Philippines – Page 234 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Skyway Stage 3 Quirino southbound exit now open to motorists

May 26, 2021May 25, 2021carlocarrasco

Hey readers! Have you been driving along Skyway Stage 3 lately? In case you missed the news, the southbound Quirino exit of Skyway Stage 3 was officially opened this past Monday. To be specific, it allows motorists from Balintawak and Quezon Avenue to travel to Manila much faster and safer than before.

In a May 24, 2021 Facebook page post, San Miguel Corporation president Ramon S. Ang wrote: Together with the DPWH, we opened today the Quirino southbound exit of Skyway Stage 3. This will cut travel time from Balintawak and Quezon Ave. to Manila to less than 20 mins from the usual 1.5 hours. In the midst of the pandemic, we remain committed to delivering sustainable infrastructure that will ensure better lives for the present and future generations. This is the world we want.

*The Quirino exit on the southbound lane of Skyway Stage 3 formally opened. (source – Ramon S. Ang Facebook page)*

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

San Miguel Corporation (SMC), through SMC Infrastructure, opened Monday the southbound Quirino exit of the Skyway Stage 3 elevated expressway to Class-1 vehicles, allowing motorists coming from Balintawak and Quezon Avenue to directly reach Manila within less than 20 minutes from 1.5 hours without traffic.

The opening was led by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar and SMC president Ramon S. Ang.

“The full completion of Skyway Stage 3 will divert at least 75,000 vehicles away from EDSA or C5. This is a realization of President Duterte’s promise to decongest EDSA. Skyway Stage 3 is proof that the private sector and the government can work together towards a unified solution,” Villar said.

Ang said the opening of the Quirino southbound exit will greatly improve accessibility from Quezon City and Manila.

“With more private vehicles diverted to Skyway Stage 3 on their way back from NLEX (North Luzon Expressway), or coming from Quezon Avenue, to Manila, traffic on our major public roads as well as on streets usually utilized as ‘shortcuts’ or ‘alternate routes’, will be a thing of the past. This will redound to relief from congestion and faster and easier commutes for many of our countrymen on our major thoroughfares. We thank President Duterte and the government team led by Secretary Villar for all their support,” he said.

And said SMC will continue to deliver on its commitment to bring motorists quality infrastructure that addresses congestion and lack of accessibility.

“We remain dedicated to providing convenient and seamless travel for motorists to help decongest Metro Manila and enable growth in all areas that we reach,” he added.

SMC, which fully-funded and built 100 percent of the Skyway Stage 3, said the expressway now has 15 operational ramps.

These include Northbound entry/on-ramps — Buendia (Zobel) and Quezon Avenue; Southbound entry/on ramps –Balintawak, Quezon Avenue and Plaza Dilao; Northbound exit/off ramps –Quirino Avenue, Nagtahan, Quezon Avenue, A. Bonifacio, and Balintawak; and Southbound exit/off ramps –Quezon Avenue, E. Rodriguez, Nagtahan, Quirino and Buendia (Zobel).

Now here is a related news video for your viewing pleasure and learning…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Have you traveled along Skyway Stage 3 and exited through Quirino already? If you did, what was the experience like? How fast did it take you to travel from Balintawak or Quezon Avenue to exit through Quirino? Is the southbound travel along Skyway Stage 3 even better now that the Quirino exit is open?

To all motorists based in Muntinlupa, Las Piñas and Parañaque, how often did you travel along Skyway Stage 3 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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COVID-19 Crisis: Festival Mall approved as 2nd major vaccination site for Pfizer, Sputnik V in Muntinlupa City

May 26, 2021May 25, 2021carlocarrasco

The Department of Health – Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) has recommended an additional vaccination site in Muntinlupa City as one of the rollout areas for Pfizer-BioNTech and Gamaleya’s Sputnik V vaccines.

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and DOH – MMCHD exec Dra. Ara Jurao led a simulation activity for Pfizer and Sputnik V vaccines at Festival Mall Covered Parking area, one of the city’s major vaccination sites, yesterday.

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (left) talks to National Immunization Program Coordinator for COVID-19 in Muntinlupa Dra. Maria Rochelle Abat, Department of Health – Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) execs Dr. Anthony de los Santos, Dr. Jose Castro, and Dra. Ara Jurao (L-R) during the City Government’s simulation activity for Pfizer-BioNTech and Gamaleya’s Sputnik V vaccines at Festival Mall vaccination site last May 25. DOH-MMCHD has given the go signal to use the major vaccination site for the rollout of the temperature-sensitive vaccines. Festival Mall Covered Parking area is the second major vaccination site in Muntinlupa to have been accredited for the rollout of Pfizer and Sputnik V. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Jurao lauded the planning and preparation of Muntinlupa City Health Office for the administration of the temperature-sensitive vaccines. She has given the go signal to use the major vaccination site for the rollout of Pfizer and Sputnik V. Muntinlupa awaits additional allocation from the national government as it maxed out the supply of Pfizer and Sputnik after reaching the target number of vaccine takers.

As of May 24, a total of 41,443 residents received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, of which 15,394 have received their second dose. At least 3,507 members of A1-A3 priority group were vaccinated with Pfizer and 2,979 received Sputnik V.

*The information desk at the new vaccination site at the Festival Mall Covered Parking Area. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

Festival Mall Covered Parking Area is the second major vaccination site in Muntinlupa to have been accredited for the rollout of Pfizer and Sputnik V. Previously, the DOH has only allowed the rollout of Pfizer at Ayala Malls South Park while Sputnik V was only allowed to be administered at Ospital ng Muntinlupa and Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

Other officials attending the simulation activity were DOH – MMCHD execs Dr. Anthony de los Santos and Dr. Jose Castro, City Health Officer Dr. Juancho Bunyi, and National Immunization Program Coordinator for COVID-19 in Muntinlupa Dra. Maria Rochelle Abat, among others.

*A look at the equipment and physical set-up at the Festival Mall Covered Parking Area. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

Further, Muntinlupa CHO will continue to inoculate remaining members of priority groups using AstraZeneca and Sinovac Life Sciences’ CoronaVac. On May 11, the City Government received an additional 16,800 vials of AstraZeneca and 31,200 vials of Sinovac.

Muntinlupa residents are urged to register online in the city’s COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac to avoid crowding in vaccination areas.

The public is reminded that walk-ins the city’s major vaccination sites including Ayala Malls South Park, Festival Mall UGF Covered Parking, SM Muntinlupa, and Sucat Covered Court will not be accommodated. Only those who are registered online will be given schedule in the major vaccination sites and will be notified via SMS. For more inquiries, the public may reach the MunCoVac hotlines: 0956 358 9228 / 0915 805 5932 / 0915 806 7419 / 0960 588 5935 / 0960 588 5937 / 0998 249 4580.

Muntinlupa City has 12,651 confirmed cases with 11,630 recoveries, 683 active cases, 338 reported deaths, 119 suspect cases, and 1,802 probable cases as of May 24.

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Two suspected drug dealers killed and P68 million in illegal drugs seized in Muntinlupa City

May 25, 2021May 24, 2021carlocarrasco

Yesterday morning, a news report published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) caught my attention as it was about crime that happened in Muntinlupa City. Specifically, it’s about almost P70 million worth of illegal drugs and the elimination two suspected drug dealers. The operation done by the law enforcers happened on Sunday evening.

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

Two suspected drug dealers were killed in a joint Philippine National Police-Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PNP-PDEA) anti-illegal drugs operations while some 10 kilograms of shabu worth PHP68 million were seized in Muntinlupa City Sunday night.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, identified the slain suspects as Jordan Sabandal Abrigo and Jayvee de Guzman.

Seized were three plastic packs of Chinese teabags containing an estimated 10 kilograms of suspected white crystalline shabu, one black Nissan Cefiro without plate number, two loaded caliber .45 pistols, and marked money.

Citing reports from PNP-Drug Enforcement Group director, Brig. Gen. Remus Medina, Eleazar said the operation took place Sunday evening in Katarungan Village 1.

During the operation, the suspects found out they were dealing with law enforcers, prompting the firefight.

No member of the law enforcement teams was hurt during the operation.

In his report to Eleazar, Medina said the suspects were members of the Divinagracia Drug Group led by Michael Divinagracia and a certain Jhonson, a Chinese national currently serving sentence at New Bilibid Prison.

The group is known to be drug distributors in different areas of the National Capital Region, Region 6 and other nearby provinces.

The drug syndicate also operates in different areas of Visayas and Mindanao using cargo trucks that travel via RORO from Batangas Port and received by their Muslim cohorts in the area, Eleazar said.

“I commend the joint effort of PNP-PDEA operatives for another laudable accomplishment as we continue to invigorate our anti-illegal drugs campaign to totally wipe out all forms of illegal drugs in order to realize our quest for a drug-free nation,” Eleazar said.

In addition, there is this GMA Network news video about the same operation post below for your viewing.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, does the above news make you feel safer? Did you notice anything suspicious happening in your local community? Are you thankful to the PNP-PDEA operatives for their recent operation here in Muntinlupa?

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: Las Piñas City Government to add five more vaccination sites

May 25, 2021May 24, 2021carlocarrasco

Last time around, SM Southmall and SM Center Las Piñas became the new locations for the additional COVID-19 vaccination sites in the City of Las Piñas and went on with the vaccination services of local residents who previously registered through the city’s system.

That’s not all, however. According to a recent report by the Manila Bulletin, the City Government of Las Piñas announced that it will add not one, not two, but FIVE more vaccination sites so that they can reach their target of vaccinating six thousand people per day.

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

The Las Piñas city government will add five more vaccination sites to achieve its goal of inoculating 6,000 persons per day.

Vice-Mayor April Aguilar-Nery disclosed the plan of adding five vaccination sites in the next two weeks as part of the city government’s “Ligtas na Las Piñeros, Lahat Bakunado” vaccination program.

During the Bakuna Benefits segment of Angkas chief transport advocate George Royeca, Nery said the city currently has a total of 15 vaccination sites from 10 barangay covered courts, two hospitals — the University of Perpetual Help Medical Center and the Las Piñas Doctors Hospital, and three additional sites at the SM Southmall, SM Center, and Robinsons Mall.

The vice-mayor said the city government is planning to add five more vaccination sites since Mayor Imelda Aguilar wants all city residents to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The city also aims to inoculate 300 residents per vaccination site per day for a total of 6,000 persons per day.

Nery said the city government purchased 300 AstraZeneca and 200 Novavax vaccines to achieve the mayor’s goal of inoculating all city residents.

To date, a total of 40,000 frontline health workers, senior citizens, and adults with comorbidities have received their first dose of vaccines and 15 for the second dose.

If you do the math, the City Government’s plan of establishing new sites will push their current total of 15 vaccination sites to 20 vaccination sites. While the report published details sourced from Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery, there is no indication as to when exactly will the planned new vaccination sites be set up. No details yet as to where exactly will the five new vaccination sites be set up at. It would be nice, however, if all the five upcoming new vaccination sites will be established in airconditioned places so that it will be more comfortable for the patients, especially the senior citizens (and the less abled persons among them).

For the newcomers reading this, get to know the way to get registered by clicking right here. There are details and images with instructions included. The local registration process is still ongoing for all those who need to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you a Las Piñas resident who is happy to learn that five brand new vaccination sites will be established within the city? If you were able to visit any of the vaccination sites located at the open-air, covered basketball courts in the city, was the venue comfortable enough?

Does this latest announcement from the City Government encourage you to get registered and line up for the free COVID-19 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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COVID-19 Crisis: Shooting incident plus smuggled face shields seized in Parañaque City

May 24, 2021May 24, 2021carlocarrasco

The week of May 17 to 23, 2021 has not been good for the city of Parañaque as far as news coverage is concerned. First of all, the launch of the Pfizer vaccine in Parañaque was marred by very long lines, frustration and confusion (complete with information that witnesses shared with the Manila Bulletin).

On May 19, it was reported by GMA Network that a shooting incident happened in the city, along Airport Road in Barangay Baclaran to be precise. For transparency, posted below is the excerpt from the report…

A delivery personnel of a water station was shot by unidentified armed men in Paranaque City Wednesday morning.

According to Super Radyo dzBB’s Mao dela Cruz, the yet to be identified victim has been brought to the hospital for treatment.

The incident happened along Airport Road in Baclaran where the pedicab of the victim and empty water gallons were left.

Next is a more intriguing report (by Manila Bulletin) as it involved the presence and efforts of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC). They entered a warehouse in Barangay BF Homes and found smuggled products related to this COVID-19 pandemic. Posted below is an excerpt from Manila Bulletin’s report. Some parts in bold…

Authorities discovered P70 million worth of alleged fake and smuggled face shields from China in a raid in Parañaque City on Thursday, May 20, as the government tightens its monitoring of counterfeit coronavirus disease (COVID-19) safety equipment that are flooding the market.

Joint personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Bureau of Customs (BOC) found boxes of inauthentic “Heng De” face shields that were illegally sneaked in the country and stored in a warehouse in Barangay BF Homes.

The PCG said the smuggled face shields “did not pass the appropriate inspection” by the BOC.

“[It] may not be declared safe for use by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA),” it added.

The above report ended stating that the BOC will destroy the seized materials once accounting has been done. A follow-up investigation will eventually start to find out who is responsible with the smuggling.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction towards the shooting incident along Airport Road? Who do you think is responsible for the smuggling and storage of the seized face shields that were seized in the Barangay BF Homes?

Do you believe it is time for City Government, the local barangays and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Parañaque to renew their efforts to fight crime and secure the safety of the people?

With regards to COVID-19 vaccination, were you able to get vaccinated in Parañaque City in a smooth and orderly manner? Did you notice the local vaccination organizers allow walk-ins recently? Did the local vaccination organizers respond promptly to those who registered online?

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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Hundreds of Muntinlupa City Government employees to be registered in pilot rollout of national ID registration

May 21, 2021May 20, 2021carlocarrasco

The City Government of Muntinlupa announced yesterday the launch of an institutional registration of the national ID system in partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for elected officials and LGU employees.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi led the pilot registration of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) at Muntinlupa Sports Center, Brgy. Tunasan yesterday. At least 600 initial City Government employees and elected officials in the city are set to be registered until May 24.

Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi registers for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) or the national ID system during a pilot rollout at Muntinlupa Sports Center, Brgy. Tunasan on May 20. At least 600 initial local government employees and elected officials in the city are set to be registered until May 24. Recently, the local government of Muntinlupa signed a Memorandum of Agreement with PSA-NCR for the rollout of the national ID registration in the city. PSA is yet to announce the exact date on the start of the PhilSys registration process for the general public in Muntinlupa while the local government eyes to set up registration centers in local malls. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

In compliance to health and safety protocols, the City Government has scheduled registrants in batches to manage the number of individuals present at the registration center.

Registrants will undergo a three-step registration which include the collection of demographic data for Step 1, validation and capture of biometric information for Step 2, and issuance of a physical ID card stored with a 12-digit PhilSys number or personal serial number (PSN) and a 16-digit PhilSys card number (PCN) for Step 3.

Fresnedi expressed his thanks to PSA for facilitating the initial rollout in Muntinlupa and vowed to provide logistical support for the national ID registration in the city. He noted that the PhilSys will help the City Government in improving the public’s accessibility to social welfare programs and benefits from the government.

PSA is yet to announce the exact date on the start of the PhilSys registration process for the general public in Muntinlupa while the local government eyes to set up registration centers in local malls. On April 21, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed a Memorandum of Agreement with PSA-NCR Regional Director Paciano Dizon for the rollout of the national ID registration in Muntinlupa.

*The venue in Barangay Tunasan.* (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Joining the MOA signing ceremony were PSA-NCR Chief Statistical Specialist Estrella Vargas, PSA-NCR PhilSys Focal Person Minerva Carpio, PSA-NCR Statistical Analyst John Daniel Flores, and Muntinlupa City Planning and Development Officer Alvin Veron.

The national ID system shall simplify public and private transactions, and shall be a social and economic platform that promotes seamless social service delivery and strengthens financial inclusion for both public and private services.

The public may complete the Step 1 of the registration on https://register.philsys.gov.ph/. A confirmation with Application Reference Number or QR code swill be sent to the registered mobile number and email address of the registrant to be presented at registration centers for Step 2 and Step 3.

For the latest information on PhilSys, the public may visit the official PhilSys website (www.psa.gov.ph/philsys) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PSAPhilSysOfficial/). You may also reach the PhilSys Registry Office via hotline number 1388 or e-mail at info@philsys.gov.ph.

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The above details were from the official press release issued by the Muntinlupa Public Information Office. Some parts were edited for this website.

COVID-19 Crisis: DILG urges LGUs to sign up non-tech savvy senior citizens for vaccination

May 21, 2021May 20, 2021carlocarrasco

Here in the Philippines, senior citizens are a priority group of people for COVID-19 vaccines and in order to avail of such vaccines, registration is the first step (which goes the same for others). Once the registration has been done, the local organizers will have to maintain the records, look closely and sort out the senior citizens whom they will contact and inform them of the slots scheduled for them.

While Internet access is widely available in the Philippines, there are still senior citizens who cannot get themselves registered digitally (online registration) not only because of the lack of access (or lack of hardware) but because they are not familiar with the digital ways and processes. In the City of Las Piñas, vaccine registration can be done digitally or manually. Check out the details right here. If other cities don’t offer manual registration at all, then their senior citizens who have no Internet access or are not oriented with computers/gadgets are in a major disadvantage and may have been left behind.

In relation to this, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged local government units (LGUs) to come up with ideas to help the disadvantaged senior citizens get registered. Posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) article. Some parts in bold…

Local government units (LGUs) should find a way to register seniors, who are non-tech savvy and without access to the internet, for a Covid-19 vaccination schedule, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said.

“The LGUs must help our seniors who do not know how to use high-tech gadgets. Find the ways on how to register them immediately even manually so that they can avail themselves of the vaccines,” Año said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Wednesday.

While many older adults have access to the internet and are tech-savvy, others are not and have a hard time navigating vaccination registration websites set up by LGUs.

“Kung kinakailangan i-house-to-house sila (If needed, LGUs should conduct house-to-house visitations to register them) then so be it,” Año said.

Since the start of the vaccination rollout last March, among the groups prioritized for inoculation are senior citizens or under the A2 category.

So there you have it! DILG Eduardo Año made a pitch to the LGUs to literally go the extra mile to help the senior citizens who could not get registered digitally. It should be noted that there are some senior citizens who are bedridden or are physically disadvantaged and could not get themselves registered online. Also remember that some websites designed for online registration might not be user-friendly enough for senior citizens and others who are just starting using the Internet.

In ending this article, let me ask you these questions: Is your local government unit doing enough to get disadvantaged people registered for COVID-19 vaccines? Do you know any senior citizen in your local community who badly needs help on getting registered? Have you thought about assisting senior citizens (who are not oriented with computers and online processes) to get registered? Is your local government unit offering manual registration? Is your barangay offering assistance to senior citizens who are unable to get registered? Did anyone from the LGU or your barangay send representatives to your local community to help the unregistered senior citizens get registered?

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: New Las Piñas City vaccination sites at SM Center and SM Southmall opened for patients

May 20, 2021May 19, 2021carlocarrasco

Good news for all those based in Las Piñas City needing vaccines for COVID-19! It was reported by the Manila Bulletin that two new vaccination sites were opened which reflects the cooperation between the City Government and SM.

To be more specific, the new vaccination sites are located within the premises of SM Southmall and SM Center Las Piñas.

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

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar expressed appreciation to the management of SM Center and SM Southmall for offering spaces in their malls as vaccination sites.

Aguilar said the two COVID-19 vaccination sites that will open starting Wednesday (May 19) are located at the activity area of SM Center on the second floor and at the cinema section of SM Southmall on the fourth floor.

She said the two sites are additional to the 12 current vaccination areas serving the residents from 20 barangays in the city.

The mayor said the two new vaccination sites can now accommodate more patients who wanted to be inoculated.

Aguilar said the new sites would initially accept about 200 senior citizens and adults with comorbidities on the first day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We are happy that a growing number of residents are now willing to be vaccinated as we have been encouraging them all along, stressing the importance of their protection from the fatal effects of COVID-19,” Aguilar said.

To date, those who were given the first dose of vaccines are already on their second dose and being scheduled along with the residents in categories 2 and 3.

The above report ended with an official count of 37,364 people in the city already vaccinated for the first dose and over 10,000 vaccinated with their second dose, according to the local CHO or City Health Office.

The newest vaccination sites with SM involved are a blessing. The City Government is dedicated on serving Las Piñas residents while SM has a long-term record of customer care and utilizing their available commercial spaces for vaccinating the locals is worth admiring. Technically, having more vaccination sites can somehow decongest the incoming traffic of patients at the other vaccination sites.

In relation to this, SM Southmall made an official moment yesterday via their Facebook page. Below is an excerpt. Some parts in bold…

In accordance and full cooperation with Las Piñas City Office & Health Office, SM Southmall is opening its door as a vaccination site today, May 19, 2021, from 8am to 6pm at 3rd Level, Cinema Lobby.

The vaccination will prioritize (A2) Senior Citizens and (A3) Persons with comorbidities.

We are encouraging everyone to register online thru this link bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination and patiently wait for an SMS regarding your vaccination schedule and designated site.

❌Strictly NO walk-ins❌

For additional questions and concerns, you may call the ff. hotline below:

•09271400554 •09271400542 •09271400547 •09605140383 •09605140382 •09605140381

Below are visual instructions, including the QR code.

Take note of the details above, notably the confirmation that walk-ins will not be accepted. Registration and confirmation should happen first before you visit any vaccination site. Also check out these photos of the SM Southmall vaccination site below. Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery personally visited the said site.

*The encoding and vaccination areas at the brand new vaccination site inside SM Southmall. (source – SM Southmall Facebook page)*

*Patients getting monitored. (source – SM Southmall Facebook page)*

*Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery (standing) observing the vaccination of a patient. (source – SM Southmall Facebook page)*

For the newcomers reading this, get to know the ways to get registered by clicking right here. There are details and images with instructions included. For more insight about COVID-19 developments in Las Piñas, read about the number of people who got vaccinated as well as the announcement of an additional isolation center.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you a Las Piñas resident who is happy to learn about the brand-new vaccination sites made possible by SM Southmall and SM Center LP in coordination with the City Government? Does this latest development encourage you to get registered and line up for the free COVID-19 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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COVID-19 Crisis: Long lines and a lot of people during the Pfizer vaccine launch in Parañaque City

May 19, 2021May 18, 2021carlocarrasco

Let me ask you my readers based in Parañaque City – did you witness the launch of the Pfizer vaccine at a certain shopping mall in the city this past Monday (May 17)?

During that day, I spotted a lot of pictures and videos posted by Internet users on Facebook related to the Parañaque rollout of the Pfizer vaccine (note: Israel itself used vaccines of Pfizer). Those images showed very long lines of people trying to enter that shopping mall and many of the comments posted by users mentioned very long waiting times, confusion and frustration.

For starters, watch this related news video from GMA Network.

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

Parañaque City residents flocked a mall in the city on Monday (May 17), in hopes of getting vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, but many left the place disappointed and criticized the handling that they experienced.

A resident who requested anonymity, reached out to the Manila Bulletin and mentioned how the rollout became a “super-spreader” event mainly due to the reason that there was only one venue for the Pfizer vaccine rollout which was the mall, concentrating all residents in a single place.

“So the whole of Parañaque in A1 – A3 classifications came by because many didn’t get confirmation texts,” she said.

The resident mentioned that the city initially said in a post on the Facebook page of the Public Information Office on Sunday afternoon that “interested fellows” may come.

“By Sunday night, it was changed to those who have confirmed schedule. But what is a confirmed schedule? When people just get an email or text confirming a Patient ID,” she said.

“Also in the Sputnik rollout, walk-ins were allowed so naturally now people know that is possible so a lot came by,” she added.

It can be remembered that many residents were also eager to get inoculated during the pilot vaccination of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in Parañaque City on May 4, and a lot of them were left fuming after they spent hours waiting without even getting the jab.

Meanwhile, the resident also claimed that the way the seniors were treated, they were just standing on snake lines spanning the whole transport terminal from morning until afternoon in the “sweltering heat”.

The resident, who belonged to the A3 category or persons with comorbidities, arrived at the mall at 7:40 a.m. with her husband who recovered from COVID-19. She said that marshals in the area also did not know how to respond and were sending people back in line which by 8:30 a.m. was already 2,000, according to her.

Mayor Edwin Olivarez said in a report on 24 Oras that many walk-ins or those who did not receive a text confirmation for their schedule of vaccination arrived. He said that they were advised that there will be a specific time for them to come.

To be clear, this is not the first time that Parañaque residents joined the long line and got frustrated. In relation to the above report, the Manila Bulletin also published another report while the Pfizer rollout went on. This one includes summarized feedback from the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19. Check out the excerpt below…

What was supposed to be a momentous event turned out to be chaotic as the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine at a mall in Paranaque City on Monday, May 17, was heavily criticized for the poor handling of the vaccinees, resulting to violation of minimum health standards such as the observance of social distancing.

The National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 expressed concern over the “obvious lack of social distancing” by the vaccinees during the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine at a mall along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard corner Aseana Avenue.

Prior to the rollout, the Paranaque City government announced that the event was “strictly intended for scheduled patients with secured slots” but photos and videos posted by netizens on social media showed that scores of people showed up at the venue and social distancing was no longer observed.

A netizen, Chinggay Kanapi, who posted photos of the vaccination event, described the incident as a “super spreader event” as she claimed that “thousands and thousands of people [were] milling around with no information where to fall in line.”

Kanapi told the Manila Bulletin that she initially waited at the parking lot of the mall where the vaccinees would have to enter before being allowed to get the vaccine but she was surprised to see that physical distancing was not observed.

“After so many hours waiting in that awful parking lot, my driver came up to me and said that there was an easier way. We passed thru McDo and entered the mall without being stopped. Then it was a breeze going thru the process in the vaccine area! I pity the ones outside who didn’t figure it out like my driver,” Kanapi said.

Long lines, uncomfortable conditions, alleged lack of care and precision, walk-ins happening, registered residents waiting longer than expected…these are unfortunate events that seem to be repeating in Parañaque, at least in the shopping mall that had the respective local launch events of Sputnik V and Pfizer vaccines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the launch of Pfizer vaccines in Parañaque? Do you believe the allegations are true? If you were among the many people who endured the long wait during the Sputnik V launch or during the Pfizer launch in Parañaque, how uncomfortable was the entire experience to you?

What do you think that the City Government of Parañaque should immediately do to make sure its citizens get vaccinated with the convenience and comfort in mind?

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: Muntinlupa ends Pfizer rollout, reminds residents to register online to avoid crowding in vaccination areas

May 19, 2021May 18, 2021carlocarrasco

Reaching the target number of residents from priority groups and due to the sensitive cold-chain management, the City Government of Muntinlupa announced yesterday that it has ended its rollout for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.

The Muntinlupa City Health Office was set to finish inoculating healthcare frontliners, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities with COVAX-donated Pfizer vaccines yesterday at Ayala Malls South Park, Alabang.

The vaccines were exclusively administered at Ayala Malls South Park, the only venue approved by the Department of Health (DOH) due to handling requirements, from May 14-18. The local health office targeted to vaccinate 3,510 individuals from the A1, A2, and A3 priority groups using Pfizer vaccines.

On May 13, Muntinlupa received 1,170 vials (7,020 doses) of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines from the national government. The remaining vials will be stored in the City Government’s partner storage facility Royal Cargo Logistics Center in Barangay Cupang as second dose allocation of vaccinated residents.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine was administered as a series of two doses 3 weeks apart. Inoculated residents will receive their second dose in June. The Philippines expects 2.2 million doses of the American-made vaccines through COVAX facility of the World Health Organization by end of May, according to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr.

Further, Muntinlupa CHO will continue to inoculate remaining members of priority groups using AstraZeneca and Sinovac Life Sciences’ CoronaVac. On May 11, the national government delivered an additional 16,800 vials of AstraZeneca and 31,200 vials of Sinovac to Muntinlupa.

The City Government urged residents to register online in the city’s COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac to avoid crowding in vaccination areas.

The public is reminded that walk-ins the city’s major vaccination sites including Ayala Malls South Park, Filinvest Steel Parking, SM Muntinlupa, and Sucat Covered Court will not be accommodated. Only those who are registered online will be given schedule in the major vaccination sites and will be notified via SMS.

For more inquiries, the public may reach the MunCoVac hotlines: 0956 358 9228 / 0915 805 5932 / 0915 806 7419 / 0960 588 5935 / 0960 588 5937 / 0998 249 4580.

Muntinlupa City has 12,359 confirmed cases with 10,976 recoveries, 1,057 active cases, 314 reported deaths, 88 suspect cases, and 1391 probable cases as of May 17.

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