This Week in Metro Manila (August 22 to 28, 2016)

Palace Communications Officer Martin Andanar has released a statement that citizens who will apply for a passport will receive an “all-new high-security passport” at a shorter waiting period starting August 15. The upgraded passport, according to Andanar, will have a microchip that contains all the personal data of the owner and an invisible ultraviolet (UV) ink and thread for added security. Moreover, the designs of each page features Philippine regions.

Processing of the newly issued passport will only take a maximum of five (5) days compared to the previous 7 to 14 days.

Republic Act (RA) 10911 or the Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act has been passed into law in the previous month. This law is against discrimination on any individual who applies for a certain position based on their age. Further, force retirement for employees at the age of 60 can no longer be imposed. Violation of the law is punishable with PhP50,000 up to PhP500,000 fine, or three months to two-year imprisonment.

Class 1 Vehicles passing through the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) tollway can now go cashless with the automated tap-and-go beep card since August 8. Class 1 vehicles are those measuring 7 feet in height and have two axles only.

The beep card can be purchased and reloaded at the Parañaque Service Center while it is on the trial period.

Six new units of modernized jeeps called ‘Beep’ or Bagong Jeep is now plying Lagro-Cubao and Parang Marikina-Stop & Shop routes. Beep is a 16-seater jeepney with a curbside entrance utilizing Jeepney beep cards for payment collection and with a minimum fare of PhP7. KAPIT Transport Group is planning to introduce these modernized jeeps to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Beep Jeepney is not connected to AF Payments, Inc. which owns the Beep Card used as e-card for LRT, MRT, and CAVITEX Toll gate payments.

Manila can still experience heavy downpours with lightning and thunderstorms in isolated areas. This is due to southwest monsoon or habagat which also brought a lot of rainfall in the previous weeks. Regularly checking the radio and TV news for updates on class suspensions, rainfall warning alerts, and evacuation advisories is recommended, even without storm signal raised over the city.

The 7th Philippine Business and Entrepreneurs Expo (PBEX) is happening on August 26 to 28 at the Megatrade Hall 1 in SM Megamall. Over 100 companies and businesses will join the event which will be a good venue for partnerships and networking. PBEX has been supporting the small and medium enterprises on nurturing and cultivating their industry in the country.