DOTr Lauds LTO’s Campaign Against “Fake Plates”

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade lauded today the ongoing campaign of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) against the manufacture, distribution and selling of counterfeit license plates.

“We are not tolerating these acts. Whoever they are, they should be held criminally liable. Pag gumawa kayo ng kalokohang labag sa batas, batas din ang uusig sa inyo,” Secretary Tugade said.

On Wednesday, a joint operation was conducted by the Quezon City Police District—District Special Operations Unit (QCPD-DSOU), the Philippine National Police Anti-Carnapping Unit (PNP-ANCAR), and the LTO-National Capital Region (LTO-NCR) in the residence of couple Jahaziel Alcantara (32 years old) and Kristine Nemenzo (22 years old) in Sitio Veterans, Brgy. Bagong Silangan in Quezon City.

Prior to the operation, authorities conducted a test buy operation on 22 June 2017 after receiving earlier reports of the couple’s alleged illegal activities. A search warrant was secured on 03 July 2017 from QC RTC Branch 78.

Recovered and seized from the site were twenty-six (26) Motor Vehicle Number Plates, three (3) Motorcycle Plates, twenty-five (25) Metal Sheets, cold laminated board, a laptop, a pressing manual machine, a logbook and receipts of transactions.

The couple will face charges for violations of Presidential Decree 1730 (Syndicated printing, manufacture, distribution or use of fake LTO documents and plates) and Article 2, Section 31 of Republic Act 4136 or the “Land Transportation and Traffic Code”

“While we are trying to address the current backlog in the production and distribution of license plates, we are also serious in apprehending elements who illegally produce, distribute and use fake plates,” LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante stressed.

The LTO stressed its commitment to normalize the process in the production and distribution of license plates. The current backlog has been identified to be at least a million vehicle plates. Plates with additional security features were bid out and are targeted for issuance by September this year.

Also, the LTO is currently embarking on its proposal to locally produce plates in order to expedite production time and avoid shortages in the future.

Ricoh Eco Action Reveals Beauty and Biodiversity of Masungi Georeserve

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Revealing some of the beauty and biodiversity of Philippine flora and fauna was recently conducted by global imaging and electronics leader Ricoh during its environmental initiative in Masungi Georeserve at Baras, Rizal.

Through the “RICOH Global Eco Action 2017”, RICOH Philippines showcased the importance of nature in a different perspective and promoted the need to take care of Mother Earth among local customers and some members of its staff in a tour of the discovery trail.

“Eco-Action is an annual global initiative where we hold corporate social responsibility programs with particular focus on the environment,” said Aida Ortega, Performance Excellence and Sustainability Officer at RICOH Philippines.

“Sustainability is at the heart of the way we work. We want to give back to nature because the resources that we used for our machines come from nature,” Ortega emphasized.

Preserved and managed by Masungi Georeserve Foundation, the conservation park and rustic rock garden reminiscent of the formations in Palawan serves as a sanctuary rich in heritage and biodiversity that is just a few hours from Metro Manila.

Masungi takes three to four hours to explore and is perfect for nature lovers, adventure seekers, beginner, and regular hikers with its rope courses, hanging bridges, and scenic destinations. 

Great Women Kicks off ASEAN Collaboration Events

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The Great Women Showroom & Café kicks off ASEAN themed activities in pop-ups of both fashion collections and cuisine starting this July and August, as part of the 50th Year ASEAN hosting of the country. Located at the ground floor of the Tesoro’s building in Makati City, the showroom is presently showing a unique fusion collection of Barong Batik made of local jusi textiles but using motifs and the traditional Indonesia batik style. Ladies tops, men’s barongs and textiles are available. Complementing this is a pop-up Tasting Circle event running for two weekends July 13-15, and 20-22 where traditional Indonesian beef rendang and chicken sate will be offered by the Dewi Sri kitchen.

Myanmar becomes the next focus on July 27 onwards as an exclusive and limited edition collection of Great Women kaftans specially designed by Burmese designer Wynn Wynn Ong will be available in the showroom for a limited time. Complementing this collection, the designer plays cook with a Tasting Circle of traditional Burmese noodle dishes such as the Mohinga Fish and Ono Kauk Swe plus Gula Melaka dessert. The Tasting Circle events sit only 14 people per sitting, with a number of sittings scheduled per day.

At the Great Women showroom, the inclusive business model of helping women microentrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs are seen through products created in collaboration with product developers, designers and manufacturers each working with a livelihood community group, cultural indigenous groups or small micro-enterprises run by women. The showroom is their first market access to a niche market focused on the region of ASEAN. Similarly, other ASEAN entrepreneurs working with the same inclusive business model are welcome to collaborate.

The Great Women Showroom & Café is located on the ground floor of the Tesoro’s Building, 1606 A Arnaiz Street, Makati City, open Mondays–Saturdays from 10 am to 8 pm. Please call 772-2433 for reservations to the Tasting Circles. Follow us on social media at greatwomenASEAN.