shopping malls – Page 2 – Author Carlo Carrasco

COMELEC’s Register Anywhere Program (RAP) to be implemented on February 12, 2024 nationwide

January 17, 2024January 11, 2024carlocarrasco

In relation to the resumption of the voter registration process set for February 12, 2024, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that its Register Anywhere Program (RAP) will be implemented nationwide on the same date, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

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

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to implement nationwide its Register Anywhere Program (RAP) when the voter registration period resumes on Feb. 12.

In a statement Thursday, the poll body said the RAP would accept applications in all capital cities and towns and highly urbanized cities (HUCs).

“RAP registration sites will be set up in malls, universities, or government offices/agencies in all capital cities and towns and HUCs nationwide. RAP has now been institutionalized in the Commission as a program owing to its favorable turnout and positive reception by the general public and other stakeholders,” the Comelec added.

In 2022, the poll body held a pilot testing of the RAP in selected areas, including malls and government agencies.

The initial testing was held in SM Fairview, Robinsons Place Manila, SM Sucat, Robinsons Galleria, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Tacloban, SM City Legazpi and Robinsons Naga.

Aside from these venues, the Comelec said the program will also be held in select church organizations, private establishments, government agencies and educational institutions.

The RAP’s nationwide implementation aims to provide additional avenues and opportunities for voter registration in places of higher concentration of people traffic and congregation of persons of voting age.

“This move will maximize efforts to register workers, employees, and students with limited time and opportunity to register, for them to become voters for the 2025 National and Local Elections,” it said.

Under the RAP, a registrant will be allowed to file his/her application wherever there is a designated RAP registration site regardless of his/her place of residence.

Other applications that will be accepted in RAP sites include new registration, transfer of registration from another city/municipality/district, transfer of registration from overseas to local, correction of entries or change of status, and reactivation.

The RAP will be available until Aug. 31.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are there many members of your local community who intend to avail of COMELEC’s RAP?

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

Where to deposit your excess Peso coins while you are in Alabang

November 29, 2023November 27, 2023carlocarrasco

If you are constantly present here in Alabang in Muntinlupa City, and if you have an excess number of Peso coins that you want to have deposited for safekeeping or for personal use, then you should visit the coin deposit machine (CoDM) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) located inside Festival Mall in Filinvest City.

To be more specific, the BSP CoDM inside the said shopping mall is located on ground floor very near the escalators which itself is in close proximity to the following ground floor businesses: SM Savemore grocery, Saibachi Japanese Restaurant and Café BLK & BRWN (this one is just steps away from the machine).

*This is the BSP coin deposit machine inside Festival Mall in Alabang.*

Before you join the line for depositing your coins at the BSP’s coin deposit machine, you must have a valid GCash account (to receive the value of the coins successfully deposited). If you don’t have a GCash account, you can still have the value of the deposited coins converted into SM shopping vouchers (accepted by The SM Store). There is also a Maya option available.

Still before joining the line, you must make sure that your Peso coins are not dented/damaged, and each coin is loose (meaning not taped together as a bundle). Obviously, foreign coins, tokens and demonetized Peso coins (Peso coins that are outdated) will be rejected. These tips are to ensure that the coins will be counted by the machine once deposited. To learn more, watch the video below and pay close attention to the details…

Once you join the line, you will need to be patient not simply because there could be several customers ahead of you but also because there will most likely be other customers ahead of you who brought at least one large container of coins with them for depositing which can take some minutes to be deposited into the CoDM (note: there is always a BSP assistant who will help and occasionally troubleshoot the machine whenever it malfunctions).

Do not be surprised to see other customers ahead of you who brought multiple plastic containers of coins to be deposited. Based on my personal experience depositing coins at the machine inside Festival Mall, I noticed that more families and local businesses are having their idle coins put into the CoDM. There was a time when one customer ahead of me deposited coins from four large containers and it took several minutes for the machine to count them all and this includes moments when the machine malfunctioned and the BSP assistant had to do some fixing on the spot.

Once you start your turn to deposit at the CoDM, let the BSP assistant guide you. There will be buttons on the machine for you to press before you start putting your coins into the receiving mechanism. From time to time as coins get counted, there will be a few coins that the machine will reject and will instead fall into the lower part where you can reach into and collect. You can try depositing the uncounted coins until it gets counted. As mentioned earlier, foreign coins, tokens and demonetized Peso coins will be rejected.

Once your deposit is successful, you can decide whether to have the counted value transferred into your active GCash account or into an SM shopping voucher. Receipts will be issued from the machine which you must always keep to yourself. Do not throw away the receipts.

*Another look at the BSO CoDM inside Festival Mall located near the escalators at the ground floor..*

I hope this post will be helpful to you and your effort to deposit excess Peso coins into the BSP DoCM inside Festival Mall. In my experience, the lines range from very short (1 or 2 customers ahead of me) to long (8 customers ahead of me). There will be customers who will be depositing a small amount and there are others who brought so much coins as the BSP coin deposit project has attracted a lot of attention locally. You will need to be patient and manage your time when you join the line for the CoDM. To learn more about the coin deposit project, click https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Pages/CoinsAndNotes/CDM.aspx

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, have you deposited your idle Peso coins into the BSP CoDM inside Festival Mall? If you were able successfully deposit your coins, how long did you wait before your turn happened?

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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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

Visit Mardi Gras Bazaar (2023) at Madison Galeries now!

November 18, 2023December 4, 2023carlocarrasco

NOTE: Shortly after the launch of Mardi Gras Bazaar, Madison Galeries renamed it into Mardi Gras Warehouse Sale which had its last sale on December 2 and 3, 2023. The previous announced schedule of Mardi Gras Bazaar set for November 18 to December 31, 2023, no longer matters.

It has finally happened and already a lot of people have joined in for their shopping needs or purposes. I’m talking about the latest Mardi Gras Bazaar which officially started this morning at the 3^rd floor of Madison Galeries along Don Jesus Boulevard, Alabang Hills, Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City, and I personally visited and bought some nice things with the Christmas season in mind.

*Mardi Gras Bazaar this year is happening at the 3rd floor of Madison Galeries. If you go further in, there is a lot of space inside with all the products for sale.*

Also taking place right now is the Christmas Sale of Oriental Merchants at the 4^th floor of the same mall.

For the newcomers reading this, the Mardi Gras Bazaar this year will last until December 31, 2023 with a schedule of 10AM to 8:30 PM. In my personal experience, this is my 2^nd time to attend the bazaar at Madison Galeries and it also marked the first time in four years since I last attended it (read my 2019 Mardi Gras Bazaar experience by clicking here).

More on the ongoing Mardi Gras Bazaar, check out the pictures I posted below and may these be a reference for you all…

*A wide shot of the venue of the bazaar. There is a lot more products not seen in this image.*

*Looking for a new bicycle? Mardi Gras Bazaar has it!*

*The return of Mardi Gras Bazaar is indeed special. So many products with attractive prices around.*

*In the background are the counters where shoppers lineup with their selected products. Payments by cash, GCash (e-wallet) and credit cards are accepted.*

*In my experience, the process has been orderly.*

For those of you who need directions to get to Madison Galeries for the bazaar, posted below is a screenshot from the social media post of the mall…

As we now live in the post-pandemic age, the newest Mardi Gras Bazaar is an important event not simply because it offers shoppers opportunities to acquire good items at discounted rates but also because it contributes to the normalization of life after the depression of COVID-19.

That being said, I encourage you my readers to take the opportunity to come to Madison Galeries and join the Mardi Gras Bazaar while there is still time. I encourage you also tell your neighbors and friends in our communities about it.

*For your reference, this was at the ground floor of Madison Galeries along Don Jesus Boulevard.*

For more information about Mardi Gras Bazaar (2023) and other activities at Madison Galeries, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MadisonGaleries

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Madison Galeries’ Mardi Gras Bazaar set for November 18 to December 31, 2023

November 10, 2023December 4, 2023carlocarrasco

Madison Galeries, the nice open-air shopping mall located along Don Jesus Boulevard in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City, recently announced the return of their popular Mardi Gras Bazaar which is all set to take place from November 18 up to December 31, 2023 at the 3^rd floor.

*The official image and details that Madison Galeries posted through social media.*

For the newcomers reading this, the Mardi Gras Bazaar is a well-known special event of Madison Galeries’ with an emphasis on shopping as well as a wide variety of products that buyers can choose from for gift-giving or for the use of their respective households. It should be noted that several products will be offered at discounted rates which should easily attract bargain hunters as well.

In 2019, I published two posts about the Mardi Gras Bazaar which you can read by clicking here and here. My post-event article has some pictures which should you give an idea of what to expect at the next edition of the Mardi Gras Bazaar.

For the 2023 edition of the Mardi Gras Bazaar at Madison Galeries, the announced schedule of November 18-December 31 is pretty extensive and it should give people a lot of time and opportunities to shop. The schedule of the bazaar for each day is 10AM to 8:30 PM.

What to expect at this year’s bazaar? Based on the official image from Madison Galeries, there will be clothing, toys, appliances, electronics, hardware and other items that can be ideal for gift-giving this Christmas season. As with the past editions of the Mardi Gras Bazaar, a discount of up to 80% will be applied on certain items for sale.

Still on Madison Galeries, it should be noted that The Madison Events Place Facebook page shared the 2023 Mardi Gras Bazaar post which suggests that the 3^rd floor venue (The Madison Events Place itself) will be the place to go to. Going back to 2019, I personally attended the Mardi Gras Bazaar and the Village Food Fair 2 (click here) on separate occasions and both special events utilized The Madison Events Place as the main venue. The said venue is a really nice and spacious indoor facility that is also comfortable, secure and fully air-conditioned.

Personally, I am eager to attend this upcoming event. For those of you who have yet to visit Madison Galeries in Alabang, the mall has sufficient parking spaces (note: there are elevated indoor parking levels inside).

Watch out for Mardi Gras Bazaar at Madison Galeries on November 18 to December 31, 2023. Visit the mall along Don Jesus Boulevard in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City. The said boulevard is accessible through Alabang Hills Village (for those who have AHVA car stickers) and the West Service Road. Visit Madison Galeries’ official FB page at https://www.facebook.com/MadisonGaleries

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Additional coin deposit machines installed by BSP in shopping malls

October 17, 2023October 12, 2023carlocarrasco

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently installed more coin deposit machines particularly in shopping malls which will give people more opportunities to put their idle or excessive Peso coins to use, according to a BusinessWorld news report. As of the end of September 2023, almost P100 million worth of coins have been deposited since the BSP launched their coin deposit machines project.

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

CONSUMERS have deposited P98.8 million worth of currency into the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) coin deposit machines (CoDMs) as of end-September or just three months after their rollout in June.

This is equivalent to 37.2 million pieces of coins from over 37,000 transactions, the BSP said in a statement. The highest single transaction recorded on the machines so far was worth P100,260.

“With more CoDMs installed in various retail establishments, the BSP expects wider public use that will lead to more efficient coin recirculation in the country,” the central bank said.

The BSP has completed its goal of deploying 25 coin deposit machine units across Metro Manila and other nearby provinces. The central bank began deploying CoDM units in June in partnership with Filinvest Lifemalls Corp., Robinsons Supermarket Corp., and SM Retail, Inc.

BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat told reporters on Wednesday that the central bank is looking to roll out more machines across the country, adding that the BSP has been asked to set up some in Cebu, Davao, Pampanga, and Baguio.

“Right now, we are just assessing [the existing machines]. We’re talking to the provider how to make the machines better because the machines are usually jammed,” she said in mixed English and Filipino.

The machines can get stuck if the coins deposited are taped or bundled or if a consumer deposits foreign objects such as nails, tokens, and screws, she said.

“The ideal is when we deploy coin deposit machines, it would be stand-alone,” Ms. Romulo-Puyat said. “Now, the machines need technical assistance all the time.”

The demand for coin deposit machines has been higher than expected, with people lining up to deposit coins, she added.

“People have warmed up to it. The mere fact that people are asking when the BSP will deploy units in their area means people are looking for it,” she added.

The BSP has installed coin deposit machines in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, SM City Grand Central in Caloocan, SM City Marilao in Bulacan, SM City Taytay Rizal, SM Hypermarket FTI in Taguig City, SM Southmall in Las Piñas City, SM City Sucat in Parañaque, SM City Calamba, SM City Marikina, SM City San Mateo Rizal, SM City Valenzuela, Robinsons Place Metro East in Pasig City, Robinsons Place Antipolo City, Rizal, Robinsons Place Novaliches and Robinsons Place Magnolia, Quezon City.

The value of coins deposited in CoDMs may be credited to the depositor’s e-wallet account or converted into a shopping voucher for over-the-counter transactions. Customers depositing coins can credit the equivalent amount to their GCash or Maya e-wallets.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If there is a BSP coin deposit machine in your city, were you able to visit and deposit your coins? When was the last time you stored your coins in containers?

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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COMELEC expresses confidence that mall voting for BSKE will push through

August 16, 2023August 14, 2023carlocarrasco

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) expressed confidence that its mall voting project with this October’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will push through, according to a Malaya Business Insight news report.

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

UNLIKE in 2016, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is confident its mall voting project will push through during the conduct of the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

In an interview, Comelec chairman George Garcia said they do not see a repeat of the fate of the mall voting initiative in 2016, which was cancelled just days prior to Election Day.

“It was unfortunate that in 2016, we were almost able to hold mall voting in the country.

But now, the entire Comelec en banc approved this (project). We all supported this initiative,” Garcia said.

The poll chief said the full support comes after the success of the Register Anywhere Project (RAP), which was pilot tested in selected malls.

“We thought that if we can do registration in malls, why not do voting in malls as well,” said Garcia.

Back in the 2016 polls, then Comelec chairman Andres Bautista pushed for the mall voting project. But, with barely two weeks before Election Day, it was thumbed down by the Commission en banc with a vote of 4 against and 3 in favor.

Back then, the Comelec en banc reasoned that the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) does not allow the transfer of polling precincts within 45 days before a regular election.

For the October 30 polls, five SM malls and five Robinsons malls are already set to host mall voting.

Eyed as voters, estimated to be at 300,000 individuals, are those belonging to barangays near the participating malls.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you favor the idea of voting inside a shopping mall for the BSKE this October?

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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The significance of the return of Megarahe Sale inside Alabang Hills Village

October 5, 2022October 5, 2022carlocarrasco

This past weekend, the annual Megarahe Sale of Alabang Hills Village resumed – fully titled as “Megarahe Sale & Kids Bazaar, Ukay-Okay!” – with the local community center as the venue. I visited the Megarahe Sale twice last weekend and I can confirm that it was a lively event as it attracted a lot of sellers who displayed a wide variety of items, and several buyers arrived and searched. There were also some really nice bargains on display. Take note that this is the first Megarahe Sale to be held in the last few years as the COVID-19 pandemic set everyone back.

*A lot of sellers, customers and products during the Megarahe Sale in Alabang Hills this past weekend.*

For the newcomers reading this, the Megarahe Sale is Alabang Hills’ special community event held annually giving the local residents opportunities to sell goods to customers (including visitors who are able to enter the village with valid car stickers issued by the Alabang Hills Village Association) with a single, wide, and comfortable venue that can accommodate a lot of people.

As the name Megarahe shows, it is in concept a collective garage sale with the community in mind. More on the garage sale aspect, AHVA’s annual event spares local residents from having to go through all the trouble of organizing garage sales in their respective homes.

As I mentioned before, the return of Megarahe Sale is a very welcome development in line with the gradual normalization of life. Slowly but surely, people, communities, churches and businesses are recovering from the tremendous setback of COVID-19. At the same time, people nowadays are more educated about COVID-19, they got vaccinated or boosted for improved protection from COVID-19, and the national government already declared the optional use of face masks outdoors. Of course, lots of people have gotten sick and tired of spending so much time at home since the first COVID-19 lockdown started more than two years ago and this in turn fueled their desire to move out, go around and do their activities freely. In my opinion, the Megarahe Sale’s return is a blessing and the AHVA should be commended.

*Customers checking out the items for sale.*

*Missing out on community events like this means missing out on bargains.*

Megarahe Sale this year could inspire other residential communities and commercial joints in South Metro Manila to host or organize more community events as the Christmas season gets closer. I have fond memories attending in 2019 the BF HomeSarap food fair in BF Homes (specifically BF NorthWest), the Village Food Fair 2 at Madison Galeries, and Mardi Gras Bazaar 3 also at Madison Galeries. Also a few years ago, I attended a pre-Christmas bazaar inside Alabang Hills Village before the pandemic happened, and I wonder if the AHVA will be organizing a new one this year.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you were able to visit the Megarahe Sale in Alabang Hills this past weekend, what do you think about the event? Were you able to find and buy something? Did you take advantage of the bargains? Do you hope to see the Alabang Hills Village Association organize a pre-Christmas bazaar this November or December for your Christmas shopping needs?

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

For inquiries about Alabang Hills Village, visit https://alabanghillsvillage.com/ or call their association at 88508254. You can visit their office at 1 Don Jesus Boulevard inside Alabang Hills Village from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM. Always remember to follow their rules and speed limits whenever you are in the village. Be aware also of the recent in-village traffic adjustments.

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COVID-19 Crisis: Increased consumer traffic and economic activities seen in Muntinlupa City on first day of Alert Level 3

October 19, 2021October 18, 2021carlocarrasco

Since Metro Manila officially shifted into Alert Level 3 this past Saturday, there was indeed an increase of the number of people who visited the restaurants, the shopping malls and other places in the City of Muntinlupa which is the result of the easing of restrictions. What the Manila Bulletin reported, I myself confirm it is true. That being said, the local food and beverage businesses now have a better chance to recover as there are more people of Muntinlupa who got fully vaccinated and the relaxed rules on their operations provided a lot more freedom.

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

There was an increase in the number of people in restaurants, malls and parks in Muntinlupa on Oct. 16, the first day of the implementation of Alert Level 3 in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) downgraded the alert level in NCR from 4 to 3, which took effect on Oct. 16 and will last on Oct. 31.

Under Alert Level 3, more business establishments and activities are allowed to operate including cinemas.

According to Muntinlupa police chief, Col. Melecio Buslig, because of the downgraded alert level in Muntinlupa, there was an “abrupt increase” in individuals eating in dine-in restaurants and going to malls, parks, and other places of convergence.

He also said there was an increase in public and private vehicles on major thoroughfares, and an increase in the number of commuters in transport terminals.

Heavy traffic was observed from Muntinlupa to Binan, Laguna from Saturday afternoon to evening as more vehicles were on the road.

Shopping malls in Muntinlupa adjusted their operating hours due to the new alert level. SM Center Muntinlupa now operates from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Starmall Alabang announced that until Oct. 31, its mall hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 a.m. from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every Friday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Saturday to Sunday.

“Customers aged 18 to 65 years old only are allowed in the mall. Supermarket, drug stores, convenience stores, banks, courier services, money changer & remittance services, ATM centers, hardware & home essentials are open. Restaurants & food establishments are open for al fresco dining at 50% capacity and indoor dining at 30% capacity for fully vaccinated customers only. They are also open for pick-up, takeout and delivery,” it said.

The mall added that “pet shops, book stores, IT shops, toy stores, fashion and retail shops are open. Beauty salons, barber shops, and nail spas are open at 50% capacity if conducted outdoor and at 30% indoor capacity for fully vaccinated customers only. Recreational venues such as arcades, bowling alleys, cinemas, and similar venues are open at 30% capacity for fully vaccinated customers only.”

In relation to the above news report, I can confirm that during my visit at Molito here in Alabang on Saturday I saw more people eating outdoors at a few restaurants I passed by and there was a long line of customers at a certain Japanese restaurant nearby. During my visit at Festival Mall on Sunday (2nd day of Alert Level 3) in the late morning, I noticed the crowd of people was light (note: the mall opened at 11AM) but I noticed more customers flocking to the restaurants and coffee shops than before. For the newcomers reading this, to dine in or seat in a food/beverage joint, you must be fully vaccinated with evidence shown and you must use the StaySafe.ph app for online contact tracing. With a lot more people vaccinated fully (2 doses of vaccines of different brands or with the single dose of the Janssen vaccine) already, there is a huge market of customers for the food/beverage joints to cater to indoors. Alert Level 3 also paves the way for people to worship the Lord at church venues both indoors and outdoors.

Alert Level 3 is still far away from achieving pre-pandemic conditions but it sure is much better not only for businesses but also for the people who have gotten tired of the restrictions of Alert Level 4, the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) and the dreaded enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Alert Level 3 is a positive development and we should thank our Lord and glorify Him for the breakthrough as it is a crucial step towards normalcy and socio-economic recovery!

Residents of Muntinlupa City who remain unregistered and unvaccinated should make a move to get registered by learning the ways to do it. Those who are prepared (with personal information available) and willing to go through online registration for the free vaccines in Muntinlupa are encouraged to click https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/

Muntinlupa minors may register online through the city’s COVID-19 vaccination registration system at www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac and choose category “C – Rest of Population.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what do you think about this latest local development?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

COVID-19 Crisis: SM Southmall certified safe in Las Piñas City

July 9, 2021July 8, 2021carlocarrasco

SM Southmall, a major shopping and lifestyle destination located along Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Piñas City, recently received its Safety Seal and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery was present during the inauguration ceremony at the mall.

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

SM Southmall has been awarded with the safety seal. With Las Piñas rolling out the safety seal inspection in the region, SM Southmall is the first mall city to receive the seal.

Present in the inauguration were the Vice Mayor of Las Pinas City, Hon. April T. Aguilar; Chief of the Business Permits and Licensing Office Mr. Willy Gaerlan; Bernice Baculi, AVP of Operations for SM Southmall and Sally Chandumal, Mall Manager of SM Southmall.

“I am very pleased to be here in SM Southmall for the awarding of the safety seal certificate wherein SM Southmall is the first to pass the safety seal inspection conducted by our team,” says BPLIO Head Willy Gaerlan, “we hope we will maintain the standard we’ve already received.”

SM Southmall continues to excel in its safety and sanitation protocols with temperature checks, one-way signs, social distancing rules, alfresco dining, safety protocol officers and constant hygiene maintenance to ensure the safety of its customers.

In my personal observation, SM Southmall and SM shopping malls, literally, went the extra mile in keeping their facilities sanitized, cleaned and orderly. As for what the Safety Seal is, it is the indication that the establishment is compliant in terms of the standard safety protocols and other related requirements. In nearby Muntinlupa City, the Alabang Town Center (ATC) was certified with the Safety Seal and other malls in the city applied for the seal.

Going back to Las Piñas City, the Safety Seal continues to make its presence felt even more. Already offices in Las Piñas City Hall got certified with the Safety Seal making them safe for people to visit. The City Government has a team dedicated on handling Safety Seal certifications.

For South Metro Manila residents reading this, SM Southmall’s safety certification is a big help not just to the mall itself and to its business partners, but also to anyone who needs to be at the mall for their respective needs, dining, and business transactions.

As for 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 been visiting SM Southmall lately for your essential needs or dining? Are the mall personnel there working to ensure your safety from COVID-19? If you visit SM Southmall more than once a week, how much time do you spend there during each visit?

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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