Weekend Balita (Los Angeles edition) April 24, 2021

LOS ANGELES EDITION

VOL. XXX NO. 17

Saturday-Friday | April 24 - 30, 2021

Garcetti announces steps to spur recovery of tourism sector Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a series of initiatives this week to help the tourism sector recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19.

Joined by hotel managers and leaders from the Hotel Association of Los Angeles, the L.A. Tourism and Convention Board, and the L.A. Tourism Marketing District, the Mayor hosted a roundtable discussion yesterday to highlight the City’s efforts to bring back jobs, visitors, and growth to the local hospitality industry. Key steps include $5 million to support a national marketing campaign; the creation of a Los Angeles Tourism Cabinet; and federal advocacy efforts to call for more funding for tourism and guidelines for international visitation.

“Tourism and hospitality were decimated by the pandemic — and if we want L.A.’s economy to speed into a lasting recovery, we GARCETTI

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THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FELLOW FILIPINO-AMERICANS

Governor Newsom takes action to respond to drought conditions

With much of the West experiencing drought conditions and California squarely in a second consecutive dry year, Governor Gavin Newson today directed state agencies to take immediate action to bolster drought resilience and prepare for impacts on communities, businesses and ecosystems if dry conditions extend to a third year.

Governor Gavin Newsom speaks on a podium placed on the dried up portion of Lake Mendocino.

In addition, the Governor proclaimed a regional drought emergency for the Russian River watershed in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, where reservoirs are at record lows following two critically dry years and accelerated action may be needed to protect public health, safety and the environment.

“California is facing the familiar reality of drought conditions, and we know the importance of acting early to anticipate and

mitigate the most severe impacts where possible,” Governor Newsom said.

“Climate change is intensifying both the frequency and the severity of dry periods. This ‘new normal’ gives urgency to building drought resilience in regions across the state and preparing for what may be a prolonged drought at our doorstep.”

With an extremely low Lake Mendocino as a backdrop, the Governor today announced that he is directing state agencies GOVERNOR

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US works with PH to improve AFP civil military units ordered to assist maritime awareness, security community pantries — Sobejana

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The United States media roundtable Thursday.

Embassy in Manila said Washington is "There's no greater existential threat to working with the Philippines to strength- the environment and livelihood of fisheren its maritime domain awareness and folk than the destruction of rich marine ability to secure its territory amid reports ecosystem in the West Philippine Sea," of illegal fishing in the West he added.

Philippines Sea. Law cited a report that ilEmbassy Chargé d'Affaires legally caught fish in PhilipJohn Law said the US governpine waters is estimated to be ment shares the country’s conworth PHP63 billion a year cerns over environmental deand that about 40 percent of struction as well as the illegal, the fish caught in 2019 "may unreported, and unregulated well have been illegally fished".

(IUU) fishing in its waters.

"That why in addition to "Encountering illegal and supporting environmental unreported or IUU fishing initiatives, the US is also Chargé d’Affaires remains a top priority for working with the Philippines John C. Law the US and through USAID to strengthen the country's (United States Agency for International maritime domain awareness and ability Development), we are stepping up our part- to secure its territory," he said. nership with the Philippines to promote Meanwhile, he echoed the statement sustainable fishing practices and enhance of State Secretary Antony Blinken that a the well-being of Filipinos dependent on "strong Philippine-US alliance is vital to a this critical resource," he said in a virtual free and open Indo-Pacific region." (MNS)

M A N I L A ( M a b u h a y) — Armed Forces chief General Cirilito Sobejana on Thursday said he has ordered the Civil-Military Operations Office (J7) support various community pantries that appeared across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a press conference, Sobejana said the military organization will support existing community pantries by providing food and allotting funds for their initiative.

“I already directed my J7 to issue a directive to all our units to organize themselves particularly the civil military operations unit and support this kind

of undertaking among the other partners in the society,” he said.

The military leader made the order amid accusations that government security forces, including the police, have been linking organizers of community pantries to communist rebels.

A number of government officials, as well as Malacañang, have come to the organizers' side, saying such initiative should be supported.

Sobejana said he is planning to convince the members to donate their subsistence allowance for one day to the funds of community pantries.

According to Sobejana,

the military will also set up their own community pantries or similar projects in areas where such help has yet to be offered.

He said they will identify areas that are most affected by the lockdown in light of the spread of COVID-19.

Government anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. had earlier admitted they are checking the backgrounds of community pantry organizers.

According to him, some leftist groups have been exploiting the community pantry initiative for propaganda purposes and undermine the government.

(MNS)

Covid-19 vax not for profit-making — NTF MANILA (Mabuhay) — National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. made it clear during the Palace press briefing on Thursday that the government allows the private sector to pool in resources "at the cost" of the companies "for added volume of the Covid-19 vaccine.”

"It is clear in the national vaccination program that there should no resale and there should be no commercialization terms

under emergency use authorization,” he said. "It is very specific in contracts under the tripartite agreement that there will be no diversion. There will be no resale."

Private companies must observe the equitable distribution of vaccines and avoid "privilege access" as much as possible, he added.

"Just in case the dependents will be included, it would be given at cost," he said.

Covid-19 vaccines with

emergency use authorization are limited for consumption only during the pandemic and should not be for commercial use.

Galvez said private companies proven engaged in diversion or reselling Covid-19 vaccines will face criminal charges under "breach of contract."

Private companies which have signed tripar tite agreements with the government have so far "preserved their integrity,” he noted. (MNS)

LINING UP FOR AID. Several Manila residents line up to gets free food items like

vegetables, eggs, fruits at a community pantry put up at the San Beda University in Mendiola. Many community pantries have mushroomed in different parts of the country amid the pandemic. (MNS photo)

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

Fil-Am

Community Visit www.Balita.com

Saturday-Friday | April 24 - 30, 2021

McDonald’s and BTS Partner to Offer the Supergroup’s Favorite Order The BTS Meal Will Hit Participating U.S. Restaurants Starting May 26

(CHICAGO – April 19, 2021) – Get ready, because the Golden Arches are about to shine even brighter thanks to a new collab with 21st century global pop icons, BTS. This one-of-a-kind menu “tour” officially kicks off on May 26 in the U.S., when customers can enjoy the BTS Meal at participating restaurants nationwide.

The superstar band’s signature order includes a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets®, medium World Famous Fries®, medium Coke®, and for the first time ever in the U.S., Sweet Chili and Cajun dipping sauces inspired by popular recipes from McDonald’s South Korea (cue even more ecstatic celebrating!).

“The band has great memories with McDonald’s. We’re excited about this collaboration and can’t wait to share the BTS Meal with the world,” says

BIGHIT MUSIC, label of BTS. Since 2013, BTS has topped charts and brought people together from all over the world through their music and positive messages. Following the successful launch of McDonald’s celebrity signature orders program last year, BTS is the latest icon to have their signature menu items featured at participating restaurants.

However, they’ll be the first celebs to share their order with customers worldwide.

That’s right… for the first time since McDonald’s launched celebrity signature orders, the BTS Meal will be available globally in nearly 50 countries.

O ver t he ne x t fe w months, customers everywhere will find themselves that much closer to their favorite artists. You can find a full list of participating countries as well as

dates for meal availability below.

“BTS truly lights up the world stage, uniting people across the globe through their music,” said Morgan Flatley, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s USA. “We’re excited to bring customers even closer to their beloved band in a way only McDonald’s can – through our delicious food – when we introduce the BTS signature order on our menu next month."

U.S. customers will be able to order the BTS Meal in-restaurant, through contactless mobile order and pay in the McDonald’s App, at the Drive Thru or via McDelivery. So mark your calendars for May 26, and be sure to keep an eye out on McDonald’s social channels (@mcdonalds) for regular updates on the collab, including even more surprises in the coming weeks!

About McDonald’s USA McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to nearly 25 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

‘Adobers’ and Assembly candidate want to connect with Fil-Am Community

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he Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Tri-County (Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties) continues to advocate for all businesses, providing opportunities for growth to increase their competitiveness in the market place. Under the mentorship of President Emeritus Merwynn Montenegro, current president Carmela Cosio-Giliberto doesn’t only have one Zoom meeting a month but three: Mixer, Workshop, and Board meeting, on the first, second and third Wednesdays, respectively. Carmela leads her Chamber to support and enhance all businesses that serve diversified communities.

One of those businesses is ‘Adobers,’ founded in 2020, by Jv Libunao, a web design and development expert.

“The name Adobers,” said Jv, “came from my experience of moving to LA where most non-Filipino people I have encountered have always associated Filipinos to adobo.” He named the platform Adobo Marketplace but after twisting his tongue multiple times in sharing the name, he thought it’s time to make it short and memorable. Since Adobers is about Filipino business owners, and community members and supporters, he took the “Adob” and combined it with “ers.” Hence

the name Adobers!

“Our goal is to inspire the Filipino community in the US to connect with Filipino-owned businesses,” added Jv. After some time, he connected with Demeven Quirino, an IT professional, who also runs his printing and clothing business from where the two met. They discovered that they share the same vision: to represent

all Filipinos from different industries in various states to elevate the community.

“Adobers.net is an online resource,” said Demeven, “designed to preserve and cultivate the ‘Filipino Connection’ in the US by providing an easy to use directory platform for business owners and community members which later on evolved to include events, personalities and our rich culture.”

But Adobers is more than just a directory. It is a community where people build connections with each other. Jv and Demeven’s vision is to see community members interacting and supporting each other through this platform. And their mission is to nourish that connection to share what Filipinos are capable of and made of.

Jv and Dem are working hard continuously to bring Filipinos in the US together through a technology that exists but has not been maximized by Filipino-Americans. They hope that one day they will be able to represent all Filipino-owned businesses and community members through their platform in the US and who knows, even the whole world.

For more information, contact Jv and Dem at www.adobers.net; email info@ adobers.net; and phone 707.931.1363.

That’s why our campaign has been endorsed by the California Legislative Black Caucus; State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, and Black Women Organized for Political Action.

My ability to hit the ground running on day one comes from my lived experience as the daughter of activists, being raised by a strong single working mother who taught me how to seek justice through service, and my career advocating for students and working families in our East Bay community.

After moving to Alameda more than 20 years ago, I worked for and led sever-

al nonprofit organizations focused on improving outcomes for low-income children.

I’ve been proud to serve as President of the Alameda Unified School District Board, especially in this time of crisis caused by the pandemic.

As the CEO of Oakland Promise, a cradle-to-college and career preparation initiative across Oakland public schools, I have seen firsthand how the systems in our state – from education and the criminal justice system to health care and housing – often fail to provide for all Californians.

As a community leader, I’ve worked to translate the needed change we seek into

Jv (left) and Demeven

Mia Bonta

Message from Mia Bonta I am thrilled to announce that I am running to represent the 18th District communities of Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro in the California State Assembly.

I’m running to give a voice to East Bay children and working families who have been left behind by the pandemic – all while millionaires and billionaires have gained unprecedented wealth. In Sacramento, I will further advance the progressive legacy of our district in fighting for social, racial, environmental, and economic justice, and seek structural change for communities that for too long have been denied the resources and opportunities to thrive.

The Bonta Family statewide policy. Now, with your help, we can change those systems from the inside. This special election campaign will not be easy and I’m humbly asking for your support so we can hit the ground running. Thank you for your support.

For more information, visit www.MiaBonta. com. If you want to get involved, sign up to be part of #teamMia.

Community

Saturday-Friday | April 24 - 30, 2021

Bipartisan group of 12 governors call Fed to accelerate clean vehicle transition On the eve of Earth Day and President Biden’s climate leaders summit, California Governor Gavin Newsom has joined a bipartisan group of 12 governors from across the country calling for the Biden Administration to build on its early action to tackle climate change by creating a path to ensure that all new vehicles sold in the U.S. will be zero-emission in the near future, and by amplifying states’ investments in ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure.

“By establishing a clear regulatory path to ensuring that all vehicles sold in the United States are zero-emission, we can finally clear the air and create high-road jobs.

Moving quickly towards a zero-emission transportation future will protect the health of all communities,” wrote the governors in a joint letter.

“With bold federal leadership, American workers will lead the way in designing, building and driving clean and affordable vehicles.”

The letter – signed by Governor Newsom and the governors of Connecticut, Hawai�i, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington – calls on the Administration to bolster the clean vehicle transition’s growing momentum nationwide by setting standards to require all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold to be zero-emission by 2035 and all new medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles sold to be zero-emission by 2045.

Recognizing that a growing number of automakers are pledging to produce exclusively zero-emission vehicles, the governors

underscored the importance of strong federal support to capitalize on the opportunity for the nation to lead in the global ZEV marketplace while creating good jobs for American workers. ZEVs are California’s top export and the industry has created 70,000 jobs in the state.

The governors highlighted how American Jobs Plan investments could be used to support the growing market through scaling up the development of ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure, enhancing the investments already made by states.

They also requested expanded tax credits to support the manufacturing of zero-emissions trucks, buses and charging stations and funding to promote equitable access to ZEVs and transportation electrification at the local level.

The letter outlines the states’ ambitious ZEV commitments and progress toward transportation electrification, including California’s order requiring all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035. The governors called on the Biden Administration to quickly restore scientifically-based vehicle emission standards challenged by the prior administration and reaffirm that states can opt to follow California’s standards.

As part of U.S. Climate Action Week, Governor Newsom – co-chair of the U.S. Climate Alliance – will deliver remarks later today in a virtual event with National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy and other leaders highlighting the importance of state-federal collaboration to advance a sustainable and equitable green economy.

FACT SHEET

Urgent Need and Call to Action at Virtual Town Hall for Early Childhood Education & Child Care in Crisis ● California’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Coalition hosted a virtual town hall on Tuesday, April 13 for advocates and concerned parents to learn more about current issues facing child care programs, and the urgent need for support statewide. ● The essential infrastructure of child care continues to navigate through unprecedented circumstances as the COVID-19 pandemic carries into 2021. ● The town hall brought together thought leaders and advocates in the ECE space, as well as concerned parents, for an interactive discussion around the current state of child care in California, and what everyone can do to help ensure a robust child care system for thousands of families. ● As of January 2021, 8,330 of 33,540 licensed centers and family child care programs in California have closed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. ● That loss equates to approximately 25% of licensed child care programs closing in the last year, further impacting an industry that was already on shaky ground before the pandemic. ● If this figure wasn’t staggering enough, the loss of more than 150,000 child care jobs signals a harsh reality for families needing child care to be able to work. ● As a result, many families, especially women, are having to choose between keeping their employment or reducing their hours to ensure their young children receive care.

According to data from the EDD Labor Market Information Division (LMID), the unemployment rate among women in the state increased more than two and a half times, from 4.1% in De-

cember 2019 to 11.0% in December 2020. In comparison, the unemployment rate for men increased from 4.1% to 9.5% during the same time. ● As the state begins to reopen businesses and millions of people return to work, this much-reduced child care workforce means there are only approximately 116,000 licensed child care professionals available to provide services to more than 2.8 million children in California – from birth to five years of age. ● Moreover, the state’s child care system has for decades functioned in survival mode, barely able to make it from year-to-year, and for many during the pandemic, it’s been month-to-month. ● The operational costs have soared with increased costs for cleaning/disinfecting supplies and PPEs for staff, administrators and students. Of those that have remained open, many are at risk of financial collapse. ● This model is not sustainable. Child care providers cannot survive with such low enrollment and still be expected to provide high-quality, personal attention with reduced staff or staff hours. ● As the state grapples with the after effects of the pandemic, it is clear that child care providers are on the front lines of the recovery, without them California workers cannot return in fullforce to fuel the state’s economic engine. ● Therefore, it is imperative that the child care system is supported in the immediate, and long-term, through adequate allocations in the state’s budget and state legislation to support and protect child care providers. ● You can view the Town Hall here: FACEBOOK STREAM

The ECE Coalition is a partnership of organizations fighting for access to quality early care and education for all of California’s low-income kids and families.

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City Council confirms Fil-Am as Bureau of Street Lighting Director

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he Los Angeles City Council today confirmed the appointment of Miguel Sangalang as the new Director of the Bureau of Street Lighting (LA Lights).

“Miguel is a proven leader with an innovative approach and the expertise to make our communities safer, more livable and more equitable through our street lighting infrastructure,” said Los Angeles Board of Public Works Vice President Aura Garcia. “As the new director of LA Lights, Miguel will continue to passionately serve Angelenos and guide the future of street lighting and emerging technologies.”

As Director of LA Lights, Sangalang will take a lead role in the upkeep and improvement of the city’s 220,000 street lighting infrastructure assets, closing the digital divide and the adoption of new tools and practices to ensure the city meets the needs of its residents now and into the future.

Sangalang previously served as Deputy Mayor for Budget & Innovation for Mayor Eric Garcetti. He directly oversaw the annual city budget, performance management, personnel, risk management, procurement reform, technology infrastructure, as well as sustainability, equity in service, gender equity, data, emerging technologies and the local implementation of Census 2020.

"Working to make Los Angeles a better place to live has been both humbling and a great joy and I am deeply honored

by Mayor Garcetti's and City Council's confidence in my abilities to do more in this new role," said Sangalang. “I am excited to work with the women and men of Street Lighting to make our lights not just infrastructure, but neighborhood assets that are essential components of quality of life and a shining reflection of our communities."

With more than 13 years in public service, Sangalang has been instrumental

Miguel Sangalang, the new Director of the Bureau of Street Lighting (LA Lights).

in shepherding high priority initiatives.

Some of his earlier work for Mayor Garcetti includes CleanStat, which changed the approach to illegal dumping cleaning from a reactive, request-drive process, to a proactive, data-driven model, and MyVoiceLA, the city’s first centralized reporting tool for harassment and discrimination.

He led the creation of the city’s open data portal early on in the administration and helped lead the City to certification as Platinum for ISO37120 (indicators for a sustainable city and quality of life), Gold certification for What Works Cities, and three recognitions as the #1 digital city

by Govtech.

He has also been an ardent champion of transformative technologies for city operations and helped prepare Los Angeles’ pandemic response by investing in strategic technologies, such as backbone server and network infrastructure, the new mobile worker program, and most recently, the Angeleno Account and Connect.

Pilipino po tayo!

LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH U. REYES, P.C. ATTORNEY-AT-LAW

*Certified Family Law Specialist The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization - Certified Family Law Specialist - Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) -J.D Southwestern University Law School Los Angeles, CA - B.S Accounting California State University, San Bernardino, CA

CALL OR E-MAIL FOR AN APPOINTMENT 213-204-6366 or

kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com

FAMILY LAW - Divorce - Community Property Division - Child Custody and Spousal Support - Domestic Violence Restraining Order - Legal Separation and Nullity - Parentage - Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

IMMIGRATION - Marriage Petitions - Relative Petitions - Removal of Condtional Green Card - Humanitarian Reinstatements - Child Status Protection Act Issues - Deportation Defense - Employment Based Petitions and PERM - H-1B Visas

ESTATES AND TRUST - Living Trust - Wills - Probate - Conservatorship CIVIL LITIGATION - Contract Disputes - Business Disputes - Corporate and Partnership Disputes

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Saturday-Friday | April 24 - 30, 2021

1,600 schools open in LA County for in-classroom instruction

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bout 77% of public school districts and 43% of private and charter schools (or more than 1,600 schools) have opened in Los Angeles County for in-classroom instruction.

L.A. County Health Director Barbara Ferrer reported during a regular news conference on Monday that the majority of the schools have higher than 80% compliance to health protocols.

The L.A. Unified School District has required schools to require students to get coronavirus tests before their campuses reopen.

Public schools have upgraded air filters and added numbers to their custodial staff to make sure campuses are cleaned and disinfected.

Infection rates in schools are generally low to infection rates in communities.

Health officials added that infection rates usually corresponded with what was happening with the community.

“COVID transmission, amongst school staff is driven not so much by their exposure to infection at the school, but primarily by exposure in the community. Whenever community transmission rates were high, there were more cases at schools,” Ferrer explained.

On Wednesday (April 21) the county reported the lowest daily coronavirus test positivity rate since the pandemic began more than a year ago.

The positivity rate stood at 0.8 % on Wednesday.

Countywide, COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have stabilized over the past few weeks and are at much lower levels than they were during the winter surge.

a mother and son walk through a sidewalk in front of the Beethoven School in Mar vista, Los angeles. the Los angeles Unified School District has begun a phased-in reopening on Monday after more than a year of pandemic-forced school closures. the youngest elementary school students will be welcomed back to campus first.

Middle and high school campuses will reopen on april 26.

Photo by aBner GaLino

"Frontline workers have earned and deserve the path to citizenship"

By JENNY MANRIQUE

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ive million essential workers, who have put their lives at risk during the pandemic working in more than a dozen vital industries such as healthcare, agriculture, childcare and domestic service, could become citizens if the first piece of legislation introduced by Senator Alex Padilla, is approved.

On January 20th, Alex Padilla was sworn in as California ́s Junior Senator, the first Latino in that position in the state's history.

Governor Gavin Newsom appointed him to the vacant seat left by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

Padilla, as the Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Safety, his first bill wants to honor not only the efforts of those front-line workers during COVID-19, but those of his own parents who migrated from Chihuahua, Mexico to the

US in the 1960s.

“For 40 years my father worked as a short order cook while my mom was cleaning houses,” said Padilla during an exclusive interview with ethnic reporters hosted by Ethnic Media Services.

“It was honest hard work in their pursuit of the American dream. With that work they raised three children and gave us an education.”

The Padilla siblings grew up in the working-class community of Pacoima, California. His older sister Julie works in education and his younger brother Ackley is chief of staff for Councilwoman Nury Martinez on the Los Angeles City Council, where Padilla began his political career. He then was elected as a State Senator and subsequently became California's first Latino Secretary of State between 2015 and 2021.

“For more than a year now we’ve all been through this COVID-19 pandemic ContinUeD on PaGe 16

Governor... from paGe 1 to work with regional and local governments – including groundwater sustainability agencies – to identify watersheds, communities, public water systems and ecosystems that may require coordinated state and local actions to address drought impacts and protect people, natural resources and economic activity.

To encourage Californians to reduce water use and conserve supplies in case drought conditions continue next year, the proclamation also directs state agencies to partner with local water suppliers to promote conservation tips and messages through the Save Our Water campaign. The campaign and website were critical resources for Californians during the 2012-2016 drought and remain a trusted information source on using water wisely.

The proclamation directs additional actions to coordinate with California Native American tribes; accelerate funding for water supply enhancement, conservation and species protection projects; work with counties to encourage and track reporting of household water shortages including dry residential wells; provide technical and financial assistance for water systems at risk of water shortages; support the agricultural economy and food security; and evaluate and take action to protect terrestrial and aquatic species.

To address acute drought impacts in the Russian River watershed, the proclamation directs the State Water Board to consider modifying requirements for reservoir releases or diversion limitations to ensure adequate supplies for critical purposes. The regional state of emergency also enables flexibilities in regulatory requirements and procurement processes to mitigate drought impacts.

Under the Governor’s direction, state agencies have been working together since November to prepare for continued dry conditions. The Governor recently formalized that coordination through the Drought Resilience Task Force, which includes the Natural Resources Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Food and Agriculture, Department of Water Resources, Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Finance, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California Health and Human Services Agency, California Public Utilities Commission and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

Other recent actions by state agencies to address dry conditions include: The state has launched a new drought preparedness website detailing current condi-

tions, the state’s response and informational resources for the public.

The State Water Board has identified water suppliers at extreme financial risk that may need additional support due to the combined impacts of COVID and drought.

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has updated its Dry Well website that tracks reports of water supply outages.

DWR has drafted a Drought Contingency Plan that explains how it will manage the State Water Project in a manner that protects fish and wildlife.

The State Water Board has issued letters to approximately 40,000 water right holders across the state, advising them to plan for potential shortages by closely managing water use.

Last month, DWR released a report, prepared with extensive stakeholder involvement, that evaluates the water shortage risk of more than 4,000 small water providers.

Informed by that report, this month the State Water Board completed its first-ever comprehensive look at California water systems that are struggling to provide safe drinking water to communities and how to help them.

The assessment identifies both failing water systems and those at risk of failing, offering the most in-depth view of long-term drinking water safety the state has ever had.

CDFA is coordinating closely with the USDA to provide aid to growers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife is working with California Native American tribes and commercial and recreational salmon representatives to manage impacts to iconic salmon in the basin.

The 2012-2016 drought helped usher in some important water resilience policies that position the state to better handle another drought. These include: Enactment in 2014 of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act to require and empower local agencies to bring overdrafted groundwater basins into sustainable conditions by 2042.

Enactment of legislation to establish new standards for indoor, outdoor and industrial use of water.

Funding for disadvantaged communities lacking access to safe drinking water through the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Act. Increase in the frequency of water use reporting.

Expanded state authority to order failing public water systems to consolidate with better-run systems.

Tighter landscape efficiency standards for new developments.

Saturday-Friday | April 24 - 30, 2021

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Global traveler recalls how to live simple, uncomplicated lives

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mong her worldwide travels across the globe, whose exact number is now 295 countries, Lourdes "Odette" Ricasa has a special place she always likes going back to, and that is the continent of Africa, which comprises 53 countries. On her 2013 trip, she recalls visiting Burkina Faso, which is surrounded by the countries of the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Togo. Her purpose of going there was to see the metallurgical sites and once again experience living simple and uncomplicated life.

Brave and adventurous as she always is, she flew 28 hours with stopovers from Los Angeles to Dakar, Senegal and stayed in Dakar for five nights, then proceeded flying 16 hours to Ouagadougou Airport, Burkina Faso. From the airport, she hired a taxi, whose driver became her tour guide, recommended by the Manager of the Palace Hotel where she was booked for her entire trip.

It was fascinating to listen to Odette's travel adventures there. Here is her story on Burkina Faso and her experience on their way of simple, uncomplicated life.

"Situated near the borders of Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Togo in Africa, the capital city of Ouagadougou, had less and less roads. Instead, there mainly were tracks made of laterite, a soil rich in aluminum and iron - thus, its very red color is a collection of ancient ferrous metallurgy sites.

These sites were located across five regions of the Nord and Centre Nordregions of Burkina Faso, where iron was extracted from ore. Initially, the ores were crushed into small pieces which were then roasted to concentrate the iron content. Thus, the roasted ore went into the blast furnace for smelting. The oldest of these structures were dated from roughly 800 BC, making them the most ancient known examples of metallurgy in Burkina Faso, where in 2019, the sites were registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, because of the exemplary evidence of ancient metalworking.

Driving through the country roads, the dust clouds made by the cars, buses and trucks passing by, were heavy and cover

a person very quickly (don't expect your clothes to remain clean). As a matter of fact, my cotton gauze dress became pink!

Thus, the following day, I avoided to wear white T-shirts. Though I had my personal cab driver/tour guide with me from the hotel, noticeably, people go from one place to another, by riding in a collective bus (like jeepneys), Zebus cross the roads (Zebus were humped cattles who have distinctive species of fatty humps on their shoulders and drooping ears.)

Here, the heartbeat of local life was felt through its movement, its speed, where people were always "on the move." The tracks were never empty, and we met a lot of people riding bikes or motorbikes or just walking along the paths.

While there, I decided to try their delicacy - which was Zebu meat on skewers. with sesame and to my surprise, my tongue experienced the promise of pleasure. The meat tasted like skewers of heavenly fillet

Burkina Faso Africa cattle Zebu meat mignon!

Along the compass point: we saw wood and grass huts, a lady with a big basket of bread balanced on her head, children bathing out of a spewing fire hydrant, men zoomed by on motor bikes with drum barrels of water. There were Barber shops, Bicycle repair shops and Cut-up meat for sale on tables, under the heat of the sun.

#StopAsianHate: A message to Asian American and Pacific Islander employees, customers and communities We stand with you.

U.S. Bank stands with our Asian American and Asian Pacific Islander employees, customers and communities, condemning recent violence and xenophobia. We have zero tolerance for harassment or intimidation in our organization. Diversity, equity and inclusion are core to everything we do at U.S. Bank, and we pledge to do our part to combat biases and acts of violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Last year, U.S. Bank joined Ascend (#AscendTogether) and their partners, Catalyst, Executive Leadership Council (ELC), Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR), National Organization on Disability (NOD) and Out & Equal as a Supporting Company on a five-point COVID-19 response Action Agenda to promote inclusion, raise awareness, denounce bias, support communities and give donations.

Today, U.S. Bank announces that we’re increasing our support of Ascend. The funding will go toward programming that educates professionals on bias, including the “model minority” myth.

“The continued violence and hatred toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will not and should not be tolerated,” said Greg Cunningham, U.S. Bank Chief Diversity Officer. “We will stand with our Asian American and Pacific Islander employees, customers and communities in partnership with organizations like Ascend to promote inclusion and denounce systemic bias and racism. Our work is never done.”

About U.S. Bank U.S. Bancorp, with nearly 70,000 employees and $554 billion in assets as of December 31, 2020, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. The Minneapolis-based bank blends its relationship teams, branches and ATM network with digital tools that allow customers to bank when, where and how they prefer. U.S. Bank is committed to serving its millions of retail, business, wealth management, payment, commercial, corporate, and investment customers across the country and around the world as a trusted and responsible financial partner. This commitment continues to earn a spot on the Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies list and puts U.S. Bank in the top 5% of global companies assessed on the CDP A List for climate change action. Visit usbank.com for more.

There was an abundance of sidewalk vegetable vendors, such as: long-stemmed green bean stalks, legumes, berries, apples, oranges, heaps of melons and my favorite cashews.

Surprisingly, to my amazement, at the end of this fascinating trip, Burkina Faso has a major expanse of Sudano-Sahelian savannah, with vegetation types including grasslands. shrub-like trees, wooded and extensive forests. And of course, not to be missed were the sugar bowl of extensive photogenic scenes and the total rush of additives. Overall, this trip has been such a memorable one that is now embedded in my memory on how we can all live simple, uncomplicated lives and I surely will go back again if only to savor the peaceful lives these people have.

Burkina Faso delicacy: Zebu Meat Skewers

Lourdes "Odette" Ricasa, world traveler of 295 countries

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At 60 do I still want to own a house?

CALLER: Hi Ken, I have been following your columns for many years and they are very informative and delightful. I am turning 60 and wanting to buy a home again, I am retiring in a couple more years and would like your opinion on this subject. I sold my house in 2006 because I read your article about cashing out profits because the market was getting too hot and a possible melt down in the RE market is inevitable. I am really grateful that I followed my instinct and sold it back then. I have been renting at a very low price since, there are only two of us and our children are all grown already. I am very happy now but been getting a lot of solicitation to buy a house from different people. Please give me your honest opinion.

Ken: Thanks so much for the message and I am so happy that at least one person did listen to my advice back then when the entire market was ignoring any signs of a huge bubble.

Since both of you are retied and I feel like your retirement income will just eat away any possibility of both of you enjoying your retirement. I am going to suggest that you just continue to rent. Your retirement income is enough for a descent rental apartment but not enough for a descent home mortgage payment, you do have savings for a down payment but I wanted you to keep that deposit as your emergency funds, if you deplete your savings put in into a house and still have to pay more than half of your retirement into a mortgage. I am afraid that

it might be too tight for you, what if you have to fix something and keep up with the maintenance of the house?

With a house you will be left with a very little spendable income and almost no emergency funds.

I suggest for you to continue to rent, keep the savings and enjoy your full retirement in a couple of years. If my calculations are correct you can enjoy a minimum of one trip back home to the Philippines every year with plenty of pasalubong (gifts) and at least 2-3 small weekend trips locally. The Trump government is coming with a tax break that will benefit renters to stay as tenants, I will keep an eye and report to you once the law passes.

Caller: I have a home in Whittier and there is a lot of equity in the house.

I got divorced and I get to keep the house and the mortgage. I am retired and only working part time therefore my total income is less than $1500 a month. I need about $40,000 to keep my property updated and make it livable. Can you help me refinance my home loan and get me some cash out?

Ken: I have been talking to this caller for about 6 months, initially I already requested her to get a line of credit from a Credit Union to fix her roof and garage because it was so bad that you can actually see the sky thru holes in the garage. I had mention to her prior that she will not be able to get descent financing even though she has about $350K equity in the house. Her actual retirement income is not enough for her to qualify for any

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amount. She can't even qualify for her own existing loan. She did get a $25K line of credit that was good prior but because she was so worried to borrow more money back then, she just opt to get $25K out, now that she realized that she needed more work on the house, she is left with no other option.

She does not want to sell because she has been there for over 40 years but now she can't take any of the equity out because she can't qualify.

This is a very common situation now, where retired homeowners have all their equity invested in their homes but they can’t use the equity.

They are struggling check to check and have no other way to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Retired homeowners are also very conservative where they don’t want to keep taking money out, they are old school investors and they still believe in savings and paying off home mortgages.

Here is a dash of this new century mentality into that thought. If that was me, I would sell the house and use the proceeds to buy smaller house

cash and enjoy the rest of the money slowly. I have to assume I still have a descent retirement income and that money is to basically do longer trips and enjoy better thing in life while I can. But of course, for me easier said than done, these homeowners might have a lot of emotional attachments and memories towards this real estate hence, would not like to let go. I seriously understand, but I also see them struggling and settling for a lot less than what they deserve. We all work hard and our efforts deserve to be compensated regardless of mistakes done or mishaps, hard work is still hard work and can’t be replaced.

My advice to more mature homeowners, a house turns into a home when you live in it. You should consider other change to suit your financial needs and change is good.

Thanks for your comments and support, please feel free to call Ken Go at 1st Innovative Finance Group at 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net. BRE 01021223 NMLS 238636

Is Filing Bankruptcy Your Best Option?

THIS is one thing I hear from people all the time: “If you ask me, I really hate doing this, but I feel I have no choice.”

Of course, no one ever wakes up one morning and decide to just file bankruptcy without seriously thinking it over. Usually, people spend a lot of time going over this option in their head before deciding and the questions seem endless.

What will happen to me and my family if I file bankruptcy? Can I keep my home, car, and other assets? Is this going to ruin me forever? How long will the bankruptcy stay on my credit?

Even picking up the phone to call an attorney can be a scary thing for most people because they have never had to deal with the legal system or any court their entire life. That’s understandable when you are dealing with something you are not familiar with.

However, waiting too long to seek legal help can also backfire. Property can be lost. Creditors may get the upper hand and take advantage of the fact that you don’t know your legal rights.

I always tell people that bankruptcy laws were created to protect people, not hurt them. This is one area of the law where you can use the legal system to your advantage if you really need help.

A lot of people who file for debt relief also go through a wide range of emotions. Most of them, of course, are relieved to find out that they do not need to struggle with their debt problems anymore and that they could finally start over.

Life becomes normal once again. They don’t need to be afraid of picking up the phone anymore or opening their mailbox not knowing what they may find. Finally, these people can open a bank account again and start saving for the future.

As I said, a lot of people who end up filing for Bankruptcy usually do so as a last resort. Deciding to file right away may not be the best thing to do in some situations. In other cases, it is necessary to file immediately in order to protect property, wages, bank accounts and other assets from being taken by creditors.

An experienced Bankruptcy attorney should be consulted without delay when there are doubts as to when a case should be filed. This is especially true when you have a lot of assets that may be at risk if creditors file lawsuits.

Once a creditor obtains a judgment, that creditor may proceed to place a lien against property that you own, garnish your wages or clean out your bank accounts.

Listen to me! You may be broke but you don’t have to be broken. If you are honestly doing your best to pay your creditors but simply can’t, the law provides a remedy for your situation.

Being bankrupt is not a conscious choice that people make but rather a negative consequence of poor financial decisions that have already been made in the past. But the past is gone and life must go on.

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How to obtain Custody and Visitation Rights for Unmarried Dads ESTABLISHING parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child. Family Code §7610.

Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic w it h unma r r ied Dads because proving yourself as the biological father does not automatically make you the natural father of the child.

Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of paternity which allows the non biological father to be deemed the natural father of the child.

A typical situation is when boyfriend gets girlfriend pregnant. Girlfriend for some reason decides to exclude boyfriend from baby's life so she breaks up with boyfriend, does not give the boyfriend any information about her delivery, and does not state the boyfriend as the father in the birth certificate or decides to name someone else as the father. Girlfriend does this because her parents disapprove of the ex boyfriend.

One way a presumption of Paternity is created is by executing a voluntary declaration of paternity.

A Voluntary declarations executed before 1997 give rise to a conclusive presumption of paternity and can be overcome only by blood or genetic tests ordered on noticed motion by the mother or presumed father must be made within three years of the date of execution of the voluntary declaration Family.Code. § 7576; Kevin Q. v.

Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th 1119, 1133, 95 CR3d 477, 485 If the voluntary declaration of paternity is executed after 1996, it is not characterized as a conclusive presumption. Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court of competent jurisdiction” and trumps §7611 presumptions discussed below. A post 1996 voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be recognized as a basis for the establishment of an order for child custody, visitation, or child support.”

Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th at 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re J.L. (2008) 159 CA4th 1010, 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33.

Another way of establishing presumed father status is if you fall under any of the categories listed (a) to (f) under family code §7611: (a) He and the child's natural mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce, or after a judgment of separation is entered by a court. (b) Before the child's birth, he and the child's natural mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the

MINDING YOUR FINANCES… FROM PAGE 6 If you’ve made some mistakes (who hasn’t?) in the past, be willing to accept responsibility for where you are, forgive yourself and then move on. Accept the fact that you may need to file bankruptcy even if you don’t want to- if that’s your only hope of starting over.

When appropriate, Bankruptcy may allow you to turn your situation around and help you get your life back on track.

I have seen countless cases where Bankruptcy relief helped people save their businesses, their homes, their property and even their marriages. NOTE: Due to COVID-19 concerns, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE OR VIDEO to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems.

(None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772).

following is true: (1) If the attempted marriage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage, or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce.

(2) If the attempted marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation. (c) After the child's birth, he and the child's natural mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) With his consent, he is named as the child's father on the child's birth certificate.

(2) He is obligated to support the child under a written voluntary promise or by court order. (d) He receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural child. (e) If the child was born and resides in a nation with which the United States engages in an Orderly Departure Program or successor program, he acknowledges that he is the child's father in a declaration under penalty of perjury, as specified in Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This subdivision shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1997, and on that date shall become inoperative. (f) The child is in utero after the death of the decedent and the conditions set forth in Section 249.5 of the Probate Code are satisfied.

An alleged biological father who does not meet any of the § 7611 conditions for presumed father status has no constitutionally-protected “liberty interest” in establishing a parentage relationship with a child as against the rights of a presumptive father who has an extant parentage relationship with the child. Dawn D. v. Super.Ct. (Jerry K.) (1998) 17 C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d 871, 876–877 The facts get even more complicated if the girlfriend, whom boyfriend gets pregnant is married to another man because the law provides a conclusive presumption of paternity to the husband of the girlfriend. Under Family Code §7540, the child of a wife cohabiting at time of conception with her husband, who is not impotent or sterile, is “conclusively” presumed to be a child of the marriage. This conclusive presumption may be

challenged by showing that the husband was sterile. It may also be challenged by filing a motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611 and 7612.

Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute's underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protecting children from the stigma of “illegitimacy,” and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support ... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parent-child relationship is with a third person.

Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200– 1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675.

Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born.

While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may be granted custody and visitation rights.

However, the ex boyfriend would also have the obligation of paying child support based on California guidelines.

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com

SC to resume oral arguments on anti-terror law on April 27 MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Supreme Court (SC) will continue on April 27 the oral arguments on the petitions seeking to nullify the controversial anti-terror law after a month-long suspension due to COVID-19 concerns.

The next oral arguments will be held virtually, according to an advisory released by the SC. “This arrangement shall be pro hac vice [for t h i s oc c a sion only] vis-a-vis these consolidated cases.

Personal appearance before the Court En Banc remains to be the primary mode of conducting oral arguments,” it said.

The SC earlier said the next hearing would take place two weeks after the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila. The National Capital Region shifted

to the less restrictive modified ECQ on April 12.

The high court had previously allowed a limited number of law yers from both parties to physically attend the session in compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols.

The SC has so far conducted four days of oral arguments, with Solicitor General Jose Calida expected to begin his defense of the law in the next session that will be presided over by newly-appointed Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. (MNS)

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CAREGIVERS: Are you ready to claim your overtime in 2021?

OVER the past few years, the attorneys at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson have had the honor of informing hundreds of caregivers about the specific overtime laws that protect caregivers from being overworked and underpaid. Many of these caregivers decided to call us after reading articles on Weekend Balita or finding us on Facebook. https://www. facebook.com/caregiverover time/.

These are some of our favorite calls to receive. And, as a result of these calls, we have been able to help hundreds of caregivers recover millions in unpaid overtime.

We would have been able to help many more caregivers. But the truth is that some caregivers who have suffered wage theft, and been exploited by their employers, do not want to pursue their claims. We have recognized several common fears that prevent caregivers from taking action. If you have been thinking about making an overtime claim, or calling to get more information, please do not hesitate to call us. We want to hear from you.

Here are some of the most common concerns we hear from caregivers and the reasons why these concerns should not prevent you from seeking the overtime compensation you deserve.

1. “I Feel Obligated To My Patient.”

By nature, caregivers are typically caring people. Many private employers take advantage of a caregiver’s compassionate nature and do not pay a fair wage. Many caregivers feel a sense of loyalty or obligation towards their employers that make them reluctant to pursue valid claims.

While these are noble sentiments, it does not change the fact that caregivers who are paid less than the legally required wages are victims of wage theft. In fact, many people who hire in-home caregivers are financially able to pay for caregiving services as required by law, but simply choose not to because they want to save money. We often see the children of elderly patients making efforts to preserve their own inheritance by taking advantage of caregivers. The truth is that the family members are

right to seek the overtime wages due. It is the employer’s obligation to properly classify the employee and withhold state and federal income taxes. If this has not happened, the employer has also violated the law.

obligated to ensure their loved ones are adequately cared for. It is not a caregiver’s obligation to provide care in exchange for a wage that is less than what the law requires.

2. “I Am Afraid Of The Court System And Having A Lawsuit.”

Many private employers refuse to pay caregivers overtime because they believe caregivers are unsophisticated and will not be able to file a legal claim. The legal process can be intimidating and confusing. But that is why the lawyers at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson are here to help.

We know the law and stand ready to help.

3. “I Signed A Document Stating I Am An Independent Contractor.”

It is unlikely that an in-home caregiver is an independent contractor even if there is a signed a document that purports to identity them as a contractor. Still, it is common for private employers to try to convince caregivers they are independent contractors because it is much less costly and much more advantageous for them. The reality is that many private employers misclassify caregivers as independent contractors to avoid paying overtime and other employee benefits.

4. “I Did Not Pay Taxes on The Wages I Did Receive.”

While we recommend that our clients pay all taxes owed for the wages received, if a caregiver has not paid taxes on wages, the caregiver still has the legal

5. “I Do Not Have A Social Security Number.”

You do not need a social security number to recover overtime wages from your employer. If you succeed in your unpaid overtime claim, Chaleff Rehwald Peterson can help you get an ITIN that can be used to pay the taxes owed.

6. “I Am Concerned About Immigration Status.”

California law permits undocumented workers to recover unpaid overtime wages. In our experience, our undocumented clients have not suffered any serious adverse effect from presenting an overtime claim. While we cannot guarantee no problem will arise, we believe the benefit in recovering unpaid overtime far outweighs the risk. Also, we have a relationship with an immigration attorney that can review and possibly assist with your specific immigration situation.

7. “I Do Not Want A Long Court Battle, and May Leave the Country.”

Most cases settle without going to court, and many cases settle within a matter of a few months to a year.

We regularly help caregivers who return to their home countries while the case is ongoing and keep in contact with us via the phone and internet. Because the laws are so strong in favor of the caregiver, most employers seek an early settlement of claims.

If you are working as a caregiver and you are not paid overtime when working more than 9 hours a day, or 45 hours a week, you should consult with CHALEFF REHWALD PETERSON to discuss your rights. We are here to help.

With the penalties, interest, and attorney’s fees allowed, claims can exceed $200,000 for 24-hour caregivers who have worked just one year. Even if you have only worked three to six months, you likely have a valuable claim.

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Daniel Chaleff, employment law attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson. Our office is located at 5855 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 400, Woodland Hills, California. We accept cases throughout all of Northern and Southern California. Our examples are of a general nature and are not a guarantee regarding the outcome of your individual matter. The law firm focuses on caregiver rights. Please call us at (818) 807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation. Please visit us at www.caregiverovertime.com/ to learn more about caregiver overtime law. We offer a 24-hour chat line on our website.

Privacy commission slams ‘unjust’ profiling of community pantry organizers MANILA (Mabuhay) — The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Thursday slammed the “unjust” profiling of community pantry organizers after anti-insurgency spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. likened Maginhawa community pantry organizer Ana Patricia Non to Satan’s act of deception to Eve. Privacy Commissioner Raymund Liboro said the NPC “denounces in the strongest terms any act of unjust profiling of community pantry organizers whom we consider heroes of this pandemic as this may violate their right to privacy.”

“We have always been firm in our stand that unjust profiling activities are unwelcome due to the risks it entails to our citizens, such as discrimination and stereotyping,” Liboro said.

“It is for this reason that we express our grave concerns over the statement of Lieutenant General Parlade Jr. regarding Ms. Ana Patricia Non, likening her selfless act to that of Satan’s,” he said.

In an inter v iew on One News, Parlade said that Non’s act of setting up a community pantry, which inspired other communities to set up their own, as “same with Satan,” when the devil gave an apple to eve.

With this, the Privacy chief said such labels are “unnecessary when the people are struggling to find every means to survive in this pandemic.”

“The unwarranted profiling activities are being carried out against those organizing community pantries in aid of the less fortunate. Despite this good intention, they have

been discouraged from continuing this activity because of red-tagging,” Liboro said.

On Tuesday, Ana Patricia Non announced the temporary closure of her community pantry on Maginhawa, Quezon City, after the alleged profiling and red-tagging by the government.

This was after NTF-ELCAC and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) posted graphics on Facebook apparently linking community pantry initiatives to the communist movement.

Parlade denied the red-tagging accusation but admitted they are checking the background of the organizers of community pantries.

Meanwhile, the QCPD has apologized to the community pantry organizers over its social media post.

JOINT EFFORT. Intramuros, Manila joins the community pantry fray. Tables are set up outside the Manila Cathedral with assorted food items being distributed with the help of two security personnel.

(MNS photo)

The Philippine National Police earlier said it will invest igate t he a lleged red-tagging and unauthorized police profiling of pantry organizers.

“It is during these trying times that we should not, by any means, fuel discrimination against anyone who

has done nothing to deserve such. We must aim to build a united community driven by volunteerism with the genuine desire to help others and the needy,” Liboro said.

“Unjust profiling destroys the Filipino Bayanihan spirit,” he noted. (MNS)

Trust gov’t capability to dispense justice, DOJ tells kin of activists killed in Calabarzon MANILA (Mabuhay) — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has asked the families of activists who were killed in Calabarzon last month to trust the investigation as “reasonable efforts” will be carried out to find out the truth.

Guevarra met on Wednesday with the families of some of those who were killed in simultaneous police operations in Calabarzon and the wife of slain labor leader Dandy Miguel.

During the meeting, Guevarra said the families expressed their deep sorrow over the violent death of their loved ones and their hope that justice would be done.

“The justice secretary explained to them how the

special investigation under AO 35 would proceed and emphasized that much would depend on the willingness to cooperate of all parties concerned,” he said.

“Lastly, the justice secretary assured the victims' families that all reasonable efforts shall be exerted to find out the truth and asked them to trust the integrity of the AO 35 mechanism and its capability to dispense justice.”

Under the AO 35 mechanism, prosecutors will lead a team of investigators from law enforcement agencies to conduct the probe.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes Jr., who accompanied the group to the Department of Justice, earlier said they found the

meeting “very encouraging" because the investigation process and participation of witnesses were clarified.

“The survivors and witnesses also expressed fear for their safety as their communities are militarized.

This should be addressed in the course of the investigation,” he added.

Miguel, vice chairperson of Pamantik-Kilusang Mayo Uno, was shot dead on March 28 in Laguna.

He was among those who filed complaints before the Commission on Human Rights over the deaths of nine activists after police operatives implemented search warrants for illegal possession of firearms and explosives in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal on March 7. (MNS)

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Drilon urges Senate leadership to tackle bill criminalizing ‘red-tagging’ MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Thursday urged the chamber's leadership to tackle the bill he filed which seeks to criminalize “red-tagging.”

“I have filed an anti-red tagging bill, criminalizing and punishing this practice. I urge the Senate leadership to hear this bill as soon as possible,” Drilon said in a text message shared to reporters.

His call came amid the linking of community pantry organizers to communist movements.

In March, Drilon filed Senate Bill 2121 which provides definition to red-tagging and make it punishable by up to 10 years in prison as deterrence “in order to fix the legal gaps, address impunity, and institutionalize a system of accountability.”

Under his bill, the crime of “red-tagging” is defined as the act of labeling, vilifying, branding, naming, accusing, harassing, persecuting, stereotyping, or caricaturing individuals, groups, or organizations as state enemies, left-leaning, subversives, communists, or terrorists as part of a counter-insurgency or anti-terrorism strategy or program, by any state actor, such as law enforcement agent, paramilitary, or military personnel.

Earlier, the Senate national defense panel earlier came out with a report on its inquiry into incidents of “red-tagging,” which said that there is no need for a new law to penalize “red-tagging” thereDigital wereControl enough provisions ISO as 12647-7 Strip 2009 100 60 100 30 100 70 30 100 60 under other judicial remedies for such70 cases.

But in April, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he is now inclined to support the measure seeking to criminalize “red-tagging” after the Senate was accused of 100 100 60employees’ 100 100 70 70 union 30 30 100 100 60 100 100 70 70having 30 30 links with communist rebels.

Drilon likewise called on President Rodrigo Duterte to realign the budget of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) under the 2021 national

budget.

Drilon joined his other colleagues’ call to defund the anti-insurgency task force due to the recent red-tagging of community pantry organizers. “[W]e do not have to wait for the 2022 budget debates to defund NTF-ELCAC. The President should realign the NTF-ELCAC under the 2021 [General Appropriations Act] now. Now na!!

Because as the saying goes: ‘Aanhin mo pa ang damo kung patay na [ang] kabayo?’” Drilon said.

Sotto, however, earlier nixed such proposal.

Instead, he suggested to replace the officials who released “irresponsible statements.”

Drilon was among the senators who opposed the P19-billion appropriations to the NTFELCAC during the Senate budget deliberations, arguing it was “clearly a lump sum pork barrel

SENATOR FRANKLIN DRILON of Malacañang disguised as anti-insurgency funds.”

“The [bicameral conference committee] junked my amendment. For the past weeks, I have been urging the President to realign the anti-insurgency budget to fund the budgeted “ayuda” to the poor. I am glad that my colleagues joined me in that call,” he said. (MNS)

OWWA seeks more funds for repatriation of displaced OFWs MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OW WA) on Wednesday said it needs more funds for the repatriation of overseas Fi lipino workers (OFWs) affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Administrator Hans Leo Cac40 100 40 100 100 70 30 100 40 dac said the remaining funds for the measure amounting to PHP1.4 billion will only last until next month.

100 100 70 70 30 30 100 40 40 100 “Our estimate is40the100depletion of the fund is sometime in the middle of May. From the second to the fourth week of May, possibly on red T:9.75" alert but 3%

A

100 60

B

100 100 60

as of now April 21st, we’re still ed that there are 6,500 OFWs okay. We still have PHP1.4 bil- housed in around 125 hotels. lion,” he said in a virtual forum.

He said there is no timeline The government has allocat- for the release of a new policy ed some PHP11 billion for the for funding for accommodation repatriation, accommodation for OFWs. including food, swab testing, “There is no timeline. Except and transportation of return- to hope for the best and the naing OFWs displaced by the pan- tional government will always demic, to their home regions. 3 find the25way to provide a90solu-100 10 50 75 40 70 40 70 40 40 40 70 40 40 70 40 70 40 40 Cacdac said once their funds tion to our concerns especially run out, they cannot pay for the if the outcome is for the better transport and hotel accommo- protection of our dear OFWs,” dations of the OFWs. Cacdac added.

7.4 7.4 25 19 592,000 19 50 40 40 75OFWs 66 66 100 100have 100 80 70 70 100 10 40 40 20 70 70 70 70 40 70 40 40 0 0 0 0 we 3.1 2.2 2.2 10.2 Some "I'm still optimistic that will not reach that point. I still been assisted by the governbelieve the national govern- ment and are now in their home ment will find a way,” he added. provinces since their repatriaAt present, he also report- tion started in May 2020. (MNS)

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LOS ANGELES EDITION

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BAGONG FORMS NG VIRUS, PAREHO ANG LABAN! Isang napakahabang taon ng pagbabago ang lumipas lamang. At ngayon, pati na ang COVID ay nagbabago—sa mga bagong uri ng virus na tinatawag na variants na mas madaling kumalat. Ngunit isang bagay ang hindi nagbago: ang ating determinasyon na tumulong para pabagalin ang pagkalat ng COVID. Kung mananatili tayong maingat at ipagpapatuloy ang dati nating ginagawa—pagsuot ng masks, pagpapanatili ng 6 feet na distansya sa isa’t isa, pagpabakuna kapag panahon na natin—sama-sama nating kakayaning talunin ang virus na ito.

Alamin ang higit pa sa cdc.gov/coronavirus

Inihahandog sa inyo ng U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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Saturday-Friday | April 24 - 30, 2021

Manila among Southeast Asia's most expensive cities to live in — study MANILA (Mabuhay) — Manila is one of the most expensive cities to live in in six Southeast Asian countries even as its residents have the lowest average salary across the region, a recent study revealed.

Research conducted by e-commerce aggregator iPrice found that the monthly cost of living is estimated at P50,800 for a single person per month, and P28,800 excluding rent.

This is slightly lower than Bangkok's P51,500 per person, and Singapore's which, according to iPrice's study, is

at least 132% higher than the others.

Manila's cost of living is 33% higher than in Kuala Lumpur, and 24% in Jakarta.

Manila's cost of living is higher than its average salary of P18,900 per month, which is the lowest estimated average net salary among the other cities based on Numbeo records.

"Given the prices stated above, it leaves us wondering how comfortable Filipinos residing in Manila really are. The average cost of living is 168% higher than the average salary," said

Saudi Arabia looking into possibility of ending kafala system for domestic workers — DFA M A NIL A (Mabuhay) — Saudi Arabia is studying the possibility of scrapping the kafala or sponsorship system for domestic workers, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

“There is no turning back because the reforms have started already,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Arriola said at the Laging Handa briefing.

“Saudi Arabia is already studying whether to include our household service workers.”

At present, on ly

skilled and semi-skilled foreign workers in Saudi Arabia can benefit from its Labor Reform Initiative.

The DFA said the new policy allows foreign workers to change jobs by transferring their sponsorship from one employer to another, leave and re-enter the country, and secure final exit visas without the consent of their employer.

“This is the new civil rights movement because this is freedom from slavery,” Arriola said.

On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte demanded the abolition of the kafala system in the Middle East, calling it “unjust and exploitative.”

He said the system has resulted in several rights abuses such as inhumane working conditions, non-payment of wages, restriction of movements, denial of healthcare, sexual exploitation, and murder.

“We will be relentless in our efforts to dismantle this unjust structure,” Duterte said.

(MNS)

iPrice.

In terms of rent prices, Manila has the second-highest across the region, followed only by Singapore which is a developed country.

The price of a one-bedroom apartment in Manila is 56% higher than in Kuala Lumpur, 47% higher than in Jakarta, 31% higher than Ho Chi Minh, and 9% higher than Bangkok, iPrice said.

"This leaves you wondering what other things Manila residents need to bear with given the high costs and low wages," iPrice said in its writeup.

"Perhaps leisure expenses or take-

outs are kept to a minimum or aren't enjoyed at all. This, along with Manila having the second-worst traffic in the world, gives you an idea of its residents' quality of life," it added.

In 2018, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said a typical Filipino family of five needs a monthly income of P42,000 to live "decently."

The highest minimum wage in the Philippines is in Metro Manila at P500 to P537 daily, or equivalent to P10,740 for 20 working days per month. This was last adjusted in 2018. (MNS)

PRRD ‘uncomfortable’ with pitch to ease quarantine rules for OFWs MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday expressed apprehension over the proposal of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to shorten the mandated 14-day quarantine period for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In a pre-recorded meeting with his Cabinet and medical experts, Duterte said he is “uncomfortable” with the proposed relaxation of quarantine protocols for returning OFWs. “Unless also there is something more than just what I am hearing now and previously, I must also be convinced that it is really, medyo ano ako (I am somehow), I am not quite comfortable with the relaxation that’s being brought about now,” Duterte said.

During the meeting with Duterte, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III vented frustration over the “heavy burden” caused by the current quarantine rules imposed on returning OFWs. Bello then proposed to impose the “original” rule that allows OFWs to be transported to their “final destination” without completing the 14day mandatory quarantine, so long as they test negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Gusto ko pong iparating ang kalagayan ng ating OFWs. Talagang hirap na hirap po sila (I just want to give an update on the OFWs’ situation. They are really struggling). They are crying,” he said.

In an April 17 public advisory posted by the Department of Foreign Affairs, all returning OFWs are reminded that they are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine in isolation facilities upon the arrival in the country.

Medical experts who attended the virtual meeting told Duterte that it would be ideal to shorten the OFWs’ quarantine period

from the current 14 days to 10 days, provided that they remain asymptomatic.

Duterte said he understands Bello’s misgivings because the government’s funds for OFWs are already depleting.

“Maliit na yung pera (We no longer have enough funds). He (Bello) is raising the alarm. He’s raising the alarm of possibility of having no more funds to take care of this kind of situation that we have now),” he said.

Duterte, however, agreed with the medical experts’ suggestion, saying he is “not ready” to compromise Filipinos’ health.

“I cannot compromise. There is no compromise. Hindi ako magko-compromise (I will not compromise). It’s just an off-the-cuff statement before I make the final decision. I’m not ready for a compromise, lalo na ngayon (especially now),” he said.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) earlier sought an additional PHP9.8 billion to cover its mounting expenses to provide quarantine accommodations for returning OFWs due to a new testing protocol.

In a virtual presser held Wednesday, OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac noted that around 6,500 overseas Filipino workers who returned home are still staying in around 125 hotels to complete their quarantine. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | April 24 - 30, 2021

Business BUSINESS

BSP to ask Duterte to certify as urgent bill seeking amendments to bank secrecy law MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will ask President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent a bill seeking to amend existing bank secrecy laws and strengthen the central bank's supervisory powers.

At a virtual briefing, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the central bank recommends that Republic Act 1405, or the Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law, be limited within the confines of its banking supervision and investigation of closed banks.

The proposed amendments also include provisions that seek to protect banks against suits from depositors in line with the BSP's inquiry or examination of deposits, and against the use of the law for persecution or harassment.

"We will request the President to certify this as urgent," Diokno told reporters on Wednesday afternoon.

At its current version, the bank secrecy law is regarded as one of the toughest in the world, as it prohibits the disclosure, inquiry, and examination into Philippine currency deposits of whatever nature and kind, as well as investment in securities issued or guaranteed by the government.

To r e c a l l , President Rod r igo Duterte in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2016 vowed to lower perBSP GOVERNOR sona l a nd BENJAMIN DIOKNO cor porate

income tax rates, and relax the Bank Secrecy Law. Both taxes have been lowered but the amendments to the Bank Secrecy Law have yet to be passed, making the Philippines currently the only country to have such a law after Lebanon lifted its version in May 2020.

"Clearly it doesn't look good for us, that's why we want to pass this law to be at par with the international standards," said Diokno.

Duterte, then a presidential candidate in 2016, was also dared to sign a bank secrecy waiver, but his accounts were not opened to the public.

At present, the central bank's proposals under House Bill 8991 are on second reading at the plenary.

House Bills 1498 and 3554, which exempt government officials, are being deliberated at the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries.

Meanwhile, Senate Bills 663, 634, 539, 374, 26, and 1802 are being discussed at the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies.

"We have been pressing this in both houses of Congress and as you can see, there are a lot of initiatives already at the part of Congress. We expect this to be acted upon may be as early as when they reopen Congress. Sometime in May," said Diokno.

Diokno's predecessor, the late BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. also previously supported easing bank secrecy laws.

Former BSP Deputy Governor Vicente Aquino said that with the repeal of the law, processing of bank records would be fasttracked especially in cases of litigation, as current laws state that bank deposits must be treated as confidential and may only be opened with written consent from the account holder. (MNS)

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Sotto nixes defunding of NTF-ELCAC amid red-tagging of community pantry organizers: Replace officials instead MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senate in the Senate, Senator Nancy President Vicente Sotto III on Binay also proposed proposed Thursday opposed the proposal the review of the task force’s of some senators to defund the budget.

National Task Force to End LoOn Tuesday, Anna Patricia cal Communist Armed Conflict Non announced the tempo(NTF-ELCAC) amid the alleged rary closure of the pantry in red-tagging of community pan- Maginhawa after the alleged try organizers. profiling and red-tagging by the “I believe the [NTF-ELCAC] government. It resumed operaprogram is good. Defundtions Wednesday. ing it would give back The National Task the gains of [govForce to End Loernment] to the cal Communist rebels,” Sotto A r me d C onsaid in a mesf lict and the sage to reQuezon City porters.

Police Dis“ W e trict (QCPD) should not p o s t e d be hasty graphics on i n bla m i ng its Facebook a good propage appa rSENATE PRESIDENT gram because ent ly l i n k i ng VICENTE SOTTO III of irresponsible the community st atement s f rom pantry initiatives to some officials. Replace the communist movethe officials instead,” he added. ment.

On Wednesday night, SenaNTF-ELCAC spokesperson tors Joel Villanueva and Sher- Lieutenant General Antonio win Gatchalian both agreed to Parlade Jr. on Tuesday denied defund the task force and re- the red-tagging of the individallocate the P19 billion budget uals, but admitted that they allotted to NTF-ELCAC for fi- are checking the background nancial aid or “ayuda.” of the organizers of community Under t he 2021 nationa l pantries. budget, NTF-ELCAC was given Meanwhile, the QCPD has P19 billion where P16.4 billion apologized to the community is allocated for the barangay pantry organizers over its social development program. media post.

Aside from having the “opThe Philippine National Potion” to investigate the said lice earlier said it will investiprofiling and red-tagging of gate the alleged red-tagging of community pantry organizers organizers. (MNS)

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E ntertainment

Aleck Bovick describes Yam Concepcion as an ‘elegant’ sexy actress

YAM CONCEPCION

a

sexy star during her younger years, veteran actress aleck Bovick shared how yam Concepcion differs from the past generations of sexy actresses in the Philippines.

In a virtual blogcon for the series “Init sa Magdamag”, Bovick noted that Concepcion has a different kind of allure onscreen.

“Si Yam unkabogable siya kasi sexy talaga siya.

Ang ganda ng mukha niya na kahit anong makeup ang gawin mo sa kaniya, kahit anong hair ang gawin mo sa kanya, maganda talaga siya,” she said.

Bovick, who also appeared previously on the hit afterALECK BOVICK noon drama “Kadenang Ginto," went on to describe Concepcion’s sexiness as elegant.

“Yung pagpapa-sexy kasi niya mas elegant na ngayon, mas cute na tingnan kayo compare dun sa panahon namin,” she added.

Meanwhile, the 36-year-old actress also expressed her gratitude to ABS-CBN for trusting her with another project. Bovick had also appeared on several “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episodes before.

“Hopefully huwag pong magsawa ang ABS na kunin po ako sa iba't ibang mga shows. Sobrang nakaka-humble kasi sa dami ng mga actors natin sa ating bansa, isa ako sa nakikita nila,” Bovick said.

Rated SPG by the regulatory MTRCB, “Init sa Magdamag” has garnered huge attention especially on social media after trailers of the show gave fans a glimpse of intimate scenes in the series among its main stars Concepcion, Gerald Anderson, and JM de Guzman.

The series is being aired on TV5, A2Z Channel 11, Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV, Kapamilya Online Live, and iWant TFC; as well as WeTV and iflix, where VIP users will have access to two advance episodes. (MNS)

KC Concepcion thankful for closer relationship with father Gabby

MANIL A (Mabuhay) — Actress KC Concepcion took to social media to express her appreciation for her relationship with her father, actor Gabby Concepcion.

Posting a photo of them together, KC thanked God for giving them the chance to make up for the lost time.

"Papa. Cool and down to earth, a joker, a guy’s guy, our #GirlDad - so much time lost, but so so much, regained," she wrote in the caption.

"I thank God for our phone calls, deep sea dates, nature explorations, talking til we fall asleep. Truly grateful to the universe for keeping our love alive."

Last week, KC celebrated her 36th birthday in Batangas with her father's family.

"Truly grateful for this family time together. No frills, just love," she wrote on Instagram at the time.

KC also posted photos of her with her half-sisters Samantha and Savannah.

"For those of you who don’t

GABBY AND KC know, my parents married in their teens and unfortunately separated when I was a toddler.

Today they have their own families, who are also my own... I keep close to my siblings, or at least I do my part to, and tbh giving importance and nurturing relationships between both my families can be tough -- always a balancing act. But I love them all

and my life wouldn’t be complete without them," she wrote.

KC is the daughter of Gabby with former wife Sharon Cuneta. Sharon married Gabby in 1985 at the height of the popularity of their love team. Sharon remarried in 1996 to Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, with whom she has three children.

(MNS)

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Darren Espanto gears up for concert, new single

DARREN ESPANTO MANILA (Mabuhay) — Just in time for his 20th birthday, Kapamilya singer Darren Espanto is gearing up for a concert next month.

This was announced by Espanto in an Instagram post on April 14 as he uploaded a teaser for his upcoming show on May 30 via KTX, which also shared the teaser video.

Aside from the concert, Espanto is also set to release a new single on May 28.

On Friday, Espanto's fans showed their love and support for their idol as the hashtag #WelcomeHomeDarren trended on microblogging site Twitter.

Last year, Espanto celebrated his 19th birthday with a benefit concert. He is turning 20 on May 24.

Darren Espanto to mark birthday with benefit concert One of the best singers of his generation, Espanto rose to fame after joining the first season of "The Voice Kids Philippines."

Prior to joining "The Voice Kids," Espanto won a 2011 contest for young Filipinos dubbed "Pinoy Singing Sensation" in Calgary. He went on to compete in the grand finals of "The Next Star," a reality talent search which concluded in December 2012.

He had his first major concert and released his self-titled debut album in 2014. (MNS)

Kim Chiu regrets not finishing her studies MANILA (Mabuhay) — Kim Chiu both work and school at the admitted that one of her regrets same time. in life is not being able to go to “Ang daming assignments college. and projects tapos nagtetelese“Isa ito sa mga regrets ko in rye pa ako and nag-a-'ASAP.' life na hindi ako nakatungtong Though hindi ko naman sinisi ng college,” she said in her most 'yung mga projects na iyon berecent vlog where she answered cause those are opportunities the most searched questions na hindi natin pwedeng palamabout her on Google. pasin. Ang pag-aaral I’m sure Nonetheless, naman nandiyan the Kapamilya lang iyan,” she star believes said. everything hapTo this day, pens for a reaChiu is not closson and there’s ing her doors as a purpose as to to the possibility of studying why she was led to showbiz inagain. stead.

“There is always a way and “Dito ako ditime na maknala. Masaya ako abalik tayo sa na napag-college pag-aaral and ko 'yung tatlo sa KIM CHIU makakakuha mga kapatid ko and then nakapagtapos sila sa tayo ng college degree. Soon. pag-aaral. I think it’s reward- Hindi natin iyan iba-block. ing na for me. I think ito talaga Let’s just look forward na matuloy ko 'yung college ko. 'yung tadhana,” she said.

But unknown to most peo- Pero nag-expire na 'yata 'yung ple, Chiu said she once tried UPOU ko so back to one na college when she attended the ulit ako sa as a college girl,” University of the Philippines she said.

Open University for two years.

Meanwhile, Chiu also opened “K inuha ko 'y ung busi- up about her relationship with ness management. Sa UPOU, Xian Lim after she was asked magkaklase lang ako online whether they are still together. tapos kapag may recitation, “Oo naman, huwag naman magvi-video cam kami nung hindi. Yes, we are still together teacher dati. Dati pa pala uso na and very much happy,” she said. ang homeschooling talaga bago However, she vehemently pa itong pandemic na ito but denied that they have already hindi ako nagtagal kasi hindi tied the knot. ko kinaya,” she said.

“We are not yet married. We The actress said the demands are in a relationship. Wala pa of her job as an actress made kami doon. Let’s see. Not yet.”

(MNS) it impossible for her to juggle

Entertainment

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15

Julia Barretto tells Gerald Anderson she JM de Guzman is willing to leave showbiz for a quiet life admits he is afraid

F

to fall in love again

or the first time, Gerald anderson featured his girlfriend, actress Julia Barretto, on his vlog.

For his latest upload, Anderson made Barretto eat some street food which she has never tried before while also asking her personal questions.

Among the food that Barretto tasted were isaw, balunbalunan, dugo, binato and more.

In between trying out various street food, Anderson asked Barretto if she would be willing to leave showbiz for a normal life.

“Anytime,” she quipped. “I always dream of living a simple and quiet family life.”

The actress said in the next five to 10 years, it is her hope to build her own family.

Nonetheless, she admitted that since she was a kid, she has always imagined herself as an actress when she becomes an adult.

“Because I feel like at an early age, I was already exposed to this life because I grew up and my aunts would take me to their work, my dad and my mom. It was kind of the only life I knew so I felt like that’s where I was gonna end up. Now. But in the future, a simple quiet life is what I dream,” she said.

The celebrity couple also talked about having impromptu getaways together, with Barretto said that’s when she always has the best time with her

JM DE GUZMAN GERALD AND JULIA boyfriend.

“The best. 'Yun nga 'yung hinihintay ko. I like,” she said. “We always talk about [my ideal vacation with you]. Road trip from state to another.”

Towards the end of the vlog, Anderson asked Barretto what makes her blush.

“You make me blush,” she said.

After his admission of their relationship last March, Anderson and Barretto have been more active in posting photos of them together on their respective social media accounts.

The actor has also been seen attending family gatherings of the Barrettos, the last one being the birthday of his girlfriend’s younger brother Leon. (MNS)

Jak Roberto fulfills dream of buying his own land lot MANILA (Mabuhay) — After his sister Sanya Lopez was able to build her own house, Jak Roberto has also followed suit, fulfilling his dream of buying his own lot of land.

On his recent YouTube vlog, Jak paid a visit to his recently bought lot.

"Nag-invest ako sa lupa kasi matagal ko ng pangarap yun," Jake said in the video.

"Lahat naman tayo nangangarap magkaroon ng property. Isa ‘to sa mga nasa bucket list ko na someday

uunahin ko talaga kuhain magkalupa, and ako talaga mismo magpapatayo," he added.

Jak and Sanya said it has been their dream to buy their own property, especially since their family moved from one house to another after their father passed away.

Last September, Sanya said she sacrificed her love life to save up for her dream house.

Congratulations to the Jak and Sanya for fulfilling their dreams! We can perhaps take their wins as a reminder that we can also fulfill our goals with a little more hard work and a little less love life. (MNS)

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actor JM de Guzman is afraid to commit to a relationship again despite being single for five years already.

De Guzman recalled how his past heartbreaks caused him to become depressed and even paralyzed.

The actor, who stars in the upcoming ABS-CBN teleserye “Init sa Magdamag,” explained that he became too dependent on people before, such that losing them left a void in his life.

“Sobrang magmahal. I’m dependent. Kailangan ko ma-supplement nung void na meron ako.

Naging dependent ako sa bagay, dependent ako sa tao na 'to. So 'pag nawawala sila nandun pa rin 'yung void,” he told Abunda.

De Guzman said he plans to focus on his craft first, improve himself, and build his dream house before committing again to a relationship.

“Gusto ko munang pahalagahan itong binigay sa 'kin. Maging okay na tao. Maging better than yesterday. And in my mind, pangarap ko bahay before I get into commitment,” the actor said.

While he did not deny wanting to have a special someone, De Guzman said he is leaving his fate to God. "Takot. Pero 'di ko ma-deny 'yung feeling na gusto ko na rin. Gusto ko na mag-commit. Gusto ko na magkarelasyon. Pinagpapasa-Diyos ko na lang,” he added.

De Guzman, who twice underwent therapy in a rehabilitation facility because of drug use, has remained focused on the opportunities given to him.

“Doing the things that I love the best way that I can. Being grateful, counting my blessings para hindi ako ma-stuck sa mga memories na ‘yun.

Kinakausap ko ‘yung sarili ko, ‘Andito pa ‘yung pangarap mo, abot-kamay mo pa. Pwede pa, dito ka mag-focus.'”

De Guzman joins Gerald Anderson and Yam Concepcion in “Init sa Magdamag” which started airing last April 19 on TV5, A2Z Channel 11, Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV, Kapamilya Online Live, and iWant TFC; as well as WeTV and iflix, where VIP users will have access to two advance episodes. (MNS)

JAK ROBERTO

Jake Ejercito gets candid about co-parenting set up with Andi Eigenmann MANILA (Mabuhay) — Jake Ejercito candidly talked about his co-parenting setup with Andi Eigenmann as they raise their nine-year-old daughter Ellie.

Ejercito said he and Eigenmann have worked so hard together to reach the point where they are today.

“I don’t really ask Ellie about it [how she feels about the setup]. Parang na o-observe ko lang sa kanya. Kasi siyempre Andi and I, yung relationship naman namin when it comes to co-parenting, hindi naman naging smooth lagi and hindi naman siya smooth ever since,” he said.

“Marami kaming pinagdaanan na phases. Siyempre before, immature pa kami and everything. So medyo malayo din yung nilakbay bago naging ganito ka-settled and smooth.”

What’s good about their situation now, Ejercito said, is it benefits Ellie and that has always been their goal.

“Nakikita ko lang sa kanya dati, may times na kapag magulo, siyempre nakikita ko kay Ellie na nahihirapan din siya. And what’s good about now is parang kasi ang priority namin is yung what’s good for Ellie… So nakikita ko sa kanya na hindi na siya nahihirapan, smooth lahat, okay yung communication.”

Ejercito also talked about his recent trip to Siargao when he fetched his daughter.

“I went there just to pick her up, para sunduin siya, kasi nga considering si Andi may bagong baby. She has Lilo also.

Mahihirapan siya kung siya pa ang magdadala dito kay Ellie.

So nakiusap sa akin si Andi, kung puwede ko sunduin si

Ellie and that’s what I did,” he said.

Since Ellie has been living in Siargao with her mom, Ejercito said he asked his daughter to show him around the island.

“I asked her to show me kung saan siya nagpupunta every day, kung saan siya naglalaro, kung saan siya kumakain.

So ‘yun ang mga inikot namin while I was there,” he said.

Aside from visiting Siargao for the first time, the actor said it was also his first time to meet Eigenmann’s fiancé Philmar Alipayo, and their youngest child Koa. “Si Lilo, na meet ko na dito sa Manila. And then the youngest, si Koa, I met there in Siargao and also si Philmar. It was a first time also na I met him when I was there.”

When asked what part of Ellie’s personality did she get

JAKE AND HIS DAUGHTER, ELLIE from him or Eigenmann, Ejercito said: “We’re both very, very shy, kami ni Ellie. I guess si Andi rin naman, medyo mahiyain rin si Andi.

Si Ellie isn’t that expressive. Pero once in a while, out of nowhere, mag ‘I love you, Dad’, mag ‘Thank you, Dad.’ Yun na yun for her, and more than enough na yun for me when I hear those words from her.”

Now that Ellie is turning 10, Ejercito said he just likes to make the most of his time with his daughter whenever they are together. (MNS)

16

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‘Generosity virus’ infects Filipinos nationwide MANILA – If the coronavirus can be killed with kindness, Filipinos could have easily prevailed against the pandemic.

Lately, community pantries have been sprouting everywhere, inspired by initiatives along Quezon City roads, where donations have been pouring in.

“The virus of generosity named Community Pantry is gaining momentum all over the country.

The Filipino spirit of 'bayanihan' is ever alive. That compassion and generosity is a universal language that everyone understands,” Fr. Edgardo Vizcarra of the Comboni Missionaries wrote on Facebook.

He praised the pioneer of such initiative and who showed “that nobody is so poor or rich who cannot reach out and give to those who are in need of basic daily commodities such as food”.

Netizens have reported similar pantries all over the country.

Most believe that community pantries exist simply because there are good-hearted individuals who wanted to help and not because the government is not doing anything.

“Madami pa din matulungin at may malasakit lalo sa parte ng mga taong mismong apek-

tado. Hindi naman kasi talaga kakayanin ng gobyerno lahat sa sobrang dami ng apektado ng pandemya (Many really wants to help, especially those who got affected. The government cannot do everything especially with so many people affected by this pandemic),” Chai Chai, who works in Rome, Italy, said.

“Gusto lang nila talagang tumulong. ‘Di naman nagkulang ang government. Lahat na ibinigay sa tao, eh (They only want to help. The government has already given everything to the people),” netizen Misette Regisaurelio said, adding that financial aid from the national government and food packs from the local government units have been distributed several times.

Sisters Lucia and Luzianie Silva of Iligan City also started their pantry on Sunday, with the items donated by relatives and friends gone in an hour.

Another netizen, Malia Olvido Bautista, thinks the government did not fail in helping the people and critics must stop putting political colors to the initiatives.

“Ito ang magandang attitude ng Pinoy, Matulungin sa kapwa.

Walang mayaman sa ginagawa nila, ‘Ika nga, helping hand ang

“FRONTLINE... from Page 4

meron. Sana lang wag bigyan kulay. Let’s help. Proud Pilipino ako (This is one of the good attitudes of Filipinos. You do not have to be rich to lend a helping hand. Let us not taint it. Let us help instead. I am a proud Filipino),” she said.

Senator Win Gatchalian, meanwhile, said community pantries are signs that “ordinary Filipinos are ready and willing to help” the needy.

“Ito ay ang pinakamagandang simbolo ng modern-day bayanihan na lahat tayo ay may kakayahang tumulong (This is modern-day unity that shows everyone is capable of helping),” he said in a statement on Monday.

Former representative and current Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director John Bertiz said community pantries remind him of a famous quotation by former US President John F. Kennedy.

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country or at least communities or fellow Filipinos. Sa panahon ngayon dapat talaga magtulungan ang bawat isa, kasi laban po natin lahat ito (In times like this, we should all help one another because this is everyone's fight),” Bertiz said. (PNA)

SHARING. Architect Eric Ventilacion initiates a community pantry in Barangay Calumpang, Binangonan, Rizal. Just like in other areas, he invites everyone to share what they can and get just what they need. (Photo grabbed from Batang Binangonan Kami Facebook)

and along the way i've seen gestures of appreciation, Facebook posts and tweets of people thanking essential workers who despite the risk and despite the pain continue to show up to work everyday to help put our food in our tables,” said Padilla referring to a workforce that is mostly undocumented.

“I believe it's time we honor them and their service with more than just our words... for me, COVID relief means not only addressing the health impacts of the pandemic, but also rebuilding an economy that is much more inclusive of all populations, and give our front-line workers a path to citizenship they have earned and deserve," he added.

According to a 2016 study by the Center for American Progress, undocumented workers contribute $4.7 trillion to U.S. GDP. Immigrants without papers pay $11.7 billion in state and local taxes and $12 billion in social security revenues every year.

Last week Padilla and a bicameral group of Democrats sent a letter to President Joe Biden to include this bill as part of the infrastructure package.

This package could be approved in the Senate with 50 votes plus one, through a process called budget reconciliation, to prevent it from being obstructed under the figure of the filibuster, which requires 60 members to finish the debate before going to a vote.

"We will consider all the options," Padilla said. “I know there is bipartisan support for reform, the question is whether we do an individual piece of legislation with separate votes or as a package. That is the negotiation."

Padilla acknowledges that although several of his Republican colleagues support regularizing the dreamers and agricultural workers, a comprehensive immigration reform that shelters the 11 million undocumented immigrants who have been living in this country "in the shadows", requires more arduous commitments.

"We think there is a possibility to get 60 votes for some of these reforms," but "reforming or abolishing the

filibuster will help advance other agendas."

Vital issues like protecting voting rights, climate change, and addressing historic injustices like reparations to African-American communities, which are on Padilla's agenda, could also pass if the filibuster rule were changed. He said Republicans have agitated the migration crisis at the border -which in March received 172,000 people according to data from Customs and Border Protection-, to avoid discussing the regularization of the 11 million that are already here.

"Some of my Republican colleagues will easily conflate both issues as an excuse to not want to do anything," said Padilla, clarifying that unaccompanied minors and new immigrants arriving at the border are not covered by his legislation.

At the same time, the White House and Congress seek more resources "to house asylum seekers more humanely and process them more quickly," said Padilla.

“The Trump administration left asylum seekers stuck in Mexico while their cases remain pending in U.S. immigration courts.

Hate crimes

Padilla also said he supports the Hate Crimes bill, a phenomenon that has alarmingly affected the AAPI community in recent months across the country.

"We have insisted to FBI Director (Christopher) Wray to prioritize the issue of white supremacy," Padilla said.

The Senator reflected on his 86 days in office by saying that he is still adjusting to the "volume and magnitude" of his new job at a very unique time of his transition.

“We are still in the midst of a global health pandemic, we are still in the wake of the deadly insurrection of January 6, my first weeks in the Senate I participated in the impeachment trial (of former President Trump) and was part of the crafting and passing of the American Rescue Plan... It's a lot,” he observed.

"I hope we can do as much as we can as soon as we can, before we get too close to the 2022 election cycle," he concluded.

GARCETTI... from Page 1 need to get this industry back on its feet, workers back on the job, and visitors back in the doors of our hotels, businesses, and key attractions,” said Mayor Garcetti.

“Our City is a global destination, and as more people get vaccinated and more spaces reopen, we will do everything possible to revitalize this sector and welcome people from across the country and around the world to Los Angeles once again.”

Early in the pandemic, with public health protocols forcing hotels and other businesses across the city to temporarily shut down, employment in the local hospitality and leisure space fell by 46% — and one-third of all jobs lost in L.A. County since last February have been in this sector.

With vaccinations pointing the way toward the end of this crisis, the Mayor laid out a series of steps to reignite the tourism industry, a critical source of hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs, lasting careers, and economic activity.

The Mayor announced a $5 million investment in the Tourism & Convention Board’s Comeback Story marketing campaign to attract visitors to Los Angeles.

Drawn from the American Rescue Plan, this funding will enable Los Angeles to be one of the only destinations in the country to launch a national advertising effort to inspire people to come to L.A. This investment is projected to generate over $12 million in additional hotel taxes to the City coffers.

“We are thankful for Mayor Garcetti’s leadership and ongoing support of our local travel and tourism community, and we are excited to have the opportunity to promote what makes L.A. one of the world’s premier destinations to the entire country,” said Adam Burke, President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.

“Historically, media campaigns promoting Los Angeles have generated a return on investment of greater than 50:1. With the City’s $5 million investment, we will be

able to launch L.A.’s first-ever national advertising effort, and we are confident that our recently launched Comeback Story campaign will yield incredible returns and drive economic recovery for our local business community.”

“As we start to see promising signs of recovery, it is now critical that the leisure and hospitality industry gets the help and push it needs to hire back staff and bring back visitors,” said Heather Rozman, Executive Director, Hotel Association of Los Angeles.

“Hotels, restaurants, and attractions have been preparing for this moment, and have taken critical steps to ensure their spaces are safe for guests from around the world.”

Beyond these advertising efforts, the Mayor announced the formation of a Los Angeles Tourism Cabinet, an interdepartmental forum comprised of L.A. City department general managers that have an important role in the development of destination management policy. This group will

be tasked with developing strategies to maintain L.A.’s position as a leading destination for global travel; identifying a path for sustainable growth of tourism; and ensuring that it delivers benefits to the community and improves the quality of life for Angelenos.

Doane Liu, Executive Director of the Department of Convention and Tourism Development, will chair the cabinet, charged with implementing the City’s first Tourism Master Plan.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the Mayor and the Tourism Cabinet to look at what infrastructure is required to handle the large increase in visitation expected in the upcoming years,” said Doane Liu. “The outlook for tourism’s future in Los Angeles is extraordinary, and there is so much opportunity to improve the experience for both our residents and our visitors by building relationships between the public and private sectors.”

Rounding out today’s meeting,

Mayor Garcetti discussed plans to share recommendations with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo about how to restore consumer confidence and drive travel demand. He will also ask that Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant funding be allowed to support advertising and promotional campaigns for tourist destinations, and request that the Administration set a timeline and guidelines for reopening U.S. borders to international visitors.

“As a hotel general manager, I know first-hand how important these initiatives will be in building consumer confidence and bringing people back to Los Angeles,” said Javier Cano, Vice President & General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles & JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE and Board Chair, Tourism Marketing District.

“As we turn our attention to our collective recovery, the hotel industry is ready to get Angelenos back to work and the economy back on track.”

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FDA: 3 hospitals now granted permit to use ivermectin vs COVID-19 MANILA (Mabuhay) — A third hospital has been given compassionate special permit to use the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as potential treatment for COVID-19, the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.

During a panel hearing at the House of Representatives, FDA director-general Eric Domingo bared that an undisclosed hospital had been allowed access to ivermectin to treat patients battling the novel coronavirus.

"Sa ngayon po, mayroon pa pong na-approve na isang hospital kahapon," he told lawmakers at the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

Another application for limited permit for iver-

mectin is also pending, he added.

The drug regulatory body first granted CSP for ivermectin to a hospital on April 8. Last week, Domingo said another private hospital was authorized to use ivermectin as investigational drug to counter the respiratory disease.

In an advisory it issued last month, the FDA said the registered ivermectin products in the country for human use were in topical formulations under prescription use only. This is used for the treatment of external parasites, such as head lice, and skin conditions, such as rosacea.

The registered oral and intravenous preparations of ivermectin are veterinary products, which are approved for use in animals for the prevention of

DOH: More documents needed for Covaxin entry in Philippines MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine government is still awaiting some documents from Indian firm Bharat Biotech before its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, will be allowed to enter the countr y, a health official said Wednesday.

Health Und e rsecretar y Maria Rosario Vergeire said Cova x in w a s on l y granted a conditiona l e m e rgency use authorization (EUA) because it has yet to submit

documents such as a certificate of good manufacturing practice and a risk management plan.

“Hi nd i po ka i la nga ng mangamba o mag-agam agam ang ating mga kababayan dahil binigyan naman ng conditional na EUA ang Bharat Biotech" (The public should not worry because the Bharat Biotech has been given a conditional EUA), Vergeire said in an online briefing.

She added, "[Ngunit] hindi pa rin po nila pwedeng ipasok ang kanilang mga bakuna dito sa ating bansa hanggang hindi po kumpleto ang kanilang requirements” (However, the Bharat Biotech cannot bring its vaccines into our country until the requirements are fully complied with).

Earlier this week, officials announced that Covaxin had secured an EUA from the Philippine Food and Drug Admin-

istration (FDA).

Bharat Biotech filed its EUA application in January.

Covaxin showed 81% efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection in an interim analysis of data from a late-stage trial in India.

So far, the FDA has approved the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, the Gamaleya Institute, Bharat Biotech, and Johnson & Johnson.

But the Philippines has continued to struggle to secure a steady supply of vaccines, with only 3 million doses delivered so far and over 1 million more expected this month.

More than 1.3 million health workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities have been vaccinated as of April 20.

(MNS)

heartworm disease and treatment of internal and external parasites in certain animal species, the FDA had said.

During the hearing, Domingo said a certificate of product registration could come sooner for ivermectin than emergency use authorization.

"Palagay ko po, mas mauuna pa 'yong certificate of product registration kasi mayroong ngang nag-apply last weekend. Actually, that will be easier kasi kapag CPR puwede talaga siyang ibenta, i-market commercially," he said.

The House panel on Thursday conducted an investigation into the policies set by the FDA in approving COVID-19 products for emergency use, which they said "appear to be detrimental to public interest."

House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera-Dy have questioned FDA Circular No. 2020-12 and other related guidelines for "being arbitrary, bureaucratic and inhumane for causing unnecessary delays."

"While there is no actual cure for COVID-19, health, drug, and medical experts have come up w it h a t reat ment protocol including the administration of certain drugs and therapeut ics c u r rent ly allowed for use and t reat ment of COVID-19," t he resolution read.

(MNS)

FDA DIRECTOR-GENERAL ERIC DOMINGO

Private sector wants flexibility in vaccinating workers included in A4 category MANILA (Mabuhay) -- The private sector will appeal to the government to give them more flexibility in vaccinating their employees who are included in the A4 priority group against COVID-19.

In a joint hearing of the House Committees on Health and Trade and of Industry, presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said they will present a list of positions in the A4 group before the Department of Health and the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) on Thursday.

“That is going to be critical because what we want to appeal to DOH and NITAG is to give the private sector the flexibility, because if you look at the industries that I’ve presented who purchased vaccines, there are so many industries who have different positions [on the list]. We will list them all but [we need] flexibility in who comes first,” Concepcion said.

He explained that there are employees in some companies who may not be present on their scheduled inoculation date based on the A4 prioritization list.

“We should be allowed to just inoculate all those in that list of A4. So that’s what we are going to request the NITAG. I think that is important,” Concepcion said.

Last week, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases approved the list of sectors included in the Priority Group A4 of the government’s COVID-19 vaccination plan.

The complete list of Priority Group A4 is as follows: commuter transport (land, air, and sea), including logistics public and private wet and dry market vendors frontline workers in groceries, supermarkets, delivery services

workers in manufacturing for food, beverage, medical and pharmaceutical products frontline workers in food retail, including food service delivery frontline workers in private and government financial services frontline workers in hotels and accommodation establishments priests, rabbis, imams, and other religious leaders security guards/ personnel assigned in offices, agencies, and organizations identified in the list of priority industries/sectors frontline workers in private and government news media customer-facing personnel of telecoms, cable and internet service providers, electricity distribution and water distribution utilities frontline personnel in basic education and higher education institutions and agencies overseas Filipino workers, including those scheduled for deployment within two months frontline workers in law/justice, security, and social protection sectors frontline government workers engaged in the operations of government transport system, quarantine inspection; worker safety inspection and other COVID-19 response activities frontline government workers in charge of tax collection, assessment of businesses for incentives, election, national ID, data collection personnel diplomatic community and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) personnel in consular operations Department of Public Works and Highways personnel in charge of monitoring government infrastructure projects Before the A4 group, the government has already started inoculating the medical frontliners, senior citizens, and the persons with comorbidities.

(MNS)

BALITA 19 Health & Family Health Family Shorter inoculation process via DICT vax system

Saturday-Friday || April April 24 24 -- 30, 30, 2021 2021 Saturday-Friday

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Getting inoculated will soon be faster and more convenient through the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) Vaccine Information Management System (VIMS).

In a Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday, DICT Undersecretary Emmanuel “Manny” Caintic said VIMS will centralize important data from citizens and health facilities of local government units (LGUs), noting that it will also track the supply and distribution of vaccines nationwide.

“Ito pong VIMS ay magiging single source of truth para sa lahat ng impormasyon patungkol sa pagbabakuna kontra Covid-19 (VIMS will be the single source of truth for all information on vaccinations against Covid-19),” Caintic said.

In its pilot rollout in San Juan City, he said the local LGU was able to shorten the vaccination process to around 10 minutes and is able to provide more information to its front-liners.

“Ang pag-implement natin sa San Juan ay na-feature na po natin sa Facebook page at mga (Our implementation in San Juan was featured in Facebook and in) various media

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outlets. It shows the positive feedback the project received during its pilot implementation,” Caintic said.

Without VIMS, he said inoculation used to take 30 to 40 minutes in addition to the monitoring period post-vaccination.

“Sa San Juan, 10 minutes iyon all the way including iyong waiting mo between queues. Pero through the information system, kung wala lang pila, higit-kumulang 4.5 – 4.7 minutes (In San Juan, it took 10 minutes including the wait time between queues. But

FDA exploring possibilities on expanding drugs for emergency use MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is already exploring possibilities in expanding its drugs for emergency use (DEU) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to director general Eric Domingo on Thursday.

"Actually pinalawak na nga namin to the living guidelines para mas maraming grupo na gumagawa... para puwede nilang maisama doon sa living guidelines at maaral para ma-increase natin sa DEU. We are exploring possibilities," Domingo said at a congressional hearing.

Domingo said DEU is being issued for "registered (repurposed) drugs which were under investigation."

He said the registration of drugs would be based on the Philippine COVID-19 Living Recommendations, which is a document that provides up-to-date review of scientific evidence and consolidated recommendation from various medical societies and institutions on the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of COVID-19.

Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera-Dy said DEU in the Philippines should be widened so that more medicines could be available in the country, especially since the threat of COVID-19 is still there. "'Yung sa DEU natin, how wide can we make this? It's important that we make all medicines available and accessible kasi doctors din naman ang magdedesisyon kung ano ang gagamitin nila for a particular patient," Herrera-Dy said.

"I don't think we should limit it but of course kayo po ang experts diyan. Can we already widen the drugs emergency use para maraming available na pumasok sa ating bansa? Like 'yung sinasabi na leronlimab na nabigyan niyo ng CSP," she added.

Herrera-Dy, together with House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, filed a resolution, which seeks to look into the policies and guidelines of both agencies in the registration, utilization and manufacture and distribution of drugs for COVID-19. (MNS)

through the information system, if there are no queues, it could take as little as 4.5 to 4.7 minutes),” he said.

He said the supply of Covid-19 vaccines can also be tracked using VIMS -- from its departure in other countries to its arrival in vaccination centers all over the country.

He said health professionals and LGUs will be able to make use of the program to better organize vaccination data.

“Aside from the data on citizen information, the VIMS is also able to

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show the standard reporting on the number of administered vaccines by regional level,” Caintic said.

He said VIMS is capable of showcasing a comparative report of the Philippines’ vaccination effort versus other Southeast Asian countries.

“We are also working on having more granular level of reporting to come up with data-driven decisions at both national and local levels,” he said.

He said the VIMS dashboard will be updated every day and can be viewed at the Laging Handa website: https:// laginghanda.gov.ph/.

“Sa ganitong paraan, makakagawa po tayo ng data-driven decision making at masolusyunan agad-agad ang mga problemang kinakaharap ng ating Vaccine Operations Command (With this process, we’ll be able to make data-driven decisions and we can instantly solve problems faced by our Vaccine Operations Command),” Caintic said.

He said the DICT will also ensure the safety of the data collected through VIMS as well as its interoperability with existing systems of LGUs nationwide. (MNS)

Galvez: More than 1.3 Pinoys vaccinated vs. COVID-19 MANILA (Mabuhay) — Philippine vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday said a total of 1,353,107 Filipinos have been inoculated against COVID-19 since the official rollout of the vaccination program in March.

At the joint meeting of the House Committees on Health and Trade and Industry, Galvez presented government data on the status of the vaccination program.

He said a total of 1,562,563 vaccines were already administered to individuals.

The breakdown of those inoculated are

as follows: A1 (health workers) - 989,703 A2 (senior citizens) - 132,948 A3 (persons with comorbidities) - 180,315 The data presented was as of April 20, Tuesday.

Galvez said the national government is eyeing to inoculate the general public starting July.

Also at the hearing, Galvez said the government is eyeing to hold vaccine simulations in NCR Plus, administering 120,000 shots of COV ID-19 vaccines per day to individuals in the area, provided that there is a steady supply of

vaccines.

"Our supply chain ex per ts have a lso provided some sort of simulations wherein the NCR Plus will have a 120,000 jabs a day with the requirement that the NCR should have a steady supply of 3.3 million (doses) monthly," Galvez said in a joint hearing of the House Committees on Health and Trade and Industry.

"With that, we will designate mega vaccination sites like the malls and the different arenas and gymnasiums," he added.

Galvez said the simulations would be done in June. (MNS)

Health workers to be trained to recognize rare adverse events as Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines allowed in PH MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Health on Wednesday said it will ensure that health care workers will be trained to deal with adverse events after immuniza-

tion (AEFI) as the Philippines approved the emergency use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

Like AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson’s vaccines have

been linked to rare blood clotting cases. Despite this, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its emergency use authorization (EUA) application.

“Kailangan nating itrain ang ating health care workers so they can immediately recognize these adverse events among our citizens who will be vaccinated para tayo ay nandun sa safe side,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a virtual briefing, referring to those part of the vaccination teams nationwide.

Vergeire said experts and vaccine manufacturers are continuously studying the blood clotting events which are “very very rare side effects.”

Philippine government experts previously said AstraZeneca’s blood clotting cases were observed in only 4 people out of 1 million vaccine recipients. Meanwhile, the FDA said the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is linked to only 7 cases of blood clotting out of 7 million vaccinated people.

Vergeire said among the adverse effects that need to be monitored by health workers after vaccination are anaphylaxis, venous thromboembolism, and vaccine-associated enhanced disease.

Anaphyla xis is a severe allergic reaction to vaccine or vaccination components.

This can result in difficulty in breathing and other symptoms. Venous throm-

boembolism or blood clots in veins can meanwhile result in serious illness or disability, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meanwhile, vaccine-associated enhanced disease is defined by the World Health Organization as “modified and severe presentations of clinical infections affecting individuals exposed to a wild-type pathogen after having received a prior vaccine against the same pathogen.”

Vergeire said international health institutions such as the WHO and the US CDC have already released statements pointing out that these are rare possible side effects.

(MNS)

20

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