Chinese nationals arrested in Parañaque for illegally detaining their compatriot

Recently in Parañaque City, three Chinese nationals were apprehended by the local police for illegally detaining their compatriot, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The three foreigners were arrested on the afternoon of Good Friday at Barangay Tambo.

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

Members of the Parañaque Police Tambo substation arrested three Chinese men for illegally detaining their compatriot on Friday, April 7.

According to the Southern Police District (SPD), the suspects identified as Wang Dingding, Ying Jian and Yong Jin Ong were arrested at around 2 p.m. at a casino resort and hotel in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.

The SPD said the victim identified as Zhou Qing, 33, called his girlfriend Anne Rose Valenzuela Burca, claiming that he was detained by the suspects after losing P500,000 from a casino.

The victim told Burca that he will be sold to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) company if he fails to fulfill the suspects’ demands of paying the P500,000.

Burca immediately sought assistance from the casino security guards, wherein Qing was rescued and Wang Dingding was nabbed. The security guards brought Dingding to Tambo substation after his arrest.

The police said after Dingding was arrested, Jian and Ong appeared at the Tambo substation to help and settle the complaint against the suspect.

However, at the Tambo police substation, the victim identified Jian and Ong as the persons who prevented him from leaving the room and threatened him to be sold at a POGO company.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a Parañaque City resident, are you concerned about Chinese nationals causing trouble in your local community? Are there many POGO workers living in your local community right now?

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, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

Las Piñas City Government procures new dental health bus

Recently in the city of Las Piñas, the City Government procured a brand new dental health bus which was inspected by Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The said bus will be used for the dental health needs of the local residents.

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

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice-Mayor April Aguilar inspected the city’s newly-acquired dental health bus that is expected to boost dental health care of residents on Tuesday, April 4.

Aguilar said the new dental health bus aims to provide quality dental health services such as oral health check-ups, prophylaxis, and tooth extraction to communities with limited access to health centers.

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery inspected the equipment inside the brand new dental health bus. (photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)
The newest dental health bus of the city. (photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)

She said the bus is in addition to the recently procured 16 dental chairs which were distributed to different health centers in the city.  The mayor said the dental health bus will be deployed regularly in areas needing oral health care services.

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? What do you think about the quality of the equipment the new dental health bus has?

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, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

Overcharged electric bike (e-bike) sparks household fire and causes the death of a family

Electric bikes (e-bikes) are popular here in the Philippines and they are perceived to be economical and environment-friendly. E-bikes are also favored by fanatics of renewable energy, the climate change fanatics, as well as those who are living with a burning hatred for fossil fuel. However, there is one tragedy that took place recently during Holy Week and it is about an e-bike that was left charging for too long which caused a house fire and the eventual death of a family of five, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report.

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

An overcharged electric bike was the cause of a fire that killed a family of five here early Monday morning, according to an investigation of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Pozorrubio.

In an interview on Tuesday, Fire Officer 3 Christian Verosil said the e-bike was on the ground floor of the victim’s residence and was left plugged in overnight.

“(Their) electronic bike does not have an automatic switch mechanism that would stop once the charging was completed,” he said.

He said the fire that started through the overcharged bike spread through the wirings of their house until it reached the attic where the casualties were sleeping.

“There are 10 persons in the house. The deceased father (Mark Villanueva) saved the other five members of their household including the elderly and those who were on the ground floor but when he returned to try to save his wife (Dexie) and three children aged six, two, and one, they were trapped and were unable to get out,” Verosil said.

He added that the attic was made of wood which made the fire spread almost immediately and there were no other openings aside from a small window and the attic door.

Meanwhile, Verosil said two neighboring houses were also damaged but there were no injuries or casualties.

He said the damage incurred amounted to PHP9 million.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you own an electric bike, have you been very careful about scheduling its recharge at your home or at your business place? How often do you unplug appliances at your home before going to sleep or leaving the household?

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, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Man arrested for shoplifting at S&R Alabang branch

Recently in the progressive city of Muntinlupa, another shoplifting incident took place at S&R Membership Shopping in Alabang only this time it’s about one man who tried to steal two bottles of liquor worth over P20,000 in combined total value, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. It should be recalled that shoplifters were caught in the same S&R branch a few weeks prior.

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

A man was arrested for shoplifting a popular and pricey liquor at the S&R warehouse club in Muntinlupa on April 2.

The Muntinlupa police identified the suspect as Jay-r Layan, 33, who is allegedly listed on S&R’s gallery of shoplifters.

Layan was arrested by security guards at the S&R branch in Alabang at about 5 p.m.

The police said that security officer-in-charge Romeo Orua was conducting a routine roving when he saw the suspect enter the S&R Alabang branch.

He discreetly followed the suspect and caught him in the act of putting items in his waist and hurriedly run outside without paying.

Orua and Lowelyn Ruallo of the S&R internal security chased the suspect and arrested him. Recovered from his possession were two bottles of Remy Martin worth P21,298.

Layan and the recovered items were brought to the S&R security office and later to the Barangay Ayala Alabang police substation for investigation.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Why do you think that shoplifters are so determined to steal products from S&R Membership Shopping branch in Alabang which is known to be tight with its security?

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, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

SBMA chief Paulino declares 2022 a year of record-breaking accomplishments

During a high-level address to the stakeholders, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino declared that 2022 was a year of record-breaking accomplishments and the problems related to COVID-19 did not overwhelm them, according to a Business Mirror news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Business Mirror news article. Some parts in boldface…

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino declared record-breaking accomplishments for Subic in 2022, as he made his first State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) here in a ceremony hosted by the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

Comparing his administration’s undertakings against agency records in the last three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, Paulino presented a selection of successes under his “RCP” program that stood for revenue, customer-care, and plans and programs.

2022 was a banner year for the SBMA despite the fact that the country was just recovering from the hiatus brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Paulino said.

“It was an opportune time to work together, so we could bounce back from the debilitating effects of the pandemic, [and] achieve our ultimate goal—to attract investments and, more importantly, create employment,” he added.

According to the Subic chief, revenue collections by various SBMA departments “have increased compared to 2021 figures and even surpassed pre-pandemic performance” because of intensive revenue collection measures.

As a result, the SBMA was able to turn over to the National Treasury a total of P1.33 billion, an amount 20 percent higher than the 2021 dividends of P1.11 billion, Paulino said.

Figures from the SBMA Business and Investment Group (BIG) indicated that the Subic agency recorded revenue collections of P1.69 billion from January to November 2022. Paulino was appointed chief of the SBMA in March 2022 at the tail end of the Duterte presidency.

On the other hand, the 2021 SBMA report to President Duterte indicated an operating revenue for the agency in the amount of P3.47 billion, or P270 million higher than the 2020 revenue.

Paulino also said that in July 2022, the Subic Bay Freeport was named the top tourist attraction in Central Luzon and number five in the Philippines, with 9.4 million same-day visitor arrivals in the free port.

SBMA figures indeed showed a growing year-on-year tourism growth, with the number of same-day visitors rising from 7.89 million in 2016 to 8.54 million in 2017, 9.23 million in 2018 and 9.56 million in 2019 before plunging to 5.19 million in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed tourism activities globally. Recovery, however, started immediately in 2021, putting the annual record at 7.37 million.

In terms of investments, Paulino reported approving 133 new investment projects with total committed investments of P14.06 billion and 38 expansion projects with commitments of P36.34 billion.

“That is a significant jump from P591 million in 2021, let alone P160 million in 2020,” he pointed out, crediting the accomplishment to “the aggressive marketing strategy of our Business and Investment Group.”

SBMA’s business group, according to its 2021 report, had recorded a strong performance at the tail end of the pandemic with P17.29 billion in committed investments in 2021, compared to P9.24 billion in 2019 before the pandemic, and P1.55 billion in 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

Paulino also said that with all the economic activities going on in Subic because of  new investments, an additional 4,700 jobs will be created soon on top of the 149,681-strong free port workforce today.

The Subic work force has consistently grown in numbers over the years: from 137,547 in 2019 to 138,966 in 2020, the beginning of the Covid-19 health crisis, and to 142,177 in 2021. Majority of the work force belonged to the services sector, which had continuously increased because of the growth in the transshipment and logistics business here, the SBMA Labor Department said.

Meanwhile, Paulino said that in 2022, the SBMA had provided revenue shares to neighboring local government units (LGU). He said Olongapo City received a total of P74.88 million last year, while Subic got P48.77 million; Castillejos, P29.74 million; San Marcelino, P38.54 million; San Antonio, P27.45 million; Morong, P28.1 million; Hermosa, P33.81 million; and Dinalupihan, P39.98 million for a total of P321.27 million.

This remittance was bigger than the LGU shares given by the SBMA during the pandemic: P277.98 million in 2020 and P306.77 million in 2021, but still did not top the shares given by the SBMA in 2019, which was P378.87 million, or even in 2018 at P369.26 million.

I myself was in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone during the summer of 2022 and I personally witnessed the post-pandemic revival there in the forms of tourists enjoying the places and the stores, restaurants and coffee shops attracting lots of customers. Indeed, the socio-economic recovery in Subic Bay Freeport is real and it will continue even though our nation is being hampered by inflation. If you are thinking about having a good time traveling here in the Philippines, I encourage you to visit the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Also if you are looking for good places to eat or drink at during your next visit to Subic Bay, check out my feature articles of  Gourmet Garage Subic and Xtreme Xpresso Café. Also, there will be a big triathlon event there – the NTT ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) 2023.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Firefighters put out restaurant fire at Molito Lifestyle Center in Alabang

Recently in the progressive city of Muntinlupa, firefighters successfully put out a fire that hit a restaurant located inside the popular Molito Lifestyle Center in Barangay Ayala Alabang, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The fire incident happened on the late evening of April 1, 2023.

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

 A fire hit a restaurant at a popular hangout area in Muntinlupa on April 1.

According to the Muntinlupa City Fire Station, the fire hit the Torch Restaurant at the Molito Lifestyle Center in Barangay Ayala Alabang at about 10:24 p.m. 

The fire reached the first alarm at 10:28 p.m. and was immediately put out at 10:32 p.m.

From the time it was reported until it was put out, the fire only lasted for eight minutes but it damaged P400,000 worth of properties

Firefighters said the fire originated from a griller in the restaurant kitchen but the cause is under investigation.

The above report ended stating that nobody got injured during the incident. The response to the fire involved the use of five fire trucks and an ambulance.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? What do you think caused the fire to happen? Is the reported restaurant a favorite destination of yours in Alabang?

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, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

Philippine athletes to the 32nd SEA Games reduced

With the 32nd edition of the Southeast Asian Games (AKA 32nd SEA Games and Cambodia 2023) all set to launch a little soon, the Philippines will be sending lesser athletes than previously announced, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Take note that the Philippines is already facing bigger odds in the SEA Games this May.

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

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino confirmed on Monday that the Filipino athletes going to Phnom Penh for the biennial meet are now down to 840.

From the previously announced 905, it was reduced to 840,” Tolentino said right after the SEA Games torch rally here, adding that this will be the final count.

He said various reasons behind the reduction of numbers like typographical errors, for example, dual entry and wrong entry.

Tolentino, however, said the POC also had to let go of some reserve athletes and those who cannot make it to the Cambodian capital as their passports have already expired and their renewal process might not make it in time.

Having to let go of such athletes could possibly hamper the Philippine team’s bid to match or even go higher than its fourth-place finish in the overall standings during last year’s edition in Hanoi, the first time the SEA Games were held in an even-numbered year due to a one-year postponement caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

“That’s the big challenge: how can we attain the fourth-place standing or better than that?” Tolentino said.

Despite losing some slots, it is still considered a blessing as the POC was initially targeting only around 600 athletes going to Phnom Penh.

“Medyo mahirap, but dahil sa fighting spirit ng atleta natin at saka nadagdagan (It’s somehow tough, but because of our athletes’ fighting spirit and the increase in number) from 600 to 800, we might [still finish in fourth],” Tolentino said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think having lesser athletes at the Cambodia SEA Games will have a tremendous negative effect on the Philippines’ campaign on winning medals? Would you happen to know someone from your local community who is officially part of the Philippine team heading to the SEA Games in Cambodia?

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, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

Philippines’ disengagement from any contact and communication with International Criminal Court (ICC)

Do you honest believe that your country is under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) at all? I had to ask that question because my native Philippines continues to be the ICC’s subject over the issues related to the war against drugs that happened during the administration of previous President Rodrigo Duterte. Recently, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., announced that the nation will be disengaging from any contact and communication with the ICC as a result of the international organization’s latest rejection of the Philippines request related to an investigation about the said drug war, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) article.

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

The Philippines is “disengaging” from any contact and communication with the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it rejected the country’s request to suspend its ongoing investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Tuesday.

Marcos made this remark after the ICC Appeals Chamber, in a decision dated March 27, denied the Philippines’ plea “in the absence of persuasive reasons in support of ordering suspensive effect.”

At this point, we essentially are disengaging from any contact, from any communication I guess with the ICC…We ended up with the same position that we started with and that is we cannot cooperate with the ICC,” he told reporters in a media interview during an event at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

He said the ICC decision to reject the country’s plea ends the Philippines’ involvement with the Hague-based international court.

We don’t have a next move. That is the extent of our involvement with the ICC. That ends all our involvement with the ICC because hindi na tayo pwedeng mag-appeal (we can no longer appeal),” he said.

“The appeal has failed. And there’s – in our view, there is nothing more that we can do in the government,” he added.

He said the Philippines “no longer” has any recourse when it comes to the ICC.

“We have not been involved with the actual action. Merely as a comment, we would comment, and the appeal is part of a comment. But we have not appeared as a party in the ICC because we do not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC. And so that is again, as I said, we have ended up now at the end where we really started,” he said.

He likewise cited “serious questions” about the ICC’s jurisdiction, saying he considered it to be “interference” and “practically attacks on the sovereignty.”

To recall, the Philippine government submitted two requests — a notice of appeal in February and an appeal brief in March — to suspend the probe after ICC authorized its prosecutor, Karim Khan, to investigate alleged crimes committed during the Duterte administration’s anti-narcotics campaign.

In March 2018, Duterte ordered the Philippines’ termination of the Rome Statute that created the ICC after former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda continued with the preliminary examination.

The Philippines formally cut ties with the ICC on March 17, 2019, exactly a year after the revocation of the Rome Statute.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a citizen of the Philippines, do you really believe that the nation must give in to the demands and commands of the ICC knowing that the ties with them had officially ended since 2019? If the ICC keeps on interfering with the sovereignty and internal affairs of the Philippines, would you find that acceptable? How many people in your family believe that the Philippines should follow the ICC?

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, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

I Love Israel: Philippine President Marcos cites Israel as a model for achieving water security

Recently Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., emphasized the need to use new technologies so that the country will be able to improve the management of its water resources and ensure a stable supply for the people, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Along the way, Marcos mentioned Israel as a role model that the Philippines can learn from to achieve water security.

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

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday emphasized the need to use new and emerging technologies to improve the management of the country’s water resources and provide safe and affordable water to all.

Marcos made the statement during the opening of the 6th Edition of the Water Philippines Conference and Exposition at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

“I happened to have been given the opportunity to walk around a little bit and see some of the exhibitors. And it is very gratifying to note that in fact, the technologies that are being used, that are being employed in terms of water treatment, in terms of water management are well-known technologies,” he said. “And so, I am very optimistic that the solutions that we need to formulate are out there, the technologies are out there. What has continued to change in the light of climate change is the management, the stratagems on how we manage our water.”

Marcos particularly pointed out that flood control projects have evolved through the years, along with the changing times, noting that these are no longer just exclusively used for that.

“We take the water and we use it for irrigation, we use it for drinking water if we have a treatment plant,” he said, adding that water can be used to produce power with small hydroelectric plants.

He also cited Israel’s experience showing how it promotes the sustainable use of clean water for various purposes despite having a limited water supply.

I’d spent some time in Israel and I saw how they treat the water because water is very scarce. They live in the desert. Nevertheless, they are able to collect the water during the rainy season, whatever is available, they put fish in it to grow fish. When the summer comes, they take it out, take out the water, harvest the fish, and then that goes to irrigation and so forth,” Marcos said.

He said the Philippines could learn from Israel and apply this approach to achieve water security.

“These are the kinds of thinking that we have to apply to the Philippines because of the crisis that we are facing and how debilitating it will be to the entire economy, to the entire society if our water supply problem continues to get greater, continues to become more dependent on what we have been doing in the past,” he said.

It is very notable that President Marcos mentioned Israel while talking about the state of water in the Philippines. I myself had been to Israel recently on pilgrimage tour and there were times when our tour bus traveled great distances on desert areas, I did not just see sand and rocks. I saw lots of plantations along the road and the sight of lively vegetation in the desert of Israel was astounding. Israel is very well known not only for their highly advanced treatment and management of water, they are also highly proficient on agriculture and creating abundant supplies of food. Very recently, the 65th anniversary of friendship between Israel and the Philippines was commemorated. We need to pray to the Lord that President Marcos and an official delegation of the Philippines will someday visit Israel and have official meetings with their Israeli counterparts, meet with the Filipino community there and come up with new agreements for greater cooperation between the two nations.

To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed by all. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Always stand in support of Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

In ending this I Love Israel piece, posted below are Israel-related videos for your viewing pleasure and enlightenment.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Maynilad explains why water service interruptions happened in Muntinlupa City

Recently in the progressive city of Muntinlupa, customers of Maynilad experienced the lack of access to water which reflects the ongoing water service interruptions that also affected others in different cities served by the water concessionaire. As such, Maynilad officials joined Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon in an online talk via Facebook to explain why the water service interruptions have been happening, 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…

Maynilad Water Services Inc. explained that the ongoing water service interruptions (WSI) affecting its customers in Muntinlupa and other areas are due to facility maintenance at the Putatan Water Treatment Plants.

The company has been the target of criticism from irate customers in Muntinlupa for its poor water service.

Recently, Maynilad announced that its “customers in portions of Bacoor City, Cavite City, Imus City, Las Piñas City, Muntinlupa City, Parañaque City, Noveleta, Cavite and Rosario, Cavite will have water service interruption daily starting March 24, 2023 until April 1, 2023.

Maynilad will be conducting intensified cleaning of the plants’ filters following the prolonged entry of highly turbid water. This activity will allow the plants to return to normal operations now that turbidity is expected to go down with the end of Amihan season,” it said.

To discuss the problem, the Muntinlupa City government’s Public Information Office invited Maynilad representatives to an online talk on Facebook on March 30.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon and PIO chief Mimi Gonzales invited Maynilad’s Greg Antonio, head of the Water Production Department, and Harold Lopez, head of the Muntinlupa-Las Pinas Business Area.

On the daily water service interruptions, Antonio said this is due to the Amihan season that is causing high water turbidity

“Same pa rin po yung reason natin. Yung sinasabi nating turbidity or paglabo ng tubig (We still have the same reason. This is due to turbidity or water getting cloudy),” said Antonio.

He said Maynilad has installed silt barriers and membranes at the Putatan Water Treatment Plant.

But he said the turbidity this year is “one for the books.” He said the turbidity in Laguna Lake, the water source for Maynilad’s Putatan plant, is 28 days longer this year compared to previous years.

He said Maynilad has seen that turbidity in Laguna Lake has reached 40 sq. km., which was the maximum area reached by its sampling boat.

However, Antonio said Maynilad has no concrete explanation about the high water turbidity in Laguna Lake.

“Sa ngayon wala pa po kaming concrete basis dun sa cause ng paglabo pero yung evidence lang po nung visual. Yun lang po ang nakikita namin (At present we have no concrete basis on what is causing the water to get cloudy but we only have the visual evidence. That is what we are seeing),” he said.

Maynilad is currently constructing its third water treatment plant in Muntinlupa in Barangay Poblacion.

Antonio said by November this year, the Poblacion plant will operate one-third of its capacity or 50 million liters per day. He said the two water treatment plants in Barangay Putatan are “just enough” to meet the water demand of Maynilad customers.

He said the two Putatan Water Treatment Plants can produce 280 million liters of water per day.

The Poblacion plant, which will have a full capacity of 150 million liters of water per day,  will provide water if Maynilad does maintenance work at the Putatan Water Treatment Plants.

Antonio said with the operation of the Poblacion plant by November, there will be no water service interruptions.

“Eto po yung kinakailangan natin to ensure 24 hours provision ng supply po (This is what we need to ensure 24 hours provision of supply),” he said.

Some customers in Muntinlupa have complained why Maynilad has set the supply of water at midnight.

Lopez said that at present, Maynilad’s water production is limited, prompting the company to allocate water supply. He said the allocation depends on the elevation of the area, distance, and demand.

He said the Southville 3 housing project in Barangay Poblacion is the highest and farthest water service area of Maynilad in Muntinlupa.

On the different hours being implemented by Maynilad for its water service interruptions, Lopez said it depends on the water production.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Were you satisfied with the explanations of Maynilad?

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, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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