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MINDANAO NOT NEGLECTED IN GOV’T’S COVID-19 RESPONSE: PALACE
Malacañang on Tuesday said the national government has prioritized areas classified as having high cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the distribution of vaccines.
This, as Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque disputed Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez’ claims that the national government has neglected Mindanao in its Covid-19 response, particularly the vaccine distribution in the region.
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In a press briefing, Roque attributed the surge in coronavirus infections to low compliance with health protocols in parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
Roque also noted that stricter quarantine classifications, such as the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ (MECQ), were not implemented in these areas with Covid-19 case spikes.
“Mayroon pong mga datos na nagpapakita na kaya din nag-surge po sa ilang parte ng Pilipinas - sa Visayas and Mindanao, eh kasi hindi nagECQ, hindi nag-MECQ. At talagang bumaba po ang compliance with the minimum health protocols (There are also data showing why cases surged in other parts of the Philippines – in Visayas and Mindanao, is because of nonimplementation of ECQ and MECQ. And compliance with the minimum health protocols also dropped),” he said.
He emphasized the government has been pushing for an equitable distribution of the Covid-19 jabs nationwide.
He highlighted that around 38 percent of the country’s vaccine supply was distributed to Metro Manila and surrounding areas, adding that the remaining balance will be delivered to the rest of the Philippines.
“So hindi po totoo iyan na ginipit natin ang ibang parte ng Pilipinas, hindi po. Inuna lang natin iyong una na pinakamataas ang numero, pero ngayong tumataas po sa iba, nagpapadala rin tayo ng karagdagang bakuna sa mga lugar na iyan (So it is not true that other parts of the Philippines are neglected. We are just giving priority to areas with high cases, but now other areas also increased, we also sent additional vaccines),” he said. He reminded the public to adhere to public health measures to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.
“At saka ang pagkalat po ng sakit, hindi po iyan dahil sa kawalan ng bakuna, iyan po ay dahil bumaba ang compliance with minimum health requirements. Mask, hugas, iwas pa rin (And the increase of infections, it is not due to lack of vaccines, it is because of low compliance with minimum health requirements. Still wear face mask, proper hygiene, and physical distancing),” he said.
During a briefing of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs, Rodriguez hit vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. for his supposed lack of priority in addressing the uptick in Covid-19 cases in Mindanao, as his letter of request for additional supply of Covid-19 vaccines for his constituents in Cagayan de Oro and other parts of the region was ignored. (PNA/Filane Mikee Cervantes)
NATIONAL NEWS
DOE assures unhampered operations of businesses in Siargao Islands
Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar met on Friday, June 18, 2021 to discuss concerns of business owners and investors in General Luna, Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte regarding their temporary electrical line.
Department of Energy Alfonso Cusi has expressed his support for local businesses in Siargao who are struggling to process their documentary prerequisites to operate, and will assist them in extending their temporary lighting permits.
Business owners and investors in the town of General Luna, Surigao del Norte have sought help from Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on the sidelines of the Aid and Humanitarian Operations Nationwide (AHON) Convergence Program launch in Siargao Island last week.
The Siargao Island Business Organization (SIBO) met with Secretary Andanar on June 12, 2021 about their concerns on the red tape in processing of permits in setting up their businesses there.
On Friday, June 18, 2021, Secretary Andanar handed over the letter of appeal of the SIBO to Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, outlining their concern over the approaching termination date of their temporary lighting permits. The group has appealed for extension on this.
Their temporary lighting permits granted by the Siargao Electric Cooperative (SIARELCO) are expiring on July 17, 2021 and yet their building permits are yet to be issued despite complying with the LGU’s documentary requirements. More than 200 business owners and
investors in General Luna are in a predicament because of this. The issuance of a building permit is required to process permanent electrical lines.
SIBO also raised their concerns on the required high-priced minimum electrical rate for those establishments who have bought their own transformers in order to have permanent electrical lines. According to the letter, these businesses have to pay their monthly bill “starting from P25,000 up to P80,0000 and more” even if they have not consumed much electricity for that period. They are also seeking clarifications for the correct process for applying for permanent electrical lines.
During the meeting Energy Secretary Cusi and Secretary Andanar responded positively to their appeal, saying they will be coordinating with SIARELCO on the matter.
“Makakaasa po kayo na sa tulong ng DOE, gagampanan po agad namin yan at sisiguraduhin po namin na hindi na po kayo magkakaroon ng abala [We assure you that DOE will help. We will immediately respond to this and make sure you won’t have any problem regarding this],” Secretary Cusi said.
Secretary Andanar assured business owners that the government is ready to aid them as they recover from the pandemic.
“Itong mga establisyementong ito, kagaya din ng ibang negosyo, ay apektado din ng pandemya kung kaya hanggat kaya ay bigyan natin ng tulong. Paraan din para tulungan na makabangon ang ekonomiya [These establishments, like other businesses, are affected by the pandemic as well. That’s why as long as we can, we should help them. This is also a way of helping the economy recover],” he said. June 12-18, 2021 | 31Caraga INFOCUS
Statement of Senator Richard J. Gordon on the 13 detained seafarers on M/V Angelic power in Guishan, China
fellow Filipinos are not involved.
Unlike the Greek crew members who were repatriated on April 2021, our Filipino seafarers remain detained. They have not been allowed to disembark and have had their
We call on our partners in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Magsaysay Maritime Corporation (MMC) to exert all efforts necessary to repatriate the thirteen (13) Filipino seamen who have been unduly stranded and locked on board the M/V Angelic Power cargo vessel since January 2020. The ship has been detained in Guishan, China due to economic disputes between the cargo receiver and the shipowners in which our
Gordon
passports taken away. They have been suffering from dwindling supplies of food and medicine.
Moreover, as they are the main wage earners, they worry about their families’ personal and financial well-being, not to mention concerns as to whether or not they are protected from the COVID pandemic.
The Filipino crew should not be made to endure a situation not of their doing--the legal wrangling between the cargo receiver and the shipowners. While Filipino seafarers may be made to participate and/or testify in the legal dispute, statements such as sworn depositions or affidavits should be secured the soonest possible time so as not to violate the human rights of our compatriots. Our government, in coordination with the Chinese government, should ensure the safety, health and the immediate return of all of the stranded Filipino seafarers.
We appreciate the prompt and urgent mobilization of the DFA by Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and by the MMC, in pursuing several legal actions to defend the interests of the thirteen Filipino crew members, but we plead for more legal and diplomatic actions on this matter if only to secure their immediate return.
Face-to-face classes doable once 70% of Filipinos are fully-vaccinated – GORDON
Senator Richard J. Gordon stated that face-to-face classes or blended learning amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic can be implemented when at least 70% of the country’s total population have been vaccinated.
“It is important that we make sure that everyone is safe and that our people are protected from the virus before we go back to face-to-face classes. It would be best if we achieve a population or herd immunity first. Through an effective vaccination program, we will be able stop the spread of the virus and break the chain of transmission,” Gordon pointed out.
Gordon cited the experiment conducted by Serrana, a town in the state of Sau Paolo, Brazil, where local cases dropped after a mass vaccination for COVID-19.
According to a report, almost every adult resident of Serrana completed the two vaccine shots between February and April. The research team in charge of the experiment, based on the report, claimed that “the results were dramatic. Symptomatic cases of COVID-19 have dropped by 80% since the start of mass vaccination, related hospitalizations fell 86%, and deaths plummeted 95%.” Once we achieve full protection from COVID, that’s the time we can send the students back to school. We can all work again, start to rebuild our economy and live normally once more,” said Gordon.
“We must do every way possible to be able to totally wipe out the virus that have infected more than one million Filipinos and killed thousands of our people,” he added.
“I think we can also do that here. We can try to do mass inoculation first in one province. If we see the efficacy of it, then we can continue doing that to other areas, especially the ones with the highest number of cases, until we got everybody vaccinated. Gordon, being the Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), has been consistently promoting vaccination as a protection and efficient solution to various diseases.
Last February, the PRC kicked off its nationwide measles-rubella and polio supplemental immunization activity (SIA) in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH).
On June 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Philippines as polio-free once again after a successful vaccination campaign.
Newly signed laws open more opportunities for Filipinos, says President Duterte
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the re-enactment of the signing of several bills held at the Malacañang Palace on June 16, 2021. ARMAN BAYLON/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the reenactment Wednesday of the signing of several legislative measures, assuring the Filipino people that his government will continue to pursue measures that will improve their quality of life especially as the nation recovers from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking during the event held in Malacanang, President Duterte said Wednesday’s event attest to the fruitful collaboration between the legislative and executive branches of government.
The President thanked the members of Congress for their steadfast efforts in ensuring that his administration’s legislative agenda will be translated into relevant policies and programs that will improve the life of every Filipino. “These laws – which open more opportunities for our people to serve in government and enable some of our LGUs to render more efficient and inclusive service – are part of our vision of bringing government closer to the people,” he said.
These measures include the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, the Foreign Investments Act, and the Public Service Act. The President rallied the support of lawmakers to act on these legislative measures so that he could sign them into law at the earliest possible time.
And as the country takes more concrete steps to revive the economy and help the people recover from the effects of the pandemic, President Duterte expressed optimism that more government agencies will foster greater cooperation with each other.
“Now, more than ever, we need to follow the whole-of-nation approach in ensuring an inclusive and seamless response to the current challenges facing the nation,” he said.
With the help of Congress, the President said he is confident that his administration can pursue its legislative agenda and create an environment conducive for the people’s growth and nation’s progress.
Among the recently signed laws that the President ceremonially signed were Republic Act (RA) No. 11549 or An Act Lowering the Minimum Height Requirement for Applicants of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor); RA No. 11544 or An Act Converting the Municipality of Calaca in the Province of Batangas Into a Component City To Be Known as the City of Calaca; RA No. 11545 or An Act Reapportioning the First Legislative District of the City of Caloocan Into Two Legislative Districts; and RA No. 11546 or An Act Reapportioning the Province of Bulacan Into Six Legislative Districts.
Also present during the ceremony were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and other legislators. PND
President Duterte, Putin vow greater cooperation in exchange of messages
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged congratulatory messages Saturday during the celebration of national holidays in their countries, promising enhanced bilateral relations.
Warmly congratulating Putin on the celebration of Russia Day, President Duterte said: “On this day of national unity and celebration, let me convey the Filipino people’s best wishes for the continued success and prosperity of your great nation.”
“This year, the Philippines and Russia mark 45 years of warm and fruitful ties. It was my great pleasure to have commemorated this special milestone with Your Excellency on the 2nd of June.”
“I am confident that our strong relations will continue to thrive in the years ahead as we deepen cooperation in more areas of mutual interest, including in our common fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
In a similar message, President Putin expressed his greetings to the Filipino leader for the Philippines’s 123rd Independence Day celebration.
“The Russia-Philippines relations are traditionally friendly. I am confident that by joining efforts we will secure further development on constructive bilateral dialogue, fruitful cooperation in different fields as well as partnership to respond to pressing international challenges,” Putin told President Duterte.
“It fully meets the interests of our two nations and goes in line with strengthening security and stability in the AsiaPacific region.”
Concluding his message, he wished the Philippine president good health and success, and the people of the Philippines—well-being and prosperity.
Last April, President Duterte and Putin had a telesummit, tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and defense cooperation between the two countries. The 30-minute telesummit took place at the Malacañang Golf Clubhouse. PND
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte joined the entire Filipino nation Saturday in celebrating the 123rd anniversary of Philippine Independence, hoping the patriotism of heroes of the past will inspire the current generation of Filipinos to overcome present-day challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic.
In his message, President Duterte said the challenges of the past year have tested the nation’s character.
“Each of us has been called upon to be heroes in our own right --- in fighting for our survival and in devoting ourselves to the common good, just as our heroes did more than a century ago,” he said.
“With their noble example inspiring us, we look forward to a brighter future filled with hope that we will overcome the challenges brought by this pandemic. May the patriotic fervor continue to burn in our hearts,” he added.
During the anniversary celebration, simultaneous flag raising and wreath-laying rites were scheduled to be conducted Saturday in Manila, Cavite, San Juan City, Bulacan, Caloocan City, Pampanga, Cebu, and Davao City.
This year’s Philippine independence celebration has for its theme: “Kalayaan 2021: Diwa ng Kalayaan sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan”. PND
President Duterte honors nation’s frontliners in Independence Day message
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the 123rd Philippine Independence Day celebration themed “Kalayaan 2021: Diwa ng Kalayaan sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan” at the Bulacan Capitol Grounds in Malolos City, Bulacan on June 12, 2021. SIMEON CELI/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the commemoration Saturday of the 123rd anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, encouraging the Filipino public to honor the country’s frontline workers who are instrumental in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
“As we commemorate this year’s Independence Day, let us honor our modern-day heroes – our healthcare workers, law enforcement officers, and other frontliners who have been instrumental in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” the President said in his address in Provincial Capitol Grounds in Malolos City, Bulacan.
“In the past year, they have risked their own lives and sacrificed their own comfort and security to ensure that our society will continue to function despite this crisis. Maraming pong salamat sa inyong pagmalasakit at serbisyo.” President announced the construction of a Wall of Heroes, being erected by the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Libingan ng mga Bayani to honor medical frontliners who perished during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At lahat ‘yong namatay na mga doktor, mga nurses, ‘yong mga attendants na nahawa ng COVID will be honored by their name inscribed in that wall,” he said in announcing the wall’s construction.
“It is now being built. And I’d like to thank the Armed Forces of the Philippines for their pagmalasakit sa kapwa Pilipino.”
Prior to delivering his speech, President Duterte honored the heroes of Bulacan – General Gregorio S. del Pilar and Marcelo H. del Pilar — conferring them, through their descendants, the Order of Lapu-Lapu.
Marcelo H. del Pilar fought Spanish colonizers through his writings under the pen name “Plaridel”.
Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, on the other hand, was hailed as the “Hero of Tirad Pass” – a true patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the young Philippine Republic.
“It is just fitting that, more than a century since their exploits, these two sons of Bulacan continue to inspire succeeding generations of Filipinos to cherish the liberties and freedoms that they bled and fought for,” he said.
“I therefore consider it a great honor to bestow upon them – through their kin who are with us today – the Order of LapuLapu, in recognition of their extraordinary acts of heroism that served as the foundation of this nation.”
On behalf of the Filipino people, the President conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to General del Pilar and Marcelo H. del Pilar for their heroism, as he encouraged Filipinos to honor their legacy especially as the country faces a global health crisis.
Last year, President Duterte traveled to Malabang, Lanao del Sur during Independence Day to recognize the heroism of Jose Abad Santos.
Abad Santos, considered by the President a national hero, was beheaded by the Japanese imperial army for refusing to pledge allegiance to the Japanese flag.
The country is now modern, progressive, and ever thriving, but its continued progress will only be possible if Filipinos have a strong understanding and appreciation of the liberties that they enjoy today, according to the President.
“Let us move forward in solidarity and give greater meaning to the freedom that our forebears achieved for us 123 years ago,” he said. PND June 12-18, 2021 | 39Caraga INFOCUS
Take a deeper look into drug war situation, President Duterte tells CHR
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on June 14, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, June 14, called upon the Commission on Human Rights to take a second look at the administration’s war on drugs, saying lives are lost in the fight against illicit narcotics trade because the police are fighting armed criminals.
During a meeting with the President, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano presented a chart showing the latest government’s drug bust where suspects were killed during operations. The latest anti-drug campaign confiscated a total of P1.2 billion worth of drugs within a week. “You would notice that there are really persons who die almost daily because ‘yan ito lumaban talaga at hindi kasali ang pulis ko na may tama at namatay rin,” he said.
President Duterte then warned CHR not to threaten the police fighting drug traffickers, stressing he won’t allow opening of records containing sensitive details on police investigations and
operations.
Investigation records and state secrets cannot be divulged to the public, since it could hinder with the police personnel’s drug operations, investigation and surveillance, he said.
“Hindi nga puwedeng i-open ‘yan eh. ‘Pag makita ninyo, baka makita ninyo ‘yong pangalan ninyo, kayo pala ang nagbibigay ng mga impormasyon sa pulis,” he said.
The proliferation of illegal drugs has been going on for years, he said, and there are current surges in the number of deaths of drug suspects because of a more intensified police antidrug campaign.
“With the advent of this --- itong nauso na itong human rights investigation, pati ako, naimbestiga ako ng Human Rights Commission headed by de Lima,” he said.
Defending the police, the President said law enforcers know that they cannot randomly kill during drug busts without reasons since they know that they could be held accountable later on. PND
President Duterte extends GCQ in Metro Manila, Bulacan with ‘some restrictions’ until June 30
President Rodrigo Duterte has retained the general community quarantine (GCQ) imposed in Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces or the socalled NCR Plus with certain curbs to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The President approved an expert groups’ recommendation Monday retaining GCQ in Metro Manila and Bulacan with “some restrictions” from June 16 to 30. The rest of the NCR Plus remains under GCQ with “heightened restrictions” for the same period.
The chief executive announced the new quarantine classifications during his weekly public address on the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Duterte also announced areas that will remain under GCQ for the whole month of June. Kalinga, Mountain Province, Abra, Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Batangas, Quezon, Iligan City, Davao City, Lanao del Sur, and Cotabato City.
Meanwhile, President Duterte placed 21 more areas under a stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until June 30. These are the City of Santiago, Cagayan Province, Apayao, Ifugao, Bataan, Lucena City,Puerto Princesa City, Naga City (Bicol),
Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Butuan City, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Sur.
The rest of the country will be under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), President Duterte said.
Spokesperson Harry Roque, who was present during the meeting, said indoor and outdoor (al fresco) dining in areas under MECQ will have limited seating capacity at 10 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
Venues for outdoor sports and courts will be limited to 50 percent only, Roque added.
Personal care services like beauty salons, barbershops, beauty parlors, nail spas are allowed for up to 30 percent.
At the same time, the presidential spokesperson said that indoor contact sports, courts or venues, other indoor leisure centers or facilities, scrimmages, and games are prohibited. Indoor and outdoor tourist attractions are also not allowed.
For areas under ordinary GCQ, indoor sports and venues, as well as indoor tourist attractions will be allowed at 50 percent operational capacity. Venues for meetings, conferences, and exhibition, will also be allowed to open at 50 percent capacity.
Personal care services, salons, parlors, beauty clinics, could also operate at 50 percent capacity.
Religious activities and wake services, weddings, baptism, which, under MECQ could only operate at 10 percent capacity, are now allowed to be conducted at 30 percent for up to 50 percent capacity, according to Roque.
The Philippines has logged 6,426 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, putting the country’s active cases at 59,096, the Department of Health reported. There are 1,240,112 recoveries while the total death toll is 22,845. PND
President Duterte names personnel dismissed from service due to corruption
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on June 14, 2021. RICHARD MADELO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced the dismissal from service Monday of another group of government personnel due to corruption, reiterating his resolve to fight the menace that has been going on for decades.
In his televised Talk to the People, the President announced the dismissal of Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) personnel Nora Halamani and Abolais Ampa, both Revenue Officer III, for demanding P400,000 bribe in exchange of approval of signed tax payment forms for the settlement of Dealco Farms purported tax liabilities. Also dismissed from the service was local government official Antonio Palanca, a Palawan Provincial Health Officer, for malversation of public funds or property.
He has been charged of misappropriating P250,000 from the illegal sale of 16,728 tons of iron steel from the demolished building of the Brooke’s Point District Hospital in Palawan.
“Sabi ninyo may corruption, may corruption talaga sa gobyerno. Iyong mga empleyado doon matagal na, halos tag-25 years. Ikaw ang manghinayang,” President Duterte said in announcing the dismissals.
“Kung sabihin ninyo corruption sa gobyerno, matagal na ‘yan, noon pa ‘yan. Nag-umpisa ‘yan hindi sa panahon ko. Kaya magdahandahan ng salita. ‘Pag sinabi ko “ayaw ko ng corruption,” ‘pag inabutan ka, patay ka,” he added.
Eliminating graft and corruption in government was one of the President’s campaign pledges when he ran for president in 2016, along with putting an end to the proliferation of illegal narcotics and criminality. PND
Gov’t has money to fund massive inoculation drive, finance chief says
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on June 14, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
The government has enough money to fund an extensive vaccination drive in the country that will cover both the entire adult and young populations, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said on Monday.
During his presentation to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Dominguez said Congress has authorized the executive branch to spend P85 billion for vaccine purchases.
He enumerated the fund sources: the Department of Health budget, P2.5 billion; Bayanihan 2, P10 billion; and official development assistance (ODA) financing.
ODA financing includes borrowings from the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
The country has borrowed a total of P58.5 billion - P23.9 from World Bank; P20.3 billion from Asian Development Bank; and P14.3 billion from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
“Other financing ho we are sourcing is up
to 11 and a half billion and contingency funds probably another two and a half. But the total so far is we have P85 billion,” Dominguez said.
With P85 billion, the government can buy 140 million vaccine doses to inoculate 70 million Filipinos or the entire adult population.
In the case of the younger population or those aged 12 to 17 years old, he said they estimate it to cost another P20 billion, noting the government has enough reserves to cover that amount of money.
The finance chief also responded to questions whether the government is borrowing too much money as a response to the pandemic.
He said that although the country’s debt has increased, it is just temporary, and the government’s finances will normalize in the next few years once the economy reopens.
Dominguez praised the Duterte administration’s tax reform initiatives that have kept the country’s credit rating “very, very strong,” with rating agencies retaining the existing status. More than 100 countries around the world have been downgraded, according to the finance chief.
“Ang ibig sabihin niyan, pag na-downgrade kayo, mahihirapan kayong humiram o kung hihiram man kayo, mas mataas ang interest. So ang interes natin actually is quite low because our credit rating is very good,” Dominguez said. “So we think that the debt level of our country is high but it is sustainable and we can manage to handle this debt in the coming years.” PND
Public demand for Sinovac’s CoronaVac vax increasing: Galvez
SINOVAC VAX. Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. gives an update on the country’s Covid-19 vaccination program during the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday (June 14, 2021). Galvez said public demand for Sinovac vaccines is increasing. (Presidential photo by King Rodriguez)
The public demand for China-made CoronoVac vaccines produced by Sinovac company is increasing in the Philippines, National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Monday.
Galvez, also vaccine czar, said the stable delivery of Sinovac vaccines has “significantly support” the government’s expansion of its vaccination program to A4 priority category composed of economic front-liners, uniformed personnel, and government workforce.
“We want to thank China because of its steady delivery which supports our A4 opening and we are also supplying Sinovac to the emerging hotspots,” Galvez said during the regular InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.
Sinovac’s steady supply of CoronaVac jabs, he added, is also a huge help to the vaccination in emerging Covid-19 hotspots in the country, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao.
“We have some survey that public demand for Sinovac also greatly increased,” Galvez said.
Most local government units (LGUs) are now asking for more supply of Sinovac vaccines, he added.
Galvez said the increasing demand for Sinovac jab is due to its feasible deployment logistics and cold chain storage requirement.
“Kasi mabilisan po ang ginagawa natin kasi (We are fast-tracking this because) we are racing against time,” he added.
Contributed photo
has 7.5 million doses of Sinovac jabs since the delivery began on February 28. The latest delivery was 1 million doses on June 10.
Some 1.5 million doses are set to arrive on June 17, it will be followed by 1 million doses on June 24, Galvez reported.
In July, the Sinovac company will be delivering around 4.5 million doses.
Regardless of the brand, Galvez urged the public to avail shots of the Covid-19 vaccines.
Duterte also reiterated his appeal to avail of the government’s free vaccination against Covid-19.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government has allotted PHP85 billion for the purchase of 140 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine for 70 million adult population.
“Sapat po ang pera natin for vaccination. You don’t have to worry. The money is there,” he said. Earlier, NTF deputy chief implementer Vivencio Dizon said the government has so far administered nearly 7 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
Dizon said the country administered more Covid-19 vaccines with an average daily vaccination of 150,000 last week, with a peak of 220,000 vaccine administration in a day from an average of 30,000 per day. (PNA/Lade Jean Kabagani )
More donated Covid-19 vaccines coming PH way
Delivery of vaccines to the Philippines will be boosted by the commitment of other nations to donate their excess coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) doses.
Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer, said countries like the United States will give their excess vaccines to the COVAX Facility to augment the pandemic responses of other nations.
“Isa sa pinakamagandang balita na nag-loosen up na po ‘yung mga rich countries (One of the good news is that rich countries have loosened up). Particularly, the US had an initial donation of 80 million doses to be given by June, kasama po ‘yung (this includes the) Southeast Asia,” Galvez reported during the regular Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang on Monday night.
Galvez said apart from the donation to the Covax Facility, 500 million more doses will be distributed by the US worldwide. expecting to receive 44 million doses from the facility this year.
“Parang assured na po na at least may 20 percent po tayong mare-receive (It seems that we are already assured of receiving at least 20 percent) and they want to increase it to even 30 to 40 percent” he added.
Also on Tuesday, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa announced on Twitter that the Philippines will receive AstraZeneca vaccines from Japan.
“Glad to be the bearer of good news today! Japan will donate AstraZeneca vaccines to the Philippines, and we’ll make sure to deliver them at the soonest possible time so no one gets left behind during this pandemic,” Koshikawa posted. Following the US announcement “to help lead the world out of this pandemic”, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said during the 47th G7 Summit in the United Kingdom (UK) that they, too, will give away surplus supplies.
“As a result of the success of the UK’s vaccine program, we are now in a position to share some of our surplus doses with those who need them,” Johnson said on June 11, 2021, as quoted by VOA News. “In doing so, we will take a massive step towards beating this pandemic for good.”
The other G7 members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union, some of the world’s most advanced economies. (PNA/Lade Jean Kabagani)
PNA file photo
PH administers nearly 7M doses of Covid-19 vax
The Philippines has administered nearly seven million doses of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) deputy chief implementer Vivencio Dizon said.
Government data show that the country has given 6,948,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines as of Monday morning.
In a Palace briefing, Dizon said weekly vaccine administration has reached one million doses for three consecutive weeks.
“We are seeing that the vaccination is getting faster,” he said.
Of the total administered vaccines, over 2.4 million shots were given to healthcare workers, over 2.2 million doses to senior citizens, 2.15 million jabs for individuals with comorbidity, and nearly 160,000 doses for the economic frontliners, which started the vaccination last week.
Dizon said the country administered more Covid-19 vaccines with average daily vaccination of 150,000 last week, with a peak of 220,000 vaccine administration in a day from an average of 30,000 per day. Caraga INFOCUS
He attributed this to the increasing number of vaccines arriving in the country.
“Since more vaccines arrived last week, we are confident that our vaccination will increase in the coming days and weeks. And when it comes to vaccines for June and July, we are seeing our numbers continue to increase,” he added.
Dizon said the government targets to inoculate 500,000 doses a day once vaccine supply stabilizes this month.
As of Monday, total Covid-19 vaccines that arrived in the Philippines reached 12,605,870 doses.
Dizon said the majority of these are donations from COVAX facility and bilateral partners like China, and the rest were vaccines purchased by the government from Sinovac and Gamaleya of Russia.
Vaccine orders of the government from AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Novovax, and Johnson & Johnson are expected to arrive in the second half of the year, he added.
PNA file photo
Vaccine purchase transparency
Dizon said the NTF, Department of Health, and the Department of Budget and Management will be presenting to the Senate on Tuesday how the national government released and utilized the budget for vaccination.
The government has allotted PHP82.5 billion this year to buy Covid-19 vaccines.
“We support these calls for transparency, and we will be very transparent,” he added. (PNA/Kris Crismundo) June 12-18, 2021 | 51
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