Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government received two awards from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for compliance with Republic Act Number 9003 as well as its engagement in the proper implementation of solid waste management practices, 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…
The local government of Las Piñas received two awards from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Act of 2000 and active engagement in the proper implementation of solid waste management practices.
Las Piñas Vice Mayor April Aguilar said the city was awarded after being included as one of the top five local government units (LGUs) who displayed outstanding performance in complying with the Republic Act 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.”
The agency recognized the city government for its efforts during the 2023 LGU-Compliance Assessment and its contributions to the Manila Bay clean-up rehabilitation and preservation program.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted with the newest awards the City Government received from the DENR?
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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, the City Government approved an ordinance establishing a moratorium on the collection of the amusement tax on Filipino films (note: movies produced by Philippine companies/organizations) within the city for the next three years, as reported by the Manila Bulletin. The ordinance was signed into law by Mayor Ruffy Biazon.
In short, local companies here in the Philippines whose films are shown in theaters within the jurisdiction of Muntinlupa City could earn more as the amusement tax won’t be imposed for most of the year for the next three years while the cinema operators themselves can benefit along the way.
I say most of the year because the moratorium does not cover the time period of December 25 to January 7 which is precisely the time when the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) happens.
To put things in perspective, read the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report posted below. Some parts in boldface…
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon and the City Council approved an ordinance granting a three-year moratorium on the collection of amusement tax from Filipino films in the next three years.
The Muntinlupa City Council passed and Biazon signed Ordinance No. 2024-229 “Declaring Moratorium on the Collection of Amusement Tax for Filipino Films in the City of Muntinlupa from January 08 to December 24 of every year for the next three (3) years.“
Under the existing Local Government Code, “The province may levy an amusement tax to be collected from the proprietors, lessees, or operators of theaters, cinemas, concert halls, circuses, boxing stadia, and other places of amusement at a rate of not more than ten percent (10%) of the gross receipts from the admissions fees.”
In February, the Metro Manila Council adopted the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Resolution No. 24-11 “Declaring a Moratorium on the Collection of Amusement Tax for Filipino Films in Metro Manila from January 08 to December 24 of Every Year for the Next Three Years.”
In the Muntinlupa ordinance, it was stated that the MMDA resolution “was adopted to recognize the importance of the local film industry in promoting cultural and economic development and in response to the appeal of the local filmmakers to boost the film industry after the impact of the COVID-i9 Pandemic on the production and exhibition of Filipino Films, and the dominance of foreign films.”
Under the ordinance, all cinemas in Muntinlupa can avail of the moratorium on the collection of amusement taxes for Filipino films from Jan. 8 to Dec. 24 of every year for the next three years.
When it comes to the state of cinemas within Muntinlupa City, Commercenter has four screens and I noticed over the past two months that only 2 or 3 were operating during my visits there. Over at Festival Mall, their 4-screen modern cinemas are fully operating but their original cinemas (located several feet away by foot on the same floor) are still dark and depressing as only 2 or 3 screens (out of ten screens) were operating almost all the time.
As for the cinemas in Alabang Town Center, they seem to be operating normally and continue to attract a steady amount of moviegoers.
Going back to the approved moratorium, it remains to be seen if it could lead to a potential reduction of ticket prices in relation to Filipino movies within Muntinlupa. Even if ticket prices get reduced, would it be enough to convince people to come to the Muntinlupa cinemas and buy tickets for the cinematic experience. There is also the factor of the quality of Filipino movies showing in Muntinlupa movie theaters plus the factor of foreign movies.
As a resident of Alabang who saw lots of movies in the local cinemas, I noticed that Muntinlupa City is lacking when it comes to hosting film festivals (note: the annual MMFF does NOT count). Special events about movies focusing on variety, quality and artistry being held in Muntinlupa can help cinema operators attract moviegoers as well as the enthusiastic film buffs.
Perhaps the City Government or barangays could someday organize a special event of short films made by Muntinlupa-based filmmakers and have such films screened in local cinemas. Organizing another film festival showcasing films by independent filmmakers from around the country and having them screened in theaters within the city could help too.
Still on the topic of Filipino movies, when will the time come when the major local movie producers will have premieres of their new movies held in cinemas here in Muntinlupa and give locals the chance to see their favorite movie stars in person?
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about the 3-year moratorium approved by the City Government of Muntinlupa? Do you think that cinemas in Muntinlupa are losing money? Do you think the newly approved moratorium could be disadvantageous to the City Government in terms of revenue?
Recently in the city of Parañaque, operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a Chinese national who turned out to be wanted by authorities in China for alleged acts of human trafficking related to online gaming hubs located in the Philippines, according to a GMA Network news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it has arrested a Chinese national wanted in Beijing for allegedly trafficking fellow Chinese to work for online gaming hubs in the Philippines.
The Chinese national was identified by BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco as Wang Chuancong, 35.
Wang was arrested last July 30 at a condominium along Roxas Boulevard in Parañaque City by BI’s Fugitive Search Unit operatives. Tansingco said the Chinese government informed the BI of the suspect’s presence in the country.
A detention warrant was issued against him in April 2024 by the municipal public security bureau in Jinjiang, China for human trafficking.
“We were told that he heads a syndicate that facilitates the illegal departure of Chinese nationals by forging documents to facilitate their outbound travel in China,” Tansingco said.
“This allows them to travel to different countries including the Philippines to work in online gaming hubs,” the BI commissioner added.
Wang was found to be an undocumented alien after his passport was canceled by the Chinese government.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be more Chinese criminals hiding in the city?
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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the celebration of the 50th Nutrition Month was held at SM Center which Vice Mayor April Aguilar attended, the City Government announced via social media. The event emphasized the City Government’s attention towards the wellbeing of its constituents.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…
The City of Las Piñas marked its 50th Nutrition Month celebration with a culminating activity at the SM Center in Pamplona Dos on Tuesday, July 30. The event featured a Grand Zumba Dancercise and an awarding ceremony, drawing participation from various community members and officials.
Vice Mayor April Aguilar, a key supporter of the city’s nutrition initiatives, attended the event, expressing her commitment to promoting health and wellness among residents. The event was also graced by City Nutrition Office Officer-in-Charge Dr. Julio Javier II and City Health Office Officer-in-Charge Dr. Juliana Gonzalez.
The celebration included a video presentation of the 2024 Nutrition Month activities, followed by a Zumba session that saw participation from attendees of all ages. Awards and recognitions were presented to participants who actively engaged in the month’s various nutrition activities.
The activity underscored the city’s dedication to (promoting) a healthy community, aligning with the theme “Sa PPAN Sama-Sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat,” which encourages adequate nutrition for all.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you consider the celebration of Nutrition Month important in your city? How many members of your local community participated in the 50th Nutrition Month activities at SM Center?
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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the City of Las Piñas, more than three hundred senior citizens availed the free vaccine shots for pneumonia during the City Health Office’s vaccination drive held at Barangay Talon Uno, the City Government confirmed via social media. Vice Mayor Aprl Aguilar was present during the health activity.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…
The City Health Office, led by OIC Dr. Juliana Gonzalez, held a free pneumonia vaccination drive for senior citizens at the Talon Uno Covered Court on Tuesday, July 16. City Vice Mayor April Aguilar attended the event to express her support for the initiative.
Over 300 senior citizens received vaccinations, providing them with essential protection against pneumonia. This effort is part of the City Health Office’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the health of the most vulnerable sectors of the community.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Would you happen to know if the City Government will organize a pneumonia vaccination drive in your barangay soon?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the city of Parañaque, the local police (who were armed with a warrant of arrest issed by the Parañaque City Family Court) apprehended a 55-year-old man for statutory rape and rape by sexual assault, 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…
A 55 year-old man was arrested by members of the Parañaque city Police Warrant and Subpoena Section and Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) for statutory rape and rape by sexual assault on Friday, July 26, the Southern Police District (SPD) said.
The suspect was identified as “Hipolito,” who was arrested in Quirino Avenue, Barangay Don Galo, Parañaque City.
The police said the suspect was arrested by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by Judge Moises D. De Castro of Parañaque City Family Court, Branch 10 on June 4, 2024 with no bail recommended bail.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be rapists hiding in your local community right now?
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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
More than P831 million worth of coins have been deposited through the many coin deposit machines (CoDMs) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as of July 15, 2024, as published on their website.
Based on the latest statistics, a total of P831,774,151.23 (6.1% higher than the previous month’s count of P783,628,810.29) in coins got deposited into BSP machines on 202,110 transactions (5.4% higher than the previous month’s 191,804 transactions) from customers. In terms of physical quantity, 223,021,306 in coins were deposited. The previous count of deposited coins was 211,689,731.
Doing the math on the latest statistics, customers averaged P4,115.45 per transaction (versus the previous month’s P4,085.57 per transaction) at the machines. As for the grand total Peso amount divided by the number of coins deposited, the average is P3.7296 per coin deposited (versus the previous month’s average of P3.7018 per coin deposited).
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you able to deposit your excess coins into a BSP coin deposit machine in your locality recently? Has the BSP coin deposit machine near your been breaking down a lot in recent times?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the City of Las Piñas, educational assistance in the form of school supplies was released to the local students during an activity that was attended by Vice Mayor April Aguilar, the City Government confirmed via social media.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…
The City Social Welfare and Development Office, in partnership with the Local Youth Development Office, hosted the awarding of educational assistance on Monday, July 15 at the Mayor Vergel “Nene” Aguilar DRRMO Building in Barangay Talon Dos.
City Vice Mayor April Aguilar led the distribution, alongside City Social Welfare and Development Office OIC Lowefe Romulo. The event, attended by numerous parents, guardians, and students, emphasized the local government’s commitment to supporting the educational needs of its youth.
The distribution of school supplies, consisting of backpacks filled with essential educational materials, aimed to equip students for the upcoming school year. Vice Mayor Aguilar highlighted the importance of education in her short address, encouraging students to persevere in their studies and utilize the resources provided to them.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are there any students within your local community who received educational assistance from the local authorities?
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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, the opening of classes in public schools was observed by new Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Mayor Ruffy Biazon and Congressman Jaime Fresnedi, 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…
Education Sec. Sonny Angara, Mayor Ruffy Biazon and Rep. Jaime Fresnedi visited a high school in Muntinlupa on July 29 to observe the opening of classes.
Biazon and Fresnedi accompanied Angara when he visited Muntinlupa National High School Main in NBP Reservation, Barangay Poblacion.
All public schools in Muntinlupa from Kindergarten to Senior High School opened on July 29 as scheduled.
Dr. Violeta Gonzales, head of the Schools Division Office (SDO)-Muntinlupa City, said the opening of classes pushed through since schools in the city were not affected by the onslaught of Habagat (southwest monsoon) and Typhoon Carina.
Many public schools in areas in the country that were hit by heavy rains and floods delayed the opening of classes.
“Ang announcement ng DepEd ay para lamang sa mga paaralang ginagamit pa bilang evacuation centers, binaha, at napinsala. Tayo po sa Muntinlupa, kasabay ng karamihan ng mga lungsod sa NCR, ay magbubukas ng klase bukas dahil maayos na po ang kondisyon ng ating mga paaralan (The announcement by DepEd [Department of Education] is only for schools being used as evacuation centers, flooded and damaged. We in Muntinlupa, along with the majority of cities in NCR, will open classes tomorrow because our schools are in good condition),” said Gonzales on July 28.
“We want to build what you have here para mas de-kalidad pa ang makukuha nyo in the coming years (We want to build what you have here so that you will get more high quality in the coming years),” said Angara.
He added, “We’re very pleasantly surprised with how smooth things run here. Sa ibang pinuntahan namin double shift. Ma-swerte po ang mga students dahil number one, unified ang political leaders dito, ang beneficiaries ng taong bayan. At secondly, very helpful ang city government and the national government to partner, dapat ganon para umunlad ang isang school district.”
Also accompanying Angara were DepEd Usec. Revsee Escubedo, Deped RD-NCR Joyce Andaya, MNHS principal Dr. Florante Marmeto and Gonzales.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you think Secretary Angara’s visit adds credibility to the state of public education in the city?
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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested seven Chinese nationals for credit card fraud and bribery as a result of separate operations that took place in two cities, according to a GMA Network news report. One of the operations happened in Parañaque City which for some reason remains a hot spot of crime involving Chinese nationals.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…
Seven Chinese citizens have been arrested for credit card fraud and bribing agents of the National Bureau of Investigation, the NBI said Tuesday.
According to the bureau, operatives of the NBI-Cybercrime Division arrested the seven foreigners, classified as a transnational organized crime (TOC) group, in separate operations in Parañaque and Quezon City on July 27.
This was after the NBI received multiple complaints against the foreigners, accusing them of vishing, smishing, phishing, click-baiting, pretexting, and whaling, which resulted in unauthorized or illegal access and eventual utilization of their credit card credentials without their knowledge.
The NBI said the group would cash out money through socially engineered credit card credentials from the accounts of their victims. It said the group would need a point-of-sale (POS) device to expedite cashing out.
During the operation, poseur-accomplices pretended to possess a POS device. They then agreed to meet for the scheme to materialize.
This led to the arrest of two Chinese citizens during an entrapment operation in Parañaque on July 27.
One of them attempted to bribe the operatives several times and offered P1.5 million for their release and the termination of the charges against them. The operatives pretended to agree to the offer and conducted another entrapment operation.
In the evening of the same day, two vehicles arrived at the parking lot of the NBI main office in Quezon City for the exchange.
The NBI said that after one Chinese-looking individual gave a bag of money, the operatives arrested him along with his cohorts inside the vehicles.
Authorities retrieved three handguns with a military-grade smoke grenade from the vehicle. The arrested individuals were unable to provide licenses and papers for the firearms.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there could be more Chinese nationals secretly committing credit card fraud and other forms of cybercrime while they are still staying here in the Philippines?
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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
