Watchers on guard for VCMs and ballots’ safekeeping in Munti

Poll Watchers’ eyes are now glued in Voting Counting Machines and official ballots in Muntinlupa as election paraphernalia’s transportation in polling precincts begins.

Five days before the national and local elections, Commission on Elections – Muntinlupa assures locals that developments are all in place according to plan.

Official ballots were brought first to Muntinlupa City Hall Treasurer’s Office from the National Printing Office in Quezon City, escorted by PNP personnel, while VCMs were transported from Mutinational Village in Parañaque City to various schools which will be used as voting precincts last May 4.

There were no glitches and problems occurred during the Final Testing and Sealing of the machines. VCMs are now housed in Muntinlupa school’s principal offices.

COMELEC – Muntinlupa director Atty. Ronald Sindo said election paraphernalia are guarded by PNP on a 24/7 shift. Sindo said poll watchers are also welcome to post guard.

The local election officer reminded locals of prohibitions in the upcoming elections.

COMELEC will implement a No Smoking Policy within the school premises, voters will not be allowed to carry mobile phones or cameras inside the polling precinct to be used in taking pictures, there shall be no more than two watchers in the precinct, and there should be no campaign paraphernalia on Election Day.

A Refresher Course was conducted last May 3 at Muntinlupa Sports Complex to update Board of Election Inspectors on latest instructions from COMELEC.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi encourages poll watchers and the public to take part in making the May 9 elections a peaceful voting event.

Fire razes Munti residential area, 500 families affected

A three-hour fire displaced more than 500 families in Garcip Compound, Cupang in Muntinlupa City, midnight of April 22.

The fire, which was raised to Task Force Alpha, broke out at 12:38am and was placed under control at 3:20am, according to a spot report from Muntinlupa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

MCDRRMO chief Analyn Mercado said there were no casualties related to the incident and investigation is still on-going as to the cause of fire.

Mercado added that the local Social Service Department is closely working with the Philippine Red Cross in delivering assistance to fire victims. SSD and PRC currently provide hot meals for victims in Garcip Compound.

Affected families are sheltered in evacuation areas and some stay in tents near the area where the fire situation transpired.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi called for an emergency meeting with the City Council to settle an ordinance releasing calamity fund to aid financial support to affected families. Fund to be released will also cover victims of recent fire incident in Lovely Compound in Cupang.

Fresnedi encouraged locals to stay safe and take preventive measures in avoiding fire accidents.

Munti delegates participate in Palarong Pambansa 2016

A sea of colors covered one of Albay's open field as thousands of student-athletes participate in the country's most esteemed sporting competition.

18,000 delegates flocked in the Opening Ceremony of Palarong Pambansa 2016 hosted by Albay province last April 10 held at Bicol University Oval, Legazpi City.

The National Sporting Competition unites the 'best of the best' athletes from 18 regions across the Philippines who will take part in the 21 sporting activities and other special events.

Muntinlupa Schools Division Superintendent Mauro de Gulan said 65 delegates from Muntinlupa City will compete in sports events including Futsal, Sepak Takraw, Athletics, Swimming, Table Tennis, Badminton, Billiard, Baseball, Wushu, and Wrestling.

De Gulan expressed his gratitude to the City Government of Muntinlupa, led by Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, for their support to local participants and also extending the assistance by hosting for the 819 NCR delegates.

NCR delegates are housed in Ligao West Central Elementary School, Ligao City.

DEPED secretary Br. Armin Luistro, together with Albay governor Joey Salceda led the ceremony to officially start the sporting competition. PBA player Terrence Romeo also participated in the program on the relay of Palarong Pambansa Torch.

To know the latest update in the National Sporting Competition, visit fb.com/ALBAYpalaro2016.

Peace Covenant Signing for local candidates in Muntinlupa

As part of the Secure and Fair Election (SAFE) campaign, the Commission on Election, Muntinlupa Police Station, Civil Military Operations Battalion, Philippine Army, and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting work together to organize a Peace Covenant Signing for the local candidates in Muntinlupa on April 7.

The activity which aims to invite candidates for May 2016 elections to express their mutual intention to have a secure and fair poll will be held at Our Lady of Abandon Parish Church, Poblacion, Muntinlupa City from 9:00am – 11:00am.

The Peace and Covenant Signing will be started with a Holy Mass followed by messages from the organizing agencies. Participating candidates are expected to waive an agreement to be part of a strong manifestation of providing the Muntinlupa City electorate with sense of security and fairness comes May 9, 2016 national and local election.

A symbolic release of white balloons will end the program to be led by the mayoralty candidates in Muntinlupa.

Attending the event are PPCRV Muntinlupa head Hyacinth Fernandez, COMELEC NCR director Atty. Temie Lambino, NCRPO regional director PDIR Joel Pagdilao, SPD district director PCSUPT Eusebio Mejos.

Heavy traffic is expected as thousands of supporters will join the Peace Covenant 2016. Motorists are advised to take alternative routes.

Leaflet distributor arrested, one at-large for libel case in Munti

An arrested housewife and her live-in partner at-large face libel case for distributing leaflets with defamatory remarks attacking Muntinlupa’s local chief executive last February 20.

Muntinlupa security officers’ on-duty in Doña Anastacia Avenue, Victoria Homes, Tunasan confronted suspects namely Gemma Aquino, 40 y/o, housewife, and Raul Aquino, 36 y/o, laborer, together with other three minors at around 10:20am while in the act of dispensing flyers containing libelous content against incumbent Mayor Jaime Fresnedi.

Members of Public Order and Safety Office apprehended the suspects and retrieved 180 pieces of leaflets containing derogatory information about the local exec and his administration placed in two (2) bags.

Gemma is detained in Muntinlupa Police Precinct while Raul is still at-large while the arrested minors are brought to local Social Development Center.

The suspects’ case was already filed in Fiscal’s Office for Inquest Proceedings.

The local exec did not give any comment on the issue and just let the judiciary do the investigation.

 Authorities encouraged civilians to report these instances to local police or public order officers to apprehend suspects disseminating malicious information against any individual or organization.

Munti Business Renewal extended until Jan 30

The Business Permits Renewal in Muntinlupa City is extended until January 30 to accommodate clients rushing on last-minute filing.

Business Permits and Licensing Office chief Gary Llamas announced the extension of the registration being conducted at Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Tunasan which started last January 4. Llamas encourages business owners to pay fees on the given schedule to avoid penalties.

The shuttle service will still be available for business owners going to the venue. Pick-up points are located at Muntinlupa City Hall, Putatan and Muntinlupa City Public Market, Alabang.

Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. recently visited the on-going renewal of business permits last January 14 to observe the City Government’s process flow in business registration.

Abalos lauded Muntinlupa’s innovation in Business One Stop Shop which hastens the client’s transaction with the local government. He also commended the leadership of Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi in steering a business friendly environment in the city.

Muntinlupa Business One Stop Shop – Single Window Transaction was hailed as Runner Up in the 4^th International Best Practice Competition by Asian Productivity Organization, in cooperation with the Development Academy of the Philippines last November 2015.

Requirements for the application include: Barangay Clearance for Business, BIR Monthly/Quarterly Payments for 2015, Audited Financial Statements duly filed before SEC/BIR (for the period covering 2 years prior), previous Mayor’s Permit, Assessment & Validated Official receipts, certification of Gross Sales, valid and subsisting Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC), among others.

For the full list of necessary documents, you may visit BPLO’s facebook page at fb.com/bplo.muntinlupa or you may reach their tel no. 862-BPLO(2756)/851-BPLO(2756).

MANDA MAYOR LAUDS MUNTI PRACTICE

MANDA MAYOR LAUDS MUNTI PRACTICE: Business Permits and Licensing Office chief Gary Llamas (left) explains to Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos (center) together with Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (right) the process of Muntinlupa Business One Stop Shop during the Business Permit Renewal last January 14 at Muntinlupa Sports Complex. Abalos lauds the local government’s innovation on business registration which recently hailed as Runner Up in the 4^th International Best Practice Competition by Asian Productivity Organization, in cooperation with the Development Academy of the Philippines.