SEC sues companies for operating unregistered online lending platforms

Online lending firms here in the Philippines have been reported for alleged violations that include harassing clients (click here and here). Very recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued companies for operating online lending platforms that were allegedly unregistered, 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…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has has filed criminal complaint against Suncash Lending Investors Corp., UCash Lending Investors Corp., Suncredit.ph Finance Corp., and ECredit Finance Inc. for operating unregistered online lending platforms (OLPs).

The SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) filed the criminal complaint against Suncash, UCash, Suncredit and Ecredit before the Department of Justice (DOJ) last December 20.

The firms’ failure to disclose their online lending applications (OLA) is in violation of the Lending Company Regulation Act (LCRA) and the Financing Company Act (FCA).

The Commission implicated Qi Lu, the president of Ecredit, Suncash, and Suncredit, who was also found to be the beneficial owner of Suncash alongside Zhu Junfeng. Junfeng is also a director of the three other companies.

Also implicated in the complaint were other incorporators, directors and officials of the companies, including Chang Yuting, Joyclyn V. Pelayo, Chang Tao, Bryan Dordas Pelayo, Jasmin Tabjan Vianzon, Jayson Lee, Meng Jie, Xiaofang Song, Danilo Felicilda, Roger Publico, Yaping Liu, Xianming Tian, Shiling Xu, Xiaobo Pan, Sheila Pagkalinawan, and Xiaojing Luo.

The EIPD, together with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), Eastern District Anti-Cybercrime Team, Manila Police District, and the Special Weapons and Tactics Philippines (SWAT), previously implemented a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer against Suncash, as part of the SECs crackdown against unregistered lenders.

The Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 147 issued the search warrant against Suncash upon several complaints received by the PNP-ACG and the SEC against the company.

During the implementation of the search warrant, it was discovered that other lending companies, including Ucash, Suncredit, and Ecredit, had been operating alongside Suncash in its headquarters in Sampaloc, Manila.

The joint operation resulted in the arrest of 83 individuals, identified as operators, managers, employees, and agents of Suncash.

The Commission found that Suncash operated unregistered online lending platforms (OLPs), defying Sections 12(2)(a) 12(3)(a) of the LCRA, in relation to SEC Memorandum Circular No. 19, Series of 2019 (SEC MC 19), providing the Disclosure Requirements on Advertisements of Financing Companies and Lending Companies and Reporting of Online Lending Platforms.

SEC MC 19 requires lending and financing companies to report all their existing OLPs to the Commission.

Records show that Suncash had been operating three unregistered OLPs, namely Suncash, Flashloan, and Peso Pautang, contrary to what is stated in its affidavit of compliance that it operated no other OLP than Suncash.

The EIPD also said that Suncash operated the unregistered OLPs to circumvent and defy the moratorium imposed on the registration of new OLPs effective November 5, 2021, as per SEC Memorandum Circular No. 10, Series of 2021.

Meanwhile, Ucash filed an affidavit for the operation of its OLP on December 7, 2022, when the moratorium on new OLPs was still in effect.

Further, the EIPD charged Suncredit and Ecredit for violation of Sections 14(1)(a) and 14(2)(a) of the FCA, in relation to SEC MC 19. Suncredit and Ecredit were found to be the operators of Peso Pautang and Flashloan, respectively.

The Commission also noted that all the companies engaged in abusive, unethical, and unfair debt collection practices, in violation of SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2019, or the Prohibition on Unfair Debt Collection Practices of Financing Companies and Lending Companies.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Which among the reported companies sound familiar to you? Do you personally know anyone who borrowed money from an online lending firm and got harassed through communication because he or she was unable to settle the debt? Do you plan to borrow money from any online lending firm anytime soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others as well as 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

Cash incentives for Muntinlupa City Government employees announced

Employees of the City Government of Muntinlupa should be very happy right now as Mayor Ruffy Biazon officially announced the release of cash incentives, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. They will receive the said incentives very soon.

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

Good news for employees of the Muntinlupa City government.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced the release of the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) amounting to P5,000 and P10,000 to regular, casual, job order and contractual employees of the city government before the year ends.

“Katulad ng inanunsyo ko sa Employees’ Night, bago matapos ang taon ay matatanggap po ninyo ang Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) na nagkakahalaga ng maximum P10,000 for regular at casual employees, at maximum na P5,000 naman para sa job order at contractual employees (Like what was announced during the Employees’ Night, before the year ends, you will receive the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) amounting to a maximum of P10,000 for regular and casual employees, and maximum of P5,000 for job order and contractual employees),” said Biazon on Dec. 27.

The SRI is in accordance with Administrative Order No. 1 approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that authorized local government units (LGUs) to give incentives to employees as long as there are funds available.

Biazon said upon the release of the memo, he ordered the city budget department, personnel, accounting and treasury to study the proposal and find funds for the incentive.

“Thankfully, mayroong savings ang Lokal na Pamahalaan na sapat para magamit sa nabanggit na incentives for employees. Maraming salamat sa ating Local Finance Committee for the swift action. (Thankfully, the local government has enough savings to be used for the said incentives for employees. Thank you to our Local Finance Committee for the swift action),” he added.

The mayor also thanked the Muntinlupa City Council for immediately approving the measure through a special session held on Dec. 27.

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 believe the City Government workers deserve the cash incentives? Do you personally know anyone who works for the City Government?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, 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

Ban on firecracker use and open mufflers in Muntinlupa emphasized

In the progressive city of Muntinlupa, the ban on the use of firecrackers and open mufflers were emphasized to the public by the City Government and the fire station, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. Take note that the New Year celebration is quickly approaching which often meant using firecrackers.

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

The Muntinlupa City government and the chief of the Muntinlupa City Fire Station reminded the public of the ban on the use of firecrackers and open mufflers that emit very loud noise this Christmas season.

“Reminder: Firecrackers and open mufflers are prohibited in the City of Muntinlupa. There are corresponding fines on anyone caught violating City Ordinance No. 14-092 and City Ordinance No. 04-022,” the city government posted on Facebook.

Fire Supt. Eugene Briones, chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Muntinlupa said under City Ordinance 14-092, the use and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are banned in Muntinlupa.

The ordinance prohibits “the manufacture, display, sale, distribution, possession or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the exploding of firecrackers or other similar explosives within the territorial jurisdiction of Muntinlupa City.”

Violators face fines from P1,000 to P5,000.

The ban on open mufflers is contained in City Ordinance 04-022 or the Muntinlupa Traffic Code.

Section 9 of the ordinance prohibits the use of gadgets on vehicles that “emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds.”

“No private person shall use or cause to be used sirens, bells, horns. whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including dome lights and emergency red flashing lights installed in either front or rear, and emergency red light blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices that actually impede and confuse traffic and which are inconsistent with sound traffic discipline and control on the roads,” according to the section of the ordinance.

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 expect many to violate the local ban on firecracker use and open mufflers?

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

LTO summons jeepney driver accused of hitting pedestrian in Parañaque City, jeepney owner summoned too

In Parañaque City, there was a traffic incident that occurred when a woman got hit by a public transport jeepney while crossing the pedestrian lane. The incident was caught on CCTV video and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned the driver and jeepney owner to appear at the Intelligence and Investigation off on December 28, 2022, according to a Philippine Daily Inquirer news report.

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

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday said it issued a show cause order against the jeepney driver that rammed a crossing individual in Parañaque City.

According to the LTO, the driver and the jeepney owner were summoned and are expected to appear at its Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) office on December 28, Wednesday, at 10 am.

Both individuals were also required to submit a written explanation of why they should not be charged with the administrative case of Employing Reckless Driver in accordance with the DOTC Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01.

The jeepney driver should also explain why cases of Failure to Yield Right of Way for Pedestrian Crossing (pursuant to DOTC JAO No. 2014-01) and Reckless Driving (pursuant to Section 48 of Republic Act 4136) should not be filed against him, and why his driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked for being an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle which is also stated in RA 4136.

The passenger jeep’s license plate and the driver’s license are now on alert due to the incident that injured the pedestrian, preventing any transactions while the investigation is ongoing.

The owner and driver of the jeep will forfeit their right to tell their side of the story and have the complaint decided using the LTO’s evidence if they fail to show up when the IID summons them.

This developed after the LTO, through a CCTV video, caught the incident, which showed a woman crossing a pedestrian lane suddenly get hit by a public jeepney. The incident occurred last week, but the LTO did not specify the exact date.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be a lot of reckless drivers among the public transport jeepney drivers who drive regularly through Parañaque City every day?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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

Philippines aiming to attract 4.8 million foreign visitors and generate $5.8 billion tourism revenue in 2023

With the economic recovery from COVID-19 still continuing and the year coming to an end, the Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed its targets for foreign visitors and tourism revenue in 2023, according to a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). For the newcomers reading this, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., declared already that it is time for the to return to pre-pandemic life and having a strong tourism sector is a crucial part of the post-pandemic strategy. It has also been several months since the Philippines opened its borders to

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

The Philippines eyes to double its tourism revenues and reach at least 4.8 million in foreign visitor arrivals in 2023.

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco Friday revealed the projections as she presented the efforts of the agency to expedite tourism’s recovery.

Frasco said DOT seeks to attract 4.8 million visitors and generate at least USD5.8 billion in revenue.

Latest data showed that the Philippines has already breached its 1.7 million arrivals target for 2022, hitting over 2.46 million tourists and PHP149 billion in receipts.

With the administration’s focus on tourism and the various measures implemented to ease travel, Frasco is optimistic Manila could even surpass the pre-pandemic tourism figures before 2025.

DOT’s initial forecast indicated that Manila will not reach more than 8 million tourists until after 2025, a projection Frasco described as “alarming”.

[T]o me, that was an alarming projection in a sense that 2025 is so far off for us to obtain our pre-pandemic levels until after 2025 and that really forced us to take an inward look as to how we can expedite the recovery,” she told reporters.

“Having set out policies under the Marcos administration, precisely to serve the more aggressive approach towards tourism recovery, we’re seeing now that we have been able to breach the previous projection as well as the high projection (for this year),” she added.

Aside from constructing rest areas and improving connectivity for inbound tourists, Frasco presented more initiatives DOT sets to undertake in the next few months.

These include showcasing the country as a top cruise destination by 2023, coordinating with the relevant office to ease visa processing, and strengthening the promotion of Mindanao — especially for halal tourism.

Frasco also said DOT and the Department of National Defense are soon to sign a Memorandum of Agreement to obtain necessary data to determine the “most ideal areas to begin the process of reopening Mindanao.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development about the Philippines and its tourism plans for 2023? Do you think it is doable for the Philippines to attract 4.8 million foreign visitors by the end of 2023? What do you think the DOT should do when it comes to emphasizing tourism through conventions and special events? Do you think the DOT is doing enough with getting involved with sports tourism, medical tourism, food tourism, and the like?

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

DILG calls on local government units to take part in SIM card registration information campaign

Anyone based here in the Philippines using mobile devices that each carry SIM cards are required to have the said cards registered starting December 27, 2022 in accordance to Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act. To ensure that as many people get informed about this, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on local government units (LGUs) nationwide to participate in the information drive, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report.

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

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on local government units (LGUs) to help the national government in its information campaign on the implementation of Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, which takes effect on Dec. 27.

RA 11934, the first law signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aims to regulate the registration and use of SIMs by mandating all end-users to register their SIMs with their respective telecommunications networks before their activation.

In a statement on Monday, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said an intensive information drive must be carried out at the grassroots level and LGUs should step up in educating the public on the requirements and importance of the law.

“As we seek to ensure public safety even in the online space, I encourage LGUs to exert all efforts to promote responsible use of SIM cards, educate their stakeholders on the benefits of mandatory SIM card registration and guide them through the whole registration process,” Abalos said.

He said the SIM Registration Act will aid the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement authorities in curbing rising electronic communication-aided criminal activities in the Philippines such as mobile phishing, spam text messages, online scams, bank frauds and identity theft,” Abalos said.

Abalos said the implementation of the law will not only prompt accountability from all sides — the mobile users, the telcos, the government and authorities — but will also help the PNP to quickly locate offenders of crimes committed in anonymity through the use of electronic devices.

Section 4 of the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) released by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) provides that DILG, along with other government agencies such as DICT, NTC, DepEd, and telecom companies, shall “facilitate all SIM registrations in remote areas with limited telecommunication or internet access.”

“Together with the LGUs, DILG will cooperate with DICT and the NCT to fast-track the establishment of registration facilities in geographically-isolated areas, which should be done within 60 days after December 27,” Abalos said.

The DILG chief sought the assistance of local chief executives (LCEs) and barangay captains in remote areas in processing needed documents and other requirements to set up the registration centers.

“We know not everyone has access to the internet and other means of communication so let us reach out to them and inform them of this new law,” he said.

To register, all existing SIM subscribers must submit an accomplished form through a database platform or website provided by the telco company within 180 days. The DICT can extend the registration period for another 120 days. If a subscriber fails to register, SIM cards will be deactivated.

Subscribers must provide the following: full name, birthday, sex, address, mobile SIM number and serial number and valid identification cards (for individuals); business name, business address and full name of authorized signatory (for businesses and other juridical entities); full name, nationality, birthday, passport, proof of Philippine address, return ticket to own country (for foreigners and tourists).

Abalos also urged parents and guardians to be responsible and register the SIM used by their minor children or relatives under their name to protect them from ill-intentioned individuals. They will be asked to present an ID and consent form.

“To our parents and guardians, let us help each other in this endeavor to safeguard minors. Magtulungan po tayo upang masiguro na hindi sila mabibiktima ng mga panloloko (Let’s work together to protect them from fraud) online,” he said.

Likewise, Abalos asked the public to support the mandatory SIM card registration as this will be beneficial in the long run.

“I encourage every Filipino to register their SIM cards and be one with the government in fighting text and online scams which are becoming more prevalent in recent years,” he added.

Abalos warned people who will attempt to provide false or fictitious information and documents to register a SIM and those who will try to spoof a registered SIM to defraud or cause harm.

The above report ended stating that registering with false or fictitious information or the use of fake identities constitute a penalty of six months to two years imprisonment, and a fan of P100,000 to P300,000.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this latest development from the national government? Are you worried that SIM card registration will be tough and inconvenient to do given the nationwide scope of the processing?

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

Illegal drugs suspect apprehended in Barangay CAA-BF International, Las Piñas City

In Las Piñas City, a buy-bust operation conducted by the local law enforcers resulted in the apprehension of a 37-year-old man and the confiscation of several millions of Pesos worth of illegal drugs, the Manila Bulletin reported.

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

A 37-year-old man was arrested by members of the Las Piñas police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) during a buy-bust operation and confiscated from him more than P6-million worth of shabu on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 13.

Col. Jaime Santos, city police chief, said the suspect, identified as Jayson Lucas, alias Brad, and tagged as a high value individual in the illegal drugs’ list was arrested around 4:30 p.m. along Bayabas St. BF International Village, CAA Las Piñas City.

Santos said the SDEU conducted a surveillance for the arrest of Lucas after receiving numerous complaints on his illegal drug trade in the community.

The city police chief said the SDEU was able to confiscate from Lucas more or less 1 kg. of shabu worth P6.8 million and three plastic sachets of shabu with a street value of P22,440.

Santos said the confiscated P6.8 million shabu was hidden inside sealed Chinese tea bags. He said the confiscated drugs were turned over to the Southern Police District (SPD) Forensic Unit for chemical analysis.

The city police chief said Lucas is now detained at the SDEU custodial facility and was charged for violation of Sec. 5 and 11, Art. II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002).

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this new development? Are you concerned that drug pushers and drug dealers could be secretly doing something within your local community?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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

Integrated resort and casino in Las Piñas City announced

In the City of Las Piñas, an integrated resort and casino will be established as the project has been officially announced by business tycoon and former Philippine Senator Manny Villar, according to a Manila Standard news report. The project has the potential to make the city a hot spot for tourism, entertainment and gambling.  

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

Billionaire Manuel Villar is betting on the recovery of the gaming business as he plans to start developing a $1-billion integrated resort and casino in Las Pinas City next year.

Villar said in an interview with reporters he would convert Vista Mall Global South mall, which sits on a 80-hectare property, into a casino with hotels.

The group will initially develop nine hectares where the mall, which has 18,000 square meters of gross floor area, is located.

Villar said he was looking at the Las Vegas model where the casino would have other attractions like theme park, theatres, restaurants, retail, hotels, condotels and non-gaming components.

The group is now in talks with potential foreign partners for the venture, he said.

He said the planned casino would be adjacent to the international airport just like the four other integrated resort and casinos in the government-sponsored Entertainment City in Paranaque.

The casino industry was one of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic following the closure of international borders and the implement of quarantine restrictions. With the easing mobility this year, the gaming industry began to slowly recover, but has yet to get close to pre-pandemic levels as China, the country’s second top source market for tourists, continued to implement strict border controls because of its zero-Covid policy.

Villar said that aside from the casino, he is also bullish on the real estate sector, as his listed property Vista Land & Lifecapes Inc. is set to launch 41 projects next year. This would be an all-time high for the company in terms of project launches.

“We have not done this before. We have not launched this scale,” Villar said.

He said nearly all Vista Land’s businesses including retail, office and property development were back to pre-pandemic levels.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think the planned integrated resort and casino will add significantly to the economy of the city? How many new jobs do you think the project will create for 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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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

COMELEC confirms Register Anywhere Project (RAP) is limited to new voters and transfer-of-registration registrants

Starting December 12, 2022, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will start a new round of voter registration processes going into the new year. Along the way, they will launch their new project called the Register Anywhere Project (RAP) on December 17, 2022 and it will last a little over a month. According to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report, RAP will be limited to new voters and transfer-of-registration registrants.

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

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday reminded the public that the Register Anywhere Project (RAP), which is set to be pilot-tested next week, is only limited to new voters and transfer of registration registrants.

In Comelec Resolution No. 10869, the Commission en banc said these applications are the ones to be accepted in the RAP booths, to be initially located at five malls in Metro Manila.

“The Commission shall initially implement the RAP by conducting pilot testing, where only applications for New Registration and Transfer from Another City/District/Municipality shall be accepted,” it added.

Under the project, qualified applicants residing in the Philippines may register by submitting their application form, documentary requirements and have their biometrics taken on-site.

After which, submitted documents and captured biometrics data will be endorsed and transmitted to the Office of the Election Offcier of the district/city/municipality having jurisdiction over the residence of the applicant.

The pilot test of RAP will be held every Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 17, 2022 to Jan. 22, 2023.

They are initially to be established at SM Fairview in Quezon City, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM South Mall in Las Piñas City, Robinsons Place in Manila and Robinsons Galleria in Quezon City.

There will be no registration on Dec. 24, 25, and 31, 2022, and Jan. 1, 2023. The poll body has formed five RAP teams in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Each RAP team shall be designated as a remote reception point of all OEOs (Offices of Election Officer),” the Comelec added.

Each team will be composed of at least two personnel to receive and process the applications and interview the applicants; one Acting Election Officer, who shall be authorized to administer the oath of applications on-site.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this latest series of from the COMELEC? If you are going to get registered as a new voter, are you planning to try out the RAP process?

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 aims to improve local tourism

In Las Piñas City, the City Government announced that it will be ramping up its efforts to elevate local tourism and attract tourists (both local and foreign) according to a Manila Bulletin news report. For the newcomers reading this, the most popular tourist destination in the city is the Bamboo Organ which hosts an annual festival of music.

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

Las Piñas supervising tourism operation officer Paul San Miguel said the city government will improve the approach in promoting local tourism.

San Miguel said he took a two-day master class together with other tourism officers in the National Capital Region (NCR) at the Mariot Hotel Clark in Pampanga to have a better perspective of the tourism industry and their role toward recovery.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) called on the tourism officers association to attend the master class on Nov. 28 and 29 to help promote tourism now that the country is slowly recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

San Miguel said DOT-NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin initiated the gathering of NCR tourism association officers to give them additional ideas in promoting most visited tourist attractions in their respective areas that will help in the recovery of the economy.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this new development? When it comes to local tourism, how many times per year do you get to visit the Bamboo Organ? What other sites within the city do you find worthy of being tourist attractions? Do you think Las Piñas City should host special events like fashion shows, comic conventions (Comic Con) and film festivals which could potentially attract tourists into 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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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