BulletLine Issue #35
PRRD calls for abolition of Kafala system President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, April 19 called for the abolition of the Kafala system in the Middle East, which he said resulted in violation of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrant workers. Speaking during his participation to the Migrant Labor Governance and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, President Duterte said the Philippines recognizes the sovereign right of each state to adopt its own migration policy stressing, however, that universal liberties and moral standards must be observed at all times. Kafala is an employment framework in the Gulf States that requires sponsorship from a national for migrant workers to be employed and reside in the country. Under the system, the sponsor, either an individual or a company, possesses substantial control over the worker.
FAKE NEWS
Military ‘dissatisfaction’ NOT TRUE Presidential Communications Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar decries the alleged ‘dissatisfaction’ of the military regarding the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte over the West Philippine Sea issue. PCOO Secretary Andanar says he personally talked to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and confirmed that “there is no truth to the claim that the military is withdrawing its support or no longer has confidence in the leadership of the President.” Andanar added that this is merely an attempt to make it look like there is dissent or dissatisfaction within the military - when in truth there is NONE. He also reminds the public to be vigilant in fact-checking sources of information online, and to be wary of the circulation of black propaganda , in order to #DismissDisinformation. 1 PIA Bulletin Online
Utilize medical assistance programs available in Malasakit Centers Due to the growing number of Filipinos needing medical attention as a result of the pandemic, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued to urge, particularly the poor and vulnerable citizens in urgent need of medical care, to maximize the medical and financial assistance programs from the government through the Malasakit Centers found in various public hospitals throughout the country. “Ito lang po ang tandaan niyo: basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka po sa Malasakit Center. Wala ng tanong diyan, basta, unang-una, poor and indigent patients... nasa mga public hospital po ‘yang Malasakit Center,” he said. The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where Filipinos can avail of financial and medical assistance from four agencies of the government, namely the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and PhilHealth.
1,000 PAMILYA SA CEBU BINIGYAN NG LIBRENG PABAHAY NG GOBYERNO Editorial Director Benjamin Felipe Editor-In-Chief Marie Angelie Villapando Associate Editor Melinda T. Quiñones Staff Writers IDPD Art Department CPSD headed by Bradley de Leon Layout Artist Gabriel Villanueva Production/ Aggregation DDCU with Team Leader Kate Shiene Agna
Pinangunahan ni Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles kasama ang mga opisyal ng National Housing Authority at LGU ang ginanap na ceremonial turnover ng pangako ng ng Yolanda administrasyong housing units sa Duterte na Santa Fe, Cebu kumpletohin at noong Martes, agarang ipamahagi Abril 20, 2021 na sa bawat aniya’y katuparan benepisyaryo
ang mga libreng pabahay. Ang 36th virtual turnover ng 1,000 housing units ay isinagawa sa Sto. Niño
Home, Barangay Maricaban, Santa Fe, Cebu sa ilalim ng Yolanda Permanent Housing Project sa Central Visayas. PIA Bulletin Online 2
3 PIA Bulletin Online
Deadline of PRC turns unused distribution of classrooms to Covid-19 ayuda extended isolation facility for until May 15
Manila patients
By Josephine L. Babaran - PIA/IDPD
Local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal or the NCR Plus area have until May 15, 2021 to complete the distribution of assistance from the national government to their constituents who were severely affected by the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine. Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque, Jr. during the virtual press briefing on April 20, emphasized the need to extend the deadline of financial assistance distribution primarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic situation where mass gatherings are prohibited, and to protect the health and safety of everyone. Roque also noted the improvements being made to have a more flexible distribution mechanism, whether automated or house-to-house; and the appeals from the local governments.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) turned unused classrooms in De La Salle College of St. Benilde (DLSU-CSB) into a 135-bed capacity isolation facility that will serve asymptomatic patients from the City of Manila. PRC will equip the isolation facility with beds, blankets, pillows, bed covers, stand fans. They will also provide each patient with a quarantine kit that contains essential items suitable for 7-14 days of isolation. PPE of the staff caring for these patients will similarly be issued by PRC. Meanwhile, the isolation facilities in the Ateneo and UP campuses are currently accepting patients. The coming weeks will see more such facilities in Metro As of April 2021, The Philippines still ranks in the vaccination Manila as16, PRC redoubles its efforts to 3rd contain the rollout among ASEAN countries and slightly went up to 14th out of 47 effect of asymptomatic spreaders. countries in Asia with a total of 1,312,356 doses administered.
PIA Bulletin Online 4
DPWH highlights major infra accomplishments under Build, Build, Build program The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Monday, April 19, that it has completed several infrastructure projects nationwide despite restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. From July 2016 to December 2020, the DPWH has completed the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of 26,494 kilometers of roads, 5,555 bridges, and
10,376 flood control structures that improved travel time and ensured the safety of
motorists. Also, the DPWH has facilitated the completion of 144,925
classrooms, 2,036 school workshop buildings, and other school facilities. It also completed 187
evacuation centers throughout the country and expected to complete 130 additional facilities.
HINDI KUMPLETO ANG KALAHATI! Kumpletuhin ang ikalawang dose ng COVID-19 vaccine para sa pinalakas na proteksyon! Ang mga bakunang Sinovac CoronaVac at Oxford-AstraZeneca ay ibinibigay ng dalawang (2) doses. Kailangan mong makuha ang parehong dose para makuha ang pinakamataas na lebel ng proteksyon mula sa COVID-19. Bilang ng dose na kailangan at pagitan: - Oxford AstraZeneca: 2 doses, 4-12 na linggo ang pagitan - Sinovac CoronaVac: 2 doses, 28 days (4 na linggo) ang pagitan 5 PIA Bulletin Online
DOST: Locally made ventilators ready for testing Cabinet meeting. Dela Peña said DOST supported A team from the Technological four groups for the life saving Institute of the project. But it was Philippines TIP which was (TIP) was able able to complete to develop a the project. He ventilator which added that a one had passed third group produced party certification and is ready to be a prototype tested in hospitals, ventilator for adults. Department of President Science and Duterte earlier Technology (DOST) Secretary announced that he would give cash Fortunato Dela rewards to those Peña reported to President Rodrigo who can make local ventilators Roa Duterte during the April 19 and vaccines. By Adora Rodriguez PIA/IDPD
DOE continues to develop, explore WPS By Melinda T. Quiñones - PIA/IDPD
The Department of Energy (DOE) continues to develop the uncontested Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf through the resumption of petroleum operations by licensees and award new petroleum areas. In a statement issued by Energy Chief Alfonso G. Cusi, he emphasized that “The Philippines remains in business, COVID-19 and China, notwithstanding.” In accordance with the Philippine Constitution and petroleum laws, only the Philippine government, through the DOE, may issue licenses to drill in Philippine land territory, including its islands, internal waters, territorial sea, EEZ, and continental shelf. PIA Bulletin Online 6