Armed with a warrant of arrest, police officers of Marikina City arrested a lesbian helper in Quezon province for the repeated sexual abuse committed in 2024 against the 9-year-old daughter of her employer, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The suspect has since been transferred to and detained in Marikina City.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface.
A 40-year-old lesbian nanny was arrested for repeatedly sexually abusing her employer’s nine-year-old daughter in 2024 in Marikina City.
The Eastern Police District (EPD) identified the suspect as “Jennifer,” listed as the district’s No. 3 most wanted person. She was arrested by the Station Intelligence Section of the Marikina City Police Station in Candelaria, Quezon on June 7.
The operation was carried out by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by the Acting Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 192 in Marikina City. The warrants were for charges of Sexual Assault and 15 counts of Acts of Lasciviousness in relation to RA 7610, issued on January 28.
Authorities said the suspect served as a helper and nanny in the victim’s household in Marikina. The abuse, committed 15 times, took place from August to September 2024.
On September 21, 2024, the victim found the courage to tell her mother about the incident, prompting them to go to their barangay’s Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) desk, where they were assisted in reporting it to the police.
EPD District Director Brig. Gen. Aden T. Lagradante vowed to boost efforts to protect children and keep communities safe to help reduce cases of child abuse.
“Nakakadurog ng puso ang nangyari sa inosenteng bata. Paglalaro at kasiyahan lang sana ang nasa kanyang isipan ngunit sa murang edad ay naranasan na niya ang karahasan ng isang mapagsamantala sa kanyang kahinaan (What happened to the innocent child is truly heartbreaking. At her age, she should have only been thinking about play and joy, but instead, she experienced violence at the hands of someone who took advantage of her vulnerability),” he said.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the apprehended lesbian suspect will be found guilty of committing child abuse? Do you think that there is a link between homosexuality and the sexual abuse on children? Do you think the victim and her family will get justice?
Recently Muntinlupa City hosted the 2024 edition of the Flavors of NCR food festival at the Filinvest City Central Park in Alabang and I personally witnessed the formal opening ceremony which involved many high-level officials and special guests. A lot of people visited the food festival on April 19 and 20 which added to the credibility of Filinvest City Central Park as a suitable open-air venue for special events.
For the newcomers reading this, Flavors of NCR is a special event presented by the Association of Tourism Officers – NCR which collaborated with the City Government of Muntinlupa for this year’s event. It is a showcase of unique cuisine found in the sixteen cities and one municipality of the National Capital Region (NCR). The local government units (LGUs) that participated include: Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela, and the Municipality of Pateros.
Event launch
The ribbon cutting led by high officials that include Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano (3rd from left), Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon (3rd from right) and Department of Tourism-NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin (2nd from left) to name a few.
The opening ceremony of Flavors of NCR 2024 was attended by Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Department of Tourism-NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Association of Tourism Officers-NCR headed by Manila City Tourism chief Charlie Dungo, and Pasay City chief of staff Peter Eric Pardo. Also present were Muntinlupa Vice Mayor Temy Simundac and Muntinlupa City Council Raul Corro.
“We are delighted to host the Flavors of NCR,” Mayor Biazon stated during his welcome remarks to all the guests. “(We acknowledge) the presence of other cities here so that their products will be showcased and we are proud to have you here.”
Biazon stressed that hosting the Flavors of NCR opens up opportunities for Metro Manila’s LGUs and their respective food-and-beverage stakeholders access to the Calabarzon region composed of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon with a collective population of over sixteen million people.
It should be noted that the Alabang area of Muntinlupa is a popular destination for Calabarzon residents as well as those from nearby cities who enjoy shopping and recreational activities during the weekend. That being said, Flavors of NCR fits nicely with the weekend vibe at Filinvest City.
After the formal ribbon-cutting was done, Flavors of NCR 2024 officially opened and a lot of people and photographers followed Biazon and the guests visit the different food booths of each city.
Each LGU and their best
I visited and explored the designated areas (also referred to as “booths”) of each LGU during the food festival. Each area had a different style of interiors and layouts of food, drinks and other products being offered to visitors. There were also chairs and tables present for those who need to seat down and eat. Check out my raw YouTube videos plus pictures below…
Native delicacies on display for sale at the Las Piñas City booth.
Burger patties being cooked at the Mandaluyong City area.
Delicious halo-halo from Aling Consuelo Halo-Halo sa Ugbo. This was sold at P100 each.
Marikina City had four sellers that attracted customers during the food festival.
Drinks, dessert and other stuff offered to customers at the Las Piñas City booth.
As expected, the variety of food and drinks were really great. Offered to customers were chicken, beef, pork, siomai, barbeque, puto, bibingka, pansit, siopao, fried chicken, roasted pig, pastries, cakes, halo-halo and ice cream to name some. There were also non-food products being sold such as bags and accessories in some booths.
The Muntinlupa City area.
Sea food and other food items being sold at the Parañaque City booth.
Fried chicken being prepared for customers.
The best of Muntinlupa City offered to customers.
Food and bags for sale inside the booth of Malabon City.
It was really nice to see these small businesses represent their locality and offered their best products to visitors at Filinvest City Central Park. Adding zest to the food festival were some performances by different bands from the cities of NCR. There also was a modern dance activity that drew in lots of visitors which added to the customers at the food festival.
Conclusion
The 2024 edition of Flavors of NCR at Filinvest City Central Park was indeed a nice showcase of what each LGU had to offer for those who love food and drinks. In addition, this festival really emphasized unity between the local governments of NCR and it also promoted local tourism. The festival also attracted some residents of Filinvest City’s residential towers (plus others from Ayala Alabang, Palms Pointe Village and other residential communities) and some employees (who worked at offices near the park) whose shifts ended.
In the perspective of tourism, this event really boosted Filinvest City Central Park’s status as a venue for special events or activities. To date, the said park continues to be an attraction for visitors and already it has been used by organizers of sports events and musical events.
This was taken during Saturday night.
The successful staging of Flavors of NCR could inspire food festival organizers to have their events held within Filinvest City in the future.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: Were you able to attend Flavors of NCR at the central park in Filinvest City? If you did, how was your experience? Do you wish to see another food festival to be held at Filinvest City Central Park soon?
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
Recently in the City of Marikina, an elderly woman died shortly after getting hit by an electric bike (e-bike) while crossing the road which was captured on CCTV, according to a GMA Network news report. The e-bike driver, who is now under the custody of the local police, has been charged for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. The victim was 73-years-old.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…
A grandmother in Marikina was killed after being hit by an electric bicycle or e-bike.
According to Marisol Abduhraman’s report on “24 Oras,” the victim was not immediately brought to the hospital, her family claimed.
As seen on the CCTV footage, after the woman opened her umbrella, she started crossing the road. But while crossing, an electric bicycle hit her.
The woman fell down and was immediately approached by bystanders and the e-bike rider.
The 73-year-old Luzviminda Bisares was declared dead when she was taken to the hospital.
“Hindi ako makapaniwala bakit niya po binangga at sinagasaan po ang lola ko na nagtamo ng brain injury and putol po ang braso niya,” said the victim’s granddaughter, Samantha Bisarez.
(I can’t believe why he hit my grandmother causing her to suffer from brain injury, her arm was broken.)
She added that it was impossible for the rider not to notice her grandmother, especially since she was carrying an open umbrella.
“Sabi niya may tinitingnan daw siya sa bulsa niya pero nasa CCTV at lahat noong tao doon nakita na nagse-cellphone po siya while driving,” said Samantha.
(He said he was looking at something in his pocket but it was seen on CCTV and everyone there saw that he was using his cell phone while driving.)
“Sabihin na nating aksidente pero bakit mo hinayaang manlamig, lumamig ‘yung lola ko. Bakit hindi ka nag-insist na ipagamot yung lola ko o ipadala sa ospital? Para sana madugtungan pa ‘yung buhay niya?” she added.
(Let’s say it was an accident but why didn’t you insist on bringing my grandmother to the hospital so she could be treated?)
The rider explained that he did not immediately take the grandmother to the hospital because he was panicking.
“Malapit na po ako sa bahay nila tapos nandun po kami papasok sa eskinita nahilo po s’ya kaya pinaupo ko po muna s’ya saglit. Hindi na po kami umabot kasi nahilo po s’ya inupo ko po sya dun,” the suspect said.
(We were nearing their house, we were entering the alley…she felt dizzy so I made her sit for a while. We didn’t get there because she was dizzy, so I let her sir first.)
He said a man arrived from the alley and took the grandmother to the hospital.The suspect said he regretted what happened and said he did not mean to kill her.
“Masakit po sa dibdib, sympre po hindi ko naman po sinasadya yung nangyari. Sobrang naging bangungot. Sana po patawarin ako ng pamilya n’ya,” he said.
(It’s painful. What happened was not intentional. It was a nightmare. I hope her family will forgive me.)
But his apology was not enough for the pain of the grieving family.
Posted below is the related news video of GMA Network.
This tragedy in Marikina City reported nationwide by GMA News adds further challenges to e-bike and e-trike drivers/owners as it could spark public demand that each e-bike and e-trike should be registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and that all the respective drivers should be required to secure licenses to drive (which means participating in seminars about traffic rules and then passing a test).
As for those private or civic groups that blatantly support the rights of e-bike/e-trike drivers, observe how they will react to the Marikina City tragedy. See how they will come up with excuses as they strive to gain the attention of the media to themselves.
A file photo of an electric tricycle (e-trike) traveling along Alabang-Zapote Road in Muntinlupa City. In relation to the tragedy in Marikina City, do you think it is high-time to compel all e-bike/e-trike drivers to be licensed to drive and have their respective vehicles registered under the Land Transportation Office (LTO)?
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think it is time to require all e-bike and e-trike units to be formally registered under the LTO, and the respective drivers should be required to be licensed to drive? Regarding the e-bike driver responsible for the death of the elderly woman in Marikina City, do you think his explanations make any sense at all? Are there many e-bike/e-trike-related accidents that happened in your city recently? Did you see any e-bike/e-trike using driving recklessly recently?
Recently the Philippine Star published a news report revealing that electric bike (e-bike) crashes in Metro Manila reached a total of 556 with Quezon City having the most number of such crashes at almost 100.
While the report was published almost a month ago, the details are still relevant as more people are discussing the disadvantages of e-bikes (note: this includes the electric tricycles or e-trikes) which until now remain unregulated under the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Here in South Metro Manila, the e-bike crashes in the cities of Las Piñas, Parañaque and Muntinlupa combined for 90.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine Star news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday said that there were 556 crash incidents of electric bikes (e-bikes) in Metro Manila in 2023.
According to LTFRB’s data sent to reporters, the e-bike crashes in the National Capital Region (NCR) resulted in 281 instances of property damage, 273 non-fatal injuries and two fatal injuries.
Crash incidents peaked in August 2023 with 64 cases, while the (lowest) recorded (total) to 26 cases in November 2023.
Quezon City posted the highest number of incidents among cities in the NCR with 96 e-bike crash cases. Of these, 42 are recorded as property damage with 54 non-fatal injuries.
Following Quezon City in the total number of crash incidents are these areas:
Marikina- 72
Taguig- 71
Manila- 52
Parañaque- 46
Makati- 39
Caloocan- 36
Pasig- 36
Las Piñas- 29
Pasay- 22
Muntinlupa- 15
Mandaluyong- 14
Valenzuela 11
Pateros- 7
San Juan- 7
Malabon- 2
Navotas- 1
In November 2023, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) proposed the mandatory registration of e-bikes, saying that only registered e-bikes should be allowed to use public roads.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent report? Are you convinced that by design, electric bikes and electric tricycles were not really made to be safe for its drivers and passengers when traveling along major roads? Are you convinced that e-bikes and e-trikes are so slow moving, they made the flow of traffic on major roads worse? When do you think the LTO will come up with major reforms needed to have all e-bikes and e-trikes regulated and registered? Have you reached out to your city’s council members to have all electric bikes banned from traveling on major roads? Did you spot any e-trike in your city driven by minors recently?
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
As more people are lining up at vaccination sites around the country to get vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19, there is a rise in the number of fake vaccination cards as reported in the news which, in my view, is most likely related to the implementation of the No Vax, No Ride policy as well as the imposed restrictions on unvaccinated individuals.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the first Manila Bulletin report about fake vaccination cards. Some parts in boldface…
The Pasay City police arrested a graphic artist who was allegedly the source of fake vaccination cards proliferating in the city and being sold to unvaccinated commuters, Tuesday afternoon.
Col. Cesar Paday-os, Pasay City police chief, identified the suspects as Marcelo Cabansag, 28, a resident of 366 F. Rosario St., Barangay 59, Pasay City.
Paday-os said Cabansag is now detained at the Pasay City police custodial facility and is facing charges for violation of falsification of public documents in relation to RA 11332, Sec. 9 paragraph (b).
He said Cabansag was arrested in an entrapment operation at about 5:30 p.m. at No. 32 P. Arnaiz Avenue, Libertad, Barangay 94 Zone 11, Pasay City.
The city police chief said Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano came out with an order for the arrest of Cabansag after learning that he was the main source of fake vaccination cards proliferating in the city.
The police arrested two public transportation barkers identified as Alex Bagayan, 39, and Eddie Garcia, 46, on Monday at about 6:30 o.m. along Apelo Cruz St., Barangay 151, Malibay, Pasay City for selling fake vaccination card for P500 each to unvaccinated commuters.
Paday-os said the arrested barkers pinpointed Cabansag as the person behind the printing of fake vaccination cards that are being sold to them at P100 each.
He said Cabansag admitted that he already printed around 50 pieces of fake vaccination cards this January after the “no vaccination card, no ride” police was implemented.
And now here is a look at another Manila Bulletin news report about fake vaccination cards, only this time the story is set in Quezon City. Some parts in boldface…
Police arrested a woman for allegedly selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards in Barangay E. Rodriguez, Cubao, Quezon City on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 26.
Lt. Col. Elizabeth D. Jasmin, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Cubao Station (PS 7) commander, said the suspect, identified as Huwela Mifuel Gabrido, 51, was nabbed in an entrapment operation.
According to the police, they launched the operation after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen. They were able to buy from the suspect a fake vaccination card for P15,000, which was paid through G-Cash.
Gabrido, who came with two cohorts, was arrested upon meet-up with a police poseur-buyer at No. 44 Cambridge St., Brgy. E. Rodriguez at around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
However, her two cohorts escaped.
As seen in the above excerpts of the two news reports, the making and selling fake vaccination cards is unlawful. It shows that making money using illegal methods will lead to trouble and punishment under the justice system. There are people out there who are daring to take advantage of the unvaccinated people who in turn are willing to pay a lot of money to obtain an illegal item to get through the restrictions. As for the unvaccinated, using a fake vaccination card itself will make them violators of varied rules and regulations.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think local government units and police officers must do to fight the spread of fake vaccination cards? Are there unvaccinated people in your local community who are eager to obtain fake vaccination cards even though it will put them at risk of getting into trouble with the law?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
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
With the current surge of new COVID-19 infections affecting the Philippines as a whole, a lot of people have gotten worried about their health as well as the return of certain restrictions such as the mandatory use of face shields which themselves are known to be inconvenient to use and make verbal communication a chore.
In the City of Marikina, mayor Marcy Teodoro publicly clarified recently that the use of face shields within the city remains optional, not required, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. To be clear, Marikina’s City Government previously announced that face shield use was mandatory and the mayor had to make things clear.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Marikina City local government on Sunday, Jan. 9, clarified that the use of face shield in the city is still optional.
This after the city government announced the mandatory use of face shields in vaccination centers last Jan. 5.
“Nililinaw ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Marikina na hindi mandatory ang pagsusuot ng face shield sa siyudad (The Marikina City local government is clarifying that wearing of face shields is not mandatory in the city),” Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said in a statement.
He added that there is no affiliated penalty for residents who are not wearing face shields within the city.
Teodoro said wearing of face shields is just a part of the safety and additional precautions against the virus, especially in congested areas.
“Dahil ito nga ay optional, walang kaakibat na penalty o multa ang hindi pagsusuot ng face shield. Kundi ito ay bahagi lamang ng ibayong pag-iingat o added precaution sa crowded o congested areas (Because it is optional, there is no penalty or fine for not wearing a face shield. It is only part of the added precaution in crowded or congested areas),” the mayor said.
The city government, meanwhile, encouraged its residents to use face shields in crowded places for additional protection against COVID-19.
While the clarification on face shields made by Marikina’s mayor provided relief to their constituents, it is important for Metro Manila residents to watch closely the moves of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the mayors comprising the Metro Manila Council (MMC) with regards to implementing more restrictions in reaction to the COVID-19 surge.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you worried that the high COVID-19 infections of the nation will result another lockdown and the return of multiple restrictions? Are you willing to accept the mandatory use of face shields?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
Are you based in the Philippines and you have yet to get yourself registered? The voter registration process officially resumed nationwide yesterday and voters have until October 30, 2021 to visit the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) registration sites to get themselves registered and become eligible to vote in the May 2022 national and local elections. Already lines of people were spotted by GMA Network News.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network News. Some parts in boldface…
The registration of voters resumed on Monday with voter applicants forming long lines again before dawn in some areas in Metro Manila.
In Quezon City, some voters showed up as early as midnight at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Barangay Sto. Cristo, according to a report by James Agustin on Unang Balita.
Because it was still curfew, they were asked to stay at the barangay hall first. At 4 a.m., they were allowed to start falling in line on Nueva Vizcaya Street.
Voters said they are grateful that the Comelec extended the registration of voters until October 30 so they could exercise their right to vote in Eleksyon 2022.
Some of them have tried to register before for three or four times but did not make it to the cutoff.
Voters came with food and chairs, ready for the long wait. They were finally allowed to fall in line outside the Comelec office at 6 a.m. Registration will start at 8 a.m.
Barangay personnel continuously reminded voters to observe physical distancing.
Meanwhile, outside SM City North EDSA, voters slept on the floor while waiting to be allowed inside the voter registration satellite area.
Marikina City
In Marikina City, voters who were at a mall were allowed to enter the parking lot at 3 a.m. on Monday, according to a report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita.
At 6 a.m., walk-in applicants were given queuing stubs.
Only 200 slots per district will be accommodated at the site.
Fifty slots meanwhile were allotted for the priority lane for senior citizens, pregnant women, persons with disability, and medical frontliners.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this newest development? If you have not yet registered until now, are you determined to join the line for voter registration as soon as possible? Where is the nearest COMELEC registration near you right now?
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
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine News Agency. Some parts in boldface…
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has “provisionally” approved the guidelines on the pilot implementation of granular lockdowns in Metro Manila, Malacañang announced on Friday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, also acting as IATF-EID spokesperson, said the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) policy shift would only impose either the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or the general community quarantine (GCQ) with four alert levels in Metro Manila.
“Sang-ayon po dito sa policy shift na gagawin natin, dalawa na lang ang quarantine classifications. Ito po ang ECQ na ipapataw ng IATF o ‘di naman kaya ay GCQ (Based on the policy shift that we will carry out, there will only be two quarantine classifications. These are the ECQ that will be imposed by the IATF or the GCQ),” Roque said in a virtual presser.
He said the localized lockdown that would be pilot-tested in Metro Manila has four levels.
The IATF-EID is still ironing out the details on the implementation of alert level 4, the strictest level, Roque said.
Roque said all areas that would be placed under an alert level system should follow the protocols that are consistent with their alert levels and issued by the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19.
The classification of pilot areas and their alert levels will also be done weekly, unless otherwise specified, he added.
“Lahat po ng areas ay magpapatupad po ng granular lockdowns, sang-ayon po sa guidelines ng NTF. Ang pagkakaiba po nito, itong lockdowns na ito ay mas strikto (All areas will implement granular lockdowns, based on the guidelines of the NTF. The difference is these lockdowns are stricter),” Roque said.
With the implementation of stricter granular lockdowns, health and allied health professionals are the only ones who will be considered Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR), he said, noting that government workers in areas under localized lockdown would not be allowed to go out.
“‘Yun pong mga taong gobyerno ay hindi makakapagtrabaho kapag kayo po ay nasa ilalim ng localized lockdown. Hindi kayo pupuwedeng lumabas (Government workers will not be allowed to go out if their areas are under localized lockdown. They cannot go out),” Roque said.
He, however, assured that local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would provide assistance to households that might be affected by the implementation of granular lockdowns.
“Magbibigay na po ng ayuda ang lokal na pamahalaan at ang DSWD para po hindi na kinakailangang lumabas ng kahit na sino sa mga lugar na naka-granular lockdown (Local governments and the DSWD will give assistance so residents of areas under granular lockdown would no longer need to leave their homes),” he said.
Roque did not mention when the pilot implementation of localized lockdowns would commence.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the new guidelines for granular lockdown? Do you believe that the plan of using 4 alert levels for GCQ will cause a lot of confusion? Do you think that the national authorities will be able to finalize and issue the new guidelines before September 15?
How many people do you personally know lost their jobs because of the most recent flip-flop by the IATF resulting the extended MECQ? Do you believe that the IATF, the Metro Manila Council and the MMDA are paying sufficient attention to economic matters like job losses and the affected employees’ loss of income?
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
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro slammed the national government on Wednesday for its last minute decision to defer placing the National Capital Region (NCR) under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and retained it under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) until September 15.
“Tingin ko, hindi lang mga negosyante ang nagalit, madami ding mga mayor ang nagalit. Dapat may kahandaan talaga at hindi magdulot ng kalituhan sa ating mga kababayan yung mga ganitong pangyayari (I think not only the businessmen were angry about the decision, even the mayors were also infuriated. There should always be preparedness in these situations to avoid confusion),” Teodoro said in an interview with DZBB Wednesday morning.
“Tandaan natin, Inter-Agency Task Force ito, IATF, naririto na lahat ng departmental agencies operating at the secretary’s level kaya dapat kung may mga pahayag, dapat maging malinaw ang mga ito. Pangalawa, yung mga guidelines, yung mga implementing mechanisms nito kung papano ipapatupad ay malinaw, at hindi lang sa malinaw, kundi napapanahon dapat ang pagpapatupad (Remember, this is an inter-agency task force. All departmental agencies operating at the secretary’s level are here, that’s why all announcements should be clear. Second, all guidelines and implementing mechanisms should be clear, and not just clear, but timely as well),” he added.
Teodoro said Metro Manila mayors, as well as the IATF, held a meeting yesterday regarding the quarantine classification of Metro Manila.
“Hanggang kahapon nung magmeeting kami ng umaga, nagsimula ang meeting ng alas nueve ng umaga hanggang alas dose, ala una, eh hinihingi nga namin yung malinaw na guidelines, pero wala pang maibigay sa amin. May naibigay na draft, pero hindi pirmado (Yesterday, we had a meeting that started at 9 a.m. and lasted until 12 or 1 p.m. We were asking for the clear guidelines. However, they did not give us any. They just provided us with a draft, and it was not even signed),” Teodoro said.
“Tapos, after two hours, eh nabalitaan namin na nagkaroon ng meeting ng mga alas tres ng hapon na nag emergency meeting ang IATF at hindi na nakausap muli ang mayors buhat noon (After two hours, we found out that the IATF held an emergency meeting at three in the afternoon, but the mayors were left out),” he added.
Teodoro said all the mayors were asking for are clear guidelines for the GCQ with granular lockdown system’s implementation because a lot of preparation are needed for it, especially in terms of manpower and logistics.
“Narinig nalang namin yung pahayag sa media na (extended na ang MECQ) (We just heard the announcement in the media that the MECQ was extended),” Teodoro said.
Wow! The details in the above excerpt are quite revealing! The Metro Manila mayors met with the IATF and the latter provided the local government heads an unsigned draft in response to the request for guidelines. Then the IATF had an emergency meeting leaving the mayors out. Something seems fishy and the Mayor of Marikina City had the courage to reveal publicly what exactly happened.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about Marikina City Mayor Teodoro’s slamming of the government over the flip-flop? Do you think the IATF is working hard right now to prepare for the next announcement on community quarantine in Metro Manila? Are the members of your local community ready for a potential granular lockdown like what happened in Parañaque City?
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In the spirit of “bayanihan” and solidarity especially in the Christmas season, officials and employees of the City Government of Muntinlupa donated a portion of their bonus and allowance raising P700,000.00 financial assistance to two flood-stricken towns in Cagayan.
Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management (MCDDRM) chief Erwin Alfonso, representing Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, turned-over the personal donation of Muntinlupa City Hall employees and officials to the municipalities of Baggao and Solana, Cagayan on December 1.
Alfonso said the Baggao LGU received P400,000.00 which will be used for the procurement of a rescue vehicle while Solana LGU received P300,000.00 to be used for the town’s recovery and rehabilitation. Baggao Mayor Joan Dunuan and Solana Mayor Jenalyn Carag expressed their utmost thanks to the officials and employees of the local government for their generous donation.
The personal assistance is on top of the P11 million financial aid of the City Government of Muntinlupa already donated to 21 LGUs in the provinces of Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Cagayan, and the City of Marikina that were worst hit by Typhoons Rolly, Quinta and Ulysses.
Recently, the Muntinlupa City Council approved the financial aid be sourced from the City Government’s 2020 Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund as per recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and MCDDRM.
Muntinlupa City Government has extended P1,000,000 financial assistance to the City of Marikina; while P500,000 each were given to the towns of Bato, San Andres, San Miguel, Baras, and Gigmoto in Catanduanes; Bato, Iriga, Calagbanga, Caramoan, Garchitorena, and Siruma in Camarines Sur; Tiwi, Ligao City, Camalig, and Malinao in Albay; Naujan and Gloria in Oriental Mindoro; Tingloy in Batangas; Alcala and Claveria in Cagayan.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said this initiative is the city’s share in helping our kababayans who are in need. “In the spirit of bayanihan, the local government of Muntinlupa will continue to lend its hand to towns in the country needing assistance,” the local exec added.
During the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, Muntinlupa City sent Rescue Boats and a Water Search and Rescue Team in Marikina to augment their rescue operations. Further, BFP Muntinlupa has also sent teams for the clearing operations in Marikina.
On November 25, the City Government of Muntinlupa and JRF Scholarship and Development Foundation, Inc. has also delivered groceries packs to 200 families of the Dumagat Tribe in Tanay Rizal. Affected Dumagat Tribe families also received 1,600 face masks, 440 new underwear and sando (for adult and kids), 420 Towels and towelette, 150 Assorted Size Slippers, 150 Banig, 150 Blankets, and 150 Toiletries/Hygiene Kit. Some of the students from the tribe are also part of the JRF Foundation scholarship program since 2018.
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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.
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Author Carlo Carrasco 