South Metro Manila – Page 137 – Author Carlo Carrasco

COVID-19 Crisis: Local government units (LGUs) must comply with national government rules regarding face shields

June 21, 2021June 22, 2021carlocarrasco

Are you tired of using face shields when moving around in public here in the Philippines during this COVID-19 crisis? The issue about face shields became hot recently in relation to what President Rodrigo Duterte said about them which drew mixed reactions on a national scale. That being said, the national government made a move about the issue with the local government units (LGU) according to a news report by GMA Network.

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

Local government units must adjust their ordinances on the use of face shields to match the national government’s decision on the matter amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” Inter-Agency Task Force co-chairperson Secretary Karlo Nograles said President Rodrigo Duterte currently has a memorandum on the use of face shields.

“Apart from ‘yung sinabi ni Pangulo na hospitals, may idadagdag din doon sa memo na list nung places kung saan kailangan mag soot ng face shield,” he said.

(Apart from the what President said on hospitals, the memo includes other places where the use of face shields is mandatory.)

“So completely and clearly, makikita natin doon saan lang talaga… na dapat mandatory magsoot ng face shield. All other places, it won’t be mandatory. Kumbaga, magiging ano na lang siya… voluntary,” he added.

(So completely and clearly, we can see places where use is mandatory. All other places, it won’t be mandatory. It will be voluntary.)

Malacañang on Thursday said the President’s statement on the wearing of face shields on top of face masks only in hospitals is considered policy.

Nograles said local governments must adjust their ordnances.

“It cannot be over and beyond ‘yung policy ng national, no? You cannot have LGUs na mas strict ‘yung guidance or ‘yung enforcement kaysa sa ano, kasi magkakalituhan, eh,” he said.

(It cannot be over and beyond ‘yung policy ng national. You cannot have LGUs with stricter guidance or enforcement because it will lead to confusion.)

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Council said it has yet to tackle the issue.

“Ang mag mayors, may kaniya-kaniyang pananaw dito… it’s better for the IATF since they got experts there. At, of course, mapag-uusapang maiigi ito,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos said.

(The mayors have varying views on this. It’s better for the IATF since they have experts there. Of course, we will talk about this.)

And now here is a related news video by GMA Network…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you believe that there more disadvantages than advantages with the use of face shields in public? Do you believe that face shields are truly protective? Is your local government clear and specific with regards to the use of face shields? Do you believe that it is excessive for a person to be arrested and imprisoned for failing to use a face shield? Do you think that the national government knows what it is doing over the issue of face shields?

Who do you think would benefit the most when people are required to use face shields?

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

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

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

Gang of six – mostly Chinese – arrested in Parañaque City for kidnap attempt

June 19, 2021June 18, 2021carlocarrasco

Criminal activities in Parañaque City involving Chinese nationals (to understand the trend click here, here, here and here) continued as a gang of six people – one local citizen and the rest were Chinese nationals – were arrested by the local police for attempting to kidnap a 23-year-old Chinese national (working for an Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator or POGO) this past Thursday according to a report published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

It is notable that none other than Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar himself gave statements about what happened in Parañaque City. To put things in perspective, below is an excerpt from the news report. Some parts in boldface…

Five Chinese nationals and a Filipino were arrested for attempting to kidnap their compatriot in Parañaque City on Thursday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar identified the suspects as Li Yang, Zhou Hao, Liu Jie Yong, Zhang Jia Hao, Qui You Bo, all Chinese nationals; and their Filipino driver Nelson Malavega.

Citing a report from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Eleazar said the victim, a 23-yearold male Chinese worker of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO), was approached by the suspects after he alighted from a transport network vehicle service in a hotel in Aseana, Barangay Tambo at around 1:40 p.m.

After a heated argument, the victim was forcibly taken by the suspects aboard a Toyota Hi-Ace van.

The commotion caught the attention of hotel security personnel who immediately reported the incident to the Sub Station 2 of Parañaque City Police Station.

Duty personnel who responded to the incident immediately intercepted the suspects’ vehicle and rescued the victim.

Initial reports said the victims owed a debt worth PHP750,000.

Here is a related news video by GMA Network…

Going back to the PNA article, PNP Chief Eleazar expressed gratitude as their community of police officers quickly responded and successfully rescued the victim from the kidnappers.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are living in Parañaque City, do you believe that Chinese nationals are causing trouble in your local community? Are you concerned that POGOs within Parañaque are adding to illegal activities?

If ever you spot an act of kidnapping in person (regardless of nationality), are you willing to report the incident to the local police?

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: 136,000+ Las Piñas residents vaccinated (as of June 14, 2021)

June 19, 2021June 18, 2021carlocarrasco

According to a news report by the Manila Bulletin, the local COVID-19 vaccination program of Las Piñas City has been picking up (citing Las Piñas City Representative and House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar) as over 136,000 residents have been vaccinated as of June 14, 2021. It should be noted that Representative Villar initiated an incentive program to encourage city residents to get vaccinated and the number of local residents vaccinated exceeded the 100,000 mark recently.

For relevance, watch this news video that involves Representative Villar and her program…

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

Citing the latest data from the City Health Office, Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas City Camille Villar said the vaccination program in the city has continued to pick up.

Villar said that as of June 14, 136,733 of the city’s population have already received the jab. The city has a population of nearly 600,000, it was learned.

“We continue to encourage our kababayans to get themselves vaccinated to help protect them against COVID-19 and the threats of new variants,” said Villar.

The health office said there has been a 35.3% increase from the 101,059 total administered doses on June 8.

Further, 102,742 people have been vaccinated with a first dose, a 45.2% jump from 70,770 a week ago. Those vaccinated with the second dose rose by 12.2% to 33,991 from 30,289.

The local government started vaccinating economic frontliners or those under the A4 priority group last week as more vaccines are being deployed.

“These figures represent our relentless efforts toward reminding everyone about the positive effects of vaccination which gives full protection to everyone,” said the House leader.

Villar, who started a vaccine incentive program dubbed “May Bahay sa Bakuna” to boost inoculation rates within her constituency, also expressed gratitude to everyone who came forward in various vaccination sites which may have resulted in lower infection rates.

In other local developments, Robinsons Place Las Piñas along Alabang-Zapote Road became the city’s 18^th vaccination site. Also the City Government announced a 4^th method to help local residents get registered by means of using an app. See the visual references 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 an unvaccinated Las Piñas resident, does Congresswoman Villar’s incentive program convince you to come out, get registered and line up for the free COVID-19 vaccine in your city? Are the house, consumable goods and motorcycles offered through said program very enticing to you personally? Knowing that a new method of registration is now in effect, does this encourage you to get registered?

If you are still unwilling to get vaccinated, what exactly are you afraid of? Do you have a phobia of needles? Did you hear too much about the potential side effects of the vaccines? Are you too scared to get out of your home because of COVID-19?

How exactly do you want your local officials to help you?

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

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COVID-19 Crisis: Las Piñas City Government provides assistance to patients quarantined at home

June 18, 2021June 17, 2021carlocarrasco

According to a Manila Bulletin news report, the City Government of Las Piñas announced that it has officially started sending packs of food and other useful items to more than a thousand local residents who are quarantined at home in relation to COVID-19.

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

Las Piñas City has started to distribute again food packs and hygiene kits to its 1,533 home quarantined COVID-19 patients.

Based on April 8, 2021 data, the city has 4,903 home quarantined COVID-19 patients, and of which, 2,560 have already received their food packs and hygiene kits

Each food pack is comprised of 10 kilos of rice, canned goods, noodles, biscuits, Vitamin-C, paracetamol, and lagundi tablets, while a toothbrush, toothpaste, alcohol, soap, shampoo, face mask, face shield, and an oximeter are inside the hygiene kits.

Mayor Imelda Aguilar said the city government will continue to provide the needs of its COVID-positive patients, including those who are quarantined at home.

Any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for free COVID-19 vaccines can learn the ways (3 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: Are you quarantined at home for COVID-19? If you are, what can you say about the goods that the City Government is providing?

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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PDEA arrests suspects and seize illegal drugs in Las Piñas City and Parañaque City

June 17, 2021June 16, 2021carlocarrasco

The cities of Parañaque and Las Piñas are back in the crime news again as two separate operations organized by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) resulted the confiscation of over P130 million worth of illegal drugs as well as the apprehension of suspects. For the newcomers reading this, this latest development is not to be confused with the other PDEA operation in Parañaque that involved a foreigner as a suspect.

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

Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested three persons and confiscated PHP135.4 million worth of shabu in separate operations in the cities of Parañaque and Las Piñas on Tuesday.

PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon, in a statement, said suspect Moises Joshua Esguerra, was arrested in the operation in Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas City at around 3 p.m.

Seized from Esguerra were more or less 18 kg. of suspected shabu valued at PHP121.8 million, a mobile phone, and a bundle of boodle money with one genuine PHP1,000 bill.

Meanwhile, January Berroya, 40, and Rolando Sanchez, 57, were arrested in another buy-bust operation in an open parking lot of a mall in Parañaque City by a joint team of police officers and PDEA agents at around 1:30 p.m.

The two suspects yielded PHP13.6 million worth of shabu, mobile phones, and two drivers’ license cards.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: As a resident of Las Piñas or Parañaque, do you feel safer as a result of the successful buy-bust operations of the PDEA?

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: Parañaque City classified by DOH as a high-risk area

June 17, 2021June 16, 2021carlocarrasco

Have you been practicing caution there in Parañaque? Were there people around you who moved around without wearing a face mask or face shield? Did you find yourself caught in the middle of a thick crowd of people in the city lately?

Well, now is a good time to focus more on meeting the local health protocols because the Department of Health (DOH) has classified the cities of Pasay and Parañaque as high-risk areas for COVID-19 according to a news report by GMA Network News.

For this post, we will focus more on Parañaque as it counts as a city of South Metro Manila. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report. Some parts in boldface…

The cities of Parañaque and Pasay have been classified as high-risk areas for COVID-19 due to their increasing cases and high average daily attack rate (ADAR), the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

Data from DOH Epidemiology Bureau director Dr. Alethea De Guzman showed that only three cities in Metro Manila posted a positive case growth rate during May 30 to June 12: Parañaque (2%), Pasay (19%), and Malabon (30%).

Parañaque’s ADAR over the same period was high risk at 9.09 cases per 100,000 population, higher than the DOH threshold of seven cases per 100,000, while the city’s intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rate stood in the moderate risk category at 62.5%.

And here is a related news video…

What could be the factors that caused Parañaque’s ADAR to hit 9.09 per 100,000 people? It’s hard to determine at this point but there is a possibility that the huge crowd and long lines of people at the May 17 Pfizer launch held at a certain shopping mall in Parañaque might have added to the ADAR (for the period of May 30 to June 12) somehow.

Of course, the news media cannot cover everything that happens around the city. What if local health protocols were violated/disregarded within the local communities by individuals who stopped being careful? Or imagine a squatter or a street beggar approaching others in public while not practicing caution.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are living in Parañaque City, do you believe that the local vaccination organizers are doing a good job serving or assisting the patients? Each time you travel through the city, how many people did you notice did not wear face masks or face shields in public? Do you think that the City Government of Parañaque and its health personnel can do something to make the city safer from COVID-19 infections?

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: DOTr Sec. Tugade lauds vaccination in Muntinlupa City, vows to request more vaccine supply for the city

June 16, 2021June 15, 2021carlocarrasco

Department of Transportation secretary Arthur “Art” Tugade recognized the vaccination efforts of Muntinlupa City government and lauded the medical workers in the vaccination centers for their exemplary service.

Sec. Tugade lauded the City Government’s vaccination operations during a virtual meeting with Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and other local officials on Tuesday.

*DOTr Secretary Tugade vaccinated in Muntinlupa City. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

The transportation secretary said he personally witnessed the efficient system in vaccination centers in the city as he recently completed his 2^nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Ayala Malls South Park, Alabang under the A2 priority group (senior citizen).

“Maayos ang sistema at properly trained ang mga nagtuturok ng bakuna. Isa ang Muntinlupa sa mga nag-improve na LGU sa Metro Manila pagdating sa pagbabakuna,” said DOTr Sec. Tugade.

Recently, the City Government has recorded the highest number of vaccinations with over 5,450 individuals who were vaccinated with their first dose last June 10. It is the highest record since the rollout of vaccination in Muntinlupa last March.

Further, Sec. Tugade also committed to help the city by personally requesting for more vaccine supply and its speedy delivery from the national government as the demand for vaccines in Muntinlupa continue to rise.

As of June 11, the total vaccines deployed in the city is at 106,819, of which 80,356 were given as 1st dose and 26,463 for 2nd dose. There are already 159,490 registered individuals in the city’s COVID-19 vaccine registration system MunCoVac, which comprises 41.3% of the target population to be vaccinated.

The City Government urges residents and other qualified individuals who are not yet registered in the city’s online COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System to sign-up via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac.

As a result of the local vaccination efforts, the Muntinlupa City Health Office has recorded a decrease in COVID-19 cases. As of June 14, there are only 489 active cases in the city, with 12,550 recoveries, 357 reported deaths, 99 suspect cases, 1,443 probable cases, and 13,396 confirmed cases.

*Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade met recently. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

Mayor Fresnedi extends his thanks to Sec. Tugade, the city’s “Big Brother,” for his continued assistance to Muntinlupa and expediting national government services for the city.

Recently, cabinet members were assigned to Metro Manila cities and other provinces to oversee local health system performance, critical care capacity, and stringent compliance to surveillance, isolation, and treatment protocols. Sec. Tugade was designated in Muntinlupa, being a resident of the city himself.

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The above details were sourced from an official press release issued by the Muntinlupa PIO.

COVID-19 Crisis: Robinsons Place Las Piñas now a vaccination site

June 16, 2021June 15, 2021carlocarrasco

The effort of the City Government of Las Piñas to meet its goal of establishing twenty COVID-19 vaccination sites accomplished another step forward as a brand new vaccination site was recently opened at Robinsons Place Las Piñas along Alabang-Zapote Road and already patients were vaccinated there according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

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

The Las Piñas city government opened on Monday, June 14, its 18th vaccination site that can serve around 300 to 350 A1 to A4 priority groups per day.

Mayor Imelda Aguilar said the new vaccination site is located at the Robinsons Mall in Alabang-Zapote Road, Las Piñas City.

*A look at the Robinsons Place Las Piñas vaccination site. (source: City of Las Piñas Facebook page)*

Aguilar said she is hopeful that with the opening of new vaccination site, more city residents will be encouraged to have themselves vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

She said the city government will add more vaccination sites to help city residents who wish to register for their vaccination through on-site assisted registration.

The mayor added that those with scheduled vaccination can also visit the nearest vaccination for their convenience.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you a Las Piñas resident who got vaccinated already at Robinsons Place Las Piñas? If you were vaccinated there, was the venue comfortable? Were the vaccination site personnel there efficient and caring towards you?

Does the opening of the vaccination site at Robinsons Place Las Piñas encourage you to get registered and line up for the free COVID-19 vaccine?

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

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A good time at Coffee Syndicate in Alabang

June 15, 2021June 14, 2021carlocarrasco

While hiking around Filinvest City here in Alabang this past weekend, I decided to visit Coffee Syndicate, a nice coffee shop located at the ground floor of Commercenter mall. Apart from the fact that it has been quite a long time since my previous visit there, I also went there to avail of the 10% discount for customers who have been vaccinated already for COVID-19. I recently got vaccinated with a 2^nd dose.

As soon as it opened, I entered and checked the menu carefully. Then I went to the counter to order one cold white choco mocha drink, gave my vaccination card (issued to me by Muntinlupa City and MunCoVac), and paid the discounted rate (and got my card back).

So I took my time browsing the web with my smartphone and my pocket WiFi which had a pretty strong signal received from my seat by the window (near the road) indoors. Once my white choco mocha drink was served, I slowly consumed it to make sure I tasted it and gradually stirred the coffee and its creamy top together.

*The cold white choco mocha drink from Coffee Syndicate.*

I find Coffee Syndicate’s white choco mocha blended drink taste mildly sweet, creamy and most notably, the tastes of the white choco and mocha were really felt. I can say I really liked it and I would not hesitate to order it again.

Coffee Syndicate also has a nice interior design (with Marlon Brando’s Vito Corleone image on a wall) and their menu has a nice variety of hot coffee, cold brew, white brew, non-coffee drinks, sandwiches and even Italian soda to name some. They also offer coffee beans.

To all those who love drinking coffee and looking for a new place in Alabang to have coffee at, I recommend Coffee Syndicate.

To all those who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 (be it one dose or two doses) and looking for good coffee in Alabang, Coffee Syndicate’s 10% discount is very helpful and you can avail of it by showing to them your vaccination record card. As stated in Coffee Syndicate’s May 29, 2021 Facebook page post, the discount for vaccinated consumers is valid until December 31, 2021.

My return to Coffee Syndicate was indeed a good time. I encourage you to visit their coffee shop at Commercenter (which has a lower-level parking area). I also encourage you to visit their website at https://www.coffeesyndicateph.com/

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Foreign national arrested and huge load of illegal drugs seized in Parañaque City

June 15, 2021June 14, 2021carlocarrasco

The wave of crime in Parañaque City involving Chinese nationals (click here, here and here) as well as the presence of illegal drugs in the same city (click here and here) were felt once again as the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that a huge load of illegal drugs were seized and a Chinese national was arrested in connection to it at Barangay Baclaran. This was the result of a successful buy-bust operation organized by the personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). They deserve thanks and admiration for stopping crime.

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

A Chinese national was arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) during a bust in Parañaque City that also yielded 38 kilos of shabu (crystal meth) worth at least P257 million.

The suspect identified as Zhizun Chen, 38, a resident of 168 Tower 2 in Binondo, Manila, was arrested during the bust at the open parking lot of a grocery chain in Barangay Baclaran at around 3:00 p.m.

Seized from the suspect were 38 kilograms of the suspected shabu, Mitsubishi sedan, and a Chrysler sedan, PDEA said.

The report ended stating that the foreigner is facing charges in relation to violating Republic Act Number 9165 otherwise called the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are living in Parañaque City, do you believe that trade or activities related to illegal drugs are happening in your local community? Having read the above news report, how do you feel about the presence of Chinese nationals in the city and there in your local community?

Have you ever heard about the Parañaque Renaissance? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear those two words?

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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