Weekend Balita (Los Angeles edition) March 6, 2021

LOS ANGELES / ORANGE COUNTY

PH healthcare system can handle South African Covid-19 variant PaGE 19 VOL. XXX NO. 10

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

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

NEWSOM aSSUrES SafETY Of UNDOCUMENTED IMMIgraNTS ON VaCCINaTION SITES By aBNER GaliNO

GOVERNOR Gavin New som has as sured undocumented immigrants that they can safely go to any vaccination sites in the state to get inoculated and be safe from the COVID-19.

LA County close to the threshold for State’s less restrictive red tier

In his regular column for ethnic newspapers titled “On the Record with Governor Gavin Newsom,” the California governor said that we “may see people in uniform or police protecting vaccine sites” but added that “they are here to help Californians get vaccinated and are not immigration officials.”

“The federal government, under President Biden, has confirmed that they will not conduct immigration enforcement operations at or near

T

he Los Angeles County is very close to meeting the metric thresholds for the less restrictive red tier in the California state's Blueprint for a Safety Economy.

This week, L.A. County's adjusted case rate dropped to 7.2 new c a ses per 100,000 people and the test positivity rate is 3.5%. The county’s case rate needs to remain at or below 7 new cases per 100,000 residents for two consecutive weeks to move to the less restrictive red tier.

If L.A. County moves into the red tier next week and stays in that tier for two consecutive weeks, schools will then be eligible to reopen in-person learning for students in grades 7 through 12.

C u r r e n t l y, s c h o o l s throughout the county have reopened for high needs LA

»4

TOP STORIES

Global News Proposed changes to anti-drug law to be ‘constitutional’ 8  Villanueva for VP? Senator says ‘first time I heard about it’ 9  Solidum says Taal Volcano Island remains off-limits 9  Children not required to attend pilot run of face-to-face classes — senators 10  House panel adopts reso urging DSWD to release poor senior citizens’ pension every 3 months 10  Most LGUs oppose removal of several travel protocols, requirements — League of Provinces 11  Phivolcs raises Alert Level 1 on Mt. Pinatubo 12  Duterte urges Pinoys to join advocacies empowering women 12  VP Robredo says woman in viral vaccination photo not her 12

Governor Gavin Newsom

NEWSOM

How different is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

By aBNER GaliNO

ThE Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been authorized for use in the US and many are probably wondering how different is this vaccine with those delivered by Pfizer and Moderna?

During a press conference on Monday, leading government health expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said the J&J shot is different with the Pfizer and Moderna shots because it is an adenovirus shot and “injects viral DNA into a person’s arm.”

This is unlike the Pfi zer and Moderna shots that use mRNA (messenger RNA). The vaccine train the body to learn how to

fight the COVID-19 virus by injecting the said mRNA into a person's deltoid muscle located on the shoulder.

The injected mRNA, according to Fauci, provides the codes for the body to produce spike protein.

Without the mRNA, the spike

protein would have been where the virus would cling into on its way to invade our cells. But the mRNA vaccines train our bodies to recognize the virus and create an immune response.

On other hand, the J&J vaccine injects viral DNA into a person's HOW



»4

»3

Inflation expectations still well-anchored amid upticks MaNila (Mabuhay) — Monetary officials said inflation expectations in the Philippines remain well-anchored even after the rate of price increases surpassed the government’s 2-4 percent target band last January.

The rate of price increases has been on the rise since the last quarter of 2020 and it hit 4.2 percent last January, which authorities point to the rise in global oil prices and costs of some food commodities like meat, which are affected by the African swine fever.

INFLATION

»4

PH receives 1st batch of AstraZeneca vaccines through COVAX

Sections BUSINESS. PH economy seen growing 9.6% this year despite delayed vaccination program 13  ENTERTAINMENT. Bea Alonzo says she only wants ‘a boring family life’ 14  HEALTH & FAMILY. AstraZeneca ‘effective’ even in areas with new variant — WHO exec 18  FEATURE. Family, nature trips top 2021 Pinoy travel preferences 16

vaccine sites or clinics. You should not be asked about your immigration status when you get a COVID-19 vaccine.”

Newsom also assured undocumented immigrants that their medical information are private “and cannot be shared with immigration officials.” He also added that “vaccinations do not count under the public charge rule.”

“All Californians can sign up on myturn.ca.gov to be notified when



COVAX VACCINES. Cargoes containing the 487,200 doses of astraZeneca vaccine are being unloaded from a KlM Royal dutch airlines aircraft that arrived at Villamor air Base in Pasay City on Thursday night (March 4, 2021). it marked the first delivery of the life-saving shots against Covid-19 through COVaX Facility and the second batch after the China-donated 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines that arrived on Feb. 28.

(PNP photo by Joey Razon)

MaNila (Mabuhay) — A total of 487,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine have finally arrived in the Philippines on March 4, marking the first delivery of the life-saving shots against SARS-CoV-2 through COVAX facility.

The KLM commercial f light carrying the vials from Belgium that landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at past 7 p.m. were personally welcomed by President Rodrigo Duterte, senior government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps.

WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said

this first batch of supply is a "testament to the strength of collaboration, cooperation, and compassion."

He thanked all donor countries, mostly from Europe for their contribution and investments that made the consignment of safe and effective vaccines to Manila possible.

The first batch of AstraZeneca vaccines was produced in South Korea and donated by more than a dozen countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Norway, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, and Greece.

"The consignment rePH

»16

2

Weekend

BALITA

ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

Fil-Am

Community Visit www.Balita.com

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

COVID-19 fuels the threat of global famine

By JENNY MaNRiQuE Ethnic Media Services

C

onflicts, climate change and now COVID-19 are the three C’s driving 270 million people to famine in the most impoverished countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Central and Latin America.

Officials at the World Food Program (WFP), the hunger relief arm of the United Nations that feeds about a hundred million people each year in some 88 countries, warned that they are running out of resources to meet the demand for staple foods and thus prevent people dying from starvation.

“We are asking globally $13.5 billion for our budget this year, but we forecast being able to raise only about $7.8 billion," said Steve Taravella, WFP’s senior spokesperson at a briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services on Feb. 26.

Before the pandemic, there were about 135 million people acutely hungry in the world, but the collateral economic impacts of the virus have doubled that number.

WFP estimates that in 2021, about 19,000 officials working in developing countries will have to duplicate efforts to serve at least 120 million people, in hardest-hit places like Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.

"For some years WFP and others working on global hunger were really effective in bringing hunger down to what we hoped would be the zero hunger goal of the UN by 2030. It's pretty clear now, that's not going to happen," Taravella said.

"COVID is making the poorest of the world poorer and the hungriest of the world hungrier.”

WFP won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for its efforts to eradicate hunger in areas where natural disasters and conflict have disrupted normal food distribution channels.

Areas where bombed roads prevent trucks carrying flour, rice, lentils, peas, cooking oil and salt from getting through. Areas where airstrikes destroy planes carrying dietary supplies. Areas where incessant fighting prevents hungry people from venturing out for food or aid workers from moving safely to provide it, at a time when crops cannot be harvested.

"There have been terrorist acts against villagers and aid workers by Al-Qaeda Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram and ISIS," Taravella said.

Recently, a WFP staff member was killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo while accompanying the Italian ambassador on a visit to a school feeding site.

WFP provides school meals in the classrooms, helps pregnant women and new mothers to understand nutrition, and supports small farmers to find markets for their produce.

“We work very closely with governments but we see ourselves there only as a temporary band-aid. Our goal is to help build the country's capacity to manage the programs," said Taravella.

Although the WFP does not operate food banks in the United States, immigrants in the country have contributed greatly to alleviating hunger in their homelands after natural disasters such as the typhoon that devastated the Philippines or the hurricanes in Central America.

But COVID has also impacted remittances.

Devastating hurricanes “When COVID hit, we were really hoping that the hurricane season will be a quiet one as we had a few years ago, but that was not the case,” said Elio Rujano, communications officer for the WFP’'s regional bureau for Central America and the Caribbean.

The 2020 season produced 30 named storms, of which 13 became hurricanes, six of them devastating in scope. Eta and Iota ravaged areas in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua while tropical storm Amanda hit El Salvador.

Since 2014, these countries have already been experiencing

prolonged periods of droughts or excessive rains caused by the El Niño phenomenon, both causing the destruction of crops and the livelihood of farmer families.

"In the past we were only focusing on the dry corridor where rural farmers live, but now, because of the pandemic, hunger has expanded to urban areas," Rujano said from his Panama City office.

"50% of the labor in Latin America and Central America is informal labor. People work on the streets, and since they could no longer go out, they couldn’t meet their basic needs."

Back in 2018, hunger in the region was affecting 2.2 million people and that number is approaching nearly 8 million in 2021.

Here WFP works to support communities to become more resilient to climate change. They teach them to replace the plantation of fragile products such as beans and maize with beekeeping, since honey can be stored for longer periods. They also provide people with cash transfers to buy

food at local shops and teach them about nutrition.

Rujano estimates that they could serve up to 2.6 million people this year if they reach $47 millions in donations to reach that population.

Malnourished children in Yemen Although the situation in Central America is worrying, in places like Yemen where conflict is the main driver of the hunger crisis, the figures are even more chilling.

Since the end of 2018, this country has been described as the home of the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

Six years of war between the Houthi rebels who control the north of the country and the nationally recognized government dominating the south, have devastated infrastructure, destroyed agricultural land, eroded government services and left the healthcare system on its knees.

About 4 million people out of a population of 30 have become internal refugees while food pricCONTNUED ON PAGE 3

Sinusuportahan ng Loterya ng California

Pambansang Problema sa Pagsusugal Buwan ng Kamalayan Marso 1-31

Ngayon ang panahon upang gawin ang unang hakbang Para sa Kompidensyal na Libreng Tulong Tumawag sa 1-800-GAMBLER

Sa pakikipagsosyo sa :

Community Voting rights at stake as Supreme Court considers Arizona case

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

By Khalil Abdullah Ethnic Media Services

S

ometimes it’s 50 miles -- one way -- for Native Americans living on reservations or in remote areas of Arizona to drive their ballots to a post office or an official drop-off site. Public transportation? Sparse to non-existent. Unpaved roads? Often abundant. And with the cost of automobile ownership, maintenance, and insurance out of reach for many, ballot collection -- a friend, neighbor, or relative’s willingness to deliver one’s ballot -- is a welcome act of civic engagement.

Jacqueline De Leon, Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund, emphasized the urgent need for ballot collection to remain protected under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. “Native Americans live in conditions of abject poverty that would shock most Americans,” she said at a press conference convened by the Brennan Center for Justice.

“We believe the first on the land should not be the last to vote.”

The U.S. Supreme Court convened on March 2 to hear Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee, named for Arizona’s attorney Mark Brnovich. Arizona is not only seeking to end ballot collection, but also to discard the entirety of a voter’s choices should that individual vote in the incorrect precinct.

Amicus briefs filed in support of the DNC’s challenge cite the ongoing practice of changing the closing hours or locations of precincts without due notice, forcing voters to cast out of precinct (OOP) ballots.

Alex Gulotta, Arizona State Director, All Voting is Local Arizona, minced no words about the impact of Arizona’s proposed law on ballot collection.

“The ballot collection ban targets voters of color,” he said, noting that Arizona typically records 80 percent of its votes by mail-in ballots, a percentage that spiked to 88 percent in this last election cycle.

If Arizona’s desired ban were allowed to stand by the Supreme Court, it would be “a huge impediment to voters of color participating in Arizona,” Gulotta asserted.

Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee comes before the Supreme Court after Arizona sought to implement both policies immediately after the Shelby County v Holder decision in 2013. The policies were challenged in court, and though voting advocates lost initially, they won on appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court.

Brnovich is an appeal by Arizona to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Ninth Circuit’s decision.

In its Shelby decision, the Supreme Court ruled by a vote of 5-4 to suspend the use of Section 5, often known as the pre-clearance provision, viewed by voting rights advocates as the heart of the Voting Rights Act. Section 5 required that states and jurisdictions with a history of discriminatory voting laws and policies receive federal approval before

their proposed changes to voting procedures could be legally implemented.

The court ruled that Section 5 was based on a formula for data collection that was outdated and therefore could not be fairly implemented without violating state sovereignty. No new data formula has since been adopted.

The primary argument behind the Court’s decision, as voiced by Chief Justice John Roberts, was that the times of rampant and overt discrimination necessitating the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 have faded into the past.

It’s not a sentiment that Alison Riggs shares.

Riggs is the Interim Executive Director and chief Counsel, Voting Rights, or the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. Riggs listed examples of the social and economic inequities that accrue to communities whose right to vote is impeded.

Inferior education, for example, can result from schools that are underfunded by legislators who likely would not have been elected had an electorate been more inclusive. Fewer educational opportunities limit employment opportunities, which in turn negatively impacts job earnings and long-term financial security.

After the Shelby decision in 2013, Riggs said, “We saw what we expected.” Poverty in North Carolina’s African American community became more widespread.

“Proving intent is not always possible.

It’s very challenging,” Riggs noted.

And therein lies the driving principle of Section 2, that the Supreme Court needs merely to look at the discriminatory effect of Arizona’s proposed changes, regardless of the state’s stated intent to better protect against voter fraud.

Laura Dent is Executive Director, Chispa Arizona, a program of the League of Conservation Voters that addresses issues of environmental racism, particularly as they affect those “impacted first and worst.”

“Our organization has registered 44,000 Latinos and people of color, and new American majority voters in the state since 2018,” Dent said. She attributes the plethora of bills introduced in Arizona to further restrict ballot access as a reaction to the increased engagement of these groups and young voters.

Arizona is not an exception. The Brennan Center notes there are now “over 253 restrictive bills are under consideration in 43 states legislatures,” and that a Supreme Court ruling that discards the protection of accounting for discriminatory impact afforded by Section 2 would be disastrous for minority voters.

Voting rights advocates take some solace from the fact that, with or without Section 2, the Supreme Court could simply invoke the Fifteenth Amendment to deny Arizona its desired policy changes: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

NEWSOM... from Page 1 they are eligible for a vaccine. Eligible individuals in several counties, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno and San Francisco, can also use My Turn to schedule an appointment, with more counties expected to begin using My Turn for scheduling in the coming weeks.”

My Turn is also accessible via a toll-free hotline at 1-833-422-4255. Operators speak English and Spanish, and third-party interpretation is also available in 250+ languages. You can also ask your physician or your pharmacy about scheduling an appointment.

Visit www.Balita.com

COVID-19... from Page 2 2es are on average 140 times higher than before the war.

"The hunger situation right now in Yemen has hit a new peak," said Annabel Symington, head of communications for the WFP in Yemen.

"The forecast for 2021 is that 50,000 people are already living in famine like conditions, another 5 million are at severe risk of falling into famine and about 11 million people are facing crisis levels of food insecurity," she added.

Famine occurs when malnutrition is so widespread that people are literally starving from lack of access to nutritious regular food.

WFP assists more than 12 million people in Yemen - its world's largest operation - delivering flour, pulses, oil, sugar and salt, as well as canned goods for those who do not have immediate access to kitchen equipment such as the case of the internal displaced people.

The conflict has contributed to nearly half of all children under the age of 5 in Yemen facing acute malnutrition, which not only affects their physical and cognitive development, but puts them at risk of death. 11.2 million pregnant or breastfeeding mothers are also malnourished and according to Symington these numbers can be an underestimate.

Mothers are resorting to desperate measures to survive: either they eat less to feed their children or they must choose which of their kids eat.

After COVID, death rates skyrocketed, but as the testing capacity is limited, it is unknown for sure how many people contracted the virus. "The lockdown was lifted quite early because people will starve if they stay at home," Symington said.

"It is clear that peace is what Yemen needs so we can address the food crisis," she added.

Migrants in India In India, the country with the highest

Weekend

BALITA

3

number of food insecure people due to its large population (1.3 billion inhabitants), the pandemic worsened the living conditions for domestic migrants.

Almost 139 million people move from rural areas to large cities to work in informal jobs in factories or as street vendors. The coronavirus forced them to go back to their villages, and since transportation was not working, they had to move by foot, facing not only long hours of walking but hunger. The pandemic also disrupted the harvesting season in March and April affecting food supply chains.

"Although the restrictions (due to the pandemic) have been eased out and these people came back to the cities, there are very few jobs due to the economic slowdown," said from New Delhi Parul Sachdeva, country advisor in India for Give2Asia, an NGO that supports grassroots organizations in 23 countries in Asia Pacific.

"Today 8 in 10 people are eating less food than before the pandemic and nearly 1 in 3 people face moderate or severe food insecurity."

The government approved a package of US $22.6 billion for the distribution of staple foods during four months and cash transfers of $ 500 rupees (US $ 7) for up to three months. But informal workers were left out of the package, forcing civil society organizations to support those returning to their villages with meals, health supplies and shelter.

Organizations like Akshaya Patra distributed 1.8 million meals a day to children across India. GIve2Asia is now working on economic rehabilitation through training and input costs for agriculture.

"These are the kind of activities we wish to promote," Sachdeva added. "I think they provide some kind of solution for livelihood regeneration in a country like ours," she concluded.

4

Weekend

BALITA

Visit www.Balita.com

Community

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

$6.6B school re-opening plan prioritizes low-income, special needs children

By SUNITA SOHRABJI EMS Contributing Editor

M

e mb e r s of t he California state Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a $6.6 billion school re-opening plan, which aims to get children in grades kindergarten through 6th back to classrooms by March 15, and older children by mid next month.

The plan prioritizes students who would benefit the most from in-person instruction kids from low-income families who may lack computing devices and high-speed internet, English language learners, and those with learning disabilities, among other disadvantaged students.

The additional dollars will include money for extended

academic and mental health support, help schools adjust for smaller classrooms, and provide Personal Protective Equipment for three months.

The state is also set to receive $8 billion in federal funding to re-open schools, and may receive additional funding in the proposed $1.9 trillion COVID relief package.

Schools are set to re-open even in the state’s most-restrictive purple tier. Schools will likely operate over summer to catch students up with coursework missed during the year of remote learning.

“We cannot re-open the state’s economy until you safely re-open schools,” said Newsom, noting that positive testing rates have dropped to 2.4 percent, from a high of over 9 percent at the start of the year.

Hospitalization and intensive

care unit admissions have also dropped by 41 percent. More than 9 million people in California have received at least one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine — which requires two doses for full efficacy — and more people are expected to be vaccinated as the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which only requires one shot and was approved Feb. 27, rolls out.

75,000 doses of the vaccine have been set aside for school personnel. Additionally, the state will run a mega-vaccination event only for school personnel on March 4 and 5, using FEMA super-sites.

The plan was unveiled after weeks of negotiations with the state’s teacher’s unions, the Governor’s office, and members of the state Legislature.

Late last year, Newsom had released his ‘Safe Schools For

INFLATION... from Page 1

LA... from Page 1

In a virtual briefing Thursday, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said while inflation is expected to stay above the target band in the first half of the year, “we are confident that it will taper off in the second half of the year.”

“We’re confident, moving forward, that inflation will remain to be within our forecast range of 2-4 percent this year, next year, and the year after,” he said.

The central bank’s average inflation forecast for this year is 4 percent while it is 2.7 percent for 2022.

Diokno said the elevated inflation rate remains driven by supply-side factors “and so we thought (that) it does not require monetary response at the moment.”

He said they are currently on the lookout for any spill-over effects, such as an increase in domestic demand and petitions for higher wages or transport costs.

“But right now, there is no such thing,” he added.

The central bank chief said the adjustment in the BSP’s policy rates remains data-dependent thus, he discounted any need to change to date as they continue to monitor developments.

Zeno Ronald Abenoja, senior director of the central bank’s Department of Economic Research, said monetary authorities have “supported the implementation of non-monetary measures to directly address the disruptions in supply chain for specific commodities.”

“Effective implementation of these non-monetary measures should help anchor inflation expectations over the near term,” he said during the same briefing.

Abenoja was referring to the price cap on some meat products and supply boost to address the constraints, among others. (MNS)

students and for grades TK through 6.

As of March 1, a total of 1,799 schools are providing on-campus services for high needs students. This includes over 96,000 students and over 35,000 staff.

Thirty-four school districts and 303 individual private and charter schools are approved for in-person instruction of students in grades TK through 6.

Nine school districts and 91 individual private and charter schools are still pending review of the COVID-19 safety plan.

For schools that are already open for in-person instruction for grades TK through 6 and would like to open for grades 7 through 12 once the County moves to the red tier, they will need to update their state COVID-19 safety plan to include grades 7 through 12 and repost it to the school website.

They will need to submit to Public Health a separate notification and Reopening Protocol for each school that will be reopening for these grades or expanding

All’ plan, which was thrashed by the state’s teachers’ unions and state legislators.

Sen. Richard Pan, a Democrat who chairs the Senate’s health committee, said the plan represented a deep compromise between the Legislature and the Governor’s office.

“As a pediatrician, I know that kids are suffering anxiety, depression, and isolation.”

“We need to make up for delays and keep our students on track, but we also know that our teachers are concerned about family members who may be at greater risk of exposure (to COVID,” he said, during a press briefing at Franklin Elementary School in the Elk Grove Unified School District.

Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon also attended the briefing along

reopening for additional students.

Public Health will contact each school separately to do a site visit and offer technical assistance.

For schools who have not yet reopened for grades TK through 6, they will need to submit their COVID-19 safety plan to CDPH and to Public Health for review and approval prior to reopening. They will also need to submit, to County Public Health, the required completed county school re-opening documents.

Public Health is working in partnership with Los Angeles County school districts to establish the Public Health Ambassador Program for students and parents. This program will actively engage school communities in preventing and reducing the spread of COVID-19 by empowering students and parents as essential partners in each school’s prevention effort.

For parents, the program offers a one-time 90-minute virtual session that covers proven safety practices for home and in the broader

with members of the state Legislature.

AB 86 and SB 86, which formalize the plan, are set for a vote March 4. At press time, the California School Employees Association had not released a statement on the plan.

The California Teachers Association released a statement Feb. 23, noting that the state Legislature had heeded its recommendations.

“Vaccinating teachers and education support professionals, coupled with the multi-layered safety protocols, including testing, Personal Protective Equipment, six-feet social distancing, sanitization, proper ventilation, testing and contact tracing are all key to protecting students and their families as well as educators and school staff,” said CTA President E. Toby Boyd.

community.

Student Ambassadors meet weekly and learn about the impact of COVID-19 on wellbeing, and about social determinants of health and how the pandemic has impacted some groups more than others.

Cases of COVID 19 among healthcare workers decline The number of deaths among healthcare workers has seen a rapid decline since the peak of the surge in early January.

During the week of January, 21 healthcare workers died from COVID-19 and during the week of February 21, two healthcare workers passed away.

These numbers, no matter what they are, are tragic and we mourn the loss of all of these heroes who passed away from COVID-19.

As of February 28, about 78% of skilled nursing home staff received at least a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 69% of all staff received their second dose and are fully vaccinated.

High rates of vaccination are correlated with the low-

est rates of cases and deaths among healthcare workers at nursing homes.

New variants of COVID 19 To date, Public Health has confirmed a total of 27 cases of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 U.K. variant and one case of the P.2 Brazil variant in Los Angeles County.

All of the U.K. variant cases have been identified since January 15, and the first case of the P.2 variant from Brazil was identified late last week.

In addition, there have been 239 California variant cases with the vast majority of these cases identified since December 1 of last year.

In the most recent run of 55 specimens in the Public Health laboratory, 31 (56%) included the 5-mutations characteristic of the California variant, so this strain continues to be widely circulating in Los Angeles County.

There have been no cases identified in L.A. County with the South African variant.

HOW... from Page 1 arm.

Fauci explained that the J&J DNA is encapsulated inside a harmless and non-replication competent virus.

This virus is called Adeno26 --- a common cold virus that has been engineered to lose its illness-causing gene.

Once injected to a person, the said virus inserts its DNA into the cells. It is then copied into messenger RNA. This mRNA then codes for coronavirus spike proteins.

The Pfizer or Moderna vaccine also worked the same way but start by injecting mRNA into a person to train his body to fight the COVID-19 virus.

"The mRNA that's injected into the muscle codes for the spike protein," Fauci explained.

The health expert said the J&J vaccine and the Pfizer-Moderna vaccine both result in a “spike protein in the

right conformation that gives the body the opportunity to feel that this is the actual virus that it's seeing."

During trials, Moderna's and Pfizer's shots showed they were more effective than J&J's shot. But experts stressed that all of these vaccines were all proven to be safe as no one was hospitalized or died among those who participated in the clinical trials.

Both the mRNA and adenovirus vaccines appear to fight well against the most severe COVID-19 infections.

It has been reported that both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were more than 94% effective in their trials. The said vaccines need to be given on two doses --- with each inoculation spaced out by at least two weeks.

The J&J's vaccine is easier to manufacture and store. And this vaccine only need to be administered once.

Community

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

Visit www.Balita.com

HOUSEFIRES and its frightening threat!

O n Saturday, February 20, 2021, this writer came home late at around 9:30 in the evening. While at the gate of our building, a gentleman neighbor approached and pointed to the roof of our next door neighbor where flames were seen emitting and spewing, but he informed us that help was coming as he already called 911. Luckily, the firefighters came immediately and true enough, there was fire billowing inside our neighbor's bedroom, but since neither one of the four firefighters are able to enter through the living room door and the side door due to its grills, they rushed and barged through the back bedroom window to enable them to get inside.

Apparently, according to two of our neighbors who came out due to all the commotion, our neighbor's unit already had a previous kitchen fire earlier in the afternoon, due to some sort of Microwave malfunction.

There were around 20 firefighters who came and fought it off and they all left at around 6:00 pm. Thus, when the evening firefighters came, there might have been embers that might have been left behind during the first time they were there.

This incident was indeed an alarming experience for all of us who lived in the complex, particularly this writer, because the burning neighbor's unit was right next door and therefore had the fire continued, this writer would have been shocked coming home without a place to live.

According to the National Fire Pro-

tection Association (NFPA), the number one cause of home fires is unattended cooking. Always make sure that you or someone in your household are in the room or kitchen while you're cooking with a heat source, or, if you can't stay in the room the whole time, ask another adult in your household to watch over your food. However, if you're cooking food for long periods of time, use a timer so you don't lose track of time.

Following is a list of other common causes of housefires: Household Appliance danger - always make sure gas stoves are turned off and electrical stoves are unplugged when not

BALITA

5

appliance at a time, or you frequently have blown fuses.

Heating Equipment - when weather turns colder, space or electric heaters are mostly used. Make sure when using heaters, keep them away from blankets,. curtains, laundry and even furniture. Also, if your house has a furnace, make sure to have it professionally inspected once a year to ensure it is running properly, Electric Blankets - are most usually used during cold months, and there have been incidences of malfunction.

It is therefore advisable to only use them to warm you up before sleeping.

Dining room window burned Kitchen window burned

Weekend

in use; Indoor Smoking - numerous deaths and injuries happen when people light their cigarettes near a gas source or falling asleep while lighted cigarettes are on one's hands, Cigarette Lighters - statistics show that 52% of fires involve kids playing with their Dad's cigarette lighter, Candles - modern craze in candles and their aromatherapy components in emitting fragrance in households can be dangerous if left unattended; Faulty wiring - most homeowners don't usually recognize faulty wiring, but there are signs that you can watch out for, such as when your lights are dim, and you use another appliance, you can only use one

And should a fire suddenly happen in your home, most of you wouldn't know what to do. So, following are some basic tips that may help prevent fires from becoming a household mishap or before it gets out of control to avoid injuries, or loss of life: Your home should have a smoke detector/alarm; Your home should have a fire extinguisher; And fi nally, your home should also have carbon monoxide alarms.

Experiencing FIRE in your house must be the most frightening occurence in one's life, due to the danger it would cause us, our loved ones and the environment as a whole. Thus, safety precautions are key to prevent the devastating danger of FIRE. As the saying goes: "an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure." STAY SAFE everyone and TAKE CARE!

Pilipino po tayo!

OBIT

LIGAYA “Lily” E. GRUSPE RN-BSN; Ph.D.; LAc.; Diplomate in Acupuncture

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

*Certified Family Law Specialist The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

L

igaya “Lily” E. Gruspe (76) of Signal Hill, CA, passed away on January 16, 2021. She was born on August 30, 1944 in Bacolor, Pampanga, Philippines. Lily graduated from the Univeristy of Santo Tomas with a B.S. in Nursing. She moved to the U.S. as an RN exchange visitor in New Jersey in 1968, Michigan in 1969, and then passed the CA boards in 1970 before moving to California in 1971. While vacationing with nursing friends in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 20, 1974, she met her husband Rolando Gruspe where they fell in love at first sight. Two weeks later, they married on September 3, 1974. She worked as a nurse for 44 years. In 2009, she earned a Master’s Degree of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture and began her practice as a CA Licensed Acupuncturist in 2010. She expanded her license to practice in the entire U.S. when she took the national boards in 2011 and became a member of NCCAOM. She finished her PhD in Acupuncture at American Liberty University in 2014.

She is survived by her husband, Rolando C. Gruspe; Children: Jennifer, Roland Jr., and Jason; Grandchildren: Ashley Dizon, Jazlyn Dizon, Jacob Dizon, Penelope Tram-Gruspe, and Maya Tram-Gruspe; Sisters: Luding, Natividad, Belen, and Brother: Francisco Jr. On Thursday, March 11, 2021, a viewing (12PM-12:30PM) and mass (12:45PM2PM will be held at All Souls Catholic Cemetery & Mortuary, 4400 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. Due to public health restrictions, no more than 10 people may occupy the mortuary at a time. We kindly ask only immediate family (max 50 people) attend indoor viewing due to the 30 minute window. Mass and burial service will be held outside and is open to all. The graveside burial service will be held immediately following the mass. Face coverings and social distancing required.

- Certified Family Law Specialist - Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) -J.D Southwestern University Law School Los Angeles, CA - B.S Accounting California State University, San Bernardino, CA

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

kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com

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

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

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

View POINT

6

Weekend

BALITA

Visit www.Balita.com

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

How to obtain Custody and Visitation Rights for Unmarried Dads

ESTABLISHING parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child.

Family Code §7610.

Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father does not automatically make you the natural father of the child. Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of paternity which allows the non biological father to be deemed the natural father of the child.

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

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

Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th 1119, 1133, 95 CR3d 477, 485 If the voluntary declaration of paternity is executed after 1996, it is not characterized as a con-

clusive presumption. Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court of competent jurisdiction” and trumps §7611 presumptions discussed below. A post 1996 voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be recognized as a basis for the establishment of an order for child custody, visitation, or child support.” Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th at 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re J.L. (2008) 159 CA4th 1010, 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33.

Another way of establishing presumed father status is if you fall under any of the categories listed (a) to (f) under family code §7611: (a) He and the child's natural mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce, or after a judgment of separation is entered by a court. (b) Before the child's birth, he and the child's natural mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) If the attempted marriage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage, or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce.

(2) If the attempted marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the ter-

2629 Foothill Blvd #396 La Crescenta, CA 91214 Tel.: 818.446.5057 www.usasianpost.com / www.weekendbalita.com

mination of cohabitation. (c) After the child's birth, he and the child's natural mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) With his consent, he is named as the child's father on the child's birth certificate.

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

An alleged biological father who does not meet any of the § 7611 conditions for presumed father status has no constitutionally-protected “liberty interest” in establishing a parentage relationship with a child as against the rights of a presumptive father who has an extant parentage relationship with the child. Dawn D. v. Super.Ct. (Jerry K.) (1998) 17 C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d 871, 876–877 The facts get even more complicated if the girlfriend, whom boyfriend gets pregnant is married to another man because the law provides a conclusive presumption of paternity to the husband of the girlfriend. Under Family Code §7540, the child of a wife cohabiting at time of conception with her husband, who is not impotent or sterile, is “conclusively” presumed to be a child of the marriage. This conclusive presumption may be challenged by showing that the husband was sterile. It may also be challenged by filing a motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611

and 7612.

Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute's underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protecting children from the stigma of “illegitimacy,” and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support ... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parent-child relationship is with a third person. Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200–1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675.

Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born. While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may be granted custody and visitation rights.

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

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

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

Mortgages Rates higher by .50% in the past few weeks

Publisher

BALITA MEDIA INC.

Abner Galino

Liza Rafallo

Rhony Laigo

Lyn Mendoza

GBS Graphic Arts

Ronnie Villo

Fil-Am News Editor Editor-at-large

Page Design

Automotive Advertising Manager

Office Manager/Classified Advertising

Circulation Manager

Gary Escarilla Sales Manager

For Editorial: Do you have a story tip, letter to the editor suggestion? Please email info@balita.com or mail your letter to Editorial Department, Weekend Balita, Balita Media Inc., 2629 Foothill Blvd #396 La Crescenta, CA 91214. Submission must include full name, mailing address and contact numbers. All contributions are subject to the paper’s editorial standards. For advertising, please email info@balita.com.

Weekend Balita is a Publication of Balita Media Inc., the leading source of news and information for the FilipinoAmerican community, which also publishes US Asian Post. Views & Opinions expressed by contributing writers and syndication partners are solely theirs and do not necessarily reflect that of the publishers. All advertising materials are subject to the paper’s editorial standards and discretion. All rights reserved.

Reprints of materials published in the newspaper should have explicit permission of Weekend Balita staff or management.

THIS year may have k icked off w it h t he lowest mortgage interest rates in history, but the record lows aren't going to last. Parties over rates a re now starting to climb and are expected to continue heading higher throughout 2021.

Just last week, mortgage rates rose to the

highest point since August 2020. The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage went up to 2.97%, according to Freddie Mac. The 15year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 2.34%. It marked t he biggest one-week move since last March, when the pandemic was begin-

ning to unfold.

The weak economic out look i n 2020 brought mortgage rates to record lows. Now that the economic skies are looking brighter, mor tgage rates a re retracing last year's decline when they fell to previously unseen lows. Bond yields movCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

viewpoint VIEWPOINT

Visit www.Balita.com

Weekend

BALITA

7

New California Law Gives Greater Protection To Homeowners In Bankruptcy THIS has got to be the BEST NEWS for homeowners who are filing for bankruptcy to get out of debt! Given the huge job losses and high unemployment rate that have left many unable to pay their debts, this may be the biggest change in the law that can help many people protect and keep the substantial equity they have in their family home.

On September 18, Governor Newsom signed AB 1885 into law which took effect on January 1, 2021. What exactly is AB 1885 all about and how does it benefit homeowners?

In California, prior law (Section 704.730 of the Code of Civil Procedure) provided that a specified portion of the equity in your residence was exempt from execution to satisfy a judgment debt: $75,000 for single person, $100,000 for a married couple (or the debtor and a dependent living in the residence) and $175,000 for homeowners over 65 years of age or disabled. So, for example, if a judgment creditor were to force a sale of your residence to satisfy the judgment, these were the amounts that they could not take from you. But what if you had substantial equity in your home that was above these amounts? Well, under the law, you were simply out of luck.

These exemption amounts also apply if you were to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

If your home equity exceeded the allowable exemptions amount, a bankruptcy trustee can force a sale of your home to pay creditors. While the old law did provide protection to SOME homeowners, it still was not enough to protect those homeowners with higher equity amounts. So, if you have worked hard all your life and

MORTGAGE UPDATE… FROM PAGE 6 ing up to hedge inflationary signs. We'll get a breather in March, but have a bit more pain in the meantime.

W hile unemployment still remains higher than it was before the pandemic, the anticipation that the economy will heat up later this year has caused bond yields -seen as a benchmark for interest rate movements -- to spike. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate t y pica lly moves with the 10year Treasury rate.

There is an expectation that more people will start spending more a s sidel i ned parts of the economy become available again, coronav irus cases drop and people get vaccinated, another celebration brewing since the vaccine roll out seems to be picking up. If it continues at a reasonable pace and reaches a bigger part of the population by the middle of the year, that will help the overall economic picture.

Another potential cont r ibutor to i ncreasing rates is the $1.9 billion stimulus plan proposed by the Biden administration, currently making its way t hroug h Congress.

We don't know how much of that will go through, but there's likely to be a boost to some households and that will help with the economic picture again, that will put upward pressure on rates."

But rates aren't expected to spike. MBA

forecasts the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate will reach 3.4% by the end of this year, still lower than the 3.5% rate in the first quarter of 2020.

Have homebuyers missed their chance?

Even as the rates are trending up, most predictions show they are unlikely to rise by much.

“It is inevitable in the coming months that mortgage rates will be rising," said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors. "But nothing alarming. Maybe we will reach 3% average for the year and that will still be considered historically low."

A bigger problem for buyers is rapidly rising home prices.

The housing market has been on fire, with record low inventory driving up home values. In January, existing home sales were up 24% from last year and the median home price rose 14% from a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors.

R isi ng rates a nd rising home prices amid a short supply of homes will undoubtedly challenge many homebuyers. However, still historically low mortgage rates and rising rents in some of the most affordable markets for homeownership will help drive those on the fence to seriously consider buying instead of renting.

Buyers currently in the market should be prepared for some rate

moves from week-toweek. If you are shopping right now. L ok at your target home price and calculate what happens to your budget if rates move up. Maybe you have to settle for a lesser home?

Still, for most homebuyers, rising interest rates won't be as big a challenge as rising prices or finding a home in the next few mont hs. Toget her, these factors are likely to ease sales in my opinion.

The lack of homes available for sale is a much bigger impediment than a quarter percentage point rise from record lows in mortgage rates. The big issue is finding a house that is affordable is the bigger concern for first time buyers.

Recent increases in mortgage rates may cool off homebuyer interest, but they set a hard deadline for t hose consider i ng refinancing. As a result of higher rates, refinance activity fell 11% last week to its lowest level since December 2020, but still remained 50% higher than a year ago, according to MBA. For people considering refinancing, the party isn't over, but it is getting close to last call.

Thanks for your inquiries, call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636

have accumulated significant equity in your home, the old law not only left you vulnerable to judgment creditors but would have also put your family home at risk of being lost.

Enter the new law. AB 1885 was passed to amend these outdated homestead exemption amounts. Beginning the 1st of next year 2021, you now get to exempt the greater of $300,000 or the median sale price of a single-family home last year in your county, not to exceed $600,000. To help you understand what this means for you, here are some projections for several counties: 1. Los Angeles: $600,000 (Estimated Median = $645,000) 2. Riverside: $400,500 3. Orange: $600,000 (Estimated Median = $765,497) 4. San Bernardino: $370,215 So, let us say you were married and lived in Los Angeles County. If your home was worth $550,000 and you still owed $100,000 on it, that means you have $450,000 in equity. Normally, filing Chapter 7 (which only allowed a $100,000 homestead exemption for married couples) would have been a problem. Under the new law, however, since you get to exempt $600,000 instead of only $100,000, you can file bankruptcy without losing you home. Going forward, these dollar amounts will continue to be adjusted by inflation.

In Chapter 13 where the court also looks at the unprotected home equity in determining how much a should pay, the old law made the Chapter 13 plan payment too high and unaffordable to a lot of people. The higher homestead protection amounts will now make a lot of Chapter 13 plans affordable by significantly reducing the amount that has to be paid in a lot of cases.

For people in dire financial situations caused by COVID-19 who could not obtain bankruptcy relief under the old law, this new law provides the greatest protection that we have not had for a very long time. Homeowners who are crippled with overwhelming debt will now be able, in many situations, to file bankruptcy and discharge their unsecured debt while keeping their home 100% safe. Of course, every case is different, and you should seek the advice of a competent bankruptcy attorney to fully understand your legal rights.

If you are in debt and need to find a way out, I can help you figure out all possible options.

NOTE: Due to the current lockdown order caused by COVID-19, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems.

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

8

Weekend

BALITA

Visit www.Balita.com

global NEWS

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

Nat’l vaccine priority list stays despite some ‘breaches’ MANILA (Mabuhay) — The national government will stick to its Covid-19 National Vaccination Plan, Malacañang said Thursday after some ranking government officials, who are not frontline medical workers, reportedly received the Sinovac-made CoronaVac jab.

Under the government’s prioritization list, frontline healthcare workers are supposedly first in line to be administered with the vaccine brand of their choice.

However, some government officials including the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chief of staff Michael Salalima had already received the CoronaVac shot.

Other officials who received the vaccine are Pasay City Vice Mayor Noel Boyet Del Rosario and Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, who is also a doctor.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered only three officials -- vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., testing czar Vince Dizon, and MMDA chairperson Benhur Abalos -- to get inoculated to boost confidence in the vaccine.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Eric Domingo was also allowed to receive the CoronaVac jab.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Malaya and Salalima, who were both vaccinated at the Pasay City General Hospital on Tuesday, were “prompted” by hospital officials to also receive the CoronaVac vaccine.

“The two naman, in good faith, thought that they were doing the nation a service

by having themselves vaccinated kasi nga mataas pa yung tinatawag nating distrust sa bakuna (because there is still high distrust in the vaccines). So upon being prodded and being offered and guided by their desire to increase public confidence in the vaccine, nagpabakuna po sila (they had themselves vaccinated),” he said.

He admitted that the interim National Immunization Technical Advisory Group’s (iNITAG) strict policy to stick to the prioritization list was “not disseminated properly.”

“Hindi talaga niya alam na hindi na-approve yung gusto namin na mga taong gobyerno ang magpapturok para nga ma-increase po ang vaccine confidence.

Dahil nga po ang desisyon naman ng iNITAG na huwag na bakunahan ang iba pang mga tao (He really didn’t know that our proposal to have government officials vaccinated to boost vaccine confidence was not approved. Because of the decision of iNITAG not to vaccinate officials) beyond Secretary Galvez, Secretary Dizon, and Chairman Abalos was not really disseminated properly,” he said.

Roque admitted that there were some “breaches” in the protocol but assured that it is now clear that only frontline healthcare workers are allowed to receive vaccines first.

“Hindi po tayo perfect sa pagpapatupad nitong protocol, nagkaroon tayo ng kakaunting breaches pero we (We’re not perfect when it comes to implementing protocols, there were few breaches but we) have learned from the breaches and now everyone knows medical front-liners muna (first),” he said.

Medical front-liners still the priority Following the expected arrival of 487,000 doses of United Kingdom’s AstraZeneca vaccines on Thursday night, Roque assured that frontline healthcare workers will still be the first group to receive the vaccines.

“The only thing I can be sure of is uunahin ang medical front-liners (medical front-liners will still go first). But the iNITAG would have to come up with that protocol. But I suppose they will follow the same protocol priority,” he said.

Earlier, Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunizations

(NACI) recommended against using the AstraZeneca vaccines in people aged 65 and older.

Roque, however, allayed fears over the safety and efficacy of the UK-manufactured vaccine, noting that no less than the World Health Organization (WHO) has given it clearance for emergency use.

“I don’t think it is something that should be a basis para mag-atubili na naman sa AstraZeneca. Itong AstraZeneca po ay (to have hesitations again about AstraZeneca). This AstraZeneca is) equally as popular as Pfizer,” he said. (MNS)

Proposed changes to anti-drug law to be ‘constitutional’

MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte will make sure that the proposed amendments to Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are constitutionally-compliant, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque gave the assurance, after human rights advocates raised worry over a House bill which presumes guilt of drug suspects until proven innocent.

In an online press conference in Cebu, Roque said Duterte would not sign into law any proposed legislative measure that could infringe the 1987 Constitution and the country’s laws.

“Bilang tagapagpatupad po ng Saligang Batas naman at lahat ng batas natin, sisiguraduhin ng ating Pangulo na lahat ng batas na naghihintay ng kaniyang lagda ay hindi po salungat sa ating Saligang Batas (As an implementer of the Constitution and laws, the President will make sure that bills awaiting his signature will not violate the Constitution),” Roque said.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday ap-

proved on third and final reading a measure that aims to strengthen drug prevention and control in the country.

House Bill (HB) 7814, which introduces amendments to RA 9165, seeks to reinforce the campaign against the proliferation of dangerous drugs by providing for a legal presumption on individuals considered as importers, financiers, protectors, or coddlers of illegal drugs.

Anyone spotted in the place where the sale, trading, marketing, dispensation, and delivery or distribution of drugs happen is presumed to be involved in the illegal operation “unless proven otherwise,” according to the proposed measure.

The bill also penalizes negligent lessors whose properties are used as clandestine drug laboratories, unless they can show documents that will exempt them from liabilities.

Under HB 7814, lessors are directed to include in the lease contract a stipulation that the property being leased “will not be used for the illicit manufacture of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential

chemicals in violation of this act.”

Amnesty International, in a statement issued Wednesday, said t he measure showed a “dangerous disregard for human rights guaranteed under domestic and international law.”

Roque said the Palace respects lawmakers’ right to pass measures deemed beneficial to the country.

“We respect the prerogative of our legislators to enact law dahil iyan po ay kanilang trabaho (We respect the prerogative of our legislators to enact law because that’s their job),” he said.

He said the executive branch would also await the final version of the proposed bill.

“Hindi pa naman po iyan batas. Iyan naman ay panukalang batas pa rin hanggang hindi mapasa ang bersiyon sa Senado (That’s not yet a law. It’s just a proposed measure until the Senate passes its version of the bill),” Roque said. “So hintayin po natin kung ano ang magiging pinal na bersiyon nitong panukalang batas (Let’s just await the final version of the bill).”

(MNS)

global NEWS GLOBAL NEWS

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

Visit www.Balita.com

Weekend

BALITA

9

Villanueva for VP?

Senator says 'first time I heard about it' MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senator Joel Villanueva said Thursday he was still considering to run for reelection when asked about a possible vice presidential bid in 2022.

The senator was mentioned by columnist Marichu Villanueva, who is not a relative of his, as the possible running mate of Vice President Leni Robredo in the upcoming national polls.

"This is the first time that I heard about it," he said.

"I'm so humbled and honored dahil napapansin ba ang ginagawa natin at advocacies na ating

SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA

ine-espouse sa Senado. For me, I would say to God be the glory."

Villanueva said he was "still trying to rally family, especially my dad." The senator's mother Adoracion "Sister Dory" Villanueva and his closest sibling, Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva, died 60 days apart last year.

"Everyone knows what happened to my mom and my sister. My dad really needs help, I'm sure. Even my dad as a deputy speaker is already thinking of giving it up.

It's an option, I would say," he said.

"I’ll cross the bridge when I get there...I think the more important [issue] right now is to talk about the issues besetting our country," he added when asked under which party he would run. (MNS)

Barbers: Presumption of innocence remains in House-approved dangerous drugs bill MANILA (Mabuhay) — Surigao del Norte Representative Robert "Ace" Barbers on Wednesday sought to allay the fears of some groups and individuals that certain legal presumptions in the measure seeking to strengthen and amend the anti-drug law will violate provisions in the 1987 Constitution.

House Bill 7814, which aims to provide for a legal presumption on who is considered an importer, financier, and protector or coddler of narcotics, was passed on third and final reading on Tuesday.

Barbers, chairperson of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said that in the bill, the constitutional right of the accused “to be presumed innocent until proven guilty” remains "undisturbed and totally respected."

“There is nothing to worry that our trial courts might inadvertently apply double presumption in actual cases because no less than our new rules on evidence (which took effect only last May 2020) have made it clear that a double presumption has no place in our

jurisdiction. The pertinent provision is found in Rule 131 Section 6 of the new Rules of Evidence,” Barbers said.

“The presumption of innocence means that the burden of proof is always on the government to satisfy that [the] accused is guilty of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

The burden to prove the guilt of the accused does not change as it remains with the State or the prosecution," he added.

Barbers said the presumptions in the proposed amendment arise only after the prosecution has presented proof beyond reasonable doubt of certain facts, upon which the presumption is based.

He further noted that the presumptions are not conclusive.

Barbers also said the legal presumptions are being recognized in international law and laws of other nations.

"They are merely provided for disputable legal presumptions of facts or circumstances derived or inferred from facts proven during trial," Barbers said.

"At the end of the day, it is still the judge’s call to evaluate whether or not the prosecution has proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt in the light of all the admitted evidence on record of the case," he added.

ACT Teachers partylist Representative France Castro and Bayan Muna partylist Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate voted no on the measure, saying it may invalidate the presumption of innocence until proven guilty among the public.

More teeth Barbers said the main reason why the bill was pushed in the lower chamber of Congress was because of the admission of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that there has been no record of any person who has been arrested or charged in court as protector or coddler and financier of suspected drug lords beginning 2013 up to the present.

“The data provided to us by the PDEA was only from the period 2013 to 2021. But in reality, since

Republic Act 9165 was passed or enacted into law in 2002, wala pa tayong naitala na na-aresto, na-kasuhan at na-convict ni isa mang drug protector/coddler o financier,” Barbers said.

Barbers added that the report from the anti-drug agency had indicated the dismal performance of anti-narcotics agents, especially in the prosecution of illegal drugs cases.

"There had been 5,860 dismissed cases involving 6,704 accused; and 12,440 drug cases involving 13,708 accused, all of whom were acquitted of the charges filed against them for various reasons," he said.

The lawmaker believed that it is necessary to add more teeth to the present anti-drugs law, particularly against protectors and financiers.

"Alam naman ng lahat na di maglalakas-loob ang isang drug manufacturer or distributor, lokal man a banyaga, kung wala silang protector/coddler o financier dito sa atin o kahit saan pa mang bansa,” he said. (MNS)

Solidum says Taal Volcano Island remains off-limits M A NIL A (Mabu hay) — Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum Jr. on Thursday reiterated the agency's advice to avoid entry to Taal Volcano Island (TVI), Taal's Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), due to the increasing tremors observed.

In a rad io i nter v iew, Solidum said that for the past 24 hours, 134 volcan-

TAAL VOLCANO ISLAND

ic tremor episodes were recorded there, which he described as a high number.

"Tremors are a manifestation of sustained hydrothermal activity, as the tremors are caused by the movement of gas and hot fluids," he told the Philippine News Agency.

"There is a possibility of steam-driven explosions.

Hence, entry into the whole TVI should be prohibited,"

he added.

Phivolcs said the tremors lasted from one to 29 minutes. Only one volcanic earthquake was recorded for the past 24 hours.

Volcanic earthquakes are caused by movements or eruptions of magma from the volcano.

Activity at the main crater consisted of weak emission of steam-laden plumes from fumarolic vents that rose 5

meters high, according to Phivolcs.

Alert level 1 (abnormal) is ma inta ined over t he Taal Volcano. Last February, Phivolcs issued an advisory noting the increased hydrothermal activity beneath the TVI. Sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of

volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the TVI. Phivolcs also advised the public not to enter the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure.

Local government units were also advised to continuously assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake.

(MNS)

10

Weekend

BALITA

Visit www.Balita.com

global NEWS GLOBAL NEWS

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

CAREGIVERS: What are you waiting for?

A Letter from Caregiver Attorney Daniel Chaleff I RECEIVED a call the other day from a caregiver who has been reading my articles in Weekend Balita for over 3 years. I was so happy to receive this call. I am sure many of you reading this advertisement now have cut out and saved my articles or read them over the years and thought “I have that exact claim.” Many caregivers have valuable claims for unpaid overtime but are fearful of moving forward with a claim. Now is the time to take action and learn more about caregiver overtime law. I want to hear from you.

I want to assure you that all communications with me are confidential and all consultations are free. I understand many caregivers work long hours with little free time. I am available for free consultations early in the morning before your patient awakens or late at night after your patient is asleep. I also work weekends if you have a 24/5, Monday to Friday job. I do not pressure caregivers to make a claim. If I simply educate you about the law and give you some free advice that would make me very happy. Even if you are not ready to make a claim now, you should reach out and speak with me about your claim. I can provide valuable advice about your situation and talk with you about the best time to make a claim.

If you are a 24/7 caregiver, working for a day rate (i.e. $160 to $240 per day), with no overtime, for several years, your claim may be worth several hundred thousand dollars. Many of my clients have claims that exceed $500,000. One key to a successful claim is your employer needs to be wealthy to afford to pay for a large settlement. If I am provided information about your employers, I can research public records and get a snapshot of your employer’s wealth and evaluate your potential claim. If you are interested in a detailed explanation of claim values, you can visit my website at www.caregiverovertime.com/pa/ worth/ for an article that calculates a hypothetical claim’s value.

I know many caregivers are fearful of moving forward with valid claims due to their immigration status, a failure to pay taxes, or fear of the legal system. While all of these are valid concerns, in my opinion, the risks associated with these concerns are minimal versus the potentially lifechanging reward that awaits caregivers with the courage to move forward with claims. So many of my clients had recovered life changing settlements allowing them to retire to their home countries, make a down payment or build a home, help a child with education expenses, or send money to their families. If you would like to review an article that addresses common concerns caregivers have in pursuing an overtime claim, please visit my website at www.caregiverovertime. com/pa/concerns/.

I understand that the decision to move forward with an overtime claim can be difficult. Many caregivers I speak with are simply not ready to move forward at this time. That is okay. Even if our call does not result in your making a claim, I can provide valuable insight into your rights, educate you on the evidence needed to pursue your claim, and help you understand the powerful laws that can protect you from wage theft.

I want to hear from you now. Please call me at (818) 807-4168, this is my personal cell phone. I have a passion for helping caregivers and provide confidential and free consultations.

Sincerely,

DANIEL CHALEFF

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

We also offer a 24-hour chat line on our website.

House panel adopts reso urging DSWD to release poor senior citizens' pension every 3 months MANILA (Mabuhay) — The House Committee on Senior Citizens adopted on Thursday the resolution urging the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to release the monthly social pension of indigent senior citizens every three months instead of the current six months.

In a committee hearing, the resolution, introduced by Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez, was swiftly adopted since no discussions were made due to the absence of a representative from the DSWD's central office.

According to the committee secretary, a representative from the central office was invited but no replies were made.

Some DSWD regional officials, however, were present in the meeting.

Irked, Deputy Speaker Lito

Atienza said the committee should have been informed on the matter. This prompted him to make a motion for the approval of the resolution.

"Kung hindi po sila a-attend, pakisabi po sa amin para 'di po kami nag-aaksaya ng panahon, naghihintay sa kanila.

This is not a good manner of getting government to move in essential matters," Atienza said.

"Failure on their part, I will move for the approval of this resolution of Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez, with no participation from the social welfare people who don't seem to be interested in the subject anyway," he added.

At the later part of the virtual meeting, the committee secretary said she was just informed that a representative from the DSWD central office would be

A beneficiary of the Social Pension receives her quarterly pension.

(DSWD)

attending the meeting.

However, Atienza said, "Congress should not be made to wait for their convenience.

Whether they are coming or not is immaterial since the resolution is already approved."

Resolution Rodriguez's resolution cites DSWD's Memorandum Circular 4-2019, noting that the release of the monthly social pension at P500 per beneficiary will be done every six months or P3,000 per semester.

For Rodriguez, the period of waiting is too long.

The resolution further states that due to the lockdowns implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have struggled and this resulted in a number of Filipinos losing their jobs, including senior citizens.

"Six months wait for our senior citizens and indigent pa certainly is not the proper way to be of help to our senior citizens. That is why I have to file this," Rodriguez said. (MNS)

Children not required to attend pilot run of face-to-face classes — senators MANILA (Mabuhay) — Children will not be required to participate in the proposed pilot run of face-to-face classes, at least two senators said Thursday.

The Senate has adopted a resolution recommending the conduct of face-to-face pilot classes in areas with low to zero COVID-19 cases, said Senator Joel Villanueva.

‘We need the experience’: Senators want dry run of face-to-face classes "Hindi ito (It's not) mandatory. The parents can make the decision of allowing their children to go to classes," he said.

The pilot tests can begin in some 200 towns that have zero COVID-19 cases, according to Villanueva.

The local government, local health officials, and school board must approve the conduct of the pilot run of face-to-face classes before it can begin, he added.

"We are one of the 14 out of 190 countries in the world that maintained this full closure of our schools and its not sitting well with the data we've been receiving. Even pre-pandemic we don’t get good international assessment," he said.

"We really have to start the ball rolling in this particular issue."

The conduct of the pilot run is eyed in 1,000 schools nationwide, said Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

"Walang pilitan ito. Kung ang ating mga magulang ay di komportable sa pagpapadala ng kanilang anak sa eskuwelahan, hindi ho pipilitin," he said.

Face to face classes are important for children to develop their socio-emotional skills and to those who get their nutritious meals at school and face difficulties and abuse at home, the senator added.

"Hindi lang pag-aaral ang pinakaimportante sa mga bata. Ang pinakamahalaga sa kanila ang paghahalubilo, pakikipagkapwa-tao dahil ito ay nadedevelop ang kaniyang communication," he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has twice rejected holding of pilot testing of in-person classes, saying "I am not ready to lose the lives of our young people." (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

global NEWS GLOBAL NEWS

Visit www.Balita.com

Weekend

BALITA

11

Raya and the Last Dragon Finds Inspiration in the Cultures & People of Southeast Asia Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new animated film “Raya and the Last Dragon” is an exciting, epic journey about the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together long ago in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well.

The attention to detail pays off in the rich portrayal of Kumandra. “You can see the inspiration in the terrain, the shapes in the movie, the fabrics people are wearing, and the colors used,” said Vietnamese American actress Kelly Marie Tran who voices Raya. “Disney is ver y meticulous about wanting to accurately represent the parts of the world their movies are about.”

In the film, characters sharing food together symbolizes trust and harmony. The scenes of Raya and her friends sitting around a table to enjoy meals together commemorates the way food is shared familystyle in much of the region. In many Asian cuisines, there are five disparate flavors– spicy, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter– that come together to create delicious meals. Communal meals also advanc e the characters’ journey towards becoming a team and the sense that if they trust each other and work together, they can achieve anything.

Inspired by the various cultures and people of Southeast Asia, the imaginary lands of Kumandra in “Raya and the Last Dragon” each has its own customs and geography. Although the film is a fantasy, Disney sought to ensure that the portrayals of the cultures that inspire the film are accurate and respectful.

The creative team visited multiple countries in the region, including Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, to conduct research.

Disney also enlisted experts to its Raya Southeast Asia Story Trust, who had a strong influence on all elements of the film. Dr. S. Steve Arounsack, professor of anthropology at California State University, Stanislaus, guided the creative team through the cultural inspiration behind the story.

Husband and wife team Emiko Saraswati Susilo and I Dewa Putu Berata of Çudamani collaborated closely with the animators to create character movement inspired by the philosophies of Balinese dance and gamelan. Dr. Rebecca S. Hall, a curator at the University of Southern California’s Pacific Asia Museum, used her expertise in textiles to inform the design and colors of the characters’ clothing, like the sabai top and sampot pant, found in Laos,

Cambodia, and Thailand. Dr. Juliana Wijaya, a linguist at UCLA’s Indonesian Studies Program, helped craft the characters’ names to have special meaning inspired by different Southeast Asian languages.

Laos Angeles, an organization serving the Laotian community in Southern California, hosted a Baci ceremony to bless the production.

Southeast Asian martial arts are front and center in “Raya and the Last Dragon.” As a warrior princess and daughter of the chief of Heart, Raya's fighting styles are inspired by Pencak Silat of Malaysia and Indonesia and Kali and Arnis of the Philippines. Other fighting techniques featured in the film are inspired by Muay Thai and Krabi Krabong of Thailand, multi-limbed attack styles from Muay Thai of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, and the flying scissor-leg takedowns of Vietnam. Co-screenwriter Qui Nguyen acted as one of the film’s fight reference choreography consultants.

“It was really important to me that the fi ghting styles were grounded in physics that are real," he said.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Most LGUs oppose removal of several travel protocols, requirements — League of Provinces MANILA (Mabuhay) — Most local government units (LGUs) are opposing the removal and easing of several health protocols and requirements amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) said Thursday.

LPP president and Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. said most LGUs want to keep the RT-PCR COVID-19 test as a requirement for travel.

“Karamihan po ay hindi. Meron pong ilan na puwede na pong tanggalin.

Pero karamihan po gustong i-impose yun, 'yung RT-PCR na pre-travel requirement,” he said.

“Yung iba naman po gustong gamitin, mag-impose upon arrival mismo 'yung PCR test, provided may laboratoryo na po doon 'yung LGU of destination kaya kailangan mabilis ang resulta,” he added.

Under the recent Resolution No. 101 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, travelers do not need to undergo testing unless required by the LGU prior to travel.

Only RT-PCR test is allowed.

Velasco, who also chairs the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), said they are requesting to also allow antigen test, which is faster and more affordable for most of the LGUs. Travel authority, which was previously issued by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, as well as health certificates will no longer be required.

Also, travelers will no longer be subjected to quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms at the destination upon arrival.

“Tinanggal na po ‘yung quarantine kaya nga po wala na kaming line of

defense e. Tinanggal po ‘yung travel authority, health certificate, tinaggal din po ‘yung quarantine,” Velasco said.

“Ang nire-require lang po ngayon ay ‘yung clinical and exposure assessment na baka hindi supisyente kung yung gagamitin lang ay ‘yung temperature gun. Tatanungin lang sa health checklist,” he added.

Velasco said they prefer to have a thorough physical examination in the screening of travelers.

“Ang nire-request po namin ay mas thorough po ang physical examination. Hindi lang po ‘yung tinatanong dahil hindi naman po lahat nagsasabi ng totoo,” he added. (MNS)

12

Weekend

BALITA

Visit www.Balita.com

GLOBAL NEWS

Phivolcs raises Alert Level 1 on Mt. Pinatubo

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday raised the alert status on Mount Pinatubo, from normal to Level 1 (low-level unrest).

The increasing number of volcanic earthquakes observed has prompted Phivolcs to raise Mt. Pinatubo's alert status, said Director Renato Solidum, Jr. in a radio interview Thursday.

Since January 20, 2021, Phivolcs has recorded 1,722 imperceptible earthquakes, with magnitudes 0.5 to 2.8, beneath the Pinatubo edifice. The daily volcanic quake average in alert level 0 is below five.

Imperceptible earthquakes are volcanic seismic activities that are not felt, according to Solidum.

Phivolcs' Pinatubo volcano bulletin issued on Thursday said all earthquakes recorded are associated with rock-fracturing processes.

"Measurements at Pinatubo Crater lake in February 2021 yielded a total CO2 flux of 378 tonnes/day which is still within the background range of 1,000 tonnes/day recorded in the past decade," it added.

Slight increases in the temperatures of monitored fumaroles or gas vents were recorded but other characteristics such as acidity (pH) remain unchanged, Phivolcs also mentioned in the bulletin.

Solidum said that while Mt. Pinatubo would not erupt soon, residents must take precautions as this data only shows there is volcanic activity.

"Take extra caution when entering the Pinatubo crater, and one should only go there when necessary," he said.

He also pointed out that while it may take many years before Mt. Pi-

MT. PINATUBO natubo could erupt again, the public must not be complacent.

Phivolcs continuously monitors its volcanic activity, including other factors like a strong earthquake that could strike near Mt. Pinatubo, as this could affect the volcano.

"We will see whether we need to raise or lower the alert status of the volcano," he said.

Meantime, Solidum urges the local government in the area to review their disaster risk reduction and management plans.

As of Thursday, other active volcanoes -- Taal, Mayon, and Kanlaon -are still under alert level 1.

Solidum reiterated that residents near those volcanoes must not enter the Permanent Danger Zones.

Mt. Pinatubo's last eruption was on June 15, 1991, and back then it was described as the world's largest vol-

canic eruption to happen in the past 100 years.

The volcano emitted bursts of gascharged magma into umbrella ash clouds. Hot flows of gas and ash descended the volcano and lahar swept down the valleys.

For centuries, it had been quiet prior to its 1991 eruption.

Solidum said in April of that year, the volcano showed early signs of activity. "'Yung 1991, mabilis ang mga pangyayari. Nagkaroon ng phreatic eruption in April then June nag-erupt na.

Buwan lang ang pagitan (In 1991, everything went so fast. There was phreatic eruption in April and then the volcano erupted in June, it was only a few months)," he said.

Phivolcs said Mt. Pinatubo is under Alert Level 0 since January 1996.

(MNS)

Duterte urges Pinoys to join advocacies empowering women

MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday encouraged Filipinos to join advocacies that empower women.

Duterte made this call in a pre-recorded speech aired during an online forum organized by the Philippine Commission on Women to celebrate National Women’s Month.

“I urge the people to participate in advocacies that promote women empowerment,” he said.

He also recognized women’s important contribution to unifying the Filipino people.

“The government recognizes the role of women in nation-building and upholding the fundamental equality before the law of both genders,” he added.

Duterte, meanwhile, urged the public to join hands to ensure that the needs and rights of women are protected.

“Let us all work hand-in-hand to address the needs of women and honor their immense contribution to society. Mabuhay ang ating kababaihan,” he said.

In March last year, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo touted the various efforts initiated by the Duterte administration for women empowerment in the country.

He said the Duterte government has pushed for measures not only to promote the welfare of women but also to “fill the gaps” in upholding gender equality.

“The Duterte administration has made significant strides to empower our women.

Some of these are giving them more financial, health and medical benefits or assistance, better work opportunities and improved working conditions,” he said.

On Jan. 9, 2017, Duterte signed Executive Order 12, which seeks to attain and sustain "zero unmet need for modern family planning" through the implement at ion of t he Republic Act 10354 also known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act. PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE R A 10398 de-

clares November 25 of every year as National Consciousness Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women And Children.

Meanwhile, Proclamation 1172, series of 2006, declares November 25 to December 12 as the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women.

International Women’s Day is celebrated every March 8 of each year. It was first officially commemorated by the United Nations in 1977. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

Navy prepping up assets, personnel for ongoing vax rollout MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Navy (PN) on Thursday said it is now preparing all its assets and personnel to assist in the government's ongoing rollout of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines.

"The PN will continue to prepare our personnel and assets to assist in the national vaccine rollout as directed by higher headquarters," PN chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said in a message.

The Nav y earlier said it will mobilize its brand-new landing docks, BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), for vaccine transport missions now that the first batch of the Sinovac Biotech CoronaVac is in the country. The AstraZeneca vaccine is also arriving Thursday night.

He added that the PN is anticipating the utilization of the two ships if they will be needed for the roll-out.

"Nonetheless, with the small number of vaccines available at this time and the requirement for a more expeditious distribution of the same nationwide, the national leadership deems it more appropriate to transport the vaccines via aircraft," Bacordo said.

Both ships have an overall length of 120 meters, breadth of 21 meters, a draft of five meters, and can carry a payload of 2,800 tons.

Both BRP Tarlac and BRP Davao Del Sur are also equipped with cold storage reefers making them ideal to transport the life-saving vaccines.

The following are initial information on the volume and sustained temperatures of these reefers aboard the two landing dock vessels: *Meat and fish reefer: 60 cubic meters / -20°C *Vegetable room: 50 cubic meters / 3°C *Lobby: 12 cubic meters / 10°C. (MNS)

VP Robredo says woman in viral vaccination photo not her MANILA (Mabuhay) — Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday night clarified that she is not the woman show n in a viral photo gett ing vaccin a te d

against COVID-19 in Marikina City.

Robredo posted the clarification on Facebook after administration supporters insinuated that it is her on the photo.

"This is ridiculously funny.

H i nd i po a ko ya n," Robredo said.

"Ay o k o n a sa na ng pat u la n pero ang daming nagpapadala n g

VICE PRESIDENT LENI ROBREDO

mga screenshots. Kung hindi kayo busy, pa report nalang please," she urged her followers.

Administration supporters pounced on Robredo after Sass Rogando Sasot, a proDuterte blogger, shared the photo on her Facebook page.

This, despite Sasot's clarification that the woman in the photo was not Robredo.

Most of the comments in Sasot's post, however, were critical of Robredo.

In the same Facebook post, Robredo said she was told the woman in the picture is Dr. Flordeliza Grana, a pediatric surgeon at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (ARMMC).

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night lashed at Robredo for urging him to get vaccinated on public to allay the public's apprehension over the vaccine.

In a telev ised address, Duterte accused Robredo of "baiting" him after she urged him to be among the first to get inoculated against COVID-19. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

Business BUSINESS

Visit www.Balita.com

Weekend

BALITA

13

PH economy seen growing 9.6% this year despite delayed vaccination program M A NIL A ( Mabu hay) — T he Philippine economic recovery post-COVID is expected to start off with a near 10 percent rebound in GDP growth this year, but there are few roadblocks to growth.

According to credit ratings agency S&P Global Ratings, there are still "relatively broad COVID-19 epidemic in the Philippines which itself can, and will also have and continue to, have a cooling impact on economic activity."

"That is part of the story too though but perhaps not as large a component as the containment measures themselves," said Andrew Wood, Director for Sovereign ratings at S&P Global.

Vincent Conti, Senior Economist for Asia-Pacific at S&P, said prolonged lockdowns and high inflation would also be a serious downside risk.

“If restrictions are in place much longer than what we are currently seeing, that does put a big dampener on the growth prospects of the economy. The other risk that would compound this, would be currently the inflation that Andrew mentioned," Conti explained.

"They are supply side in the sense they are driven by food pretty much, pork and vegetables, and they are transitory. But they do weigh on the disposable income that is left for households to spend on other types of consumption at a time when things are already very difficult," he said.

Wood noted the inflation in the Philippines is actually quite high compared to other countries.

“There are inflationary concerns all around the world at the mo-

ment, and these are at time roiling financial markets, and if we look at this chart, we are seeing a bit of an interesting trend around the world where some indices are starting to pick up. But perhaps the most notable uptick here amongst these peers, is really that line for the Philippines," he said.

S&P Global still expects the Philippine economy to do well this year.

"The good news is we see a strong recovery kicking off in 2021.

In terms of how our forecasts are shaping up, we are looking at 9.6 percent growth this year. I think it is very clear that it's almost a mirror image of the contraction we had last year, of just over 9.5 percent," Wood said.

The Philippines' gross domestic product contracted anew in the fourth quarter shrinking 8.3 percent to bring the full year 2020 growth to -9.5 percent, the Philippine Statistics Authority said earlier.

PH posts worst GDP contraction since World War 2 with -9.5 pct growth rate in 2020 "We see grow t h remaining somewhat above potential even in 2022 and 2023 as well as the economy catches up somewhat," he added.

The Philippines' central bank meanwhile said inflation in the country might have hit over 5 percent last February.

Philippine economy seen contracting again in Q1, return to positive growth in Q2 The PSA will release the February inflation data on Friday, March 5. (MNS)

BSP: Public now more aware of mechanisms vs. cybercrime MANILA — Filipinos are now more aware of the mechanisms against cybercrime as shown by the number of complaints submitted to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

In a virtual briefing Thursday, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the central bank’s Consumer Protection and Market Conduct Office received about 20,000 compla i nts last yea r alone.

Diokno said around 13 percent of these complaints involve fraudulent or unauthorized transactions of various financial products and ser v ices like deposit, credit card, electronic money (e-money), and remittance.

“We think that the volume of complaints we received is an indication that more people are now more aware of the BSP’s consumer assista nce mechanism,” he said.

Diok no sa id “t hese complaints were referred to in the respective financial institutions for appropriate handling and response.”

He said these cases are among the reasons why

monetary officials are related to financial conpushing for the passage sumers,” he added. of the proposed measIn 2020, more people ures that will further used electronic channels protect consumers. for their financial transThese measures in- actions, among others, c lude t he pr op o s e d after the government imFi na ncia l Consu mer posed quarantine measProtect Act (FCPA), a ures to address the rise of consolidated version of coronavirus disease 2019 Financial Products and (Covid-19) infections.

Services Consumer ProBSP data earlier retection Act which was leased showed that volpassed on third reading ume of PESONet transon June 2, 2020 in the act ions jumped by a House of Representa- whopping 376 percent tives. year-on-year to 15.3 milDiokno said this bill lion in 2020, while Insta“enhances the authority Pay transactions surged of regulators to protect by 459 percent to 86.7 the interest of financial million. consumers.”

These two facilities are “This is seen to instill clearing houses under discipline among finan- the central bank’s Nacial service providtional Retail Payment ers, boost public System (NRPS) proconfidence in gram, launched in our financial 2017 and 2018, remarkets, spectively, tara nd progeted to help mote finanaccelerate the cial stabiliBSP’s d ig ita l ty. We hope payments bid. that this criti(PNA) cal bill (will) be passed into law, especially with t he pre v ale nc e of fraudulent activities BSP GOVERNOR BENJAMIN DIOKNO

14

E ntertainment

Weekend

BALITA

Saturday-Friday March 6 - 12, 2021 Visit www.Balita.com

Bea Alonzo says she only wants 'a boring family life'

B

ea Alonzo confessed all she actually wants is to have a “boring family life.”

Alonzo admitted this in a conversation with Ian Veneracion for her most recent vlog post.

“I want to have a partner for life. I want to have someone to be there to raise a family and build a life with.

Sana makahanap ako ng kasing buti mo bilang tatay.

I just want a boring family life,” she said.

A mong her group of friends, Alonzo said she never thought she would be the last one who would settle down.

“Dati ang pangarap ko lang naman, at 28 to get married and have children.

Tapos ngayon lahat ng fears

BEA ALONZO ko, halos lahat sila about to get married or they are already married and they have their kids. Kapag inisip ko, like I wouldn’t have guessed nung time na yun 15 years ago na ako yung huling mababakante,” she said.

Nonetheless, the actress said she’s

Early this month, fans believed that they went to Amanpulo together going by their respective social media posts.

This, despite the fact that they never posted photos of them together.

In one of her most recent vlogs, Alonzo also did the “jojowain o totropahin” challenge with her mom, where she said that she would rather date Roque than just befriend him.

DOMINIC ROQUE In another vlog, Enchong Dee revealed that Alonzo’s last caller was a certain always thought that she is the mar- “Nic,” which the actress rying type. confirmed was Roque.

Currently she is rumored to be in Alonzo was last known a relationship with actor Dominic to be in a relationship with Roque. They have been seen together actor Gerald Anderson. They since last year, prompting specula- separated in mid-2019 after tions of a brewing romance. three years together. (MNS)

Kim Chiu now more inclined to collect memories than luxury bags MaNila (Mabuhay) — Kim Chiu took to social media to share one of her biggest realizations in the past year.

In her Instagram page, the actress shared a photo of one of her luxury bags but she explained that it’s something that she bought pre-pandemic.

“For those reacting, bought this bag years ago and I’m happy that I haven’t bought any yet since the start of pandemic. This pandemic

KIM CHIU

made me realize so much,” she said.

Emphasizing that life is short, Chiu urged her followers to collect "more memories" instead of buying material things.

"Collect more memories and spend more time with your loved ones. You will never know what will happen tomorrow. I really don't have to explain but yeah, I did. Peace y'all life is short," she said.

Chiu’s post came on the heels of her consecutive beach getaways with her boyfriend Xian Lim. In the last two months, the couple spent time together in Boracay, Coron and Balesin Island. (MNS)

Erich Gonzales shares why it's best to invest on properties MaNila (Mabuhay) — For actress Erich Gonzales, real estate is the best investment.

In her latest vlog, Gonzales went "lot tripping" somewhere in the south to look for another property.

“Maybe you are wondering bakit po tayo naghahanap ng lote. It's because puwedeng vacation house or rest house or pwedeng doon na rin tayo tumira. But one thing is for sure, investment talaga siya. Kumbaga, land banking ba,” Gonzales said “You can never go wrong sa pag-invest ng inyong hard-earned money sa mga lote or lupa. Kasi nag-a-appreciate ‘yan talaga siya, hindi siya nagde-depreciate. So ‘yun, best talagang investment mga lupa or lote," the "La Vida Lena" star added.

Gonzales, who started her showbiz career at the age of 14, already bought a house for her family in Davao.

Then last August, she gave her fol-

lowers a glimpse of her home via her vlog.

"Nabili ko 'yung lote when I was 22 years old and then nag-ipon tayo.

Then 2014 nag-start na 'yung construction ng bahay then same year, nakalipat na. Six years old na ang bahay natin. Bakit ito ang napili kong patayuan ng house? Because I really fell in love with the view. Kung nakita niyo 'yung kanina, 'yung view sa lanai and I have the same view sa room ko. Imagine lang waking up to that everyday. Nice lang and I feel like I'm super close to nature," she said.

"Itong house na ito ay product ito ng hard work natin... Kung napansin niyo ang bahay natin ay very simple lang because ayaw natin ng clutter talaga. 'Di ba nakaka-affect siya sa mind natin ang kalat? Very simple, clean.

'Yun lang naman ang gusto natin and safe and secure tayo sa ating bahay," Gonzales added. (MNS)

ERICH GONZALES

Kaye Abad, Paul Jake Castillo expecting second child

Kaye and Paul Jake (above) and their first-born Joaquin (below)

MaNila (Mabuhay) — Kaye Abad is pregnant with her second child with actor Paul Jake Castillo, the actress announced.

On Instagram, Abad posted a photo of firstborn Joaquin holding a sonogram, indicating that he is going to have a younger sibling.

"Yey!!!!! I’m going to be a kuya! #anotherblessing," Abad posted as a caption.

The couple’s showbiz friends took time to congratulate them in the comment section, such as Heart Evangelista and Dominic Roque.

“Congrats !!!!!!,” said Evangelista, who was once with ABS-CBN talent agency Star Magic alongside Abad.

“Ang Sa’yo Ay Akin” star Jodi Sta. Maria also congratulated Abad for her second pregnancy.

“Congratulations K-ster!,” Sta. Maria commented.

In 2018, Abad also posted on Instagram her hope to have a baby girl as a second child.

She also shared in one interview how motherhood has changed her.

"Dream come true siya super saya. Kasi dati sabi ko parang hindi pa ako ready. Eto na siya, totoo na talaga ito, may anak na ako," said Abad, who also revealed that she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes while she was pregnant.

Abad and Castillo got married in December 2017 before welcoming their first child a year after. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

Entertainment

Visit www.Balita.com

Sharon Cuneta takes on 'bold' role in new movie

S

Weekend

BALITA

15

SHARON CUNETA

'Revirginized'

haron Cuneta is once again ready for her close-ups in her new movie oddly entitled “Revirginized.”

The new film is her first project with her former mother studio, Viva Films after 18 years.

Cuneta was warmly welcomed in the film’s story conference by the Viva staff on the eve of her shoot in Subic, Olongapo City, where a choir serenaded her with her hit songs, “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” and “Bituing Walang Ningning.

The actress, who did her last Viva movie, “Walang Kapalit” in 2003, wore a shirt emblazoned with the words “I AM Strong, Hopeful, Amazing, Blessed...” at the virtual event with showbiz media.

“I cannot feign excitement! I am really excited and happy to do this movie!” she exclaimed.

Cuneta was joined by co-star Rosanna Roces and writer-director Daryl Yap who said that working with the megastar is a dream come true for him.

Cuneta will portray a lady who will discover her awakening after many years of solitude.

Roces will portray a pivotal role in the shift of Cuneta’s character.

The megastar broke into laughter saying she has finally fulfilled her dream to do a sexy

movie. Asked if she will be uneasy about an anticipated sexy scene with co-star Marco Gumabao, she retorted, “Kahit kanino handa ako!

Marami akong hidden talent. Baka si Marco pa ang magulat sa akin kapag ako ang maghubad!"

Cuneta said she is mighty proud of “Revirginized” which opens a new chapter for her as an actress.

“Manang ang character ko, walang buhay, maagang naging ina, umiikot lang sa kanyang anak pero at some point mamumulat ang mga mata niya, “ she related to ABS-CBN News.

The role, which may also have skin-baring, also fell into her lap at a time she lost considerable weight, a fact reflected in her social media posts.

“I’ll be happy if I want to inspire other women in their 40s, 50s or 60s,” she said.

Cuneta also talked about the respect accorded her by Yap who is more known for the controversial themes of his movies like “Tililing” and “Jowable”.

“I also give him my respect. I’m really just a follower on the set, I made that clear to him that megastar is just a title but once you’re on the set, there has to be no star complex,” she said.

Yap, whose mother is a Sharonian, was still unbelieving as he faced Cuneta for the first time since their virtual meetings and chat the

past weeks.

“Viva management told me ‘you will be close to the star, the megastar,” he related, citing the rapport and goodwill in their exchanges .

“What she gives me is not heat or burn, it’s warmth that is overpowering.”

Cuneta will also star opposite Albert Martinez and comebacking actress Cristina Gonzales in “Revirginized”. They will shoot the highlights of the film this March in Subic. (MNS)

After confirming relationship with Ellen Adarna, Derek Ramsay says 'you will see me married one day' MANILA (Mabuhay) — Shortly after confirming his relationship with Ellen Adarna, Derek Ramsay said he will be married one day.

"You will see me married one day. You will. I know," Derek said in a soundbite shared by MEGA Entertainment magazine on their Instagram account.

In an interview with MEGA magazine for its March cover, Derek was asked what he thinks about being labeled as the man who will never marry.

“I don’t understand. If that was the case, then why would I be in relationships? These relationships are stepping stones to define that person who you’re going to be with. I’m not using these women. I get into a commitment with them because I think they have the qualities I want in a woman who I want to spend the rest of my life with," Derek said.

“But sometimes people clash and you only get to see that side through time. And that’s what’s happened with me. And I don’t want to jump into something that’s supposed to be infinite.

No excuses. You can’t just go and get yourself annulled or get divorced. I believe that marriage is infinite," he added.

Derek is aware he is always painted as the villain whenever his relationships end.

“People always think of me na, if I end the relationship, it’s like I’m just this bad person that doesn’t want love, that doesn’t want to be loved,” Derek said.

Derek said it always seems that he's in a relationship because "when I’m with someone,

MayWard, Gary V, Donny, Francine renew contract with ABS-CBN

ELLEN ADARNA AND DEREK RAMSAY I’m proud. So biglang, everyone knows everything about my relationships. But they don’t know that there is a gap.”

"I don’t just jump into another one. I know, we’re all meant to love. And we were all built to love and you’re supposed to move on. You’re supposed to get all that. Put those things aside, store it in your heart and go back out there. And don’t be afraid to love again, because you will," he added.

G3 asked if Derek if he was in love, to which the Kapuso hunk answered, "I think she’s the one. And I say it’s gonna happen quick."

"Seriously. Like no joke.

Sometimes you need to live a crazy life. I’ve always been living a safe life, and now, parang holy shit! I don’t know what’s coming.

I don’t know what’s happening..."

he added.

Derek said he's had so many relationships, "But there’s nothing like this talaga. Like we were up all night just talking about it.

Two Alphas. We’re both fucking Alphas!”

When asked if he thinks Ellen is the one he's going to marry, Derek said, “my heart tells me, if I don’t follow through with this one, I’ll regret it. Everything in my heart is telling me that, she’s the one," he said.

"And my heart’s telling me, I did not even listen to this anymore (points to his head).

You know, this (his head) was controlling this (his heart) so many times before. This is to say, screw the brain! Don’t listen to it! Don’t even let it guide you, okay? Ito na nagsasalita na ako.

Ito na, manahimik na lahat!”

In a recent video Derek up-

loaded on Instagram, he was heard calling Ellen, "love."

In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph on Friday, the two celebrities admitted they have been together for a month.

"May relasyon kami, oo," Derek said.

He said that there was a "spark" when they first met at the dinner, presumably the New Year's dinner party that kickstarted the rumors.

"Tama ka, may spark talaga.

Sobrang laking spark. We just really are enjoying each other’s company. Sobra," he said.

Derek described that what they have is not a "normal relationship" and there was no courtship that happened. He revealed that it was him who would always invite Ellen out.

Derek said there has never been a "dull moment." (MNS)

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Six Kapamilya stars led by Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, and Gary Valenciano have decided to stay with ABS-CBN as they inked new contracts with the network.

ABS-CBN executives led by chairman Mark Lopez, president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, T V Production and Star Magic head Lauren Dyogi, head of finance Rick Tan, and ABS-CBN Films managing director Olivia Lamasan welcomed the artists at a special event.

A r jo Atayde, Donny Pangilinan, and Francine Diaz are also set to be seen in Kapamilya shows with their fresh contracts.

Star Magic, ABS-CBN’s talent agency, also announced the upcoming projects of its stable of talents in the virtual event billed as "Kapamilya Strong."

The contract renewal took place despite the ongoing pandemic and the non-renewal of the franchise that beset the company since mid-2020.

(MNS)

16

Weekend

BALITA

Travel

Visit www.Balita.com

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

Cebu mulls Lent tour packages to revitalize tourism

Family, nature trips top 2021 Pinoy travel preferences

CLOSE TO NATURE. A camp site in Tanay, Rizal.

According to Airbnb’s Philippines Travel Trends Survey 2021, road trips are expected to gain traction as the top choice for Filipinos’ first trip post-pandemic, as respondents indicated that they wanted to travel close to nature and to places outside their communities well within driving distance. (Contributed photo) MaNila – Family vacations are likely to top Filipino priorities in terms of travel this year, outranking business trips and shopping as the previous main motivation for travel, a study showed.

According to Airbnb’s Philippines Travel Trends Survey 2021 with data analytics firm YouGov, at least six out of 10 Filipino chose family vacations as the primary reason to travel this year.

Enjoying free time to unwind and relax, and visiting close relatives and friends are also key motivators to get Filipinos back on the road.

The Airbnb-commissioned survey gathered responses from 1,067 Filipinos between February 4 and 8.

It showed that travel with immediate and extended family is one reason for domestic travel among Filipinos, with 88 percent of the respondents saying they felt more connected with their families during the pandemic.

Notably, health and safety protocols (64 percent) and afforda-

bility (61 percent) are top considerations when choosing travel accommodation.

More than half of all respondents (53 percent) also prefer traveling to less crowded, off-the-beaten-path destinations, away from mass tourist hotspots.

Road trips are expected to gain traction as the top choice for Filipinos’ first trip post-pandemic, as respondents indicated that they wanted to travel close to nature and places outside their communities well within driving distance.

Beachside destinations topped Filipinos’ bucket lists in 2021, with Boracay emerging as respondents’ top go-to destination, followed closely by Palawan, Baguio, Siargao, and Tagaytay.

“People are more likely to start traveling near to their places and so local and domestic tourism is going to be something that takes center stage before borders open up and cross-border travel resumes," said Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb's general manager for

Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

"Travellers are also looking at slower, more mindful travel amidst nature. We believe that travel is resilient and will bounce back with time, and we anticipate that unique and family-friendly travel will serve as the impetus for domestic tourism recovery.”

Airbnb said it would support government efforts to revive local tourism as it pledged to drive sustainable long-term growth for its "Stays and Experiences" to help local Airbnb hosts and guests community.

Citing research from Oxford Economics, it said it contributed to about USD1 billion in economic impact and supported more than 160,000 jobs in the Philippines in 2019 alone.

Airbnb said it intends to work closely with key policymakers and industry stakeholders on a sustainable way forward for its listings to be accredited, in line with the government’s regulations for leisure travel. (PNA)

CEBu CiTY – The provincial government of Cebu is set to launch Holy Week tour packages as one of its steps to revive the tourism industry, the Capitol announced on Wednesday.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the tour packages are now being planned and will be launched before the Holy Week on March 28-April 3.

Garcia noted that the provincial government has partnered with “private tour operators and other tourism industry players” for this initiative.

“Even the airlines are joining in,” she said.

Garcia recently met with officials from flag carrier Philippine Airlines and the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Visayas to map out plans for the Holy Week tour offerings.

This plan came after the provincial government further eased entry requirements for tourists visiting the Cebu island.

Based on the latest executive order that Garcia issued, only a valid medical certificate and proof of pre-booking at a resort or hotel within the province are required from tourists entering Cebu.

The medical certificate should be issued by a reputable doctor and within seven days prior to the travel date.

The resort or hotel establishment should also be duly accredited by the DOT and the Cebu Provincial Tourism Task Force.

Visitors must also pass the symptoms checking or screening at the point of departure and arrival.

Cebu is the first province in the country to take decisive steps to reinvigorate tourism activities since August 2020.

Garcia had also issued a series of executive orders requiring mandatory health guidelines for tourism activities such as canyoneering, whale-shark watching, trekking, swimming, and diving, among others to prevent further spread of Covid-19 while reviving the industry. (PNA)

HOLY WEEK TOUR. Photo shows the Saints Paul and Peter

Parish in the municipality of Bantayan in Cebu’s northernmost island. The town is a well-known tourist destination especially during holy Week due to its various lenten season activities.

(Photo by Carlo lorenciana)

PH... frOM PagE 1 ceived today will be followed by up to 4.5 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines scheduled to arrive before the end of May in batches in addition to other vaccine stated to be delivered to the Philippines through the COVAX Facility," Abeyasinghe said in his speech.

The vaccine supply from COVAX is expected to cover at least 20 percent of the country’s population, with medical front-liners, the elderly, and those suffering from co-morbidities as priorities.

"Standing together in solidarity has indeed made us stronger," he said. "We honor the government of the Philippines for the strong leadership provided under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte throughout the response and the dedicated team of the Department of Health."

Abeyasinghe said WHO's work with the Philippine government also includes supporting the DOH in strategic planning, demand generation, and establishing a "robust information system" for vaccine tracking and user monitoring.

"The WHO, UNICEF, and other UN organizations and our partners in the Philippines and our donors look forward to supporting the Covid-19 vaccination campaign throughout the country," he added.

Duterte said the latest delivery would boost the national vaccination program.

"The need for international solidarity and cooperation cannot be made clearer than this pandemic because no one is safe globally until everyone is safe," he said.

He enjoined all government agencies to actively in-

stitutionalize and sustain the whole-of-government approach, while asking the public to cooperate and get vaccinated.

"Be the government's partner in preventing further spread of the disease. I encourage you to get vaccinated at the soonest possible time.

These vaccines are safe and they are the key to reopening our society, " he said.

Meanwhile, he commended vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the DOH for their efforts throughout the government's pandemic response.

He also expressed the country's gratitude to all COVAX donor countries and reiterated his earlier position that these shots "should be treated as a global public good."

"I don’t know how to express my gratitude to the donor countries that you remembered the poor nations [it] is in fact already a plus for humanity. And in behalf of the Republic of the Philippines and of the people, and all, I’d like to say again that we felt the gratitude in our hearts and may God bless you for your benevolence," he said.

The vaccines were transported to Metropac in Marikina for storage, with distribution expected to start immediately after repackaging.

In a statement, the EU Delegation in Manila said the bloc, as one of the contributors in the COVAX Facility, has so far provided PHP130 billion to help 92 low and middle-income countries, including the Philippines.

“Team Europe is proud to

contribute to the COVAX facility to help provide affordable and fair access to vaccines for Filipinos. Under COVAX, the Philippines will receive vaccines for 22 million Filipinos," said EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron.

Véron along with other members of the diplomatic corps in the Philippines witnessed the vaccines delivery at the Villamor Air Base.

A mon g t ho s e pr e s e nt are Italian A mb. Giorgio Guglielmino, British Amb. Daniel Pruce, Norway Amb. Bjorn Jahnsen, Spanish Amb. Jorge Sanchez, the Netherlands Amb. Saskia DeLang, German Amb. Anke Reiffenstuel, India Amb. Shambhu Kumaran, South Korean Amb. Kim InChul, French Amb. Michéle Boccoz, and Australian Amb. Steven Robinson. (MNS)

Balita

Weekend Balita, Sat. - Fri., September 1 - 8, 2018

Balita Weekend Balita, Sat.-Fri., August 18 - 24, Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

Visit www.Balita.com

21

Visit www.Balita.com

1721

Rooms for Rent Near Beach

2018

Balita

Weekend BALITA

Weekend Balita, Sat. - Fri., September 1 - 8, 2018

Visit www.Balita.com

C L A S SSELL I F I E D S / J O B M A R K E T For adver tising, call (818) 552-4503

•

adver tising, call (818) 552-4503

from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen.

of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen.

(A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how difficult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks) - God bless - OMEL

AVOID FOOD WASTE

(A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how

difficult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks)

PRAYERS

Most Holy Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master into the hands of the enemies has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases and of things despaired of. Pray for me who am so needy; make use, I implore you of that particular privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings particularly (here mention your petition) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise you, O blessed Jude to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to you. Amen. THANK YOU - ARDY

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated

MONICA@DYNAMICNURSING.COM

Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the

Most Holy Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master into the hands of the enemies has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases and of things despaired of. Pray for me who am so needy; make use, I implore you of that particular privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings particularly (here mention your petition) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise you, O blessed Jude to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to you. Amen. THANK YOU - ARDY

RN’s and LVN’s Caregivers or CNA’s

of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for

TEXT MONICA Monica (661) 877-6486 661-877-6486 Monica (661) 877-6486 Monica (661)877-6486 877-6486 Monica (661) EMAIL:

PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE

PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE

and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances

JOB

PRA (Never known to fail). O Vine, Splendor of He Immaculate Virgin, ass me and show me here God, Queen of Heave bottom of my heart to su are none that can withs pray for us who have this cause in your hand BeSay this prayer for 3 will be granted to you.-

PRAYE

Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for HYHU\WKLQJ DQG FRQ¿UP RQFH PRUH WKDW , QHYHU ZDQW WR EH VHSDUDWHG - God bless - OMEL from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want OPPORTUNITIES? SERVICES? RENTAL SPACES? NEW OR PRE to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen. *Full-time shifts available.

BALITA GET RESULT (A person must pray or thisPart-time for three ADS consecutive days without stating *New grads welcome. his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how *Competitive rates and benefits.

GLI¿FXOW LW PD\ EH 3URPLVH WR SXEOLVK WKLV DV VRRQ DV \RXU IDYRU KDV been granted.

Thanks) bless - ATE VIV *5-BedGrateful facility (small- God census).

way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive

We are hiring Caregivers, arehiring Caregivers, WeWe are Caregivers, HHA &hiring C.N.A.’s !

Great HHA & C.N.A.’s !Pay! HHA&& C.N.A.’s! !

HHA C.N.A.’s CALL (805) 428-5500 Great Pay! Pay!work Great Part time orGreat Full Pay! Time Part time Part orPart Full Time work time FullTime Timework work time ororFull 1-ON-1 work at a Patient's Home.

1-ON-1 work at a Patient's 1-ON-1 workatataHome. a Patient'sHome.

Home.

1-ON-1 work Patient's

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

PRAYERS PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

PRAYERS

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the

RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR THE ELDERLY LOCATED IN SIMI VALLEY

PRAYERS

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

FOUR OR THREE WORK DAYS SCHEDULE PER WEEK

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

WANTED - IMMEDIATELY HIRING

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

SELL ADVERTISE RENT HERE PRAYERS

AVOID (3) LIVE-IN CAREGIVERS FOOD DYNAMIC NURSING SERVICES DYNAMICWASTE NURSING SERVICES DYNAMIC NURSING SERVICES DYNAMIC NURSING SERVICES We are hiring Caregivers,

AVO FOO WAS

I have a beautiful 4 bedroom house in Silver Strand, Oxnard, CA. It is walking I have a beautiful 4 bedroom house in Silver Strand, Oxnard, CA. It is walking distance from the beach & harbor.

I am a Care retired Health Care Professional distance from the beach & harbor.

I am a retired Health Professional Nursesand/or and/or Doctors to share to my home.

Eachmy room I’m renting has seekingseeking Nurses Doctors share home.

Each room I’m renting has own Private Bathroom. The monthly cost is $1000 (unfurnished), or it’s ownit’s Private Bathroom.

TheOctober monthly cost is $1000 (unfurnished), or $1200 (furnished).

Rooms avaialable 1st, 2018. st $1200 (furnished). Rooms avaialable October 1 , 2018.

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

IMMEDIATELY HIRING

Caregiver for board & care facility.

Norwalk area. No exp needed, we will train. Sick leave pay. With work authorization in the US. Call Lucy 562-481-9490.

LOOKING FOR A PLACE in house laundry $1,250/mo.

Convenient to all.JUST 322 N. Mariposa RIGHT Ave. Los Angeles, 90004 Call: FOR YOUR BUDGET? landline: 818-956-1658; cel:818395-5882; cel:818-391-0766.

LOOK NO FURTHER! Contact at: APT. FOR RENT (818) 744-5617 1 BR, 1 bath with parking and (818) 744-5617

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

ROOM FOR RENT Non-smoker. Nice & clean. Furnished, free utilities, cable, and internet. North Hills. Text or call 818-933-1623.

(818) 744-5

I have a beautiful 4 bed I have a beautiful 4 bedroo distance from the beac distance from the beach & seeking Nursesand/or and/or Do seeking Nurses it’s own Private Bathroom. it’s own Private Bathroo $1200 (furnished).

Rooms $1200 (furnished). Roo

FOR RENT Contact at:at: Contact

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

Utilities included water Large 2 BR, 2 full electric, bath, $1,800/ and gas, extra, mo.

Utils a/c incld.

Newstreet woodparking. floor, Location: Melrose & Western.

Call: bldg. w/ elevator, good location.

323-868-8333.

Near church, school. Filipino management. Call 323-380-7690.

Contact at:

(818) 744-

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

manager. Call 747-273-9017.

ROOM -$485 HOLLYWOOD APT.

Contact at:at: Contact

(818) 744-5617

ROOM/ BEDSPACE Female $350 to $425/mo.

2 BR, 1 only. ½ bath, good location near Glendale Reseda area, close Galleria to store & and bank. hospital. $1,800/mo. Filipino Call 818-534-7866.

Near Beach

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

FOR RENT RENT FOR

Rooms fo

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

ADVERTI SERENT FOR RENT FOR GLENDALE APT. RENT HERE!

•

email: adver tising@balita.c Rooms f

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

ROOM FOR RENT For Lake Balboa. Preferably female. No kids, no pets. Near to all. $550/Mo. include utilities, cable, internet. Share SERVICES FOR RENT bathroom. Call 818-997-9770; 818438-9866.

•

Near Beach

SELL ADVERTISE Rooms for Rent RENT email: adver tising@balita.com HERE! ROOM FOR RENT Lake Balboa. Preferably female. No kids, no pets. Near to all. $550/Mo. include utilities, cable, internet. Share bathroom. Call 818-997-9770; 818438-9866.

FOR RENT SALE

JAY D”APT. PLUMBER/HANDYMAN FOR RENT Plumbing repair, drain 2 BR, 310 Parkman Ave.cleaning, LA, CA 90026.repipe, Call Vicky copper bath &213-315-5583. kitchen, remodel hydro jetter, toilet, disposal, heating water heater, iron works, electrical CAREGIVERS & carpentry. Main line & gas. 818746-8627.

For adver tising, call (818) 552-4503

email: adver tising@balita.com FOR RENT SALE Rooms for Rent

Rooms

O Glorious St. Theres and inspire the human You are so powerful in the Heart of God. Ho Miracles... the Greate beseech you to answ out your promises of letting fall from Heav me your childlike faith experiences of my lif Therese, my Carmeli known everywhere’ a through you. Amen T

PRAYERS

Los Angeles- Culver City, Del Rey, Norwalk PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE Most San Holy Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Fernando ValleyNorth Hills

Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master San Gabriel Covina, Covina into the hands of theValleyenemies West has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes you universally as the PRAYERS San Diego - cases Escondido patron of hopeless and of things despaired of. Pray for PRAYER TO use, BLESSED VIRGIN me who am so needy; make I implore you of that particular (Never known to fail).

Most Flower Mt. Carmel, privilege accorded toOyou to Beautiful bring visible andofspeedy help Fruitful where Vine, isSplendor of Heaven, Come Blessed Mother of the Son of great God, help almost despaired. to my assistance in this Please call: Greg need that I Virgin, may receive theinconsolations succor heaven Immaculate assist me my necessity.and O Star of theofSea, help in myshow necessities, tribulations, sufferings particularly (here mealland me herein you are myand Mother.

O Holy Mary, Mother of mention yourofpetition) I may bless beseech God withyou youfrom andthe all God, Queen Heavenand andthat Earth, I humbly the elect throughout eternity. I promise you, O blessed Jude to be bottom of my heart to succor in my necessity (make request). There or me Charmiley ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to pray for us who haveto recourse to thee (3 times).

Holy Mary, I place encourage devotion you. Amen.

THANK YOU - ABA

714-519-8997

626-926-7186

this cause in your hands (3 times). 3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory BeSay this prayer for 3 consecutive days. You must publish it, and it will be granted to you.- KORY

gandres2@aol.com PRAYERS

PRAYER TO SAINT THERESE

O Glorious St. Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid PRAYERS and inspire the human family, I implore your Miraculous Intercession.

PRAYER TO SAINT THERESE You are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit from O Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid theGlorious Heart ofSt. God. Holy Mother Church proclaims you ‘Prodigy of and inspire the human family, I implore your Miraculous Intercession.

Miracles... the Greatest Saint of Modern Times.’ Now I fervently You are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit from beseech you to answer my petition (mention here) and to carry the Heart of God. Holy Mother Church proclaims you ‘Prodigy of out your promises of spending Heaven doing good on earth...of Miracles... the Greatest Saint of Modern Times.’ Now I fervently letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses. Little Flower, give beseech you to answer my petition (mention here) and to carry me your childlike faith, to see the Face of God in the people and out your promises of spending Heaven doing good on earth...of H[SHULHQFHV RI P\ OLIH DQG WR ORYH *RG ZLWK IXOO FRQ¿GHQFH 6W letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses. Little Flower, give 7KHUHVH P\ &DUPHOLWH , ZLOO IXO¿OO SOHD EH PDGH me your childlike faith, to6LVWHU see the Face of \RXU God in theµWR people and known everywhere’ andand I will continue lead to Jesus experiences of my life, to love God to with fullothers confidence.

St. through you.

THANK YOU - ABA Therese, my Amen Carmelite Sister, I will fulfill your plea ‘to be made known everywhere’ and I will continue to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen THANK YOU - SHAHELA

JOB OPPORTUNITIES? SERVICES? RENTAL SPACES? NEW OR PRE-OWNED CARS?

BALITA ADS GET RESULTS JOB OPPORTUNITIES? SERVICES? RENTAL SPACES? NEW OR PRE-OWNED CARS?

BALITA ADS GET RESULTS

18

Weekend

BALITA

Visit www.Balita.com

Health & Family

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

AstraZeneca 'effective' even in areas with new variant — WHO exec MANILA (Mabuhay) — The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday said the AstraZeneca vaccine is effective even in areas with cases of the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2.

"We still believe and the WHO released a statement saying we still believe that the AstraZeneca vaccine is effective even in places where you have a large proportion of cases which could be attributed to the South African variant," WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said in a virtual briefing.

The statement comes following a study that showed AstraZeneca shots offer as little as 10 percent protection against the B.1.351 variant, which was first detected in South Africa.

Abeyasinghe said the WHO is looking "very carefully" at these reports but noted that the study was conducted on a "very limited scale" with a sample of fewer than 2,000 people.

"What it showed was that there was evidence of mild and moderate disease following AstraZeneca vaccines. Of course, as I've mentioned, the purpose of the vaccine is to prevent disease and deaths," he said.

He said there is "no evidence" yet of a large-scale presence of the South African variant in the Philippines.

At the same time, he said the Philippines has a window of opportunity to protect as many people as possible and limit the possibility of further transmission of the new variants.

"By ensuring that we implement the protocols that we have, we could minimize the importation of these new variants and also ensure speedy control of these from where they were detected," he said.

which are set to arrive tonight.

"According to the WHO and our experts, this is the only way for us to eventually beat these variants together with the minimum public health standards," she said.

"No matter what the publications will say bumaba nang ganitong efficacy, hangga't wala tayong certainty (whether it has lesser efficacy, as long as we have no certainty) we will continue to use the vaccine," she added.

She noted that the Philippine government is also monitoring studies and reports on the South African variant.

"Kinokonsidera natin ang mga 'yan para hindi tayo nagkakaroon ng pagpapabaya.

Sa atin naman we like to always err on the side of caution pero hindi para sabihin na mawawalang bisa ang pagbabakuna (We are considering these reports. On our part, we like to always err on the side of caution but not to the extent of saying that vaccination would be ineffective)," she said.

The Philippines is set to receive on Thursday night some 487,200 vials of AstraZeneca’s vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) under the COVAX Facility.

The doses from this batch were developed in South Korea and were donated

by Germany, the European Union, Norway, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, and Greece.

The vaccines will be coming from Belgium, stopping over at Bangkok before the arrival in the Philippines. From Villamor Air Base, the delivery will be transported to Metropac Logistics in Marikina City.

Distribution will immediately commence after repackaging, a media briefer read. (MNS)

As planned As long as there is "no certainty" in the studies conducted, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosa r io Vergei re sa id t he Phi lippines would carry on with its vaccine rollout and use the AstraZeneca vaccines DR. RABINDRA ABEYASINGHE

Janssen COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in PH to check for long-term efficacy — DOH MANILA (Mabuhay) — While Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose COVID-19 vaccine has already gotten approval in the United States, it will continue its clinical trial in the Philippines to check for long-term efficacy, the Department of Health said Tuesday.

“Yun pong Janssen ang kanilang sinasabi ang gagawin nilang clinical trial dito ay for 2 doses,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said, referring to Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical company Janssen.

Janssen was the first to be approved for COVID-19 clinical trials in the country, and the testing started last month.

“Baka maging mas mataas ang efficacy nila o baka mas tumagal ang kanilang efficacy. So yun ang tinitignan ng ating manufacturers,” Vergeire added.

Vergeire cited a statement from the company saying that “while a potentially safe and effective single dose preventive COVID-19 vaccine would have significant benefits particularly in a pandemic setting, Janssen’s COVID-19 vaccine program has been designed to be extremely thorough and driven by science.”

“As such we are investi-

gating multiple doses and dosing regimens to evaluate their long term efficacy,” the company said.

The Janssen vaccine uses an adenovirus to carry the COVID-19 gene into the body in order to trigger an immune response.

It is said to have an efficacy rate of 66% against moderate and severe COVID-19. It has a higher efficacy rate of 85% against severe cases.

The US is set to receive about 4 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by Tuesday. It will be the country’s 3rd vaccine option, after Pfizer and Moderna, which have efficacy rates of around 95%.

Currently, the Philippines only has doses from China’s Sinovac, which has an efficacy rate ranging from 65.3% to 91.2%. Its efficacy rate for health workers in Brazil is at a lower but acceptable 50.4%.

The Philippines has also issued emergency use authorizations for Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo said Monday that they are hoping to receive an EUA application from Janssen after its approval in the US. (MNS)

Efficient vaccination needed amid surge in COVID-19 cases — OCTA MANILA (Mabuhay) — The OCTA Research group called for an efficient deployment of vaccines in the next two weeks to ensure health workers are inoculated as it noted “significant positive growth” in fresh COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Based on its data and projections, the group said “the period of negative growth rates in cases observed in the NCR in the past few weeks has now ended. This trend has been reversed, with significant positive growth in some LGUs (local government units) in the region.”

“Given that a surge in the NCR is now not a question of if but of how much, we exhort the government to ensure the urgent but efficient deployment of vaccines in the next two weeks,” it said.

On Sunday, the first shipment of China’s Sinovac arrive in the country consisting of 600,000 doses. In the priority list for vaccination are health workers, senior citizens of specific age bracket, and other frontline and essential workers.

OCTA encouraged health workers to get themselves

inoculated as the COVID-19 cases rise.

“There is a ver y small window of opportunity for health workers in the NCR to get vaccinated while the surge is still in its early stages and hospital occupancy in the region is still manageable. Our healthcare workers in the region must seize this opportunity,” it said.

NCR projection OCTA said that under the current trend, the number of new COVID -19 cases per day will increase from its current average daily value of 770 to 2,200 by the end of March 2021 “unless the spread of the virus is curbed.”

Moreover, the group said the total number of cases in NCR will have increased to 280,000 by the end of March, from its current value of 234,754, an increase of 19 percent.

“T he tota l nu mber of deaths in NCR under this scenario would be 5,700, that is, 920 new deaths will be reported between now and the end of March,” it said.

OCTA noted that reducing the reproduction number “will not decrease the

number of new COVIDA-19 cases but will control its increase to 1,000 daily cases by end of March, for a total of 260,000 cases in NCR, or an 11% increase compared to the current total.”

“T he tota l nu mber of deaths under this scenario would be 5,300, or an additional 520 deaths compared to the current value.

This would mean that 43% less deaths due to Covid-19 would occur in NCR by reducing the number of infections compared to the status quo. On a national scale, there are currently 574,247 Covid-19 cases and 12,289 deaths,” it said.

“If this trend continues and the national reproduction number remains at around Rt = 1.2, the country is projected to have 665,000 Covid-19 cases and 14,000 deaths by end of March. If the reproduction number is reduced to Rt = 1, the total number of Covid-19 cases is projected to be 640,000 by month’s end, with 13,500 deaths,” it explained.

Cebu City, Pasay According to the study, Cebu City still had the most

number of new cases, averaging 209 per day for the past seven days, its upward trend has slowed down, as the reproduction number in Cebu City decreased to 1.38.

In Lapu Lapu, hospital bed occupancy was above 70%.

In NCR, OCTA said “steep upward trends” in new cases were observed in Pasay, Quezon City, Manila, Makati, Malabon, Taguig, Paranaque and Navotas, while Valenzuela, Caloocan and Las Pinas had a smaller increase in new cases.

Pasay had the highest daily attack rate at 21.75 per 100,000.

In the Cordillera Autonomous Region, the number of new cases in Baguio City, La Trinidad and Tabuk, Kalinga, also had upward trends, while the daily attack rate in these three LGUs were above 7 per 100,000.

Targeted lockdowns OCTA said that the “potentially serious surge” in the NCR is still in its early stages and can still be mitigated.

It urged high-risk LGUs in the NCR, Cebu City, Lapu Lapu, and other regions

identified in its report to further intensify their efforts at testing, tracing, and isolation as well as to implement small, targeted lockdowns to “contain superspreader events and reverse the increase in transmissions in their communities.”

“The deteriorating compliance with the minimum health standard by some citizens due to pandemic fatigue and/or the failure of LGUs to monitor and enforce GCQ (general community quarantine) regulations have also contributed to spikes, especially in Metropolitan areas,” it said.

“In this light, we appeal to our citizens to continue to do their share by being vigilant and by being disciplined. . . .We also exhort the national and the local governments to strict ly monitor and enforce complia nce w it h minimum health standards, such as physical distancing, wearing of face mask and face shields and proper hygiene, and to discourage large gatherings to reverse the increase in transmissions at the community level,” it added. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

Health Family Health & Family

Visit www.Balita.com

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines under COVAX may arrive by April — Galvez

PH healthcare system can handle South African Covid-19 variant MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Tuesday assured that the country’s healthcare system can handle a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases including those of the South African variant.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this statement after health authorities reported six cases of the South African Covid-19 variant in the country.

“Hindi po natin mad i- deny n a t a l a g a ng habang nandiyan ang Covid, talagang mas maraming mahahawa. Ang importante, nasa posisyon tayo na bigyan ng medical attention at tulong iyong mga nangangailangan ( We cannot deny that while Covid is there, there will be infections. What’s important is that we are in the position to give medical attention to those who need it),” he said in a Palace press briefing.

He encouraged the public to continue observing health and safety protocols such as wearing of face masks and face shields, frequent hand-

washing, physical distancing on top of getting vaccinated.

“Ngayong nandiyan na ang bakuna, bakit naman tayo hihindi lalo na ang mayroon nang mga bagong variants at lalo na kung ikaw po ay isang medical front-liner (Now that we have the vaccine, why say no especially now that there are new variants and especially if you’re a medical front-liner),” he added.

Asked if a stricter community quarantine status may be declared due to the new Covid-19 variant, Roque said it would still depend on the country’s hea lt hcare utilization rate.

“Alam ninyo naman ang ating quarantine classification ang kinukonsidera iyong two-week attack rate, iyong average daily attack rate at pinakaimportante iyong healthcare utilization rate (You know that our quarantine classification takes into consideration the two-week attack rate, the average daily attack rate and the hea lt hcare utilization rate),” he said.

Enhanced vaccination rollout Dr. Rontgene Solante, head of San Lazaro Hospital’s Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department, emphasized the need to observe protocols “really religiously”.

“I think we still have to continue the minimum health protocol and we have to implement it really religiously now that we have the more highly transmissible South African variant,” he said.

Solante also stressed the importance of contact tracing for those who have been exposed to the new Covid-19 variant.

“I think the point here is that the amount of work that we will be doing for the contact tracing will be very crucial, especially for those who have been exposed to this South African variant,” he added.

Since there are currently only a few cases of the South African variant, he said the government should also “enhance” the vaccine rollout.

“For now, it is not yet a

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday said the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer under the COVAX facility may arrive by April.

Ga lvez said the World Health Organization (WHO) assured President Rodrigo Duterte that the vaccines from Pfizer will be provided to the Philippines.

“A ng tingin po namin baka April na po 'yung Pfizer kasi alam po natin na napakalaki ng demand ng Pfizer,” he said.

According to Galvez, the WHO wrote a letter assuring that the Pfizer vaccines will reach the country as long as the Philippines signs the indemnification agreement.

“Ang WHO po sumulat na po doon sa ating mahal na Pangulo at ina-assure niya po ang mahal na Pangulo na darating po ang Pfizer as promised by the Pfizer headquarters na under kay CEO (Mr. Albert Bourla),” he said.

At least 117,000 initial doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines are expected from the COVAX facility, which was led by the WHO and GAVI alliance to ensure fair access to vaccines among countries.

Originally, the delivery of the initial supply to the Philippines was set in February but it was delayed.

On Tuesday, GAVI alliance CEO Seth Berkley said that there have been delays to some Pfizer’s vaccine deliveries under the COVAX facility because of additional requirements set by the manufacturer.

Additional requirements are related to indemnification issues, he said.

Indemnification agreement is a measure ensuring compensation for individuals who develop serious side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. (MNS)

concern here in the Philippines because itong mga pumapasok na variants kaunti pa lang (these new variants are still few) and that’s the reason why we really have to enhance the rollout, so that time will come na hindi tayo maabutan din ng maraming variant ng ganitong klase na (we won’t experience many variants that) will also lessen the efficacy of this vaccine,” he added.

Earlier, Health Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire allayed fears that Covid-19 vaccines would offer less protection against the South African variant, saying that while variants might lower the efficacy rate, it still provides protection against severe illness.

The UK variant was first detected in the country on January 13, 2021 with confirmed local transmission in the Cordillera Administrative Region. (MNS)

Weekend

BALITA

19

Prioritization vital to ensure PH vaccine supply from COVAX — WHO

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines must adhere to the vaccine prioritization of medical front-liners, seniors, and those with comorbidities to ensure unhampered supply from the COVAX Facility, the World Health Organization (WHO) reminded Thursday.

Around 4.58 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses are expected to arrive in the Philippines within the year under COVAX Facility.

The country is also set to receive some 117,000 Pfizer-BioNTech jabs and an additional batch, the figures of which would be announced by end of March 2021.

"To access these vaccines, WHO and the COVAX Facility, and that includes its donor partners and members, have emphasized that COVAX vaccines should be used according to the prioritizations," WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said in a virtual presser, adding Manila must also demonstrate that it can roll out the vaccines in an efficient manner while minimizing wastage.

The prioritized groups he mentioned include some 1.8 million Filipino healthcare workers who are among the most at risk in the still-raging pandemic.

This is followed by the most vulnerable population -- the elderly and those suffering from comorbidities, where high case fatality rates were previously recorded.

“If we cannot demonstrate that we are following this prioritization, unfortunately, the COVAX may have to consider other options where the impact of the vaccine rollout will be more useful and practical and will contribute to saving more lives,” Abeyasinghe said.

"So we urge everybody concerned to kindly respect the prioritization that has been defined by the DOH (Department of Health) and the NITAG (National Immunization Technical Advisory Group) in consultation with the WHO," he added.

The WHO will not police the list, leaving the role of ensuring adherence to the DOH, he said.

In the same briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire acknowledged the conditions set by the COVAX Facility to align with WHO's objective to give the shots "to those who needed the most -- the healthcare workers".

She urged the public and all stakeholders to stay within the inoculation framework.

“Kung sa ka-sa ka ling makapag-v iolate tayo nitong objective na 'to, na hindi natin nabigay doon sa mga tamang tao o health workers, maaaring ma-compromise or ma-jeopardize 'yong mga succeeding supplies from coming from COVAX Facility,” she said. (MNS)

20

Weekend BALITA

Visit www.Balita.com

Saturday-Friday | March 6 - 12, 2021

NOW SERVING SMILES AT SUBARU OF GLENDALE

Subaru of Glendale is the #1 Subaru Dealer in America #1 Claim based on SOA YTD Sales Report for new car sales in the USA for 2019

Visit Subaru of Glendale to find your dream car at a great price with the help of our friendly, no pressure sales staff.

Whether it’s love at first sight or after your test drive, you’ll have a great experience and leave with a grin on your face.

2021 SUBARU

129

$

Impreza 5-Door CVT

2021 SUBARU

239

$

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

Forester Touring CVT PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

Model MLB-03 – M3705240 & M3705290 FINANCE OFFER As low as 0.9% Limited Term Financing on ALL 2020 Imprezas in Stock

2021 SUBARU

Offer Expires 3/12/21

Model Code: MFJ-41 – MH412044 & MH420322 Offer Expires 3/12/21 FINANCE OFFER As low as 0.9% Limited term financing on ALL remaining 2020 Foresters in stock

***This car is eligible for CA Carpool Lane Stickers!!!!****

Outback Premium CVT

2020 SUBARU

Crosstrek HYBRID

with Navigation, Moonroof & Harmon Kardon Premium Audio System

199

$

299

$

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 39 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

Model Code: MDD-11 — M3107255, M3110753 & M3107568 Offer Expires 3/12/21 FINANCE OFFER As low as 0% Limited term financing on ALL remaining 2020 Outback models in Stock

Offer Expires 3/12/21 FINANCE OFFER As low as 0.9% Limited Term Financing on ALL 2020 Crosstrek HYBRIDs in Stock

2020 SUBARU

289

$

Legacy Touring XT

Model Code: LRH-02 – LH283275, LH283339 & LH283343

Ascent TOURING– 7 Passenger CVT

2021 SUBARU

369

$

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

Model Code: LAL-41 – 1 at this payment L3030907 FINANCE OFFER Offer Expires 3/12/21 As low as 0% Limited Term Financing on ALL 2020 Legacys in Stock

Model Code: MCG-33 – M3401908 & M3422099 FINANCE OFFER Offer Expires 3/12/21 As low as 0% Limited term financing on ALL 2021 Ascents in stock

“Para sa bagong Subaru, tawagan niyo lang po kami!”

Driving People Happy

SUBARU OF GLENDALE 1308 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204 www.SubaruofGlendale.net

855-230-1547 Andrew Marilla Christian Marilla Sales & Leasing Finance Manager

Enzo Patnongon Sale & Leasing Consultant

Subaru, Forester, Outback, Tribeca, Legacy, Impreza, WRX, STI, and SUBARU BOXER are registered trademarks. Purchase or lease any new (previously untitled) Subaru and receive a complimentary factory scheduled maintainance plan for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first).

See Subaru Added Security Maintenance Plan for intervals, coverage and limitations. Customer must take delivery before 12-31-20 and reside within the promotional area. At participating dealers only. See dealer for program details and eligibility.