Tag: National Capital Region (NCR)

COVID-19 Crisis: Slight rise in Metro Manila’s COVID-19 positivity rate was due to holiday frenzy according to OCTA Research

COVID-19 Crisis: Slight rise in Metro Manila’s COVID-19 positivity rate was due to holiday frenzy according to OCTA Research

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As far as Metro Manila goes, the slight increase of the COVID-19 positivity rate was caused not by the media-magnified Omicron variant but by the holiday frenzy according to OCTA Research in an article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

The slight increase in Metro Manila’s Covid-19 positivity rate, average daily attack rate (ADAR), and reproduction rate was due to the holiday frenzy and not necessarily because of the Omicron variant, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said on Monday.

David said it is premature to say that the newest coronavirus variant had something to do with the spike in numbers.

Based on two-week growth rates (TWGR), David reported that the current reproduction number is at 0.85 percent while the ADAR in the National Capital Region (NCR) is at 0.82 percent.

The positivity rate slightly increased to 1.4 percent.

“So, hindi natin masasabi ngayon na Omicron-driven ito dahil nakita rin naman natin ito last year. Siguro doon sa pagtitipun-tipon ng mga kababayan natin kaya kailangan doble pag-iingat lang naman din ang kinakailangan natin (So we can’t really say that it is Omicron-driven because we have seen this last year. The gatherings might have caused this, so we just really need to be extra careful),” he said in a media briefing.

As of Monday, the country has 9,579 active Covid-19 cases, the 10th straight day that the tally was below 10,000.

Four cases of the Omicron variant have been confirmed so far.

Just like last year, David noted that the Covid-19 testing slowed down as laboratories took a break and the recent onslaught of Typhoon Odette affected the operations of some testing centers.

He said a “clear picture” as to how the Covid-19 cases suddenly increased might be available until the first week of January next year.

“Ang nangyari naman noong January this year lang, noong January of 2021, iyong uptick ay bumalik na siya sa normal level. So bumaba ulit siya. Iyon iyong sanang gusto nating makita ngayon na after January, kapag na-resolve na iyong testing, iyong kakulangan natin sa testing at iyong mga closed laboratories ay bababa ulit sa normal levels ang bilang ng kaso. Iyan iyong gusto nating mangyari (So, in January this year, the uptick went back to its normal level. So it went down again. So, that’s what we want to see after January [next year], if we resolved our backlogs in testing and in our laboratories, then the cases will go back to normal levels. That’s what we want to happen),” David said.

David sees no need yet to increase restrictions or push for premature interventions.

“It could just be a holiday uptick, which means na after the holidays, possibly bababa din iyong number of cases and iyong positivity rate (it is possible that the number of cases and the positivity rate will go down),” he added.

As I personally observed, a lot of people and families have been moving around not only because of the Alert Level 2 status of Metro Manila but also because of Christmas-related activities like shopping, touring and dining inside restaurants. I myself saw lots of people moving inside and around Festival Mall and the Alabang Town Center here in Muntinlupa City in the days leading to Christmas. Also there were families who had Christmas parties or small gatherings with relatives. Not even the news about the Omicron variant being present here in the Philippines impacted them. Fortunately for Filipinos, Omicron cases in the country are very few and all of those were detected from passengers who arrived from overseas. As of this writing, the Omicron variant has not been detected in the local population.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What can you say about this latest development? Do you believe OCTA Research’s analysis about the holiday frenzy being the factor behind the slight rise of COVID-19 positivity? Do you personally know people who still remained unvaccinated to this day? Are you aware about Sputnik vaccines being more effective against the Omicron variant (read a related article by clicking here) and that Pfizer’s vaccines are less effective?

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’s vaccination count gradually approaching 1.1 million

COVID-19 Crisis: Las Piñas City’s vaccination count gradually approaching 1.1 million

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Very recently, the City Government of Las Piñas gave the public an update about their vaccination statistics and it has been weeks since they reached a million vaccinations.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the official update that the City Government release through social media…

The official numbers as of December 26, 2021.

As seen above, the total number of patients who got the first dose of the vaccine was at 538,319 while the number of those who got their 2nd dose was at 508,068. The single biggest group vaccinated for both the first dose and the 2nd dose was the A4 group. The number of vaccinations with the single-dose Janssen vaccine is approaching 9,000. The challenge for the City Government is to vaccinate as many people they could under the over city population (as opposed to the target population). All these numbers are accurate as of December 26, 2021.

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

Meanwhile, the City Government is already handling the online registration process for COVID-19 vaccination for local minors (aged 12 to 17) which can be done at http://laspinascityonline.laspinascity.gov.ph/eCVRS/

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? Do you think the city’s vaccination count could reach 2,000,000 sometime in 2022? Are the fully vaccinated members of your local community making efforts to get their booster shots? Are people in your local community aware about the Omicron variant and its presence here in the Philippines?

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

Muntinlupa City Government reminds residents of firecracker ban

Muntinlupa City Government reminds residents of firecracker ban

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The City Government of Muntinlupa issued a reminder to the public of the ongoing ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, including open pipe mufflers, and targets to record zero firecracker incident for the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urged residents to use alternative noise-making instruments and not to patronize firecrackers and open-pipe mufflers to celebrate the holidays and New Year’s Eve.

The Muntinlupa City Council passed Ordinance No. 14-092 prohibiting the display and distribution of firecrackers in Muntinlupa as part of its efforts to reduce cases of casualties and harmful effects of pyrotechnic devices to health and the environment.

“It shall be unlawful for any person or business establishment to manufacture, sell or offer for sale, distribute, possess, or use any firecrackers or pyrotechnic device or such other similar devices within the territory of Muntinlupa City,” the ordinance stated.

Fresnedi ordered the local Peace and Order Council, in coordination with Muntinlupa City Police Station, to tighten their monitoring of the use of prohibited firecrackers and put up checkpoints on thoroughfares and marketplaces to apprehend violators.

Violators will be fined with P1,000 up to P5,000 penalty. While commercial establishments selling firecrackers may face revocation of permit and license to operate in pursuant to penalties provided in the ordinance.

Further, the City Government targets to record zero firecracker-related injuries this year following the success of the local ban on firecrackers since 2018. For three consecutive years, Muntinlupa has reported zero casualty and firecracker-related injury.

Recently, the Department of Health – Metro Manila Center for Health Development has lauded Muntinlupa City as a model LGU in implementing the ban on firecrackers in NCR.

While alternative noise-making activities are encouraged, the Muntinlupa Traffic and Management Bureau (MTMB) has announced that those who will use aftermarket mufflers, or removal of such, which emit excessive loud noise and cause disturbances in the holiday season will be apprehended.

“Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang paggamit ng Open Pipe Mufflers at iba pang modipikasyon sa Lungsod ng Muntinlupa. Ito ay nakapaloob sa ating ordinansa 04-022 o mas kilala bilang Muntinlupa Traffic Code, Art. III Sec. 9,” the MTMB posted in its Facebook page.

Under City Ordinance 04-22, “no private person shall use sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds.”

Violators will be fined with P2,500.

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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: Las Piñas City government releases 150,000 Noche Buena packages

COVID-19 Crisis: Las Piñas City government releases 150,000 Noche Buena packages

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In time for Christmas, the City Government of Las Piñas distributed one hundred and fifty thousand Noche Buena packages to specific constituents, according to Manila Bulletin news report. It should be recalled that months ago, Mayor Imelda Aguilar stated that her administration wants Christmas in the city to be joyful (in relation to getting vaccinated for COVID-19) and this latest move by the City Government is an extension of that.

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

The Las Pinas City government distributed 150,000 Noche Buena packages to senior citizens, persons with disability (PWds), and indigent families in the city.

Mayor Imelda Aguilar said the tickets for “Pamaskong Handog” of the local government were already allocated to the 20 barangays in the city since Dec. 18.

Aguilar said the city government aims to finish the distribution of “Pamaskong Hadog” tickets on Wednesday, Dec. 22, so that the beneficiaries will have something to prepare and eat on Christmas eve.

She said it’s been the city’s annual tradition to distribute “Pamaskong Handog” to senior citizens, PWDs and indigent families.

Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery speaking to the recipients just before the formal release of the Noche Buena packages at one of the distribution sites. (photo sourced from the City Government’s Facebook page)

“I want all Las Piñeros to have something on their table in celebration of Christmas. In our own little way, the city government can make them happy and celebrate a joyful Christmas,” Aguilar said.

Vice-Mayor April Aguilar has been visiting barangays in the city to ensure the orderly and timely distribution of the Noche Buena packages.

The above report ended stating that each Noche Buena package comes with spaghetti noodles and sauce, condensed milk, fruit cocktail, and three kilograms of rice grain.

A batch of the Noche Buena packages prepared for distribution. (photo sourced from the City Government’s Facebook page)

Apart from encouraging local residents to get vaccinated, the overall count of vaccinations in the city has surpassed the 1,000,000 mark and the number of local active COVID-19 cases went down. There is still the potential threat of the Omicron variant which is present here in the Philippines and no less than President Rodrigo Duterte expressed worry about coming up with the funds to deal with it. While people in Metro Manila are enjoying the freedom to move around under the Alert Level 2 status (much less restrictions compared to Alert Levels 3 and 4), there is still the need to be cautious and follow health protocols.

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? Are you confident that Christmas in your city will be more joyful this year? If you have not been vaccinated, do you plan to get vaccinated during the holidays?

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: Metro Manila under Alert Level 2 until December 31, 2021

COVID-19 Crisis: Metro Manila under Alert Level 2 until December 31, 2021

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Good news for people of Metro Manila who are enjoying more liberty to visit friends and families, enjoying shopping and dining, and traveling more! The Alert Level 2 status for Metro Manila, which has been going on for some time now, will remain until December 31, 2021, according to a report published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

The Covid-19 Alert Level 2 status in Metro Manila will remain for the rest of the year despite the detection of a third Omicron variant case in the country, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., said Monday.

The vaccine czar said the possible amendment on the alert level status will be based on the epidemiological recommendations of the Department of Health, considering key factors on cases surge and hospitalization rate.

“If the cases are high, including critical cases, and if the attack rate will increase, that’s the time we will raise our alert level,” Galvez said during a media briefing at a mall vaccination site in Taytay, Rizal.

Galvez said there is a continuing decline in Covid-19 cases in the country, with just 9,592 active infections as of Monday.

“Thank God, we maintained the low positivity rate. Actually, there are some areas that recorded less than one percent of positivity rate,” he added.

Still, he cautioned the public against complacency amid the downtrend.

“For now, we will just maintain the alert level, but we will massively accelerate the vaccination. At the same time, we will revisit our preparations in terms of treatment, quarantine facilities, and hospital treatments as well as the responses of the local government units (LGUs),” he said.

Stringent border control measures against the Omicron variant are also in place, added Galvez.

“Though we prepared a good response in terms of stringent border controls, as I’ve said earlier, we expected that,” he said. “The low cases and figures were sustained despite the opening of our economy.”

Galvez thanked anew LGUs and the private sector for proactively participating in the national Covid-19 vaccination days.

“And we have already reached our milestone of hitting 100 million jabs administered nationwide and we are now reaching 40 percent fully vaccinated out of our total population. That’s a huge milestone,” he said.

Secretary Vince Dizon, the Presidential Adviser on Covid-19 Response and NTF deputy chief, said the decision to impose lockdowns or to raise the alert level status should be based on the set parameters of number of cases, attack rate, and the two-week growth rate.

For some people, the move to retain the Alert Level 2 status for Metro Manila is surprising due to the global hardship caused by the Omicron variant (including becoming the dominant strain in the United States) which is already here in the Philippines. Still there is the fact that the daily count of new COVID-19 infections remains in the few hundreds and so far, the Omicron variant has not created a spike of new cases which is good because the Philippines is now at a stage of economic and social recovery after many months of restrictions. By the way, if you were injected with the Pfizer vaccine and are wondering how protected you are from Omicron, better read my recent article by clicking here. For those who got vaccinated with Sputnik V or Sputnik Light, click here and here.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this latest development? Does the constant reporting of Omicron-related news make you feel uncomfortable? Do you believe the Alert Level 2 status extension for Metro Manila is the right move knowing that there are a few cases of Omicron here in the Philippines?

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

Muntinlupa City Government pledges P20-M financial aid to Visayas, Mindanao towns hit by Typhoon Odette

Muntinlupa City Government pledges P20-M financial aid to Visayas, Mindanao towns hit by Typhoon Odette

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In the spirit of “bayanihan” and solidarity, the City Government of Muntinlupa announced that it will be donating P20 million financial assistance to typhoon-stricken towns in Visayas and Mindanao.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi announced the city’s pledge of financial aid during Muntinlupa’s 104th Founding Anniversary on December 20 to towns and municipalities that were affected by Typhoon Odette (International Name: Rai).

“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa Sangguniang Panlungsod dahil kanina ay pinagtibay nila ang pagbibigay ng ating lungsod ng tulong sa mga naapektuhan ng Bagyong Odette. Naglaan ang ating lungsod ng halagang 20 million pesos,” Fresnedi said.

The Muntinlupa City Council has passed an ordinance authorizing the grant of financial assistance amounting to P20 million to at least 30 local government units devastated by Typhoon Odette in Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan.

P1 million each shall be granted to Dinagat Island and Siargao. While the remaining 28 LGUs to be determined by the Office of the Vice President (18 LGUs) and by the City Government of Muntinlupa (10 LGUs) shall be granted at least P500,000.

The funding shall come from the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund which is a 5 % mandatory appropriation in the annual budget for providing financial assistance, among others, to other LGUs hit by various calamities.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Monday that it has confirmed 9 deaths and 2 injuries after Typhoon Odette battered the country. While, undergoing validation are reports of 49 deaths, 199 injured, and 18 missing.

NDRRMC estimates an initial P343 million worth of damages to infrastructure and agriculture across Visayas and Mindanao.

At least 54,783 houses were either totally or partially destroyed, 41 road sections and four bridge sections collapsed, along with four airports and 118 seaports were damaged while 5,391.77 hectares of crops, and many livestock and poultry areas were completely wiped out in the affected regions.

More than 249,000 persons have been displaced, staying in evacuation centers or other houses, according to a report of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council last December 19.

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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: Muntinlupa City approaching 100% full vaccination rate on its target population

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City approaching 100% full vaccination rate on its target population

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Christmas is just a few days away and the good news to hear about Muntinlupa City as of late is that almost 100% of its target population has been fully vaccinated (injected with 2 doses of most brands of COVID-19 vaccines), according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Muntinlupa City government reported that 96 percent of the city’s target population is now fully vaccinated.

Latest data from the Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) showed that as of Dec. 16, a total of 366,023 individuals in Muntinlupa have been vaccinated or 96 percent of the target city population of 383,021.

By vaccination rate by barangay, Buli has 10,377 fully vaccinated individuals or 147 percent of the target population 7,055 followed by Alabang, 54,370 (112 percent); Tunasan, 43,251 (107 percent); Ayala Alabang, 16,603 (102 percent); Cupang, 42,279 (95 percent); Putatan, 59,331 (88 percent); Bayanan, 24,043 (86 percent); Sucat, 32,305 (74 percent); and Poblacion, 64,448 (74 percent). An additional 19,016 individuals have been fully vaccinated.

In addition, the Muntinlupa City government has administered booster shots to 12,500 individuals.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa’s active coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases logged only eight as of Dec. 17 from seven on Dec. 16.

Muntinlupa recorded three new COVID-19 cases on Dec. 17 and two new recoveries and zero deaths.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what can you say about this latest local development? Does this latest news make you feel comfortable knowing that the country already has Omicron cases?

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

Muntinlupa City: Motorists with open pipe mufflers, modifications will be apprehended

Muntinlupa City: Motorists with open pipe mufflers, modifications will be apprehended

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Ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebration, the City Government of Muntinlupa warns motorists that altered tailpipes emitting loud sound are prohibited in the city.

The Muntinlupa Traffic and Management Bureau (MTMB) has announced that those who will use aftermarket mufflers, or removal of such, which emit excessive loud noise and cause disturbances in the holiday season will be apprehended.

“Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang paggamit ng Open Pipe Mufflers at iba pang modipikasyon sa Lungsod ng Muntinlupa. Ito ay nakapaloob sa ating ordinansa 04-022 o mas kilala bilang Muntinlupa Traffic Code, Art. III Sec. 9,” the MTMB posted in its Facebook page.

Under City Ordinance 04-22, “no private person shall use sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds.” Violators will be fined with 2,500 pesos.

To report violations, the public may coordinate with the following offices: MTMB (8831-9884), PNP Muntinlupa (8862-2611), and BFP Muntinlupa (8842-2201).

Further, the City Government reminds the public of the on-going ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

Under City Ordinance No. 14-092 the display and distribution of firecrackers in Muntinlupa is prohibited as part of the local initiative to reduce casualties and harmful effects of pyrotechnic devices to public health and the environment.

Apprehended individuals using firecrackers will be fined with P1,000 up to P5,000. While commercial establishments selling firecrackers may face revocation of permit and license to operate in pursuant to penalties provided in the ordinance.

Since the implementation of the firecracker ban, the City Health Office has recorded a significant decrease in firecracker-related injuries and casualties.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urges residents to use alternative noise-making instruments and not to patronize firecrackers and open-pipe mufflers. The local exec encouraged Muntinlupa residents to safely celebrate the holidays especially with the threat of the Omicron variant.

As of December 15, Muntinlupa City has 13 active cases, 27,596 confirmed cases with 27,004 recoveries, 579 reported deaths, 15 suspect cases, and 259 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

Muntinlupa is the Most Resilient Highly Urbanized City and also the fifth Most Competitive City of the nation

Muntinlupa is the Most Resilient Highly Urbanized City and also the fifth Most Competitive City of the nation

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No matter how hard the pandemic hit the Philippines, the City Government of Muntinlupa continued to excel as it was named the Most Resilient Highly Urbanized City while finishing as the 5th Most Competitive City of the nation for the past year, according to a Manila Bulletin report.

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

The City of Muntinlupa emerged as the No. 5 most competitive and No. 1 most resilient highly urbanized city (HUC) in the Philippines.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with Ayala Corporation and Globe Telecom, recognized the most competitive cities and municipalities this year in the 9th Regional Competitiveness Summit announced online on Dec. 13.

Local government units (LGUs) all over the country were ranked based on DTI’s Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), which is the sum of four pillars: economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency.

In the overall most competitive highly urbanized cities in the country for 2021, Muntinlupa bagged fifth place. The overall rankings for cities and municipalities are based on the four pillars.

In addition, Muntinlupa ranked No. 1 in resiliency, No. 5 in infrastructure, No. 6 most improved city, and No. 7 in government efficiency among highly urbanized cities.

“From the City Government of Muntinlupa, I sincerely thank the Department of Trade and Industry for recognizing Muntinlupa City as one of the most competitive cities in the Philippines,” said Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi.

According to the CMCI, “resiliency is the capacity of a locality to facilitate businesses and industries to create jobs, raise productivity, and increase the incomes of citizens over time despite the shocks and stresses it encounters.”

“This implies that the role of local governments is critical in ensuring a competitive environment to make businesses sustain their profits, create jobs, and increase the productivity of its people. In order for localities to be able to do this, it must be resilient in its infrastructure, governance, social and environmental systems,” it added.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what can you say about this latest local development? Are you delighted with the most recent achievements Muntinlupa made while competing with many other cities? Do these city competitiveness achievements strengthen your trust in the City Government?

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: Omicron variant detected in the Philippines according to DOH

COVID-19 Crisis: Omicron variant detected in the Philippines according to DOH

carlocarrasco

The Department of Health (DOH) announced yesterday the that much feared Omicron variant was detected here in the Philippines and it was found in two travelers who arrived not from South Africa (where Omicron was first detected) but from Nigeria and Japan, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the statement published by GMA Network. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines has detected the Omicron coronavirus variant from two international travelers, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Wednesday.

According to the DOH, one is a returning overseas Filipino who arrived from Japan on December 1 via Philippine Airlines flight number PR 0427.

The other case is a Nigerian national who arrived from Nigeria on November 30 via Oman Air with flight number WY 843.

In a message to reporters, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said one is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 while the other is not.

The DOH said the two cases were detected during the latest run that sequenced 48 samples composed of 21 returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), one foreign national, and 26 local cases from areas with case clusters.

The sample of the ROF was collected on December 5. He then tested positive COVID-19 on December 7 and was admitted to a facility on the same day.

“He is currently asymptomatic but had symptoms of colds and cough upon arrival,” the DOH said.

Meanwhile, the sample from the Nigerian national was collected on December 6 while his positive result was released on December 7. The asymptomatic case was quarantined on the same day.

“The DOH is determining possible close contacts among co-passengers during the flights of these two cases,” the DOH said in a statement.

The DOH said it is also verifying the test results and health status of all passengers of the flights to determine if there are other confirmed cases or if there are any who developed symptoms after arrival.

Travelers from the flights were advised to reach out to the DOH through DOH COVID-19 Hotlines at (02) 8942 6843 or 1555, or their respective local government units to report their status.

“With the detection of the imported cases of Omicron variant, the Department also urges everyone to adhere to the minimum public standards,” it said.

“Moreover, this holiday season, the public should avoid holding mass gatherings to curb the transmission of COVID-19. The DOH also urges those unvaccinated to get vaccinated,” the DOH added.

Omicron is very much feared overseas not just because it is more infectious, but also because of the secular liberal news media whose reports added to the fear and chaos to the global audience. It spread panic and caused governments abroad to close down their borders in reaction. Very recently, the OCTA Research group expressed its concern about the possible surge of new COVID-19 cases in the event Omicron hits the Philippines. The reality is that the feared new variant is here.

Now that the Omicron variant is here in the Philippines, I encourage you readers – especially those who are based here in the Philippines – to pay close attention as to how the government officials will react to the detection of Omicron in the country. Watch closely the moves of the Metro Manila mayors, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in reaction to Omicron.

More importantly, I encourage all of you reading this not to panic but come to the Lord and pray to Him for great protection with chapter 91 of the Book of Psalm in the Holy Bible. Don’t hesitate, do it now for your protection, your family’s protection and the protection of the nation. Pray to the Lord in your room with the door shut, pray in tongues to Him, keep practicing Christian habits (click here and here), and keep on seeking Him first and foremost. Always have unwavering faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus!

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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/