Weekend Balita (Los Angeles edition) August 8, 2020

LOS ANGELES EDITION

PH’s virology center to rise in New Clark City PAGE 18 VOL. XXIX NO. 32

August 8-14, 2020

TOP STORIES

Global News Indigenous peoples’ groups ask Supreme Court to junk anti-terror law 8  DFA chief orders check on Chinese survey vessel near Reed Bank 8  DOJ to leave no stone unturned in PhilHealth probe 9  De Lima says ‘trumped up’ drug cases show why death penalty must be opposed 9  400 Pinoys from Lebanon returning to PH — envoy 10  Palace won’t accept PH has more COVID-19 cases than Indonesia, highest in ASEAN 10  Poe wants greater protection, benefits for OFWs 10  Philippines reports 3,379 new COVID-19 cases; total at over 122K 12  Tax cuts sought for local makers of critical medical supplies response 12 

Sections BUSINESS. ‘Corrupt officials’ marring PhilHealth’s shift to digital, Morales claims 13  ENTERTAINMENT. Sarah G talks marriage being priority, gratitude for work amid pandemic 15  HEALTH & FAMILY. DOH: Pooled testing won’t be efficient in areas with high prevalence of COVID-19 18 

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

Los aNgeLes CiTY marKs 1m CoViD-19 TesTs Mayor Garcetti says the virus thrives on division

MAYOR Eric Garcetti has recently announced that the City of Los Angeles has administered more than one million tests since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a major milestone in L.A.’s fight against the virus.

Joined by leaders from Community Organized Relief Eff ort (CORE), Curative-Korva Labs, and the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the Mayor touted the strong public-private partnerships that helped the city reach this point –– and highlighted the next steps in the ongoing eff ort to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

“This virus thrives on division

— but this week’s milestone is a testament to what is possible when we harness the power of partnerships,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Our job is far from done, and this announcement only reinforces the magnitude of the task ahead: to continue championing nimble, eff ective solutions that keep our people healthy and our communities safe.”

Early in the crisis, Los Angeles

stepped in to fi ll a national void and became the fi rst large city in America to off er widespread testing for anyone, with or without symptoms. Across City sites, CORE has led operations and Curative has fronted testing costs, with the City and LAFD overseeing the program.

To date, the City has spent nearly $100 million to bring free LOS ANGELES

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Carson voters will vote yes or no to proposed .75 % sales tax in November

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he Carson City Council has approved adding a ballot measure to have Carson residents consider a 0.75% transaction and general tax in the November 3rd General Election.

Currently, the combined sales tax rate in the City is 9.5%. Of this amount, the City receives only 1%.

The revenues collected from the Transaction and Use Tax will be used to restore, protect and enhance City of Carson services such as public safety, street maintenance, building maintenance, transportation, food and health services (free COVID-19 testing, funding for grants and loans to local small businesses, emergency rental assistance), anti-gang and anti-drug prevention programs for at-risk youth and their families as well as after-school programs to prevent students from dropping out.

The sales tax is the City of Carson’s primary revenue source at 28% of total General Fund resources.

The estimated Fiscal Year 2020-2021 sales tax revenue is $23.2 million, which is $1.4 million below Fiscal Year 2019-2020 forecast.

CARSON

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LA Mayor Eric Garcetti poses with members of CORE who help government workers in providing free COVID-19 testing.

All Angelenos can sign up for COVID-19 testing if needed at Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing. Everyone should continue to practice physical distancing, wash hands, and wear a mask.

Locsin discuss “Fill out the Census — Secure Pompeo, US policy in SCS, the future for our kids” maritime cooperation

By Fabiola González, Executive Director of First 5 Fresno County FRESNO, Ca. — Many Californians feel like the future is uncertain. Our families are experiencing challenges and obstacles likely never encountered before. All of us, including our moms, dads, grandmas, tíos, tías, and friends, are acting as nurses, teach-

ers, counselors, childcare providers, coaches, and much more.

Despite the stark reality we are facing, we still have the power to create change. More than ever before, our voices must be heard, and our existence seen, including those of our youngest Californians.

“FILL OUT

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Russia ready to supply, invest on 'vaccine production' in PH MANILA (Mabuhay) — Moscow is ready to supply Manila and invest in the "local production" of a coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine once mass production in Russia starts.

In a virtual presser on Friday, Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev said the country has already developed an "eff ective

and safe" vaccine, created by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology.

"All necessary bureaucratic procedures in order to get an offi cial administrative approval may be completed mid-August. iGor KHoVAEV

RUSSIA

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TEodoro lCsin Jr. And miKE PomPEo

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Foreign Aff airs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and his American counterpart, Michael Pompeo, discussed on Thursday (August 6) Washington's policy shift in the South China

Sea (SCS).

According to a press readout by the State Department, the two top diplomats also talked about America's support to Southeast Asian states in upholding their sovereign rights POMPEO

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

Fil-Am

Community Visit www.Balita.com

California Census hits benchmark for hard-to-count populations but wealthy communities far behind

By SUNITA SOHRABJI EMS Contributing Editor SAN FRANCISCO — California’s Census self-response rate is a nationwide leader, but many residents in the state’s wealthy enclaves have yet to respond.

9.7 million households in the state have already responded — more than 64 percent — but more than two million households have not participated in the nine-question online survey at census2020.gov. A mail-in form is also available.

California’s self-response rate is higher than the nationalaverage – slightly more than 64 percent versus 62.8 percent throughout the country as of July 30, according to data from California Complete Count-Census 2020. California also has the highest average self-response rate in census tracts where a large percentage of residents are foreign born.

As part of its original strategy, California Complete Count focused its outreach on 3.5 to 4.1 millionhouseholds considered “hardest-tocount” because they lack access to broadband Internet and therefore cannot complete the online form. Hardto-count households may also speak English as a second language and live at or near the poverty line.

So far, 2 million hard-to-count households have responded, which meets the state’s initial target and puts it ahead of 10 other states with similarly high racial and ethnic diversity. California has the largest number of hard to count households in the country, according to California Complete Count.

Surprisingly, however, wealthy cities in the state — which in past censuses have been easy to count — have had a lower response rate in the 2020 census.

In posh Malibu, for example, self-response rates dipped to 36 percent. In San Francisco, wealthy neighborhoods such as Cow Hollow, the Marina, Pacifi c Heights, and the Presidio have self-response rates of 53 percent, a startling drop from the 2010 census, when these neighborhoods exceeded 70 percent.

Ditas Katague, longtime director of California Complete Count-Census 2020, the state’s initiative to ensure an accurate census count, said during an Aug. 3 press briefi ng that there are only a few days left to respond to avoid enumerators coming knocking at the door. All residents in the country are required to respond to the Census regardless of immigration status.

“This is a pivotal time in our nation’s history. Face to face contact is limited,” she said, also noting the uncertainty of door-to-door fi eld work.

U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven

Dillingham announced Aug. 3 that he was cutting short the time for fi eld data collection. Earlier, enumerators were scheduled to continue knocking on doors until Oct. 31. But Dillingham’s memo said fi eld operations would end on Sept. 30 to ensure that the Bureau would meet its statutory deadline of Dec. 31 for delivering census results to the White House.

The shortened timeline for data collection immediately evoked response from critics. House Majority leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, issued a series of tweets Aug. 4, stating: “Last night's announcement that the 2020 Census will be cut short before its work is done is yet another example of this Administration’s blatant assault on our Constitution and our democracy.”

“Trump has been trying to undermine the Census since before it began.

The House will continue to investigate these abuses. With only 6 in 10 people counted so far, I urge the Commerce Secretary & Census Director to insist on conducting the full count as mandated by our Constitution,” tweeted Hoyer.

Katague said she was deeply concerned that fi eld work might be cut short. “A successful count involves enough enumerators and enough timing.”

“We risk a historic under-count,” she said.

Saturday-Friday | August 8 - 14, 2020

“fiLL ouT... from Page 1 Aside from doing the required count, every ten years, of every person living in California, (yes, including undocumented folks), participating in the 2020 Census will help bring and keep resources that are limited in our most vulnerable communities and that are critical for our children to grow up safe and healthy.

These include businesses (think jobs!), clinics, schools, childcare programs, smooth streets with sidewalks and stop lights, and fi re stations. By taking a few minutes to answer 10 questions, we can change our community's future for the next 10 years!

In California, counting all kids is particularly important in cities like Fresno and Los Angeles. Not only are they two of the most diverse cities in California – and therefore two of the hardest to count – but they have also been among the hardest hit by COVID-19 with communities of color facing the worst health, economic and other impacts of the pandemic.

In Fresno, 37 percent of young children live below the poverty line. At First 5 Fresno County, we know children develop in the context of their communities, and without needed resources, thriving will be diffi cult at best.

In the 2010 Census, 1 million children were excluded from the count resulting in 10 years of lost resources for those children and their communities.

The good news is that we can make a difference in 2020. We can use our voices to benefi t our children and our communities by fi lling out the Census and helping others to do the same. Once we make sure we count our household, we must help our parents, friends, and neighbors count their household, including all children and babies!

The success of this Census depends, in large part, on every Californian raising their voice to say, “I count and so do my children.” It is our responsibility as advocates for our families and communities to ensure everyone is counted.

Fortunately, completing the Census has never been easier. You can complete the form in 13 languages at my2020census.gov, or over the phone. You can also respond to a paper questionnaire if you received one in the mail.

The Census will not ask you any questions regarding your immigration status. Rather, all the questions are demographic, like how many people stay in your home and their basic information (name, sex, age, etc.).

The information given is confi dential and secure – if a Census worker tries to share the information you provide they could be punished with hefty fi nes and jail. And do not worry that any of the information you share with the Census will be disclosed: the law says no Census data can be released for 72 years!

U.S. Census Bureau workers will soon be knocking on doors in communities around the state to ask households that have not yet participated in fi lling out the form.

Of course, this makes many in our communities anxious and scared. The sooner you fi ll out your form, the more likely you will avoid a visit from a Census worker. If they do show up, you’ll have to keep your distance and your mask on, while likely the questions are asked in person. You can avoid this by reminding everyone around you to act now!

California is a state para todos – a beacon of opportunity for people of every race, sex, creed, ethnicity, and nationality. We must send a strong message that in our state, we take care of each other and take our collective future seriously.

By counting every person in our homes, we can make sure we get what belongs to us in the next decade.

Help me remind everyone – minutes change the next 10 years. Take a bit of time to complete the 2020 Census today! California babies are counting on us to count them. Apúrate and let's do this, juntos!

Fabiola González is the Executive Director of First 5 Fresno County where they work to ensure a future where all children are healthy, loved and nurtured and their families have everything necessary to live well.

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Employers should notify its workers of positive COVID-19 tests SACRAMENTO, CA – On Wednesday, Assemblymembers Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-San Bernardino), Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) and a cast member from Disneyland called for passage of legislation that will save lives and help re-open the economy safely by requiring employers to report COVID-19 infections in workplaces.

“California’s frontline workers are caught between the risks of a deadly pandemic and the realities that can’t wait many more months: hungry kids at the table, rent coming due, and electric bills piling in the mailbox.

These workers are predominately people of color,” said Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-San Bernardino), author of AB 685.

“To re-open California safely we must provide workers the accurate information they need to protect their families and give enforcement agencies the thorough data they need to keep workplaces safe and minimize the spread of COVID-19 in California.”

Under AB 685 (Reyes), employers would be required to provide a 24-hour notice to all employees at a worksite should any worker be exposed to COVID-19 and required to report a workplace COVID-19

positive test, diagnosis, order to quarantine or isolate, or death that could be COVID-19 related to Cal/ OSHA and the California Department of Public Health.

California’s workplaces are ground zero for COVID-19 outbreaks. Last week, the Los Angeles Times reported that “from farming communities to urban centers and suburbs, workers in retail, manufacturing, agriculture and logistics are bearing the brunt of COVID-19 outbreaks.”

A Sunday Los Angeles Times story reported that in some workplace outbreaks were reported to county offi cials only after workers had died and many others had become infected.

“Too many farmworkers live in fear: fear of deportation, fear of incurring public charge, fear of losing their job, and now fear of contracting COVID-19,” said Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister).

“It is our responsibility to mitigate that fear of infection by increasing their safety in the workplace. We need to protect our essential farmworkers, and all workers, who have put their lives on the line for all of us during this pandemic. I’m proud to co-author AB 685 so our workers have access to timely, accurate infor-

Los aNgeLes... from Page 1 testing to Angelenos, working with partner organizations to establish COVID-19 diagnostic testing sites at six drivethrough and two walk-up locations, as well as dozens of pop-up community testing sites throughout the city. The City delivered testing to the majority of skilled nursing facilities in Los Angeles and required monthly testing for all staff and residents. The City will soon partner with Curative to launch testing at mobile kiosks, expanding the availability of testing to communities without access to a drive-through site.

“Mayor Garcetti rose to an unprecedented challenge with no federal strategy and limited support. CORE is proud of its team of everyday citizens who have stepped up to do their part, alongside our City’s fi refi ghters and other workers.

Now in our fi fth month of fi ghting this pandemic, we know that testing is one piece of saving the lives and livelihoods at stake right now,” said CORE Co-Founder and CEO Ann Lee. “We must do more. We ask the public to continue doing its part to mask, distance, and test, and if testing positive, to quarantine and fully participate with contact tracers. We are committed to partners who can maximize the impact of our testing eff orts by providing test results within 48 hours, contact tracing within 72 hours after a positive result, and supporting those who cannot quarantine safely.”

“Curative is pleased to partner with the City of Los Angeles, CORE, and LAFD to supply COVID-19 testing to anyone who needs a test,” said Fred Turner, CEO and Co-Founder of Curative-Korva Labs.

“Innovative approaches to testing are needed to fi ght this pandemic and Curative will continue to adapt and innovate through mobile testing to reach more Angelenos.”

Mayor Garcetti has emphasized that the City’s testing model –– which delivers

results within 48 hours –– is a critical component of L.A.’s strategy to slow the spread of COVID-19. To strengthen that approach, the City has partnered with the L.A. County Department of Public Health to scale up a contact tracing program as well, encourage physical distancing protocols, and mandate that residents wear a mask anytime they are outside their homes.

"The men and women of the LAFD continue to work collaboratively with Mayor Garcetti's staff and the dedicated personnel from Curative and CORE to facilitate Citywide COVID-19 testing for Angelenos," said LAFD Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas.

"The battle against COVID-19 is unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime, and I am proud that our organizations were able to quickly answer the Mayor's call to design, staff , and supply such a complex operation."

The City’s eff orts to scale up testing have been guided by its commitment to equity and informed by data showing that COVID-19 was disproportionately impacting communities of color, especially in particular neighborhoods of our City.

In response, Los Angeles increased the capacity of testing sites in areas with large Black and Latino populations, including quadrupling the size of the Crenshaw Christian Center site, establishing a walkup location at Kedren Community Health Center, and working with the County to add new sites at the Forum in Inglewood and Charles Drew University in Willowbrook.

Residents who believe they need a test should check with their health care practitioners, as well as the more than 100 State, County, and community-based providers who off er free testing in the L.A. area. Angelenos can fi nd those providers through the City testing website at Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing. New appointments are added daily.

mation about risks in their workplace, and can take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.”

As California looks to reopen, even more workers, especially Latinx, Black and API workers, are facing serious risk from the pandemic’s resurgence and a lack of accurate data on outbreaks.

“Over 140,000 Latinos in California have tested positive for COVID-19 and over 3,000 have died – numbers grossly disproportionate to the population and make up the majority of our state’s low-wage workers,” said Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego).

“From our hospitals and grocery stores, to meatpacking plants, restaurant kitchens and countless other businesses, workers remain on the job to maintain our supply chain and then bring home the infection to their loved ones and others in the community. Without a requirement to report COVID-19 exposures, no workplace in California is safe.”

“We hear daily that workers are getting sick in California’s grocery stores, meat packing plants and pharmacies, and that they’re afraid of bringing the virus home to their families after their shift,” said Andrea Zinder, president, UFCW

Western States Council and UFCW Local 324.

“Workers cannot be treated as disposable if we ever want to win this battle against COVID-19. AB 685 will help workers take appropriate steps to protect themselves, their families and the public while allowing Cal/OSHA to use limited inspection and enforcement funds more eff ectively, imperative when California is looking at years of budget defi cits. UFCW is proud to stand besides these lawmakers to support our state’s essential workers.”

“Over and over, employers have failed to notify workers when COVID-19 exposure occurs,” said Mitch Steiger, legislative advocate, California Labor Federation. “Even when employers do give a warning, the notifi cation is vague, inaccurate, or designed to threaten workers into tolerating unsafe work environments. As a result, case numbers are skyrocketing across a wide variety of industries and uncontrollable outbreaks threaten the lives of not just these workers, but their families and everyone they contact. AB 685 simply requires employers to report COVID-19 exposures, allowing workers to use this information to protect themselves and slow the spread of this terrible virus.”

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Bacolod Association donates food to Long Beach Police

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he Long Beach Bacolod Association (LBBA), in cooperation with Christian Divinagracia of Cuizina LB, recently donated over 100 packs of Filipino meals to the members of the Long Beach Police Department West Station.

Peter Albano Ramirez, LBBA president, together with Long Beach residents Malou C. Mariano and Oscar Dela Cruz, a popular Community leader for the Fil-Am senior citizens, delivered the meals to the grateful police officers.

LBBA's gesture of appreciation for our men and women in blue comes at a time when the need for peace and order cannot be emphasized enough.

The Filipino contingent thanked Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna and the entire Long Beach Police Department for their services.

Among the officers who were present during the event were Eric McGowan, Ruben Navarro and LBPD West Division PRO Officer Janie Cozine.

PALAD releases 2020 candidate endorsements

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fter a month-long process, the Endorsements Committee, composed of the nine-member Board of Directors of the Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats (PALAD), concluded round one of the 2020 Endorsements process.

PALAD is the oldest Asian American and Pacific Islander Democratic club in Los Angeles, and our endorsements process seeks to elevate candidates who align with the values PALAD believe in and engage the community on the power of the Filipino American vote.

PALAD worked to ensure a clear, transparent, and fair endorsement process and that the endorsed candidates are committed to supporting the Filipino American and Asian American community and are aligned with the values encompassed in the Democratic Party platform.

PALAD received endorsement applications from 36 candidates, seven of which

were contested endorsements.

PALAD hosted an endorsements meeting on Saturday, August 1st and provided a historic opportunity for community, civic, and political engagement in the election process.

Over 100 general members, leaders, and media outlets participated and heard from candidates seeking our support in national, state, local, and judicial races.

With upcoming elections in November, this serves as an important process to strengthen the accountability of those seeking office and aid the Filipino American community in selecting candidates who best understand our interests and needs and have proposals to address them.

Lastly, due to several requests to reopen our endorsements application, the Board of Directors will consider a second and final round for open endorsement positions. More details will be released this week.

PALAD OFFICIAL RESULTS: 2020 ENDORSED CANDIDATES U.S. House of Representatives District 21 - Congressman TJ Cox* District 28 - Congressman Adam Schiff*** District 34 - Congressman Jimmy Gomez*** District 39 - Congressman Gil Cisneros*** District 47 - Congressman Alan Lowenthal*** State Senate District 21 - Kipp Mueller*** State Assembly District 43 - Assemblymember Laura Friedman*** District 53 - Assemblymember Miguel Santiago*** District 54 - Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager*** District 64 - Assemblymember Mike Gipson*** Los Angeles County Supervisor District 2 - LA City Council President Emeritus Herb Wesson** Los Angeles City Council District 4 - Councilmember David Ryu** District 10 - Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas** Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón** LAUSD School Board District 3 - Scott Schmerelson** District 7 - Patricia Castellanos** Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees Seat 1 - Andra Hoffman (incumbent) Seat 3 - David Vela (incumbent) Seat 5 - Nichelle Henderson Seat 7 - Mike Fong (incumbent) West Hollywood City Council - Noemi Torres Alhambra City Council - Councilmember Jeff Maloney (incumbent) Long Beach City Council District 6 - Dr. Suely Saro** District 8 - Tunua Thrash-Ntuk** Burbank City Council - Nick Schultz Burbank School Board - Emily Weisberg Judicial Stephen Morgan, Judicial Seat No. 72** David Berger, Judicial Seat No. 80** Scott Andrew Yang, Judicial Seat No. 162** *Endorsed by the California Democratic Party (CADEM) **Endorsed by LA County Democratic Party (LACDP) ***Endorsed by both CADEM and LACDP Note: In races where there is no CADEM or LACDP endorsed candidate yet, the current incumbent was noted.

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Honoring a great woman of science, Astronomer Cecilia Payne - Gaposchkin

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n last week issue of this publication, this writer wrote about current women's empowerment in the United States Congress. As a result, this writer wanted to honor this great woman of science, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin.

From our high school studies on Science subjects, we learned that Isaac Newton discovered gravity; that Charles Darwin discovered evolution, and that Albert Einstein discovered the relativity of time. But when it comes to the composition of our universe, the Science textbooks simply mentions that "the most abundant atom in the universe is hydrogen and no one ever wonders how we know." This was according to Science writer, Jeremy Knowles, there's a complete lack of recognition for Cecilia Payne - Gaposchkin even today, for her evolutionary discovery.

Cecilia Helena Payne was one of three children born in Wendover, England on May 10, 1900 to Emma Leonora Helena (Pertz) and Edward John Payne, a London barrister, historian and musician who had been an Oxford fellow, Her mother came from a Prussian family and had two distinguished uncles: Georg Heinrich Pertz and Swedenborgian writer, James John Garth Wilkinson, her sister Florence was a pianist. Cecilia Payne's father died when she was four years old, forcing her mother to raise the family on her own.

Cecilia Payne began school in Wendover at a private school run by Elizabeth Edwards, but when she was twelve years old, her mother moved to London for the sake of their education. Her brother, Humfry later became an Archeologist, while Cecilia attended St. Mary's College in Paddington, where she was unable to study Mathematics or Science. In 1918, she changed schools and attended St. Paul's Girl's School, where she was encouraged by her teacher, Gustav Holst, who taught music at the school to pursue a career in music, but she preferred to focus on Science, so the following year, she won a scholarship at Newnham College, Cambridge University, where she learned Botany, Physics and Chemistry, though later dropped Botany as she became interested in Astronomy after hearing a lecture by Andre Eddington on his 1919 expedition to the island of Principe in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of Africa to observe and photograph the stars near a solar eclipse, as a test of Albert Einstein's "general theory of relativity." As a result of this particular lecture, Cecilia's world picture had completely transformed by commenting that "my world had been so shaken that I experienced something much like a nervous breakdown." She completed her studies but was not awarded her degree because she was a woman. At the time, Cambridge didn't grant degrees to women until 1948. Thus, she said "to heck with it!"

Realizing that her only option in the U.K was to become a teacher, she searched for grants that would enable her to move to the United States, but according to Jeremy Knowles, Cecilia Payne's mother refused to send her money for her college education, so after she was introduced to Harlow Shaply, the Director of the Harvard College Observatory, where she had just established a graduate program

Russian-born Astrophysicist, Sergei Gaposhkin, who couldn't go back to his country due to his politics. In 1937, she became an American citizen and married Sergei. Together they ended up publishing several books.

In 1954, Payne-Gaposchkin became the fi rst woman to be promoted as Full Professor within the faculty at Harvard's College Observatory and in 1956, she was appointed as Harvard's Chair of the Department of Astronomy. She retired from active teaching in Astronomy, she left EngAstronomer Otto Strauve in 1966 and was subsequently appointed Emeritus land in 1923 and applied for called her thesis "the most Professor of Harvard but continued her research as a scholarship to the Har- brilliant Ph.D thesis ever a staff member at the Observatory as well as editing vard College Observatory, in written in Astronomy." all journals and books published.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, After her doctorate, CeNow we all know that Cecilia Payne did not only United States, where she cilia Payne went on a trip discover what the universe is made of, but she also was accepted, and decided to Europe, where she met discovered what the sun is made of (Henry Russell), a fellow Astronomer, is usually given credit for discovering that the sun's composition is different from the Earth's, but he came to his conclusions four years later than Payne after telling her NOT to publish). But in the end, her name was credited for it. She passed away on December 7, 1979 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.

The story of Cecilia Payne - Gaposchkin is truly a great inspiration to all the young women of today for their quest for excellence and emCecilia Payne-Gaposchkin Sergei Gaposchkin powerment.

(Cecilia Payne’s husband) to move and work there.

Apparently, the scholarship was made possible by a fellowship to encourage women to study at the Observatory, just like Adelaide Ames who had become the fi rst student on the fellowship, making Payne the second student awarded on it.

Subsequently, she pursued a Ph.D in Astronomy from Radcliff College, and wrote about her "discovery that stars are made mostly by hydrogen and helium and that stars could be classifi ed according to their temperature." Upon Shapley's persuasion, Payne wrote her doctoral thesis entitled" "Stellar Atmospheres: a Contribution tp the Observational Studies of High Temperature in the Reversing Layers of Stars."

CarsoN... from Page 1 To stay within the maximum rate of 10.25%, there is only 0.75% remaining available for Carson to increase its sales tax revenue from sales generated within the City’s boundaries.

If a sales tax at the rate of 0.75% is approved by the voters, the revenues collected from this sales tax will be deposited in the City’s General Fund to fund City services and programs for its residents instead of other taxing jurisdictions like the County of Los Angeles.

“We need to ensure that progress continues in Carson and the level of security and public safety does not decline. Funds from the sales tax ensure that our local tax dollars remain in Carson to protect our essential city services. This small increase will make a huge impact to boost our local funding to maintain’ Carson’s 911 emergency response and public safety, protect small businesses that provide local jobs, and make public areas clean and safe,” said Mayor Pro Tem Jim Dear.

The City of Carson’s sales tax rate is 9.5% generating annual revenue of $23 million. An increase of the sales tax from 9.5% to 10.25% would generate an additional estimated $11.9 million to the City’s total annual revenue.

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When Filing Bankruptcy Becomes Necessary BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF FICO SCORE

IF you’re in debt and are considering bankruptcy as an option for you to get needed relief, perhaps just hearing the word “bankruptcy” makes you extremely nervous. Maybe the word conjures up images in your mind of losing everything you have and not having a financial future.

Relax. It’s not what you think. Regardless of what you may heard about bankruptcy, it is really nothing more than a petition that you file with the court in order to get relief from debts that you can no longer pay.

If you were physically sick, the best thing to do is to go to get immediate medical help. If you’re not well, you may be admitted to a hospital where you can get medical care and treatment until you recover and are able to function again.

The same is true if you are financially sick and are no longer able to take care of yourself. I always tell my clients that bankruptcy is like getting a needed surgery. Yes, it may hurt but it’s exactly what you need to get better.

How do you know if bankruptcy makes sense for your situation?

Well, here are 4 situations that may tell you if you are going in the right direction.

1) You can no longer afford to make your monthly debt payments. If you are always late in making your debt payments and you are sometimes forced to borrow even more just to pay other debts, this is a serious sign of financial trouble. To get out of debt, you need to stop borrowing and not do the exact opposite. Otherwise, the financial hole you’re in just keeps getting deeper every month.

2) Your income is not sufficient to even pay for living expenses, let alone pay your debts. This is one of the most common reasons whey people file bankruptcy. If you have suffered a loss of income and can’t even cover basic necessities such as rent, food, utilities, etc., the question is whether or not you’d be able to replace the lost income right away in order to avoid defaulting on your debts. If your current situation is likely to continue for a long period of time, it will not take very long to be broke unless you have financial reserves. Sadly, most people don’t.

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WE will be featuring a six part article regarding one’s FICO SCORE. This will enable you to better understand how you are being graded and for you to watch out.

Listed below are the five main categories of information that FICO scores evaluate, along with their general level of importance. Within these categories is a complete list of the information that goes into a FICO score.

1. Payment history- what is your track record?

2. Amounts owed- how much is too much?

3. Length of Credit History- How established is yours?

4. New Credit- Are you taking on more debt?

5. Types of credit use- Is it a healthy mix?

Here are the most basic things we need to know about FICO score: 1. What is a FICO score?

It’s a number lenders use to help them decide: “If I give this person a loan or credit card, how likely is it that I will get paid back on time?” A FICO score is a snapshot of your credit risk picture at a particular point tin time. The higher your score, the lower the risk to lenders. Fair Isaac Corporation develops the mathematical formulas used to produce FICO scores.

2. How can I improve my FICO score?

Your FICO score analysis will suggest things you can do to improve your score over time. Generally, people with high FICO scores consistently: -pay bills on time -keep balances low on credit cars and other revolving credit products.

-apply for and open new credit accounts only as needed.

3. What is a good FICO score?

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4. How are FICO scores calculated?

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Since there is no one “score cutoff” used by all lenders, it’s hard to say what a good score is outside the context of a particular lending decision. But usually lenders would consider the middle score among the three credit bureaus reporting. You should also stay at least 500 credit score in order to get any type of financing.

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Every FICO score is calculated at a consumer reporting agency using a mathematical formula that evaluates many types of information on your credit report at that agency. By comparing your information to the patterns in millions of past credit reports, the score identifies your level of future credit risk.

5. What are the highest and lowest FICO scores?

FICO scores range from 300 to 850.

The higher the score, the lower the predicted credit risk for lenders.

6. Why do lenders use FICO scores?

Credit scores give lenders a fast, objective and impartial snapshot of a person’s credit risk based on their credit history. That’s why lenders use FICO

credit scores when making credit decisions. The higher the individual’s credit score, the lower the risk to lenders when extending new credit to the person.

7. Does every one have a FICO score?

For a FICO score to be calculated on your credit report, the report must contain at least one account which has been open for six months or longer. In addition, the report must contain at least one account that has been updated in the past six months. This ensures that there is enough information – and enough recent information- in your report to compute an accurate score.

8. Do FICO scores change that much over time?

Research indicates that, for the most part, FICO scores are pretty stable from one month to the next, however changes in your credit behavior can significantly impact your FICO score over time. The degree of change in score is driven by a variety of factors such as: How can I increase my credit scores and how fast?

We have a program with the proper documentation from your creditors, we can remove derogatory remarks off your credit report within 3-5 business days and immediately create a new fico score for you. We have testimonials from clients who has increase their credit scores by between 80-100 points in less than a week per your request. That process got our clients the best prevailing rates available which in return will save them thousands of dollars in the long run on their mortgage payment. *Your current credit profile. How you have managed your credit to date will affect how a particular action may impact your score. For example, new information on a credit report, such as opening a new credit account, is more likely to have a larger impact on a consumer with limited credit history compared to a consumer with a very full credit history. *The change being reported. The "degree" of change being reported will have an impact. For example, if someone who usually pays bills on-time continues to do so, while a very positive action, then there will likely be only a small impact on the score one month later.

On the other hand, if this same person files a bankruptcy or misses a payment, there will most likely be a substantial impact on the score one month later.

Still, small changes in score can be important for some consumers who want to obtain a certain FICO score level or who are striving to reach a certain lender's FICO score "cutoff" (the point above which a lender would accept a new application for credit, but below which, the credit application would be denied).

I hope that these information has helped you understand FICO score more, for a free evaluation of credit and a credit report run in a few minutes, please feel free to call me at your convenience at (562)697-7028 anytime. I am here to answer your questions. CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636

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4 WAYS FILING FOR DIVORCE CAN BENEFIT YOUR IMMIGRATION CASE to file the “waiver.” It is important to time this correctly as soon as the marriage starts falling apart because by terminating the marriage early on, you might be able to file the waiver before the expiration of your 2 year conditional LPR thus allowing you to extend your LPR status in 1 year increments until a final decision is made in your case.

COUPLES get divorced for various reasons. California is a no fault state.

The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law case. Divorce is often a difficult and negative experience for most families. However, getting divorce may have some unintended benefits in the immigration law arena. Four situations in which filing for divorce can be beneficial to your immigration case are as follows: 1. Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens If you were petitioned for legal permanent residence by your US Citizen parent as a married son or daughter 21 years old or over, you are classified in immigration law under family sponsored third preference (F3) which usually carries a long wait time. The wait time for Filipinos for example is currently 22 years. The priority date is normally the date the petition was initially filed by your US Citizen parents. If you get divorced, you revert back to single status and your category automatically becomes reclassified to first preference (F1) where the waiting time is substantially shorter. For example, for Filipinos the wait time under F1 category is 10 years shorter than F3 category. This means if your parents filed your immigration petition 12 years ago, then you can adjust to a green card now instead of waiting another 10 years.

2. Married Sons and Daughters of Legal Permanent Residents If your parents are legal permanent residents, getting divorced will convert you back single status making you eligible to be petitioned by your legal permanent resident parents under the family based second preference (F2b) category if you are 21 years old or older or under the family based second preference A (F2a) if you are under 21 years of age.

For those who married after they were petitioned by their LPR parents (F2A and F2B), the petition is automatically revoked under operation of law the moment you get married and cannot be reclaimed by a divorce. In theory, it can be argued that filing a subsequent petition after your divorce under the same category inherits the previous petition’s priority date under 9 FAM 42.43 N10 and 8 CFR 204.2(h), Part 205. However, success of such argument is not clear since the old petition was automatically revoked the moment you married. The best thing that can be done in this situation is to have your LPR parent repetition you as an F2A or F2b even if you are unable to reclaim the previous petition’s priority date.

3. Conditional Legal Permanent Residents in failed Marriages For those who obtained their legal permanent residence status through marriage based petition by their US Citizen spouse of less than 2 years marriage, the legal permanent residence status conferred is usually a “conditional legal permanent residence” valid only for 2 years. The couple would need to sign and file a joint petition to remove this condition prior to the expiration of the 2 years or the conditional legal permanent resident spouse would fall out of status.

The problem arises when the marriage is in trouble. Often it becomes difficult to obtain the cooperation of the US Citizen spouse specially when the couple has separated. US Citizen spouse often refuse to sign the I-751 for or appear at the I-751 interview if one is set by the USCIS. Filing for divorce would terminate the marriage and allow you to file a “waiver” of the joint petition to remove the conditional LPR status based on entering into the marriage in good faith.

Terminating the marriage by filing a divorce is a requirement in order

MINDING YOUR FINANCES… FROM PAGE 6 3) Your credit is already damaged. A lot of people consulting with me about bankruptcy often ask about the impact that filing may have on their credit. That’s understandable especially if maintaining a good credit rating is important to you. But if your credit is already damaged due to late payments, repos, foreclosure, lawsuits or judgments, what “credit” are you really trying to protect? Filing bankruptcy may actually help you re-establish credit much faster (usually 2-3 years) instead of having a lot of collection accounts on your record. Remember that as long as you do not pay creditors, they will continue to report you month after month which then makes it impossible for you to regain your credit.

Because every situation is unique, there may be reasons other than the above which could make filing bankruptcy the best option in getting out of debt. Before going down this road, of course, you need to know the pros and cons by seeking legal advice so that you can make an informed decision. If you have not read my book, “What You Need to Know Before Filing Bankruptcy”, you can download it free of charge at www.beforefilingbk.com.

For a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free consultation. ***NOTE: Due to the virus lockdown, I am currently offering consultations via phone or video.

Please call the office to schedule your appointment with me. Questions?

Email me at gethelp@rjb-lawoffices.com.

(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).

4. Married Aliens in Non-Immigrant Visas and those without Status For those who enter the US as a non-immigrant and are separated from their spouse but still married, filing a divorce would open up opportunities in case they meet a new significant other who is a US Citizen and who can petition them as an immediate relative. This is usually the fastest of process in obtaining legal permanent residence. In countries such as the Philippines where there is no divorce, many people come to the US to start a new life after they have been separated from their old spouse (often still married to them). Even if the alien over stays their status as a visitor, the alien can still adjust to that of a legal permanent residence if petitioned by a US Citizen spouse. If the alien was never inspected, the alien can still adjust to legal permanent residence if they are grandfathered under INA 245(i) and there are no special restrictions on their status. To be grandfathered under INA 245(i), the alien must have been a beneficiary of a legal permanent residence petition filed no later than April 30, 2001.

Finally, a common concern of divorcing immigrants is “What happens if my spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers?” The truth is you do not need your spouse’s signature to

obtain a divorce in California. You only need to provide your spouse notice that you filed a divorce by personally serving your spouse the divorce petition and summons. In countries that are members of the Hague Convention, special procedures need to be followed to effect service. So yes it is possible to divorce your spouse even if your spouse is in a country that does not recognize divorce among its citizens such as the Philippines. For some immigrants, filing for divorce opens up opportunities in this land of milk and honey.

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, APLC. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Reyes is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Immigration and Family Law Sections. You may contact Atty. Reyes at (213) 388-1611 or via e-mail at kenneth@kenreyeslaw. com. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA. Visit us at Kenreyeslaw.com to learn about our firm.

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Facility Caregivers: Are you paid at least $456 a day when working a 24-hour shift?

C A REGI V ERS work i ng i n Residential Care Facilities provide an important service to elderly and disabled individuals, as well as their families. These caregivers often work up to 24 hours per day, providing necessar y care and supervision to ensure the health and safety of each facility resident.

However, many facility caregivers are grossly underpaid for the services they provide.

For tunately, Ca lifornia law protects caregivers who work in licensed Residential Care Facilities from wage theft. Specifically, all facility caregivers are entitled to receive at least minimum wage for every hour they work, including all hours they are required to be present at the facility. The current minimum wage rate in California is $12.00 per hour for employers with 25 employees or less, and $13.00 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees. Additionally, with some exceptions, facility caregivers are also entitled to overtime compensation for all hours worked in excess of 8 per day or 40 per week, and double time compensation for all hours worked in excess of 12 per day.

In light of these requirements, facility caregivers who work 24-hour shifts must be paid at least $456 per day to comply with California’s minimum wage laws. That includes 8 hours of pay at the minimum wage rate of $12.00/ hour ($96), four hours of pay at the overtime rate of $18.00/hour ($72), and 12 hours of pay at the double time rate of $24/hour ($288).

In lieu of paying overtime and double time wages, many employers pay facility caregivers a fixed salary, regardless of the actual number of hours they work each day. However, paying an employee a daily, weekly or monthly salary does not disqualify that employee from the minimum wage or overtime compensation requirements. In actuality, under California law, payment of a fixed salary to a non-exempt employee only compensates that employee for their regular, non-overtime hours worked. This means that a non-exempt facility caregiver who receives a fixed salary has probably not been compensated for any hours he or she worked in excess of 8 per

day or 40 per week. Furthermore, those uncompensated hours are considered overtime and double time hours, compensable at a rate one-and-one half times or two times the facility caregiver’s regular rate of pay.

If you are a facility caregiver receiving a fixed salary for working 24-hour shifts, you may have a substantial unpaid overtime claim.

For purposes of illustration, below is an example of how wage and hour claims are calculated for facility caregivers under California law: Tony is a facility caregiver. He works 24 hours per day and is not allowed to leave the care facility at any time during his scheduled shifts. Tony’s employer also requires him to sleep in the facility at night and the residents frequently wake him asking for assistance. Tony receives a daily salary of $100 each day he works. This makes Tony’s regular rate of pay $12.50 per hour ($100/8 hours per day). Subject to that calculation, Tony’s overtime rate is $18.75 per hour and his double-time rate is $25 per hour, respectively.

Because Tony’s daily salary of $100 does not compensate him for any overtime hours worked, Tony’s employer owes him $375.00 per day in unpaid wages: 4 overtime hours x $18.75 (Tony’s overtime rate), plus 12 double time hours x $25.00 (Tony’s double time rate). If Tony works 5 days per week, he is owed $1,875 per week, which equals $97,500 each year he works. If Tony brings a claim against his employer for these unpaid wages, he can seek unpaid wages going back three to four years, along with interest, attorney’s fees and costs, liquidated damages and penalties.

Caregivers work hard to provide support and assistance to our loved ones, and they should be paid in accordance with California law for their invaluable services. If you are a caregiver working in licensed Residential Care Facility and you are not being paid according to California law, we would like to help. Please contact our firm at (818)807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation. We love helping caregivers get the overtime compensation that they deserve.

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Lauren J. Peterson, employment law attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson in Woodland Hills. 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. Or visit us at www.caregiverovertime.com to learn more about caregiver overtime law. We offer a 24-hour chat line on our website.

Indigenous peoples' groups ask Supreme Court to junk anti-terror law MANILA (Mabuhay) — Indigenous peoples' groups have asked the Supreme Court to declare the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 null and void, alleging that the law violates their right to self-determination.

Officers of IP alliance KATRIBU, Muslim activist and 2019 senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc, Lumad leaders, and other Moro and IP organizations filed at least the 26th petition against the controversial new law on Friday.

They said the right to self-determination, which is guaranteed by the Constitution, entails the right to oppose and criticize "devel-

opment aggression and the policy of militarization that comes with it."

The petitioners said the law w ill potentially increase instances in which they are labelled as communist rebels or supporters

by State forces. They said indigenous peoples and human rights defenders have been murdered even before the law was enacted.

"The indigenous peoples' assertion of their rights and their consequent opposition to development aggression should never serve as a justification for red-baiting or red-tagging since it is but an exercise of their constitutionally guar-

anteed rights to self-determination," they said in the petition.

They also cited the Department of Justice's petition for the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New Peoples' Army to be judicially declared as terrorists, which initially listed hundreds of names, including those of advocates for indigenous peoples, as another incident of red-tagging.

Filed in 2018, this petition is still pending before a Manila court. Though it initially named over 600 people as respondents, the list is now down to eight alleged leaders, including Jose Maria Sison, who is in exile in the Netherlands.

"The passage of RA 11479 will even potentially exponentially increase the instances of this red-baiting on three grounds: its vague provisions, its disregard for the context of the indigenous peoples, and its giving more power to State forces, most of whom have been at the forefront of

the abuses against the indigenous peoples," the petitioners said.

In addition, they argued that the anti-terrorism law will also place Moro people in "grave insecurity," claiming that Muslims have long been wrongly generalized as terrorists.

"The labels 'terrorist' and 'insurgents' have become the catch-all pretext to legitimize attacks on them," the petitioners said of indigenous and Moro peoples.

"Far from a law that protects, RA 11479 legitimizes the structural violence already perpetuated against them and is repugnant to constitutional values," they said.

They also questioned the law's provisions on surveillance, the designation of individuals and groups as terrorists, and warrantless arrests.

Retired justices Antonio Carpio and Conchita Carpio Morales, four members of the commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution, lawmakers, lawyers, professors, youth leaders, journalists, artists, labor groups, activists have also filed petitions against the law. (MNS)

DFA chief orders check on Chinese survey vessel near Reed Bank MANILA (Mabuhay) — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. on Friday instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (ASPAC) to check on reports that a Chinese survey vessel is currently near Reed or Recto Bank within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

Reacting to a tweet by Indo-Pacific News @indopac_info, Locsin said he remembers a permit has been issued to a US survey ship and a French one.

"I know there was permission for a US survey ship, then a French one though I can't remember when that was from the undiminishing pile of sheets on my table. @DFAPHL ASPAC check on this,” Locsin said.

Indo-Pacific News @indopac_info reported that the vessel “XIANG YANG HONG 14 had departed from China on July 22, and arrived in the Reed Bank on August 6.”

“No opposition from the PH coast guard so far, as usual,” it added.

Defense Secreta r y Del f i n Lorenzana earlier said the Philippines would not join navies of other countries in maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea for fear of raising tension in the area, citing a standing order by President Rodrigo Duterte. (MNS)

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De Lima says 'trumped up' drug cases show why death penalty must be opposed MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senator Leila De Lima on Friday said her detention in Camp Crame for alleged involvement in illega l drug trade would be the best argument to oppose the reimposition of death penalty in the Philippines.

"Not only is death penalty severe, it is also irreversible for the falsely accused which are aplenty in our deeply flawed justice system. I am one of them.

The drug cases against me are all trumped-up, based on perjured or coerced testimonies from Bilibid inmates and other dubious characters," De Lima said in a statement read during a webinar.

"I thus say with much conviction that my situation ought to serve as the best argument against capital punishment. Imagine this scenario—there is now a death penalty and I get convicted!" she added.

Asserting that she is a victim of "false prosecution and malevolent persecution," the former Just ice secreta r y sa id wrongful convictions are possible under what she called a "tyrannical, oppressive and evil regime."

De Lima slammed how

President Rodrigo Duterte even mentioned death penalty during his fifth State of the Nation Address when the country is in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte said Congress should allow lethal injection for drug convicts but according to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, the measure has higher chances of being passed if it will be confined only to high-level drug traffickers.

De Lima has been detained since 2017 for allegedly being involved in the drug trade during her tenure as Justice secretary.

The senator has repeatedly denied the accusations.

One of those who accused her of being a protector of illegal drug operations in the New Bilibid Prison, high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian, recently died allegedly due to COVID-19.

Opposing t he deat h penalty, De Lima relinquished her post in the Senate com m it tee on justice to let Senator Risa Hontiveros—a fellow minority lawmaker—take her place and participate in the deliberations of the pending death penalty bills. (MNS)

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DOJ to leave no stone unturned in PhilHealth probe MANILA (Mabuhay) — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday said a task force will be formed shortly by the agency to investigate anomalies in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

"I have received the President's memo. I will form a high-level task force immediately," Guevarra said in a message to newsmen, adding that there will be no stones unturned in the course of its investigation.

Guevarra added that he is now coordinating with the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the matter.

"I will reserve judgment (until) the task force has gone to work. We shall base our actions on such facts as may be established and such conclusions as may be reasonably inferred therefrom," he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in a memorandum, tasked the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute offenders, including the audit of finances and the conduct of lifestyle checks on officials and employees of the state health insurance firm.

Under the terms of the President's directive, during the course of the investigation, if warranted, the panel may recommend to the President the imposition of preventive suspension on any Philhealth official to ensure the unhampered conduct of the investigation.

Within 30 days from its constitution, the panel through Guevarra, shall submit to the Office of the President its findings and recommendations which shall include proposed legal actions against officials and employees found responsible for acts of corruption or anoma-

lies in Philhealth.

The President's order came after resigned PhilHealth anti-fraud officer Thorsson Monte Keith claimed that around PHP15 billion of the agency’s funds have been pocketed by some corrupt officials.

Keith also revealed that all members of the state firm’s executive committee composed the “mafia,” which had been allegedly siphoning funds from PhilHealth for the past years through fraudulent transactions.

His allegations also came after PhilHealth acting senior vice president Nerissa Santiago’s admission that the firm could go bankrupt in 2021 due to decreased col lect ions a nd increased payouts for health expenses of its members due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). (MNS)

JUSTICE SECRETARY MENARDO GUEVARRA

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400 Pinoys from Lebanon returning to PH — envoy

34 Filipinos were among the thousands injured in the blast, while four died, and one remains missing.

MANILA (Mabuhay) — About 400 Filipinos are expected to return home in the coming weeks following the catastrophic twin explosions in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on August 4.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said a flight scheduled on August 16 also seeks to bring home the mortal remains of Filipinos killed in the blast.

"The President (Rodrigo Duterte) heard the clamor of our kababayans.

This chartered flight is the most concrete, immediate, and timely assistance that the Department of Foreign Affairs could provide given the current situation in Lebanon," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said in a statement.

Before the outbreak of the coro-

navirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the DFA launched repatriation efforts in Lebanon to arrest the worsening condition of Filipinos in the country due to economic woes.

"Since December 2019, the department has repatriated at least 1,508 Filipinos from Lebanon.

When Covid-19 struck, the DFA moved to provide assistance to our overseas Filipinos in the country," Arriola said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon reported that 34 Filipinos were among the thousands injured in the blast, while four died, and one remains missing.

Based on previous DFA data, two of the wounded remain in critical condition and are being monitored at the Rizk Hospital. (MNS)

Poe wants greater protection, benefits for OFWs MANILA (Mabuhay) — Sen. Grace Poe pressed for the immediate passage of a bill that would provide greater protection to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have unjustly or prematurely lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Senate Bill No. 1476 or the proposed Act to Further Assist Filipino Migrant Workers will entitle the OFWs to the full reimbursement of their placement fee with 12-percent interest per annum plus their salaries for the unexpired portion of their employment contract, amending the current law that states that they may receive only three months' salary for every year of unexpired term, whichever is less.

"We must guarantee that our OFWs who were found eligible in keeping their jobs are shielded with social protection and fair benefits," Poe said.

The bill, which seeks to amend Section 10 on Money Claims of Republic Act No. 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act, also

mandates the Department of Labor and Employment and attached agencies to provide new skill trainings, re-training programs, livelihood and technology assistance, seminars for micro-finance assistance, and similar opportunities for the returning OFWs. "While we acknowledge that COVID-19 has hit a number of industries worldwide, it should not be flagrantly used as an excuse to lay off our Filipino workers without just cause, sufficient notice, and fair compensation," she added.

Poe underscored the need to institutionalize increased protection to OFWs as thousands are cut from their employment and sent home due to the slowdown in economic activities worldwide amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated their vulnerability as they struggle to gain access to healthcare, testing or treatment to ensure they remain fit to do the job and continue to have income to provide for their families.

"Our OFWs have contributed to keep the economy afloat. Their sacrifices in the hope of enjoying the fruits of their labor when they come home should not be taken for granted," Poe said.

Under the current Migrant Workers Act, the OFWs may file complaints before the National Labor Relations Commission and seek claims for actual, moral, exemplary and other forms of damages. The complaints will be heard and decided w it hin 90 calendar days after the filing. (MNS)

SEN. GRACE POE

Palace won't accept PH has more COVID-19 cases than Indonesia, highest in ASEAN

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MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Friday refused to accept that the Philippines has overtaken Indonesia in the number of coronavirus infections, claiming that the numbers are a result of Manila's more aggressive testing than Jakarta.

The Philippines' COVID-19 tally of 119,460 cases as of Thursday topped Indonesia's 118,753, making it the Southeast Asian nation with the highest number of infections despite imposing one of the longest lockdowns in the world.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the numbers were a product of the Philippines' supposed "aggresive" testing as he noted that Indonesia has only reached a third of Manila's testing output so far.

"Dahil mas maigting ang ating pagte-test, hindi po totoo na mas maraming kaso tayo kaysa Indonesia," Roque said during a Palace press briefing.

"Hindi lang nalalaman ng mga Indonesian kung sino-sino yung mga umiikot na mayroong sakit. At least tayo po, alam na natin kung sino na po sila," he added.

But Indonesia, which has more than twice the population of the Philippines, has 37,587 active COVID-19 cases - still fewer than the latter's 50,473 active infections.

Philippines climbs to having most COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia as tally nears 120,000

Pressed on his basis for claiming that it was wrong to say that the Philippines has more cases than Indonesia, Roque responded: "Hindi ko po alam how to answer that, basta ang malinaw lang po sa akin ang Indonesia, with more or less the same cases as us, has 1/3 of the actual testing we have conducted on our people."

"Hindi naman talaga totoo at conclusive na mas marami na tayong kaso dito sa Pilipinas compared to Indonesia. Mas marami lang tayong kaso na nalalaman na dito sa Pilipinas dahil nga po three times ang ating testing more compared to the testing done by Indonesia," he added.

Earlier, the Department of Health called for caution in comparing the Philippines' coronavirus tally with other countries, saying the Duterte government was "continuously strengthening our efforts" to manage the cases.

"We have to be very cautious when we try to compare our numbers with other countries," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Friday.

The Philippines reverted Metro Manila and nearby economic hubs to a stricter lockdown until Aug. 18 as it recalibrated its pandemic response following the plea of exhausted health workers for a "time out."

Cases had surged when the quarantine level was eased in June.

(MNS)

Saturday-Friday | August 8 - 14, 2020

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LOS ANGELES EDITION

Kumusta!

2020 Census taker po ako.

Ang aking responsibilidad ay gawing safe at simple ang pagtugon sa 2020 Census.

Importante ang trabaho ko ngayong taon! Bumibisita ako para makatulong sa 2020 Census habang nakasuot ng mask para sumunod sa patnubay ng pamahalaan para sa ikabubuti ng lahat. Kada sampung taon, layunin naming makakuha ng isang buo at tumpak na bilang ng lahat ng naninirahan sa bansa. Ang mga numerong ito ay nagbibigay ng mas mahusay na pag-unawa sa mga pangangailangan ng bawat komunidad.

Napakaimportante na lahat sumagot. Pwede kayong sumagot online, sa telepono o mail o sa isa naming kasamahang census takers.

Kumpletuhin ang census sa

2020CENSUS.GOV/tl o tumawag sa 844-478-2020 Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau

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global NEWS GLOBAL NEWS

Philippines reports 3,379 new COVID-19 cases; total at over 122K MANILA (Mabuhay) — The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country rose to 122,754 on Friday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,379 new infections of which 2,298 are "fresh" or newly validated and 1,081 are late.

This marks the ninth consecutive day where over 3,000 new cases were reported.

Meanwhile, the five provinces or cities with the highest number of new cases are the National Capital Region with 1,846; Rizal with 314; Laguna with 276; Cavite with 145; and Quezon with 66.

A total of 85 cases were removed from the tota l case count.

The DOH also announced that 96 more patients have recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 66,852, while 24 more fatalities brought the death toll to 2,168.

Among the new deaths, one or four percent occurred in August, four or 17 percent in July, eight or 34 percent in June, eight or 34 percent in May, one or 4 percent in April, and two or eight percent in March.

There are also 53,734 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine. Of this, 91.4 percent are mild, 7.3 percent are asymptomatic, 0.7 percent are severe, and 0.5 percent are in critical condition.

According to the DOH, the country’s positivity rate needs improvement at 9.74 percent while case fatality rate was recorded at 1.77 percent.

At present, the Philippines has 76 certified polymerase chain reaction facilities and 24 GeneXpert laboratories that have tested a total of 1,577,270 individuals.

Meanwhile, 54 percent of intensive care unit beds for patients are occupied while 29

MECQ effect on infection rate won't be felt until after 2-3 wks, says DOH MANILA (Mabuhay) — The impact of the twoweek modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces would only manifest a couple of weeks after its implementation, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Friday. "'Di pa natin masasabi ngayon kung nagkaroon na tayo ng epekto dito sa isinagawa natin MECQ o paghihigpit ulit ng community quarantine measures," Vergeire said at a televised briefing.

"Makikita natin 'yan after two to three weeks because we all know that the incubation period of the disease is about 14 days so kailangan hintayin natin 'yan kung may mga bago pang kaso na papasok," she added.

Metro Manila and nearby provinces have been placed under MECQ again from August 4 to 18 after medical frontliners called for a "time out" as cases continued to rise.

Chief implementer of the national action plan against COVID-19 Secretary Carlito Galvez, however, admitted that 15 days would not be enough to arrest the increasing number of cases.

According to Vergeire, part of the efforts within the two-week stricter lockdown period is the house-to-house visit at 10 barangays in Metro Manila for active COVID-19 case surveillance.

Other indicators of the success of the MECQ implementation would include higher awareness and compliance of the public with the minimum health standards, isolation of 100% of those who will be monitored with symptoms, and successful contact tracing of 95% of those with exposure to infected individuals, among others. (MNS)

percent of ventilators are being used.

On Thursday, the Philippines overtook Indonesia as the COVID-19 hotspot in Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, with 18 new confirmed COVID-19 cases recorded in Asia and the Pacific and Europe on Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that the total number of Filipinos infected with COVID-19 passed the 9,700 mark.

Meanwhile, 19 new recoveries were confirmed in the same regions and 1 new fatality due to COVID-19 among Filipinos abroad were recorded in Asia and the Pacific.

As the fight against COVID-19 continues, the DFA commits to tirelessly monitor the status of our people abroad, partnering with local authorities in campaigning for implementation of preventive measures, and facilitating requests for repatriation, whenever possible. (MNS)

Tax cuts sought for local makers of critical medical supplies MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senator Francis Pangilinan on Friday urged for the immediate passage of a bill seeking to provide tax exemptions for local manufacturers of surgical masks, personal protective equipment (PPE) sets, test kits, ventilators, and other medical products in order to ensure adequate supply during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

"Isiniwalat ng pandemya na wala dito sa Pilipinas ang gumagawa ng mga critical na mga medical supplies na ito (The pandemic has shown that makers of these critical supplies are not in the Philippines). At the onset of the pandemic, the supply of these critical products and its raw materials became scarce, inaccessible, and expensive," he said in calling for the approval of his Senate Bill (SB) 1759.

Pangilinan said the measure seeks to give incentives to local manufacturers and producers of these critical products and suppliers of critical services "to avoid a similar dilemma in the future".

He also said the proposed measure mandates the government to prioritize the purchase of locally-made medical supplies.

“At dahil ayon sa mga eksperto, matagal-tagal pa bago magkaroon ng bakuna kontra-Covid-19, kailangang masiguro na merong mga gumagawa ng mga surgical masks, PPE (sets), test kits, mga gamot dito sa Pilipinas para sa mga Pilipino (And because experts have said that it will take time before a Covid-19 vaccine is available, we should ensure that there will be manufacturers of PPEs, test kits and medicines here in the Philippines for Filipinos)," Pangilinan said.

In SB 1759, or the proposed Pandemic Protection Act of 2020, importation of capital equipment, spare parts and accessories, raw materials, and other needed articles shall be exempt from

SENATOR FRANCIS PANGILINAN

Saturday-Friday | August 8 - 14, 2020

customs duties, value-added tax (VAT), other taxes and fees such as import processing fees and fees imposed by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other relevant agencies.

Once enacted into law, the bill shall also exempt the local sales of critical products and services from VAT. The VAT-exempted list shall be posted on the website of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) through a Revenue Memorandum Circular.

Manufacturers relocating or expanding operations in the country are also qualified to avail themselves of this exemption as long as they meet the requirements.

Moreover, the bill requires businesses that produce and export critical products or services to supply up to 80 percent of their daily production to government institutions, hospitals, and private establishments for local and domestic use.

"Magagawa nating pasiglahin ulit ang ating ekonomiya sa pagtuon ng ating manufacturing sector sa mga pangangailangang medikal ngayong pandemya. Gagaling na ang mga maysakit, gagaling pa ang ating ekonomiya (We can rejuvenate our economy by focusing our manufacturing sector in the production of medical needs in this pandemic. The patients will recover, and so will our economy)," Pangilinan said. (MNS)

Testing without tracing: PH contact tracing czar spots gaps in COVID-19 response MANILA (Mabuhay) — Local governments must do more than just set up testing facilities for coronavirus patients, the country's contact tracing czar said Friday, adding that aggressive contact tracing, is also important in the fight against COVID-19.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said critical to contact tracing is the active involvement of local chief executives.

"Kasi tinututukan lang nila 'yung kanilang test facilities, kanilang quarantine at isolation at relief operations pero nakakalimutan nila na ganito ka-importante contact tracing.

Ngayon lang po nila na-re-realize,” he said.

Magalong said less than 1 percent of the 600 LGUs that responded to their online diagnostic test were found to have good contact tracing system.

“Unfortunately, out of the 1,800 [LGUs] 614 responded at lumalabas na 0.68 [percent] lang ang may maayos na contact tracing. After 1 month--

BAGUIO CITY MAYOR AND CONTACT TRACING CZAR BENJAMIN MAGALONG

this is our 3rd week--tapusin lang namin 'yung 4th week, and then magkakaroon na naman ako ng diagnostic test ulit,” he said.

Assuming the positivity rate for Metro Manila is 10 percent, he said the 2,500 cases in 10 days multiplied by 10 percent will result to 250 potentially infected people roaming around unaccounted for.

Maga long said hav ing a comprehensive and accurate information in the database system remains a challenge to

the health department.

“Ako rin po nafu-frustrate.

Ang maganda ngayon, inamin naman po ni Sec. [Francisco] Duque na may malaking pagkukulang at inaayos nila,” he said.

Metro Manila and nearby provinces were placed again under a modified enhanced community quarantine from August 4 to 18, after medical frontliners sought help from government for a timeout following a surge in the number of infections. (MNS)

Business BUSINESS 'Corrupt officials' marring PhilHealth's shift to digital, Morales claims Saturday-Friday | August 8 - 14, 2020

MANIL A (Mabuhay) — Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) President Ricardo Morales said "corrupt officials" in the agency have been trying to cast doubt on the firm's push to automate systems and make irregularities easier to spot in the state-run insurance company.

Morales claimed that some PhilHealth officials have been trying to discredit the executive board's decision to purchase equipment by saying that the items were overpriced and were being used to mask corruption.

He did not name the officials.

"It cannot be scandalous or fraud... it is a budget process in mid-stride so hindi nagtatapat-tapat yung amount," Morales said in an online press conference, referring to the agency's alleged P2.1-billion proposal to procure digital equipment.

"It is not fraudulent because it is still incomplete... The budget is not a contract. Even if the budget is approved, it will not result in obligations in any party," he said.

Around P25 million was needed for PhilHealth's "integrity security sweep" because the license for their anti-virus and security software was about to expire, said Jovita Aragona, PhilHealth's senior vice president for Information Management Sector.

The procurement of laptops was placed in 2 separate items amounting to several millions because PhilHealth's purchase of some units in 2019 were delayed, and had to be included in the succeeding budget, she said.

Alejandro Cabading, a certified public accountant who was part of the agency's board of directors, earlier said in a Senate investigation that Morales and other high-ranking officials approved the purchase of overpriced equipment and software.

Among the allegedly dubious items

Drilon says recession shows grim reality: Filipinos are hungry, jobless and with no savings

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PHILHEALTH PRESIDENT RICARDO MORALES in PhilHealth's IT budget are as follows: -P21 million for Adobe Master Collection software (DICT-approved cost: P168,000) -P40 million for application servers and licenses (DICT-approved cost: P25 million) -P5 million for structured cabling (DICT-approved cost: P500,000) -P42 million for identity management software (DICT-approved cost: P20 million) -P21 million for office productivity software (DICT-approved cost: P5 million) -P25 million for application servers and virtualization licenses (DICT-approved cost: P14.8 million)

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When the explanations become too technical, he thinks it is an attempt to mislead him," he said.

PhilHealth was supposed to hire an external IT consultant, but some officials found their services "expensive," Morales said.

"Namahalan naman 'yung mga principals namin so ngayon we are doing it on our own," he added.

Despite the controversy in PhilHealth's IT push, the insurance firm will continue and "even increase" the initial P2-billion budget for its automation efforts, Morales said.

"Kung gusto talaga natin mawala ang fraud and be more efficient, wala tayong choice but to proceed with automation technology," he said, adding that 7.5 percent of PhilHealth funds or around P10 billion is lost to scams in the agency.

"Bakit tayo magtitipid ng P2 bilion a year when we can drastically reduce our losses?" he said.

Senators earlier admonished Morales for "justifying" the alleged irregularities in the the insurance firm's IT budget, saying the former general was either being misled or is already coopted in the so-called PhilHealth "syndicate."

"We are indignant, we are angered when we hear reports like this (corruption)... That is only an information system will help us. Hindi tayo puwede magrely sa mga whistleblower," Morales said. (MNS)

NEDA chief says modified ECQ to affect economic growth due to reduced activity

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The return of several areas under modified enhanced community quarantine will have an impact on economic growth as industries allowed to reopen were reduced, Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said Friday.

At least 50 percent of the economy remain open after Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna were reverted to modified ECQ from Aug. 4 to Aug. 18, down from 75 percent during the general community quarantine, Chua said in a press briefing.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the return of the stricter lockdown in epicenter Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces as medical workers appealed for "breathing space" as the country's health care system was overwhelmed by the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.

Confirmed cases rose exponentially after lockdown measures were eased. As of Friday, cases have reached over 122,754, making the Philippines the Southeast Asian country with the highest number of infections.

"Bumalik po tayo sa mga 50 percent, medyo bumaba po. It will have an impact on economic growth. Pero ang mahalaga dito kung hindi natin tutugunan ang kulang pa sa health care system and response, this problem will prolong itself," Chua said.

"Let's give this 2 weeks a chance to give [the] health care [sector time] to address the problem... If we did nothing, hindi po sustainable ang ating economic recovery (our economic recovery won't be sustainable). That’s why I

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said the worse-than-expected pandemic-induced recession should be an eye-opener for the Inter-Agency Task Force and the country's economic managers as he underscored the need to revive the demand side of the economy by restoring the people's confidence in the ability of the government to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Nobody expected it to be this severe.

This is the result of the 'shotgun' approach in handling COVID-19. This shows the grim reality: gutom ang tao - walang trabaho, walang pera at ubos na ang ipon," Drilon said in a statement on Thursday.

Drilon noted that the 16.5 percent decline in the country's GDP is worse than what the government expected it to be, citing

SENATE MINORITY LEADER FRANKLIN DRILON

The "anomalous" proposal also had questionable items like two sets of laptops, with one amounting to P4.11 million, while another was worth P115.32 million.

Meanwhile, there were also multimillion-peso discrepancies in the purchase of 15 units of "network switches" due to varying specs, Aragona said Thursday.

PhilHealth opted to purchase the more expensive option because it included a 3-year warranty, value-added tax, delivery services, and other tech specifications, she said.

"I have no reason to doubt the people working in PhilHealth," Morales said.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Cabading does not have confidence in our IT people.

Weekend

NEDA ACTING SECRETARY KARL CHUA think it's better to take one step back so we can take 2 steps forward." he added.

The Philippines' second-quarter gross domestic product contracted by 16.5 percent, reflecting the full impact of the coronavirus lockdowns. It dropped -0.7 in the first quarter.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Benjamin Diokno earlier said reverting to MECQ has "limited economic impact."

The government on Thursday revised downward its estimated growth for 2020 to a contraction of as much as 5.5 percent from its earlier forecast of 3.4 percent drop due to the pandemic. (MNS)

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno's projection of around 5.7 to 6.7 percent decline in the second quarter.

Drilon said this means the Philippines is now in recession following two consecutive declines in our gross domestic product (GDP). The GDP declined further to 16.5% in the second quarter from 0.7% in the first quarter.

The minority leader said that "the government must take swift and decisive actions" within the remaining months of the year to help the poor and revive the demand side of the economy, noting how household consumption in Q2 declined by 15.5%.

"We need to do a second round of social amelioration program. We should expand it but we must retain those families who received the first tranche because they are the ones who are badly hit by the pandemic," Drilon said.

"There is no sense that they were included in the first tranche but were delisted in the second tranche.

Their lives did not become better after receiving the first tranche. They are the ones who continue to experience hunger every day. The government should

provide for them until the pandemic is over," Drilon underscored.

He said there is a need to increase the stimulus fund under the Bayanihan 2. The House of Representatives passed the measure on second reading yesterday containing a P162 billion-stimulus fund.

Drilon further stressed that the government should take a look at strategies on how to arrest the increasing COVID-19 cases, saying the rising cases shatters people's confidence.

"The people's confidence is shattered and the corruption and incompetence issues against government officials playing a key role in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic make things even worse," Drilon stressed.

"The key is to revive demand but that will only happen when the people feel safe to go out. People will feel confident when they see that the government is doing the right thing, effective measures are in place and the healthcare system is not collapsing," he explained.

"Thus, it all boils down to our ability to control the pandemic," he added. (MNS)

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E ntertainment

Maja Salvador shares top goal when she entered showbiz

W

hen she started her career as an ac tr e s s, Maja Salvador only had one thing in mind — to step up and help provide for her family.

“Siyempre bata ka pa lang, nakikita mo na lahat ng nangyayari sa family mo. 'Yung mommy ko nagtatrabaho abroad, tapos ako palipat-lipat ako ng bahay sa mga kapatid niya para alagaan ako.

Doon nag-umpisa akong mangarap hindi lang para sa akin kung 'di para sa pamilya ko,” she said.

Salvador said she wanted to buy a house for her family so they could all live together under one roof.

“Kasi wala kaming bahay, nakikitira kami. Sa probinsya ako lumaki. Nung umuwi na 'yung mama ko sa Pilipinas, nag-decide siya na kunin na ako sa mga kapatid niya tapos sa Manila na kami.

Nung nasa Manila na kami, nakiti-

then.

“Nung nagkaroon ng oportunidad, in-embrace natin kaagad 'yun, hindi natin pinakawalan. Ibinigay natin ng 1,000 percent, ng buong buo para magawa ng maayos 'yung trabaho mo. Siyempre pagdadasal para lagi tayong tulungan ni God,” she said.

Although she sacrifi ced her own studies just to achieve this dream, Salvador said it also gave her a diff erent sense of fulfi llment after she was able to send her siblings to school.

“Para kang naging nanay ng maaga. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral 'yung kapatid ko. May kanya-kanya ng trabaho. Hindi man ako nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral pero nai-share ko 'yung lahat, 'yung pagod at paghihirap ko nagbunga ng maganda sa mga kapatid ko,” she said. mAJA sAlVAdor As the breadwinner of their famira naman kami sa mga pinsan niya. Wala talagang ly, Salvador said she is just grateful permanent na bahay,” she recalled. that she has been so blessed from This proved to be Salvador’s motivation since the very beginning. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday August 8 - 14, 2020 Visit www.Balita.com

Jessy mendiola to host new fitness show MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress Jessy Mendiola is set to return to work as the host of a new fi tness program which will be aired on TV5.

Mendiola took to social media to share her the JEssY mEndiolA te a ser of her show "Fit for Life," which will debut on August 16, 7 a.m. on TV5 and on August 17, 7 p.m. on cable channel Colours.

"Know more about diff erent exercises, healthy recipes and inspiring stories from our celebrity guests! Join me on this exciting journey and let’s get healthy together in my new lifestyle/fi tness show, 'Fit for Life,'" Mendiola wrote in the caption.

Mendiola was last seen in ABS-CBN's hit 2019 series "Sandugo."

Mendiola joined the list of Kapamilya stars who found new work after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country and the closure of ABS-CBN. Last week, it was announced that Ria Atayde will co-host TV5’s upcoming morning show "Rise and Shine." (MNS)

Fans of Piolo, Judy Ann clamor for Pinoy remake of 'World of a Married Couple'

F

ans of Piolo Pascual and Judy Ann Santos just won’t stop clamoring for their reunion project.

On Facebook, supporters of the two came up with a fanmade trailer for a Filipino adaptation of the hit Korean series “The World of a Married Couple.”

The trailer shows Pascual and Santos as the lead stars, with their photos and clips from their previous projects together.

The video already has more than 1,000 shares and hundreds of comments wanting to see them back together on screen.

In an interview with last month, Santos spoke about the

possibility of acting with Pascual again.

“Siguro kapag nagkaroon na ng vaccine at pwede na lumabas lahat ng tao... siguro matutuloy na siya,” she said.

Santos said she has always been open about working with Pascual again. It is just a matter of searching for the right story for the two of them.

“Parati ko namang sinasabi kapag may magtatanong, wala namang imposible sa buhay na ito at sa panahong ito. It’s just a matter of time. Nagkataon lang, inabot kami ng COVID. I guess hahaba pa ang panahon bago kami makagawa ng project together. It’s just also a matter of

right material,” she said.

“Ang tagal, ilang dekada na ang nagdaan after nung huli naming project. Habang tumatagal, mas lalong dapat may substance 'yung material. Mas worth it panoorin kasi matagal inabangan,” she added.

With the current situation due to the coronavirus pandemic, Santos would like to think that there might just be a good script that’s brewing for them.

“Gusto ko isipin na with this lockdown, magkakaroon ng magandang material na napapanahon at sobrang worth it gawin.

Baka kapag nagkita kami, pareho na puti ang buhok namin,” she said. (MNS)

Camille Prats reflects on life with husband VJ Yambao

CAmillE & VJ

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Camille Prats is amazed that she and her husband VJ Yambao have made it as a couple for almost eight years now.

Prats shared this realization on her social media page, as she greeted Yambao on his birthday.

“Happy birthday my love!

Grabe. How amazing it is to be stuck at home with you!

But really love, it is amazing and I do enjoy most parts of it,” she said.

Prats said she thanks God each waking day for having Yambao and their family.

“Aakalain mo ba 8 years ago na nandito pala tayo ngayon? Kahit ako hindi pa din makapaniwala. I pray that God continues to work in what He has planted in your heart, may He give you the heart and the wisdom to lead our fam-

ily towards the path He has prepared for our us,” she said.

Prats also expressed how proud and grateful she is for the kind of husband and father Yambao has become.

“Your dad jokes! Grabe, kung pwede ko lang i-share sa lahat ang lahat ng corny jokes mo na super benta sa akin each and every time, please don't ever get tired of doing that,” she said.

In the end, Prats said she would not change a thing in their relationship.

“Been riding your ‘toyo’ for almost 8 years and counting and I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for tolerating mine too. Love you," she said.

Prats and Yambao have two children, Nala and Nolan. The actress also has a son, Nathan, with her late husband Anthony Linsangan. (MNS)

JudY Ann & Piolo

mon Confiado to star in 3 international films MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actor living in the US who has to Mon Confi ado is set to star in face his dark past. three international fi lms.

In his recent post, Confi ado On Instagram, Confiado also shared that he will be part shared stills for his upcom- of the movie “Dito,” which is a ing foreign fi lms, Japan-Philippines including a Korean co -product ion.

The family-dramovie titled "The ma-action film Golden Holiday" s t a r s Ta k a s h i under the direction of Kim BongYuki, who is also han. directing the fi lm.

The fi lm is set to Conf iado is k now n for his release in Korea ic on ic r ole a s this year.

Emilio AguinalThe award-winmon ConFiAdo ning Filipino actor do in the historiis also included in the upcom- cal fi lms "Heneral Luna" and ing fi lm "Turncoat," which is "Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral."

Currently, Confi ado is part set in US. He stars with Italian actress Annaluisa Capasa of the ABS-CBN drama series in the fi lm directed by Marcial "A Soldier's Heart" which airs Chavez. on Kapamilya Channel and It follows the story of a man iWant. (MNS)

Entertainment

Saturday-Friday | August 8 - 14, 2020

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Sarah G talks marriage being priority, gratitude for work amid pandemic

Geronimo has found deeper gratitude for time with her loved ones, as well as the Sarah opportunity to continue working amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Of course, the gift of life, ‘yung gratitude,” Geronimo said, when asked what motivates her to prioritize her health. “Iyong pag-acknowledge na — lalo sa nangyayari ngayon — tomorrow is not promised.”

Geronimo only recently got married to actor Matteo Guidicelli in February, a month before the Philippines implemented its fi rst community quarantine.

“Pinagpapasalamat mo nang husto ‘yung buhay na binigay sa ‘yo ng Panginoon, and for the life of your loved ones. I draw inspiration from that,” she said.

Geronimo, considered the fore-

most pop performer in local showbiz, then mentioned the “grace” of having a job that can sustain her, noting that many have lost their livelihood in recent months.

“Aminin po natin na sa pandemic na meron tayo, na nai-experience ng buong mundo, marami pong nawawalan ng trabaho. Mas lalo ko pa pong pinapahalagahan ‘yung opportunities na binibigay po sa akin.

Kasi hindi po lahat ay nabibigyan niyan,” she said.

Geronimo, who turned 32 on July 25, was also asked about her married life, which she described as, “Masarap, masaya.”

Admittedly, Geronimo said she

has had to make considerable “adjustments,” given that she now shares a home with Guidicelli and lives apart from her own family.

Geronimo laughed when asked what her priorities are now, aside from her health.

“Siyempre po, may asawa na po tayo. Priority din natin ang asawa natin!” she answered.

In a fast talk portion, Geronimo was then quizzed what song of hers she would choose to describe her married life. Her response: “Forever’s Not Enough.”

“Siyempre po pag nagmahal tayo, parang hindi sapat ang forever,” she said. (MNS)

Ruru Madrid defends rumored GF Bianca Umali over nasty remarks

ruru & BiAnCA MANILA (Mabuhay) — Several bashers received a scolding from Ruru Madrid after they allegedly body-shamed his rumored girlfriend Bianca Umali.

Bianca recently uploaded a selfi e that shows her wearing only red lipstick. Apparently, bashers were not happy with the way she looks.

One even said the actress looks “tuyot” (dried up) and also compared her appearance to a post when she and another Kapuso actor and long-time leading man Miguel Tanfelix

were rumored to be dating.

Ruru had enough of the bashing and came to Bianca’s defense.

He commented: “I don’t know what’s wrong with people right now? Parang ang dami laging opinyon ng mga tao.”

The actor said it’s painful to know some Filipinose are out to bring down their kababayans.

“Sana wala ng ganun, sana sinusuportahan nalang natin ang isa’t isa,” he continued.

Bianca and Ruru have been rumored to be dating since 2018.

The two have become more open with their relationship on social media albeit no confirmation has been declared as of press time. (MNS)

sArAH GEronimo

Jak Roberto says Barbie Forteza is 'The One'

MANILA (Mabuhay) — For Jak Roberto, Barbie Forteza wrote. is "The One." "Another year ng The Kapuso actor called his girlfriend that in his sweet blessing madam. birthday message for her on Instagram.

Dami nating na"Happy Birthday to my sexiest, pretpuntatiest, to my 'THE ONE' Madam!!!" he han last y e a r at ang dami din natin nakain.

S a l a m a t sa pagigi n g s up portive! I love you!" he added.

He a l s o BA rB iE Fo rT EZ A shared a bunch of photos of them throughout the years.

Barbie had celebrated her 23rd birthday with an intimate party at home with her family and loved ones.

The Kapuso couple recently marked their third anniversary back in May. (MNS) JAK roBErTo

Piolo Pascual shares how showbiz changed his life

A

ctor-producer Piolo Pascual looked back at the challenges he experienced as an actor, saying there is no easy way to success.

"Walang overnight, walang fast-for ward o mabilisang journey sa success. I believe na lahat ay pinaghihirapan, pinagpapaguran, pinagtatrabahuan.

I must have gone to more than 100 auditions growing up, sa mga go-sees, just to get a shot and do commercials. I did a lot of auditions too until I got a chance. I never let go of the chance na ibingay sa akin kasi I think 'yun naman talaga ang gusto ko sa buhay. So I really persevered," Pascual said on the online show "Rise and Shine."

"I don't think there's an easy way to success kasi lahat may ups and down... Maraming

problemang dadaanan but what's important is matatag ka at nakatutok ka sa pangarap mo," he added.

For Pascual, who is now celebrating his 28th year in the industry, having a happy life is his biggest achievement. "'Yung masaya ako sa buhay, 'yung umabot ako sa ganito.

What is important, I guess, is inner peace, 'yung happiness mo sa nangyayari sa sarili mo and you let that emanate through your actions," Pascual said. " S i g u r o masasabi ko because of what happened in my 20 years in showbiz naiba 'yung trajectory ng

Piolo PAsCuAl

buhay ko. All the things that I've wished for and prayed for ay nangyari and that in itself is a humbling experience, a humbling moment for me. So sobrang regalo na sa akin yung nandito pa rin ako. I really enjoy my life and this is enough victory for me to still be around," he added.

He also shared his unsolicited advice to young stars, saying they should never stop on working to get their dreams.

"Never stop d r e a m i ng , never stop working for your goals, f or y ou dreams.

Kasi one day you

will wake up nasa iyo na 'yon, enjoy. Just enjoy. Nakakatuwa because your energy should be used for something and that has to be something positive.

So maganda din ang balik sa iyo noon, kasi kapag positive and outloook mo sa buhay no matter what people say, you will always be happy. So nanggagaling sa puso 'yon," Pascual said.

He also shared some tips on how to handle fi nances.

"Out of practical reasons I guess you have to learn early on in your life how to save, how not to spend beyond your means and not to splurge on something na hindi naman kailangan...

Ako importante sa akin na hindi ako bumibili kapag hindi kumpleto ang pera ko, or hindi ako bumibili kapag alam kong hindi ko kayang bayaran," he said. (MNS)

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Preferably in home, ment plant requirements and carrying capacity and Eugene Kaplan Tel.# 213-614-1800 your contact info at: thePlease use of leave renewable energy as well.

(818)want 773-0869 "We to check their (energy) footprint because Email: sales@blvapparel.com (PLEASE CALL BETWEEN 9 AM. AND 5 PM. that is what Bohol is all about. It's about sustainable eco-agri-tourism so we want to protect our patrimony to make sure that this is going to be here for ages EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT the DOT teamAssistant workthat with the tourism stake- Puyat, that the DOT’s World to come. I think it is a surmountable requirement," co WTDAllones, is seekingsaid for an Administrative to Bohol in full force as holders Yap said, referring to the soon-to-be-required UBE came is driven, enthusiastic, self-motivated and able to and LGUs of Panglao Bank Tourist Program, espethey are committed toadministrative pour in Island accreditation. do multi-tasking of various tasks, toto ensure that their em- cially your components in Farm PHP2.1 billion for tourism-reployees Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat and Interior provide support for the activities of the Executive and their services are Tourism, Palengke Development for DD ed ed ne rs ive reg Ca le lated projects. anti-Covid Management Team • Must have pleasant attitude and is compliant. This be- Program, Solid Waste ManMa Secretary Eduardo Año, during their visit to the • Female & .

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SS th Wi c partment of Foreign Affairs, merase chain reaction) tests for Chain, Tourism Site Enhanceeti disease 2019) protocol. erg • Must be strong & en Monday to Friday 08:00-17:30 visitors when they arrive and ment, Hygiene Preparedness, with Korea, with Japan but, Theygr said their adherence to strict protocols gives le.

Back ound Desirabthat Please email your resume to Camille leave Bohol”.

Sea Ambulances and Decomof course, everything is fluid. them the confidence Bohol can gracefully make it 5617 (714) 357at camille@wtdus.com Please cainll reopening been talking that He also assured Puyat and Año pression Chambers, are well to the next normal the economy through We've already the “Bohol Bubble” designed by the Provincial Tour- once travel restrictions have “that national government funds counterparted and made a critiAngeles area (near LAXeffort airport) been lifted, we can already talk spent in Bohol are Los investments cal part of this to open up ism Council and the Bohol Tourism Office. our tourism by the last well spent for the country”. Balita Puyat, who brought with her Tourism Promotion about direct flights," she said.

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MANILA — Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is reminding hotels operating under all levels of community quarantine to strictly follow the health and safety protocols it set for accommodation establishments.

"It has come to the attention of the Department of Tourism (DOT) that a number of hotels and accommodation establishments that have been issued Certificates of Authority to Operate (CAO) or Provisional Certificates of Authority to Operate (PCAO) have not been complying with the relevant health and safety guidelines in the ac-

Tourism SECRETARY Bernadette Romulo-Puyat

ARE YOU READY TO After that the Russian industrial facilities evant details," he said. will be ready to prepare all necessary condiKhovaev said the vaccine developer is GIVE UP USING PLASTIC tions to launch the production of this Russian the same laboratory that created a vaccine STRAWS? vaccine," Khovaev said. against Ebola and the Middle East respiratory

commodation of a hotel in Pasay forReturning inquiries or email resume at reportedFor advertis Overseas Filipinos, OFWs ly failed to observe DOT's hrqagandres2@gmail.com (overseas Filipino workers), guidelines by allow ing and other guests," she said its guests to "loiter at the RENT SALE in a letter dated August 3FOR lobby" for hours, some of to Tourism Congress of the whom had no proper perPhilippines President Jose sonal protective equipment, ROOM FORthey RENT Clemente III. while waited for vacant Lake Balboa.

Preferably Romulo-Puyat said the rooms. female. No government understands Thetoofficial said the hotel kids, no pets. Near all. $550/Mo. the challenges facedinclude by busihave referred the utilities,should cable, internet.

Share nesses amid the pandemic guests to other accommodabathroom. Call 818-997-9770; 818but underscored that the tion establishments if they 438-9866. health and safety of guests were overbooked. and employees should reShe warned that the DOT main the "primary consid- would revoke the CAO of eration". hotels found violating the The reminder came after guidelines. (PNA)

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The Philippines, should it agree on a partnership, could opt for a deal on vaccine supply, local production on Philippine soil, and clinical trials if necessary.

"The third most promoted option is local production of vaccine on the Philippine soil.

It means that we are ready to combine our efforts (and) that we are ready to make necessary investments together with our Philippine partners and share our technologies," he said.

Khoavev said Russia is still waiting for a response from Manila.

"What we need now is get the official response of our Philippine partners about (their) willingness to cooperate with us in this field. After that we'll be ready to launch a negotiation process and to agree upon rel-

and interests in the region, including (ASEAN), have been contesting the a possible US-Philippine maritime claims of the South China Sea with cooperation.

China, which asserts a large portion The telephone conversation comes of the waters with its invisible deafter Defense Secretary Delfin marcation called the nine-dash line.

Lorenzana on August 3 revealed As Beijing and ASEAN work to that Manila is not joining any naval conclude a code of conduct in the drills in the South China Sea except region, Chinese Ambassador in Mawithin its national waters. nila Huang Xilian said Washington Although Manila is sitting out from as an "outsider" should respect the weekendbalita.com the exercises, Locsin underscored efforts being made to maintain peace that Manila's position remains clear: in the region.

"What is ours is ours under the Ar"When you talk about the US as bitral Award and no one else can tell (an) outsider, we expect outsiders us different." to respect the efforts of the regional "We're sitting out this one, we don't countries in maintaining peace and know if there we will (be in) the next stability in the South China Sea," he one," he said in his tweet. said.

Vietnam and the Philippines, along "It’s a regret that we have seen the with some member-states of the As- US meddling vigorously in the South sociation of Southeast Asian Nations China Sea issue," he added. (MNS)

syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Citing Russian scientists, he said the results from clinical trials have been "promising".

"Believe me, we don't like risky undertakings. That's why I'm saying again that the vaccine is effective and safe. It's an absolute necessary precondition, which was articulated by Russian President (Vladimir) Putin.

We are responsible people," he said.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs conveyed its appreciation for Russia’s willingness to assist the Philippines, as well as its offer to supply the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine developed by Gamaleya.

The offer has been referred to relevant agencies for proper assessment and evaluation, it said. (MNS)

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Health Family Health & Family

Saturday-Friday || August August 8 8 -- 14, 14, 2020 2020 Saturday-Friday

DOH: Pooled testing won't be efficient in areas with high prevalence of COVID-19 M ANIL A (Mabuhay) — The pooled testing strategy should only be used in specific sectors and not in areas with high prevalence of COVID-19 infections, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday.

"Hindi siya magiging efficient kapag ang gagamitan natin ng pooled testing ay areas na mataas ang prevalence—ibig sabihin maraming kaso, maraming clusters. Hindi natin 'yan puwedeng gamitin kasi made-defeat ang purpose ng ating pooled testing," Vergeire said. "'Pag pinool mo ang mga sample na 'yan, andami pa ring lalabas kasi nga high ang prevalence.

So, ibig sabihin ite-test mo pa rin isa-isa ang mga 'yan," she added.

Pooled testing refers to the process of grouping different samples together to maximize laboratory capacity.

“Ipagsasama-sama po ang ibang specimens, at kung negative ang pooled sample, ibig sabihin, negative ang lahat ng specimen na bumubuo no’ng sample na ‘yon,” Vergeire previously explained.

She said this strategy could be used among specific sectors such as vendors and bank tellers, for example.

"Makakapag-save tayo on testing kits and makakapag-save tayo on time when we do this," she added.

The evaluation of the pilot run of pooled testing is expected to be completed next week. (MNS)

August 10 start of Avigan trials in Philippines not yet final, DOH clarifies MANIL A (Mabuhay) — The Department of Health (DOH) clarified that the August 10 start of clinical trials in the Philippines of the Japanese anti-viral flu drug Avigan is not yet final, saying legal documents have yet to be finalized.

"Yung una sinabi namin August 10 tayo mag-start pero hindi pa kasi namin, hindi pa napa-finalize 'yung legal documents natin so we just want to inform everybody kapag talagang final na, kung talagang mag-uumpisa na tayo," said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at a virtual forum.

"But it's going to happen soon," she added. The August 10 date was mentioned by Vergeire earlier in the day.

Av igan is the brand name of the drug favipiravir. It was developed by what is now known as

Fujifilm Toyama Chemical and approved for use in Japan in 2014.

But in Japan, it is only approved for use in f lu outbreaks that aren't being effectively addressed by existing medications. It is not available on the market and can only be manufactured and distributed at the request of the Japanese government.

Vergeire said Av igan does not need the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as it has already been approved

by Japanese health authorities.

"Avigan has been approved by FDA for long kasi ginagamit na ho talaga iyan sa flu, so 'yan naman ay meron na. Hindi po ng FDA natin but FDA ng Japan," she said.

The Philippines has received around 199,000 Avigan tablets from Japan for the trials. (MNS)

PH’s virology center to rise in New Clark City

DOH scouting for 10k 'substitute' health workers so exhausted frontliners could rest MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Health on Thursday said it is eyeing the recruitment of around 10,000 health workers who would continue the unrelenting fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines as many medical frontliners beg for a time out.

"We are in need of almost 10,000 health care workers and this means the call for time out really needs a substitution," Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said during the launch of the COVID-19 Command Center in Makati.

"We will not end the game but rather, we will just have to find fresh or new recruits into the system so that efficiency of our health care workers will be there," he added.

Last week, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH is looking at additional incentives for health care workers.

Metro Manila and nearby provinces have been placed under a modified enhanced community quarantine from August 4 to 18 after the medical community pleaded for a "time out" due to an unabated admission of COVID-19 patients in hospitals.

On Sunday, the Palace approved of hiring 10,000 medical professionals, and calling medical reservists to active duty in the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte also agreed with the recommendation that a P10,000 to P15,000 sickness benefit be provided to all healthcare workers infected with COVID-19. (MNS)

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government has approved the establishment of a virology center as part of the f lagship program of the Duterte administration.

In a joint Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) press conference Thursday, Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects Vivencio Dizon said the Philippines’ virology institute will be located in New Clark City.

New Clark City is a project of Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which Dizon is the president and chief executive officer, aimed to be the country’s first smart, green, and resilient city.

“Resiliency was the major characteristic that we wanted in the New Clark City to become, and the pandemic just highlighted that. And the use of facilities over the past couple of months in major response efforts is our testament

through the importance of forward-looking planning and focus on resiliency,” Dizon said.

The virology center in New Clark City is the first one to be approved in the health sector with more projects from the Department of Health that are pending for approval.

Meanwhile, eight projects that were previously included in the infrastructure f lagship projects of the administration were already abandoned and were replaced with projects that are ready to go that are responsive to the needs post-Covid-19, he said.

“We have reprioritized our Build, Build, Build program and especially our infrastructure flagship program, which is the major component of Build, Build, Build, using the criteria of ensuring there is a fiscal space, ensuring project readiness and implementation,” he said. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | August 8 - 14, 2020

Health & Family Health Family

Even embryos susceptible to coronavirus

ANKARA — Shedding more light into how early an individual could contract the novel coronavirus, scientists on Wednesday suggested that it might be as early as during the second week of pregnancy.

Embryos could be susceptible to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) if the mother gets sick, potentially affecting the fate of the pregnancy, Professors Magda Zernicka-Goetz and David Glover from the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology said in a new study published at the Royal Society's journal Open Biology.

Questions concerning the potential effects on fetal health and successful pregnancy for those infected with SARSCoV-2, which causes Covid-19 disease, remain largely unanswered, the scientists said in the body abstract of their study, which motivated them to dig deeper into the examination of human pre-gastrulation embryos.

Amid conflicting clinical reports that have emerged regarding coronavirus infection in newborns whose mothers were infected, the new study explained that the stages of early embryo development are complex and delicate, and vulnerable to viral infections.

"Despite the remarkable plasticity of the embryo, it is particularly vulnerable at this time with about 60 percent of pregnancies failing during these first 14 days of development," it said.

The potential of viral infection through the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during early pregnancy via maternal blood, the study suggested, can have implications for the success of implantation, future placental, and fetal health.

The researchers found patterns of expression of the genes ACE2, which provide the genetic code for the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, and TMPRSS2, which provides the code for a molecule that cleaves both the viral spike protein and the ACE2 receptor, allowing infection to occur. These genes were expressed during key stages of the embryo's development.

The death toll worldwide from the novel coronavirus rose to over 701,300 on Wednesday, according to a running tally by the US-based Johns Hopkins University.

Data showed the total number of cases worldwide exceeded 18.57 million, with 11.16 million recoveries. (PNA/Anadolu)

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Face shield rule applies in ships, planes, trains, tricycles — DOTr

MANILA (Mabuhay) — A requirement for travelers to use face shields apart from their anti-virus masks applies to all modes of public transport across the country, an official said Thursday, as authorities continue to fight the spread of COVID-19.

The shield should cover the entire face and will be mandatory starting Aug. 15, said Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddess Hope Libiran.

“Ito po ay hindi lang magiging applicable sa Metro Manila—sa buong bansa po ito,” she said. “Ito po ay applicable sa lahat ng modes of public transportation… maging mga barko, ganoon din po sa eroplano.”

The rule also applies to the MRT and LRT as well

as tricycles, she added.

Bikes are not considered as public transportation, but its riders are "highly encouraged" to use face shields, too, she said.

One has a 94 percent chance of dodging coronavirus infection by wearing masks and practicing physical distancing, a probability raised to 99 percent if one also uses a face shield, Libiran said, quoting health experts.

"Alam naman po natin na iyong public transportation po ay napakalaki ang potential na maging transmission vector ng virus... Malaki po iyong risk kasi hindi mo naman po kilala o hindi mo alam iyong history ng travel ng iba mong mga kasama," said the official.

"Sana po isipin nating

lahat na no amount of protection is too much when it comes to health and safety, especially po ang kinakalaban natin ay isang invisible enemy," she added.

Libirian said her agency might ask the trade depa r t ment to put a price cap for reusable face shields, which some stores sell for P25 to P30. She urged sellers to refrain from abusing the mandatory face shield rule to raise its price.

"Pare-pareho naman po tayong apektado at nagsasakripisyo dito sa COVID-19," she said.

Public transport is currently suspended in Metro Manila and 4 surrounding provinces that are under the second strictest lockdown until Aug. 18. (MNS)

IATF launches One Hospital Command to improve COVID-19 patient referral system

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19 response on Monday launched the One Hospital Command, a centralized hospital occupancy monitoring system that aims to smoothen referrals of COVID-19 patients.

This as medical facilities in the country were getting overwhelmed with the rising number of coronavirus cases, reaching over 115,000 as of latest count. Some patients reported they were being turned away from hospitals that were already full.

“Kailangang-kailangan po natin ang mekanismo na ito (We really need this mechanism),” said Sec. Carlito Galvez, National Task Force chief im-

plementer during the launch at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Operations Center in Makati.

“This system will help the government in efficiently overseeing the coordination and referral of patients across all health facilities and ensure we have enough hospital beds for moderate and severe cases,” he added.

Health Secretary and IATF chair Francisco Duque III said the One Hospital Command Center will be used to monitor the occupancy of hospital beds.

The Department of Health earlier said that incident commanders for each hospital would have access to real-time data on the occupancy of other hospitals to help them find another facility for patients they could not accommodate.

NTF Chair Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the objective is to set up more command centers in other regions.

“Kami sa task force nakatanggap ng tawag ng mga may sakit na talagang walang mapuntahan at nag-iyakan na. 'Pero nung kami ay nagtawag mayroon naman,” he said, explaining the need for a centralized system.

Duque said their goal is to decongest hospitals of mild and asymptomatic patients.

“And it’s a bit more of a challenge for private hospitals because 'yung clientele ng private hospitals mahirap talikuran 'yang mga 'yan komo may kaya at demanding,” he said, adding that they are looking for hotels to serve as step-down facilities for those patients.

He said this as the number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila and nearby provinces continued to rise.

Duque said mild and asymptomatic patients should be transferred to temporary treatment and monitoring facilities.

He said patients in these facilities should “be shown that the care continues.”

“The doctor goes down to the step down facility,” he said. “It’s as if they were still in the hospital. (MNS)

20

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