Tag: National Capital Region (NCR)

Tasty food at Saibachi Japanese restaurant in Festival Mall, Alabang

Tasty food at Saibachi Japanese restaurant in Festival Mall, Alabang

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Have you been at Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City lately? If you are craving for delicious food at one of the many Japanese restaurants inside Festival Mall, then you should take a look at Saibachi Japanese restaurant (stylized as SAI-BACHI) at the ground floor level just steps away from SM Savemore Supermaket.

In my experience, I’ve been dining at Saibachi in the mall from time to time over the past several years. Their restaurant has limited space (note: they have a counter for orders and payments, and a selection of food at a space by the wall just outside their restaurant), some chairs and their tables are small compared to those in other restaurants there. The current COVID-19 pandemic saw the imposition of limitations on how many customers could be allowed to eat inside restaurants (I’m looking at you – MMDA, Metro Manila Council and IATF). Even so, Saibachi still succeeded in staying in business and keeps on feeding customers with delicious food. Not even the pandemic and government overreach could stop them.

At this point, you must be wondering what food of Saibachi’s do I enjoy eating. Let’s move on!

Miso Soup

The single serving of Miso Soup in a small-sized cup.

For starters, I like their Miso soup which as of this writing costs P55 per single serving (small sized). In terms of taste and ingredients, it is good and satisfying to have. It is also one of the earliest items to be served to me in most of my dine-in visits at Saibachi Alabang through the years.

Futo Maki (Foto Maki according to Saibachi)

The 5-role Futo Maki set.

Saibachi’s Futo Maki is served with five pieces along with soy sauce and wasabi. Each roll is not as thick compared to what is served in other Japanese restaurants but to Saibachi’s credit, each roll is tasty and their specific selections of ingredients per roll shows precision. The 5-roll set is good enough in terms of taste and content for me personally. Those who crave for greater satisfaction with Futo Maki should consider a second set to order. The Futo Maki set nowadays costs P125 per order.

Fried Rice

A solo serving of Fried Rice.

Fried rice at Saibachi (P150 per order as of this writing) is pretty tasty on its own. The taste is strong enough, I did not need to add any condiments anymore. Their fried rice has bits of meat, carrots, egg and a few other vegetables. For a single serving, the content is satisfying enough for me dining in. For anyone who craves for greater satisfaction of fried rice, you should consider ordering Saibachi’s fried rice offerings through their delivery and catering services.

Beef Sukiyaki

A bowl of soup-style Beef Sukiyaki on the right, Miso Soup cup on the left.
A close look on the ingredients prepared in Saibachi’s Beef Sukiyaki.

This one is easily my favorite in Saibachi when dining in. At P220 per order, the Beef Sukiyaki is served by the bowl and it is what others would refer to as the “soupy type Sukiyaki” for it is prepared in soup-style. On face value, the bowl looks small but in reality, it contains a good amount of hot soup, Sotanghon-style noodles, pieces of beef, vegetables and one egg on top. Beef Sukiyaki served in other Japanese restaurants are often large (note: with lots of vegetables and ingredients served fresh apart from the soup) and prepared to feed at least three people. If you want a tasty Beef Sukiyaki for your solo enjoyment with lots of soup, enough ingredients and a strong taste, you will get it at Saibachi! Personally, I consider this as Saibachi’s dine-in special and I highly recommend it.

Chapchae

The very tasty Chapchae on display.

While they are referred to as a Japanese restaurant, Saibachi also serves non-Japanese food. Anyone who loves Korean-style noodles should order the Chapchae whenever dining in. To begin with, Saibachi’s Chapchae are really prepared to be very tasty and anyone who loves strong flavors will enjoy it. When it comes to content, I find the Chapchae solo-serving (P150 per order as of this writing) to be rather lacking. Any customer who wants more of the very delicious Chapchae should consider ordering another serving or go for the bilao-sized servings (for multiple people to enjoy).

The above-mentioned foods are the ones that I enjoyed collectively when dining inside Saibachi at Festival Mall over the past several years. That being said, I recommend their Miso Soup, Futo Maki, Fried Rice, Chapchae and Beef Sukiyaki to you readers. Apart from serving food for diners, they also serve meals of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino and Thai cuisine through delivery and catering. Going back to my previous dine-in experiences with them, they need to improve on their Beef Ramen which I must say is flawed and not exactly a satisfying ramen experience (note: the beef served had that burned taste and feel, and the noodles served did not look and feel made in store but most likely were sourced from the wholesale market).

Saibachi’s Beef Ramen needs improving.

Also, in my opinion, the interior of their restaurant inside Festival Mall needs some improving to be more comfortable for families or groups of friends (five people and more) to enjoy. I understand their restaurant space is limited and they need enough space for the kitchen personnel to work in, but I can see that some improvements could be made on the dining area. When I say improvements, I don’t mean a full renovation which can be very costly.

Ultimately, if you love Japanese food and you want it with the best possible value for your limited budget while visiting Festival Mall, I encourage you to try the food at Saibachi’s restaurant. Go there! They have lots of other food offered and their menu has lots of items for you to select.

The wide menu at the space by the wall just outside their restaurant. Look at all the choices and prices.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Have you dined in at Saibachi inside Festival Mall lately? What meals do you enjoy there the most? Also, have you tried ordering Saibachi’s food through delivery service or through their catering packages? How often do you eat inside their restaurant whenever you visit Festival Mall?

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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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

San Miguel Corporation’s P14-billion SLEX Elevated Extension Project Inaugurated

San Miguel Corporation’s P14-billion SLEX Elevated Extension Project Inaugurated

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San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is back in the news again as its ambitious South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Elevated Extension Project was inaugurated recently by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, GMA Network reported.

For the newcomers reading this, SMC under the leadership of CEO and President Ramon S. Ang is the same corporation behind the improvements made to the Metro Manila Skyway which ultimately benefited many travelers with improved accessibility and reduced travel times. Ang was present during the inauguration of the SLEX Elevated Extension Project which is worth P14 billion and is almost 4 kilometers long.

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

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday led the inauguration of the newly completed South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Elevated Extension Project, which is seen to ease traffic and boost economic growth in Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces.

In his remarks during the inauguration ceremony at Alabang Northbound Entry in Muntinlupa City, Duterte lauded the formal opening of the SLEX Elevated Extension Project “at a time when our economy is slowly opening up and recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“I am personally excited of this expansion projection which is expected to promote greater mobility, help ease traffic, and redound to the economic growth and productivity in Metro Manila and its surrounding areas,” the President said.

For his part, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president and CEO Ramon Ang said the northbound and southbound lanes of the P14-billion SLEX Elevated Extension project can accommodate 200,000 cars per day.

The four-kilometer project connects Skyway in Sucat, Parañaque to SLEX at Susanna Heights in Muntinlupa, bypassing the Alabang viaduct and providing motorists a direct access to Skyway 1, 2, and 3.

“With this, travel time between Muntinlupa and Balintawak will now be reduced from two hours to just 30 minutes. This will go a long way in addressing traffic congestion,” Ang said.

“Since we soft-opened the southbound SLEX Extension last December 10, 2021 motorists in the south have seen a major improvement in the traffic situation. It has provided relief to thousands of motorists who go home every day to Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas. With both the southbound and northbound section of the SLEX Extension now fully operational, travel to and from the south is easier and faster than ever,” the SMC chief said.

Originally, the project was set for completion by December 2020, a little over a year since it began.

However, this was pushed back when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the Philippines in March 2020, necessitating quarantine restrictions which slowed work progress.

And here is the related video about the inauguration…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you often travel on the Skyway Elevated Extension? How was your travel experience on the Skyway and the elevated extension going north or south? Do you hope to see San Miguel Corporation keep funding and improving major infrastructure projects in the years to come?

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

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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

COVID-19 Crisis: Over 2,600 aged 5-11 y/o receive COVID-19 vaccine in Muntinlupa City, one vaccination site added

COVID-19 Crisis: Over 2,600 aged 5-11 y/o receive COVID-19 vaccine in Muntinlupa City, one vaccination site added

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The City Government of Muntinlupa, through the local COVID-19 Vaccination Program (MunCoVac), has vaccinated more than 2,600 children aged 5-11 years old in the first week of the “Resbakuna Kids” campaign in the city.

As of February 13, Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded a total of 2,687 children aged 5 to 11 years old to have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Of the total, Barangay Putatan has the highest number of vaccine takers for the age group with 566, followed by Brgy. Tunasan with 487, Brgy. Alabang with 419, Brgy. Poblacion with 365, Brgy. Cupang with 326, Brgy. Ayala Alabang with 147, Brgy. Sucat with 125, Brgy. Bayanan with 105, and Brgy. Buli with 46. While there are 101 inoculated kids who are non-Muntinlupa residents.

Muntinlupa has opened two party-themed vaccination sites for the pilot implementation of the pediatric vaccination: Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) in Brgy. Alabang and Laguerta Health Center in Brgy. Tunasan.

On February 14, Muntinlupa CHO has opened an additional vaccination site for ages 5-11 years old at Cupang Health Center.

CHO acting chief Dr. Juancho Bunyi led the launching event and the ceremonial inoculation of children. Bunyi invites all parents in the city to register their kids in the city’s vaccination database and assures the public that vaccines approved by the Philippine Food and Drugs Administration are safe and effective

Cupang Health Center has been decorated with cartoon characters and action figures; while children receive loot bags, free food and ice cream.

Bunyi noted that the initiative aims to provide a relaxing environment in the vaccination sites and to lessen the stress of kids during the vaccination.

To register, Muntinlupa may visit www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac and wait for further instructions from MunCoVac.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases in Muntinlupa continue to decline and the number of active cases have dropped below 80. The latest data from the Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) showed that as of February 13, the city’s active cases only totaled 74, adding 13 recoveries and 15 new COVID-19 cases for the day.

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi continues to urge residents not to be complacent and to continue following the minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and washing of hands. He also encouraged Muntinlupeños to get vaccinated and get their booster shot.

As of February 13, Muntinlupa City has 39,656 confirmed cases with 38,973 recoveries, 74 active cases, 609 reported deaths, 0 suspect case, and 129 probable cases.

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The above information was sourced from an official press release. Some parts were changed for this website.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  HavenorFantasy@twitter.com 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

COVID-19 Crisis: DTI calls for gradual shift to Alert Level 1

COVID-19 Crisis: DTI calls for gradual shift to Alert Level 1

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Are you tired of living with restrictions and government overreach these past two years as a result of the COVID-19 crisis? A lot of people are not just tired of it but also frustrated as many of them saw their loss of income, losing their jobs, the closure of their businesses as well as an enormous negative impact on their lives. To manage the people living under the pandemic all around the Philippines, an Alert Level system was established months ago as part of quarantine in relation to the number of new and active COVID-19 cases. Currently Metro Manila is under Alert Level 2, however in the City of Parañaque the restrictions on the unvaccinated are still in effect. Parañaque is one of four Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) that still have not lifted the restrictions on unvaccinated people while Metro Manila is placed under Alert Level 2.

For economic recovery and the uplifting of the country, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) called for the gradual shift to the looser and more business-friendly Alert Level 1, according to a GMA Network news report. It should be noted that new cases of COVID-19 infections have declined recently.

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

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday backed the calls to downgrade the quarantine status of the country to Alert Level 1 to open more businesses and jobs amid the decreasing number of new COVID-19 infections.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said should the country (shift) to Alert Level 1, which is the lowest in the alert level system, it has to be done slowly as there is still the lingering threat of COVID-19.

“Kung mag Alert Level 1 tayo, na gusto din ni (DTI) Sec. Mon (Lopez) na mangyari pero dahan-dahan lang, nandiyan pa rin ‘yung virus. So, kailangan pa rin nating sundin lahat ng health protocols,” she said.

(If we shift to Alert Level 1, which Sec. Mon wants to happen, it should be done slowly because the virus is still there. So, we still need to follow all the health protocols.)

Currently, the National Capital Region (NCR) and several provinces are under Alert Level 2 from February 1 to 15.

Under Alert Level 2, certain establishments and activities are allowed at 50% capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults and minors, and 70% capacity outdoors, even if unvaccinated.

Meanwhile, under Alert Level 1, all establishments, persons, or activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it follows minimum health standards. This, however, excludes areas under granular lockdown.

Castelo said about 1.5 million businesses in the country can operate at full capacity if the quarantine restrictions are further eased, thus allowing more people to return to work.

“Pagka nag-100% na, full capacity na lahat ng negosyo, lahat nung nagtatrabaho before COVID, ‘yun na din ang makakabalik ngayon,” she said.

(If the businesses are at 100% or at full capacity, all employees working before the pandemic could go back to work now.)

When several areas in the country, including the NCR, moved from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2, the DTI estimated that around 100,000 to 200,000 employees got back to work. That is an addition of almost 16,000 workers weekly, Castelo said.

It would be nice to see the shift to Alert Level 1 actually happen as it means better economic recovery, more employment and a healthier society. I personally want the government-imposed restrictions on businesses and on people removed. Remember the sudden ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) in Metro Manila that happened last August followed by the ban on outdoor exercise? A lot of people got frustrated with those two Metro Manila unfortunate developments months ago. Observe closely how the Metro Manila mayors and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) behave and make decisions. Oh yes, Benhur Abalos is no longer MMDA chairman.

Meanwhile, vaccination programs and COVID-19 testing are being organized most of the time and the more people get vaccinated, the better for the nation and its economic recovery. It would be great for the Philippines to acquire more Sputnik Light and Sputnik V vaccines as they have proven to be effective in protecting people from the infectious Omicron variant. Very recently, Sputnik Light has been approved for use in India and that is something the national government’s officials should seriously consider for acquiring more vaccines for the entire Philippines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the DTI’s call for the gradual adjustment into the looser Alert Level 1? Do you think the national government as well as local government units (LGUs) have gotten too far with governing and managing us people? Do you think that the more people get vaccinated, the more our country will overcome this pandemic?

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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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

Deadline for payment of business permits and licenses in Las Piñas City extended to March 31, 2022

Deadline for payment of business permits and licenses in Las Piñas City extended to March 31, 2022

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If you are running a business in Las Piñas City and you need more time to settle your dues with the City Government, then you should be delighted to know that the deadline for paying business permits, licenses, taxes, fees and charges has been extended all the way to March 31, 2022 as a result of a move done by the City Council with the approval of Mayor Imelda Aguilar, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Las Pinas City Council, headed by Vice-Mayor April Aguilar, has extended the deadline for the payment of business permits, licenses, taxes and other commercial and industrial fees and charges until March 31 without interests, penalties, and surcharges.

Mayor Imelda Aguilar immediately signed the resolution passed and approved by the City Council to give local businesses relief, ease their burden, and help them to recover from the severe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aguilar endorsed the letter of Wilfredo Gaerlan, chief of the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), requesting for the extension of the deadline of the payment of business permit and licenses.

The vice-mayor, upon receiving the endorsement of the mayor, convened the City Council to pass a resolution after learning of the decrease in business permit and license renewal due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) due to the Omicron variant.

The City Council heeded the call of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) for local government units to extend the period of renewal of business permits and payment of real property tax until the end of the first quarter given the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are managing a business in Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this recent development? How helpful is the extension for you and your business?

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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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

COVID-19 Crisis: Las Piñas City vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 is ongoing

COVID-19 Crisis: Las Piñas City vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 is ongoing

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On the launch day of COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5 to 11-years-old in Las Piñas City this past Monday, Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery  personally visited the vaccination sites where she personally observed the processes, met with parents and their kids and talked with the local vaccination personnel, according to a February 8, 2022 Facebook post by the City Government.

Vice Mayor Aguilar talks to one of the parents at a vaccination site. (source – Las Piñas City Facebook page)

To put things in perspective, more than 168,000 kids aged 5 to 11 nationwide registered for the vaccination. Las Piñas City’s registration for the 5-11 age-group is ongoing and more than 1.2 million vaccinations in the city were recorded covering all age-groups and types of patients.

Wholesome decorations at the entrance at one of the vaccination sites. (source – Las Piñas City Facebook page)

Going back to the launch of vaccination for kids aged 5-11 in the city, a news report by the Manila Bulletin states that the city government had set up safari and toys and carnival-inspired vaccination sites. The same report quoted Mayor Imelda Aguilar saying that the local government unit (LGU) is aiming to vaccinate around 1,500 to 2,000 young minors at the three vaccination sites, specifically at SM Center, Robinsons Place and The Tent.

Parents who have decided to have their young children registered for the free vaccines can do the online registration at https://bit.ly/e-covid19reg. Also check out the QR code below.

Scan this QR code.

For all the unvaccinated people reading this, any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for the free COVID-19 vaccines can learn the ways (4 methods) by clicking here. Anyone who is ready and willing to register online can click bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a parent of young children living within the city, what do you think of the idea of vaccination for those aged 5 to 11? Did you encounter any anti-vaccine fanatic or activist who tried to discourage you from having your young kid vaccinated?

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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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

Maynilad pressed for answers over severe water service interruption in Muntinlupa City

Maynilad pressed for answers over severe water service interruption in Muntinlupa City

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Are the councilors in your city doing their jobs on issues that affect you and your fellow citizens? In Muntinlupa City, the City Council and its members really worked as they pressed water concessionaire Maynilad for answers in a public hearing that happened very recently, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Muntinlupa City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 8, to investigate the severe water service interruption being experienced by customers of Maynilad Water Services in Muntinlupa and other cities and municipalities.

The City Council’s Committee on Environment, chaired by Councilor Marissa Rongavilla, conducted the hearing attended by Vice Mayor Artemio Simundac, Majority Floor Leader Raul Corro, other councilors, Maynilad representatives, affected customers and Chief Regulator Patrick Lester Ty, head of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO).

The MWSS-RO is a government agency tasked to ensure that the provisions of the concession agreement between MWSS and Maynilad are followed.

Maynilad customers in Muntinlupa started experiencing the water supply interruption last December. The water company cited the algal bloom and turbidity of raw water in the Laguna Lake as the reasons that affected the water production at its two Putatan Water Treatment Plants in the city.

Based on Maynilad’s latest advisory, the water supply interruption will last until Feb. 15.

Thousands of Muntinlupa customers of Maynilad have been experiencing no water supply for up to 17 hours a day. They have complained that water supply resumes at midnight, forcing them to stay up late so they can store water.

Rongavilla said the main problem of Maynilad customers are the water quantity and water quality. Customers have complained that they are getting brown water from their faucets, which is unusable for drinking or cooking.

She asked Maynilad to clearly explain to the public the solutions to the water supply problem in Muntinlupa.

MWSS-RO has been investigating the water service interruption problem of Maynilad. MWSS-RO chief Ty said they will come up with their findings this month.

“MWSS-RO is looking out for the interest of the public. We are here to ensure that the public is protected,” said Ty.

He said there are options for MWSS-RO to penalize Maynilad. He said it can be a simple warning, disallowing the company’s expenses, or order Maynilad to give a rebate to its customers.

Last November, MWSS-RO penalized Maynilad and ordered it to rebate customers in Las Pinas.

Corro told Manila Bulletin that “we will await the investigation report of MWSS-RO Chief Regulator Patrick Lester Ty who promised to release it this February.”

“In the public hearing, we relayed the demand of the unsatisfied Maynilad customers to either declare a payment holiday or reduce the monthly bills or declare a rebate and impose penalties in accordance with the concession agreement due to lack of water supply (frequent water service interruptions) and due to poor quality of water (brownish color),” he said.

“We also asked Maynilad to ensure that the Feb. 15 deadline it has announced to resume normal supply of water shall be done and that in case they cannot comply, penalties should be imposed by MWSS-RO and that they will increase their number of water tank trucks from the present 29 to supply water in the affected areas,” added Corro.

He said, “We also put on record that the people of Muntinlupa who are customers of Maynilad are very unsatisfied with their service and consider Maynilad’s reasons for the frequent WSI as ‘unacceptable’ considering that they have been operating the Putatan Water Treatment Plant for more than a decade already.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident or if you manage a business within the city, what can you say about this latest local development? How was the quantity and quality of water you received from Maynilad this past week? If your access to water was interrupted, how bad was it? Do you think that Maynilad is hiding something?

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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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

Foreign national and local cohort arrested for falsification of documents and usurpation of authority in Parañaque City

Foreign national and local cohort arrested for falsification of documents and usurpation of authority in Parañaque City

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When it comes to the crime in Parañaque City, something unusual happened recently right inside a police station within the city as the Manila Bulletin reported that a Malaysian national and a local cohort got arrested falsification of public documents and usurpation of authority. The two crime suspects as they posed as court process server. The local police verified the release order which was found to be fake.

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

A Malaysian and his Filipino cohort posing as court process server were arrested inside the Paranaque City police station, Monday night.

Southern Police District (SPD) director, Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, identified the suspects as Owi Jee Hao, 32, of Avida Tower, Alabang Muntinlupa City, and Lorenz Vicedo, 26, of Luzon St., Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Macaraeg said both suspects were detained at the Paranaque City police custodial facility and were charged for falsification of public documents and usurpation of authority.

He said based on the report of Col. Maximo Sebastian, city police chief, the suspects arrived at the police headquarters posing as court process server and showed a release order for Chinese nationals who are suspects in a kidnapping case.

The SPD chief the suspects showed a copy of the release order for Han Xun, Cen Sha Lu, and Shen Fa who were accused of kidnapping a 25-year-old Chinese businessman on Jan. 2.

Macaraeg said the fake order allegedly instructed the Paranaque City police to release the three suspects after paying P100,000.

As seen in the above news story, the suspects used a fake court document to release Chinese nationals who were arrested in a case of kidnapping. This reminds me about a Chinese connection existing in Parañaque and past cases of kidnapping in the city involving Chinese nations (for reference, click here and here). It’s a wonder if the two reported suspects are working for some powerful crime boss.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What can you say about this particular crime story? Where members of your community approached by the reported suspects pretending to serve court orders as a way to compel you to do their bidding? Do you believe Parañaque will continue to be a hot spot for scammers, kidnappers and Chinese nationals who disregard laws? Do you want immigration officials to deport foreign nationals for violating laws?

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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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

COVID-19 Crisis: More than 400 kids aged 5-11 vaccinated on first day in Muntinlupa City

COVID-19 Crisis: More than 400 kids aged 5-11 vaccinated on first day in Muntinlupa City

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As the national government announced that more than seven thousand children aged 5 to 11-years-old were injected with their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, more than four hundred children of the same age group got vaccinated in Muntinlupa City on the first day (February 7, 2022), according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Muntinlupa City government vaccinated a total of 419 kids aged five to 11 on the first day of the “Resbakuna Kids” campaign.

According to the city government, of the 419 kids, 240 were vaccinated at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa in Barangay Alabang consisting of 39 classified as Pediatric A3 or with comorbidities, and 201 without comorbidities.

At the Laguerta Health Center in Barangay Tunasan, 179 kids were vaccinated, all without comorbidities.

The city government is targeting to vaccinate 68,198 children aged 5 to 11 in Muntinlupa. As of Feb. 5, 10,755 kids have registered with the city’s vaccination program, or 16 percent of the target.

In the official press release issued by the City Government, it was stated that Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and other local officials led a ceremonial launching of the inoculation of 5-11 years old at Laguerta Health Center in Brgy. Tunasan. The mayor encouraged all parents in the city to register their children in the Muntinlupa COVID-19 Vaccination Program (MunCoVac) and assured them that vaccines approved by the Philippine Food and Drugs Administration are safe and effective. He also urged the public to get their booster shots as added protection against COVID-19.

More on vaccination, the dosage for kids aged 5 to 11-years-old is at 10 microgram/dose concentrate of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for each of them. The second dose shall be given three weeks after the first dose to complete the vaccination course.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this newest development? Are you still concerned that no vaccination for kids aged 5 to 11 should be done simply because you think they are too young? Do you let anti-vaccine fanatics influence your perception about vaccination?

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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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@twitter.com 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

COVID-19 Crisis: Senator Marcos says DOH should not dismiss parental consent with regards to the vaccination of children

COVID-19 Crisis: Senator Marcos says DOH should not dismiss parental consent with regards to the vaccination of children

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If you are a parent, are you comfortable about the idea that the government will have authority over your kids so that they would be vaccinated for COVID-19? This is the hot issue that a lot of people have been thinking about as Philippine Senator Imee Marcos reacted to a memorandum issued by the Department of Health (DOH) that enables the government to dismiss parental consent related to the efforts of vaccinating minors, according to a Manila Bulletin report. It should be noted that the government just launched a new COVID-19 vaccination campaign aimed at kids aged 5 to 11-years-old.

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

Senator Imee Marcos on Sunday said she is outraged at the Department of Health (DOH) for releasing a memorandum that enables the government to dismiss parental consent if a child is willing to be vaccinated.

Marcos reminded the DOH that the government should not and can’t usurp parental authority.

“Government cannot usurp parental authority. Parents have the right to decide on the health and safety of their children,” Marcos said in a statement.

Marcos is referring to the controversial memorandum issued last January 24 stating that the government can act as “parens patriae” – Latin for parent of the nation – when a child wants to be vaccinated but parental consent is denied.

Stated on Page 6 of the memorandum stated that: “In case the parent/guardian refuses to give consent to the vaccination despite the desire and willingness of the minor child to have himself/herself vaccinated, or there are no Persons that may legally exercise parental authority over the child, the State may act as parens patriae and give the necessary consent. Therefore, the proper officer representing the State as parens patriae may sign the consent form. In this regard, the DSWD or its city/municipal counterparts shall serve as the proper office who shall represent the State.”

“The DOH has a lot of explaining to do. This isn’t the first time it committed a gaffe of such magnitude,” Marcos pointed out.

Last December 2021, the government announced it had bought some 15 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to inoculate children 5 to 11 years old, but they were forced to move the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign for minors to Monday, due to logistical problems.

The senator said she hopes that the push to vaccinate children is “really for their sake and not for the sake of vaccine purchases already made.”

Senator Marcos pointed out that government cannot just usurp the authority of parents who themselves have rights to manage and decide on the health of their kids. Think about that carefully…government becoming the authority over the children and rolling over the parents? The government, which itself changes as a result of elections being held every few years, would be the parent or guardian of children on health matters?

Government on any level here in the Philippines is flawed, bureaucratic and cannot move efficiently. Governance itself could reflect the personality or mindset of the elected officials. Regardless, I should point out that no matter what kind of good intentions or grand plans elected officials have for the people, there will always be blunders that will cause inconvenience or even cause harm to the people. Look at the City of Parañaque where their Pfizer vaccine launch last May was so chaotic and heavily covered by the media. On the issue of dealing with their unvaccinated members of their constituents, Parañaque’s restrictions on the unvaccinated still remained in effect even though the quarantine level of control in Metro Manila was officially lowered into Alert Level 2.

On the issue of government rolling over the parents and having authority over their children, there already is resistance as a petition was filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court seeking the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) versus the COVID-19 vaccination of minors aged 5 to 11-years-old. The people who filed the petition are parents and their case challenged the constitutionality of the DOH’s Memorandum No. 2022-0041. Clearly the DOH and its top officials have explaining to do.  

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a parent with children aged 5 to 17, are you willing to let government take authority away from you as public officials have the intention of vaccinating minors for COVID-19? Are you concerned that the Philippines is slowly drifting towards tyranny? Do you support Senator Marcos’ stance towards the DOH? Do you think it is time for DOH’s top officials to resign even though the Duterte administration now has only a few months left before the end of its service? Who do you think wrote the DOH memorandum?

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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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@twitter.com 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