Red Cross’ ‘Amazing Grace’ sails to Catanduanes, keeps torch of hope burning for typhoon
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) sends its M/V Amazing Grace to the province of Catanduanes on 25 November 2020 to provide much needed relief and assistance to the survivors of recent typhoons that hit the country. PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Richard J. Gordon leads the send-off ceremony for the ship, which was commissioned by the PRC in 2017, the same year when the country’s foremost humanitarian organization celebrated its 70th founding anniversary. According to Gordon, the M/V Amazing Grace, formerly owned by Matanuska-Susitna Borough from Alaska, was acquired to serve as an ambulance and disaster response ship to effectively perform the PRC’s humanitarian work in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific Region. “The Philippine Red Cross has always been about alleviating human suffering, bringing them essentials and not only that – bringing them hope. As the M/V Amazing Grace delivers to Catanduanes, it is a message that there is deliverance from despair through the mercy of God and through the thousands of people who are with the survivors of Typhoon Rolly. We are in this together,” says Gordon.
Secretary Andanar urges FOI stakeholders to leave ‘noteworthy’ legacies to Filipinos Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday, 25 November 2020 urged public servants to exert effort in promoting transparency, good governance, and integrity as these are noteworthy legacies that will benefit the Filipino public. The PCOO held the 4th annual Freedom of Information (FOI) Awards, recognizing significant strides of its stakeholders in upholding the public’s right to information. Secretary Andanar opened the recognition event, assuring participants the agency’s commitment to fulfill President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s promise of providing Filipinos access to vital information. “Through FOI–Project Management Office (FOI-PMO),
the PCOO, as the lead agency in the implementation of the FOI Program, has been tirelessly doing its job to keep people informed of the plans, targets, and actions that our President has laid out for the nation,” he said. He commended FOI stakeholders who supported the government’s pursuit of transparency and accountability.
Sen. Go on the passage of Department of Disaster Resilience bill: ‘I will not lose hope’
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go renewed his call for the timely passage of Senate Bill No. 205, a measure he filed in 2019 which seeks to create a Department of Disaster Resilience. He said the creation of the proposed department which would handle disaster 1 PIA Bulletin Online
preparedness, mitigation and management is a big step towards making the country more disaster resilient and would help avert incidents of significant damage and loss of life in the future. The Senator also said that this measure shall provide a clearer
chain of command, more responsive mechanisms and a more holistic, proactive approach in handling crisis situations in the country where natural disasters are already “normal occurrences.” “I will not lose hope. Patuloy akong mananawagan. Maybe, at the proper
time, ay maipapasa November 25. na rin ito dahil kailangan talaga natin ng cabinet-level na secretary […] para rin maayos at mas mabilis ‘yung koordinasyon between the national government agencies and the local government offices,” he said during an interview on
“Tutok Kainan” Supplementation Program to address malnutrition
By Adora Rodriguez - PIA/IDPD The National Nutrition Council (NNC) in cooperation with the Task Force Zero Hunger program of the government, launched the Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program in support of the First 1000 Days of a child’s life, to prevent babies from stunting and hasten the reduction of malnutrition in the country. NNC Executive Director Dayanghirang emphasized that the supplementation of food program focuses on nutritionally at-risk pregnant women in the third trimester before they give birth
and 6-23 month-old stunted and wasted children. The program will be implemented for a period of ninety (90) days in 182 cities/ municipalities and 12 provinces as pilot targeted areas. Food commodity scheme will be a combination of ready-to-eat food and rice-meals and snacks, preferably food formulation by Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI). Food preparation will be based on NCC cycle menu. Food commodities from NNC will be delivered to the LGUs at least monthly for the nonhighly perishable items and daily/biweekly
for fresh food items through NNC-partner suppliers. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles pledged the government’s support to the Tutok Kainan Program under the Task Force on Zero Hunger program which formulated the National Food Policy of the government, containing the Philippine Plan of action to end the
hunger problem in the country. “This (Tutok Kainan Program) is the program that will show to the people of the Philippines and the world that we are very serious in implementing the policy of our national food policy and really making sure that we implement correctly the objectives and goals enshrined in the First 1000 Days
law. This dietary supplementation is really an approach to address insufficient and poor quality food and nutrient intake of pregnant women and young children to prevent their undernutrition,” he added. 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
PRRD lifts ban on health care workers’ overseas deployment By Janine Alexa Tinsay - PIA/IDPD President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the lifting of the temporary suspension in the overseas deployment of nurses, nurses, nursing aides and nursing assistants following the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque in press briefing on November 23, said the removal of the ban allows migrant healthcare workers to practice their profession and continue to uplift their family lives while helping the local economy as the government aims to improve standards of living and quality of life for all. Migrant work of healthcare workers was temporarily suspended by virtue of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolutions No. 9 – Series of 2020 last April due to the national state of emergency and COVID-19 travel restrictions. Roque added that the President also approved regulation of deployment with a ceiling of 5,000 new hires per year starting January 1 of next year.
According to Roque, the President and the IATF, in approving the recommendation considered the country’s need for nurses, nursing aides, and nursing assistants as well as the demand of nurses abroad and recognition of Filipino knowledge, talent, and skills overseas. For more information, watch Sec. Roque’s Press Briefing on https://www.facebook.com/pcoogov/videos/915127465559117 PIA Bulletin Online 2
P8.5 B disbursed to typhoon-affected farmers, fishers to start anew By Marie Angelie Villapando - PIA/DDCU The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that it has initially disbursed and distributed P8.5billion worth of various interventions to enable farmers and fisherfolk recover from losses due to the series of typhoons that hit Luzon in October and November. The interventions comprise of: quality seeds of inbred and hybrid rice, corn and vegetables; cassava seed pieces; fertilizers; farm machinery and equipment; ready-to-lay chicken, ducks, quails, goats, native pigs, and other livestock animals; animal feeds, veterinary drugs and biologics; fingerlings, fiberglass fishing boats; and Other typhoon and flood-affected farmers and postharvest equipment, according to fishers in five regions also received the corresponding DA Undersecretary for Operations Ariel assistance: Cayanan. • Cordillera Administrative Region – P382 million (M); Of the total P8.5-B assistance, the bulk was • Region 1 (Ilocos) – P313.8 M; extended to farmers and fishers in Cagayan Valley • Region 3 (Central Luzon) – P281.5M and Bicol, the two hardest-hit regions, receiving • Region 4A (CALABARZON) – P736 M; and P2.34 B and P1.07 B, respectively, in the form of • Region 4B (MIMAROPA) – P914 M. various agri-fishery assistance and interventions.
DOH releases guidelines for a COVID-free holiday celebration By Marites B. Paneda - PIA/IDPD As the holiday season draws near, the Department of Health (DOH) released guidelines to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 infection. Based on Department Circular (DC) No. 2020-0355, the public is advised to adhere to the following minimum health protocols: ● Limit the number of people in social gathering and activities; ● Avoid activities that may include traveling; ● Opt activities with only a short duration of contact; ● Practicing BIDA (B-awal walang mask, I-isanitize ang mga kamay, D-umistansya ng isang metro, A-lamin ang totoong impormasyon) ● Avoid contact on high-touch surfaces; ● Ensure proper ventilation; and ● Increase physical and mental resilience In a media forum, DOH Undersecretary and Spokesperson Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire reminded 3 PIA Bulletin Online
the public that congested areas, close-contact settings, and confined places are the three high-risk factors for COVIDtransmission as the threat of the virus is even higher when these factors overlap. “Examples of the three risk factors include attending large family, social, or religious gatherings, in-person shopping mall bazaars, and indoor gathering of a large group of people that involves singing, shouting and dancing,” Vergeire explained. Vergeire also urged the public to celebrate Christmas and New Year by getting together exclusively with household members and cndcut virtual gathering with those not residing in the same house as most infections are made through close contact and prolonged exposure. She also cautioned the public in going to a place where social distancing are not being observed. Acknowledging the holiday season spirits, Vergeire emphasized the need to reduce the risk for the holiday season as enjoying the remaining days of the year COVID-free would be the greatest blessing.
Solons commend PH universities included in world rankings
PH prepares for low carbon scenario, says DOE
Photo: Quacquarelli Symonds
By Melinda Quiñones - PIA/IDPD Committee on Higher and Technical Education chaired by Baguio City Representative Mark Go adopted House Resolution 1195, commended and congratulated the University of the Philippines (UP) and the De La Salle University (DLSU) for retaining their respective spots in the latest world university rankings by the Londonbased Times Higher Education (THE). The resolution, authored by Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo, stated that based on the rankings released in September 2, 2020, UP retained its place in the 401st500th bracket while DLSU retained its 1,000+ spot in 2019. Meanwhile, House Speaker Rufus Rodriguez urged the committee to also file a motu proprio resolution recognizing and commending the 14 additional Philippine universities included in the top 1,000 performing universities under the QS Worldwide University Ranking in Asia that was released yesterday (November 25). “This is the biggest leap or increase that we have. Previously we only have seven universities, but now there are an additional seven universities that are primarily in the regions. It is noteworthy that most of them come from the Mindanao area and it speaks so well of the quality of education in our regional universities,” CHED Deputy Executive Director Atty. Lily Freida Milla said. The universities that were included in the list of QS Worldwide University Ranking were: the University of the Philippines (UP), De La Salle University (DLSU), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), University of Santo Tomas (UST), University of San Carlos (USC), Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), Mapúa University (MU), Silliman University, Mindanao State University (MSU), Adamson University (AdU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Central Mindanao University (CMU), Central Philippine University (CPU) and the Xavier University.
Photo: Department of Energy
By Melinda Quiñones - PIA/IDPD
The Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing for a low carbon scenario as a result of the country’s energy efficiency and conservation measures. In an online Round Table Discussion with ministers and top government officials in Southeast Asia yesterday, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said that coal and oil shares decrease with the use of alternative fuels in the country. “Coal and oil shares will also continue to decrease due to the use of alternative fuels for transport, among others. This also translates to a power generation mix that shifts from being coal–centered to one where RE, natural gas, and other emerging clean energy technologies will have increased shares,” Secretary Cusi said. The combined clean energy sources, he added, will improve to reach more than 66 percent of the total generation by 2040. Secretary Cusi said the DOE is currently prioritizing the issuance of the National Renewable Energy Program 2020-2040 to achieve the envisioned target of around 34,000 MW of renewable energy installations by 2040. To achieve the low carbon scenario, Secretary Cusi said he has just approved the updated Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2018-2040, which contains the necessary adjustments that the country has to make because of recent global developments, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the energy sector. The updated sustainable and strategic PEP embodies a clear set of objectives, namely: A. increase the production of clean and indigenous sources of energy to meet the economic development of the country; B. decrease the wasteful utilization of energy through the use of energy efficiency tools and strategies; and C. ensure the balance among the provision of reliable and reasonably priced energy services, support for economic growth, and protection of the environment. Secretary Cusi likewise renewed his commitment to faithfully implement Republic Act 9513 or the Philippine RE Law for the remainder of his term as Energy Secretary. With the theme “Accelerate Full Electrification in ASEAN with Greener Power Mix,” the round table discussion was attended by top energy officials from Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. PIA Bulletin Online 4
Advocacy groups: E-cigarettes, heated tobacco products are harmful to children By Melinda Quiñones - PIA/IDPD
E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) are neither safe nor beneficial and must be strictly regulated to ensure they do not get into the hands of Filipino children, reiterated advocacy groups in a joint media statement. “The claims about the supposed safety and purported benefits of vapes and e-cigarettes are an outright lie. These claims are taken straight from the playbook that the industry has long been employing: that is, downplay the dangers of your product and bloat its benefits, real or imagined,” said Atty. Benedict Nisperos, Legal Consultant at HealthJustice. HealthJustice is a civil society organization composed of doctors, lawyers, former government officials, public health practitioners, and policy specialists advocating reforms in public health policies and governance. While Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia) is a regional network of child rights and human rights organizations working together to be a strong voice for child rights in the region. The groups cited evidence from international studies showing that e-cigarettes and HTPs not only fail to aid in smoking cessation but actually encourage young people to get into smoking. Hence their call for the regulation of these products by health and health-related agencies, particularly the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The groups listed three facts to remember about these gadget-enabled cigarettes: 1. Vapes and cigarettes are harmful. According to the US Center for Disease Control, studies have found that e-cigarettes and vapes contain nicotine, a harmful and addictive ingredient. Unfortunately, some manufacturers do not disclose the nicotine content of their products. A study has found that some e-cigarettes marketed as having zero nicotine do contain this harmful ingredient. Defective e-cigarette batteries have likewise caused explosions. Moreover, some children have
reportedly been poisoned by swallowing, breathing, or absorbing e-cigarette liquid. 2. E-cigarettes and HTPs do not help people quit. They simply make smokers switch from one form (traditional) to another. 3. E-cigarettes and HTPs are not approved by the US FDA as smoking cessation tools. Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) approved by the US FDA undergo a rigorous process and are subjected to clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy. Vapes and e-cigarettes have not undergone such processes. “The harmful profile of e-cigarettes and vapes necessitates regulation by no less than health and health-related agencies. After all, smoking—whether using traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes or HTPs—is fundamentally a health issue,” said Nisperos. Some countries in Asia have strong regulations on the use of e-cigarettes and HTPs among children and young people but in the Philippines, approximately 360,000 Filipino youth tried using e-cigarettes according to a 2015 report of the World Health Organization and the DOH. “We cannot allow the Filipino people, especially our children, to continue being victims of the industry’s marketing tactics. We would like to point out that our health authorities who are in the position to protect our children, should not allow them to become the targets of companies or individuals that peddle unsafe and potentially deadly products,” Abueva said.
SSS to start accepting application for calamity loans In a Laging Handa public briefing, Ignacio said SSS members Social Security and pensioners who System CEO and were affected by the President Aurora Ignacio said that they recent typhoons and living in areas placed will start accepting under a state of applicants for the calamity loan package calamity can apply for calamity loans. for their members “Loan applicants this week November should have 36 27 until February 26, monthly contributions 2021.
By Guilberto Contreras - PIA/IDPD
5 PIA Bulletin Online
and have not missed this obligation in the last six months,” Ignacio said. Member can avail of a loan equivalent to one month of their salary and a three-month advance pension for pensioners which is payable in two years.
DOST-PCAARRD unveils new technology for producing more pineapples to boost the economy
By Adora Rodriguez - PIA/IDPD The Philippine Council for Agricultural Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOSTPCAARRD), in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), unveiled a new technology for producing more pineapples to boost the economy. “Through a series of experiments VSU [Visayas State University] developed a protocol for rapid mass production of Queen Pineapple, through the ‘somatic embryogenesis technology, hence providing a yearround available supply of planting materials,” said Professor Luz O. Moreno of Visayas State University. Dr. Moreno said the micropropagation of pineapple plants has many advantages over conventional methods of vegetative propagation. It is more efficient, collectively cheaper and rapid multiplication
of quality planting materials can be attained, in a shorter period of time through tissue culture, selection of mother plant, or explant. The entire process of mass propagating queen pineapple through somatic embryogenesis is about 1213 months with around eight to ten thousand seedlings compared to the traditional planting method, in which one plant would produce only 10 to 15 suckers or shoots after 21 to 22 months from planting. As part of the 16th National Biotechnology Week (NBW) Celebration on November 23-27, 2020 with the theme, “Bioteknolohiya: Pagbangon at Pagasa para sa Matatag na Komunidad, Kapaligiran, at Ekonomiya,” DOST-PCAARRD showed how it continues to bank on biotechnology to close the gap on agricultural production and provide sustainable agriculture. For inquiries, visit crd@pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph PIA Bulletin Online 6