Twitter – Page 30 – Author Carlo Carrasco

2025 Chemical Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination Topnotcher Will Be Rewarded by Muntinlupa City Government

August 21, 2025August 14, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government confirmed that it will reward 2025 Chemical Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination Topnotcher and local resident Patricia Isabel Soriano P100,000 for her achievement, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The topnotcher in the 2025 Chemical Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination will be rewarded P100,000 by the Muntinlupa City government for her feat.

Patricia Isabel Soriano, who graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree from De La Salle University-Manila, bagged the No. 1 spot in the licensure examination with a rating of 88.6 percent.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said 602 out of 799 examinees passed the chemical engineers licensure exam given by the Board of Chemical Engineering in the National Capital Region, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena and Rosales in May.

Soriano, a resident of Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa, recently paid a courtesy call on Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

“At such a young age, nakapag-publish at present na rin siya ng papers about fuel treatment and energy storage, both in national and international conferences. Talagang nakakabilib ang iyong achievements, Patricia! (Your achievements are truly impressive, Patricia!),” Biazon posted on Facebook.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted to know about the great achievement by Soriano?

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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New Patrol Cars Donated by Las Piñas City Mayor to Police Department

August 20, 2025August 12, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, brand new patrol cars were formally turned over by Mayor April Aguilar to the police force to enhance their law enforcement capabilities, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Each new car has the latest in features designed to meet the operational standards for law enforcement.

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

Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar turned over three brand new patrol cars to the city’s police to boost public safety and strengthen law enforcement capabilities.

Aguilar led the turnover at the City Hall grounds on Monday, August 11, and was received by Col. Sandro Tafalla, Las Piñas City police chief.

She said the donation is part of the local government’s continuing commitment to provide the police force with adequate resources to ensure faster response time and more efficient patrolling in the community to maintain peace and order.

The mayor also said that city residents deserve to feel safe at all times, and the patrol car will help the police to respond quickly to emergency calls and conduct regular rounds around the city.

Aguilar assured that the city government will continue supporting the police in improving facilities and upgrading equipment.

Tafalla, on the other hand, expressed gratitude to the city government and said that the new vehicle will significantly enhance mobility, especially in far-flung areas and during critical operations.

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? Do you think the brand new patrol cars will help the local police perform better and serve the constituents better?

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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P7-billion redevelopment and expansion of SM Megamall pushing through

August 19, 2025August 12, 2025carlocarrasco

When was the last time you visited SM Megamall here in the Philippines? I was there a few months ago and it still has that same long rectangular structure with lots of stores, restaurants and service providers occupying spaces. It has been 33 years since my first-ever visit at SM Megamall. That being said, SM Megamall is up for major changes as a P7-billion redevelopment and expansion plan for it has been approved with a competition target between 2027 and 2029, according to a Manila Bulletin business news report.

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

SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime), the Sy family’s property development company, is investing ₱7 billion to redevelop and further expand SM Megamall, one of the Philippines’ most iconic malls, with phased completion targeted between 2027 and 2029.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the firm said the project is designed to elevate the customer experience while embedding long-term sustainability measures across the property.

Designed by United Kingdom (UK)-based architectural firm Benoy—known for developments like Jewel Changi in Singapore and Icon Siam in Thailand—the new SM Megamall will adopt a “Crystal Islands” concept, emphasizing natural light, open flow, and organic forms.

The redevelopment will add 20,000 square meters (sqm) of gross leasable area (GLA) and introduce nature-inspired architecture, improved mobility features, and energy-efficient systems. The addition of themed retail zones and intuitive wayfinding is designed to make the mall more accessible, while encouraging visitors to explore and discover new experiences throughout the expansive complex.

Operational upgrades include a new four-level basement parking facility with over 1,600 slots, expanded walkways and ceilings, and improved circulation through wider corridors and modernized vertical transport.

The redevelopment also includes relocated state-of-the-art cinemas, a new Megatrade Hall, a redesigned food court, and upgraded common areas and restrooms.

Sustainability features are integral to the redevelopment blueprint. A rainwater harvesting system with a 500-cubic-meter capacity will support water conservation, while upgrades to the mall’s mechanical systems are expected to reduce overall energy consumption.

ETFE roofing will be used to let in natural light and reduce cooling costs, while skylights and clerestory windows will minimize artificial lighting.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? When was the last time you spent at least half a day at SM Megamall doing shopping and leisurely activities? Are your favorite restaurants located inside SM Megamall?

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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First Human Milk Bank in Muntinlupa City Inaugurated

August 18, 2025August 11, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the first human milk bank located inside the Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) was formally inaugurated just as the local celebration of National Breastfeeding Month went on, according to a news article by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). For the newcomers reading this, Ospital ng Muntinlupa is located in Filinvest City and is a short distance away from Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

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

In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, Muntinlupa City, together with the Rotary Club of Muntinlupa, has opened the first human milk bank in the city, to save and improve the lives of newborns in need.

Located within the Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun), the facility, opened on August 4, is a crucial resource designed to ensure a safe and sufficient supply of donor human milk bank for babies in need, especially those who are premature, have medical conditions, or whose mothers are unable to breastfeed.

According to the National Nutrition Council (NNC), exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods until at least two years of age, is recommended for optimal growth and development.

Donated breast milk is a life-saving gift. A mother’s surplus milk, even in small amounts, can make a big difference in the life of another baby in need.

The human milk bank highlights the importance of breast milk, often called ‘liquid gold,’ in providing newborns with complete nutrition for their needs and strengthening immunity through a mother’s antibodies. Breastfed babies are less likely to get infections and have a lower risk of developing asthma, diabetes, and obesity. Breastfeeding also supports brain development and higher intelligence when they grow up.

The benefits of breastfeeding extend to the mother as well, by releasing hormones like oxytocin, fostering a deep emotional and psychological bond between the mother and child. Mothers who breastfeed also experience a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes, and postpartum depression.

Locals who are interested to donate breast milk are encouraged to call 0912-857-5398. The human milk bank is open from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted to know that a local human milk bank has been launched? Are there lots of people in your local community who are willing to donate breast milk to the human milk bank?

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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Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) officially moved to November 2026

August 16, 2025August 15, 2025carlocarrasco

In case you missed the news, the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) – originally scheduled for this year – has officially been moved to November 2026 as Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., signed into law a measure passed by Congress, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Notably, the BSKE will be held every four years staring in 2026.

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

President Marcos has signed into law a measure extending the term of office for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to four years as he postponed the December 2025 BSK elections to November next year.

Republic Act No. 12232, signed by the President on Wednesday, Aug. 13, amends the current three-year term and limits barangay officials to a maximum of three consecutive terms in the same position. SK officials, meanwhile, are limited to one term.

Under the law, the next barangay and SK elections will be held on the first Monday of November 2026 and every four years thereafter. Winners will assume office on the first day of December following their election.

All incumbent barangay and SK officials will remain in their posts until their successors have been elected and qualified, unless they are removed or suspended for cause.

The measure bars incumbent barangay officials serving their third consecutive term from running for the same position in the 2026 polls. The same applies to SK officials who have already served their maximum term.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is mandated to issue implementing rules and regulations within 90 days from the law’s effectivity, which takes place immediately after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you surprised to see the BSKE elections postponed again? What do you think of the new rules regarding the terms of service for barangay and SK officials?

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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Responsible waste management, illegal dumping and other topics discussed in Las Piñas City seminar

August 15, 2025August 7, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the topics of environmental compliance, responsible waste management and others were discussed in detail in a seminar conducted by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), 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…

The Las Piñas City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) conducted an environmental compliance seminar aimed at raising awareness, instilling discipline, and reinforcing compliance with existing environmental laws and local ordinances.

Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar said the seminar was held for individuals apprehended for illegal dumping and improper waste disposal within the city.

Topics discussed during the seminar included strict enforcement of waste segregation at the source, proper disposal and handling of solid waste, individual accountability in maintaining clean surroundings, and adherence to environmental regulations under R.A. 9003.

Aguilar emphasized that the city has existing ordinances and programs focused on proper waste management, particularly on waste segregation and disposal.

She noted that the city actively enforces Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and holds environmental seminars for violators.

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? Do you think the City Government has been doing enough to keep the city clean and engage local communities to do their part on environmental compliance?

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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Jobless Filipinos reach almost 2 million in June 2025

August 14, 2025August 6, 2025carlocarrasco

The number of jobless Filipinos swelled largely to almost two million this past June when compared to a year prior, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Among the factors were the job losses in the gambling and betting sector, the construction sector and in 3 other sectors.

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

Coupled with an increase in unpaid workers, the number of jobless Filipinos swelled by more than 300,000 to 1.95 million in June from 1.62 million a year ago, with the online gambling sector partly contributing to the pool of unemployed.

Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that job losses in June translated to a higher unemployment rate of 3.7 percent from 3.1 percent in the same month last year.

“Gambling and betting activities contributed to the drop in arts, entertainment, and recreation, along with other amusement and recreation activities,” Deputy National Statistician and PSA Assistant Secretary Divina Gracia L. Del Prado said during a press briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Del Prado reported that the gambling and betting subsector shed nearly 210,000 workers, stressing that this had the largest share in the decrease of employees in arts, entertainment, and recreation.

Other than arts, entertainment, and recreation, the four other sectors that were major contributors to June’s job losses were construction (-692,000), agriculture and forestry (-580,000), manufacturing (-424,000), and mining and quarrying (-96,000).

Conversely, the employment rate dropped to 96.3 percent in June from 96.9 percent from June last year. In terms of numbers, employed Filipinos stood at 50.47 million, nearly 200,000 individuals higher than 50.28 million a year ago.

Data from the PSA showed that the services sector accounted for the largest share of jobs during the month at 61.4 percent, followed by agriculture with 20.9 percent, and industry with 17.7 percent.

Fishing and aquaculture posted the highest gains in June, with an additional 512,000 employed. Wholesale and retail trade, and vehicle repair recorded the second largest gain of 375,000.

Completing the subsectors with largest increases were financial and insurance activities (327,000), transport and storage (211,000), and health and social work (179,000).

“What we’re seeing now isn’t very encouraging. If you look at the increase by class of worker, a large portion came from unpaid workers—actually, 296,000. Employers increased by 80,000, and self-employed by 75,000,” Del Prado said.

“But the more [impacted] group is the unpaid workers, since that’s where the increase happened—and that’s not the kind of growth we want. The rise should have been in wage and salary earners, so this isn’t a very good result,” Del Prado further said.

Del Prado noted that wholesale and retail trade saw a significant increase, with unpaid workers in this sector bloated by nearly 150,000. Fishing and aquaculture also added 102,000 unpaid jobs.

“Employment in both sectors increased, but a large part of that growth was in unpaid work. This suggests we still need to improve the quality of jobs. And if you also notice the trend in underemployment, it has barely dropped to single digits—only once so far.”

“So we still need to improve job quality. While our employment rate has been rising over time, I think we need to focus more on improving the quality of work, because the underemployment rate shows that it hasn’t improved yet,” she urged.

According to Del Prado, underemployment last fell to single digits in May 2024 at 9.9 percent but has remained in double digits since then. Underemployment in June lowered to 11.4 percent from 12.1 percent a year ago.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think needs to be done in order to improve job quality? Are a lot of people in your local community considered unemployed or underemployed? Do you think the current growth of the national economy will create a significant number of new jobs before the year ends?

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 Deploys Over 1,000 “Habagat” Victims for 10-day Community Work

August 12, 2025August 11, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government deployed over one thousand “habagat” victims to do community work for a 10-day period in accordance to the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, 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…

The city government of Las Piñas deployed around 1,200 victims of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” to do community work for 10 days under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar said that under “Alagang April,” the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) helped the 1,200 residents to earn and recover from the recent “habagat” and typhoons that hit the country.

Aguilar said the beneficiaries belong to the vulnerable sector and will conduct community work for 10 days around the city by sweeping around their barangays, helping in the drainage of canals, and maintaining cleanliness in their areas.

She said the TUPAD beneficiaries attended an orientation on their community work and will receive P6,950 each.

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? Do you under the detail of the TUPAD program with regards to providing temporary employment opportunities for the disadvantaged people? How many people in your local community got deployed 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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Philippines inflation rate falls below 1% in July 2025

August 12, 2025August 5, 2025carlocarrasco

After the slight rise recorded in June 2025, the inflation rate of the Philippines fell below 1% this past July, according to news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

The country’s inflation or the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services reversed its path in July 2025 after decelerating to 0.9 from month-ago’s 1.4 percent, driven primarily by the slower upticks in electricity rates and prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The latest inflation figure, the lowest since October 2019’s 0.6 percent, brought the average in the first seven months this year to 1.7 percent, still below the government’s 2 to 4 percent target.

National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa, in a briefing Tuesday, said food and non-alcoholic beverages also contributed to the lower inflation rate last July due to lower price increases of several items like rice, vegetables, tubers and cooking bananas; and fuel prices.

He said a continued drop in rice prices is seen to result in slower uptick for this particular item for the rest of the year, despite the proposal to stop rice importation and increase tariff to protect local farmers.

The government increased rice importation and lowered rice tariff from 35 percent to 15 percent for a period, starting in the second half of 2024 until 2028 to address rice price hikes.

This resulted in lower rice inflation, from 14.7 percent in August 2024 to 0.8 percent in December last year. Mapa forecast rice inflation to remain in negative territory for the next four months.

“The expectation is negative average rice inflation for the whole year,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

In terms of the impact of recent typhoons, Mapa said prices of vegetables have inched up in the second half of July, which is normal during typhoon season.

While inflation is seen to remain low, he pointed out that there are threats such as the higher prices of pork products, due to the impact of African swine fever; higher demand for chicken meat, as an alternative to pork, and rising prices of fish.

Deflation in low-income households – With the government is offering cheaper rice to the vulnerable sector, inflation rate for the bottom 30 percent income group as of July slipped to -0.8 percent from the year-ago’s 5.8 percent, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) noted.

Aside from rice, other contributors to the lower inflation rate for the bottom 30 percent income group are slower upticks in the prices of corn and vegetables and tubers, it said.

“The sustained drop in rice prices and the easing of inflation for low-income households are clear signs that our interventions are working. This not only helps Filipinos preserve the value of their peso but also builds confidence for businesses and consumers to plan ahead,” DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

“While we expect the overall inflation for 2025 to remain favorable and supportive of domestic demand, we remain vigilant against external risks, including global policy shifts and geopolitical tensions,” he said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there is a chance that the inflation rate of the Philippines will remain below 1% for the rest of 2025? Do you think the deflation of rice will continue going into 2026?

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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Ayala-Mitsubishi’s P18.4 billion GCash deal closed

August 11, 2025August 1, 2025carlocarrasco

After being cleared by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), the P18.4 billion deal between Ayala Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation regarding a 6.5% stake in GCash owner Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt) has finally closed, according to a Manila Bulletin business news report.

For the newcomers reading this, the Ayala-Mitsubishi deal was sealed a few months ago and it was perceived that it will likely boost the IPO of GCash.

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

The Zobel family’s Ayala Corp. (AC) has closed the sale of a 6.5-percent stake in GCash owner Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt) to long-time partner Mitsubishi Corp. for ₱18.4 billion after the deal was cleared by the anti-trust watchdog Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Ayala said it has sold half of wholly owned AC Ventures Holding Corp. (ACV) to Mitsubishi. ACV owns about 13 percent of Mynt. Mynt has two financial technology (fintech) companies: G-Xchange Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash, and Fuse Lending, a tech-based microlender.

The PCC has cleared the deal after finding that Mitsubishi’s investment in ACV would not significantly reduce competition in the market for QR code-based digital payments to merchants.

The PCC noted in its decision the relatively small market share held by GCash in the provision of QR-based person-to-merchant payments. Additionally, the PCC cited the strong governmental push for interoperability in QR-based payments in the country as a factor in its approval.

Person-to-merchant payments, facilitated by QR codes, enable businesses to accept digital payments from consumers for goods and services.

While Mitsubishi indirectly owns Lawson Philippines, a convenience store chain that accepts QR code-based payments from consumers, the PCC said that its limited presence means the transaction would not result in a substantial lessening of competition.

“Mitsubishi, Japan’s largest trading company, can help Mynt grow overseas and within its own significant Japan-based ecosystem, and in areas like cloud-based payments and new credit algorithms,” Ayala said.

Ayala and Mitsubishi entered into a partnership and cooperation agreement in 1974 that has since featured industrial estates, renewable energy (RE) projects, a water utility, and auto dealerships.

Ayala President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cezar P. Consing said earlier that, “We believe Mitsubishi can add meaningful value to Mynt, which will allow Mynt to deliver significant value to its over 94 million registered users.”

ACV will serve as Ayala and Mitsubishi’s joint venture (JV) entity that will explore consumer-related and digital opportunities in the Philippines.

“These initiatives are aligned with AC’s strategic priority to support the growth of clear business winners within its portfolio,” Ayala said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there will be a series of technological and technical improvements happening with GCash as a result of the closed deal between Ayala and Mitsubishi? How many people in your household are using GCash nowadays?

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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