News

Gearing for F2F:

UPM Administrations’ Plans for the Next Semester

BY ROCHEL M. FLORON IV, LANZ ETHAN GALVAN, AND MIRAFLOR ANACIO

Nearly two years after the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) closed its doors to its students due to the health threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the university, along with the entire University of the Philippines (UP) System, is now gearing to expand its gradual reopening of face-to-face classes (F2F) to cover more colleges and programs.

Colleges’ Plans: F2F or Remote Learning? There are five colleges and an extension campus that have already been given permission and pioneer the conduct of F2F classes in the university. These are College of Medicine (CM), College of Public Health (CPH), College of Dentistry (CD), College of Nursing (CN), College of Pharmacy (CP), and School of Health Sciences (SHS) Palo campus. For the next semester, these colleges plan to continue and expand the scope of the F2F classes. CM will continuously conduct face-to-face classes, limited to internships, that began last November 2020. The SHS Palo campus started face-to-face classes in August 2021, but only limited to medicine, nursing, and midwifery students undergoing intensive clinical practicum. According to SHS Palo Student Council (SPSC), the SHS plans to fully reopen the F2F classes in January 2022. The CPH, which started limited F2F classes during the midyear, is now gearing to expand those with F2F classes to include second year students who will be having their biochemistry and microbiology courses in the second semester of AY 2021-2022. Both the CN and CP conducted short F2F classes at the beginning of the first semester of AY 2021-2022 but unfortunately, classes were halted due to the surge of COVID-19 cases and implementation of stricter quarantines in Manila. Currently, fourth year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students are having their clinical duties in the partnered health centers in Manila City and will continue to be prioritized for F2F classes. The CP is also preparing for the limited F2F classes, prioritizing graduating Bachelor of Science in Industrial Pharmacy (BSIP) students. On the other hand, the College of Allied Medical Profession (CAMP) and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) are planning to conduct F2F classes. The CAMP is planning and waiting for approval to reopen next semester and will be prioritizing internships. Meanwhile, CAS, composed of ten undergraduate programs and three masteral programs, will continue under a remote learning setup in the next semester. According to Claude Simon Naco, CAS Student Council Chairperson, the earliest possible F2F classes for CAS students will be midyear 2022.

Rules and Regulation The implementation of F2F classes is guided by strict implementation of minimum health standards. The Bayanihan Na! Employee Symptoms Tracking System (BESTS) app plays a vital role to track the health and possible symptoms of COVID-19 of all faculty and students. A Crisis Committee was also formed in all colleges to observe the implementation of the formulated protocols and advisers in case infection is recorded. Classrooms are retrofitted to cater to the students and implement health protocols. In addition, classes follow a cyclical shift. The CP and CPH students follow a cyclical shifting of four to 10 cycles per semester and the CD follows a five-10 (five days learning and 10 days quarantine) schedule. The students also are required to avail health insurance before participating in F2F classes and encouraged to get vaccinated. In case a student or faculty shows symptoms, they are required to be quarantined. If a student or faculty test positive for COVID-19, the university may offer assistance from testing, quarantine to monitoring.

In the guidelines released by CD, it was mentioned that “the college will not be able to cover everything for a student who will be infected and hospitalized due to COVID-19. However, all of the assistance within the means of the college and the university will be given to students. Starting from the algorithm and activation of the COVID-19 response team, to isolation/ quarantine, swabbing, and assistance for admission at UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH), sending of COVID-19 care kits, and continuous monitoring until discharge are the forms of support that the college and the university can give to our students.” Response of students to 2nd Semester Plan Although the student body has generally welcomed the university’s moves to fast-track F2F classes for programs beyond the white colleges, they have equally raised health, academic, logistical, and financial concerns that they hope would be addressed. In a report by the SPSC, students were found to be generally ready for F2F classes yet also weary due to the financial problems that an abrupt return to F2F classes would bring since most students in college mainly rely on scholarships to support their studies. With this, the SPSC has begun coordinating with the administration to provide practicum allowances to finance the following expenses currently shouldered by the students: RT PCR tests, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), and board and lodging. In addition, the SPSC is also organizing a PPE donation drive to support Midwifery, Nursing, and Medicine students who will begin their clinical rotations in January 2022 on top of working with different sectors to provide additional scholarships for students. These concerns were also echoed by students of the white colleges who stressed the need for the university to provide students with sufficient financial aid and logistical support to cushion students from the expenses that would be incurred during the transition period. Apart from this, logistical issues also prove to be top concerns among students. In particular, the availability and affordability of housing and accommodations have been highlighted as a primary challenge among students currently having limited F2F classes. In line with this, students have also had their fair share of academic concerns that expose the inefficiency of the university bureaucracy. These include problems regarding schedule availability, the lack of slots, the switching of schedules, and schedule conflicts with other classes alongside the difficult communication lines between students and faculty members. Despite the administration assuring the students that it would try its best to accommodate all stakeholders’ concerns, they admitted that the university, being limited in funds, faculty, and facilities can only do so much.

ITANONG KAY ISKO AT ISKA

UP Manila, handa na ba sa F2F? Ang pananaw ni Isko’t Iska sa pagbabalik ng F2F classes

NINA ELAINE DIAZ, SEAN PASCUAL, AT CHRISTEL CASTRO

Nagsagawa ng sarbey ang The Manila Collegian (MKule) sa mga magaaral ng University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) patungkol sa kanilang mga opinyon sa napipintong muling pagbubukas ng unibersidad para sa face-to-face (F2F) classes. Sa sarbey, lumabas na hati pa rin ang mga pananaw ng mga mag-aaral hinggil sa pagkakaroon ng F2F. Nanatiling pinakamalaking dahilan ng pagnanais ng mag-aaral ng F2F classes ay ang hindi epektibong online learning set-up na siyang nagpalala umano ng mental health ng mga respondente. Sa kabila nito, ang hindi umaayos na kondisyong pangkalusugan sa bansa ang nananatiling balakid at panganib sa pormal na pagbabalik eskwela ng mga mag-aaral.

Karanasan sa distance learning Isa at kalahating taon na ang nakalilipas nang magsimula ang UPM sa online setup. Isinagawa ang distance learning bilang pansamantalang solusyon sa pag-aaral ngayong pandemya. Labis umano naapektuhan ang pagkatuto ng mga mag-aaral dahil sa online set up. Karamihan sa mga nagsagot ng sarbey ay nagsabing hindi napalalim nang husto ang kanilang mga talakayan. Higit pa rito, mas naging mabigat din ang ilang mga gawaing ibinibigay. Mas naging mahirap din ang online setup para sa ibang mag-aaral na skills-based ang kurso dahil sa kakulangan ng gamit at espasyo sa kani-kanilang mga bahay. Ibinahagi ni Shaliqwe na pakiramdam niya’y nagpapasa na lamang siya ng mga gawain at hindi na natuto dahil sa online set-up. Ayon naman kay M, hindi niya lubos na naunawaan ang mga konseptong kaniyang inaaral dahil siya na rin mismo ang nagtuturo sa kaniyang sarili sa pamamagitan ng YouTube. Isa pa sa mga salik na nakaaapekto sa distance learning na nabanggit sa sarbey ay ang pagsasabay ng mga gawaing bahay sa oras ng klase.

Pananaw sa pagkakaroon ng F2F Hindi na bago ang panawagan ng mga mag-aaral para sa ligtas na balik eskwela. Subalit habang tumatagal ang panahon at lalong lumolobo ang bilang ng mga kaso sa bansa, tila lalong naiipit din ang pananaw ng mga magaaral hinggil sa pagkakaroon ng F2F. Ang pananaw ng mga mag-aaral ay ipinabatid sa sarbey na isinagawa ng MKule kung saan lumabas na kahit nagnanais ang mga mag-aaral na magkaroon na ng F2F classes, nanatili pa rin ang bansang maging bulnerable sa COVID-19 surge dahil sa kapalpakan ng implementasyon ng mga health protocols. Ayon kay Ezra, ilan sa mga kabutihang dulot ng pagkakaroon ng F2F ay magbabalik ang sigla sa pag-aaral ng mga estudyante, maibabalik na ang acad/home life balance, at magkakaroon ng hands-on learning na pinakaimportante lalo na sa mga fieldwork, at higit sa lahat ay mas lalong giginhawa ang mental health ng mga mag-aaral. Subalit dagdag niya, may mga nakababahala ring dulot ang F2F dahil kung hindi makonsidera ang health protocols, maaring mapabilis ang pagkalat ng virus at magresulta ito sa pagkakahawaan o surge. Maaaring ang inaasahang kaginhawaan ng kalagayan ay magpalubha dahil sa pagkompromisa sa kalusugan at kaligtasan lalo na hindi pa rin bumababa ang bilang ng mga kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa. Para sa ibang mag-aaral naman sa probinsya, isang malaking pagsubok ang pagbabalik sa F2F dahil malaki ang gastos, na binubuo ng mahal na bayad sa mga dorms at living expenses sa Maynila. Sa kabilang banda, pananagutan naman ang hiling ng ilang mag-aaral na hindi sang-ayon sa pagkakaroon ng F2F. Para sa kanila, marami pa rin ang hindi bakunado sa bansa at kung sakaling mahawa ang mga mag-aaral ng UP Manila sa ibang taong positibo, hindi na sagot ng unibersidad ang gastusin para rito.

Kahandaan ng UP Manila sa F2F classes Sa usapang kahandaan ng UPM sa pagkakaroon ng F2F classes sa susunod na semestre, karamihan sa respondente ay sumang-ayong handa na ang unibersidad base sa isinagawang sarbey. Upang mapabuti ang pagpapatupad ng F2F classes ay inilatag nila ang ilang panawagan at suhestiyon. Karamihan sa mga respondente ay nananawagan sa pagkakaroon ng komprehensibong plano para maprotektahan ang mga mag-aaral mula sa COVID-19, kagaya na lamang sa pagbibigay ng libreng bakuna, libre at regular na testing, at maayos na pasilidad para sa kalinisan at pagbubukod. Maliban dito, iminumungkahi rin ng mga mag-aaral ang pagkakaroon ng affordable at maayos na dormitoryo para sa mga estudyante upang mabawasan ang posibleng exposure. May mga mag-aaral na nagpahiwatig ng kanilang saloobin tungkol sa mga dormitoryo sa UPM.

Dagdag pa nila ay ang dapat na pagkakaroon ng counterprotols upang pinansyal na matulungan ang mga estudyante, guro, at kawani na maaring mahawaan ng COVID-19. Dahil may makabuluhang bilang ng mga mag-aaral sa UPM ay mula sa probinsya, isa mga suhestiyon ay ang pagkakaroon ng sapat na oras upang makapaghanda ang mag-aaral, sa pagdaraos ng isang webinar upang mailawanag nang maayos ang mga protocols tungkol sa F2F. “Kung magtatalaga na ng f2f, next sem, sabihin na dapat agad para makapaghanda lalo na yung mga nasa malalayong lugar para makapunta na sa manila,” mungkahi ni Ezra.

Mayroon tayong ladies dormitory sa campus, hindi ako sigurado kung naipagamit na ba o pina-survey lang para magmukhang may pake sa kapakanan ng estudyante

ani Muning, CAS

Gugustuhin mo bang ?

face-to-face na ang klase sa susunod na semestre? Bakit?

Ezra, College of Arts and Sciences

Sobrang nanghihinayang na ako sa oras na ginugugol ko sa online classes. Feeling ko wala na akong natututunan. Natatakot ako na baka mawalan na ako ng ‘skills’ na kinakailangan sa face-to-face kung patuloy pa rin yung online classes. Aside from that, hindi ko na talaga kaya balansehin yung home life and school life. Sobrang drained na drained na ako.

Perry, College of Dentistry

Yes, for my course kailangan talaga. May mga skills lang na ma-ho-hone with F2F classes. Lalo na’t skills based ang kursong aking napasukan, iba ang matututunan remotely kesa sa mga gawain sa actual na lab setting.

Therese, College of Arts and Sciences

Oo, dahil kahit papaano mararamdaman mong sama-sama kayong magkakaklaseng nagtitiyaga sa halip ng isolated feeling kapag online. Mas madali rin ma-internalize ang matututunan kapag nararanasan o namamasid namin sa personal.

M, College of Nursing

Hindi, sapagkat mayroon pa ring mga hindi pa bakunado at alam natin na walang mananagot kung sakaling mayroon mang estudyanteng makakuha ng COVID.

Muning, College of Arts and Sciences

Oo naman! Hindi ko na afford isang semestreng online na naman. Hirap kaya mag aral sa bahay tapos wala kang sariling room para mag-aral. Ipakita naman ng UPM Admin na may concern sa mga magaaral, hindi ‘yung puro ‘we hear you’ at ‘survey na lang’.”

Senate discuss UP-DND Accord, drops HB 10171 from session

BY ROWZ FAJARDO

Last December 7, the Senate conducted a joint public hearing with the discussion of bills seeking to institutionalize and strengthen the provisions of the University of the Philippines-Department of National Defense (UPDND) Accord, by amending Republic Act No. 9500 or the UP Charter, at the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education hearing. However, the session adjourned without discussing the content of the drafted legislations and the resource speakers were instead asked to submit their position papers for deliberation. Initially, there were four bills included in the agenda and these are House Bill No. 10171, Senate Bill No. 2002, Senate Bill No. 2014, and Senate Bill No. 2035. However, HB 10171 was recalled and removed from the hearing agenda after Cavite Rep. Jesus Remulla filed a motion for reconsideration. The bill’s author then criticized the move as it was filed on September 30, eight days after the period for filing motions lapsed. During the session, UP representatives emphasized that it is the obligation of UP and every other educational institution to ensure that safety and security of its students are upheld at all times. Furthermore, Atty. Damaree Raval, who was one of the authors of the 1998 UP-DND Accord, stated that the accord’s foundation is academic freedom. Moreover, the UP Office of Student Regent’s (OSR) stance remains the same. The student representative asserted that the present versions of the 1989 UP-DND Accord and the 1992 UP-Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Agreement be maintained. The DND should also rescind its unilateral abrogation of the accord and state forces be held accountable for their breaches of the standing agreements, as well as for the attacks perpetrated against members of the UP community. It also reiterated its support for all efforts to institutionalize the Accord by incorporating and strengthening its provisions into the UP Charter and by passing laws and ordinances that similarly protect all academic institutions. With this, the Office of the Student Regent (OSR) is calling for collective action through massive campaigns tapping into the consciousness of the farthest UP alumni and the ordinary masses. “To learn and criticize for our collective advancement is to serve the people. The greatest academic freedom granted to education, geared for the betterment of all, will breathe life to our democracy. Together, let us win the rights, freedoms, and protections of UP, its constituents, of all academic institutions, and of the people,” UP Student Regent Renee Louis Co said in a memo. Meanwhile, Defend UP Network has also reiterated in a statement released last December 6 that the university’s prestige is not built by its international recognition but by the academic freedom it has long enjoyed. Furthermore, they affirm their resolve that they will not falter in defending the university. As the Senate session ended on December 15, the schedule for the discussion of the legislations are yet to be determined.

What happened at the eGASC 2021?

SR Co extends term, UPM admin signs agreement to create a possible Hainan campus

BY NATASHA CAROLINA

A total of four resolutions were adopted by the student councils from across the University of the Philippines (UP) System who gathered for the emergency General Assembly of Student Councils (eGASC) on Saturday, December 11, 2021 via Zoom. During the assembly, the UP Manila University Student Council (UPM USC) reported the proposed establishment of UP Manila Hainan, which was signed by the administration without prior consultation with its constituents.

Unit Reports UP’s constituent units (CUs) presented unit reports, of which they emphasized the efforts to Defend UP and its academic freedom, as well as Ligtas na Balik Eskwela (LBE). As for UPM, the USC reported that there is a memorandum of understanding between the UP and Qingdao Top Education management Co. Ltd., for the proposed establishment of UP Manila Hainan. On their Twitter account, the council clarified that the UPM admin signed the agreement without prior consultation with its constituents. Furthermore, the UPM USC continues the campaign, Stop and Review Return Service Agreement (RSA), a contract that is coercive and repressive as it steps on students’ right to free education. They reported that five out of seven colleges are holding faceto-face classes, the first UP unit to do so. All students attending face-to-face classes were required to avail health insurance. Meanwhile, the UPM School of Health Sciences (SHS) Baler is still waiting for retrofitting initiatives from UPM for limited face-to-face classes. They reported a 100% passing rate for the July and November Nursing Licensure, a feat they’ve been achieving since 2014.

Adopted Resolutions Among the adopted resolutions was the extension of the office of 38th UP Student Regent Renee Co until the 53rd GASC to synchronize the terms of the UP student councils for smoother conduct of campaigns and events in the UP System. SR Co was selected during the second semester of Academic Year 2020-2021 as a term extension for the previous SR was made, putting the SC elections out of sync with the SR selection. The GASC ensures that student representation in the Board of Regents, especially during this time with preparations for the safe gradual reopening of campuses and the institutionalization of the UP-Department of National Defense (DND) Accord, remains preserved. In line with this is the resolution to defend the university and uphold its academic freedom by amplifying the campaign efforts of the Defend UP Network and continuing to forge united with Katipunan ng Sangguniang Mag-aaral sa UP (KASAMA sa UP), UP Rises against Tyranny and Dictatorship (UPRISE), and Youth Act Now Against Tyranny. The 1989 UP-DND Accord recognizes the institutional autonomy of UP but has repeatedly been breached when military personnel entered UPD last January 2021 and UPMin during the commemoration mobilization of the 43rd anniversary of the Martial Law declaration. The following resolution was to conduct an on-ground 52nd GASC, which will be held before the start of the second semester of AY 2021-2022, as general assemblies have been faced with challenges due to restrictions of the online setup. With different UP units having their own initiatives in vaccination programs, the Office of the Student Regent (OSR) will ensure compliance with all health protocols while also providing a platform for those who choose to attend it online. The final resolution asserted the genuine and safe re-opening of UP campuses as the efforts to strengthen vaccination programs in the UP system and to create a student-crafted LBE roadmap that challenges the UP administration for a safe and conducive learning environment for face-toface classes. The GASC remains firm in their call for #DuterteWakasanNa as their anti-student and anti-people pandemic response has led to UP students suffering under inhumane learning conditions, campaigning for a pro-student agenda and its stand against the Marcos-Arroyo-Duterte-Estrada Electoral Alliance.

eGASC 2021 RUNDOWN

UNIT REPORTS

UP Mindanao USC is pushing for the institutionalization of the UPPsychServ to address the mental health concerns in their unit.

UP Cebu USC have created the Cebu Against Budget Cut Alliance and have completed the search for Chancellorship.

UP Diliman USC launched Bakunahan, a free vaccination program to push for LBE. Rebranding and relaunching of Diliman Press Freedom Alliance: UP Diliman was also discussed.

UP Manila USC reported the proposal to establish a UP Manila Hainan. The campaign, Stop and Review Return Service Agreement (RSA), was also highlighted.

UP Los Baños USC conducted a special student council election in Oct. 2021. As classrooms and dormitories are already retrofitted, they are only waiting for the green light from CHED for F2F classes.

UP Baguio USC reported that the admin has not yet filed an application for F2F classes despite high vaccination rate among students. The council created a letter of student demands for LBE.

UP Visayas USC created an LBE campaign. The council also released unity statements regarding National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) dialogue with the UPV admin.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED

Resolution 2021-29

Extension of the Office of the 38th UP Student Regent’s Term until the 53rd GASC to synchronize the terms of the UP student councils for smooth conduct of systemwide campaigns Resolution 2021-30

Defend the University of the Philippines and to uphold its academic freedom

Resolution 2021-31

Conduct an onground 52nd convention of the General Assembly of Student Councils Resolution 2021-32

Genuine and safe reopening of UP Campuses

COVID WATCH

Going Back to Normal:

PH F2F classes pilot implementation begins

BY ROWZ FAJARDO

After almost two years, the Philippines has finally started opening schools for the pilot testing of limited face-to-face (F2F) classes. More than 2,000 students in 28 public schools in Metro Manila started the pilot run of limited F2F classes last December 6 while other provinces, with areas identified to be of low COVID-19 infection rates, started their pilot run last November 15. The Philippines was recently recognized for being the last country to open for in-person classes, since the World Health Organization declared a pandemic in March 2020, after Venezuela resumed its classes last October.

Counterintuitive Move Based on the guidelines released by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DOH), only students in kindergarten to Grade 3 and senior high school are included in the pilot implementation. DepEd’s decision to open the pilot implementation starting from the youngest students is viewed as counterintuitive by most people but this was addressed by the department. “Actually, most of the public would find it counterintuitive that we start with kindergarten to Grade 3, they say it would be more difficult to discipline them but this is actually a recommendation from our public health experts that we consulted including the Department of Health,” Education Usec. Nepomuceno Malaluan said in an interview. Furthermore, Malaluan conveyed that based on their analysis, students from these year levels have shown greater resilience in terms of the duration and severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

Implementation Guidelines According to Malaluan, social distancing protocol must be strictly enforced in classrooms. At the elementary level, class size is reduced to up to 16 students only. Blended learning is also implemented, however, learning activities that can be maximized in an in-person setting are promoted. While the current foundation advocates for shared responsibility among parents, schools, and localities, Malaluan mentioned that they will have to consider classroom availability once all levels are already allowed to go back to school. For the pilot run of limited F2F classes, kindergarten students will only spend three hours in the classroom daily, while those in higher levels may take at least four hours. The 28 public schools in Metro Manila that started the pilot run of limited F2F classes were among the 177 public schools added to the list of the initial pilot implementers. Moreover, the other additional schools identified are from Ilocos Region (nine schools), Cagayan Valley (10 schools), Central Luzon (seven schools), Calabarzon (13 schools), Bicol Region (11 schools), Western Visayas (17 schools) Eastern Visayas (nine schools), Zamboanga Peninsula (12 schools), Northern Mindanao (10 schools), Davao Region (7 schools), SOCCSKARGEN (15 schools), Caraga Region (nine schools), and Cordillera Administrative Region (20 schools).

Key Role According to Malaluan, the assessment of the pilot implementation of limited F2F classes will play a key role in the possible expansion of in-person classes at all levels. The DepEd’s report regarding the pilot implementation will be released by year-end. “In the first phase, NCR did not qualify because of the alert levels. It was only later on when the COVID situation improved that it was made a possibility to start with NCR,” Malaluan said. The pilot run of F2F classes in Metro Manila is expected to last until December 22 of this year while for the other provinces, pilot implementation will be until January 31 next year.

More than travel bans

Health experts urge PH to invest in research, community-based approach

BY MAI ALLAUIGAN AND ALEXANDRA KATE RAMIREZ

Amid the increasingly relaxed restrictions in the Philippines’ capital region and the plan to reopen borders to tourists in time for the holidays, comes the announcement of a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron. The national government immediately cascaded travel restrictions and imposed more stringent protocols on inbound passengers upon knowing about the Omicron variant. Even against the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO), travel bans all over the world were quickly and largely imposed on South African countries, thus earning the resentment of African officials and scientists.

Travel bans On November 25, the WHO designated B.1.1.529, named Omicron, as a variant of concern. First detected in Southern Africa, this classification places Omicron on the most-troubling category of COVID-19 variants along with the globally-dominant Delta. The Omicron variant has been detected in at least 106 countries as of December 27, whereas the Philippines has already detected four cases of Omicron, according to the DOH last December 27. The first two Omicron variant cases are incoming travelers and were isolated in a facility managed by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ). The third case is a returning overseas Filipino (ROF) who had finished his home quarantine in Cavite. The fourth case is a 38-year-old female who traveled from the United States and was discharged from the isolation facility last December 24. She was scheduled to be re-tested on December 28. Even though the Omicron variant was detected in several countries in Europe, North America, and Asia through South Africa’s advanced genomic sequencing, Africans continue to bear the brunt of the travel bans. Travel bans have little to no effect on controlling the spread of the virus, according to a study published in the Journal of Emergency Management. The Philippines, meanwhile, imposed travel curbs on 14 countries as of November 18. The restrictions for these countries belonging to the Red List will last until December 15, according to acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles. The Red List consists of Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Czech Republic, Eswatini, Hungary, Italy, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. “Inbound international travel of all persons, regardless of vaccination status, coming from or who have been to Red List countries/jurisdictions/territories within the last 14 days prior to arrival to any port of the Philippines shall not be allowed,” Nograles said in a statement. Stricter testing protocols and required 14-day quarantine for inbound passengers not from the red list were also implemented last December 3.

Continued efforts The DOH urged the public to remain vigilant and conscious of observing proper health measures, as local experts and officials are still in the process of assessing Omicron’s potential impact. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated the importance of maintaining the trajectory of the vaccination rate and strengthening the health systems capacity, as the detection of Omicron is not a matter of if, but of when. Meanwhile, healthcare workers pressed that the government should not rest on its vaccination laurels and instead invest in research and surveillance activities, address the health workforce shortage, and ultimately take on a community-based approach in combating the crisis. They also emphasized that above all else, policymakers should heed the advice of scientists and public health experts, not generals and politicians.

Vaccine inequity While rich nations like the United States are now focused on rolling out booster shots for their population, low-income countries are still stuck waiting for donations. These are even hampered by poor coordination, supply constraints, and logistical challenges. Moreover, the TRIPS waiver, which aims to temporarily suspend intellectual property protections on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, has still not received substantial support from nations outside the Global South. “We will only prevent variants from emerging if we are able to protect all of the world’s population, not just the wealthy parts,” said Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Furthermore, the Philippines is the only country in Asia that does not produce vaccines for its own people, according to a Balik Scientist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). According to Dr. Annabelle Villalobos, a consultant of Johnson & Johnson Biopharmaceuticals, during a DOST webinar on health research and development for COVID-19, producing vaccines is something that the country needs to work on in preparation for another pandemic, or for the time that we really have to supply people with vaccines.