Philippines blog – Page 139 – Author Carlo Carrasco

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

April 5, 2023April 3, 2023carlocarrasco

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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Firefighters put out restaurant fire at Molito Lifestyle Center in Alabang

April 4, 2023April 2, 2023carlocarrasco

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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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

April 3, 2023March 29, 2023carlocarrasco

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

April 3, 2023March 29, 2023carlocarrasco

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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Maynilad explains why water service interruptions happened in Muntinlupa City

March 31, 2023March 30, 2023carlocarrasco

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

March 31, 2023March 29, 2023carlocarrasco

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 65^th 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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Maynilad announces strategy to augment summer water supply

March 30, 2023March 27, 2023carlocarrasco

Are you having any problems with your water supply from Maynilad? The water concessionaire announced new moves to augment water supply for the summer season, according to a BusinessWorld news article.

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

MAYNILAD Water Services, Inc. has started to implement supply augmentation measures to meet the expected surge in demand this summer, a company official said.

“The water level at Angat Dam is still at a healthy level but given the expected El Niño by the latter half of 2023, Maynilad is concerned that there will be less rainfall to replenish the Angat and Ipo dams,” Maynilad Spokesperson Jennifer C. Rufo told BusinessWorld in a Viber message on Sunday.

Maynilad’s supply augmentation measures include the reactivation of deep wells and the commissioning of modular treatment plants. But these measures are only expected to mitigate the impact of a supply shortage if the dams’ water level continues to decline.

The latest available data from the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) showed that Angat dam is currently at 204.96 meters, higher than the normal operating level of 192 meters, but lower than 212 meters, which is considered the ideal level to provide an adequate safety margin for supply during dry months.

Angat Dam is the main source of water for Metro Manila, accounting for about 90% of the capital’s potable water.

The west-zone water concessionaire said that it is building a new treatment plant that would bring additional supply starting this year, addressing the possible water supply deficit as population growth continues amid a lack of new water sources.

“Maynilad is now building a new water treatment plant in Muntinlupa, which will yield an additional supply of 150 million liters per day (MLD),” Ms. Rufo said, adding that the facility will produce an initial 50 MLD by year-end. She was referring to the Poblacion water treatment plant in Muntinlupa City.

“For the next five years, we plan to build five new water treatment plants, including some that will source raw water from our sewage treatment plants,” she said.

Ms. Rufo said these new water treatment plants will source supply either from new water or used water that will be treated and made potable again. Maynilad is also planning to source raw water from Kaliwa Dam, which is currently being facilitated by the MWSS.

As of February, MWSS said that the construction of Kaliwa Dam, a crucial dam project that will augment water supply in Metro Manila, is 22% complete. The dam is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with water supply expected starting in 2027.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think Maynilad’s moves will improve the situation this summer season?

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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Chinese national arrested for P100,000 bribe attempt inside PNP substation

March 30, 2023March 27, 2023carlocarrasco

Were there any unusual crime incidents that happened in your city lately? There was one in Taguig City and it was about a male Chinese national who entered a police substation where he offered police officers there a bribe of P100,000 to have his apprehended friend released only to be arrested on the spot, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

A Chinese man was arrested by the Taguig police for allegedly bribing police officers with P100,000 for the release of his friend.

The Taguig police identified the suspect as Bin Li, 40, sales manager. Confiscated from him were 100 pieces of P1,000 bills totaling P100,000 and one Alien Employment Permit (AEP) ID.

According to the police, the bribing incident happened on March 26 at the Taguig police’s Substation 1 at 40th Street corner 9th Avenue in Bonifacio Global City in Barangay Fort Bonifacio.

The police said Bin Li went to the police station and asked for his friend, Deng Jiliang, 33, Chinese national, IT staff at Huawei, who was arrested for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

Bin Li allegedly approached the arresting officers and offered them the P100,000 in exchange for the release of Deng Jiliang.

The above report ended stating that the suspect has been charged for violating Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act). This incident somewhat reminds me of what happened inside the police station in Parañaque City in early 2022 when a foreigner and his local partner arrived pretending to be court process servers (with fake documents) trying to free detained foreign nationals. Those were arrested for the falsification of public documents and usurpation of authority.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Has there been any crime incidents involving Chinese nationals that happened in your local community during the past few months?

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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COMELEC reschedules filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections; new filing period set for August 28-September 2, 2023

March 28, 2023March 23, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that the period of filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) related to the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) has been rescheduled to August 28 to September 2, 2023, according to a GMA Network news report. Previously, the COCs filing period was July 3 to 7, 2023.

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

The filing of certificates of candidacy for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections has been rescheduled from July to August, Commission on Elections chairman George Garcia has announced.

In an online forum, Garcia said the filing for the BSKE elections had been moved from July 3 to 7 to August 28 to September 2.

“We approved just this morning, during our en banc session, the change of the date of the filing of the COC,” said Garcia during a webinar of the UP Alumni Association and the Vinzons Policy Center (VPC) on enhancing the country’s readiness for clean and honest future elections.

“This is to ensure the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) will be most prepared, especially because of the violence we have right now dito sa ating mga local officials,” he added.

The development came a day after Senator Francis Tolentino said he asked the poll body to delay the COC filing as conducting it in July would only “burden the local government units (LGUs)” due to election-related restrictions under the Omnibus Election Code.

Tolentino said it was “only just and fair” to adjust the filing period given the BSKE would be held during the last week of October 2023 and that the law prescribed a 10-day campaign period.

Unlike the national elections, Garcia said those who file their COCs during the prescribed period would be considered candidates and are subject to the Omnibus Election Code.

“Dito sa BSKE, we saw an opportunity. We told them ‘let them go to the courts’ because we will consider them, upon the filing of their candidacies, already as candidates. Therefore, they will be liable under Section 18 of the Omnibus Election Code for premature campaigning….We will disqualify them, we will file election offenses against these candidates,” he added.

Tolentino lauded the rescheduling of the filing period, saying it would help the LGU perform well and would ease election-related violence since “it will lessen early politicking.”

“The poll body’s decision will allow our local government units to perform their respective functions without any compromise or restrictions—construction ban, etc.,” he said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the rescheduling of COCs filing makes sense? Are you looking forward to participating in the BSKE this year?

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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Muntinlupa City to receive over P86 million from DOTr

March 27, 2023March 22, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive city of Muntinlupa, it was announced that the City Government will receive over P86 million from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) specifically for the implementation of an active transport bike system as well as safe pathways, the Manila Bulletin reported. The City Council approved a resolution related to it.

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

The Muntinlupa City government will receive P86.1 million from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to implement an active transport bike system and safe pathways program.

Councilors approved Resolution No. 2023-208 authorizing Mayor Ruffy Biazon to sign, on behalf of the city government, an agreement with DOTr for the transfer of the fund for the program.

The resolution cited that during the pandemic, “due to the restrictions imposed by the national and local government on the movement of people and goods. active transport such as biking, and walking were promoted.”

A joint administrative order of the DOTr, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) listed the “Guidelines on the Proper Use and Promotion of Active Transport During and After the Covid-19” in which local government units (LGUs) were encouraged “to provide infrastructure for active transport and walking paths. Ensure availability of right of way for the construction of bicycle lanes and walking paths within their jurisdiction. and maintain the bicycle lanes and walking paths located in their jurisdiction.”

A national budget was allotted under the General Act of 2022 for the Active Transport Bike Share System and Safe Pathways Program in Metro Manila for “the construction of bike lanes, procurement of bike racks, improved end-of-trip cycling infrastructures, construction of safe and accessible pedestrian walkways, and upgrading of existing pop-up bike lanes into permanent bike lanes.”

It also aimed “to establish proper public transport stops and ensure that all road and bridge projects to be designed and implemented, in so far as practicable, shall allocate at least 50% of the road space for public transport, pedestrians and bicycles/light mobility vehicle.”

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 this will improve local transportation and safety within the city?

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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