CONTENTS Caraga Infocus
11 - 17 July 2020
8 10 11 12 14 16
Volume IV, No. 29
REGIONAL NEWS DOH reports 12 new COVID19 positive in Caraga DILG, Phil. Army set directions for RTF-ELCAC in Caraga PNP, Army to combine thrusts vs. insurgency PSA, DSWD Caraga to partner for National ID system project DA’s FMR in Caraga: A catalyst for development Lumad communities in Caraga adopt DROP to fight COVID-19
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DOH reports 12 new COVID19 positive in Caraga
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PNP, Army to combine thrusts vs. insurgency
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Lumad communities in Caraga adopt DROP to fight COVID-19
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Mining firms in Caraga campaign for environmental protection
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PCOO assures partnership with medical, research teams in campaign vs COVID
52 Gov’t discourages home-based quarantine: Nograles
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PROVINCIAL NEWS Mining firms in Caraga campaign for environmental protection Bayugan City mayor allocates enough funds to support fight vs COVID-19 Leyte province provides continuous livelihood support to FRs Provinces in Visayas intensify response vs pandemic Agusanon 4Ps benes come together to make a difference in community IP leaders, elders in Agusan Sur town get aid LTO-Agusan Norte posts P6.1-M collection in June Army prepares ex-rebels for reintegration to communities Mga magsasaka sa Agusan del Norte nakatanggap ng farm equipment Rapid test now required for all travellers to SurSur town
MINDANAO NEWS MinDA pushes for 35.5M-EU funded efforts for Mindanao MinDA completes Bukidnon veggie farms geo-mapping
NATIONAL NEWS PCOO assures partnership with medical, research teams in campaign vs COVID Andanar sees early detection of Covid-19 after launch of UPLB lab Checkless payments of funeral benefit claims starts now says SSS Pag-IBIG offers ‘promo rates’ for housing loans till December 19.8M learners enroll for incoming school year: DepEd
COVID-19 NEWS Russia to share Covid-19 vaccine once available: Palace Gov’t discourages home-based quarantine: Nograles Rapid test kits can’t be bought in drug stores: DOH DOH warns vs. selling, buying plasma for Covid-19
OCD-Caraga distributes PPE to frontliners By Venus L. Garcia
W
ith the rising number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) - Caraga accelerated the response action and in facilitating the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the frontliners.
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The sets of PPE were turned over to local government units, hospitals, and government lines agencies such as Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) - Caraga as communication frontline agency. “Right from the start of the operation in the region against COVID-19, OCD continuously provides PPE as well as fuel to concerned agencies. These PPE sets were turned over to the LGUs and especially to the national and local hospitals in the region that operates specifically against COVID-19,” said April Rose Ann Sanchez, information officer of the OCD-Caraga.
Prior to the implementation of the moratorium of flights and mercy voyage which started on June 22 until July 4 of this year, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Caraga has already recorded more than 4,500 inbound LSIs while As the lead of the Caraga there are also over 4,200 outbound LSIs, Regional Task Force for COVID-19 and and more than a thousand ROFs have as a member-agency of the Caraga arrived in the region. Regional Task Group for Repatriation, Meanwhile, the returning seafarers OCD-Caraga also rendered their services at the one-stop-shop expressed their appreciation for the established at the port of entry of the assistance provided by the government and for their safe return in the region region. after being stranded in Luzon for many The OCD-Caraga has also weeks due to the pandemic. provided fuel to the vehicles OCD-Caraga also gave a stern designated to fetch and transport the locally stranded individuals and reminder to all Caraganons. “For returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) to Caraganons, we are still appealing to you the way the One Caraga Shield has their respective provinces. appealed even before - to keep safe “We provide fuel to the private and be conscious and wary especially and LTRFRB buses that cater the that Butuan City has declared a local transfer of these locally stranded transmission of COVID-19. So keep safe individuals (LSIs) to and from Cagayan and be responsible enough to follow the de Oro, Davao City and those coming guidelines imposed by the authorities,” said Sanchez. (VLG/PIA-Caraga) to Butuan City,” said Sanchez. July 11-17, 2020 |
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News Briefs The Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga holds a virtual press conference this afternoon to talk on the preparations for the opening of classes and learning modalities. xx
Laging Handa Network Briefing episode with PCOO chief Secretary Martin Andanar, Department of Education (DepEd) Usec. Jesus Mateo bared that over 20.7 million has enrolled as of 8am today. Although enrollment period has end, school policies dictate that late enrollees should be accommodated. Comprising the said number of enrollees are 19.6 million at the public schools while 1 million has enrolled at private schools.
PCOO has already drafted an admin version of the FOI bill that was presented to its FOI networks in the Senate and in the House of the Representatives, while also requesting the Office of the President to certify it as an urgent bill. Governor Dale B. Corvera of Agusan del Norte said during this time of COVID19 pandemic, all arriving ROFs and LSIs in the province are being taken cared of by the province through the Provincial Health Office. They will all undergo rapid test, once tested positive, they will be brought to the province’s/ municipality’s quarantine facility.
REGIONAL NEWS
DOH reports 12 new COVID19 positive in Caraga
The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga reports 107 RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) results received from Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) and Northern Mindanao TB Reference Center (NMTBR) sub-national laboratories. Of the said RT-PCR results received, 82 tested negative while 25 turned positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus.
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The negative RT-PCR results are from the a) Nine suspect cases from Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center, Butuan Medical Center,
Butuan Doctors’ Hospital, and M.J. Santos Hospital, b) One probable case from Nasipit District Hospital, and c) 72 results coming from high-risk individuals who either have turned positive in the Rapid Antibody-based Test or with relevant travel and exposure to COVID-19. As revealed, 25 samples are RTPCR confirmed positive for COVID-19: Thirteen (13) are follow-up tests of previously confirmed positive cases while 12 are new cases. Of the 12 new cases, 66.67% (8) are Locally Stranded Individuals while 33.33% (4) are from ROFs and frontliners that have two cases each. As to sex distribution 58.33% are males while 41.67% are females. For age group, 50% belong to ages 20-30 years old. Cases are distributed in the following areas: Butuan City (1), municipalities in Agusan del Norte- Buenavista (5), Carmen (2), Rosario, Agusan del Sur (1), municipalities in Surigao del NorteAlegria (1), and Gigaquit (2). Eleven of the cases are asymptomatic while one manifests mild signs and symptoms. Moreover, all cases are admitted and isolated at designated quarantine facilities region-wide for monitoring and management. “As part of our surge preparedness, we partner with DPWH and LGUs in optimizing our isolation and quarantine facilities and provide reinforcement through augmentation of Human
Resource for Health (HRH). As of this time, we are almost complete with the HRH emergency hiring as manpower complement to our COVID-19 health facilities,” DOH Caraga Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said. “A total of 181 positions have been approved, and we have already hired and deployed 152 individuals. We have augmented additional health workforce to our DOH hospitals, Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center and Caraga Regional Hospital; and to our LGU hospitals, namely, Butuan Medical Center, Nasipit District Hospital, Bislig District Hospital, and D.O.P. Memorial Hospital. Interested applicants may contact our office for the remaining vacant positions,” he added. To date, Caraga region now has a total of 202 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. Out of the 202 confirmed cases, 95 had already recovered from the virus. “As we adapt to the new normal era, let us continue following the minimum health standards. Let us be role models to others in executing these health protocols. Remember, ‘BIDA Solusyon’ for COVID-19: B-bawal walang mask, I-isanitize ang mga kamay, D-dumistansya ng isang metro and A-alamin ang totoong impormasyon. BIDA Solution! In unity, let us beat COVID-19,” Dr. Llacuna concluded. (DOH Caraga/PIA Caraga) July 11-17, 2020 |
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DILG, Phil. Army set directions for RTF-ELCAC in Caraga The newly appointed commander of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) Major General Andres C. Centino, together with 402nd Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Maurito L. Licudine, paid a visit to the Caraga Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Operation Center in Butuan City on July 8, 2020 and specifically tackled the appropriate steps to be taken next in the efficient implementation of Executive Order No. 70 as it achieves its full-steam enforcement. The two officials of the Philippine Army discussed ELCAC concerns with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga regional director and RTF-ELCAC Technical Working Group (TWG) chairperson Lilibeth A. Famacion, DILG assistant regional director Donald A. Seronay, and LGCDD chief and OpCen co-chief Annabel F. Yangson.
enemy, BGen. Licudine iterated that the Retooled Community Support Program should be enforced immediately in the cleared barangays to warrant the preservation of peace in these vulnerable areas.
As a response, Famacion committed the full support of the TWG in the undertakings of the task force and that it will strive to come up with MGen. Centino highlighted the ways on how the ELCAC interventions need for the twelve Lines of Effort to can be implemented most effectively. be continually empowered in the discharge of their duties on the matter Likewise, MGen. Centino affirmed of ending local communist armed the support of the Philippine Army to conflict to ensure that the whole- the activity initiated by DILG Caraga of-nation principle will be upheld in held on Friday, July 10, which was done securing peace and development in to revisit the priority programs, projects Caraga region. and activities (PPAs) of RCSP-identified barangays in the region. (DILG-Caraga/ Citing the weakening force of the VLG/PIA-Caraga)
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PNP, Army to combine thrusts vs. insurgency By Major Renel E. Serrano
With similar strong resolve of ending the local communist armed conflict, the top officials of Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) and Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 met and discussed their thrusts against insurgency in Caraga region. During the recent visit of Major General Andres C. Centino, commander of 4ID, Philippine Army, at the PNP-Caraga headquarters, he presented the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFPs’) thrusts to regional director Brigadier General Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr., highlighting the need for support of the PNP in counterinsurgency campaign. The program thrust of the AFP is a proactive response to improve the ongoing security operations and sustain pressure against the Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) and other threat groups in the region. Both have expressed their exchange of support by sharing plans and programs to better serve and protect the people against those who
undermine the rule of law. “The police force pledges full support to our AFP troops in whatever assistance we can extend either in operational or administrative procedures. We continue to strengthen our collaboration with our valiant soldiers to immobilize the guerrilla fronts operating in our area,” BGen. Esquivel said. Meanwhile, MGen. Centino urged the government’s security forces to step up efforts against the NPA members whose lawless activities hamper peace and prosperity in the region. In Caraga, more rebels have laid down their arms and returned to the mainstream society upon realizing that they had been exploited and deceived by the NPA. (PIO-PRO13/PIA-Caraga) July 11-17, 2020 |
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PSA, DSWD Caraga to partner for National ID system project
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Caraga region has tapped the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) implementation, by accessing the latter’s Listahanan database.
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Hermilando N. Paque, Jr, PSA Registration Officer I and Marjon C. Dalagon, Administrative Assistant II recently visited the Field Office to discuss the Listahanan Data Sharing Guidelines which is currently managed by the National Household Targeting Section (NHTS) of the Department. Aldie Mae A. Andoy, OIC of the Policy and Plans Division – Officer-InCharge, and Listahanan Regional Field Coordinator explained process and requirements in accessing the Listahanan database to the PSA representatives as compliance to Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012. This includes the forging of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between PSA and the Department, as well as series of inspection meetings to ensure that the 2nd party is capable of handling and protecting sensitive personal information contained in the Listahanan Database. Listahanan is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country. It contains demographic and socioeconomic status of the identified poor households. It also provides complete information on poor households who will become beneficiaries of the different anti-poverty programs and services of the government. The PSA requested the list of poor families/households as they plan to start the pre-registration of the PhilSys project on September this year. PSA is targeting to provide one hundred forty thousand (140,000) Caraganons with
the National ID by the end of the year. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed into law the R.A. 11055, also known as the “Philippine Identification System Act”. The act mandates the issuance of a national ID that will serve as valid proof of identity for all Filipino citizens and resident aliens. The law tasks PSA as responsible for the overall planning and management of PhilSys. (Social Marketing Section, DSWDCaraga/PIA-Caraga) July 11-17, 2020 |
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DA’s FMR in Caraga: A catalyst for development By Kent Warren H. Fugoso
The implementation of Farm-to-Market Roads (FMR) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has since led to the continuous development of various livelihoods in agriculture and fishery. This led to a more accessible and productive farm area, reduced cost of mobility, and faster delivery of farm products. The DA Caraga in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Local Government Units (LGUs) implemented and completed 121 FMRs with a total worth of P1.9 billion. In five years time (2015-2019), a total of 185.6 kilometers (km.) was constructed regionwide.
the intended market of the product we are producing. If it does not link directly to our intended market, it will somehow link to the road network leading to the market,” said Engineering Division Head Engr. Rene Morales.
“It is not just our farmer’s products that we are going to link to the market, These FMR projects apportioned to but also it will bring easy access to import different provinces and LGUs changed agricultural inputs to our respective the progression of the agriculture and production areas,” he added. fishery sector in the region in terms of profit, market, production, and Agricultural inputs are products transportation. that are needed in crop and livestock production. This includes “Our FMR projects are responsible seeds, fertilizers, feedstuffs, and plant for linking our production area towards protection products.
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Mobility wise, these projects have affected positively to the efforts exerted by the farmers in rural areas now, compared to the traditional practices of transporting before. “There is really an advantage if we have an FMR project in the LGU. Before, the roadway of our farmers is muddy and crooked, which is a stress for them because they used “habal-habal” or improvised motorcycles with extended wings when transporting their products. Through the FMR, things got easier and the best quality of their products still remain,” said FMR Focal Person, Thessa Bongcawel.
Opportunities expanded like a ripple effect as FMR projects are continuously implemented throughout the region. Benefiting multiple livelihoods, greater production areas, and productive rural communities.
DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo said that the DA pushes for greater investment in infrastructure development as it aims for a more food secure and resilient communities. Infrastructures like FMRs, he said, would improve logistics and linkages of production areas to the domestic and export markets. With the Farm-to-Market Road Development Program (FMRDP) of the DA, more For the 121 successfully completed areas are being proposed for funding FMRs in the region, communities living to fully serve the farmers and fishers in near these projects have great stories to the region. tell. Stories of life transformation, better connections, and a secure future for “FMR gives better leverage to the next generation. farmers’ access to a better price for their products. It helps its product to According to Acresia P. Camarin, be more saleable as FMRs reduces current Barangay Chairperson of handling losses, thus, giving farmers Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, more profit and more returns from its Agusan del Norte, the FMR program produce. It’s not only profit that the has given better road access to them farmers could enjoy out of the FMR but and the Indigenous community living in the accessibility it gives brings in basic the area. services like health services, access to school, and security”, Director “Better road access has been Monteagudo said. experienced by our Mamanwa Community in Del Pilar. Even though This year 2020, from the 35 it’s not that close to their area, it’s still proposed FMR projects under FMRDP a lesser burden for them because it’s amounting to P608 Million, seven of already accessible unlike before. Now, these are now for implementation with they can easily transport their harvested a total amount of P163M while the 28 crops like abaca and rubber to the are considered under For Later Release. market,” Camarin said. (DA-13 RAFIS/PIA Caraga) July 11-17, 2020 |
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Lumad communities in Caraga adopt DROP to fight COVID-19
The majority of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) communities within the ancestral domains in Caraga region have adopted the Disaster Response Operation Procedure (DROP) implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to fight the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. DSWD, through the Kapit-Bisig Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) PAMANA IP Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive CDD Program has conducted a series and Integrated Delivery of Social of municipal orientations, including
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tribal meetings, on the DROP.
and RPMO approval.
There is a manual on DROP, which should be followed by the Area Coordinating Team (ACT) in implementing the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) KALAHI CIDSS - National CommunityDriven Development Program (KCNCDDP) in areas struck by disasters. The manual is presented in three parts: The first part on the specific measures of DROP implementation; the second part on how to facilitate each activity of the DROP; and, third part the Annex which provides further details to the relevant sections.
With this, the IP communities involved would also take their part in the implementation of said procedure. PAMANA (PAyapa and MAsaganang PamayaNAn), under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), is the government’s framework for peace and development. It is implemented in conflict-affected communities, as well as in areas covered by existing peace agreements.
The use of the DROP shall be triggered by a “declaration of state of calamity” covering a barangay, several barangays, or the entire municipality, and LGU decision to use DROP through a Sanggunian Bayan (SB) Resolution, subject to Sub-Regional Program Management Office (SRPMO)
Kalahi-CIDSS falls under the second strategic pillar of the PAMANA framework, which is building resilient communities. The project objective is to improve the access of Kalahi-CIDSS areas classified as conflict-affected barangays (CABs) to basic social services and responsive, transparent, and accountable local governments. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga) July 11-17, 2020 |
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
Mining firms in Caraga campaign for environmental protection By Venus L. Garcia
As part of the culmination activity of the Environment Month celebration this year, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Field Office 13 (MGB-Caraga) conducted the succulent dish gardening and environmental video-making contests. These were participated and supported by several mining companies in the Caraga region wherein the winning entries will be utilized as information, education and
communication (IEC) and advocacy materials for environmental protection and preservation.
The CTP Construction and Mining July 11-17, 2020 |
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Corporation won the first place for the succulent dish gardening competition followed by Taganito Mining Corporation in second place and Mindanao Mineral Processing Refinery Corporation for the third place.
during this time of the pandemic,” said Noble.
The Caraga-based mining firms have spent around P140 million as assistance to the frontliners, host communities and non-impact Meanwhile, for the environmental communities through their Social video making contest, the Agata Development and Management Mining Ventures, Inc. got the first place; Program (SDMP). MMPRC as the second-place winner and NAC-Hinatuan Mining Corporation The mining firms have also garnered third place. pooled their resources together for the establishment of the first molecular According to MGB-Caraga regional director Engr. Glenn Marcelo testing laboratory for coronavirus Noble, their agency is encouraging disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the region.
the mining firms to help in improving “The mining firms here have the lives of the host and neighboring manifested their concern to the communities. community members. They promote “MGB targets Caraga region to the principle of people empowerment become the center and model for and give the necessary aid as a responsible minerals industry. Apart form of strengthening their hopes in from the contribution of the mining overcoming the crisis brought about by institutions in the economy, they have the pandemic,” said Noble. (VLG/PIAalso helped the affected communities Surigao del Norte)
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Bayugan City mayor allocates enough funds to support fight vs COVID-19 By Jennifer P. Gaitano
City Mayor Kirk Asis of Bayugan City bared that the local government unit has allocated funds to support the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) related operations. “We have allocated and made available the supplemental budget of P171-million (from the 2019 budget) and fund from the Bayanihan Grant from the national government in the amount of P91-million, as well as a provincial government share of P5.6-
million. This is apart from the bags of rice turned-over by the provincial government for the city,� said Asis as he guested the Laging Handa Network Briefing hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office July 11-17, 2020 |
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(PCOO) on Friday. The local chief executive emphasized that even prior to the pandemic, the LGU has already put in place a program to ensure food security, including the sustainable livelihood programs of the people.
able to somehow gain income.
“In addition, the city government is now focusing on rice production and other crops such as banana and corn to help with the recovery of the local economy. Over 4,000 land area were irrigated for such purpose. According to the mayor, these will be distributed “The locals here are supporting in Manila,” he said. backyard gardening which helped them cope with their daily needs Meanwhile, he further reminded especially during this time of the the locals to constantly follow the pandemic. On the other hand, the health protocols and wearing of farmers are also being supported face mask, face shields, the practice with various assistance for them to of maintaining proper hygiene and continuously produce agricultural other preventive measures against products and earn from it,” the spread of COVID-19. He also underscored Asis. emphasized that the city government monitors the observance/compliance Mayor Asis added that the cut of the Bayuganons. flower industry, which the city of Bayugan is known for, was greatly Wilfred Pitogo of City FM and affected because of the pandemic. Ruel Castro of Fox FM, both from However, because of the Department Bayugan City, were the media coof Agriculture’s vegetable gardening hosts of Sec. Andanar during the said programs, workers in the industry were briefing. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
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Leyte province provides continuous livelihood support to FRs By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
“We are making headway in the fight against the Left and the rebels.� This was the statement of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) Asec. Jonji Gonzales on the local insurgency situation in the Leyte province. During the Laging Handa Network Briefing episode today, July 17, with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) chief Secretary Martin Andanar, Asec. Gonzales bared the initiatives of the provincial government of Leyte for the former rebels (FRs) in the province. In San Isidro town, where 500 FRs have been recorded, rebel returnees were given livelihood through partaking in the poultry production in the town. With the help of business owners in the area, they help in the production of 3,000 eggs every day.
The Philippine Coconut Authority in the Eastern Visayas region also distributed several seedlings to the FRs, in coordination with the Philippine Army 802nd Infantry Brigade. The national government also provided additional funds for the construction of the halfway houses for the rebel returnees in the Leyte province. A cheque worth P5 million was given to the Leyte Provincial Task Force against Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) through provincial task force chairperson and Leyte provincial governor Leopoldo Petilla. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga) July 11-17, 2020 |
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Provinces in Visayas intensify response vs pandemic By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
Provinces in Visayas continue to intensify their response against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic amid the easement of community quarantine protocols in the province. Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) Asec. Jonji Gonzales reiterated during the Laging Handa Network Briefing episode today, July 17, that another polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine was approved by the Department of Health (DOH) in the Eastern Visayas region, which will be placed in the molecular laboratory in Southern Leyte.
provided to the sub-national laboratory in the said area.
The Small Business Corporation in Capiz has also approved the loan applications of 23 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the area through the Pondo para sa Pagbabago (P3) COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help aid The facility is expected to be their businesses. completed in the next 45 to 60 days. Around 5,000 swab kits will also be The said MSMEs vary from culinary
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schools, businesses selling agricultural have recovered from infection to products, food manufacturing improve the immune response of the enterprises, eateries, sari-sari stores, and recipient. construction supplies. The bloodletting activity had Under the P3 CARES, enterprises recently been conducted in Lapumay avail loans ranging from P10, 000 Lapu City, where around 200 donors to P3 million. As of July 6, a total of participated, including 50 personnel P1.7 million has been released by the from the Philippine National Police program. (PNP), 13 from the Philippine Air Force, and 11 from the Bureau of Fire Protection Meanwhile, recovered patients (BFP), and city mayor Ahong Chan. of COVID-19 in the Cebu province have taken part in the government’s “This on-going blood donation continuous response for COVID-19 drive is to help those in need of patients through donating blood. convalescent plasma since dengue season is also coming,” Asec. Gonzales The Donate Blood, Save a Life, said. Be a Hero project of the OPAV, in coordination with the DOH Central Select cities in the Cebu province Visayas, aims to encourage recovered have now been placed under general patients of the fatal virus to donate community quarantine (GCQ), blood for current patients of COVID-19. including Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Consolacion, Talisay, and Minglanilla. The donated blood will be used Meanwhile, Cebu City remains under for the convalescent plasma therapy, modified enhanced community which involves the transfusion of blood quarantine (MECQ). (DMNR/PIAplasma collected from patients who Caraga) July 11-17, 2020 |
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Agusanon 4Ps benes come together to make a difference in community
“Mas maayo nga mutabang ta, kaysa kita ang tabangan. Swerte na kaayo kami kay nahimo ming membro sa 4Ps ug naa kami madawatan, samtang ang uban wala (It is better that we help rather than us being extended the help. We are very fortunate enough to have been part of the 4Ps, and that we receive the grants, compared to those who are not).� These were the words of the 41-year old parent leader and daycare worker, Rona Fuentes. She is one of the 16 parent leaders of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Barangay Sampaguita, Veruela,
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Agusan del Sur. When the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) took its toll in the country, several Local Government Units provided relief assistance to its
constituents. The BLGU of Sampaguita did the same when they delivered halfsacks of rice to every household in their barangay.
government. By aiding a little amount of love and compassion, they were able to distribute rice packs to 100 families in their barangay.
Lacking manpower, some of In the region, a total of 188,467 4Ps the 4Ps parent leaders volunteered to beneficiaries received the emergency deliver the goods to their community. subsidy under the SAP. This is a provision of the government through Though the “new normal” the Department of Social Welfare and scenario was still slowly sinking into their Development to aid the most affected system, just like wearing face masks and families because of COVID-19. maintaining physical distance, they all were convinced that the need to be The pandemic awakened a together and do something tangible very unique spirit of community that and real was something they needed has been in the Filipino culture for to do. centuries. Truly, finding resources is not a big issue when done by willing and A similar situation happened compassionate individuals and groups, in Barangay Doña Telesfora, Tubay, who are willing to extend their hands, Agusan del Norte, wherein a group regardless of their differences. of Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) beneficiaries also felt the “Grabi ka mahinungdanon ang bayanihan spirit which is innate to among panagkita. Bisan og nabag-uhan Filipinos especially during times of mi sa pag-social distancing, kay sauna hardship and challenges. magkumustahay ug magginaksanay gayud mi, pero nalipay gihapon kay “Naningkamot gyud mi na mag- nagkakitaay mi (It was a meaningful solicit sa mga kaila, kaparentehan, get together. Although maintaining the ug batchmates namo nga pwede social distancing is awkward, because makaabag luyo aning COVID-19 nga we always greet with a handshake or a krisis (We took the initiative to solicit warm hug, but we are still glad to see from our colleagues/batchmates and each other),” Fuentes added. relatives who were generous enough to help amid this global crisis),” Jerama More than the cash grants that Daug, one of the active MCCT-IP Parent they are receiving, the volunteer work Leader said. gave them an opportunity to develop their capacities as beneficiaries such as Daug asked the other members to decision making and planning. For this, provide a list of families (non-Pantawid) they always considered themselves of their respective purok or sitio who fortunate. (Social Marketing Section/ were not able to receive the Social DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Agusan Amelioration Program subsidy of the del Sur) July 11-17, 2020 |
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IP leaders, elders in Agusan Sur town get aid By Alexander Lopez
Some 195 leaders and elders of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) in the Agusan del Sur town of San Francisco received a half-sack of rice and food packs from the municipal government on Friday.
GESTURE OF GRATITUDE. San Francisco, Agusan del Sur Mayor Solomon T. Rufila leads the distribution of relief assistance to 195 Manobo leaders and elders in the area on Friday (July 10, 2020), as part of the local government’s initiative to ease the impact of the coronavirus crisis on tribal communities. The official also says the activity meant to acknowledge the contribution of the Manobo tribe in preserving the town’s cultural heritage. (Photo courtesy of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur Information Office)
In a statement issued on Saturday (July 10), San Francisco Mayor Solomon T. Rufila expressed gratitude to the IP communities in the town for working to preserve the Manobo culture in the locality.
In an interview, Municipal administrative officer Eloise Rufila told Philippine News Agency Saturday that the Manobo communities situated in 19 barangays in the municipality are among those who are heavily affected during the implementation of quarantine to contain the threats of the “I encourage you to continue coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). participating actively and be one with the government’s advocacy in “Our IP communities also received the development and progress of this relief assistance from the municipal locality,” Rufila said. government during the series of food
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distributions conducted during quarantine period,” Rufila said.
the and services designed to bring genuine peace and sustainable development in San Francisco and its barangays.” She said Friday’s distribution of aid also meant to show the local San Francisco is a first-class government’s gratitude for “the municipality in Agusan del Sur enduring support of the IP leaders to composed of 27 barangays with a the LGU, not only during the threat of population of 74,542 according to the the pandemic but also to the programs 2015 census. (PNA)
LTO-Agusan Norte posts P6.1-M collection in June By Alexander Lopez
The Land Transportation Office in Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte has surpassed the revenue collection it accomplished in June 2019 by 95.69 percent, generating over PHP6.1 million from June 1 to 30 this year.
INCREASED COLLECTION. Land Transportation Office Cabadbaran District head Eugene Rula reports the 95.69 percent increase in revenue collection of their office in June this year amounting to over PHP6.1 million, compared to the same period last year. Rula notes that the increase was achieved despite the quarantine restrictions to contain the coronavirus disease. (PNA file photo by Alexander Lopez)
“The lockdown imposed from March until early May this year hindered some of our clients to do business in our office,” LTO-Cabadbaran District Supervisor Eugene Rula told the Philippine News Agency Wednesday (July 8).
Rula noted that the increase in collections was achieved even if their clients were mostly hesitant to go out of their homes in the last few months because of the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). July 11-17, 2020 |
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Most of the transactions last month at the district, he said, was for the registration of motor vehicles with 3,200 transactions compared to 1,460 transactions in June last year.
The law enforcement division of LTO-Cabadbaran has recorded 73 apprehensions last month compared to the 80 apprehensions in June last year.
“We collected PHP5,117,759 from motor vehicle registration last month or an increase of PHP2,772,501 or 118.22 percent from PHP2,345,258 collected in the same month last year,” Rula said.
Meanwhile, Department of Transportation-Caraga (DOTr-13) Acting Director and LTO-13 Director Nordy Plaza on Wednesday said they are now consolidating the reports on collections and accomplishments in all He also reported the 37.43 percent district offices of LTO in the region. increase in licensing transactions last month with a total collection of LTO-13 has seven districts and one PHP898,230 compared to PHP653,715 extension office situated in different collected in June last year. provinces and cities in the region. A 51 percent increase was also recorded in license transactions handled by the office last month with a total of 2,330 compared to 1,543 in the same month of 2019.
“I am optimistic of increased revenue collections in all our LTO districts last month,” Plaza said.
He added that increased revenue collection is important to help the However, a 7.17 decrease in the government in the midst of the crisis it collection was noted in law enforcement faces through the continuing threat of last month with PHP133,030.00 collection the Covid-19. compared to PHP143,300 in June 2019. “I ask our clients in the region not to “The decrease in the hesitate to come to our LTO districts for collection from law enforcement is their transactions but I also ask them to understandable. Drivers, in the midst of observe the proper health protocols,” the pandemic and health protocols, Plaza said. imposed follow regulations such as the wearing of facemask and physical He added that all the LTO distancing by limiting the number of district in the area have designated their passengers,” Rula explained. hand washing areas, the checking of temperatures and footbaths. He added that most of the apprehensions the law enforcement Limiting the entry of clients to the division made are on motorcycle drivers district offices is also imposed to ensure violating the no back ride policy. physical distancing. (PNA)
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Army prepares ex-rebels for reintegration to communities
By Alexander Lopez
LIVELIHOOD PREPS. A total of 15 former rebels undergo a series of a pre-orientation seminar on Livelihood Settlement Grant starting Wednesday (July 8, 2020) until Saturday at the headquarters of the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. (Photo courtesy of CMO, 23rd IB)
Fifteen former rebels (FRs) underwent a pre-orientation seminar on Livelihood Settlement Grant (SLG) in series of activities held starting on July 8 until July 11 at the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. July 11-17, 2020 |
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“It is not enough to accept the former combatants and supporters of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) as they decide to return to the folds of the law, but it is also important to prepare them to go back to their families and communities,” said Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, 23IB commander, in a statement issued Saturday.
economic challenges as they begin their renewed lives with their families.”
Paulo said the activity was a joint collaboration between the 23IB and the Department of Social Services and Development (DSWD) in the province.
“Most of them are staying here at the ‘Happy Home’ inside our headquarters while processing their documents from the ECLIP program,” Maglalang said.
“The government and the Army, especially the 23IB will always adhere to its promise of helping the FRs to have productive and progressive living with their families after spending months and years fighting with the inept ideology of the CNTs (Communist NPA Terrorists),” the Army official said.
1st Lt. Roel T. Maglalang, 23IB civil-military operations officer, said in a separate interview Saturday that the 15 rebel returnees surrendered beginning the late quarter of 2019 until June of this year.
ECLIP stands for Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government designed to provide economic and social support to former NPA combatants.
Maglalang called on the remaining NPA rebels in Agusan del Norte to He also underscored the need to surrender and avail all government capacitate the NPA surrenderers “for programs “for the betterment of their them to be able to face the various lives and families.” (PNA)
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Mga magsasaka sa Agusan del Norte nakatanggap ng farm equipment By Nora C. Lanuza
Isang kooperatiba ng mga magsasaka sa probinsya ng Agusan del Norte – ang Avancena Beneficiaries Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooerative (ABFMPC) na may 105 myembro ang nakatanggap ng farm tractor na nagkakahalaga ng 1.2 milyong peso mula sa Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) sa pamamagitan ng Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP). Ayon ka provincial agrarian reform program officer II Andre Atega, ang nasabing farm equipment ay nakakatulong upang madagdagan ang kita ng mga magsasaka at matugonan ang kanilang pangangailangan lalo nga sa panahong may coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Ang makinaryas ay mapapakinabangan hindi lang ng mga myembro ng ABFMPC kundi pati na rin ang ibang magsasaka dahil mas mapahusay pa nito ang pagsasaka, ang pamumuhay ng magsasaka at makapagbibigay ito ng trabaho.
Ayon din kay Constancio Dalanon, ang vice chaiperson ng ABFMPC, ng dahil sa farm mechanization program Malaki ang pasasalamat ni Sergio na nagbigay ng malaking tulong sa Baguhin, ang chairperson ng ABFMPC kanilang pagsasaka, mas napadali pa sa ayudang bigay ng DAR lalong-lalo ang mga gawain nila. na ang mga makinaryas at pati na rin ang mga trainings para sa mga Ang CRFPSP ay nakakatulong magsasaka. upang mas matugonan ang mga pangangailan ng mga agrarian reform Dagdag pa ni Baguhin, ito ay communities (ARCs) sa bansa, isa itong isang sagot upang mas maging sagot ng DAR upang matugonan ang matugonan ang panganib na dulot ng panganib ng climate change para sa climate change. ARCs. (NCL/PIA Agusan del Norte) July 11-17, 2020 |
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Rapid test now required for all travellers to SurSur town As the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Caraga region increase and cases of local transmission are recorded, the municipality of Carrascal has issued Executive Order No. 24, series of 2020 requiring a negative result on either Rapid Antibody Test (RAT) or Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) to all non-Surigaonons entering the municipality. Effective July 8, 2020, the Carrascal Primary Health Care Facility will start to accommodate rapid testing with a fee of P1,500 per test/ person. Rapid testing is exclusive to all Carrascalanons, except for private employees in companies with Carrascal as their principal address.
are required to undergo the rapid testing and comply with regular travel documents needed.
As contained in the EO, the rapid testing schedule is from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M., Monday to Friday. The said facility will strictly implement 10 tests only per day. The rapid test result is valid for The employees from private seven days only. companies/offices located in Carrascal can avail of the rapid testing, provided All individuals who wish to avail that they can present an official travel are advised to secure first the medical order and a company ID. certificate from the Municipal Health Office (MHO) and Travel Authority to Those Carascalanon patients be issued by the Carrascal Municipal undergoing dialysis and other regular Police Station (MPS) before proceeding treatments and subject for medical for the rapid testing. emergencies and referrals are exempted from rapid testing, provided All applicants who wish to travel they are issued a doctor’s referral. outside the province are reminded that the municipality of Carrascal would All individuals who wish to avail only issue travel documents for essential with other medical interventions such travels. (LGU-Carrascal/PIA-Surigao del as regular or follow-up check-ups Sur)
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MINDANAO NEWS
MinDA pushes for 35.5MEU funded efforts for Mindanao MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol is pushing for an integrated planning and implementation of European Union (EU) - funded Mindanao Peace and Development Program (MinPAD) – RISE Mindanao in a recently held Integrated Work and Financial Plan Workshop today at Elai Hotel Resort and Recreation Center, Kidapawan City. “MinDA’s urgent tasks would be to make sure that we are able to restart Mindanao’ economy with these projects and set up our semi-autonomous food and supply demand network in Mindanao,” Piñol said. He said he would prefer that MinDA decide and design where to implement the projects and programs to be funded by the European Union to maximize fund utilization.
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MinDA Undersecretary Janet Lopoz they aim to allocate the available €35.5M Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the European Union (EU) for the Mindanao Peace and Development Programme (MinPAD) – RISE Mindanao. Lopoz also presented the components of MinPAD – RISE Mindanao, which will be co-managed with two international organizations,
and where MinDA will serve as over-all implementing partner agency. “The assistance will be used to implement Mindanao Integrated Agriculture Development Program (MIADP) and Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH or GIZ and World Bank,” Lopoz revealed. Lopoz added that the MIADP will be allocated with €15 million funding and PRDP will be given an allotment of €20 million. The program will assist the agricultural sector and local government units in different areas in Mindanao that are within the poverty threshold.
and sufficient food supply and logistical Meanwhile, Piñol suggested specific network, where we could exist and survive mechanisms for the efficient and effective even without depending on people from implementation of projects and programs the outside,” Piñol stressed. that the fund will support. He also said that under the MinPAD “In developing the projects and – RISE Mindanao initiative, MinDA will programs, let us consider sectoral prioritize ongoing solar-powered water identification, area-based analysis, and supply program of LGU – Taraka in Lanao then the interventions needed by these del Sur, the proposed IMTASULA (Impasugsectors and areas,” he added. ong, Talakag, Suliman, and Lantapan) vegetable farming in Bukidnon, and fish The EU is supporting MinDA’s production in Zamboanga del Norte, objective of establishing a Mindanao among others. Food and Supply Map which will identify areas with excess production as well as “As I have repeated time and new points of destination of these excess again, governance is simple. Let’s not produces in the island-region. complicate it. Governance simply involves answering the question of, “What “This is what I call marrying of could I do to lift the lives of our people provinces so that within Mindanao we from poverty?”That is what governance is will be able to create a self-sustaining all about,” Piñol said. July 11-17, 2020 |
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MinDA completes Bukidnon veggie farms geo-mapping By Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has completed the geo-mapping of the vegetable production areas in the four upland towns of Bukidnon, an official said Sunday. Secretary and MinDA chair Emmanuel Piñol said it is the first step in the crafting of a Master Plan for Sustainable Vegetable and High-Value Crops Production emphasizing environmental protection.
transport of perishable goods to the nearest major highway or consolidation facilities will also be included in the map,” Piñol said. He also said that on July 16, the initial results of the geo-mapping will be presented to Bukidnon officials led by Governor Jose Zubiri and the officials of Piñol also assured that the master the four towns along with farmer leaders. plan is expected to be completed and presented to the funding agencies by the Included in the presentation are end of July 2020. the models for Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems and the Ram Pump Irrigation “The drone-generated Geo-Map, System. undertaken by the IT team from MinDA and supported by the provincial government, “Negros Occidental-based Auke the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Idzenga, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee and Philippine National Police (PNP) and for innovative water supply systems will other agencies, will identify the critical present the Ram Pump System,” he further watershed and headwaters in the area,” added. he said. He added that covered in the first phase of the Geo-Map are 12 upland The IMTASULA Complex has a total barangays in the towns of Impasugong, of about 50,000 hectares of rich soil at an Talakag, Sumilao and Lantapan, otherwise elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level known as the IMTASULA Complex. and is projected to be developed into a major vegetable and high-value crop “It will also delineate the production production area. areas and identify streams, creeks and MinDA will source funding for the project rivers which will be the source of irrigation with the support of other national water using both solar-powered irrigation agencies and Official Development and ram pumps. Critical road networks Assistance provided by foreign donor which would contribute to the easy agencies. (PNA)
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NATIONAL NEWS
SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR PCOO
NEWS CORNER
PCOO assures partnership with medical, research teams in campaign vs COVID Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) will continue to be a partner of medical and research teams in disseminating information about their efforts in containing the spread of COVID-19. Andanar made the statement during the opening of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) campus’ new COVID-19 Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (CMDL) for PCR testing Saturday.
“The laboratory we inaugurate today in Los Baños opens the doors for a technology for early detection, timely treatment, and improved chances of recovery against the dreaded disease,” he said. Andanar said the PCOO, as the lead communications arm of the government, will remain a partner in disseminating public information as support for the efforts of the medical and research teams that are currently working to curb the spread of the disease. “We believe in you. We support you. We are one with you,” he said. “From our desk at the central office to the far reaches of our national and international information network, we carry your crusade with pride, extensively disseminating your data and new discoveries, explaining and encouraging our people to heal as one,” he added. Authorized to operate for the rest of the year, CMDL will serve the areas of Laguna and neighboring provinces, together with other accredited laboratories nationwide. According to UP President Danilo Concepcion, the university has always been at the forefront of offering its resources no matter the crisis the country is going through.
Andanar lauded the UPLB and the “The COVID-19 crisis is unlike people behind the project, stressing that the facility was highly needed at this time. anything we have experienced before.
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Communications Secretary Martin Andanar (PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
And with the possibility of the vaccine still several months away from being developed and made available for everyone, testing suspected COVID-19 patients, as well as isolating and providing the best facilities available here, remain important practices in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in our country,” he said.
that COVID-19 brings, as in any crisis, Filipinos have always proven to rise to the occasion. We pull our resources together to respond and extend our help where it is needed the most,” he added.
The CMDL is a core project of the Task Force Laban ng Bayan Kontra COVID-19 in partnership with the Philippine Red “However, despite the challenges Cross. By Argyll Cyrus Geducos July 11-17, 2020 |
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Andanar sees early detection of Covid-19 after launch of UPLB lab
By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
The inauguration of the University of the Philippines’ (UP) coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (CMDL) in Los Baños, Laguna would pave the way for the early detection and timely treatment of the disease, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Friday.
EARLY COVID-19 DETECTION. Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar expresses confidence on Friday (July 10, 2020) that Covid-19 would be detected early and treated on time following the inauguration of the University of the Philippines’ (UP) Covid-19 Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (CMDL) in Los Baños, Laguna. The diagnostic laboratory will enable the state university to perform testing for Covid-19. (Photo from PCOO)
Andanar issued the statement the same day UP Los Baños (UPLB) launched its CMDL at the Agriculture and Life Science Complex to enable the state university to perform testing for Covid-19.
improved chances of recovery against the dreaded disease,” he said.
Andanar, along with other Cabinet officials, joined the ribboncutting ceremony for the inauguration of the UPLB-CMDL, which will serve as a “The laboratory we inaugurate subnational testing center for Covid-19 today in Los Baños open(s) the doors for Laguna and neighboring provinces. (for) a price technology for early detection, timely treatment, and It began accepting swab
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samples on July 6 after securing the certification and license to operate from the Department of Health’s (DOH) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and Health Facilities and Service Regulatory Bureau.
pride, extensively disseminating your data and new discoveries, explaining, and encouraging our people to heal as one,” Andanar said.
The UPLB-CDML’s six laboratory analysts scored 100 percent in nucleic Andanar expressed optimism that acid extraction, reagent preparation, the launch of the CMDL would help and real-time reverse transcriptionboost the government’s efforts to fight polymerase chain reaction. Covid-19. The proficiency test in these areas He also said he believes in the serves as the last stage of assessment “best and the finest minds” of the before the DOH and RITM can allow country’s epidemiologists, as well as in a testing center to conduct Covid-19 their inter-related medical disciplines testing. “to battle a disease that threatens the existence of humanity.” The UPLB-CDML has the license to operate until the end of the year. “We believe in you, we support you, we are one with you. From our desk at the As of Thursday, the Philippines central office to the far reaches of our has logged 51,754 confirmed Covid-19 national and international information cases, with 12,813 recoveries and 1,314 network, we carry your crusade with fatalities. (PNA)
Checkless payments of funeral benefit claims starts now says SSS The Social Security System (SSS) has started paying funeral benefit claims through the banks and other alternative payment channels as the pension fund shift its transactions online. Effective June 22, 2020, Social Security funeral benefits will no longer be released through checks in an effort of the Social Security System to go digital and decongest or limit walk-
in transactions for the safety of the members and SSS employees well. SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio said the SSS funeral benefit is a July 11-17, 2020 |
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cash benefit granted to anyone who paid the funeral expenses of a deceased member. The release of the benefit will now either through Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer System and Operations Network (PESONet) participating banks, e-wallets, e.g., PayMaya, or Remittance Transfer Companies (RTCs)/Cash Payout Outlets (CPOs), in addition to the earlier launched mode of payment via Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) cards enrolled as an ATM card.
Members must select their preferred PESONet participating bank, e-wallet, or RTC/CPO. They must supply their bank account number to enroll their bank account or their mobile number for e-wallets or RTCs/CPOs. The complete list of PESONet participating banks and electronic money issuers (including e-wallets) is available under the “ACH Participants” section of the Payments and Settlements tab of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas website at www.bsp.gov. ph. Aside from banks and e-wallets, the DBP Cash Padala Thru M Lhuillier, an RTC/CPO, may also be selected in the BEM.
“Upon the filing of their funeral claim applications, claimants who are also SSS members must enroll a disbursement account in the SSS’ Bank Enrollment Module (BEM), if they do not have a UMID-ATM,” Ignacio said. SSS reminds its members that the entry of their bank account numbers To access the BEM, members must must be a continuous string of numbers log in to their My.SSS account at the SSS without any dashes or non-numeric website, www.sss.gov.ph, and proceed characters. Meanwhile, mobile numbers to the E-services tab then click Bank must also follow the same format, e.g., Enrollment. 09171234567 or 09181234567.
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“Claimants who are non-SSS members must present and submit a copy of their disbursement account together with their funeral claim application and other documentary requirements,” Ignacio said. To receive the benefit payment through PESONet participating banks, non-SSS member claimants must present the original copy and submit the photocopy of any of the following: passbook, ATM card with the name of the claimant and account number, validated initial deposit slip, or a bank certificate or statement issued within three months before the filing of the claim with the name of the claimant and account number.
claimants must provide their mobile numbers. “The disbursement of funeral claims through banks and alternative payment channels allows SSS beneficiaries to conveniently receive the benefit without having to wait for checks, picking them up at the SSS branch where they filed their claims, and going to the bank to encash them,” Ignacio said.
Funeral claims encoded in the SSS’ funeral system as of June 22, 2020, will still be paid through checks. However, if it is not yet encoded in the said system, the SSS branch will inform the claimant to enroll a disbursement account in the BEM or provide the corresponding If they opt to receive the benefit documentary requirement for his/her through e-wallets or RTCs/CPOs, disbursement account. (SSS)
Pag-IBIG offers ‘promo rates’ for housing loans till December By Lade Jean Kabagani
Filipinos can now avail of housing loans with the “lowest interest rates” until December. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo del Rosario on Friday announced the approval of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) promotional rates for its members who would apply for housing
loans under the End-User Financing Program from July until December 29. “By offering these special rates to our members, we are spurring economic activity in the housing industry, which has a ripple effect on the national July 11-17, 2020 |
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(File photo) economy,” del Rosario, also chairman only be available until the end of the of the Pag-IBIG Fund Board, said in a year. statement. “This is a win-win situation Pag-IBIG is offering a special low- because our members get to take interest rate of 4.985 percent, from 5.375 advantage of these home loan rates, percent per annum under a one-year while the purchase of their homes will repricing period and a 5.375 percent help generate more jobs to get our interest, from 6.375 percent per annum economy back on track. This then, is our contribution to our nation’s journey to under a three-year repricing period. recovery, as led by President (Rodrigo) The subsidized home loan interest Duterte,” del Rosario said. “This is rate for the Affordable Housing Program, another proof that Pag-IBIG Fund is prowhich is available for low and minimum active in looking after the welfare of its wage earners remains at 3 percent per member-borrowers. This promotional scheme will be huge for those who are annum. planning to own their dream homes.” Pag-IBIG declared the pricing Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG Fund Chief as the lowest rates under its Regular Executive Officer Acmad Rizaldy Moti Housing Loan program, which would said the new interest rate for the three-
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year repricing period would only apply if the borrower’s existing account has been active during the first and second anniversary for the promotional rate, which will be extended for another year. Moti said the non-performing (inactive) loans during the first or second anniversary would revert to the risk-based pricing.
special,” Moti said, noting that the promotional rate is part of the housing department’s commitment to ease public burden amid the pandemic in the country. Considering the impact of the pandemic on the livelihood of PagIBIG members, he said they reduced the home loan rates by as much as 100 basis points for the next six months because they want to help members who are thinking of buying a home to take advantage of the “lower-thanlowest rates.”
Pag-IBIG also projected a takeout value of about PHP50 billion for July to December 2020, he said, estimating a PHP1.376-billion interest income-loss over three years. “Even amid the pandemic, now is the best time to buy a home with a “We review our rates regularly Pag-IBIG housing loan,” Moti said. and have never repriced it upward under the Duterte administration. Our Pag-IBIG has earlier imposed ever-improving quality of the portfolio a three-month moratorium on the has allowed us to keep the rates low payment of housing loans and other under our Risk-Based Pricing Model. But loan programs during the health crisis. this time, we are offering something (PNA)
19.8M learners enroll for incoming school year: DepEd By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
The Department of Education (DepEd) reported on Tuesday that 19,888,067 learners have enrolled in public and private schools nationwide for Academic Year 2020-2021. Data from the department shows that as of July 14, a day before the extended enrollment period ends, 18,846,485 learners have enrolled in public schools and 1,017,290 in private schools.
The Calabarzon region logged the highest number of enrollees at 2,705,979, and the Cordillera region, the lowest at 315,408.
The
enrollees
were
from
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kindergarten to senior high school, as well as learners with disabilities and those taking the alternative learning system.
“The reason (of transfer from private to public schools) is due to the effects of Covid (coronavirus disease 2019) to the economy and employment,� DepEd Undersecretary for Planning Service As of July 8, DepEd data showed and Field Operations Jesus Mateo told that some 250,539 learners from private the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a schools have transferred to public text message. schools. Of the total number of transferees, 148,852 are elementary students, 69,851 are junior high school students, 26,138 are senior high school students, and 5,698 are learners with disabilities or non-graded.
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Mateo added that DepEd has sufficient resources for the transferees as moving from private to public schools and late enrollment are allowed under Department Order 3 series of 2018. (PNA)
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Russia to share Covid-19 vaccine once available: Palace By Azer Parrocha
Malacañang on Tuesday expressed confidence that Russia would share its potential vaccine against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) once it becomes available. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after a Russian institute developing a potential Covid-19 vaccine announced that it expects to start its final stage testing in a small section of the general public in mid-August.
vaccine (because you know our life won’t go back to normal until we have a vaccine),” Roque said in a virtual Palace briefing.
Roque said he expects the Philippines to be one of the countries to benefit from Russia’s potential Covid-19 “I hope it’s true kasi alam niyo vaccine given President Rodrigo naman po na hindi mababalik sa Duterte’s independent foreign policy normal ang buhay natin kung walang of being “friend to all, enemy to none.”
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“Dahil naman po sa bagong polisya ng Presidente natin na independent foreign policy kung saan kaibigan tayo ng lahat at kalaban ng walang kahit sinong bansa, inaasahan natin na kung meron mang vaccine madevelop ang Russians e ise-share po nila ‘yan sa’tin (Because of the President’s independent foreign policy where we are friends to all, and enemy to none, we expect that Russia will share their vaccine once it is developed),” he said.
determine the safety and effectiveness of new and existing drugs, such as antiviral, anti-bacterial, and anti-malarial agents, in treating Covid-19 patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners earlier launched the “Solidarity Trial”, an international clinical trial, to help find an effective treatment for Covid-19.
The Philippines’ participation in the WHO Solidarity Trial has been approved by the Single Joint Research Earlier, Roque assured that the Ethics Board in support of the Covid-19 government would provide free global response. (PNA) vaccines to the disadvantaged once it is available. Reports showed that early results from the first small-scale human trial of the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Institute in Moscow have shown it to be safe for use. Human trials began on June 18, with nine volunteers receiving one dose, and another nine testing the prospective booster dose. The group did not experience any significant side effects and is due to be released from hospital. Last month, Duterte himself said he was “happy” to learn that many countries have made significant progress in the development of a potential Covid-19 vaccine. There is currently no cure or vaccine for Covid-19. However, clinical trials are reportedly ongoing to July 11-17, 2020 |
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Gov’t discourages homebased quarantine: Nograles By Azer Parrocha
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (File photo)
The national government is now discouraging home-based quarantine for those who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to minimize the risk of transmission within households, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Sunday. Nograles, also co-chair of the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID), said the government will instead be shifting its focus on facility-based quarantine to ensure that disease transmission is controlled.
call) home quarantine. Dapat facility quarantine na e (It should be facilitybased quarantine),” he said in an interview over DZBB.
He warned that there would be a higher chance that persons in the same household would contract Covid-19 “We are now discouraging even if the person who tested positive yung tinatawag na mag (what you would self-isolate.
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“So we’re now shifting that even is on average five to six days, however, those asymptomatic should be given it can be increased to 14 days, the facility-based quarantine),” he said. World Health Organization (WHO) said. According to Nograles, there are enough quarantine facilities that could accommodate even mild Covid-19 cases. Localized lockdowns Nograles said the second phase of the government’s National Action Plan against Covid-19 will push for a more proactive implementation of localized lockdowns nationwide.
As the world continues to grapple with Covid-19, Nograles also reiterated the importance of observing minimum health and safety standards such as physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and frequent handwashing.
Currently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is enhancing its contact tracing efforts by hiring more contact tracers. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año In a recent meeting with mayors also encouraged those who have a via Zoom, he emphasized the need to suspicion of being in contact with a impose lockdowns for at least 14 days, possible Covid-19 patient to come not just two to five days. forward and subject themselves to testing. “Fourteen days dapat kapag nagla-lockdown (A lockdown should As of Saturday, the Philippines has be at least 14 days),” he said. 54,222 confirmed Covi-19 cases with 14,037 recoveries and 1,372 deaths. The incubation period for Covid-19 (PNA)
July 11-17, 2020 |
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Rapid test kits can’t be bought in drug stores: DOH By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. (File photo)
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Saturday clarified that rapid antibody test kits for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cannot be purchased in drug stores. “I stand corrected, rapid antibody tests cannot be bought in pharmacies as it cannot be self-administered. Only facilities with the guidance of a doctor can provide the tests,” Vergeire told reporters.
guidance of doctors.
The Health official made the clarification shortly after her interview at the Laging Handa briefing, where she said that the sale of these kits is now allowed as long as these are registered She added that a person can with the Food and Drug Administration. only get tested in a facility with the (PNA)
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| July 11-17, 2020
DOH warns vs. selling, buying plasma for Covid-19 By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
An official of the Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday warned against selling and buying of plasma for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) as it cited the risk of transmitting other diseases via blood.
“Ayaw natin ‘yong ipinagbebenta o pinababayaran ang dugo, gusto natin naii-screen muna natin ang mga pasyente bago sila makapagbigay ng dugo (We discourage the selling of blood, we need to screen the patient first before they can give blood),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a Laging Handa briefing.
ito because this is purely voluntary (You don’t need to sell or pay because this is purely voluntary),” she added. Reports earlier surfaced that some persons in Cebu City are selling plasma for Covid-19 treatment at around PHP80,000 per bag. Vergeire asked the public to continue practicing the health measures by the government so as to arrest the spread of the disease.
Vergeire said buying blood is “very risky” as the recipient could easily Citing experts and contract other diseases if the donor’s pronouncements from the World Health blood is infected. Organization, she noted the transmission of coronavirus can be airborne in “May mga sakit na maaaring “specific” areas, including hospitals maisalin galing diyan sa mga dugo where there are aerosol-producing na binebenta natin. Ito po ‘yong mga equipment and establishments with transmissible infections through the closed settings. blood (There are diseases that can be transmitted through the blood that “Kaya nga tayo ay nagkakaroon are for sale. These are transmissible ng rekomendasyon na sana kung infections through the blood,” she said. magkakaroon ng pagbubukas ng ibang sektor katulad ng mga restaurant, Vergeire asked the public to get it should be open air para po hindi proper advice from its official blood tayo nagkakaroon ng mga ganitong centers about convalescent plasma instances (This is why we are having transfusion. recommendations that if possible if other sectors will reopen such as restaurants, “Hindi po kailangang pabayaran it could be open-air so that we avoid o tayo ay magbayad para sa dugong such instances),” she added. (PNA) July 11-17, 2020 |
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