12 minute read
ADVANCING BUSINESS CLIMATE IN MINDANAO
“MinDA expresses its support and commitment to PCCI as you continue to promote and sustain investments in Mindanao, mobilize resources, and align private investments with the government’s critical programs and projects needed to address the island’s peace and development imperatives. Further, as you discuss priorities and roadmap of the PCCI – Mindanao, may you consider areas of collaborations such as climate change adaptation, disaster resilience, balancing growth and environmental preservation, agriecozones development, renewable energy, adequate transport and logistics, and changes occurring in the vast regional market like the BIMP-EAGA.”
- MinDA Secretary Maria Belen Sunga Acosta as Guest Speaker during the 1st General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) – Mindanao.
Advertisement
NATIONAL NEWS
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with key government officials at the Malacañan Palace on February 28, 2022. KARL ALONZO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Interior chief: Thousands of lives saved by President Duterte’s resolute COVID-19 measures
Up to 200,000 lives were spared from the deadly coronavirus disease because of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s swift measures through the imposition of hard lockdown on Metro Manila and other cities throughout the country at the height of the pandemic, said Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, citing statistical reports.
“Sa panahon pong noon ay wala talaga tayong healthcare facilities at natatandaan ko mga 1,500 lang ‘yung ating test kit at panahon po na ‘yun talagang pumasok po ‘yung tinatawag natin na surge and you made the decision. Your decision, Mr. President, saved probably a hundred thousand lives. And, yes, other says 200,000 lives,” Secretary Año said in his report to President Duterte on government’s COVID-19 interventions aired Tuesday morning.
Año says having the alert level in NCR and
other cities lowered to Alert Level 1, which is deemed the lowest risk level, is “very historic” particularly after the Philippines battled more contagious variants of COVID-19 in the last two years.
The local government units, Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcers, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the national government agencies, among others, are ready to implement the Alert Level 1, according to the interior secretary.
Cities placed under Alert Level 1 can gradually return to normal with eased travel restrictions, 100 percent workforce, face-to-face classes, and more.
Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar, who also attended the meeting, said President Duterte’s support to the Palace’s media arm has contributed greatly to its successful COVID-19 information campaign. It aided the successful implementation of public health measures such as wearing of face masks, social distancing, frequent handwashing and disinfection, among others.
“Malaki po ang papel ng komunikasyon para sa epektibong pagpapatupad ng ating COVID-19 response. Tulad ng inyo pong ‘Talk to the People,’ napakalaking bagay po nito upang mabigyan ang publiko ng tunay na estado at sitwasyon mula noon hanggang ngayon,” he said.
President Duterte first placed Luzon including Metro Manila under enhanced community
Secretary Eduardo Año
quarantine (ECQ) in March 2020 to prevent the coronavirus from spreading further. Other cities were also placed in lockdown.
The Duterte government has allotted a total of P200-billion worth of aid for low-income households, farmers, and fisherfolk, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which was considered the biggest and widest social protection program in Philippine history.
The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded on March 1 a total of 3,661, 997 COVID-19 cases with 3,553, 367 recoveries and 56,451 deaths. PND
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with key government officials at the Malacañan Palace on February 28, 2022. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Next president must have the resolve to fight illegal drugs, says President Duterte Fearing the resurgence of illegal drugs in the country, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte hopes his successor will continue the fight against the proliferation of illicit narcotics, which he said continues to threaten the country especially the young generation of Filipinos.
“Itong drugs, I hope that whoever would sit as president would continue the --- if not, the ferocity that I did and I accept it maski lang naman sana ‘yung ano ka a little lower than my standard kasi talagang sisirain ang bayan nating ito. I’m so worried about the resurgence of drug problem,” President Duterte said during his Talk to the People aired on Tuesday. “I just hope that somebody maybe kung hindi ‘yung talagang presidente would find the resolve to just continue with the drive against drug because I said it will destroy our country. It will really destroy our country.”
President Duterte said he does not care about the International Criminal Court (ICC), stressing what bothers him is the continued threat posed by the drug problem in the country.
The government must protect the next generation, he said, arguing future generations of Filipinos “will have a serious problem in their hands,” if the current administration failed to act.
“Kung ganito katindi ngayon ng pamamalakad nila --- I’m addressing the nation --- kung hindi mo sabayan ng katindi rin ng iyong resolve, eh matatalo talaga,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, in his latest report to the President, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said law enforcers conducted 1,230 anti-illegal drug operations despite the pandemic.
This resulted in the arrest of 1,658 individuals, with 26 drug offenders surrendering to authorities, and a suspect being killed during the antiillegal drug operations.
In total, authorities confiscated P159.8 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), marijuana, ecstacy, and mogadon. PND
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with key government officials prior to his “Talk to the People” at the Malacañan Palace on February 28, 2022. KARL ALONZO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
PH ready to return to ‘normal’ after massive immunization-vaccine czar
The Philippines is gearing up to gradually return to normal exactly a year after the country began its COVID-19 vaccination drive, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Monday night, calling the milestone “historic”.
“The National Capital Region, together with 38 areas, will begin the roadmap to the new normal starting tomorrow, exactly one year after we started the vaccination program…
Napakagandang historic event, after one year, magde-declare na po tayo ng Alert Level 1,” Secretary Galvez said in his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting on government’s COVID-19 interventions.
The population is expected to enjoy eased travel restrictions, more jobs, and face-to-face classes, among others, as the nation continues to build up and strengthen its “wall of immunity” against the deadly coronavirus disease through vaccination and boostering, said Galvez.
He, however, clarified that the government should continue to monitor and guide the public on how to selfregulate and manage the health situation, noting that the populace will have to learn to live with the virus.
Galvez, who is also the National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer, said on the remaining months of President Duterte’s term, they will continue to focus on immunizing the remaining unvaccinated elderly population and minors to build up the vulnerable sector’s resilience against the respiratory disease. He also allayed concerns on vaccine supply, saying that at present, the Philippines has around 90 million doses of coronavirus vaccines stored in cold chain storage facilities and pediatric vaccine doses are scheduled to be delivered in the coming months.
The vaccine czar also expressed his gratitude to the local government units (LGUs), Department of Health (DOH), National Vaccination Operation Center (NVOC), National Task Force Against COVID-19, the private sector, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) for working hand-in-hand with the government in ensuring that the vaccination drives remain safe and efficient.
Galvez likewise thanked other countries, foreign partners and bilateral allies, and the World Health Organizationled COVAX facility for donating vaccines and vaccine supplies to the Philippines.
Meanwhile, President Duterte lauded Galvez for all his efforts as vaccine czar and NTF COVID-19 chief implementer.
“Any superior would be very happy to have you pero lahat naman kayo eh. I could not have chosen better men, actually,” he said. PND
Keep focus on pandemic amid global issues: US diplomat
DONATED JABS. US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava (right) and Undersecretary Isidro Purisima, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Security (center) welcome the arrival of 769,680 doses of Pfizer vaccines donated by the American people on Monday (Feb. 28, 2022). Variava says the public should remain focused on the pandemic. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)
Amid global issues, the United States Embassy in Manila said the people should remain focused on addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“I’d like to emphasize that even as the world is worried about global events, and we face serious challenges around the world, the United States remains focused on the pandemic and how we can fight it with partners like the Philippines,” Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava said during the arrival of 769,680 doses of Pfizer vaccines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday night.
Variava’s remarks came in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has drawn international condemnation with the US and some countries imposing sanctions against Moscow that might affect the global supply chain.
This brings the total number of donated Covid-19 vaccines by the American people to over 29 million, she said.
Variava noted that even as parts of the Philippines begin to shift to Alert level 1 starting March 1, and the number of Covid-19 cases is decreasing, the pandemic is still something that should be given focus as people head to the “new normal”.
Also at the arrival of the vaccine doses was Undersecretary Isidro Purisima of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Security.
He said it has been a year since the government started its vaccination program, and also thanked the support of international partners such as the United States and the Covax facility.
Purisima once again urged the public to get inoculated. “I’m encouraging our people, especially the vulnerable sector, to get vaccinated (against Covid-19). Get their boosters, so we could reopen our economy,” he said.
At least 80 percent of seniors should be inoculated by the local government before their area can be put under Alert Level 1 status. (PNA/ Ma. Cristina Arayata)
Go urges gov’t to expand vax rollout in far-flung communities
The government must continue to intensify efforts to improve the Covid-19 vaccination rate by reaching out to remote areas.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chair of the Committee on Health, said in a news release on Sunday that it can be done through mobile and house-tohouse vaccination and inoculation in pharmacies and medical clinics.
Go likewise stressed there should be a nationwide campaign dissemination on the need to receive booster shots.
“Kailangan ding palakasin ng pamahalaan ang pagpapalaganap ng mga impormasyon tungkol sa importansya ng booster shot para sa pangmatagalan at dagdag na proteksyon laban sa (The government must strengthen information dissemination on how booster shots provide additional and longer protection against) Covid-19,” Go said.
INCLUSIVE. Residents in the mountain village of Pulangbato in Cebu City avail of Covid-19 jabs in this December 2021 photo. The government is ramping up vaccination efforts by making sure even remote areas will have access to jabs. (Photo courtesy of Cebu City PIO) He said such efforts will support the National Task Force Against Covid-19’s goal to provide 72.16 million booster doses to the adult population and to vaccinate the remaining 3 million senior citizens and those with comorbidities.
Workers and students should be vaccinated as more businesses and schools gradually reopen, Go said. “Para sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan at sektor ng ating lipunan, hinihiling ko na aktibo silang makilahok sa isinasagawang (Government agencies and other sectors of society must participate actively in the) vaccine rollout,” he said, specifically citing the crucial role of local government units to increase the inoculation rate.
As of February 24, the country has already administered 135,251,295 vaccine doses, with some 63.01 million Filipinos with complete shots. While expressing relief over declining Covid-19 cases in the country, Go said vaccination is the only key to end the pandemic. (PR)
63M adults fully vaxxed; 663K in 5-11 age group with 1st dose
More than 63 million Filipinos are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19 while 663,384 children aged 5 to 11 have the first dose, the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) reported on Saturday.
NVOC chair and Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the total fully vaccinated Filipinos represent 70 percent of the government’s 90 million population target and 80 percent of the total population.
The government targets to fully inoculate at least 70 million Filipinos by March and 90 million by June this year. About 9.7 million have likewise received booster or additional doses.
National Task Force Against Covid-19 Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said one of the immediate concerns is to make sure the vulnerable sector has enough protection
BRAVE. A girl watches her younger brother being injected with the reformulated Pfizer Covid-19 jab for the 5-11 age group at a mall in Taytay, Rizal on Feb. 15, 2022. As of the February 26 data, a total of 663,384 in the youngest age group have received at least one dose. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon) against Covid-19 infection.
In his recent report, Galvez said only 69.31 percent of the senior population have acquired at least two doses.
“We will continue to concentrate on the remaining three million senior citizens and with those with comorbidities,” he said.
Galvez said the conduct of house-to-house Covid-19 vaccination will be enhanced to reach more vaccinees.
Some local government units provide transportation services for senior citizens and those with comorbidities to reach inoculation sites.
The country has received 224,823,360 Covid-19 vaccines doses as of February 18, both procured and donated. (PNA/ Lade Jean Kabagani)
Regional Office
Jose Rosales Avenue, Butuan City piacaraga@gmail.com; pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph (085) 341-5285; (085) 815-1991 Philippine Information Agency Caraga @PIACaraga
Information Centers
AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Jose Rosales Avenue, Butuan City (085) 815-1991 pia.northagusan@gmail.com PIA Agusan del Norte
AGUSAN DEL SUR
Provincial Government Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur 0917-723-3455 pia.agusandelsur@yahoo.com.ph PIA Agusan del Sur
SURIGAO DEL NORTE/DINAGAT ISLANDS
Parrucho corner Magallanes St., Surigao City (086) 826-9450 piasurigao@gmail.com PIA Surigao del Norte; PIA Dinagat Islands
SURIGAO DEL SUR
Old DPWH Bldg., Telaje, Tandag City (086) 211-3353 piasurigaosur@gmail.com; sds_pia@yahoo.com.ph PIA Surigao del Sur
