Makati City News July 2017

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Monument of Ninoy Aquino

Smart improves mobile data services in MM

(ABP/PNA)

MANILA, July 31 -- Smart Communications has further improved its mobile data services amid its ongoing network upgrade in Metro Manila.

In a statement, Smart Communications said recent tests conducted by the telco firm show that the average download speeds of Smart’s LTE (Long Term Evolution) is 21.5 megabits per second (Mbps) in North National Capital Region (NCR) covering Quezon City, Quezon City, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Novaliches, Malabon, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Manila, Makati, Pasay, and Marikina.

Smart further said that an average of 14.4 Mbps was reached in South NCR areas of Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Taguig and Parañaque.

Furthermore, LTE availability in Metro Manila has increased from 49 percent at the start of the year to 63 percent based on the latest J.P.Morgan Asia Network Quality study.

The study covering the months of April to June also found that Smart has a significant lead in LTE speeds across all areas citing crowd sourced data gathered by wireless coverage research firm OpenSignal.

Nationwide, it maintained its lead in LTE download speeds at 11 Mbps, while it also led across areas: In Metro Manila (12.9 Mbps average download speed vs competition’s 7.6 Mbps), in South Luzon (9.5 Mbps vs 6.2 Mbps), and in the Visayas (8.3 Mbps vs 6.3 Mbps).

“As the Filipino lifestyle becomes more digital, we are continuously improving our network to be there for our customers like never before. We are halfway through in North NCR, while we are close to completion in South NCR,” Mario Tamayo, PLDT and Smart Senior Vice President for Network Planning and Engineering, said.

“With these upgrades and our growing array of digital services and content offers, we look forward to serving our customers better with a truly superior experience where they can access relevant content using our robust network anytime, anywhere, using a combination of LTE-ready devices, Smart LTE SIMs and Smart’s newest and fastest network. The time to shift to LTE is now,” he added.

Smart has committed to make LTE available to 95 percent of cities and municipalities nationwide by end of next year in response to the increased demand for bandwidth-heavy services such as video streaming and online gaming.

It has also rolled out its carrier-grade Smart WiFi in strategic areas such as airports and transport hubs, universities, hospitals, government offices and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) as part of its network expansion program.

With a backhaul capacity of up to one gigabit per second, Smart Wifi can support up to 3,000 connected users with robust Wifi connectivity.

Smart is currently re-equipping its cell sites to use low-frequency bands such as 700 MHz and 850 MHz to provide better indoor coverage and is also deploying high-frequency bands like 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz to increase the cell sites’ capacity to handle more calls, texts, and ever-increasing mobile data traffic.

This comprehensive network modernization and expansion program is at the core of the PLDT Group’s digital pivot.

Smart’s network roll- out took a big bulk of PLDT’s ramped-up capital expenditure program of PHP 42.8 billion for 2016, which included the utilization of the new frequencies freed up with the acquisition of San Miguel Corporation’s telco assets.

SMC, DOTr waive P20 toll fee for new Skyway section from Makati

By Emmie V. Abadilla

For one month, effective July 26, SMC Infrastructure is waiving its P20 toll for the new Skyway section connecting to the NAIA Expressway (NAIAX).

The move is part of an ongoing study which the Department of Transportation (DOTr) jointly initiated with SMC Infrastrucure parent company San Miguel Corporation (SMC) integrate toll collection between Skyway and NAIAX, provide for seamless travel, and lessen stops of motorists.

Ph Ambassador to Canada attends Bomboardier Q400 Plane turnover to PAL – PHILIPPINE Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia (right), also the country’s Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization based on Montreal, graced the turnover of the Bombardier Q400 aircraft to flag carrier Philippine Airlines in Toronto on July 20, 2017. Also in photo (from left) are: Noriyuki Moriyama, Mitsui & Co. (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd. GM Manila Branch, country Chairman; Ontario MP Michael Levitt; Ross Mitchell, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft VP commercial operations; and Jaime Bautista, PAL President and Chief Operating Officer.

The government, through the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), mandated the current toll rates – P20 for the new section of the Skyway, and P35 for the NAIA Expressway.

The two toll roads are separate infrastructure projects with separate concessions.

SMC pledged to continue initiating other programs to improve service and lessen congestion on the Skyway, South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and NAIAX.

Currently, SMC Infrastructure is expanding critical toll plazas to accommodate more vehicles at any given time and lessen queuing time.

For NAIAX, average daily traffic volume now stands at 70,000 vehicles.

This translates to 70,000 vehicles taken out of public roads in Manila, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Makati, and Pasay.

And while traffic congestion continues to be a major problem for Metro Manila, SMC remains committed to improve the traffic situation wherever possible.

BAIC’s flagship showroom opens

By Ronald Rey de los Reyes

WITH the aim to further strengthen the brand in the country, Bayan Automotive Industries Corp. (BAIC), the exclusive distributor of BAIC passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles and commercial vehicles, formally launched its flagship showroom along Chino Roces in Makati City.

With BAIC International President and CEO Dr. Haiyang Dong gracing the milestone event, the Chinese brand established a compelling stance of what it aspires to achieve in the coming years.

“We see a very promising future in this country. That’s why we are focusing on good facilities, creating good brand image, making available spare parts. What is important is that we lay a very solid foundation for our customers in the future,” Dong said in an interview with the media.

“The Philippines is a key market and a potential hub to service the Asean market,” he added.

The two-story showroom, which occupies a 1,200-square-meters space, is built in the bustling business district of Manila. It is designed to accommodate up to 12 vehicles with the goal of giving clients a firsthand feel of its stylish and cozy customer lounge, multiple sales offices and a comfortable after-sales service reception area.

With this, BAIC demonstrates its commitment to serve the needs of its customers and with their fullest capacity be able to supply the ongoing demands of the market. The same building also houses the Executive Office to oversee its day-to-day operations.

The flagship showroom in a way represents BAIC’s pledge to provide world-class service and guaranteed satisfaction to potential and existing clients. Thus, it is opening its doors for the Filipino who yearn for high-quality standard, yet affordable, products.

“With this, we target not just to meet the standards of BAIC globally but also the potential customers. That’s why everything here is made from state-of-the-art technology—from the cathedral ceilings all the way to its fire codes,” BAIC Philippines President George Chua said.

For the head honcho, the dealership will not only be a place for displaying its lineup of vehicles but also a venue for holding their own events, such as product launches, key-note announcements and the like.

“Also, we somehow create a footprint in the market, as this is located in the heart of the automotive row in Makati,” he added.

The launching ceremonies, which was well-attended by notable visitors from BAIC International, friends from media and auto industry, business partners, dealers and customers, also became the avenue to unveil their newest vehicle line up—the Bayanihan H5, the Freedom Mini Truck, MZ40, MZ45 Transporter, M20, X424 and the V8.

According to BAIC, with the current adjustments of the car market due to its compliance of the government’s new initiative toward more environment-friendly vehicles, they see their newly unveiled products taking flight.

“We feel that those opportunities are gaps that we can fill, especially with our Bayanihan H5 and the Freedom Mini Trucks,” Chua expressed.

“For those who need the functionality of a pick-up truck but don’t have the money for it, we can offer ours. These are urban workhorses are the ones that can be taken to the farms. They are turbo diesels that have automatic transmissions.”

Thus far, BAIC has nine showrooms all over the country in Makati, Taguig, Manila, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Zamboanga and Davao. They also have 21 service centers.

When asked what their goal was in the coming years in the market, Chua fiercely averred: “To be number one” and to begin, the Chinese carmaker vows to double their sales volume by next year.

PhilCare innovates with smarter options with its "Hey Phil"

By Leilani S. Junio (PNA)

MANILA -- Instead of lining-up or waiting to be served by a health provider in a hospital, existing clients of Philcare now have the smarter option to be sure that they do not have to experience that situation.

According to Jaeger L. Tanco, president and CEO of Philcare, they had developed an app, dubbed as "Hey Phil," that will help their cardholders enjoy convenience whenever they need to see a doctor or not feeling well or having health problems that needs to be treated which will act like a "reliable companion".

"We got hours to make things easier for them," Tanco said adding that usually an individual/employee had to beat the long lines in seeking consultation, almost losing his productive hours as he needed to file or go for a leave.

The app can be downloaded by a client of Philcare.

Here's how it works:

By chat, it can do two things: find a hospital; and find a doctor.

Hey Phil will redirect to a Google Map based in current location.

The client then can browse for desired hospital and list of doctors on his desired hospital.

After selection, the client then can be facilitated with the issuance of LOA (Letter of Authorization) so that he could immediately be given priority or be in the list on his expected arrival, thus minimizing the long wait and waste of time.

Other features are in the form of facebook registration and login, viewing of member information and benefits, knowing body mass index (BMI), clinic advisories and even get updated with Philcare reward.

"By strengthening our services with technology-enabled customer experience, we show that healthcare aside from being holistic, should also be faster, easier, and ultimately smarter," he said during a roundtable discussion in Makati City.

Aside from that, they are also offering now ER Vantage card which can be used during emergencies.

The cost of the card is PHP 1,050 and can be used in an emergencies that provides a coverage of up to PHP40,000.

As an investment this can be of great help to use especially at times that a holder least expects to be in emergency room of hospitals.

The prepaid card can be transferred or be given as a gift to any family member or relative as long as it is not registered yet and use by the person who acquired it from Philcare.

"No matter how well we are, we never know what the future holds, and the reality is that getting sick eventually is inevitable," the CEO said.

Makati gov’t opens OsMak eye center

By Dexter Cabalza (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Makati City government on Friday formally opened an eye center on the sixth floor of Ospital ng Makati (OsMak).

The new facility can accommodate 100 patients per day and provide services for free to members of the Makati Health Plus Program, or “Yellow Card” holders.

Citing the new guidelines for the health card program, City Hall said OsMak patients who are charged P5,000 and less would have their medical bills waived.

Those with billings of more than P5,000, “even if it reaches up to seven digits,” need only to pay a P500 fee.

Dr. Yuoko Sakurai, associate resident doctor of the hospital’s Department of Ophthalmology, said new equipment would allow them to treat patients in-house, particularly those with glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy.

“Now that we have our own eye center, we no longer have to refer Makatizens to other hospitals for treatment,” Mayor Abby Binay said in a statement.

Taguig, Makati intensify no smoking campaign

By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan (PNA)

MANILA -- The local governments of Taguig and Makati cities have intensified their campaign against smoking in line with the implementation of the National Smoking Ban beginning July 22 (Saturday), a move that aims to ensure a smoke-free environment and harness a healthy community for all.

In Taguig, the local government reiterated its directive for everyone to strictly comply with the city's Anti-Smoking Ordinance, which absolutely prohibits smoking in centers of youth activity; elevators and stairwells; locations in which fire hazards are present; within the buildings and premises of government institutions, offices, and units; public conveyances and places; and in food preparation areas.

In public areas where smoking is allowed in designated areas, establishments are required to put up signage delineating such restricted area.

To give more teeth to the local government unit’s ordinance, the city’s Anti-Smoking Task Force composed of the Sanitation Office, Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Traffic Management Office (TMO), Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) and Market Management Office (MMO) will be active in issuing citation tickets to violators.

A fine of up to PHP1,000 will be imposed on first-time offenders, while an amount of PHP3,000 is meted out to second-time offenders.

At the third offense, a violator has to pay a fine of PHP5,000. Owners of establishments who violated the ordinance for the third time will also pay a fine of PHP5,000, and will face cancellation of their business permits.

“What we want is a healthier environment for everyone. Smoking has always been a risk to the health of not only the smoker but also to non-smokers. To make this advocacy effective, we are firmly implementing this policy to ensure that every life is protected from the hazardous effects of smoking,” said Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano in a statement.

The city government also released a memorandum dated last November 2016, which directed its employees to strictly comply with the 2007 Revised Anti-Smoking Ordinance of the city that absolutely prohibits smoking “within the premises of buildings, offices, and facilities owned, leased, used, or managed by the Taguig City government.”

Under the same memorandum, “No Smoking” signs will be displayed within the vicinity of the government facilities. Violators will be instructed to immediately halt the activity while employees who fail to comply with this directive will be given appropriate sanctions with corresponding penalties.

In Makati, to show solidarity with the nationwide enforcement of Executive Order 26, the Makati Health Department will be leading an Anti-Smoking Parade this Saturday which will start at the Makati City Hall Quadrangle at 7:00 a.m.

The Makati City Government expresses its full support for EO 26 (Providing for the Establishment of Smoke-Free Environment in Public and Enclosed Places) which will take effect this Saturday.

The activity will be attended by officials and representatives of the city Law Department, Engineering Department, Information and Community Relations Department, Department of Environmental Services, Liga ng mga Barangay, Department of Public Safety, Makati Police, DepEd Makati and the Makati Action Center.

In May 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Executive Order No. 26 which provides for the establishment of smoke-free environments in public and enclosed places.

Cities like Mandaluyong, Caloocan, Navotas, Muntinlupa, Makati, Davao, Dipolog, Legazpi, Maasin, Balanga, Roxas, Iloilo, Marikina and Santiago have also passed an ordinance against smoking, promoting instead the protection of Filipinos from the ill effects of tobacco and cigarette smoke.

PCSO, OsMak sign MOA on ASAP program

(Manila Times)

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Ospital ng Makati for the Agency’s ASAP (At Source Ang Processing) program on June 23 at the Makati City Hall.

The program aims to expedite the provision of charity services by partner agencies and facilitate processing of requests at PCSO. Through this partnership, PCSO has provided a help desk at the Ospital ng Makati, ensuring that the requests for the Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP) are attended to faster and PCSO services become more accessible to indigent patients seeking medical and healthcare-related assistance.

Makati streamlines health care, extends Yellow Card validity

By Anna Liza Villas-Alavaren

The Makati City government has approved new guidelines for the Makati Health Plus Program (MHP), replacing the color-coded payment scheme with a uniform rate and extending the validity of the MHP Card, more popularly known as the Yellow Card.

The Makati Health Development Council (MHDC) said the program provides government-subsidized healthcare for Makati residents, city government workers and other qualified beneficiaries.

Its benefits include free outpatient consultations, emergency and in-patient care at the city-run Ospital ng Makati (OsMak), free laboratory and diagnostic services at the hospital and satellite laboratories in barangay health centers, and monthly supply of free medicines.

Under the new guidelines, MHP members are no longer classified into four color-coded categories based on the family’s monthly income. Instead, a uniform rate of R500 will be charged to patients with bills exceeding R5,000, even if the amount runs up to seven digits or higher. Patients whose bills are below R5,000 will be free of charge.

In its regular meeting last June, the council unanimously approved the guidelines which include Mayor Abigail Binay’s proposal to extend the card’s validity to three years and grant lifetime membership to qualified residents.

“We want our residents, employees, senior citizens and other qualified beneficiaries to enjoy the convenience of using their Yellow Cards for a longer period of time. Extending the validity of the card to three years will allow Makatizens longer access to the city’s health care services before the next renewal period,” Binay said.

She added that granting lifetime Yellow Card membership to qualified senior citizens and city government retirees was a “well-deserved reward” for their loyalty to the city.

To qualify for lifetime membership, the applicant must be 60 to 69 years old and be able to submit a Certified True Copy of the latest Certificate of Non-Delinquency of Real Property Taxes, with the tax declaration bearing the applicant’s name.

For residents aged 70 years and above, applicants for lifetime membership must have been a Yellow Card holder for the past six years.

Retired Makati government employees, regardless of residency and Comelec registration, will also be granted lifetime membership with the Yellow Card.

The MHDC has also extended the card’s validity to three years for registered voters and actual residents of the city, city government employees and senior citizens between 60 to 69 years old. The extension also applies to regular employees as well as casual employees who have served the city for more than six years.

In the past, Yellow Cards expired before the card holder’s birthday and had to be renewed before the beneficiary can continue to avail of subsidized healthcare services at OsMak, the 26 barangay health centers and three lying-in clinics run by the city government.

Malaysia Airlines opens new ticket office in Makati

(Manila Bulletin)

Malaysia Airlines officially opened its new ticket office in Makati yesterday to provide enhanced services to its customers, as well as to give more focus to widening its distribution channels.

“Our new ticket office space shall improve our sales operations as we devise a more structured approach in handling the needs of our travelling customers. We look forward to welcoming more passengers in our new location,” said Malaysia Airlines Regional Manager, Yuzrizal Mohd Yousuf.

For the relocation, Malaysia’s flag carrier has appointed Global Air Service as its exclusive Passenger Sales Agent (PSA) partner. “With our expertise as a leading PSA in the country, we remain committed to delivering the same level of service customers expect from Malaysia Airlines,” shares Global Air Service Vice President for Sales & Marketing, Ramon Magno.

Malaysia Airlines flies three times daily from Manila to Kuala Lumpur with seamless connecting flights to over 50 cities covering South East Asia, North Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Australasia and Europe.

The new Reservation and Ticketing office is located at GF SGVII, 6758 Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Tags: Makati, Malaysia Airlines, Malaysia Airlines opens new ticket office in Makati, manila bulletin, Yuzrizal Mohd Yousuf

Makati ordinances encourage seniors to keep learning

By Dexter Cabalza (Reporter, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Makati City residents in their 70s can still become government scholars.

Senior citizens 70 years old and above can enroll in any undergraduate or masters program of their choice at the University of Makati (UMak) without having to pay tuition, according to City Ordinance No. 2017-063, which took effect in May.

They just have to meet minimum requirements, like passing the entrance exam and presenting a certificate of good moral character and transcript of records from their previous school, along with a voter’s ID and barangay ID as proof of residency.

Under two related measures, Ordinance No. 2017-061 and 2017-068, residents aged 60 and above will receive financial incentives upon graduating from any public senior high school or UMak undergraduate or graduate program.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Friday cited two seniors who had graduated from the local high school and university.

In April, 78-year-old Armando Albes Sr., who has been employed at the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources for the last 25 years, finished a degree in political science at the city-run UMak.

That same month, Salvacion Nacario, 79, graduated from junior high at Fort Bonifacio High School.

“Through these these (pieces of) legislation we aim to acknowledge their contributions to society and encourage them to pursue higher education,” Binay said.

New pedestrian overpass inaugurated in Makati

By Anna Liza Villas-Alavaren

A new P55-million pedestrian overpass, installed with escalators, was inaugurated in the Makati commercial district for the safety and convenience of pedestrians, employees, and residents.

The covered footbridge was constructed by Makati Commercial Estate Association (MACEA) on Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, linking the RCBC Plaza Building to the Columns on Ayala Avenue.

The overpass, with glass railings, is 38 linear meters long and 2.5 meters wide. It is accessible by staircases and escalators on both sides.

The project is part of Macea’s tri level pedestrianization program, which is composed of underground passageways, on-grade covered sidewalks and elevated walkways.

Macea has also commenced construction on a second overpass that will connect the People Support Building to the Makati Post Office. It is expected to be finished by April next year.

“These two structures will ease vehicular traffic in the area which is one of the busiest in the district, “ said MACEA president David L. Balangue.

Balangue said MACEA is undertaking the escalator modernization program in the area wherein a number of escalators are being replaced and upgraded.

MACEA has also installed new and improved wayfinding system. The new street lights are larger, have bigger fonts with reflectorized text and graphic system.

“Twenty-eight new street signs have been installed in all the street corners along Ayala Avenue. Eventually, the new wayfinding system will cover all the street corners in the entire MCBD, “ said Balangue.

DTI leads ASEAN 2017 MSME Development Summit

(DTI/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI, July 14 (PIA)—The Philippines through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), conducted yesterday (July 13) the ASEAN 2017 MSME Development Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Manila, the Philippines.

The Summit placed the interests of MSMEs at the center of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) agenda and putting together the MSME advocates, mentors, enablers and business experts from the ASEAN region who can help develop, handhold, and empower the MSMEs and spread the economic fruits of the AEC dream.

With the theme, “The 7Ms Towards Shared Prosperity in ASEAN,” the DTI aims to gather insights from thought leaders and experts addressing the 7Ms that sum up the elements of the approach and framework for enabling and fostering the MSMEs.

“Through the 7Ms, we’ll empower the MSMEs so they can also share in the benefits of the ongoing economic growth, and improve the quality of their lives by engaging in vibrant entrepreneurial activities,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

The seven-point strategy includes Mindset, Mastery, Mentoring, Markets, Money, Machines, and Models of Business. These will equip the entrepreneurs in making a difference in the market while contributing to the larger cause of sustaining the entrepreneurial revolution in ASEAN.

MSMEs are integral to the economic development and growth of the ASEAN region as they outnumber large enterprises in both quantity of establishments and share of the labor force they employ. The ASEAN MSMEs comprise the 95-99% of all business establishments, generating between 51% and 97% of employment. .

“We are advocating the 7Ms of DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez in helping the entrepreneurs set up their businesses and be a smarter entrepreneur. And this 2017, in time for the country’s hosting of ASEAN, we want to advance and mainstream the 7Ms in ASEAN region,” said DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya.

More than 20 caliber speakers and panelists from ASEAN Member States (AMS) shared inspiring and valuable stories of leadership and entrepreneurial journey on various plenary discussions on Promoting MSME Development Mindset, Mastery and Mentoring Toward Competitiveness and Resilience, Accessing Domestic and Regional Markets, Overcoming Money Hurdles, and Machines and Proactive Business Models Toward Productive and Responsive MSMEs.

At the end of the Summit, prominent business stakeholders and key players provided support and recommended priority actions towards helping achieve economic prosperity in the region through MSME development.

So many reasons to be happy at Makati Shangri-La

By Nirmla Motoomull

I had the golden opportunity to stay in Makati Shangri-La Hotel for a few days just recently.

Makati Shangri-La is a world all its own. It boasts huge comfortable hundred rooms, cozy restaurants, relaxing bars and open, fresh air swimming pool and so forth. Please discover it yourself. People of all ages can definitely have fun. Both foreign and local visitors will be lured to discover its many attractions upon passing through its tall entrance door and receiving a warm welcome from its capable staff.

As expected, inside is a beautifully decorated first-class hotel. The staff are very courteous and, in fact, one of so many reasons why I was happy with my stay there. And if you’re tired from all that traveling, it’s definitely a must to experience whiling the time away at the Lobby Lounge.

One of so many reasons why I was happy during my stay there is its wide range of delectable cuisine available at its Circles Event Café, Lobby Level. It offers a generous buffet with a wide selection of meat, seafood, soups, desserts, salads, pastries and all food imaginable. Japanese food lovers will surely enjoy the wide assortment of sushi or a simple steaming cup of miso soup. It also showcases Asian cuisine and other Chinese delicacies. The family can get together and enjoy their different favorite food.

But if you simply want to rest and get away from all the hassles of urban living, then the pool and the spa are for you. The spa is worth visiting while you’re there because it allows you to enjoy treatments which rejuvenate both the body and the mind.

For three consecutive days, I had an incomparable delicious breakfast buffet at Circles Event Café, Lobby Level. Thank you so much to the following staff: Chef Pablo de Castro, Chef Arnel Sison, Chef de Vega, Chef Martin Tioseco, Chef William Hilbalde, Chef Corrine del Rosario, Chef Bryan de Guzman, Chef Blanche Oropesa, Jonathan Castro, Jordan Andres, Jen Casabar, Movarid Salehkhorram, Klari Villanueva, Germaine Pacaco, Tina Decena, Belle Mayo, Bryan Casimsim, Kiel Gonzales, Lovely Reyes, Von Lacsamana.

My heartfelt thanks to Chibom, my daughter, for making this golden opportunity possible for me with the assistance of Claude and Chris, my two sons, Garry, my son-in-law and Kernan, my nephew.

The complete address of Makati Shangri-La is Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City 1200 Phillipines Tel (632) 813 8888.

19 students from Marawi admitted in Makati schools

By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan (PNA)

MANILA (PNA) -- The University of Makati (UMak) and the Higher School ng UMak (HSU) have granted admission and full scholarship to a total of 19 students who have transferred from 11 different schools in war-torn Marawi City, according to the Office of the University Registrar.

In a statement, Makati Mayor Abby Binay directed UMak to accept transferees from Marawi and children of soldiers who were killed in action.

To date, 13 college students from Marawi City are enrolled at UMak while six senior high school students are enrolled at HSU, the pilot senior high school under the auspices of UMak.

The mayor has also ordered that the transferees be enrolled on full scholarship to help them get back to their studies and recover fast from their traumatic experience.

“We want to give new hope to these students and help them to focus on pursuing their studies so they could build a better future for themselves and their families,” the lady mayor said.

Based on the records of the UMak Registrar’s Office, six of the transferees came from the Ranao Council Al-Khwarizmi International College, three were from Mindanao State University (MSU)-Main Campus in Marawi, and two from IBN Siena Integrated School Foundation.

The rest of the transferees came from MSU Lanao Campus, Lake Lanao College, Philippine Engineering Agro Industrial College, Adiong Memorial Polytechnic College, Jamiatul Philippine al-Islamia (JPI) Marawi City, Dansalan College Foundation Marawi City, Marawi Foundation Academy Incorporated, and Marawi City National High School, with one each.

Six of the 13 college students are taking up Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting, with three each in second year and third year. Two other students are taking up Bachelor in Secondary Education major in General Science, while another student is taking up BS Civil Engineering, all in their third year.

The remaining four Marawi transferees at UMak have enrolled as freshmen in BS Computer Science major in Application Development, BS Human Resource Development Management, and BS Supply Chain Management, and BSED General Science, respectively.

In senior high school, six students have been enrolled at the HSU under the auspices of UMak, composed of two in Grade 12 and four in Grade 11.

UMak’s Admission Office remained open for three weeks after classes in the university started last June 19 to accommodate transferees from Marawi. They were interviewed at the Admissions Office and were endorsed to the University Registrar for validation of their school documents if they have any.

Given their special circumstance, they were not required to provide their school credentials right away. In the meantime, they were only required to present at least an endorsement from their local government or any documents attesting that they studied or came from Marawi.

In 2014, UMak accepted emergency transferees from Yolanda-affected areas, including those from Leyte and Samar, and granted them full scholarship. One has graduated last April, while three others are currently enrolled at the university.

4 MMDA enforcers commended for returning left behind luggage

By Rogelio Nato, Jr. (INQUIRER.net trainee/JE)

Four Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforcers received commendations on Tuesday for returning luggage accidentally left by a commuter.

The four are Elmo Barranta III, Benjamin Mapili, Rommil Um, and Arnold Malban, who are members of MMDA’s Anti-Littering Group.

They turned over to the agency the luggage of Geronimo Dalagdag, who was apprehended Monday, July 10, by the MMDA personnel for violating the agency’s anti-littering policy.

Dalagdag, they said, was cooperative and even gave his ID when they explained his violation.

Apparently in a hurry to get to his destination, the commuter unmindfully left his luggage behind after a brief discussion with the MMDA personnel, the agency said in a statement.

To secure the contents of the luggage, the MMDA enforcers immediately decided to bring it to the main office in Makati City.

“This only proves that we have a bountiful of good-hearted personnel in government service despite being vilified in public,” MMDA chair Danilo Lim said.

“We recognize and salute such acts of kindness toward other people and the public at large to whom we serve,” Lim added.

The luggage has already been sent back to Dalagdag, Rose Blay, administrator at the Office of the MMDA’s chairman, said over the phone.

Makati uses second half blitz to score win at Davao

By Ivan Saldajeno (PNA)

MANILA -- Kaya Makati dropped four goals in the last 35 minutes to blast Davao, 5-1, in their PFL match at the Davao Del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum on Sunday night.

Alfred Osei, Joven Bedic, Eric Giganto, and Kenshiro Daniels each scored goals in Makati's late second half push that lifted the club back to fourth place in the standings with four matches left in its schedule.

Bedic actually netted a brace as he drew first blood for the visiting side in the 20th minute.

Nikola Grubjesic, however, sent the crowd into frenzy with a goal in the 49th minute that tied the game at 1-all.

Makati's late barrage then began with Osei's 58th minute attack.

Bedic then capped his two-goal showing with a strike in the 76th minute.

Giganto added another goal in the 87th minute, while Daniels sealed the win with a strike just before full time.

Makati moved a point ahead of Negros for fourth in the league table with 17 points. The latter, however, has two matches at hand.

Despite its biggest loss this season, Davao remains in sixth place with four points nine matches in.

BIR eyes electronic tax filing nationwide

By Joann Santiago (PNA)

MANILA - Electronic tax filing and other computerized processing of data with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is targeted to be implemented nationwide before the end of 2017.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Deputy Commissioner for Operations Nestor Valeroso told Senators Thursday that electronic tax filing was piloted in Makati City and the Large Taxpayers Service (LTS) to help fast-track tax filing processes.

He said LTS was chosen for the pilot-testing to help the BIR monitor tax payments of big businesses.

"If there are evidence that this is effective it will be cascaded to other regions," he said during the hearing of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Asked when the BIR targets to make the electronic tax filing nationwide, the BIR official said "within the year", citing the issue of capacity of some far-flung areas to be connected to the internet as among the issues hampering the nationwide implementation.

Valeroso, in an interview by PNA, said the program being piloted in Makati City and the LTS is not only on tax filing but also on electronic tax information system and audit case monitoring, among others.

The pilot testing started in 2015 and Valeroso said they had not completed the nationwide implementation because "we want to perfect the system first."

"There are several programs that we want to implement but we want to make it certain that when we cascade this to the different regions they will not have problems with this," he said.

Valeroso said LTS accounts for about 65 percent of total BIR collections while the Makati City's share was around 10 percent.

The BIR received flak from some sectors when it implemented the electronic filing (e-filing) of income tax returns (ITRs) for certain taxpayers a few weeks before the April 15, 2015 deadline.

Its Revenue Regulations No. 6-2014, issued on September 5, 2017, requires the mandatory use of electronic BIR Forms for all tax returns of accredited tax agents or practitioners, accredited printers of principal and supplementary receipts or invoices, and one-time transaction (ONETT) taxpayers.

In RR 5-2015, issued on March 17, 2015, the agency said failure to file returns using eBIRForms and through electronic mode will entail a P1,000 penalty per return along with civil penalties equivalent to 25 percent of the tax due paid.

In BIR Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 12-2015, issued on March 27, 2015, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD), employees with purely compensation income and employees qualified for substituted filing were “encouraged to use offline eBIRForms” in filing their returns but also encouraged to tap the e-filing so “to avoid the crowd and long lines.”

21,584 dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies in Makati since January

(Makati City Government Official)

The Makati Veterinary Services Office (MVSO) has vaccinated a total of 21,584 pet dogs and cats in 26 barangays since January.

In a report to Mayor Abby Binay, MVSO chief Ma. Katherina Mangahas said her office gave free anti-rabies shots to 9,424 pets in District 1 and 12,160 pets in District 2.

Mangahas urged residents whose pets have not been vaccinated to bring them to the nearest MVSO office. For District 1 residents, the MVSO at the Makati Central Fire Station on Ayala Avenue Extension corner Malugay St. (tel.no. 889 7949) is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. District 2 residents may bring their pets to MVSO at Cadena de Amor St., Barangay Pembo (tel. no. 896 8723) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday.

Among the 26 barangays covered in the drive to date, Barangay Rizal posted the highest number with 2,703 pets vaccinated. It was followed by Pembo, 1,804; East Rembo, 1,762; West Rembo, 1,726; Bangkal, 1,272; Cembo, 1,199; Olympia, 1,183; Comembo, 1,139; Pio del Pilar, 1,102; Palanan, 1,048; Poblacion, 836; Tejeros, 818; and Guadalupe Nuevo, 725.

San Antonio, 655; Guadalupe Viejo, 649; San Isidro, 483; Pitogo, 422; La Paz, 420; Singkamas, 368; Valenzuela, 358; Sta. Cruz, 334; Dasmariñas, 199; Carmona, 189; Urdaneta, 96; Forbes Park, 63; and Northside, 31.

The mass anti-rabies vaccination drive of MVSO is being conducted with the assistance of barangay health workers and personnel of the Makati Action Center.

Meanwhile, the MVSO also offers free anti-rabies vaccination during the Makati Lingkod Bayan Caravan which is held twice a month in the barangays. The caravan is scheduled to visit Barangay Singkamas at F. Benitez Elementary School III along F. Nazario St. from 1 to 4 p.m. this Saturday.

MMDA sets four-day metro-wide quake drill for next week

By MARGARET CLAIRE LAYUG (KBK/KG,GMA News)

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to conduct a four-day metro-wide quake drill next week.

The drill, according to MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim, will be held on July 14, Friday, to July 17, Monday.

The activity dubbed Metro Manila Shake Drill is done annually to raise disaster preparedness in Metro Manila in preparation for the "big one," or the possible magnitude 7.2 earthquake to be generated by the West Valley Fault.

Lim ceremonially pushed the panic button during the event's launch at the MMDA Auditorium in Makati City on Wednesday.

NOW: MMDA Chaiman Danilo Lim activates the 3rd Metro Manila Shakedrill with a push of a button pic.twitter.com/VWmiKDxZQw
— M. Claire Layug (@MClaireLayug) July 5, 2017

Dr. Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said he is hoping the drill would spread the "correct imagination of events" in case the "big one" occurs.

The actual drill is scheduled at 4 p.m. on the covered dates, with every "quake" lasting for 45 seconds. The time was chosen to allow office workers to join, and to have the drill during rush hour.

Meralco was instructed to cut off electric power for five minutes on its first day preceding the quake, the drill's director Ramon Santiago said.

Santiago said the public would be taught how to act in case of massive devastation and collapse of structures that would render lines of communication and modes of transportation non-operational.

The schedule for the four-day drill will be as follows:

July 14

• Official start (West Valley Fault moves generating a 7.2 magnitude earthquake at 4 p.m)
• 5-minute power failure test
• Individual serf protection
• Emergency response test

July 15

• Emergency response test
• Business continuity / early plans for the private sector

July 16

• Emergency response test
• Business continuity / early plans for the private sector

July 17

• Business continuity / early plans for the private sector


Apart from Metro Manila, provinces near the West Valley Fault will join the drill, among them Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Pampanga.

JP Songsong of the MMDA's information office said the drill will also be test the disaster-related response between provinces as far as Bohol and Cebu.

Solidum, meanwhile, stressed the importance of participation from the barangay-level, which he said he proposed during the drill's planning stage.

"This is a response exercise, but barangay officials have the most important job," Solidum told GMA News Online. "For any disaster, especially for a large-scale event like an earthquake... the initial response will always come from the family and the barangay."

"So if the barangays are prepared, we can further reduce the potential number of deaths," he added, citing recent disasters like the Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda as examples.

4 Makati scholars graduate with honors

(The Manila Times)

MAKATI City’s college scholarship program recently produced five graduates, four of them with honors, from the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Philippine Normal University (PNU).

Makati Mayor Abby Binay learned from city Education Department head Norma Tumambing that Maria Anna Dominique Guamos, Joshue A. Libby Mapagdalita and Charie Surdarlingam graduated cum laude from UP.

Graduating from PNU were Catherine Taquiqui, Bachelor of Science in Education major in Chemistry, with honors and Evangeline Balawitan.

Binay congratulated the new graduates for giving honor to the city.

The city government has allocated P20 million for the Makati College Scholarship Program this school year.

Makati college scholars in UP and PNU receive P4,000 monthly stipend each for five months per semester, aside from the tuition and other school fees provided by the city government.

They also receive P5,000 book allowance every semester for scholars at UP and P4,000 for those in PNU.

Makati, Cebu settle for draw after late drama

By Ivan Saldajeno (PNA)

MANILA, July 3 -- The two scheduled PFL matches on Sunday literally got wet and wild as the stormy weather in Metro Manila forced stoppages in play.

Both games had contrasting fates as the weather became clearer.

The showdown between JPV Marikina and Davao was called off as the Rizal Memorial Stadium, once again being used as the former's temporary home, was deemed unfit for continuation of play following the heavy rains.

Marikina was ahead, 1-0, on a third minute strike from the debuting Satoshi Otomo when the heavy downpour began midway into the second half. The said match will be replayed at a later date.

But at the University of Makati Athletic Field in Makati, the clash between Kaya Makati and Global Cebu pushed through, and the match delivered a dramatic finish.

Makati was on its way to seal the comeback win as Robert Mendy struck an 89th minute goal that broke a 1-all deadlock.

Sekou Sylla, however, salvaged a point for Cebu as he took the goal back a minute later.

Makati had a chance to steal the home win at the death following a loose ball scramble, but the rock ended up at the hands of Cebu goalie Patrick Deyto.

Shu Sasaki struck first for Cebu with a 27th minute goal, but Jordan Mintah equalized for Makati right at the start of the second half, leading to the endgame drama.

The draw moved Cebu up to third place with 14 points after eight matches.

Makati failed to force a three-way logjam with Cebu and idle Negros for third on points but remained in fifth with 11 points.

MMDA urged to rid EDSA of colorum buses first

By Azer N. Parrocha (PNA)

MANILA -- Instead of implementing old number coding schemes to ease traffic in Metro Manila, a senator said the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) should prioritize removing colorum buses along EDSA.

"…Ang panawagan ko sa MMDA, pwede bang una nilang gawin, tanggalin lahat ng kolorum na bus sa EDSA na hanggang ngayon ay namamayagpag at tumatakbo pa rin (My appeal to the MMDA is, can they first remove all colorum buses along EDSA?),” Sen. Francis Escudero said in a recent press conference.

Escudero pointed out that the MMDA should investigate whether these colorum buses were being operated by former officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) as it continued to be tolerated.

“Iyun pala ang nagpapasikip talaga karamihan kolorum. So simulan natin sa pagtanggal ng kolorum. Dati na namang bawal iyan. Dati nang iligal. At dati nang may kumikita diyan. Alisin natin iyun dahil hindi pa nagagawa iyun (Colorum buses make the roads more congested. So let’s start by removing them. It has long been illegal and they have long been earning from this. Let’s do this because it hasn’t been done before),” he added.

He made this call after MMDA chairman Danilo Lim announced in a recent House hearing that a two-day number coding scheme might help improve traffic flow.

Sen. Grace Poe earlier said that the proposal needed to be reviewed and should undergo consultation.

Escudero, like Poe, expressed hope that the new MMDA chairman would take a more “innovative” approach to solving the crisis instead of implementing schemes that have been done and have failed in the past.

“…Umaasa ako sa bagong MMDA chairman natin na mas magiging innovative at hindi iyung binabago lamang iyung mga dating sinubukan na (I am hopeful that the new MMDA chairman would be more innovative and not just change schemes that were done in the past),” the senator said.

He said that a two-day number coding was implemented in Makati in the past and was not successful.

“Itong number coding lahat na yata ng variation at porma nagawa na iyun hindi pa rin umubra eh. Tingnan naman natin iyung mga ibang bagay na hindi pa nagagawa (Many variations of number coding have been implemented but none have worked. Let’s try other schemes that haven’t been done yet),” he added.

Youths from Marawi resume studies in Makati

By Erika Sauler (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Seven students displaced by the clashes in Marawi City have taken the offer made by the University of Makati (UMak) to continue their studies in the city-run institution.

While classes already started on June 19, UMak’s admission office remains open for transferees from Marawi and children of slain soldiers.

“We welcome students from Marawi who would like to pursue their college education as scholars of the city government,” Mayor Abby Binay said on Wednesday.

Two of the seven transferees have enrolled as junior and sophomore students taking up management accounting. The rest are completing their enrollment as a Grade 11 senior high school student, a freshman taking up information technology service management, a civil engineering junior, and two management accounting juniors.

Considering their predicament, interested transferees from Marawi are not required to submit their school credentials right away.

An endorsement from their local government or any documents proving they studied or came from Marawi will be accepted in the meantime.

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