Sunday, March 28, 2021
Batangas lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19
Batangas 2nd District Rep. Raneo Abu has confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19.
In a post on his Facebook page, Abu said that his March 25 swab test showed a positive result the next day.
"Sa parehas namang araw ay agad akong nagtungo sa isang isolation facility upang magpagaling kahit ako ay asymptomatic. Ito ay aking ginawa bilang pagtalima sa ipinatutupad na regulasyon ng IATF at ng Department of Health (DOH),” he said.
(That same day, I immediately went to an isolation facility to recuperate even though I am asymptomatic. I did this to follow IATF and DOH regulations.)
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN RANEO E.ABU Bilang pag-iingat sa banta ng COVID-19,ang aming buong opisina at ang...
Posted by Congressman Raneo E. Abu on Saturday, March 27, 2021
He also said that while he tested positive, his daughter Dr. Reina Abu got a negative result.
Abu's Facebook post was confirmed by his congressional office.
Abu is the 4th congressman to publicly disclose testing positive for COVID-19 this year, after House Majority Leader Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, Anak Kalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor and Negros Oriental 1st District Rep. Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong.
Last year, Representatives Bernardita Ramos of Sorosogon and Francisco Datol of Senior Citizens Party List died of complications due to COVID-19.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/28/21/batangas-lawmaker-tests-positive-for-covid-19
Philippines to increase presence in West Philippine Sea - Lorenzana
The Philippines will increase its presence in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of National Defense said Saturday, amid continued calls for Chinese vessels to withdraw from the disputed waters.
“We are ready to defend our national sovereignty and protect the marine resources of the Philippines,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement on Saturday.
“There will be an increased presence of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard ships to conduct sovereignty patrols and protect our fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.”
Currently, he said, a Philippine navy ship and the Philippine Coast Guard are monitoring activities at the Julian Felipe Reef, where over 220 Chinese maritime militia vessels were reportedly anchored. The Air Force also deploys jet aircraft there daily.
Other agencies such as the Bureau of Aquatic and Fisheries Resources are also helping with efforts at the West Philippine Sea and the Kalayaan Island Group.
The country’s calls for the foreign vessels to leave the Julian Felipe Reef have already been communicated to the Chinese ambassador, Lorenzana said.
“I assure our people that we are addressing the situation. We stand by our position calling for the immediate withdrawal of Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef, which was communicated to the Chinese Ambassador.”
Earlier this week, the military said it had deployed navy ships to the West Philippine Sea, but not in the reef where Chinese militia ships were seen to avoid confrontation.
Recently, the United States, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada have expressed concern over the presence of the vessels in the nearby disputed waters, and called their appearance a move to “intimidate and threaten” the Philippines, as well as undermine regional stability.
China’s foreign ministry on March 22 claimed the vessels were “fishing boats” sheltering from poor weather.
DFA suspends operations in Aseana, other consular officers
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is temporarily shutting down its operations in its office in Aseana in Paranaque City, and other consular offices.
This is in response to Malacanang's order to put the greater Metro Manila under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from March 29 until April 4.
"In view of the announcement on the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from 29 March to 04 April 2021 in the National Capital Region and in the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will close its office located in ASEANA Business Park in Parañaque City as well as its Consular Offices in Metro Manila, Antipolo, Dasmarinas, San Pablo, and Malolos on 29 – 31 March 2021," the DFA said in a statement Saturday.
Those affected by the temporary closure will be accommodated on the following dates:
If your original confirmed appointment schedule falls on the following dates: Revised appointment schedule:
29 March 5 - 8 April
30 March 12 -16 April
31 March 19 -23 April
Passport applicants are advised to print out the new email, the application form with their original appointment schedule indicated, the e-receipt and supporting documents. Applicants are advised to submit the documents during their new appointment schedule.
"For authentication applicants, please print out the new email with your new schedule and bring your documents for authentication on your new appointment date," said the DFA.
The DFA said the schedules may still be subject to changes.
Those who wish to visit the Consular Office on dates not included in the given schedule the DFA advises to email any of the following:
-DFA ASEANA
Passport
passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph
Authentication
oca.authentication@dfa.gov.ph
-CO NCR NORTH (Novaliches)
ncrnovaliches.so@dfa.gov.ph
-CO NCR NORTHEAST (Cubao Ali Mall)
ncrnortheast.so@dfa.gov.ph
Passport
dfancrne.processing@gmail.com
Authentication
dfancrne.authentication@gmail.com
-CO NCR EAST (SM Megamall)
Passport
ncreast.so@dfa.gov.ph
Authentication
authenticationncre@gmail.com
-CO NCR CENTRAL (Galleria)
ncrcentral.so@dfa.gov.ph
-CO NCR WEST (SM Manila)
ncrwest.so@dfa.gov.ph
Passport
dfancrwest.passport@gmail.com
Authentication
dfancrwest.authentication@gmail.com
-CO NCR SOUTH (Alabang)
Passport
ncrsouth.passport@gmail.com
Authentication
ncrsouth.authenticaiton@gmail.com
-CO ANTIPOLO
antipolo.co@dfa.gov.ph
info.coantipolo@gmail.com
-CO DASMARINAS
rco-dasma@oca.dfa.gov.ph
dfa.co.dasmarinas@gmail.com
-CO MALOLOS
malolos.co@dfa.gov.ph
malolos.gc@gmail.com
-CO SAN PABLO
sanpablo.co@dfa.gov.ph
Passport applicants may also call the following numbers:
02 8234 3488
0977 353 3942
0915 360 7410
0966 410 8465 (Authentication Concerns)
"Kindly wait for the Consular Office to confirm your requested schedule before proceeding with your appointment," said the DFA.
"All applicants are required to have masks and face shields on and will be subjected to temperature checks prior to entry, among other public health measures to be implemented by the Consular Office."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/28/21/dfa-suspends-operations-in-aseana-other-consular-officers