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‘BIGGEST’ CARABAO IN MINDANAO FOUND IN SARANGANI
THE ‘BIGGEST’. Mindanao Development Authority chairperson, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol (right), sees for himself the huge carabao owned by 88-year-old farmer Flaviano Tamba (left) in a visit to Barangay Pangi, Maitum town, Sarangani province on July 13, 2021. Measuring 141 inches long from nose to tail and 61 inches tall, it won an online fun search for the biggest carabao in Mindanao initiated by Piñol. (Photo courtesy of Maitum Community Development Information Office)
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The province of Sarangani is home to probably the biggest carabao in Mindanao.
An 18-year-old carabao owned by a farmer in Barangay Pangi, Maitum town has won an online fun search for the biggest traditional farm animal initiated by Mindanao Development Authority chairperson, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.
It measures 141 inches long from nose to tail and 61 inches tall, much larger than the 50 inches to 54 inches average for a male Philippine carabao or domestic swamp-type water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). I’ve seen in my entire life,” Piñol said in a video posted on YouTube on Friday.
He visited Barangay Pangi on July 13 to see the huge carabao and its owner, 88-year-old farmer Flaviano Tamba. The former agriculture chief launched a “fun game” through his Facebook page in
May to search for the biggest carabao/bull in Mindanao in line with the celebration of Farmer’s Month.
A report from the Sarangani Information Office said Tamba’s son Lorenzo sent photos of his father’s massive carabao with some grandchildren on top and “it won the contest hands down.”
Tamba said he bought the young bull for PHP30,000 in 2005 when it was only three-anda-half years old from a farmer in Barangay Lebe, Kiamba town.
He took care of the carabao well and it eventually became sturdy, making other farmers want to buy it at a higher price but were all thumbed down.
Tamba, who originally hails from Culasi, Antique and settled in Maitum in 1958, said the enormous bull has been helping them with various work at their seven-hectare farm, which is planted with coconut trees, bananas, and palay (unhusked rice). Piñol had promised to give the winner of the fun contest some 60 heads of “Manok Pinoy” as prize and came to Maitum to deliver them.
He turned over to the Tamba family 50 female and 10 male free-range chickens, all two-and-ahalf months old, which were bred at his farm in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.
“This will help them start their own backyard chicken-raising program,” he said in the video. the “Manok Pinoy”, said the chicken is a crossbreed of a female from America and a locally bred male.
He advised the family to allow the chickens to acclimatize with the area before releasing them to their surroundings.
They can place them in a space covered by nets, with ample feed and water, he said.
“This is my personal prize for him (Tamba). I’m also here to show that we in the government keep our promise,” Piñol said. (PNA/Allen Estabillo)
NATIONAL NEWS
Statement by Secretary Martin Andanar on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s last State of the Nation Address
Like the rest of the nation, those under the Duterte administration highly anticipate the last State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte this coming July 26, 2021.
This administration has come so far under the leadership of President Duterte since it started in 2016. It has opened doors, broken barriers, and overcame problems, it has made achievements for the country that only this administration has been able to realize.
With regard to the Philippine economy, DuterteNomics has paved the way for unprecedented socioeconomic reforms and developments which helped in alleviating poverty as well as sustaining economic growth.
It has promoted the 25year long-term Ambisyon Natin 2040, which envisions a prosperous Philippines where a predominant middle-class society enjoys long and healthy lives, are smart and innovative, and lives in a high-trust society.
This administration has also breathe new life to our long neglected infrastructures, with spending on public works rising 5 to 6% relative to our GDP, ushering in the “Golden Age of Infrastructure” for the country. This can be compared to the lesser spending at 1.6% to GDP from 2001 to 2010 and 3% to GDP from 2011 to 2016.
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Under the Build, Build, Build Program, we have completed projects related to airports, seaports, transport terminals, flood mitigation structures, roads, bridges, highways, mass public transportations, evacuation centers, and classrooms, among others.
It has also generated 6.5 million jobs from 2016 to 2020 to support our labor market and contribute to our collective rise as a developing nation.
The Duterte administration has also initiated and enacted laws and orders which support social services that impact not only the current generation but future ones, such as the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).
We also take pride in the peace and security efforts of the Duterte administration. We have witnessed this in the creation of BARMM, through the Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the region can prosper with peace and stability.
Under this administration, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 was signed to give the country more teeth in curbing threats and acts of terrorism, given the risks posed by domestic and international terrorism. It has also aimed to capacitate all branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines such as the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Army, by embarking on a proactive and aggressive modernization program that will protect and ensure our country’s sovereignity and territorial integrity from any threat.
Our anti-illegal drugs campaign also witnessed groundbreaking achievements. We have seized a total of PHP 59.93 billion worth of illegal drugs, dismantled 789 drug dens and 18 clandestine laboratories, cleared 22,093 barangays of illegal drugs, and rescued 3,736 children from the threat of drug-related activities, among others, as of May 2021.
These are just some of the major achievements the Duterte administration has realized over five years of truthful, efficient, effective, and proactive public service. And we can expect the continuation of this exemplary public service in the final year of this administration. The President’s last SONA will highlight the Tatak ng Pagbabago that he will leave behind for all Filipinos, by discussing the administration’s accomplishments and legacies on multifaceted governance.
He will be cover economics, social services, infrastructure, peace and security, and our independent foreign policy, among others. It will further include where we are with regard to these aspects to provide the people a clear picture of our current situation.
It will also be an opportunity for the President to set out the directions and plans of the government for the remaining year as we continue to be a source of change for the better while addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rest assured we will continue to open doors, break barriers, and overcome difficulties in our final year of service under President Duterte’s leadership, and we will continue to work in order to achieve and realize our aims and goals of collective development as a nation.
Secretary Andanar reminds local radio to help raise awareness on the COVID-19 vaccine
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar reiterated the civic duty of local radio and news reporters to allow their programs to be an avenue for more Filipinos to understand the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine.
During the Network Briefing News on Thursday, Secretary Andanar said that they should be deliberate in the information that they release to the public because this could hamper the rollout of the vaccination program.
He said this in response to a piece of misleading information allegedly reported by a local radio that’s heard in Sagay, Camiguin, and now causing vaccine hesitancy among residents there.
“Ang mga brodkaster po natin, lalo na yung mga kaibigan natin sa Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas ay talaga namang pinagiingatan ang pagkalat ng fake news – lalo na patungkol sa COVID-19 [Our broadcasters, especially our friends at the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas are careful against spreading fake news, especially about COVID-19],” Secretary Andanar said.
Mayor Joseph Uayan shortly responded that such information would likely come from social media rather than
Andanar
from radio and television. “Hindi ako naniniwala na galing talaga sa radyo kundi galing sa kapwa mga Sagaynon na nakukuha nila sa mga news galing sa social media,” he said.
According to Mayor Uayan, the local government did a “personalized” approach information drive in nine barangays there to encourage more residents to get the COVID-19 jab, as a protection against the more serious threats of the virus. He also encouraged barangay leaders to get vaccinated first so that their constituents will have concrete proof that some information they read on social media is not true.
“I do house visits. Part of this (info drive), I gave instructions to my barangay captains that they should take the lead in correcting the misconception of the people,” he added.
With the rekorida lead by the local government, Mayor Uayan said that it helped more residents there to stay updated on the latest COVID-19 situation in their town.
“Updated po yung mga tao ko. Doon po nag-umpisa yung pagbabago sa isipan nila,” he said.
Secretary Andanar helps endorse anti-insurgency projects of Siaton, Negros Oriental to national government
All agencies of the national government are closely working together to ensure that communities can have programs and services that will usher development and peace, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Wednesday.
During the Network Briefing News, Secretary Andanar offered to help the local government unit of Siaton, Negros Oriental in endorsing to the national government their projects dedicated for their conflict-afflicted areas there.
Siaton Mayor Cezanne Fritz H. Diaz has sought the help of the PCOO chief, noting that some of its barangays have not received any infrastructure programs, such as farm-tomarket roads, which make it difficult for farmers there to have decent incomes.
“Nakita ko naman dun yung mga taga-bundok dito they are very hardworking pero kung mag-ani sila ng mga mais nila at magpa-mill, lugi sila kasi sa transportasyon pa lang ng habal-habal, talo na sila. Kasi around 5 hours ang pagbaba nila [I’ve seen how hardworking people from the hinterlands are, but come harvest time for corn and they mill their produce, they already lose potential income to costly transportation expenses alone. They have to travel 5 hours in motorcycles],” he said.
Mayor Diaz further said that creating roads leading to far flung communities would mean more access to transport goods and products from farms.
“Hoping yung mga tao dito kasi for many years, hindi pa nakatikim ng daan na matino. They are using horses. Kaya ‘pah may doktrina yung NPA doon, eh syempre totoo yung sinasabi ng NPA kasi hindi naman umaabot yung gobyerno doon [The people here are hoping, because for many years we do not have concrete roads there They are using horses. That is why there is NPA presence there, and they can say that government presence is not felt there],” he added and noted that the LGU is also trying its best to deliver services to its constituents.
Secretary Andanar read a text message by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Marlo Iringan responding to the request of Mayor Diaz.
“For 2021, walang beneficiary barangay sa Siaton, Negros Oriental. Actually there are no beneficiary barangays in all of Region 7. But for 2022 SBDP, there are three proposed barangays in Siaton to be covered namely Barangay Tayak, [Barangay] Apoloy, and Barangay Mantiquil,” the message read.
Secretary Andanar offered to lend the local government a hand by following up other concerned agencies where they can direct their requests. He also said that he would raise their request to be included in the Barangay Development Program (BDP) to National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. July 17-23, 2021 | 57
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar commended the efforts of the Security, Peace, and Justice Cabinet Cluster (SPJCC) in leading the programs of the government against armed groups and insurgents.
Secretary Andanar moderated the Pamana ng Pagbabago: The 2021 Pre-SONA Forums of the SPJCC at the Armed Forces of Philippines Commissioned Officers Club (AFPCOC) this morning.
He lauded the fact that despite the pandemic, the cluster remained steadfast in ensuring that the needs of Filipinos everywhere in the country were being addressed.
“The dedication and command of the leaders of every agency under the Security, Peace, and Justice Cluster are truly admirable. The projects established under this administration are testimonies to how the government is a “government for the people”, and how “Tapang is always matched with Malasakit,” he said
The discussion was led by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary
Delfin Lorenzana, who discussed accomplishments in establishing peace and order in conflict-affected areas.
According to Secretary Lorenzana’s report, the DND through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and partner agencies have offered social services to encourage rebels to return to the fold of the government. Over 18,000 former rebels have been reintegrated into the society since President The initiative is known as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Progam (E-CLIP) of the Task Force Balik-Loob.
“Kahit abala sa pademya, ginagampanan ng aming kagawaran ang pangunahin nitong tungkulin na tiyakin ang seguridad ng bansa mula sa anumang banta sa labas o loob man nito. Ang diskarte ng ating pamahalaan na labanan ang insurhensya at lokal na terorismo na hindi gumagamit ng bala o solusyong militar ay naging matagumpay [Even though we are busy responding to the pandemic, the department continues to carry out its mandate of ensuring the security of the country from any form of threat, whether external or internal.
The strategy of the government to fight insurgency and local terorrism which does not resort to a militaristic approach has been successful],” Secretary “By offering social assistance to rebels who returned to the fold of the law, we have greatly reduced threats from armed groups, which have been hampering inclusive economic development and growth for more than 50 years now,” he added.
Of the 18,433 former rebels that were reintegrated, 623 have joined the AFP, 748 were given resettlement and housing assistance, and 21,549 former rebels and their dependents have graduated from skills training.
Because of the success, the government also launched the TUGON Program for former rebels in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Regional in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“Lahat ng rehiyon ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataong umunlad walang iwanan [All regions will have the opportunity to grow and develop. No one will be left behind],” Secretary Lorenzana said.
The government has gone far under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in providing more opportunities for economic growth and overcoming challenges, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Thursday.
In a statement, Secretary Andanar outlined the significant accomplishments of the Duterte Administration which opened doors, broken barriers, and overcame problems in a bid to uplift the quality of life of Filipinos.
These include the promotion of the 25-year long-term Ambisyon Natin 2040, modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other policies that promoted the pillars of President Duterte’s leadership on anticriminality, anti-narcotics, anti-insurgency.
Likewise, the notable rise of massive infrastructure projects under the Build, Build, Build Program across the country have generated 6.5 million jobs from 2016 to 2020, contributing to the steady rise of our economic growth and ushering in the “Golden Age of Infrastructure” for the country.
“These are just some of the major achievements the Duterte administration has achieved over five years of truthful, efficient, effective, and proactive public service. And we can expect the continuation of this exemplary public service in the final year of this administration,” Secretary Andanar said.
The PCOO chief said that the anticipated last State of the Nation Address
of President Duterte will highlight the Tatak ng Pagbabago that he will leave behind for all Filipinos.
He further said that it will cover economics, social services, infrastructure, peace and security, and independent foreign policy, among others.
“It will also be an opportunity for the President to set out the directions and plans of the government for the remaining year as we continue to be a source of change for the better while addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Secretary Andanar said.
“Rest assured we will continue to open doors, break barriers, and overcome difficulties in our final year of service under President Duterte’s leadership, and we will continue to work in order to achieve and realize our aims and goals of collective development as a nation,” he added. President Duterte will have his last SONA on July 26, 2021 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
Guests who will be physically attending the event should be vaccinated for COVID-19 already and be able to submit a negative RT-PCR test result undertaken not more than 48 hours prior to entering the House plenary building.
On local transmission of Delta variant
Bukas po ay nagpatawag ng pagpupulong si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kasama ang ilang IATF members, mga economic managers, at health experts para pag-aralan po itong planong maging mas istriktong border patrol para maiwasan po ang pagpasok ng Delta variant dito sa ating bansa.
Dahil sa banta ng pagkalat ng Delta variant cases ng COVID-19 sa bansa, nananawagan ako sa gobyerno na magsagawa ng agarang aksyon upang mapaigting lalo ang mga existing health and safety protocols natin. May kumpirmasyon na ang DOH na meron ng local transmission ng Delta variant sa Pilipinas. Sinabi ko na ‘yan noon noong ‘local cases’ pa lang na mag-ingat tayo lalo dahil malaki talaga ang possibility ng local transmission.
Now that it is confirmed, the more we should caution our fellow Filipinos. While we continue to balance our health and economic interests, the priority always is to save lives! Mag-ingat po tayo, ‘wag po tayong magkumpiyansa. Kailangan po namin ni Pangulong Duterte ang tulong, kooperasyon at disiplina ng bawat mamamayanang Pilipino.
Ayon sa DOH, tumaas muli ang hospital occupancy rates sa NCR. Ayaw nating bumalik ulit sa lockdown kaya habang maaga pa, agapan na natin agad ang pagkalat ng COVID-19, itong Delta Variant, dahil mas delikado talaga ito.
Nakita naman po natin ang nangyayari ngayon sa ibang bansa. Kaya nga po sinarahan muna ang pagpasok mula sa bansang Indonesia, at ngayon lang po, pinasara
na po ni Pangulong Duterte ang mula sa bansang Thailand at Malaysia.
Bilang chair ng Senate Committee on Health, nagkausap kami ni Pangulong Duterte at inatasan niya ang mga awtoridad na mas paigtingin pa ang ating border control, hindi lang sa mga major airports and seaports, kundi sa lahat po ng entry points sa bansa, lalo na ang ating backdoor border in southern Philippines.
Patuloy rin ang pagmomonitor ng sitwasyon sa ibang bansa kaya nag-i-implement tayo ng stricter travel restrictions sa mga galing sa high risk countries tulad ng Indonesia, Malaysia at Thailand.
Dito naman sa atin, dapat mas higpitan ang pagpapatupad ng mga kasalukuyang health and safety protocols, katulad ng tamang pagsusuot ng mask at face shield, palaging paghuhugas ng kamay, pagsunod sa social distancing at hindi paglabas ng bahay kung hindi naman kinakailangan. palakasin ang ating testing, contact tracing, and isolation and quarantine capacity, kasama na ang genome sequencing.
Mas bilisan din ang vaccine rollout upang mas maraming mga Pilipino ang mabibigyan ng kaukulang proteksyon gamit ang bakuna. Patuloy naman po ang pagdating ng mga supply sa ating bansa. Sa ngayon, may higit 29 million doses na tayo at inaaasahang madadagdagan pa ito.
Kaya sa mga kababayan ko, kapag oras n’yo nang magpabakuna ayon sa ating vaccination guidelines, pag nasa priority list na po kayo, huwag nang magalinlangan pa! Magtiwala po kayo sa bakuna. Huwag po kayong matakot sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon ngayon upang unti-unti tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay, at makamtan natin ang population protection at herd immunity. Proteksyunan natin ang ating sarili at ang ating komunidad para mas makabalik tayo sa normal na pamumuhay kaysa bumalik muli tayo sa mas mahigpit na quarantine measures.
Patuloy ring pinapalakas ng gobyerno ang ating COVID-19 response measures tulad ng pagtataas ng kapasidad ng ating healthcare facilities, pagdadagdag ng mga ICU beds, pamamahagi ng lifesaving medicines and equipment at dagdag na pasilidad para sa isolation at COVID-19 care units.
Patuloy tayong maging disiplinado sa pagsunod sa mga patakaran. Tulungan natin ang ating gobyerno at mga medical frontliners. Ang inyong kooperasyon at disiplina ay makakapagsalba ng buhay ng ating kapwa!
Marami ng mga pagsubok tayong dinaanan noon na sumukat sa katatagan ng ating pagiging Pilipino. Ngayon ay muli na namang hinahamon ang ating kakayahan na malampasan ang mga pagsubok na ito. Kaya magbayanihan at magmalasakit tayo sa kapwa nating Pilipino para mas mabilis tayong makabangon bilang isang mas matatag at nagkakaisang bansa!
Bong Go pushes for additional allowance, incentives for Filipino athletes competing in Tokyo Olympics as he assures them of full support from gov’t
Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports Christopher “Bong” Go showed his and President Rodrigo Duterte’s untiring commitment to promote the welfare of Filipino athletes by pushing for additional support for Team Philippines who will be competing in the Tokyo Olympics.
Following the request of the Philippine Sports Commission coursed through Senator Go, the Office of the President will provide additional allowance to athletes competing in the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa mahal na Pangulo, sa Office of the President, dahil inaprubahan nila ang ating apela na dagdagan ang allowances ng ating mga atleta na lalahok sa Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics,” said Go who, together with PSC, recommended the allowance increase to the President.
“Ako, ine-expect ko na makakuha tayo ng ginto. We wish them good luck at ako naman po ay tiwalang kakayanin nating manalo at makakuha ng ating inaasam na gold medal para sa ating bayan. Dito lang po kami nagbibigay ng full support sa ating mga atleta,” he added.
Notably, an additional allowance worth PhP100,000 was granted by the President “as token and to celebrate the achievement” of the athletes qualified for the Olympics and Paralympics as suggested by Go.
Earlier, initial allowances and provisions have already been given to the athletes and coaches including US$1,000 per person, delegation supply of competition equipment and uniforms, plane tickets, billeting, and delegation uniforms through the efforts of the PSC.
There are presently 19 Filipino Olympians qualified to compete in the Olympics which will take place from July 23 to September 8 and five Filipino Paralympians qualified for the Paralympics, which will take place from August 24 to September 5.
Under Republic Act No. 10699, Olympic medalists would be awarded PhP10 million if they win a gold medal; PhP5 million for a silver medal; and PhP2 million for a bronze medal. On the other hand, Paralympic medalists would get PhP5 million for a gold medal; PhP2.5 million for a silver medal; and PhP1 million for a bronze medal.
According to Go, the President is also expected to provide additional cash incentives to all medalists.
“I’m sure, si Pangulong Duterte, handa rin pong magbigay ng dagdag na insentibo kung makakuha tayo ng medalya. Known naman po ang mga Pilipino na matatapang, magigiting at lumalaban. Let’s give the best, ang Pilipino lumalaban talaga ‘yan,” said Go previously in a radio interview.
Go ensured that adequate funding is included in the PSC’s budget to support athletes’ preparations for the Olympics and other international events as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports. Specifically, he pushed for an additional 100 million pesos to be included in the 2021 budget which was later on increased further to 250 million pesos under the PSC for Olympic preparations. As for the Paralympics, Go earlier supported the allocation of an additional PhP7.945 million budget for their Earlier, Go also successfully appealed to the government to include in the priority list for COVID-19 vaccination the Filipino athletes and other delegates who will be competing or participating in the upcoming Olympics.
During the imposition of enhanced community quarantine measures in most parts of the country last year, Go urged concerned agencies to help athletes whose training and livelihood had been hampered by the pandemic. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, in coordination with the Games and Amusement Board and the PSC, provided financial assistance and other forms of aid to athletes in various parts of the country upon the recommendation of Senator Go.
He has also pushed for legislation to safeguard athletes’ welfare as part of the country’s sports development programs.
Previously, he expressed his support for the Philippine Sports Training Center in Bataan.
Signed by President Duterte in February 2019, Republic Act No. 11214 provides for the creation of the PSTC which seeks “to promote and develop sports in the country, to achieve excellence in international sports competitions, to ensure success in the country’s quest to achieve competitiveness in the Olympic Games and to promote international amity among nations.”
Go highlighted that together with the National Academy of Sports, both institutions are gifts from the government to national athletes. In June of last year, President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA No. 11470, which established the NAS. Go was one of the measure’s authors and co-sponsors.
He also commended President Duterte for approving the funding for the development of the NAS’s facilities and amenities in a timely manner. The government has set aside P729 million for building expenditures, which include civil works, fittings, furnishings, and equipment, as well as consultant services. “Ngayon na meron nang National Academy of Sports, mabibigyan na ang mga kabataang atleta ng pagkakataon na mag-training at makapag-aral sa isang world-class na pasilidad at eskwelahan,” he added.
Go also urged promising young Filipino athletes to join the National Academy of Sports Annual Search for Competent, Exceptional, Notable and Talented Student-Athlete Scholars (NASCENT SAS) as the deadline of submission of applications had been extended to July 31.
President Duterte warns public on risks posed by COVID-19 Delta variant
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, July 19, warned the public on the threat posed by COVID-19 Delta variant, saying the government may reimpose more stringent health measures to contain the mutated variant’s possible spread. President Duterte cited a Department of Health (DOH) report saying as of July 16, there were 16 new cases of Delta variant in the country.
“That should give us a --- put us in grave concern because ang sabi na nga na it is aggressive, vicious, and more virulent, and can cause death faster than,” he said, noting the Delta variant is believed to be 60 percent more transmissible than the Alpha variant.
The Chief Executive noted that the reported local cases of the Delta variant are a cause for serious alarm and the government may need to reimpose stricter restrictions to avoid mass gathering and prevent superspreader events.
“Pagka nandito na kung sakali man it will spread, I hope it will not, then we’ll have to go again to stricter measures,” he said.
Several countries were forced to impose lockdowns to contain the spread of the Delta variant. These countries include Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
The President urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to implement the existing protocols with greater urgency and necessity.
“It is only by imposing these restrictions that we can fight the threat of Delta variant,” he said. In his report to the President, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said that so far, the country has a total of 36 cases of the Delta variant, which he said, may be higher due to the difficulty in pinpointing actual cases through the use of ordinary test kits.
“Kaya nangangailangan nang mas matinding pagiingat ang lahat,” he said.
According to the interior chief, the DILG will release a memorandum reminding local government units (LGUs) on the need to prepare their strategies as soon as possible for possible local transmission of the COVID-19 Delta variant. He made an assurance that the government has a contingency plan in case there’s a surge in cases.
LGUs and the PNP will implement all the laws, ordinances and IATF omnibus guidelines as well as community quarantine protocols to ensure public welfare, he said.
Border controls will also be strengthened especially in the country’s international airports and seaports, he added.
At the same time, Año said the local chief executives will also lead the aggressive PreventDetect-Isolate-TreatReintegrate (PDITR) plus vaccination strategy.
And in preparation for a possible spike in cases, the interior chief also said that the government will put up more quarantine and isolation facilities as well as healthcare facilities.
Everyone, he said, should diligently follow the minimum public health standard and advised the people to get vaccinated whenever they have the opportunity.
“Ito ang pinakamahusay na panlaban sa COVID lalo na sa COVID-19 Delta variant,” he said. PND
PH has sufficient vaccine supply, could last until August - vaccine czar
The government has secured ample supply of COVID-19 vaccines that could be administered throughout August as the country received a total of 27.9 million doses of the jabs out of the 164 million doses for procurement, the country’s vaccine czar said on Monday.
“So mayroon po tayong ample na supply na hindi po tayo kakabahan sa month ng August. Ang tinitingnan po natin ngayon ‘yung month ng September,” Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said in his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Davao City.
Galvez, who is also the chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, said they expect to receive the remaining 136.1 million doses or 83 percent within six months.
Of the total number of vaccines delivered, 15.1 million doses were administered; 10 million as first dose and 4.7 million as second dose, according to Galvez.
“And then ‘yung ating stockpile, doses to be administered on stockpile on the different warehouses is 12.8 million. Nasabi na po natin na ‘yung 12.8 million ay equivalent po ‘yan sa 32 days na gagamitin po natin na ang average is 400,000 a day,” he told the President. So far, more than 4.7 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated after the Philippines has breached the 15 million mark of administered COVID-19 vaccine doses last July 17, he stressed. It only took government three days to administer one million jabs after it reached 14 million last July 14.
“Meaning, ibig sabihin po, Mr. President, is sa tatlong araw nakapagbabakuna po tayo ng isang milyon. Iyon po ang na-accomplish po natin ngayon, Mr. President.”
The government also reached the highest throughout last July 15, with 391,283 jabs.
It also achieved the highest number of jabs administered on a weekly basis after administering 1.8 million doses last week, he reported.
Galvez said the arrival of more vaccines in the country is the reason why more Filipinos are receiving their jabs in the past few days. only received 9 million doses, but this month, it already had more than 10 million doses considering it’s just mid-July, the vaccine czar said, adding they expect to receive an additional 9,353,340 doses.
In total, the Philippines already acquired 27.9 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
The government deployed last week 3 million doses of AstraZeneca donated the World Health Organizationled COVAX facility and Japan and one million doses of Sinovac’s CoronaVac procured from China.
Another 3.2 million dosages of Johnson & Johnson vaccine are also being deployed to different areas.
Since the detection of the Delta variant in the country, the government has prioritized sending vaccines to areas of concern — Northern Mindanao, National Capital Region (NCR), Western Visayas, and those under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). PND
New airport terminal building in Clark, seen to benefit North, Central Luzon
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Saturday led the inspection of the newly completed passenger terminal building of the Clark International Airport (CRK), another major infrastructure project under his administration’s Build, Build, Build Program.
Speaking during the event held in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, President Duterte said the newly completed structure reflects the administration’s unyielding commitment to improve the quality of life of every Filipino by providing big ticket infrastructure projects that will improve connectivity, mobility, create jobs, and disperse economic activity to the regions.
“This development will also certainly boost economic growth in North and Central Luzon and provide these regions their own gateway to the rest of the Philippines and the world,” he said.
“As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and adapt to a new normal, may we all look forward to a safer, easier, and more comfortable travel experience here at the Clark International Airport.”
President Duterte commended the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and all government partners from the private sector for the major achievement.
The newly completed terminal building is another major component of the administration’s Build, Build, Build Program that will benefit the people, he said.
The facility is the first hybrid public-private partnership (PPP) project completed under the Build, Build, Build program. It can accommodate eight million passengers a year, twice the airport’s current average capacity of more than four million passengers every year.
The completion of the new terminal building will ease traffic at the busy Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and at the same time provide locals and tourists a better flying experience.
The CRK is envisioned to be one of the biggest aviation complexes in Asia and the next premier gateway in the region.
Also present Saturday were former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, French Ambassador to the Philippines Michèle Boccoz, and other government officials. PND Caraga INFOCUS
PDP-Laban must remain focused on uplifting lives of Filipinos, President Duterte tells party mates
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte urged Saturday the officials and members of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to remain focused on their mission to uplift the lives of Filipinos as the country grapples with the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Let us not be blinded by our own ambitions and let us not allow this party to be used to advance personal interests,” President Duterte said in a speech during the National Assembly of PDP-Laban in Clark, Pampanga.
“Considering the magnitude of the responsibility that awaits the next batch of the elected officials in 2022 elections, we must remain focused on how to continue the reforms that we have instituted in the last five years.”
He encouraged his party mates not to lose sight of the founding principles upon which PDPLaban was built on, and not to forget the party’s end goal of improving welfare of the Filipino people.
Everyone must always keep in mind that it is only through a united front that PDP-Laban can achieve its objectives and lead the nation towards lasting progress, he said. The President also expressed his gratitude to his partymates for answering the call to convene the party’s National Assembly.
Their presence, he said, sends a clear and resounding message to everyone that the Party is as strong as ever and the members are united in further consolidating their ranks until the end of his term and beyond.
“Despite all the challenges that we are facing, your unwavering support for this administration’s priorities—especially our campaign against illegal drugs, terrorism, corruption, and poverty—is truly reassuring,” he stressed.
“I am grateful for PDP Laban’s continued trust and confidence in my leadership. I also deeply appreciate your commitment to support whatever my decision may be for the 2022 National Elections.” PDP-Laban gained new momentum when President Duterte was elected president in 2016. The party has grown big as more members come in, with the President saying PDP-Laban can now compete with other national parties.
President Duterte threw his support to party members running for reelection, vowing to campaign for them for next year’s election.
“Totoo ‘yan. Kayong mga nagtatakbo, I will --- I commit to you. Talagang pupunta ako city por city, province por province, kakampanya ko kayo,” he said.
The PDP was officially launched on February 6, 1982 during its founding convention in Cebu City. On July 1982, Laban party coalesced with PDP, making PDP-Laban a national party. PND
New Sinovac delivery raises PH vax total to 29.9 million
Despite inclement weather, the shipment of 1.5 million doses of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine arrived without hitch at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Thursday morning.
The delivery brought to 29,985,130 the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses of the country, including more than 17.5 million doses.
Of the total doses, 16 million are Sinovac vaccines, including one million donated by China.
The government secured 26 million Sinovac shots this year.
As of July 18. more than 15 million doses have been administered nationwide, with 4,708,073 individuals already with full doses.
An average of 271,426 doses was administered daily for the last seven days. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. led the officials who welcomed the shipment.
Galvez told the media that the government is pinpointing crucial areas to prevent a surge in infections and is targeting more vaccination sites to make it more convenient for the public now that the wet season has started.
“Despite the bad weather, people are getting vaccinated and that is a good indication. We hope using malls as vaccination sites will help,” he said.
Galvez also said they are investigating a reported incident in Muntinlupa where an alleged storage facility issue resulted in spoilage of vaccines.
“We will investigate what happened but vaccine allotment will continue, especially to meet the requirements of those already awaiting a second dose,” he said. (PNA/Benjamin Pulta)
NEW SHIPMENT. Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. poses with the Sinovac vaccines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Thursday morning (July 22, 2021). A total of 1.5 million doses arrived to raise to 29,985,130 the total number of vaccine doses delivered to the Philippines. (PNA photo by Ben Pulta)
Gov’t secures 164M doses of Covid-19 vax for 2021
The Philippines will have a “steady supply” of Covid-19 vaccines in the next six months as the national government has secured 164 million doses through procurement while sourcing additional shots from the COVAX Facility and bilateral donations.
This was the assurance given by National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chairperson, Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., during the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Forum participated by memberagencies of the Security, Justice, and Peace Cluster on Wednesday.
“We are now awaiting the delivery of 136.1 million additional doses. On track in our vaccination program implementation, we are looking forward to having a better Christmas this year,” Lorenzana said.
As of July 21, a total of 28,485,130 doses have been delivered out of the 164 million doses secured by the country.
Out of these deliveries, over 16 million were procured by the national government, 2.2 million were purchased by the private sector and local government units (LGUs), 10.2 million doses were COVAXdonated, and 2.1 million doses came from bilateral donations.
OFFLOADING PFIZER VAX. The cargo containing some 562,770 doses of governmentprocured Pfizer vaccine is offloaded from a DHL plane that arrived on Wednesday night (July 21, 2021) at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City. This latest shipment brings to 28,485,130 the total number of vaccine doses delivered to the Philippines since February. (PNA photo by Joey Razon) The 164 million doses are composed of 26 million government-procured Sinovac doses, 40 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses, 13 million Moderna doses, and 10 million Sputnik V doses.
Meantime, the private sector and LGUs have procured seven million doses of Moderna and 17 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines.
Around two million doses will come from bilateral donations, while 44 million doses have been committed by the COVAX Facility.
In addition, the Philippine government and COVAX have agreed on a costsharing agreement for the procurement of five million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
“Maganda ang nakikitang (We see good) figures of supply and delivery. Kaya masasabi nating (We can say) we are on track. Primary factor is that we have a steady supply,” Galvez said. “Second, the LGUs’ capacity of administering 500,000 to 700,000 daily. Despite some delays on the deliveries, we were able to breach almost 400,000 [jabs] in a day,” he added.
As of July 20, the country has administered 15,616,562 doses of Covid-19 vaccines nationwide. Around 10.5 million doses were administered as the first dose, while more than five million individuals have been fully vaccinated.
Galvez said the NTF is now looking beyond the next six months of this year, as it explores ways on how to secure a more sustainable supply of vaccines until 2022.
“Though we have the 164 million secured supply this year, we are still negotiating for 26 million doses more for our transition to 2022,” Galvez said. “We are now venturing on the possibility of including in our procurement the transition supply so we will not have any zero quarter.”
Galvez said this strategy would allow the government to continue its vaccination program and avoid what happened in the first quarter of 2021 wherein the country only received about two million doses.
“Ang programa ng ating Pangulo ay magkaroon ng (Our president’s program is to have) continuity o annual program on vaccination against Covid-19 so we can ensure the inoculation of all Filipinos,” he said.
“Kaya dapat tuloy-tuloy ang programa (So the program should continue) and we will prepare the transition supply from 2021 to 2022,” Galvez added.
The 26 million doses under negotiation are composed of 10 million doses of Sinovac, 10 million doses of Novavax, and six million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Galvez underscored the impact of the Duterte administration’s independent foreign policy on the country’s vaccine supply for both procured and donated doses.
He said the principle of “being a friend to all, enemy to none” has enabled the Philippines to secure more than 12 million doses from COVAX Facility, including the US government’s donation and the more than two million doses from Japan and China.
Galvez bared that the UK government notified the NTF of their donation of 415,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines that are expected to arrive within this month.
GAVI, a non-profit group founded to get vaccines to the world’s poorest nations, also informed him that three million doses of Moderna vaccine will be donated by COVAX and the US government.
In addition, countries from the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, have expressed their intention to send Covid-19 vaccines to the country.
Exercise prudence prior to procuring vaccine supply
Despite the continuous arrival of vaccine supplies, Galvez cautioned the private sector and LGUs to be “prudent” in procuring vaccines.
“Pinapaalala ko po sa inyo lalo na po sa ating mga LGUs at private sector na huwag tayong padalos-dalos sa pagbili ng mga vaccines (I remind our LGUs and the “Ang laki ng mga prospects sa mga nakukuha nating vaccines ngayon. At tignan rin po natin ang global situation ng mga manufacturers (We have huge prospects in the vaccines we are getting now. Let’s look at the global situation of the manufacturers, too),” Galvez said.
He said procuring entities must consider various factors prior to finalizing deals with vaccine makers such as their capacity to produce the committed volumes amidst the high global demand, the manufacturer’s credibility, the price of the vaccines, as well as the vaccine’s reputation in the countries where they are being used.
“So ‘yung mga ganitong mga issues kailangang tignan natin nang mabuti (We should look at these issues carefully). Based on our discussion with vaccine experts, you have to get the vaccines which have been proven and being widely used in the country of origin and other countries,” Galvez said.
Galvez cautioned LGUs and private sector not to provide advance payment to manufacturers sans multiparty agreement with the Department of Health and the NTF as it violates Republic Act No. 11525 or the Covid-19 Vaccination Law.
All vaccines are still under Emergency Use Authorization and not commercial products. The law also prohibits the reselling of vaccines. (PR)
Vax stockpile good until August; more supplies coming
The National Task Force (NTF) assured enough supply of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines until next month.
The government is also working on the delivery of more supplies for September, NTF Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Monday.
“So mayroon po tayong ample na supply na hindi po tayo kakabahan sa month ng August. Ang tinitingnan po natin ngayon ‘yung month ng September (We have an ample supply so we don’t have to worry until August.
We are working on the supply for September),” Galvez said in his report during the weekly Covid-19 public briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City. The Philippines has already received 27,922,360 doses -- procured by the government and the private sector as well as donations from other countries.
“PH already reached its desired stockpile level of above 10 million. Sa ngayon po, sumobra pa po tayo na (So far we have exceeded to) 12,826,099 which can last up to 32 days or up to August 17,” he said.
As of July 18, the Philippines has administered 15,096,261 doses, with 4,708,073 already fully vaccinated.
“And then ‘yung ating stockpile, doses to be administered, on stockpile on the different warehouses is 12.8 million. Nasabi na po natin na ‘yung 12.8 million ay equivalent po ‘yan sa 32 days na gagamitin po natin na ang average is 400,000 a day (We have 12.8 million doses in the stockpile which is equivalent to 32 days of usage with an average of 400,000 daily),” Galvez told the President.
He likewise highlighted the administration of one million jabs in three days early this month, a result of the whole-nation approach with the local government units and the private sector.
The Philippines recorded the highest daily vaccination rate of 391,283 doses on July 15, while 1.8 million doses were administered last week. (PNA/ Lade Jean Kabagani)
DONATED JABS. The shipment of the single-dose Janssen Covid-19 vaccine arrives at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Saturday afternoon (July 17, 2021). An Emirates flight delivered 1,606,600 doses to complete the 3.212 million donation of the US coursed through the Covax Facility. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)
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