Tag: public service

Las Piñas City Government To Pursue Legal Action Versus Online Shopping Platforms Over The Selling Of Fake Friendship Route Stickers

Las Piñas City Government To Pursue Legal Action Versus Online Shopping Platforms Over The Selling Of Fake Friendship Route Stickers

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In a serious move against the selling of fake friendship route stickers online, the City Government of Las Piñas that it will pursue legal action against three online shopping platforms that constantly made such items available to customers, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. The City Government reiterated that using fake friendship route stickers constitutes penalties.

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

The Las Piñas city government has intensified its crackdown on the illegal sale and use of counterfeit Friendship Route stickers and is preparing to pursue legal action against three online platforms.

Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar said  the three online platforms were reportedly openly selling counterfeit Friendship Route stickers.

Aguilar stressed that legitimate Friendship Route stickers are distributed free of charge to residents of Las Piñas City.

She warned that selling or using fake stickers is a violation of City Ordinance No. 715-06 and may result in fines and possible imprisonment.

Under the ordinance, violators will be fined P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense, and P3,000 for succeeding offenses.

Those found violating other provisions of the ordinance may face a fine of up to P5,000 or imprisonment of up to six months, or both.

While the Manila Bulletin report did not mention the names of the online shopping platforms, the City Government’s official announcement explicitly mentioned Shopee, Lazada and Facebook Marketplace.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Did you notice that fake Las Piñas friendship route stickers have long been offered for sale in online shopping platforms with prices in the hundreds of Pesos each? Do you personally know anyone using a fake friendship route sticker while driving within the city? Do you hope that City Government’s move will compel the online shopping platforms to crack down on the sellers of the fake friendship route stickers?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Filipina Worker In Israel Killed By Iranian Missile

Filipina Worker In Israel Killed By Iranian Missile

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As the Islamic terrorist state of Iran – which lost its demonic Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – kept on firing missiles and drones at several locations in the Middle East in retaliation to the joint US-Israel military operations, a Filipina worker in Israel got killed by an Iranian missile and already the embassies of both the Philippines and Israel expressed their condolences to the victim’s family, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

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

Israel’s embassy in the Philippines has expressed its condolences to the family of the Filipina caregiver who was killed during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Mary Ann Velasquez de Vera, 32, from Basista, Pangasinan, lost her life when a missile struck her apartment on March 1, according (to) the Israel Embassy in Manila. Before this, she was still assisting her patient to safety while she, herself, was already injured.

“Mary Ann, like so many overseas Filipino workers in Israel, exemplified resilience, compassion, and quiet strength,” the Israeli Embassy in Manila said.

“She was identified by her husband, who is also an overseas Filipino worker in Israel, and their family,” it added.

“Israel joins in the profound sorrow of her family and the Filipino community. We mourn together and honor Mary Ann’s memory with dignity and respect. May her soul rest in peace,” it also said.

The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv also conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family through a phone call made by Ambassador Aileen Mendiola to her husband. Mendilola assured him of the Philippine government’s full assistance.

In a separate news report by GMA News, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh confirmed that the Jewish state has committed to providing lifetime support to the family of the victim. Under under Israeli law, the families of individuals injured or killed during a conflict — whether Israeli citizens or foreign nationals — are entitled to lifetime benefits.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines should suspend diplomatic ties with the Islamic terrorist state of Iran? Do you think the terrorist regime of Iran should be held accountable for attacking civilians with missiles and drones so indiscriminately? How long do you think the conflict in the Middle East will last? Are you hoping that Trump’s America, Israel and all the affected nations of the Middle East will band together to end the Islamic terrorist government of Iran? Did you notice any Islamist in your local community expressing support for Iran and Islamic terrorists?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Cerberus’ P5.31 Billion Unsolicited Proposal For Subic Bay International Airport Development Under SBMA’s Review

Cerberus’ P5.31 Billion Unsolicited Proposal For Subic Bay International Airport Development Under SBMA’s Review

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When was the last time you visited the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA)? In recent times, the US-based company Cerberus Asia Pacific Investments, LLC (Cerberus) proposed to manage, operate and rehabilitate the said airport for P5.31 billion and it has been endorsed by the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center. The unsolicited proposal is officially being reviewed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

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

THE P5.31-billion unsolicited proposal of US-based investment company Cerberus Asia Pacific Investments, LLC (Cerberus) to manage, operate, and upgrade Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) is now being reviewed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) after the go signal from the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center.

“This unsolicited project was endorsed by the (PPP) Center to the IA (implementing agency) after being determined complete… The Subic Bay International Airport PPP is currently undergoing the approval process of SBMA,” the PPP Center told BusinessWorld on Tuesday.

According to the PPP Center, the SBMA will be the approving body for the project. If approved, the airport project will be under an operate-add-transfer contract arrangement.

Once the SBMA approves the project, it will begin negotiations with the project proponent. The government will then formalize the Original Proponent Status and initiate the Swiss Challenge process.

The Swiss Challenge is a process where other companies can submit better offers, but the original proponent has the right to match them.

Cerberus Capital Management is an investment firm managing approximately $65 billion in assets. Its global network of affiliates includes Cerberus Asia Pacific, which focuses on investments in logistics, infrastructure, technology, and energy.

Cerberus already operates part of a 310-hectare lot of a former South Korean-owned shipyard located west of the airport for which it had submitted an unsolicited bid.

“In theory, competitive bidding is king. In the reality of the SBIA, Cerberus is the catalyst we need. It is time to choose strategic results over procedural delays,” Rene S. Santiago, former president of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines, said in a Viber message.

Nigel Paul C. Villarete, a senior adviser on public-private partnerships at the technical advisory group Libra Konsult, said that solicited bidding would be more feasible and faster, as it enables the government to define the contract’s parameters and coverage.

“Many of our public facilities should be operated by the private sector to attain a lot of the efficiencies that they can do, which are often difficult to attain within the government realm,” Mr. Villarete said.

For Mr. Villarete, a government-led solicited procurement process will always be preferable.

However, since an unsolicited proposal has already been submitted, the government’s role is to enter into negotiations, introduce the necessary changes and amendments, and only then present the proposal to the public for challenge, he said.

“There should be a negotiation period for the two parties to discuss any amendments required by the government before this is published for challenge,” he said.

Cerberus’ proposal covers the rehabilitation of SBIA assets and the development of new facilities to expand capacity and attract new tenants.

The company has also committed to invest “considerable financial resources” and utilize its real estate management capabilities in developing the airport.

In its proposal the company said that it will maintain the existing leases but only for the “early years” of its concession period.

“Cerberus plans to maintain the status quo of existing operations by honoring existing leases and retaining incumbent employees. In parallel, Cerberus will invest significant capital expenditure to improve SBIA’s infrastructure and operations, whilst building new hangars and storage facilities to reestablish SBIA as a major hub for commercial cargo operations and to expand SBIA’s government logistics operations,” it said.

The company added that it will monitor and evaluate airport fees to optimize SBMA’s returns under the revenue-sharing agreement, while supporting efforts to attract and manage both existing and new airport tenants.

This revenue-sharing scheme would be the determining factor if the proposed 25-year concession agreement were extended, PPP Center said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What is your opinion about the current state of the international airport inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone? Do you think so much more can be achieved with the Subic Bay International Airport in terms of expanding flight connectivity, attracting more tourists from overseas and paving way for more foreign commerce to enter the freeport?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Deals Worth $4.2 Million Signed To Expand Nuclear Cooperation

Deals Worth $4.2 Million Signed To Expand Nuclear Cooperation

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Recently the effort to integrate nuclear power into the energy mix of the Philippines moved a few steps forward as deals with American companies worth $4.2 million were formally signed, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

THE PHILIPPINES is gaining more support from the United States in its goal of integrating nuclear power into the national energy mix in the next six years as it sealed $4.2 million worth of deals with US companies.

Government agencies and private companies from the Philippines and the US on Monday entered into memoranda of understanding which are aimed at exploring deployment of nuclear technology and supporting nuclear workforce development in the country.

“The Philippine Energy Plan sets clear direction for an energy future — 1,200 megawatts (MW)by 2032. And that is not moving until somebody tells us that it’s impossible,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said in her speech during the signing ceremony in Makati City on Monday.

“These targets demand preparation, anchored in discipline, safety, and capacity. As we pursue energy security and a responsible transition, we must invest in our people as deliberately as we invest in infrastructure,” she added.

Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the country aims to integrate nuclear energy into the power mix with at least 1,200 MW of capacity by 2032, rising to 2,400 MW by 2045 and to 4,800 MW by 2050.

“We want to work together to get the Philippines to the finish line on nuclear energy,” Ann K. Ganzer, principal deputy assistant secretary at the US Department of State’s Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, said.

“Beyond acquiring the technology and establishing robust regulations, to achieve that 2032 goal, the most vital elements will be assessing sites for commercial reactor and developing the skilled workforce needed to design, construct, operate, regulate and sustain advanced nuclear plants for generations to come,” she added.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s largest private electric distribution utility, secured a $2.7-million grant from the United States Trade and Development Agency to help the company assess and deploy US-designed small modular reactors (SMRs) in the Philippines.

Meralco will pursue a feasibility study which involves an evaluation of leading US technologies, identification of viable sites, and delivery of a high-level implementation roadmap.

SMRs, each capable of generating up to 300 MW, can be constructed more quickly than traditional nuclear power plants.

Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan described the grant as “the beginning of a long but necessary journey.”

“Meralco is also looking actually at not only SMRs. It depends on the horizon by which we are able to deploy, but also, perhaps a bit sooner, conventional nuclear plants for this country,” Mr. Pangilinan said.

“It simply is right for the country and for Meralco to take nuclear, and we are prepared to act as thought leaders in this regard,” he added.

The US State Department’s Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Reactor Technology Program involves the installation of a $1.5-million nuclear reactor control room simulator at a technical institution within the planned Luzon Economic Corridor.

The simulator will provide hands-on realistic training for future reactor operators, which is aimed at positioning the Philippines as an SMR regional training hub.

Meanwhile, several private companies and government agencies also contributed $2.5 million to bring US nuclear experts to the Philippines to develop specialized vocational and higher education curricula focused on the civil nuclear industry.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines still has a lot of work to do and many challenges to resolve before it could convince foreign investors to come in? Do you think the national government is doing good enough to make the country attractive to foreign investors again?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Department of Education And Local Government Units To Expedite Construction Of Classrooms

Department of Education And Local Government Units To Expedite Construction Of Classrooms

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In what could be the most serious attempt to solve the nation’s constant lack of classrooms, the Department of Education (DepEd) formally partnered with the local government units (LGUs) to expedite the construction of classrooms, according to a news article of the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday partnered with local government units (LGUs) to expedite classroom construction.

The memorandum of agreement (MOA), backed by 90 percent of provinces nationwide, formalized a nationwide framework to accelerate the delivery of school infrastructure, marking a decisive shift toward coordinated action to address the classroom backlog.

The signatories include representatives of local government leagues, including the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), as well as the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP).

“These signatures mark the end of working in silos. They mark the beginning of shared responsibility,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.

The education chief said the partnership with LGUs will hasten direct actions to address the classroom shortage in the country, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The country has a backlog of 165,000 classrooms to date.

“Ang kasunduang ito ang malinaw naming pangako na wala nang classroom na maaantala dahil sa pag-aalinlangan, at wala nang edukasyong mapuputol dahil sa kakulangan ng ugnayan (This partnership is our clear promise that no more classroom construction will be delayed due to uncertainty, and no education will be hampered due to the lack of coordination),” Angara added.

Under the MOA, LGUs are tasked to lead the construction, replacement, rehabilitation, and improvement of classrooms within their jurisdictions, including the conduct of procurement, supervision of contractors, and day-to-day project implementation, in accordance with national procurement and building regulations.

For its part, the DepEd will identify priority schools, provide standard classroom designs and technical specifications, and exercise oversight by reviewing plans, validating completed works, and ensuring that projects meet national safety, accessibility, and quality standards.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the partnership between the DepEd and LGUs will effectively solve the nation’s constant lack of classrooms? If the partnership succeeds, do you think the quality of education as well as the comfort of the students will improve over time? Do you think LGUs are capable of doing its part on the construction of new classrooms?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippine Peso Could Land At P59.70 To The US Dollar By End Of 2026

Philippine Peso Could Land At P59.70 To The US Dollar By End Of 2026

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With its own analysis of varied economic factors, Metrobank stated that the Philippine Peso could end up at a rate of P59.70 to the US Dollar by the end of this year, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

THE PESO may settle at P59.70 against the dollar by end-2026 on expectations of an economic rebound driven by improved investor confidence, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) said.

In a commentary dated Feb. 10, Metrobank trimmed its peso forecast for end-2026 to P59.70 a dollar from P60.80 previously. It likewise projects the peso to end 2027 at P58.50 versus the greenback, from its earlier estimate of P58.90.

“(A)n anticipated economic growth rebound and improved investor confidence, thanks to better government spending, could support the peso,” it said.

If the bank’s 2026 forecast holds true, the local unit would end the year weaker than its P58.79 finish against the dollar on the last trading day of 2025.

The lingering effects of the flood control corruption scandal and uncertainties in the global market pushed the peso to test new lows at the start of the year.

On Jan. 15, it closed at P59.46 per dollar, breaking the previous all-time low of P59.44 recorded just the day prior.

However, it has recently strengthened amid a weak dollar. On Wednesday, the local unit hit a near four-month high after closing at P58.29 versus the greenback, up 24 centavos from its P58.53 finish on Tuesday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

Meanwhile, Metrobank noted that the peso could struggle to regain further strength as the country’s current account is projected to remain at a shortfall this year.

“Still, the projected current account deficit this year — although narrower than last year’s — would cap the peso’s strength,” it said.

Based on the latest central bank data, the current account balance stood at a $12.5-billion deficit by the end of the third quarter. This was equivalent to -3.6% of gross domestic product (GDP).

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Peso could perform better against the US Dollar and end up better than what Metrobank estimated? Do you think a weaker Peso would be very helpful to the exporters?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

2025 Foreign Investments Fall Down 50.1%

2025 Foreign Investments Fall Down 50.1%

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With the final economic numbers of 2025 counted, it has been confirmed that approved foreign investments in the Philippines fell down by more than 50%, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

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

APPROVED foreign investments in the Philippines plunged by 50.1% year on year to P272.38 billion in 2025, its sharpest fall in five years, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday.

Preliminary data from the PSA showed that the value of foreign commitments approved by the country’s investment promotion agencies (IPA) in 2025 was lower than P546.19 billion in 2024.

This was the steepest drop in foreign investments since the 71.3% drop recorded during the pandemic in 2020. By value, this was the lowest amount of approved foreign investments since the P241.89 billion recorded in 2022.

Singapore was the top source of investment pledges for 2025 after committing P92.78 billion, or 34.1% of the total. It was followed by the Netherlands with P35.98 billion (13.2% share) and Japan with P34.03 billion (12.5%).

Analysts attributed the sharp drop in foreign investment pledges to the sluggish investor confidence in the Philippines arising from global trade uncertainties, natural disasters and the flood control corruption scandal.

“In a nutshell, the decline in approved foreign investment pledges in 2025 was driven by a mix of weaker investor confidence due to governance and corruption issues, global economic uncertainties, cautious corporate behavior, and an unusually high base of comparison from the previous year,” said Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes, director of the Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development.

Marco Antonio C. Agonia, an economist at the University of Asia and the Pacific, said uncertainty over the US tariffs may have also dissuaded foreign investors from setting up operations in the Philippines.

The United States imposed a 19% tariff on most Philippine goods beginning Aug. 7, 2025.

“Similarly, weaker growth prospects from repeated natural disasters and the flood control scandal may have encouraged foreign companies to scrap or defer their investment plans in the country,” Mr. Agonia said in an e-mail.

The Board of Investments (BoI) approved P150.34 billion worth of investment pledges in 2025, accounting for 55.2% of the total. It was followed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) with investment pledges worth P107.06 billion (39.3% share), and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) with P7.01 billion (2.6%).

For 2025, about 45% or P122.48 billion of the total approved foreign investments will go to the energy sector, followed by manufacturing with P81.41 billion (29.9% share) and real-estate activities with P26.31 billion (9.7%).

In 2025, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) cornered around P100.43 billion worth of these investment pledges. Central Luzon will get P70.74 billion while the Bicol Region got P50.76 billion.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines still has a lot of work to do and many challenges to resolve before it could convince foreign investors to come in? Do you think the national government is doing good enough to make the country attractive to foreign investors again?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Muntinlupa City Government Teams Up With UP NOAH Center For City Drainage Strategy

Muntinlupa City Government Teams Up With UP NOAH Center For City Drainage Strategy

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Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government formally teamed up with the University of the Philippines’ (UP) NOAH Center to develop the master plan for the city drainage, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Muntinlupa City government has tapped the University of the Philippines’ NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) Center to develop a drainage master plan.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon endorsed a proposed memorandum of agreement with UP NOAH Center to the Muntinlupa City Council for review and approval.

Biazon said partnering with UP NOAH Center is an important step to have a science-based and long-term solution to flooding in Muntinlupa.

The UP NOAH Center is a research and development center of UP specializing in disaster risk reduction and climate science.

It provides advanced hazard mapping, flood modeling, and risk assessment using scientific research and cutting-edge technology, and works closely with local governments to develop data-driven solutions that strengthen resilience against natural hazards.

The project covers the formulation of a comprehensive drainage master plan that will guide future infrastructure development and improve stormwater management in Muntinlupa.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you think the City Government made a wise move to have UP NOAH Center as its partner on developing the city drainage master plan? Do you hope there will be big improvements in the years to come?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Wanted Painter Arrested In Las Piñas City For Attempted Murder

Wanted Painter Arrested In Las Piñas City For Attempted Murder

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Recently in the City of Las Piñas, a wanted painter was apprehended by the local police over the charge of attempted murder, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.  

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

Las Piñas police arrested a painter, listed as the station’s No. 3 Most Wanted Person, for attempted murder during a manhunt operation on Feb. 5.

Col. Wilson Delos Santos, Las Piñas City Police chief, said the suspect, Reynard, 34, was nabbed by members of the Warrant and Subpoena Section at his residence in San Jose Street, Barangay Ilaya, Las Piñas City.

The police served the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Ma. Ludmila de Pio Lim of the Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court, Branch 253, on July 8, 2025, for attempted murder with a recommended bail of P120,000

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you thankful to the local police for apprehending the suspect? Are you concerned that there could be some other people out there who are wanted for attempted murder but have yet to be arrested?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

2.26 Million Filipinos Jobless in December 2025, Unemployment Rate Lands At 4.4%

2.26 Million Filipinos Jobless in December 2025, Unemployment Rate Lands At 4.4%

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Over two million Filipinos were reported jobless for the month of December 2025 with the unemployment rate landing at 4.4%, according to a business news report by the Manila Bulletin.

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

The country’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.4 percent in December 2025 from the previous month, but underlying labor market data pointed to emerging softness as the number of jobless Filipinos continued to rise.

The latest preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released Friday, Feb. 6, showed that around 2.26 million Filipinos were unemployed in December, up sharply from 1.63 million during the same month in 2024 and slightly higher than the 2.25 million recorded in November.

The increase came alongside a labor force participation rate of 64.4 percent, translating to about 51.69 million Filipinos aged 15 and above who were either employed or actively seeking work.

The employment rate settled at 95.6 percent for the month, down from 96.9 percent in December 2024, while the underemployment rate fell to a single-digit eight percent in December—the lowest on record, National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa noted at a press briefing. The last time that underemployment reached a single-digit rate was in May 2024, when it stood at 9.9 percent.

For full-year 2025, the employment rate slipped to 95.8 percent from 96.2 percent in 2024, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.2 percent from 3.8 percent. Underemployment held steady at 11.9 percent, the same level recorded in 2024.

Mapa attributed the year-on-year increase in unemployment primarily to the construction sector, which reportedly shed 550,000 jobs.

He noted that weak growth in construction—particularly public construction—was the main driver of the rise in unemployment. The sector further declined in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the third quarter.

Reductions in employment were also observed in transportation and storage (258,000), fishing and aquaculture (258,000), and manufacturing (255,000), but Mapa emphasized that construction accounted for the largest impact.

While employment grew by around 172,000 in 2025 compared with 2024, Mapa said this was the lowest annual increase in the past three years, excluding the pandemic years.

He noted that employment had risen by 1.29 million in 2023 compared with 2022 and by 664,000 in 2024 compared with 2023, highlighting a clear downward trend.

The slowdown was largely due to the construction sector contributing fewer workers compared with previous years, as reduced public construction activity translated into lower employment.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think unemployment all over the Philippines will gradually get worse over the next twelve months? If the economic growth of the Philippines weakens further, do you think job opportunities will be reduced?

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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