Philippines – Page 220 – Author Carlo Carrasco

COVID-19 Crisis: Vaccine czar Galvez favors vaccine booster shots for health workers and patients with comorbidities

September 3, 2021September 2, 2021carlocarrasco

Were you fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in your local community? If you were, you better make sure you keep your records and remember under what category you were counted in as a patient and what brand of vaccine you were injected with because recently Philippine vaccine czar and secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. announced that he favors vaccine booster shots for health workers and patients with comorbidities which GMA Network reported.

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

Philippine vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday said he is in favor of giving COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to healthcare workers and people with comorbidities.

“I don’t have any problem with it. Our healthcare workers must be given full protection,” he said in Filipino during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay online forum, adding Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac is willing to donate 500,000 booster doses for medical workers.

Galvez, however, said the government is still waiting for the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the vaccine expert panel.

The Duterte administration has requested for standby authority from Congress to buy P45.367 billion worth of booster doses next year.

And posted below is the related GMA news video…

If ever the said booster shots will be approved and made available and legal for the Philippines, the government and the local government units (LGUs) better establish the health policies and clarify it to the constituents. This is because a certain person who got fully vaccinated in Mandaluyong City crossed over to another city to get injected with a third shot (the so-called booster) which caught the attention of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos who himself was mayor of Mandaluyong. In relation to that incident, Muntinlupa’s City Council approved a local ordinance against illegal vaccine booster shots.

That being said, it is important to look closely at how the MMDA and the Metro Manila Council (MMC) behave, think, analyze and make decisions not only with the vaccine booster shots but also on the proposal to allow vaccinated patients to enter food-beverage joints as well as personal care service joints operating at 20% capacity during MECQ.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you believe vaccine czar Galvez knows what he is talking about? Do you agree with him favoring healthcare workers and comorbid patients as the first recipients of potential vaccine booster shots? If not, which type of patients should receive the vaccine booster shots first?

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. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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

COVID-19 Crisis: Over 6,000 violators apprehended in Muntinlupa City for the month of August 2021

September 3, 2021September 2, 2021carlocarrasco

For the month of August 2021, over six thousand people who violated quarantine rules and local ordinances in Muntinlupa City were apprehended according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. Officially the city count of the said violators is 6,639. Do the math, that’s an average of over 214.16 violators per day for the month that had the last enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) that followed (click here and here) and the restrictions on outdoor exercise (click here, here and here) in effect over the National Capital Region (NCR).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin’s report. Some parts in bold face…

The Muntinlupa police caught more than 6,000 people in August for violating city ordinances on quarantine rules.

A report presented Wednesday by the Muntinlupa police headed by Col. Melecio Buslig showed that 6,639 people in Muntinlupa were apprehended for violating the curfew and not wearing face masks and face shields.

Of the total, 1,059 persons were fined and 5,580 individuals were given warnings for the violations.

By violation, not wearing of face shields topped the list with 3,039 (46 percent) followed by curfew with 1,879 (28 percent) and not wearing of face masks with 1,721 (26 percent).

In the first week of August, curfew in Metro Manila was from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and it was extended from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. starting Aug. 6 when the National Capital Region was placed under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

The eight-hour curfew is still in effect in Metro Manila since the region was placed under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from Aug. 21.

According to the Muntinlupa police, 1,879 people were caught violating the curfew hours in August consisting of 621 (33 percent) who were fined and 1,258 (67 percent) who were warned.

Among barangays in Muntinlupa, Tunasan had the highest number of curfew violators with 520 followed by Poblacion, 268; Alabang, 267; Putatan, 253; Bayanan, 252; Cupang, 121; Sucat, 114; Buli, 54; and Ayala Alabang, 30.

A total of 1,721 people were apprehended for not wearing face masks consisting of 438 (25 percent) who were fined and 1,283 (75 percent) who were given warnings.

Alabang topped in the number of face mask violators caught with 349 followed by Tunasan, 321; Poblacion, 292; Bayanan, 205; Cupang, 160; Putatan, 126; Sucat, 121; Ayala Alabang, 76; and Buli, 71.

The above report ended stating that Barangay Ayala Alabang had the highest number of face shield violations with 769 counted.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the news story? Do you believe that Muntinlupa residents still have a long way to go before understanding the rules and following them?

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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Las Piñas City mayor expresses immense gratitude to those who sent messages of condolence

September 2, 2021September 1, 2021carlocarrasco

It has been a few weeks since former Las Piñas City mayor Vergel “Nene” Aguilar passed away at age 74. Naturally, people in the city got emotional over his death and at the same time, memories of his legacy of leadership and service came back. Not only did Las Piñas City win awards or got recognized for excellence during his time as mayor from 1995 to 2004 and 2007 to 2016, the Friendship Route was established which changed the dynamics of local traffic flow. The late Aguilar was also one of the first local chief executives in the nation to introduce free basic and secondary education.

This past weekend, incumbent Las Piñas City mayor Imelda Aguilar issued a message of gratitude to all those who expressed their love and condolences for her late husband.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the said message that was published via the city’s official Facebook page.

*An official message from Mayor Imelda Aguilar.*

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City during the time of Vergel “Nene” Aguilar was mayor, what do you best remember him for? Were you able to see him in person many times? Was there a time you attended a meeting with him at his office at City Hall?

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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Entrapment operation in Muntinlupa City results arrest of suspect

September 2, 2021September 1, 2021carlocarrasco

Better be defensive and careful because there are criminal elements around even during this time of COVID-19 pandemic. This past Monday in Muntinlupa City, someone got arrested for robbery extortion as a result of an entrapment operation according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin’s report. Some parts in bold face…

A woman was arrested by the Muntinlupa police after duping a security guard into paying for a fake property.

The Southern Police District (SPD) identified the suspect as Catherine Gumarang, 40, who was arrested in an entrapment operation by the Muntinlupa police intelligence section in front of SM Center Muntinlupa in Brgy. Tunasan Monday.

Gumarang was arrested after security guard Phil Jun Yu sought the help of the police. According to Muntinlupa police chief Col. Melecio Buslig, Yu paid P50,000 to Gumarang for a house that she allegedly was selling but he discovered that it was already sold to another claimant identified as Merry Love Fernandez.

The suspect called Yu and asked him to pay for the remaining P50,000 balance. Yu went to the police for assistance to arrest Gumarang.

The police recovered P5,000 entrapment money from Gumarang, who was turned over to the Muntinlupa police criminal investigation unit for documentation.

Gumarang was previously arrested along with four others for the same offense in Sta. Mesa, Manila in March, 2018.

The above report ended stating that the Muntinlupa City police will file a complaint of robbery extortion against the suspect.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Did you notice any extortionists or scammers in your local community lately? If you have enough money and you want to buy a property, do you know anyone legitimate to contact and make deals with?

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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COVID-19 Crisis: Trade Secretary Lopez proposes allowing vaccinated people to dine in food-and-beverage joints, and enter personal care service joints during MECQ

September 1, 2021August 31, 2021carlocarrasco

Nothing changes the fact that the restrictions imposed on businesses as a result of lockdown or the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) caused damage on the national economy in the forms of rising unemployment, added business hardship and the loss of income for the affected employees as the national authorities struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) declared that the nation’s economy would lose at least P150 billion per week in relation to Metro Manila and other areas being placed under the most restrictive quarantine measure while the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) announced that the economy should be reopened to prevent any more economic damage. ECOP already stated that lockdown is no remedy.

For the newcomers reading this, under ECQ and MECQ, dining inside food-and-beverage joints and availing of indoor services of personal care service businesses are forbidden. Restaurants, coffee shops and related food-and-beverage joints are limited to take-out and deliveries. Very recently, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has a proposal to help the food-and-beverage joints and personal care service providers and literally give more breathing room to consumers who have already been vaccinated. Take note that already the government announced that more than 50 million new COVID-19 vaccines will come into the country in September and October.

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

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez is proposing to allow vaccinated people to dine-in in restaurants and enter personal care services establishments in areas under stricter quarantine measures.

In a Viber message to reporters, Lopez said this will help spur employment in those sectors.

“Same MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) but [I] am pushing for allowing vaccinated to [be] allowed only in these restricted sectors like dine-in and personal care. Because we are saying that in these restricted sectors, those who are vaccinated are safer. So, we don’t expect an increase in severe critical (cases) and should not worsen ICU (intensive care unit) cases,” Lopez told reporters in a Viber message.

“We pity the dine-in workers. About one million jobs and P1.5 billion revenues gone per week in the National Capital Region (NCR),” he added.

Lopez said that on top of these, 200,000 jobs in the personal care services sector in NCR were also affected.

“For other sectors, no need for distinguishing because both the vaccinated and unvaccinated are allowed. For example, both vaccinated and unvaccinated are allowed to go to malls or ride public transport,” he said.

“Again to clarify, [vaccinated should be allowed] only in restricted sectors during lockdowns like dine-in, personal care services, and meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions. If it’s not locked down, all vaccine status should be allowed subject to operating capacity,” he added.

Lopez, however, clarified that these should be allowed to operate at a maximum of 20- percent capacity.

“We believe in the vaccine. So, we should believe in the vaccinated. This should also serve as an incentive to those who are vaccinated and to encourage vaccination. With this, we help bring back jobs, open up these sectors,” said Lopez.

He said that once approved, this will be part of the new Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) guidelines.

Metro Manila and other Covid-19 critical areas were earlier placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until August 20.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) disclosed that the two-week ECQ will cost the Philippine economy P120 billion and aggravate poverty.

In relation to the details emphasized by Trade Secretary Lopez, the affected businesses within the restricted sectors can be relieved economically and already there are millions of vaccinated consumers available in Metro Manila to come in and support these businesses even though the maximum capacity is fixed at 20% under MECQ. The unemployed and the under-employed impacted by the ECQ/MECQ will finally get the opportunities to be hired and be able to earn much-needed income. That being said, it is a must that we pray in supporting Lopez’s proposal to get approved so that our nation as whole can recover better and that MECQ won’t be too damaging for businesses and workers anymore.

Speaking of the National Capital Region (NCR), pay close attention as to how Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos and the members of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) will perceive and react to Lopez’s proposal of allowing food-and-beverage joints and personal care businesses to cater to vaccinated customers at limited capacity during MECQ. Take note that during the last ECQ, it was the MMDA and MMC who approved the restriction on outdoor exercise while businesses and their employees kept losing! Think about how these Metro Manila authorities think. That being said, it is essential to pray to our Lord to enlighten and guide all the government officials so they can do their jobs better and correctly.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you agree with Trade Secretary Lopez’s proposal to help the affected businesses during MECQ? If you are still unvaccinated, does this recent development encourage you at all to get vaccinated? If you are an owner of a food-and-beverage joint or a personal care services joint, what do you think about Lopez’s proposal in helping you and your employees?

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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COVID-19 Crisis: Residents of locked community in Parañaque City complain about limited essentials

August 31, 2021August 30, 2021carlocarrasco

In recent times, due to a report that there were individuals living in Annex 35 (a community of about one thousand houses within Better Living Subdivision) had contracted COVID-19, the City Government of Parañaque had the said community locked-down supposedly for fourteen days to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

This past weekend, GMA Network reported that Annex 35 residents have been complaining about the effects of the granular lockdown.To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…

Residents of a portion of the Better Living Subdivision in Parañaque City have been complaining after they were reportedly placed under a granular lockdown without prior notice, leaving them isolated for 10 days.

According to residents of Annex 35 of the subdivision, they were only made aware of the initial four-day granular lockdown at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The lockdown was implemented four hours later, and was then extended to 10 days.

“8 p.m. halos sarado na ang establishments. ‘Di ba meron po tayong allowed na time for Metro Manila na open ang ganitong establishment, so ‘di lahat nakapuno ng enough food and water supply,” a resident of the area said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

(At 8 p.m. almost all establishments were already closed. Don’t we have an allowed time for establishments in Metro Manila to open? Not all residents were able to store enough food and water.)

“Hindi lahat ay okay. Kasi meron kaming community page sa Facebook, ang daming hinaing like water supply, ‘yung food supply namin not enough for 10 days,” the resident added.

(Not all are okay. We have a community page on Facebook and there are a lot of appeals for water supply, our food supply was not enough for 10 days.)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) released food packs, but the residents said this is not enough. The homeowners’ association could not intervene as the granular lockdown was implemented by the local government.

The resident said that there were food packs that were supposed to have been distributed among the residents, but these were spoiled due to the lack of manpower to deliver the goods.

“Sa sobrang dami ng houses dito, kulang sila to deliver ‘yung mga food na naka-ano sa gate namin. ‘Yung iba nasisira na ‘yung food kasi kulang ‘yung tao, isang patrol car lang ang umiikot,” the resident said.

(With the number of houses here, only a few people are distributing the food stored at the gate. Some get spoiled because of the lack of manpower, only one patrol car was making the rounds.)

The resident acknowledged that the lockdowns are for health reasons, but the local government should have given residents ample time to store goods for the lockdown.

“Alam ko po na kailangan mag-ingat, they are after doon sa aming health na hindi kumalat ‘yung virus. Pero po sana binigyan nilang konsiderasyon, binigyan nila yung mga tao at least one day na makapag-plan, one whole day. Hindi ‘yung 8 pm tapos 12 midnight sarado na,” the resident said.

(I know we need to be careful, they are preventing the virus from spreading, but they should have given consideration. They should have given residents at least one day to plan, one whole day. Not announce at 8 p.m. and then close the barriers at midnight.)

GMA News has reached out to the local government of Parañaque, but calls were left unanswered.

And now here is a related news video also from GMA Network. Watch it closely…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this latest development in Parañaque City? Are you able to relate with the complaints raised by the people living in the locked Annex 35 community? Do you believe that the City Government of Parañaque and the local DSWD were lacking (if not unprepared) with regards to manpower and efforts to provide sufficient supplies to the Annex 35 residents? What do you think will help prevent food from getting spoiled? Do all of these somehow impact your personal beliefs about the power of the local government unit (LGU) over residential communities that already have their own community management?

If you are a resident of Annex 35 reading this, what else should the City Government and DSWD do to make your lives easier apart from supplying your essential needs? Are you searching for charitable organizations out there to provide you assistance?

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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COVID-19 Crisis: MECQ in Metro Manila extended until September 7, 2021

August 30, 2021August 28, 2021carlocarrasco

This past weekend, the national government announced that the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila that was scheduled to end on August 31 has been extended until September 7, 2021.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) article. Some parts in boldface…

Metro Manila will remain under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the second strictest quarantine classification level, until September 7, Malacañang announced on Saturday.

“The Inter-Agency Task Force (for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases or IATF-EID) retained the modified enhanced community quarantine status of the National Capital Region,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement.

Apart from Metro Manila, the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal will also stay under MECQ, said Roque, who concurrently serves as IATF-EID spokesperson.

The MECQ implementation will also be continued in Bataan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Lucena City, and Aklan, he said, adding that Iloilo province and its highly-urbanized city, as well as the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Cebu, Mandaue, and Cagayan de Oro, would also remain under MECQ.

Roque said “added restrictions” on dining, personal care services, and religious activities would be imposed in Metro Manila, Bataan, and Laguna.

Even in the full article of the PNA, there is no mention of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Metro Manila Council (MMC) at all. Did those two organizations meet about extending Metro Manila MECQ to September 7? Nothing has been revealed as of this writing. Still, it is important to remember that the MMDA and MMC left the decision on community control to the national government which is directly related to the August 21-August 31 Metro Manila MECQ.

And here is a related news video to watch…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about the one-week extension of MECQ in Metro Manila?

If you are a Metro Manila resident, do you trust your mayor or the MMDA when it comes to vaccination and local community control? Do you trust the IATF? With regards to COVID-19 vaccination, do you think the Metro Manila local government units are doing a good job collectively? Have you prayed to the Lord to enlighten all the government and community leaders?

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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COVID-19 Crisis: Over 600,000 vaccinated in Las Piñas City

August 30, 2021August 29, 2021carlocarrasco

This past weekend, the City Government of Las Piñas announced that over six hundred thousand people were vaccinated for COVID-19

To be more specific, the official count as of August 26, 2021, was 601,401 in total inoculation. As for the breakdowns, 382,653 patients were vaccinated with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 227,423 patients got vaccinated with the second dose.

Like in my previous post about the city’s vaccination numbers, there is also a discrepancy in the newest numbers. If you do the math, 382,653 plus 227,423 is equal to 610,076. As of this writing, the City Government has yet to explain why the latest numbers just did not add up accurately.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the official visual reference released by the City Government on their Facebook page on August 28, 2021 and this includes the types of patients who got vaccinated.

Any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for the free COVID-19 vaccines can learn the ways (4 methods) by clicking here. Anyone who is ready and willing to register online can click bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas, are you still moving around the city using public transportation knowing that there are a lot of Delta variant cases in the city? Does the Delta variant news convince the unvaccinated members of your community to get registered and join the line for the free vaccines? Does the ongoing incentive program of Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar entice the unvaccinated members of your local community to get vaccinated? Were you able to find out if your city’s vaccination organizers have any doses of the Janssen vaccine?

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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Business tycoon Ramon S. Ang calls Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz the trailblazer of the Philippines

August 27, 2021August 25, 2021carlocarrasco

As Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz received the promised P10 million reward from business tycoon Ramon S. Ang, she was referred to as the nation’s trailblazer in relation to the pioneering achievement she made for the Philippines during the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

*Business tycoon Ramon S. Ang with Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz. (photo from Ramon S. Ang Facebook page)*

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

San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang sees Hidilyn Diaz as a game-changer after she ended the Philippines’ 97-year hunt for its first Olympic gold in Tokyo.

“Hidilyn is the country’s trailblazer in our successful Olympic gold medal quest. After years of heartbreaks, she came through for us and we are very thankful as a nation,” Ang said on Tuesday.

Diaz, together with fiancé and coach Julius Naranja, personally received the PHP10 million reward Ang pledged for anyone who would capture the then elusive gold.

Diaz won the women’s 55-kg. weightlifting event at the Tokyo Olympics on July 26, making the Philippines a part of the Olympic gold medal countries’ list.

It also served as the biggest good news the Filipinos have ever received amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

“Her victory comes at a very crucial point in our country’s history when we are grappling with a pandemic and a lot of Filipinos are looking for hope as we fight this virus and cope with the difficulties it has brought,” Ang said.

Upon meeting at the SMC office in Pasig City, however, he gave Diaz a surprise gift.

Ang rewarded Diaz with two Magnolia Chick ‘N Juicy franchises that she could put up at her new condominium in Quezon City and at her hometown in Zamboanga City.

“With the franchise outlets, we will assist Hidilyn every step of the way in her journey as an entrepreneur so that she can also help other people in need of jobs. In addition to the physical stores, equipment, and training, we will also provide the initial stocks for free to get her started,” he added.

The generosity of Ramon S. Ang is truly amazing and genuine. Not only was the promised cash reward released to Hidilyn Diaz, he gifted her with commercial franchises which can add to our nation’s economy by creating opportunities for the unemployed to bounce back from poverty while providing choices to consumers looking for good products. I really like this because I truly believe that capitalism the way to prosperity and the most effective way to lift people up from poverty. Capitalism does socio-economic wonders while socialism only drags people down and ruins societies. As it is a fact that cash rewards/incentives from both the government and private sector cannot last forever as the cost of living only keeps going up, having a business that succeeds will keep prevent people from falling into poverty. To see Hidilyn Diaz gifted with business franchises is great!

For those who are not aware, Chick ‘N Juicy is a chicken rotisseries retail business that has many branches and it is being expanded. Chick ‘N Juicy sells chicken supplied by sister company Magnolia. Customers can order from them online with products like sweet roast chicken, garlic roast chicken, fried chicken drumsticks, chicken rice meals and more at https://www.chicknjuicyofficial.com/

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you happy about our nation’s Olympic gold medalist getting rewarded and gifted by tycoon Ramon S. Ang?

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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Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on the lookout for local vloggers who made millions of pesos

August 26, 2021August 24, 2021carlocarrasco

Are you a vlogger based here in the Philippines who made a lot of money recently? Be aware that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is on the lookout for vloggers they might find taxable. The other day, it was reported by the Manila Bulletin that the BIR is paying close attention to a certain unidentified couple who allegedly earned between P50 million to P100 million (US$1 million to US$2 million based on the latest foreign exchange rates) that past few years and the deletion of their social media channel was seen to be a move to avoid taxation. It should be noted that the BIR launched a campaign focused on social media influencers or SMIs.

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

A couple, who reportedly raked in multi-million pesos from video blogging (vlogging), abruptly deleted their social media channel in what the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officials believe to be an attempt to avoid paying taxes.

Based on the initial investigation of the BIR, the couple earned P50 to P100 million in the past two years which enabled them to buy luxury vehicles and built a mansion somewhere in Metro Manila.

BIR sources said the couple deleted their channel days after BIR Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay announced a crackdown against social media influencers (SMIs) who have been receiving earning huge sum of money from social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook by compelling them to pay taxes.

The couple, BIR officials said, had more than 11 million subscribers. The names of the pair were withheld pending the outcome of the investigation.

But the BIR said it will still run after the couple, saying deleting the social media channel will not excuse them from paying taxes.

Vloggers are classified as self-employed subject to 12 percent value-added tax if annual income is P3 million and more, eight percentage tax if less than the amount and tax exempt if not more than P250,000.

Dulay advised vloggers to be truthful in their income tax declaration to avoid facing tax evasion charges.

The article ended stating that social media influencers cannot hide their respective income because the “tax authorities of countries where the social media platforms are based are obligated to furnish the BIR with their salaries under a tax treaty agreement with the Philippines.”

For the newcomers reading this, the penalties for tax evasion has been updated this year in accordance to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act. A person found guilty of tax evasion, the financial penalty is now P500,000 to P10 million. Imprisonment will be 6 to 10 years.

In closing this piece, let me ask you readers: Do you believe that the BIR’s search for qualified vloggers or SMIs to tax is good for the Philippines? Do you believe that your favorite vloggers or SMIs have a legal obligation to pay taxes? Do you believe that the affected vloggers/SMIs will react by promoting/favoring the politicians or potential election candidates who oppose the current administration?

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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