Southeast Asia – Page 110 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Foreign tourist arrivals in the Philippines approaching 4 million

September 25, 2023September 25, 2023carlocarrasco

Close to four million foreign tourist arrivals have been counted lately as Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Christine Frasco confirmed, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Take note that the target for 2023 is 4.8 million foreign tourist arrivals and the government intends to make the country a stronger tourism force in Asia by the year 2028.

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

The Philippines is close to hitting its 2023 arrival target after recording more than 3.87 million foreign tourists as of Sept. 19, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Wednesday.

At the opening of the 2023 Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) in Cebu, Frasco said the country logged 3,877,183 inbound arrivals or at least 80.77 percent of the 4.8 million foreign tourists that the DOT targets to reach by the end of the year.

In the same period, the Philippines generated PHP316.9 billion in revenue from tourists coming mostly from South Korea, the United States and Japan.

Frasco is optimistic these figures will increase as business-to-business meetings between sellers and buyers at the PHITEX commence on Sept. 20.

She said the Marcos administration would continue working to transform the Philippines as a “tourism powerhouse in Asia”.

She shared the DOT’s plans and programs aimed at promoting ecotourism, the development of tourism communities across the country, fostering robust private sector participation to promote heritage protection, diversification of the country’s tourism portfolio and other initiatives to benefit tourism stakeholders.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? With the likelihood that the Philippines will be able to surpass its 2023 foreign tourist arrivals target of 4.8 million, do you think the number could reach 6 million by the end of the year? Did you notice any positive economic impact from the rising foreign tourist arrivals? If you own a business, did you benefit from foreign tourists’ spending?

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

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

Muntinlupa City Mayor and Congressman warn public about beauty pageant solicitation scam

September 22, 2023September 19, 2023carlocarrasco

Did anyone in Muntinlupa City approach you and tried to solicit funds for a beauty pageant? There is a scam happening locally and no less than the Mayor and Congressman of Muntinlupa warned the public about it, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Muntinlupa Rep. Jaime Fresnedi and Mayor Ruffy Biazon warned the public of a solicitation scam using a fake endorsement letter for a beauty pageant.

In a Facebook post, Fresnedi said a fake endorsement letter indicating that it came from his office was being used to solicit from business establishments for the “Miss Amazing Philippines” beauty pageant in exchange for a five percent discount when they renew their business permits.

The fake endorsement letter certified that a certain Rovic Macariola from Barangay Putatan appeared on Sept. 15 in Fresnedi’s office “with the purpose of seeking permission for the introduction and fulfillment of the candidate requirements for the competition of ‘Miss Amazing Philippines 2023’ pageant.”

“The public is hereby warned that Rovic P. Macariola did not appear on the 15th day of September 2023 and sought permission from this Office relative to the requirements for the competition of ‘Miss Amazing Philippines’ 2023 pageant,” Fresnedi said in a statement.

He added, “Further, Atty. Miguelito Rueda-Gozos who allegedly approved the Certificate of Appearance as a lawyer holding position as a mere Administrative Aide II is not connected with the Office of the House of Representatives of the Lone District of Muntinlupa.”

Fresnedi said the letterhead used in the fake endorsement letter “pertains to the City Government of Muntinlupa and not to the Lone District and the signature of the undersigned in the Certificate of Appearance was forged.”

He said, “the public is hereby advised that the Office of Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi did not issue the Certificate of Appearance and that they should not transact with Rovic P. Macariola who made the foregoing false representations in order to solicit donations for the alleged beauty pageant.”

Biazon said this is a scam and the city government does not ask money or donation in exchange for a discount.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Did someone approach you and tried to solicit funds from you for a special event or activity? Do you think there could be more solicitation scams happening within the city right now?

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

Muntinlupa City Government distributing supplies to over 90,000 public students

September 7, 2023September 5, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government of Muntinlupa led by Mayor Ruffy Biazon officially started the distribution of free shoes, bags and other supplies to over ninety thousand local public school students, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Muntinlupa City government has started distributing its free Balik Eskwela Packages to public school students.

The Balik Eskwela Package will benefit 90,007 students from day care level to senior high school. Mayor Ruffy Biazon led the distribution of the Balik Eskwela packages on Sept. 4.

“With the high cost of commodities, your City Government has set aside funds so we can help families provide for their children. This is our way to help offset the cost of school supplies especially for struggling families,” he said.

Biazon distributed the free packages to students at Sucat Elementary School, Cupang Senior High School, Cupang Elementary School, Alabang Elementary School, Pedro E. Diaz High School, and Putatan Elementary School.

Councilors and city government department heads also joined the simultaneous giving out of the kits in other schools around the city as well.

Each Balik Eskwela Package consists of a school bag, a pair of leather shoes, eight notebooks, a case of pencils and sharpener for Kinder to Grade 3, and assorted ballpens for Grade 4 to Grade 12 students.

For day care students, the kits include a school bag, two notebooks, two jumbo pencils, pad paper, crayons, and a drink bottle.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a Muntinlupa resident, do you approve of the City Government’s distribution of school-related supplies to the local public school students?

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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Philippines crime rate falls down by more than 10% in first half of 2023

July 20, 2023July 17, 2023carlocarrasco

Based on the statistics released by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the national crime rate fell down by over 10% during the period of January-June 2023, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Take note that the statistics do not even country cyber crime.

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

The country’s crime rate has dropped by 10.14 percent in the first six months this year as compared to the same period in 2022, Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said there is continuing decline in peace and order indicators, particularly in index crime, from 20,765 in January to June 2022 down to 18,660 for the same period this year.

The eight focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, vehicle theft, motorcycle theft and rape.

Index crimes are serious crimes such as murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, rape, theft and carjacking, while non-index crimes are violations of local ordinances and laws and vehicular accidents.

Citing collated data across the country, Fajardo said carnapping of vehicles registered the highest decline with 28.90 percent or from 173 from January to June in 2022 to 123 this year.

This was followed by physical injury with 20.01 percent, or from 2,893 to 2,314; and rape with 18.19 percent, or from 5,025 to 4,111.

Theft also went down by 9.33 percent, or from 6,506 to 5,899; caranapping of motorcycles with 8.82 percent decline, or from 998 to 910; and, murder with 1.89 percent, or from 2,177 to 2,077.

Robbery, however, went up by 6.86 percent, or from 2,434 to 2,601; while homicide with 2.75 percent increase, or from 511 to 525.

The figures, however, do not include cybercrimes which were earlier reported to have increased by around 192 percent nationwide, and 152 percent in Metro Manila.

“We are now conducting a study to determine if these cybercrime-related activities could be included in our index crimes,” Fajardo told reporters in a press briefing held at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Based on the data released by the PNP-AntiCybercrime Group, a total of 4,104 SIM card-aided crimes were reported from January to June this year, compared to only 1,415 in the same period in 2022.

SIM card-aided crimes, according to PNP-ACG, include GCash-related transactions, text scams, bank frauds and fake news.

The PNP-ACG, however, noted that it solved almost all of the reported incidents.

Fajardo said a technical working group (TWG) was created to look into suggestions that cybercrime-related incidents must be included since they are both crimes against property and persons.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you feel safer knowing that the national crime rate fell down by over 10% during the first half of this year?

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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Another foreign fugitive found among those rescued in Las Piñas City raid

July 19, 2023July 17, 2023carlocarrasco

The developments related to the recent raid in Las Piñas City continues to be surprising as another foreign fugitive was identified among those who got rescued by the police, according to a GMA Network news report. Take note that previously there were other foreign fugitives uncovered.

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

Another Chinese fugitive was identified among the rescued workers from the raid in a Las Piñas City establishment in June, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the fugitive was identified as one of the “big bosses” of the company that was raided by authorities over suspected illegal activities.

“Noong in-apply natin ang search warrant ay identified na po siya as one of the bosses po ng Hong Tai company,” Fajardo said.

(When we applied for a search warrant, he was already identified as one of the bosses of Hong Tai company.)

“Noong nag-background check na po ang embassy ay nalaman po natin, nagbigay po sila ng document na may warrant of detention na rin pala ito at lumalabas po noong chineck, isa pala siya doon sa mga big bosses ng company,” she added.

(We learned about it when the embassy conducted a background check and it gave us a document showing this person already has a warrant of detention.)

Four Chinese and three Taiwanese fugitives were previously discovered among the rescued workers. They were turned over to the Bureau of Immigration on July 7 for deportation.

On June 26, authorities implemented a search warrant in a compound in Las Piñas over an alleged human trafficking situation.

The police reported that 1,534 Filipinos and 1,190 foreigners were rescued from the raid.

According to Fajardo, authorities also discovered two minors — an Indonesian and a Malaysian — among the rescued workers.

On June 30, five Chinese suspects identified as Li Jiacheng, alias Li Jiachang, Xiao Liu, alias Xiao Lin, Yan Jiayong, alias Pan Wen Jie, Duan Haozhuan, and LP Hongkun, alias Li Yang, underwent inquest proceedings at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

But according to DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the five Chinese were ordered to be released due to lack of evidence.

Remulla slammed the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), which spearheaded the raid, for supposedly failing to coordinate with the DOJ before conducting the raid.

The suspects’ lawyer, Atty. Christian Vargas, said the five Chinese nationals are still under police custody despite a release order from the DOJ.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you feeling concerned that there could be even more foreign fugitives among the many employees of the raided POGO?

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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Las Piñas City honors more local athletes who won overseas

July 17, 2023July 15, 2023carlocarrasco

In Las Piñas City, the City Government honored three more local athletes who won in sports tournaments overseas including the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar warmly welcomed three athletes who won medals in international competitions, making the city proud.

The athletes met the mayor in separate courtesy visits last July 13 and 14.

Aguilar commended Jeon Bardley dela Cruz, a five-year-old Jiu Jitsu athlete who won silver medals at the Asian Sport Jiu Jitsu Federation (ASJJF) Philippine International Jiu Jitsu Open and the Abu Dhabi Pro (AJP).

*Dela Cruz with the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Las Piñas City. (source-City of Las Piñas FB page)*

She said despite Dela Cruz’s young age, he displayed immense skills and determination in sports, serving as an inspiration to aspiring athletes.

Joseph Arcilla and Sherwin Nuguit, renowned tennis players, were also honored for their remarkable achievement in the sports abroad.

*The two local SEA Games medalists with the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Las Piñas. (source – City of Las Piñas FB page)*

In the recently concluded 2023 South East Asian Games held in Cambodia, Arcilla clinched the highly coveted gold medal in soft tennis while Nuguit secured the bronze, adding to the growing list of accolades earned by Filipino athletes.

Aguilar expressed her immense pride and appreciation for the athletes’ hard work, commending their exceptional performances and remarkable contributions to the sport.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted to find out that more local athletes got honored by the City Government?

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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Cash incentives for 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games medalists to be awarded on July 20

July 13, 2023July 10, 2023carlocarrasco

Members of the Philippine Team who won medals in the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) and the 12 ASEAN Para Games (APG) will be awarded with the promised cash incentives by the national government on July 20, 2023, at Malacañang Palace, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. The cash incentives will be released in accordance to Republic Act Number 10699 and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., himself will be in attendance.

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

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will present cash incentives to the medalists of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) and 12th ASEAN Para Games (APG) in a ceremony scheduled on July 20 at the Malacañan Palace.

“We are grateful for President Marcos’ decision to personally award the incentives to Team Philippines, an expression of his admiration to our national athletes and their unwavering passion and dedication for representing the country,” Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann said in a statement on Monday.

The government cash incentives amounting to PHP74 million, including PHP14 million for Para Games medalists, is in accordance to Republic Act 10699, or the Expanded National Athletes and Coaches Incentives and Benefits Act.

Medalists in the SEAG will get PHP300,000 for gold winner, PHP150,000 (silver) and PHP60,000 (bronze), while for the ASEAN Para Games winners, the incentives are PHP150,000 (gold), PHP75,000 (silver) and PHP30,000 (bronze).

The cash bonuses will come from the monthly remittances of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) through the PSC’s National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).

“In the past, the PSC conducted two separate awarding for SEAG and APG medalists, but I believe it is more fitting to join the two for the President’s first-ever incentives awarding during his administration,” Bachmann said.

Bachmann will be joined by PSC Commissioners Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, Edward Hayco, Walter Francis Torres and Olivia “Bong” Coo during the awarding ceremony.

Also invited to the ceremony are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Senate Committee on Sports Chairman Sen. Bong Go, House Committee on Youth and Sports Chairman Rep. Faustino Dy III, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Mayor Abraham Tolentino, and other sports executives and officials.

The Philippines won 58 golds, 85 silvers and 117 bronzes in the SEA Games to surpass its 52-70-105 haul in Vietnam last year, but remained fifth overall.

World champion Carlos Edriel Yulo bagged two gold and two silver medals for the gymnastics team, which also won two bronze medals.

In the ASEAN Para Games, the country collected 34 gold, 33 silver and 50 bronze medals to duplicate its fifth-place finish last year in Indonesia.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you inspired by what the Philippine Team athletes won in the recent SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games?

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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Las Piñas-based 2023 SEA Games medalists commended by Mayor and Vice Mayor

June 6, 2023June 2, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Las Piñas, Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery welcomed local residents and 2023 SEA Games medalists Jocel Lyn Ninobla and Ana Alicia “Khate” Castillo at City Hall and had a meeting together, the City Government announced via their Facebook page post dated June 2.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the social media post. Some parts in boldface…

Two remarkable athletes, Jocel Lyn Ninobla and Ana Alicia “Khate” Castillo, who proudly represented the Philippines at the recently concluded 2023 South East Asian Games in Cambodia, paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar on Thursday, June 1st in City Hall.

*Jocel Lyn Ninobla and Ana Alicia “Khate” Castillo are the 2023 SEA Games medalists based in Las Piñas City. (photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)*

*The SEA Games medalists in their meeting with Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar. (photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)*

Jocel Lyn Ninobla, an outstanding taekwondo athlete, won a prestigious Gold medal at the Women’s Recognized Team Poomsae event and a Bronze medal in the Mixed Recognized Pair Poomsae event, highlighting her versatility and talent in the discipline. Jocel, an alumna of Divine Light Academy in Las Piñas, returned to her hometown to express her gratitude to the city that played a significant role in her journey.

Jocel Lyn Ninobla showing her 2023 SEA Games gold and bronze medals while posing with the Vice Mayor and Mayor. *(photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)*

Accompanying Jocel was Ana Alicia “Khate” Castillo, a basketball athlete who secured a Silver medal at the Women’s 5×5 Basketball event. She is a proud graduate of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Las Piñas.

Ana Alicia “Khate” Castillo with her 2023 SEA Games silver medal, and the Vice Mayor and the Mayor. *(photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)*

Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar commended Jocel and Khate for their dedication, hard work, and perseverance, which led them to excel on the international stage and bring glory to both the Philippines and Las Piñas City.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted to see local residents who won SEA Games medals for the Philippines?

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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Over P12 million in bonuses to be given by POC to the nation’s 2023 SEA Games medalists

June 5, 2023June 1, 2023carlocarrasco

Philippine Team athletes who won medals in the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games (AKA SEA Games or Cambodia 2023) will be receiving over P12 million in bonuses from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), according to a GMA Network news report. Take note that the POC SEA Games bonuses are different from the incentives of Republic Act Number 10699 (RA10699) or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

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

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is set to hand out P12.4 million in bonuses to athletes who copped medals at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia last month.

These bonuses will be distributed to the 58 gold medalists, 85 silver winners, and 117 athletes who took home bronze medals. Of the total bonus, P7.2 million is from the Manuel V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation (MVPSF), while P5.2 million is from POC funds.

“The athletes, particularly the medalists, deserve the reward, and the POC will always be diligent on that,” said POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino in a statement.

“The amount is from the generosity of MVPSF, Manny V. Pangilinan, through the efforts of [president] Al Panlilio.”

Under the POC’s incentive program, P100,000 will go to an individual gold medalist, P50,000 to doubles and relay teams, and P30,000 to a team; P50,000 to a silver medalist, P30,000 for doubles, and P20,000 for relay; and P30,000 to an individual silver medalist and P10,000 for doubles and relay.

The POC bonuses are separate from the government incentives given through the Philippine Sports Commission under Republic Act 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

For individual events, a gold in the SEA Games is worth P300,000, a silver P150,000, and a bronze P60,000, according to the law.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you happy with all the medals the Philippine athletes won in the 2023 SEA Games hosted by Cambodia?

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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Muntinlupa City Government congratulates local residents (athletes and coaches) for achieving success at the 32nd SEA Games

May 24, 2023May 23, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently the City Government of Muntinlupa congratulated local residents as well as a few coaches for achieving success in the concluded 32^nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Cambodia, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Muntinlupa City government congratulated residents who won at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Cambodia.

They are Annie Ramirez from Barangay Cupang, gold medalist, Jiu-Jitsu Women’s Newaza Nogi – 57 kg; Kaila Napolis of Barangay Poblacion, gold medalist, Jiu-Jitsu Women’s Newasa Gi – 52 kg; Gretel De Paz of Alabang, gold medalist, Kickboxing Low Kick – 56 kg; Shugen Nakano of Barangay Tunasan, silver medalist, Men’s Judo – 66 kg; Daryl John Mercado of Barangay Tunasan, bronze medalist, Men’s Judo-55 kg; and Keisei Nakano of Tunasan, bronze medalist, Judo Mixed Team Event.

Napolis won the Philippines’ first gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games.

The city government also commended coaches Jayson Senales of Barangay Tunasan, Philippine National Judo Team, and Kodo Nakano of Barangay Tunasan, Philippine National Judo Team.

The above report ended stating that Muntinlupa City has an existing ordinance in which financial rewards are granted to local athletes who win in international, nation, regional and local invitational competitions.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted to learn about the local residents who won medals for the country during the SEA Games in Cambodia?

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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