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Philippine News
ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2022
By August, Galvez sees face-to-face classes in all levels National Action Plan on COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez says the government aims to vaccinate 100% of all students, teachers, and other school workers under the DepEd by August. The government sees face-to-face classes resuming in all levels by August “As long as the health protocols are followed, social distance spacing; and the ventilation in classrooms are fixed
ahead, the classes may start in the new normal,” he said. Galvez was in Zamboanga City on Tuesday to check its vaccination sites, and see how it has started inoculating children, five to 11 years old. The Department of Education (DepEd) recorded no infection among children who participated in face-to-face classes in schools pilot-tested. Galvez also said that
of the more than 10,000 children who first got inoculated, only four children showed “very, very minor side effects.” But the minimum public health standards set by the government such as wearing face masks and physical distancing would remain even when the face-to-face classes begin also a need to check on classroom ventilation concerns.
As DOH eyes shift to “new normal”, dropping face mask “still iffy”
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s the spread of COVID-19 continues to slow down after an Omicron-fueled surge, the government is eyeing to transition to the “new normal” there are no plans yet; or even a discussion on whether to drop the mandatory use of face masks. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the NTF and the DOH are in the process of formulating the new normal roadmap, guidelines
which are expected to be presented to President Rodrigo Duterte in early March. This would be implemented if the country is placed under the least restrictive Alert Level 1. This was seconded by vaccine czar and National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr., saying that wearing face masks is still “very essential” in the fight against severe respiratory
disease. “Until we finally declare that Covid 19 is totally eliminated masking is our final defense. It would be the last thing that we will remove. Voluntary masking may happen if the health crisis is over, meaning that the COVID-19 threat is completely eliminated and the situation is already back to normal.” He added. Health Secretary Francisco Duque also said that the idea of no longer requiring the use of face masks is “still iffy.”
Duque: NCR possible under Alert Level 1, de-escalation by March Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Metro Manila will likely de-escalate to Alert Level 1 in the first week of March depending on the capital region's establishments both public and private sector level of compliance with the government's safety seal certification program which will have to be assessed Feb. 17, 2022, Thursday. The objective of the program "is to ensure that all establishments will have very minimal or low to no risk for those who will enter those establishments. The positivity rate in Metro Manila is now at 6.8%, inching closer to 5% or below the benchmark set by the World Health Organization, OCTA Research fellow Guido David said. The positivity rate will continue to go down over the next few weeks and we can safely say that we will reach 5% by March 1, that's the lowest level while we are in a state
of a public health emergency. Once the President lifts the state of a public health emergency, the alert leveling will be set aside," Duque said, noting that the scheme will only be brought back once a new and potentially threatening COVID-19
variant enters the country. Metro Manila and some areas will still be under Alert Level 2 until the end of February, while the government observes how recent gatherings and political activities will affect the next COVID-19 figures, Duque added.
PRRD institutionalizes National ID as proof of identity Filipino citizens and resident aliens may now use their national IDs to prove their age and identity in all government and private transactions with President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent Executive order 162, signed on Feb. 14. 2022 but only released publicly this Wednesday, institutionalizes the acceptance of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID and PhilSys Number (PSN) in such transactions as official proof of identity and age. The order also directs covered agencies to inform the public of these amendments, while private entities are enjoined to do likewise regarding similar changes in their identification requirements. They may be presented instead of a birth certificate in applications www.AlbertaFilipinoJournal.com
for the likes of marriage license, student’s driver’s permit or conductor’s license, the Professional Regulation Commission, and those relative to voter’s registration. Unless otherwise provided by law, the presentation of the PhilID, PSN, or PSN Derivative, as authenticated, shall be sufficient
proof of identification and of all other personal details stated therein, without need for presentation of other identification documents. This may also be used when enrolling at public and private schools or registering for the Philippine Educational Placement Test, the EO stated.
THE PULSE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, CANADA