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LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORMER REBELS TO SUSTAIN GAINS ON ANTI-INSURGENCY POLICY
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday said that the government continues to reap gains on its whole-ofnation approach to end local insurgency while providing job opportunities to former rebels.
“Atong gipaninguha nga atong matabangan ang atong Presidnete para sa lakang niya nga masolbad ang problema sa insurhensiya [We are making an effort to support our President in his aim to resolve the problem of insurgency],” he said in an interview.
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He noted that the 403rd Infantry Brigade and the Department of Agriculture in Region 10 advocate Adlai production and processing as potential livelihood projects for former rebels. Development and Security (CORDS) of Northern Mindanao. “Sa atong rehiyon, dako kaayo ang mga lakang ug mga achievement sa atong gobyerno para masolbad ang insurgency. So mao nang katong mga nisurrender, ninaog sila gikan sa bukid ug natagaan nato og trabaho. Dunay uban pud atong atong napaeskwela, samtang ang uban nahimong farmers [In our region there are many government initiatives and accomplishments to address insurgency. There were those who went down from the mountains to surrender and we have provided them with job opportunities. There were others who enrolled to study, while others became farmers],” he said.
Last December, Secretary Andanar and DA Undersecretary for Regulations, Engr. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan attended the Adlai Ceremonial Harvest at Camp Osito Bahian in Malaybalay City.
Upon his return to Manila, the PCOO chief brought with him 1 ton of Adlai in an effort to promote it to other Cabinet Secretaries and foreign dignitaries with whom he had engagements.
“Namalit ta og mga Adlai nila para matabangan nato ang rebel returnees sa pagbaligya nila ug gapadayon pud ta og order sa 403rd IB, para ato pong mapadali ang kinabuhi sa atong reel returnees ug ato pong mapromte ang ilang produkto [We bought Adlai to help our rebel returnees and we continue to order through the 403rd IB, to make life easier for former rebels and likewise promote their products],” Secretary Andanar said. Adlai production is now also replicated in the Caraga region for their implementation of projects under their Regional Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC). This has served as another alternative staple food and livelihood for farmers, indigenous peoples, and families in communities identified as Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). The said crop is also commercially produced because of its nutritional value.
PCOO improvement shows President Duterte’s support for media in PH
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday said that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte fully supports the media in the country.
This is evident in the various programs and policies that the PCOO and its attached agencies have undertaken to improve the quality of information dissemination by upgrading its facilities, and implementing policies that have created a more open government.
“Natutuwa tayo na ang suporta ni Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa media ay 101 percent [We are happy with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s 101 percent support to the media],” Secretary Andanar said during his virtual interview on Love Radio Baguio where he also mentioned the construction of a new building of the Philippine Information AgencyCordillera in Baguio City.
The said office is one of the four PIA buildings that will be built in the region. Secretary Andanar said that the PIA regional offices have been renting an office space for years. The PIA will also build its
office buildings in Tabuk City in Kalinga Province, Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, and Pagadian City in Zamboanga Del Sur.
He also noted the anticipated construction of another government media facility outside Metro Manila which is the Visayas Media Hub in Mandaue City, Cebu and a Government Communications Academy in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
“Ito ang kaunaunahang Government Communications Academy sa buong Pilipinas kung saan ang lahat ng ating information officers kasama yung sa LGUs, ay makaka-experience na ng isang state-ofthe-art na paaralan na magtuturo at mag-uupdate ng kanilang skills [This is the first Government Communications Academy in the Philippines, where all information officers including those in LGUs, would get to experience a state-of-the-art school that will teach and update their skills],” he said.
Secretary Andanar said that these are part of the all-encompassing legacies of President Duterte across the Philippines. Policies championed by the PCOO include Executive Order No. 2 known as the Freedom of Information (FOI), and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS). The agency is also pushing for the legislation of the Media Workers Welfare Bill, Freedom of Information Bill and the People’s Broadcasting Corporation Bill.
“I am very confident that I will exit the government happily knowing that it is way better than when I found it. It is our responsibility that whatever was given to us by God, we should improve it and when we leave it, it should be better than when we found it,” he added.
He further discussed the roll out of the Duterte Legacy campaign, which is an initiative of PCOO to imprint the accomplishments of the President.
“It is the mandate of an elected official to perform his duty, the same way that it is the mandate of the Presidential Communications Operations Office to inform people of the accomplishments of our leader. It is our responsibility to report to the people, because an informed citizenry is an empowered citizenry,” he said.
Secretary Andanar: Learning the ways of IPs a path in discovering one’s identity as a Filipino
Peoples Day in the country, Learning the foundations of Secretary Andanar our culture, preserved by our encouraged Filipinos to reflect indigeonous communities, on the importance of the can lead to discovering sector on the personal and and enriching our identity cultural identity of Filipinos. as Filipinos, Presidential Communications Operations “Madalas ang nakikita natin Office (PCOO) Secretary sa ating mga kababayan Martin Andanar said on Friday. at kapatid na katutubo ay ang mga pagkakaiba natin During the weekly episode sa anyo, sa pananalita at of the Cabinet Report, sa pamumuhay. Ngunit Secretary Andanar highlighted sana makita rin natin na how the Indigenous People sila ay mga tagapagmana have lived through times in at tagapangalaga ng self-governance along with kasaysayan ng kaalaman respecting the environment. at ng mga katotohanang He noted that this pandemic bahagi ng kabuuan ng ating allowed everyone to reflect. pagkatao bilang Pilipino [We often see our indigenous “Nitong panahon ng brothers and sisters differ pandemya, napapanahon in language and lifestyle. din ang introspection However, I hope we can o pagsisiyasat ng sarili. also see that they are heirs Pre-pandemic, we were and protectors of our history fascinated with the far away. and the truth behind which Ngayong medyo limitado ang constitutes our identity as mga galaw natin napipilitan Filipinos],” he said. tayong tingnan ang mga nasa malapit, ang nandirito “Sa ating introspection o na, ang nasa sarili natin [This pagsisiyasat ng sarili, alamin pandemic is a time for us to do natin ang maibabahagi sa atin introspection. Pre-pandemic, ng ating mga kababayang we were fascinated with katutubo. Magiging mas the far away. Now that our mayaman, mas buo, at mas movements are limited, ganap ang ating pagkawe are forced to look at Pilipino kapag nakilala natin what’s nearer, what’s within ng lubos ang ating mga ourselves],” he said. kababayang katutubo [In our introspection or reflection Along with the observance among ourselves, let’s unravel of the National Indigenous how they have contributed to us. We will become more enriched, more whole, and identify ourselves more as Filipinos as we get to know them],” he added. National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Chairperson Secretary Allen Capuyan sat as a guest during the episode of the Cabinet Report where he referred to IPs as development partners of the government. He discussed how the communities are encouraged to exercise their rights in their ancestral domains, while keeping their doors open for opportunities of development by external groups. This is under the policies on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and the exercise of priority rights (EPR). “We emphasize the fact that the Indigenous Peoples are our development partners, they are not our clients. Primarily because the tribal community has self-governance. They have their own justice system and customary laws that have to be preserved. So we approach them, listening to their narrative. And now we are supporting them in strengthening their selfgovernance,” Secretary Capuyan said. Caraga INFOCUS August 14-20, 2021 | 43
Secretary Andanar refers to team spirit, dedication to public service in winning int’l honors
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Saturday referred to PCOO’s team spirit as the primary reason that its information drive initiatives are recognized here and abroad.
PCOO was a recipient of seven prestigious awards during the 2021 AsiaPacific Stevie® Awards in July for its innovations and commitment to public information even during these challenging times.
“Hindi madali makuha ang award na ito kaya napakalaki nitong award para sa amin sa PCOO. I say ‘para sa amin’ because ako naman ay instrumento lang [Achieving these awards are not easy and these are significant awards for us in the PCOO. I referred to “us” because I am only an instrument here],” he said during an interview on J101.5 FM Big Radio.Secretary Andanar acknowledged the efforts of the employees of PCOO who demonstrated their versatility in the delivery of public service, especially during the pandemic.
“I am just one of the many cogs and wheels of the national communications policy of the Presidential Communications Operations Office. So I dedicate this award to my colleagues who are also unsung heroes during this pandemic,” he said. “Hindi rin tayo tumigil sa paglabas para mainform ang publiko. Sa pagkuha nung mga video dun sa mga ospital, ang ating kasamahan sa Office of the Global Media and Public Affairs (OGMPA), sila ni Asec JV Arcena ay talagang binuwis nila ang kanila buhay para magdocument lang. That’s precisely why we received these awards because of the bravery of our colleagues here at the PCOO during the pandemic [We didn’t stop in informing the
public. On taking videos on the situation of our hospitals, our Office of the Global Media and Public Affairs (OGMPA) under Asec JV Arcena really went out of the way to document it. That’s precisely why we received these awards because of the bravery of our colleagues here at the PCOO during the pandemic],” he added. The PCOO chief also extended his gratitude to the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) for offering simulcasts of PCOO’s Laging Handa programs.
Secretary Andanar received a “Media Hero of the Year” Award for his innovations in PCOO, and proactive daily delivery of news and information to the Filipino public through the Laging Handa Dokyu, Network Briefing News and Public Briefing #LagingHandaPH programs.
PCOO-OGMPA Assistant Secretary JV Arcena bagged two individual Gold Stevie® Awards as “Government Hero of the Year” and “Media Hero of the Year” for his innovations in producing documentaries and explainer videos, and in conducting virtual pressers and reporting tours:
The Virtual Presser and Virtual Reporting Tour (TVP-VRT) won a Silver Stevie® Award for Innovation in Media, Visual Communications & Entertainment under the category of Awards for Innovation in Product Design and Development. The program also received a Bronze Stevie® Award for Innovation in Media Relations under the Awards for Innovation in Communications/ Public Relations Category. PCOO-produced Laging Handa Dokyu series also received a Bronze Stevie® Award for Innovation in Documentaries under the Awards for Innovation in Video Category. This is a series of experiential and informational short documentaries which highlight the lives of healthcare workers and other frontliners, as well as all aspects of the response of the government against COVID-19.
PCOO Laging Handa COVID-19 Communications Digital Campaign also received a Bronze Stevie® Award for Best Use of Social Media-COVID-19-related Information. It produces various digital content including infomercials, explainer videos, social cards and infographics, to keep the public informed about the pandemic and the response of the government.
For its local recognition, this year’s Gandingan 2021: The 15th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Multi-media Awards organized by the UP Community Broadcasters’ Society named the Laging Handa Dokyu as the ‘Most DevelopmentOriented Public Service Program’.
Other Laging Handa Dokyu episodes, such as Red Zone, Repatriation, Baguio: Contact Tracing and Oragon, were recognized as finalists at the Gandingan Awards 2021.
Secretary Andanar was also a finalist for Best AM Radio Program Host for his programs CORDS-X and Cabinet Report. The same award-giving body also named Youth for Truth’s “Usapang Model Cities” episode as the Most Participatory Program. August 14-20, 2021 | 45
PH economic fundamentals remain in good standing amid pandemic
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday said that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s political will contributed to the massive accomplishments by the government in the past five years.
Under the Duterte administration, the national government paved the way for socio-economic reforms and developments which helped in alleviating poverty as well as sustaining economic growth.
These include the fiscal packages that allowed the economy to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Bayanihan laws and the attainment of the 10-point socio-economic agenda of the administration.
Secretary Andanar emphasized that these initiatives were the reason why the Philippines continues to have high credit ratings from international institutions. “Daghan gyud kaayo desisyon si Presidente nga althoug dili lugar madawat sa uban pero kung mao ni ang kaayuhan para sa publiko, mao ni ang atong buhaton [President Duterte has decisions that were not favorable to some but he did it anyway because that is the political will that looks after the welfare of the public. That’s what we have to do],” he said.
“Mao nang nahitabo nga duna tay BBB+ credit rating nga nagpasabaot nga mas dali makautang ang Pilipinas ug mas ubos ang interest rates. Tungod na sa very good financial fundamentals sa Pilipinas [That’s the reason why we have a BBB+ credit rating, which puts the Philippines in a position to get a loan at lesser interest rates],” he added.
One landmark legislation was the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, the second package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program that reduces corporate income tax rates. This is the biggest stimulus for the business in the country.
Under the new policy, the Philippine government is providing about P1 trillion worth of tax relief to businesses over the next 10 years.
The CREATE Act also enables the government to provide competitive and well-targeted incentives to investors in priority industries and locations, thereby making it more attractive for foreign investors and creating more jobs for the Filipino people. ###
Bong Go gives support to peace and development efforts in conflict-affected localities; sends aid to communities in Pinabacdao, Samar
On Tuesday, August 17, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent aid and support to conflict-affected local communities in Pinabacdao, Samar as his team distributed assistance to hundreds of individuals under the Duterte administration’s Retooled Community Support Program. This is in line with the Duterte Administration’s commitment to address insurgencies and other local conflicts, support reintegration efforts and spur development in affected communities.
“Ayokong nagpapatayan ang mga Pilipino laban sa kapwa Pilipino. Kung may namamatay na sundalo, nauulila ang pamilya. ‘Pag may namatay sa kabilang panig, nauulila rin ang kanilang pamilya,” said Go earlier. Pilipino pa rin. Walang katapusan ito ‘pag idadaan sa armed struggle. Magmalasakit po tayo sa mga inosenteng nadadamay,” he continued.
As they strictly adhered to the necessary safety and health protocols, Go’s staff conducted the relief efforts at Magdawat Barangay Hall where they assisted 584 individuals. Go’s team distributed meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to the beneficiaries. In addition, some recipients received new pairs of shoes.
In his video message, Go urged those who are in the priority list to get vaccinated against COVID-19 so the country can immediately achieve herd immunity.
“Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon, nasa krisis po tayo dulot po ng COVID-19 pandemic. Mga kababayan ko, ang bakuna po ang pag-asa natin dito. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna, ang bakuna po ang tanging susi para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” said Go.
“Ang ating target ngayon ay makamtan natin ang population protection at herd immunity po. Sana po bago mag-Pasko, para naman po sumaya ang ating Pasko,” he added. Through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance to each beneficiary in a separate distribution.
The Department of Trade and Industry also assessed eligible recipients that would benefit from their Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa program.
Likewise, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority offered scholarship grants to qualified beneficiaries. The Office of Civil Defense also distributed health kits.
As an advocate for quality healthcare, the Senator advised the beneficiaries, particularly the poor and indigent patients, that there is a Malasakit Center at the Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City that they may visit to avail medical assistance.
Under the Malasakit Centers Act, all hospitals that are administered and managed by the Department of Health, plus the Philippine General Hospital are mandated to have their own Malasakit Center. Other public hospitals
may also establish their own provided they can guarantee the sustainability of its operations.
There are currently 136 Malasakit Centers nationwide that provide convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by concerned agencies, such as DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. To boost infrastructure development needed to also help address root causes of insurgencies in provinces, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, pushed for the funding of numerous initiatives in the area, such as the construction of farmto-market road; and concreting of local access roads.
He also supported initiatives to improve roads and other public structures throughout the province of Samar, such as the construction of a multi-purpose hall in Catbalogan City and Tarangnan; concreting of roads in Daram; construction of farm-to-market roads in Pinabacdao; construction of a shoreline protection in Tagapul-an; and the construction of a public park in Tarangnan, among others
Several of the local government officials were commended by Go for their service to their constituents during this time of crisis. Among the officials were Representative Sharee Ann Tan, Governor Reynolds Michael Tan, Vice Governor Angelica Gomez, Mayor Terry Mabag, Vice Mayor Digoy Aguia, among others.
“Mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po. Alam kong nahihirapan po kayo, kami rin po ni Pangulong Duterte ay nahihirapan din po. Subalit kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin para malampasan po natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap,” he said.
“Kailangan natin magtulungan. Hindi po namin kayang magisa po ito, kailangan nating magbayanihan, kailangan po natin magmalasakit po sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Kapag nagtulungan tayo, malalampasan po natin itong krisis na ito,” Go ended.
On July 14, Go sent his outreach team to deliver similar assistance to RCSP beneficiaries in the town of Basey.
Ten Malasakit Centers now operational in ZamBaSulTa as Bong Go assures Duterte Administration’s firm commitment to bring public services closer to the people
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go praised the efforts of the Duterte Administration to ensure all Filipinos have the opportunity to access healthcare services, particularly medical assistance programs for poor and indigent patients.
Among key milestones that Go cited is the establishment of ten Malasakit Centers in ZamBaSulTa area (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi), including three in Zamboanga City alone.
“Sa mga kababayan ko sa Mindanao, lalo na sa malalayong probinsya sa ZamBaSulTa, huwag kayo mag-alala dahil hindi namin kayo pababayaan. Alam namin marami dito ang walang matakbuhan kundi gobyerno lamang. Nandito kami para magserbisyo sa inyo,” he said, emphasizing that the Duterte Administration will always prioritize the welfare of poor and vulnerable sectors who need government attention the most.
Located in the southwestern tip of the Philippines, many communities, particularly in Sulu and TawiTawi, are situated in
geographically remote areas plagued by armed conflict and extreme poverty. The combination of these factors have made it challenging for the government to provide basic services and infrastructure, and given rise to disparities in access to healthcare and preventive services.
To address this, Go principally authored and sponsored a bill in the Senate that became Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which seeks to give Filipinos better opportunities to live their healthiest life possible.
“By establishing Malasakit Centers all over the country, we have actually levelled the playing field and provided our less fortunate countrymen the medical care they deserve. We will be establishing more,” President Rodrigo Duterte said in his last State of the Nation Address.
“Sa pagtatag ng Malasakit Center, hindi na po kailangan lumapit at humingi ng tulong sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno. Ang gobyerno na ang lumalapit sa tao,” Duterte emphasized. The Malasakit Centers initiative was conceived by Go after years of working with the poor and indigent in Davao City which gave him a deep understanding of the barriers the poor and marginalized face when trying to access healthcare. “Nung mayor pa si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, maraming tao mula sa mga karatig na probinsya ang pumupunta ng Davao City para humingi ng tulong sa gobyerno. Lunes, pipila ‘yan kay mayor, Martes sa PhilHealth at Miyerkules sa [Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office]. Ubos na oras nila sa biyahe, ubos pa pera nila sa pamasahe,” recounted Go.
“Sabi ko, bakit ba pinapahirapan ang Pilipino kung pwede naman ilagay ang mga opisina sa isang kwarto para tapos ang proseso sa isang araw. Kaya nung naging presidente ang Pangulo, kinausap ko ang mga ahensya para gawing mas simple ang proseso ng paghingi ng tulong,” he said.
To simplify the process of requesting for medical related government aid, the Malasakit Center brings together under one roof the different August 14-20, 2021 | 51
national agencies from which Filipino patients may avail of medical assistance. The agencies are PCSO, PhilHealth, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Health. Its primary aim is to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest possible amount, if not zero billing, by covering surgeries, medicines and various other patient services and expenses.
More than two million poor and indigent patients have benefitted from the program. As of writing, there are 136 fully operational Malasakit Centers nationwide, the latest of which were opened at the Basilan General Hospital in Isabela City, Basilan and Labuan General Hospital in Zamboanga City, both on Saturday, August 14. A total of 75 centers have been launched in Luzon, 26 in Visayas, and 35 in Mindanao, including those at the Sulu Provincial Hospital in Jolo; Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital in Dapitan City and ZaNorte Medical Center in Dipolog City, both in Zamboanga del Norte; Margosatubig Regional Hospital in Margosatubig town and Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City, both in Zamboanga del Sur; and Zamboanga City Medical Center and Mindanao Central Sanitarium in Zamboanga City.
Recalling a recent potentially fatal incident, the Senator said the long hours and often dangerous conditions he faced to visit these hospitals have only strengthened his resolve to work harder to make sure no one is left behind in the quest for better healthcare.
“Nakakawala ng pagod kahit 24/7 ako magtrabaho tuwing nakikita ko kayo. Kung kaya naman ng aking katawan, kami na ang lalapit sa inyo. Ang gobyerno dapat ang lumalapit sa inyo,” Go said in his visits to various areas.
Go had been on his way to the island province of Basilan for the launch of the 135th Malasakit Center over the weekend when the helicopter transporting him and his team got caught in a tailwind and almost flipped out of control. “Noong galing kami sa may dagat, napansin ko about 400 feet napakabilis ng pagbaba ng helicopter. Nakayuko siya at parang nagbounce ng dalawang beses sa ere tapos tumabingi! Akala ko katapusan ko na. First time ako nakasakay ng ganon na dire-diretso talaga ang pagbaba. Sa awa ng Diyos ay naligtas naman kami,” said Go, who took the incident as a sign that he still has more good left to do.
“Tulad ng ipanangako namin ni Pangulong Duterte, walang tigil ang trabaho at serbisyo para sa mga Pilipino. Layunin namin na walang maiwan sa hangarin natin na magkaroon ng mas maginhawang buhay. Kaya pakiusap ko sa mga susunod na administrasyon, sana ipagpatuloy niyo ang mga programa ng administrasyong ito na walang ibang layunin kundi magbigay ng serbisyong mabilis, maayos, at maaasahan para sa bawat Pilipino.”
Transport workers and market vendors in Culaba and Maripipi, Biliran given support from Bong Go as he highlights crucial roles of essential workers in recovery
As COVID-19 continues to hamper economic activities in the country and create significant impacts on various sectoral groups, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains dedicated to promoting sustainable and comfortable lives for Filipinos despite the global health crisis.
Go’s team just recently conducted two separate distribution activities for 583 beneficiaries, who are comprised of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association members and market vendors, from the towns of Culaba and Maripipi, Biliran on Monday, August 16. In his video message during the events held at Culaba Municipal Covered Court and Maripipi Municipal Gym, Senator Go advised the beneficiaries to take health precautions more seriously as there are growing numbers of COVID-19 cases caused by the Delta variant. As part of the vaccination priority groups, Go urged the essential workers to participate in the national vaccination program to secure population protection leading to herd immunity as soon as possible. He then appealed to the local authorities to develop an efficient program to persuade those who are hesitant to get inoculated immediately after vaccines arrive in the area.
“Marami ang nahihirapan, maraming nagsara na negosyo, maraming nawalan ng trabaho. Kaya ang kinakailangan, kooperasyon at disiplina ng ating mga kababayan. Pakiusap lang, magtulungan lang tayo at mahalin natin ang ating kapwa,” Go expressed.
Go, who is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also encouraged the
residents to get medical attention in Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval where there is a Malasakit Center available to assist them with their medical expenses.
The Senator primarily pushed for the enactment of Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, to efficiently provide Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients, convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Go’s personnel then proceeded to hand out relief goods, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. Some beneficiaries also took home new pairs of shoes, bicycles, or computer tablets.
Meanwhile, staff from DSWD gave financial assistance in a separate distribution to each essential worker while the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority each conducted an on-site evaluation where qualified individuals will be granted with livelihood support and scholarships, respectively.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go extended his support for several infrastructure projects in each concerned municipality to further enhance their economic growth. Among these projects are the construction of a multipurpose building, and the establishment of a public park and its seawall in the town of Maripipi, while there will be a construction of water system in Brgy. Bool West in Culaba.
Other projects he supported in the province are rehabilitation of local roads in Almeria, Kawayan, and Naval; acquisition of a dump truck in Biliran; construction of multipurpose buildings in Caibiran and Naval; construction of flood control structures in Cabugcayan and Naval; and acquisition of new medical equipment for Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval.
Go then extended his gratitude towards Representative Gerardo Espina, Governor Rogelio Espina, Vice Governor Brigido Caneja, Culaba Mayor Humphrey Olimba and Vice Mayor Enrico Uyvico, Maripipi Mayor Joseph Caingcoy and Vice Mayor Felisa Mulles, and many other local officials for catering to the needs of vulnerable sectors, especially during these unprecedented times.
“Mga kababayan ko, parating mag-ingat, magdasal po tayo. At tandaan n’yo po minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa Pilipino ay gawin na po natin ngayon, dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he ended.
President Duterte asks COA to stop flagging gov’t agencies, says he won’t tolerate corruption
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on August 16, 2021. ROEMARI LIMOSNERO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday asked the Commission on Audit (COA) to stop flagging government agencies and publishing reports while documents are still being processed, arguing they create a perception of corruption and unfairly putting people in bad light.
The President was responding to a COA report that noted “deficiencies” on the Department of Health’s (DOH) handling of P67.3 billion COVID-19 funds. In his public address, President Duterte said publishing unresolved audit reports gives people the impression that there is corruption even when there’s none.
“You know that when you flag, there is already a taint of corruption by perception,” President Duterte told COA. “You make a report. Do not flag and do not publish it because it will condemn the agency or the person that you are flagging.” To address the COVID-19 crisis, the President said he had previously ordered various government agencies to make emergency procurements or loans to equip facilities, especially the DOH, with everything they need to fight the pandemic.
The country, he said, is in the middle on a health emergency and it’s a matter of life or death.
“So you have to understand and give it a little elbowroom to move, make emergency purchase, mag-utang,” he said, adding COA’s actions make it difficult for the government to defeat COVID-19 as its critics seize the opportunity to malign
Publicizing reports alleging corruption “is not fair to the people” who are working hard to serve the republic, he stressed, noting such reports become “gospel truth” once they are released to the public.
“Huwag kayong maniwala ng ganoon. Ako mismo Presidente, ako mismo nangako na I will protect you people, it includes your money. Do you think papayag ako na may isa dito sa Cabinet member magnakaw maski P1,000? You really think that I would allow it?” the President said.
Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, who was also present in the meeting, said the health department’s deficiencies in procurement, documents and procedures have already been partially resolved with no findings of lost funds or corruption, citing a report from COA.
Vega said DOH’s transfers to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) for the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE), COVID-19 testing kits, medical supplies, and other hospital equipment are not covered by a Memorandum of Agreement, thus it was agreed by PS-DBM that non-attachment of MOA on these purchases has legal basis considering the items procured are considered commonly used supplies.
To date, a total of P31 billion worth of commodities have been reported by DBM as delivered, said Vega.
Further, the health official said 83 percent of the unobligated amount of P11.8 billion from Bayanihan 1 and 2 including government procurement budget and foreign loans, have been utilized as of June this year.
A huge chunk of the funds were used to pay for benefits of health workers, salaries of emergency hired health workers, as well as procurement of medicine and medical supplies during the pandemic. The remaining P510 million is valid for utilization until December this year, he said.
Deficiencies in procurement, documents, and procedures have also already been partially resolved, Vega explained, noting the Central Office’s Procurement Service already addressed the P2.48 billion deficiencies mentioned by COA.
For the remaining P2.52 billion, the health undersecretary said the DOH operating units concerned have been given directives to comply “immediately” with the COA recommendations.
Government hospitals that received parts of the P1.4 billion worth donations weren’t able to submit right away a summary report list of donations, but have already provided COA with the required listings, he added. PND
P3.2B cash aid distributed in NCR, says interior chief
Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año gives an update to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on August 16, 2021. JOEY DALUMPINES/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
The government has distributed a total of P3.2 billion to individuals and families affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, benefitting more than three million individuals, the country’s interior chief said on Monday.
IIn his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said 3,299,290 individuals received the government cash aid since local government units (LGUs) started handing over the subsidy last August 11.
The distribution of the financial support is based on the provisions of the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 3 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and LGUs in the National Capital Region (NCR). The release of the subsidy is continuing, Año said, assuring the President that to ensure transparency, the names of recipients and beneficiaries are posted in the LGUs’ offices, official websites and social media platforms.
“At sa inyo rin pong pag-uutos, atin pong sinupervise (supervise) at mino-monitor ng DILG, DSWD at DND ang distribution sa LGU ng NCR at pati naman po ang mayor ng nasabing LGU ay sumunod din po sa inyong kautusan,” he said. After the President gave his nod for the release of the P10.894-billion aid for the NCR, he also approved a P368 million supplemental budget, bringing the total government support to P11.256 billion.
Residents of Bataan and Laguna are also set to receive similar support following the President’s approval of subsidies for the two provinces. Bataan will get P700 million while Laguna will receive P2.7 billion.
“Within the week po ay magsisimula na ang pamimigay ng ayuda at sisiguraduhin nating makakaabot sa mga nangangailangan at walang abuso o anumang korapsyon na magaganap,” Año said. PND
NTF vows to work harder as more Filipinos gain access to jabs
The National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) assured equal attention will be given to jab rollouts nationwide as more Filipinos put their trust in government efforts.
NTF chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said all regions and provinces will have equal access to Covid-19 vaccines even as he welcomed the Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) June 23 to 26 poll, which showed that 68 percent of 1,200 adult Filipinos, majority of them Metro Manila residents, agree they have easy access (54 percent very easy and 14 percent somewhat easy) to Covid-19 vaccination sites.
“The results of the SWS survey also serve as an inspiration to the national government, local government units (LGUs), and the private sector to further improve their service delivery, and make sure that Filipinos have access to these lifesaving vaccines through the thousands of vaccination sites across the country,” Galvez said in a statement on Thursday.
The survey likewise manifested the government’s successful efforts to reach out to the
DISINFECTION. The boxes containing 365,040 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are disinfected upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Wednesday night (Aug 18, 2021). Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law welcomed the shipment. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)
people, particularly those residing in high-risk and vulnerable areas, to get vaccinated with Covid-19 jab, he added.
The vaccine czar took note of the 29 percent of respondents who said they do not have access to vaccination sites.
“This figure is a reflection of the hard work, determination, and commitment of all sectors of society to ensure that the vaccines get into the arms of as many people as possible. However, much work also needs to be done so that the 29 percent who said they have no access to vaccination sites can be served,” he said.
More to be done
Galvez said there is “still a lot of room for improvement and expansion” that needed to be done in the country’s inoculation program such as vaccine deployment, handling, administration strategies, activation of more sites, and hiring additional vaccinators.
He explained that the vaccination program “was still gaining momentum” during the second quarter this year due to “limited vaccine deliveries at that time”.
“This is why we made sure that the deployment of the limited vaccine doses will be directed to those areas with the highest economic and social risks, as well as groups with the highest burden of disease, hospitalization, and death,” he said.
The survey was conducted when the country’s vaccine stockpile was at 17,457,810 jabs in June, “significantly lower” than the 25,482,580 doses received between July and August.
Galvez said the government expects an increase to the country’s cumulative vaccine inventory to up to 50 million doses within this month.
Rising numbers
The average daily jab rate in June was at 179,605 doses and increased to 315,366 in July and 488,455 in August. “It was in July when we started to receive a steady supply of larger vaccine shipments. As a result, LGUs were able to increase their capacities to inoculate beyond their initial daily targets,” he said.
LGUs and establishments also opened more vaccination sites.
Galvez cautioned that the survey result on the slow pace of vaccination may not reflect the current situation”, noting that in
BETTER ACCESS: A 2021 second quarter survey of the Social Weather Stations shows that 68 percent of adult Filipinos have easy access to Covid-19 vaccination sites. The poll involved 1,200 adult respondents from June 23 to 26, 2021. (Photo courtesy of SWS)
Metro Manila alone, over 230,000 jabs have been administered daily.
SWS showed the pace of vaccination was considered “slow” by 51 percent for their own barangay, 44 percent for their own city/ municipality, and 50 percent for the Philippines”.
“This was achieved several times in August. And just this month, the country was able to administer around 700,000 jabs in a day twice,” Galvez said.
He said the use of the singleshot Johnson & Johnson vaccine for senior citizens and adults with comorbidities nationwide helped improved the vaccination program.
“To ensure the biggest impact, we gave the highest priority to those residing in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas nationwide,” he added.
Galvez said the NTF understands the need to improve the country’s pandemic response strategies and further boost the vaccination program.
“Yet, we believe that all of these efforts are still not enough. Based on our monitoring and evaluation, we have identified the areas in our vaccine program that need to be improved on, as we move closer to our goal of achieving herd immunity and soon expanding our inoculation program to the younger population,” he said.
The Philippines has a total of 42,940,390 doses of Covid-19 vaccines as of Wednesday.
Another 3 million doses of Sinovac jabs will be delivered Thursday afternoon. (PNA/ Lade Jean Kabagani )
Gov’t gives priority to Covid-19 testing: Palace
The national government has been giving priority to Covid-19 testing since the pandemic started last year, Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this reaction on Vice President Leni Robredo’s suggestion to ramp up testing amid the increasing Covid-19 infections.
“All I can say is, sa mula’t-mula po, talagang we give a priority to testing dahil siyempre po iyan iyong ating unang sandata, kinakailangan malaman natin kung sino iyong dapat i-isolate (since the pandemic started, we really give priority to testing because that is our main weapon, we need to know who should be isolated),” Roque said in Palace press briefing. Roque said the government has already increased its daily Covid-19 testing beyond 55,000 particularly in high-risk areas.
“We are increasing our testing beyond 55,000 ay gumagamit na rin po tayo ng antigen. Dahil mayroon naman po tayong protocols when they can be used doon sa mga areas na talagang mataas po iyong clustering ng kaso eh pupuwede pong mag-antigen (by using antigen tests. Because there are protocols when they can be used in areas where there is high clustering),” he said.
File photo
“Hindi po natin pinababayaan iyan (We are not neglecting our testing efforts), we have always recognized that testing is very crucial in the fight against Covid-19,” he added.
Earlier, Vice President Leni Robredo urged the government to boost Covid-19 testing on top of vaccination efforts to ensure that the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila will be the “last lockdown”.
National Task Force Against Covid-19 Deputy Chief Implementer and Testing Czar Vince Dizon earlier said the country was averaging 56,000 tests a day the past week.
Meanwhile, Roque expressed optimism that the government can fully vaccinate half its target population in Metro Manila by the end of the ECQ on August 20.
“Basta patuloy lang po tayo eh makakamit po natin iyon pong ating ninanais na maubos iyong 4 million [Covid-19 doses] na ibibigay sa Metro Manila bago po magtapos ang ating ECQ (As long as we keep going, we will achieve our goal of using up the 4 million doses given to Metro Manila before the ECQ). So we are on our way to vaccinating at least 50 percent of our population here in Metro Manila,” he said.
Quarantine protocols
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, for his part, urged the public to continue observing minimum public health standards amid rising cases of Covid-19 nationwide.
“We call on the public to continue observing the standard health protocols of wearing of face mask, and shield, safe physical distancing, proper hygiene, and refraining from leaving your homes unless necessary, to ensure that we minimize the spread of the disease,” Andanar said.
He also enjoined the public to get inoculated with a Covid-19 vaccination by coordinating with their respective local government units (LGUs). To stay updated on “truthful” and “reliable” news, Andanar also urged the public to monitor state-run media programs such as the Laging Handa public briefing, Network Briefing News, Laging Handa Dokyu, as well as its social media pages.
Metro Manila is under the strictest ECQ until Aug. 20 to prevent the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant.
Composed of 16 cities, Metro Manila currently has a population of over 13 million. On Monday, health authorities recorded 14,610 more Covid-19 infections bringing the total case count to 1,755,846.
The death toll increased to 30,366 after 27 more people died while recoveries climbed to 1,618,808 after 10,674 more patients recovered from the disease. (PNA/ Azer Parrocha)
10M Chinese vaccine doses to arrive this August: envoy
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian (File photo)
About 10 million doses of China-manufactured vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-9) will be shipped to the Philippines within August 2021, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said on Thursday.
Of this figure, one million are donations while the remaining are government-procured CoronaVac vaccine.
“[T]he total number of China’s vaccine delivered to the Philippines this month is expected to reach nearly 10 million doses, which would hopefully alleviate the shortage of vaccines here,” Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian was quoted in The Manila Times report as saying.
“China’s vaccine is not only the first Covid vaccine to arrive in the Philippines, but also become the major source of Philippine vaccination, and their safety and efficacy have increasingly earned widespread recognition and trust among the Filipinos,” he added.
Since the first batch of Sinovac vaccine arrived in February 2021, Manila has so received more than 25.5 million doses of the vaccine from China.
“Together with our Filipino friends, many memorable “firsts” were recorded. China
was the first country to donate test kits, the first country to dispatch anti-pandemic medical expert team to the Philippines, and also the first country to issue special permit for the Philippine military air crafts and vessels to land and dock in China for transportation of medical supplies,” Huang said. in 2020. “In the first half of this year, our bilateral trade in goods topped USD37.5 billion, up by 53.5 percent year on year,” he said.
China also became the Philippines’ secondlargest export market as its investments grown rapidly.
He added that China will continue to extend help and support to the best of its ability.
Among others, it will work closely with Manila “to further synergize” the Belt and Road Initiative and the “Build, Build, Build” program and accelerate economic recovery and growth in the postepidemic era.
For Huang, Manila and Beijing’s bilateral cooperation has “pressed ahead against all odds” in the past few years.
He noted that bilateral trade has also scaled new heights, with the two nations’ annual bilateral trade in goods reaching USD61.2 billion “In 2020, China’s direct non-financial investment in the Philippines hit USD140 million, nearly 1.4 times increase year on year. In the first half, this indicator increased 2.3 times to over USD89 million,” Huang said.
The government-togovernment projects between the two have also stepped into a “new stage of harvest”, the envoy said.
Under the Duterte administration, 13 projects worth USD 120 million, including the Dangerous Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers, the Covid-19 Vaccine Donation Project and Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge have been launched and completed.
Eight others are under implementation with a total financing value of over USD1.1 billion. Four major infrastructure projects worth USD 2.2 billion, meanwhile, including the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project, are under loan negotiation.
A list of pipeline projects worth billions of US dollars is also undergoing Philippine internal review and bidding process.
“I believe that as we further enhance ChinaPhilippines pragmatic cooperation, and continue to bring our government-togovernment cooperation projects and China’s investment projects in the Philippines to fruition, more opportunities and dividends will be generated to benefit the peoples of both countries, and contribute to economic recovery and people’s livelihood in the Philippines,” Huang said. (PNA/ By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)
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