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approval rating?
Robredo camp tells Duterte:
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday dismissed allegations they were behind the hashtags critical of President Rodrigo Duterte in the wake of successive typhoons that hit the country.
Robredo’s spokesman Barry Gutierrez said they don’t have the time and energy to engage in such social media campaign given the “more important concerns” they need to address.
“Instead of talking about what needs to be done in order to rebuild the lives of all those affected by the typhoon, all those affected by flooding, here we are spending so much time talking about hashtags, talking about who said what, talking about all these things, and to be very clear, we are not interested in this,” he said.
Gutierrez said hashtags such as #NasaanAngPangulo were organic amid public clamor for Duterte’s presence in typhoon-ravaged areas.
Gutierrez also said the hashtag against Duterte was nothing compared to the campaigns of his supporters against the vice president. "Come on, the President complaining about the hashtag when for 4 years the Vice President has been continuously blasted by a never-ending barrage of fake news, of online abuse. Her daughters been subjected to rape threats. The baseless insinuations,
DUTERTE ROBREDO
completely false of course, about her personal life have been made. And you know, she just shuts it off. It’s something that comes with the territory.”
He also denounced Duterte’s camp for subjecting Robredo to a witch hunt, in a time where relief efforts should be the main focus of the government.
“Why be insecure if you have 91 percent approval rating,” Gutierrez said, referring to a September 2020 Pulse Asia survey where majority of Filipinos approved Duterte’s performance despite the government's heavily-criticized COVID-19 pandemic response.
He added, “If they really believed that they did everything right, in other words there's really no call for the public to criticize them, if he really believed he had a valid reason for not going and despite the fact that he was in the ASEAN, they did all they could to give correct, timely information to the people affected by the typhoons and the flooding, and to bring help in a timely manner to all these places where the flooding occurred, then I don't see what the big deal is.”
Gutierrez slammed chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo “for creating this entire storyline,” which he said was based on a lie.
“Let's call spade a spade. It was false. It was a lie. It was completely untrue but he makes no apology for trying to link the vice president in this entire brouhaha,” he said.
“Despite the fact that they have been caught red-handed in a lie, they refused to actually acknowledge and take responsibility for it.
Panelo has apologized to the vice president for claiming that she was free-riding on the government's relief effort for victims of Typhoon Ulysses. But Gutierrez rejected Panelo’s apology as “sorry not sorry.”
Despite Duterte’s tirade against Robredo, Gutierrez said the Vice President was focused on doing the essential work and maintained she was not competing with anyone.
“The Vice President is clearly more interested in doing the work that needs to be done. If somebody else wants to take credit for what she has done, fine. If somebody wants to say, ‘We did more,’ fine. It’s not an issue,” he said.
“This is not a competition. It is not a contest. There are enough people who need help and anybody who can contribute to that effort is welcome to do so.” (MNS)
NDRRMC says at least 10B damage in agri, infra due to Ulysses
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The National Disaster Risk Reduction on Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday said damage to infrastructure brought by Typhoon Ulysses has increased to P6.1 billion.
NDRRMC spokesman Peter Paul Galvez also said damage to agriculture already rose to around P4 billion after the typhoon pounded several provinces in Luzon last week. "We have reached now a damage assessment worth now P4 billion for agriculture and P6.1 billion in infrastructure damage assessment," Galvez said at a press briefing.
He also said a total of 65,222 residences have been destroyed by Ulysses. "Most of the damaged houses are in Bulacan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and Pampanga. Both 'yung totally and partially destroyed houses... Bulacan kasi as of today, the current count is 2,655 totally damaged houses," Galvez said.
The NDRRMC official said the number of deaths has remained at 73 while those injured were 24. Nineteen people are still missing, six of which are from Region II, two from Calabarzon, eight from Region V, and three from Metro Manila. "We hope that these people are found as soon as possible, baka naman hindi lang sila nakapagsabi. We hope it's something like that," Galvez said.
Galvez also said there are pledges from other countries to help typhoon victims. He did not elaborate.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said the Department of Foreign Affairs would still process foreign assistance before it would be turned over to the Office of Civil Defense. (MNS)
Philippines signs accord with ASEAN countries on addressing non-tariff measures amid COVID-19
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines, through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), signed an accord with its fellow members in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the implementation of non-tariff measures to improve the flow of essential goods in the region amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement Thursday, the DTI said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, together with the economic ministers of the ASEAN, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the implementation of Non-Tariff Measures (NTM) on Essential Goods under the Ha Noi Plan of Action on Strengthening ASEAN Economic Cooperation and Supply Chain Connectivity in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic at the sidelines of the 19th ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting held on November 10, 2020.
The initiative stemmed from a decision made by ASEAN Economic Ministers in August 2020 to put in place a more focused and targeted work program to address NTMs, particularly on essential goods.
The MOU is part of ASEAN’s concrete initiatives in response to COVID-19 to ensure the smooth flow of essential goods associated with combating the pandemic, according to the DTI.
It also seeks to facilitate timely information sharing among Member States on trade-related measures on these essential goods and supplies.
The accord further calls on the ASEAN member-states (AMS) to refrain from introducing or maintaining trade restrictive measures on essential goods, except for instances wherein there is a public health emergency.
Any measure that one AMS deems necessary to implement must be in conformity with AMS rights and obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement and the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).
The provisions of the MOU only apply to the ASEAN List of Essential Goods, which currently cover 152 tariff lines of medicines, and medical supplies and equipment.
“This action is a clear manifestation of ASEAN’s shared commitment in keeping markets open, ensure the unhampered flow of essential goods, and show economic resiliency amid COVID-19. We also see this as a positive development that will help the Philippine business community in trading with the region,” Lopez said.
Lopez said the signing of the MOU is a significant step forward for ASEAN as some Member States implemented export bans and other stringent measures in the early months of the pandemic that resulted to supply shortages of medicines and medical supplies in the region.
With the MOU in place, such actions are expected to be lessened, according to the Trade chief.
Recognizing the importance of addressing NTMs across all sectors, the ASEAN will also be looking into the possible expansion of the ASEAN List of Essential Goods to include other essential items, such as food and agricultural products.
The MOU forms part of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF), which serves as the consolidated exit strategy of the region from the COVID-19 crisis.
It articulates the ASEAN response through different stages of recovery.
It focuses on key sectors and segments of society that are most affected by the pandemic, as well as sets broad strategies and identifies measures for recovery in line with sectoral and regional priorities.
To implement the ACRF, an Implementation Plan was also developed by the ASEAN Secretariat, under the purview of the ASEAN Coordinating Committee Working Group – Public Health Emergency (ACCWG-PHE). (MNS)
Panelo, Lorenzana apologize to Robredo about ‘incorrect’ info on relief ops
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Wednesday said he apologized to Vice President Leni Robredo for accusing her of boarding a military aircraft to deliver relief goods in typhoon-hit Catanduanes.
Robredo earlier denied that she never boarded a C-130 plane bound for the Bicol Region while her spokesperson Barry Gutierrez asked Panelo to get his facts straight.
Panelo, however, insisted that he was not peddling fake news, but was simply fed incorrect information.
“I requested the Philippine Air Force to confirm through their flight manifest and they reported that there was no instance that Vice President Robredo boarded any military aircraft in going to Catanduanes,” Panelo said over his Counterpoint program.
Panelo said after learning about his mistake, he immediately sent a text message apologizing to Robredo.
However, Panelo he said there was an Air Force "Huey" helicopter that brought relief goods from the Vice President from Legazpi City, Albay to Catanduanes on Nov. 3.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana,
Panelo Lorenzana
in a separate statement, clarified Robredo did not use any military aircraft to go to Catanduanes.
“I requested the Philippine Air Force to confirm through their flight manifest and they reported that there was no instance that Vice President Robredo boarded any military aircraft in going to Catanduanes,” said Lorenzana in a statement.
“Secretary Lorenzana said he has sent his apologies to the Vice President for making a comment based on an erroneous report submitted to him,” the statement read.
Panelo said while Robredo was free to use military planes for relief efforts, she should not have made it appear like she was the only official working.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also confirmed that Robredo may use government planes and choppers for relief operations.
“I think the issue is—she can if she wants to, but I think you have to be clear about whether or not you just use a vehicle and whether or not in fact, you’re responsible for relief goods being carried by that vehicle,” Roque said.
Panelo also lamented at how Robredo failed to help correct perception that Duterte was sleeping on the job when he was actually working as well.
“Bakit di ka nag react nung marinig mo na binabanatan si Presidente dahil pinalalabas nilang hindi tumutugon sa bagyo? E samantalang alam mo naman. Alam mo VP Leni a may summit, alam mo na si Presidente nagta-trabaho (Why didn’t you react when they were criticizing the President that he wasn’t responding to the typhoon when you knew. You knew there’s a summit, you knew that the President was working),” he said.
He said Robredo acted as if she was “politicizing” the distribution of relief goods.
“Since you are reacting against any false information then necessarily kung objective ka…dapat you should have taken it on yourself na ‘Hindi totoo 'yan. Si Presidente huwag niyo hanapin 'yan. Nandiyan nagta-trabaho ‘yan (if you’re objective, you should have taken it on yourself that ‘That’s not true. Don’t look for the President, he’s working),” he said.
(MNS)
House panel OKs fund outlay for proposed dep't of water resources
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The House Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday approved the funding provisions for the measure seeking to establish a Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Water Regulatory Commission.
During its meeting, the panel approved the sections of the measure providing the budgetary requirements for the creation of the DWR, one of the priority bills of the Duterte administration.
The DWR is envisioned to be the primary national government agency responsible for the comprehensive and integrated planning, policy formulation, management and ownership, utilization, exploitation, development, and protection of water resources of the country. "The legislative intent of the creation of the Department of Water Resources is to ensure safe, adequate and continuous water supply for our people and ensure good governance and effective regulation of the water service," said Batangas Representative Marvey Mariño, who sponsored the measure. "[It will] approximate a balance between consumer satisfaction and reasonable return on investment on the part of the water service providers and ensure sound and efficient management of the sector by establishing a national framework of water resource management," he added.
According to Mariño, the proposed budget for the DWR is P2 billion, for which the current year's appropriation of the following agencies will be subsumed: l National Water Resource Board, l River Basin Control Office, l Water Supply Sanitation Unit of the DILG, l Water Quality Management Section of the EMB, l Bureau of Soils and Water Management of the DA, and l Manila Bay Coordinating Office.
If enacted into law, agencies that will be attached to the DWR include: l Local Water Utilities Administration l Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System l National Irrigation Administration l Laguna Lake Development Authority
Meanwhile, Mariño said the proposed budget for the Water Regulatory Commission, which will also be an attached agency of the DWR, is P300 million.
The proposed department is one of the three agencies whose creation is a priority of the House of Representatives -- the other two being the Department of Disaster Resilience, and the Department of Filipino Overseas.
(MNS)
POtABLe WAter. A
resident of Barangay Tumana on Angel Santos Street in Marikina City fills up a plastic jug with drinking water from a Manila Water tanker on Tuesday (Nov. 17, 2020). The city is one of the areas badly hit by Typhoon Ulysses. (MNS photo)
Drilon scolds DSWD for keeping P83-B in the face of Covid-19 pandemic, calamities
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senate Minority Franklin M. Drilon lamented the failure of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to utilize around P83 billion from its budget in the face of a pandemic and calamities that continue to hit the country, calling the non-disbursement of the fund "criminal." "To not distribute P83 billion to our affected countrymen in the face of all these difficulties is almost criminal. Hindi pwedeng magpatuloy ito. Mayroon tayong pera pero hindi natin ibinibigay sa nangangailangan," Drilon said during his interpellation of the proposed P175 billion budget of the social welfare department for 2021. "Hindi po nararamdaman ng taumbayan ang tulong ng pamahalaan dahilan sa nagkukulang ang pamahalaan. Mayroong P83 billion undisbursed, which is criminal. This should not be allowed to continue," Drilon stressed.
During the continuation of the Senate deliberation on the proposed P4.5 trillion spending outlay for next year, Sen. Imee Marcos, who sponsored the budget of the agency, said that there is around P83 billion unexpended from the past budgets given to the DSWD.
This happened while around 5 million Filipino families went hungry in the past three months while around 7.7 million Filipinos lost jobs and livelihood due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Drilon. "I am disappointed to say the least. This is very frustrating," Drilon added.
Senator Marcos and Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralp Recto also expressed dismay over the non-disbursement of the available funds.
Drilon's questioning of the undisbursed P83 billion funding that could have helped Filipinos heavily affected by Covid-19 pandemic and the recent typhoons led to a proposal by Sen. Francis Pangilinan for the Senate to pass a resolution urging for the immediate disbursement of the unutilized funds. The senators agreed to pass the resolution.
Drilon also lamented the lack of budget for social amelioration program. "I think it is a given that of all the budgets of the DSWD in the recent year, next year will be more critical and important," said Drilon, citing the loss of jobs, the weakened household consumption and the increase in the number of hungry Filipinos.
Drilon emphasized the need to stimulate the demand side of the economy by providing more funds in the pockets of the people through the SAP, commonly referred to as ayuda. "The DSWD in this case would play a very critical role. The DSWD budget becomes very important because of the needed assistance of the poor sector of our society," he said.
However, Drilon expressed dismay at the budget of the DSWD for next year, saying it lacks allocation for an emergency subsidy program.
He cited the study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) released a study, which found that the Covid-19 pandemic's aftermath could push 1.5 million Filipinos into poverty, or if everyone's incomes were to be cut by 10%, as many as 5.5 million Filipinos.
Drilon said the economy will benefit if we disburse funds and put money in the hands of the people. "We will solve the social issue of hunger and we will stimulate the economy by putting funds in the pockets of the people," he said. (MNS)
Lacson: Congressional districts given P620M to over P15B in infra projects
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Congressional districts were allocated P620 million to P15 billion each in infrastructure projects in the House of Representatives' version of the P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021, Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Thursday.
During the Senate's deliberations of the proposed P659-billion allocation for the Department of Public Works and Highways, Lacson said drew attention to the huge infrastructure budget allocations for congressional districts. "Colleagues, all I can say is, pity yourselves, those of us who may have individual insertions, it will make you look like barangay kagawads compared to our House counterparts. You see, from a high of P15.351 billion to a low of P620 million," Lacson said. "In fact, 'yung number 1 to I think 220 districts, mahigit P1 billion. The remaining 100 or so or less than 100, ang lowest diyan P620 million," he added.
The senator said he deemed it best not to flash the names of the concerned district representatives so that the focus would be on the issue instead of personalities.
He said the P68 billion earmarked for '"skeleton" projects which he was eyeing for realignment was just a drop in the bucket compared to these individual district allocations.
Lacson also flagged a list of 739 line items for multi-purpose buildings with a uniform allocation of P1 million each. "If a P2 million project would only come up with a skeletal structure, can you imagine [how] a multi-purpose building with P1 million allocation would look?" he asked.
The senator said his sources said the members of the
SEN PING LACSON
House of Representatives had a hand in the preparation of the infrastructure allocation. "I'm not blaming the department if it appears this way because practically, mga congressmen po ang may gawa ng mga listahan na ito," he said.
Lacson said he agrees with President Rodrigo Duterte that DPWH Secretary Mark Villar is not corrupt.
The budget of the DPWH was deemed submitted to the plenary but it may still be amended before the second reading and in the bicameral conference meeting. (MNS)
DTI: Only 5% of businesses still closed but consumer confi dence has yet to pick up
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Only five percent of the businesses in the Philippines remain closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Wednesday, but consumer confidence has yet to pick up.
There are 1.42 million registered businesses in the country and 99.6% of them are considered micro, small, and medium enterprises, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said during the plenary deliberation on DTI's proposed P22.012-billion budget for 2021. He asked how many are still hampered from operating due to the pandemic. "For closed establishments and MSMEs nationwide, as of end-June there was 38%, end of August was 9%, end of October was 6%, and November was 5%," Senate Committee on Finance chairperson Sonny Angara answered after receiving information from DTI representatives.
Pangilinan clarified if this meant that the rest are already back in operation. "Yes, 95% have reopened but they may not necessarily be generating the same amount of business... Probably a lot have diminished—the retail sector, the transport sector, the tourism sector," Angara said. "Theoretically they are open but in actuality and as reflected by the third quarter economic figures, the confidence is not there."
The Philippine economy continued to contract in the third quarter of the year, based on data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Economic growth averaged -10% in the first nine months of 2020.
P9B Bayanihan aid yet to be transferred to DTI
Under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2, P10 billion was allocated for the DTI to help distressed businesses through the COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) Program but only a tenth has been transferred to its coffers, so far. "I was told that out of the P10 billion we appropriated in Bayanihan 2, only P1 billion has been released as of today, November 18, and that DTI has approved 1,660 loans equivalent to around P1.2 billion," Angara said. "They have received over 26,000 loan applications starting November. They hope the money can be released so they can process even more of these loans," he added.
The senators were bothered that the remaining P9 billion has yet to be released by the Department of Budget and Management and called for the latter's quicker action so that the appropriations under the emergency measure may be utilized.
Angara said Congress may have to really consider the motion to extend the validity of the Bayanihan 2 beyond December 19, considering the circumstances. (MNS)
Private companies to donate millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine for Pinoys
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Several private companies have committed to donate COVID-19 vaccines to the government, vaccine czar and National Task Force COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo kay Enrique Razon na may binigay po siyang 300,000 doses. Ang BDO at tsaka ‘yong iba po, Lucio Tan group, San Miguel group at tsaka GoNegosyo. Nakapag-raise na po sila ng more than one million. Hopefully tataas pa po ‘yon ng up to two million doses,” Galvez said in a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night.
“Ito po ido-donate nila ang 50 to 80 percent of the vaccines at tsaka ‘yong iba po, gagamitin po nila sa kanilang mga poor essential workers po at no cost po,” he added.
Galvez said vaccine experts in the country already reviewed 17 possible sources of the COVID-19 vaccines from different countries.
“Out of this 17, nine po ‘yong nasa phase 3 trial. Tatlo po dito ang magkakaroon po ng trial dito this coming December and January,” he said.
Galvez also recommended entering into advance market commitments with private vaccine developers, releasing advance payments to secure the vaccines.
“Ang amin pong rekomendasyon ay we enter on the advance market commitment through the multilateral arrangement with World Bank and ADB as our finance manager at the same time, we have to have various modes of financing including private-public tripartite agreements without cost to government,” he said.
Galvez said the private company will buy directly from the vaccine company but with the regulation of the Department of Health.
“Hopefully kung makapagmove po tayo, we can be assured 30 million doses to 50 million doses by next year, ’Pag nagka-rollout po ang ibang bansa, we can also have our rollout here,” he said. (MNS)
Supply-chain costs for COVID-19 vaccines not in 2021 DOH budget, says Pia
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Health’s proposed P212.7-billion budget for 2021 does not cover the cost of the storage and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, Senator Pia Cayetano said on Wednesday.
During the budget deliberations at the Senate, Cayetano said the DOH was satisfied with its budget for COVID-19 response but had no budget for the supply chain-related expenses chain-related expenses such as storage of the such as storage of the Senate budget deliberations. vaccines, transportation, “From the storage to the transportation including training of vaccinators ‘yung mga maliliit na bagay na kasama diyan, ‘yung and other incidental ex- syringes, and then pati ‘yung training vaccinators,” penses. penses. Cayetano said.
“May expense din po ‘yan. We’ll have to find a way to cover that because it's not in the budget,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano was responding to Senator Manny Pacquiao’s question on how the DOH will strengthen the health care system despite receiving a “terrible” budget cut.
“As my staff confirms with me, we need extra budget lang for the supply chain,” Cayetano said during the Senate budget deliberations.
“From the storage to the transportation including ‘yung mga maliliit na bagay na kasama diyan, ‘yung syringes, and then pati ‘yung training vaccinators,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano said the Department of Finance (DOF) had confirmed that there were loan facilities available. “The secretary has said that they’re quite satisfied with the they’re quite satisfied with the budget they have for COVID rebudget they have for COVID response. The quarantine facilities sponse. The quarantine facilities are in place, the testing facilities are in place, the testing facilities are in place, the test kits are available, but they have other budgetary requirements,”
Cayetano said.
“On the vaccine itself, there is a budget for that. It’s not sufficient but DOF has confirmed that there are loaned facilities available to include this and we’re also putting on record that we also need to provide the budget,” she added.
Health Undersecretary Carol Taiño previously said the warehousing allocation under the 2021 budget was not intended specifically for the COVID-19 vaccine.
In a recent interview, Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Roomana said China had imposed no condition for prioritizing the Philippines in its distribution of COVID-19 vaccines once they were available.
Romana, however, said that Chinese pharmaceutical firms involved in developing the vaccine asked that the Philippines be ready with adequate cold chain storage facilities.
“It’s not a condition. It’s just a reminder that if you get the vaccine and you don’t have cold chain storage, then it’s useless,” Sta. Romana said.
Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta said the country was ready to produce Sputnik V vaccines for the Philippines in January 2021 but added that the country should "be ready with some of the infrastructure para ho sa storage at the required temperatures." "There’s a version of the vaccine that will not require extreme temperatures but it might be a little more expensive,” Sorreta said. (MNS)
DOH: Gov't can buy Moderna vaccines sans US fi rm's clinical trials in Philippines
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines can still buy COVID-19 vaccines from American biotechnology company Moderna even if the US manufacturer does not conduct clinical trials in the Philippines, the Department of Health said Wednesday.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire made the announcement two days after Moderna announced that its COVID-19 vaccine is at least 94% effective in preventing COVID-19 after Phase 3 of clinical trials.
“Iyong Moderna, nakausap na sila ng [Department of Science and Technology] a month ago, at ang kanilang intent is not to have a clinical trial here but they would want na doon na sila papasok sa vaccine procurement,” Vergeire said in an online forum.
“Ang objective ng Pilipinas, magkaroon ng clinical trials rito ang mga manufacturer so we can see the effect of the vaccine among our population kasi iba-iba ang epekto ng bakuna sa bawat race kaya mas maganda kung makikita natin. Pero kung hindi po sila magco-conduct ng clinical trial rito, it won’t stop the government from procuring that vaccine as long as well they go through regulatory process,” Vergeire added.
Aside from Moderna, a potential vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech was found 90% effective against preventing COVID-19 last week. Pfizer and BioNTech are yet to announce any plan to conduct clinical trials in the Philippines.
Vergeire said that the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna or any other pharmaceutical firm can be secured even without conducting clinical trials in the Philippines because vaccine protocols provide that clinical trials are conducted on different races and segments of the population.
“Kapag gumawa ng isang clinical trial ang isang manufacturer, they see to it, that is part of their criteria, na as much as different races are covered. Kaya pag tinignan po natin iyong specific populations na kasama sa kanilang clinical trials, makikita natin na iba ibang race, iba ibang sectors ng population ang isinasali, para malaman ang epekto ng bakuna,” Vergeire said.
“Kaya pag may manufacturer na hindi magko-conduct ng clinical trial rito, hindi po ‘yan makakaapekto sa pagpili natin [ng bakuna] as long as they go through regulatory process, makikita natin ang epekto ng kanilang Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 clinical trials, maeevaluate ng ating mga experts sa bakuna, at maaprubahan ng Food and Drug Administration, we can readily procure these vaccines,” Vergeire added.
The Duterte administration has allotted a P2.5-billion budget for COVID-19 vaccine procurement under the proposed 2021 national budget.
Another P10 billion for COVID-19 vaccine procurement has been provided under Bayanihan 2 law. (MNS)
Gov’t to use COVID-19 antigen tests in evacuation centers — Palace
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Evacuees will be screened for COVID-19 through antigen test to prevent the spread of the virus in typhoon-hit communities, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, however, could not say which areas have already implemented the antigen testing.
“Kung hindi po available ang PCR test nandiyan din po ‘yung antigen tests. Hindi ko po masisigurado na lahat sila ay mabibigyan pero magkakaroon po ng testing sa mga evacuation centers lalung-lalo na po doon sa mayroong sintomas,” he said at a news conference in Cagayan.
According to the Department of Health, the antigen test detects the presence of viral proteins and is best used to identify acute or early infection.
Roque’s assurance came after the OCTA Research Team urged the local government units to provide adequate and accessible testing, effective contact tracing and supportive isolation facilities to families who fled to evacuation centers due to the recent typhoons.
Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses have caused widespread damage and flooding in several Luzon provinces, forcing thousands to flee their homes.
Earlier in the day, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said there is no report yet about COVID-19 outbreaks in evacuation centers.
But Lorenzana admitted that testing for COVID-19 families who fled due to the typhoons could be a challenge.
“It will be a challenge kasi kung i-testing mo lahat 'yan, are we going to do it one by one? Siguro ang aking suggestion is to watch out for those with symptoms, nilalagnat, mga inuubo para di na lalala,” he said. (MNS)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The United States has committed to give the Philippines access to COVID-19 vaccines once they become available after an American biotechnology firm Moderna reported positive results from its late-stage vaccine trial.
It was US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who informed Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. about Washington’s commitment to vaccine access, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
“We have firm commitments from the United States,” Roque told a news conference in Cagayan, adding China had promised to supply the Philippines with vaccines while British drugmaker AstraZeneca had vowed to ship doses for developing countries.
Moderna said on Monday that its vaccine candidate was 94.5% effective at preventing people from catching the virus, just days after rival Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech said their potential vac- cine was found to be 90% effective.
The companies attributed the results to preliminary data from their respective phase 3 stud- ies.
Last week, Philippine Am- bassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said the Philippines could access the US-developed COVID-19 vaccines as early as the first quarter of 2021.
He said Pfizer had assured that the vaccine will not be sold to the Philippines at an expensive price.
Romualdez also said the Philippines will not be asked to give a downpayment to ensure access to the vaccines.
The Philippines plans to purchase an initial 50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for at least 25 million Filipinos next year. (MNS)
US SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO
DENTAL COSTS CONCERNS
GROWING older means our teeth start to wear off. We should take care of our teeth in the same way we take care of our body. Notice how sometimes small, and seemingly minor pain, in the gums impede our entire body. It is recommended that we undergo dental cleanings at least twice a year to arrest or prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
There was a time when the cost of a dental procedure was negligible. But, not anymore! A dental procedure, say a dental implant, may sometimes wipe out a retiree’s lifetime savings. Dental costs are rapidly rising!
The impact of the high cost of dental care to a senior who depends solely on a fixed Social Security pension for retirement income is huge. Even those seniors who are better situated financially must revise their retirement plans to input the higher cost of dental care.
Medicare does not cover most dental services, procedures and supplies. Dental benefits offered to those enrolled on some Medicare Advantage plans are too limited.
Medi-Cal beneficiaries get their coverage thru DentiCal. There is a yearly budget and not all services are covered.
How does a senior then cope up with these rising dental costs?
One alternative is to have those dental procedures done in the Philippines during your yearly visits. Costs are definitely lower and the quality of the outcomes is mostly satisfactory.
Another is to find a local dentist in your area with whom you can bargain. Many of these dentists will not require a dental insurance. Dr. Orly Cagatao of 5250 Santa Monica Blvd. , Suite 208 B, Los Angeles, CA 90029 is one such fine, experienced dental practitioner. He does dental cleanings, fillings, braces, dentures, root canals, teeth whitening, crowns and extractions, among others. Call him at 323 662 3168 and Ms. Korina will just be happy to discuss with you the costs of the desired procedures. She confides that the clinic will only charge $60 for cleaning so you may comply with the minimum requirement for the upkeep of your gums and teeth.
And, then there is Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry (USC) located at 925 West 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90089. There is the Student Clinic where patient care is provided by dental students under the supervision of expert faculty members. The other clinics are the Graduate/Resident Clinic and the Dental Faculty Practice Clinic. You may call 213 740 2800 for more information.
If you need help, please call me at 323 535 7373 or e-mail me at: leo.balita@gmail.com.
Joleo “Leo” Monsalud, RICP@ holds CA license # 0G55218. He studied for MBA and Law at the University of the Philippines. He worked for United Laboratories, Inc. where his last position held was vice-president in charge as general manager of a division. He helps people navigate the world of Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Duterte grants active hazard duty pay to health front-liners
MANILA (Mabuhay) — More than two months after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act (Bayanihan 2), health front-liners will soon receive active hazard duty pay (AHDP) amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
This, after Duterte on Monday signed Administrative Order No. 35 authorizing the grant of AHDP to health front-liners.
In signing the AO, Duterte recognized that human resources for health (HRHs) physically report to the frontlines in the fulfillment of their duties, and are inevitably exposed to health risks and hazards. "National government agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations and local government units are hereby authorized to grant AHDP up to PHP3,000 per month to frontline HRHs which shall be in addition to any Hazard Pay, Hazardous Duty Pay, Hazard Allowance, Special Risk Allowance or other similar benefits under existing laws, issuances, rules, and regulations, and shall be exempt from income tax," the AO read.
Frontline HRHs refer to medical, allied medical, and other personnel in the public sector, who are involved in the national healthcare response to mitigate the transmission of Covid-19 and prevent further loss of lives.
They can be civilian employees occupying regular, contractual or casual positions, whether full or part-time or workers engaged through contract of service (COS) or job order (JO), including duly accredited and registered barangay health workers (BHWs), who are assigned to hospitals, laboratories or medical and quarantine facilities, and whose official duties and responsibilities are directly related to the healthcare response of the government to Covid-19.
Under the AO, front line HRHs must physically report for work at their assigned work stations on the prescribed official working hours.
The grant of the Covid-19 AHDP will be pro-rated based on the number of days that the front line HRHs physically report for work in a month, reckoned from Sept. 15 until Dec. 19.
Consultants and experts engaged for a limited period to perform specific activities or services with expected outputs; laborers engaged through job contracts and those paid on piecework basis; student workers and apprentices; and individuals and group of individuals whose services are engaged through COS or JO, including BHWs, who are not assigned to hospitals, laboratories or medical and quarantine facilities will be excluded from the grant of AHDP.
The fund for the implementation of the AO will be sourced from the PHP13.5 billion appropriated under Bayanihan 2.
The Department of Budget and Management, in coordination with the Department of Health, will issue the guidelines necessary for the effective implementation of the order.
The order takes effect immediately following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Last March, Duterte issued AO No. 26 granting a Covid-19 hazard pay at the rate of PHP500 per day to government workers who physically report for work.
AO No. 26 funds were sourced from the already-lapsed Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act (Bayanihan 1). (MNS)
Duque urges Duterte to issue a COVID-19 vaccine emergency use EO
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday night urged President Rodrigo Duterte to issue an executive order for a Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization on the COVID-19 vaccine. In a briefing with Duterte, Duque said the issuance of the EO will cut processing time from six months to 21 days. “We are respectfully requesting that you consider the issuance of the executive order for the FDA to grant an emergency use of authorization for the various vaccines that will enter the country and for which applica-
SECRETARY FRANCISCO DUQUE III
tions are to be filed para mabilis po ito,” Duque said.
“It will cut the processing time from 6 months to about 21 days so it will cut the red tape,” he added.
With an EUA, Duque said the country can use medicines, vaccines, and other health technologies through the process of reliance and recognition.
He said the EUA is a facilitated approval in the context of public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ang reliance ay tumutukoy sa proseso ng pagtiwala ng ating FDA sa mga evaluations na ginawa sa national regular authority sa ibang bansa sa pagko-consider o pagdedesisyon nito ng mga application dito sa ating bayan,” Duque said.
“Ang recognition naman ay ang routine na acceptance ng FDA ng regulatory decision ng ibang national regulatory authorities or ibang mga trusted institutions,” he added.
Duque said the EUA may only be given if there is a medical health emergency, a serious or life-threatening disease, the product is proven effective to prevent, diagnose or treat the disease, there is a positive risk-benefit balance, and there is no adequate available alternative.
“Ang FDA ang mariin pong magsasagawa ng post-marketing surveillance activities at ang EUA ay maaaring i-revise o i-revoke ng FDA kung kinakailangan upang maprotektahan kalusugan,” he said. (MNS)
COVID-19 testing for displaced families due to typhoon a challenge, Lorenzana says
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The appeal for the conduct of COVID-19 testing among families displaced by the previous typhoons could be a challenge, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana admitted Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of an event at the Philippine Navy, Lorenzana suggested the strict monitoring of displaced individuals who are manifesting COVID-19 symptoms. "It will be a challenge kasi kung i-testing mo lahat 'yan, are we going to do it one by one? Siguro ang aking suggestion is to watch out for those with symptoms, nilalagnat, mga inuubo para di na lalala," Lorenzana said.
At present, Lorenzana said there is no report about COVID-19 outbreaks in evacuation centers. "As of now, walang outbreak sa evacuation centers and we are very happy na walang outbreak pa diyan sa evacuation centers. Siguro walang nagdala doon, walang infected sa kanila na magkakalat ng virus. Hopefully, walang infection diyan," he said.
Earlier, the OCTA Research Team called on local government units to provide adequate and accessible testing, effective contact tracing and supportive isolation facilities to families in evacuation centers so that transmission of COVID-19 will be prevented. "Given the reality that more typhoons are set to visit the country in the coming weeks, we suggest that LGUs seriously consider improving their current evacuation strategies and plans to prevent further viral transmissions during a disaster by ensuring that minimum health standards are followed in evacuation centers apart from the provision of adequate and accessible testing, effective contact tracing and supportive isolation facilities to families stranded in these facilities," the experts said.
Typhoons Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses pounded several provinces, mostly in Luzon, making some families homeless and forcing them to stay in evacuation facilities.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said the transmission of COVID-19 in evacuation centers was a "very strong possibility."
He noted that minimum health standards should be strictly observed in evacuation centers to avoid the spread of the disease. (MNS)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is nearing its target of hiring 50,000 contact tracers to boost the government's efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday said a total of 46,338 contact tracers are deployed in various local government units across the country to assist in the government's response against the disease. "The low number of cases we are experiencing now is partly a result of our ramped up contact tracing capacity which immediately cuts the community transmission once a COVID patient is identified," Año said in a press statement.
“Our battle against COVID-19 is likely to be a long haul until our medical experts find a vaccine and a cure. With the help of the 46,338 contact tracers who are now embedded in the localities, the task of fighting and containing the virus will be much easier and will be carried out more efficiently," he added.
He said a total of 6,664 qualified applicants nationwide are in the latter phase of the hiring process to determine who will fill the 50,000 target number.
“We are geared towards completing the 50,000 contact tracers in compliance with the law and we are going to hire the remaining 4,000 within the week,” the DILG chief stated. According to Año, the National Capital Region (NCR), as the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, obtained the most number of contact tracers with 7,362. It was followed by Region III with 5,026 contact tracers; Region VII with 4,241; 3,679 for Calabarzon; 3,306 for Region VI; Region IX with 3,267; Region XI with 3,041; Region V with 2,736; CARAGA with 2,544; and, 2,000 for Region X.
MIMAROPA has 1,529 new contact tracers while Region XII got 1,501. BARMM has 1,480 contact tracers; Region I with 1,445; Region VIII with 1,395; Region II with 1,215; and CAR with 571.
He said the 46,338 new contact tracers are on top of the 97,400 contact tracers who were previously hired.
Meanwhile, Año tasked localities in typhoon-hit areas to deploy their contact tracing teams in evacuation areas to assist in implementing minimum health standards, conducting health promotion among the evacuees, and distributing face masks and alcohol, among others.
The DILG ensured that contact tracers are equipped with complete personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, and other vital necessities in the performance of their duties.
Contact tracers will earn a minimum of P18,784 per month on a contract of service status, the DILG said. (MNS)
