#NasaPusoKoAngPangulo,:
Netizens show support for President Duterte
Filipinos turn to social media to express their support for President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and to debunk misconstrued narratives of his absence from public eye throughout government responses for victims of successive typhoons that visited the country. In a statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar thanked the public for continued support to the administration amid persistent discrediting attempts of critics and the opposition. “Despite the relentless and absurd posts and comments by some individuals and groups on social media regarding the President’s supposed absence throughout the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, we thank the public for the continued support they have shown on social media,” he said on Wednesday. #NasaPusoKoAngPangulo topped the Philippines’ trends on Twitter as the President addressed the nation on Tuesday night, 17 November 2020. “As a proof of this support, #NasaPusoKoAngPangulo trended number 1 last night on Twitter as President Duterte explained to the public his actions and responses throughout the
consecutive typhoons and amidst the pandemic,” he added. Secretary Andanar appealed to the public to remain vigilant against misinformation on government responses. “We ask everyone to remain vigilant against misinformation, and be reminded of the division that its proliferation can cause,” he said. “Rest assured the Duterte administration continues to respond to the calamities that affect us all and to the needs of Filipinos in general,” he added.
Nograles, McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen distribute meals to Marikina families Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles personally visited Brgy. Kalumpang in Marikina City earlier today, together with officers of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) to distribute 2,000 hot meals to families affected by Typhoon Ulysses. The meals were prepared by the McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen (MKK). The food distribution effort was part of the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) campaign, a 1 PIA Bulletin Online
collaboration between stakeholders in government and the private sector. “The PKG campaign is now focusing on food relief efforts in calamitystricken areas. Marikina was one of the hard
hit areas in Luzon, so we decided to pool our resources and provide needed assistance to the people here.” Mayor Marcy Teodoro met Nograles and representatives from RMHC. Together, they
gave 2,000 free food packs containing crispy chicken fillet, rice and bottled water which the charity had prepared in partnership with CocaCola Philippines, San Miguel, Metrobank, Johnson & Johnson and Dole Philippines. McDonald’s Chief Finance Officer and RMHC Treasurer Robert Ramos as well as officials from the Marikina City government and Calumpang barangay officials joined the distribution effort.
Gordon visits Cagayan, Isabela as Red Cross intensifies relief assistance The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), under the leadership of its Chairman & CEO, Sen. Richard Gordon, will visit the communities of Cagayan and Isabela which were roughly affected by the typhoon Ulysses. The Chairman, with PRC rescue and relief teams, will personally travel to the calamitystricken to assess the damage and provide assistance for the vulnerable. “Our response is always fast – for speed is the name of the game. We rush and double our efforts after all disasters came one after another,” PRC Chairman & CEO, Sen. Richard Gordon said. With Gordon’s leadership, PRC resorted to multiple response and relief efforts. The Red Cross’ Disaster Management Services augmented its operations, marshalling all the organization’s available services from rescue to response and relief, to help Cagayan and Isabela residents who are in hazardous situation after the onslaught of Ulysses and release of water from dams.
PRRD signs EO creating the ‘Build Back Better Task Force” By Melinda Quiñones - PIA/IDPD
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed on November 18 Executive Order No. 120 creating the Build Back Better Task Force to ensure post disaster rehabilitation and recovery efforts of typhoon-hit areas. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are tasked to jointly lead the the task force beginning with those ravaged by typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. The “Build Back Better Task Force” is a high-level institutional platform and a more
permanent body that will streamline and expedite post-disaster efforts in a sustained and integrated manner, with a clear unity of command. Members of the task force include the chairperson of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and secretary of Defense; secretaries of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, National Economic and Development Authority, Transportation, Interior and Local Government, Energy, Trade and Industry,
Editorial Director Benjamin Felipe Editor-In-Chief Marie Angelie Villapando Associate Editor Melinda 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
Agriculture, Budget and Management, Finance, Education, Health, Social Welfare and Development, Labor and Employment, and Science and Technology; and General Manager of the National Housing Authority. Administrators of the Land Registration Authority; Local Water
arm, will continue to pursue its mandates Utilities Administration; in all thematic areas National Electrification of the DRRM system Administration; for other natural National Irrigation and human-induced Administration; disasters. The Philippine Coconut Armed Forces of the Authority; and Chair Philippines (AFP), the of the Cooperative Philippine Coast Guard Development Authority (PCG), and other will also be among the uniformed personnel members. are directed to provide The NDRRMC, logistical and technical with the Office of assistance in the Civil Defense with rehabilitation and its implementing recovery efforts.
PRRD approves advance payment for COVID-19 vaccine
By Adora Rodriguez - PIA/IDPD Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque announced the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte on the Philippines entering into advance market commitment together with the private vaccine developers and advance payment based on negotiated terms for corona virus vaccine procurement. The government has to undergo the five major steps in entering the advance market commitments such as: signing of a confidentiality data agreement; negotiations and signing of the advance market commitments; registration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the emergency use authority (EUA); advance payment based on the negotiated terms; and mobilization and delivery. The China National Medical Product Administration (NMPA) has already issued two emergency use authorization (EUA), which means they are already using the vaccine for a limited time among high risk population while US is expected to issue the same this December, Roque said. For the Philippines, implementing the vaccination should require the President’s signed Executive Order for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue the EUA, which will speed up the process of applying the vaccine, carrying the same approval authorization of the FDAs of countries that developed the vaccine. Procuring the vaccine can be done through different legal
modes such as the following: 1.Government Procurement Reform Act (RA9184) or the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act (RA11494) through the PSDBM 2.Multilateral Loans (ADB-WB Project Loan for Vaccine through the DOF 3.Bilateral Loans ( UK/China) through the DOF 4.Private Sector Financing Through a Tripartite Agreement (national government, pharmaceutical company and the private sector company). PIA Bulletin Online 2
DSWD relief Country must fortify operations evacuations centers, still ongoing in President Duterte Typhoon-Ulysses tells lawmakers hard hit areas
Field Offices (FOs) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in areas hardest hit by Typhoon Ulysses continue to assist local government units (LGUs) in their disaster relief operations for their affected constituents. In Cagayan Province, P22 million worth of food and non-food items were delivered by DSWD FO II to affected areas in the region. The FO also started on November 18 the distribution of burial assistance amounting to P10,000 each to bereaved families in Alcala, Gonzaga, Gattaran, and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, as well as from Maddela and Nagtipunan, Quirino. In addition, 3 PIA Bulletin Online
the FO also sent 1,000 FFPs each to Alcala and Enrile, Cagayan. In CALABARZON, the DSWD FO here has already extended P13.6 million worth of augmentation assistance to the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon. Meanwhile, in Bicol Region, DSWD FO V has provided 27,266 FFPs to affected areas in Albay, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte amounting to P13.8 million. In addition, non-food items comprising of 13,028 pieces of malong, 300 sleeping kits, and 1,738 laminated sacks were also distributed to affected families and individuals. Overall, the DSWD assistance to Bicol region is P18.7 million. In the National
The government should prioritize the construction of sturdy evacuation centers to provide shelter to vulnerable population during disasters, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said on Tuesday as he asked lawmakers to act on it. “Alam mo, it is high time that government consider really, of course, in the government units facing the Pacific Ocean, gamit na gamit ito na we build a strong structure, stronger than a typhoon that would come their way para mapuntahan ng mga tao, and maybe small rooms with many comfort rooms where people can really stay for a while,” the President said in a public address on government response on the coronavirus pandemic. At present, schools and public buildings are being used as evacuation centers, which the President said creates “an aberration in the movement or in the development” of governmental functions and education. Capital Region, DSWD FO NCR has extended 13,430 FFPs and 1,200 sleeping kits to affected LGUs amounting to more than P7.7 million. The Department, as lead agency in the Food and Non-Food Item Cluster of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council, ensures the sufficiency of food and non-food items that can be
augmented to local governments in the event of a calamity or disaster.
GM Eugene Torre receives professional license The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) awarded a professional license in chess to Filipino sports hall of famer and chess legend Eugene Torre. “We congratulate Grandmaster Eugene Torre for becoming the first Grandmaster in the Philippines — and according to the record of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines — in the world to receive a government professional license in chess,” Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra said during the GAB-PCAP joint media conference via Google. “Today marks a milestone for chess in the Philippines. We are very happy that chess has embraced professionalism. We welcome chess to the GAB regulatory family. Don’t treat us a regulator but treat us your brother because we will walk the path with you,” Mitra added. “I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for another milestone in my chess-playing career. It is indeed an honor to be recognized by the government and my chess colleagues as the first government-licensed player in the Philippines,” Torre expressed. Moreover, the Asia’s first Grandmaster underscores the importance of the professional license which will pave the way for local players to join the professional ranks. “Among my achievements, this is one I will also cherish,” he added. “It has been my long dream that our local
chess players be given the accolades of a professional and for them to serve as role models and inspiration of our youth,” he highlighted. The founder of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Atty. Paul Elauria also joined the virtual awarding ceremony. He announced that PCSP will be launching a series of competitions next year with at least 22 teams seeing action. He said there were already 22 registered teams, averaging 7 to 12 players each, “making us one of the biggest professional leagues in the country with around 200 to 220 players competing.” “Our vision is for these players to receive salaries and have corporate sponsors to sustain their livelihood,” Elauria added. He also cited the significance of the license turnover saying, “GM Eugene has carried Philippine chess on his shoulders for over 50 years so this is somehow one way we recognize the invaluable service to our country and chess-loving Filipinos.”
320k OFWs safely home - DOLE
By Marie Angelie Villapando - PIA/DDCU
The Department of Labor and Employment said the Philippine government has sent home close to 320,000 returning overseas Filipino workers In a report to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said 319,333 OFWs were transported to their respective provinces as of Saturday, November 21, after they were cleared and tested negative of the corona virus.
Secretary Bello said OWWA is relentless in looking after the needs of the returning OFWs. “There is no stopping the government from extending the assistance to our dear OFWs. We have also enhanced our livelihood programs for
46,338 contact tracers nakadeploy na upang pigilan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19
By Josephine L. Babaran - PIA/IDPD
Kinumpirma ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang kabuuang bilang ng contact tracers (CTs) na umabot sa 46,338 at nakadeploy na ngayon sa iba’t ibang Local Government Units (LGUs) upang tumulong na pigilan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19. “Ang mababang bilang ng mga kaso na nararanasan natin ngayon ay resulta ng ating contact tracing capacity na agad na pinuputol ang community transmission sa sandaling makilala ang isang pasyente na may COVID,” pahayag ni DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año. Sinabi ng DILG Chief na ang National Capital Region (NCR), bilang sentro ng COVID-19 crisis sa bansa ay nakakuha ng pinakamaraming CT na may 7,362 na sinundan ng Region III na may 5,026; Rehiyon VII na may 4,241; 3,679 para sa CALABARZON; 3,306 para sa Region VI; Rehiyon IX na may 3,267; Rehiyon XI na may 3,041; Rehiyon V na may 2,736; CARAGA na may 2,544; at 2,000 para sa Rehiyon X. Ang iba pang mga rehiyon tulad ng MIMAROPA ay mayroong 1,529 na bagong contact tracer, ang Rehiyon XII ay nakakakuha ng 1,501; Ang BARMM na may 1,480; Rehiyon I na may 1,445; Rehiyon VIII na may 1,395; Rehiyon II na may 1,215; at CAR na may 571. Inatasan din ni Año ang mga LGUs sa mga lugar na nasalanta ng bagyo na may mga evacuation center na i-deploy ang kanilang mga Contact Tracing Teams upang magpatupad ng minimum health standards, paalalahanan ang mga evacuees tungkol sa kalusugan, at ipamahagi ang mga face masks, alcohol at iba pa.
the reintegration of our returning heroes,” he said. He added that DOLE’s foreign posts continue to monitor the condition of OFWs and provide assistance in their respective jurisdictions. PIA Bulletin Online 4
PH economy on the DA warns: mend, says NEDA Prize free
violators will face penalty
By Melinda Quiñones PIA/IDPD
“Philippine economy is on the mend,” said Rosemarie G. Edillon, Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Group of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), in a recent virtual Dagyaw townhall meeting. Dubbed the Dagyaw, Usapang Stimulus: Bayanihan para sa ‘ReCHARGE, Pilipinas, the fifth of a series of Dagyaw virtual meeting, highlighted government’s strategies in opening up the economy under the new normal condition. “Sa quarter two bumaba po ang ating GDP -16.9%, noong quarter 3 bahagyang bumaba po ng 11.5% dahil sa pagbalik natin
By Marie Angelie Villapando - PIA/DDCU
sa MECQ ang NCR at some of 4A noong two weeks of August pero isang magandang nakikita naming senyales ay pataas na po. We’re on the mend. Nagsisimula na po tayo for recovery (During the second quarter, our GDP growth rate is -16.9%. In the third quarter, it went down to -11.5% because of the reversion of MECQ in NCR and some areas in Region 4A for two weeks in August. But we are seeing a good sign of upward trend. We’re on the mend. Our economy
is starting to recover),” Edillon said. She urged everyone to continue practicing minimal health protocols to keep the positive economic growth momentum. “Sa ngayon po, narito tayo sa recharge state ng ating economy but we’re hopeful na kung sama-sama tayo this will be short term (Now, our economy is at the recharge state but we are hopeful that if we will work together this will be short term),” the NEDA official assured.
of our consumers to buy their favorite The Department of noche buena products Trade and Industry for their families to be (DTI) published served on their tables. on November Thus, the Department 11, the Noche assures the public Buena Suggested of the availability of Retail Price (SRP) supply and stability of Bulletin reflecting prices of these items,” the recommended Secretary Lopez said. retailer selling prices He also thanked the of commonly bought many companies who holiday food items. showed “solidarity in In the midst of the providing affordable pandemic, the spirit noche buena products of Christmas will to the consumers continue to draw many this Christmas by
committing to retain their 2019 prices for this year despite COVID-19.” The Noche Buena SRP Bulletin currently lists 241 kinds of Christmas staples in various sizes so the public may purchase based on their preference and needs. In light of this, DTI reminds consumers to always observe minimum health protocols, such as wearing face masks
The Department of Agriculture will implement a price freeze on basic agricultural commodities following the declaration of the State of Calamity in Luzon by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. “The President’s declaration of a State of Calamity is a big welcome sa atin sa agrikultura, kasi mas may ngipin na tayo sa pagmomonitor ng prices. This means the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) has to be sustained. Kung ano ang presyo bago nagbagyo, iyon din ang presyo na ipapatupad namin,” Dar said. Dar urged the Bantay Presyo Task Force (BPTF) to strictly monitor that wet markets and other platforms are following the government’s SRP. “The full force of the law is in effect. Kung tayo ay sumusuway, ang batas ang ating kalaban,” Dar warned.
DTI posts Suggested Price Guide of Noche Buena staples
By Janine Alexa Tinsay - PIA/IDPD
5 PIA Bulletin Online
and face shields, and visit: maintaining physical https://www.dti. distancing. To view the gov.ph/news/nocheprice guide, buena-products/
DOH, int’l partners call for sanitation investments By Marites B. Paneda - PIA/IDPD The Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) urged local government units to invest in sanitation as the country joins in the observance of the World Toilet Day 2020. DOH said that the world is alarmingly off-track to deliver sanitation for all by 2030, unfortunately, the Philippines is on the same trajectory and at the current rate of global progress, safely managed sanitation for all will not be a reality until the 22nd century. Safely managed sanitation means the use of improved toilet facilities, which are not shared with other households and where the excreta are safely disposed on-site, or are transported and treated off-site. Duque said that although the country is still some distant away from achieving this goal, the DOH issued several guidelines to support local governments in implementing a sustainable sanitation program such as the accomplishment of the 2016 Sanitation Learning Exchange (SANLEX) and the 2019 Philippine Approach to sustainable Sanitation (PhATSS), which assesses and certifies the level of sanitation services delivered by each local government unit. Duque also emphasized that the government is keen on improving nationwide access to safely manage sanitations as one of the keys to achieve the universal health care agenda. Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra
By Marie Angelie Villapando - PIA/DDCU
Abeyasinghe noted that implementing the Sustainable Goal on sanitation is an investment but inaction brings greater cost. UNICEF Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov added that achieving universal and sustainable access to safely managed sanitation may be difficult, but it is not impossible and begins with strong political will at both the national and local government levels to mobilize the investments required, build a larger workforce with better skills, and encourage innovation and data-based decision-making. To reach the national targets of universal access to sanitation, an average investment of PhP 30 billion per year is needed. This is 13% of the additional internal revenue allotment that local government units will receive by 2022, valued at PhP225.3 billion per year.
SB Corp to process 15,000 loan applications of MSMEs The Small Business Corporation (SB Corp) is set to process an additional 15,000 loan applications before the year ends to aid the recovery of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the resulting lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez. “With the
CSC warns public against exam review guaranteeing 90 passing rate
improvement in our evaluation and approval system, we are now able to increase our evaluation capacity to around 15,000 in a month. We have facilitated the processing to accommodate more MSMEs affected by the pandemic. We expect to release more loans to help businesses recover, especially as we gradually reopen
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) warns the public against spurious announcements circulating online from a review class that “they can guarantee 90% passing rate.” The Commission also clarified that it does not endorse or accredit any review center offering classes to examinees and reiterated that review centers claiming to have been accredited are not in any way connected with CSC, adding that availing of review classes will be at one’s own risk as it is not a guarantee of passing the CS exams. The CSC advises the public to refer to its official website (csc.gov.ph), its main Facebook Page (fb.com/civilservicegovph), and its regional offices’ Facebook Pages as sources of CSCrelated information to avoid consuming and spreading fake news.
the economy,” said Sec. Lopez. Since the passage of Republic Act 11469, also known as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or the Bayanihan1, SB Corp, the financing arm of DTI, has approved a total of 17,167 loan applications amounting to P1.25 billion through its Bayanihan COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises program. PIA Bulletin Online 6