Caraga InFocus – January 23-29, 2021

Volume V, No. 5 January 23-29, 2021

REGIONAL NEWS

10 11 13 14 16 PROVINCIAL NEWS 19 21 22 24 25 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 CARAGA RTF-ELCAC CAPACITATES LGUS TO ATTAIN COMMON GOALS VS INSURGENCY

GOVERNORS URGE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT FOR IMMEDIATE APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL US$280 MILLION FUND FOR DA RTWPB CARAGA CONDUCTS WEBINAR ON WORK ETHICS FOR PRODUCTIVE WORKERS

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BUKIDNON SCHOOLS RECEIVE AID FROM ‘BISAYA GYUD’ PROGRAM WITH A BUDGET OF AROUND PHP 82.5 BILLION

DIGITAL LEARNING SUPPORT AMID THE PANDEMIC SK FEDERATION OF SISON UNDERSCORES YOUTH COOPERATION TO FIGHT COVID-19

SURIGAO NORTE TOWN EYES PROGRAMS VS INSURGENCY AMID PANDEMIC SURIGAO NORTE TOWN UPBEAT ON LOCAL VACCINATION PROGRAM

YOUTH GROUPS IN SISON ADVOCATE AGAINST INSURGENCY

SISON TOWN PROMOTES ECOTOURISM SITES

PMO SURIGAO JOINS ZERO WASTE MONTH CLEAN-UP DRIVE

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PMO SURIGAO CUSTOMERS WIDELY ACCEPT E-PAYMENT SYSTEM

PDI TOWN ALLOCATES P1.6M FOR COVID-19 VACCINE

LGU SISON URGES LOCALS TO BE BLOOD DONORS

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CARAGA’S MOST WANTED PERSON FALLS TO GOV’T AUTHORITIES PHILSYS STEP 1 PRE-REGISTRATION INUMPISAHAN NANG IPATUTUPAD SA SURSUR CSP NG 75TH IB NAGING MATAGUMPAY SA NAKALIPAS NA TAON

KAMPANYA LABAN SA ASF PINAIGTING SA BAYAN NG CANTILAN, SURSUR AFP CHIEF OF STAFF DINALAW ANG 36IB SA GITNA NG MASUNGIT NA PANAHON SA SURSUR PAMPUBLIKONG OSPITAL SA SURSUR SINUBUKAN NANG GAMITIN ANG DE-MANONG MAKINA SA ITINAYONG MOLECULAR LAB AGUSAN DEL NORTE TOWN VILLAGERS DENOUNCE, ABANDON NPA TERRORISTS ANDAM NA ANG AGUSAN DEL NORTE ALANG SA PAG-ARANGKADA SA PROCESS! PROCESS! PROCESS! LGU CBR MOHATAG PRIBILEHIYO SA MGA DIFFERENTLY-ABLED PERSONS NGA OPERATORS SA MOTORIZED TRYCYCLE BUHIS SA SAND AND GRAVEL DAKU ANG NAHIMONG AMBAG SA PAGTAAS SA KITA SA PROBINSYA AFRICAN SWINE FEVER MAHIMONG MAKUHA SA PASAW NGA PAGKAON SA BINUHING BABOY

MINDANAO NEWS 12 MINDANAO FISHING VILLAGES GET DRYERS, POST-HARVEST EQPT. POOR LANAO TOWN BUILDS 6 SPIS, 1 WATER SYSTEM

NATIONAL NEWS

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SK SIQUIJOR UNDERSCORES PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS PANDEMIC TOLL ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ANDANAR WILLING TO BE AMONG FIRST TO GET COVID-19 VACCINE

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NOGRALES HAS NO PROBLEM RECEIVING VACCINE FIRST 2K BACOLOD KIDS GET FREE MEALS FROM TF ZERO HUNGER PARTNERS NOGRALES, ZERO HUNGER TASK FORCE, PILIPINAS KONTRA GUTOM LEAD PRIVATE SECTOR STRAT PLAN SESSION IATF, NTF INSPECT MAKATI AND QC VACCINE ROLLOUT READINESS - NOGRALES PRC STARTS USE OF MILESTONE SYSTEM THAT WILL DEMOCRATIZE COVID TESTING – GORDON GORDON SPONSORS COMMITTEE REPORT ON ANOTHER BREAK THROUGH BILL TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE GORDON PROPOSES BILL GRANTING POWER TO THE PRESIDENT TO DEFER SSS CONTRIBUTION INCREASE DURING NAT’L EMERGENCIES PRC TARGETS NATIONWIDE SALIVA TEST ROLL OUT

BY FEB. 1 GORDON LAUDS LOCSIN FOR FILING DIPLOMATIC PROTESTS AGAINST CHINA’S AGGRESSIVENESS AT WEST PHILIPPINE SEA SENATE TO CONDUCT PROBE ON SPATE OF KILLINGS IN RP IN COMMEMORATION OF DAY OF NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE OF SAF 44, BONG GO APPEALS FOR UNITY AGAINST TERRORISM; VOWS PRESIDENT DUTERTE COULD BOOST PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN COVID-19 JAB, SAYS VACCINE CZAR PRESIDENT DUTERTE: IT’S TOO RISKY TO ALLOW MINORS TO GO OUT PRESIDENT DUTERTE WANTS PAF’S HUEYS DECOMMISSIONED PRESIDENT DUTERTE HONORS SOLDIERS FIGHTING ISLAMIC MILITANTS IN SULU PALACE MAINTAINS CURRENT AGE RESTRICTION

COVID-19 NEWS

GALVEZ CITES LGUS’ CRUCIAL ROLES IN NAT’L VACCINE ROADMAP MORE PINOYS CONCERNED OVER SAFETY OF COVID-19 JABS: CHURCH POLL

CONTENTS

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COVER

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Statement of Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on the Inauguration of President-Elect Joseph ‘Joe’ Biden Jr. and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris We join President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in extending the administration’s greetings of congratulations and best wishes to United States President Joseph ‘Joe’ Biden Jr. and Vice President Kamala Harris upon their assumption of their official duties today.

As we continue to mutually uphold our mutual interests, especially our collective fight against and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, may this new chapter in American politics and society continue to promote the long-standing and strategic relationship of the Philippines with the United States.

May the Biden administration deliver policies and priorities that promote the interests of the American people and embody the ideals of democracy.

We wish the Biden administration all the best.

- SEC. MARTIN M. ANDANAR

ANDANAR PUSHES FOR INCLUSION OF MEDIA WORKERS IN COVID-19 VACCINE PRIORITY LIST

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar stressed the need for media workers to be prioritized in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine once it is available.

In a virtual interview on RMN DYZL Manila on Wednesday, Secretary Andanar, who is a staunch supporter of media workers’ welfare, said that they should be considered as frontliners.

“Frontliners ‘yan. Kahit anong mangyari, ang media ay araw-araw nand’yan nagbabalita, at kailangan ng kababayan

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natin na mayroong nagsasalita na nagsasabi sa kanila kung ano’ng gagawin [They are frontliners. No matter what happens, the media is always there reporting the news every day, and the people need the media to tell them what to do],” he said.

As previously announced, the first batch of vaccines is expected to arrive in the Philippines in the third or fourth week of February. The government will prioritize the medical and government frontliners, poor families, and the vulnerable sectors for the vaccine.

According to a survey conducted by Pulse Asia, 47% of Filipinos are unwilling Caraga INFOCUS

to be inoculated due to safety concerns. That is why the government is already addressing this through information drives.

Secretary Andanar said it is a challenge for the government to reverse the sentiments of Filipinos on the safety of the vaccines.

“Talagang kailangan natin mabaliktad ‘yung 47% na ‘yun sapagkat ayon kay Presidente [Duterte] ay kailangan talagang mabakunahan ang ating mga kababayan para tayo ay magkaroon ng isang lipunan na puwede na ulit mangarap at puwedeng makipag-compete sa ibang ekonomiya [We really have Caraga INFOCUS

to convert those 47% because as what the President said, we really need to vaccinate the people so that we can have a society, where we can dream again and can compete with other economies],” he said, as he noted that this will also usher the recovery of the economy by allowing pre-COVID-19 programs and projects to push through.

The PCOO, together with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), recently launched the Explain, Explain, Explain Town Hall Meeting, informing local government units (LGUs) and the public about the processes undertaken by the government to implement its National COVID-19 Vaccine Roadmap.

“Lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno ay katuwang natin sa pag-disseminate ng mga balita patungkol dito sa vaccine. Kailangan kasing malaman ng mga kababayan natin ang bawat stage ng plano ni Secretary Galvez.

Hindi naman tayo lalabas lang doon at bibili ng vaccine [All the agencies of the government are our partners in disseminating news about the vaccine. We have to inform the people about the stages of the plan presented by Secretary Galvez, because we don’t just go out there and buy the vaccine],” he said.

“This vaccination program is the largest vaccination program that the government will undertake, not only in the Philippines, but in the entire world,” he added.

He also bared to volunteer to be one of the first in line for the vaccination along with other government executive heads to allay any fears associated with its safety.

“Ako ay willing naman na sumama dun sa mga mauuna, para naman kada labas natin habang nangangampanya tayo para sa bakuna ay mayroon tayong maitatawag na ‘walking the talk’ [I am willing to join those who will be first in line, so that whenever we go out to campaign for the vaccine, we can say that we are ‘walking the talk’],” he said.

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News Briefs Republic Act No. 11055, otherwise known as the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national identification system for all citizens and resident aliens of the Republic of the Philippines. Signed into law by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in August 2018, the valid proof of identity provided by the PhilSys shall be a means of simplifying public and private transactions, and shall be a social and economic platform that promotes seamless social service delivery and strengthening of financial inclusion for both public and private services. xx

“We must put a stop to these terroristic acts! Ikaw, ako, kitang tanan, adunay atong katungod ug Katungdanan na atong panalipdan ang atong kinabuhi ug pamilya; ipatuman ang kalinaw ug kahapday sa pamuyo. Ipabarog nato ang atong demokratikong paggamhanan. Barog ug lihok Sisonians! (We must put a stop to these terroristic acts! You and I, all of us have the right and responsibility to protect our lives and families; to enable peace and harmony in our communities. Let’s stand up for our democratic government. Rise and act, Sisonians!),� expressed Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia of the municipality of Sison, encouraging the locals to remain vigilant and be more courageous to fight against the savage terrorist NPAs. This, after the said rebels orchestrated their attack today at the Sison Municipal Police Station.

According to governor Dale B. Corvera, the province of Agusan del Norte has created a vaccine committee to conduct further study on the procurement of the vaccine storage and facilities including purchasing additional anti-covid vaccines in case of shortage. (Agusan Up) Ninety (90) days to go before the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations.

We will commemorate the PH part in the achievement of science and humankind in circumnavigating the planet for the first time. Central in this commemoration is the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan.

REGIONAL NEWS

CARAGA RTF-ELCAC CAPACITATES LGUS TO ATTAIN COMMON GOALS VS INSURGENCY

By Jennifer P. Gaitano The local government units (LGUs) with its respective officials actively participated during the Levelling and Consultation Session conducted by the Caraga Regional Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) held on Thursday. Through the help of the resource persons, participants were capacitated in

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addressing various issues and concerns that would directly or indirectly resolve the insurgency problem in the region.

The said activity was aimed to further capacitate the local Task Force with the knowledge on the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPPNPA-NDF) strategies, tactics, programs; emphasize the need to address the 10 CTG programs; synchronize the effort from the national down to the regional, provincial, city, municipality and barangay level Task Forces; and sustain the gains of the task force’s efforts in ending local communists’ armed conflict.

Cabinet Sec. Karlo Alexei Nograles, Cabinet Officers for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Caraga, stressed that ending local communists armed conflict still remains as a top priority of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. And this levelling session and consultation was aimed to provide guidance to all instrumentalities of the government in Caraga region to achieve this common goal.

“This activity also aims to generate active support and involvement of all sectors thru a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach in fighting insurgency in the region,” added Nograles.

The official further reiterated that the president is keen on putting an end to local communists armed conflict under his administration. “With this levelling session and consultation in the region, we hoped to attain a common understanding on the battle against the CPP-NPAs, and ensure economic development and security particularly Caraga INFOCUS

in the conflict-affected areas,” he remarked.

During the course of the session, participating LGUs through its representatives were able to raise questions and clarifications, as well as shared strategies on how they would be able to help the national government and the task force in fulfilling the objectives and goals towards ending local communists armed conflict.

The group also discussed to take into consideration the following plan of action: strengthen network with stakeholders; orchestrate government programs as part of good governance; assist in the preparation of sectoral agenda; promote government programs and narratives and clarify burning issues; identify policy gaps and structural deficiency to attain good governance (social reform agenda); continue the conduct of sectoral studies; and sustain the IEC on sectoral studies.

Meanwhile, Secretary Allen Capuyan, executive director of NTF-ELCAC, urged all the LGUs and government agencies involved that also compose the task force to strive more and continue to implement their respective programs in line with the President’s Executive No. 70.

The creation of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCACs) is anchored on the Executive Order No. 70 signed by President Duterte in 2018 which mandates a “Whole-Of-Nation” Approach in resolving the communist rebellion.

Under EO 70, LGUs shall take the lead in the conduct of local peace dialogues as a way of peacefully engaging the rebels and convincing them to return to the folds of the law. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS

GOVERNORS URGE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT FOR IMMEDIATE APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL US$280 MILLION FUND FOR DA The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) has called on the national government for the immediate approval and release of the US$ 280 Million (around Php 14 billion) second additional financing from the World Bank for the implementation of the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), led by DA Secretary William D. Dar. Aside from the said additional financing, DA-PRDP will receive the EUR 18.3 Million EU Grant that will co-finance the second additional financing for implementation in Mindanao regions.

LPP President and ULAP Chairman, Marinduque Governor Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr. said that the league has passed it’s NEB Resolution 2021-001 supporting this DA project and that they have formally written to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to make due consideration and January 23-29, 2021 |

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

swift action to move forward with the government’s approval of the said World Bank and EU funding. He stressed that the government will lose a huge opportunity if the financing will not be availed of in the midst of the government’s current financial position wherein most funds have been refocused to address COVID-19.

Some P13.4 billion rural infrastructures and P2.3 billion rural enterprises projects in the pipeline are already requested for financing by various proponent LGUs. These proposals are already at the advanced stage of approval process and the immediate release of funds is crucial given that the DA-PRDP Project has to complete all investments until CY 2024.

Upon dialogue with DAPRDP National Project Director Undersecretary Ariel T. Cayanan along with DA Assistant Secretary Arnel V. de Mesa and DA-PRDP National Deputy Project Director Shandy M. Hubilla last January 9, 2020, Governor Velasco was informed that the DA-PRDP AF2-

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EU financing was already approved by the Investment Coordination Committee – Technical Board (ICC-TB) last September 30, 2020. The Project has substantially complied with all the technical requirements required by the Board. More particularly, the NEDA ICC Secretariat’s findings has recognized the Project’s substantial disbursement performance and has continued to deliver remarkable disbursements with overall loan disbursements of 91% and 78% under original loan and first additional financing, respectively.

The project is already recommended for ICC – Cabinet Committee approval via ad referendum since December 2020. To date, the said Project is still pending for endorsement for the said approval.

The LPP expressed urgency for the ICC to grant its approval and endorsement for NEDA Board approval.

It is hoped that the loan effectiveness will happen within the second quarter of CY 2021. (LPP/PIA Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS

RTWPB CARAGA CONDUCTS WEBINAR ON WORK ETHICS FOR PRODUCTIVE WORKERS

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Caraga recently conducted a discussion on Work Ethics of a Productive Worker to Northern Mindanao Colleges, Inc. in Cabadbaran City.

A total of 295 participants consisting of students, employees and staff joined the webinar.

The webinar was also available online via Facebook live through the RTWPB Caraga Facebook Page.

According to Board Secretary VI Earl dela Victoria, the Work Ethics of a Productive Worker is a training program that aims to equip participants especially who are looking for jobs to have Caraga INFOCUS

work ethics enabling them to become productive worker.

It is an advocacy strategy deployed in support of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) wage subsidy programs, JobStart Philippines, Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), DOLE Youth Camp and Nurses for Occupational Health and Safety Program (NOSH) for the newly-graduated nurses.

During the event, Dela Victoria discussed the module on Work Ethics of a Productive Worker. He elaborated that this module will guide and teach them to know the work values

that employers look, identify ways on how to demonstrate productive work values to increase productivity at work and know the basic steps on how to blend into a company culture.

During the webinar, the importance of having knowledge about benefits and services offered by Employees’ C o m p e n s a t i o n Commission (ECC) was also highlighted by Sandee Angeli Mocorro, Information Officer of ECC-Regional Extension Unit 13.

Participants were given time to voice out their comments, clarifications and questions after the session. (RTWPB Caraga/ PIA-Caraga) January 23-29, 2021 |

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BUKIDNON SCHOOLS RECEIVE AID FROM ‘BISAYA GYUD’ PROGRAM

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales Lending aid to teachers in sustaining the implementation of distance learning, the Bisaya Gyud program donated reams of bond papers to La Fortuna Elementary School in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.

‘Bisaya Gyud’ is a weekly public service and entertainment program hosted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar. Initially launched to help underprivileged Bisaya Overseas Filipino Workers

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(OFWs), the program’s scope has progressed to serving Bisaya Filipinos nationwide since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, delivering grassroots information on the efforts of local and national governments to address the people’s needs during the health crisis whilst launching their own initiatives through the ‘Operation Tabang.’

Under its Operation Tabang – Bond Paper Gift Project, the program donates reams of bond papers to disadvantaged

schools in the Kabisay-an areas in the country as aid for the implementation of blended learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

School-In-Charge Nicodemos Oculares expressed gratitude on behalf of the school staff and students to the Bisaya Gyud team for their generosity.

“Nagapasalamat ako sa Bisaya Gyud Program na sa taliwala man sa kadaghan sa mga tulunghaan nga nahisakop ani nga division, usa kami na napili nga recipient sa gasa sa Caraga INFOCUS

pagpanghatag ug bond paper [I am thankful for the Bisaya Gyud Program for choosing our school, among the many schools that belong to our school division, as a recipient of their blessing],” the school head said.

M e a n w h i l e , teachers continue to overcome the challenges of pursuing education in the new normal.

For Teacher Jessebel Cabugwason, her greatest concern is not being able to attend to the learning needs of her students.

“Sa normal ang education nato, maka face-to-face ta sa atong mga bata then maka focus ta sa ilahang learning needs unlike karon sa new normal.

Murag di gyud kaayo accurate ang kuha sa mga bata ug mahulog na dili ilaha gyud bitawng achievement kay gitabangan man sila sa atong mga parents. [In the normal education setting, we are able to consult with our students face-toface and focus on their learning needs, unlike in the new normal setting.

And because they are now forced to become Caraga INFOCUS

more dependent on their parents, they somehow cannot achieve and acquire accomplishments on their own],” the teacher said.

Amid this, the elementary school teachers will through the challenges, with parents actively lending their cooperation for the students’ sake. But while they manage to maintain resilience in carrying out their duties perfectly, teachers in La Fortuna continue to yearn for the day the pandemic will end, where life in the school campus would be normal once again.

“Sa karon unta, among gihope na sana ma end na gyud ning

pandemic kay miss na namo magteach sa mga bata kay mao man gyud na ang amoang vocation [Right now, we hope for the pandemic to end. We miss teaching our kids, which is what our vocation is all about],” Teacher Jessebel stated.

The ‘Bisaya Gyud’ program is aired every Saturday on select radio stations across the country and streamed live on its official Facebook page, https://www.facebook. com/bisayagyudph.

Apart from providing grassroots information on the pandemic, the program also explores Bisaya music and artists, and features Bisaya success stories. (DMNR/ PIA-Caraga) January 23-29, 2021 |

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With a budget of around Php 82.5 billion, the Department of Finance (“DOF”) maintains that it is well equipped to procure COVID-19 vaccines for more than 50 million Filipinos. With its role of overseeing negotiations with vaccine manufacturers, the DOF ensures the sufficiency and optimization of the financing sources for the procurement of vaccines, amid the limitations in global supply.

Health and safety are the primary considerations of the government in procuring vaccines. Prior to the actual procurement of vaccines, the vaccines undergo a stringent selection process by the Vaccine Evaluation and Selection Committee which is composed of the country’s health experts. The DOF and the Vaccine Czar strongly concur for the issuance by the Philippine Food and Drugs Administration of an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) as a condition before any importation of vaccines into the country (and further payment) is made. In case health authorities deem that the vaccine should not receive an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), then negotiations for that vaccine may cease.

Once the vaccines have been evaluated and included in the list of priority vaccines, they undergo a procurement process which is generally divided into three phases:

1. The first phase involves the signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the vaccine manufacturer.

While the laws on freedom of information generally apply, the NDA limits which information may be disclosed to nonparties, until such time that the Supply

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Agreement is concluded.

2. The second phase of the process is when formal negotiations between the parties occur. It involves the exchange of the parties of their respective “term sheets”. A term sheet is a document which ideally outlines all the relevant offers and details on the vaccine procurement, including the number of doses to be ordered, the purchase price, payment dates, delivery schedules, and all other rights and obligations of the parties that shall be finalized in the definitive Supply Agreement.

3. The final phase involves the signing of the Supply Agreement, which is the definitive agreement that governs the legal obligations of the parties.

Caraga INFOCUS

the type of vaccine and other costs of manufacturing, logistics and distribution up until they reach the port of destination. The country can be assured that costs are reasonable based on acceptable international standards once they are endorsed by the MFIs for financing.

Various safeguards are also incorporated in the procurement process. Before the Government can draw from its loans, compliance with the Vaccine Eligibility Criteria of the Multilateral Financial Institutions (“MFI�) such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank is necessary. The MFIs require the vaccine to secure approval from a Stringent Regulatory Authority from certain countries and/ or the World Health Organization. MFIs also require compliance to standard policies such as those involving audit and anti-corruption, which are necessary to carry out transparency and accountability in the procurement process.

Vaccine prices may vary, depending on market availability, Caraga INFOCUS

The DOF remains true to its mandate of providing sound and efficient management of the financial resources of the government and it will not entertain or pursue endeavors that will be disadvantageous to the Philippines and to the Filipino people. The DOF is committed to bring a safe, effective, and accessible supply of COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines.

January 23-29, 2021 |

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PROVINCIAL NEWS

DIGITAL LEARNING SUPPORT AMID THE PANDEMIC With the distinctive rise of e-learning, whereby teaching and instructions are undertaken on digital platforms, the local government unit (LGU) of Surigao del Norte guarantees to provide appropriate support to the learners through its “Tablet Ko, Kaugmaon Mo” project as aligned in the “Padajon an Edukasyon” program of Gov. Francisco Matugas.

Even with the sudden shift from classroom to online learning due to the Caraga INFOCUS

By Venus L. Garcia pandemic, the governor still affirms the importance of education.

That even with the inevitable disruption of normal classes, he puts priority of assisting students to keep up with the demand of digital schooling.

Some 350 Senior High School students of Surigao Norte National High School (SNNHS) under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand have received each a tablet computer

to make their learning easier.

Assistant provincial administrator Simeon Vicente Castrence, representing Gov. Matugas, handed over the devices to the student beneficiaries during a turnover activity recently held at the SNNHS. This was also attended by Department of Education (DepEd) – Surigao del Norte Schools Division Superintendent Teresa Real, faculty and staff of SNNHS led by school January 23-29, 2021 |

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principal Jose Gil Escabal.

C a s t r e n c e expressed that the said undertaking is in response to the daunting challenges and to the needs of the students for them to continually comply with the school requirements in an unprecedented environment.

He said this gesture of the governor exemplified the kind of leadership that the local government unit (LGU) of Surigao del Norte province has. “It showed the importance of education in the lives of every Surigaonon. You see, this is how education goes far beyond what

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we can read in a textbook, by learning to be compassionate, generous, and kind to others,” he enunciated.

For her part, Nicole Jay Villalobos, a Grade 12 student of SNNHS, was delighted for the gadget he obtained as this is most useful for her learning.

“This is truly a great help not only for us students but for our parents as well.

This lessens the burden of thinking where to find money to buy or where to rent every time we needed to go online for our lessons,” she said.

Meanwhile, Real also expressed her gratitude to

the LGU-Surigao del Norte for the continued support to the agency especially to the students. This, she said, is a supplement to their Network Academy Project.

There are, however, other challenges to overcome in the transition from face-toface classes to offline learning, e-learning, and other modalities being introduced.

These might be the catalyst to create a new and more effective education system during this new normal. (Venus L. Garcia/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga INFOCUS

SK FEDERATION OF SISON UNDERSCORES YOUTH COOPERATION TO FIGHT COVID-19 To motivate the young individuals in the municipality of Sison, this province, to be mindful in getting involved in the local community’s effort to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, its Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation launched several activities where participants were responsive to the message of cooperation it conveyed.

Sharing the highlights of accomplishments of the Pambayang Caraga INFOCUS

By Venus L. Garcia Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan ng Bayan ng Sison during the recent Laging Handa Network Briefing, Warren Maitel, SK president, bared that the COVID-19 pandemic has never cumbered their group from carrying out their youthful responsibility in the communities.

In celebration of the Linggo ng Kabataan in August last year, they had organized various contests in different categories with a theme,

“Youth engagement for Global Action.” It allowed the youth to showcase their talents and impart their ideas despite the pandemic, following COVID-19 safety protocols.

The competitions allowed the contenders to try something new and take up challenges to reduce their boredom and stress during the pandemic through informative social media platforms and literary works.

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“The events were centered on the online competition highlighting the talents, creativeness, and skills of the young Sisonians.

These include the spoken word poetry competition; poster making contest; mobile photography contest; TikToKabataan Challenge; “Istorya Quarantine” essay writing contest; creative face mask design contest; video making contest; and song cover contest,” said Maitel.

In December also, many had joined in the ‘Light a Tree’ event that they spearheaded. It was made more fun with the Jingle Bell Rockout contest, lantern making contest; and vlogging contest. The activities were aimed at strengthening youth involvement from the twelve barangays of Sison as well as to promote skillfulness and ingenuity.

“Throughout this pandemic, we are also thankful to the local government unit of Sison for supporting our endeavors, in mobilizing the young people as a catalyst of sustainable development, and for involving us in building resilience.

Pagtutulungan ang susi para malampasan natin ang mga pagsubok lalo na nang pandemya,” Maitel underscored. (VLG/ PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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SURIGAO NORTE TOWN AMID PANDEMIC

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

“This administration will not stop delivering equality and equitable public services and better governance.”

This was the statement of Sison town mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia on the local government’s efforts to address and end insurgency in their area.

In her guesting in the Laging Handa Network Briefing episode today, January 22, the local official hinted some of their plans to address pressing concerns on insurgency, particularly on infrastructure.

“Yung concreting of roads… yun talaga ang main concern dito sa amin since there are still [some] dilapidated roads in Sison na nagpapahirap for the transportation of our agricultural products,” the mayor said.

They plan on using their Assistance to Municipalities funds for last year from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to construct local access roads. The mayor hinted that the project is in preparation for their housing project for local farmers.

Last week, the local government was able to implement the Community Support Program (CSP) in Brgy. Ima after having been cleared from the influence of communist terrorist groups, which required neutralizing more than 100 residents who supported the leftist cause.

“Plan namin po na pagbutihin talaga yung services namin. We have to package all our services and bring them to the grassroots level. Yun talaga yung aim namin,” Mayor Fetalvero-Paronia said.

As they continue to pursue the fight against Caraga INFOCUS

N EYES PROGRAMS VS INSURGENCY

insurgency, the local government is also hopeful for the establishment of the Provincial Mobile Force Company in their town to better equip the local police force. A hectare of land was donated for such a project.

Ending insurgency is paramount to what the town mayor has envisioned for Sison, which is to transform it into the main government hub in the province.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has already established its provincial office in the area. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Caraga INFOCUS

(LTFRB) provincial office is expected to establish its own office in the town as well. Next on that list is, hopefully, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) office, she said.

“[In] the soonest possible time, Sison will soar high and rise among the municipalities here in Surigao del Norte after masolve namin ang insurgency.

We have a lot to offer here. Malaki po yung future ng Sison na we will be able to surpass all these things,� said Mayor Fetalvero-Paronia. (DMNR/PIACaraga) January 23-29, 2021 |

23

SURIGAO NORTE TOWN UPBEAT ON LOCAL VACCINATION PROGRAM

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales The local government of Sison town in Surigao del Norte is “hopeful” to have its people vaccinated in time for the vaccine rollout of the national government next month.

Municipal Mayor Klarissa Fetalvero-Paronia said during the Laging Handa Network Briefing episode today, January 22, that while funding is a great concern, they are identifying possible sources of funds to implement the program.

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| January 23-29, 2021

“Being the poorest town in the province, we are trying to gather resources especially from our DRR (Disaster Risk Response) funds for this quarter. But we still have to establish that first.

Above all, we want the marginalized sector to be addressed first,” she said.

The indigenous people (IP) communities and the vulnerable sectors such as the elderly, the disabled, and pregnant and lactating

women will be among the first to receive the vaccines.

The local official is optimistic that they can carry out vaccination for its people with the help of national government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) that can help them in their endeavour, as well as the provincial government of Surigao del Norte.

(DMNR/PIA-Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS

YOUTH GROUPS IN SISON ADVOCATE AGAINST INSURGENCY

By Venus L. Garcia With the continuing armed attacks and threats by the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) that affect communities especially the most vulnerable sectors including the youth, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of the municipality of Sison in this province is relentless in pushing for activities and creating a holistic approach aimed at weakening the insurgents.

In his guesting during the Laging Handa Network Briefing on Friday, Warren Maitel, SK federation president, emphasized the significant role of the youth in nation-building and in the fight versus insurgency.

“Patuloy po Caraga INFOCUS

ang SK ng Sison sa pagpapatupad ng iba’t ibang aktibidad para sa mga kabataan para hindi sila ma-recruit ng New People’s Army (NPA) at hindi nila maramdaman na left behind sila.

Kasama rin diyan ang malawakang information drive laban sa droga at terorismo,” Maitel said.

He said that getting them involved in the local community can boost their confidence and self-esteem and would

help them to become empowered to assert and claim their human rights out from knowing the legal and social implications.

Maitel also urged the young individuals in their locality to continue with what they have started doing as a contribution to the community or even in enriching themselves.

“Ipagpatuloy natin ang ating nasimulan sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan. Sa mga January 23-29, 2021 |

25

mag-aara, laban lang.

Kung mayroon kayong gusting sabihin o tulong, just contact SK Sison sa mobile phone at FB page/messenger ko para matulungan kayo lalo sa panahon ngayon,” he said.

The SK federation of Sison also plans to carry on the programs that were not implemented in the previous year primarily of health and education.

“Nariyan po yung provision of school supplies. Gagawa rin

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| January 23-29, 2021

tayo ng Youth Leadership Summit at sports activities kung ma-lift na ang pandemic.

Mahalaga rin ang pagsasagawa seminar on mental health,” said Maitel.

The SK members are also thankful to the local government unit of Sison for the scholarship grants and other assistance to the students.

Maitel recounted the efforts of the LGU led by Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia in keeping their area safe

and secure despite the presence of the CTG.

For her part, Mayor Paronia expressed her gratitude to the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police. “Last week. We had our community support program in Brgy.

Ima and they have been cleared. This time, kailangan paigtingin at pagbutihin talaga yung sevices naming and bring them to the grassroots level,” she said. (VLG/PIASurigao del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

SISON TOWN PROMOTES ECOTOURISM SITES Derived from its ancient name “Bugsukan,” which means “to tie or bind together,” the municipality of Sison in Surigao del Norte shaped the nature of its people to unite and sectoral groups to amalgamate, pushing the same interest for development, urban productivity, and ecotourism promotion.

Through the years, the residents enjoyed the abundance of its natural resources and beauty of rolling hills, medium-

By Venus L. Garcia sized plains and valleys, crystal-clear mountain springs, waterfalls, and small lagoons, which characteristically are desirable factors for agriculture and ecotourism.

According to Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia, who guested in the Laging Handa Network Briefing, the town has an Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of P76 million which is comparatively low compared to other towns and city in the Surigao

del Norte province.

However, she said that this did not hamper the delivery of needed services to its residents and the improvements in the area.

The local government unit (LGU) of Sison takes pride in its Kanyagtiw Mountain Range, where visiting tourists can enjoy trekking, mountain climbing, and exploring nature. It is one of the highest mountain peaks in Surigao del Norte, located in Barangay

Gacepan, Mayag and Ima, which is suited for mountaineering sports activities.

“It offers different unique species of flora and fauna. We also have our tallest falls and busay,” Paronia mentioned.

As featured in the provincial website, the municipality of Sison is also unrivaled in offering a range of destinations and tourist spots such as the Mabuhat Hot Spring, situated in Hanagsaan River. Locals claimed its therapeutic effect because of its sulfuric water substance and its hot to lukewarm water.

The mini-lagoon

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| January 23-29, 2021

found in the foot of Mount Piakle, Upper Patag is also known for its crystal-clear and cool water even during hot summer. It would be a perfect place for boating, picnics and other passive recreational activities.

Paronia however said that with the unprecedented global health crisis due to COVID-19, tourism flows have also been heavily affected by restrictions on the movement of people, but she assured to give the best service and hospitality it can offer to their guests once a certain level of tourism activities can be allowed

in this ‘new normal.’

“Being a fifth class municipality, the local government is still able to deliver equitable and quality services to the people. Our main source of income is agriculture.

Top most is the rice and we also have high-value crops such as coconut, fruit trees, bananas, industrial falcata, corn and also livestock,” Paronia said.

The mayor said they are still fostering networks to tap additional funding sources for ecotourism site development. (Venus L. Garcia/PIA-Surigao del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

PMO SURIGAO JOINS ZERO WASTE MONTH CLEAN-UP DRIVE

By NC Nusog

In support of advocacy efforts for zero waste, the Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao joined a multi-sectoral ‘Clean-Up’ Drive to celebrate January as “Zero Waste Month.”

With the theme “Engaging Response to the Changing Environment,” the PMO joined other agencies and barangays in the city for the early morning clean-up activity on January 22, 2021.

For its part, the PMO Surigao contingent worked on areas near the port of Surigao.

Wielding broomsticks, sacks (to contain waste/debris) and other cleaning implements, around 34 PMO Surigao personnel participated in cleaning up its designated area.

Presidential Proclamation No. 760 has designated January as ‘Zero Waste Month’ which defined Zero Waste Caraga INFOCUS

as an advocacy that promotes the designing and managing of products and processes to avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials.

(PMO-PPA Surigao/PIASurigao del Norte) January 23-29, 2021 |

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PMO SURIGAO CUSTOMERS WIDELY ACCEPT E-PAYMENT SYSTEM

By Susil D. Ragas

Customers at ports under the Port Management Office (PMO) Surigao has apparently adopted the e-Payment “cashless” system, enabling them to be among the top PMOs in the country with the highest number of online payment transactions.

PMO Surigao Acting Port Manager Froilan Caturla said that since the e-Payment system was launched, all Permit to Operate (PTO) and Philippine Port Authority (PPA) Accreditation fees

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| January 23-29, 2021

were paid through the online facility.

“We have encouraged our customers to avail the online system, and at times even went our way to assist them in making online payments,” Caturla added.

Rolled out at PMO Surigao in the 3rd quarter of 2020, the PPA Electronic Payment System or e-Payment is initially made available for clients paying for

Port Ancillary Services Permit fees as well as PPA Accreditation fees.

Accessible through the Electronic Payment Portal (EPP) at the PPA website, the e-Payment is integrated with the PPA’s other online systems such as eAS, ePMS, iPORTS and also linked to Cargo Handling Operator (CHO) and Private Port Operators’ (PPO) online systems.

(NC Nusog, PMO-PPA/PIA-Surigao del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

PDI TOWN ALLOCATES P1.6M FOR COVID-19 VACCINE

By Jessica O. Mellejor

The local government unit (LGU) of Libjo town in the province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) earmarks an initial fund amounting to P1.6 million for the procurement of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine.

Libjo town Mayor Sonny Llamera said that the said fund is ready once the vaccine becomes available and hopes that all his constituents will be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

Caraga INFOCUS

He sought the assistance of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force to help the LGU in the procurement process.

According to Mayor Llamera, for the LGU to procure, there has to be an agreement among the national government, LGU, and the manufacturer.

PDI Governor Arlene “Kaka� Bag-ao also issued an executive order making vaccine procurement a top

priority of the LGU. Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Libjo town encourages the punong barangays to update their registry of barangay inhabitants as a preparation for the vaccine program roll-out of the national government, which is set to commence in the 2nd or 3rd quarter this year.

(DILG-Libjo/PIA-Surigao del Norte) January 23-29, 2021 |

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LGU SISON URGES LOCALS TO BE BLOOD DONORS The Rural Health Unit of the municipal government of Sison strongly encouraged the locals to participate in their regular blood donation program to help maintain the sufficient blood supply and prevent shortages as concerns about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) persist not only in Caraga region but in the communities across the country.

“We’ve seen the importance of having enough blood supply especially during this challenging time. So, despite of the pandemic, we still conducted our bloodletting program last year,” said Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia of the local government unit (LGU) of Sison as she guested at the Laging Handa Network Briefing on Friday.

She said they were able to facilitate more than 90 blood donors through a Mobile Blood Donation program in their town.

“We’re very thankful

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| January 23-29, 2021

By Venus L. Garcia

to our brave blood donors for their kindness and willingness to donate blood. This campaign must be sustained, as it is one of the necessary preparations for public health emergency.

You don’t have to be a doctor to save lives.

Just donate blood. It’s safe, it’s simple and it saves lives!” underscored Mayor Paronia.

For this initiative, Sison was declared as the Blood Hero LGU of the Week by the Department of Health – Center for Health and Development (DOHCHD) Caraga being the first LGU to conduct the said program.

LGU-Sison also

received a certificate of commendation from the Caraga Regional Hospital for the promotion of blood donation.

“Donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood.

Let’s help in making blood accessible to everyone,” said Mayor Paronia.

Republic Act No. 7719, also known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994, promotes voluntary blood donation to provide a sufficient supply of safe blood banks.

This act aims to inculcate public awareness that blood donation is a humanitarian act. (VLG/ PIA-Surigao del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

CARAGA’S MOST WANTED PERSON FALLS TO GOV’T AUTHORITIES The composite team of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Army successfully arrested Marcel N. Tejero also known as “Loloy Tejero,” the most wanted person in the regional level on January 15, 6:00am, at Sitio Camangahan, Brgy. Ban-as, Lianga, this province.

The team was composed of Lianga Municipal Police Station (MPS), 1st Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Regional Intelligence Division 13, Regional Intelligence Unit 13, and intelligence operatives of the 75th Infantry Battalion (75IB), and 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn), Philippine Army.

Based on the report, the suspect has standing warrants for three counts of murder, three counts of destructive Caraga INFOCUS

arson, grave threats, grave coercion, robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons.

Tejero, accordingly, was a member of the Magahat/Para-military group, involved in the killing of Ernesto Samarca, Dionel Campos, and Juvello Senzo, burning of ALCADEV (Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, Inc.) and robbed the victims in Km. 16, Sitio Hanayan, Brgy. Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur last Sept. 1, 2015.

Tejero and five other most wanted in the region have a monetary reward amounting to P1.2 million under DILG Memo Circular No. 2015-136 dated Nov. 23, 2015, it was learned. (NGBT/ PIA-Surigao del Sur) January 23-29, 2021 |

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PHILSYS STEP 1 PRE-REGISTRATION INUMPISAHAN NANG IPATUTUPAD SA SURSUR

By Nida Grace P. Barcena Inumpisahan na nang Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) sa lalawigan ng Surigao del Sur ang pagpapatupad ng Step 1 Pre-registration, alinsunod para sa pagpapatupad ng Republic Act (RA) No. 11055 o Philippine Identification System Act sa bansa.

Napag-alaman mula kay PSA Chief Statistical Specialist Ruel Dres, prayoridad nito sa kasalukuyan ang mga nasa liblib o nasa malalayong barangay na inumpisahan noong Enero 18 ng kasalukuyang taon.

Ang Step 1 pre-registration ay naglalayong itala ang demograpikong impormasyon at itakda ang susunod na appointment para sa mga magpaparehistro upang maayos, ligtas at mas mabilis na Step 2 Registration.

Napag-alaman mula sa opisyal na ang lahat ng mga magpaparehistro sa

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| January 23-29, 2021

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PhilSys ay kailangan dumaan sa preregistration at registration process.

Ito umano ang pagbahay-bahay ng Philippine Statistics Authority sa napiling lowincome household heads upang kolektahin ang kanilang demographic information at maibigay ang nakatakdang petsa at oras ng pagrehistro sa PhilSys.

Base sa huling ulat ng pagsubaybay (Enero 25), umabot na sa 10,813 ang mga nagparehistro sa buong lalawigan.

Ang Philippine I d e n t i f i c a t i o n System o PhilSys ay

nagsisilbing patunay ng pagkakakilanlan ng mga Pilipino, layunin umano nito na gawing simple, ligtas at amaayos ang mga transaksyon sa gobyerno at pribadong sector.

Dagdag pa ni Dres, lahat ng kanilang mga field personnel na kumukuha ng mga datus ay sumusunod sa mga health protocol gaya ng pagsuot ng facemask, face shield, alcohol at pag-obserba ng physical distancing sa gitna ng pandemyang kinakaharap sa buong bansa. (PIA-Surigao del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS

CSP NG 75TH IB NAGING MATAGUMPAY SA NAKALIPAS NA TAON

By Raymond Aplaya

Maliban sa pagpapaigting ng kanilang combat operation, tututukan rin ngayong taon ng 75th Infantry Battalion (75IB), Philippine Army ang kanilang Community Support Program (CSP) sa mga komunidad na kanilang nasasakupan kung saan kilala nang tagasuporta ng rebeldeng New Peoples Army (NPA).

Inihayag ni Lt. Col. Jeffrey Villarosa, Battalion Commander ng nasabing army battalion, na bagama’t maituturing na naging matagumpay ang nasabing programa sa nakalipas na taon, Caraga INFOCUS

mas paiigtingin pa rin nila ang pagsasagawa nito ngayong taon sa pamamagitan ng mga Grand Pulong – Pulong o Serbisyo Caravan sa mga kinokonsiderang focused areas o mga lugar na mataas pa rin ang impluwensya ng mga komunistang grupo.

Dagdag pa ni Col. Villarosa, na patuloy ang kanilang isinasagawang pagpapaunawa para sa mga naninirahan sa nasabing mga komunidad sa totoong problema ng bansa kungsaan dapat umanong maiintindihan na hindi solusyon ang armadong pakikibaka.

Kaugnay nito, nagpapasalamat na lang si Col. Villarosa sa positibong tugon ng mga naninirahan sa nasabing mga komunidad dahil sa unti - unting pagputol nang kanilang suporta sa mga rebelding grupo.

Ito umano ang isa sa mga magagandang resulta na naidudulot ng Whole–of–Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict kung saan marami na umanong mga rebeldeng NPA ang sumuko at muling bumalik sa pamahalaan. (DXJS RP Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur) January 23-29, 2021 |

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KAMPANYA LABAN SA ASF PINAIGTING SA BAYAN NG CANTILAN, SURSUR

By John Cuadrasal

FILE PHOTO

Pinaigting ng pamunuan sa bayan ng Cantilan, Surigao del Sur ang kampanya nito laban sa African Swine Fever (ASF) matapos ang isinagawang information education communication (IEC) campaign kahapon, Enero 20.

Matagumpay na naisagawa sa tanggapan ng Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) ng Cantilan ang naturang IEC sa mga myembro ng Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC),

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| January 23-29, 2021

partikular na ang 28 pangulo ng mga farmer associations ng bayan, kung saan pinalawig ang kanilang kaalaman ukol sa ASF at sa hakbangin ng LGU Cantilan laban dito.

Dagdag dito, ayon kay Dr. Jayzel dela PeĂąa, Municipal Veterinarian designate ng Cantilan, pinoproseso na ngayon ng LGU-Cantilan, sa pangunguna ni Mayor Maria Carla Pichay, ang pagbuo ng mga Barangay African Swine Fever Prevention Task

Force bilang dagdag hakbangin sa pag-iwas sa banta ng ASF.

Una nang inihayag ni Dr. Margarito La Torre, Acting Provincial Veterinary Officer ng Surigao del Sur, na unang nagkaroon ng kaso ng ASF sa lalawigan noong Nobyembre ng 2020 sa bayan ng Cortes ngunit agad na nakontrola ng kinauukulan sa pangunguna ng Department of Agriculture - Caraga.

(DXJS RP Tandag/PIASurigao del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS

AFP CHIEF OF STAFF DINALAW ANG 36IB SA GITNA NG MASUNGIT NA PANAHON SA SURSUR Sa kabila ng masungit na panahon ay hindi nagpasindak ang mismong chief of staff ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na si Gen. Gilbert Gapay para dalawin ang kanyang dating kinasapiang batalyon panahon ng tenyente pa lamang ganundin ang mga nasasakopang kasundaluhan sa Surigao del Sur kahapon.

Ito ang malugod na sinabi ni Lt. Col. Jezreel Diagmel, kasalukuyang commander ng 36IB ng Philippine Army (PA) na nakakasakop bilang area of operations sa hilagang bahagi ng Surigao del Sur mula Tandag City hanggang bayan ng Carrascal.

Ayon kay Lt. Col. Diagmel, sakay ng eroplano, sinuong ng pinakamataas na opisyal ng sandataang lakas ng bansa ang lalawigan na lumapag sa Tandag Airport.

Hindi maikakailang kahapon ay matindi ang naranasang mga pagulan buong araw. Sa Caraga INFOCUS

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

At Tandag City Airport (Photo credit to PGO)

katunayan, umabot pa ang babala na inilabas ng NDRRMC sa “orange warning.�

Naghinhintay naman kay Gen. Gapay ang isang simpleng seremonya na dinaluhan kapwa nina 401st at 402nd Bde Commanders Gen. Allan Hambala at Gen. Maurito Licudine na pawang nakabase sa Caraga. Bukod aniya ito sa presensiya ng Deputy Commander ng 4th Infantry Division na nakabase sa Cagayan de Oro City. Kasama rin

ni Gen. Gapay si Lt. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, ani Diagmel.

Sa isinagawang programa na tinampokan nang paggawad ng parangal kay Surigao del Sur Gobernador Alexander Pimentel ng AFP Kapayapaan 2020 ay hinikayat aniya ni Gen. Gapay ang kasundaluhan na ipagpatuloy ang mabuting paggampan ng mga ito sa tungkulin.

(Greg Tataro, Jr. - DXJS RP-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur) January 23-29, 2021 |

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PAMPUBLIKONG OSPITAL SA SURSUR SINUBUKAN NANG GAMITIN ANG DE-MANONG MAKINA SA ITINAYONG MOLECULAR LAB

By Greg Tataro, Jr. Sinubukan nang gamitin ang de-manong makina sa itinayong molecular laboratory sa Adela SerraTy Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC) sa lungsod nitong nagdaang linggo.

Ayon kay Recklyn Ruaza, tagapagsalita ng pinakamalaking p a m p u b l i k o n g pagamutan ng Department of Health (DOH) dito, malalaman ngayong araw mula sa Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)

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| January 23-29, 2021

ang resulta ng isinumiting limang samples sa coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) proficiency test (PT) noong Biyernes.

Ayon pa kay Ruaza, sakaling pumasa ay saka pa mapagkakalooban ng license to operate (LTO) ang naturang molecular lab. Mangangahulugan dito itong matutuldukan na ang pagiging nakadepende higit sa Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) sa Davao City.

Dumating din

sana ang nakalaang automated machine dito higit isang buwan na ang nakakaraan.

Subali’t ang masaklap lang ay nagkataong may hindi umano nagtugmang piyesa bagay na pansamantalang ipinahiram muna ang de-manong makina galing Department of Health-Caraga, ayon kay Medical Center Chief Dr. Janice Pagaran-Alcordo.

(DXJS RP-Tandag/PIASurigao del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS

AGUSAN DEL NORTE TOWN VILLAGERS DENOUNCE, ABANDON NPA TERRORISTS By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang

The members of the Milisya ng Bayan (MB) and Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) in Las Nieves town in Agusan del Norte have withdrawn their support from the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorists (CNTs) and pledged their allegiance to the government. The withdrawal of support to the CNT movement was done during the mass surrender ceremony conducted on January 21, 2021, in Barangay Casiklan, Las Nieves.

The MB and UGMO members decided to abandon the cause of the CNT and return to the fold of the law after the series of peace consultation and dialogues made by the troopers of the Caraga INFOCUS

23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB) with the support of the local government unit (LGU) and different line agencies of the government.

The series of dialogues started on December 12, 2020, where residents were asked to ventilate the main issues in their communities, especially on the concerns of peace and order and the presence and recruitment of the CNT members in their communities.

Five members of MB and 448 CNT mass supporters under the existing UGMO in

Barangay Casiklan have withdrawn their support to the communist movement and pledged allegiance to the government of the Republic of the Philippines during the said activity last Thursday. The residents said they could no longer endure the harassment, extortion, and recruitment of the CNT members in their community. Aside from the daily dose of terrorism, the residents said the CNTs blocked the development programs and projects of the government that resulted January 23-29, 2021 |

39

in the underdevelopment of their community. The absence of development initiatives, they said, caused privations and poverty among the residents.

Alias “Berto”, a former rebel who hails from Casiklan shared his experiences and difficulties when he was still supporting fully the communist movement.

“Nag sige ko og balhin ug puy-anan ug kanunay nagdagan dagan ug tago tungod sa kahadlok nga madakpan sa mga kasundalohan.

Mao pag abot sa mga sundalo diri sa barangay, nag desisyon gyod ko nga mag surrender na sa sabakan sa atong gobyerno. Dako ang akong kalipay nga ang atong gobyernmo nia na mitabang pagsulbad sa kalisod sa atong barangay.

Mao nga magtinabay ug maningkamot kita

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| January 23-29, 2021

sa pagsalikway sa mga dautang binuhatan sa mga NPA kay dako kaayo ang kahasol nga ilang gidala sa atong komunidad (I don’t have permanent address to stay, we keep on running, because we are afraid that the miitary will caught us, that’s why I have decided to surrender. I am happy that our government is helping us to start a new life),” Berto said.

Provincial Director Rey Cueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Agusan del Norte (TESDA-ADN) witnessed the mass surrender on Thursday and extended his compliments to the residents for reaching such a decision. Cueva said TESDA, in partnership with the 23IB and the LGU, provides support to the residents in the area, particularly in the field

of honing their technical skills for increased productivity.

“Part of our mandate is to develop self-reliant, resilient, productive, and sustainable communities through the implementation of harmonized and culturally responsive development training programs. TESDA, as the head office on Poverty Reduction Livelihood Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC), in partnership with LGU of Las Nieves and the 23IB, commits several livelihood training in your barangay to uplift the lives of the residents,” Cueva said.

Las Nieves Mayor Avelina S. Rosales cited the courage of the residents of Casiklan in condemning the CNT and making a turn to the right path for the good future of their community.

“As you chose to start living a new life, I am sure that you will never regret the decisions you made today because in the coming years, you will reap the good fruits of progress and development not only for Caraga INFOCUS

your family but including your whole community and our nation. You were just victims of the CNTs who destroyed your future and your families. No one will be responsible for solving our own problems, we need to make a move in order to get away from poverty,” Rosales said.

Jerry S. Laurito, the provincial administrator of Agusan del Norte who represented Gov. Dale B. Corvera during the activity also recognized the bravery and resolve of the residents to cut their ties from the terrorist movement and embrace new lives with the government.

“This activity is not only for the AFP, PNP, the LGU, and the line government agencies.

This activity is designed for you, for the people of this barangay, who wished to live normally and peacefully. Armed conflict is a hindrance to development and progress because it disturbs our daily livelihood activities,” Laurito said.

He added that the government is always ready to find solutions to the problems of barangays through the provisions of programs Caraga INFOCUS

and services.

“With the help of TESDA, who works with the 23IB and the LGU, we will develop livelihood projects in your barangay, especially agricultural production in order for you to have a sustainable livelihood and help our government in recovering the status of our economic system.

Kay kung walay kalinaw, walay kalambuan,” Laurito said.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23IB thanked the members of the council of Casiklan for the trust and cooperation they bestowed to the Army and the line agencies of the government.

He also commended the local residents for their help in ending the local communist armed conflicts in Casiklan.

“For over 52 years, thousands of villagers were seduced by and recruited by the NPA. But what accomplishment or contributions, especially in terms of economic development, the NPA had brought and implemented in Casiklan? Nothing. Wala sila’y naitabang kaninyo sulod sa pipila ka tuig nga

pasalig ug pagpangilad,” Paulo said.

He emphasized that the 23IB is thankful that finally, the people of Casiklan realized the grand deceit and trickery of the NPA movement.

“Dako ang among pasalamat kay gisalikway na ninyo ang mga teroristang NPA ug boluntaryong mibalik sa sabakan sa panggamhanan,” Paulo said.

The mass surrender of the residents of Casiklan will also push down the NPA movement in the area given that they have lost a community where they extort support for food and finances.

“The NPA will suffer more from hunger and exhaustion as the people will no longer welcome them in this community.

They can no longer extort money and ask food supplies to support their daily needs,” Paulo said.

Without the support of the local populace, politicians, business owners, and other supporters, the CNT will eventually die in Agusan del Norte, Paulo emphasized.

(CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte) January 23-29, 2021 |

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ANDAM NA ANG AGUSAN DEL NORTE ALANG SA PAG-ARANGKADA SA PROCESS! PROCESS! PROCESS!

By Karen Kei V. Decamotan Gipirmahan ni Gobernador Gob. Corvera.

Beyond Rice sa RTR o ang Dale B. Corvera karon Pinaagi sa maong pagproseso sa bugas sa probinsya sa Agusan mga processing projects ngadto sa kakanin, bino del Norte ang siyam gilantaw sa probinsya ug uban pang produkto; ka Memorandum of nga makab-ot ang Waste to Energy Power Understanding (MOU) panglantaw niini nga Plant sa Magallanes; alang sa hiniusang mahimong agri-processing Abaca Handicraft paglihuk pagpahiluna center sa rehiyon sa Village sa Syudad sa og mga Core Processing Caraga, mahimong Cabadbaran; Mineral Projects sa mga lungsod sa mas produktibo pa Processing sa Tubay; Agusan del Norte ug niini ang resources niini, Integrated Coconut andam na ang probinsya makamugna og libuang Processing Center sa sa pag-arangkada sa trabaho ug mahaw-as Jabonga, ug; Food Basket Process! Process! Process! ang daghan sa pamilya o ang pagtanum ug Project, ang kaluhang niini gikan sa kawad-on. pagproseso og pagkaon proyekto sa Plant! Plant!

Kasabot sa probinsya sa Kitcharao.

Plant! Project ubos sa sa maong mga MOU ang Kasamtangang gi-proseso AGUSAN UP! mga Local Chief Executive usab ang mahimong

Ang AGUSAN UP! o Mayor sa matag lungsod kasabutan alang sa mao ang kampanya o syudad ug mga nag- Feed Mill sa Las Nieves, sa pagpalambo sa unang industry players, sa Sardine Processing sa administrasyon ni Gob. ang buhatan ni Kongresista Buenavista ug sa Banana Dale B. Corvera kaabag Amante-Matba ug mga Processing sa Santiago. ang buhatan ni Kongresista nasudnong ahensya.

Gitakda nga himoan Angel Amante-Matba.

Ang Core Processing ang nahisgutang mga

Ang Core Processing Projects nga sumala pa proyekto og feasibility Projects mao ang sa MOU pangunahan studies, hulmahon mahimong dugokang sa probinsya ang ang mga corporate e k o n o m i k a n h o n g pagpahiluna mao ang entities niini, pangitaan kalihukan sa pagproseso mosunod: Nasipit Agusan sa gikinahanglang ug mahimong merkado del Norte Industrial Estate investments unya dayon sa abot sa mga kalihukan o NANIE ug Chocolate na sa pagpatuman niini. sa Plant! Plant! Plant! o sa Procsessing City sa lungsod mga hilaw nga materyales sa Nasipit; Orchard (Agusan Up, LGU Agusan nga abunda ang usa ka Stopover o pagproseso del Norte/PIA Agusan del lugar, sumala pa kang ug prutas sa Carmen; Norte)

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| January 23-29, 2021

Caraga INFOCUS

LGU CBR MOHATAG PRIBILEHIYO SA MGA DIFFERENTLY-ABLED PERSONS NGA OPERATORS SA MOTORIZED TRYCYCLE

By Ramil L. Pasco

Aprobado na ug gideklarang balido sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa Agusan del Norte sa ikaduhang pagbasa atol sa sesyon regular kaniadtong Enero 05, 2021, ang City Ordinance No. 2020-038 nga gikan sa Sanguniang Panglungsod sa Cabadbaran ning probinsya, nga nagtugot nga walay bayad ang tanan DiffererentlyAbled Persons (DAP) nga mga operator sa motor traysikol sa rehistro ug uban pang mga singil alang sa katuyoan Caraga INFOCUS

nga makuha ang mga permits/prangkisa sa pagpadagan sa mga traysikol nga mga pampoblikong sakyanan.

Naaprobahan kini base sa Chapter 6, Section 26 of RA 7277, kong giila nga “Magna Carta of Disabled Persons� nga nagkanayon nga hatagan og katakus ang tawo nga adunay kapansanan ug gitugotan nga magmaneho sa mga sakyanan nga motor traysikol nga nahiuyon sa mga balaod ug regulasyon nga giisyu

sa Land Transportation Office (LTO) nga may kalabotan sa kinaiyahan sa ilang kakulangan.

Ang maong lakang giaprobahan pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 003-2021, nga gipangunahan ni Board Member Francisco Y. Chan, Jr., tsirman sa Committee on Ways and Means inubanan nila ni Board Member Rodulfo A. Pitogo ug si Board Member Erwin L. Dano isip mga co-authors. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte) January 23-29, 2021 |

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BUHIS SA SAND AND GRAVEL DAKU ANG NAHIMONG AMBAG SA PAGTAAS SA KITA SA PROBINSYA

Corvera

Daku ang nahimong ambag sa koleksyon gikan sa buhis sa sand and gravel sa kinatibukang kita sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte sa tuig 2020 ug nahimong yaweh niini ang ordinansa nga gipasa sa Sangguniang Panglungsod sa tuig 2019 nga nagmandu niini, sumala pa kang Gob. Dale B. Corvera.

Sulod sa katuigan nag-charge lang ang probinsya og extraction fee sa mga sand and gravel quarry permittees ug sumala sa gitugot sa Local Government Code nag-imposar ang probinsya pinaagi sa Provincial Ordinance No.

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| January 23-29, 2021

By Shena Mae Pabia Revenue 524-2019, 2019 Revenue Code, sugod sa tuig 2020 og buluhisan sa buhangin ug graba nga kuhaon sa mga kasubaan sa probinysa, pasabot ni Gob. Corvera atol sa Executive Committee meeting sa mga hepe sa opisina sa kapitolyo karong bag-o lamang.

Gikan sa kinatibukan koleksyon sa sand and gravel nga Php26,236,009.00 sa tuig 2018 ug Php 41,003,408.00 sa 2019, moakabat sa Php 95,262,333.45 na kini sa tuig 2020.

Ang laing Nakatabang mao ang “Build!

Build!

Build!” program sa gobyerno sa milabay’ng mga tuig” tungod kay midaghan ang demand sa sand and gravel tungod niini, sumala pa ni Adela Antiga, sa Envrionment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) sa probinsya.

Dugang ni Antiga nga nakatabang usab pagbutang sa probinsya og mga personahe sa probinsya sa mga checkpoint nga mosusi

sa matag truck nga nagkarga og graba sa probinysa.

Butyag ni Antiga nga pinaagi niini masusi kung naay Delivery Receipt [DR] ang mga hauling truck nga gakarga ug buhangin.

Kadtong wala niini kolektahan og mga fees, registrations, permits, fines and penalties.

Ang pagpataas sa local collection sa probinsya kabahin sa kampanya sa pagpalambo ni Gob. Corvera ubos sa AGUSAN UP! aron mapaangat ang estado sa probinsya gikan sa 3rd Class ngadto sa 1st Class province ug makapadangat ug dugang pang mga serbisyo pag-abot sa 2027.

Kinahanglang naay local collection ang usa ka probinsya nga mga Php500 million matag tuig aron ma-classify nga 1st class province. Naa pa lang sa dul-an sa Php150 million ang lokal nga kita sa probinsya matag tuig.

(LGU Agusan del Norte/ PIA Agusan del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

AFRICAN SWINE FEVER MAHIMONG MAKUHA SA PASAW NGA PAGKAON SA BINUHING BABOY Subling nagpahimangno ang Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) nga likayan ang swill feeding kon pagpakaon og mga pasaw sa mga binuhing hayup ilabi na sa mga baboy aron malikayan ang posibleng pagtapot sa sakit nga African Swine Fever (ASF).

Sumala ni Dr. Belen Aruelo, Provincial Veterinarian sa Agusan del Norte, nag-unang hinungdan sa pagkaylap sa sakit nga ASF mao ang pagbahug og mga pagkaon nga dili angay ipakaon sama sa mga salin-salin sa kusina, ug kadtong mga gi-dispose sa foreign vessels ug aircrafts.

“Dili gayud maayo nga ipakaon nato nang mga left-overs nato, mga pasaw kay mao man ni ang rason diha gyud makuha ang sakit labi na kining ASF,” sulti ni Dr. Aruelo.

Padayong gimonitor sa Task Force on African Swine Fever and other Emerging and Re-emerging Transboundary Animal Caraga INFOCUS

By Angel Lyn F. Gaviola

Diseases Prevention and Control sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte sa pagpanguna sa PVO ang pagbaligya sa mga produktong processed meat ilabina kadtong mga local processors tungod kay dunay dakong posibilidad ang ilegal nga pagpayuhot sa mga produkto gikan sa laing rehiyon nga kontaminado sa sakit.

“Mostly ang gamonitor gyud ang mga munisipyo sa ilang area, mo-coordinate sila sa amo once naay suspect nila but so far, ang atong mga processors nag-

undang sa sila karon tungod kay walay supply sa baboy,” sigon ni Dr. Aruelo.

Gidasig sa buhatan ang publiko nga itaho gilayon sa PVO o kaha sa ilang tagsa ka munisipyo ang unsa mang mamatikdan nga kalihokan nga dili kasarangan sama sa ilegal nga pag-ihaw og mga baboy nga dili sa Locally Registered Meat Establishments (LMRE) o sa mga rehistradong slaughterhouse gihimo.

(Agusan Up, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte) January 23-29, 2021 |

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MINDANAO NEWS

12 MINDANAO FISHING VILLAGES GET DRYERS, POST-HARVEST EQPT. Fishermen in 12 Mindanao fishing communities will soon be marketing Spanish Sardines and vacuumpacked Dried Fish as the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) provides them with steam-powered fish dryers, retort machines and vacuum-packing equipment.

The project of providing poor fishing families with post-harvest equipment to add value to their catch is part of the Mindanao Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Program Caraga INFOCUS

initiated by MinDA. The Mayors of Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay and Nasipit, Agusan del Norte have already signed the Memorandum of Agreement with MinDA in simple ceremonies this week.

The Grant Fund coming from the meager resources of MinDA will be used to acquire a locally fabricated Mini-Boiler, Steam-Powered Fish Dryer and Retort Machine for Spanish Sardines-making of a women’s group in

Barangay Ata-Atahon in Nasipit.

The same amount of Grant Fund given to Olutanga will be used in acquiring a bio-mass powered Mini-Boiler, a Steam-Powered Fish Dryer and a vacuum packing equipment to produce sanitary and high quality dried fish from the island town of Zamboanga Sibugay.

The identification of the post-harvest facilities needed by the towns was made during the series of trips I made as early January 23-29, 2021 |

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as last year when MinDA designed the MinFAD. The MinFAD aims to establish post-harvest facilities in at least 22 Fishing Grounds of Mindanao, including Basilan, Sulu and Tawitawi to improve the productivity of poor fishing communities.

Many of these rich fishing grounds lack the basic post-harvest facilities such as Ice-Makers, BlastFreezers and Cold Storage, including Dryers for dried fish making and Retort Machines for bottled Spanish Sardines-making.

The post-harvest facilities and equipment which the first 12 fishing villages will receive were fabricated locally by a multi-awarded inventor from Butuan City, Engr.

Rudy Cane.

Cane designed the bio-mass powered MiniBoiler to produce steam for the Dryers which could be used even during rainy days and nighttime thus improving the productivity of the fishermen.

The Mini-Boiler also powers a mini-Retort Machine capable of steaming 500 bottles every 3 hours for Spanish Sardines-making.

The VacuumPacking Machine which

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| January 23-29, 2021

will come in the package to be sourced from the commercial market.

All of these interventions will only cost P424,000 per location instead of millions if the facilities and equipment were to be acquired commercially.

Other towns which will soon receive the same equipment are Jabonga, Agusan del Norte which produces the Pijanga Dried Fish, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur which produces dried Mudfish and Catfish and

Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur which also produces Dried Fish.

The remaining 7 fishing villages which will receive the Grant Fund from MinDA will be identified soon.

The Nasipit, Agusan del Norte and Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay MinFAD Post-harvest facilities are expected to be operational by February this year, in time for the lifting of the Fishing Ban in most fishing grounds in Mindanao.

Caraga INFOCUS

POOR LANAO TOWN BUILDS 6 SPIS, 1 WATER SYSTEM While the whole world was virtually paralyzed by a Pandemic, a poor town in Lanao del Sur, Taraka, yesterday celebrated a Day of Courage with the start of the construction of six units of Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems and a huge Solar-Powered Water System.

Present during the launching ceremonies led by officials of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) were Caraga INFOCUS

Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) President Emmanuel G. Herbosa, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong, Jr., Taraka Mayor Nashiba Sumagayan, Vice Mayor Odin Sumagayan and local officials of Lanao del Sur and Taraka.

When completed 3 to 4 months from now, the six units of the SolarPowered irrigation System will cover a 1,000-hectare area for rice farming

allowing the Maranao farmers to plant and harvest at least 5 times in two years, or an average of 2.5 times a year.

The Solar-Powered Water System will provide filtered-potable water for the 25,000 residents of one of the oldest towns of Lanao del Sur. Both projects will draw water from the Taraka River which meanders through the town proper from the January 23-29, 2021 |

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mountains as it winds down to Lake Lanao.

What makes these projects remarkable and historic is the fact that this is the first time a local government unit in Mindanao, specifically the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, dared to implement a project using its own resources.

All of these projects are part of the Mindanao Water Supply Program launched by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) on Dec. 6, 2019 in partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the different local government units in Mindanao.

The project is historic and trailblazing since it is

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| January 23-29, 2021

fully funded by the Taraka Local Government Unit through a loan provided

by DBP.

Part of the loan proceeds was used to purchase roadbuilding equipment to build a network of farm to market roads in the town.

This project has also become a symbol of courage for the Maranaos of Taraka and the workers of MinDA

and DBP who pursued the project when most other officials of government stayed in the safe confines of their offices in the midst of the COVID 19 threat.

Personally, it was a moment of fulfillment for me as a government worker as well because the philosophy of selfreliance in governance has finally been embraced by a poor but brave town in Lanao del Sur. Caraga INFOCUS

NATIONAL NEWS

Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President of Siquijor Brylle Deeiah Tumarong discussed the programs and projects of the youth group amid the COVID-19 pandemic, during the Network Briefing News with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar.

SK SIQUIJOR UNDERSCORES PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS PANDEMIC TOLL ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH Local youth leaders are stepping up to address the simmering mental health crisis among young people, while the country continues to grapple with the impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President of Siquijor Brylle Deeiah Tumarong on Tuesday discussed the initiatives of the provincial

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| January 23-29, 2021

government on this, noting that the suicide cases among the youth in Siquijor in 2020 were alarming.

“This pandemic brought a lot of challenges not just to the Kabataang Siquijor but to the rest of Siquihodnons in the entire province,” he said during a taped interview for Network Briefing News with host Presidential Communications

Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar.

According to Tumarong, there were seven (7) recorded suicide cases from August to December of last year.

“It’s very alarming in the entire province because somehow for the first time, there would be continuous suicide cases in the province of Siquijor,” she said.

Caraga INFOCUS

She said a task force was created to help address the deteriorating mental health of youth amid the pandemic, including the conduct of outdoor sports activities and training more young individuals to help cope with the pressing restrictions.

“Currently, we have allowed the young Siquihodnons to participate in sports tournaments or sports activities, granted that all the minimum public health standards should be strictly observed.

Considering the fact that according to research, sports could help us mentally,” she said.

Through the task force, the SK also mobilized other youth leaders and extended its programs in schools.

“After our governor signed the executive order on the creation of the said task force, immediately, we called for a meeting where we discussed the possible plans or programs of the province,” she said.

“One of them is to train more young individuals to help us in group dynamics to help us in different issues Caraga INFOCUS

that concern the young Siquihodnons, and also to create a group in the school level wherein we put drop boxes for letters so that individuals, even our teachers and the students, would express their feelings,” she added.

Tumarong, who is also the designated spokesperson of the Siquijor Provincial Task Force against COVID-19, bared the provincial LGU is supportive and is ready to train young leaders that will help in conducting psychological first-aid to distressed youths and frontline workers.

SK as anti-insurgency advocates Meanwhile, Tumarong

also discussed that the SK Federation of Siquijor is engaged in programs aiming to attain peace and security in the country. A Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) was conducted, which aims to bring the government closer to the youth sector, especially that they are vulnerable to the deception of communist-terrorist groups.

“It may be a small step for other individuals, but this is our one big step in helping not just the entire province of Siquijor, but also the entire Republic of the Philippines,” she said.

(PCOO) January 23-29, 2021 |

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ANDANAR WILLING TO BE AMONG FIRST TO GET COVID-19 VACCINE

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday expressed his willingness to be among the first to receive the vaccine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In an interview with dzXL-RMN, Andanar said he is ready to take the first jabs to encourage Filipinos to avail of the free Covid-19 vaccine once the government starts its mass immunization drive.

“Willing din ako sumama doon sa una, dahil para naman kada labas natin,

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| January 23-29, 2021

nangangampanya tayo para sa bakuna ay mayroon tayong maitatawag na walking the talk, ‘di ba? So, ako, no problem (I’m willing to join those who will receive the first vaccine shots so when we go on our information campaign, they can say we are walking the talk. So, I have no problem with that),” he said.

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go has repeatedly called on Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. to take up the

challenge to be the first persons to avail of the Covid-19 vaccine once it becomes available in the country.

Andanar said he, along with other PCOO officials, may be among the first to get the Covid-19 vaccine to prove its efficacy and safety.

“Ganoon din ang ating mga kasamahan sa PCOO, mga Undersecretary, siguro kailangan din nilang magpabakuna kaagad para makita ng ating mga kababayan, as communicators na iyong Caraga INFOCUS

mga nagsasalita, iyong mga ambassador ika nga, iyong mga nagpopromote ika nga ay sila ay nagbabakuna rin (Perhaps, our PCOO undersecretaries should also take the first Covid-19 vaccine shots so the public would be convinced that we as communicators who promote the vaccine are also ready to get inoculated),” he said.

On January 13, President Rodrigo Duterte said he and other government officials are willing to be the last in line to get vaccinated against Covid-19 to give way to priority groups, such as health care workers, uniformed personnel, and the indigents.

The Philippine government’s target is to start the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination program in February.

On Monday, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said about 63 percent of the country’s population, or 70 million people aged 18 years and above, are expected to be inoculated within the year.

D o m i n g u e z explained that between Caraga INFOCUS

57 million and 60 million Filipinos would secure the vaccines funded by the government, while the remaining 10 million to 13 million would be covered by local government units and the private sector.

Allay public apprehensions

Andanar said the government, through its “Explain, Explain, Explain” information campaign, aims to boost the public’s confidence in receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.

This was after private polling firm Pulse Asia, in its survey conducted from November 23 to December 2 last year, found that 47 percent of Filipinos do not want to get vaccinated.

Only 32 percent expressed willingness to receive the vaccine while the remaining 21 percent were still undecided.

While he acknowledged that it is a “big challenge” to convince all Filipinos to join the government’s mass vaccination drive, Andanar said the PCOO would do its best to equip the public with the right information about the vaccines.

“Sapagkat ayon kay Presidente ay

kailangan talagang mabakunahan ang ating mga kababayan para tayo ay magkaroon ng isang lipunan na puwede nang ulit mangarap, puwedeng makipag-compete sa ibang ekonomiya (The President has said our fellow Filipinos need to get inoculated so we can build a society that can once again dream and compete with other economies),” he said.

The PCOO and its attached agency, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), launched on January 19 the government’s “Explain, Explain, Explain” information campaign in Mandaue City, Cebu.

In his keynote speech during the launch of the information drive, Andanar said the PCOO and the PIA would continue to “disseminate and reiterate the need to observe health protocols and precautionary measures, to dispel false information, and to advocate for preparedness and vigilance and harnessing solidarity through participatory governance.” (PNA) January 23-29, 2021 |

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Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (File photo)

NOGRALES HAS NO PROBLEM RECEIVING VACCINE FIRST

By Azer Parrocha

Although President Rodrigo Duterte previously said that he and other government officials will be last to be vaccinated against coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Sunday said he has no problem getting shots to address vaccine hesitancy among Filipinos.

In an interview over DZBB, Nograles said he is willing to receive Covid-19 shots but only if health experts advise members of the Cabinet to help boost confidence in vaccines.

“Okay rin kami diyan pag sinabi ng mga experts sa amin na ‘O sampulan daw kayo’. Wala rin po kaming problema diyan para lang pataasin ang confidence ng mga magpapabakuna (We’re okay with it if experts ask us to get vaccines first.

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| January 23-29, 2021

We have no problem doing that to boost confidence),” he said.

However, Nograles explained that because of limited vaccine supply, government has already come up with a priority list which includes healthcare workers, teachers, social workers, other essential workers outside the health and education sector, overseas workers, and uniformed personnel.

“Ang konteksto po nun is because number one, limited po yung supply ng vaccine. Number two, dahil limited yung supply ng vaccine, meron tayong priority list (The context there is number one, the supply of vaccine is limited. Number two, because the supply is limited, we have a priority list),” he said.

He noted that Duterte and other Caraga INFOCUS

government officials will be last to make sure priority groups receive them first.

In a speech last Jan. 13, Duterte declared that he and his Cabinet members will be the last to receive the vaccine.

“Huli na kami. Kung may maiwan para sa amin, kay Bong [Go], kay Secretary [Delfin] Lorenzana, kung may maiwan, eh di para sa ‘tin. Unahin natin sila (We will be the last one. If there will be left for us, for Bong, for Secretary Lorenzana, then we will have them. Let’s prioritize them),” he said.

Despite this declaration, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte is still willing to be the first to be inoculated to convince more Filipinos to get vaccinated.

Duterte first expressed willingness to get injected in public with a vaccine that will be donated by the Russian government to the Philippines in August last year.

On Tuesday, Roque explained that Duterte will be “taking the route” of United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, who were inoculated with vaccine doses in private.

Roque added that the Palace will just make an announcement after Duterte’s vaccination.

The Philippines is set to spend around PHP82.5 billion for the procurement of 148 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from seven pharmaceutical firms, including China’s Sinovac and the United States’ Pfizer.

The government has so far secured around 25 million doses of Sinovac vaccine, with the first 50,000 doses set to arrive next month. (PNA) Caraga INFOCUS

2K BACOLOD KIDS GET FREE MEALS FROM TF ZERO HUNGER PARTNERS

By Nanette Guadalquiver Some 2,000 kids in this city have availed of free meals from the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen under the “Pilipinas Kontra Gutom” initiative of the government’s Task Force Zero Hunger.

The ceremonial turn-over of meals to Mayor Evelio Leonardia was led by Task Force Zero Hunger chairman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles and RMHC Executive Director Marie Angeles in a program held at the Bacolod Government Center on Monday.

“Tulad ng laban natin against Covid, tulad ng laban natin para makakuha ng vaccine, itong laban sa kagutuman kailangan din po magsanib puwersa (Just like our fight against Covid and our fight to secure the vaccine, we also need to join forces in the fight against hunger). ‘Yan po ang pinakalearning na nakuha ko nang ako ay tinalaga ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte to lead the fight sa hunger,” Nograles said in his inspirational message.

“We know that the problem brought by Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is the hunger problem,” he added.

The city is the first beneficiary of McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen meals in the Visayas as children from 15 villages January 23-29, 2021 |

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JOINING FORCES AGAINST HUNGER. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (right) with Task Force Zero Hunger chairman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (2nd from right), Ronald McDonald House Charities Executive Director Marie Angeles (2nd from left), and McDonald’s Bacolod franchisees Andrew and Michelle Antoinette Valencia during the ceremonial turn-over of meals from the McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen at the Bacolod Government Center on Monday (Jan. 25, 2021). The activity is part of the “Pilipinas Kontra Gutom” initiative of the government’s Task Force Zero Hunger and its private partners. (PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)

each received a meal of chicken fillet with rice and bottled water.

Some 100 beneficiaries in each of the 12 villages availed themselves of free meals. Three other villages had 200 beneficiaries each.

Other recipients were those staying in St. Mary’s Home for the Aged, Holy Infant Nursery Foundation Inc., and the city’s quarantine center.

Councilor Lady Gles GonzalesPallen, president of the Liga ang Mga Barangay, thanked the “Pilipinas Kontra Gutom” and the RMHC for their generosity.

“From the barangay captains of the 15 barangays and the 2,000 children who are recipients of the Kindness Kitchen meals, from the bottom of our hearts, madamo gid nga salamat (thank you very much). We will forever be grateful for your support and love to Bacolod City,” she said.

Aside from providing 2,000 meals distributed to various communities, the RMHC also provided meals to 100 local

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| January 23-29, 2021

government unit (LGU) volunteers.

McDonald’s has six stores in Bacolod, including the two franchise stores of couple Andrew and Michelle Antoinette Valencia of Bacolod CETUS Food Industries Inc. After launching the “Pilipinas Kontra Gutom” in November, Task Force Zero Hunger and its private partners have been collaborating with LGUs nationwide to distribute immediate reliefs for communities affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and the recent typhoons.

Its founding members include the country’s biggest corporations – CocaCola, Dole Philippines, J&J Philippines, McDonald’s, Metrobank, and San Miguel Corporation.

They pledged to provide meals for identified communities through the Ronald McDonald House Charities’ McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen.

As of Jan. 25, more than 400,000 meals have already been served across 33 areas. (PNA) Caraga INFOCUS

NOGRALES, ZERO HUNGER TASK FORCE, PILIPINAS KONTRA GUTOM LEAD PRIVATE SECTOR STRAT PLAN SESSION Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, head of the government’s Zero Hunger Task Force, led the holding of a strategic planning session with private sector stakeholders and organizers of Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) to concretize linkages and programs aimed at addressing hunger Caraga INFOCUS

and malnutrition among Filipino children.

The session was attended by reps of Task Force member agencies and non-government program partners.

Different “work streams” were formed last week, with the planning ending on Wednesay, January 27, 2021.

Nograles, recently

designated adviser of the Scaling Up Nutrition Network, expressed optimism about the Duterte administration’s anti-hunger initiatives.

“Our session and breakout groups were very productive. Working closely with our partners, we were able to agree on specific goals and set up concrete roadmaps January 23-29, 2021 |

59

are able to supplement our proprams using shared best practices. Nongovernment stakeholders in turn get access to our wide nationwide network and implementation mechanism.”

“Kailangan natin magtulungan.

Thinking and acting as one are the keys to successfully combating the threat of malnutrition and hunger,” the Cab Sec emphasized.

During the strat plan session, the former legislator drew commitments from attendees to vigorously continue pursuing their shared goals, and expressed gratitude to the participants for being “active food and hunger warriors.”

“We are all answering the call to service. Our aims are noble, our need to act is urgent. The Duterte administration is full-blast in this zero hunger effort. Let’s all make a positive difference this 2021 for the sake of our children and future generations,” Nograles stated. which we will implement this year as part of Pilipinas Kontra Gutom,” the Malacañang official said.

The Cab Sec added that the new collaborative outputs would build on government efforts at raising agricultural productivity and incomes of farmers, improve access to safe, nutritious, affordable food items particularly to marginalized families, and eradicate all forms of malnutrition.

“Our continuing mantra in achieving responsive government service is meaningful partnership with stakeholders. There’s a symbiotic relationship because we learn from our friends in the private sector. We

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IATF, NTF INSPECT MAKATI AND QC VACCINE ROLLOUT READINESS - NOGRALES

The local government units of Makati and Quezon City were visited by the Covid-19 Vaccine CODE Team last January 27 and 28, 2021, respectively, for discussions on their readiness for the government’s vaccination program rollout, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Friday.

The Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (C.O.D.E.) Team was formed by the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 and the Caraga INFOCUS

Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

It is composed of Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque, DILG Usec.

Jonathan E. Malaya, DILG Asec. Marcelo Morales, DOH Dir. Aleli Annie Grace Sudiacal, DOH Dir. Ariel Valencia, PCOO-PIA Usec. Ramon Cualoping and other reps from national government agencies.

Nograles, the IATF

Co-Chair, explained during the visits that the Team’s aim was to synthesize Covid-19 synergies and program thrusts to better implement the comprehensive vaccination program.

“We want proper coordination with our local governments to ensure the success of our vaccine roll-out.

There needs to be full alignment of strategies, interventions and best practices because the national government wants no less than a January 23-29, 2021 |

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smooth implementation of this important program,” the Malacañang official stressed.

Nograles thanked the head of the two LGUs, saying “We praise Mayor Abby Binay and Mayor Joy Belmonte, together with their vice mayors, city councilors and all city hall staff for their quick passage of the needed ordinances to support and implement vaccination.”

The two cities have allocated P1 billion to purchase Covid vaccines for their constituents.

The Cab Sec likewise assured that the national government would fill in and supplement whatever shortages there would be in the acquisition of vaccines, noting that “every Filipino -- whatever the economic status, whatever the age -- deserves to be treated and spared from this deadly scourge that has affected the lives of our citizens directly and indirectly.”

“The vaccine roll-out is one of the most important programs of the Duterte administration. Perhaps the most comprehensive health initiative ever in our history. We require the unqualified cooperation of every sector in this nationwide campaign. First, we eradicate the virus. Then we heal our economy, stimulate commercial activity and generate jobs,” the former legislator from Davao emphasized.

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PRC STARTS USE OF MILESTONE SYSTEM THAT WILL DEMOCRATIZE COVID TESTING – GORDON The Philippine Red Cross on Monday reached another milestone with the use of the Saliva RT-PCR testing for COVID-19, which, Senator Richard J. Gordon said, will democratize testing and detection of the disease.

At the official launching of the new testing system that the Department of Health recently approved for use in the Red Cross’ molecular laboratories, Gordon, PRC chairman and CEO, stressed that it is in line with the PRC’s mission of alleviating human suffering that prompted them to look for a cheaper, faster and non-invasive testing method.

“The Philippine Red Cross is not a spectator. It is a diligent worker towards alleviating human suffering kaya ngayong mga panahon na ito, naghahanap kami ng paraan kung Caraga INFOCUS

paano mapapawi ang kahirapan ng ating mga kababayan, hindi lang sa pera, sa paghahanap-buhay, sa mga ospital na nadadarang sa dami ng mga nagpupunta, ngunit lalo na sa ating mga kababyan natin na talagang hindi na makayanan ang sakit, ‘yung iba namamatay na lang. Ito ay talagang commitment namin sa Philippine Red Cross,” Gordon said.

“The Philippine Red Cross has always been an active auxiliary partner of government, hindi siya government.

And we are certainly following the fundamental principles that includes that we are independent and that we will also vow to alleviate human suffering and uplift human dignity. Today represents a milestone in the sense that we are democratizing the testing, binabaan natin ang presyo, binago January 23-29, 2021 |

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natin ang sistema. Naghahanap kami ng sistema na higit na makakatulong sa ating bansa,” he added.

The PRC chairman reiterated the importance of testing in ensuring victory over COVID-19, an enemy that is not visible to the naked eye, adding that the saliva test will ramp up detection of infected people so they could be isolated, treated and reintegrated back into society.

“Ang kalaban natin ay hindi

nakikita. Di natin malalaman kung sino kalaban natin kung hindi natin makikita, that’s why testing is important.

Kapag tayo’y nag-test maise-separate natin yung maysakit kaagad, maiisolate natin so we can prevent the spread after we detect. Then we can also treat – magagamot natin, lalo na kung maaga at pagkatapos, marireintegrate natin ‘yung mga taong nagkasakit sa ating lipunan,” he said.

GORDON SPONSORS COMMITTEE REPORT ON ANOTHER BREAK THROUGH BILL TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE Aiming to improve the administration of justice in the country, Senator Richard J. Gordon on Wednesday sponsored before the plenary the committee report on a proposed measure that would ensure the protection and security of the members of the Bench and the entire judiciary.

“Today, I am sponsoring another breakthrough bill for the judiciary. The killing of 34 judges killed over the years, and most of the

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killings have yet to be solved, shows the failure of the country to protect the magistrates of the land. Ito ay malaking sampal sa mukha ni Lady Justice. If our judges are not safe and cannot get justice for themselves, sino pa ang susunod sa batas? There is no rule of law,” he said in sponsoring substitute bill, Senate Bill No. 1947 or the “Judiciary Marshals Act. SBN 1947 is a consolidated bill composed of Gordon’s SBN 1181; Senate

President Vicente’s Sotto III’s SBN 1255; SBN 1209 by Senators Panfilo Lacson and Leila De Lima; and Senator Ronaldo Dela Rosa’s SBN 1237. Other senator also asked to be made co-author of the bill.

Since 1999, there had been 34 judges killed and only 10% of these killings have been solved.

The measure seeks the creation of the Judiciary Marshals which shall be primarily responsible for the security, safety, and protection of Caraga INFOCUS

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

the members, officials, personnel, and property of the Judiciary, including the integrity of the courts and their proceedings.

“This is aimed to protect, defend, safeguard, watch over, provide security and ensure the safety of justices, judges, court officials and personnel, including their families, and halls of justice, courthouses, and other court buildings and properties,” the senator who chairs the Committee on Justice and Human Rights said.

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Gordon said the Judicial Marshals will also be tasked to conduct threat assessments and undertake investigations and forensic analysis of crimes and other offenses committed. It could also conduct investigations concerning allegations of irregularities, including graft and corruption, committed by justices, judges, court officials and personnel, as directed by the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice, or the Court Administrator;

“This will send a strong message that you

cannot just kill a judge.

We must work together to ensure that our judicial system operates in a safe environment.

Judges, witnesses, court personnel, and law enforcement must not have to face threats of violence when carrying out their duties. These protections are crucial to the preservation of the independence of our Judiciary so that it can continue to serve as a bulwark protecting individual rights and liberty,” Gordon stressed.

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GORDON PROPOSES BILL GRANTING POWER TO THE PRESIDENT TO DEFER SSS CONTRIBUTION INCREASE DURING NAT’L EMERGENCIES Senator Richard J. Gordon, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, proposed a bill granting the President of the Republic the power to defer the increases in contributions of the Social Security System (SSS) in times of declared national emergency or state of calamity.

“The President should be given the authority during times of national emergencies such as this pandemic to defer the payment of increased rates by the members of the SSS. Walang pambayad ang mga tao dahil may pandemya. Gusto nating matulungan ang mga nahihirapan,” Gordon said on Tuesday during the committee hearing on the proposed measure.

“My position, therefore, would be to make the SSS law nimbler and leave the deferment of contribution increase for the President to decide, provided that there is a consultation with the SSS and affected stakeholders,” he stressed.

The bill amending Section 4(a)(9)

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CONTRIBUTED FILE PHOTO

of R.A. No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018 states that deferment of the rise in contributions shall only be in effect for a limited period of six months, which may be extended for another six months.

“We want to look into giving our people financial breathing space to be able to adjust to the on-going national emergency, while we also take into consideration SSS’ financial viability.

Ito ay karagdagang assistance para sa tao dahil sa batas na ginawa natin, sa RA 11199, mayroon na rin tayong financial breathing space para sa mga nawalan ng trabaho ngayong pandemic tulad ng unemployment benefit na nagkakahalaga ng Php 20,000. With many businesses closing and employees losing their jobs, people need every bit of help they can get,” said Gordon.

He also pointed out that while deferring the increase in contributions is the fastest way to respond to the problem, the SSS can lobby and appeal to the President anytime.

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PRC TARGETS NATIONWIDE SALIVA TEST ROLL OUT BY FEB. 1 Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross, disclosed that they are targeting a nationwide roll out by February 1 of the saliva RT-PCR test that the Department of Health gave the green light to last week.

Following the DOH’s approval of the use of saliva as an alternative specimen to the nasopharyngeal swab for RT-PCR testing in PRC’s laboratories, the PRC officially launched the new system last Monday.

“Our goal is to go nationwide by Feb. 1.

Today, we opened our machines in Manila and Mandaluyong for saliva test,” the PRC chief said.

Gordon also cautioned that testing is still very important even when the national vaccination program is rolled out since an inoculated person could still be a carrier and could be infectious.

“You cannot do away with testing. Kahit na meron ka ng vaccine, Caraga INFOCUS

kailangang magte-test ka.

Kailangan may proteksyon ka pa ding face mask, kailangan may proteksyon ka din ng hugas kamay at distancing because even if you get the vaccine, you could still be a carrier.

Pangalagaan natin ang mga sarili natin para hindi tayo makakasakit ng ating mga mahal sa buhay,” he stressed.

Medical experts said studies have shown that the COVID vaccine inhibits progression to a severe case of the disease for an inoculated individual. However, there is no evidence that it could inhibit transmission to another individual.

Gordon said it is also convenient because the patient can even collect the specimen sample while at home and send it to the PRC laboratory.

Patients can also call PRC’s COVID hotline – 1158 to make reservations or book online at https:// book.redcross1158.c0m/.

The Philippine Red Cross saliva RT-PCR test

uses the same system as the system previously used with the nasopharyngeal swab samples, the only difference being the method of collection of the sample specimen.

Instead of having a swab inserted into one’s nostrils and throat, one may now simply deposit 1.5 ml to 2 ml of saliva through a straw into a container. The specimen then undergoes testing in the RT-PCR machines.

The new saliva collected system has the advantage of being far more comfortable than the swab system, which most patients find painful.

It is also more cost efficient, making more affordable for the population.

Additionally, processing of the sample in the testing machine takes less time, allowing for release of results in approximately 6 to 12 hours.

To date, only the Red Cross saliva RT-PCR test has been approved by the DOH as a saliva based test.

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GORDON LAUDS LOCSIN FOR FILING DIPLOMATIC PROTESTS AGAINST CHINA’S AGGRESSIVENESS AT WEST PHILIPPINE SEA Senator Richard J. Gordon commended Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday for filing diplomatic complaints against China’s aggression at the disputed West Philippine Sea. “I commend Secretary Locsin for taking a very important and valiant action by standing up for our rights. He did right by our country, and we support him wholeheartedly,” said Gordon.

In a Twitter post on January 27, Locsin wrote that “At 5:17 pm today, the Chinese embassy received two diplomatic

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protests: 1. On the pointing of a radar gun at a Philippine Navy ship in PH waters & 2. Declaring parts of Philippine territory as part of Hainan province – both violations of international law & Philippine sovereignty.”

Gordon has been consistently urging the government to take a firm position on dealing with the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China.

At the Plenary on Tuesday, he raised concern over the enactment of a new Chinese law that allows the Chinese Coast Guard

to “take all necessary measures, including the use of weapons when national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction are being illegally infringed upon by foreign organizations or individuals at sea.”

“When another country claims the oceans surrounding us, which we claim, even threatens to demolish our fishing boats or fishing boats of any country that get to that ocean or that sea, this is a serious cause for concern. This is a shot in the bow of all the claimants in the territories,” said Gordon.

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SENATE TO CONDUCT PROBE ON SPATE OF KILLINGS IN RP The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, chaired by Senator Richard J. Gordon, is set to conduct a public hearing on the series of killings in the country today.

On January 18, Gordon delivered a privilege speech at the Plenary and condemned the continued acts of violence perpetrated by criminals including ridingin-tandem gunmen.

Gordon, who has always stood up against the killings in the country, also called for immediate action to end the assassinations, and appealed to arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“One killing is one too many. Alas, there are too many. They have no qualms shooting people Caraga INFOCUS

in front of their family.

They are not even afraid to shoot them in front of their children,� he said in his speech.

Gordon noted that there have been 19 people killed from January 1 up to date composed mostly of civilians based on the news monitoring of his office. Some of these killings happened in broad daylight and some took place at their own homes.

The killings of mother-son Sonya and Frank Gregorio in Tarlac on December 20, 2020, and barangay tanod Joseph Labonera in Floridablanca, Pampanga last January 4 were among the recent reported crimes which caused public outrage.

Gordon stressed that there are too many killing incidents but very few cases are being solved and pointed out that that these assassinations will not stop if the public, especially the government, will not act on it.

Aside from the Committee on Justice, the hearing will be jointly conducted by the Committees on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, and Finance.

Among the resource persons who were invited are from the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Philippine National Police (PNP), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and other agencies.

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IN COMMEMORATION OF DAY OF NA REMEMBRANCE OF SAF 44, BONG GO AP UNITY AGAINST TERRORISM; VOWS CONT SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES OF FALLEN POLIC Senator Christopher “Bong” Go called on Filipinos to unite against terrorism in remembrance of the 44 Special Action Force members of the Philippine National Police who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015.

“Six years ago, our nation witnessed the death of 44 of our most gallant men in the Special Action Force, now widely known as the SAF 44. Through this ceremony, we remember their lives and their ultimate sacrifice that have helped make our country a safer place to live in,” Go said in a video message released on the day of the anniversary.

“Huwag nating kalimutan ang serbisyo na ginawa ng apatnapu’tapat na miyembro ng SAF. Hindi matutumbasan ang sakripisyo na

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Senator Christopher “Bong” Go called on Filipinos to unite against terrorism in remembrance of the 44 Special Action Force members of the Philippine National Police who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015.

kanilang ginawa para lang manatiling ligtas ang ating mga mamamayan at gawing mapayapa ang ating lipunan. Hindi rin natin mababayaran kailanman ang sakit na nararamdaman ng mga pamilya na kanilang naiwan,” he continued.

President Rodrigo Duterte in Proclamation No. 167, signed February 2017, declared January 25 of every year a “Day of National Remembrance” of the Fallen 44 who will henceforth serve as a

“constant reminder of the continuing sacrifices being made by our valiant uniformed men and women in the line of duty”.

The Senator reaffirmed President Duterte’s commitment to honor the memory of the slain members of the police force by ensuring the welfare of the families they left behind.

“Sa mga pamilyang naiwan ng ating SAF 44, hindi po namin kayo pababayaan at iiwan.

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ATIONAL PPEALS FOR TINUING GOV’T CE PERSONNEL Asahan po ninyo ang patuloy na pagtulong at pag-alalay ng pamahalaan sa inyong lahat,” he vowed.

The Senator also extended his sincerest gratitude to the PNP for the critical role they play in ensuring peace in communities nationwide, and he guaranteed his support to them as they continue to perform their duties for the nation.

He asked the Filipinos to recall the daily sacrifices of the men and women of the PNP who are facing the same risks during these trying times as they take the lead in implementing the community quarantine protocols.

“Kami ni Pangulong Duterte, sa abot ng aming makakaya, ay nandidito para sa inyong lahat,” he said.

“Inaasahan ko rin po na ang araw na ito ay magsisilbing inspirasyon sa Caraga INFOCUS

ating mga mamamayan upang suportahan ang ating kapulisan. Tulungan natin silang sugpuin ang mga suliranin na hinaharap natin bilang isang bayan,” appealed Go.

To protect further their welfare, the Senator filed Senate Bill 393 in 2019 which seeks to provide free legal assistance to any officer or enlisted personnel of the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines who is facing charges arising from any incident related to the performance of his or her official duties.

“Nasa frontline natin ang ating mga kapulisan at mga sundalo sa kampanya ng pamahalaan upang masiguro na ligtas ang ating mga mamamayan mula sa banta ng mga kriminal, lalo na ang mga drug syndicates at mga terorista,” he said. “ K a i l a n g a n nating pagbutihin ang lahat na suportang legal na ibinibigay ng pamahalaan upang hindi maapektuhan ang over-all performance ng hanay ng mga pulis at sundalo,” explained Go.

When Go as still the Special Assistant to the

President, he had also personally sought support among lawmakers for the increase in salaries of the police, military, and other uniformed personnel, a campaign promise of the President, to make it “more commensurate with their critical role in maintaining national security and peace and order”.

The Senator expressed confidence in the long-term impacts of these reforms on the work of the Philippine police and the future of the country.

“Makikita niyo ngayon, ang mga pulis, ginagalang at nirerespeto na. Dati, takot na takot ako sa mga pulis noong nag-aaral ako sa Maynila. Pero ngayon, disiplinado na ang mga pulis at talagang ginagalang,” he said.

“Patuloy ang modernization at reporma natin sa hanay ng ating kapulisan at kasundaluhan.

Suportado namin kayo basta gawin niyo lang ang tama at nararapat para protektahan ang buhay at kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.

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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on January 25, 2021. KARL ALONZO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

PRESIDENT DUTERTE COULD BOOST PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN COVID-19 JAB, SAYS VACCINE CZAR The government has already started its information drive to boost the public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. told President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday.

As the country gears towards rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine, encouraging people to get the shot posed a

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challenge, Galvez said, blaming misinformation by anti-vaxxers on social media and the reported adverse effects of some vaccine brands being administered abroad.

During a meeting in Davao City, Galvez underscored the importance of an information drive noting the President can help convince people to get inoculated.

“Ito po ang medyo may problema po tayo na talagang dapat po pagtulungan po natin.

Alam po namin na malaki po ang maitutulong ng ating Mayor, Presidente, Mr. President, kasi po talagang bumababa po ‘yung willingness at saka ‘yung uptake ng ating mga kababayan, Galvez told President Duterte.

There were calls for Caraga INFOCUS

President Duterte, who is highly popular in the country, to publicly get the first COVID-19 jab to boost the confidence of Filipinos to get vaccinated.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque is also helping the government’s aggressive information dissemination campaign, Galvez said.

Every Wednesday, the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) regularly

appear in the Philippine Information Agency’s (PIA) Explain, Explain, Explain drive.

The business sector is also assisting the government in convincing people to support the mass vaccination program, he added.

“Nagawa na rin po natin ito noong during testing na --- at saka during ng nagkaroon tayo ng Ingat Angat Para Sa Lahat na naging maganda po ‘yung

tinatawag nating, ‘yung improvement sa minimum health standard,” Galvez told the President.

Majority of Filipinos showed disinterest in getting inoculated due to safety concerns, according to a recent survey.

To boost public confidence in COVID-19 vaccine, some world leaders got vaccinated in public. Among them are leaders of US, Turkey, and Indonesia. PND

Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and National Task Force against Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. gives updates to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on January 25, 2021. KARL ALONZO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on January 25, 2021. TOTO LOZANO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: IT’S TOO RISKY TO ALLOW MINORS TO GO OUT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday recalled a government decision last week allowing minors to go out in modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) areas, citing dangers posed by a new COVID-19 variant already detected in the country.

In the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force

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for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID)) last week, minors aged 10 and up will be allowed in public places starting February 1. President Duterte said he is taking back the earlier decision as a precautionary measure to protect young people.

“So balik ho kayo

sa bahay muna and besides ‘yung 10 years old to 14... Itong medyo matanda na mahirap itong i-manage but itong 10, 11, 12 puwede na ‘yan sila sa TV. They can glue their attention sa TV the whole day,” President Duterte said during his weekly public address Monday night.

“Pasensiya na Caraga INFOCUS

po kayo. Mine is just a precaution. Wala itong bisa… Takot lang ako kasi itong bagong strain strikes the young children,” he added.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, but with the new strain’s characteristics, everyone is vulnerable.

Experts say children are superspreaders, manifesting no symptoms although they carry the virus.

The restriction may not be welcomed by the parents and children, but the President said sacrifices have to be made to protect public health particularly as the country awaits a vaccine rollout.

And with the presence of the UK variant in the Philippines, the President made a renewed appeal to the public to strictly follow the government-mandated health protocols.

“I’d like to end by saying that the only salvation, actually, for those who have not been sickened with Caraga INFOCUS

PNA FILE PHOTO

COVID-19 and pending the rollout of the vaccine is really that you follow the protocol of --- imposed by government,” he said.

“Pagka sinunod ninyo ‘yan, then you have great chances of not getting it or at least when you get it, there’s already the bakuna, then it will somehow mitigate, give you the relief,” he added.

Also, during the meeting with the President, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. reported that the government may proceed with the possible

early rollout with vaccines coming from COVAX. He previously reported that the government is also set to receive its first delivery of COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac this February.

The Department of Health (DOH) has reported 1,581 additional coronavirus infections on Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country to 514,996.

There were 475,422 recoveries and 10,292 fatalities. PND January 23-29, 2021 |

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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during a visit at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Headquarters in Jolo, Sulu on January 22, 2021. The President also witnessed the ceremonial distribution of food packs, conferment of the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kamagi to 23 soldiers and turned over a cheque to Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay. REY BANIQUET/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

PRESIDENT DUTERTE WANTS PAF’S HUEYS DECOMMISSIONED President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Friday, January 22, said he wants a complete decommissioning of all Huey helicopters in the Philippine Air Force’s inventory because of their frequent involvement in fatal crashes.

“Marami pa ba ‘yang Huey na ‘yan?

Naiwan? Hindi, palitan ko na sana. Wala ng...

Maano na talaga ‘yan,

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luma na. Maski na sabihin mong --- maintenance,” President Duterte said in a speech during a camp visit in Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu.

“Bibili ako ng mga helicopters --para sa mga... Sayang ang buhay. At saka puwede pa naman natin remedyohan sa Bisaya. Eh kung may remedyo diyan, if it can be remedied, we will.”

“I am not making any hard promises. But you can rest assured, I will try my best to look for money para palitan ko ‘yung mga luma na,” he added.

The President told soldiers that he wants to procure at least six or seven new helicopters for the Air Force.

It is saddening, he said, to hear soldiers losing their lives while doing their Caraga INFOCUS

duties. Seven members of the security forces were killed in an air accident involving a Huey chopper in Bukidnon last week.

“Masaktan ka talaga. Kung wala kang koneksyon sa gobyerno, okay lang. But sa kagaya ko, ako ‘yung parang administrador ng bayan tapos ganoon ang nangyari, masakit para sa akin,” he said. “You just don’t know the pain that I suffer every time.”

PAF grounded all of its Huey helicopters following the crash in Bukidnon. The UH-1H and UH-1D models, or Hueys, are Vietnam War-era helicopters that have been refurbished to

serve as the PAF’s main workhorses.

It was reported that the Bukidnon incident was the fourth Air Force rotorcraft to go down in six months, three involving Huey helicopters.

Even prior to the President’s pronouncement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) already has an existing procurement program to modernize PAF’s fleet of helicopters. Recently, it commissioned the first six of 16 Polish-made Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters ordered in 2019.

The remaining 10 units are expected to be

delivered within the first quarter of 2021, defense officials said.

The brand-new Black Hawk helicopters, manufactured by PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky company in Poland, will provide PAF with sustained dayand-night tactical lift, transport, and searchand-rescue capabilities.

The helicopters are being procured by the Philippine government under a $241.5 million government-togovernment contract to meet the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP). PND

FILE PHOTO OF PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

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PRESIDENT DUTERTE HONORS SOLDIERS FIGHTING ISLAMIC MILITANTS IN SULU President Rodrigo Roa Duterte hailed the heroism Friday of soldiers fighting Islamist extremists in Sulu, promising them of his government’s full support to ensure their welfare and the wellbeing of their families.

“Today, I am deeply honored to join you in recognizing the extraordinary heroism of

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the officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who showed exemplary heroism in the face of danger,” President Duterte said in a speech during a visit at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu.

“They will be conferred with the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the

rank of Kamagi, which I hope will further inspire the rest of our men and women in the AFP to continue serving our country no matter the cost.”

The President also commended the personnel of the Joint Task Force Sulu and the 11th Infantry Division for their recent gains against the Caraga INFOCUS

Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), saying their determination has greatly reduced the ASG’s strength in the past year.

And as the country marks the second year of the bombing of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on January 27, he said the government’s presence is an assurance that “we will not just honor those who have perished in this tragedy”.

“We will also do everything in our power to prevent similar acts of

cowardice and violence so that our people will never experience them again,” he noted.

The insurgency and terrorism that have been hounding the country for several decades hindered the nation’s growth, the President said, adding it’s the reason why he has high praises and respect for all those who risk their lives to maintain peace in the country.

“As we march onwards this new year, I

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte poses for a photo with Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay after the turnover of cheque at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Headquarters in Jolo, Sulu on January 22, 2021. Joining them are Senator Christopher Lawrence Go and National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. REY BANIQUET/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Caraga INFOCUS

am hopeful that we will continue to eliminate these terrorist groups in Sulu for good. With your support, I remain confident that we will prevail over the challenges that confront us,” he said.

“Be assured that the entire Filipino people is behind you as you secure genuine and lasting change for our motherland.”

And as the government gears towards mass vaccinating its citizens, President Duterte assured the members of the security forces that they will get the first COVID-19 jab as well as their families.

Aside from leading the conferment of the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kamagi on 23 soldiers in Jolo, the President also witnessed the ceremonial distribution of food packs, and turned over a cheque to Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay.

Accompanying the President were Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. PND January 23-29, 2021 |

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Secretary Roque

PALACE MAINTAINS CURRENT AGE RESTRICTION Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr cited today, January 26, 2021, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s decision to maintain the current age restriction in view of the new coronavirus variant, saying that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) is a policy-making body that serves as an extension of the President.

Secretary Roque further stressed that it is the Chief Executive who ultimately decides on matters under the jurisdiction of the IATF, underscoring that

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| January 23-29, 2021

“whatever the President decided prevails.”

The Palace official said that the Chief Executive respected the decision of the Economic Team and the IATF on the relaxation of age restrictions.

However, because of reports that the new variant may affect underaged children, President Duterte deemed to stop the implementation of the IATF recommendation and asked the policymaking body to study further the new variant.

“Habang wala pa tayong masyadong alam tungkol sa new variant, stay home na muna, bagama’t sinabi nga ni Presidente naintindihan ko naman na kung bakit kinakailangan ganyan magdesisyon,” said Secretary Roque.

The President’s spokesperson added that the President’s decision is rooted on the President being a father and grandfather as well. “Ang kanyang pangunahing concern ay pangalagaan ang Caraga INFOCUS

kalusugan ng ating mga kabataan. So yun lang po yun. Hanggang hindi pa tayo masyadong maraming alam sa bagong variant, stay home po ang mga bata,” said Sec. Roque.

Roque, who is concurrent IATF spokesperson, also said that there is no issue with regard to the President revoking the IATF’s recommendation. “IATF was created by the President to assist him as recommendatory body.

In fact, the IATF has no legislative foundation other than exercise of executive power,” Sec. Roque remarked.

The Palace spokesman also underscored that the President also revoked then an IATF recommendation, the pilot face-to-face classes, and all because of the new variant of COVID-19.

“So sa tingin ko naman po maiintindihan ng taumbayan kung bakit ganito ang desisyon ni Presidente because we dont know enough of this new variant,” Roque said.

On maintaining the current age restrictions and its long-term effect on the economy, Roque Caraga INFOCUS

PhilHealth President and CEO Dante Gierran (File photo)

said that it is best to wait for more information on the new variant and hope that the halting of the age restriction is not permanent.

He also remarked that a vaccine against COVID-19 is the longterm solution to the problem. “Nandiyan na po ang bakuna ‘wag nating kalimutan po yan ‘no. Bakuna po yung solusyon, at any time in February magsisimula na po tayo,” Roque said.

On another matter, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President Dante Gierran asked

the support and understanding of the public as the staterun agency continues to ensure and provide healthcare benefits for Filipinos.

Atty. Gierran said that the PhilHealth has enough funds from collections and its reserved fund to continue its operations. Gierran also underscored the PhilHealth’s deferment of a contributions hike for its members given President Duterte’s directive to not increase members’ premium contributions at this time of pandemic.

OPS-PCOO January 23-29, 2021 |

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Galvez cites LGUs’ crucial roles in nat’l vaccine roadmap

By Lade Jean Kabagani National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday cited the crucial role of the local government units (LGUs) in the nationwide implementation of the Covid-19 vaccine roadmap.

“You will be the grassroots implementers of our vaccine program,” Galvez said during the visit of the Covid-19 Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) team, led by the National Task Force (NTF) and the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in Taguig City.

Galvez said the LGUs will be in-charge in the preparations of the Caraga INFOCUS

Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr.

master list of residents who will be prioritized for vaccination.

LGUs should identify and prepare vaccination sites, he added.

They are also tasked to provide vaccinators who will facilitate the immunization program in their respective localities.

Galvez, meanwhile, lauded the Taguig’s proactive measures and responsive strategies to contain the further spread of the Covid-19 within communities.

“Early this month, Taguig joined 38 other LGUs in signing a tripartite agreement with the national government and AstraZeneca to purchase Covid-19 vaccines,” he said. “Again, this was a demonstration of your city’s commitment not only to protect your people against the

dreaded disease but also to help the national government achieve its goal of procuring safe and effective vaccines for all Filipinos.”

He said Taguig City is ready to roll out the national vaccination program.

“We also learned that Taguig has acquired its own cold storage facility, established a point-to-point logistics transport system, and is now preparing four mega quarantine vaccination centers and 40 community centers as the city gears up for the arrival of the covid-19 vaccines,” he said.

On the other hand, Galvez reiterated that the government’s procured Covid-19 vaccines will undergo the stringent evaluation and selection January 23-29, 2021 |

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process of the vaccine expert panel and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“We guarantee that there will be utmost transparency and accountability in all our negotiations. We commit to disclose all the details of our transactions in due time,” he said.

The government is still waiting to finalize its ongoing negotiations with seven pharmaceutical companies for the acquisition of about 148 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, he added.

Galvez earlier said premature details of the negotiations could not be disclosed due to the NonDisclosure Agreement (NDA) they have signed with the pharmaceutical firms.

The government is expecting the arrival of initial vaccines by February.

“Part of this shipment are vaccines coming from the WHO [World Health Organizations] led Covax facility,” he said.

Under the national vaccine roadmap, Galvez said the government targets to inoculate 50 to 70 million Filipinos this year. (PNA)

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| January 23-29, 2021

More Pinoys concerned over safety of Covid-19 jabs: church poll

By Ferdinand Patinio Many Filipinos are concerned about the safety of the people who would be inoculated with vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a church-based survey revealed on Wednesday.

According to the Veritas Truth Survey (VTS) of church-run Radio Veritas, 67 percent of the respondents are concerned about the protection of the people against the possible side effects of the Covid-19 vaccines.

It added that 17 percent are for the efficacy of the vaccine while 8 percent would like to know first the country that manufactured the vaccine.

Only 6 percent would like to know testimonies of those who have received the vaccine and 2 percent are for the purpose or use of the vaccine.

The VTS was conducted from Jan. 4 to 22 through text and online data gathering from 1,200 respondents in the country.

The respondents were asked, “What is your primary (Top 1) consideration when deciding on whether or not you would be vaccinated against Covid-19?”

Bro. Clifford Sorita, VTS chief strategist, said the government should provide basic information and a clear explanation to the people on the vaccination program against Covid-19.

“To build trust and confidence in our vaccination efforts, the government should provide the public with easily understandable scientifically-based information and ensure everyone’s concerns are addressed easily and often,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Radio Veritas president Fr. Anton Pascual cited the importance of compliance with bioethics and upholding the welfare of the less fortunate in the vaccination drive against Covid-19. (PNA) Caraga INFOCUS

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