SOLAR IRRIGATION SEEN TO UPLIFT LIVES OF 1.5K LANAO SUR FARMERS

SOLAR-POWERED IRRIGATION. Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and farmers inspect the lined canal of the newly-built solarpowered irrigation system that will benefit some 1,500 rice farmers in Butig and Sultan Dumalondong towns and make them more productive. The modern irrigation system has the capability of gathering 3.5 cubic meters of water per minute with 660-cubic meters that can supply water for 50-70 hectares of paddy fields. (Photo courtesy of MAFAR-BARMM) Some 1,500 farmers in two Lanao del Sur towns are expected to boost their rice production with the operation of the PHP10-million Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS).

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) – BARMM Minister Mohammad S. Yacob said Tuesday that the project has solar panels and 20 horsepower (HP) generation capacity, capable of accumulating 3.5 cubic meters of water per minute with 660 cubic meters that can supply water for 50 to 70 hectares of paddy fields.

“We hope that the project will succeed and become a model for uplifting the livelihood of farmers in Lanao Del Sur, as well as in the whole Bangsamoro Region,” he said in a statement.

On Monday, the MAFARBARMM, through the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), turned over the first SPIS for rice farmers in the two neighboring upland towns of Butig and Sultan Dumalondong in Lanao Del Sur.

The SPIS, which was funded under MAFAR-TFBM, aims to alleviate the farmers’ water shortage problem.

Primary beneficiaries of the project are some 1,000 rice farmers in adjoining Barangays Cabasaran and Sumalindaw in the town of Butig, and Barangay Malalis in the town of Sultan Dumalondong, all in Lanao del Sur. said he was teary-eyed while patiently waiting for the completion of the first-ever solar-powered water system for rice farmers in their town. Romar said he never thought government services for farmers, like irrigation, would reach his village.

“We rely on rains, if there’s no rain, there is no opportunity for planting,” he said in the vernacular. For years, the water shortage has been the main problem besetting farmers in upland and isolated Lanao del Sur towns.

With the project, Butig Mayor Dimnatang L. Pansar was so grateful to MAFAR and TFBM for prioritizing his town for the project as it gave their communities a new lease on life.

“I hope that the municipality of Butig will be able to produce more rice and in the future, we will become one of the major producers of rice not only in Lanao Del Sur but also in the entire BARMM,” Pansar said in a statement.

In July this year, former Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, along with Mayor Nashiba Sumagayan and Vice Mayor Odin Sumagayan of Taraka municipality, also led the opening of the water pipes from SPIS units designed to irrigate between 600 to 1,000 hectares of farmlands in their town. (PNA/Edwin Fernandez)

NATIONAL NEWS

Bisaya Gyud Partylist issues free insurance policy to members

The Bisaya Gyud Partylist has assured its members of free personal accident insurance coverage with its first insurance ID card rollout here on Sunday, November 7.

A total of 34 community leaders from the towns of San Benito, Burgos, San Isidro, Sta. Monica initially received their insurance card as proof of their registration to the group. The same insurance coverage will soon be distributed to all its members.

BG Partylist President Victorino Garay stressed in a message that the gesture was a fulfillment of the group’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of every Bisaya.

“Dili nato matagna ang panahon kung kanus-a ang isa ka indibidwal maaksidente o mataptan sa sakit nga COVID-19. Ug kabalo naman ta nga uban aning mga aksidente ang gastos sa pagpaospital nga hangtud karun gapadayon nga gamahal busa nanghinaot kami nga kani among inisyatiba mahimong tulay aron matabagangan atong mga igsoong Bisaya [We cannot tell when an accident will happen nor can we predict when one will catch COVID-19. As we are all aware of, accidents and illneses accompany hospitalization expenses and fees, which are becoming more expensive today. So, we hope that with this initiative we will be able to help our fellow Bisayas],” BG President Vitorino Garay stressed in a message.

The BG Partylist’s insurance provider, Cocogen Insurance, will be providing accident insurance with the following coverage: accidental death and disablement of up to P20,000; motorcycle accident up to P10,000; and cash assistance due to accident, natural cause, and COVID-19 of up to P2,000.

Bong Go pledges his support for the people of Lucban as team holds another relief effort for indigent families in Quezon province

The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued to respond to calls for assistance from communities adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, this time delivering muchneeded relief to indigent families in Lucban, Quezon province from November 12 to 13.

In a video call, Go extended his regrets for not being able to join the activities personally but vowed to return to Lucban in order to give back to its people who hold a special place in both his and President Rodrigo Duterte’s hearts.

“Mga kababayan, humihingi ako ng paumanhin. Papunta na ako diyan kaya lang dahil sa hindi inaasahang pangyayari, mayroon akong kailangan desisyunan ngayon. Nangangako ako na babalik ako sa Lucban at babawi sa inyo sa ibang panahon,” said Go. “Alam niyo hindi ko nakakalimutan ang Lucban dahil paborito namin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ‘yung Lucban longganisa. Iyon ang parati naming kinakain. Pasensyahan niyo na dahil masyadong mabigat ang nararamdaman ko sa ngayon,” he continued.

His outreach team distributed grocery packs, meals, vitamins and masks to a total of 2,083, consisting of senior

citizens, persons with disabilities and indigent residents, at the Southern Luzon State University gymnasium.

Selected beneficiaries received new shoes and bicycles. Others received tablets to help their children with their blended learning activities.

As part of an ongoing effort to alleviate the impacts of the pandemic, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided each beneficiary with financial assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The senator, who currently heads the Senate Committee on Health, continued his message appealing to all eligible residents to get vaccinated when offered the opportunity. He reassured that the Duterte Administration is exerting all efforts to secure safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and offered his assistance should the local government require additional supplies from the national government.

“Kung hindi pa kayo bakunado, magpabakuna na kayo. Ang bakuna ang tanging solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Wala na pong iba. Napatunayan naman sa mga datos na ‘pag ikaw ay bakunado, mas maiiwasan ang pagkagrabeng sakit dulot ng COVID-19,” explained Go.

“Tuluy-tuloy na ang pagdating ng bakuna sa ating bansa. Kung kailangan niyo ng bakuna, magsabi lang kayo sa akin at tutulungan kayo ng (Inter-Agency Task Force). Importanteng tuluy-tuloy ang ating pagbabakuna hanggang maabot natin ang population protection leading to herd immunity,” he added.

In line with his commitment to healthcare, Go encouraged residents in need of medical care to seek his office’s assistance. He also advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Quezon Medical Center in Lucena City where they may avail of further aid from the government.

The center is a one-stop shop which provides poor and financially incapacitated patients convenient access to the medical assistance offered by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The Malasakit Centers program, which Go launched in 2018 during his stint as the Special Assistant to the President, has since assisted over three million patients nationwide.

“Batas ito na aking isinulong para kahit hindi na kami senador at presidente ni Pangulong Duterte ay tuloy pa rin ang programang ito. Mayroon na ngayong one hundred and thirtyeight Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas.

Ang target nito ay zero balance para wala ng babayaran sa ospital ang mga poor and indigent patients,” said Go, who authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

In the end, the senator expressed gratitude to 1st District Representative Wilfredo Enverga, Governor Danilo Suarez, Vice Governor Samuel Nantes, Mayor Celso Dator and other local officials for their continuing efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 and address the needs of their constituents.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported many initiatives that aim to boost infrastructure development and improve the delivery of basic public services in Quezon. They include the concreting of a farm-tomarket road in Barangay Kakawit, construction of a new municipal building, construction of an evacuation center, conversion of the current municipal health center into a hospital, and construction of a multipurpose building and concreting of a local road in Brgy. Kilib in Lucban.

He also supported the rehabilitation of the Old Quezon Capitol Building; construction of a multipurpose building at the Lucena City General Hospital; concreting and construction of roads; and construction of slope protection in Lucena City.

Other initiatives he supported include the improvement of Gumaca Bypass Road; construction of multipurpose buildings in Alabat, Candelaria, General Nakar, Infanta and Mauban; improvement and rehabilitation of roads in Alabat, Candelaria, Calauag, Dolores, Lopez, San Antonio and TiaongDolores; construction of a slope protection structure in Sariaya; and construction of the Ospital ng San Antonio in San Antonio.

“Huwag niyo akong tawaging senador. Ako ang inyong Kuya Bong Go. Patuloy kami ni Pangulong Duterte na magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Gagawin ko ang lahat para ipagpapatuloy ‘yung magagandang programa na inumpisahan ng ating mahal na Pangulo,” vowed Go.

“Para sa akin, ang importante ay malampasan natin itong krisis na ito at ayaw kong pag-usapan ang pulitika. Unahin muna natin ang magserbisyo sa ating kapwa Pilipino para malampasan natin itong pandemyang ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino.”

A similar effort was conducted for 2,400 families in Lucena City from November 10 to 12. All activities were carried out in batches and strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.

In 2019, Go was declared an adopted son of the CALABARZON region in a manifesto issued by the governors of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

Bong Go aids indigent families in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur as he reiterates call to provide cash incentives for vaccinated 4Ps

The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued its relief efforts in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur on Thursday, November 11, assisting hundreds of residents belonging to the vulnerable sectors adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video message, Go reaffirmed that he will continue to protect the welfare of the Filipinos and remain focused on helping the government to end the national health crisis for the betterment of the nation.

He then appealed to the local authorities to ensure that necessary protective measures are in place so that residents can continue to safely carry out their daily essential activities. “Mga kababayan, ang laban sa COVID-19 ay nag-uumpisa sa ating mga tahanan at komunidad. Ang pagsunod natin sa patakaran, pag-alaga sa ating kalusugan, pagsuot ng mask at pag-obserba ng physical distancing ay mga simpleng paraan na makakatulong sa bayan na malampasan ang krisis na ito,” said Go.

Bong Go

“Huwag sana tayo maging kampante at huwag kayo maging kumpyansa. Let us remain vigilant since the fight is far from over. Let me remind everyone that your compliance with the health protocols will save lives and help the economy recover,” he added.

The senator’s staff provided snacks, vitamins and masks to a total of 290 residents in batches at the Sibagat Municipal Hall Crisis Center.

They gave selected residents new bicycles, as well as computer tablets to help children participate better in their classes under the blended learning approach.

Additionally, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance as part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on struggling communities. and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry provided livelihood support to potential beneficiaries through their respective assistance programs. Meanwhile, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority assessed potential beneficiaries for its scholarship grants.

Go, who also serves as the Chair of Senate Committee on Health, advised the residents to visit the Malasakit Center in Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Prosperidad where they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government.

Launched by Go in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which provides particularly poor and indigent patients convenient access to the medical assistance programs offered by relevant agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. more Filipinos to get inoculated against COVID-19, Go also reiterated his call for the government to consider providing cash incentives to the vaccinated members of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in addition to what they are already entitled under the law.

“Muli po akong nananawagan sa gobyerno na pagaralan ang posibilidad na bigyan ng dagdag ayuda bilang insentibo ang mga fully vaccinated na miyembro ng 4Ps,” said Go.

“Sa paraang ito, naenganyo na natin silang magpabakuna, nabigyan pa natin sila ng dagdag na tulong. Bagamat walang pilitan, wala rin naman tayong tigil na hikayatin sila dahil bakuna ang tanging susi at solusyon tungo sa pagbalik sa normal na pamumuhay,” he added.

Concluding his message, Go expressed his gratitude towards the local officials of Sibagat, led by Mayor Maria Liza

Evangelista, for their efforts to assist those most vulnerable and in need.

To boost the economic growth and public service delivery in the province, Go supported many infrastructure initiatives, including the development of a public park and construction of a slaughterhouse and a multi-purpose building, all in Sibagat.

He also supported the construction of a municipal evacuation center in Talacogon, and the construction of a multi-purpose building and the acquisition of ambulance units and dump trucks for the local government of San Luis. the construction and improvement of existing roads in Bayugan, Bunawan, Prosperidad and Veruela; concreting of local roads in Esperanza and La Paz; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Bayugan and Prosperidad; construction of an evacuation center in Prosperidad; improvement of the Adlayan riverbank in San Francisco; installation of reinforced concrete pipe culvert with pavement widening in Trento; and purchase and installation of solar street lights in Esperanza.

“Maraming salamat po at tandaan natin, parati po tayong mag-ingat at mag dasal. Tandaan po natin, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito, kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa tao ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” Go expressed.

Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay patuloy hong magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil para sa amin ang serbisyo po sa tao ay serbisyoa po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he ended.

Go’s staff previously provided similar assistance to more residents in the cities of Bayugan and Butuan, and the towns of Loreto, La Paz, Rosario, San Francisco, Esperanza, Talacogon and San Luis.

“Bong Go is my only presidential bet,” PRRD emphasizes as he endorses his long-time aide for the highest post

President Rodrigo Duterte stressed in an online interview that it was him who pushed Senator Christopher “Bong” Go to run for president after Go withdrew his vice-presidential bid following Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s decision to run for the country’s second highest post.

The president also reiterated that he is not supporting or endorsing any presidential candidate other than Bong Go.

“Ayan bukas ang presidente, tumakbo ka,” Duterte said.

“Nagbibigay ako guidance sa kanya. Kaya sabi niya, tatakbo si Inday, magwi-withdraw na lang siya (at) ayaw na niya. Eh sabi ko, bakit ganon, nakaumpisa ka na, eh ‘di tumakbo ka na lang na presidente eh ganon lang pala ang gagawin sa iyo, eh ‘di kasahan na,” the President continued.

“Ni minsan wala kayong narinig na mag-Marcos ako. Wala, wala kayong narinig. Kailan man hindi ako nagsalita na may susuportahan ako. Kinakausap ko lang for respeto. Pero I never, never gave a commitment na magsuporta ako sa kanila,” he added.

Duterte also put a spotlight on the good qualities that the presidential aspirant possesses that makes him a highly deserving candidate for the said position.

Emphasizing on Go’s “malasakit” for the Filipinos, the President likewise said that it is Go who will be the most suitable public servant to continue his legacy for the benefit of his fellow countrymen and women.

“Eh wala itong ginawang hambog na kuwento na kaya niya, pero alam ko sa taon na nagserbisyo siya sa akin, alam ko isang (katangian) is talagang honest (siya). Wala ka talagang makita at masilip,” Duterte said. Go was accompanied by the President at the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila on Saturday, November 13, where he filed his candidacy for president under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS), an allied party of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

“The fact na umatras si Bong, siyempre alam ko na pinagbigyan kami ni Bong dahil nga siguro sa tagal na niyang serbisyo sa amin, at kilala, kaibigan ko ang pamilya nila. At naaawa ako sa nangyari, kita mo ‘yung tao napaiyak. Pero sabi ko, whatever is your decision I will support you, as a matter of principle,” Duterte stressed.

“Ang suporta ko kay Bong as a matter of principle. Kaya nga kung matalo kami, eh kainin namin ‘yan. Basta ako, ‘pag ako nagsabi ng tao na susuportahan kita, susuportahan kita. Alam ninyo ‘yang isang salita lang ako,” the President ended.

Greater collab needed vs. Covid, climate change, PRRD to ABAC

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (File photo) Greater collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital to defeat the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and mitigate the impact of climate change, President Rodrigo Duterte told the business leaders from the 21 member economies of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on Thursday.

During his participation in the 2021 APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue with Economic Leaders, Duterte stressed the importance of promoting digital literacy to facilitate the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the digital economy, the Office of the President (OP) said in a press statement.

Duterte said such move would help increase the economic productivity of marginalized groups under the “new normal.”

“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte called for greater publicprivate collaboration in

addressing inclusion and sustainability challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change,” the Office of the President (OP) said.

Stressing ABAC’s substantial contribution to the region’s pandemic response efforts, Duterte cited key areas of collaboration with AsiaPacific businesses.

These include the improvement of digitalization and literacy in rural communities, establishment of a national Social Protection Floor (SPF), and the economies’ transition to a lowcarbon economy, Malacañang said.

“To facilitate digital inclusion efforts, the President underscored the need to establish the necessary infrastructure for accessible, stable and affordable energy supply in remote communities,” it said.

Duterte, the OP said, made a stance that establishing a national SPF “could address the gaps in the social protection programs that were exposed during the pandemic.”

“An SPF will guarantee a minimum set of social security benefits for all, including workers in the informal sector and gig economy,” it added.

Scaled-up support

Malacañang said Duterte also renewed his call for a “sustainable, scaled-up and predictable” support from developed countries to help developing economies adapt to and mitigate the adverse consequences of climate change.

“This includes climate finance, technology transfer and development and capacity-building,” it said.

Duterte, as quoted by the OP, said: “In the interest of climate justice, we need these to transition to climatesmart development and adapt to and mitigate the worsening effects of climate change.” Joining the President during the virtual ABAC dialogue were Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje.

ABAC, the privatesector arm of APEC, is mandated to advise economic leaders and other officials on business-related issues.

Its members are appointed by economic leaders from 21 APEC economies and represent a range of business sectors.

APEC’s 21 member economies include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, the United States, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia, and Vietnam. (PNA/Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

Sinovac vaccines delivered in PH now over 50M doses

The total doses of China’s Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine delivered in the Philippines reached 50,500,000 after receiving additional 3 million jabs procured by the government on Wednesday.

Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor, head of the strategic communications on current operations of the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19, welcomed the arrival of the new shipment of Sinovac vaccine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City.

He said the country has so far received over 117 million vaccines from seven manufacturers.

“With the arrival of the 3 million vaccines of Sinovac, we now have a total of 117 million more doses of vaccines in our inventory that arrived in the country,” Mayor said in a media interview.

Mayor said the additional vaccines will be used to boost the inoculation drive in different regions of the country.

“We will deploy these vaccines to all regions that need vaccines,” he said. people who have yet to receive vaccine to get inoculated to protect themselves from pandemics.

“So, again we call on fellow Filipinos who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated because all of the seven vaccines (brands) that are now in the country are safe and effective against Covid 19,” he said.

Aside from Sinovac, the NTF said other brands delivered in the country are: 16,103,640 doses of AstraZeneca; 32,120,010 doses of Pfizer; 3,240,850 doses of J&J; 9,985,900 doses of Moderna; 7,195,000 doses Sputnik V and 1,100,000 doses of Sinopharm,

Germany’s donation through COVAX

On Tuesday night, the Philippines received 793,900 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the German government through Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access or COVAX Facility.

In an interview during the arrival at the NAIA Terminal 3, German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel said the second batch of donations from Germany is only part of the “steady supply” of vaccines in the country. “It is very necessary to have such a steady supply because we need to speed up the vaccination campaign rollout for minors but also to speed up boosters,” Reiffenstuel said.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. thanked the German government, the COVAX Initiative, the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union (UN), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the donation, noting that the country will focus more on vaccinating more of the elderly population.

“Right now, we are at 59 percent coverage for the elderly and we will be focusing this month of November, we’re trying to push for 70 percent coverage of all the elderly,” Galvez said.

By the end of the year, he said the country aims to vaccinate at least 70 million of the country’s 110 million population.

“We are trying to push the LGUs (local government units) to ramp up their vaccination and we hope that this coming national vaccination day, we will be able to generate more or less 10 to 15 million of vaccine administration,” Galvez said.

WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said the donated vaccine doses will be particularly useful in vaccinating people outside the Metro Manila.

With the steady supply of Covid-19 vaccine doses, he urged LGUs to ensure the fast rollout of vaccines “so that more Filipinos are protected.” (PNA/Ferdinand Patinio and Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

Get vaccinated to ‘overcome’ pandemic, Duterte tells Filipinos

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte renewed his appeal to Filipinos to get vaccinated and strictly follow the minimum health standards to help overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.

Duterte made the call as he welcomed the arrival of 2,805,000 doses of the Russian-made Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Monday night.

“I appeal to all our kababayans (fellow Filipinos) to cooperate and do their part to help overcome this pandemic. The government cannot do this alone and we need your active participation by getting vaccinated and strictly following the minimum health standards,” he said in his speech.

He thanked the Russian government for facilitating the largest shipment so far of Sputnik V vaccine to the country.

“Let me express my gratitude to the Russian government for the continued supply of life-saving Covid-19 vaccines to the Philippines. These deliveries affirm Russia’s commitment to [achieving global] vaccine equity and improving vaccine accessibility to countries, especially the Philippines,” Duterte said.

Duterte said he deeply appreciates Russia’s efforts in fostering cooperation in various areas, including the fight against Covid-19.

“Goodwill initiatives, such as this vaccine donation and others, demonstrate the strong ties and friendship between Russia and the Philippines,” he added.

Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov, who was also present during the arrival, said the Russian government would continue to support the Philippines’ Covid-19 vaccination program and stressed the shipment is just one of many points of future cooperation between the two countries.

Duterte also acknowledged the strong efforts of the Department of Health, Department of Foreign Affairs, National Task Force Against Covid-19, and other institutional partners for ensuring a steady supply of vaccines. prompt, safe and effective delivery, distribution and administration of the vaccines across the country,” he said. “Let us work together to put an end to this disease and its harmful effects to our people and economy for nearly two years now.”

He assured that his administration is committed to securing safe and effective vaccines for all Filipinos.

“Let us celebrate all our meaningful victories against Covid-19 pandemic. We are winning our battle against the virus. Let us continue to be safe and in good health,” he said.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said local government leaders, particularly provincial governors, have expressed willingness to expedite the government’s vaccination program.

Año said meetings with local government chief executives to speed up the vaccination have been fruitful.

“We had a meeting with mayors, governors with Secretary [Carlito] Galvez [Jr.] at nakuha natin ang commitment ng mayors at governors para i-double time nila ‘yung pagvaccinate. Halos lahat ng governors andun” (and we got the commitment of mayors and governors to work double time for the vaccination. Almost all of the governors were present),” he said.

Galvez, chief implementer of NTF and vaccine czar, said the latest deliverybrought to over 113 million the country’s vaccine stockpiles.

He expressed optimism that the aim to vaccinate up to 70 percent of the target population will be achieved by the end of the year.

Galvez earlier said the steady delivery of vaccines since October has allowed the government to further ramp up the nationwide rollout.

According to the National Covid-19 Vaccination dashboard, the Philippines has so far administered 64,195,936 doses of Covid-19 vaccines, including 29,477,961 who are already fully vaccinated against the dreaded virus. (PNA/Benjamin Pulta)

Executive Editor ABNER M. CAGA

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