COVID-19 Crisis: 5,926 health workers in Muntinlupa receive COVID-19 vaccines, City Government prepares for seniors’ vaccination

The City Government of Muntinlupa announced that it has completed vaccinating frontline health workers from primary public and private hospitals providing COVID-19 care and has started preparing the vaccine roll-out for senior citizens.

National Immunization Program Coordinator for COVID-19 in Muntinlupa Dra. Maria Rochelle Abat said the City Health Office recorded 5,657 frontliners from Ospital ng Muntinlupa, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Medical Center Muntinlupa, and other private hospital who received Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines as of March 29, covering 108% of the priority group population.

Further, Abat noted that the inoculation of City Health Workers is ongoing and 269 (37%) local frontliners such as members of barangay health emergency teams and contact tracers have already received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

A group of frontline health workers waiting to get vaccinated for COVID-19. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Muntinlupa City Health Office acting chief Dr. Juancho Bunye said the City Government eyes to complete the vaccination for the remaining A1 sub-priority group of frontliners from stand-alone facilities, clinics and diagnostic centers, dental clinics, and other institutions within the next two weeks, targeting 444 individuals per day, before proceeding to inoculate the senior citizens.

Bunye added that CHO is coordinating with the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs in preparing the vaccination of more than 45,000 senior citizens in Muntinlupa. He added that 19 public schools, including one private school, were identified as vaccination centers for the roll-out for seniors.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urged the senior citizens and other members of the priority groups to avail the vaccination services of the government for them to have an added protection against the adverse effects of COVID-19.

He also encouraged the public to pre-register in the city’s COVID-19 vaccination registration through https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac and to strictly observe health protocols such as frequent hand-washing, wearing of face masks and face shields, and physical distancing especially during the implementation of ECQ in Metro Manila.

A health worker gets vaccinated. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Recently, Ospital ng Muntinlupa announced a 129% bed capacity utilization on COVID-19 related cases.

Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said barangays were ordered to reactivate local isolation centers to accommodate asymptomatic cases and residents with mild symptoms to decongest primary health care and quarantine facilities.

Navarro added that the City Government through the Department of Disaster Resilience and Management will intensify its citywide cleaning and disinfection activities in a bid to prevent further COVID-19 transmission.

As of March 29, Muntinlupa City has 7,051 confirmed cases with 5,945 recoveries, 908 active cases, 198 reported deaths, 242 suspect cases, and 759 probable cases.

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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

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COVID-19 Crisis: Additional checkpoints in Metro Manila for ECQ (until April 4, 2021)

Are you having trouble moving around Metro Manila during this period of ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) that’s supposed to end on April 4, 2021? Were you able to study and use the S-PaSS system?

Be aware that today, additional checkpoints (AKA quarantine control points) have been added in Metro Manila.

Below is an excerpt from yesterday’s article published through Philippine News Agency’s (PNA) website. For clarity, locations of the checkpoints are in bold.

National Capital Region Police (NCRPO) Chief, Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao, Jr., said the checkpoints are implemented at Susana Heights Tollgate; Alabang Tollgate; Filinvest Tollgate; Sucat Tollgate; Bicutan Tollgate; Skyway Entry; Nichols Tollgate; and Balon Bato, Balintawak, Quezon City.

Danao said apart from these control points, about 929 other checkpoints are manned by some 7,876 personnel in highly visible areas but these are “less restrictive”, which means it is mainly for anti-criminality, anti-terrorism, and dragnet operations.

He said under ECQ, police manning checkpoints restrict the movement of persons not allowed outside their homes and facilitate the movement of authorized persons outside of residence (APORs) and essential goods and services.

For those living in the South Metro Manila cities of Muntinlupa, Las Piñas and Parañaque, the tollgates of Susana Heights, Alabang, Filinvest, Sucat and Bicutan should be familiar because all of them are accessed through the Skyway and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). I find it weird that the PNA report did not even mention the said highways.

Knowing this, I encourage you all to check the ECQ requirements for travel (note: if you still have your quarantine pass or QP, bring it with you) and study using S-PaSS (note: City Government of Las Piñas encouraged motorists to use it).

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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

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S-PaSS now essential for those who need to travel far and pass through police checkpoints

Moving around the Philippines, specifically in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the nearby provinces, has gotten tougher as President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the shift into ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) for the said places. ECQ is a more restricted status that will last from March 29 to April 4, 2021. Again, this is the national government’s response to the recent spike in new COVID-19 cases which are very disturbing.

To put things in context, here is an excerpt about ECQ from Philippine News Agency’s (PNA) report…

An ECQ status mandates all households to observe strict home quarantine. Movements will be limited to Authorized Persons Outside Residence, those accessing essential goods and services, and workers in establishments allowed to operate.

Mass gatherings (more than 10 persons outside and non-household members indoors) and face-to-face classes are also prohibited in ECQ zones. Mass transportation is allowed at limited capacity.

With regards to local travel during this time of ECQ, the S-PaSS  (Safe, Swift & Smart Passage) online travel management system is more essential and it has an app that can be downloaded for free. This is the same S-PaSS that the City Government of Las Piñas promoted recently.

For those who have not been familiar nor started using it, the S-PaSS was designed to facilitate a safe, swift and smart coordination of travels to destination LGUs (local government units). The traveler may check if the destination LGU has a restricted or unrestricted travel policy. If the LGU is restricted, the traveler must use the S-PaSS to apply for a TCP or Travel Coordination Permit. Travelers are free to visit any unrestricted destination LGU, however it is recommended to generate a TPP or Travel Pass-Through Permit if they will be passing through LGUs with restricted statuses.

The S-PaSS is now the subject of a new article published yesterday at Philippine News Agency (PNA) and below is an excerpt…

The new paperless app S-PaSS (Safe, Swift and Smart Passage) recently launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) offers a convenient and safe way to process travel authority online for local travelers, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas on Saturday said.

Sinas said S-PaSS will boost the PNP’s imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the quarantine control points (QCPs) that have been set up in different local government units (LGUs).

“It will continue to help and benefit LGUs in recording and monitoring in real time, traveler’s information, such as those who are going in and out of their respective localities,” Sinas said in a statement.

He said the implementation of S-PaSS by Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) promises to be a one-stop-shop app for the local stranded individuals (LSIs), returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), emergency travelers (ETs) and other essential travelers during the pandemic.

“The PNP welcomes the development of this local mobility feature as a tool which integrates the processing system for the issuance of Travel Pass-Through Permit or TPP and Travel Coordination Permit or PCP, Travel Authorities and QR codes which quickly generates real-time reports needed,” he added.

Despite the use of the mobile S-PaSS app, Sinas said police deployment will continue to ensure strict public adherence to the implementation of minimum public health and safety protocols.

Last Friday, the DOST and partner government agencies officially launched the S-PaSS, a one-stop online communication and coordination platform for LGUs.

As you can see in the above information, the S-PaSS is crucial for those who need to travel far distances and reach their respective destinations (notably local government units). Apart from helping motorists, other travelers such as returning overseas Filipinos, the stranded people and the essential movers can avail of the system to move around. The Philippine National Police (PNP) recognizes S-PaSS officially.

To learn more about S-PaSS, https://www.facebook.com/spassph or visit their official website at https://s-pass.ph/

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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

COVID-19 Crisis: Four communities in Muntinlupa placed under localized lockdown due to rise in COVID-19 cases

The City Government of Muntinlupa added two more communities under localized lockdown, in addition to two areas previously placed under stricter community quarantine, in its latest attempt to prevent further COVID-19 transmissions.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed an executive order declaring a 15-day Extreme Localized Community Quarantine (ELCQ) in St. Anthony St., JPA Subdivision in Brgy. Tunasan and Amparo St. in Brgy. Poblacion starting 06:00 a.m. of March 26 until April 10, 6:00 a.m.

Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) acting chief Dr. Juancho Bunyi said the areas have become areas of concern after recording a high attack rate of 32 per 1,000 population and a doubling time of 3 days from March 18-22 for St. Anthony Street, while a high attack rate of 17.14 per 1,000 population and narrow doubling time of 3 days were recorded from March 16-25 in Amparo Street.

He noted that clustering of cases were observed in the communities subjected to the localized lockdown and social distancing and the strict use of face masks are not strictly followed. Further, the City Health Office recorded a high population of senior citizens for both communities.

St. Anthony St., JPA Subdivision in Brgy. Tunasan has 155 residents and 8 active cases while Amparo St. in Brgy. Poblacion has 175 households and 7 active cases as of March 25. CHO is set to conduct a mass testing in the community and will intensify its detection, isolation, and treatment strategies. Contact tracing of close contacts will also be facilitated.

The City Government through the Social Service Department and Barangay will provide additional relief food packs and other basic goods during the effectivity of the ELCQ. PNP Muntinlupa is set to augment roving personnel in nearby areas to ensure the public’s strict compliance to health protocols.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi asks for the cooperation of the residents from the affected communities and urged them to observe health protocols such as frequent hand-washing, wearing of face masks, and physical distancing.

Previously, the City Government placed Cruzero St., Villa Carolina 1 in Barangay Tunasan and 124 Purok 1 in Barangay Cupang starting March 13 and will end on March 28, 6:00 a.m.

As of March 25, Muntinlupa City has 6,699 confirmed cases with 5,773 recoveries, 735 active cases, 191 reported deaths, 195 suspect cases, and 697 probable cases.

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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

SMC President Ramon S. Ang declares Skyway northbound extension structurally complete

Motorists coming from south of Metro Manila (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and other southern destinations) here in the Philippines will have something good to look forward to as San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president Ramon S. Ang formally announced that the northbound section of the Skyway Extension project has been completed structurally and by the end of this month, asphalt-laying will be done.

This announcement by the charismatic businessman and infrastructure developer reflects his corporation’s commitment to the public providing a long-term solution to the traffic congestion problems of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), particularly the area approaching the Alabang area of Muntinlupa City. It is San Miguel Corporation that spearheaded this project in coordination with the national authorities. This is a great example of how a major private sector player (as well as one of the Philippines’ largest corporations) made a breakthrough on Philippine infrastructure that will benefit many motorists and passengers in the generations to come. This is something that the anti-prosperity, anti-business, socialist and Communist fanatics cannot discredit.

Going back to the announcement, below is an excerpt from the press release published through the Philippine News Agency (PNA) website…

“I’m happy to announce that soon, we can open the northbound section of the Skyway Extension for our motorists coming from the south. This almost four-kilometer, three-lane expansion will have an additional capacity of 4,500 vehicles per hour, significantly easing congestion and allowing motorists to bypass the Alabang viaduct. Those coming from SLEX or MCX can go up the ramp at Susana Heights, and directly go to Makati, Manila, Skyway 3, all the way to Quezon City and North Luzon Expressway,” he said in a statement Wednesday. 

Ang said one can be at NLEX in 25 to 30 minutes instead of two to three hours, and bypass the usual traffic chokepoints such as Alabang, Magallanes, and Edsa. 

“This will be a big relief to so many motorists and will do a lot to ease traffic in southern Metro Manila, including on public roads leading to SLEX and Skyway,” he added. 

Conceptualized and fully funded by SMC, the Skyway Extension project started in late 2019. The northbound section stretches 3.99 kilometers from Susana Heights to Sucat. 

It is seen to decongest SLEX and Skyway at-grade traffic by diverting motorists straight to the elevated Skyway. 

The project was originally set for completion by December 2020 but was affected by delays and work limitations brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) global pandemic, starting with the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) implemented beginning middle of March last year. 

Ang thanked motorists and stakeholders, including the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, the local government of Muntinlupa, and private companies such as Filinvest, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and Meralco, for their full cooperation and support for the project.  

While those were a lot of details, I did notice that there is no fixed date yet as to when exactly will the northbound structure (the wide ramp of which is located many meters before the Filinvest Exit and the Alabang viaduct) will be opened to the public. To put things clearly, SMC and its contractors are doing the finishing touches.

Regardless, this is still great news and in due time the opening will happen. I guess it will be opened formally during the summer season. Once a new update has been made, I will update you all.

In the meantime, please kindly share this to motorists, relatives or friends you know who need to travel from the south to the Metro Manila and to the north.

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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

COVID-19 Crisis: National Capital Region (NCR) and 4 nearby provinces now under GCQ until April 4, 2021

It is all over the news and already a lot of people got affected specifically in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal. This past Sunday, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) issued a new resolution (Resolution #104) in response to the spike of COVID-19 cases in the country. There was a single-day high of 7,999 new COVID-19 cases reported recently followed by blaming the government and economic managers.

Firstly, there is no lockdown which is good news. This is about retaining the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) status for NCR while the four nearby provinces have fallen under the same status.

To put things in perspective, posted below are excerpts from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) report…

Excerpt 1

Under IATF Resolution No. 104, he said only essential travel into and out of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal will be allowed.

Excerpt 2

Traveling into and out of Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal will be prohibited. We will have a sort of bubble in NCR, and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal,” he said.

Travel of authorized persons outside their residences (APORs) such as essential workers, health and emergency frontline services personnel; government officials and government frontline personnel; duly-authorized humanitarian assistance actors; persons traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons; persons going to the airport for travel abroad, returning overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be unimpeded for as long as they show their respective work identification cards.

Individuals crossing zones for work or business and going back home will also be allowed to travel to and from the said areas.

“Kung kayo ay uuwi, essential travel po ‘yun. Kailangan lang magpakita ng ID kung saan ka talaga nakatira (If you’re going back home that’s essential travel. All you need to do is show your ID to prove that you live there),” he said.

Excerpt 3

Public gatherings limited

All public gatherings, including religious gatherings, will be prohibited but weddings, baptism, and funerals will be allowed but must observe a 10-person venue capacity.

Current operational capacities of essential and non-essential services and industries will remain.

However, face-to-face meetings, group meals in workplaces will be prohibited. Instead, work-from-home and virtual meetings are encouraged.

Roque said the IATF resolution also enjoins the private sector to adopt similar alternative working arrangements as those in place in the executive branch of government such as operating on a 30 to 50 capacity.

Only outdoor dining allowed

As for dining, Roque said only outdoor dining will be allowed in areas under GCQ while indoor dining will be strictly prohibited.

“Pagdating po sa mga restaurants, ang papayagan lang po yung mga outdoor dining (When it comes to restaurants, we will only allow those with outdoor dining),” he said.

Outdoor dining must observe a maximum of 50 percent venue capacity.

Take out and delivery is encouraged, he added.

Wear masks at home

Although the economy will stay open, Roque said the IATF resolution will require persons below 18-years-old and above 65-years-old, those with comorbidities, and pregnant women to remain inside their residences at all times.

The IATF resolution also advises the wearing of face mask at home especially when living with elderly and vulnerable.

Accepting of visitors outside immediate family or household is strongly discouraged.

Operations of driving schools, traditional cinemas and video and interactive game arcades, libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers, limited social events at accredited tourism establishments and limited tourism attractions will be temporarily suspended except open-air tourism attractions.

Before the IATF’s new resolution was issued, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) went ahead in shortening the hours of voter registration as well as suspending the organizing of satellite registration (registration processes held outside of their office) which started yesterday. People around the Philippines have until the end September 2021 to register themselves or adjust their respective voter statuses in preparation of the May 2022 presidential, national and local elections.

For their part, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced yesterday that it would yield to public health concerns in relation to the GCQ status for NCR and the 4 nearby provinces.

With regards to the IATF’s prohibition on indoor dining, already the shopping malls and restaurants here in South Metro Manila have made adjustments and updated their customers. Sigekiya Ramen announced that their restaurant at Commercenter, Filinvest City in Alabang, is still allowed to accommodate paying customers for outdoor dining. Like many others, they also offer takeout and delivery services. Alabang Town Center and Festival Mall in Alabang posted updates about safety protocols in accordance to IATF Resolution #104.

With all these developments in place, people in the NCR and the affected provinces under GCQ will have to adjust. It is okay to keep reporting to work but there is a need to be cautious with regards to personal safety and avoiding COVID-19 infection as much as possible. There is also the need to prioritize where to go and what to do. All of these are in effect until April 4, 2021 and here is hoping that the current situation will improve (that the daily COVID-19 count of new cases will go down) so that the new round of restrictions under GCQ will not be extended.

Better yet, I encourage you all to look up to our Lord Jesus and keep having unwavering faith in Him. I also encourage you all to read chapter 91 of the Book of Psalm in the Holy Bible and pray in tongues to our Lord in the privacy in your respective rooms (with the door shut closed). Open your heart to the Lord, always.

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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

Muntinlupa City Council and Brgy. Poblacion approve resolutions vs closing of Bilibid road to NHA

Following the construction of a wall in Bilibid Road going to Southville 3 by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), the Muntinlupa City Council and Barangay Poblacion passed separate resolutions condemning the action and requesting the immediate opening of the access road.

Majority Floor Leader Coun. Raul Corro said the city council have passed resolutions on yesterday requesting the Department of Justice (DOJ) to order BuCor to reopen the road going to and from NHA, Southville 3 and requesting Congress of the Philippines, thru Cong. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation.

In a recent Facebook post, Coun. Corro reiterated that BuCor’s action of preventing residents from passing through the NBP to go to other areas in Muntinlupa is illegal.

“Maliwanag na labag ito sa karapatang pantao ng mga residente ng Southville 3 at ginawa ito na walang ‘due process of law’ at labag sa kanilang ‘equal protection of the law’ na ginagarantiya ng ating Saligang Batas,” Corro noted.

While the Sangguniang Barangay of Brgy. Poblacion has also conducted a special session to approve a resolution condemning BuCor’s wall installation on Bilibid Road. Southville 3 is a socialized housing project of the National Housing Authority located within the National Bilibid Prisons Reservation with 8,000 families or at least 40,000 residents.

On March 20, Congressman Ruffy Biazon visited the area and talked to BuCor officials for the removal of the wall. Biazon said the wall is an obstruction to free passage in public roads and violates Article 694 of the Civil Code of the Philippines.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi also sent a letter to BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag urging him to remove the wall. Fresnedi appealed to Bantag to use his “sense of compassion and soundness of reason in reconsidering your decision to what appears to us as a permanent closure of the portion of road that connects the said community to the rest of Muntinlupa.”

The local exec said it would have been better if BuCor have coordinated with the City Government and the affected residents of its plans to close the road so that all parties would come up with a viable solution to the issues on the subject matter.

Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said BuCor did not inform the City Government of its plans in building a wall in the area.  She added that BuCor only sent a letter on March 18 to Poblacion Bgy. Captain Allen Ampaya informing him “that paths leading to the NHA, South Ville 3 and the route in front of Tower 8 going to the Minimum Security Compound will not be accessible to all pedestrians and motorists starting from March 20, 2021 (Saturday) at about 5:00 AM until further notice.”

Alternative route for Southville 3 residents going to Poblacion is through Biazon Road, passing through Daang Hari Road in Bacoor, Cavite and Las Pinas, Bgy. Ayala Alabang, Bgy. Alabang, Bgy, Bayanan and Bgy. Putatan.

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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

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

Las Piñas City Government tells travelers/motorists to avail of S-PaSS (Safe, Swift and Smart Passage) service online

Yesterday the City Government of Las Piñas formally announced that travelers can avail of the service of S-PaSS (Safe, Swift & Smart Passage), an online traveling management system that can be used to travel to provinces or cities with applicable travel restrictions.

In case you need it for your destination local government unit (LGU), here are the following steps or guidelines for creating an S-PaSS Account and getting your travel documents online.

Information published by the City of Las Piñas Facebook page.

With the S-PaSS, it will facilitate for users a safe, swift and smart coordination of travels to the destination LGUs. The traveler may check if the destination LGU has a restrict or unrestricted travel policy. If the LGU is restricted, the S-PaSS must be applied for a Travel Coordination Permit (TCP). The travelers are free to go to any unrestricted destination LGU, however it is recommended to generate a Travel Pass-Through Permit (TPP) if they will be passing through LGUs with restricted statuses.

Information published by the Facebook page of S-Pass.

Once again, everyone is reminded to continue to be careful, be disciplined and adhere to health and safety protocols.

About S-Pass

S-PaSS is a travel management system developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) VI primarily intended to make travelling of Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs), Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) Emergency Travelers (ETs), and other travelers during this pandemic Safe, Swift, and Smart.

The system was designed to help users facilitate their travels when going to provinces or cities that have travel restrictions

To learn more about S-PaSS, https://www.facebook.com/spassph or visit their official website at https://s-pass.ph/

For updates about the city, visit https://www.facebook.com/cityoflaspinasofficial

For South Metro Manila discussions, visit and join the community in Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

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The above information was sourced from the City Government of Las Piñas and from S-PaSS.ph

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

COVID-19 Crisis: Over 200 curfew violators apprehended in Muntinlupa on first day, minors warned of withdrawal of scholarship grant

Members of Muntinlupa City PNP and barangay police have apprehended at 203 curfew violators – including 36 were minors – on the first day (March 15, 2021) of the implementation of stricter curfew hours in the city.

Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said the violators were taken to barangay covered courts where they attended seminars about the unified curfew hours, health protocols, and the local COVID-19 situation.

According to PNP Muntinlupa, 22 individuals were given citation tickets for deliberate non-compliance with minimum health measures such as wearing of face mask and face shield while 36 minors were given warning.

Navarro added that minors who will violate the curfew hours shall lose their scholarship grant from the local government in their second offense while other penalties shall be charged against their parents or guardians.

Photo released by the Muntinlupa PIO related to the Metro Manila curfew.

The City Government joined other Metro Manila cities in implementing unified curfew hours from 10:00 PM – 5:00 AM adopting the Metro Manila Council MMDA Resolution No. 21-03, Series of 2021 starting March 15. Further, Muntinlupa has also enforced a total liquor ban as part of the city’s tighter COVID-19 response efforts in a bid to prevent further transmission of COVID-19.

Business establishments who will violate the liquor ban shall receive suspension of business permit and closure for one (1) week for first offense and revocation of its business permit or license for second and succeeding offenses. For individuals, violators shall be meted with P2,500 penalty for first offense and P5,000 for second and succeeding offenses. The liquor ban and curfew hours in Muntinlupa will remain in effect until April 4.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi appealed to Muntinlupa residents to strictly follow minimum health measures and not to let their guard down amid rising cases in the city.

“COVID-19 is still here and we should continue observing health protocols such as wearing our face mask and face shield, physical distancing, and washing of hands,” the local exec said.

Two areas of concern in Muntinlupa City were placed under a two-week Extreme Localized Community Quarantine (ELCQ) from March 13 to March 28 after recording high attack rates and active cases in the recent weeks.

The City Health Office has conducted a mass testing in Cruzero St., Villa Carolina 1 in Barangay Tunasan and 124 Purok 1 in Barangay Cupang and will intensify its detection, isolation, and treatment strategies. Contact tracing of close contacts will also be facilitated.

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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

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

SMC President Ramon S. Ang clarifies Skyway Stage 3 remains open to motorists

Are you a motorist who needs to go way north, or way south or somewhere in between in the heart of Metro Manila? Here are some good news for you all: Skyway Stage 3 remains open to motorists as confirmed by San Miguel Corporation President Ramon S. Ang.

Very recently, there was confusion when it was announced that Stage 3 of the elevated expressway would close down on March 16, 2021 starting 5PM. Below is the excerpt from the GMA News report…

“In accordance with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) directive, the Skyway Stage 3 will be closed indefinitely starting 16 March 2021 at 5PM,” the Skyway Stage 3 management said in a post on Twitter on Monday night.

The elevated expressway will be reopened once all ramps are completed, as ordered by TRB, it said.

“Apologies for the inconvenience. SMC Infrastructure has no choice but to comply,” management said.

However, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) issued an advisory on Tuesday saying the TRB has not issued a decision or directive ordering the closure indefinitely of Skyway Stage 3.

“This is to inform the public that the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) DID NOT ISSUE a decision or directive ordering the indefinite closure of the Skyway Stage 3 starting 5 p.m. of 16 March 2021,” the DOTr said.

“The Toll Regulatory Board DID NOT ISSUE a decision or directive ordering the indefinite closure of the Skyway Stage 3,” it added.

“TRB’s position is to keep Skyway Stage 3 OPEN for the benefit of motorists,” the DOTr added.

“The TRB is composed of the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Finance, National Economic Development Authority, and a representative from the private sector,” it said.

“Yes, I have just talk[ed] to [Transportation] Sec. [Arthur] Tugade. He will take care of TRB (Toll Regulatory Board),” Ang told GMA News Online.

As you can see above, things got really confusing and it was a major relief that Ramon Ang clarified that Skyway Stage 3 would not be closed. To put things in perspective, the 18-kilometer long Skyway Stage 3 was fully opened toll-free to motorists this past January and the TRB has yet to approve the proposed toll rates for it.

Now that the issue has been resolved, keep using Skyway Stage 3 for as long as you need it to move around. Please share this article to fellow motorists and other Skyway travelers you personally know. Thanks.

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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