ANDANAR GRATEFUL FOR PRIVATE MEDIA PARTNERSHIP: HUWAG NATING MALIITIN ANG MEDIA

The government’s partnership with private media emphasized the greater role of information dissemination efforts in saving lives during this pandemic, according to Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Adanar on Friday.

“Limitado po ang government media. Pero dahil sa crisis communications policy natin na Laging Handa ay nagawa po nating maiparating at maturuan ang ating mga kakabayan na kailangan mag-mask, maghugas ng kamay, at mag-physical distancing [The government media has limited reach but with our crisis communications policy, Laging Handa, we are able to reach more people and remind them to mask up, wash their hands, and observe physical distancing],” he said during an interview during the National Press Club’s Report to the Nation Media Forum.

As an initiative to reach more audiences and to deliver timely news on the COVID-19 situation of the country, the PCOO partnered with the NPC and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) in 2020, allowing government programs to be aired on the platforms of the private media partners, and relay important messages of the government.

Secretary Andanar said that media workers should not be undervalued, considering that in times of crisis they are among essential workers toiling to provide information to the public. yung KBP. Siguro marami namatay dahil hindi natin alam yung new normal. Wag nating mamaliitin ang media kasi kung kailangan niyo ng balita kami ang hahanapin niyo [Just imagine if we didn’t have the KBP.

More people would have died because they did not know the new normal. Let’s not underestimate the media because when you need news, you will look for us],” he said.

The PCOO chief also thanked the NPC and the KBP for their continued support of the government and for “carrying the torch of press freedom”.

“Napakalaking tulong ng National Press Club at KBP sa ating gobyerno to remind us kung saan nagkamali at kung ano yung dapat baguhin. I believe that freedom of the press should really be respected, and should really be fostered [The National Press Club and KBP helps to remind us of our missteps and what else needs to be changed. I believe that freedom of the press should really be respected, and should really be fostered],” he said.

Consolacion, Cebu targets herd immunity by November 2021

The municipal government of Consolacion in Cebu is targeting to reach herd immunity among its constituents before Christmas, Mayor Joyjoy Alegado bared on Wednesday during the Network Briefing News. “Actually our team really has a target of November in reaching herd immunity with 2,000 jabs per day. If we could really achieve that we will be able to reach herd immunity before Christmas,” he told Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar.

To be able to attain this, the local government is already looking for more strategies to make the vaccine accessible to the people, noting that the number of people who are coming to the jab sites is dropping.

According to Mayor Alegado, they are studying the possibility of replicating the drive-thru vaccination sites currently done in Metro Manila. He also cited the ‘Bakuna Nights’ strategy for the benefit of the working class. He added that they will be starting with their barangay rollout this week.

“Maybe people do not want to travel anymore so we will be the ones going to the barangays and we will also be doing house-to-house vaccination among those who are bedridden individuals including their families,” he said.

He said that the said barangay and house-to-house rollout will be part of their information drive as well, since vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge for the LGU.

Mayor Alegado said that they are planning to incentivize the vaccination program in order to encourage other residents to get vaccinated. We’re almost finished with those who have registered and that is still a meager amount, and we really need to add more people to get the jabs. With that, we are hoping that our numbers of vaccinated individuals will increase,” he said.

The local chief executive also expressed his gratitude to the national government for assisting their town during the pandemic and extending the programs and projects of President Duterte, especially the Build, Build, Build.

“We are very grateful here in Consolacion for all that our President has done for our country, most especially in this time of the pandemic. I know it’s not easy to handle such a huge problem being experienced by the whole world. But in spite that we were still able to save lives and more importantly, the economy is still alive,” he said.

PCOO’s Freedom of Information asserts support President Duterte’s anti-corruption vow

Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday affirmed the commitment of the Duterte administration in fighting corruption in government, which is supported by the agency’s Freedom of Information (FOI).

In his daily engagement with provincial media, Secretary Andanar had the chance to discuss on 103.9 iFM Baguio’s I sa Umaga program the achievements of the current administration which are in line with the promises made by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Anti-corruption is one of the top agendas of the President that is gaining ground through various policies implemented by the national government, including the implementation of the FOI and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

“In terms of the anti-corruption bid, many oligarchs that were publicly named by the President were forced to pay their overdue taxes. There were also government officials and employees that were dismissed for engaging in fraudulent activities. We are able to support these through the creation of the Freedom of Information and the strengthened Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).” Secretary Andanar said.

The Executive Order No. 2 which operationalizes Freedom of Information in the executive branch was signed by the President on July 23, 2016. This policy has further promoted transparency as it allows full public disclosure of government transactions involving public interest.

PCOO serves as the coordinator of all government agencies to ensure that the FOI Program is properly implemented. To date there are over 70,000 requests logged in the e-FOI platform from 530 government agencies across the country, including local government units (LGUS).

President Duterte is known for publicly dropping the names of government officials that are allegedly involved in corruption, even including those who have supported him in his leadership.

Earlier, he also warned businesses who still had liabilities with the government, such as tobacco conglomerate Mighty Corporation which availed of a tax settlement, and Philippine Airlines (PAL) which also settled its P6-billion unpaid air navigational charges to the government in 2017.

Secretary Andanar: President Duterte fulfilled his promises

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is enjoying high approval ratings because he has fulfilled his promises to the people, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Monday.

In an interview, Secretary Andanar cited the accomplishments of the administration including that of its three known campaigns against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption. He also highlighted policies that greatly favored indigent Filipino families and vulnerable sectors in the country.

“Kaya nga po ang approval rating ni Presidente base sa Pulse Asia nung 2020 ay nasa 91% dahil na rin po sa mga pangako niya nung 2016 ay ipinatupad niya sa loob ng limang taon ng kanyang pamumuno [The approval rating of the President based on the Pulse Asia report last 2020 was at 91% because he was able to fulfill the promises he made last 2016 within the 5 years of his leadership],” Secretary Andanar said.

This included the government’s Malasakit Center which has already served more than 2 million indigent Filipinos seeking medical and financial assistance, since it was passed into law in 2019.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop that helps poor and indigent patients through the support of government agencies that include the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and Department of Health (DOH).

“[Dahil] gusto ni Presidente na libre yung gamot at pagpapagamot ay dinagdagan pa niya ang pondo para sa ating mga mahihirap na kababayan. Mahigit dalawang milyong Pilipino na po ang nakinabang dito sa Malasakit Centers [Because the President wants free hospitalization and medicine, he augmented the allocation intended for the poor. Now, there are over 2 million Filipinos who benefitted from Malasakit Centers],” he said. The PCOO chief also highlighted how smalltime farmers are now enjoying the provisions of the Free Irrigation Service Act.

According to the law, farmers with landholdings of eight hectares or less are exempted from paying the irrigation service fee for water sourced from national and communal irrigation systems constructed and administered by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and other government agencies.

Secretary Andanar said that it is important that the PCOO takes part in informing the public about the accomplishments of the President through the roll out of the Duterte Legacy Communications Campaign. “It is important to report in order for the Filipino people to know whether the President has delivered his promises based on what he has said during the previous elections in 2016. And it is clear that he did,” he said.

Secretary Andanar: Land grants for youth to pivot interest of younger generations in agriculture

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Friday expressed his support for the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) initiative of encouraging the youth sector to engage in agriculture.

“I agree that we really should be tapping our youth more in agriculture. At maganda na talagang natututukan in particular ang ating mga kabataang graduate ng mga kursong agrikultura at nabibigyan ng lupang sakahan [I agree that we really should be tapping our youth more in agriculture. It is good that we are giving particular attention to our agriculture students and giving lands for them to till and develop],” he said during an episode of the Cabinet Report.

Secretary Andanar said that there is a vast opportunity for Filipinos in terms of developing the country, especially the countryside. He noted that development should also reach those outside of the city centers. “Patuloy ang ating panawagan: lawakan ang ating pananaw, we have 7,641 islands of beauty of our opportunity, we have fields of bounty, mountain tops of growth and waters and richness around us. Kaya, sana makita natin ang pangangailangan ikalat ang development sa buong kapuluan [We continue to call on everyone to broaden their perspective. We have 7,641 islands of beauty of

our opportunity, we have fields of bounty, mountain tops of growth and waters and richness around us. I hope we can see more clearly the need to spread development across these islands],” he said.

“There is more to the Philippines than our city centers, let us appreciate our countryside and invest in it for our own future,” he added.

Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones sat as guest during the program where he discussed the recent incentive policy of DAR for agriculture graduates. He said that these individuals may be eligible for land grant under the agency’s program pursuant to Administrative Order No. 3 issued last 2020.

Castraciones said that this will help encourage young people to venture into agriculture. “Ang ating mga magsasaka, tumatanda na. Ang average age ng magsasaka ngayon ay 57 years old. And whether we like it or not, most of our citizens, they would like their children to finish college, and thereafter, leave agriculture or farming. They would rather be engineers or accountants, lawyers, etc. [Our farmers are getting older. The average age of Filipino farmers today is 57 years old. And whether we like it or not, most of our citizens, they would like their children to finish college, and thereafter, leave agriculture or farming. They would rather be engineers or accountants, lawyers, etc.],” he said.

Under the said Administrative Order, new graduates of agricultural courses may be awarded with land of not more than 3 hectares so long as they meet the qualifications and secure the requirements.

It states that the individual must also be landless at the time of his application for the program, and their parents must not be applicants or beneficiaries of other agrarian reform programs. They must also be residents of the municipality where the land to be distributed is situated .

“Ito po ay ginagawa natin para muling magising po iyong tinatawag natin na love of the youth for farming [We are doing this to awaken the so-called love of the youth for farming],” Castraciones said.

“Napagtanto po natin during the time of the pandemic na agriculture is the last frontier of our survival. Without agriculture, I’m sure there will be a problem of food sufficiency. And that is the reason why kailangan po natin na i-motivate iyong atin pong mga kabataan para po talagang muling magbalik iyong kanilang pagmamahal sa agrikultura [We realized during this pandemic that agriculture is our last frontier of survival. Without agriculture, I’m sure there will be a problem with food sufficiency. And that is the reason why we need to motivate our youth to engage in agriculture],” he added.

Secretary Andanar optimistic of turning over a more competitive Philippines to the next admin

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar is optimistic that with the policies prepared by the current government, the Duterte administration will be able to pass on the leadership confidently to its successors. Andanar highlighted the legacies of President Rodrigo Duterte which have bolstered the economy and created more opportunities for Filipinos to be competitive in both the local and international setting.

“Kapag nagtransition na po tayo mayroon po tayong maipapasa po tayong Pilipinas na handang-handang makipagcompete sa buong mundo pagdating sa job market, mga produkto [When we transition to the next administration, we will be able to pass on a Philippines that is ready to compete globally in job market and products],” he said.

He reiterated that the remaining months of the administration is a crucial period for the country and called for everyone’s cooperation. He said that political differences should not be an issue in seeking resolutions to address the current health crisis.

“We only have one country, one government. Itabi muna natin ang politika dahil hindi naman mahalaga ang politika in the next 10 months. Ang mahalaga ay yung matalo natin ang COVID-19 at mailagay natin sa tamang direksyon ang lahat ng mga aspeto ng ekonomiya at ng ating buhay [We only have one country, one government. Let’s set aside political differences because that is not important in the next 10 months. What’s important is defeating COVID-19 and setting the direction of the country in the aspects of economy and securing and saving lives],” he added. Secretary Andanar noted that the government is now focused on responding to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including crafting and implementing policies that will allow economic recovery. He is optimistic that the economy will be able to open up by next year.

“Ang ating pakikipaglaban sa COVID-19 ay napakacrucial. Hindi lang ito laban para sa ating kalusugan, kundi laban po ito para masiguro natin na nakalatag po yung mga plano ng ating pamahalaan para makabalik ang mga negosyante, ang ating mga kababayan ay makabalik din sa kanilang trabaho, at ang tuluyang pagbukas ng ekonomiya [Our fight against COVID-19 is crucial. This is not just a fight for our health, but also a crusade for the government to lay down plans to help our business sector to recover, for our workers to be able to return to their jobs, and for the reopening of our economy],” he said

Secretary Andanar said that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s high approval rating among Filipinos serves as an inspiration for the administration to continue its job in public service delivery. He also thanked the Filipino public for their support to the administration even amid the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. “Thank you so much for the support to the President. Until now 91% ang kanyang acceptance, approval rating at yan ay napakalaking bagay po para sa ating administrasyon. We will continue to work hard and we will continue to see that as an inspiration para po makapagserbisyo hanggang sa kahulihulihan ng administrasyong ito [Thank you so much for the support to the President. Until now he is enjoying the 91% acceptance, approval rating and that is a big win for us in the administration. We will continue to work hard and we will continue to see that as an inspiration to deliver our public service for the remainder of this administration],” he said.

Secretary Andanar: Government’s Build, Build, Build, program saved PH economy amid pandemic

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday said that the implementation of various projects under the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build Program help save the country’s economy as the pandemic persists.

In an interview, Secretary Andanar mentioned some of the projects being implemented in provinces, to ensure that the bid for further development is spread across the country.

These include infrastructure built and underway in Region 2 such as the upgraded airport projects in Tuguegarao Airport, Palanan Airport, Basco Airport, and Cauayan Airport; farmto-market roads, and access roads.

“Itong lahat pong ito ay bahagi po ng Duterte Legacy. Ang Build, Build, Build ni Presidente ay isang pinakamahalgang cornerstone ng bansa. We are hovering almost 5% infrastructure spending compared to an average of 2% nitong mga nakaraang administrasyon [These are all part of the Duterte Legacy. The Build, Build, Build of the President is one of the important cornerstones of our country. We are hovering almost 5% infrastructure spending compared to an average of 2% in the previous administrations],” he said.

“Kaya nga tawag natin sa Digong administration ay Golden Age of Infrastructure dahil malaki ang perang ibinubuhos natin. More than 6 million jobs created because of this and actually naisasalba po ang ating ekonomiya ngayong panahon ng pandemya dahil sa Build, Build, Build [That’s the reason why the Duterte Administration is called the Golden Age of Infrastructure because we invested so much on this. More than 6 million jobs created because of this. Actually the Build, Build, Build helped save our economy during the pandemic],” he added.

The country is now experiencing massive expansion in infrastructure unseen since the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos, which helped transform its economy and maintained the Philippines’ title as one of Asia’s rising tigers.

In terms of road enhancement and development, Secretary Andanar said that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reported the completion of more than 29,000 road projects, including widening and rehabilitation.

At least 671 infrastructure projects under the Department of Transportation are already complete. These include the 451 building and rehabilitation projects for the country’s seaports and 214 airport projects.

Secretary Andanar also cited that more than 150,000 classrooms were built and rehabilitated in the past five years of the administration.

Baungon, Bukidnon attracts more investors

The municipality of Baungon, Bukidnon is slowly opening up to more investors, as more people coming from the highly urbanized city of Cagayan de Oro are contemplating on moving back to less crowded communities, Mayor Gio Dahino said on Thursday.

“It is a very exciting time for us tsaka marami-raming trabaho na rin ang nabibigay sa ating mga kababayan sa Baungon [It is a very exciting time for us and we have provided more jobs for our people here in Baungon],” he said during the Netwrok Briefing News with host Presidential Secretary Martin Andanar.

Baungon is a fourth-class municipality mainly run by its agri-industrial economy.

“Yung sa munisipyo po natin ngayon ay lumaki’t lumaki na ang industriya natin. Sa ngayon may poultry, piggery at dalawang flour processing plants tayo. May pineapple plantation tayo ng Dole at Del Monte, mayroong din yung corn at tsaka banana plantations natin [Our industry here is growing. Right now we have poultry and piggery farms. We also have two flour processing plants operating in our municipality. We have pineapple plantations operated by Dole and Del Monte, as well as corn and banana plantations,” Mayor Dahino said.

“The good news is pumapasok na po ang ibang industries katulad ng First Gen Hydro Power Plant. This is a 34-megawatt power plant na nakikita nating mag-function by 2025 [The good news is more industries are coming to our municipality just like the First Gen Hydro PowerPlant. This is a 34-megawatt power plant that we are hoping to function by 2025],” he added.

He also mentioned other long-term plans of the local government including the anticipated residential and commercial projects with private partners.

According to Mayor Dahino, the value of land there is now drastically increasing every year, as more industries are moving up to their area, along with the construction of public infrastructures easing connectivity between Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

“If you buy a piece of land here, expect that its value will increase by 20-30% in a year, especially near highways because Baungon is a beneficiary of Build, Build, Build,” he said.

Bong Go comes to the aid of vulnerable groups in Davao City; assures continuing support from gov’t towards recovery

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go assured Filipinos that the Duterte Administration is working hard to speed up the country’s vaccination efforts and safe reopening of the economy while providing targeted assistance to struggling individuals and vulnerable groups.

In separate activities done by batches in Davao City on Thursday, September 2, Go dropped by various communities and told vulnerable residents that his office would continue to provide critical assistance where needed and work closely with local officials to protect citizens. “Nagpunta ako ngayon dahil nagbilin si Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Sabi ko pupunta ako sa Leon Garcia. Taga-Buhangin ako pero nakatira ako diyan lang sa Lanang. So, magkakapitbahay lang tayo. Natatandaan ko ang lugar na ito, mga sampung taon na ang nakalipas nang una kaming pumunta ng Pangulo sa mga nasunugan dito,” said Go. “Ngayon ay nasa isang krisis na naman tayo. Marami ang nagsarado na negosyo at nawalan ng trabaho dulot ng pandemyang COVID-19. Bilang inyong Senador, nagsisikap ako upang makapagbigay ng tulong gamit ang ating mga programa,” he continued.

To address their immediate needs, the Senator and his staff distributed snacks, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 600 residents divided in batches at the Barangays Governor Vicente Duterte, Kapitan Tomas Monteverde, Sr. and Leon Garcia gymnasiums.

The recipients consisted of contractual workers; tricycle drivers and operators; fisherfolk; out-

of-school youth; senior citizens; solo parents; and members of the LGBT community.

Select recipients were given new pairs of shoes while another set of beneficiaries were provided bicycles. Some beneficiaries also received computer tablets to help their children pursue their studies.

“Pakiusap lang namin sa mga kabataan ay mag-aral kayo nang mabuti kahit wala pa tayong face-to-face learning ngayon… Hindi natin basta-basta mabubuksan ang eskwela dahil delikado pa ang panahon,” he said.

“Kapag mayroon nagpositibo sa classroom mahirapan tayo, dahil ang bata pa naman ay hindi pa bakunado. Kaya naman pinag-aaralan pa ng gobyerno ngayon ang pagbabalik ng ating face-to-face learning,” Go explained.

“Unahin muna natin ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan. Ang pera ating kikitain, pero ang perang kikitain natin ay hindi mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever,” he added.

As part of a holistic set of interventions from the government for individuals and communities in crisis, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also distributed financial assistance while the Department of Agriculture gave away vegetable seeds to aid their livelihood and also help ensure food security.

The Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted assessments of potential beneficiaries for their respective livelihood assistance and skills training programs.

The Senator, who is also Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, appealed to the public to get vaccinated. He explained that the vaccines considerably reduce one’s risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19.

“Ang bakuna ang susi at solusyon para malampasan ang krisis na ito. Magpabakuna na po kayo para makamtan natin ang population protection kung saan mabakunahan na ang 50% sa populasyon. Ngayon ‘pag dumating na tayo sa 70%, ito ang tinatawag na herd immunity,” explained Go.

“Kailangan protektado kayo para hindi mapuno ang ospital at bumagsak ang healthcare system,” he added.

Go offered his help to those with medical concerns. He also advised them to visit the Malasakit Center located at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) or any of the other 137 centers found nationwide for convenient access to medical assistance programs.

“Kahit bakunado na kayo, importante face mask, face shield para protektado. Kung mahal ninyo ang inyong mga anak, dapat disiplina, kailangan natin ang inyong kooperasyon at disiplina,” Go emphasized.

“Mayroon akong dala na vitamins at lahat kayo makakatanggap ng vitamins. Pakiusap lang inumin ninyo ito, ‘pag malakas ang inyong resistensya mas lalaban ang katawan ninyo laban sa COVID-19,” he added.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where medical assistance programs of the national government are conveniently available under one roof. The program was institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which Go primarily authored and sponsored in the Senate. “Naabutan po ako ng lockdown sa Maynila. Kakarating ko lang nitong March at kababalik ko lang rin sa aking trabaho. Mahirap talaga pero go lang. Tiis lang rin sa hirap kahit ganito ang panahon. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Senator Bong Go para sa aking mga natanggap at sa mga matatanggap pa namin,” said Bernabe Abadella, a resident who received aid from Go’s team.

The Senator recognized various local officials for their untiring service and exemplary leadership amid the various crises communities are facing. Among those that Go acknowledged were 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, 2nd District Rep. Vincent Garcia, Mayor Sara Duterte, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Councilor Che-Che Justol, barangay officials Remedios dela Luz, Robert Diaz, and Lita Empis, among others.

“Kami ni Pangulong Duterte mahal namin kayong lahat. Huwag kayong mahiya sa akin, magkapitbahay lang tayo… Nandito lang kami at magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya. Magsusumikap kami na As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported various infrastructure initiatives in Davao City to improve public service delivery and boost economic opportunities in his hometown.

Among these are the improvement of the Leon Garcia Sr. barangay hall; the construction of various multi-purpose buildings and local roads in different barangays around the city including a Day Care Center, and many more.

Other major initiatives include the construction or rehabilitation of water systems, drainage systems, flood control structures, as well as the construction of a 300-bed capacity infectious diseases building and acquisition of ambulances, among others.

On July 23, the Senator’s team also assisted some 1,000 flood victims in

Brgy. Talomo River.

The beneficiaries were grouped into batches to ensure the strict enforcement of the safety and health protocols to prevent the spread of

COVID-19. August 28-September 3, 2021 | 47

Vulnerable communities from Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, San Isidro, Inabanga and Clarin in Bohol gets boost from Bong Go’s humanitarian efforts

As he always committed to cater his services to more struggling communities amid pandemic, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent his team to hand over assistance to various sectoral groups in the towns of Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, San Isidro, Inabanga, and Clarin in Bohol province on Wednesday, September 1.

“Sana maging masaya ang ating Pasko ngayong taon, basta makabalik tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay pauntiunti. Pero magtulungan tayo, kailangan ang kooperasyon at disiplina,” Go expressed in his video message.

The Senator gave recognition to a combined total of 1,433 essential workers for their determination and hard work as they continue to contribute immensely to the economic development of their respective communities.

Go reminded the public that health should be a top priority especially since new variants of COVID-19 cases continue to rise. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go then encouraged the beneficiaries to take part in the national vaccination program to protect them from the threat of the virus.

Go’s staff organized five separate distribution activities at Bisu Clarin Activity Center in Clarin; Community Gymnasium in Buenavista; Balintawak Covered Court in Talibon; Municipal Session Hall in San Isidro; and Municipal Gymnasiums in Inabanga and Getafe.

The beneficiaries were grouped into smaller batches and necessary safety and health protocols were strictly observed all throughout the relief operations to prevent the further spread of the virus.

All essential workers then received meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins from Senator Go. Select beneficiaries were also given new pairs of shoes and bicycles that they can use.

In addition, computer tablets were given to some recipients to ensure that their children can participate better during classes as they pursue their education under the blended learning set-up.

Staff from several agencies were also present as they provided different forms of aid to further boost the livelihood conditions of the essential workers.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development gave livelihood assistance grants to all beneficiaries while the Department of Trade and Industry provided further livelihood support to qualified recipients. Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted their assessment wherein chosen individuals will receive scholarship grants. “Sobrang hina po ng benta ko ngayon kumpara noong bago ang pandemya kaya po nagpapasalamat ako ng lubusan kay Senator Bong Go, sobrang laking tulong po sa amin nito na dagdag puhunan po,” Genalyn Prencia, a 33-year-old vendor, shared in an interview.

In line with his appeal to the public to prioritize health and well-being, Senator Go encouraged locals to take advantage of the medical assistance programs that are available in any of the two Malasakit Centers in the province.

The center is a one-stop shop where partnered agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, will provide convenient assistance to particularly poor and indigent patients to help them reduce their hospital expenses by covering various patient services and fees.

the province are located at Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City, and Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Go also extended support to several infrastructure projects in each municipality to ensure economic recovery. Projects include the construction of a municipal slaughterhouse and improvement of waterworks system in Inabanga; improvement of road network and construction of roads in Talibon; installation of solar-powered street lights in Getafe; improvement of public market and acquisition of mini-dump truck in Clarin; and construction of a multi-purpose building and concretion of several farm-to-market roads in Buenavista.

Other projects he supported are the construction of multipurpose buildings in Dauis, Loay, Alicia, Anda, Balilihan, Batuan, Danao, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia-Hernandez, Guindulman, Loon, Valencia and Tagbilaran City; construction of evacuation centers in Panglao, Anda, Balilihan, Carmen, Corella, Garcia-Hernandez and Valencia; and improvement of existing roads in Baclayon and Loay, among others.

Senator Go then expressed his gratitude towards the local officials of Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, San Isidro, Inabanga, and Clarin for providing immeasurable service to their constituents and making certain that they are given all the necessary support needed to cope with challenges caused by the pandemic.

“Mga kababayan, magtiwala lang kayo sa inyong gobyerno, magtiwala kayo sa bakuna at magtulungan lang tayo. Sino lang ba ang magtutulungan kung ‘di tayo lang din kapwa nating Pilipino,” Go appealed.

Continuing bayanihan efforts towards economic recovery exemplified as Bong Go, gov’t agencies provide support to residents in Victorias City, Negros Occidental

On Wednesday, September 1, thousands of residents in Victorias City, Negros Occidental were given additional support by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as part of his commitment to help boost the economic recovery of struggling communities amid the ongoing pandemic.

“Mga kababayan ko, nasa krisis po tayo dulot ng COVID-19. Marami po ang nawalan ng trabaho, marami po ang nagsara ng negosyo dahil po sa pagsara ng ekonomiya dahil tumataas po ang kaso. Kaya naman nakikiusap po kami sa inyong kooperasyon upang malagpasan natin ang krisis na kinakaharap,” Go appealed in his video message.

To be able to cater to a total of 6,359 beneficiaries, Go’s outreach team conducted simultaneous distribution activities at Victorias City Coliseum and Victorias City Cultural Center during which health guidelines against COVID-19 were strictly imposed. The recipients were also split into smaller groups to further safeguard them from the threat of the virus.

Go’s team then handed out relief items, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. New pairs of shoes and bicycles were also given to select recipients while others brought home computer tablets for their children’s educational use.

Continuing his message, Senator Go extended his gratitude towards several government agencies for providing additional forms of assistance to further help various sectoral groups overcome challenges caused by the health crisis.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance to each beneficiary while the

anak, magpabakuna na po kayo, parating naman po ang mga bakuna,” Go expressed.

Go then thanked Representative Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Mayor Francis Frederick “Wantan” Palanca, Vice Mayor Jerry “Didi” Jover, and other local officials for going beyond in serving their constituents during these difficult times.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the construction and improvement of a multi-purpose building in the city to help boost its economic development.

Go also supported several projects in the province, such as road maintenance in Bago City, and Bacolod City; construction of a multi-purpose building in Calatrava, and Himamaylan City; construction of Infectious Diseases Wing in Teresita J. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital at Silay City, and many others.

“Importante sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte ang buhay po at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Buhay po natin, pangalagaan po natin. Kalusugan po natin, pangalagaan po natin,” he ended.

Department of Agriculture provided the community with a 30-footer fishing boat. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry determined potential recipients for their Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program. Lastly, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority gave scholarship grants to qualified individuals based on their evaluation.

Carlos Perez, a 66-yearold farmer, shared in an interview how he continues to struggle to make a living since the global pandemic started as there are restrictions in delivering harvested goods to consumers.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa mga tulong na ibinigay ni Senator Bong Go at President Duterte. Natugunan ang mga pangangailangan naming mga mahihirap, may pangtustos na po kami sa mga pang-araw-araw namin,” Perez expressed.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go further offered assistance to residents with health concerns as he encouraged them to visit Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City where there is a Malasakit Center that will assist them with their medical expenses.

The Senator likewise urged residents to get inoculated according to the vaccination program guidelines. Go then reassured that the government continues to get sufficient vaccines to make certain that more Filipinos get their protection against the coronavirus.

“Kung ano ho ‘yung nandiyan na bakuna sa harapan ninyo, magpabakuna na po kayo, magtiwala ho kayo. Kung mahal niyo po ang inyong pamilya, mahal niyo po ang inyong mga

Gov’t responded with urgency as lives were at stake: Galvez

ARRIVAL OF PROTECTIVE GEAR. Philippine Air Force personnel unload the boxes of personal protective equipment that arrived from China in March last year. Vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr. said the government responded with a sense of urgency at the start of the pandemic, as the national government procured coronavirus response supplies, including personal protective equipment for medical workers. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr. said the government responded with a sense of urgency at the start of the pandemic last year, as the national government procured coronavirus response supplies, including personal protective equipment for medical workers. “When the pandemic started, our main objective was to save lives and protect our healthcare workers who are at the forefront of the battle against Covid-19,” Galvez said during an online interview on Wednesday.

“Wala tayong face masks, walang test kits, walang PPE pero ang mga namamatay, parami nang parami (We don’t have face masks, test kits, PPE but more are dying). We needed to bring in the supplies as quickly as possible and in larger volumes,” he added.

Galvez said each medical grade PPE set, priced at PHP1,700, was composed of medical grade cover-all, gloves, head cover, shoe

cover, goggles, N95 mask, surgical mask and surgical gown.

He recalled that when he was designated as NTF chief implementer, they initially intended to procure three million sets, which at the time, would only meet the requirements of Covid referral hospitals.

However, Galvez said the number of hospitals across the country requesting for PPE continued to increase on a daily basis.

“During March and April (2020), nagmamakaawa ‘yung mga ospital dahil wala silang PPE. Walang magamit ang kanilang mga healthcare workers (The hospitals were begging for PPE. Their healthcare workers had nothing to use),” he said.

“With the help of Senator Pia Cayetano, we were able to get the number of PPE we need to procure in order for us to have enough supply to be distributed to the whole country, which is more or less 16 million sets,” Galvez added. Based on the initial evaluation of the capacities of NTF member-agencies, including the Department of Health (DOH), which did not have the manpower to purchase a huge volume of PPE as more than half of its assigned personnel were infected with Covid-19.

Galvez said the NTFResource Management and Logistics Cluster members, including the DOH, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Office of the Civil Defense, and Procurement ServiceDepartment of Budget and Management (PSDBM), convened to ensure that the national government would be able to secure the PPE.

“We looked at domestic production, pero mahina (but it’s minimal). We also asked the private sector for assistance. We inquired with other agencies including the diplomatic corps how we can produce the needed number of PPE,” “Kaya we asked PS-DBM to look for supplies. First, an initial 3 million sets then 6 million or even 10 million sets,” Galvez added.

Lives at stake

When the DBM’s procurement service found a supplier from China that had the capacity to meet the bulk requirement for PPE, the NTF did not waste time in finalizing the deal and arranged the shipment through military aircraft.

“’Yung procurement plan, buong NTF at IATF ‘yan. That was a collective decision kasi nakita natin ‘yung urgency. Kasi kapag hindi pa natin gagawin ‘yon, mas marami pang mamamatay (The procurement plan was the whole NTF and IATF. It was a collective decision because we saw the urgency. Had we not done it, more would have died),” Galvez said.

Galvez said no other company can produce in a few days medical

Galvez

grade PPE.

“That’s why it’s very unfair to be accused that we pre-planned the transfer of funds to PS-DBM. No money was diverted to corruption. How can one think of corruption when people are dying and many have been criticizing that the government is unprepared and slow,” Galvez said.

NTF deputy chief Implementer and testing czar Sec. Vince Dizon added that the transfer of funds from the DOH to the PS-DBM was part of the whole-ofgovernment approach to efficiently respond to the pandemic.

Judicious process

Galvez said the PPE underwent emergency procurement and the payment was processed “judiciously” in observance of existing laws such as Republic Act 9184 and relevant Government Procurement Policy Board issuances in line with RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. The prices of PPE procured by the national government during the pandemic were significantly lower than those purchased by the past administration prior to the health crisis sometime between 2015 and 2016, he added.

The PPE at that time cost PHP3,500 and PHP3,864 per set.

“Nag-research din po kami. ‘Yung PHP1,700 na presyo during this pandemic kung saan kulang na kulang ang supply, kung titignan natin ay napakababa pa. Kulang pa sa kalahati. Kaya napakababa na ng pricing na ito (We did our research. The PHP1,700 price during this pandemic, at a time when supply is limited, when we look at it, is still cheaper, less than half. These are actually lower priced),” he said.

Galvez appealed to the public, including lawmakers, to look at the issues objectively.

“Wala po muna sanang presumption of guilt para makita at matukoy natin kung ano ang naging pagkukulang namin (I hope there is no presumption of guilt so that we can see and determine where we lacked),” Galvez said.

“The NTF and the IATF are willing to listen sa aming mga pagkukulang para amin itong mai-correct (We are willing to listen so that we can correct our mistakes and improve on what we lack). We are in a pandemic and we are asking for unity. We cannot fight this Covid when we are divided,” he added. (PR)

700K Pfizer vaccine intended for regions with high cases: Galvez

LATEST DELIVERY. Airport personnel unwraps= the latest shipment of government-procured Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that arrived Wednesday (Sept. 1, 2021) at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The 703,170 doses of Pfizer vaccine will be distributed to various regions with high coronavirus cases. (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)

The 703,170 doses of government-procured Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that arrived Wednesday night will be distributed to the different regions with high coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, according to the National Task Force Against Covid-19. Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., NTF Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, said areas that have not received a Pfizer vaccine would also get a share of the latest delivery.

“Also, those areas that have never been reached by Pfizer because we want all the municipalities can have that sort of dry run so that when the majority of the Pfizer will come by October -- more or less of which will be delivered each month during October, November, December -- they are already knowledgeable on how to handle critical supplies like the vaccine of Pfizer,” he said in an interview with reporters shortly after the vaccine arrival Wednesday night

at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

Pfizer vaccine requires a subzero storage facility, sensitive handling logistics and also prone to spoilage.

Majority of the vaccine allocation will be given to regions with high Covid-19 cases such as Regions 4-A (Calabarzon), 3 (Central Luzon), 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 7 (Central Visayas), 11 (Davao), 6 (Western Visayas) and 9 (Zamboanga), Galvez added.

He acknowledged the US government, through US Embassy Charges d’Affaires John Law, for helping the Philippines secure the much needed vaccine supply.

“First of all we would like to thank Pfizer for delivering a new supply more than 700,000 plus and we would like to thank the US government for being faithful of really assisting us to have that access and I also want to thank John Law for never missing to be here to receive our deliveries that only represents the strong alliance between the US and the Philippines and the friendship we had since we have have our alliance with the US,” he added.

The government is expecting 25 million vaccine doses to arrive this month from different sources.

READ: Over 137-M doses of Covid vax set to arrive in PH until year-end

Of the latest vaccine shipment, 600,210 arrived via Air HongKong flight LD456 while 51,480 doses arrived in Cebu at 6:35 pm via LD45. The remaining 51,480 doses is expected to arrive in Davao Thursday via Philippine Airlines flight

Contributed photo

PR1811. Law said their government is ready to help the Philippines in fighting the pandemic. “Just like what Secretary Galvez said every time you see a delivery of these vaccines where hundreds of millions of vaccines are coming in, that means hundreds of thousands of Filipinos in a few days are going to be better protected against this pandemic,” he added.

“Secretary Galvez mentioned that we’re allies, the American and Filipino people, we’re also friends, so we continue to do all that we possibly can, working with Secretary Galvez and his team to help the Philippines confront this pandemic,” he added. (PNA/By Ferdinand Patinio)

Vaccination of general public, children at-risk eyed next month

The National Task Force against Covid-19 (NTF) is eyeing to expand the country’s vaccination program to the general public and children with comorbidities by October.

In an interview at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum on Wednesday, NTF chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government is already preparing for the expansion of the vaccine rollout to other sectors of society.

“Kasi mataas na po ang vaccination dito sa Metro Manila ang ginagawa po natin ay nagkaroon na po tayo ng equitable distribution based doon sa unvaccinated population (Because we already have high vaccination rate in Metro Manila, what we are doing is we are having an equitable distribution of jabs based on the unvaccinated population),” said Galvez, also the country’s vaccine czar.

He said administering Covid-19 jabs to healthcare workers (A1), senior citizens (A2), persons with comorbidities (A3), essential workers (A4), and indigent sector (A5) is already open nationwide.

VACCINATION DRIVE. A medical health worker administers the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to a man at the Department of Health-Calabarzon Office at the Quezon Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City on Wednesday (Sept. 1, 2021) during the vaccination of employees and their families. The national government has been ramping up its vaccination drive to achieve mass population protection against Covid-19. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

ng pronouncement na lahat po ng bayan at saka probinsya ay pwede na pong mag-accelerate ng kanilang targeted population from A1 to A5 and we are proposing by October maggeneral population na po tayo (We already had our pronouncement to all towns and provinces that they can start accelerating their vaccination of their targeted population from A1 to A5 and we are proposing to vaccinate the general population by October),” he said.

He said the country might have enough supply of vaccines next month.

“Because we believe by October, mayroon na po tayong (we will have) enough supply [of vaccines] and our volumes are nearing to saturate. That means the demand and also the supply has already been met.

So kailangan mag-open up na po tayo ng additional sector para hindi ma-saturate ang ating mga vaccine (we need to open up to additional sector to prevent vaccine saturation),” he said.

Galvez assured an equitable distribution of Covid-19 jabs in various regions and provinces nationwide.

The government’s primary consideration in the vaccine deployment, he said, is based on the areas’ number of unvaccinated individuals from their target eligible population for the Covid-19 vaccination program. (PNA/ By Lade Jean Kabagani)

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