New Chinatown emerging with spread of Chinese workers, businesses in Parañaque

A new Chinatown seems to be emerging in southern Metro Manila with the apparent increase of Chinese commuters and businesses in Parañaque.

According to Saleema Refran's report on "24 Oras", some of the Chinese groceries and restaurants had signs and menus that had neither English nor Filipino translation.

Traffic enforcers said vans had been shuttling Chinese employees to a Philippine offshore gaming company on Quirino Avenue.

"Marami pong mga sasakyan ang nagbababa dito. Ayan, marami nang mga establishment, mga ano ng mga Chinese, mga restaurant," Barangay Tambo traffic officer Jesus Arteta said. 

Parañaque City administrator Fernando Soriano said all establishments were required to provide English or Filipino translation.

"Kung maipaliwanag po na hindi nila sinusunod a'yung kautusan ng ating law, batay po sa ating, I would assume that would be a ground for closure or suspension ng kanilang business permit," Soriano said.

Soriano saw nothing wrong with the increased number of Chinese businesses in the area, adding it could be good for local commerce.

"On the business side naman ng mga property owners, ang nakikita ko naman po dito, yung business opportunity kung nasaan medyo malaki pong magbayad itong mga Chinese," Soriano said.

Filipino staff members also spotted at some of the establishments.

"May pumapasok po talagang mga Pilipino, mga foreigner din, halo halo din po, kumakain dito sa amin," said one employee.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), 80,000 Chinese workers have been issued alien employment permits from 2015 to 2018. —Margaret Claire Lug/NB, GMA News