Manila Bulletin – Page 8 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Free HIV Self-Test Kits Offered by Muntinlupa City Government

September 2, 2025August 26, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government announced that it is offering free HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) self-test kits to the public, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Registration for the kits is ongoing.

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

The Muntinlupa City government is offering free HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) self-test kits to the public.

The HIV self-test kits are available at the Muntinlupa Reproductive Health and Wellness Clinic located at the Laguerta Health Center on Centennial Avenue in Laguerta, Tunasan.

To avail of the free HIV self-test kit, people need to register at https://tinyurl.com/sfr3yz2. They need to wait for the call or text from the clinic staff to verify their request. They will receive a confirmation text for the delivery of the kit.

“Ang pag-sumite ng iyong resulta ay mahalaga upang ikaw ay higit na matulungan. Bisitahin ang https://tinyurl.com/3yurw32m upang i-report ang iyong resulta (Submitting your results is important so that we can help you further. Visit https://tinyurl.com/3yurw32m to report your results),” the clinic posted on Facebook.

The instruction on how to use to the HIV self-test kit is available at https://alere.wistia.com/medias/guyym62w5j.

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 need an HIV test kit? Are there many members in your local community who need the kits?

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 Prohibits Names and Images of Local Officials on Projects and Programs

August 30, 2025August 21, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government approved a key ordinance that specifically prohibits putting the names and photos of local officials on local programs and projects of the government, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Muntinlupa City government has passed an ordinance that prohibits putting names and photos of local officials on government-funded infrastructures, programs, and projects.

Ordinance No. 2025-004, also known as the “Anti-Epal Ordinance of Muntinlupa City,” will prohibit the “marking or installation of identifiers such as names, initials, aliases, insignias, logos, images of incumbent government officials on infrastructure, programs, or projects funded by government appropriations.”

It was signed by Mayor Ruffy Biazon after the measure was passed by the Muntinlupa City Council.

One basis of the ordinance is a 2010 memorandum of the Department of the Interior and Local Government that banned the names, initials or photos of government officials on billboards and signages of government programs and properties.

“Elected and appointed government officials have engaged in the practice of displaying their names, logos, insignias, and even photographs on government-funded projects and programs facilitated by their office and administration during their term. In reality, such projects are fully funded by taxes collected from the Filipino people, making this act clearly contrary to the law,” the ordinance noted.

It added, “the City Government of Muntinlupa firmly upholds the principle that all government programs and projects are funded by public money and must not be used as platforms for self-promotion or political propaganda by any public official, and asserts that such acts undermine the integrity of public service and mislead the people.”

Under the ordinance, government officials refer to “any person, appointed or elected to government service at the city or barangay level, whose office is given the authority, privilege or right to identify, administer, implement, coordinate or propose a government program or projects.”

Government project, as used in the ordinance, refers “to all current and future government infrastructure, engineering works and service contracts, and other related and necessary activities such as site acquisition, supply and/or installation of equipment and materials, implementation, construction, completion, operation, maintenance, improvement, repair and rehabilitation, funded from local sources.”

Government program refers to “all current and future government projects providing the delivery of any basic or special services, falling under all programs of social outreach and services, anti-poverty measures, educational, infrastructure, livelihood, and all Other programs that utilize government funding and resources for the provision of giving any tangible or intangible support to the citizenry, and other related and necessary activities or all Muntinlupenos.”

Public works include “the construction, improvement, rehabilitation, repair, restoration, or maintenance of sidewalks, walkways, roads and bridges, irrigation, flood control and drainage, water supply, sanitation, sewerage and solid waste management systems, shore protection, school buildings, hospital buildings, public buildings, public parks, sports facilities, waiting sheds, and lamp posts, which are funded, wholly or partly, through public funds expended by the local government.”

Prohibited acts under the ordinance include “naming after or marking with the initials, alias, insignia, logo, or image of an incumbent elected local government official on government projects or programs funded by public funds; affixing, or causing to be affixed, the name, initials, alias, insignia, logo, or image of any incumbent local government official to a signage announcing a proposed, on-going, or existing public works project funded through government appropriations;” and “installing, or causing to be installed, signage/s announcing the maintenance, rehabilitation, and/or construction of public works crediting any incumbent local elected government official, or bearing his or her name, initials, alias, insignia, logo, or image for the maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction of such public works funded by public funds.”

Also prohibited are “attaching any stickers that contains the name, initials, alias, insignia, logo, or image to property owned or items given away by the city government and barangays that were bought using public funds including but not limited to vehicles, relief goods, supplies, equipment and the like; and putting the image or picture of local officials in business license plates and permits.”

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, are you glad that the City Government approved the anti epal ordinance? Do you think the approved new ordinance will make Muntinlupa a shining example for other cities dealing with pride and vanity of local officials on projects, programs and infrastructure?

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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Street Sweepers Get Free Medical Checkup in Las Piñas City

August 28, 2025August 21, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government conducted the screening and health checkup for street sweepers in order to keep them capable of doing their jobs, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Mayor April Aguilar was present during the activity.

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

The city government of Las Piñas conducted screening and an annual checkup for members of Kaagapay street sweepers to keep them healthy while maintaining cleanliness and order around the city.

Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar said the annual checkup for the street sweepers is part of the city government’s commitment to give them better health care, especially the elderly and those with limited access to medical services.

Aguilar was present during the medical checkup and was joined by City Environment and Natural Resource Office (CENRO) head Engr. Cesar Perillo and City Health Office (CHO) head Dr. Julie Gonzalez.

She said Kaagapay members were given free medical consultations, laboratory tests, and dental check-ups to help them save on health expenses and provide them with timely medical advice.

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 glad the City Government is helping the local street sweepers with health-related 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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Handheld Radio Units Turned Over to Las Piñas City Barangays

August 26, 2025August 16, 2025carlocarrasco

In preparation for emergency situations, the City Government of Las Piñas – specifically their Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) – released handheld one hundred radio units to all twenty barangays, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The turnover of the units was done at City Hall in the presence of Mayor April Aguilar and Vice Mayor Imelda Aguilar.

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

The Las Piñas Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) has distributed a total of 100 handheld radios to the city’s 20 barangays to enable faster communication during emergencies.

Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar led the turnover ceremony, during which each barangay received five units of the communication equipment.

Aguilar said the distribution of handheld radios is part of the DRRMO’s initiative to enhance communication and ensure swift response during emergency situations.

She added that the equipment will help each barangay strengthen its preparedness and improve rapid response to disasters, accidents, and other incidents requiring immediate action.

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 City Government is doing enough to prepare local child development centers for emergency situations?

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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Parañaque Online Scam Hub Raided By CIDG, 14 Suspects Apprehended

August 26, 2025August 17, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Parañaque, operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) successfully raided an online scam hub, seized several pieces of equipment and arrested fourteen suspects, 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…

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested 14 people, including a female foreigner, following a raid in an online scam hub in Parañaque City.

CIDG director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said the operation also resulted in the rescue of a minor who was hired as one of the scammers in what he called ” online task job scam”.

“This underscores our unyielding fight against trafficking in persons, child abuse, and cybercrimes. With this, we significantly prevented future ‘online task job scam’ from happening,” he said.

Abrahano explained that the modus of the syndicate is to operate through the online messaging application “Telegram” where the suspects/scammers send links to their intended victims. Each suspect, he said, is assigned to 600 Telegram accounts to contact potential victims.

The CIDG chief said that once the link is accessed, the victims are directed to a so-called “task job,” which assigns simple online tasks such as liking the pages of hotel packages. After the completion of these tasks, the victims are instructed to open a Binance account – cryptocurrency account.

After creating the account, Abrahano said the scammers would require the victims to deposit funds into it. The victims are subsequently directed to transfer the deposited funds into a Binance account allegedly managed by the arrested Chinese manager.

“The scammers/suspects will lure victims that the transferred money will generate profit or accrue interest, promising continuous growth of the investment,” said Abrahano.

This misrepresentation forms the basis of the fraudulent scheme, ultimately leading to financial loss on the part of the victims,” he added.

During the raid in Barangay Tambo, CIDG operatives seized 70 desktop computers, cellular phones, computer peripherals, vault, dormitory pass IDs, and passports. They also discovered cryptocurrency account numbers.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you think there could still be a lot more online scam hubs operating secretly within the city? Do you think scamming in Parañaque will only get worse in the next six months?

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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Five Chinese Nationals and Two Local Cohorts Apprehended By CIDG in Parañaque City Over Selling Unregistered Beer and Luncheon Meat

August 25, 2025August 16, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Parañaque, five Chinese nationals and two local cohorts were arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for selling beer and luncheon meat that were not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 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…

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested five Chinese and their two alleged Filipino cohorts for selling beers and luncheon meat that are believed to be smuggled.

CIDG director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said the bottles of beer and the cans of luncheon meat they seized during the operation in Barangay Marcelo in Parañaque City were not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This is the reason, he said, why the five Chinese and two Filipinos were collared and now facing criminal charges.

He said the operation stemmed from reports about the proliferation of food and beverage products that were smuggled into the country and being sold without the approval of the FDA.

Armed with a search warrant, CIDG operatives swooped down on a warehouse in Parañaque City and seized 500 cases of “Snow” beer in cans, and 300 boxes of “Meining” pork luncheon meat. The seized products are estimated to be worth P1.1 million.

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 considered that Chinese criminals staying in the city are somehow smuggling products around? Could you tell if the products offered to you were smuggled? Is smuggling only to get worse in Parañaque over the next six months?

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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First Aid Kits Distributed to Las Piñas City Child Development Centers

August 24, 2025August 15, 2025carlocarrasco

In preparation for emergency situations, the City Government of Las Piñas distributed first aid kits to the many child development centers around the city, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Mayor April Aguilar led the distribution.

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

The city government of Las Piñas distributed first aid kits to all Child Development Centers (CDL) as part of emergency readiness and also as a proactive approach in protecting the city’s children in times of emergency.

Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar led the distribution of emergency kits last August 12, at the fourth floor of the Mayor Nene Aguilar Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Building.

Aguilar said the distribution of first aid kits is a project of the DRRMO to keep the CDL ready and keep the children safe in any emergency that may occur. She said the first aid kit contains acetone, alcohol, band aids, blood pressure apparatus, burn ointment, plastic canister, cotton balls, elastic bandage, clean gauze, and others.

The mayor also distributed Certificates of Recognition to all daycare teachers after passing and graduating from basic life support and standard first aid.

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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Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 Causes Disturbance on Philippines Information Technology and Business Process Sector

August 21, 2025August 12, 2025carlocarrasco

More than twenty years ago, I had a job at an American call center in Mandaue City, Cebu Province here in the Philippines. Back then, the call center industry of the nation was very young and yet quickly growing in terms of revenues, new foreign investments and new jobs. Today, the Philippines has a large information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector.

That being said, America today is quickly reforming under the leadership of President Donald Trump and already business ties and trade relationships have quickly been changing. In the United States Senate (US Senate), a bipartisan bill was formally filed – the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025.

Already, the proposal is already disturbing the information technology and business process management sector of the Philippines as revealed by the Manila Bulletin in its business news report.

To make things clear, I am not taking sides here. I am a citizen of the Philippines who worked for a few months in an American call center a very long time ago and at my age, I have no intention to return to call center work. I am already engaging in a new business that has nothing to do with call centers and business process management. As for how America’s leaders deal with call centers and business processing centers located in different parts of the world, that is their decision to make. It would be interesting, perhaps intriguing, to see how the Philippines IT-BPM sector will adjust if ever the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 becomes a law someday.

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

The Philippine information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector is bracing for the potential impact of a bill in the United States (US) Senate that seeks to end the practice of offshoring among American call centers.

The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), the country’s leading IT-BPM group, said the industry is currently monitoring the progress of this proposed legislation.

“At this stage, we are continuing to track developments,” IBPAP told Manila Bulletin.

The proposed Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025, filed as a bipartisan bill in the US Senate, is aiming to curb offshoring or relocation of business operations from one country to another as it pertains to call center jobs.

In a statement by Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, he said the bill looks to reverse the continued decline of call center operations in America, driven by the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) offshoring.

Citing data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Gallego noted that the American call center industry will lose approximately 150,000 workers by 2033 if such practices persist.

“The Keep Call Centers in America Act would work to reverse this trend by limiting federal benefits to companies that ship call center jobs overseas,” said Gallego, who filed the bill with West Virginia Senator Jim Justice, a Republican.

Under the proposed bill, companies are required to notify the US Department of Labor (DOL) at least 120 days before relocating operations overseas or contracting out call center work to another entity that relocates abroad.

The DOL, meanwhile, will be mandated to maintain a public list of employers that have relocated operations. Companies will remain on the list for five years “unless they return an equal or greater number of call center jobs in the US.”

Call center firms on this list will be ineligible for new federal grants and guaranteed loans and will not be given preference when awarding contracts.

In a CBS News report, Gallego said that aside from supporting the return of domestic jobs, the bill will likewise address consumer concerns when it comes to “security around their private information.”

The bill, if enacted, will cover businesses with either 50 or more full-time employees, or 50 or more employees whose combined work hours total at least 1,500 per week. As such, the measure will impact large-scale call center operations such as those that are currently operating in the Philippines.

Based on a 2023 report by the Ateneo Policy Center, more than 200 US-based firms have invested approximately $7.8 billion to set up operations in the Philippines since 2003.

The proposed Keep Call Centers in America Act could not have come at a worse time, given that the Philippines’ services exports are slowing down.

In a report, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. noted that services exports shrank by 4.2 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025, citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This followed a 6.3-percent growth rate in the first quarter, which decelerated from a 13.2-percent expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Neri said the services export sector is weighed down by a sharp drop in travel and signs of weakness in the IT-BPM sector.

To examine the details of the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025, click here and here.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you know a lot of people here in the Philippines who work in American call centers? Do you seriously believe that if ever the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 becomes a law, it will someday compel American companies to close down its call centers here in the Philippines and create a wave of new job losses? Without American companies and clients, do you think the Philippines IT-BPM sector will shrink dramatically? Do you think the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 will be passed by US Congress and get signed into law by US President Trump?

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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2025 Chemical Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination Topnotcher Will Be Rewarded by Muntinlupa City Government

August 21, 2025August 14, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government confirmed that it will reward 2025 Chemical Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination Topnotcher and local resident Patricia Isabel Soriano P100,000 for her achievement, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The topnotcher in the 2025 Chemical Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination will be rewarded P100,000 by the Muntinlupa City government for her feat.

Patricia Isabel Soriano, who graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree from De La Salle University-Manila, bagged the No. 1 spot in the licensure examination with a rating of 88.6 percent.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said 602 out of 799 examinees passed the chemical engineers licensure exam given by the Board of Chemical Engineering in the National Capital Region, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena and Rosales in May.

Soriano, a resident of Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa, recently paid a courtesy call on Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

“At such a young age, nakapag-publish at present na rin siya ng papers about fuel treatment and energy storage, both in national and international conferences. Talagang nakakabilib ang iyong achievements, Patricia! (Your achievements are truly impressive, Patricia!),” Biazon posted on Facebook.

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, are you delighted to know about the great achievement by Soriano?

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

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New Patrol Cars Donated by Las Piñas City Mayor to Police Department

August 20, 2025August 12, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, brand new patrol cars were formally turned over by Mayor April Aguilar to the police force to enhance their law enforcement capabilities, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Each new car has the latest in features designed to meet the operational standards for law enforcement.

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

Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar turned over three brand new patrol cars to the city’s police to boost public safety and strengthen law enforcement capabilities.

Aguilar led the turnover at the City Hall grounds on Monday, August 11, and was received by Col. Sandro Tafalla, Las Piñas City police chief.

She said the donation is part of the local government’s continuing commitment to provide the police force with adequate resources to ensure faster response time and more efficient patrolling in the community to maintain peace and order.

The mayor also said that city residents deserve to feel safe at all times, and the patrol car will help the police to respond quickly to emergency calls and conduct regular rounds around the city.

Aguilar assured that the city government will continue supporting the police in improving facilities and upgrading equipment.

Tafalla, on the other hand, expressed gratitude to the city government and said that the new vehicle will significantly enhance mobility, especially in far-flung areas and during critical operations.

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 brand new patrol cars will help the local police perform better and serve the constituents better?

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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