In the progressive City of Muntinlupa, more than four hundred local residents have gained temporary employment thanks to the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the City Government, 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…
More than 400 Muntinlupa residents were given the chance to work for two weeks under the government’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
This was made possible through the initiative of Muntinlupa Rep. Jaime Fresnedi and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which implements TUPAD.
A total of 451 beneficiaries recently underwent TUPAD orientation at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Barangay Tunasan that was attended by Mayor Ruffy Biazon and City Administrator Allan Cachuela, who gave messages for the workers.
Each TUPAD beneficiary will work for half a day for 14 days and will earn P570 per day or a total of P7,980, courtesy of Rep. Fresnedi’s social assistance fund.
The TUPAD program provides emergency employment opportunities for displaced or disadvantaged workers for at least 10 but not more than 30 days.
The above report ended stating that the work under TUPAD may cover social community projects such as repair or maintenance of public facilities, rehabilitation of public roads and bridges, or agro-forestry activities such as tree planting and reforestation
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this new development?
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Water service problems from Maynilad are nothing new to their customers based in Muntinlupa City and other places covered by their services. In relation to the said problems, Maynilad got fined by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) and a new round of rebates to customers has been confirmed, 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…
Maynilad Water Services Inc. was fined P9.26 million by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) for water service interruptions from May to July this year in Muntinlupa and other service areas.
In a statement, MWSS-RO chief regulator Patrick Lester Ty said, “Based on the evidence gathered by the MWSS RO in its investigation into the prevailing water supply conditions in the West Zone, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. was found to have breached its service obligation of ensuring the availability of an uninterrupted twenty-four (24) hour supply of water at seven (7) pounds per square inch (psi) minimum pressure for more than 15 days to connected customers in parts of Las Piñas City, Muntinlupa City, Parañaque City, and Cavite Province (Bacoor, Imus, Cavite, Noveleta, and Rosario).”
Based on its findings, the MWSS-RO passed a resolution “to impose a financial penalty on Maynilad in the amount of nine million two hundred sixty-four thousand three hundred fifty-eight pesos (PHP 9,264,358) for the continued water service interruptions within the Putatan Water Treatment Plant (PWTP) supply zone.”
The Putatan Water Treatment Plant is located in Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa.
MWSS-RO said the penalty on Maynilad will be carried out through bill rebates that will be given to the water company’s affected customers by November.
“The nature, scope, and other details of the Rebate Program will further be discussed in October, during a Public Information Drive (PIDr) that will be conducted by the MWSS RO, in cooperation with Maynilad,” Ty said.
He added that “the MWSS RO has directed Maynilad to fast-track the implementation of its proposed mitigating measures to address the deteriorating raw water quality in Laguna Lake, and ensure the continuity of water supply within its Service Area.”
Last February, the MWSS-RO imposed a penalty of P63.97 million on Maynilad for implementing water service interruptions in the supply zone of the Putatan Water Treatment Plant from December 2021 to February 2022.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Maynilad customer, what is your reaction to this development? Were you one of the many customers who suffered from water service interruptions?
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 twenty-nine foreigners were rescued by the police and social workers in Parañaque and all of them are employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), according to a news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report with content translated into English. Some parts in boldface…
A total of 29 foreigners who purportedly became victims of human trafficking were rescued in Parañaque City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Friday.
In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said 23 Myanmar nationals and six Chinese nationals were rescued by the police and social workers in an operation in Barangay Tambo at around 5 p.m. Thursday.
Investigation revealed that the victims are all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) employees of the MOA Cloud Zone Corporation located at the NexGen Tower along C-4 Road, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Extension in Pasay City.
The rescue operation stemmed from the referral of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) after two Myanmar nationals were turned over to them by lawyer Mark Ronquillo of Brickhartz Technology Incorporated on Sept. 22.
On Sept. 27, the case and the two Myanmar victims (one male and one female) were referred by the AKG to the PNP’s Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) for further investigation.
The two victims also informed the investigators that a relative and other Myanmar nationals were left in the same company and are still being forced and exploited to work as online scammers, which resulted in the rescue operation.
The victims were recruited by a certain Chue Tiri Ngone a.k.a. “Christine”, a Myanmar national.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? Do you believe that there are still lots of places within Parañaque where foreigners and local people who worked for POGOs got trapped as prisoners or slave laborers?
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
In the City of Las Piñas, officials of the Municipality of Lingig (Surigao del Sur) led by their mayor Elmer Evangelio were hosted by the City Government. The result of the visit convinced Lingig to emulate Las Piñas City on governance, according to a Manila Standard news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Standard report. Some parts in boldface…
Local officials of Lingig town in Surigao del Sur have hinted they would emulate Las Piñas City as a role model for best practices in good governance.
Lingig Mayor Elmer Evangelio and other local officials of the town recently visited Las Piñas and were amazed with the hospitality afforded them by Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar.
During the benchmarking held at the Excelsior Hotel last Friday, Evangelio and his team were also impressed with the presentation made by the Las Pinas City government in demonstrating its successfully implemented practices making Las Piñas a progressive and safe place to live in.
During the event, the local government presented the city’s 4K Programs (Kalusugan, Kalinisan, Kaayusan and Kaalaman) being implemented under the Aguilar administration to deliver better services to the people.
Under the Kalusugan program, the city government enforces a green card program being distributed to residents for their medication and hospitalization; vaccination for children, and free cataract surgery.
With this program, the city was recognized by the Department of Health for its outstanding performance in surpassing the 96 percent target wherein the number of vaccinated children reached 106 percent.
The Kalinisan program, on the other hand, has the clean and green project and the proper disposal solid waste in order to maintain cleanliness in the city.
The local government also received the Safe City Award on August 9 based on the outstanding performance of the local police that made Las Pinas a city with the least crime volume.
Mayor Aguilar disclosed that the city’s police force also recorded the highest number of arrested suspects for committed crimes.
She said law enforcers made the city a “safer” place to live in Metro Manila because of the police visibility and the conduct of checkpoints in coordination with community leaders.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? Are you happy that your city proved to be a role model for municipalities from far-away provinces such as the Municipality of Lingig?
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
In the City of Las Piñas, there is this ongoing legal battle between the BF Resort Village Homeowners Association, Inc. (BFRVHAI) and a group of residents led by Senator Cynthia Villar with regards to a certain bridge and access into the village in relation to the Las Piñas City Friendship Route (note: for the background of the conflict, click here). More recently, the Villar-led group gained temporary advantage in at the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court (Las Piñas RTC), according to a Manila Standard news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Standard report. Some parts in boldface…
Officials of the BF Resort Village Homeowners Association, Inc. (BFRVHAI) lost another round in their legal fight with a group of like-minded Las Piñas residents led by Sen. Cynthia Villar over the opening of a particular street to the general public.
This developed after the Las Pinas Regional Trial Court (RTC) extended to 20 days ending on Oct. 9, 2022 its initial 72-hour temporary restraining order (TRO) issued on September 19 granted to Villar’s camp.
Meanwhile, the court set arguments for the issuance of a preliminary writ of injunction on Sept. 27-30.
The TRO as petitioned by Villar’s group prohibits the implementation of the new village traffic scheme whereby Onelia Jose St. inside the BF Resort Village (BFRV) would be open to the public as classified under the so-called Las Pinas Friendship Route.
Villar, a resident of BFRV since 1976, along with Rommel Dela Cruz and Virgilio Hernandez filed last Sept. 19 the petition for prohibition and mandamus with application for TRO and/or Preliminary Injunction against the BFRVHAI and its officers specifically Euan Rex Toralballa, Michael Roxas, and Angelo Ted Diesmos, among others.
“The Petition seeks to enjoin the respondents from enforcing the new BFRVHAI administration’s traffic scheme and instead comply with the local ordinances on Las Piñas Friendship Route,” said Villar.
“This include allowing Las Piñas City resident-holders of Friendship Route stickers to freely access and pass through the street, roads, avenues and thoroughfares declared to be part of the ‘Friendship Route’ in BFRV under the local ordinances,” she added.
The court found urgency issue a 72-hour TRO to prevent further damage, such as travel costs, productivity, wasted fuel and economic activity slow down to the city residents.
As early as 1995, the city government issued an ordinance directing developers and homeowners associations in Las Piñas to open and allow the public to freely use their streets as alternative routes (so called “Friendship Route”) to ease or decongest traffic along Alabang-Zapote Road and other main streets in Las Piñas, and imposing penalty for any violation.
The ordinance and the subsequent ordinances that followed, particularly City Ordinance No. 715 series of 2006, enumerated the specific streets and roads in every subdivision, village or compound that are covered by the “Friendship Route”.
The BFRV has ten such streets, including Onelia Jose that are part of the “Friendship Route”.
The controversy arose last July 24 after the newly-installed village administration posted security guards at the Onelia Jose St. who prevented Las Piñas resident-holders of the “Friendship” stickers to freely use the Onelia Jose St. that connects to the Zapote River Drive leading to CAVITEX and the bridge that leads to Bacoor, Cavite at a shorter distance.
Under the new traffic scheme implemented, non-BFRV residents, even if they are Las Piñas residents and holders of friendship stickers, will only be allowed entry and exit via Onelia Jose St. by BFRVHAI if they will buy BFRV sticker worth P2,500 per vehicle.
The move by the BFRVHAI’s new administration allegedly created confusion and protests from many Las Piñas residents of other subdivisions and villages since they have been enjoying their right of free access to the friendship route since 1995.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? Do you constantly travel into or through BF Resort Village? If your vehicle has a valid Friendship Route sticker and you need to go to Cavite, is BF Resort Village your primary path for passing through? If you are BF Resort Village resident, what is your opinion about the ongoing legal battle between the HOA and the group of Senator Villar?
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
Parañaque City is back again in the crime news. Instead of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) hitting and running over victims on the streets within the city (click here and here), twenty-four foreign women – specifically Chinese and Vietnamese) – were rescued by police officers Barangay Tambo and they arrested two Chinese nationals for human trafficking, 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…
Twenty-four foreign women, allegedly victims of human trafficking, were rescued by Parañaque police on Monday, Sept. 26.
The cops also arrested two Chinese men identified a Du Wei, 36, and Fang Zeng, 28, the maintainers of the place where the women were rescued. They were charged for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003.
Police said the 24 women were rescued at around 11:30 p.m. in three rooms of Caseana Building in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.
Col. Renato Ocampo, city police chief, said prior to the rescue operation they received a report that 24 female foreign nationals, believed to be victims of human trafficking, were seen in the building.
Ocampo said that members of the Paranaque Police intelligence section immediately conducted a verification which confirmed the report.
He said that upon checking the passports of the rescued women, it turned out that 10 of them are Chinese nationals and 14 are Vietnamese.
The rescued victims were brought to the Parañaque Police Women and Children Protection Division.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Parañaque City resident, what can you say about this latest crime-related news? Do you think that Parañaque still has lots of hidden sex dens or prostitution joints that local authorities have yet to discover? What can you say about Chinese nationals operating discreet prostitution joints in the city? Are these illegal activities affecting your local community? What makes you think makes Parañaque an attractive or ideal destination for operating a sex den or a makeshift prison for people who became victims of illegal joints?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA Network news report with content translated into English. Some parts in boldface…
(A) scammer cleaned the mobile wallet containing the (donations) for the 63-year-old street sweeper who was run over in Parañaque recently, according to the victim’s son this Tuesday.
In an interview with Unang Balita, Jade (Bacus) said that the scammer got as much as P76,000 from the donation for her mother, Doreen Bacus, who is currently being treated at the hospital.
“All donations to GCAsh have been scammed,” said Jade.
He added that the scammer pretended to be a representative of a charity that wanted to help his mother.
“Because it happened so fast. The woman spoke so well. (She) said (she) would help, (she) said (she) was from a charity. Besides, (she) said (she) watched mom’s video so they want to help,” said Jade.
The family has already reported the incident to the Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police.
It can be recalled that Doreen was hit and rolled by a sports utility vehicle (SUV) recently while sweeping the street at the corner of Elizarde and Aguirre Avenue in Barangay BF Homes.
In the CCTV footage, the arrival of the SUV driven by Raymond Sapirain can be seen and directly collided with the victim and rolled over. The SUV did not stop and the victim was left lying on the side of the road.
According to the police, security guards of the subdivision intercepted the driver and took him to the police.
The street sweeper suffered head and ear injuries, according to (her) son.
“The one on (her) head opened because the one on (her) head was sewn there. Besides, the one in (her) ear was removed, so now is (her) schedule for (her) ear to be closed and put in an artificial ear,” said Jade.
The above report ended stating that the victim’s son already talked to the apprehended driver. For additional insight, watch this related GMA news video.
If there is anything to be learned from the newest incident that happened, better do your donation drive independently complete with total control to yourselves. Never share passwords nor direct access into your accounts with others outside of your inner circle. If you will seek charitable assistance at all, you better make sure that such charities that approach you are credible because online scammers here in the Philippines are many and they are always persistent with their wicked intentions. Scammers are also known to be actors who will pounce on the helpless, the ignorant and the desperate.
With these incidents being so disturbing and depressing, I would like to encourage you readers to take time out and pray for the healing of victims who got hurt, and also pray for the souls of the victims who got killed as well as their families who are dealing with the loss. Pray to the Lord wholeheartedly and with unwavering faith. You can start with certain scriptures from the Holy Bible posted below.
For the victims who got hurt and are struggling to recover…
When they are sick, lying upon their bed of suffering, God will restore them. He will raise them up again and restore them back to health.
Psalms 41:3 (TPT)
I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.
John 14:25-27 (MSG)
For the victims who died and their respective families who are in pain…
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows].
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
In the progressive City of Muntinlupa, security outposts were installed by the City Government in key parts of the city and with police officers stationed there to improve security and order, the Manila Bulletin reported.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Muntinlupa City government has started installing security outposts manned by the police 24/7 to step up efforts in security and order.
As of Sept. 27, the security outposts have been put up at the City Alternate Route Entry and Exit (C.A.R.E.S.) guard house in Pleasant Village in Barangay Bayanan, and Soldier’s Hills and Caltex gas station along National Road in Barangay Putatan. Additional outposts will be installed in the coming days.
The decision to place security outposts was made after messages spread in August on social media about the alleged kidnapping incidents in Muntinlupa.
On Messenger, people forwarded the message, “Attention Everyone!!! Mag ingat po ang lahat sa pag uwi, maging aware sa paligid as much as possible mag pasundo sa kanino pag uuwe may mga cases na sa Muntinlupa Area. Soldiers: 3 cases of kidnapping, Katarungan: 2 cases of kidnapping, Bayanan Area : 2 cases of kidnapping.” (Attention Everyone!!! Please be aware when you go home, be aware of your surroundings as much as possible ask someone to fetch you, there are already cases in the Muntinlupa Area. Soldiers: 3 cases of kidnapping, Katarungan: 2 cases of kidnapping, Bayanan Area : 2 cases of kidnapping).”
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon immediately asked the Muntinlupa police to investigate the alleged kidnapping incidents, which turned out to be false.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think the installation of new security outposts was necessary? Were there any cases of kidnapping that took place in your local community?
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
Another hit-and-run tragedy took place recently in Parañaque City which resulted in the death of a 3-year-old girl who got hit by a sports utility vehicle (SUV), according to a news report by GMA Network. The victim’s companion got hurt as well. This report was published not so long after the reporting of the tragedy that took place in BF Homes in the same city.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…
A three-year-old girl died after being run over by a sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Paranaque City.
The girl’s companion, another child, sustained wounds, according to a report by Jonathan Andal on the weekend edition of “24 Oras.”
The two kids reportedly went out of their house to look for the brother of the victim and were walking on the road when the SUV made a left turn and hit one of them.
Concerned citizens had to run after the SUV driver to stop him and told him about the incident.
“Sabi ko, ‘boss may nasagasaan kang bata, akin na yung susi mo.’ Eh ayaw ibigay. Hindi ko nakita na may bata, ‘yun ang sabi niya,” John Bert Lopez said.
He continued, “Pero imposible na hindi nya nakita ‘yun, kasi andito pa lang sa humps dapat nakita nya ‘yun.”
The father of the child, Raymond Sampang, regretted going to work in a construction site that day. As he had to be away, he said he asked his older sons, age 11 and 12, to look after their sister.
“Kung alam ko lang na mangyayari yun, hindi na sana ako nagtrabaho ng araw na ‘yun,” he said.
The victim’s mother has just returned home from her work abroad, but could not be with her family yet as she has yet to complete her quarantine.
Sampang said the 68-year-old SUV driver has not offered help to his family.
The driver, who was not allowed to be interviewed by GMA News, said he did not see the two kids on the road.
For more insight, posted below is the news video of the same story. This one contains CCTV footage of the incident which is very disturbing to watch. You have been warned.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Parañaque City resident, what can you say about this latest crime-related news? Do you believe the claim that the driver of the SUV did not even see the two kids on the road?
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
Things are looking bleak economically. Recently the Philippine Peso reached another record low to the United States Dollar on the foreign exchange market. The local stock market lost a lot of points as well. Regardless, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos stated that the economy of the Philippines will not just recover but grow higher than what was achieved before the COVID-19 crisis affected everyone, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article Some parts in boldface…
The Philippine economy will go beyond its pre-pandemic growth, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday (Manila time), as he confidently talked about progress amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
During his meeting with members of Asia Society at The Carlyle Hotel in New York City, Marcos said his administration has laid out measures that will help reinvigorate the economy.
“We don’t want to just catch up. We want to go beyond that. We have no interest in going back to pre-pandemic levels. What we are interested in is to flourish further and to position the Philippines in such a way that we can take full advantage of the new economies and the new industries that have come to light,” Marcos said in his speech.
Sustained cooperation and collaboration with the private sector and other governments would lead to the realization of his administration’s bid to make the Philippines a new and transformed country, the President said.
He said the Philippines is a “viable and smart” investment destination, given its macroeconomic fundamentals, enabling policies, and human capital.
“They recognize the Philippines, our country, for its business-friendly policies, a very competent workforce, and a network of economic zones,” he said. “These are interesting times and there are many things to accomplish. The far-reaching ill-effects of the pandemic compel us to reinvigorate our economies in a spirit of sustained cooperation and collaboration.”
Marcos noted that the Philippine economy expanded by 5.7 percent in 2021 and 7.8 percent in the first half of 2021 because of government spending, household consumption, and investments reinforced by consumer and business confidence.
He also cited “investor-friendly” laws that seek to “leverage game-changing reforms.”
Marcos told the group about the “young, educated, hardworking, and English-speaking” Philippine workforce that is globally competitive.
He expressed hope to get more investments for his administration’s priority sectors, which include agriculture; nuclear energy; health systems; information technology and business process management; digital connectivity; and manufacturing, including the critical sectors of semiconductors, green metals, and electric vehicles.
“We must use public and private resources effectively to encourage the expansion of trade, investment, technology transfers, all to accelerate our development,” Marcos said.
Despite the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the global economic crisis, Marcos said the Philippines remains on track to “graduate to upper middle-income-country status” by 2023 and become a “high-income country” by 2040.
“With steady investments in infrastructure, agriculture, food security, public health, education, and other social services, we seek to become a high-income country, with zero extreme poverty by the year 2040,” he said.
“Certainly, the world continues to be faced by enormous challenges, but I am confident in the future because I have 110 million reasons for being so. Such is my faith in the Filipino people and the relationship we hold with the United States and our other allies and partners and friends,” Marcos added.
Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to build bridges of understanding between the East and West.
Let me end this by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this latest development? Are you eager to see the socio-economic plans of the Marcos administration to be implemented as soon as possible so that the national economy will be reinvigorated? Do you think that the pandemic may have opened up new opportunities for business innovations and e-commerce to transpire nationwide?