Duterte wants swift delivery of medicines

Duterte wants swift delivery of medicines National News

By Azer Parrocha

President Rodrigo Duterte holds a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on April 27, 2020. (Presidential photo)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered concerned government agencies to speed up the delivery of medicines and medical supplies for patients infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a televised public address on Monday night, Duterte urged agencies to course medicines and medical supplies through Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez, the chief implementer of the National Policy Against Covid-19. “Ang utos ko ngayon is i-deliver ninyo ‘yung medicines kay General

Galvez, Secretary Galvez (My order now is to deliver medicines to Secretary Galvez),” he said.

National News

Duterte said city health officials lack the manpower to immediately deliver the medicines to hospitals in their respective areas.

“Huwag na sa (Don’t deliver it to) city health because city health has no manpower to attend to all of these things. Ito naman kasi kay (But) Galvez, he can distribute the burden to the different participating government agencies,” he said.

He said agencies should waste no time in sending the medicines to hospitals and other health facilities.

“Gusto kong madalian (I want it done quickly). So i-deliver ninyo ito (it) if it’s intended for the provinces outside of Metro Manila.

He said the PAF could even use military helicopters.

“If it is intended for a place that’s too far away and not easily passable, then we can use the military helicopters. But with one condition, that on the ground there are troops that will secure the crew and the equipment itself.

Mahal ‘yang helicopter ko at sayang (My helicopter is expensive and it would be a waste). Let us not be reckless about this,” he said.

Last March 31, Duterte ordered that donated medicines and medical supplies for Covid-19 shall be coordinated with and transmitted to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for consolidation.

Iyong malayo (those far away) it’s being ferried by plane, ‘yung malapit lang of course by land pero gusto ko na dumating sa madaling panahon (those nearby of course by land but I want them to arrive as soon as possible),” he said.

The President also requested the Philippine Air Force-Tactical Operations Group (PAF-TOG) to help out with the delivery efforts in distant areas.

“I have requested na ‘yung para sa mga malalayo na lugar i-deliver na lang ng Air Force doon sa TOG (that the Under the order, the OCD is directed to prepare an inventory of all the donations to the national government and to DOH that would be consolidated.

The OCD will also coordinate with concerned government agencies to determine the beneficiary health facilities, groups, or establishments in the country.

Galvez is in charge of overseeing the consolidation, management, inventory, recording, and distribution of these donations. (PNA)

PRRD offers P20-M for respirator production to fight Covid-19 COVID -19 News

MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte will give a PHP20- million reward to any Filipino who can produce respirators that would be used to treat individuals infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Malacañang announced on Tuesday.

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos TASK FORCE. President Rodrigo Duterte holds a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on Monday night (April 27, 2020). Malacañang on Tuesday said Duterte would give PHP20 million to any Filipino who could produce respirators that would be used by Covid-19 patients. (Presidential photo by Karl Norman Alonzo)

Duterte offered the reward money, considering the lack of respirators in hospitals amid the Covid-19 outbreak in the country, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual presser aired on state-run PTV-4.

“Nagbigay po ng pabuya ang ating Presidente – PHP20 million para sa sinumang Pilipino na makakabuo ng local respirators na sabi niya ay dapat | APRIL 25-May 1, 2020 48

naman could outlast the life of a patient (The President is offering a PHP20-million reward to any Filipino who can develop a local respirator that could outlast the life of a patient),” he said.

In a televised briefing on Monday night, Duterte asked the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to increase their workforce

and operate 24 hours to hasten the implementation of projects intended to stop the contagion.

Duterte gave the directive after DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña admitted that the country is having a difficult time procuring imported ventilators due to high demand amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dela Peña said the average number of ventilators in the country’s small hospitals is a “very small fraction” compared to what is really needed.

He, nevertheless, ensured that DOST is eyeing the mass production of ventilators through its “Project Ginhawa”.

DOST’s Ginhawa, otherwise known as ReliefVent, is a locally-designed portable ventilator that is lightweight and much less expensive compared to imported ventilators. for various health-related programs that seek to put an end to the Covid-19 crisis.

Embedded with software for selfdiagnostic cloud-based data analytic and protocols for operations and trouble-shooting, ReliefVent runs on both AC and DC power.

ReliefVent, which weighs 8 kg., can produce compressed air and do controlled ventilation, assistcontrol ventilation, and synchronous intermittent mandatory ventilation.

The Department of Budget and Management has approved the request of the Department of Health (DOH) for a PHP45.717-billion budget Some PHP1.35 billion of the approved PHP45.717 billion will be used to purchase 1,500 units of mechanical ventilators to serve the needs of DOH hospitals, selected hospitals, military hospitals, and the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital.

On April 23, Duterte also raised to PHP50 million the prize money for any Filipino who can develop a cure for Covid-19.

The Philippines has 7,777 confirmed Covid-19 infections, as of Monday. (PNA)

DOST lauds scientists in fight vs. Covid-19 COVID -19 News

By Ma. Cristina Arayata

MANILA – Department of Science and Technology Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Peña on Monday lauded scientists and researchers for helping the nation in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)

pandemic. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Peña (File photo)

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila at pinapupurihan ko sila (I thank them, and I commend them),” he said during the “Alerto” broadcast.

He said a Filipino scientist could earn better if they work abroad, but many of them opted to serve here.

In a public address aired Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte instructed the DOST and the Food and Drug Administration to put additional manpower and employ as many as they can, so that work can be done day and night.

“Maganda ang hangarin ng Pangulo. Kaya titingnan namin kung aling serbisyo namin ang mangangailangan ng ganoon. Pero ang gusto rin niya talaga ay mapabilis ang completion ng aming mga projects na tugon sa Covid-19 at sa iba pang mga epidemya na maaaring dumating in the future. Para sa kabutihan nating lahat ang hangarin ng Pangulo. (The President has a good intention. We would look at which among our services would need [24/7 work]. He wanted to hasten the completion of our projects in response to Covid-19 and other epidemic that may arrive in the future. The President’s

desire is for the benefit of everyone,)” dela Peña said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Among the projects include the RapidPass, the RxBox deployment in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and the two studies on the efficacy of virgin coconut oil (VCO) in the recovery of Covid-19 patients. For the VCO studies, the DOST is set to conduct two clinical trials -- a hospital and a community-based trial. community hospitals involved would start on Tuesday. “We are still awaiting the approval of UP Manila’s Ethics Review Board for the VCO (clinical) trial in PGH,” he added. In the meantime, the RapidPass is a system that would enable frontliners and essential workers to pass the checkpoints by simply allowing personnel to scan their QR codes developed by the DOST and its partners.

In the community-based trial, VCO would be incorporated in the food provided to the patients, as well as their contacts and other high-risk groups. The hospital-based clinical trial would assess the possible benefits of VCO if given to patients with moderate to severe Covid-19.

Dela Peña told the PNA that the VCO community-based trial was already approved. The training of

On the other hand, the RxBox biomedical device capable of capturing medical signals through builtin medical sensors is distributed to the PGH and a hospital in Laguna to help health workers monitor patients with minimal contact.

An RxBox could monitor a patient’s vital signs, pulse rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and even electrocardiogram readings. (PNA) APRIL 25-May 1, 2020 | 51

200 companies to conduct 1M Covid-19 tests by May COVID -19 News

By Azer Parrocha

File Photo

MANILA – Around 200 companies are preparing to conduct one million coronavirus disease (Covid-19) tests among their employees by May.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said the companies have agreed to participate in Project ARK (anti-body rapid test kit), a private-sector initiative to help jumpstart the economy after over two months of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). He said the only way to flatten the curve or slow down the rate of Covid-19 infection is to conduct more targeted mass testing. “We’re bringing about 1 million rapid test kits by May – malaki iyan (that’s huge),” Concepcion said in a

virtual presser on Monday.

Concepcion said Project ARK also aims to help about six to seven provincial hospitals expand their testing capacity.

He, however, emphasized that those who will be found positive for Covid-19 under the rapid anti-body testing will also have to undergo realtime polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) testing.

“Our whole objective is to really focus on test, test and test; and that will give us more visibility, then the Cabinet and the government will be allowed to open up more of the economy,” he said.

Concepcion emphasized the need to prioritize the reopening of the economy to ensure Filipinos can resume their source of livelihood.

Pexels photo

iyong kabuhayan. Kasi kung walang kabuhayan, wala rin, marami rin ang mamatay dahil sa hunger, dahil sa walang medisina (That’s what we need, livelihood. Without livelihood, there’s nothing, many would die because of hunger, because there’s no medicine),” he said.

Under the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF) revised guidelines on expanded testing for Covid-19, the RT-PCR test approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and validated by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) is the confirmatory test for Covid-19.

Rapid antibody-based test kits must be used in conjunction with RTPCR.

As of Monday, health authorities reported a total of 7,777 confirmed cases of Covid-19, 511 deaths, and 932 recoveries. (PNA)

from 2019 may be used for Covid-19 response

By Azer Parrocha

MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said the government has around PHP77 billion worth of unused funds from the 2019 national budget that could be used to augment coronavirus disease (Covid-19) response efforts.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson suggested to use appropriations from last year’s budget and pork insertions to provide for the needs of Filipinos during the enhanced community quarantine until May 15.

but Roque clarified that only PHP77 billion was left according to Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado.

“Lilinawin ko lang po at ito naman po ay matapos akong magkonsulta kay Secretary Avisado: Ang total po na unreleased budget from the 2019 budget is only po around, kung hindi po ako nagkakamali, around PHP77 billion (I want to clarify, that after consulting Secretary Avisado: The total unreleased budget from the 2019 budget is only around, if I’m not mistaken PHP77 billion),” Roque said in a virtual presser.

Roque also said the government has so far used PHP352.7 billion out of the PHP397 billion available funds have been spent already for Covid-19 response under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act of 2020 or Republic Act 11469.

pupuwede pa talagang magamit para sa ibang purpose (He sent a memorandum to all agencies asking them to identify uncommitted funds, which we can use for other purposes),” he said.

COVID -19 News

Roque, meanwhile, said he would leave it to agencies to decide on Lacson’s suggestion to realign funds from the budgets of the Departments of Transportation (DOTr) and Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Pagdating po sa mga proyekto ng mga senador at kongresista ay pinauubaya na po namin iyan kay Secretary Villar po karamihan naman ng mga proyektong iyan ay nasa DPWH (When it comes to projects of senators and congressmen, we will leave it to Public Works Secretary Villar because most of the projects are under the DPWH),” he said.

Under the Bayanihan law, President Rodrigo Duterte is given special powers to address the Covid-19 health crisis including among others, authority to realign funds in the 2020 budget. Roque said Avisado has also given government agencies until the end of the month to identify their “uncommitted funds” that can be used for Covid-19 programs and projects. The government, Roque said, has enough money to sustain people’s needs until the ECQ is lifted. However, he said the executive department needs authority from Congress to seek for additional funds. On Friday (April 24), Duterte bared that he might ask Congress to approve a supplemental budget to boost government’s resources for Covid-19 response.

“Siya po ay nagpadala ng memorandum sa lahat ng ahensya at tinatanong po niya kung ano pa iyong mga uncommitted funds, iyong Lacson, however, cautioned against passing a supplemental budget, saying that it should only cover unused funds. (PNA) APRIL 25-May 1, 2020 | 55

PH receives $500-K Covid-19 test kits from SoKor COVID -19 News

SOKOR’S AID. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and NTF on Covid-19 spokesperson Gen. Restituto Padilla, received on behalf of the Philippines, 700 Covid-19 test kits from the Government of the Republic of Korea, represented by Ambassador Han Dong-man. The Q-Sens test kits are compatible with local Covid-19 testing systems. (Photo courtesy of DFA)

MANILA – To boost the Philippines’ drive to significantly raise its daily Covid-19 testing capacity, the Philippines formally received on Saturday 700 units of Q-Sens 2019-nCoV Detection Kits from the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK).

The Covid-19 test kits, which can yield a total of 35,000 tests, are valued at USD500,000 (approximately PHP25.38 million) and arrived late in the evening of April 24.

The kits were symbolically turned over to the Philippines in simple rites at the Department of Foreign Affairs, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, and National Task Force on Covid-19 spokesperson Restituto Padilla receiving the donation from Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man.

Also present at the turnover were Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Brigido Dulay, Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Meynardo Montealegre, Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Adviser for Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Robert Eric Borje, and First Secretary Seah Park of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

The pandemic has seen the two countries engage in active mutual assistance.

Prior to this donation of test kits, ROK has shared its know-how and its model in flattening of its domestic Covid-19 curve by hosting various web seminars for Philippine officials and experts.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea has also actively helped a number of local government units with their respective requirements.

Meanwhile, the Philippine government has provided ready assistance to facilitate ROK’s own repatriation efforts for its stranded nationals.

Figures from 2019 show that there were 1.98 million tourists from the ROK who visited the Philippines.

The Q-Sens test kits are compatible with local Covid-19 testing systems. The actual kits were immediately delivered to the DOH after clearing entry formalities. (PR)

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