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)