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PH confidence in children’s vaccines declined by 25%—UNICEF
THE UNICEF has raised concern over a notable decline in the Filipinos’ confidence in children’s vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the UNICEF, public confidence in children’s vaccines dropped by 25 percent in the Philippines, described as among the “steepest declines” among dozens of countries.
“While the decline in perception doesn’t necessarily equate to intentor actual uptake of the vaccine, it’s really important to monitor because widespread and long-term vaccination confidence issues would hamper efforts to get children vaccinated,” Kathleen Solis, social and behavior change specialist from UNICEF Philippines, said in a press briefing.
Conversely, China, India, and Mexico showed positive change in vaccine confidence, Solis said.
UNICEF’s latest global report showed that some 67 million children partially or fully missed routine vaccines globally between 2019 and 2021. Of the 67 million children whose vacci- nations were “severely disrupted,” 48 million missed out on routine vaccines entirely, also known as “zero-dose,” the UNICEF said, raising concerns about potential polio and measles outbreaks.
The UNICEF report also indicated that the Philippines has 1,048,000 zero dose children, the second highest in East Asia and the Pacific Region, and the fifth highest globally.
The top five regions with most zero-dose children include Calabarzon (146,160), Central Luzon (99,541), West-
DHSUD: 48k Mindanao families to get homes under 4PH
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has formalized partnerships with four Mindanao local government units (LGUs) for housing projects targeting some 48,000 families.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar signed memoranda of understanding with Mayors Rolando Uy of Cagayan De Oro City and Erick Cañosa of Gingoog City, Jayfrancis Bago of Opol town in Misamis Oriental, and Dionisio Cabahug of Tubod, Lanao del Norte as rep - resented by Vice Mayor Clifford Jumalon.
The signing rite was held at the DHSUD central office in Quezon City. More than 60 hectares of land are set to be developed in the various barangays in the four areas for the construction of multiple medium to high-rise buildings under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program of President Marcos.
In his message, Acuzar highlighted the important role LGUs play in the flagship housing program as he enjoined their commitment to ensure its
MMDA traffic men to wear body cams
By Joel E. Zurbano
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will equip 100 traffic enforcers with body cameras while doing their duties along major thoroughfares in the National Capital Region.
The agency’s Traffic Discipline Office (TDO) is currently giving orientation briefings to the traffic enforcers on the use of the body cameras.
“This is part of the familiarization with the technical specifications, features, and parts of the gadget that will be used by some traffic enforcers in their traffic management operations,” said MMDA chairman Romando Artes.
The charged body cameras will last up to eight hours.
Artes said recordings from the body cameras are linked to the new MMDA Command Center in Pasig City, and the information could be used as evidence in case a motorist filed a complaint.
Initially, the newly-procured body cameras will be distributed to MMDA traffic enforcers assigned along Katipunan Avenue, Ortigas Avenue, Timog Avenue and Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Artes said the MMDA expects to buy more body cameras for other traffic enforcers in the coming months, but added that funding could be a concern.
The agency wants traffic enforcers to wear the device while apprehendingerring motorists, as well as prevent them from engaging in irregular acts such as bribery and extortion while performing their tasks.
success.
“The huge housing backlog is not just a figure we need to close. Each number represents a family needing a roof over their heads. As we pursue our mandate and push for the administration’s 4PH Program, we recognize the important role of local government units,” Acuzar said.
“Your commitment is crucial for its success as you are involved in all its phases – from identifying the location, planning the design, and determining target beneficiaries,” he added. Acuzar also vowed DHSUD’s all-out support to the LGUs.
ern Visayas (96,774), Bicol (80,905) and the Bangsamoro (75,671).
Partial 2022 data showed coverage for Fully Immunized Child (FIC) and Measles Containing Vaccine 1 (MCV1) were at 57.35 percent and 68.94percent, respectively. Some 95 percent is required to reach herd immunity.
According to the Vaccine Confidence Project, people under 35 and women were more likely to report less confidence about vaccines for children after the start of the pandemic in most countries. AFP
By Rey E. Requejo
ONLY business establishments at John Hay Special Economic Zone (JHSEZ) that are registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) can enjoy duty and tax free privileges, according to the Supreme Court.
In a 45-page decision written by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the SC’s Second Division also declared businesses the John Hay Special Economic Zone not registered with PEZA must pay their national and local taxes, duties, and fees.
The ruling sustained a decision issued by the Regional Trial Courtof Baguio City which junked the petition for declaratory relief, with a prayer for a writ of preliminary injunction filed by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and JHSEZ last March 12, 2010 against the Baguio City government.
In its May 13, 2010 ruling, the Baguio City RTC held that business permitsand the payment of fees to the local government unit are of a different character than that of taxes and duties, as revenue generation was not their sole purpose.
The trial court concluded that the JHSEZ was exempted from paying local and national taxes, but not from the requirement of business permits.
The lower court also held that neither the BCDA nor John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) possessed any police power, thus, they were not exempted from the local government unit’s power to require business permits and exact regulatory fees for their businesses.
The BCDA and JHMC filed a motion for reconsideration, but the trialcourt denied their plea on June 24, 2010.