Saturday, March 27, 2021

Surigao Norte SKs assist students in accessing internet connection

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 27 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in the municipality of San Benito in Surigao del Norte had shown concern for the students studying at home during this time of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and assisted them in the access of internet connection.

Delcy Rose Plandano, SK Federated President of said municipality highlighted during the Network Briefing News on Tuesday hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) that while they conduct Computer Literacy Training to the students in the different schools of their municipality with the help of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), they also assess the students’ modules, and assist and guide them in accessing the internet so they could be able to finish their modules within the given timeline.

Plandano added that they continue to reach out to the out-of-school youths in their municipality and provide them technical vocational education training/s and even computer literacy.

“This will help them explore online opportunities and even use it as a platform to promote their livelihood which could eventually improve their quality of life,” she added.

She further said that they have partnered with the local government in promoting vaccination for COVID-19 to its residents. "As a youth leader, I promote the good news (to the public)... and that they should not be afraid because this is not only for their welfare but for their family and loved ones," she said.

The SK official also highlighted that they give attention to mental health care for the youths. “During this time of the pandemic, mental health care is very important. To address this, we continue to reach out to the youths and increase their awareness so they would never engage in activities that could destroy their lives, instead, lead them to participate in different activities that make them more productive,” she said.

It can be recalled that there had been reports of suicide incidents among youths who easily got depressed when they were not able to accomplish their homework and modules due to lack of internet connection and other requirements which they had difficulty in complying with. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Dinagat Islands LGU continues to promote jabs for COVID-19

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 27 (PIA) -- More locals of the municipality of Loreto in the province of Dinagat Islands are now more willing to get jabs for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Municipal Mayor Doandre Bill Ladaga said on Wednesday, March 24.

In an interview for the Network Briefing News with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar, the mayor said this is a result of the information drive they continuously launched for the vaccination program.

“Nung una, alam naman natin before, karamihan medyo hesitant eh, yung iba daming mga tanong. But eventually, lalo na nung dumating mismo yung mga vaccines, nagpasalamat naman kami na nag cooperate lahat, nagtutulungan,” the mayor said.

Mayor Ladaga also said public confidence on vaccines increased especially after the successful vaccination of some 30 local health care workers on Sunday, March 21.

“So maganda yung resulta, marami po yung nagpabakuna. Nakausap naming yung ilan, wala naman talagang nakikitang mga side effects,” the local official added.

With the first batch of its health care workers now given immunity for the deadly disease, the local government continues to advocate for the vaccines to its people.

“Sa ngayon po, tuluy-tuloy po yung information drive natin. Ang ating mga barangay officials ay tumutulong naman kaya etong mga health care workers natin, binibisita nila ang bawat barangay at tingiin ko po, mukhang handa naman po ang karamihan para sa vaccination.”

Despite the availability of vaccines, the local chief executive continues to remind Loretonhons to abide by minimum health standards particularly those set by the provincial government.

“Padayon ta na magsunod ug malaumon na makabangon gyud ta diani na dungan ug inyung lauman na kami, uban ang mga opisyales sa lungsod ug barangays, na maningkamot mi na kutob sa among mahimo na maghatag ug suporta alang sa katawhan sa lungsod [Let us continue to follow (protocols) and be hopeful that we can rise together (from this pandemic). Have faith in us, the local officials in the municipal and barangay levels, because we will continue to do all that we can to provide support for the people of this town],” he said. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

Cabadbaran LGU prioritizes farmers even during pandemic

By Nora C. Lanuza

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 27 (PIA) -- Farmers in the city of Cabadbaran in the province of Agusan del Norte were given importance by the city government especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the Network Briefing News on Friday, hosted by PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar, Mayor Judy Amante said that the government are helping their farmers to uplift their living conditions by providing them assistance.

“We found out that some farmers are in debt to financers during cropping period that is why they are obliged to deliver their harvest even at a low buying price," said Mayor Amante.

"That is why in order to help them and have enough supply of rice and to support farmers in the area, the LGU offered loans to farmers cooperatives especially in palay seeds. We also extend help to a group of farmers by providing then capital in order to put up their own cooperatives payable up to 5 years," added Mayor Amante.

Just recently, the LGU has assisted a farmers’ cooperative in the area by lending them P5 Million that includes putting up a rice mill, building and facilities. "In return, the cooperative also gives two hectares of land to the LGU to use as an agricultural training center for farmers that will surely improve the living condition of the farmers in the area," Mayor Amante said.

Also, the LGU of Cabadbaran is also providing assistance and facilitating the lying-in hatchery for the blue swimming crabs project in the city. The project is funded by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and aside from the hatchery, a shellfish processing and a solar dryer also funded by BFAR is also present in the city to increase the production of fish and other aquatic food resources in the city's local waters.

"With this, there is now a new alternative source of livelihood for local fisherfolks other than fishing," Mayor Amante said. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)

Pagbabakuna sa iba’t-ibang probinsya sa Caraga region, patuloy sa pag-arangkada

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Marso 27 -- Patuloy pa ring isinasagawa ang pagbabakuna sa iba’t-ibang probinsya ng Caraga region sa pangunguna ng Department of Health (DOH).

Nitong Marso 23, may kabuuang 1,759 vaccination sites na sa Caraga ang nagsasagawa ng COVID-19 vaccination para sa mga health care workers at frontliners.

Tinatayang nasa 57,364 katao na kabilang sa Priority A1 ang eligible o pumasa at nasa master list.

Ang 6,045 ay sa Butuan City; 6,270 sa Agusan del Norte; 13,647 sa Agusan del Sur; 11,130 sa Surigao del Norte; 17,638 sa Surigao del Sur; at 2,634 naman sa Province of Dinagat Islands.

Nasa kabuuang 10,711 ang nabakunahan na sa rehiyon sa first dose at may 496 naman ang napagpaliban muna na mabakunahan dahil sa kanilang medical and health concerns.

Ayon kay Dr. Ernesto Pareja, chief local health support ng DOH-Caraga, as of March 24, nasa 91.32 percent na ang nabakunahan ng Sinovac at 44.80 percent sa Astra Zeneca vaccines sa buong rehiyon.

Samantala, bagamat accessible na ang mga bakuna, payo pa rin ng kagawaran sa publiko, huwag magkumpyansa. Panatilihin ang pagsuot ng face mask at face shield, sundin ang patakaran ukol sa physical distancing, at magsanitize ng mainam at madalas. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Friday, March 26, 2021

Dinagat Islands LGU backs gov’t info drive for COVID-19 vaccination

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 26 (PIA) -- With their commitment to uphold the health and welfare of Dinagatnons, the provincial government of Dinagat Islands joins the national government in campaigning for the vaccination of every Filipino from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has claimed millions of lives across the world since its outbreak.

Since the beginning of the year, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), together with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) conducted a series of engagements with local government units across the nation dubbed as the “Pagdalaw/Pagdu-aw” (visit) to engage with local officials and members of concerned sectors on the on-going vaccination program launched by the national government.

On its fifth leg in Caraga region, the municipality of Loreto in Dinagat Islands was visited, where PIA Director-General Ramon Cualoping III and PCOO Sec. Martin Andanar discussed among municipal officials down to the barangay level, the youth, and officials of the provincial government on Monday, March 22, the current developments of the national vaccination program and the future endeavors of the national government concerning vaccination.

To achieve this, the agency launched the “#ExplainExplainExplain” campaign, in addition to the many communication efforts launched by the PCOO, to intensify information dissemination at the time when the public needs it most. Living up to its name, the campaign was named to explain to the public the actions taken by the government in its vaccination efforts in particular, in addition to informing.

“Why are we here? It is because we, as government communicators, eagerly continue to communicate President Rodrigo Duterte’s directives – to provide safe, effective, and free vaccines to the Filipino people,” said PIA chief Usec. Ramon Cualoping III.

“This is our avenue. This is one of the ways of bringing information to the people and making them understand what really is happening, what is the vaccine roadmap, when will the people get vaccinated, are they really effective, and so on,” he added.

The extensiveness of these efforts was lauded by participating officials. Provincial Governor Arlene Bag-ao thanked the presence of the agency chiefs and for extending their initiatives down to the grassroots level. She then cited the strong coordination among local government units in the province to respond better to the needs of Dinagatnons.

“Kalahating taon na ang lumipas na wala tayong COVID-19 cases habang patuloy na nagtutulungan ang provincial at municipal governments sa pagsisigurong buhay ang lokal na ekonomiya,” the governor added.

Loreto Municipal Mayor Doandre Bill Ladaga echoed the same words of gratitude for the national government, stating that their responsiveness is key for local government units to materialize their plans and projects for the development of their respective areas.

Meanwhile, during the engagement, Usec. Cualoping elaborated the importance of all the efforts the government has been exerting since the issue on availing vaccines was discussed, which is to achieve a “Healthy Pilipinas.” This, he said, can be attained by achieving herd immunity, which requires getting at least 70% of the country’s entire population vaccinated from the disease.

“As of March 15, 2021, about 96% or 1,125,600 total doses we have were already distributed in 929 vaccination sites nationwide, with 39% of the said figures were administered for the first dose.”

Vaccine from other brands will be arriving soon, he added, both the donated and the procured.

Despite the availability of vaccines, the government official urged residents of the province to continue to abide by health protocols and, as much as possible, submit themselves for inoculation. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

Surigao Norte LGU to boost fishery to foster recovery from pandemic

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 26 (PIA) -- With various sectors in the economy now striving to bounce back from the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the local government unit of the municipality of San Benito in Siargao Islands in the province of Surigao del Norte plans on embarking on sardine production in an effort to boost local fishery.

While known for its rich seaweed farming, Municipal Mayor Gina Menil said seaweed production has been low since the onset of the pandemic.

The town’s seaweed farm, located at Sitio Campingganon in Brgy. Maribojoc, can produce seaweeds year-round. But farmers are now faced with shortage of needed materials which in turn affected their local business.

This pushed Mayor Menil to opt for other business prospects, with sardine production in mind.

Located on the northwest side of Siargao Island, the town also occupies a portion of the Pacific Ocean which provides them the advantage of catching some of the finest fish in the sea. San Benito prides itself in being one of the top producers of yellow fin tuna, a tuna species commonly used for fish dishes served in high-end restaurants.

“Ito ay binebenta ng mga mangingisda sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng probinsya. Kung sila ay malaking pump boat, dinadala po ito sa Surigao City. Yung iba naman na maliit ang pump boat, dinadala lamang sa mga magkalapit na bayan sa Siargao,” she said in an interview for the Network Briefing News episode on Tuesday with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar.

“Kaya ako po ay nangangarap para sa aking mga kababayan sa San Benito, gusto ko po sana since marami po ang nahuhuli na ganung klaseng isda dito, ay [magtatag] ng sardine production. Alam kong mas maraming matutulungan na mga kababayan natin dito sa San Benito.”

Meanwhile, the mayor appealed to the national government for assistance to aid their seaweed farming.

“Sana po, meron pong makatulog sa amin. Malaki ang production niyan. Umaabot ang pagbebenta ng mga tao sa Cebu City,” she added.

PCOO Sec. Andanar assured the local chief that these concerns will be voiced to the Department of Agriculture.

“Wag po kayo mag-alala, Mayor, at ang tanggapan ko po ay bukas para kayo po ay ibridge kay Secretary Willam Dar.” (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

Infra projects boosted in Surigao Norte town amid pandemic

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 26 (PIA) -- Several infrastructure projects in the municipality of San Benito in Siargao Islands are currently in the works despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Town Mayor Gina Menil reports the on-going construction of the P67-million municipal multi-purpose building in Brgy. Nuevo Campo. Phase 1 of the building construction is currently being completed since its groundbreaking ceremony on February 25, 2021.

“Aside from that, we have also a municipal gymnasium na ngayon ay ginagawa na,” the mayor added during an interview on Tuesday for the Network Briefing News hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar.

The construction of the building is still in its early phases. Mayor Menil said the project is costs about P47 million in total.

Discussing the newness of the said projects, the town mayor did not shy away from admitting to being a novice in the field of politics, having been appointed as the municipal mayor less than two years ago. But while such was the case, her determination to foster the growth of San Benito town through infrastructure.

The mayor also cited the continuous assistance she receives from the national and the provincial governments for the success of her projects, particularly those mentioned above.

The town of San Benito is a 6th class municipality, with at least 6,000 individuals making up its entire population. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

Locals in Surigao Norte town upbeat on COVID-19 vaccination

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 26 (PIA) -- The locals of San Benito town in Siargao Island in the Surigao del Norte province are now willing to undergo vaccination for the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after months of hesitation, town mayor Gina Menil said.

In an interview with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar for the Network Briefing Episode, the town chief said the acceptance rate among residents have ballooned since they launched an information drive for the government’s vaccination program.

“Nung una, medyo nahirapan kaming mag convince sa kanila. At first, nung humingi ako ng listahan from punong barangays but then wala munang nagbigay ng listahan. It’s because natakot sila,” the mayor said.

Thus, the local government unit strived to promote awareness on the COVID-19 vaccines and the vaccination process in collaboration with the municipal health office. And in no time, public confidence increased and fear of the vaccines was gradually eradicated.

“After a week na nagconduct sila ng information drive, very productive or positive ang [feedback] na nakuha sa katawhan sa San Benito and they are willing to [be] vaccinate[d]. Inexplain ng maigi na sila muna ang maunang mabigyan ng bakuna – mga doctors, nurses, at mga opsiyales.”

This, Mayor Menil said, was what convinced the people to receive jabs for COVID-19.

As of March 24, 2021, a total of 10,711 health care workers in Caraga region have already received the COVID-19 vaccines, with 91.32% inoculated with the Sinovac vaccines while 44.8% with AstraZeneca. The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga said it will aim to inoculate 57,364 individuals in Caraga based on the masterlist created for the eligible population (DMNR/PIA-Caraga) 

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Livelihood programs continuing to provide income, battle pandemic

The Duterte government continues to carry out programs that provide people with source of income, prop up the economy and at the same time produce products helpful to the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 24, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

In his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the trade department is working to produce 47 million masks for the poor based on the President’s instruction.

Some 13 million masks were produced and the government has so far delivered more than 12 million masks to poor communities, Lopez said.

Among the participating agencies include the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), Office of the President, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Aside from producing non-medical masks, the government has spearheaded the production of medical-grade, internationally certified face coverings as well as personal protective equipment (PPE).

The country has been producing 2.4 million pieces of N95 masks per month and 56 million pieces each month of N88 masks.

“’Yung coveralls, ‘yong pinapatong sa ating katawan, 3.2 million pieces per month ang capacity, dati zero. At iba pa pong mga ano diyan: ventilators dati zero, ngayon 6,000 units per month; iyong meltblown or filter for face mask, ito ‘yong nasa loob ng face mask, 20 tons per month, dati po zero capacity,” Lopez said.

Around six local companies are also in talks with the Board of Investments (BOI) for local vaccine manufacturing, Lopez said, noting the initiative will be helpful to the country’s drive for COVID-19 vaccine self-sufficiency.

“So ang amin lang pong request dito, siyempre ito po ay nagke-create ng local jobs and local manufacturing, pera ng bayan, sana para sa trabaho sa bayan. So we have to buy local. Ito po ‘yong ating pinu-push kasi ‘pag nag-buy local, madali hong makaka-recover ang ating ekonomiya kasi mare-restimulate ang economy,” the trade chief said.

And even during the pandemic, the government continues to give livelihood kits, entrepreneurship seminars, mentoring clinic, and various livelihood opportunities nationwide, Lopez reported.

So far, 56,281 micro- small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) received government assistance and 26,240 individuals were given livelihood kits.

Livelihood programs amidst the pandemic are also ongoing, Lopez said noting the DTI has already visited Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to assist communities with the help of Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Department of Agriculture, National Housing Authority, DTI and DSWD.

Former rebels also received assistance, according to Lopez. “Iyong sa project po natin sa NTF-ELCAC. Ito po ‘yong mga natutulungan, nabibigyan ng pangkabuhayan package. Nationwide, mga 829 former rebels po ang naabot natin dito.”

Returning OFWs were also given opportunities through different livelihood programs, he said, noting the government has recorded total approved loans of P3 billion, which benefited 24,581 individuals. PND

Thursday, March 25, 2021

President Duterte orders DOH to probe people jumping the line in gov’t vaccination drive

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wants the vaccination of an actor in Paranaque City investigated, saying people jumping the line in the government mass immunization campaign may affect future vaccine donations.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 24, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

During a public address Wednesday, President Duterte ordered Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to investigate the incident in Paranaque City and submit a report to the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Kayo na ang bahala mag-imbestiga nito. Then kung matapos na ito, let the --- your legal office handle the… Or idiretso mo na lang sa --- make a report out of that incident and idiretso mo na lang sa Ombudsman. Mas mabuti, mas madali,” the President told Duque.

The President noted that local officials and influential people jumping the priority line have dismayed health workers who were supposed to be the first to get the jab.

He stressed that the government should strictly follow the priority list given by the World Health Organization (WHO) and failure to do so might endanger the supply of COVID-19 vaccines especially those donated by the WHO-led COVAX facility.

“But apparently this was not complied strictly. Eh ang mahirap nito ang nagbigay ang WHO, ‘yong COVAX, eh donated ‘yan. So tinanggap natin knowing fully well that we have to honor the conditions attached thereto,” he said.

“Sinabi na sa atin ng country representative ng WHO, if you do not follow the list of priority, you might lose the assistance of the WHO. It was made clear to us na ganoon ang pagkasabi.”

Duque said hospital heads and city health officers are responsible for controlling the vaccines and may be held accountable.

President Duterte named a number of local chief executives that were given show-cause orders by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for getting the COVID-19 shot despite not being in the priority list.

The local officials were Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, Bataraza, Palawan Mayor Abraham Ibba, and South Cotabato Mayors Dibu Tuan and Sulpicio Villalobos.

Minglanilla, Cebu Mayor Elanito Peña, Alicia Mayor Victoriano Torres, San Miguel Mayor Virgilio Mendez, and Lila Mayor Arturo Piollo II.

The President noted, however, that the excuse of those officials who argued that they get the shot to alleviate the fear of their constituents should be studied thoroughly.

“Medyo gray area ‘yan na dapat talaga ang una ‘yong mga… Whether or not if they jumped the COVID-19 line of vaccination would require a certain amount of a legal study,” he said.

The country’s 1.7 million frontline healthcare workers are on the top of WHO’s priority list, followed by senior citizens and persons with comorbidities, frontline personnel in essential sectors, uniformed personnel, and working sectors identified by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Also on the list are indigent population, teachers, social workers, government workers and other essential workers, high-risk socio-demographic groups, and indigenous people.  PND

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Gov’t officials, personnel warned anew on corruption

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has made renewed warning Wednesday to government officials and personnel saying he is serious in ridding the government of graft and corruption.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 24, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

“If you are not yet convinced that I’m dead serious, then that would be your undoing,” President Duterte said in televised public address, as he disclosed the names of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) personnel who were dismissed from service.

Those removed from service were PDEA Intelligence Officers Angelito Aragona, Allan Alfred Wee Sit, and Marvin Pabalate. They were dismissed for grave misconduct and after testing positive for drug use.

Also dismissed were Henry Saclao, Security Guard II, and Cirilio Dangay, Accounting Clerk II in the NAPOLCOM. They were charged with grave misconduct for demanding and receiving money from police recruits in exchange for facilitating their passing.

The chief executive then warned aspiring police applicants not to transact with unscrupulous individuals, and instead call his attention through a government hotline.

“Also, iyong gustong magpulis, huwag kayong magbigay. Sabi ko sa inyo kung may maghingi para pasa --- ipapasa kayo o pahirapan kayo, 8888, sabihin mo kung sino ‘yong tao,” said the President.

President Duterte, who vowed to tackle graft and corruption in the remaining days of his administration, has said previously that corrupt individuals have no place in government service.  PND

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Gov’t critics politicizing vaccine rollout, procurement – President Duterte

Government critics are using the COVID-19 pandemic to score political points especially as the country gears towards the general election next year, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said on Monday.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 22, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

“That’s what you would call the classic case of if you want to appear white, you paint the other guy black para ang labas mo puting-puti ka,” President Duterte said during his weekly public address on government response on COVID-19 pandemic.

“Si Mr. Clean, parang ganoon. Ganoon ‘yan eh, style bulok.”

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who virtually joined the meeting with the President, said administration critics have intensified their attacks as the country moves towards the election next year by using the pandemic as an issue.

Roque said if those detractors still have conscience, they should just help the administration find a solution to the country’s present predicament instead of using the pandemic for their selfish political gains.

Responding to government critics, President Duterte said the money intended for vaccine procurement is still with the lending banks and not with the government.

The government would only make the payment once the vaccine manufacturers delivered the jabs, he said.

“Iyan po ay papel lang. And you know, if you are afraid of corruption, let your mind go easy because these things are not susceptible to anything,” he said.

“The money is in the hands of the bank and they collect ‘yong nagpabili sa atin ng bakuna from the bank.”

The government has allocated P82.5-billion total financing for vaccine procurement, logistics and other supplies including waste disposal, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said.

The country’s vaccination rollout is funded by P2.5 billion from the Department of Health budget, P10 billion from the Bayanihan 2 as well as other fund sources, the finance chief said.

The government has secured financing from the World Bank with P24.3 billion; Asian Development Bank, P19.5 billion; and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, P14.6 billion, Dominguez explained, adding government savings and official development assistance (ODA) will also fund the vaccine procurement.

“Now, P82.5 billion will buy us enough doses to inoculate 100 percent of our adult population,” Dominguez said.

“So ang total population natin is around 110 million. Ang below 18 is 40 million so 70 million lang to vaccinate. So that money, the 82 billion plus the private sector and another 10 billion from the LGUs will be able to vaccinate all the adults in the Philippines this year.”  PND

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

PNP ordered to regionalize processing of death benefits

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, March 22, ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) to stop the practice of requiring dependents of deceased policemen to go to the police headquarters in Camp Crame to process death benefits.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 22, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

In a televised weekly public address, President Duterte reiterated the implementation of his previous order to make the processing of death benefits easier for the family members of deceased police personnel.

President Duterte said the PNP should designate personnel who will handle death claims and should require the widows or other dependents to process their claims at the PNP’s regional offices to prevent corruption and abuse.

“I want to have that regionalized, [the] processing. And do not call the heirs or the widow hanggang hindi na… ‘yung araw na ‘yun, pagbigay sa kanya, diretso na,” he said.

The dependents of police officers shell out additional money just going to Metro Manila to process their claims and sometimes fall prey to corrupt and unscrupulous members of the PNP, according to the President.

“Ewan ko if this is still being practiced now. If it is still the practice, I am ordering you to cut it now,” he said.

“I am ordering you now to cut this goddamn. It takes about two months, three months… Maawa kayo sa mga biyuda… Dapat magmalasakit kayo sa kapwa niyo,”

Also, President Duterte named several police officers dismissed from the service for committing wrongdoings.

Those dismissed from the service were Patrolman Ralph Rigor Ramos, Police Corporal Dimaciding Ali S. Succor Jr., and Police Staff Sergeant Mary Jean C. Rillera. They were accused of committing grave misconduct and other offenses.

Dennis Lomboy, an Attorney V from the National Police Commission (Napolcom), was also removed from service for committing extortion.  PND

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Gov’t to widen immunization drive as more COVID-19 vaccines arrive

The government is considering a parallel vaccination strategy that will include senior citizens and service workers in addition to the mass inoculation being done to the nation’s healthcare workers, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Monday.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 22, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

In his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting on government’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) intervention, Galvez said they are building the Vaccine Deployment Scenario with the help of the private sector, particularly the Ayala Group and the Custom Consulting Group. In this scenario, various groups will be designated to handle the vaccination of different sectors.

“So ito po ‘yong way forward po natin, Mr. President, na nakita po natin para po talaga mapabilis ang ating --- to comply with your your guidance na magkaroon po na tayo ng general public na vaccination,” Galvez said.

Inoculating a portion of the country’s general public alongside frontline medical workers could potentially offer the nation better protection from the deadly coronavirus disease compared to the initial plan of vaccinating solely healthcare workers only, he explained.

Galvez, who is also the chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, also reported to President Duterte that other countries like the United States, Israel, and Indonesia have adopted such strategy by vaccinating the next “segments” even if previous segments are not yet fully immunized.

For instance, the US vaccinated 11 percent of its healthcare workers on the first month of vaccination drive before proceeding to inoculate essential workers, the elderly, and those with existing medical conditions.

Israel, on the other hand, first vaccinated 91 percent of its senior healthcare workers before inoculating 50 percent of the residents aged 55 and above; 40 years old and above; 35 years old and above; and 16 years old and above.

Likewise, Indonesia inoculated 98 percent of its healthcare workers before proceeding to vaccinate four percent of the elderly population; 15 percent of its public service workers; and essential workers. 

In the Philippines, a total of 1,105,500 vaccine doses have been deployed, inoculating 369,049 or 21.71 percent of the country’s healthcare workers, said Galvez.

With a steady supply of vaccines, Galvez said the government can also implement simultaneous vaccination campaign, targeting to inoculate 500,000 to 1 million people per week in April or May.

The country expects to receive 2,379,200 vaccine doses of Sinovac and AstraZeneca in the first quarter of this year, he said, noting that by year-end Philippines will have received more than 140 million COVID-19 vaccine doses excluding the donations through the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility.

The Philippine government is negotiating the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines from pharmaceutical companies Sinovac Biotech, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson, the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, and Pfizer, he noted.

The Department of Health (DOH) has logged 8,019 new COVID-19 cases on March 22, bringing the country’s total number of infections to 671,792 with 577,850 recoveries and 12,972 deaths. PND