To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Department of Health (DOH) said Pasay and Las Piñas cities are posting high COVID-19 vaccine utilization rates.
As of July 15, the DOH recorded Pasay with 98.20 percent in vaccine utilization rate followed by Las Piñas City with 95.74 percent.
Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar, who was happy to note that Las Piñas ranked as number 2 in the vaccine utilization rate, called on residents to avail the free vaccination being offered by the government to be safe from being infected with the virus.
Aguilar is ensuring all residents that despite the delay of arrival and lack of supply of vaccines, the city government continues to conduct vaccination.
She said the commitment of every city resident to be vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will help the city government to immediately achieve herd immunity.
The mayor said the city government has vaccinated a total of 313,045 residents as of July 16 of which 212,510 received their first dose belonging to A1 to A5 categories. In addition, 100,535 have already been fully vaccinated against the virus.
It should be noted that the efforts of the City Government of Las Piñas on having its people vaccinated made quite an impact. Among them are over 100,000 people who have been fully vaccinated and that means their resistance against COVID-19 and its variants is pretty strong.
Any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for 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 Las Piñas City resident, are you happy with the collective efforts of the City Government and its partners on vaccinating the local constituents? Are there still people in your local communities who are deliberately avoiding vaccination? Have you been fully vaccinated?
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
The wave of crime involving Chinese nationals in Parañaque City continued (to understand the trend click here, here, here, here and here) as the Manila Bulletin reported that twelve Chinese were apprehended in the said city recently over credit card fraud.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
Twelve Chinese nationals allegedly involved in credit card fraud were arrested by police in Barangay Moonwalk, Paranaque City on Friday afternoon.
Southern Police District (SPD) director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg identified the arrested suspects as Ma Juan,24; Chen Bung Hui,34; Zheng Shi Feng,27; Li Zhu Xing,26; Wa Zhen,30; Tong Chao Yun,29; Ji Qing Laz,22;Li Ling Yu Q,32; Yang Shu Qi,23; Yu Zin,32; Wang Shen,20 and Li Wei,2, all staying in Paranaque City.
Macaraeg said the suspects were apprehended at about 5:45 p.m. at 50 Matthews St., Multinational Village, Barangay Moonwalk.
Armed with a search issued by Judge Noemi Balitaan of Paranaque Regional Trial Court Branch 258, the cops raided the suspects’ place after receiving reports about the foreigners’ involvement in the credit card racket.
The SPD chief said the police operatives caught the suspects operating an online gambling.
Police recovered from the suspects laptop computers, cellular phones, dongles, point of sale machine, and blank card.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think makes Parañaque City a hot spot in South Metro Manila for crimes involving nationals from China? Did a Chinese national cheat you over your money when you did business with him or her locally? Do you believe that there are still a lot of Chinese nationals living in Parañaque doing illegal activities like credit card fraud, email scam and forms of crime?
When you hear the words Parañaque Renaissance, is crime often the first thing to enter in your mind?
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
We sure live in a very divided world. Way over there in America, the hate-driven, terrorist-loving (click here and here), racist Marxist movement Black Lives Matter (BLM) hate the police so much they are actually empowering criminals, endangering the innocent and tearing down their society. No matter what the BLM and its fanatics shout about, the police will always be essential.
On police matters right here in the Philippines, a news report published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) caught my attention as something happened within the jurisdiction of Muntinlupa City and the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) issued a statement about it. As of this writing, this news has been publicized by local media outlets.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
The man who assaulted police officers and traffic enforcers in Muntinlupa will face various charges, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said on Friday.
In a statement, Eleazar said the suspect identified as Franz Luke Orbos will face criminal charges, including alarm and scandal, resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or agents, and direct assault.
In a viral video, Orbos was seen shouting and cursing at law enforcers who apprehended him as his parked vehicle blocked traffic along Susana Heights Road in Barangay Tunasan.
He remained uncooperative and resistant even after he was handcuffed. He was allegedly under the influence of alcohol during the incident.
Meanwhile, Eleazar commended the police officers for calmly dealing with Orbos’ rowdy behavior.
And below is a news video from News5.
This past Saturday, the Manila Bulletin reported that the motorist has been released from detention as ordered by the prosecutor of Muntinlupa City. A preliminary investigation has been set for July 30, 2021.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this news? Are you always respectful towards police officers?
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
Recently the City Government of Las Piñas announced two notable achievements in the fight against COVID-19 – over 300,000 people in the city got vaccinated while the city is the 2nd highest among local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila with regards to vaccination utilization rates recorded.
Based on statistics counted as of July 15, 2021, a grand total of 313,045 people in the city got vaccinated. Breakdowns show that 212,510 patients were vaccinated on their first dose and the biggest group of patients who received the first dose was A4 category at 85,841. Patients who successfully got fully vaccinated with two doses totaled 100,535 and the biggest group of patients fully vaccinated was the A3 category with 44,614. Check out the official stats below…
With regards to the Metro Manila LGUs vaccination utilization rate statistics counted by the Department of Health (DOH) vaccination operations center accurate as of July 15, 2021, Las Piñas City ranked 2nd place overall with a utilization rate of 95.74% The top LGU overall was Pasay City with 98.20% When it comes to South Metro Manila LGUs, the City of Muntinlupa was at 5th place with 89.44% while the City of Parañaque finished 8th overall with 85.82%. For more numbers, check out the statistics below.
Any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for 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 Las Piñas City resident, are you happy about what the City Government and its partners have achieved when it comes to vaccination for COVID-19? Are there still people in your local communities who are deliberately avoiding vaccination? Do you think that the incentive program with raffle draws initiated by Las Piñas City Representative Camille Villar was a factor in relation to the total number of vaccinated patients exceeding the 300,000 mark?
What do you think about the fact that over 100,000 people in Las Piñas City were successfully fully vaccinated?
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
Effective today, Metro Manila is officially under general community quarantine (GCQ) status and the additional restrictions that were previously in place have been lifted. This in turn makes it a more relaxed GCQ in the metropolis in relation to what was previously declared.
The additional restrictions in Metro Manila amid the general community quarantine (GCQ) status have been lifted, Malacañang announced on Thursday.
This developed after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), in a meeting held Wednesday, decided to recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the further easing of restrictions in Metro Manila.
Metro Manila will be placed under the more relaxed GCQ starting July 16, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who also serves as IATF-EID spokesperson, said in a video message.
Metro Manila was initially placed under GCQ “with some restrictions” from July 1 to 15.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Metro Manila resident or if you own a business within Metro Manila, do you feel more confident about the so-called more relaxed GCQ status? Do you think that the current number of vaccinated Metro Manila residents was a factor with the lasted decision?
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
To ensure that business establishments are safe for customers to visit and do business transactions in during this COVID-19 pandemic, the inspection team of the City Government of Las Piñas found one hundred and eighteen businesses qualified for the Safety Seal as revealed in a recent Manila Bulletin news report. That is a majority of the recent inspection of almost one hundred fifty businesses they visited.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Las Piñas City government inspection and certification team has already inspected 149 business establishments around the city.
Out of the evaluated establishments, 118 have already been awarded with safety seal certification for passing the checklist in the implementation of health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Safety Seal Inspection Team formed by Mayor Imelda Aguilar is composed of City Administrator Reynaldo Balagulan, City Public Information Officer-Paul Ahljay San Miguel, and other offices in the city government.
According to the report, 31 business establishments that were inspected and evaluated still need to comply with other requirements before they will be awarded with safety seal certification.
Aguilar called on all business establishments in the city to comply with the checklist requirements.
She said the safety seal certification will allow businesses the opportunity to gradually increase their operating capacity.
For the newcomers reading this, business establishments having Safety Seals posted should restore business confidence at least in the short term. Within Las Piñas, SM Southmall itself got certified safe. Offices at Las Piñas City Hall qualified for Safety Seals. Whether an office or a business establishment has a Safety Seal or not, visitors can still do their parts in meeting health protocols by wearing face masks and face shields.
With regards to local COVID-19 matters, any Las Piñas resident reading this who has yet to get registered for 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: Have you visited any local business there in Las Piñas that does not have a Safety Seal yet? Did you witness the City Government’s inspection team do their work?
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
Were you among the many motorists who got stuck in traffic along the Skyway as a result of snags related to toll collection payments (formally started on July 12, 2021), lack of load for payments and lack of radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers on the vehicles?
Well, you definitely are not alone and the Skyway system operator issued a press statement very recently and they will work harder to make things more convenient for those traveling along Skyway Stage 3. To put things in perspective, posted below is the statement published through the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Some parts in boldface…
Skyway O&M, operator of the Skyway system and a unit under San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) SMC Infrastructure, expects more seamless movement along the new Skyway Stage 3 with the implementation of new measures to avoid congestion on access and exit points following the first day of toll collection on the elevated expressway.
These measures resulted in faster throughput of vehicles even at high-volume toll plazas just a day later.
“It’s unfortunate that many motorists were caught in traffic last Monday. We apologize for the inconvenience. While this was not totally unexpected on the first day of toll collection, for our part, we know we have to do better. Hopefully, with the measures we put in place, traffic conditions will continue to improve and normalize,” SMC president Ramon S. Ang said in a statement Wednesday.
Ang said that traffic throughput at toll plazas slowed down Monday primarily due to vehicles with insufficient load, as well as those availing of free radio frequency identification (RFID) sticker installation and re-loading onsite.
“Our Skyway teams are always on the ground, and we monitor our expressways via cameras 24/7. If there’s any issue, we can respond and make corrective measures very quickly,” he added.
Among the measures Skyway has since implemented are: deployment of more personnel for traffic management, toll collection, and Autosweep RFID sticker installation; opening of more lanes for Autosweep RFID installation and reloading; and installation of more signs to guide motorists who are unfamiliar with the expressway, its toll plazas, and the start of toll collection.
Motorists with no RFID stickers, who insist on paying in cash, or have insufficient balance are asked to exit the toll booth and park on the side so as not to inconvenience existing ETC users. They are given the option to have RFID tags installed or reloaded, or pay in cash.
Vehicles with no RFID or have insufficient balance are directed to Del Monte Toll Plaza B coming from Balintawak where they can have their RFID tags installed or reloaded.
Skyway O&M reported that traffic throughput at toll plazas was significantly better starting Tuesday, or the second day of toll collection.
For instance, traffic queues at the Buendia southbound exit, which only has two lanes and where there was significant buildup Monday, was considerably shorter at only up to 200 meters. This was observed only during rush hour starting at 8 am.
While the vast majority of motorists utilized electronic toll collection, a small percentage, or 4 percent, consisting of cash-paying motorists and users with insufficient load, slowed down transaction times at toll plazas.
The additional measures implemented have since addressed these issues, bringing about a smoother traffic flow.
Skyway 3 was soft-opened last December and has provided the public free unlimited use for nearly seven months, with SMC’s foregone revenues reaching PHP3 billion.
The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) had just recently issued a notice to start collecting toll to Skyway 3.
“Before, if you were stuck on NLEX or Quezon City and you were headed to Alabang or Makati, or vice-versa, motorists simply had no choice but to endure two to three hours of traffic. Today, with Skyway Stage 3, motorists can opt to use it for convenience and faster travel times. With more vehicles diverted to Skyway 3, there will be less congestion on Edsa, C-5, and other major thoroughfares, resulting in improved travel on our public roads,” Ang said.
SMC and TRB worked together to arrive at toll rates that are much lower than the original toll fee matrix, particularly for vehicles traveling shorter distances.
Apart from foregoing revenues for seven months, SMC had also deferred recovery of a significant portion of the right-of-way costs for the project in consideration of the economic impacts of the pandemic.
With Skyway Stage 3 now operating 24/7, SMC said that Autosweep sites along the elevated expressway are also open 24/7.
“I would like to request our motorists who have not yet availed of their free RFID stickers to please do so, and make sure they are activated with sufficient credit. This measure, which was pushed by (the) government last year, is for everybody’s safety and also for your convenience,” Ang said.
He said using RFID will ensure they have better, safer, and faster trips on the expressways.
“Also, as a reminder, please be conscious of which toll lanes you are using. Do not use ETC- only lanes if you have insufficient balance, as there are penalties that come with this. If you have insufficient balance, please use the assigned lanes for RFID installation or reloading. Most of all, please always show courtesy towards fellow motorists and tollways workers,” he added.
Site locations that offer RFID installation and reloading are from the south, Zobel northbound (After Entry), Quirino northbound exit, Nagtahan northbound exit, Quezon Ave. northbound entry, and Del Monte northbound toll plaza; and from the north, Del Monte southbound toll plaza, Quezon Ave. southbound entry and Plaza Dilao southbound entry.
And here are related news videos from rival networks GMA and ABS-CBN…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you satisfied with what the Skyway operator stated and the adjustments they made? When it comes to traveling from south of Metro Manila to the north, are you willing to endure the heavy traffic along EDSA just to save money now that toll collections are in effect on Skyway Stage 3? What was it like to drive from South Metro Manila all the way to the NLEX via Skyway Stage 3 during toll collection?
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
The wave of crime involving illegal drugs continued in Parañaque City yet again (for past reports click here, here, here, here, here and here) as the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that police officers and anti-drug agents successfully pulled off another buy-bust operation that resulted the arrest of four suspects and a little over half a million pesos worth of illegal substances.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Inquirer report. Some parts in boldface…
Four were arrested in a drug bust in Parañaque City on Wednesday that also yielded over P500,000 worth of illegal drugs.
Operatives from the Southern Police District (SPD) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) apprehended suspects Myla Rodolfo, 43; Maria Elena Conche, 60; Gina Magyani, 57; and Annalyn dela Cruz, 33; in an operation at Manggahan St., Brgy. Dionisio at around 6 p.m., said SPD chief Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg Jr.
Seized in the bust were a total of 75 grams of suspected shabu or crystal meth valued at P510,000, two bundles of ‘boodle money,’ and the marked P1000 bill as buy-bust money.
The evidence seized was turned over to the SPD Crime Laboratory for chemical analysis. The arrested suspects will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002).
And here is a related news video by PTV…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What makes you think that Parañaque City is a hot spot in South Metro Manila for crimes involving illegal drugs? Are you thankful to the PDEA and the local police for pulling off another successful buy-bust operation?
When you hear the words Parañaque Renaissance, does crime become the first thing to enter in your mind?
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
Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi reiterated the lack of coordination from the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) regarding the construction of a wall along Insular Road in Bilibid during the conclusion of the hearings conducted by the House Committee on Justice last July 14.
“There was never a time that BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag coordinated or informed the city government of his intentions to close the road going to Southville 3. I was expecting Usec. Bantag to coordinate so we could also consult this matter with the affected residents and that proper intervention, especially the transportation and other emergency matters, will be implemented,” Fresnedi noted.
The local exec answered Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores’ inquiries on whether DG Bantag coordinated with the local government on construction of a wall along Insular Road since his designation as BuCor Director General in 2019.
Flores also pointed during the congressional hearing that there is a need to review the provision on BuCor Modernization Law pertaining to the bureau’s “absolute authority.”
“I think absolute authority only comes when the properties are under the name of BuCor. That is why the provision requires the BuCor to have the titles transferred in their name. It seems that for as long as the title still remains in the name of the Republic of the Philippines, then it would be pre-mature for BuCor to exercise absolute authority over the same. Just like I said, it is still not yet under the name of the BuCor,” Flores said.
Register of Deeds Atty. Silverio Garing testified during the hearing that land titles in the city’s land record repository for NBP Reservation are titled under the name of the Republic of the Philippines and not BuCor.
Further, Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer Elpidio Trinidad confirmed that the Insular Road is a National Road as per inventory and is owned by the National Government and not BuCor.
Committee chairman and Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso recognized the lack of coordination and proper consultation of the BuCor to have affected the livelihood of the residents and their access to public transportation, especially barangay and city health services during this national public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Clearly, we will not be in this predicament and this inquiry would not have taken place if the BuCor have simply taken simple, logical, and humanitarian steps on public consultation before taking such drastic action that obviously would affect thousands of citizens in the community,” Veloso said in his opening remarks during the committee hearing.
Jap Landingin, president of NHA Southville3 Homeowners Association, told the committee that since the road closure, many community members have lost their jobs and were deprived of medical assistance. Landingin added that at least ten (10) residents of Southville 3 have died due to COVID-19.
Congressman Ruffy Biazon, who raised the issue in Congress for a committee hearing in aid of legislation, said the inquiry has been terminated since enough information has been gathered to prepare the committee report.
“Based on the discussions in the hearing and the statements of the committee chairman, it appears that the actions of the BuCor in closing Insular Road was not only baseless, it was against the law. I call on the Bucor to heed the findings of the committee and tear down the wall constructed on a national road,” Biazon said.
Last March, the City Government condemned BuCor’s action to construct a concrete wall along Insular Road. Southville 3 is a socialized housing project of the National Housing Authority located within NBP with 8,000 families or at least 40,000 residents.
+++++
The above information was sourced from the official press release of the Muntinlupa PIO. Some parts were changed for this website.
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
It’s been months since the last time I wrote about the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises act otherwise referred to as the CREATE Law. For the newcomers reading this, the CREATE Law was designed to cut down corporate income tax which should lead to the creation of new jobs and the attraction of investment in mind. The said law is really crucial in this COVID-19 crisis we are all still living with.
Recently, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) published an article stating that a huge rise of foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the country was realized this past April and the CREATE Law was one of the factors behind it.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
An economist has attributed the rise of foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the country in April 2021 to the implementation of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law and the opening of the economy.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday reported the 114.4-percent year-on-year jump of net FDI inflows to USD679 million last April from USD317 million in the same period last year.
In a report, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said lower interest rates and lower cost of some inputs like real estate property and leases are plus factors that enticed higher FDIs.
“Some foreign investors may have started to come in view of the progress made on the CREATE law, which was finally signed on March 26, 2021 and reduces corporate income tax rates to 25 percent for large corporations (from 30 percent) retroactive July 1, 2020, thereby narrowing the gap with the tax rates in other Asean/Asian countries, and also provides greater certainty on investment incentives, thereby helping attract more FDIs and making some foreign investors on the sidelines in recent months/years to become more decisive and finally bring in more FDIs into the country,” he said.
Ricafort said positive credit rating actions on the Philippines, which even got its first-ever A-level credit rating, A-, from the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) in June 2020, also boosted investors’ sentiment on the domestic economy.
The positive credit rating actions, he said, “reflect improved international investor confidence in the country, manifesting the country’s improved economic fundamentals, as well as the country’s attractive demographics.”
These factors are, however, expected to be countered by the still high number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, aggravated by new variants that are reported to be more contagious.
Ricafort believes that higher government spending, especially on infrastructure, and the accommodative monetary policy by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) are seen to further support the rise in net FDIs.
The above article is indeed filled with good news that our nation badly needs, especially since there are still many millions more people around the country who have yet to get vaccinated and the fact that lots of businesses are still struggling. In recent times, patients under the A4 category have been gradually vaccinated for COVID-19 and that is a very good thing because it under that very category where the nation’s laborers are listed. There are still lots of unemployed workers out there who badly need vaccines and jobs, and it does not help that certain local government units (LGUs) had to temporarily suspend their local vaccination operations due to a lack of supply of vaccines. There are supposed to be around 13 million doses of vaccines to come into the Philippines this month, and so far some of that have arrived (click here, here and here).
More on economics, apart from the rise of FDIs last April, it was reported that the local demand for office space nationwide grew by 38% rising from 122,000 square meters (sqm) in the first quarter of 2021 to 169,00 sqm. in the second quarter. It was described to be the strongest office demand since the start of the pandemic.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Does the recent news about the sharp rise of FDIs in our country make you confident about your economic prospects? How much do you know about the CREATE Law and what further positive effects it can generate for the country? If you have been unemployed, how long have you been out of work?
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
Author Carlo Carrasco 