaring the First Day of March of Every Year as a Special Nonworking Holiday in the City of Muntinlupa to be Known as The Muntinlupa City Charter Day.”

Apart from the said Republic Act, March 1 itself is a very notable date in the history of Muntinlupa. It was on March 1, 1995 when Muntinlupa formally became a highly urbanized city of the Philippines as a result of the approval of Republic Act Number 7926 (title: An Act Converting the Municipality of Muntinlupa into a Highly Urbanized City to be Known as the City of Muntinlupa). RA 7926 was signed into law by then President Fidel V. Ramos.

In addition, below are some selected sections of RA 7926 for everyone’s reference.

Section 3 (The City of Muntinlupa) states: The Municipality of Muntinlupa shall be converted into a highly urbanized city to be known as the City of Muntinlupa, hereinafter referred to as the City, which shall comprise the present territory of the Municipality of Muntinlupa in Metropolitan Manila Area, over which it has jurisdiction, bounded by the municipalities of Taguig, Parañaque, Las Piñas, all of Metro Manila and the Municipality of San Pedro, Laguna.

Section 8 (The Officials of the City of Muntinlupa) states: (a) There shall be in the City of Muntinlupa a city mayor, a vice-mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, a secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod, a city treasurer and an assistant city treasurer, a city assessor and an assistant city assessor, a city accountant, a city budget officer, a city planning and development coordinator, a city engineer and building official, a city health officer, a city civil registrar, a city administrator, a city legal officer, a city veterinarian, a city social welfare and development officer, a city general services officer, a city information officer, and a city prosecutor.

(b)    In addition thereto, the city mayor may point a city architect, a city population officer, a city environment and natural resources officer, a city cooperatives officer, a city international relations officer, a city fire marshall, a city international relations officer, a city fire marshall, a city jail warden, a city register of deeds, and a city land transportation officer.

(c)    The City of Muntinlupa may:

(1)    Maintain existing offices not mentioned in subsections (a) and (b) hereof;

(2)    Create such other offices as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the City; or

(3)    Consolidate the functions of any office with those of another in the interest of efficiency and economy.

(d)    Unless otherwise provided herein, all appointive city officials of the City shall be appointed by the city mayor with the concurrence of the majority of all the sangguniang panlungsod members, subject to the civil service law, rules and regulations.  The sangguniang panlungsod shall act on the appointment within fifteen (15) days from the date of its admission, otherwise the same shall be deemed confirmed.

Section 62 (Legislative Districts) states: The creation for separate districts for Muntinlupa and Las Piñas and the first election for the two (2) legislative districts shall be made effective in 1998.

With the creation of the City of Muntinlupa, the congressional district for purposes of the 1995 elections shall remain the same.

Enjoy the holiday in Muntinlupa next week.

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

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

Here’s an excerpt from the PNA report:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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