PAGDEVELOP SA NURSERY SA NASIPIT, GISUGDAN NA

Gisugdan kaniadtong Enero 19, sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte ang pag-develop sa nursery sa Sitio Balaatan, Camagong, Nasipit, usa sa mga mahimong pundasyon sa proyektong Plant! Plant! Plant sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrashyon ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kong. Angel Amante-Matba.

Ubos sa Plant! Plant! Plant!, gipunting nga makapatanum ang probinysa og high value crops sa 125,000 ektaryas nga underutilized o bakanteng mga luna pagabot sa tuig 2027 aron makabaton ang probinysa og igo-igong suplay sa hilaw nga materyales nga mahimong panukakaran sa processing activities. Ug usa sa mga requirements aron makatanum sa maong gidak-on nga luna mao ang mga seedlings nga pangtanum. Aron maka-produce sa gikinahanglang gidaghanon sa seedlings, usa sa gitutokan karon sa mga personahe sa Agusan Up Coordinating Center mao ang pag-develop sa tulo ka nurseries nga kasamtangan gipadagan karon sa programa, usa na niini ang naa sa Sitio Balaatan. Ang laing duha ka nurseries mao ang nahimutang sa Kinabjangan, sa Nasipit gihapon ug ang anaa sa Agusan Up Compound sa kapitolyo. Ang nasangpit nga nurseries mag-produce og mga semilya sa siyam ka priority high value crops nga mao ang abaka, saging, cacao, kape, rubber, lubi, cassava, kahoy (apil na ang falcatta) ingon man ang magga ug laing prutas. Target karong tuiga nga matamnan ang 6,000 ektaryas nga bakanteng luna. Niini, nanginahanglan ang probinsya makaproduce og 6 milyones nga seedlings sa nagkalain-laing high value crops. Mamahimo usab kaabag sa probinsya ang 80% membro sakop sa indigenous people (IPs) o tribung Higaonon sa Sitio Balaatan sa pagpahiluna ug pagdumala nga maong nursery isip mamahimo na usab nila nga panginabuhian. Mahinumduman nga gihimo ang ground breaking sa nursery sa Sitio Balaatan niadtong Nobyembre. Partner sa probinsya ang mga sakop sa tribung Higaonon sa pagpalambo sa maong lima ka ektaryang nursery. (Karen Kie Decamotan, LGUAgusan del Norte/PIAAgusan del Norte)

MINDANAO NEWS

Leading an energy-efficient and sustainable Mindanao

MinDA Deputy Executive Director ASec. Romeo Montenegro provides a broad context on the importance of pursuing efficient, affordable, and sustainable energy consumption through local policy support during the Local Energy Code Training-Workshop for the City Government Unit of General Santos today via Zoom, 26 January. “The coming up of local energy code will serve the purpose of guiding all stakeholders, the private sector and the local governments in terms of framing the kind of development that we all desire for our respective LGUs – a development that is not only looking at economic metrics or addresses poverty situation, but a kind of development that looks at the impact of the current situation,” Montenegro stressed. Following the signing of Republic Act 11646 or Microgrid Systems Act by President Rodrigo Duterte last 21 January 2022, he also said that such law, along with the current Energy Efficiency Act, will promote microgrid set up in many off-grid and unconnected areas across the country. “This is exactly the direction we want to pursue vigorously in Mindanao to achieve 100% electrification target even before, and the move towards energy transition and a decarbonized economy in Mindanao is very

Montenegro

much aligned with the Mindanao Peace and Development Framework, the Philippine Medium and Long-Term Plans, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said. According to him, the 25 years that South Cotabato Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO) had been able to contract with power companies is going to be nothing over the next couple of years at the rate of economic growth that General Santos is seeing, which makes the city reflective of how it is in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga in terms of economic tools.

“As we endeavor to codify our energy plans and programs, and with General Santos City being the lead in Mindanao is a very important, giant step towards demonstrating that we have the matters in our hand in developing the kind of energy to effectively address the longterm adverse impact of climate change and promote energy transition,” he further emphasized. The USAID-Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) organizes the activity to discuss and present the actual process of developing Local Energy Code (LEC) using an enhanced template as per Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2020-01 of the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The training also employs a mentoring approach to ensure that the LEC developed is contextualized based on the local conditions of General Santos.

DOH observes ‘sustained’ hike in Covid-19 cases in VisMin

A sustained increase in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has been observed in the Visayas and Mindanao, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

In an advisory, the DOH noted infections in the Visayas rose by 87.35 percent while those in Mindanao increased by 164.72 percent from the previous week.

“Regions 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), and 11 (Davao Region) have been the top regions in the VisMin (Visayas-Mindanao) island groups based on their seven-day moving average since Jan. 19, 2022, with bed utilization at moderate risk and ICU utilization at moderate risk,” the DOH said.

Meantime, the OCTA Research Group said Cebu City is classified as “high risk” for Covid-19. The city’s seven-day average of new cases increased to 722 from January 19 to 25 from last week’s 325. Its current average daily attack rate is 69 percent while its seven-day positivity rate is 40 percent.

Image from DOH

Positivity rate is the percentage of Covid-19 tests performed that turned out positive in a certain area or region.

However, the region’s reproduction number, individuals a Covid-19 patient can infect, is down to 2.99 from last week’s 4.64.

The health care utilization rate in the city is now moderate at 68 percent. The intensive care unit utilization rate is also low at 42 percent. (PNA/Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

NATIONAL NEWS

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte led the virtual program for the blessing and inauguration of the Mental Wellness Center for Homeless on Friday, January 21, 2022

The Mental Wellness Center for Homeless Building, which costs 26 Million is located at SPMC-IPBM Compound, Claveria St, Poblacion District, Davao City. This building, which started construction in February 2021, not only serves as a facility for mentally challenged homeless individuals but also as an outpatient counseling service center.

In her speech, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte congratulated everyone behind the completion of the Mental Wellness Center for the Homeless as it helps safeguard the emotional and psychological well-being of the homeless people, who are at higher risk of getting mental illness as they struggle to get through the day in the streets.

“The establishment of the Davao City Mental Health Center for the homeless is a welcome initiative of the local government not only to provide a comfortable refuge for our homeless and mentally ill residents but also to address the stigma surrounding mental health and raise awareness in the community,” the mayor said.

She added that hopefully, the initiative will inspire everyone to support each other to find ways to overcome difficulties, maintain healthy well-being, and promote the importance of mental health.

The mayor also thanked Dumper Partylist Representative Claudine

Bautista for helping the city government with the funding for the building of the Mental Wellness Center for the Homeless.

Meanwhile, Center Head of the Mental Wellness Center for Homeless Building, Dr. Annaliza Malubay also said that the establishment of the Center is an achievement for the City Government of Davao because this is the first of its kind in the country. “This facility was created because our local government saw the need for a shelter that caters to those psychotic vagrants or sa mga mentally challenged na latagaw, especially during the pandemic. Although our city has existing shelters for the homeless we cannot just integrate our clients with them because of their special needs and kining mga special needs nila mao ang gihatagan ug pagtagad sa atong local government. (The facility was created because our local government saw the need for a shelter that caters to those psychotic vagrants or the mentally challenged in the streets, especially during the pandemic. Although our city has existing shelters for the homeless, we cannot just integrate our clients with them because of their special needs and these special needs are what the local government is giving focus on,” she said. Malubay said that providing shelter is not enough, “ We have to give more than we have to make them feel safe and protected. We have to provide holistic care.”

She added that being assigned to the facility is an eye-opener for mental illness as the most neglected health problem. “Hopefully, in the near future, we will be able to establish livelihood programs and other services both medical and non-medical that can benefit not only admitted clients but also outpatients,” Malubay said. CIO

DOTr lauded for its pandemic efforts

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 Malacañan Palace on January 24, 2022. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO President Rodrigo Roa Duterte praised the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for its contributions to the country’s ongoing efforts to help contain COVID-19 particularly with the emergence of a more transmissible Omicron variant.

During President Duterte’s regular Talk to the People on Monday, he said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and his department did a good job addressing the concerns posed by coronavirus to the department and commuters.

“I am sure that the response of Tugade and his men there did everything they [could] to help,” President Duterte said.

Tugade said during the meeting with the President that the DOTr is working to put up onsite vaccination facilities in public transportation places such as ports, bus stations, airports, and MRT/LRT stations to immunize unvaccinated commuters.

The department has also started its mobile vaccination drive at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) aimed at vaccinating 500 people every day. “The vaccination facility that we will put up in all the sectors of the Kagawaran will be in accordance with the details, policies and requirements of DOH,” Tugade said. At the same time, the transport chief reported that 136 Tausugs who were stranded at Manila North Harbor have been taken care of and allowed to board a vessel for their travel to Zamboanga and other destinations.

The stranded passengers were given the permission to leave after they presented negative antigen results and their respective local government units (LGUs) gave the nod for their entry. Another group of passengers, composed of 140 individuals, were also permitted to travel to Zamboanga, Bacolod City and Dumaguete City, Tugade said, adding the processing of the stranded passengers was done through the coordination between different government agencies. “Ito ho ay nangyari sa pagtutulungan ng mga ibang ahensiya at departamento ng ating pamahalaan. Kaya nga ba’t nagpapasalamat ako sa DSWD na kung saan kasama ang PPA, kasama ‘yung DOH, kasama ‘yung DILG ay sila’y nagkapit-bisig upang matugunan itong problemang ito,” he said.

“Ang DSWD po ay nagbigay ng ayuda, P5,000 bawat tao na involved diyan. Iyong DOH ho nakipagtulungan nang sa ganoon magawa ‘yung tinatawag natin na antigen testing. Iyong DILG ay tumulong sa amin upang makipag-usap sa mga local government.” PND

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his Talk to the People at the Malacañan on January 24, 2022. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Vaccine czar: Gov’t to roll out vaccination for minors aged 5 to 11 years next month

The government will begin administering COVID-19 jabs to children aged five to 11 years next month as the country intensifies its fight against the coronavirus particularly after the emergence of the more contagious Omicron variant, the country’s vaccine czar said Monday. In his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting on government’s COVID-19 interventions, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said pediatric vaccination could start on February 4 as the government expects the delivery of vaccines for minors next week. A memorandum guidance will be issued this week and town hall meetings, as well as series of trainings will also be conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) in preparation for immunizing minors five to 11 years old, according to Galvez.

“Mr. President, prepared na po tayo sa vaccination ng five to 11 years old. Last January ay nagkaroon po tayo ng live orientation ng pagbabakuna ang US Embassy ng mga bata sa ganitong edad,” he said, adding similar

orientations will be held in other regions. Galvez assured that the pediatric vaccination is “very safe,” noting that a lower dosage will be given to children. “Makaka-assure po tayo sa ating mga magulang na very safe ang ating gagamitin na bakuna dahil ito ay mas mababa ang formulation na angkop para sa mga bata. Kaya kung makikita po natin sa vials may color coding, ‘yung orange at saka po ‘yung purple. Iyong orange po para po sa five to 11 years old,” he said. The first leg of pediatric vaccination, which was for children aged 12 to 17, has also made the country more prepared and more experienced in handling vaccine rollout for minors, Galvez noted.

Capacity building of vaccination teams, vaccination site preparation, and vaccine site inspections also form part of the country’s preparation for the pediatric vaccine rollout, he said. To expedite the vaccination of minors, the vaccine czar said two vaccination sites will be opened immediately in Metro Manila and gradually expand throughout the country by opening both hospital and non-hospital vaccination sites in different regions. The Philippines aims to inoculate around 39 million minors aged zero to 17 years, he said. Galvez, who is also the National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer, said pediatric vaccination is part of the Duterte administration’s strategy to acquire a “wall of protection” against the deadly coronavirus disease that will ensure population immunity against any COVID-19 strain or mutation. Other strategies include the booster shot program and vaccine rollout in pharmacies, he said. The administration of boosters, which has a three-month interval between doses, will prevent the vaccine’s efficacy from waning, while vaccine rollout in pharmacies and clinics will expand the vaccination even in far-flung locations where pharmacists will be authorized to administer the jabs for walk-in vaccination, he explained. Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who was present during the meeting, wants the government to incentivize pharmacies and clinics participating in the vaccination drive to entice more establishments to join. Senator Go is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.

As of January 24, at least 59.7 million Filipinos or 76.2 percent of the target population have received the first dose of COVID-19 jab, while 57.2 million individuals or 73.33 percent of the target population are fully vaccinated. On the other hand, 8.72 percent of the target population have received booster shots. PND

Vaccination key to exit pandemic: NTF exec

FRESH JABS. Officials led by Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor (2nd from right), chief of the National Task Force Against Covid-19 Strategic Communications sub-task group on current operations, do the Resbakuna sign during the arrival of 1,023,750 doses of Pfizer vaccine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Wednesday night (Jan. 26, 2022). The shipment is part of the government-procured jabs funded by the World Bank. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan) Vaccination is the key to the exit of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. an official of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 said Wednesday night. Head of the NTF Strategic Communications subtask group on current operations, Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor, urged anew unvaccinated Filipinos to avail of Covid-19 jabs to get enough protection against the dreaded disease. ng pamahalaan, ang bakuna po ang sagot para malabanan po natin at tayo po ay makaalis – maka-exit tayo sa pandemyang ito (Once again, the government is encouraging you, the vaccine is the answer so we can fight and get out – exit this pandemic),” Mayor said shortly after the arrival of 1,023,750 doses of Pfizer vaccine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 via an Air Hong Kong cargo flight. The latest shipment is part of the governmentprocured jabs with funding from the World Bank.

The Philippines has so far received 216.5 million doses of different Covid-19 vaccines, both procured and donated, from various pharmaceutical companies, with 124,510,385 doses already administered nationwide.

At least 57.8 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated and 6,683,975 eligible individuals have received booster shots.

The government has urged those with complete shots to avail of booster shots for added protection. Mayor likewise reiterated that all Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective against severe and critical symptoms of the disease and help prevent the hospitalization of coronavirus patients. As of Wednesday, the Philippines has recorded 3,475,293 Covid-19 cases, with 3,191,219 recoveries, 230,410 active infections, and 53,664 deaths. (PNA/ Lade Jean Kabagani) January 22-28, 2022 | 35

Qatar to donate P23-M worth of vaccines to PH

The Qatar government is providing USD450,000 (approximately PHP23 million) to help the Philippines procure 50,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine, the Qatar Embassy in Manila announced Tuesday. “The aim of the support is to provide additional 50,000 doses of Sinovac anti-Covid-19 vaccine for the cost of USD450,000, to the people of Philippines. The support comes as a continuation of Qatar’s response to provide wider access to Covid-19 vaccine,” it said in a statement.

“This assistance is an extension of Qatar’s commitment to stand with the brotherly and friendly countries affected by the pandemic, by providing appropriate medical supplies to cope with the repercussions of Covid-19 and to provide health support to the people of the affected countries,” it added.

Qatar Ambassador Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Malki said this latest support “comes within the framework of humanitarian action” and serves as a way to extend relief to the Filipino people hit hard by the pandemic. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, director-general of Qatar Fund for Development, added that it affirms Qatar’s “active role and efforts” in battling the pandemic as well as its position to assist “friendly and fraternal countries” like the Philippines overcome the global health crisis. President Rodrigo Duterte’s special envoy to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states Amable Aguiluz V, meanwhile, extended the Philippines’ gratitude to Doha and the Emir.

“The Philippines is very fortunate to be included by Qatar in its roster of friendly countries. Filipinos especially overseas Filipino workers have been treated fairly and have been beneficiaries of the benevolence of the Emir of Qatar, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani,” he said.

“This humanitarian gesture is a manifestation of strong diplomatic and friendly relations between the two nations,” he added. Doha and Manila will mark 41 years of diplomatic relations on May 5, 2022. Earlier, Al-Malki said Qatar would continue exerting efforts to link the two countries closer, especially in the areas of energy, education, culture, and health.

The envoy said the two nations’ four decades of bilateral relations are a testament to the “solid friendship” they have formed over the years. (PNA/Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

(File photo)

Gov’t to start vaxxing 5-11 years old by Feb. 4: Galvez

The government will start administrating formulated Covid-19 vaccine to children aged 5 to 11 years old by February 4, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., said Monday night. “We are already prepared in the vaccination of 5 to 11 years old,” Galvez, also the vaccine czar, reported during President Rodrigo Duterte’s prerecorded Talk to the People. Galvez said the government will issue the memorandum guidance this week, with town hall meetings to be conducted from January 24 to 28, for the rollout of the pediatric vaccination under the 5-11 years old age bracket.

The formulated lowdosing Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to be used for the younger population

(File photo)

will tentatively arrive on February 2, he added.

Galvez said the pediatric vaccination for this age bracket will be rolled out in two phases.

A pilot run will be conducted in one hospital-based and one local government unit (LGU)-based vaccination site per city, within the National Capital Region (NCR), for the first phase.

After a week, it will be expanded to the rest of Metro Manila’s inoculation sites and other regions, for the second phase. “We will open the hospital and nonhospital vaccination site and we will expand the sites further to other regions after one week. Again, we will open our vaccination rollout on February 4,” Galvez said. The latest data from the NTF showed that 7,246,430 adolescents, or children aged 12 to 17 years, are now fully protected against the disease.

The government expects to vaccinate more than 39.41 million aged from zero to 17 years old. (PNA/Lade Jean Kabagani)

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