BulletLine Issue #22
CAMPAIGN TO RESTORE PUBLIC’S PRRD CONFIDENCE supports IN VACCINE BARRM
reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. “As the lead communications arm of the government, the PCOO continues to operate its Laging Handa Information and Communications Campaign to assure the public that the Duterte administration is on top of the COVID-19 situation in the With the on the said program. country,” he said. “This includes anticipated roll PCOO has our strides to out of the national kicked off its disseminate and COVID-19 communications reiterate the need vaccination program, plan with the to observe health the Presidential town hall meeting protocols and Communications dubbed “Explain, precautionary Operations Office Explain, Explain” measures, to dispel (PCOO) and its in Mandaue City, false information, attached agency, the Cebu on Tuesday, Philippine Information 19 January 2021. In and to advocate Agency (PIA), have his message, PCOO for preparedness and vigilance and started incorporating Secretary Martin harnessing solidarity in its communications Andanar stressed through participatory platforms the that equipping the information and public with the right governance,” he added. education campaign information will 1 PIA Bulletin Online
The government remains committed in supporting the development of Bangsamoro region particularly as the nation grapples with the ill effects of the coronavirus pandemic, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said on Thursday. “Be assured that this administration will remain determined in its commitment to support selfdetermination, uphold human rights, and advance social welfare in the Bangsamoro region,” President Duterte said in a speech in Malacañang in celebrating the second anniversary of the ratification of the Organic Law establishing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Sen. Go: Trust the government Senator Christopher “Bong” Go asked Filipinos to trust the national government when it comes to the procurement and subsequent rollout of sufficient, safe, and effective vaccines against COVID-19 across the country in his manifestation during the Senate regular session on Monday, January 18. He also highlighted that President Rodrigo Duterte’s commitment to ensure that the national vaccination
Editorial Director Benjamin Felipe Editor-In-Chief Marie Angelie Villapando Associate Editor Jake Coballes Staff Writers IDPD Art Department CPSD headed by Bradley de Leon Layout Artist Gabriel Villanueva Production/ Aggregation DDCU with Team Leader Kate Shiene Agna
program - from approval to rollout and implementation is safe, sure and secure has never changed. “Magtiwala po tayo sa ating gobyerno. I am
personally aware na bago pa man nagsimula sa social media ang mga kuro-kuro at haka-haka, masusi na po ang pagtrabaho ng mga opisyal ng ating pamahalaan
ay nasa sentro ng programa to get the best for natin. Ito ang our country and for responsibilidad every Filipino,” he na ginagampanan said. natin palagi. Our “Para kay officials will be Pangulong measured by Duterte, ang their adherence kalusugan at to the President’s kaligtasan ng guidance,” he bawat Pilipino added.
Zero Hunger Task Force marks first year with launch of National Food Policy A year since its establishment, the government’s Zero Hunger Task Force (ZHTF) has been able to make positive progress in its efforts to address hunger in the Philippines–– including the timely completion and launch of the National Food Policy––despite a pandemic that has engulfed the entire world and required the implementation of restrictions since March last year. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, chair of the task force, enumerated the various initiatives successfully spearheaded by the ZHTF. Among these are: (1) the launching of the NFP, (2) the creation of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP), (3) the institutionalization of the Zero Hunger Programs Guidelines, (4) the holding of the Kasapatan at Ugnayan ng Mamayan sa Akmang Pagkain at Nutrisyon (KUMAIN) Webinar Series, (5) the
Feeding Programs Initiative for the First 1000 Days of Life, (6) the launching of Pilipinas Kontra Gutom, and (7) the drafting of the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) Proposal for the World Bank. PIA Bulletin Online 2
Gordon files bill proposing training of additional vaccinators Senator Richard J. Gordon filed on Monday, 18 January 2021, a bill that seeks to expand the country’s pool of vaccinators for the implementation of the government’s national program for immunization in times of epidemics, pandemics and national health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic that was declared as a global health emergency by the World Health Organization
(WHO). “Since we have limited number of doctors, nurses and midwives that will aid in the COVID-19 vaccination program, we filed
a bill that expands the pool of vaccinators of the DOH by training other professionals such as dentists, veterinarians, medical technologists
and even those without medical background to be vaccinators,” said Gordon. Section 1 of Senate Bill No. 1987 states that non-medical
practitioners that will be part of the training will be allowed provided that that they will be given the appropriate training, certification and authority by the Department of Health (DOH), and that they will perform their duties under the supervision of a duly registered physician and for a limited period only contingent upon the existence of the national health emergency for which it is called.
PH now free of bird flu By Melva C. Gayta - PIA/IDPD
The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) said the country is now free of the last remaining A(H5N6) strain of the Avian Influenza (AI) as announced by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as of January 8, 2021. This is the result of the swift action of the farm owners, rapid response and collaboration of the local government units for the control and containment operations to prevent the further spread of the virus. DA-BAI said The DA-BAI, however, reminds poultry farmers and industry stakeholders to remain vigilant and report any unusual mortalities to their respective 3 PIA Bulletin Online
farm veterinarians or nearest government veterinary or agriculture office. The agency also urges the public to always verify sources of information with the DA-BAI for proper guidance, through 09951329339 or 09208543119.
DILG to LGUs : prepare local vaccination plans By Josephine L. Babaran - PIA/IDPD
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) directed local government units (LGU) to craft their local vaccination plan to include conduct of early Vaccine Communication Campaign to disseminate critical information on COVID-19 vaccination, said DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.
The plan must also include a master list of priority eligible vaccinee population; identification of possible vaccine
centers, available cold chain storages, and other logistical requirements; and a master list of existing human resources and
Lapulapu sa limanlibo
By Marites B. Paneda - PIA/IDPD
in LGUs to include a dedicated arm for vaccine concerns; mobilization of barangay personnel and other volunteers to assist in the preparation and actual vaccination; and the participation of personnel needed concerned offices in the vaccination and personnel such as LGU program. health offices, It should Public Information also include Offices and reorganization of existing Emergency Sanitation Offices Operation Centers of the said plan.
Tampok ang bayaning si Lapulapu sa inilunsad na limanlibong perang papel at medalyon ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), katuwang ang National Quincentennial Committee (NCQ) bilang paggunita sa pasimula ng ika-99 araw na countdown tungo sa ikalimang daang anibersaryo ng “Tagumpay sa Mactan” (“Victory at Mactan”). Ang perang papel at medallion ay pagpupugay sa kabayanihan ni Lapulapu at ng kanyang mga mandirigma. Ito rin ay pagpapaalala sa pre-kolonyal na Pilipinas na maaring makapag-paalab ng interes sa bahaging ito ng ating kasaysayan ayon kay BSP Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Francisco Dakila Jr. Samantala, sinabi ni Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, Chairperson ng NQC, na ang paglulunsad ng perang papel at medallion ay nawa’y magsilbing paalala sa katapangan at kabayanihan ni Lapulapu na naging inspirasyon din ng iba pang mga bayani na wag magpalupig sa sinuman na nais sumakop sa bansa. PIA Bulletin Online 4
DSWD, law enforcement agencies to boost anti-pornography efforts of sexual abuse are brought The Department into the custody of the DSWD of Social Welfare and Development and undergo appropriate (DSWD) has psycho-social coordinated with interventions. the National The agency Bureau of also strengthens Investigation to coordination with track and arrest other IACACP perpetrators of member agencies the reportedly proliferating illegal for the overall campaign against transactions child pornography involving the especially online sale of during the lewd photos and pandemic. Special videos of some coordination is students, DSWD being done with Undersecretary the Department Rene Glen Paje of the Interior said during the Local Government “Laging Handa” (DILG), among Press Briefing its Barangay Wednesday, Local Council for January 20. the Protection of He explained Children (LCPC), that the children to enforce an being victimized By Adora Rodriguez - PIA/IDPD
information drive for the prevention, early detection, and possible actions against perpetrators of child pornography.
Paje also asked the public to report untoward incidents to PNPWCPC Hotlines: 09458632235 (Luzon),
02324108483 (Visayas) 09280646425 or 0971 1806037 (Mindanao) or 919777737 (Aling Pulis).
Clark International Airport has new passenger terminal The Megawide-GMR Construction Joint Venture, Inc. (MGCJV) handed over the certificate for the completion of the Clark International Airport New Passenger Terminal Building’s Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Works to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in ceremonies held at the airport site inside the Clark Freeport in Pampanga on Friday, January 22. 5 PIA Bulletin Online
MARINA’s IT PH secures COVIDinitiatives vaccine doses from COVAX
By Josephine L. Babaran - PIA/IDPD
As part of its information technology and systems development to better serve its clients, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will roll-out the following initiatives in 2021: • E-payment System through the LinkBiz portal of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for all MARINA transactions • Phase I of the Integrated Domestic Shipping Information System (IDSIS-1) • Online Health Monitoring for Seafarers, Stakeholders and Visitors • Centralized Portal for Online Help Desk for MARINA stakeholders • Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS) • Municipal Fishing Vessel Information System (MFVIS) It is also currently undertaking the development of the following systems: • MARINA E-Library System • Phase II of the Integrated Domestic Shipping Information System (IDSIS-2) • MARINA Blockchain-Enabled Automated Certification Management System This is part of a four-year roadmap that aims to modernize its information technology equipment and facilities, integrate existing and develop new information systems, as well as automate its processes nationwide.
With the country receiving confirmation of its participation in the COVAX Facility, the country has secured around 30 to 40 million doses of coronavirus vaccines for free, National Policy against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., said Thursday, January 21, 2021 Galvez added the government is negotiating with 18 logistic companies
[and] four companies with ultra-cold storage capacity as part of the government’s preparation for the arrival of the vaccines. “This is to ensure (na) ang bakuha ay makarating sa ating mga kababayan, walang masasayang, walang matatapon at ang efficacy ay mapreserve at ma-maintain sa kanyang (to make sure that
Covid-19 vaccines will reach us without anything going to waste and the efficacy will be preserved and maintained in their) original state,” Galvez said. The COVAX Facility is a global procurement mechanism which invests in a broad portfolio of promising vaccine candidates to support their research, development, and manufacturing. PIA Bulletin Online 6