CONTENTS
Volume IV, No. 37 Sept. 5-11, 2020
Caraga
INFOCUS
ARTICLES
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REGIONAL NEWS
Local transmission cases in Caraga now at 237
PROVINCIAL NEWS AgNor border frontliners receive appreciation from PPOC Dating rebelde, tokhang surrenderees, IPs sa Agusan del Norte sumailalim sa skills training Roadmap pagpadaku sa kita sa lubi ngadto sa P4 bilyones nga industriya gihimo P1.5 bilyones nga industriya pag-abot sa 2027 gipunting sa mga stakeholders sa bulanghoy
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Bislig massage therapists provide free wellness service to SCs, PWDs Army joins ‘serbisyo caravan’ in SurSur town SurSur farmer commits to continue noble job amidst COVID-19 pandemic AgSur town takes vegetable production in center island Retooled Community Support Program launched in Agusan Sur town 99 workers who lost jobs due to COVID-19 receive cash aid
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29 31 34 36 37 39 40
MINDANAO NEWS
Mindanao leaders ask congress review massive rice importation MinDA to craft program for Lake Mainit’s ‘Pijanga’ sustainability
NATIONAL NEWS
Andanar cites transparency, accountability on COA highest audit rating for PCOO attached agencies PCOO extends sympathies to Cebu governor on death of 2 brothers PRRD grateful for Abe’s push to boost PH-Japan ties PH-US ties marked milestones under envoy Sung Kim’s stint P106-B subsidy to be distributed to 4.3M 4Ps families next year
COVID-19 NEWS
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One Hospital Command Center reports 90% success rate
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PH response vs. Covid-19 ‘major game-changer,’ Galvez says
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Talks with Pfizer, other vaccine developers continue: DOH
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Gov’t out to flatten Covid-19 curve this month: Lorenzana
COVER
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DepEd completes construction of 2 IP schools in SurSur By Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan
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wo makeshift schools of the Department of Education (DepEd) intended for the indigenous peoples (IPs) in Sitio Simowao Diatagon, Lianga town and Sitio Lucnodon, Mahaba, Marihatag town in Surigao del Sur are now completed and ready for use upon the resumption of classes in October.
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These schools, according to a report, will provide quality education and will replace the communist-linked Tribal Filipino Program in Surigao Del Sur (TRIFPSS) to prevent radicalization and NPA recruitment of IP youth. The IP schools are part of the tangible peace development programs of the Caraga Regional Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) spearheaded by Surigao Sur Provincial Governor and Regional Peace and Order Committee Chairman Alexander T. Pimentel, Regional Development Council-Social Development Committee (RDC-SDC) Chairman and Bayugan City Mayor Kirk A. Asis, DepEd Regional Office XIII Director Francis Cesar B. Bringas, the IP tribal councils and local government units (LGU) of Marihatag and Lianga.
Program (CSP), one of the mechanisms of the Whole of Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Contrary to the false reports, DepEd Surigao del Sur Schools Division Superintendent Josita Carmen said they are not closing the IP schools in the province, instead, the said department The 544th Engineer Battalion worked hard in opening DepEd IP under LTC Rodel V. Pangilinan CE schools to provide quality education. GSC PA served as the workforce while “We did not focus on closing the the 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion under LTC Joey Baybayan set alleged NPA terrorist-linked TRIFPSS or the groundwork and security through ALCADEV schools. Rather, we put our the conduct of Community Support time and efforts to lay the foundation in building DepEd schools so that our IP community can have an option,” said Supt. Carmen. “Fortunately, the IPs have chosen to enroll in our schools as this is their request to have DepEd accredited IP schools in their communities,” she added. Meantime, Lianga Tribal Chieftain Datu Constancio Duhac, along with tribal and sitio leaders said, “We refute September 5-11, 2020 |
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and we can prove, without blurring our faces, that militant group MAPASU, Save Our Schools are spreading fake news saying that the government and the military are abusing the IP community. This is what we are working for, to build ‘genuine IP schools’ for our children to stop NPA terrorists’ exploitation and recruitment. This is what the tribe dreamt of and we thank the government for fulfilling it.”
cohorts from exploiting our children again,” Bucales said.
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and RTFELCAC member agencies led by NCIP Secretary Allen Capuyan, with the IP children and parents, Marihatag and Lianga LGUs held the first ceremonial flag raisings in the newly constructed IP schools on August 24 in Sitio Simuwao and Sept 1 in Sitio Lucnodon, Lianga IP Mandatory respectively. Representative (IPMR) Jumar Bucales (Datu Nahikyad) said that Communist Meanwhile, the DepEd Surigao NPA Terrorist and its allies are working del Sur Division plans a systematic and so hard to discredit the government practical approach to provide quality efforts through their propaganda in education to cope up despite the various platforms of social media. new normal brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. “If they are genuine enough (MAPASU and Save Our Schools), they “We are working on a practical should have joined and helped the approach for the continuous delivery legitimate the IP leaders like us in our of IP Education despite the pandemic efforts to bring hope to our children and the new normal in the hinterlands instead of attacking us and accusing and we will propose it to the IATF,” Supt. us as paramilitary. We will not allow Carmen said. (3SFBn-CMO/PIA-Surigao MAPASU, Save Our Schools and their del Sur)
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News Briefs According to City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada, the city government of Butuan is now procuring 15,000 - 30,000 testing kits for COVID-19 that is expected to last until December. They are now eyeing the testing kits produced by the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. xx
To conclude today’s episode of the Laging Handa Network Briefing, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar shed light on the plight of the nation in the current crisis and empathized with his kababayans on the challenges they face daily during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secretary Andanar then emphasized the need to persevere even in the midst of trying times. “Awaken your inner child and learn to get up when you fall. Cry if you must, but never give up,” he said.
The officials and members of the Caraga Regional Council (RDC) - Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) convene this afternoon, for its first Organizational Meeting via Zoom application. Cabinet Secretary & Caraga CORDS Karlo Nograles will also join in the said meeting. Happy National Teachers’ Month! Mula Setyembre 5 hanggang Oktubre 5, ipinagdiriwang natin ang National Teachers’ Month bilang pagkilala sa pagpapamalas ng kahanga-hangang dedikasyon ng ating mga guro sa buong bansa upang makapaghatid ng dekalidad na edukasyon sa ating mga magaaral—simula noon, maging ngayon sa gitna ng pandemya.
Local transmission cases in Caraga now at 237 By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
Citizens here grow more and more worried over the rising number of local transmission cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which have now totaled to 237 in the entire Caraga region. Per the data from the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga, 223 of the said number of cases are from Butuan City. Among the barangays with the highest number of cases tallied are Ambago with 42 cases; Libertad with 34 cases; Villa Kanangga with 27 cases; Holy Redeemer with 25; Limaha with 21 cases; Buhangin and Doongan, with 18 cases respectively; Bayanihan with 16 cases; San Vicente with 16 cases; and Fort Poyohon with 14 cases.
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Residents express their concern over the local COVID-19 situation. For Patrick Ceùeres, a resident of Brgy. Libertad, there is no question on the implementation of containment measures in the city, since the city government has been imposing heightened community quarantine repeatedly to address the issues. The problem, he says, lies in the residents’ lack of discipline.
“There are no problems in terms of our local government’s implementation. In my observation, cases continue to grow due to the inability of the people to abide the minimum health protocol set by the government.” Other concerned citizens have continued to advocate for fellow Butuanons to be more mindful of their actions especially in public settings. Anthony Apolinara, a resident of Alviola Subdivision in Brgy. Baan, points to instilling self-discipline as the best defense against the prevalence of local transmission in the city.
“There are a lot of residents who refuse to follow protocol. This shouldn’t be the case. We also have to be accountable for ourselves and not just for other people. Taking care of ourselves is also just as important in this situation,” he added. Based on the data from the DOH Caraga, the region now has a total of 675 confirmed cases. Four hundred eleven of these have already recovered while 264 cases remain active. Eighteen COVID-19-related deaths have now been recorded. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga) September 5-11, 2020 |
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
AgNor border frontliners receive appreciation from PPOC By Nora C. Lanuza
Frontliners assigned at the two border checkpoints of the province of Agusan del Norte were given recognition by the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) recently. According to Governor Dale B. Corvera, PPOC chairperson, they were given recognition because of their contribution in securing the borders and also for them to be more inspired in doing their jobs.
“They are not only giving their time and efforts, but they also sacrifice to secure the province from the threat of COVID19,� said Governor Corvera. September 5-11, 2020 |
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pandemic, “because the community is depending on us for protection.”
Police Captain Jennifer Ometer, chief of police of the Carmen Municipal Police Station located at the border of the province, was thankful to the provincial government for recognizing their efforts. “I did not expect this recognition, because we are only doing our duties and responsibilities in securing the Agusanons not only from the threat of COVID-19 but as well as from the bad elements of the society,” she said.
Roberto Calubag, disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) officer of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, also expressed his gratitude to the provincial government for the recognition and appreciation accorded to them. The municipality of Kitcharao is an entry point to the province from the province of Surigao del Norte. The recognition was also attended by the Second District Representative Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. AmanteMatba, other officials and members of the council.
It can be recalled that the Provincial DRRM Council has also recognized the more than 800 frontliners in the province for their bravery in fighting the COVID-19. This was in time with the celebration of the National Disaster Resilient Month where they were able to receive gift packs, Ometer called on her fellow food packs and thank you notes from frontliners to continue to work despite the the youth of the province. (NCLM, PIA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Agusan del Norte)
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Dating rebelde, tokhang surrenderees, IPs sa Agusan del Norte sumailalim sa skills training By Nora C. Lanuza
Isang skills training ang isinagawa sa Agusan del Norte na nilahukan ng mga dating rebelde, tokhang surrenderees at indigenous peoples (IPs) at mga sundalo upang maging trainers sa kani-kanilang kumonidad hinggil sa organic agricultural production. Ayon kay Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Agusan del Norte provincial director Rey Cueva, ang team ng mga trainees ay kinabibilangan ng mga sundalo, former rebels, IP, tokhang. Ang nasabing training ay magbigay sa kanila ng kabuhayan at ang skills na kanilang matutunan ay magbibigay dinsa kanila ng trabaho.
Ang Agusan del Norte ay isa sa mga prayoridad na bigyan ng nasabing training, dagdag ni Cueva. Mas madaling madeploy sa mga skills training kung ang magconduct nito ay mga taong kakilala na rin sa kumonidad, ayon kay TESDA Caraga regional director Ashary Banto. September 5-11, 2020 |
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Malaki ang pasalamat ni Samuel Calonzo, ang Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) regional director, dahil napiling maibahagi ang agrikultura sa kumonidad lalo na ang organic farming. Ang mga kalahok sa pagsasanay ay maging responsable sa pagturo sa komunidad sa kahalagahan ng organic agriculture farming, ani ni Calonzo.
Sumailalim sila sa tatlong araw na training partikular sa organic vegetable at native chicken production. Ang probinsya sa pamamagitan ng Provincial Agriculturist Office ang magbibigay ng seedlings a itatanim at ang ATI naman ang demo farms sa komunidad. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Roadmap pagpadaku sa kita sa lubi ngadto sa P4 bilyones nga industriya gihimo By Angel Lyn F. Gaviola
Gipresentar sa mga planters ug processors sa coconut industry cluster sa probinsya kang Gobernador Dale B. Corvera bag-uhay pa lamang ang ilang naplastar nga roadmap nga nakatutok pagpaligon sa industriya ug pagpunting og kapin Php4 bilyones nga halin matag tuig pag-abot sa 2027.
Gikan sa maong kantidad sa halin, gilantaw nga maka-generate ang industriya sa lubi og kapin sa Php2 bilyones nga gross value added
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(GVA) ug gikan niini makamugna og per dependent farmer o farmworker GVA nga kapin sa Php200,000 matag tuig gikan sa gibana-bana nga kapin
sa Php30,000 lang karon alang sa nga mga semana aron i-review ang gibanabana nga 10,000 ka dependents detalye sa ilang action plan alang sa unya. pagpatuman sa nalatid nga roadmap sa industriya. Himoon kini sa mga stakeholders sa industriya sa lubi pinaagi sa pag- Sa iyang mensahe isip tubag sa expand sa plantasyon gikan sa kapin gi-presentar kaniya nga roadmap, sa 37,000 ektaryas karon ug pagpataas giseguro ni Gob. Corvera sa mga sa productivity gikan sa average nga stakeholders sa lubi nga naa ra ang 46 ka lubi matag punoan ngadto sa probinsya sa luyo pagsuporta sa ilang 150 ka lubi matag punoan, sumala inisyatiba. pa sa presentasyon ni Engr. Alfredo Cortez, presidente sa Coconut Farmers Giaghat usab sa gobernador Federation-Agusan del Norte, kang ang mga stakeholders sa lubi nga Gob. Dale B. Corvera human sa maong “eksaminon unsay mga kakuwangon roadmapping. nga sa kadugay na niini nga industriya wala man gyod success story.� Dungan sa pagpataas sa Gipasabot sa gobernador nga buot productivity matag punoan ipahiluna gyod siyang makakita nga naay usab sa mga stakeholders sa industriya daghang mga processing activities sa ang pinakaubos walo ka processing lubi nga mahitabo sa palibot. projects gamit ang lubi isip hilaw nga materyales, dugang ni Cortez. Ang industriya sa lubi usa sa 10 ka mga industriya nga buot palig-onon sa Apil sa gilataw’ng processing probinsya aron gawas sa pag-expand activities ang paggama og cooking og mga plantasyon, motumaw usab oil, virgin coconut oil, coconut milk, ang mga proyekto sa pagproseso. coconut sugar, coconut water, Sunod kini sa panglantaw sa probinsya desiccated coconut, coco coir ug nga mahimong Agri-processing Center fertilizer gamit ang parte sa lubi. sa Caraga. Nasayran nga 40 ka produkto gikan sa lubi ang kasamtangang gina- Gihimo kini sa probinsya pinaagi proseso ug ginabligya sa Pilipinas sa sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa internasyonal nga merkado. pagpalambo ni administrasyon ni Gov. Corvera nga nagdala sa walo ka punto Mokabat sa 17 ka planters ug nga development agenda ug nag-apil processors nga nagrepresenta og sa flagship program nga AGUS 3Ps o mga organisasyon sa mga lungsod Plant and Process for Prosperity. ang ug probinsya ang miapil sa maong behikulo pagpataas sa kita sa mga roadmapping. Nahulma ang Interim Industry Coconut Cluster Council lumulupyo sa probinsya. (Agusan Up, human sa roadmapping ug nakatakda LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del na sila og mga tigum sa mosunod Norte) September 5-11, 2020 |
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P1.5 bilyones nga industriya pag-abot sa 2027 gipunting sa mga stakeholders sa bulanghoy By Shena Mae Pabia
Inisyal nga na-set sa tigum sa core group sa Cassava Industry Cluster sa Agusan del Norte gahapon, Setyembre 9, ang strategic objective sa industriya nga kab-oton ang Php1.5 bilyones nga kinatibukang halin niini matag tuig pagabot sa 2027. Gikan sa maong kantidad, gilantaw nga maka-generate ang industriya og Php750 milliion nga gross value added (GVA) ug makamugna og Php250,000 nga average nga GVA sa gilantaw nga 3,000 dependent farmers ug trabahante unya.
sa pagpalapad sa natamnang luna gikan sa kapin sa 100 ektaryas sa pagkakaron ngadto sa 3,000 ektaryas ug pagpahiluna og upat ka major processing projects pag-abot sa tuig 2027. Apil sa mga processing projects nga ipahiluna sa mosunod nga pito Kab-oton kini sa industriya pinaagi ka tuig mao ang feed mill, cassava
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flour, food processing nga mag-apil sa network of bakeries sa mga lungsod. Tun-an usab ang potensyal nga makamugna sa probinsya ug paktoriya sa chalk o beer gamit ang bulanghoy.
ang mga proyekto sa pagproseso. Ang ubang mga industriya mao ang abaca, banana, coconut, cacao, coffee, mango, rubber, wood ug aquamarine. Sunod kini sa panglantaw sa probinsya nga mahimong Agri-processing Center Iplastar sa core group ang detalye sa Caraga. ning maong stratehiko nilang gipunting ug sa mga processing projects nga Gihimo kini sa probinsya pinaagi ipahiluna sa mosunod nga mga adlaw sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa isip pagpangandam sa road mapping pagpalambo ni administrasyon ni nga himoon apil na ang ubang Gobernador Dale B. Corvera nga stakeholders sa ikaduhang semana sa nagdala sa walo ka punto nga Oktubre. development agenda ug nag-apil sa flagship program nga AGUS 3Ps o Plant Ang bulanghoy usa sa 10 ka and Process for Prosperity, ang behikulo mga industriya nga buot palig-onon sa pagpataas sa kita sa mga lumulupyo probinsya aron gawas sa pag-expand sa probinsya. (Agusan Up, LGU Agusan og mga plantasyon, motumaw usab del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Bislig massage therapists provide free wellness service to SCs, PWDs The Bislig Massage Therapists Association (BISMASTA) has provided free massage service to senior citizens (SCs) and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to the nearby barangays within this city.
The group has been doing the group implemented the skeleton activity for nine years now, benefitting workforce following the guidelines two vulnerable sectors of the society. issued by the local government unit and the local Inter-Agency Task Force Due to the declaration of the (IATF). pandemic brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the provision The association has also initiated of services was suspended for a month. free distribution of surgical masks But after its resumption recently, the benefiting around 150 senior citizens September 5-11, 2020 |
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and PWDs.
The BISMASTA was formed in 2011 with 28 members only, and in 2019, they At present, the group is raising reached to 82 members. some 500 washable face masks which will be distributed to the same indigent They have already provided clienteles for free. employment opportunities to the therapist-members of the group with Meantime, the Department of 60%-40% sharing of income. The 60% Labor and Employment (DOLE) was able goes to the therapist while 40% goes to to assist the BISMASTA in 2013 through the clinic, it was learned. its DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP). They availed the amount of Meanwhile, the city government P161,000.00 as their ‘Kabuhayan of Bislig has proposed to delineate Formation.’ an area of 255 square meters with an estimated value of P1,275,000.00 for In 2015, the DOLE revealed that the construction of the association’s BISMASTA availed the Kabuhayan building clinic located at the market Enhancement amounting to site. (DOLE-Surigao del Sur/PIA-Surigao P267,750.00 from the said agency. del Sur)
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Army joins ‘serbisyo caravan’ in SurSur town By Capt. Edwin Leo Francisco
Amid the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the 75th Infantry “Marauder” Battalion (75IB) , Philippine Army participated and secured the area during the conduct of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) dubbed as “Serbisyo and Peace Caravan 2020” initiated by the local government unit (LGU) of San Miguel held in Bolhoon Elementary School, Barangay Bolhoon, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on September 3, 2020. RCSP is a convergence mechanism for LGUs particularly in the barangays for the identification of issues and needed government intervention. It is anchored on empowerment framework aimed to develop the capacity of the community to organize themselves and own development by bringing about
value-chain interventions to uplift their current condition. The delivery of various government services and programs through to the people of Brgy. Bolhoon highlighted the event which benefited some 1,500 individuals. September 5-11, 2020 |
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Among the free services offered were medical consultation/check-up; free acquisition of Police Clearance; registration of Birth Certificate; deworming and rabies vaccination; acquisition of Certificate of Land Ownership (CLOA); consultation regarding Alternative Learning System (ALS); feeding program; civil registration for the “Kasalan ng Bayan” set on September 28, 2020; distribution of falcata seeds, fingerlings, relief goods; “The government and the and free haircut. Philippine Army, together with the The distribution of vitamins was partner stakeholders, united through this conducted exclusively for the lactating endeavor to serve well the communities and pregnant women. Counseling particularly in the far-flung areas,” Maj. as well as circumcision for the male Bagara said. children were also offered. Department of Education (DepEd) San Miguel Mayor Hazel Elizalde Surigao del Sur Division representative expressed her gratitude to the 75IB and Danilo Alcantara confirmed that Tribal the government line agencies for the Filipino Program in Surigao del Sur continuous support and cooperation (TRIFPSS) is not accredited by DepEd. that contributed a lot for the success of He encouraged the parents to enroll their children in DepEd schools for them the activity. to obtain legal documents for their “As a public servant, it is my role children’s education. and responsibility to help and serve you. Several Schools of Living Traditions Through Executive Order No. 70, the government and line agencies will unite (SLT), an indigenous peoples (IP) to deliver basic services and programs school run by DepEd have already to the people and community,” said operationalized in the selected IP communities in San Miguel that cause Mayor Elizalde. the closure of most TRIFPSS schools in 75IB commanding officer the town. Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Villarosa ably For the duration of the activity, represented by executive officer Major Marlon Bagara, emphasized that the health protocols were strictly observed “Marauder” troopers have observed such as wearing of face mask, hand and respected the cultural sensitivity of sanitizing, and social distancing to the Manobos, the indigent people of prevent the spread of COVID-19. (75IBCMO/PIA-Surigao del Sur) Brgy. Bolhoon.
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SurSur farmer commits to continue noble job amidst COVID-19 pandemic
By Aurelius P. Arais
The threat of COVID-19 pandemic did not hinder farmers to produce more.
Richard Virtudazo, a corn farmer of Tago, Surigao del Sur, stands firm and committed to continue his noble job despite the health crisis nowadays.
the participants on the Training and Demonstration of 4-Wheel Drive Tractor held at DA-ILD Compound, Taguibo, Butuan City on September 1, 2020.
A chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Anahao Bag-o Farmer’s Association, Nong Richard as fondly called by friends, was one of
The said training is a pre-requisite for seven farmer’s associations in the region who were identified as recipients of a 4WD tractor, one unit each with September 5-11, 2020 |
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implements amounting to P20 million Farmer’s Association of Esperanza, under the CY 2020 Corn and Cassava Agusan del Sur; Tabok Socorro Farmer’s Program. Association of Socorro, Surigao del Norte; and Tubajon Cassava Growers He said that farming is their main and Producer’s Organization of source of livelihood and grateful that Tubajon, Province of Dinagat Islands. the government is reaching their arm to help them. “I am appealing to the recipient to take care of the machinery given “In this time of crisis, we will not by the government so it would be stop planting because this is our way of maximized by the farmers at a longer life, and I am thankful that DA is always period of time,” DA Caraga Regional there for us,” he said. Technical Director Nicandro Navia, Jr. emphasized. With 68 active members, Anahao Bag-o Farmer’s Association has a A ceremonial turnover was held cumulative area of 200 hectares alternately planted with corn and rice. after the training and the unit will be delivered soon to the recipient upon “During the wet season, we are compliance of the required documents. going to plant rice and on the dry Operating the farm tractor by season we will plant corn, that is why the tractor that we are going to receive himself, Regional Executive Director from DA is a big help in tilling our land,” Abel James I. Monteagudo of DACaraga highlighted one of the eight Virtudazo said. paradigms of Secretary William D. Other recipients of the 4WD tractor Dar to level-up Philippine agriculture, are the San Patricio Farmer’s Association the continued modernization through of La Paz, Azpetia Farmer’s Association farm mechanization. (DA-Caraga/PIAof Prosperidad, and Mapulian Cassava Surigao del Sur)
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AgSur town takes vegetable production in center island By Vanessa P Sanchez
Taking inspiration from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA’s) Plant Plant Plant Program, the municipality of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur has taken on a municipal-wide vegetable gardening as part of its Food Security Plan in response to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) health crisis. One of the municipality’s initiatives is the Center Island Vegetable Gardening Project wherein vegetables are planted on the center traffic island along the stretch of the national highway of Prosperidad.
municipal offices are involved and were grouped into nine clusters with each cluster taking charge of 77 meters of the center island.
“Rather than planting flowers for beautification, we chose to plant According to Municipal vegetables instead. This way, we do not Agriculturist Marlita P. Cortez, all the only get to harvest vegetables but we September 5-11, 2020 |
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can also show the public that vegetable gardening can be done easily so that they will also be encouraged to have their own food production initiative at home,� Cortez said. Further, she said that this initiative is approved by their Municipal Mayor Frederick Mark P. Mellana and that they plan to sustain this project. Vegetable seeds and organic fertilizers were procured and distributed to the nine clusters and by June they started planting. The vegetables planted were eggplant, kangkong and pechay. The clusters have already been harvesting vegetables which the members divided among themselves for their own consumption. Some of the vegetables were also shared with the needy especially those who do not really have an available area to plant on. Following this was the implementation of Food Always in the Home (FAITH) program through which vegetable seeds were distributed to households for them to plant in their backyards while 17 barangays of the town were also chosen for the establishment of their own communal gardens. In addition, the Municipal Agriculture Office also distributed five heads of chicken to 45 beneficiaries per barangay. Two kilos of feeds were also given to the recipients together with the chickens.
under its Food Security Plan is the distribution of tilapia fingerlings. This is in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to those who have fishponds. The number of fingerlings given depends on the size of the area of the recipient. On the other hand, as a way of assisting the farmers in selling their produce, the local government unit (LGU) of Prosperidad allocated a budget of P5 million to buy the products of the farmers. To date, 571 bags of milled rice have been bought from rice farmers. These were then sold by the Employees’ Union to interested buyers, mostly the employees of the LGU.
Cortez said that Prosperidad’s Food Security Plan has a budget allocation of P10 million to be utilized for its various initiatives that aim to cushion the impact of the pandemic on the people. (DA13-RAFIS/PIA-Agusan del Another project of Prosperidad Sur)
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Retooled Community Support Program launched in Agusan Sur town By 1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punzalan
The local government unit (LGU) here has launched the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) to deliver basic services in the conflict-affected areas of Sitio Tibog, Sitio Ugnop and Purok 7 of Barangay Mabuhay, Prosperidad on September 2 benefiting 79 households. Mayor Frederick Mark Plaza Mellana led the RCSP team along with the core teams, local peace and order and development council members. It is composed of the Basic Services Delivery team which will serve as the bridge of the RCSP team to the national government; the Citizenship and Community Participation team which will strengthen barangay-based institutions and sectoral organizations to engage in participatory issue resolution; the Peace Law Enforcement and Development Support Team which
will protect and secure RCSP team and beneficiaries on the conduct of the peace and development activities; the Local Development and Peace and Order Councils which will screen and prioritize the needed government interventions in the community; and the RCSP core team that directly supports the local chief executive in the operationalization of the RCSP. Upon identification of the issues by the RCSP and the Community Support team of the 8th Special Forces Company of the 3rd Special Forces September 5-11, 2020 |
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”Arrowhead” Battalion, the issues on basic services such as the rehabilitation of farm-to-market road from Sitio Tibog to Purok 7 and access to potable water in Sitio Ugnop were immediately addressed and resolved by the LGU and concerned agencies. Further, a Serbisyo Caravan consisting of outreach programs, medical services, birth registration, free haircut, and donation of food supplies were provided to 79 households.
mawala na ang armed conflict sa municipality of Prosperidad so we can explore our fullest potential in eco and agritourism. We may not have all the resources but we are doing our best na maramdaman ang good governance kahit sa pinakamalayong sitios,” said Mellana.
RCSP is one of the national government’s mechanisms in implementing the whole-of-nation approach to successfully end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) “This is the first time that we which was institutionalized by President focused our efforts and actually went Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Executive Order to those far-flung communities that No. 70. needed the services of the government. Usually, these services are brought to a Meanwhile, the Prosperidad RCSP barangay proper or the center among is anchored on the theme “USWAGother barangays, but this time we also Prosperidad” which means ‘Uban have to immerse there for us to know ta Sa kalambuan Walay puwas nga their real situation and needs,” Mayor programang Agrikultura, industriya Mellana said. ng turismo para sa Gobyernong lokal sa Prosperidad’ to drumbeat their The mayor also added that the campaign in promoting peace and RCSP is aimed at addressing the root development. (CMO officer, 3SFBn/ causes of insurgency. “We hope na PIA-Agusan del Sur)
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99 workers who lost jobs due to COVID-19 receive cash aid By Brix A. Merlin
A total of 99 construction workers who were adversely affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) received recently cash assistance amounting to P8,000.00 each from CTB Construction and Development Corporation. The CTB management was constrained to terminate the services of the more than 90 construction workers in compliance to the safety protocols strictly implemented by the province of Surigao del Norte brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The provision of the said assistance emanated from an agreement made between the parties at the DOLE Provincial Office of Surigao del Norte, when a group of at least 30 workers sought DOLE’s assistance after having been allegedly terminated from work in the projects undertaken by the contractor. The DOLE provincial office through the SEna (Single Entry Approach), threshed out immediatey the concern of the workers. A total of P792,000 cash assistance was
released to the 99 worker-beneficiaries at the DOLE provincial office in three batches. The workers expressed gratitude to their employer and to the DOLE for the assistance they received that will help them defray their daily family needs in this trying time. Aside from the cash assistance, the employer had likewise given an assurance to the workers for a special preference in the hiring of workers for its future projects in the event the restrictions would be lifted. SEnA is a DOLE administrative approach for a speedy, inexpensive and accessible settlement procedure for all issues/complaints arising from employer and employee relationship. (DOLE-SDN/ PIA-Surigao del Norte) September 5-11, 2020 |
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MINDANAO NEWS
Mindanao leaders ask congress review massive rice importation
Mindanao leaders, including the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Congressmen and Governors, yesterday called on the country’s legislators to review the law which allows unimpeded rice importation as farm gate prices of paddy rice dropped from P22 two years ago to P11 per kilo in many areas of the region this harvest season. In the 12th virtual meeting yesterday of the Governing Board of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) which includes Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Murad
Ebrahim, Congressmen, Governors and Mayors who head the Regional Development Councils and Private Sector Representatives, a resolution was passed unanimously urging both September 5-11, 2020 |
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Congress and the Senate to review and make amendments to Republic Act 11203 which allows the unimpeded entry of imported rice into the country.
the law,” Zubiri, who was among the Senators who approved the passage of the RTL, said. Sen. Zubiri, a member of the MinDA Governing Board was not able to participate in the meeting because the The resolution was presented during Senate was in session. the MinDA Governing Board meeting as among the issues and problems which Passed last year by the Senate could affect Mindanao’s economic which discarded the Lower House version recovery following the COVID 19 of the bill, RA 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Pandemic. law (RTL) aims “ to provide affordable rice prices for consumers, coupled with the Submitted by private sector goal of raising the income of palay/rice representative Engr. Sherwin Begyan and farmers.” seconded by Agusan del Norte Governor Dale Corvera without any opposition, In the process, the law allows the resolution called for the “review of importers to bring in as much imported the Rice Tariffication Law in the face of rice provided they pay the tariffs which irrefutable evidence that the unimpeded in turn will be placed under the Rice rice importation has caused injury to the Competitiveness Enhancement Fund local rice industry and the rice farmers of (RCEF) which assures the rice industry of Mindanao.” a P10-B annual support for the next six years. During the discussions, it was pointed out that the very low farm gate Studies conducted by the prices of paddy rice, some at P11 per Federation of Free Farmers showed that kilo which is below the production cost while rice consumers benefited from the of P12, is causing economic hardships lower rice prices at an estimated value for Mindanao’s rice farmers and could of P6-B, rice farmers lost about P80-B adversely affect the economic recovery because of reduced income as a result efforts of Mindanao. of very low farm gate prices. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, whose home province of Bukidnon is one of the biggest rice production areas in Mindanao, said after the MinDA Governing Board meeting that he too has received appeals from rice farmers for a review of the RTL.
Additional losses which have yet to be quantified were also reported in ancillary activities to rice production, including land preparation equipment utilization, milling and processing and by products like rice bran and rice hulls.
A copy of the MinDA Board “If it is really causing injury to Resolution will be formally endorsed to the rice industry and hardships to our both Congress and the Senate for their farmers, then it is only fair that we review review and action. (MinDA)
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MinDA to craft program for Lake Mainit’s ‘Pijanga’ sustainability By Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said it is looking into crafting of a comprehensive program that would ensure the sustainability of “Pijanga” fishing in Lake Mainit, which borders Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur provinces. In a statement Monday, MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the plan is to strengthen the alliance of the lake-side towns so that environmental programs could be crafted to ensure a sustainable livelihood for families who
depend on the lake. Under the Mindanao Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MINFAD) Program of MinDA, he said, the existing “Pijanga” hatchery will be improved to September 5-11, 2020 |
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ensure the availability of fingerlings to be seeded in the lake every year. “The establishment of post-harvest facilities for the “Pijanga” will also be included in the proposed program for Lake Mainit to enable fishermen to get a higher value for their produce,” Piñol added. Lake Mainit, one of Mindanao’s major inland body of water at 17,430-hectares, teems with “Pijanga,” which has provided a livelihood for poor fishing families living along the 64-kilometer coastal line of the country’s fourth-largest lake. “Pijanga,” which belongs to the white goby family, is the dominant fish species in the lake. Fishermen in the towns of Jabonga and Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte and Alegria and Mainit in Surigao del Norte have been fishing “Pijanga” from the lake, along with the occasional catch of “Bingaw,” a red fish that swims up to the use of fine mesh nets which catch the young “Pijanga” called “Saguyon,” Lake Mainit from the sea. there will always be a fish to catch from However, Piñol acknowledged the Lake. the “concerns about the sustainability Dried “Pijanga” has become of the “Pijanga” raised by several a popular product of the towns sectors because of overfishing. surrounding the Lake, making it the Agusan del Norte Gov. Dale iconic symbol of Lake Mainit. Corvera and Jabonga town Mayor “Mayor Montero on the other Napoleon Montero said the fish breeds hand said post-harvest facilities whole year-round. needed in Lake Mainit include ice Corvera, according to the MinDA making equipment and mechanical chief, said that for as long as illegal drying facilities, along with packaging fishing practices are checked, such as machines,” Piñol said. (PNA)
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NATIONAL NEWS
SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR PCOO
NEWS CORNER Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday attributed the rendered “unqualified opinion” by the Commission on Audit (COA) to PCOO attached agencies for the fiscal year 2019 to the collective commitment of the agency to provide transparency and accountability.
Andanar cites accountability rating for PCOO
In his statement, Secretary Andanar lauded the News and Information Bureau (NIB), Bureau of Communication Services (BCS), and the Presidential Broadcast Staff-Radio Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM) for from the Commission on Audit (COA) receiving the highest audit rating from for the calendar year of 2019,” he said. COA. An unqualified audit opinion “With our constant bid to fight all is considered the best citation a forms of corruption in any government government agency can receive transaction, especially those that from COA on matters of appropriately involve the PCOO, we laud our presenting their respective financial attached agencies—the News and statements during an audit. Information Bureau (NIB), Bureau of Communication Services (BCS), and The NIB received the highest audit the Presidential Broadcast Staff-Radio rating for the third straight year, while Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM)— the BCS received its highest audit rating for receiving the highest audit rating for the fourth straight year.
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transparency, y on COA highest audit O attached agencies
Meanwhile, the last time the PBS- Duterte administration’s fight against RTVM received the highest audit rating corruption,” Secretary Andanar said. was in 2016. “We will continue to ensure that “The collective commitment of no taxpayer’s money is wasted on the PCOO and its attached agencies unnecessary or anomalous transactions to provide full accountability and or end up lining the pockets of transparency on how our expenditure unscrupulous government officials,” he of public funds, reflects highly the added. (PCOO) September 5-11, 2020 |
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PCOO extends sympathies to Cebu governor on death of 2 brothers By Azer Parrocha
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Sunday extended condolences to Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and the rest of her family after learning of the death of former Dumanjog Mayor Nelson Garcia and Barili Mayor Marlon Garcia. PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar remembered the two mayors, brothers of Gwen, for the development they made in their respective municipalities.
He also extended prayers to their families and friends. “We pray for the eternal repose of their souls and that their families find strength in this time of grief,” he added. Last Sept. 1, former Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) chief Winston Garcia confirmed that his brother Nelson died.
“Throughout the years as former chief executives of their respective local government units, they were instrumental towards the development of the municipalities of Dumanjog and Barili and that of its citizens,” he said in “To my dearly beloved brother, a statement. words cannot express the deep sense
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of loss and grief for your untimely departure,” he said on Facebook, without giving details on his sibling’s cause of death.
fighting for his life for the last few weeks,” Winston said. “This morning, he joins my brother, Nelson, and my mother in heaven.”
Marlon’s death on Sept. 6 was also The matriarch of the Garcia confirmed by Winston without stating political clan, retired Judge Esperanza the cause of death. “Inday” Fiel Garcia died due to kidney failure in 2016. “To lose one brother is painful enough, but to lose another brother in At least six Cebu mayors had the same week, my heart just cannot announced they tested positive for take any further. The true fighter that coronavirus disease 2019 since the he was, my brother, Marlon has been pandemic began in March. (PNA)
PRRD grateful for Abe’s push to boost PH-Japan ties By Azer Parrocha BEST WISHES. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe pose for posterity prior to the start of their bilateral meeting at the Impact Exhibition and Convention Center in Nonthaburi, Thailand on November 4, 2019. Duterte conveyed his best wishes for Abe’s speedy and full recovery during their 25-minute phone conversation on Monday (Sept. 7, 2020). (Presidential photo)
September 5-11, 2020 |
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President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday expressed gratitude to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his “valuable contribution” in strengthening ties between the Philippines and Japan. In a statement from the Office of the President, Duterte conveyed his best wishes for Abe’s speedy and full recovery during a 25-minute phone conversation between the two leaders. Abe announced his intention to resign from office due to health reasons on August 28. He is suffering from ulcerative colitis. Duterte also lauded Abe for his leadership that paved the way for Japan’s proactive contribution to peace in the Asia Pacific, advancing regional security and the rule of law especially in the maritime commons.
and cooperation.
Duterte is hopeful that the two countries would sustain its robust economic through the immediate completion of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement General Review. He also expressed appreciation for Japan’s support for the Philippines’ Covid-19 response, including the two loan agreements meant to boost the country’s capacity to restart the economy.
Abe, meanwhile, assured Duterte Japan significantly contributed to that Japan will continue to strengthen the enhancement of the Philippines’ its Strategic Partnership with the capabilities in defense and security, Philippines. particularly in maritime domain awareness and law enforcement, he He recalled warm memories of his added. visits to the Philippines, including being welcomed to the President’s private He also thanked Abe for Japan’s residence in January 2017. pledge of one trillion yen from 2017 till 2022 for the government’s flagship The value of the Philippines-Japan projects, notably those under the “Build, Strategic Partnership and relations of Build, Build” program, the necessary “friends closer than brothers” was also support and momentum. recognized by both leaders. Filipinos, he said, are looking forward to the completion of the Metro Manila Subway project, the country’s first mass underground transport system.
Earlier, Abe said he would stay in office until his successor is chosen through a poll of selected members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
He described the subway project The four-year term of Abe, Japan’s as one that would serve as an “enduring longest-serving prime minister, would symbol” of Philippine-Japan friendship have ended in 2021. (PNA)
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PH-US ties marked milestones under envoy Sung Kim’s stint By Azer Parrocha
ORDER OF SIKATUNA. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte confers the Order of Sikatuna on US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim who paid a farewell call on the President at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on September 7, 2020. Duterte expressed appreciation for Kim’s vital contributions in strengthening the alliance and partnership between the Philippines and US. (Presidential photo by Ace Morandante)
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday congratulated outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on his successful tour of duty, saying the Philippines and US marked “important milestones” during his almost four-year stint. In a statement from the Office of the President, Duterte extended his best wishes to Kim during the farewell call at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on Monday.
Duterte expressed appreciation for Kim’s vital contributions in strengthening the alliance and partnership between the two countries. September 5-11, 2020 |
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During Kim’s stint, the Philippines-US relations marked important milestones, particularly the historic return of the Balangiga Bells to the Diocese of Borongan, Eastern Samar in December 2018.
shared interest, especially in defense and security, trade and investments, and people-to-people exchanges likewise expanded.
Duterte conferred on Kim the Order of Sikatuna, with the rank of Datu In 2017, the US was also able (Grand Cross), Gold Distinction. to work with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in ending the terror siege in Kim thanked Duterte for a Marawi. productive bilateral engagement with the Philippines. The Philippines, in the same year, chaired the Association of Southeast The US remains committed to Asian Nations Summit where US the alliance and partnership with the President Donald Trump visited Manila Philippines that are based on shared for the first time. values and meaningful history, he Cooperation in various areas of added. (PNA)
P106-B subsidy to be distributed to 4.3M 4Ps families next year By Filane Mikee Cervantes
The government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will receive an allocation of some PHP106 billion next year to provide cash grants to around 4.3 million poor families for their children’s health and education needs, a House leader said on Monday. 40 | September 5-11, 2020
Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero, one of the authors of the law institutionalizing 4Ps, said the funding for the financial aid comprises the bulk of the proposed PHP169.3-billion 2021 budget for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The 4Ps funding for next year represents an increase of PHP5 billion over this year’s allocation of PHP101 billion. “The increase means that more poor families will receive financial assistance from the government,” he said. The program grants a monthly subsidy of up to PHP1,500 to qualified families, provided they comply with certain conditions, including keeping children in school and attending family development sessions. Romero noted that the total appropriation for 4Ps for 2021 actually amounts to PHP113.8 billion, including PHP7.8 billion for administrative cost and other expenses.
Contributed photo
owned Land Bank of the Philippines, which is the principal conduit of 4Ps cash grants, as well as other participating banks to reduce their service fees.
“A 50-percent reduction will mean Of the PHP7.8 billion, he said an additional P1 billion that could go PHP4.7 billion will go to salaries, PHP1.6 to beneficiaries or more poor families billion to “cost of service,” PHP289 benefiting from the program,” he said. million to “bank service fees,” PHP432 million to “monitoring and evaluation/ Aside from the 4Ps allocation, spot checks,” PHP393 million to Romero said DSWD’s PHP169.3-billion administrative expenses, PHP111 budget for 2021 also includes PHP41 million to training, and PHP27 million to billion for social protection programs information, education, and printing of like medical, transportation and burial manuals and booklets. assistance, and PHP4.3 billion for disaster response such as the provision of relief Romero, meanwhile, urged state- goods. (PNA) September 5-11, 2020 |
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One Hospital Command Center reports 90% success rate The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported that the One Hospital Command Center (OHCC), a health care referral network linked with service providers such as hospitals, quarantine facilities, and medical transportation, has successfully closed 2,202 out of 2,447 cases to date, indicating a 90 percent success rate in its ability to quickly connect Filipinos needing medical attention. Part of the nation’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), or the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-TreatReintegrate framework, the OHCC is a centralized system that Filipinos can call prior to seeking medical assistance so that they are guaranteed a slot at an available and appropriate healthcare facility.
work with hospitals and health facilities to meet the prescribed Covid-19 bed allocation of 30 percent for public beds and 20 percent for private beds asset by Administrative Order 2020-0016.
“According to the latest health system capacity report as of September 6, there was an overall increase in the number of dedicated beds from “The high success rate in closing 20,620 last September 2 to 20,888 on cases is also attributed to the increasing September 6,” he added. Covid-19 bed capacities in different hospitals and facilities across the Health Undersecretary Maria country, with the OHCC ensuring that Rosario Singh-Vergeire said the the demand for beds and facilities is government through the help of appropriately and adequately met,” local governments will build OHCC in Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III different regions. said. “Magkakaroon narin po tayo ng He said the OHCC continues to ganitong center sa iba’t-ibang region September 5-11, 2020 |
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natin to coordinate our referral system sa ating overall response. Sa bawat hakbang laban sa Covid-19, patuloy po nating bibigyan ng emphasis ang people-centered care (We will have this kind of center in different regions to coordinate our referral system for our overall response. In every step of our fight against Covid-19, we will continue to give emphasis on the people-center care),” Vergerie said in a media forum.
a stable patient, including symptoms, location, Covid-19 status, and whether the patient prefers to be admitted to a private or public health center.
Callers are then given feedback on how to proceed to an available facility, and in the case that they need assistance with transportation, the OHCC also helps arrange transportation through one of the partners, such as Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine Red Cross, and the local government Vergeire added that the OHCC units. was created not only to help provide patients with quicker access to medical For emergency cases that require services, but also to help relieve the urgent attention, Velasco said patients burden on the health care system by are usually transported to a facility ensuring that cases are referred to within the day. facilities where there is still capacity. “Unti-unti po nating ini-improve She noted that it will help prevent ang ating serbisyo sa One Hospital overloading of hospitals, as well as Command Center at unti-unti rin healthcare workers. po tayo naga-augment ng mga manpower natin dahil kailangan po According to OHCC Operations natin sila i-train para sumagot ng mga Manager, Dr. Bernadett Velasco, OHCC medical inquiries at mag-facilitate provides patients with 24/7 access to pong coordination to different facilities healthcare referral through its off-site (Let us gradually improve our services center. at One Hospital Command Center and slowly augment our manpower Agents at that command center because we need to train them how to are able to check availability of medical answer medical inquiries and facilitate staff at the different healthcare facilities coordination to different facilities,” in the network, and can even check Velasco said. for available beds at both private and private hospitals as well as the The center can be accessed in temporary treatment and monitoring three different ways: by downloading facilities (TTMF) through the DOH’s bed the free Pure Force Citizens tracker. application, through the dedicated hotlines;02-886-505-00,0915-777-7777 It takes about three to five minutes and 0919-977-3333, and by scanning its for an agent to gather information from Quick Response (QR) code. (DOH PR)
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PH response vs. Covid-19 ‘major game-changer,’ Galvez says By Lade Jean Kabagani
The country’s efforts to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and mitigate the impact of the pandemic is a major gamechanger, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the National Policy Against National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and Presidential Covid-19, said Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (Screengrabbed from Monday. RTVM) “Through these measures [minimum health standards], we have limited the ability of the virus to spread and prevented more local transmission from happening,” Galvez, also the presidential peace adviser, said in a virtual presser.
of how fast a single case can infect others. “Ang ibig pong sabihin nito, napapabagal na natin ang pagkalat ng mga sakit, habang binibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang ating healthcare system na pagalingin ang mga pasyente (This means, we are slowing down the spread of the disease, while we are giving our healthcare system the opportunity to treat more patients),” Galvez said.
According to the experts from the University of the Philippines (UP) OCTA Research Team, the country is starting to flatten the Covid-19 curve, with the continuous downward trend in the number of reported cases and the decrease in r-naught—an indicator
The
positive
development
September 5-11, 2020 |
of
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the country’s crisis situation “did not the establishment of more testing happen overnight,” Galvez said. laboratories, quarantine facilities, and swabbing centers. “It took a lot of careful planning and painstaking effort between the He also thanked the healthcare national government, local government front-liners for their sacrifices. “It is units (LGUs), private sectors, medical because of your heroic efforts that we front-liners, and the general public have been able to save more lives,” he to achieve this milestone in our fight said. against the disease,” he added. Healthcare improvements Galvez said the report from the UP OCTA Research team that the country Meanwhile, Galvez reported has finally flattened the Covid-19 curve that the country now has a total of “comes as a breath of fresh air”. 117 accredited Covid-19 laboratories nationwide as of September 5. “It means that all our efforts to contain the spread of the disease and Galvez said the government was mitigate its impact are finally bearing able to process about 2,772,075 test fruit,” he added, but reminded the samples from 2,601,281 individuals. public not to be complacent about this since there is still no vaccine for the “Nahigitan na po natin ang ating disease. “The curve can go up again target na dalawang milyong tests if we let our guard down. We do not noong nakaraang Agosto at patuloy want this to happen.” po anting pinapalakas (We have surpassed our target of two million The result of the UP OCTA research tests last August and we continue to team’s study, he said, should inspire intensify),” he said, noting that it is the the country to improve what has been most number of tests conducted within implemented. Southeast Asia. “As the saying goes, there is still a Further, Galvez said the lot of room for improvement. We must government continues to intensify not rest on our laurels,” Galvez added. putting up more isolation facilities under the Oplan Kalinga program, which He emphasized the vital role of the discourages home quarantine that LGUs in the effective implementation usually causes local transmission within of policies and action plans to halt the the household. local transmission of the disease. As of Sept. 6, Galvez said the Galvez also lauded the country now has 20 mega treatment participation of the private sector facilities and management facilities during the health crisis including which can accommodate about 3,485-
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bed capacity wherein the occupancy By partnering with the LGUs and rate is at 58 percent and some 1,357 the private sector, Galvez said the beds are available for use. government was able to establish additional 250 Covid-19 dedicated In addition, a total of 28 isolation hospital beds in East Avenue Medical hotels which can accommodate 2,779 Center-Center for Emerging and patients with an occupancy rate at Re-emerging Infectious Diseases 59 percent which means about 1,147 (CERID). beds are still available. In addition to that, is the Galvez said apart from boosting construction of the National Kidney the country’s isolation facilities, the and Transplant Institute (NKTI)’s government is also aggressively building hemodialysis center with 200 more intensive care units (ICU) beds for hemodialysis machines which will the severe and critical patients, securing greatly benefit Covid-19 patients. an efficient treatment intervention. (PNA)
Talks with Pfizer, other vaccine developers continue: DOH
By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
The Department of Health (DOH) is holding continuous talks with US pharmaceutical firms Pfizer, Moderna, and other coronavirus disease vaccine developers. In a virtual media forum, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the department has not made any commitments yet with Pfizer, which is now on Phase 3 clinical trials.
Filipino and English.
During the meeting, she said the department has explained the regulatory processes on vaccines and discussed confidentiality disclosure “They (Pfizer) gave an information agreements (CDA). that they’ll not perform clinical trials in the Philippines because they’re well “Most of the discussions centered advanced already with their Phase 3 on the CDA that they were able to clinical trial, and, accordingly they said provide to the DOH and we already had by October, their Phase 3 clinical trial is our comments to that. We had a meeting already done,” Vergeire said in a mix of together with DOST (Department of September 5-11, 2020 |
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Science and Technology), there were also comments from them,” she added. During their discussions, Vergeire said Pfizer asked if the DOH could give estimates on the pre-order of the vaccines. Citing that pre-ordering in the absence of the products have limitations under Republic Act 9184, Vergeire said concerned “government agencies will have a discussion on it, finalize the CDA and have a meeting again”.
(Anadolu photo)
potential vaccine against Covid-19 being developed by the University of Queensland which is already in the preclinical phase, she added.
All clinical trials in the country, including independent clinical trial, World Health Organization solidarity trial, and clinical trials in partnership with other governments, would go through Vergeire also reported that regulatory processes, Vergeire said. the Philippine Embassy in Russia is “And, we have added another planning to coordinate with the Russian government for a meeting layer and that is notifying DOH. It is with Gamaleya Research Institute, the the objective of the government that we’ll be informed of all these trials so developer of Sputnik V. we can monitor and ensure that all “We explained to them the these vaccines that will be used in the process, that we have a vaccine expert country will be safe for our population,” panel, we have a process in the Food Vergeire said. and Drug Administration, and, they’ve “Kaya po matagal makipagtaken note of that. Our vaccine experts had a technical meeting about Sputnik usap kasi gusto natin siguruhin na safe V which highlighted their clarifications ang bakuna sa ating mga kababayan on the documents and the review of the (The discussions [with developers] take vaccine’s technical details and these time because we want to ensure that were sent to Russian government for the vaccine is safe for our fellowmen) Gamaleya’s response to our vaccine and it’s going to give our population the desired effect that they’ll have the experts panel’s questions,” she said. antibodies and they can be protected The government is also from the coronavirus,” she added. coordinating with Australia for a (PNA) “As to Moderna, we also have a CDA that we’re studying, so, dalawa na sila ng (there’s two of them together with) Pfizer,” she added.
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Gov’t out to flatten Covid-19 curve this month: Lorenzana By Priam Nepomuceno
The government is determined to flatten the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) curve this September, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Sunday. Lorenzana, also chair of the National Task Force Against Covid-19, made the statement during a Coordinated Operations to Defeat National Task Force Against Covid-19 chairman and Epidemic (CODE) team visit in Caloocan Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (File photo) City on Saturday. Lorenzana also participated in the ceremonial turnover of “Mask para “Our goal this month is to flatten sa Masa” for families in the locality, the curve, or it is even better if we can and distribution of personal protective decrease the curve so that we can go to equipment (PPE) sets and hygiene kits. MGCQ (Modified General Community Quarantine) after September where The visiting CODE Team was people’s lives are a little bit better,” composed of representatives from NTFLorenzana said. member agencies led by Lorenzana, Department of Agriculture Secretary To flatten the curb, he said the William D. Dar, and Department of local government units, especially the Health Undersecretary Gerardo V. barangay (villages), must work closely Bayugo. with the national government which can provide the resources needed to Meanwhile, Caloocan City was implement the prescribed quarantine led by its local chief executive, Mayor and bio-safety protocols. Oscar Malapitan. “The front-liners are our barangay officials who implement quarantine protocols, wearing of face masks, social distancing, sanitation, and other things that we need to do,” he said in a statement.
“Mask Para sa Masa” is a face mask distribution project of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte which aims to provide 30 million locally-manufactured washable face masks to poor families in Covid-19 high-risk areas. (PNA) September 5-11, 2020 |
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