THIRD AND FINAL READING AT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GOVERNMENT ASSURES EQUITABLE ACCESS TO COVID VACCINE - SECRETARY ANDANAR

GOVERNMENT ASSURES EQUITABLE ACCESS TO COVID VACCINE - SECRETARY ANDANAR

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Friday said the national government is committed to providing equitable access and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine for the vulnerable sectors. During the Pagdu-aw sa Dumaguete: Explain Explain, Explain Town Hall Meeting, Secretary Andanar underscored that the year 2021 will be a notable year, saying that the Filipino people will witness one of the biggest roll-out of vaccines in the country. “As we move forward this 2021, the government is set to roll out the National COVID-19 vaccination program by the 3rd or 4th week of February,” he said, as he bared that high-risk metropolitan areas of the National Capital Region (NCR), Cebu, and Davao will be the pilot area for the vaccine inoculation. He assured that priority will be given to frontline healthcare workers, senior citizens, and the indigents. He clarified that the government has a “menu of vaccines” under negotiations to be able to meet the targeted 70 million Filipinos to be immunized. With this, two million Filipinos are expected to be vaccinated already by April 2021. “The government does not have any policy which favors a specific vaccine brand or country from which it originates. With our current negotiations, we have ensured that we will receive at least 137 million doses and this may expand to 172 million doses by next year,” he said. Together with key agencies, Office of the Presidential Assistant for

the Visayas (OPAV), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and various local government units, the town hall meeting aims to increase the level of confidence and acceptance of Filipinos on the vaccines eyed to be procured by the national government starting this February. In press conference, Secretary Andanar also reiterated that local government units are allowed to purchase doses of vaccines from their local appropriations given that they are coordinated with the National Task Force against COVID-19. The PCOO chief clarified this in line with the Dumaguete LGU’s announcement on allocating P30 million for the purchase of COVID vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Authority (FDA). Its inoculation process will also be aligned with the national government’s vaccination roadmap priority list. “It depends on the LGU whether they would want to purchase their own vaccines. But rest assured that the government has the budget to implement the vaccination program nationwide,” he said.

PCOO EYES MORE INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS, GOV’T MEDIA FACILITIES FOR 2021

The public can expect more information dissemination campaigns from the government as the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), along with its attached agencies, maintains its commitment to keep Filipinos informed, especially this pandemic, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said Thursday. Secretary Andanar assured that PCOO will continue to give priority to its Laging Handa Information and Communications Campaign, which has been proven vital in collating facts and addressing the information gaps through conducting virtual pressers and connecting the public directly to concerned agencies and government offices. “Para sa taong 2021, patuloy na bibigyan ng prayoridad ng PCOO ang ating Laging Handa Information and Communications Campaign. Ito ay upang tuluy-tuloy nating masiguro sa publiko na maayos at epektibong napapangasiwaan ng ating gobyerno ang sitwasyon ng COVID-19, pati na rin ang vaccination program sa ating bansa [For 2021, the PCOO continues to prioritize our Laging Handa Information and Communications Campaign. This is so we can continue in assuring the public that the government is on top of the COVID-19 situation and of the vaccination program in our country],” he said. He noted that part of the campaign is also disseminating and reiterating the need to observe health protocols and precautionary measures, dispelling false information, advocating for preparedness and vigilance, and harnessing solidarity through participatory governance, among others. Secretary Andanar committed that the agency will also continue producing more short films and documentaries depicting how Filipinos and frontline workers have adapted to the new normal. “Ang mandato sa amin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte ay mas lalo pang paigtingin ang aming pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon sa publiko tungkol sa mga programa at proyekto ng ating gobyerno, lalo na sa pagsisimula natin ng COVID-19 vaccination program sa bansa [We are mandated by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to further intensify our communication and information dissemination to the Filipino public of the government’s programs and projects, especially as we roll out the COVID-19 vaccination program in the country],”

he said. “Ito ay bahagi pa rin ng pag-adapt sa tinatawag na ‘new normal,’ habang tinutupad natin ang naipangakong tunay na pagbabago sa bawat Pilipino [This is also as we further adapt to the new normal, while delivering true and real change promised to every Filipino],” he added. He also bared plans of the agency to establish more government media facilities that would allow public information officers from local and national government to be more equipped in addressing information gaps in their respective communities. The project to construct a Government Strategic Communications Academy in Bukidnon is expected to commence this year. This will serve as an avenue for communications and leadership trainings, not only for government and media workers, but also youth leaders. With the Mindanao Media Hub in place and already operational, the PCOO is now eyeing to establish the Visayas Media Hub. “Sa pag-adapt natin sa new normal, kami sa PCOO ay magpapatuloy sa pagbibigay ng mga mahahalagang impormasyon sa ating mga kababayan tungkol sa mga programa at polisiya ng ating gobyerno, sa pamamagitan ng lahat ng aming mga platform [As we adapt to the new normal, we in the PCOO will continue to inform and communicate all programs and policies of the government, through all of our platforms, for the benefit of all Filipinos],” he said. “Sa ngalan ng buong administrasyong Duterte, nais naming ipaalam sa publiko na walang tigil sa pagsisikap ang ating gobyerno upang mas lalo pang mapaganda ang mga serbisyo para sa mga mamamayan at mapabuti ang kalidad ng pamumuhay ng mga Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng tuluytuloy na mga reporma sa imprastraktura, socioeconomic programs, at kapayapaan at seguridad [On behalf of the whole administration, we want the public to know that the government is hard at work to further improve all social services and the people’s standard of living through continued reforms on infrastructure, socio-economic programs, and peace and security],” he added.

ANDANAR: EDSA DECONGESTION PROGRAM SEEN TO CREATE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES, SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH

P r e s i d e n t i a l Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin M. Andanar emphasized that on top of the national government’s proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Decongestion Program continues. The program aims to ease traffic along Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare to spur economic growth and create more opportunities for the Filipino people. “Habang tayo’y nananatili sa ilalim ng pandemya, ang isang inaasahan ay ang pagpapatuloy ng infrastructure projects. At bakit nga naman hindi? Bukod sa kanilang dulot na benepisyo, ang bawat daan, tulay at gusali na gagawin ngayon ay magbibigay ng trabaho sa mga mamamayan at tutulong sa pagpapasigla ng ating ekonomiya [While we are dealing with the pandemic, the infrastructure projects are expected to continue for the benefit of the Filipino people. Every road, bridge, or building we build will provide jobs for our people, and help our economy to recover],” said Sec. Andanar during the Cabinet Report sa Teleradyo on Friday, January 15, 2021. “ N a k i k i t a natin ngayon ang kahalagahan ng infrastructure projects sa decongestion ng EDSA, pati na rin sa paghahanda laban sa mga natural disasters natin. Kaya nga isa sa mga pangunahing pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng pamahalaan ay ang Build Build Build at kita ang benepisyo nito sa EDSA decongestion [We can now see the importance of these infrastructure projects in the decongestion of EDSA, as well as in preparing for natural disasters. That is why one of the main priorities of the national government is the Build Build Build Program, and we can see its benefits in decongesting EDSA],” he

added. According to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar, the Duterte administration’s infrastructure projects under its Build Build Build Program generated over 1.6 million constructionrelated jobs. “The economy is about connectivity. If you cannot move products and goods, hindi rin sisigla ang ekonomiya. ‘Yun ang naging problema natin. Bumabagal ang economic development dahil parang may bara. So ‘yun ang ginagawa natin ngayon. We’re bypassing all these blockages so in effect the economy...mas freeflowing, mas malaki ‘yung growth [The economy is about connectivity. If you cannot move products and goods, there will be no economic growth. That’s the problem. The economic development is slow because there are blockages. So that’s what we are doing now. We’re bypassing all these blockages so in effect, we can have a freeflowing economy, with a much bigger growth,” Sec. Villar said. Sec. Villar said that while the capacity of EDSA is only for 280,000 cars per day, there were more than 400,000 cars passing through it every day before the EDSA Decongestion Program. Now, around 120,000 cars per day are expected to be rerouted, bringing EDSA back to its original capacity. “Nung pumasok kami, nakita namin na napakalaki ng losses natin dahil sa traffic sa EDSA. Isa ito sa mga problema na tinarget ni President Duterte na tapusin sa administrasyon niya [When we came in, we saw the huge (economic) losses because of the traffic in EDSA. This is one of the problems that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte aimed to end under his administration,” said Sec. Villar. “Gumawa na kami ng masterplan. At ngayon, years later, makikita na natin ‘yung resulta ng plano dahil ito pong EDSA kapag nadecongest siya, lalaki po ‘yung opportunities ng ating mga kababayan para magkatrabaho, at economically mas sisigla ang ating bansa. Kapag sumigla ang ating bansa, siyempre mas dadami ang opportunities and siyempre giginhawa din ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan [We created a masterplan. And now, years later, we can already see the result of this plan because when EDSA is decongested, there will be more job opportunities for the people and there will be economic growth. When the country’s economy grows, there will be a lot of opportunities and, of course, it will make life more comfortable for the people,” he added. Furthermore, Sec. Villar said that they have already completed three major infrastructure projects that are part of the EDSA decongestion program. These are the Laguna Lake Highway from Bicutan to Taytay, the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, which allows trucks from the port to go to NLEX without passing through the streets of Metro Manila, and the 18.30-km Metro Manila SkyWay Stage 3, an elevated expressway that connects Buendia, Makati City to the North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak, Quezon City.

With the anticipated roll out of the national COVID-19 vaccination program, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and its attached agency, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), have started incorporating in its communications platforms the information and education campaign on the said program. PCOO has kicked off its communications plan with the town hall meeting dubbed “Explain, Explain, Explain” in Mandaue City, Cebu on Tuesday. In his message, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar stressed that equipping the public with the right information will reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. “As the lead communications arm of the government, the PCOO continues to operate its Laging Handa Information and Communications Campaign to assure the public that the Duterte administration is on top of the COVID-19 situation in

PCOO, PIA LAUNCH COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN TO RESTORE PUBLIC’S CONFIDENCE IN COVID-19 VACCINE

the country,” he said. “This includes our strides to disseminate and reiterate the need to observe health protocols and precautionary measures, to dispel false information, and to advocate for preparedness and vigilance and harnessing solidarity through participatory governance,” he added. The PCOO Chief assured that the vaccine roadmap of the country is taking careful execution of the stages that the National Task Force against COVID-19 has outlined, to ensure that the allocated budget will not go to waste. “The road ahead of the COVID-19 roadmap will not be easy. As we have seen in reports from other countries, difficulties will always be present. There were shortcomings in policies implemented and we should learn from these,”

PCOO, PIA LAUNCH COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN TO RESTORE PUBLIC’S CONFIDENCE IN COVID-19 VACCINE

he said, as he cited some countries that have struggled to manage the implementation of their own vaccine program. He stressed that the government cannot afford to be greatly blindsided when there are already real lessons to learn from other countries. “All of us here are part of the government that will solve this problem and the COVID-19 vaccine is our hope. But if we cannot manage it well, it can also be our pitfall,” he said. “For example, logistically the US is having a problem. Some of its states do not have the right facilities to store their vaccines. If you cannot store the vaccines properly, then there’s spoilage. Now, we cannot afford to spoil the vaccines because it will cost a lot of money,” he added. He also bared that the metropolitan areas of Manila, Cebu, and Davao will be among the first to receive the vaccines, since they are identified as COVID-19 high-risk areas. The series of engagements that the PCOO will be undertaking together with its attached agencies is founded

Secretary Martin Andanar joined the Explain, Explain, Explain town hall meeting with the local government units of Cebu City and Mandaue City on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, which aimed at informing the Filipino people about the government’s COVID-19 immunization program.

Caraga INFOCUS on saving lives, reviving hope, and shaping the future. There will also be separate town hall meetings in Siquijor and Dumaguete this week. The event was attended by officials from the local government of Cebu City and Mandaue City, and national government agencies, including the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

GOV’T INFO DRIVE ON COVID-19 VACCINE GETS BACKING FROM YOUTH SECTOR

P r e s i d e n t i a l Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday sought the help of youth leaders from the province of Siquijor in disseminating information to allay fears over the COVID-19 vaccine. During a media literacy discussion with Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation leaders of the province, Secretary Andanar said that it is timely for the government to amplify media literacy to the youth, considering that they are the majority of the country’s population. “You are very fortunate that you have grown in this time where you can openly express yourself and take part in making a difference in this world,” he said. He is confident that by investing in the youth today, it would lead the way to providing solutions to pressing societal concerns. “I see our country in better hands, and in a better situation because 25 years from now, our country’s fate will rest on your shoulders,” he said. “Dako akong pagsalig nga mas maabot pa nato ang gipangandoy ni President Digong nga comfortable life para sa tanan [I am confident that with you, we will be able to achieve President Digong’s goal of providing a comfortable life for all],” he added. Siquijor SK President Brylle Deeiah Tumarong on the said event vowed to help the government in sharing the correct information. “I know this is a difficult time to tell people which information is true and otherwise. But we, the Sangguniang Kabataan, and the rest of the youth leaders in our province, we are ready to help you,” she said. Meanwhile Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Ramon

Cualoping III expressed his support on partnering with the youth to further the spread of accurate and relevant news. “We need your help to combat fake news. I think fake news and disinformation begin in the platforms that we are always on, the social media,” he said. He also announced that the PIA is already working on the information, education, and communication (IEC) materials to help the people understand the specification of the COVID-19 vaccines that will be procured by the national government. “The materials would depend on which brand will arrive first in our country,” he said. These materials will be translated to different Philippine languages such as Filipino, Cebuano, and Ilocano and distributed through PIA regional offices in the next two weeks. The media literacy discussion with youth leaders was a simultaneous event with the Pagduaw sa Siquijor: Explain, Explain, Explain town hall meeting. Sec. Andanar was in Siquijor along with the officials and representatives from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the regional counterpart of the Department of Health (DOH) to impart the recently launched communications campaign for the national COVID-19 vaccination program. A ceremonial turnover of food packs and BIDA Solution hygiene kits was also conducted during the town hall meeting.

ANDANAR HOPES ‘MORAL GOVERNANCE’ IN BARMM TO FLOURISH By Azer Parrocha As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set to observe Bangsamoro Foundation Day on Jan. 21, a Palace official on Sunday expressed hope that the region will continue pursuing moral governance. Presidential Communications activities and harness its full socioOperations Office (PCOO) Secretary economic potential. Martin Andanar made this remark ahead This way, Andanar said it would help of Bangsamoro Foundation Day, a non- contribute to the overall development working holiday in celebration of the and inclusive growth of the country, establishment of the BARMM. “especially as we recover as one nation “We are one with our Muslim from the coronavirus disease 2019 brothers and sisters in celebrating the (Covid-19) pandemic.” Bangsamoro Foundation Day, with The BARMM was created through this year’s theme ‘Moral Governance: the President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing Building Strong Foundations for a Better of Republic Act 11054, also known as Bangsamoro,’” he said in a statement. Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in 2018. Andanar emphasized the On January 21, 2019, the first of the importance of having moral governance two-part plebiscite for the ratification of to address graft and corruption. the BOL was held. The second plebiscite “As we celebrate its Foundation was held on February 6, 2019. Day, may we continue to successfully Currently, the BARMM is under pursue the moral governance it seeks to transition. realize, governance that is for the Filipino Late last year, the Bangsamoro people and by the Filipino people, Transition Authority urged Congress to regardless of religious beliefs. And may extend the Bangsamoro transition period our integrity and accountability further from 2022 to 2025. translate into ending graft and corruption BARMM Chief Minister Murad so that we can faithfully and fully serve Ebrahim said an extension of the transition the Filipino people and equitably benefit period would allow them sufficient time everyone,” he added. to accomplish its tasks and commitments He also expressed hope that the under the BOL and for the national administrative transition in the region government to deliver the pending would improve the peace and security programs under the normalization in BARMM to promote its economic process. (PNA)

NOGRALES, MCDONALD’S KINDNESS KITCHEN DISTRIBUTE 2,000 FREE MEALS IN CAVITE

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles joined officials of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in giving 2,000 free meals in Imus, Cavite last Thursday, January 21, 2020 in what the official described as “a continuing partnership with key private sector partners that addresses the need to provide nutrition and hope to people.” Nograles heads the government’s Zero Hunger Task Force. The event, held at the Maliksing Kabataan Building Children and Youth Development Center, was a key highlight for the start of 2021 for Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG), a multisectoral coalition aimed at addressing the problem of involuntary hunger in the country under the Duterte administration’s National Food Policy. “Food expenses make up a large chunk of a Filipino family’s income. We want to ease the burden of our kababayans by providing free food through partnerships with nongovernment stakeholders and LGUs. We all share the goal of achieving zero hunger and boosting the nutritional needs especially of our children,” the Malacañang official explained. The Cab Sec was joined by Imus City Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi in distributing hot meal packs prepared by McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen which included crispy chicken fillet, rice and bottled water. They were accompanied by Margot Torres, McDonald’s Managing Director and RMHC Vice President, Ronald Atanacio, Public Affairs Manager, Mildred

Tungala, Operations Manager, Paritz Corpuz and Christian Billones, both Operations Consultants. Aside from Ronald McDonald House Charities, the event was made possible through the assistance of Coca-Cola Philippines, Metrobank, San Miguel Corporation and Dole Philippines. Mayor Maliksi thanked Nograles and the private sector donors, saying that “our welfare and nutrition partners are always welcome here in Cavite. Count us in as active supporters of the Task Force Zero Hunger and Pilipinas Kontra Gutom.” For his part, Nograles reiterated the administration’s effort to address food and poverty concerns, emphasizing that the food distribution activity was but a component of a larger and more comprehensive government program to stabilize food supply, achieve food security, address hunger and poverty, and improve the lives of Filipinos. “Food is an everyday concern, that’s why our assistance in that regard should be an everyday priority,” the former legislator stressed.

MOTORCYCLE CRIME PREVENTION LAW WILL PROTECT PUBLIC FROM MOTORCYCLERELATED CRIMES – GORDON

Senator Richard J. Gordon reiterated Monday that the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law will protect the public from crimes committed using motorcycles and will help secure the motorcycle owners and riders from being victimized and used by criminals for illegal and brutal acts. Gordon, author of Republic Act No. 11235, pointed out that the number of people being killed by riding-in-tandem assassins in the Philippines continues to rise, hence, there is an urgent need for the implementation of the measure. Based on the monitoring of his office, he said, there have been 147 victims of motorcycleriding gunmen reported in the news from January 1 to December 31, 2020, while there have been eight (8) victims from January 1 to 16 of the current year. “These assassins continue to terrorize the country and people Caraga INFOCUS are being murdered just like that even at this time of a pandemic. The continuous and unabated killings is increasingly alarming. Masyado nang talamak ang mga patayan,” said Gordon. R.A. 11235 mandates the use of bigger, readable and color-coded plates so that motorcycles used in crimes can be easily identified and the use of stolen number plates can be prevented, as well. The old plate measures 200mm x 225mm, while the new plate measures 235mm in width and 135mm in height. The law also requires the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to maintain a registry of motorcycles to facilitate information retrieval for official investigation and law enforcement purposes. “Pakikiusapan natin ang LTO para lumabas na ‘yung kanilang mga computer at maimplement kaagad ‘yung bagong plaka. Hindi naman malaki ‘yung plaka; pinagkumpara ko ‘yung dati sa bago para makita ang sukat,” Gordon said while presenting a photo of the old plate alongside the new plate to show that the new one is not as big as how it is misleadingly described by some individuals. On November 20, 2020, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Edgar C. Galvante said in a letter addressed to the Senate President that their target for the full delivery of the 13-million backlog in motorcycle plates is by May 2022, while the LTO Central Command Center (C3) is targeted to be operational by April this year. However, during the budget hearing last November, Gordon told the LTO to commit for the completion of the operations center by February 2021.

Contributed photo

GORDON’S BILL THAT SEEKS TO DE-CLOG DOCKETS IN REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS DISCUSSED IN SENATE

Senator Richard J. Gordon, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, stressed at the Plenary on Wednesday that Senate Bill No. 1886, which he sponsored, targets to help de-clog the dockets of the second level courts or the Regional Trial Courts and to speed up the disposition of cases. During the interpellation for SBN 1886, Gordon said that this objective can be attained by expanding the jurisdictional threshold of the first level courts or the Municipal Trial Courts as there are a higher number of pending cases at the second level courts. “The congestion of our courts’ dockets deprives the courts of time. Judges need time to study, analyze and research to come up with good, reasonable decisions. The quality of justice is therefore adversely affected by the congestion of our courts’ dockets. There are not enough courts or judges to meet the demands of our countrymen,” he said. According to the Office of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court, there are 21,269 pending civil cases at the first level courts, while there are 108,484

pending civil cases at the second level courts as of December 2018. “The data shows that our first level courts have a lower number of pending cases at the end of the year compared to that of our second level courts. To help declog the dockets of our second level courts and to equalize the burden between the first level courts and the second level courts, we are proposing to raise the jurisdictional threshold of our second level and first level courts,” Gordon explained. SBN 1886 will also address the delay in the disposition cases due to overloading of cases assigned per judge. As Gordon pointed out, there are so many cases to be heard but very few judges are deciding on the cases. To help advance the country’s justice system, Gordon previously passed the Judges-atLarge Act of 2018 or R.A. 11459 that would address the increasing number of pending trials in courts and to solve the congestion of court dockets through the creation of 100 regional trial court judges-at-large positions and 50 municipal trial court positions. These Judges-atLarge shall have no permanent salas and may be assigned by the Supreme Court (SC) as acting or assisting judges to any Regional Trial Court or First Level Court in the Philippines as public interest may require. The Community Service Act or R.A. 11362 that will allow the courts to impose community service in lieu of imprisonment for minor offenses, which will promote restorative justice and jail decongestion, was likewise passed in 2019. “Justice delayed is justice denied. Article 3 of Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution provides that all persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases,” said Gordon. SBN 1886 is a consolidated measure of SBN 1359 filed by Gordon on February 18, 2020 and SBN 1353 filed by Senator Manuel M. Lapid on February 17, 2020.

GORDON FILES BILL PROPOSING TRAINING OF ADDITIONAL VACCINATORS

Senator Richard J. Gordon filed on Monday a bill that seeks to expand the country’s pool of vaccinators for the implementation of the government’s national program for immunization in times of epidemics, pandemics and national health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic that was declared as a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). “Since we have limited number of doctors, nurses and midwives that will aid in the COVID-19 vaccination program, we filed a bill that expands the pool of vaccinators of the DOH by training other professionals such as dentists, veterinarians, medical technologists and even those without medical background to be vaccinators,” said Gordon. Section 1 of Senate Bill No. 1987 states that non-medical practitioners that will be part of the training will be allowed provided that that they will be given the appropriate training, certification and authority by the Department of Health (DOH), and that they will perform their duties under the supervision of a duly registered physician and for a limited period only contingent upon the existence of the national health emergency for which it is called. According to DOH, there are only 617,239 health care workers, coming from both public and private health institutions, that will help in administering the COVID-19 vaccines. “If we expand the manpower for the vaccination program, the government’s target of inoculating 50 to 70 million Filipinos to be able to achieve herd immunity or population immunity can be attained. Our proposed bill also aims to improve our Expanded Program on Immunization and achieve the government’s target of vaccinating 95% of the country’s total child population,” Gordon explained. SB 1987 gives the Secretary of Health the authority to order for the training and certification of additional vaccinators in times of epidemic, pandemic and national health emergencies or when the government is in danger of not meeting its target in its yearly immunization due to lack of vaccinators.

GORDON CONDEMNS PEACE AND ORDER

PERIL BROUGHT BY BRAZEN KILLINGS With the country already officials, senior citizens, na ang tao, lalakas ang shocked and enraged and young people. loob ng pulis at ng mga with the dastardly killing “What a sordid kriminal, magkakaroon by a policeman at the way to start the year. pa ng mas maraming end of 2020 and by We ended 2020 with a abuses at pagpatay. several killings in the New killing that shocked and Pwede ding mag-alsa Year, Senator Richard enraged the nation. ang mga tao at maging J. Gordon on Monday Today, we’re starting the vigilante. For how much called for an end to year with more killings. longer, will our citizens be the brazen killings as he One killing is one too abused and put in peril?” strongly condemned the many. Alas, there are he said. peril they bring to the too many. They have no “Whenever men country’s peace and qualms shooting people take the law into their own order. in front of their family. hands, the loser is the law. Gordon, who has They are not even afraid And when the law loses, always stood up in outrage to shoot them in front freedom languishes.” against these killings of their children,” the he also stressed, and proposed measures against them, pointed out that the killings, perpetrated by riding-intandem shooters or other criminals with impunity, no regard for sex, race, position, are engendering hopelessness and fear in the people. For the past years, senator said in a privilege speech on Monday. In renewing his call for an end to these killings with impunity, Gordon said that because of these, the people are already desensitized to the horror of violence and hopelessness in getting justice could drive them paraphrasing a quote by Robert Kennedy. As a solution to the resulting breakdown of peace and order, Gordon called for the operationalization of disciplinary mechanisms, such as the People’s Law Enforcement Board gunmen have been into taking matters into (PLEB). He also called targeting addicts, their own hands. for the passage of his suspected criminals, then “Ang mga tao, proposed bills, which they moved on to doctors, natatakot magsalita includes Senate Bill No. priests, lawyers, judges, – ‘Wala akong laban. 1828, or the Police Courts politicians, journalists, Maliit lang ako.’ of 2020 and SBN 1055 or farmers, indigenous Nawawalan sila ng pag- the Separate Heinous people, LGBT community asa. Namamanhid na Crimes Facility, among members, government ang tao. Kapag manhid others.

GORDON PROPOSES TRAINING MORE FILIPINOS TO ADMINISTER VACCINATION AS PH PREPARES FOR COVID-19 IMMUNIZATION DRIVE As the Senate resumed iyong walang medical health institutions, 64,998 deliberation on the background. We can from public health national government’s put to bear millions of our facilities, 29,000 are Coronavirus disease young people who may DOH-employed, 30,629 (COVID-19) vaccination want to become doctors are hired by the local program on Friday, someday and can government units (LGU), Senator Richard J. practice with bakuna, 194,269 are contact Gordon proposed to provided it’s under tracers, 207,320 are train more Filipinos to clinical supervision,” he barangay health workers, administer vaccines said. while 17,034 are social as the Philippines looks During the hearing, workers. to start rolling out its Gordon questioned the “Nagdududa immunization plan in Department of Health’s ako dito sa 617,239 to February. (DOH) capability to vaccinate 70 million “I will file a bill on conduct the vaccination Filipinos although, of Monday that during times program with only course, hindi naman of emergency or even 617,239 health care sabay-sabay ‘yan. there is no crisis, dapat workers to participate in Habang dumarating mag-train ng vaccinators the campaign based on ang vaccine, paunti-unti, gaya ng mga dentista, the department’s data. nagbabakuna tayo. Alam veterinarians, medical Of the 617,239, naman natin, mababa technologists, at kahit 73,836 are from private ang vaccination natin,”

Gordon said emphasizing the low performance rate of the country’s National Immunization Program. “Ang actual performance natin in 2016 ay 70%, 67% in 2017, 66% in 2018, 69% in 2019. So, hindi pa tayo masyadong bihasa sa pagbabakuna,” he added. As the Senate continues its hearing on the national COVID-19 vaccination program, Senator Richard J. Gordon on Friday pointed out that implementing the Universal Health Care Law would ensure speedy and organized roll out of the vaccination program, . Gordon said that the UHC mandates that every Filipino shall register with a public or private primary care provider of choice, adding that it would be easier to distribute the vaccine if they are registered with their primary care providers. “Nakalagay dyan (UHC law) na every Filipino shall register with public or private primary Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III agreed on Gordon’s proposal, which aims to help the government step up its immunization program, not only for COVID-19, but for other diseases, as well. Philippine vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said care provider of choice. May duty ang bawat Pilipino na magregister siya. We must implement it because that is what the law provides and if we do it hindi tayo mahihirapan,” he said. The senator said the Department of Health should endeavour to contact private, province-wide and city-wide health care systems for the delivery of population-based health services, as mandated by the UHC law,. “Kung may primary health care provider magawa ‘yan. Madali nating malalaman kung sinong may sakit sa primary health care provider na ‘yan, tama that the government aims to vaccinate 60 to 70 percent of Filipinos in three to five years. About 82.5 billion pesos was allocated by the government for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines this year, of which, 70 billion pesos will be sourced from foreign

IMPLEMENTATION OF UHC LAW, TO FACILITATE COVID VACCINATION ROLL OUT - GORDON

Caraga INFOCUS loans. po ba yan? Kung mayroon siyang sakit na COVID malalaman natin. Kung hindi pa siya nababakunahan, malalaman natin. Samakatuwid, pairalin lang natin itong Universal Health Care law. Hindi na tayo mahihirapan hindi po ba?” he said. “Yan ang sistemang ginawa ng inyong Senate, para magawa lahat itong mga hinaharap nating problema ngayon. ‘Yan ang sinasabi ko lang po dahil kung minsan nasa harap na natin ang solusyon di pa natin nagagawa. Everybody wants to reinvent the wheel but the solution is right in front of us,” Gordon further noted.

ZUBIRI: SENATE WILLING TO HELP SPEARHEAD AFP AIRCRAFT MODERNIZATION

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri took to the Senate floor on Tuesday to raise the issue around the recent series of accidents involving dated military aircraft, resulting in numerous deaths and casualties. This speech comes at the heels of a 16 January 2021 helicopter crash in Impasugong, Bukidnon. A Philippine Airforce Huey helicopter nosedived onto a field, killing all seven passengers and crew. Smoke was reportedly seen coming from its engine before the accident. Zubiri further enumerated similar incidents from the past year, identifying accidents involving another Huey last

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri FB page photo

November, an Air Force Sikorski air ambulance last September, and yet another Huey last July. Collectively, these accidents resulted in nine deaths, plus more injured. “What happened in Bukidnon recently, and all the other military aircraft crashes which resulted in deaths of our military and civilian personnel, were senseless deaths,” Zubiri said. “Avoidable accidents, if only we were serious about modernizing our military.” He further pointed out that the Huey helicopter is old, and no longer fit to serve the military: “Huey helicopters are in the range of 40 to 50-year-old air assets . . . we need to modernize our military hardware and equipment, including our aircrafts.” “The Senate is prepared to listen to our military for what they need—what comfortable level of budget they need for 2022 and in the succeeding years to sustain their efforts in modernizing our military.” “Modernizing our military is giving our soldiers, who are among the best and bravest in the world, a fighting chance in the battlefield. It is the least we can do to our men and women in uniform who have sworn to protect the state and lay down their lives for it if necessary, and as proven in their many heroic feats.”

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the anniversary of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao held at the Malacañang Palace on January 21, 2021. ROBINSON NIÑAL/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

DUTERTE GOV’T PROMISES CONTINUED BARMM BACKING Duterte gov’t promises Organic Law establishing aggravated by the continued BARMM the Bangsamoro COVID-19 pandemic. backing Autonomous Region This is why I have The government will in Muslim Mindanao given marching orders to remain committed (BARMM). all relevant government in supporting the “Be assured that agencies to give full development of this administration will support to the BARMM Bangsamoro region remain determined in its through continued particularly as the nation commitment to support assistance in the region.” grapples with the ill self-determination, The President said his effects of the coronavirus uphold human rights, and government remains as pandemic, President advance social welfare in enthusiastic as ever for Rodrigo Roa Duterte said the Bangsamoro region,” what the future holds for on Thursday. President Duterte said in a the region. President Duterte speech in Malacañang. Rallying support joined the Bangsamoro “Today, like the rest from the country’s Muslim people in celebrating of the nation, the BARMM population, he asked for the second anniversary is faced with many continued collaboration of the ratification of the daunting challenges to find a common ground

in achieving the shared aspirations for economic self-sufficiency, genuine development and lasting peace in Mindanao. The chief executive also expressed elation noting that in the past two years, both the government and BARMM have strengthened their collaboration, which he said, is a significant step in achieving meaningful and lasting peace in the south. He thanked Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim for showing exemplary leadership and for his efforts in ensuring that BARMM achieves meaningful self-governance within the framework of the country’s Constitution and the Bangsamoro Organic Law. At the same time, President Duterte congratulated the Intergovernmental Relations Body under the leadership of BARMM Minister of Basic, Higher and Technical Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III for instituting much needed reforms and mechanisms aimed at fostering growth in the BARMM. These accomplishments include the participation of the BARMM in the national planning process; the transfer of the management of existing nature reserves and protected areas from the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to the BARMM; and the creation of the Bangsamoro Electoral Office and the Regional Offices of several national government agencies. He also recognized the assistance given to BARMM by the Department of Finance (DOF), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) as well as other national government agencies. PND

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on January 18, 2021. SIMEON CELI/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

PRESIDENT DUTERTE CONDOLES WITH

FAMILIES OF BUKIDNON CRASH VICTIMS President Rodrigo “They died heroes. aboard. Roa Duterte on And we are giving them The Philippine Monday extended his the one of the highest Army said the chopper condolences to the awards sa Presidente is encountered engine families of the members the Order of Lapu-Lapu.” trouble and tried to make of the security forces who The Order of Lapu- an emergency landing perished in a helicopter Lapu is given to persons but later went down crash in Bukidnon over the weekend and vowed to give them due recognition. “Let me express my deepest condolences sa mga asawa ninyo. And in government or private sector who have rendered extraordinary service or have made exceptional contributions to the success of the President’s campaign or in Barangay Bulonay, Impasugong town. Killed were Lt. Col. Arnie Arroyo, the pilot; 2nd Lt. Mark Anthony Caabay, co-pilot; Sgt. Mervin I share your grief. Alam advocacy. Bersabe; Airman 1st Class ko kung gaano na lang The Philippine Air Stephen Agarrado; Sgt. ganoon ang sakripisyo ng Force UH-1H helicopter, Julius Salvado; and Jerry sundalo para sa bayan which was on a supply Ayocdo and Jhamel nila,” President Duterte mission from Malaybalay Sugalang, both members said during a public City, Bukidnon to a patrol of the Civilian Armed address on government base, crashed Saturday, Forces Geographical response to COVID-19. killing all seven persons Unit. PND

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: GOVERNMENT DEALS ON VACCINE PROCUREMENT ARE ABOVE BOARD

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, January 18 assured the public that government transactions to purchase coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines are free from corruption. In his public address on government’s COVID-19 interventions, President Duterte vouched for the public service record of vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr, explaining his negotiations with pharmaceutical companies to procure vaccines involve no personal or direct control of money but are purely paperwork. “All that Galvez can do is just to come to an agreement as representative or agent of the Republic of the Philippines. He has no say sa bayaran kung saan because it is purely papel,” the President said of Galvez. “Kunin ng manufacturer ‘yan doon sa mga bangko kasi doon tayo naghiram at diretso ang bayad galing bangko to the manufacturer. Hindi na tayo makialam diyan. And the pricing and the paper will not be final until it is reviewed by the Secretary of Finance kasi siya ‘yung magbayad pati ako,” he added. President Duterte also brushed off allegations that the government is controlling the prices of the COVID-19 vaccine, saying manufacturers set their prices based on the law of supply and demand. Galvez, for his part, said the financial institutions that will procure vaccines for the Philippines have very stringent transparency and anticorruption regulation that leave no room for disadvantageous deals. For instance, Galvez said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) can easily spot disadvantageous transactions considering its diverse structure. “Malalaman at malalaman po nila dahil kasi ‘yung deal po ng vaccine, lahat po ng deals ng mga vaccine loans sa different countries malalaman po nila kung disadvantaged po tayo,” Galvez said. “Wala po tayong hinahawakan na pera. Ang pera po, ang magbabayad po bangko. Alam po natin ang transaction ng bangko talagang malinis po ‘yan. Kumbaga sa ano, hindi po tayo makaka --- makaka ano, magkakaroon ng tinatawag nating

corruption because of the World Bank integrity at saka po ‘yung Asian Development Bank,” he further said. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and Gavi made an agreement with pharmaceutical companies supplying COVID-19 vaccines to maintain a “no profit, no loss principle” despite embarking on an investment risk. Pharmaceutical companies have then offered discounts and cheaper alternatives to countries who wish to purchase the vaccines, Galvez said. “Katulad po ng Sinovac, in-offer-an po tayo ng filling station. Pagka filling station po, kalahati dapat ang babayaran lang natin dahil tayo po ang magfifinish. Raw materials dadalhin dito, tayo na po ang magfi-filling station,” he explained. “Pangalawa po, pagka ‘yung product kukunin mo sa manufacturer, mas mura po ‘yon kaysa ‘yung China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS).Iyong tinatawag na CIF ‘yon pong doon po magkakaroon ng ano, ng turnover doon sa airport na po natin. So ibig sabihin, mura po pagka tayo pa ang kukuha kasi ‘yung freight po is 2.5 (dollars) at saka ‘yung storages. Malaki rin po iyan,” he added. Taking into account all the COVID-19 vaccine brands to be purchased, Galvez said the Philippines has saved $700 million through government deals, noting that the negotiations made by the country have been deliberate and very good. “In fact po, maipapangako ko po sa ating mga mahal na kababayan na ang lahat ng mga negosasyon at cost, meaning almost no profit,” he said. Galvez also noted that government’s negotiations to acquire the COVID-19 vaccines are three-tiered involving the following: a confidentiality disclosure agreement (CDA), term sheet, and supply agreement. The CDA is a legal part of the contract between negotiating parties that define knowledge or information including medical trade secrets, special prices given to a particular country, and other arrangements that shall be kept confidential. A breach in this agreement may lead to the cancellation of vaccine delivery. Despite the criticism on government’s procurement deals, President Duterte has instructed Galvez to strictly comply with the terms agreed upon with the pharmaceutical companies to ensure the continuity of vaccine supplies. The Philippines expects to receive the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines in February this year. Sinovac, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Gamaleya are among the pharmaceutical companies that the government is negotiating with. The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 2,163 new COVID-19 infections on January 18, bringing the total number of cases in the Philippines to 502,736 with 465,988 recoveries and 9,909 deaths. PND

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ASSURES ENOUGH FUNDS FOR VACCINE PROCUREMENT – PALACE

The Palace assured that there is enough funds for the procurement of 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for Filipinos, and that the procurement of these vaccines will undergo rigorous audit mechanisms. In a press briefing in Malacañang on January 19, 2020, Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr said that the national government has earmarked funds for vaccine procurement, which will come from Caraga INFOCUS loans, the 2021 General Appropriations Act, and from Bayanihan 2. Addressing concerns on corruption with the procurement of the vaccines, the Palace official reiterated President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s message of zero tolerance against corruption. “Siniguro ng Pangulo na walang katiwalian sa national COVID-19 vaccination plan ng pamahalaan,” said Secretary Roque. The Palace spokesperson also underscored Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.’s position on vaccine procurement that all agreements on the purchase of the vaccines will follow stringent policies and procedures. “Sabi pa nga po ni Vaccine Czar, dahil sa kanilang pakikipagnegosasyon sa mga vaccine manufacturer, nakatipid ang pamahalaan ng pitong-daang milyong

dolyar ($700-M) sa pagbili ng ating mga bakuna,” said Secretary Roque. In the said press briefing, Secretary Galvez, who is also Chief Implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, explained that after midway agreements with vaccine manufacturers, they found that there are still available funds to allocate for more vaccine doses given the budget for the procurement of vaccines. This is why the allotted vaccine doses was raised from the initial target of 70 million doses to 148 million vaccine doses, said the Vaccine Czar. The cost of buying these vaccine doses already covers costs for freight, storage, needles, and syringes, said Secretary Galvez. Sec. Galvez also reiterated President Duterte’s directive that the national government’s vaccination program should not be tainted with corruption. Galvez assured that with the strict credibility, transparency, and anti-corruption policy of the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, Filipinos can be assured that the funding scheme for the procurement of the vaccines will be efficient and corruption-free. Aside from the stringent policies of the national government’s bilateral partners, Galvez assured that vaccine procurement will also pass various levels of stricter government accounting, especially since the contracts will be evaluated by Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. Also in the same press briefing, Testing Czar and NTF Deputy Chief Implementer Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon assured that preparations for the vaccine roll-out are on-going with a scheduled inspection of facilities for vaccine rollout, as well as discussions with cold chain facilities. Secretary Dizon said that the national government is closely coordinating with vaccine companies on the logistical needs to preserve the vaccines once it arrives in the country to avoid losses and wastes. He added that the NTF and the Vaccine Cluster are also closely coordinating with various companies in the private sector that have experience in handling such sensitive medicines and vaccines. Dizon also assured that the cold chain providers, that the national government is in talks with, have the pharmagrade capacity to store the vaccines. He added that the government is also in close contact with pharmaceutical companies on the proper transport and handling of the vaccines. OPS-PCOO

PALACE URGES PUBLIC TO LISTEN TO VACCINE EXPERTS

Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr, in his January 18 press briefing, encouraged Filipinos to listen to true vaccine experts instead of those claiming to be experts with regard to vaccines. “Pag-ingatan natin kung sino pakikinggan natin. Uulitin ko po, ang proseso para maging expert, kinakailangan ipakita kung meron ka bang specialized Caraga INFOCUS na pinag-aralan para maging expert. Kung meron ka bang karanasan sa specialized field na iyon. … ‘Wag po tayong maniwala doon sa mga lima-singkong eksperto,” said Secretary Roque. The Palace official stressed this point in view of the varying opinions of so-called experts with regard to a vaccine’s efficacy and safety. Likening the process to that of establishing the credibility of an expert witness in trial, Secretary Roque said that the same process should be applied when listening to experts with regard to COVID-19 vaccines. “Tingnan hindi lang dapat doktor, meron ba silang specialized training as vaccinologist or as infectious [disease] specialist … At bukod diyan, is gaano na katagal

silang nagprapractice, nagtuturo ba sila, mayroon na ba silang mga sinulat na artikulo, bago po natin sila paniwalaan bilang experts,” stressed Secretary Roque. In the said press briefing, Dr. Rontgene Solante, an infectious disease specialist from San Lazaro Hospital, explained that a vaccine’s efficacy rate is not consistent with any population. Dr. Solante said that a vaccine’s efficacy will also vary depending on the target population that will be vaccinated. Solante, who is also a member of the government’s Vaccine Expert Panel, said that a higher immune response is expected among the younger population, while a 50 to 60 percent efficacy rate is acceptable in older age groups. On the threshold of efficacy, Dr. Solante explained that it was the World Health Organization that sets the minimum vaccine efficacy to 50 percent based on a percentage of individuals who will be vaccinated to control a particular pandemic. Solante said that in establishing efficacy threshold, a mathematical modeling is used, which shows that a vaccine with at least 50 percent efficacy when used in 60 to 70 percent of the population, will be enough to control an ongoing pandemic in a particular country. Solante also underscored that any vaccine that was granted approval to proceed to Phase 3 trial is considered safe as it has undergone Phase 2 trial wherein a vaccine was able to establish that is able to produce an antibody against the virus. The infectious disease specialist also cautioned against associating an adverse effect with a vaccine as these reports have to be investigated carefully. Solante said that a severe adverse event can only be seen within two months after getting inoculated with a vaccine. That is why it is best to roll out a vaccine after at least 60 days to see whether the vaccine is associated with any adverse effects, said Solante. On another matter, Roque announced the signing of Executive Order No. 123 “Modifying the Rates of Import Duty on Certain Agricultural Products Under Section 1611 of Republic Act No. 10863, Otherwise Known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.” “Ito ay ayon na rin po sa rekomendasyon ng National Economic and Development Authority or NEDA Board kung saan nagrerekomenda po sila [ng] pag-maintain ng tariff rates para sa mechanically deboned meat of chicken and mechanically deboned meat of turkey,” said Sec. Roque. Added Roque, “Ang alinlangan po ng iba kapag hindi po naextend itong mababang five percent tariff rates sa mga produktong ito, baka tumaas po ang presyo ng mga delata na gumagamit po ng deboned meat.” OPSPCOO

EDITORIAL BOARD Executive Editor ABNER M. CAGA Associate Editor FRYAN E. ABKILAN Managing Editor NORA CL MOLDE Copy Editor VENUS LIM GARCIA Layout Artists RONNIE E. MADANGUIT JOHN CHARLES B. MALAZARTE Contributors JENNIFER P. GAITANO Agusan del Sur NIDA GRACE B. TRANQUILAN Surigao del Sur SUSIL D. RAGAS Surigao del Norte/Dinagat Islands DOREEN MARIELLE N. ROSALES Regional Office

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