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.