DUTERTE LEADERSHIP SETS BENCHMARK ON GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR SUCCEEDING ADMIN

It is important to report to the Filipino people the improvements that the country has gained under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar stressed on Wednesday.

Andanar Doing so will set the benchmark for the succeeding administrations and serve as a challenge for them either to continue the legacy of good governance for the public’s welfare or surpass the Duterte administration’s achievements. “Ang Duterte Legacy ay ang communications campaign ng pamahalaan para maipaalala natin sa mga Pilipino kung ano yung mga legasiya ni Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa kanyang anim na taon na panunungkulan [The Duterte Legacy is a communications campaign of the government to remind the Filipino people of the legacies that Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte has made in his six years in office],” he said during this morning’s radio interview.

“Sa mga nakaraang administrasyon, walang naging legacy campaign so minarapat natin na magkaroon tayo nito para magawan natin ng benchmark ng panunungkulan [In the previous administrations, there were no legacy campaigns. We made sure that we have one so that we can set a benchmark in governance],” he added.

Through the communications initiative dubbed as the Duterte Legacy campaign, the PCOO and its attached agencies are currently amplifying the notable accomplishments of the government. It highlights legacies on peace and order, infrastructure

and development, and poverty alleviation, as well as the government’s COVID-19 response.

“Ang dahilan kung bakit natin ni-rollout itong Duterte Legacy is really for the nation to appreciate what the President, what this administration has done for the entire country, at para din bigyan ng sukatan ang Pilipino kung ano dapat at sino ang karapat-dapat na maging susunod na Pangulo sa 2022 [The reason why we rolled out the Duterte Legacy is really for the nation to appreciate what the President, what this administration has done for the entire country, and also to give Filipinos a measure to which they can compare who deserves to be the next president in 2022],” the PCOO chief said.

Given the limitations in physical interactions and gatherings due to the pandemic, Secretary Andanar said that they have strengthened their partnership with various media entities. “The best way to be able to reach the wider Filipino audience and deliver the messages of the President, especially during this pandemic, is through strengthened partnership with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodcaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), who is broadcasting the Laging Handa communications programs that we are undertaking,” he said.

The PCOO chief noted that the Laging Handa Communication campaign, which was created in 2016, prepared the government media in communicating the right information during crisis situations.

This strategy is often used in times of calamities and disasters. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has proven effective in providing timely and accurate information to the public.

It gave birth to various approaches of providing information including initiatives such as the Laging Handa Public Briefing, the Network Briefing News, COVID-19 PH Radio, VAXplainer, Laging Handa Dokyu, among others.

“Pinagsama natin ang government media facilities sa isang direksyon sa ilalim ni Presidente Duterte. Napalakas natin ang Philippine News Agency, PTV, Philippine Information Agency, Bureau of Communications Service, RTVM and the PCOO itself. And we now have broadcast facilities that we never had before [We were able to integrate in one direction our government media facilities under President Duterte. We also strengthened the Philippine News Agency, PTV, Philippine Information Agency, Bureau of Communications Service, RTVM and the PCOO itself],” Secretary Andanar said.

He also said that PCOO will push through with its Duterte Caravan nationwide, alongside the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to personally extend his gratitude to Filipinos who have supported him.

Statement of Secretary Martin Andanar on the 11.8% GDP growth rate of the Philippines for the second quarter of 2021

We are delighted by the 11.8% expansion of our GDP for the second quarter of 2021. This is a good indicator of the strategic balance and management being employed by the Duterte administration in reopening the economy, while responding and addressing the impacts generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With businesses, commerce, and the rest of the private sector ramping up their trade and economic activities, the government will continue its economic recovery policies, programs, and reforms, particularly the three-pillar strategy of accelerating the vaccination program, safely reopening of the economy while strictly adhering to public health protocols, and the full implementation of the recovery package, in order to assist the whole private sector in adapting to the new normal.

As we are now out of recession, for the time being, and our strong economic recovery in 2021 remains prospective, we continue to remind everyone that it’s only by working together and doing our part by observing all health protocols being promulgated by the government that we will be able to maintain the current economic momentum.

We also encourage everyone to participate in the government’s Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, Reintegrate, and Vaccinate (PDITRV) strategy, so that we may fully heal from the COVID-19 pandemic as one nation.

DBM approves P200-M fund for Visayas media hub

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the budget for the construction of another state-of- the-art media facility that will boost the capacity of government media in Visayas.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Thursday that the DBM has already approved the allocation of P200 million for the construction of the Visayas Media Hub.

“We are happy that the President finally approved this shortly after our success in constructing the Mindanao Media Hub, the largest government media facility outside of Metro Manila, and the largest in the country to date, which is under the Duterte administration,” he said during an interview. The Visayas Media Hub will start its construction soon within the 3,000-square meter property of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

Secretary Andanar said that such an initiative would level the field in terms of allocating programs and projects in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It also proves that the government, especially the current administration is stressing the importance of communication to development.

Andanar

“Sa departamento ko masasabi ko na patas ang ating pagpapagawa ng radio station, mga TV station and now we have the Visayas Media Hub that basically will become the biggest media facility in the Visayas [In my department I can say that we have a level playing field in fixing radio stations, TV stations, and now we have the Visayas Media Hub that basically will become the biggest media facility there in the Visayas],” he said.

A Government Communications Academy is also expected to rise in Manolo Fortich Bukidnon soon.

He also emphasized the other policies of the PCOO which support the open governance and free press that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his administration continue to promote, despite criticisms. Adding that these form part of the Duterte administration’s legacies in PCOO.

“This Presidential Task Force on Media Security only happened under the term of President Duterte. And because of this we were able to facilitate serving justice for the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre case,” he said.

He said that this was the reason that the Philippines was removed by French-based Reporters Without Borders from its list of most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.

The PCOO also championed the Freedom of Information, which revitalized civic participation in fighting against corruption. No. 2 which created the Freedom of Information gave us essentially the weapon to open documents under the national government for scrutiny of not just the media but the rest of the Filipino public. It only made the government more transparent in the fight against corruption,” Secretary Andanar said.

He also mentioned the Media Welfare Bill which has already hurdled Congress approval and whose Senate version is currently pending.

Mindanao media hub (File photo)

“For the first time, the PCOO participated in the policymaking process,” he added.

Sec. Andanar: Tangible accomplishments support high approval rating of President Duterte

Detractors, claiming fake news on the rollout of the Duterte Legacy campaign, are welcome to verify the accomplishments of the administration through concerned government agencies and those communities directly benefiting from its programs.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said this on Friday, stressing that these policies and programs support the high approval and trust ratings of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

“We can always verify these. We can visit those piers, airports, and road projects that are now completed. We also have over 21,000 drug cleared barangays, where we can talk to the residents on how they are now living in safer communities,” he said during an interview.

“Siguro naman pwede niyong i-check yung mga classrooms na 150,000 sa DepEd at DPWH. Papaano naging kasinungalingan iyon? Pwede mo ding tingnan sa DBM at NEDA kung magkano ang naging infrastructure spending ng ating pamahalaan. From an average of 2% nung mga nakaraang administrasyon ay halos 5% of GDP. Napakalayo

naman ng sinasabi ng ating detractors [They can also check those 15,000 classroom built through DepEd and DPWH. How is that a lie? They may also verify with DBM and NEDA our country’s infrastructure spending. From an average of 2% from previous administrations, now we have almost 5% of the GDP. It’s even far from what our detractors are claiming],” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has maintained high approval and trust ratings despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a recent independent and noncommissioned survey by the PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. conducted on July 13-19, 2021.

Fifty-eight percent of 1,500 Filipino respondents approve of President Duterte’s work performance, while 55 percent continue to trust the Chief Executive.

Amid the outbreak of the COVID-19, President Duterte’s approval rating rose to 91% based on Pulse Asia survey result released last October 2020.

The Chief Executive also topped on the list of bets for vice president for the 2022 Pulse Asia polls validating the Filipinos’ satisfaction and confidence in his leadership.

Secretary Andanar said that President Duterte’s strong political will remains a great factor in accelerating the country’s economic status through the massive infrastructure projects, socio-economic reforms, and maintaining the peace and order.

He noted that having critics, who can freely express their opinions on any platform, is proof that democracy is alive in the country. “Ganoon talaga ang demokrasya mayroon kritiko. Mayroon ding ibang kritiko na sadyang ayaw tumingin sa mga magandang pagbabagong nangyayari sa ating bansa at gusto lamang paniwalaan ang sariling press release. Kahit andyan na sa harapan ay bulag-bulagan pa rin [That’s how democracy works.

There will always be critics. There are also those critics who intentionally refuse to look at the positive changes that’s happening in our country and would rather believe their own press releases. Even if it is happening right in front of them, they still choose to turn a blind eye],” he said.

Andanar

Manobo tribe in Carmen, Surigao del Sur rebuilds traditional weaving

The Manobo tribe residing in Carmen, Surigao del Sur has expressed their willingness to cooperate with their local government unit to revive traditional weaving.

During the Network Briefing News on Friday, Mayor Jane ValerosoPlaza shared that the LGU visited the tribal community yesterday for its initial discussion of their project in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“Yung mga IP’s dito sa Carmen nawala po sa kanila yung weaving. Matagal-tagal na po na panahon, pero naalala po ng mga

matatanda ngayon [Our IP’s here lost their traditional weaving a long time ago but the adults can still remember the practice],” she told host Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar.

“We are excited kahapon sinabi nila na gusto nilang ibalik yun part of their culture na mag-weave [We are excited because yesterday they told us that they wanted to bring back their tradition of weaving],” she added.

Mayor Valeroso-Plaza said that the indigenous people there were encouraged to join the initiatives of the LGU because this will help add value to their abaca products. Their livelihood project will start in September.

This will boost not only the local culture but tourism as well. Mayor Valeroso-Plaza also mentioned their tourism master plan, which includes the development of a Hubason Adventure Trail.

The LGU is also promoting the national government’s COVID-19 vaccination program to the IP communities. At present, Mayor Valeroso-Plaza said that only 5% of the tribe are vaccinated.

BONG GO

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for recently approving the grant of P3.783 billion assistance to local government units in the National Capital Region, and the provinces of Laguna and Bataan.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko kay Pangulong Duterte sa pag-apruba ng dagdag na tulong pinansyal para sa mga apektadong Pilipino sa LGUs na nasa ECQ ngayon,” said Go. “Kaya bilisan agad dapat ang pagdistribute. Kailangan ito ng mga mahihirap. Nagmamadali tayo dito. Habulan ito — laban kontra COVID-19 at laban sa kagutuman,” he added.

Go reiterated that government should always provide the necessary social protection to low-

Add’l funds for financial aid for ECQaffected areas in NCR, Laguna and Bataan approved; Bong Go urges LGUs to ensure timely and efficient distribution

income families to mitigate the adverse impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 global health crisis.

“Habang nilalabanan natin ang COVID-19, tulungan rin natin ang ating mga kababayan na labanan ang hirap at gutom. Siguraduhin nating walang maiiwan sa ating muling pagbangon,” he said.

This came after the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases reverted the National Capital Region to the most stringent Enhanced Community Quarantine starting last August 6 until August 20. Laguna and Bataan were also placed under the same ECQ status from August 6-15 and August 8-22, respectively. These were intended to contain the further spread of COVID-19 whose spikes in cases are suspected to be caused by the more contagious Delta variant.

“Hindi natin pababayaan ang mga pinakamahirap na nangangailangan ng pantawid habang naka ECQ sa lugar nila. Sila naman ang apektado dito, ang mga ‘isang kahig, isang tuka’, na talagang walang matakbuhan. Ito ang mga umaasa pong lumabas at magtrabaho araw-araw, sila po ang pinakaapektado dito,” he said.

Upon the approval of the President, the Department of Budget and Management will be augmenting the Local Government Support Fund of LGUs amounting to P2.23 billion while another amount of P1.55 billion from excess revenue certified by the Bureau of Treasury will be released through Unprogrammed Appropriations.

The assistance will be released directly to the concerned LGUs which will be in charge of distributing the same to their qualified beneficiaries. Similar to previous assistance granted to LGUs after the successful appeal of Go, the LGUs will be required to submit their Fund Utilization Reports.

Earlier, Go appealed to the national government to grant financial assistance to the lowincome households of the NCR, comprising 80% of the population. President Duterte approved the said recommendation of DBM and National Economic and Development Authority, amounting to P10.894 billion for affected individuals in Metro Manila. The additional funds shall augment this amount in order to match what was provided in March to these LGUs.

“Binabalanse natin ang lahat lalo na ang pagprotekta sa kalusugan at pag-ahon ng ekonomiya. Palagi nating inuuna ang buhay at kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino upang masigurong walang maiiwan tungo sa ating muling pagbangon bilang isang mas matatag na bansa,” Go assured.

Reiterating his appeal to LGUs tasked to disburse the funds, Go urged concerned authorities to quickly put the necessary mechanisms in place in order to prevent any administrative delay in distributing the financial aid to qualified individuals and households.

“Dahil direktang idadownload ang mga pondo sa mga LGUs sa NCR, Laguna at Bataan, ang apela ko naman sa mga lokal na pamunuan ay siguraduhing

maibibigay kaagad ang ayuda sa mga tamang benepisyaryo sa isang maayos, mabilis at ligtas na paraan na walang katiwalian,” he emphasized.

Last March, the Senator had successfully appealed to government to provide assistance to the lowincome residents affected by the imposition of ECQ in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

The national government also provided assistance to the residents of Iloilo province, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City and Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental who had been likewise

affected by ECQ restrictions.

“Nagpapatupad ng ECQ sa mga kritikal na lugar upang maagapan ang problema at maiwasan ang lalong pagkalat ng sakit. Kumbaga, nais nating patayin ang sunog bago ito maging ‘out of control’. Pero kasabay nito ay kailangan din nating maagapan ang hirap at maiwasan ang gutom sa ating mga komunidad,” Go said.

As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, he acknowledged the need for stricter restrictions to curb the spread of new infections. Go, however, stressed that addressing the issues of hunger and poverty is a vital part of any successful mitigation strategy.

“Huwag nating hayaang may mapapabayaan dito. Importante habang tuloy-tuloy ang pagbabakuna ay ‘wag tayo magpakakumpiyansa. Ulitin ko, ‘wag nating sayangin ang momentum ngayon ng ongoing vaccine rollout at sa pagbalanse ng kalusugan at ekonomiya,” stressed Go.

“Pakiusap po, sumunod po tayo sa mga patakaran at magpabakuna na bago maging huli ang lahat. Ang inyong disiplina at kooperasyon ay makakapagligtas ng buhay ng kapwa nating Pilipino. Konting sakripisyo ito katumbas ang mga buhay na mapoproteksyunan natin,” he added.

Go assured that the government is prepared to overcome these challenges as long as Filipinos cooperate and remain united towards the collective goal of protecting lives.

Bong Go extends support to hundreds of microentrepreneurs in Santiago City and Cordon, Isabela

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go assured micro-entrepreneurs that the government is ready to help them overcome the COVID-19 crisis in a video message for a series of relief activities in Santiago City and Cordon, Isabela on Tuesday, August 10.

Go added that the government is working hard to balance their health and safety and need to earn a living, and advised them to use responsibly the assistance they received to improve their families’ lives.

“Mga kababayan, magtulungan at magmalasakit tayo sa ating kapwa. Ginagawa

ng gobyerno ang lahat upang mabalanse ang ekonomiya at ang kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.

“Ngayon, tuturuan at bibigyan kayo ng gobyerno ng puhunan sa pagne-negosyo. Palaguin niyo ang inyong negosyo.

Masarap sa pakiramdam ‘pag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan niyo ang inyong kita. Sana gamitin niyo ito sa tama at dalhin niyo ang kita ninyo sa inyong mga pamilya,” continued Go.

The Senator’s team distributed meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 381 micro-entrepreneurs at the Barangay Rizal Community Center in Santiago City and Kapirpiriwan Community Center in Cordon.

Selected beneficiaries received new pairs of shoes. Others were given bicycles so they can travel to work with ease or computer tablets to help their children with their education.

To offset the financial impacts of the pandemic, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also distributed financial assistance through its Sustainable Livelihood Program to help them engage in and maintain thriving livelihoods. driver. Napakahirap nung nagsimula ang pandemya dahil nagpapagatas pa ako nun. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kukuha ng pera nang natigil ‘yung pasada. Nagpapasalamat ako na kahit papano, may naitulong ang gobyerno sa akin nun. Ginamit ko ‘yun para makapagsimula sa panibagong buhay at bagong negosyo,” said Domingo Lanoria Jr., an online seller from Santiago City.

“Natutuwa ako ngayon dahil mayroon na namang bagong tulong para sa aming nawalan ng trabaho. Idadagdag ko ito sa maliit na negosyo ko para makatulong sa aking

BONG GO

To reduce their risk of having severe symptoms of COVID-19, the Senator offered further assistance to beneficiaries with health-related concerns. He advised them to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers located at the Southern Isabela Medical Center in Santiago City and at the Gov. Faustino N. Dy, Sr. Memorial Hospital in Ilagan City.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where poor and indigent patients may conveniently avail medical assistance from relevant government agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The centers have now benefited more than two million Filipinos nationwide.

“Kamakailan ay naiulat na halos umaabot ng 30% ang pagtaas sa bilang ng mga batang natatamaan ng COVID-19 ayon sa datos ng DOH. Bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Health, ako ay lubhang nababahala kung hindi natin maagapan at magawan ng paraan upang mapigilan ang mabilis na pagtaas ng bilang ng kaso,” continued Go.

“Hirap na nga tayo sa pagkuha ng bakuna para sa may edad dahil sa limitadong supply. Baka kailangang maghanap na naman tayo ng mga bakuna para sa mga menor de edad. Sa patuloy na pananalasa ng mas nakakahawang Delta variant, ako ay umaapela na sundin natin ang mga health protocols,” he appealed.

Ending his message, Go thanked the public officials for their service at this time, specifically 4th District Representative Sheena Tan Dy; Governor Rodolfo Albano III; Vice Governor Faustino Dy III; Santiago City Mayor Joseph Tan; and Cordon Mayor Lynn Zuniega and Vice Mayor Jane Ngipol, among others. To boost infrastructure development and provide more economic opportunities, the Senator has supported the funding of several projects in Santiago City, including the construction of a flood control structure in Barangays Dubinan East, Nabbuan, Sinsayon, and Santo Domingo.

He also supported other initiatives in Isabela province, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings in Cauayan, Echague, Naguilian, Quezon, San Pablo and Ilagan City; construction of bridges in Benito Soliven, Jones, Mallig, Ramon, Reina Mercedes, San Guillermo, San Mariano and Ilagan City; and concreting, upgrading or rehabilitation of existing roads throughout the province.

The previous day, August 9, Go’s team distributed aid to 500 typhoon victims in Mallig. The activities were conducted in batches to ensure strict adherence to the governmentissued health and safety procotols against COVID-19.

BONG GO

Bong Go continues aid for vulnerable groups in Bohol, this time in Danao and Loboc, in response to the needs of communities in crisis

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in the midst of the continuing COVID-19 outbreak, appealed for more support for vulnerable populations, particularly victims of disasters, as his team arranged a series of events for atrisk families in Bohol on Tuesday, August 10.

At the towns’ respective municipal gyms, his team gave meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 1,244 individuals from several sectors. Some of the recipients received new shoes, while others received bicycles. Others received tablet computers to assist their children in accessing educational resources.

“Salamat po kay Senator Bong Go sa aking natanggap na bisikleta,” said James Rortiso, one of the beneficiaries.

Dionesia Piacbet, a beneficiary from Loboc, also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte, Go, and the rest of the government for the assistance she received, saying “Sa ngayon, caretaker ako ng isang bahay ng foreigner. Talagang ang hirap (dahil sa pandemya) dahil pati trabaho, wala.”

“Solid talaga kaming Duterte at kay Bong Go,” she added.

Financial support was separately distributed by personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Potential beneficiaries for the Department of Trade and Industry’s and

the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s respective support programs were also assessed.

The Senator, who is also the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, advised persons who are eligible for immunization to register and get their shots so they can protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

“Mga kababayan, nag-umpisa na po ang pagbabakuna ng mga senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, economic frontliners at mga indigent. Magpabakuna na kayo para protektado kayo at maiiwasan niyo ang mga grabeng sintomas ng COVID-19. Huwag magkumpiyansa at may mas delikadong variant na tinatawag na Delta variant,” said Go.

“Halos araw-araw, tumataas ang kaso sa buong Pilipinas dahil mabilis na kumalat ang variant na ito. Kaya pakiusap namin ni Presidente Duterte, kailangan namin ang kooperasyon ninyo.

Ginagawa ang lahat ng ito ng gobyerno para sa kapakanan ninyo,” he continued.

Individuals with health problems were offered medical assistance by the Senator. He urged them to seek assistance if needed at the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City or the Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay, which both have fully operational Malasakit Centers.

Go authored and sponsored the bill that became Republic Act No. 11463, known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, after securing a seat in the Senate in 2019.

The measure, which was signed into law by the President in December 2019, brings together all of the government agencies that provide medical aid to poor and impoverished patients under one roof. The DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Ending his remarks, Go recognized and thanked various local officials for their leadership and commitment to help constituents overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those were 2nd District Representative Aris Aumentado; 3rd District Representative Kristine Tutor; Governor Arthur Yap; Vice Governor Rene Relampagos; Danao Mayor Joe Cepedoza and Vice Mayor Al Vitor; Mayor Leon Calipusan and Vice Mayor Bebot Sumampong; and many more.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go continues to support infrastructure development around the country to improve public service delivery and provide more economic opportunities. For Bohol, he pushed for the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Dauis, Loay, Alicia, Anda, Balilihan, Batuan, Buenavista, Danao, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia-Hernandez, Guindulman, Loon, Valencia and Tagbiliran City; construction or improvement of evacuation centers in Panglao, Anda, Balilihan, Carmen, Corella, Garcia-Hernandez and Valencia; and improvement of existing roads in Baclayon and Loay.

He also supported the construction of slaughterhouses in Loay and Inabanga; improvement of the public markets in Bilar, Clarin, Cogon, Lila and Sagbayan; and construction of a fish port in Jagna, among others.

On August 9, Go also distributed assistance to 943 beneficiaries at the Panglao Cultural Center, Dauis municipal gym and Barangay Baluarte covered court in Baclayon. They also provided the same aid to 248 storm surge victims at the Loay municipal gym.

Each activity was conducted in batches to ensure strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

Government listening to experts and adapting to Delta threat, says

Nograles be effective in preventing cases from ballooning.”

The country has overcome spikes in COVID-19 cases before, and it will do so again by listening to health experts and adapting accordingly.

This according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who on Monday said that the government had decided to institute the stringent restrictions beginning Friday, August 6, as it had anticipated a possible increase in COVID cases due to the virus’ more virulent Delta variant.

Nograles, co-chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), agreed with assessments that the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila was timely, |August 7-13, 2021

Nograles

and credited the vigilant monitoring of COVID variants by the Department of Health (DOH), as well as the ability of the government to quickly act on its recommendations, for the appropriate interventions now being implemented to prevent further increases in the number of cases.

“Given what we know about the Delta variant, the increases in the cases the past few days and the increase in the positivity rate were not unexpected, and we understood that if decisive steps were not taken there would even be more cases,” said Nograles. Nograles said “we hope the public recognizes that such steps are necessary at this point, and that these circuitbreaker quarantines have been proven in the past to The OCTA research group has commended the government for taking swift action to address the increase in COVID cases, and said that if the decision to implement the ECQ was delayed to Aug. 15, “NCR would have breached 4,500 new cases per day, which would likely extend the lockdown and cause more negative impact on people and the economy.”

Nograles reissued a call he had made at the beginning of the pandemic, appealing to the public to leave their homes only for essentials.

“Bahay muna, buhay muna. This is even more important now given how this Delta variant works,” stressed the Palace official.

“At kung kailangan lumabas, wag kalimutan mag face mask at face shield. With the cooperation of the public, we were able to reduce the number of cases before and we were able to loosen the restrictions to allow more economic activity,” he added.

“Nagawa natin dati sa tulong at kooperasyon ng ating mga kababayan, at magagawa natin yan muli.” Caraga INFOCUS

Gordon

Senator Richard J. Gordon, co-author of Senate Bill No. 2272 or An Act Amending Section 27 (B) of the National Internal Revenue Code, pushed for the immediate passage of the measure to guarantee stability of the country’s education and to help private learning institutions survive during the pandemic.

Sen. Gordon “We support the urgent enactment of the bill as we realize the fundamental role of education as an element of social and economic development. We must ensure that the education sector is stable especially now that we currently face a health crisis to avert long-term disruptions of the education system,” he said.

Gordon stressed that the 25% tax rate imposed on Proprietary Educational Institutions will make many private schools at risk of closure as they are struggling with their financial condition since last year because of COVID-19.

“We want to help them recover from their financial downturn that’s why under the CREATE Law, we reduced the 10% special tax rate imposed on proprietary educational institutions to 1% until June 30, 2023,” Gordon said.

“The current health crisis and the slow economic recovery are exacerbating the Philippine education system. We are endorsing the immediate passage of SBN 2272 as we support the development of our children by making sure that schools operate and recover from their economic losses and we believe that education is the most important tool for accelerating human resources,” he added.

On August 9, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), an umbrella organization of 2,500 educational and learning institutions in the country, called for a timely intervention of the Senate and expressed hope that it will soon pass SB 2272 granting preferential tax rates to educational institutions amid the pandemic.

Gordon backs urgent passage of bill granting preferential tax rates on private schools

Latest Pfizer delivery for areas with high Covid-19 cases

The bulk of governmentprocured Pfizer vaccine that arrived Wednesday night is intended for distribution to areas with high coronavirus cases, an official of the National Task Force Against Covid-19 said.

A total of 813,150 doses arrived in the country via Air Hongkong flight LD456 at around 8:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The delivery is the biggest shipment of Pfizer vaccine so far to the country.

NTF Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr., who welcomed the vaccine arrival, said the vaccine would be distributed in areas with reported cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant. “Pfizer vaccines will be distributed to the surge areas especially to the highly urbanized centers including the NCR,” he said in a press briefing.

The shipment was the third batch of Pfizer vaccines procured by the Philippine government. The first delivery arrived on July 21 with a total of 562,770 doses while the second batch arrived in the country last July 26 with 375,570 doses.

Galvez thanked the US government for the supply of the vaccines. government for giving us the large volume, one of the largest volume shipment that we had together with the 3.2 million of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) that many areas geographically, isolated and challenging areas were given most of the dosage of the J&J and Moderna. So this Pfizer vaccines will be given, as I’ve said to the NCR and other urbanized centers,” he said.

The latest vaccine delivery brings to almost 40 million doses the total number of vaccines in the Philippines, Galvez said.

US Embassy Charges d’Affaires John Law and NTF Against Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

“We have now 39.5 million and we are reflecting to have more and we are very thankful that Pfizer is one of our manufacturers that really provided us early deliveries,” he added.

US Embassy Charges d’Affaires John Law, who was also present during the vaccine arrival, vowed to support the country in its fight against the deadly virus by providing more vaccines. to see the vaccines continuing to arrive in large numbers in the Philippines. As you know we’ve been working very closely with Secretary Galvez and his outstanding team they are doing extraordinary work to bring as many vaccines as quickly as possible into the Philippines to help ensure the widest possible access,” he said.

“We really believe that the path out of this pandemic is to provide as many vaccines as possible and the United States, as I mentioned at the arrival last week is determined to do all that it can to support the Philippines in these efforts and we’re just so pleased to see the extraordinary results of Secretary Galvez’s excellent work,” Law added.

The country uses several vaccines including Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Pfizer, Moderna and J&J. The first delivery of Sinopharm also arrived in the Philippines Wednesday. (PNA/Ferdinand Patinio)

NTF strengthens crisis action plan vs. emerging Covid-19 variants

CRISIS ACTION PLAN. National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 Chairperson and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana updates Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on Monday (Aug. 9, 2021). Lorenzana said the NTF has ramped up its pandemic response strategies to further prevent the spread of coronavirus variants of concerns in the country. (Presidential photo by Robinson Niñal)

The National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 has ramped up its pandemic response strategies to further prevent the spread of coronavirus variants of concerns in the country. Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, who is also NTF chairperson, reported that the government has established a controlled community transmission and system capacity to prevent the emerging Covid-19 strains.

“Ito po crisis action plan ay magiging batayan natin para mapaghandaan at pigilan ang pagtaas ng kaso ng Covid-19 Delta variant (This crisis action plan will be our basis to prepare and prevent the increase of Covid-19 Delta variant cases),” Lorenzana said during the pre-recorded Talk to the People of President Rodrigo Duterte aired Monday night.

Under the crisis action plan, Lorenzana said the government will implement contingency operations to prepare for the possible spike of Covid-19 cases due to the emerging variants of concerns, such as the Delta variant.

cluster of the task force is ordered to continue implementing their assigned responsibilities, he noted.

The government has restructured the aligned policy operations of the task force focusing on the response strategies to contain new Covid-19 variants.

Lorenzana said they have intensified the operations of the response cluster focusing the government’s strategies on three aspects including communities, international borders, and health facilities.

The government has established a four-door strategy for Covid-19 control.

The Door 1 strategy or the ‘point of origin’ pushes limited movements through travel bans and restrictions will be implemented.

The Door 2 strategy or the ‘point of entry’ wherein the screening, quarantine, and testing of inbound and outbound travelers will be intensified.

The Door 3 strategy or the ‘point of care’ wherein the government will further ramp up the existing Prevent-DetectIsolate-Test-Reintegration strategy accompanied with the aggressive nationwide vaccination program.

Lorenzana said the government will also push further the community-based active case finding and immediate isolation of those with exposure or symptoms to contain local transmission of Covid-19 infections.

He emphasized the proactive implementation of stricter measures can be a solution to prevent the possible devastating Covid-19 situation due to the Delta variant.

Lorenzana urged the public to intensify their own protection by strictly adhering to the imposed health and safety protocols.

“Ano man pong variant ang makapasok sa bansa, ang minimum public standards ay dapat laging nandyan at magpapatuloy din ang pagababakuna (Whatever variants will enter in the country, the public should observe minimum public standards as the government will boost its vaccination program),” he said. (PNA/Lade Jean Kabagani)

Delta, common Covid-19 cases have similar symptoms: DOH

It is impossible to distinguish Delta variant cases from regular Covid-19 infections based on symptoms as they have similar common flu-like manifestations.

In its latest public advisory Sunday, the Department of Health (DOH) noted that the variant first detected in India has the same indications -- headache, sore throat, runny rose, and fever.

The mutated Delta variant, however, is more transmissible, evades immunity protection, and reduces antibody neutralization.

“Viruses naturally undergo mutations as they reproduce. Some mutations might not have significant effects, but other mutations may make the virus more transmissible,” the DOH stated.

Noting that a Delta variant case can infect up to eight persons, the DOH said it has contributed to increasing cases nationwide, together with the Alpha variant which can infect three at the most and the Beta variant that is known to infect four to five persons.

Getting infected can be avoided through the strict observance of minimum public health standards like proper wearing of masks and face shields, frequent handwashing and sanitizing, physical distancing of at least one meter, and proper ventilation. to do self-isolation upon experiencing symptoms and seek early consultation.

“Get vaccinated when it’s your turn and complete the required doses,” the agency advised.

While further studies are needed to determine vaccine efficacy against the Delta variant, the DOH emphasized that data show fully vaccinated individuals are protected from the severe symptoms of Covid-19 that lead to hospitalization or death.

So far, the country has confirmed 450 Delta variant cases, with all 17 cities and town in Metro Manila with at least one case. (PNA/ Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

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