CONTENTS
Caraga Volume IV, No. 32 August 1-7, 2020
INFOCUS
ARTICLES
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10 12
REGIONAL NEWS
DPWH Caraga patuloy ang konstrukyon ng farmto-market road projects Caraga RPOC resumes implementation of projects amid pandemic DSWD releases P34-M pandemic aid to Caraga
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Butuan folks urged to follow protocols as Covid-19 cases spike
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Strong IP communities key to defeat insurgency: Army
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PROVINCIAL NEWS POPCOM, NGO partner for community health Moderno, dekalidad na serbisyo, pwedeng maavail sa ospital ng Agusan del Norte SK officials, volunteers in AgSur village share food packs to over 1,500 households Dinagat Islands PPOC initiative enforces intensified environmental laws MGB-13 strengthens women participation in resilient development PMO Surigao frontliners undergo rapid antibody testing
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44 NPA killed, high-powered firearms recovered in Surigao Norte clash U.S. donates P14.80-M worth of PPE to PGH, PH medical facilities BFP receives P54-M worth of supplies from U.S. Combat operations ensure safe delivery of government services in conflict-affected areas LGU, IP council NPA cadaver exhumed in SurSur town Army seizes high-powered firearms, ammunition from NPA in Surigao Sur
MINDANAO NEWS
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Mindanao economic recovery: Help poor coconut farmers, thrash ridiculous export ban
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Projects to improve connectivity in Mindanao: DICT
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NATIONAL NEWS Delivery of public information guaranteed amid COVID-19 pandemic Gov’t completes ‘Yolanda’ housing project for Ormoc City Duterte to PNP: Stay ‘resilient’ in the time of Covid-19 Ensure equal education opportunity to poor students: Go DAR shortens land acquisition and distribution process from 291 days to 112 days
COVID-19 NEWS
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House execs reaffirm support to govt’s Covid-19 response PH now has 99 certified Covid-19 test labs Covid-19 testing covered by PhilHealth: DOH DOH shifts to community-focused response vs. Covid-19
COVER
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Caraga region COVID-19 cases now totals to 336
T
he Department of Health (DOH) Caraga announces receipt of 155 RT-PCR (Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) results from Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), Northern Mindanao TB Reference Center (NMTBR) and Davao One World Diagnostic Center subnational laboratories where 143 tested negative and 12 turned positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus. The RT-PCR negative results are from the following cases: a) Seven suspect cases from Butuan Medical Center, Butuan Doctors Hospital, MJ Santos Hospital and Surigao del Sur Quarantine Facility, b) Twelve probable
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cases from Caraga Regional Hospital, Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital and Agusan del Sur Quarantine Facility, and c) 124 High risk individuals who had positive Rapid Antibody-based Tests.
Of the 12 positive cases, 58% (7) are Locally Stranded Individuals, 8% (1) is a Returning Overseas Filipino, 17% (2) are cases classified under local transmission, 8% (1) is a close contact of a previous COVID-19 positive case, and another 8% (1) is a resident of Bayugan City who is currently employed in Butuan City. Per sex distribution, 75% (9) are females while 25% (3) are males. The majority of the cases or 58% (7) belong to ages 20-40 years old. The new confirmed cases are distributed in the following areas: Butuan City (3), Bayugan City (1), Bislig City (1), Nasipit, Agusan del Norte (1), municipalities in Agusan del SurEsperanza (2), Prosperidad (2), Tago, Surigao del Sur (2).
under Modified Enhanced Community Most 92% (11) of the cases are Quarantine (MECQ). asymptomatic while only one case has Our goal is to have reduced local exhibited mild signs and symptoms. Moreover, those who are symptomatic transmission cases in a two-week period are isolated at identified isolation in these critical areas and contain facilities region-wide for strict monitoring COVID-19 cases among LSIs and and management whereas the lone ROFs by strictly following isolation and case with mild symptom is admitted to quarantine procedures,” DOH Caraga Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. a hospital facility. said. To date, Caraga region COVID-19 “We can only achieve this if we confirmed positive cases now totals to 336 with 193 (57%) recoveries that have work together. We call on everyone been discharged and released leaving to firmly observe and follow our health protocols. Only go out for work or if a total of 142 (42%) active cases. necessary. Wear facemasks at all times. “We will continuously monitor Practice physical distancing. Lastly, the status of our cases in the different report to your local health authorities areas of the region now that we when symptoms like fever, cough, are placed on Modified General colds, sore throat, and diarrhea of more Community Quarantine (MGCQ) while than two days occur,” Dr. Llacuna, Jr. critical barangays in Butuan City are added. (DOH Caraga/PIA Caraga) August 1-7, 2020 |
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News Briefs The Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter donated units of Drumvatory to rural health units in the different municipalities of the province with proper handwashing IEC materials. xx
The First 1000 Days Law or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act Webinar series shall also introduce the RA 11148 “F1K Tracker” as a tool for generating and documenting commitments. The activity will serve as a platform to encourage the program implementers to fully adopt the new law and its IRR. By knowing the salient features of the new law on nutrition and their IRR, they will be equipped with the capacity and confidence to effectively and efficiently fulfill their mandates.
August 6-12 is National Hospital Week. This observance coincides with the birthday of Dr. Sixto Y. Orosa which falls on August 6. He drafted Act No. 3168 of the Philippine Legislature. This act established provincial hospitals in the Philippines and it was eventually developed into a national hospital system. With the issuance of Executive Order 134 declaring every August 12 as International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Day, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) took a step further by designating the month of August as IHL Month. This year’s theme is “Preserving Human Dignity in the Midst of Armed Conflict: A Shared Responsibility.”
REGIONAL NEWS
DPWH Caraga patuloy ang konstrukyon ng farm-tomarket road projects By Nora C. Lanuza
Sa kabila ng banta ng coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), patuloy pa rin ang konstruksyon ng farm-to-market road projects o FMRs sa rehiyon ng Caraga. Ayon kay Department of Public Works and Highways Caraga regional director Engr. Pol Delos Santos, nasa 93 porsyento na ang natapos sa mga proyektong ito sa buong rehiyon at inaasahang matatapos
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sa nakatakdang petsa sa loob ng kasalukuyang taon. Anya patuloy rin ang kanilang pagsunod sa health protocols para matiyak ang proteksyon ng mga
manggagawa.
pagbiyahe ng kanilang mga ani at produkto sa merkado. Isa rin ito sa mga Kabilang sa mga natapos na susi para sa paglago ng mga negosyo major projects ng DPWH Caraga ay at pagpapaunlad sa ekonomiya ng ang FMRs sa probinsya ng Agusan del rehiyon. Sur, Dinagat islands, Surigao del Norte at Surigao del Sur. Maliban naman sa mga proyektong pangkaunlaran, patuloy Minamadali din ng DPWH ang ang koordinasyon ng DPWH at LGUs sa konstruksyon ng nasirang bahagi ng rehiyon para sa paglaban sa COVID19. Agusan-Bukidnon road sa barangay May mga testing cubicles na natapos Calayagon, Buenavista, Agusan del na sa lungsod ng Butuan na gagamitin Norte. Ito ay isang landslide prone sa rapid at swab testing activities. area na sinira ng tropical storm Seniang noong taong 2015 at nasa mahigit Maliban sa konstruksyon ng nobenta porseynto na ang natapos cubicles, tutulong din ang DPWH sa dito. konstruksyon ng 50-bed isolation facility Malaking tulong sa mga na itatayo sa 1,000 square meter lot sa magsasaka ang farm-to-market roads bawat distrito ng rehiyon. (NCLM/PIA upang mas maging madali ang Caraga) August 1-7, 2020 |
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Caraga RPOC resumes implementation of projects amid pandemic By Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa
The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) of Caraga region is set to resume the implementation of its various projects and activities on maintaining and enforcing peace and order in the region amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
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During the virtual meeting for the 3rd Quarter of 2020 presided by Surigao del Sur provincial governor and council chairperson Alexander T. Pimentel held on Wednesday, July 29, a forum for an inter-disciplinary dialogue and deliberation of major issues and concerns affecting peace and order and public safety and antiinsurgency strategies was provided for the council’s 37 members.
sent to the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Eduardo M. AĂąo or Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr, Chief Implementer of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Diseases (IATF-MEID).
The council approved and adopted the Handbook in Handling Conflict-Induced Internal Displacement, which shall provide guidelines in the management of internally-displaced The meeting yielded the creation persons in the region. of the Special Action Committees (SACs) in order to address and prevent The meeting also provided the specific incidents affecting the region council an opportunity to commend such as on anti-insurgency and the efforts and achievements of various prevention of violent extremism, anti- members to maintain the peace and criminality, public safety, and crisis order in the region. management. Among those was the arrest of The council also agreed to KAPA Community Ministry International converge efforts in the provision of leader/founder Pastor Joel A. support services to select barangays Apolinario, his wife, and 23 of his men, in line with the implementation of the which was made successful through Retooled Community Support Program the partnership between the Philippine (RCSP). National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National On the usage of schools as Intelligence Coordinating Agency quarantine facilities for COVID-19, it (NICA), and Philippine Coast Guard was also discussed during the meeting (PCG). that local government units (LGUs) may seek for the Department of Education Local government leaders were (DepEd) approval to extend the usage also praised for accomplishing the of schools as quarantine facilities for establishment Home Defense Villages COVID-19 cases. (HDV) and hallway houses in the various provinces and cities. An HDV The department has previously had now been established in Sitio issued a directive that LGUs may only Amongon in Barangay Noli in Bayugan use schools for the said purpose until City. Meanwhile, the halfway house in the end of July. Brgy. Bancasi, Butuan City is already at 100 percent. (DILG Caraga/DMNR/ Request for extension shall be PIACaraga) August 1-7, 2020 |
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DSWD releases P34-M pandemic aid to Caraga By Alexander Lopez
PANDEMIC RELIEF. Over PHP34 million worth of food and non-food assistance has already been released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga Region. The assistance was given to different local government units and sectors in the area to help to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019. (Photo grab from DSWD-13 Facebook Page)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga Region (DSWD-13) said over PHP34 million of assistance has been released to different local government units (LGUs) in the region as part of the agency’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response. Marko Davey Reyes, of the DSWD13 information office, said the assistance provided by the agency includes family food packs (FFPs), hygiene kits, and bottled water.
(LGUs) in Caraga Region intended for families who were affected due to the implementation of community quarantines to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19),” Reyes told the Philippine News Agency “We delivered a total of 78,310 Friday (Aug. 7). FFPs to 25 local government units
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The recipient LGUs include Jabonga, Las Nieves, Nasipit, Kitcharao, and Tubay in Agusan del Norte; Burgos, Bacuag, Claver, General Luna, Sison, Malimono, Mainit, Del Carmen, Pilar, San Benito, Santa Monica, San Isidro, Dapa, Socorro, and Tubod in Surigao del Norte; Cagwait, Carmen, San Agustin, and Tago in Surigao del Sur; and this city. Reyes said a total of 3,349 hygiene kits amounting to PHP5.5 million were also provided to the National Commission on Indigenous People in Caraga (NCIP-13) as assistance to the different indigenous people (IP) communities during the pandemic.
developmental activities into a disaster response modality to immediately address issues related to early recovery. Kalahi-CIDSS stands for the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, one of the main poverty alleviation programs of the government being implemented by DSWD.
By employing the communitydriven development (CDD) as a strategy, Kalahi-CIDSS trains and engages communities together with their local governments, from barangay up to the municipal levels, to choose, A total of 7,234 500mL bottled design, and implement development water amounting to PHP57,293 were projects to address their most pressing also augmented by DSWD-13 to the needs, DSWD-13 said. returning Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and Returning Overseas Filipinos In the same statement, Kalahi(ROFs) in the area. CIDSS Deputy Regional Program Manager Ester Villamor said that the “This is the current data on the DROP implementation in the region is assistance the DSWD Caraga released also under the technical review at the during this time of the pandemic. We Municipal Inter-Agency Committee are waiting for request as we assure our (MIAC) in other areas in the region. residents that the agency will continue to address their needs especially in Villamor said nine municipalities these trying times,” Reyes said. covered by Kalahi-CIDSS National Community-Driven Development Meanwhile, DSWD-13 said that Program (NCDDP) are now covered by the Disaster Response Operation DROP, to include Barobo and Madrid Procedure (DROP) to combat the threat in Surigao del Sur; Placer, Taganaan, of Covid-19 in the region is already in Anao-aon, and Malimono in Surigao del place. Norte; Dinagat, San Jose and Basilisa in Dinagat Islands. In a separate statement, the DSWD-13 said that DROP allows the She added that the agency’s Kalahi-CIDSS-covered areas implementation of DROP is in response to shift its operations from regular to Proclamation No. 929 issued on August 1-7, 2020 |
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March 16, 2020 that declared the State Also eligible for funding as the of National Calamity for six months in repair of water supply systems and the entire country due to Covid-19. facilities that were completed with previous project funding, procurement The sub-projects eligible for of DOH-approved medical tools funding under DROP includes Cash-for- and equipment to be used in the work (CFW) for residents for the cleaning Covid-19 response, setting up of and sanitizing public places and temporary facilities to deliver basic offices, training of Barangay Covid-19 services for the affected communities, Response Teams, and retrofitting or refurbishing of identified public rental of vehicles for implementation buildings such as evacuation centers, and monitoring of Covid-19-related barangay halls, school buildings, tribal activities, and procurement of personal halls, multi-purpose centers which can protection equipment (PPE), hygiene be converted as temporary isolation kits, sanitation and cleaning supplies. spaces. (PNA)
Butuan folks urged to follow protocols as Covid-19 cases spike By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – As the confirmed positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) continue to increase here, residents were asked to follow the health protocols to contain its spread, especially the local transmission cases.
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Department of Health-Caraga Region (DOH-13) Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. (PNA file photo)
Department of Health-Caraga Region (DOH-13) Director Jose R. Llacuna Jr., called on residents Thursday (Aug. 6) to help authorities stop the spread of the virus by obeying the prescribed protocols. “We urge everyone especially the residents of Butuan City to follow the health protocols to reduce and eradicate our COVID-19 local Butuan City, 13 from Agusan del Sur, 13 in Agusan del Norte, six in Surigao del transmission cases,� Llacuna said. Sur, and four in Surigao del Norte. Data from DOH-13 showed that as of Aug. 5, Butuan City has a total of 103 confirmed Covid-19 cases with 44 recoveries, 58 active cases, and one recorded death.
Llacuna said DOH-13 and the local government units (LGUs) continue to intensify the contact tracing activities with teams already organized in provinces and cities.
Llacuna also told the Philippine News Agency in a separate interview on Thursday that of the 103 confirmed cases, 43 were classified as local transmissions.
Six contact tracing teams have been actively functioning in Butuan City, 57 in Agusan del Norte, 22 in Agusan del Sur, seven in the province of Dinagat Islands, 22 in Surigao del Norte, Meanwhile, DOH-13 reported and 20 in Surigao del Sur, he said. that as of Wednesday, a total of 10,274 Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and Llacuna said a total of 117 2,547 Returning Overseas Filipinos individuals were already traced and (ROFs) have already arrived in Caraga assessed in Butuan City, 360 in Agusan after being stranded for months in del Norte, 282 in Agusan del Sur, 59 in Manila and other parts of Luzon due to Surigao del Norte, and 205 in Surigao the implemented lockdowns. del Sur. Of the total LSIs back home, 208 were tested positive for Covid-19 with 34 from Butuan City, 63 from Surigao del Norte, 40 from Agusan del Norte, 26 from Agusan del Sur, and 19 from Surigao del Sur.
As of Wednesday, Caraga Region has a total of 336 confirmed Covid-19 cases with 193 recoveries, 142 active cases, and one death.
The Province of Dinagat Islands Of the total ROFs, 52 were found (PDI) remains free of Covid-19 as of the positive from Covid-19 with 16 from latest released data. (PNA) August 1-7, 2020 |
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Strong IP communities key to defeat insurgency: Army By Alexander Lopez
A top official of the Philippine Army in Agusan del Norte has underscored the role of strong communities among the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the province to end the local conflicts caused by the communist insurgency.
STRONG IP COMMUNITIES. Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo (center), commander of the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion, and Datu Bawang Eddie Eddie Sulhayan Ampiyawan (left), the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative of Agusan del Norte, join the dialogue initiated by Sec. Allen Capuyan, of the National Commission on Indigenous People, and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, with the tribal communities in Agusan del Norte on Aug. 4, 2020. (Photo courtesy of 23IB)
In a statement Wednesday (August 5), Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, commander of the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion, lauded the efforts of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in reaching out to the IP communities and leaders in
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Agusan del Norte to see the tribe’s “Actual situations and gather their issues and concerns.” Sec. Allen Capuyan, NCIP chairperson and NTF-ELCAC head, was in the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur on August 3 to 4 and held dialogues with various IP
communities in Agusan del Norte. “Secretary Capuyan’s visit was timely and very important considering that the IPs in the towns of Las Nieves, Buenavista, Nasipit and Carmen in Agusan del Norte are greatly affected not only by the health threats of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic but also from the intimidations and extortions of the remaining Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) in their communities,” Paulo said. He said countless of ordinary IPs and tribal leaders in Agusan del Norte have lost their lives because of the “continued terroristic activities” of the New People’s Army (NPA). “CNT manipulations are the real threat to the IPs which destroy their future by deceiving them to join their useless ideology. The IP communities, their families and children continue to suffer and the CNTs continue to sow fear and chaos, not only in communities in Agusan del Norte but also in the rest of the region,” Paulo said. He said Capuyan’s visit was one way of strengthening IP communities, as tribe members were given the chance to air their concerns for immediate resolution. “Strengthened IP communities are vital to the continuing efforts of the government to defeat the insurgency that hamper our development interventions and initiatives,” Paulo said.
The towns of Las Nieves, Buenavista, Nasipit, and Carmen are the homes of the Higaonon tribe and under the operational jurisdiction of the 23IB. Paulo said the support of the Higaonon leaders and communities was responsible for the success of recent military operations against the remaining members of Guerrilla Front 4A of the NPA in the area. IP leaders, he added, also helped the Army and the local government units (LGUs) in reaching out to NPA combatants who want to surrender. (PNA) August 1-7, 2020 |
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
POPCOM, NGO partner for community health
The Sibog Katawhan Alang sa Paglambo, Incorporated (SIKAP, Inc.), a local non-government organization, together with the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) will soon implement a project for the town of Buenavista which aims to establish a culture of care and respect for men, women and children thus gradually eradicating gender-based violence. SIKAP as the main implementer will employ strategies and facilitate processes to establish mechanisms which will effectively cover all the households in every barangay of the municipality. The joint project is dubbed as Performance Accountability System (PAS) for Family Planning seeks to attain zero unmet need on modern Family Planning by making all methods including natural family methods, more accessible and available at Barangay Health Stations (BHS) and Rural Health Units (RHUs). The project document as provided to POPCOM reveals the strategies on underlying causes that can be addressed. First, Community mobilization beyond demand generation which community should be actively involved in the entire scheme of problem-solving. Secondly, Barangay LGU mobilization is the most accessible that addresses health issues. Third, Local Government System which catalyzes the transformation of LGUs, health workers, and communities by
making the collectively accountable. Lastly, Engagement strategy that engages both communities up to the level of families. The joint project is patterned to the World Health Organization (WHO) through the Sub-National Initiative in Davao Region consistently exposes the highest maternal deaths. The dramatic increase in health indicators such as ani-natal care, deliveries attended by skilled birth attendants and facilitybased deliveries resulting to the significant decrease in maternal deaths in a very short period of time. POPCOM Caraga Regional Director Alexander Makinano emphasizes that the commission continuously works for Filipino families providing technical assistance, demand generation and service provision which inspires SIKAP, Inc for the tie-up. According to Christine Ampon, SIKAP Executive Director, the project implementation shall commence early of August. (POPCOM Caraga/PIA Agusan del Norte) August 1-7, 2020 |
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Moderno, dekalidad na serbisyo, pwedeng ma-avail sa ospital ng Agusan del Norte By Nora C. Lanuza
Upang mas matugonan pa ang pangangailangan ng mga Agusanons at karatig bayan nito lalo na sa panahon ngayon na may coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, mas binigyan pa ng dagdag na atensyon ng probinsya ng Agusan del Norte ang pagpapaangat ng serbisyo at pasilidad ang provincial hospital ng probinsya. Sa pagtutulongan ng provincial government ng Agusan del Norte, Department of Health at Philippine Charity Sweeptakes Office, mga
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bago at modernong equipment na nagkakahala ng mahigit isang daan at dalawampung milyong peso (P120 million) ang kasalukuyang nasa
provincial hospital sa ngayon.
na sa panahong may pandemya.
Ayon kay Agusan del Norte provincial health officer at hospital chief Dr. Oodelio Y. Ferrer, malaking tulong ito upang magampanan at maibigay ang mga pangangailangan ng mga pasyente lalo na’t “State of the Art” ang mga ito. Siguradong marami ang makikinabang nito at hindi kailangan pang magpunta sa mga private hospitals at sa ibang lugar upang maavail ito.
Anya, hindi na kailangan pang pumunta sa ibang lugar o sa pribadong ospital ang mga pasyente dahil pwede na itong ma-avail sa naturang ospital. Sa ngayon mayroon na itong intensive care unit para sa adult at pedia, neonatal intensive care unit, high risk pregnancy unit, respiratory unit, physical therapy unit, endoscopy unit, minimal access surgery unit, COVID-19 triage, queuing system and new admitting section at marami pang Dagdag pa ni Dr. Ferrer, isa itong iba. katuparan sa ilalim ng Amomang Agusan Program ng AGUSAN Up – ang Ayon din kay Gob. Corvera na development agenda ng Agusan del suportado at seryoso ang probinsya Norte sa pangunguna ni Gobernador sa tuloy-tuloy na pagpapamoderno sa Dale B. Corvera na gawing moderno ospital pati na rin ang mga municipal ang mga equipment at magkaroon at barangay health centers upang ng mga espesyalista upang mas masiguro ang kalidad ng health services mapaganda pa ang serbisyo nito at ng probinsya. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del mas marami pa ang matulongan lalo Norte) August 1-7, 2020 |
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SK officials, volunteers in AgSur village share food packs to over 1,500 households By Jennifer P. Gaitano
The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, together with other volunteers of Barangay Poblacion, Rosario, province of Agusan del Sur conducted a house to house delivery of foods packs, as their way of showing their concern to the families who are greatly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. More than 1,500 families have received the relief assistance which contains the pack of rice, canned goods, and noodles. “We appreciate the effort of the SK officials and the council for this
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help. We hope that more could benefit especially during these trying times,� said Rechel Tindugan, a resident and beneficiary. Alberto Picot, Jr., SK chair of Barangay Poblacion stressed the vital
role of the youth especially during this we should be able to do something for time of the pandemic. our constituents,” bared Picot. Hence, he called on the other youths and volunteers in other areas to be participative in conducting community activities as a way of helping also the government.
Meanwhile, punong barangay Joel Bantilan lauded the effort of the SK officials and youth volunteers in their area for the assistance they have extended to the locals.
“The youths are one with the government in helping the people cope with life and their daily needs during this time of the pandemic, and we feel responsible that amid this crisis,
“This is such timely since the people are really affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and our youths here are really helping them cope with life,” said Bantilan. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Dinagat Islands PPOC initiative enforces intensified environmental laws
By Donna Dial D. Madelo and Don Manuelo O. Patrimonio
The Dinagat Islands Alliance for Development (DIAD) is now enforcing intensified environmental laws in the province of Dinagat Islands, in partnership with the local government units (LGUs) and partner agencies. A joint meeting was conducted among municipal heads and agricultural officers of LGUs, the technical working group comprised of the line agencies such as the Department of Environmental and National Resources (DENR); Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); Philippine National Police (PNP); and the Department of Agriculture (DA) was conducted on Wednesday, August 5, at the Provincial Governor’s Conference Hall, Capitol Compound, Brgy. Cuarinta in San Jose town.
The attendees of the said meeting discussed fishery and forest laws enforcement protocol, delineation of municipal waters and the proposed draft of the Unified Fishery Ordinance. DIAD is a peace and order initiative of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of the province which aims to sustain effective environmental governance through complementation of intervention to achieve a nurturing culture for meaningful people participation. (DILG Caraga/DMNR/PIA-Caraga) August 1-7, 2020 |
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MGB-13 strengthens women participation in resilient development The Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office 13 held its series of webinar on pursuing climate-, gender-, and health-responsive programs on environment and natural resources management via Zoom platform recently. The webinar series was aimed to increase the participants’ understanding of the links of biodiversity management, climate change, disasters, gender, and health and identify possible entry points and recommendations in the pursuit of climate-, gender-, and healthresponsive environment and natural resources management programs.
Focal Point System Chairperson Atty. Analiza Rebuelta, in her welcome message, emphasized the need to undertake gender mainstreaming in the environment and natural resources management.
She expounded on the critical role of women in the crafting of policies and programs and improvement of local natural resource governance, The said webinar was hosted by conservation efforts and more the Department of Environment and sustainable livelihoods. Natural Resources (DENR) National Gender and Development Focal Point Usec Teh also discussed the need System and Climate Change Service, to promote gender equality and equity and was attended by the directors, that will intensify participation, benefits GAD focal persons and planning chiefs and development outcomes. of the DENR Central Office Services, Bureaus and attached agencies. Other “The essence of gender heads of the DENR family also took part mainstreaming is strengthening in the said activity. women’s participation and leadership. Women play important roles for leading DENR Undersecretary for Climate actions to strengthen resilience to Change and DENR National GAD disaster and climate-related shocks and
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stresses, especially at the local level. Women have valuable capacities to strengthen the resilience of communities in the changing climate and at times of disaster,� she said. Usec. Teh encouraged the participants to challenge existing standards and paradigms and concur with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and also encouraged the participants to ask questions and share their experiences in order for them to have a productive webinar. The first part of the webinar series centered on Biodiversity, wherein Armida Andres, Planning Chief of Biodiversity Management Bureau introduced the participants through Linking Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Disasters by Pursuing Climateresponsive Programs on Biodiversity Management.
series revolved around Forests and Director Lourdes C. Wagan of the Forest Management Bureau presented linking Forests, Climate Change, and Disasters: Pursuing Healthy, Genderand Climate-responsive Programs on Forest Management while Wilma Rojas, Gender Consultant, talked about While, Katherine Vinegas, Gender Forests and Gender, and Lastly, Dr. Consultant of ASEAN Center for Helen Sigua, Medical Doctor discussed Biodiversity discussed Biodiversity and Forests and Health. Gender. Presentation on Healthy Planet, Healthy People: Understanding the Linkages between Biodiversity and Human Health given by Dr. Geminn Louis Apostol, Head Environmental Health Specialist of the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health followed through.
After the presentations, the participants raised issues and concerns which the presenters tackled and noted.
Towards the end of the activity, Usec. Teh expressed her appreciation of the participants’ active involvement and keen support to the DENR webinar The second part of the webinar series. (MGB-13/PIA-Surigao del Norte) August 1-7, 2020 |
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PMO Surigao frontliners undergo rapid antibody testing In line with the Philippine Ports Authority’s (PPA’s) efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in workplaces, passenger terminals, and other port operational areas, some 50 Port Management Office (PMO) Surigao port workers manning the frontlines underwent Rapid Antibody testing recently at the Port of Surigao.
Subjected to rapid test are port police operatives, port operations personnel, cashiering and collection representatives, utility workers, security guards and other personnel who were required to be physically present and interact with port users and clients, particularly at the Passenger Terminal Building and Port Integrated Clearance
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Office (PICO). The testing was conducted in close coordination with the Surigao del Norte Provincial Health Office. Incidentally, the port of Surigao hosts a Rapid Testing Booth manned by personnel from the provincial health office. (PPA-PMO Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
NPA killed, high-powered firearms recovered in Surigao Norte clash
By Cpt. Joash U. Pramis
A New People’s Army (NPA) terrorist was killed and four highpowered firearms were recovered by operating troops of the 30th Infantry (Fight On) Battalion during an encounter with the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Barangay Camp Edward, Alegria, this province on July 20. Based on the report, civilians tipped off to the operating government troops regarding the presence of fully armed CTG in the area. The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes and the responding soldiers were able to seize a hideout occupied by an estimated 30 members of the Guerilla Front,
North Eastern Committee.
Mindanao
Regional
Aside from the unidentified slain body, three AK47s and one M16 rifle were also retrieved from the encounter site while two soldiers were slightly injured during the clash. August 1-7, 2020 |
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In his statement, Col. George L. Banzon, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade, expressed his gratitude to the community for providing timely information leading to the successful operation. He also stressed that the 901st Infantry Brigade will continue to intensify focus military operations to flush those who refuse to surrender and abandon their armed struggle. Col. Banzon also called on the members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA to give peace a chance by going back to the folds of the law and avail the programs being offered by the government for them live normal lives. On the other hand, he reiterated his statements when he took over the Brigade that he will not hesitate to use full military might to protect the people and the community against those
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who continue to pursue their twisted ideology and sow terror. “We express our sincerest thanks to the concerned citizens who provided us with accurate information to prevent the CTG from their terroristic activities. Indeed, it was a clear indication that the local communities are already fed up with their wrongdoings. Our operation will continue and we will not stop in our quest to ensure the safety and security of the communities that were terrorized by these communist armed group. I urge the members of the communist terrorist group to lay down their arms and live a peaceful life. Using violence to impose will on the peace loving people have no place in our civilized society,� he said. The troops are still conducting follow-up operations to go after the retreating armed terrorists. (CMO Officer, 901st Bde, 9ID, PA/VLG/PIASurigao del Norte)
U.S. donates P14.80-M worth of PPE to PGH, PH medical facilities
The United States (U.S.), through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and in coordination with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), distributed P14.8 million ($300,000) worth of regionally manufactured personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and COVID-19 treatment centers across the Philippines This latest donation brings overall U.S. government assistance to the Philippines’ COVID-19 response efforts to nearly P981 million ($19.8 million).
“This delivery of PPE demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the Philippines to stop COVID-19. During this month, which began with a August 1-7, 2020 |
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commemoration of PhilippineAmerican Friendship Day, we are honored to support our Filipino friends, partners, and allies with the PPE they need to assist communities confronting the pandemic,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim.
to those affected by this deadly virus.
“We value our longstanding partnerships in the Philippines. One day, we will look back on these events and know that our partnership helped enable a robust response that saved lives and prevented further contagion Recipients for this donation were in the Philippines and surrounding determined by a needs assessment region,” Pope said. based on pandemic infection rates, current PPE supply levels, and projected The PGH and the U.S. Department future needs. The United States will of Defense have a long history of continue to support Filipino frontline mutual support dating back to World workers. War II. During the War, Filipino and Dr. Robert S. Pope, director of DTRA’s American medical personnel worked Cooperative Threat Reduction together to treat soldiers and civilians Program, said they are proud to during the Battle of Manila, following support brave Filipino medical workers the liberation of PGH through joint U.S.to ensure they are safe and healthy Philippine effort. (U.S. Embassy/VLG/ while providing essential medical care PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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BFP receives P54-M worth of supplies from U.S.
The United States, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), turned over a donation of P54.8 million ($1.1 million) in sustainment supplies to the Special Response Units (SRU) of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) National Headquarters in Quezon City. The supplies will assist the BFP in fulfilling their mandate as the Philippines’ Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) response agency. The BFP is also one of the primary agencies conducting decontamination and response activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
the Philippines’ capabilities to respond to CBRN incidents and conduct chemical inspections and decontamination operations.
DTRA is also supporting the BFP and other Filipino agencies in their development of Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction capabilities. (U.S. DTRA and the BFP have a longstanding partnership to strengthen Embassy/VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte) August 1-7, 2020 |
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Combat operations ensure safe delivery of government services in conflict-affected areas - LGU, IP council By Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan
“The purpose of the combat operations in the hinterlands is to ensure the local government unit’s safe delivery of basic services intended for the conflict-affected communities in Surigao del Sur,” said Lianga tribal chieftain Datu Constancio Duhac during the recent Lianga Serbisyo Caravan in Sitio Simowao (Km 9), Diatagon, Lianga.
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The said caravan was spearheaded by the local government unit (LGU) of Lianga led by Mayor Novelita M. Sarmen, 9th Special Forces “Hounds” Company, 544th Engineer Battalion, and member agencies of the Local Task ForceEnding Local Communist Armed Conflict (LTF-ELCAC). The services provided include the distribution of food supplies, hygiene kits, medical and dental missions, free haircut, registration of tribal members to the Local Civil Registry, fun and games, and distribution of free clothes.
NPA terrorist recruitment facility was located and a staging point of NPAinstigated taktikang bakwit.
Currently, with the strong support of the indigenous people (IP) community, the IP leaders and the local government unit, the sitio was transformed as a developed IP community where there is a rehabilitated farm-to-market road, a DepEd IP school, a CAFGU detachment, organized IP civilian volunteers for peace and security, registered women’s and farmers’ people’s organizations, youth “Contrary to the rehashed false leadership summit trained IP youth statements of the anti-government leaders. groups accusing the military of abuses, the military immerses in the “This sitio has gone through communities to complement the a lot, we will do our best to do our implementation of government job to support the Lianga LGU and programs for our communities,” Datu the tribal council to reach far more Duhac said. sitios of Diatagon and provide what the IP communities deserve from “Hindi military ang lumapit sa the government,“ said Lt. Col. Joey amin, kami ang humingi ng tulong sa Baybayan, 3rd Special Forces Battalion military para lumayo sa komunidad commander. ang mga teroristang New People’s Army (NPA) at ang grupong MAPASU Aside from the combat (Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa operations to drive them away from Sumusunod or Persevering Struggle for the sitios, Lt. Col. Baybayan vowed to the Next Generation) na pumipigil sa uproot their system of recruiting the pagpasok ng serbsiyo ng gobyerno IP members through their Community para manatili kaming mahirap at galit Support Program and the IP tribal sa gobyerno,” Duhac added. council’s traditional self-governance and self-determination. “We will be Sitio Simowao, a gateway to here to protect them to perform their Andap Valley Complex, was once the customary laws and duties to save comfort zone of the Communist NPA their tribe from CNTs’ corruption,” terrorists where Tribal Filipino Program Baybayan said. (3SFBn-CMO/PIAof Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS) school, an Surigao del Sur) August 1-7, 2020 |
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NPA cadaver exhumed in SurSur town By Captain Edwin Leo Francsico
Government troopers retrieved the cadaver of a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Thursday last week who was allegedly killed in an encounter on May 18, 2020. The members of the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion (75IB) together with the local officials found the body of a certain Dondon Montenegro Suazo alias Hill, 19, a team leader of Platoon 1, Squad Dos, Guerrilla Front (GF) 30, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Command (NEMRC). The 75IB report also said the body was already on its advance state of decomposition that was exhumed in a remote area of Sitio Kiskis, barangay Siagao, San clashed against military forces on May Miguel, Surigao del Sur. 18, 2020. Investigation revealed that Suazo was with Joel Maca Mahinay, alias Niko/ Ontong/Barok, commanding officer of Platoon 2, GF 30, NEMRC when they
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The dead body was hastily buried by the communist terrorist group at a shallow grave to be forever forgotten, said 75IB civil-military officer Captain
Edwin Leo Francisco in a statement. Capt. Francisco also said the recovery of the cadaver was through the revelation of alias “Migs,” a former rebel, who was also a member of the platoon of Joel Maca Mahinay and was there during the encounter. The former rebel said that Suazo is a Mamanwa and a resident of Sitio Libas, Brgy Sibahay, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. Alias Migs also disclosed that Dondon was with Mahinay and his platoon when the communist NPA rebels reportedly committed their murder of Datu Bernandino “Bandi” Astudillo,72, and Zaldy Ybanez, 52, at Sitio Inadan, barangay Magroyong on 19 March 2020. Both victims suffered 16 stab wounds. The military brought Zuaso’s body to San Miguel police for proper documentation and then brought to a funeral parlor in Tandag City where Suazo was received with his grieving mother, Bernardita Suazo.
extended his deepest sympathy to “Mag isa naman to ka tuig na Bernardita and her family. nananghid ang akong anak nga “Another innocent life was lost manarbaho para makatabang sa amo ug labaw na sa iyang igsuon nga naay because he fell victim to the deception sakit nga cancer pero karon akong of the CNTs. What is more difficult to nabalitaan nga nadani ug giilad sa comprehend is the communist terrorist mga Terroristang NPA unya namatay group wanting to keep the sad truth of ug gibyaan lang sa bukid,” Suazo’s Dondon’s death from his family,” said Villarosa, adding that if alias Migs did mother said. not reveal Zuaso’s remains, he will not Meanwhile, Lt. Colonel Jeffrey be discovered and exhumed. (75IBA. Villarosa, 75IB commanding officer, CMO/PIA-Surigao del Sur) August 1-7, 2020 |
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Army seizes highpowered firearms, ammunition from NPA in Surigao Sur By Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan
Army troopers in the province of Surigao del Sur have reported recovering several high-powered rifles, ammunition and some documents after its 10-minute clash with the weakened Guerilla Front 19 (GF19) of the New People’s Army (NPA) recently. Pursuit operations by the 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion (3SFBn), Philippine Army yielded one AK47 rifle; one M16 rifle; one AK magazine; one M16 magazine; one homemade shotgun; one cal. 22 rifle, seven shotgun
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ammunition; one smartphone; five keypad phones; one tablet; one power bank; bulk of medical supplies; assorted documents; and personal belongings on July 20 in Sitio Panukmuan, Diatagon, Lianga town.
“There was a 10-minute encounter but the NPA terrorists immediately fled and mixed with the IP community to evade government forces that caused alarm and chaos on civilians,“ said 3SFBn Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Joey Baybayan. “We call on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC) and other rights groups to condemn in the highest terms and take action against Communist NPA terrorists who use the IP community as human shields,“ Hawudon Jumar Bucales, Lianga Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) said. “Unknown to the international arena and self-proclaimed rights advocates, Communist NPA terrorists infiltrates the IP communities to force the tribe to become members of their underground mass organizations, politico-military structure and eventually, party members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and National Democratic Front (NDF) to sustain the NPA terrorists in the benefit of parole. far-flung sitios,” Bucales added. “The passage of the Anti-Terror Act of 2020 is a big boost to secure the IP communities from these terroristic conspiracies and shaping of the CPP, NDF and the NPA terrorists,” said Datu Constancio Duhac, Lianga tribal chieftain.
The NPA, the armed wing of CPP, and NDF, was listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
The CPP-NPA was declared as a designated/identified terrorist Penalties, if proven, included the organization under the Philippines’ imposable penalty is imprisonment of 12 Republic Act No. 1016. (3SFBn CMO/PIAyears and life imprisonment without the Surigao del Sur) August 1-7, 2020 |
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MINDANAO NEWS
Mindanao economic recovery: Help poor coconut farmers, thrash ridiculous export ban
While I am part of government, there are some policies which my simple mind could not understand and one of these is the ban on the export of mature coconuts. The coconut industry is in the from coconut. doldrums because of very low prices of copra, the raw material used in producing Coconut farmers are complaining cooking oil which is the main product that while the price of cooking oil in the August 1-7, 2020 |
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market is very high, the buying price of I could not really understand is the ban their coconut has been below profitable on the export of mature coconuts. levels. The PCA Board, even before the Many, in fact, are just allowing the agency was placed under the DA in 2018, nuts to fall because they say they will just had already passed a measure endorsing end up losing money because of the very the lifting of the ban on the export of low prices. mature coconuts. When the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), one of the four agrirelated agencies taken out of the Department of Agriculture and placed under the Office of the President during the Aquino administration, was returned to the DA in September 2018, I was faced with the problem of very low prices of copra.
The measure, however, was not acted upon and I was told that recently, the PCA Board had a change of heart and rescinded that resolution. Those opposing it say that exporting mature coconuts could lead to the theft of our coconut planting materials and that it is better that these are processed for added value.
Let me emphasize that PCA was placed under the Department of Theft of coconut germplasms? Agriculture only in September 2018 and I resigned as Agriculture Secretary nine I have not heard of a more ridiculous months later and moved to the Mindanao justification. Development Authority on Aug. 5, 2019. All these years, smugglers have As DA Secretary, I supported several been shipping out mature coconuts and recommendations made by the coconut in reality, it is us actually us who have been industry stakeholders, among which was bringing in improved coconut varieties the export of young coconuts, the export from Thailand, like the Aromatic coconut. of mature coconuts, the increase of the coconut oil content of the bio-diesel from I am a believer and advocate of 2% to 5% and the limit on the entry of Palm value-adding in our raw materials but our Oil from Malaysia and Indonesia. problem in the coconut industry is that the added value of coconut products We only succeeded with the export does not go to the farmers but to the of young coconuts penetrating both big business and corporations who buy China and the United States of America. coconut at very low prices. But all the others were not acted upon.
True, we should assist our coconut farmers by establishing processing Of the recommendations which facilities for them but that is going to take were not acted upon, the one policy that years.
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We need to help the coconut official communications recommending industry now. the lifting of the export ban. While we are working on the establishment of the farmer-owned processing facilities, let us allow them to export their raw products to give them economic relief.
I have not received any official reply from the agencies involved so I decided to make this public.
Naghihirap ang mga magsasaka ng niyog sa Mindanao. Puede nyo There are pending orders from ba ipaliwanag kung bakit ayaw nyo foreign buyers of mature coconuts at payagan na mag-export sila ng matured higher prices and all that the farmers coconuts? need is the go-signal from the concerned agencies. In the face of the economic hardships suffered by the coconut farmers As Chairman of the Mindanao and the efforts of government to trigger Development Authority covering the economic recovery of the country Mindanao where coconut is one of the following the COVID 19 Pandemic, we major products, I have fired off several need to do something fast. (MinDa)
Projects to improve connectivity in Mindanao: DICT By Judy Quiros
Amid concerns on the impact of poor connectivity in the country, an official of the Department of Information and Communications Technology said the agency is doing its best to improve Internet connection in Davao Region. Speaking during the Davao City Business Forum via Zoom on July 28, DICT Director for Mindanao Cluster 3 Alimbzar P. Asum said DICT has earmarked more than PHP6 million for the construction of wifi lines and free wifi sites for Davao Region last year.
DICT also implemented 179 communication centers such as library, training centers, and digital classrooms in Davao Region this year, Asum said. For 2021, DICT has proposed PHP40 million for the construction of more projects aimed at improving the country’s communication and August 1-7, 2020 |
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information system, he added. Meanwhile, Asum said DICT was elated with President Rodrigo Duterte’s stand boost Internet connectivity in the country. “At this time of the pandemic, we realized we can do many things through the internet. BANDWIDTH SUPPLY. Demand for high bandwidth supply rises during Covid pandemic as people stay and work from home. (Photo courtest So, government has to of DICT) interconnect the whole country through the internet, the DICT schools amid the pandemic. official said. Asum quipped that Internet connectivity in the Philippines remains However, Asum said DICT is “doing poor. its best” to help telecommunications companies speed up the construction “(it’s) very serious. If I would of more cell sites in Mindanao. He also categorize it in the medical term-- noted that for a telco to put up a single it’s critical,” he said, adding that the cell site, which costs PHP10 million to problem became more pronounced PHP15 million to build, more than 20 amid the coronavirus pandemic, clearances are required in the local when demand for Internet is high as government level. the quarantine restrictions compelled people to stay home and use the web One solution the agency is looking more. at, he said, is giving more teeth to the existing Anti Red Tape Act of 2007 Asum said he understood where (ARTA) to compel LGUs to simplify and President Rodrigo Duterte was coming speed up the processing of permits that from when he singled out the country’s telcos have cited as a primary problem major telcos during the recent State in putting up more cell sites. of the National Address for poor connectivity. Asum said DICT will also help telcos negotiate with homeowners The DICT official said slow associations in establishing cell sites, connectivity has disrupted the work noting that several projects have been from home arrangement of several on hold because of health concerns by companies, while putting at risk the residents about the presence cell sites online learning modalities adopted by near their homes. (PNA)
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NATIONAL NEWS
SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR PCOO
NEWS CORNER
Delivery of public information guaranteed amid COVID-19 pandemic The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has a “great team” to pursue information dissemination and to encourage citizen and media cooperation in government undertakings even during this coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said on Friday.
a premier arm of the executive branch, engaging and involving the citizenry and the mass media. We believe that an involved public is an important public and they help create discourse that allows the government to be better, even to better the programs and services that it provides,” he said.
“We in government, it is really our obligation to serve the public. So we need to remain firm to our conviction In an interview, Secretary Andanar of doing our job,” he added. highlighted the efficient delegation Secretary Andanar detailed of tasks and aid of technology that has largely helped in their operations the implementation of its crisis despite recent reports on infections of communication platforms such as the Laging Handa Public Briefing that its personnel. has aired since the early days of the “Our office continues to serve as community quarantine.
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He also noted other affiliate COVID-19 response information programs through virtual pressers with other government agencies, which has provided updates on assistance and adjustments on health protocols for different areas across the country. The PCOO Chief mentioned that the government maintains its transparency and willingness to engage in dialogues that will allow their policies to be understood, along with clarifying and explaining other undertakings of the administration. “There will always be critics that no administration had none. It comes with the territory, sabi nga nila. And it is truly unavoidable and unfortunate
circumstance that some individuals and groups will be critical and unsupportive of our policies to achieve our goals here in the Philippines,” he said. “We believe in being able to partake in constructive and healthy conversations and dialogues about relevant programs or undertakings of the President, along with receiving and acting on criticisms on how we can improve them and kasama na yan. Nasanay na tayo over the last four years,” he added. “It’s not perfect, but it brought the PCOO organization to where it is right now ,and we continue to enjoy high ratings for the President,” he said. (PCOO) August 1-7, 2020 |
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Gov’t completes ‘Yolanda’ housing project for Ormoc City By Azer Parrocha
The national government has completed its housing project in areas affected by 2013 Super Typhoon Yolanda in Ormoc City, a Palace official said Thursday.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (File photo)
The Yolanda Permanent Housing Project involves the construction of housing units in Bagong Pag-asa Subdivision Phase 1 and 419 units in Bagong Pag-asa Subdivision Phase 2, located in Barangay Margen. During a virtual ceremony led by the National Housing Authority (NHA) Region 8 office, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles witnessed the turnover of 1,419 housing units to their respective beneficiaries.
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Nograles is chairman of Task | August 1-7, 2020
Force Yolanda or the Inter-agency Task Force for the Unified Implementation and Monitoring of Rehabilitation and Recovery Projects and Programs in the Yolanda-affected Areas. “I’m very pleased to announce to the people of Ormoc City that we have already completed 100 percent of our free housing commitments here. This is a result of unity, cooperation and perseverance among the national government and local leaders to benefit the victims of Typhoon Yolanda,” he said in a statement.
Nograles lauded those involved in finishing the project despite the challenges posed by the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Meanwhile, he also expressed hope that beneficiaries would immediately occupy and use the housing units.
“All we want is the safety and “Work was sustained and non- security of our people. A roof under their stop, and now we see the fruits of heads and a refuge from calamities is a everyone’s labor,” he added. lasting gift that anyone will appreciate. Government will continue serving the According to Nograles, the people of Ormoc, Eastern Visayas and government continues to coordinate other parts of the country,” he said. with various government agencies in fulfilling the administration’s objective As of June, the NHA said that out of delivering quality housing to calamity of 54,508 housing units allocated for victims. Region 8, 35,462 units have already been “President Rodrigo Duterte delivered. There is ongoing construction gave clear and urgent instructions to for an additional 10,877, all amounting continue addressing the needs of our to an 85 percent accomplishment rate. people and expedite the completion Despite the ongoing health crisis, of these units before his term ends. We have achieved that objective,” he Nograles noted that the government is said. on track this month to conduct virtual turnovers for Eastern Visayas, specifically Nograles thanked Ormoc City for Cabucgayan, Biliran, and Almeria in Mayor Richard Gomez, Vice Mayor Biliran province, Tacloban City, Baybay Toto Locsin and the city councilors, as City and Basey in Samar. well as Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez for their support and invaluable assistance to Gomez, who led the virtual the success of the project. turnover to the housing beneficiaries, gave thanks to the NHA and everybody He also congratulated NHA else who contributed to making the Region 8 team under Regional project a success. Manager Engr. Dodong Antiniero, local government officials and other public “We hope that the assistance sector participants. from the national government doesn’t “They have shown dedication end here. Our residents need more and a true sense of sacrifice in making housing. We’re truly grateful for this free the dreams of housing for Yolanda gift to the people of Ormoc,” he said. (PNA) victims a reality,” he said. August 1-7, 2020 |
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Duterte to PNP: Stay ‘resilient’ in the time of Covid-19 By Azer Parrocha
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called on members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stay “resilient” by implementing strict quarantine protocols under the “new normal” amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. In a taped message aired during the PNP police service’s 119th anniversary, Duterte thanked the organization for its “selfless” service as a front-liner in the country’s fight against Covid-19.
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“I congratulate everyone – especially the outstanding units and deserving personnel that will be awarded today – for your crucial role in making the PNP a highly dynamic, professional, and responsive organization,” he said. Duterte guaranteed that the
nation notices their contributions as A Pandemic-Resilient PNP: Deploying “vanguards of peace and order” Digital Technologies and Adopting across the country. Protective Protocols in The New Normal”. “Be assured of our nation’s gratitude for your significant The PNP police service’s contributions to our campaign against anniversary commemorates the illegal drugs, criminality, and terrorism,” establishment of the Philippine he said. Constabulary on Aug. 8, 1901, as the country’s first insular police force. The President also expressed hope that the police force would accomplish This year’s rites allowed guests and more for the nation’s safety and security. police personnel to join the ceremony through live interactive platforms as “May you build on the gains of an alternative to the traditional fullyour achievements and continue to serve with honor and justice,” he said. dress parade and review ceremony in observance of strict health protocols The PNP police service’s imposed by the government. anniversary was broadcast live from its The PNP also presented awards to national headquarters and in all its 17 units and personnel with outstanding regional offices across the country. performance and achievements in It carried the theme “Towards service in the past year. (PNA)
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Ensure equal education opportunity to poor students: Go By Jose Cielito Reganit
With a little more than three weeks to go before classes officially open, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday urged the education sector to ensure that the burden that may result from the transition to flexible modes of learning amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic will not be passed on to students, especially the poor. “Schools and education officials must guide students in order for them to adjust to new modes of learning. Siguraduhin natin na lahat ng mga estudyante ay mabibigyan ng pantay
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na oportunidad sa ilalim ng ating (Let us ensure that all students will be given equal opportunities under the) learning continuity plan in all levels of education,” Go said.
“Despite the current health crisis, the situation is now more difficult),” he our aim is to ease the burden for our said. students and also their families,” he added. He noted that the situation of poor students is confounded by their In urging for equal opportunity lack of access to digital equipment in education, the chair of the Senate and internet connection. Committee on Health noted that the consequences of the current health “Sana naman po ay walang crisis on education make it imperative bumagsak na estudyante dahil to look not only in the government’s kulang sa kagamitan, walang access capability to adjust to these challenges sa teknolohiya, o hindi sapat ang but also the students’ capability to kaalaman sa bagong modes of learning respond to the new norm of education na maiimplementa ngayon. Kung tayo - the online platform. nga po sa Senado ay nahihirapan pa sa Zoom, tulad ngayon, napuputol Go said even if the government putol po ang ating connection, paano offers free education in many state po sila - ang mga estudyante?” Go colleges and other vocational schools, said. many students are facing issues other than tuition that are intensified further (We hope that no students will fail due to the adverse socio-economic because of their lack of equipment, impact of the pandemic. no access to technology, or lack of knowledge to the new modes of The prospects are especially learning that will be implemented. If we grim for the majority of college and in the Senate are still having difficulty vocational students who come from with Zoom, like now, our connection is poor families, he said. intermittent, what more for them – the students?) “Marami pa rin sa ating mga magaaral ang mahihirap at naghahanap He urged concerned agencies ng paraan para maitawid ang to take these issues in consideration kanilang mga nagugutom na sikmura while trying to ensure that education habang nag-aaral. Ano pa ngayong continues despite the health crisis. may pandemya na? Ibig sabihin, mas mahirap po ang sitwasyon ngayon “This is so that we can continue (Many of our students are still poor to improve our education system and and trying to find ways to feed their bridge the gaps of learning without empty while studying. What more now giving more stress mentally, emotionally, that there is a pandemic? It means and financially,” Go said. (PNA) August 1-7, 2020 |
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DAR shortens land acquisition and distribution process from 291 days to 112 days
DAR Secretary John Castriciones awarding CLOA to a beneficiary. File Photo from DAR.
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The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has issued a guideline through Administrative Order No. 01, Series of 2020 simplifying the land acquisition and distribution process on the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP)-covered agricultural lands from the original 291 days to only 112 days to accelerate the distribution of lands to agrarian reform beneficiaries. DAR Secretary John Castriciones said the guidelines is in pursuant to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to complete the land distribution and acquisition (LAD) of the remaining private agricultural lands covered by Republic Act No.6657 (RA No. 6657), by June 30, 2022.
is applicable to private agricultural lands which include landholdings with issued Notice of Coverage (NOC); landholdings with orders/decisions/ resolutions denying petitions for coverage and petitions for exemption and exclusion, applications for conversion and conversion/ exemption and exclusion orders under revocation which has become final and executory; and landholdings with pending case and/or proceeding involving the implementation of the provisions pursuant to Section 30 of RA No.9700.
RA No. 6657 is an act instituting the CARP where the welfare of the landless farmers and farmworkers will receive the highest consideration to promote social justice and to move the nation toward sound rural development and industrialization, and the establishment of owner cultivatorship of economic- Castriciones disclosed that the size farms as the basis of Philippine A.O.’s operating procedures for all the agriculture. LAD process shall be the standard for all landholdings regardless of area. Castriciones said the simplified LAD process are LAD activities rationalized “The concerned DAR field by lumping together activities into officers shall introduce appropriate major steps, done simultaneously, or strategies to continue the LAD process a combination of both, to shorten the in accordance with the procedures process to be undertaken by DAR and and timelines prescribed under this other CARP-implementing agencies A.O.,” Castriciones said. within an estimated period of 112 days. The A.O. shall take effect 10 Under AO No. 7, Series of 2011, days after its publication in two (2) LAD processes involve a total of 291 newspapers of general circulation days. and its registration with Office of the National Administrative Register. The new Administrative Order (DAR) August 1-7, 2020 |
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House execs reaffirm support to govt’s Covid-19 response By Filane Mikee Cervantes
Leaders of political parties and party-list organizations in the House of Representatives have signed a manifesto reaffirming their support to the government’s response efforts to address the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. The House leaders also guaranteed the immediate passage of the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which has been approved on second reading on Wednesday. The proposal, which provides for the country’s Covid-19 response and recovery interventions, is one of the legislative priorities of President Rodrigo Duterte enumerated in his fifth State of
the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27. “We, the leaders of political parties and party-list organizations in the House of Representatives, join the Filipino nation in solidarity as we continue our collective action to contain the spread of the Covid-19 disease in the country, with the hope to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on people’s lives,” they said in the manifesto. August 1-7, 2020 |
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“Heeding to the President’s call, we now declare our commitment to unify our respective political parties and party-list organizations in order for the House of Representatives to pass the Bayanihan 2 bill at the soonest possible time,” they added.
to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, among others.
A total of PHP51 billion will be given to government financial institutions (GFIs) as a capital infusion for the grant of low-interest loans to micro, small and medium enterprises and other critically The bill proposes a PHP162-billion impacted businesses. standby fund to support response measures to fight Covid-19. “As we affix our signatures in this manifesto, we also reaffirm our support Under the measure, PHP10 billion to President Duterte and commit shall be appropriated as a subsidy to ourselves to assist him in navigating the National Health Insurance Program our people out of the public health of the Philippine Health Insurance crisis engulfing the nation,” the House Corporation (PhilHealth) to be used leaders said. solely to cover Covid-19 expanded testing and Covid-19 confinements. “Under President Duterte’s A total of PHP10.5 billion shall be allocated to the Department of Health for continuous employment of emergency human resources for health, risk allowances for both public and private health care workers (HCWs), free life insurance for all HCWs, HCW compensation for death and critical illness, and augmentation for hospital operations. The measure also provides for the allocation of PHP20 billion for the implementation of appropriate cashfor-work programs for displaced workers amid the pandemic. A total of PHP12 billion shall be used to finance the programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, including the emergency subsidy for areas placed on hard lockdown and the Assistance
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leadership, and with the people’s overwhelming support to all his undertakings, we trust that we shall overcome this crisis and stand stronger as a nation,” they added.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Deputy Speakers Paolo Duterte and Luis Raymund Villafuerte have signed the document. Also, signatories of the manifesto are leaders from different political parties, including Rep. Elipidio Barzaga Jr. of National Unity Party, Rep. Wilter Wee Palma of Lakas-CMD, Rep. Edgar Erice of Liberal Party, Rep. Weslie Gatchalian of Nationalist People’s Coalition, Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of PDP-Laban, Rep. Raneo Abu of Nacionalista Party, and Rep. Sharon Garin of Party-list Coalition. (PNA)
PH now has 99 certified Covid-19 test labs
By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
The Philippines now has 99 certified laboratories capable of testing specimens from coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients. “From just one laboratory with 300 tests per day capacity in February, we now have 99 laboratories with an average output of 28,938 tests per day,” Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Wednesday during the ‘Can the Philippines Dance with Covid-19?’ online discussion.
GeneXpert laboratories improving the country’s testing capacity.
“All regions in the country except for Caraga already have licensed Covid-19 Testing Laboratories. Caraga’s laboratory which are RT-PCR laboratories, as well as GeneXpert Laboratory, is already in Stage 4 and According to DOH’s latest situation we’re just waiting for them to complete report, there are 75 licensed RT-PCR the process so they can have a licensed (reverse transcription-polymerase chain laboratory,” Vergeire said. reaction) laboratories and 24 licensed August 1-7, 2020 |
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She added about 74 laboratories are in stages 3 and 4 which is 85 percent of all of the total number of laboratories applying for a license.
UP Philippine General Hospital-Medical Research Laboratory, Victoriano Lune Medical Center-AFRIMS-Collaborative Molecular Laboratory, Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center, Mariano The following are the licensed RT- Marcos Memorial Hospital, Bataan PCR laboratories : General Hospital, and Green City Medical Center. Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Parkway Medical The other licensed RT-PCR and Diagnostic Center, AFRIMS- laboratories are J.B. Lingad Memorial Collaborative Molecular Laboratory, Hospital, Philippine Red Cross-Logistics, Asian Hospital, and Medical Center, and Training Center, Philippine Red Chinese General Hospital, Detoxicare Cross Clark Molecular Laboratory, Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Dr. Qualimed Hospital-San Jose Del Jose B. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital Monte, Daniel O. Mercado Medical and Sanitarium, Fe del Mundo Medical Center, De La Salle University-Cavite, Center, Health Delivery Systems, Hi- Laguna Provincial Hospital-San Pablo Precision-Quezon City and Lung Center District Hospital, Lucena United Doctors of the Philippines. Hospital, and Medical Center, Mary Makati Medical Center, Marikina Mediatrix Medical Center, Ospital ng Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Imus, PRC-Batangas Chapter Molecular National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Laboratory, Qualimed Hospital Santa Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory, Rosa, San Pablo College District Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, UPLB Covid-19 Molecular Laboratory, Philippine Genome Center UP-Diliman, and Bicol Regional Diagnostic and Philippine Red Cross-National Blood Reference Laboratory. Center, Philippine Red Cross-Port Area, Philippine National Police Crime Also included in the list are Laboratory, PRC-PRC Logistics, and Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Multipurpose Center, and Research Regional Hospital, Qualimed Health Institute for Tropical Medicine. Network-IloIlo, Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, The Doctors Hospital, Safeguard DNA Diagnostics, Inc., Western Visayas Medical Center, Inc., San Lazaro Hospital, San Miguel Allegiant Regional Care Hospital, Cebu Foundation Testing Laboratory, Doctors University Hospital, Inc., Cebu Singapore Diagnostic, Inc., St. Luke’s TB Reference Laboratory, Philippine Red Medical Center-Bonifacio Global Cross - Cebu Chapter, Prime Care Alpha City, St. Luke’s Medical Center- Covid-19 Testing Laboratory, University Quezon City, The Medical City- of Cebu Medical Center, Vicente Sotto Ortigas, Tropical Disease Foundation, Memorial Medical Center, Divine Word University of Perpetual Help System Hospital, Eastern Visayas Regional Data, UP National Institutes of Health, Covid-19 Testing Center, Ciudad
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Medical Zamboanga, Zamboanga City Medical Center-Department of Agriculture Satellite Laboratory for Covid-19 Testing, Northern Mindanao TB Regional Center, Polymedic Medical Plaza, Davao One World Diagnostic Center Incorporated and Southern Philippines Medical Center. Meanwhile, the licensed cartridge-based PCR or GeneXpert laboratories are Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Center, Dr. Jose B. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Heart
Center, Sta. Ana Hospital-Closed System Molecular Laboratory, Tondo Medical Center, Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital, Region 1 Medical Center, Cagayan Valley CHD TB Reference Laboratory, Bataan General Hospital, Bulacan Medical Center, Batangas Medical Center, Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital, Ospital ng Palawan, Bicol Medical Center, Zamboanga City Medical Center, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Davao Regional Medical Center, Cotabato Regional Medical Center, Dr. Arturo Pingoy Medical Center, and St. Elizabeth Hospital. (PNA)
Covid-19 testing covered by PhilHealth: DOH The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reiterated that coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) testing should be covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) based on its circular issued last April, which outlined the benefit package for the testing of the infectious disease. DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire responded to complaints in Iloilo where testing was reported to be expensive for those who are paying for the test. She noted that all Filipinos can avail of the benefit package pursuant to the Universal Health Care Law, which provides health care insurance coverage to all Filipinos under the National Health Insurance Program.
“‘Pag pumunta ho sila para magpa-test, hindi po sila dapat nagbabayad ng full amount ng test because PhilHealth should pay for that. Kung mayroon man pong minsan nasisingil ang ating mga ospital, it’s because of the other logistics na ginagamit katulad po ng PPE, katulad po ng iba pang mga gamit [If they decide to take the test, they should not pay for the full amount because PhilHealth should pay for that. If there August 1-7, 2020 |
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are other expenses, that would be for other logistics like personal protective equipment),” she said during Wednesday’s Network Briefing News hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar. Vergeire explained that despite the current turnaround time of results of 48-72 hours, some results may still be given later than expected based on the volume of tests that a receiving accredited laboratory is accommodating. “Yun pong katagalan ng test sa paglabas, ito po ay depende sa bawat laboratoryo na pinagdadalhan natin nitong test. So tingnan lang po natin baka nagkakaroon lang ngayon po pagdami talaga ng tine-test kaya medyo nagtatagal [The turnaround of tests depends on the capacity of the laboratory where the samples are
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sent],” she said. She also said test results should not be the sole basis for a suspected patient to be discharged or identified as recovered. She discussed that the sector is utilizing the “time-based” approach based on scientific studies. “Kung ang isang tao po ay nagkaroon ng Covid, on the 10th day of his illness, basta wala na siyang sintomas, hindi na po siya infectious, yan po ang sinasabi [A Covid-19 patient is no longer infectious if he/she has no symptoms on the 10th day],” she said. Vergeire said repeat tests are not required to allow a patient to be discharged from the hospital or quarantine facility. “There are already many experiences pertaining to this all over the world,” she added. (PR)
DOH shifts to communityfocused response vs. Covid-19 By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
The Department of Health will be shifting to a community-focused response, bringing down its resources to the barangay level to address the rising cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the country. In a message to reporters, the DOH said it has developed a “revitalized strategy in collaboration with the different medical societies”.
to-house symptom checks; -- RT-PCR [reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction] testing for symptomatic patients; and -- Applying Oplan Kalinga for those “The DOH, together with other needing quarantine and isolation. agencies and local government units will address the rise in cases at the Earlier, different medical groups root through stricter enforcement of suggested that “medical community localized lockdowns and primarily quarantine and not ‘militarized’ through the implementation of the community quarantine must be Coordinated Operations to Defeat implemented to address the rise in Epidemic (CODE),” the agency said. Covid-19 cases”. The CODE is a patient- and community-focused response strategy with key elements incorporated from the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Test-Treat strategy.
On Tuesday, the DOH logged another single-day record spike in Covid-19 cases with 6,352 new infections. In its Covid-19 bulletin, the additional cases bring the country’s overall tally The key components of the CODE to 112,593. include: The DOH also reported 240 -Community engagement new recoveries and 11 new deaths. activities to promote preventive These figures increased the number of behaviors; recoveries to 66,049 and the number of -- Active case finding via house- deaths to 2,115. (PNA) August 1-7, 2020 |
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