In Muntinlupa City, Mayor Ruffy Biazon expressed that he is looking forward to the kind of plans and programs that the winners of the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) would execute within their respective communities, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon said he is looking forward to what kind of programs the winning candidates in the Oct. 30 elections will implement in their respective barangays.
Filipinos voted in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to choose their new leaders.
“Congratulations sa mga nanalo sa Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023! Looking forward ako sa mga programang isusulong niyo sa barangay niyo (Congratulations to all the winners in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023! Looking forward to programs that you will promote in your barangay),” Biazon posted on Facebook.
He added, “Sana ay magkatulungan din tayo sa pagsulong mg 7K Agenda ng pamahalaang lungsod (I hope we can cooperate in promoting the 7K Agenda of the city government).”
“Sa mga hindi nagwagi, don’t look at this as the end of the road. See it as a fork on the road that allows you to change the scenery of your journey towards the goal of helping your city and the people,” he said.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, were the barangay and SK elections in your local community held peacefully? Are you aware of who has been elected as the captain, SK chair and councilors in your barangay? Were all the winners in your barangay proclaimed already by the local COMELEC?
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, the City Government of Muntinlupa congratulated local resident Kaila Napolis for winning the 52Kg women’s jiu-jitsu gold medal in the 2023 World Combat Games that took place in Saudi Arabia.
The congratulatory message was done through the City Government’s official Facebook page on October 28 with a picture post. For the newcomers reading this, this is not the first time Napolis made big achievements in international sports events and has been congratulated by the City Government before (read my past blog posts by clicking here, here, here and here).
From the official Facebook page of Muntinlupa City.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA sports news article. Some parts in boldface…
The Philippines claimed its first gold medal in the 2023 World Combat Games following the triumph of ju-jitsu fighter Kaila Jenna Napolis at the King Saud University Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).
“It’s my first time to qualify in such an event. It feels surreal to be able to get a gold medal especially here in the World Combat Games,” the 25-year-old Napolis told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday.
She scored a 2-0 victory over Anael Pannetier of France in the final of the women’s -52kg Ne-Waza.
“She looks intimidating by her stance and she’s a bit bigger than me so I’m very nervous going into the match. I feel like throwing up but I had to focus and give it my all because it is finals already,” shared Napolis, who defeated Adriana Cruz of Colombia, 6-0, in the quarterfinal and Mongljin Ganbaatar of Mongolia via submission in the semifinal.
“When I stepped on the mat, my mind was cleared already. I just wanna execute my techniques first and have a very good control on her,” added the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games gold medalist and Hangzhou Asian Games silver medalist.
Napolis was grateful to national coach John Baylon for accompanying her in the tournament.
“It’s my first time to travel alone without a teammate so I’m super thankful to coach John for helping me with the training here, assisting me with the schedules, being my corner man and masseur,” said Napolis, a member of the Paranaque-based Checkmat Manila Club headed by coach Manny Jimenez.
“Kaila deserved the gold medal, she trained hard and came here prepared,” said Baylon, a nine-time judo gold medalist in the SEA Games. He also competed in the 1988 (Seoul) and 1992 (Barcelona) Olympics.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you very delighted to learn about the latest gold medal victory of Napolis? Does Napolis inspire people in your local community to engage in sports competitions?
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
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is hoping for a longer period for voting in the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), according to a GMA Network news report. The BSKE this year happened this past Monday with a voting period of 7AM to 3PM although a few cities had early voting hours of 5AM to 7AM for senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news article. Some parts in boldface…
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia on Monday said that he is hoping that the next Barangay and Sangguninang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will have longer voting hours.
This, as Garcia said he expects long queues in voting precincts today, which will only be open until 3 p.m.
“Sana nga po dumating ang pagkakataon na mabago ang ating batas na sa halip na alas tres lamang ang pagboto sa BSKE ay sana kahit gawing mga alas singko man lang ito para po makapagsilbi sa mas maraming botante,” Garcia told reporters in an ambush interview after he cast his vote at Banaba Cerca Integrated School in Cavite.
(We look forward to the time when we can amend the law to extend the voting hours for BSKE until 5 p.m. so we can accommodate more voters.)
Aside from longer voting hours, Garcia is also hoping for a new law that will allow the poll body to provide seamless voting for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and heavily pregnant women.
“‘Yun ang kadahilanan kung bakit pinu-push ng Comelec ang Early Voting Law dahil… makaka-register kayo nang mas maaga. Pag naka-register nang mas maaga, alam namin kung saan kayo boboto o kung kayo ba ay boboto nang isang linggo bago ang eleksyon,” explained Garcia.
(That is the reason why Comelec is pushing for an Early Voting Law. This will enable vulnerable sectors to register early and if possible, vote a week earlier.)
The Comelec chief then apologized to the vulnerable sectors who experienced inconvenience due to the required signing of a waiver form.
“Pasensya na po kayo. ‘Yun po ‘yung mga isa sa mga tinitingnan natin sa pilot testing natin, [kung] ano ang mga adjustment na gagawin natin,” he said.
(We ask for your patience. This is one of the things that we want to assess during our pilot test to determine the things that need adjustments.)
“First time po natin itong ginawa…pero wag po kayo mag-alala. Sa susunod na gagawin natin nationwide ‘yan, mawawala ang ganyang klase ng mga papeles o dokumento,” he added.
(This is the first time that we did this. The next time we hold this nationwide, we will no longer require those documents.)
Vulnerable sectors in Muntinlupa City and Naga City, Camarines Sur were allowed to vote early on Monday as they were allowed to cast their votes at 5 a.m.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you were able to vote in the BSKE this past Monday, are you convinced that a longer period of voting is needed? Do you prefer more early voting periods for vulnerable voters or special lanes to be made to accommodate them? Do you think an extended voting period will be effective in accommodating more voters in the BSKE?
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
Noel Bazaar has an established history as a long-running and popular holiday bazaar and also “features the best of entrepreneurs carrying the latest crafts and merchandise from clothing, Christmas and home decors, fashion accessories, novelty and gift items to food and drinks.”
To put things in perspective, posted below are selected excerpts from the GMA Network article. Some parts in boldface…
Sprinkling the holiday season with an extensive selection of unique gifts, mouthwatering treats, captivating entertainment, and opportunities for charitable giving, Noel Bazaar 2023 boasts of a 48-day run on the following dates and venues: November 10 to December 17 at Okada Manila; November 24 to 30 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, and December 8 to 10 at the Filinvest Tent Alabang.
Shop ‘Til You Drop – From handcrafted jewelry to bespoke fashion, home décor, accessories, and more, shoppers can find the perfect gifts for their loved ones while supporting hundreds of local artisans and entrepreneurs who are joining the bazaar. A sweet and delectable shopping experience await all visitors of the metro’s ultimate Christmas shopping destination!
Endless Holiday Festivities – Immerse yourself in a festive atmosphere of Christmas cheer when you visit Noel Bazaar across all its selected venues this year! Delight in Okada Manila’s simultaneous Home of Wonder, featuring their Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Christmas Light Show, Christmas Village, and the Fountain Show. Indulge in seven days of merriment at the World Trade Center featuring magical performances, children’s fashion shows, sweet serenades, delightful workshops and demos, and imported selections from the International Pavilion. Savour what the south has to offer when Noel Bazaar swings by the Filinvest Tent Alabang, bringing an assortment of Christmas gifts and goodies as well as an outdoor food market with live music every evening! With an exciting line-up of activities and surprises at each location, you definitely don’t want to miss Noel Bazaar’s 5-week long comeback this 2023!
Again, for the newcomers reading this, Filinvest Tent not only hosted last year’s edition of the Noel Bazaar, it was also the same venue used for New Life Conference 2023.
The Filinvest Tent.
For those who will be attending Noel Bazaar 2023 at Filinvest Tent, be aware that there are lots of stores, food/beverage vendors and restaurants that are within walking distance. Commercenter Mall is a short walk away from the Filinvest Tent and inside are restaurants such as Akrotiri, Sigekiya Ramen and The Black Pig to name a few. Even closer to the Filinvest Tent are branches of McDonald’s and Jollibee, as well as the area of South Supermarket which has some restaurants, local business joints and a paid parking area on the ground floor. While Filinvest Tent itself has a paid parking area, its parking slots are limited. You could park your cars at the paid parking areas of the nearby joints.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you excited about the return of Noel Bazaar in Alabang? If you shopped at a Noel Bazaar before, was your experience within Alabang? Do you think the Filinvest Tent is still a suitable venue for Christmas season shopping?
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
Water concessionaire Maynilad announced recently that it has allotted over P1 billion for the upgrading of its Muntinlupa City water treatment plants, according to a news report by GMA Network.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. is spending a billion pesos to upgrade its water treatment plants in Muntinlupa City.
In a statement, Maynilad said it has earmarked P1.14 billion to further improve the treatment processes of its Putatan Water Treatment Plants (PWTP) 1 and 2 “in response to the worsening quality of the raw water from Laguna Lake.”
The company said the upgrades include the material and structural reinforcement of the facilities’ existing silt curtain, strengthening of the sludge management system, provision of activated carbon dosing at the intake, and replacement of all ultrafiltration membranes, among other enhancements.
The PWTP upgrades, which Maynilad said it has been implementing in phases, enabled the company to sustain normal water production since June 2023 despite sudden shifts in the water quality.
This led to improved service availability for Maynilad customers in the south versus the previous year, when the water production of PWTP 1 and 2 would immediately drop following spikes in total dissolved solids, algae proliferation, and the presence of organic and inorganic matter in the lake water, the company said.
“We have had to incorporate additional treatment processes at Putatan WTP to handle some quality parameters of Laguna Lake that now occur at levels not seen from recorded prior ten-year experience. This investment is essential so we can continue to maximize the lake’s strategic value as a water source for Metro Manila,” said Maynilad chief operating officer Randolph Estrellado.
Estrellado added that the PWTP improvements being done were aligned with the recommendations of the Public Utility Board (PUB), the national water agency of Singapore, which was invited to the country by MWSS Administrator Leonor Cleofas to assess the said facilities and share their expertise with Maynilad.
Maynilad said its PWTP 1 and 2—the largest membrane-based water treatment plants in the Philippines—are the first to utilize Laguna Lake as an alternate source to Angat Dam.
The company added that it is currently constructing another 150-million-liter per-day treatment plant in Poblacion, Muntinlupa City, which will be its third facility to tap Laguna Lake as a source.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, how was the quality of service you have been getting from Maynilad over the past six months? Is the water supply from Maynilad constantly available for your needs?
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
There is no doubt that water is essential for families, businesses and all other sectors of local society. That being said, Filinvest’s corporate entities has partnered with Hitachi, Ltd., to construct a state-of-the-art water recycling facility and upgraded sewage treatment plant (STP) in the Alabang business district in Muntinlupa City with a completion target set for March 2026, according to an official press release published through Hitachi online.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Hitachi press release. Some parts in boldface…
Seated from L-R, FDCWUI President & CEO Johnny Roxas, FDC Vice Chair Josephine Gotianun Yap, FAI President & COO Catherine Ilagan, Hitachi Ltd. GM of Envi. Sol. Div. Okito Kakudo, and Hitachi Asia Ltd. COO Tang Chay Wee. Standing from L-R, PMI’s Chief Investment Officer Jan Michael Lim and President Alfredo Comendador Jr., ASCOF’s Design Manager Allan Villanueva and Project Manager Ricky De Castro, FLOW’s BD and Marketing AVP Sundy Bergado and CTO Tatsuya Sasuga, Hitachi Asia Ltd. Philippine Branch GM Hiroshi Katagiri and FLOW’s Engineering and Projects AVP Alfred Ables. (source – Hitachi.Asia)
Filinvest City, together with its partners FDC Water Utilities Inc. and Hitachi Ltd, will soon begin the construction of a state-of-the-art water recycling facility and upgraded sewage treatment plant (STP) that promises to innovate urban water management in the Alabang business district. This reflects the Filinvest Group’s commitment to sustainability through the implementation of efficient and technology-driven water operations across all of its developments.
“We aim to make Filinvest City the first sustainable and smart central business district in the Philippines. By implementing advanced technologies and solutions to treat wastewater, we are moving towards a future where local ecosystems are protected and our ecological footprint is reduced,” said Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC) Vice Chairperson Josephine Gotianun Yap during the construction commencement ceremony held recently.
FDC Water Utilities, Inc. (FDCWUI), a subsidiary of FDC Utilities, Inc., will lead in developing the project that is set to begin in December this year and is expected to be completed by March 2026.
“This project will revolutionize how Filinvest approaches wastewater treatment and water production. Its seamless integration of sewage treatment and production of high-quality recycled water technologies sets a new standard for environmentally responsible development. Only two other projects in the country implement similar processes, but none on this scale,” said Juan Eugenio L. Roxas, President and CEO of FDWUI.
Hitachi Ltd is the project’s technical partner, one of Japan’s largest and most influential corporations spanning sectors such as IT, telecom, power, infrastructure, and industry. Together with Filinvest, Hitachi aims to focus on social and sustainable innovations through data and technology.
“Our advanced water treatment technology, combined with digital solutions, is designed not only to improve water quality but also to enable remote plant monitoring and streamline operations. We are honored to work with Filinvest as we address the pressing issue of water shortages in the Philippines and promote water sustainability together,” said Okito Kakudo, General Manager of Hitachi Ltd.’s Environmental Solution Division, Water and Environment Business Unit.
The upgraded STP will be capable of processing up to 15 million liters of wastewater daily. It will utilize Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology for biological nutrient removal, which complies with the stricter regulations on nitrogen and phosphorus removal in the country that cannot be effectively removed by the conventional activated sludge method.
Meanwhile, the new water reuse facility is designed to efficiently produce high-quality recycled water for household use. Capable of producing a capacity of at least 10.5 million liters per day, the facility utilizes a combination of Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO) and Advanced Oxidation for its water production.
The initiative will reduce the environmental footprint of Filinvest City and effectively mitigate pollution in waterways. Moreover, the water produced by the reuse facility will be available to local businesses and residents, conserving valuable freshwater sources and ensuring a more reliable supply of clean water.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, how do you think this upcoming water recycling facility of Filinvest and Hitachi will help you? Do you think there is a need for more private sector players to be more involved in the water supply and water recycling within Muntinlupa City? Do you own a home or a business property in Filinvest City in Alabang?
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 progressive city of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon told local candidates running in the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to campaign cleanly, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The BSKE campaign period started last Thursday (October 19) and will last until October 28, 2023.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon told candidates for the Oct. 30 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to hold a clean campaign and not resort to mudslinging.
More than 400 BSKE candidates in Muntinlupa will start their election campaign today, Oct. 19, which will last for 10 days until Oct. 28.
“One final reminder…I call on all candidates to do a clean campaign focused on presenting the best what they can offer to the people. Plataporma at programa, hindi paninira (Platform and program, not mudslinging),” Biazon posted on Facebook on Oct. 19.
He added, “Hangad natin na maging mapayapa at tapat ang pagpili ng mga susunod na maglilingkod sa barangay (Our goal is peaceful and honest selection of the next persons to serve in the barangay).”
The mayor said he hopes that the winning candidates will pursue “fast, responsive, effective at efficient service.”
The winning candidates, he said, should come up with programs that will undergo planning and are aligned with the city’s development plans.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you going to vote in the BSKE on October 30? Are there members in your local community who have shown awareness about the polls and the many candidates running? Is someone in your local community running for barangay captain?
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 the public became more aware of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) coin deposit project, it is unsurprising that the accumulated amount of coins deposited through machines reached almost P115 million, according to a BusinessWorld news report. Take note that the BSP recently installed additional machines which should give people more opportunities to deposit their idle coins.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news report. Some parts in boldface…
THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) has collected P114.9 million in coins less than four months after the launch of their coin deposit machines (CoDMs) nationwide.
The central bank collected 42.4 million coins worth P114.9 million via the CoDMs as of Oct. 6 since they were rolled out in June, it said in a statement on Tuesday.
“We would like to thank our participating retailers and coin savers, especially those who have been promoting the usage of CoDMs on social media, for being instrumental in the program’s continued popularity and success,” BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.
The coin deposit machines form part of the BSP’s efforts to improve the circulation of coins in the financial system.
“A case was made for a cash recycler program because we had about 36 billion coins in circulation then, but there seemed to be an artificial shortage in some areas in the Philippines,” BSP Deputy Director Jann Ryan D. Jose said.
The central bank said there were 39.1 billion coins in circulation as of April for an average of around 358 coins per person, almost three times the 2005 average of 121 coins per individual.
“When coins are not recirculated and left idle, an artificial coin shortage can happen in certain regions. This increases the likelihood of businesses shortchanging their customers,” the BSP said.
The BSP has finished deploying its target of 25 coin deposit machine units in malls across Metro Manila and other nearby provinces.
The value of coins deposited in CoDMs may be credited to the depositor’s e-wallet account or converted into a shopping voucher for over-the-counter transactions. Customers depositing coins can credit the equivalent amount to their e-wallets.
The awareness of the coin deposit project of the BSP is only growing and this prompted people to collect their coins and deposit them. Very recently at Festival Mall in Alabang, I noticed a growing number of people who lined up at the BSP coin deposit machine at the ground floor carrying plastic jars full of coins. One particular customer ahead of me who carried such high number of coins took a lot of time to deposit them into the machine (supported by a designated technician) as the counting got disrupted a number of times which required the technician to do some fixing. That customer’s coins were worth over P20,000 in value.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are there any BSP coin deposit machines near your local community? If you were able to find the machines, were you able to deposit your idle coins? Are there many people in your local community who are interested to deposit their coins into the machines?
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 progressive city of Muntinlupa, it was announced that the City Council was highly rated finished 3rd in the 2023 Local Legislative Award (LLA), according a news report by the Manila Bulletin.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Muntinlupa City Council received an outstanding overall rating and ranked third in the 2023 Local Legislative Award (LLA).
In a letter to Vice Mayor Artemio Simundac, the LLA Regional Awards Committee, chaired by the Department of the Interior and Local Government-National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), said the Muntinlupa City Council got a rating of 94.5 percent, or an outstanding score.
The RAC congratulated the Muntinlupa City Council for its “outstanding achievements” and “active and enthusiastic participation,” in the LLA.
“We are proud of our SP [Sangguniang Panlungsod], not only because they are partners of the Executive department in serving the city, but also for their excellent showing in the 2023 LLA. Congratulations for their hard work and here’s to more outstanding legislative work for Muntinlupeños,” said Mayor Ruffy Biazon.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you satisfied with the way the City Council has been doing its duties?
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 progressive city of Muntinlupa, it was announced that local senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and pregnant women will be able to vote in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) as early as 5AM on October 30, 2023, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Take note that Muntinlupa City is officially a pilot area for early voting for the vulnerable sectors.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Muntinlupa City has been chosen as a pilot area for early voting for vulnerable sectors in the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) chose Muntinlupa as the pilot location for the early voting project.
“We welcome this initiative by the Comelec to test new ways in the voting process especially to help persons with disabilities (PWDs), seniors, and pregnant women–those who are recognized as especially vulnerable–and make the voting process easier and more accessible for them,” said Mayor Ruffy Biazon.
According to Muntinlupa City Election Officer Atty. Kimberly Joy Alzate-Cu, under the early voting scheme, PWDs, seniors, and heavily pregnant women will be allowed to vote in their registered voting centers from 5 a.m. – 7 a.m.
This will prioritize the vulnerable sectors in the voting process and to help them avoid the rush of voters during the regular voting hours from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on election day.
To avail of early voting, one must be enrolled in the voting center’s Accessible Polling Precinct (APP), which is located nearest to the voting center’s entrance.
If they are not enrolled, they may still vote in the center’s Emergency Accessible Polling Precinct (EAPP). This scheme designates an alternative temporary precinct where the vulnerable voter may cast their vote.
However, unlike the APP, which has its own voting machine and other materials and personnel, in the EAPP, the voter’s ballot will be fetched from their regular precinct by the support staff.
In addition, a companion assisting the PWD, senior, or pregnant voter may also vote during the early voting hours, provided they are also registered in the same voting center as the individual they are accompanying.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you welcome the early voting scheme for the BSKE? Are there several senior citizens or PWDs or pregnant women in your local community who want to vote in the BSKE on October 30?
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
Author Carlo Carrasco 