‘COVID admissions in hospitals rising’

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

COVID-19 admissions in private hospitals are slowly rising, but remained manageable, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. renewed his appeal to the Departments of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Health (DOH) to fast-track the release of COVID allowances due an estimated 20,000 healthcare workers (HCWs) nationwide.

IT’S UNPLEASANT TASK BOT SOMEBODY HAS TO DO IT.

Elements of the Philippine Coast Guard sustains their unpleasant task of rounding up oil slicks unleashed by a sunken tanker off Naujan and Pola towns in Oriental Mindoro last February 23.

“For now, the admissions in private hospitals are manageable but there is a gradual and continuous rise in the number of patients,” PHAPI president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

De Grano said hospital occupancy has reached 50 percent in some hospitals, but most reported less than 20 percent.

“Right now, we see that the highest occupancy is 50 percent. But for most hospitals, it is still less than 20 percent, he noted.

De Grano said PHAPI member-hospitals have been continuing the restrictions regarding visitors which was implemented at the onset of the pandemic.

“For the protection of patients, as much as possible, we restrict visitors, he added.

He also said most of those admitted due to COVID were brought to hospitals for other reasons, but tested positive for the novelcoronavirus.

BI intercepts 4 passengers believed to be victims of illegal recruitment

n By VITO BARCELO

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has disallowed the departure at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) of four passengers believed to be victims of illegal recruitment.

The passengers, consisting of three females and one male, with ages ranging from 20 to 30 years old, were intercepted on suspicions that they were victims of an elaborate illegal recruitment scheme. The hold-departure move was prompted by information from an anonymous source, providing details about the recruitment activities involving the four individuals.

Speaker, Tingog reach out to Parañaque fire victims

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, joined by Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre have reached out to some 500 victims of a fire that razed last Thursday the Fourth Estate subdivision in Barangay San Antonio, Parañaque City.

The Speaker, his wife and Acidre were joined in the humanitarian event by Mayor Eric Olivarez and a representative of Parañaque rep. Gustavo Tambunting;.

The event involved the distribution of relief packs provided by Tingog containing basic commodities to the fire victims.

Former Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting was also present to help in the affair.

Tambunting thanked Tingog and Speaker Romualdez for their prompt response and dedication in assisting her constituents during these trying times. In addition to the food packs, the Tingog lawmakers blankets to the victims.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has estimated the number of victims from 500 to 600 families. Maricel V. Cruz

According to the email, they had been deceived and recruited under false pretenses to work in Cambodia’s online casino industry.

The passengers initially claimed to be employed in the country, and were traveling as tourists. However, during the investigation, they confessed that they had been unlawfully recruited as telemarketers for an online gaming company, enticed with a promised monthly salary of $800.

The BI withheld the identities of the four in compliance with anti-trafficking laws. They were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance in filing legal cases against the recruiters.

Port of Subic plays a crucial role in facilitating international trade, ensuring Customs compliance, and fostering economic growth in the region.

Joel E. Zurbano

Taguig hosts annual graffiti, mural event

TAGUIG City has been selected as host of the official launch of the “Meeting of Styles,” reputedly the largest annual graffiti, street art and mural festival that promotes the relationship of the international community in the field of art. The event is an international gathering of graffiti artists and supporters and sponsors graffiti mural creation events in over sixteen countries. The events aim to promote and legitimize this art form.

On Friday, Mayor Laarni Cayetano led the kickoff event at TLC Park on Lakeshore Laguna Lake Highway in Barangay Lower Bicutan where the participating artists will use shipping containers that first served as quarantine facilities of the local government at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Local artists including Quiccs, Egg Fiasco, Chill, Flip1, Kookoo, Meow, Nevs, EXLD, and many others attended the event and presented their talents. The Meeting of Styles will be open to the public for two days--on May 20 and May 21---providing an opportunity for everyone to experience and appreciate this event.

Joel E. Zurbano

THEY WORK HARD SO THE PEOPLE CAN EAT.

Farmers apply fertilizer to their corn field in Barangay Talogtog, Laoac, Pangasinan, unmindful of the sweat in the backs and brows just to help sustain the country’s food supply chain.

Manny Palmero