The Taguig City government will create ‘exercise safe zones’ across the city to strictly monitor adherence to health and safety protocols while residents are carrying out physical activities.

On Saturday (July 4), the local government deployed personnel along Bayani Road at the Heritage Memorial Park area to make sure citizens doing various physical activities are still maintaining social distancing and other health protocols.

The ‘exercise safe zones’ was implemented following reports that some citizens, runners and bikers failed to comply with health and safety protocols.

“The team at the Heritage Memorial Park area gave away free masks and drinks to citizens working out,” the local government said in a statement.

Mayor Lino Cayetano said the public needs to understand the situation under the new normal. He also encouraged the private sector to collaborate with the government to ensure that citizens are protected from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“In the new normal, it is important that our people understand that the disease remains a threat. We must all work together,” he said.

The local government will also place signage, bike repair, and help desks at the designated safe zones. AAC

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday (June 17) seized P1 million worth of suspected illegal drugs in a buy-bust operation in Taguig City. Three individuals were arrested.

According to PDEA Spokesperson Derrick Carreon, the suspects might have found out that they were transacting with authorities which led to a small encounter.

“Nakatunog yata, ayun pinagbabangga niya na iyong sasakyan ng tropa (They suspected something so they hit the vehicle used by our troops), so in order to immobilize his vehicle, they shot his tire,” he said.

No one was injured during the encounter and authorities arrested Edwin Pascual, Vyron Flores, and Allan Mendoza and 200 grams of shabu were seized.

The suspects will face charges for violating Section 5 and Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. AAC (with reports from Lea Ylagan)

In order for students to still celebrate their graduation, Senator Renato “Compañero” Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School (SRCC) held ‘Cyber-Graduation Ceremonies’.

Students from SRCC’s Taguig Robotics Team made toga-wearing robots which received the diploma on behalf of 179 SRCC graduates.

The Taguig Robotics Team developed four remote-controlled robots fully made with recycled materials.

The live videos of the graduates were projected on the heads of the robots as their names were called to claim their diplomas. The graduates witnessed their graduation at home with their families via Facebook Live.

The ceremonies helped the city undertake its programs with minimum health standards conforming with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols.

“We know how deeply symbolic a graduation ceremony is for graduates and their parents,” said Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano. “This is why we came up with a program that can help them celebrate their accomplishment while respecting health standards and policies during the COVID-19 community quarantines.”

Meanwhile, 24 public elementary and 12 other public high schools in Taguig City will also receive the diplomas through the same robots. AAC