Muntinlupa bans firecrackers & pyrotechnics for Xmas & New Year

A quieter, more solemn, and more importantly, a safer Christmas season is expected for Muntinlupeños this year as the City Government has enacted a ban on the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics within city limits for the rest of the year.

Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi recently signed Executive Order No.15 banning the display, sale, use, and distribution of firecrackers for the duration of the Christmas and New Year season in an attempt to reduce injuries and the threat of fires that usually come with the traditional revelry.

“We want to make this Christmas season safer and more meaningful for everyone,” Fresnedi explained. “With firecrackers getting more powerful and dangerous every year, we want to ensure that Muntinlupeños will welcome the New Year in a healthy state.”

The City suffered 18 injured and one death related to firecrackers at the start of 2013, based on reports from the City Health Office (CHO). Health authorities, together with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recommended for a total ban in view of the potential for injury as well as the hazards brought by noise pollution and toxic byproducts of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

Muntinlupeños need not despair, however, as fireworks displays in non-residential areas are allowed, provided that a permit from the BFP Fire Marshal and the Philippine National Police (PNP) is secured.

A licensed and authorized technician must be on hand to directly supervise the fireworks display, and fire protection and first aid equipment must be readily available. The nearest fire station must also be notified whenever a fireworks display is to be held.

Fresnedi likewise recommends a better alternative to buying firecrackers this year. “It would be better instead of spending our hard-earned money on firecrackers, we can send it to help survivors of the Yolanda disaster. Instead of wasting our finances, let’s contribute to helping our kababayan rebuild their lives,” he said.

City Gov’t brings better service as Xmas gift to Muntinlupeños

Faster, better, and top-quality service is the norm as the Muntinlupa City Government strives to deliver excellent public service to Muntinlupeños “in the spirit of Christmas.”

Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi assured citizens of this up-and-coming City in the South that the local government is making sure its services are constantly improving with the delivery of a new batch of service motorcycles and up to Php50million worth of educational scholarships.

“In the spirit of Christmas, we want to assure Muntinlupeños that indeed, it is more blessed to give than to receive,” Fresnedi said. “We are not only giving to those who are in need, but our people can be sure that the City Government will be there for them, by giving services that will help them improve their lives significantly.”

Up to Php50million in educational scholarships for students in elementary up to college was approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod recently, making possible the continuous education of the City’s bright scholars. The allocation will take effect in January of next year.

A total of 85 Kawasaki motorcycles were likewise inaugurated by Fresnedi and City officials during the Monday morning flag-raising and distributed to Police, security, and other line agencies where fast transportation and delivery are needed. This is in addition to a new communications radio base for the City’s police force that is expected to be delivered this week.

The new motorcycles and radio communications equipment are likewise expected to boost the capability of the City’s security services in maintaining peace and order especially during the Christmas rush.

Meanwhile, Fresnedi also reminded real property owners to avail of the ongoing tax amnesty which will only be in effect until the end of the month. “The opportunity to pay your real property taxes without the penalties can be considered a real Christmas gift, so we encourage property owners to pay your taxes now before the amnesty ends,” Fresnedi said.

Fresnedi offers tax amnesty for Muntinlupa businesses

Businesses in Muntinlupa City with tax obligations have the opportunity to start anew with a clean slate with the City Government once the proposed tax amnesty for business establishments pushes through.

Muntinlupa City Mayor Atty. Jaime R. Fresnedi is pushing for amnesty on penalties and accumulated interest on real property tax (RPT) and business permits for all City-based establishments that will last until December 31 of this year.

“We recognize the importance of our business sector as one of our essential partners in the City’s economic progress,” Fresnedi said recently. “We ask you, the businesses in this City, to put your trust in us so that together, we can overcome the challenges we now face.”

The measure is aimed to revitalize the business sector following six years of considerable lag in development that has seen the once-vibrant Muntinlupa economy fall behind major players such as Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and Eastwood in Quezon City.

Fresnedi and the City Government are likewise faced with the challenge of overhauling an outstanding debt of more than P1billion incurred by the previous administration that has severely hampered the delivery of government services.

Fresnedi believes the tax amnesty can provide business establishments much-needed relief and provide the City the push it needs to jumpstart the economy and be competitive once more. 

“We invite all business owners and firms to take this chance to make our economy productive once again,” he added.

Fresnedi has asked the City’s legislators to fast-track the measure so that the amnesty could be implemented immediately. A draft resolution is now being prepared with the Sangguniang Panlungsod and is expected to be high on its agenda when sessions resume this Monday.

Help arrives at Munti adopted towns of Alangalang & Jaro, Leyte

“Mauna na po ako magsabi kay Mayor (Rolando Celebre), pero maraming salamat po sa tulong na padala ninyo (With all due respect to Mayor Celebre, I would like to be the first to say thank you for the help you are bringing to us).”

This was all that a grateful rescue volunteer from the town of Jaro, Leyte, told the survey and relief team from Muntinlupa City as help in the form of several hundred kilos of food, clothes, and medicine arrived in the municipality 21 days after typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) struck the Visayas.

Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi led the survey and relief team as they conducted an initial assessment of the adopted towns of Alangalang and Jaro in Leyte last November 28 and 29 to determine their needs and jumpstart the rebuilding effort.

The team, composed of health, rescue, fire, engineering, property assessment, community affairs, local business and trade, as well as agriculture officials, also brought generator sets and chain saws that will be used for clearing operations in the two towns.

Initial assessments by both local officials and the visiting Muntinlupeños indicate that up to around 80 percent of the towns’ agricultural resources have been wiped out or severely damaged by “Yolanda.” Figures released by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) show that more than 10,000 families were affected by the storm’s 315kph winds in the town of Jaro alone.

Other initial findings show the need to restore power and utilities at the soonest possible time, ensuring a continuous food supply, and addressing health issues such as disease outbreaks.

Probably the biggest challenge facing Leyteños is starting over. Agriculture is the primary industry of both Alangalang and Jaro, and it will take considerable time for the towns’ plantations and crops to recover from the massive damage. An alternative source of livelihood is needed for the towns to start and sustain its recovery.

Nevertheless, Fresnedi has committed the City to helping Leyteños stand up from the aftermath of the “Yolanda” disaster. “It is a long journey to recovery, but our kababayan in Alangalang and Jaro can be assured that we Muntinlupeños will do what we can to help see you through this tragedy,” Fresnedi said.

“Be assured—you will never walk alone,” he added.

Munti sends volunteer team to adopted Leyte towns

Call it an early Christmas gift.

A total of 30 volunteers from various departments, including health, rescue, and relief workers from the City of Muntinlupa will be visiting this week the “adopted” towns of Alangalang and Jaro in Leyte as the first step in the rebuilding of places hit hard by super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan).

Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi and Rep. Rodolfo Biazon will be leading the contingent to assess the needs of the towns and determine what the City can do as part of the rebuilding effort.

“We believe that in the spirit of Christmas, the best gift we can give our kababayan in Leyte is the gift of hope,” Fresnedi said. “It is our privilege to be part of the rehabilitation of Alangalang and Jaro because the people of Muntinlupa have the opportunity to be part of a lasting legacy—the rebuilding of lives.”

Volunteers from the Ospital ng Muntinlupa, City Health Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Rescue, and other related departments will be bringing relief goods and will conduct a survey of the affected towns. The aim of the visit is to establish a command post and communications point through which the towns can coordinate aid coming from the City as well as other sources.

According to Mayor Rolando Celebre of Jaro and Mayor Loreto Yu of Alangalang, urgent needs include clothes, food, medicines, generator sets, and heavy-duty chain saws to speed up clearing operations and restore normalcy to the hard-hit areas.

Fresnedi is encouraging the participation of the private sector as well as civic groups in the rebuilding of the two towns. A dedicated account is being set up to receive donations from Muntinlupeños abroad, while the sister-city of Takasaki is setting up arrangements to send help as well.

Munti foregoes Christmas merriment for Yolanda victims

“Hugti ang pagtuo (Keep the faith).”

This is the message Muntinlupeños want to send to all Visayans affected by the destruction of typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan), as the City chose to forego its annual Christmas celebration for this year.

Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi announced that the City will instead channel its efforts towards helping with the rebuilding of shattered towns and communities in the Visayas, particularly two towns in the province of Leyte.

“We urge our kababayan in the Visayas, hugti ang pagtuo—keep the faith and do not give up. Help is on its way,” Fresnedi said. “We Muntinlupeños understand what you are going through and we will do what we can to help you stand again.”

According to Fresnedi, Muntinlupa will be involved in the rehabilitation of the towns of Alang-alang with a total population of 46,000 and Jaro with a total population of 39,000. The province was among the places which bore the full fury storm and winds in excess of 300kph spawned by “Yolanda.”

The City will take these two towns under its wing through an “adopt-a-town” program, details of which will be worked out through a resolution from the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Fresnedi is aware that the rebuilding effort will take time and may present a challenge to the City’s available resources. “We will ensure that we have enough for our City, and we are confident because our partnership with the private and business sector will be instrumental in improving the lives of Muntinlupeños as well as our kababayan in the Visayas,” he said.

“As Muntinlupeños, we can’t just sit and celebrate, while our fellow Filipinos are suffering. We are a people of action, and having no Christmas program is one way of helping them and showing our support,” Fresnedi added.

Munti city gov’t working double time for a safer City

The Muntinlupa City Government is working double time, especially with the onset of the Christmas, to keep Muntinlupeños safe and secure as they go about their everyday routines.

This is in line with Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi’s directive to the various executive agencies to ensure a safer City conducive to economic growth and social stability.

“Of course we want a safer City so that people can freely go about and enjoy their lives,” Fresnedi said. “Add to this the fact that a peaceful City encourages the growth of business which in turn fuels the City Government perform its functions better.”

Among the agencies participating in this drive are the City Government’s quick response teams, which are deployed by City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela in strategic areas to perform various functions. Recently they were able to apprehend a significant number of motorcycle riders who did not wear their helmets while driving.

Cachuela has recently reiterated the importance of the City’s Helmet Law and has continuously reminded law enforcers and especially employees of the City Government to abide by the ordinance.

Other activities of the City’s quick response teams in the last few weeks include ensuring the safety of visiting delegates to Muntinlupa from other places, assisting enforcers in ensuring smooth traffic flow in the City’s thoroughfares, participating in cleanup activities, and apprehending illegal barkers and dispatchers.

Munti looks to stronger City after Peaceful Barangay Polls

With the barangay elections done and the winners proclaimed, Muntinlupa City is now buckling down back to work and gearing up for more exciting events and fruitful programs.

“The people have voted, and our Commission on Elections (Comelec) has recognized those chosen by the people,” Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi said. “It is now time for us to set aside differences and work to bring development down to the community level.”

Among those proclaimed by Comelec to head the nine Muntinlupa barangays are Allen F. Ampaya of Poblacion, Danilo R. Teves of Putatan, Mamerto T. Sevilla Jr. of Sucat, Adorado San Pedro of Bayanan, Walter Arcilla of Tunasan, Ricardo Cole of Buli, Ariel Gonzaga of Alabang, Ruben Baes of Ayala Alabang, and Celso Dioko of Cupang.

Fresnedi likewise thanked the candidates as well as the people of the barangays for working to keep the recent polls peaceful, despite one barangay being recognized by the Southern Police District as a potential hotspot. “Muntinlupeños have done their best to make the democratic process work, and as such, our elected barangay officials should do their best to empower their respective constituencies properly,” Fresnedi added.

One of the current thrusts of the City Government is to strengthen barangays at the community level. Fresnedi is presently working with the National Housing Authority through the Socio-Economic Development Tri-Sectoral Council, a collaborative effort aiming to build self-sustaining communities such as the SouthVille 3 housing project in Poblacion.

Fresnedi is likewise encouraging barangay real property owners to avail of the ongoing tax amnesty and set their records straight. “It would be better for our barangays if our taxpayers pay their obligations dutifully,” he said.

With the elections over and the Christmas season fast approaching, Muntinlupeños can expect more programs from the City Government in conjunction with the barangays. “The challenge then is for our officials to fulfill their mandate to the best of their abilities. We should do this while honoring the trust given to us by the people, as elected officials,” Fresnedi added.

Munti Police accost suspected “drug dad”

Talk about a distorted view of like father, like son.

Muntinlupa Police were able to accost a father who allegedly taught his son to peddle drugs after shadowing him for some time and obtaining a warrant for his arrest.

“This is not what a father should teach his son to do, to live a life of crime,” Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi said as he berated the suspect, Ernesto Oriol of Pablo Ramos Compound in Almanza I, Las Piñas City, as the latter was presented to the Mayor by the police.

Police forces were able to act on a tip that Oriol was allegedly teaching his son to peddle drugs in their neighborhood, and after a period of investigation, were able to obtain a warrant for his arrest.

“Alam ko naman pong bawal ang magtulak ng droga kaya tinuruan ko na lang po ang anak ko (I know peddling drugs is illegal so I just taught my son to do it instead),” Oriol said when confronted by the Mayor.

Oriol is currently held by the Muntinlupa Police and is charged of violating Sections 15 and 16 of Article III of the Dangerous Drugs Act for his actions.

METRO Alabang Supermarket awarded Best Business Practice Award

METRO Alabang Supermarket was recently conferred the Best Business Practice Award by the City of Muntinlupa in simple rites attended by officials from the METRO Retail Group and Muntinlupa City.

Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi conferred the citation to METRO Alabang Supermarket in recognition of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Certifications received by the supermarket from SGS Philippines.

METRO Alabang Supermarket is the first and only store in the Philippines to receive the GMP and HACCP Certifications which covers the supermarket’s fresh produce handling process from receiving, storage, to the dispatch of goods to its customers.  SGS certified that METRO Alabang Supermarket complied with all the requirements of the audit standard and has the needed structure to support implementation and maintenance of international food safety management systems.

“This award is not just an honor to METRO Alabang but a testament to the level of commitment this company has in raising the standards in food safety management in the country,” Fresnedi said. “We are very fortunate that this company is looking after the health and welfare of Muntinlupeños.”

Fresnedi is pleased that METRO Alabang is not only recognized internationally for its world-class practices, but that, as a local establishment, it is also a testament to the City Government’s desire for excellence. “We in the local government continue to improve our services so that we can be at par with world-class companies such as METRO Alabang. We do this not for the recognition but in the belief that Muntinlupeños deserve nothing short of the best in public service,” Fresnedi added.

The METRO Retail Group is currently taking a quality oriented, customer-driven approach to deliver an improved and affordable assortment of products and services. The company is also gearing up for aggressive expansion in different store formats particularly department stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets, and neighborhood stores.

“We celebrate this award as METRO Supermarket has always strived to adhere to best business practices through the implementation of policies that demonstrate a commitment to customers by showing extreme attention to food and health safety management. METRO is a retail organization that demonstrates unique and inventive practices, products, and procedures. Thus, encouraged by this citation, the METRO Retail Group will continue to work on delivering an improved and affordable assortment of products and services that will meet the needs of its customers”, stated Eduardo C. Ponce, METRO Retail Group president and COO.

FRESNEDI ALLOTED MILLIONS FOR HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION

DESPITE suffering from budgetary constraints the administration of  Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi managed to address the main concerns of the city by allotting the necessary budget for health and education.

Facing billions of pesos in debt inherited from the previous administration of losing mayoralty candidate Mayor Aldrin San Pedro, the new administration still find a way to address the basic necessity of the city.

Mayor Fresnedi has launched what he termed the “Tamang subsidy” to the Ospital ng Muntinlupa, giving P25,000 per family to the city run hospital benefitting some 1,762 patients.

The city government allotted the needed medicine assistance and health services that include the various health centers that has long been neglected to the constraint of the Muntinlupeno.

Fresnedi also established Senior Citizens’ Wellness Center at OsMun, re-established the Muntinlupa Blood Council, re-established City Nutrition Council along with the health insurance – Philhealth ng Masa – with 3,183 recommended families/households for enrollment amounting to PhP 2,546,400.00

Not to be left out is the increased assistance for education to PhP50 Million from PhP21.5 Million for Muntinlupa Scholarship Program and another PhP10 Million for Iskolar ng Bayan sa PLMun

To further boost the scholarship program that was also neglected by the past administration, Fresnedi’s administration launched the Educational Financial Assistance to 560 college students amounting to PhP 2,500 each

At present, with only a 100 days in his administration there are on-going scholarship assistance ( tuition fees, books, clothing and transportation allowances with maximum of PhP30,000/semester) to students of other colleges and universities

Fresnedi said there are 3,220 scholars (first year to fourth year) with free tuition fees in PLMun and he also re-established Muntinlupa Literacy Coordinating Council, organizing of 279 youth groups, career guidance and employment coaching for public high schools and repair of repair of dilapidated day care center.

The mayor likewise does not only focus his administration’s attention to the above mentioned program as he also put his sight to livelihood and employment programs.

With his livelihood and employement thrust, there are 455 MCTI trainees graduated, strengthened community-based training, onducted skills registry, identified employment facilitation (mega job fair, 2x a week mini job fair, community job fair  - Job Recruitment Facilitation).

To further improve the delivery of basic services, Fresnedi also implemented Performance-based planning and budgeting, orientation on ARTA towards ISO Certification,gaining the 1^st LGU to establish an in-house academy for executive development, conducted Strategic Planning and formulated the Vision-Mission-Goals for the City, Renewal of sister-city agreements with Takasaki (Exchange Program: OsMun, MunSci, MCTI, and Rescue).

As an incentive, the mayor also implemented a reward system for employees for them to do their job well, along with the review of the contract with Alabang Prime.

         

The mayor also saw to it that various offices of the city government are repaired, along with electrical facilities, de-clogging of canals at drainage system, concreting of roads and basketball courts.

               

Since the city is suffering from debt, the mayor saw to it that the payment for its obligation to Land Bank of the Philippines is okay and along with it is to re-establish the Muntinlupa Anti-Graft Board to prevent unnecessary expenses that are detrimental to the city government.

         

These are just a few of the innovative programs that the administration of Fresnedi is focusing to get the city government back on track and make it a more vibrant city in the coming years.

Munti inaugurates Philippine Business Registry Office

Barely half a year after Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi returned to office, the City of Muntinlupa is once again on its way to becoming a business-friendly destination.

This is evidenced by the inauguration of the newest office of the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) in Muntinlupa on October 3, 2013 at the City Hall.

“Having the PBR here in Muntinlupa is proof that investor confidence is once again growing in our City,” Fresnedi said. “With a PBR office here, we will now make it easier for investors to do business here in Muntinlupa by facilitating their registration process.”

Among the dignitaries at the launch of the PBR are Undersecretary Nora K. Terado of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Senior Vice President and NCR Operations Group Head Jose B. Bautista of the Social Security System (SSS), Atty. Yasser Ismail A. Abbas of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Vice President for Provident Operations (NCR South Group) Erlinda M. Francisco of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG).

According to its website, the PBR is “a Government-initiated project that will facilitate business registration-related transactions.” This is made possible by integrating all agencies such as the DTI, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in one location so that applicants do not have to shuttle from one office to another.

A similar approach is practiced by the City’s Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) through its three-step Modified Business One-Stop Shop (MBOSS). The BPLO is also offering a tax amnesty for real property owners that will be in effect until December 31 of this year.

Munti Grants P1M Financial Assistance to Zamboanga

Having financial struggles of its own is not deterring the City of Muntinlupa from helping those who are in need.

The City is giving Php 1 million in financial assistance to the City of Zamboanga through the office of Hon. Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar to help the thousands of evacuees displaced by the ongoing conflict between government forces and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

“We may be having financial struggles, but this does not mean we cannot help,” Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi said. “It’s natural among us Filipinos to try our best to help those in need, and we Muntinlupeños ought to practice the bayanihan spirit to help our fellow Zamboangeños who do not deserve this disaster they are experiencing right now.”

Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar is flying in to Muntinlupa to personally receive the financial assistance. Although the national government has declared an end to the so-called “Zamboanga Siege,” sporadic clashes between the Army and MNLF elements are still taking place as of this writing.

The Muntinlupa City Council approved Ordinance No. 13-008, allowing the City Government to allot Php1million for Zamboanga City from its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.

Ospital ng Muntinlupa to get new Senior Citizens’ Wing

Elderly Muntinlupeños will soon be able to avail themselves of top-quality treatment now that the proposed Geriatric Ward or Senior Citizens’ Wing at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) is about to come true.

This development came after the City’s Sangguniang Panlungsod approved Resolution No. 13-016 authorizing City Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi to come to terms with World Medical Relief Inc. for the donation of medical equipment and supplies from the USA.

The resolution also authorized the allocation of about Php1.7million to cover shipping costs for the equipment, which will be originating from Michigan in the United States.

“We are very grateful to World Medical Relief Inc. for this wonderful gift to our City,” Fresnedi said. “We also thank the City Council for making it possible for us to give good medical care to our senior citizens at a fraction of the original cost.”

The resolution calls for the allocation of Php1, 692,500.00 to cover shipping costs such as US labor expenses, terminal fees, handling, and rental of a 40-foot container van which will be filled with hospital beds, bedside tables, equipment, instruments, and other medical supplies.

This is a fraction of the estimated Php3,517,450.00 needed to put up a brand-new Geriatric Ward at OsMun, which would be next to impossible given the City’s financial status after several years of apparent fiscal mismanagement.

The amount will be sourced from the 2013 Executive Budget under the OsMun Maintenance and Other Expenditures (MOOE) subsidy special account.

Geriatrics is a branch of medicine concerned with maintaining the health of senior citizens. Apparently, according to the webpage of the Philippine Society of Geriatric Medicine, elderly health care is limited to major private hospitals in Metro Manila. The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) appears to be the only government hospital in NCR with dedicated geriatric outpatient services.

Having a Senior Citizens’ Wing in OsMun will not only make this an achievement for the City, but more importantly make it possible to bring better health care to the City’s elderly Muntinlupeños.

World Medical Relief Inc. has been giving donations of medical equipment and supplies to hospitals in various locations around the globe for the last four years. OsMun is fortunate to receive this much-needed boost to the hospital’s efforts in providing top-quality health care.

Munti Lake Management Office is first in NCR – Sec. Neri Acosta

LLDA General Manager Neri Acosta (left) and Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi (right) plant bamboo at a creek side in the NBP Reservation in Muntinlupa City during a recent tree-planting activity. Sec. Acosta commended Fresnedi and the City Government for its efforts in maintaining the ecological balance in Muntinlupa City particularly Laguna de Bay. Photo by Allen Taclas (PIO)

The General Manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has commended Muntinlupa City for being the first local government unit in the National Capital Region to have an agency that deals directly with the welfare of Laguna de Bay.

Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and LLDA General Manager Sec. J.R. Nereus “Neri” O. Acosta praised the City in its efforts in restoring Laguna de Bay, among them, establishing the Lake Management Office (LMO), which he noted to be the first in NCR.

Sec. Acosta delivered these remarks at a tree-planting activity held at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Reservation in Muntinlupa City last September 13, where he also complimented Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi for his dedication and commitment to take care of the environment.

“We are definitely honored by these recognitions,” Fresnedi said in response. “Being the first to have our own LMO gives us the opportunity to show other LGUs around the lake how the challenge of restoring Laguna de Bay should be done.”

The activity involved the planting of bamboo trees along waterways to prevent erosion and stop the heavy siltation currently plaguing Laguna de Bay. Siltation has significantly reduced the lake’s depth, causing it to overflow more often especially during very heavy rains.

Acosta also emphasized that Laguna de Bay is a catch basin for rainfall coming from the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, so it is essential that LGUs around the lake work with the LLDA to alleviate flooding in the future, especially with the threat of heavy rainfall such as the recent Habagat becoming very real and occurring almost regularly.

With Muntinlupa having the longest shoreline among LGUs in NCR, Acosta challenged Muntinlupeños to work hard to restore Laguna de Bay and to preserve the City’s ecosystem for future generations. “Plant more of these bamboo trees to not only save Muntinlupa from flooding, but also to leave a wonderful legacy for your children,” Acosta said.

Aside from the LMO, Muntinlupa also has several agencies dedicated to maintaining the environment, among them the Environment Sanitation Center (ESC) and Environment Protection and Natural Resources Office (EPNRO). These are part of the environmental component included in Fresnedi’s Eight-Point Agenda for the City.

DFA South Office opens in Muntinlupa

Muntinlupeños now have further reason to be thankful as getting a passport to travel or work abroad is now easier, with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) setting up shop literally at the City’s doorstep.

Secretary Albert del Rosario and Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi recently presided over the opening of the DFA-National Capital Region (NCR) South Office located at the posh Alabang Town Center in the City’s commercial and business district.

“We are truly thankful that the DFA decided to set up their operations here in our City,” Fresnedi said. “We are very grateful as we have been requesting this for some time, to meet the need of our constituents.”

The DFA-NCR South Office offers passport processing and renewal services, and provides important information to queries regarding DFA services. It is expected to make passport services more accessible to Muntinlupeños as well as citizens from nearby cities and municipalities as well.

During Fresnedi’s first term, in 2004, the City Government through its Public Employment Services Office (PESO) pioneered the Mobile Passport Services, where specialists from the DFA visited the City on a quarterly basis to process a certain number of passports that could be released within the day.

Due to increasing demand from Muntinlupeños and those coming from Southern Luzon, and with a view of reducing congestion at the DFA Main Office in Pasay City, Fresnedi asked the DFA to provide for a permanent office in Muntinlupa.

Fresnedi’s request and dream have finally come true after nine years.

“This is especially helpful to us, as our PESO now offers openings from companies providing opportunities for work abroad,” Fresnedi added. “With the arrival of the DFA in our City, we are now a step closer to making our global footprint even stronger, as we encourage our citizens to avail of the services of the DFA.”