Duterte to Filipinos: Get vaccinated
BulletLine Issue #28
Successful start of vaccination in the country Senator Christopher “Bong” Go lauded the national government and the rest of Team Philippines for a successful rollout of the vaccination program on Monday, March 1. “I am happy that today marks a milestone in our journey as one people towards recovery from this pandemic,” Go said. “I commend Team Philippines — our leaders, frontliners and fellow government workers who are working very hard so we can have the best vaccination rollout for our country,” he added. A day after the arrival and official turnover of 600,000 vaccines for COVID-19 from Sinovac Biotech Ltd. which was a donation from China, the government immediately began inoculating pre-identified personnel in six government facilities in Metro Manila, namely Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Center and Sanitarium, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Philippine National Police General Hospital, and Victoriano Luna Medical Center, and kicked off the much-awaited vaccination drive. The vaccination drive will continue in the coming days in various hospitals around the country.
By Marie Angelie Villapando - PIA/DDCU
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte appealed to Filipinos to get vaccinated and be a partner of government in preventing the spread of COVID-19. “ I would like to appeal to all our kababayans: Please get vaccinated against COVID-19 and be the government’s partner in preventing further spread of the disease,” he said during the arrival of the first shipment of 487,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine through the WHO COVAX facility on March 4 which he welcomed along with foreign dignitaries and several top government officials. 1 PIA Bulletin Online
PH’s AstraZeneca vax consignment, one of the largest from COVAX--WHO By Marites B. Paneda - PIA/IDPD
“I encourage you to get vaccinated at the soonest possible time. These vaccines are safe, and they are the key to reopening our society,” he added, calling on the public to continue observing and practicing health and safety protocols while waiting for
more COVID-19 vaccines. He said that the arrival of the vaccine manufactured by the United Kingdom in partnership with Oxford University, will further boost the government’s ongoing national vaccination program.
The arrival 487,200 doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine marks the Philippines’ initial delivery of vaccines from the COVAX facility and one of the largest consignments of COVAX vaccines. SK Bioscience from Seoul, South Korea, manufactured the said vaccines, said Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, World Health Organization (WHO) country representative, in an interview in the March 4, 2021 episode of the Department of Health’s (DOH)Beat COVID-19 Media Forum Dr. Abeyasinghe also said that WHO already committed to the COVAX facility to deliver 4.5 million doses around May. He emphasized the need for the country to set up its capacity to manage this large stock of vaccines coming and demonstrate the efficient vaccination roll out of to continue receiving vaccines from the COVAX facility. The Philippines should minimize wastage of the vaccines and use them according to WHO’s priority list.
PCOO releases ‘The Vaxplainer’ The Presidential Communications Operations Office – Office of the Global Media and Public Affairs (PCOO-OGMPA) is releasing a series of explainer videos dubbed “The VAXplainer” just in time for the rollout of the government’s nationwide vaccination program. It aims to boost the confidence of the Filipino people in COVID-19 vaccine by educating them about the importance of
getting vaccinated and the efficacy of the vaccines against the COVID-19 virus. “The VAXplainer is only a part of our numerous efforts and commitment to make Filipinos fully understand the importance of vaccines and convince them to be inoculated with the available safe and effective vaccines provided by the government,” PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said. “We also
have Laging Handa Dokyu Series, Network Briefing, and Laging Handa Public Briefing, and among others as part of our information drive campaign to inform
the people,” he chipped in. He added that “The VAXplainer” is part of the PCOO’s drive to encourage Filipinos to heed the call of President Rodrigo
Nograles, Task Force Yolanda distribute houses in Antique Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, in coordination with Task Force Yolanda, the National Housing Authority and LGU officials, led the turnover ceremony of 1,000 completed housing units to beneficiaries in Antique last February 26, 2021, as part of the Duterte administration’s efforts to complete its commitments to in Tingib Homes, Typhoon Yolanda Pandan, Antique victims. The distribution was the 25th
Roa Duterte, the whole Philippine government, and the international community to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to save lives, revive hopes, and shape our future. 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
virtual turnover of housing units, adding to 1,267
Laua-an. The Malacañang official further committed to finishing all the administration’s Yolanda-related housing work. He said an additional 10,417 units will completed units be completed in already distributed Region 6 by April previously in 4, 2021. PIA Bulletin Online 2
Umarangkada na ang Angkas
Noong Miyerkules, 3 Marso 2021, nagkaroon na ng dry run ang Angkas upang subukan ang pagdadala ng saliva samples mula sa collection sites, katulad ng mga malls, papunta sa Red Cross laboratories. “We are greatly honored about our new partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), which will enable us to contribute even more to our country’s nationbuilding in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is congruent with our commitment to always be of support to the country and to be of service to the Filipinos,” pahayag ni Mr. George Royeca, ang CoFounder at Chief Transport Advocate ng Angkas. Noong Typhoon Rolly sa Bicol, ang paggamit ng mga motorsiklo at pagkuha ng mga volunteer riders ang naisip ni PRC Chairman at CEO Sen. Richard Gordon sa pag-assess ng mga apektadong komunidad. 3 PIA Bulletin Online
Photo by Philippine Red Cross
NHCP museums reopen By Melinda T. Quiñones - PIA/IDPD
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) safely reopened the doors of its 27 museums to the public on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, after almost a year of temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those interested in visiting NHCP museums must schedule their tours through phone or online at least two days before the desired schedule of visit as only a limited number of people will be allowed entry. NHCP museums are open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Details of all 27 NHCP Museums are available using this link:
Photo from NHCP-Museum of Philippine Economic History
https://www.facebook. com/historymuseumsPH/ posts/769007433495290. To know more about NHCP museums’ safety protocols, please visit the @ nhcp1933 on Facebook.
17.4K Coronavac Safe Travels vax for Region 10 Stamp healthcare workers Photo: PIA Region 10
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar welcomed the arrival of the 17,400 doses of Sinovac’s CoronaVac vaccine on board Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight PR 2519 on March 5 signaling the start of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program in Region 10. Andanar the designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Northern Mindanao (CORDS X), was in the city in time for the regular meeting of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC 10). The vaccines, which were part of
the 600,000 doses donated by China to the Philippines and arrived on February 28, were immediately transported to the storage facility of the Department of Health Region 10. Andanar said he is delighted that the government is moving closer to achieving the goal of providing equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine, and further protecting the lives of the Filipino people from the pressing
concerns brought by the COVID-19. “I am hoping that the successful commencement of the rollout of the vaccine in Metro Manila will encourage others to get vaccinated, because the life-threatening effects of the virus will remain if we choose otherwise. Above all, if not for ourselves, we should think about the welfare of those vulnerable members of our families,” he added.
By Melinda T. Quiñones - PIA/IDPD
With the easing of community quarantine restrictions, the Department of Tourism (DOT) urges DOT-accredited accommodation establishments and local destinations re-opened to tourists to apply for Safe Travels Stamp. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp is the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp, specially designed that allow travelers to recognize governments and businesses worldwide that have adopted health and hygiene international standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels.’ Interested applicants must be compliant with the DOT’s health and safety guidelines, adhere to the WTTC Safe Travels Terms and Conditions, and submit the necessary documentary requirements. Applications should be coursed through the DOT’s regional offices with email addresses available at www. tourism.gov.ph/regional_offices. aspx. PIA Bulletin Online 4
FDCP’s Safe Filming Program
By Josephine L. Babaran - PIA/IDPD
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), through its Safe Filming Program will be working with the Department of Labor and Employment for the launch of the Safety & Health Officers Training Seminar (SHOTS) that will provide free sectorspecific training on occupational safety and health (OSH) for the film and audiovisual industry. This is a 40hour module that complements the existing Basic
Photo from FDCP official website
Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) training of the DOLE. FDCP aims that with the sector specific SHOTS, professionallyaccredited Safety
Officers will be equipped with the government’s guidelines and protocols for the safe conduct of production shoots and events for the management
of risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The SHOTS will also cover other accidents in the workplace as well as emergency preparedness.
For questions or concerns, contact the Safe Filming Program through Ms. Claire Mendoza at (+63) 917 7233 111 or at safefilming@fdcp. com.
PSA targets 70 M registration this year By Guilberto Contreras - PIA/IDPD
The Philippine Statistics Authority is looking at setting its target registration to 70 million this year for the Philippine ID System, (PhilSys) after its achievement of its initial target. The target registrants will include vulnerable groups identified by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), such as frontline health workers, senior citizens, indigents, and uniformed personnel. “Achieving the 70 million target this year would be an exceptional feat for the PSA and other agencies involved in the implementation. The success of the PhilSys necessitates the full support and commitment of government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, the private sectors, and all 5 PIA Bulletin Online
Filipinos,” said PSA Undersecretary Dennis S. Mapa, Ph.D., National Statistician and Civil Registrar General A total of 20,133,869 Filipinos had completed the Step 1 of PhilSys registration as of February 26, 2021.
Ventilation rules for the workplaces, PUVs By Marie Angelie Villapando - PIA/DDCU
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on March 3,2021 signed Department Order 224-21 setting the guidelines on the proper ventilation of workplaces and public transportation to prevent and
control the spread of COVID-19. The set of guidelines include among others the installation and utilization of exhaust fans in indoor workplaces, restrooms and water closets; ventilation in air, rail, land, and sea transport, and other measures
to improve and maintain the quality of air in the workplace and public transportation. Said guidelines cover all commercial and industrial establishments, projects, sites and all other places where work is being undertaken indoors,
except healthcare facilities which require special considerations or stricter rules in the COVID-19 control. Bello said proper ventilation in the
workplace is as important as the observation of minimum public health standards inside workplaces and public transport.
Who is your #WonderJuana, #MySuperJuan? By Marites B. Paneda - PIA/IDPD
With this Women’s Month’s Celebration theme , “We Make Change Work for Women Juana Laban sa Pandemya: Kaya!’, honor every Juana and Juan by joining the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) #MyWonderJuana and #MySuperJuan challenge. Post a picture of your #WonderJuana who maybe your sister, wife, mother, partner, friend, colleague, or any female you know who is intense, passionate, bright, and inspiring. Likewise, post a picture of a #SuperJuan, who may be your brother, father, husband, partner, or any whom you have known personally that believes that men and women are equal both in the public and domestic life. Photo shall include an inspirational caption either in English or Filipino, and fill out the link form for #MyWonderJuana https://forms. gle/jEp1CAj3PbTvN2F79 and https://forms.gle/ dFuFDBV2WkCAJLnXA for #MySuperJuan and use the entry hashtag per challenge together with the #WomenMakeChange. Interested parties may send one entry per #MyWonderJuana and #MySuperJuan until March 21, 2021. Some 20 winners will be chosen by April for a chance to win special prizes and certificates. PIA Bulletin Online 6