PRESIDENT DUTERTE PAYS TRIBUTE TO NATION’S FRONTLINERS ON ARAW NG KAGITINGAN COMMEMORATION

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Friday recognized the sacrifices of the country’s COVID-19 pandemic frontliners as the nation commemorates the 79th Araw ng Kagitingan.

This year’s commemoration “is a firm reminder of the unyielding determination of the Filipino to prevail over all forms of adversity,” the President said in his message.

“As we continue to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, we take a moment to honor the fortitude displayed by our selfless and dedicated frontliners whose unrelenting commitment in this fight reflects the heroism of the warriors of Bataan that continues to inspire in us a greater sense of patriotism and solidarity during these trying times,” he said. In honoring the country’s fallen soldiers, President Duterte said their sacrifice “became the bedrock of our resolve to uphold our most cherished liberties.”

“May this awareness resonate among us as we strive to become worthy heirs to the nation that they fought and bled for,” he added.

The Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) commemorates the fall of Bataan during World War II, honoring Filipino and American soldiers who fought shoulder to shoulder defending their last stand.

This year’s commemoration has for its theme, “Kagitingan ay Gawing Gabay, Pandemya ay Mapagtatagumpayan.” PND

PRRD ORDERS PHILHEALTH TO COVER COVID-19 PATIENTS’ STAY IN TENTS

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to cover the expenses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients confined in temporary tents set up outside hospitals, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Duterte’s fresh directive came following reports that patients are allegedly being charged PHP1,000 per hour for staying in temporary hospital tents while waiting to be admitted to a room.

In a virtual presser, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte’s order to PhilHealth is to ensure that the costs of reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, isolation, and hospitalization of Covid-19 patients with mild and severe symptoms are included in the Covid-19 insurance package.

PhilHealth, Roque said, was also directed to make sure that patients receiving medical care in tents will be insured.

“Kaugnay nito, kung ang tents ay kasama sa in-patient care, kailangan covered ito sa kasalukuyang in-patient Covid-19 package (In

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (File photo) relation to this, if the patient’s stay in tents is part of inpatient care, it should be covered under the current inpatient Covid-19 package),” he said.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite on March 30 revealed that patients confined in temporary tents at hospitals have been forced to pay an hourly rate of PHP1,000.

Gaite also disclosed that the charge for a temporary tent accommodation was not covered by PhilHealth.

On April 2, PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Dante Gierran clarified that the services given to patients that are part of in-patient care “should be covered

by the current in-patient Covid-19 packages.”

Gierran said medical facilities charging PHP1,000 per hour rate for patients staying in tents will be investigated for possible violation of pertinent laws and rules.

He also ensured that the state insurer is now reviewing its existing policies to better respond to the Filipinos’ needs, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Under PhilHealth’s policy, Covid-19 patients are entitled to health insurance for RT-PCR tests, isolation in accredited community isolation units, and hospitalization for mild to critical Covid-19 cases, Gierran said. (PNA)

DOH, FDA GIVE GREEN LIGHT FOR CORONAVAC VAX OF SENIOR CITIZENS

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday allowed the use of CoronaVacmanufactured Sinovac for senior citizens, stressing vaccination may be done only after stringent evaluation of the person’s health status and exposure risk.

“After considering the recommendation of the experts and the current situation of high Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) transmission and limited available vaccines, the FDA is allowing the use of Sinovac on senior citizens. Vaccination should be preceded by an evaluation of the person’s health status and exposure risk to assure that benefits of vaccination outweigh risks,” FDA Director General Domingo said in a statement.

The Department of Science and Technology’s Vaccine Expert Panel also recommended the use of the vaccine on the elderly.

While current efficacy data for senior citizens from Phase III trials is insufficient, the DOH and FDA noted “the benefits

(PNA file photo)

of using the vaccine for this particular group outweigh its risks and more scientific data on use for senior citizens may soon become available”.

Both agencies urged the senior citizens and persons with comorbidities to participate in the government’s Covid-19 vaccination program by registering in their respective local government units.

They also reiterated that registration for the vaccination is free. (PNA)