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DA-13 TURNS OVER SENTINEL PIGLETS TO 2 SURSUR TOWNS AFFECTED BY ASF
As a prelude for hog repopulation on the African Swine Fever (ASF)hit municipalities in the region, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Caraga Regional ASF Task Force delivered “sentinel piglets” to the Municipalities of Cortes and San Miguel, in the province of Surigao del Sur on Friday, January 28.
The sentineling program or protocol is a science-based approach, which ascertains if a virus or disease is still present in a certain area. For an ASF-hit area to be endorsed for sentineling, there should be no detected cases and reports of related swine deaths for approximately 12 months. The piglets will undergo a 40-day experimental period including its downtime and environmental swabbing guaranteeing that affected hog raisers must conform to the Biosecurity Level 1. Once completed, the area will then be subjected to repopulation.
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In Barangay Matho, Cortes, Surigao del Sur, 16 piglets were distributed to eight hog raisers while in Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, 17 piglets were apportioned to 17 affected hog raisers.
According to Regional ASF Coordinator Dr. Apple C. Jaromahum, the municipalities of Cortes and San Miguel were the first areas where the virus was detected, however, the areas were quick to contain and mitigate the further spreading of the virus.
Regional Technical Director Rebecca Atega also lauded the efforts of the municipalities of Cortes and San Miguel for their quick response and cooperation. “On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, we congratulate our LGUs for being supportive and compliant with all of the regulatory measures and the quick assistance to our affected hog raisers. And most definitely to our hog raisers who gave their utmost cooperation and for being extra patient despite the circumstances and losses. That’s why we are very optimistic that this will be successful because of your efforts,” said RTD Atega. Apart from the piglets, the Livestock Program also apportioned feeds and necessary drugs, biologics, and antiviral agents for the recipients. (DA-CAraga/PIASurigao del Sur)
MINDANAO NEWS
MinDA Secretary Maria Belen Acosta met today with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for Regulations Engr. Zamzamin Ampatuan to discuss partnerships on agricultural development for Mindanao at the DA PRDD- Project Support Office (PSO) in Lanang, Davao City, 29 January 2022. USec. Ampatuan presented to Secretary Acosta key priority areas for potential synergistic collaboration between DA and MinDA.
This includes strengthened organic farming promotion, integration of high-value crops, intervention on crucial export products, more substantial implementation of agricultural regulatory policies, and agricultural development with local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, Secretary Acosta shared during the meeting the planned site visits of MinDA to the CARAGA region for ground monitoring and inspection on the Odetterelated recovery efforts for affected residents and communities in the islands of Siargao and Dinagat in Surigao del Norte and Butuan City in Agusan del Norte.
Also, another focused intervention during the visit is the response on the local coconut and vegetable industries for the farmers in the said areas.
MinDA also requested a scheduled technical partnership meeting with DA on various Mindanao-related agricultural development programs and projects such as Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), Mindanao Inclusive Agricultural Development Project (MIADP), and Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD), among others.
Also in attendance are DA XI Regional Executive Director Abel James L. Monteagudo and DA XI Assistant Regional Director Marila L. Corpuz.
DA sends over P153-M aid to damaged agriculture in Caraga
The Department of Agriculture – Caraga (DA13) has so far provided PHP153,834,840 worth of assistance to farmers in the region who were badly hit by Typhoon Odette in December last year.
In a press conference Friday, DA-13 Executive Director Ricardo Oñate Jr. said of the total funds released for immediate responses, PHP12,762,430 was sourced from the available resources of DA-13 and assistance from the other DA offices in Mindanao.
A total of PHP141,072,410 was taken from the Quick Response Fund for Typhoon Odette that was approved by the DA Central Office, he said.
“These responses were aimed to help our farmers recover from the devastation of Typhoon Odette through the rehabilitation of their damaged farms,” Oñate said.
The DA-13 rehabilitation responses, done with the Philippine Coconut Authority, included the provisions of rice, corn and vegetable seeds, planting materials, fertilizers, and insecticides to the farmers. sector, the rehabilitation efforts, together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, were in the form of provision of fingerlings and seaweed propagules.
“The responses made by the DA-13 and its attached agencies were conducted in close coordination with the local government units in provinces and towns affected by the recent typhoon,” Oñate said.
Data provided by DA-13 indicated that “Odette” left a total of PHP2,225,209,990 damage to the agriculture sector in the Caraga.
The province of Surigao del Norte incurred the biggest damage with PHP1,527,293,080; followed by the Province of Dinagat Islands (PHP364,557,350); Agusan del Sur (PHP157,565,907); Agusan del Norte (PHP136,395,024);
and Surigao del Sur (PHP39,396,627).
With a total of 20,252 farmers affected in the region, 12,301 are into high-value crops planting; rice, 7,617; and corn, 334.
Damage to rice crops is placed at PHP169,058,227 covering 13,003 hectares, and losses reaching 5,083 metric tons (MT).
A total of PHP142,992,620 worth of damage is also recorded in corn production, covering 3,863 hectares, and 6,940 MT losses.
Losses also included PHP602,806,055 for the high-value crops; followed by coconut trees (PHP745,253,883); livestock (PHP109,413,430); fisheries (PHP157,263,820); agricultural infrastructures (PHP285,419,955); and agricultural machineries and equipment (PHP13,000,000). (PNA/Alexander Lopez)
NATIONAL NEWS
Statement of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
I view with grave concern an apparent effort at the Senate to put in bad light recent developments involving the Malampaya Gas Field. This casts undue, undeserved, and unwarranted aspersion on the part of some of our key government officials. This is grossly unfair to them and to the public.
The government values the critical role and contribution of the Malampaya Gas Field to energy security. I will not allow this valuable resource to be jeopardized and embroiled in the political antics of some members of the Senate.
I have seen the report on the sale and purchase of the stock of Chevron Malampaya LLC. Based on this, I am convinced that this was a private transaction between private entities that must be respected. I am likewise convinced that, in this case, the national interest has been protected and the rights of the government remain intact.
I will make it clear once more: investments, foreign and local, are vital to our economy. We compete for them with other countries, and our ability to do so requires me to create and maintain an environment conducive to the entry of investors.
I am calling on our legislators to ensure that our ability to compete is not jeopardized by political intrigues and innuendoes. Leave business transactions in the capable hands of the business sector. Let us respect their business decisions while we protect our national interests.
I acknowledge the power of the Senate to conduct investigations in aid of legislation. I believe this power must be exercised with prudence and circumspection, devoid of reckless accusations, and focused on improving existing laws and the execution thereof.
Let me reiterate: Energy Secretary Cusi has my full trust and confidence and shall remain at the helm of the department he heads.
PRES. RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
NCR and 7 provinces to be placed under Alert Level 2 starting February 1
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has placed the National Capital Region and seven other provinces under Alert Level 2 beginning Tuesday, February 1.
The other areas placed under Alert Level 2 are Batanes, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal in Luzon; Biliran and Southern Leyte in the Visayas; and Basilan in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, the following cities and provinces have been placed under Alert Level 3: · Cordillera Administrative Region: Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Kalinga and Mountain Province; · Region I: Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan; · Region II: City of Santiago, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino; · Region III: Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales; · Region IV-A: Batangas, Laguna, Lucena City and Quezon Province; · Region IV-B: Marinduque, Romblon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro
and Puerto Princesa City; · Region V: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Naga City and Sorsogon. · Region VI: Aklan, Antique, Bacolod City, Capiz, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Guimaras; · Region VII: Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor; and · Region VIII: Ormoc City, Tacloban City, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar and Western Samar. · Region IX: City of Isabela, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay; · Region X: Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental; · Region XI: Davao City, Davao Del Sur, Davao Del Norte, Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro; · Region XII: General Santos City, North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat; · Region XIII: Surigao del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Butuan City; and · Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Maguindanao, Cotabato City and Lanao Del Sur.
These respective Alert Levels shall be in effect from Tuesday, February 1, 2022 until February 15, 2022. OPS
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles
Almost 76% of PH’s target population now fully vaxxed
CUSTOMS CHECK. A Bureau of Customs personnel inspects the boxes containing the newly delivered Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine shortly after it arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Wednesday (Feb. 2, 2022) night. The latest vaccine delivery, a total of 455,130 doses, is procured by the national government. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler) A total of 59,120,367 individuals nationwide or 75.7 percent of the target population are now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), according to the National Task Force Against Covid-19.
In an interview Wednesday night, National Task Force Against Covid-19 consultant Dr. Maria Paz Corrales said the number is 53 percent of the total Philippine population.
More are expected to receive the life-saving shots as the national government further ramps up its vaccination campaign, expanding it to children aged 5 to 11 years old starting February 4, and in provinces badly hit by Typhoon Odette last year.
Corrales said a total of 780,000 doses of reformulated Pfizer vaccine for this age group would arrive February 3. She added that the government is planning to hold another round of the national vaccination days for the young age group that would also cover booster doses.
“Meron tayong pinaplanong (We are planning a) national vaccination day that will cover the pediatric population, that’s 5 to 17, and then for the senior citizens, and the booster. We have to ramp up the three so the government is planning to have a national vaccination days para tumaas ang (to increase the number of) vaccination. We hope to achieve 90 million by June,” Corrales said.
In areas stricken by “Odette”, Corrales said the use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson and the Sputnik Light vaccines are recommended since they get protected against the disease | January 29-February 4, 2022
immediately, without having to return for a second dose.
“The problem is ‘yung mga Odette stricken areas, may ibang may problema pa sa storage kasi ‘yung iba wala pang kuryente, may iba naman, ‘yung mga vaccinators apektado dahil sa (There are areas with storage problems since some are still without power. There are also some vaccinators affected by the) Omicron surge but they have fully recuperated and they are going back to work. The government is doing all its efforts to help build again those Odette stricken areas,” Corrales said.
The country was at the height of its national vaccination days in December when “Odette” struck provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao, causing massive flooding and power outages that went on for days, disrupting the vaccination program in many areas.
Corrales was among the officials who welcomed the arrival of 455,130 doses of government procured Pfizer vaccine Wednesday night at the NAIA Terminal 3. Corrales said the latest vaccine shipment was intended for the adult population and does not include the reformulated Pfizer jabs for children 5 to 11 years old. (PNA/Marita Moaje)
Over 59M Filipinos now fully vaxxed vs. Covid-19
Over 59 million Filipinos received full doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines, as of Wednesday.
The latest data from the National Covid-19 vaccination dashboard showed the Philippines has already administered 127,163,606 doses of Covid-19 vaccine nationwide.
Of the total administered jabs, 60,466,380 doses were used as first shots, 59,120,367 as second jabs, and 7,576,859 as booster shots or additional doses. More than 7.5 million adolescents, or children aged 12 to 17 years, are likewise fully protected against the dreaded Covid-19 infection.
Meanwhile, the government will start the Covid-19 vaccination program for children aged 5 to 11 years old on Friday.
At the Laging Handa public briefing, Dr. Ted Herbosa, medical adviser of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19, said the pilot administration of lowerdose Covid-19 jabs for kids will be done in select hospitals and local government-run vaccination sites within Metro Manila.
These include the Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, and National Children’s Hospital, SM North EDSA’s Skydome, all in Quezon City; Fil Oil Gymnasium in San Juan and in Manila Zoo.
This will be expanded in other vaccination sites in Metro Manila and nearby provinces after a week.
Herbosa urged more parents to allow their children to get protection against Covid-19 infection, noting that the Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc. and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, have already recommended the vaccination program for a much younger population.
Parents and guardians are reminded to bring necessary requirements on the scheduled day of their children’s vaccination.
Eligible Filipinos may also avail of the booster shots at select pharmaceutical stores in Metro Manila. (PNA/ Lade Jean Kabagani)
(File photo)
PH gets P48.7-M Aussie aid for Covid-19 response
The Philippines on Friday received PHP48.7 million worth of cold chain equipment and other assistance from the Australian government, through the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) Philippines.
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Australian government has been a long-time ally of the Philippines and has provided technical, logistical, and inkind assistance throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“These are life-saving equipment indeed critical in our pandemic response and also including some supplies and consumables, which have already arrived last year,” Duque said during the ceremonial handover of the donations at the Goetz Cargo Center in Parañaque City.
The Philippines received 30 solar-powered vaccine refrigerators, eight walk-in cold rooms equipped with generators, 106 sets of spare parts, and 20 sets of personal protective equipment.
Unicef Representative to the Philippines Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said rural health units located within geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Davao region will get a solar-powered vaccine refrigerator each.
DONATION. Unicef Representative to the Philippines Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, and Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson (from left) witness the ceremonial handover of PHP48.7-million worth of cold chain equipment and other assistance to the Philippines at the Goetz Cargo Center in Parañaque City on Friday (Jan. 28, 2022). The donation was made by the Australian government through Unicef-Philippines. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler) The Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and Caraga regions are the beneficiaries of other equipment.
“This partnership is exemplary for our joint commitment to strengthen the national health system and making sure that health services and Covid-19 and routine immunization reach families in the Philippines,” Dendevnorov said.
Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson said the donation would augment the Philippines’ goal to fast-track the Covid-19 vaccination program in remote areas by providing cold storage facilities that can store large quantities of vaccines. “It will help ensure that those most at risk and other vulnerable members of the population have equal access to vaccines,” Robinson said.
He added that the Australian government is committed to supporting the Philippines increase its cold chain capacity, improving information management, and expanding the supply of Covid-19 vaccines.
DOH Undersecretary Ma. Carolina Taiño, immunization specialist Dr. Carla Orozco, cold chain officer Benme Bersola, and Unicef Health section chief Dr. Malalay Ahmadzai also graced the event. (PNA)
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