Friday, April 9, 2021
Is Success or Significance More Important?
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36
In 1923 a group of men who were considered winners met at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. Present were eight of the world’s most successful financiers. Like whom? Charles Schwab, president of Bethlehem Steel, was there along with the president of the world’s largest utility company, Samuel Insull. Richard Whitney, the president of the New York Stock Exchange, was also there. Also attending that meeting was Albert Fall, then a member of the U.S. President’s cabinet, along with the heads of the world’s largest investment firm, the greatest monopoly in the world, and the Bank of International Settlement, respectively.
And what happened to these men who had clawed their way to the very top? Charles Schwab, the man who headed the largest steel company in the world, died bankrupt and lived on borrowed money for the last five years of his life.
Samuel Insull, the man who headed the largest utility company in the world, ended his days as a fugitive, broke, and living in a foreign country. Richard Whitney, the man who was president of the New York Stock Exchange, was released from Sing Sing prison to die at home.
Albert Fall, the man who was a member of the U.S. President’s cabinet, was pardoned so that he also could die at home.
These individuals made it to the top, but once they got there, something went wrong. Very wrong! What price success? What cost to win?
For sixty seconds, focus your attention on these individuals, likewise people considered winners: Actor Robin Williams; fashion designer Alexander McQueen; Arthur Chevrolet, the designer of the automobile built by General Motors; Linebacker Jovon Belcher; Author Sylvia Plath; country singer Mindy McCready; and Edwin Armstrong who invented FM radio. And to this group I could add the names of Ernest Hemingway, Marilyn Monroe, and Kurt Cobain for a beginning. What do they have in common? Two things: They were successful and they were also suicides.
I said they were successful. But were they really? Perhaps that depends on how you define this nebulous word. If reaching the top is success, they made it, but as Dr. Charles Malik, the Lebanese statesman and former president of the U. N. General Assembly defined success, they fell dismally short. “Success,” said Malik, “is seeking and knowing and loving and obeying God; and if you seek, you will know; and if you know you will love; and if you love, you will obey.”
Success from God’s point of view, from the vantage of looking back over life and valuing relationships is vastly different. Jesus put it, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
I think if Jesus were alive today, he might well put it, “So what if a person gains the company presidency, wins an Academy Award or climbs the greasy ladder to the top but loses his family, his self-respect, and his soul in the process?”
A closing thought: It is never too late to change directions in life. Some people strive for survival; some for success. But some achieve significance, and with that level of accomplishment comes the peace of God that means your life was worth living. Don’t simply occupy space on Planet Earth. With God’s help make your life count for something lasting, worthwhile, something that will endure the fire.
Resource reading: Mark 9:34-38.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/is-success-or-significance-more-important/
PH vaccine drive di maaapektuhan ng AstraZeneca suspension: FDA
Nilinaw ng Food and Drug Administration (FDA) na hindi makakabagal sa vaccine drive ng gobyerno ang pansamantalang suspensiyon sa pagtuturok ng AstraZeneca coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines sa mga edad 59 pababa.
Ayon kay FDA Director General Eric Domingo, dulo pa ng Abril darating ang mga susunod na suplay ng AstraZeneca vaccines.
Bukod dito, puwede pang ubusin ang natitirang dose ng AstraZeneca sa mga senior citizen, na hindi naman maaapektuhan ng sinasabing side effects ng bakuna.
"Kaya nga ito ‘yung magandang panahon na aralin 'yung reports na ito, kasi wala na tayong AstraZeneca vaccines, talagang paubos na. At 'yung atin namang pagsusuri kung ano ang magiging paghahanda natin for the next batch ay gagawin natin within next week. Senior citizens hindi kasama sa group na nakikitang affected sa blood clotting. Pinakamaganda talaga 'yung benefit-to-risk ratio. Puwedeng ubusin natin 'yung natitirang doses sa kanila," ani Domingo.
Huwebes nang sabihin ng FDA na sususpendehin ang paggamit ng AstraZeneca vaccines para sa mga edad 59 pababa, nang lumabas sa isang pag-aaral na posibleng may koneksiyon ang bakuna sa ilang insidente ng blood clot o pamumuo ng dugo sa utak at mababang platelet sa mga nabakunahan nito.
Aabot sa 86 ang ganitong kaso, o nasa 0.0003 porsiyento ng 25 milyong nabakunahan ng AstraZeneca sa Europa. Sa bilang, 8 ang namatay.
Karaniwang nakikita ang sintomas ng blood clotting sa loob ng 2 linggo matapos mabakunahan. Karamihan sa mga natatamaan ng blood clotting ay mga babaeng mas bata sa 60 years old. Pero sinabi ring nauungusan pa rin ng benepisyo o proteksiyon mula sa AstraZeneca ang risk o panganib na bunga ng posibleng side effects.
Maglalabas ng bagong panuntunan ang FDA kaugnay ng paggamit sa bakuna ng AstraZeneca sa susunod na linggo, bago ang inaasahang pagdating ng dagdag na doses nito mula sa COVAX Facility ng World Health Organization sa huling bahagi ng Abril.
Dalawa hanggang 3 buwan ang inirerekomendang pagitan ng 2 doses ng AstraZeneca.
"'Yung mga kasong nakitaan nitong very rare na adverse event, nakita siya during the first vaccine, and there were no cases seen on second vaccines. Kung nabakunahan na sila, tapos OK at walang naging adverse event, of course they will get the second vaccine, dahil walang nakikitang problema sa second dose," ani FDA Director General Eric Domingo.
Dagdag pa ni Dr. Rontgene Solante, na miyembro ng Philippine vaccine expert panel: "I-assure lang natin sila na pag nabakunahan ka na ng first dose and then lumampas ka na sa second week, mukhang ligtas ka na doon sa kumplikasyon na nakikita natin sa ibang bansa."
Kailangan lang aniyang suriin muna ang bakuna bago ulit ito ipagamit.
Pero para kay Presidential Spokesperson For Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, maaapektuhan ng suspensiyon ang kumpiyansa ng publiko sa bakuna ng AstraZeneca.
Higit 5 milyong doses nito ang in-order ng mga pribadong kompanya para sa mga empleyado nila at inaasahang darating ang unang batch sa Hunyo.
"With this news, siyempre 'yung mga tao 'yung mga empleyado diyan, matatakot ulit, kailangan i-explain ulit sa kanila 'yung issue. Over 500 companies are of course very disappointed," ani Concepcion.
Pinabulaanan naman ng FDA ang mga espekulasyon na ang pagsuspinde sa AstraZeneca ay para paboran ang bakuna ng Sinovac mula China.
"Hindi. Independent naman 'yun. Wala naman kumpetensiya ang vaccines natin dahil wala pa naman tayong enough vaccines na sobra," ani Domingo.
— Ulat ni Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/09/21/ph-vaccine-drive-astrazeneca-suspension-fda
Pagbaba ng antas ng hawahan sa COVID-19 dahil sa ECQ: OCTA Group
Sa unang 6 araw ng Abril, naitala ang 81,192 na mga bagong kaso ng COVID-19.
Bagama't marami pa rin ito kung ikukumpara sa tala bago ang surge, patuloy namang bumababa ang reproduction number o bilang ng taong nahahawahan ng isang positibong pasyente, ayon sa OCTA Research Group.
Anila, nakikita na ang improvement dahil sa pagsailalim sa NCR Plus bubble sa enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
"There is a significant improvement with the reproduction number, hindi natin makikita ito without an ECQ, 'yung bababa na lang siya to 1.24 in 2 weeks," ani Guido David, OCTA fellow.
Pero dahil hindi pa rin lubusang nakikita ang malawakang pagbaba ng mga nagkakasakit ng COVID-19, tingin ng OCTA ay mas makatutulong kung unti-unti ang gagawing pagluluwag sa mga restriction.
"We’re still averaging 5,000 cases at the NCR and puno ang mga hospitals... When we relax to GCQ, puwedeng strict na GCQ bubble, parang 'yung in-implement ng national government a few weeks ago," sabi ni David.
—Ulat ni Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/09/21/pagbaba-antas-hawahan-covid-19-ecq-octa-group
Paghabol ng Chinese missile boats sa bangkang Pinoy sa West PH Sea iimbestigahan
Inatasan na ng Department of National Defense (DND) ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command na imbestigahan ang ginawang paghabol ng mga missile boat ng Chinese Navy sa sinasakyang bangka ng Pinoy fishers sa West Philippine Sea, kung saan sakay din ang ABS-CBN News team.
"The Defense Department has directed the AFP through its Western Command to investigate, gather, and validate all the relevant facts on the incident, the outcome of which will be used to coordinate any appropriate action through the NTF-WPD and engagement among the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), DND, DOTr and other concerned agencies," ani DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong.
Nagpahayag din ng pag-aalala ang AFP at sinabing humihingi na sila ng kopya ng footage at larawan ng insidente bilang bahagi ng imbestigasyon.
"The AFP expresses concern over the report of an alleged harassment by Chinese Navy vessels and a Chinese coast guard vessel as reported by a team of journalist on board a watercraft within our EEZ (exclusive economic zone)," ani AFP spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgar Arevalo.
Nadismaya naman si Vice President Leni Robredo sa napanood, lalo’t nangyari ito sa loob ng EEZ ng Pilipinas.
Hinimok ni Robredo ang pamahalaan na gamitin ang naipanalong kaso laban sa China noong 2016 sa isang international tribunal.
"It’s an opportunity we have not taken advantage of, we have not maximized... When you watch the video, nakakagalit, nakakadurog ng puso, na nangyayari iyon within our territory," sabi ni Robredo.
Makikipag-ugnayan na rin ang DFA sa task force para sa mga detalye ng insidente.
Para kay maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal, dapat iprotesta ng DFA ang insidente, lalo’t unang pagkakataon ito na ginamit ng China ang bapor ng militar para takutin ang mga Pilipinong sibilyan.
"Wala namang rason para ganunin nila ang isang Filipino vessel. Wala namang threat na nire-represent ang Filipino vessel. Pabalik na nga ng Palawan eh. Bakit pa nila kailagan gawin iyon? Umatras na nga sila noong makita nila ang coast guard so bakit kailangan pang pakitaan ng mga missile boat?" pagtataka ni Batongbacal, director ng UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.
Suportado naman ng liderato ng Senado ang pagrepaso sa Mutual Defense Treaty at Visiting Forces Agreement ng Pilipinas at Amerika.
Sumang-ayon ang top diplomats ng Pilipinas at Amerika sa mas pinaigting na pagtutulungan sa South China Sea, na malawakang inaangkin ng China.
—Ulat ni Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
Face-to-face na pagpasa ng Pag-IBIG, GSIS requirements, suspendido muna
Nakuntento na lang si Irene Corpuz sa paghuhulog sa drop box ng kaniyang housing loan application sa Pag-IBIG Fund.
Suspendido kasi ang face-to-face transaction sa Pag-IBIG dahil sa enhanced community quarantine sa National Capital Region (NCR) Plus.
"Hindi mo alam kung mare-receive siya on time unlke pag sinubmit mo sa loob ng opisina nabibigyan ka ng confirmation na nare-receive ang dokumento," ani Corpuz.
Bukod sa drop box system sa mga tanggapan ng Pag-IBIG Fund, maaari ring maghain ng loan application online.
"Bukas din ang virtual Pag-IBIG. Through doon puwede kang mag- multi-purpose, application, calamity, salary at housing loan, dapat lang mayron na kayong cash card o loyalty plus card," ani Pag-IBIG Fund Spokesperson Atty. Kalin Franco-Garcia.
Pero nilinaw ng Pag-IBIG Fund, pati na rin ng Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), na hindi porke't drop box lang ang sistema ay tatagal din ang proseso.
Anila, may mga tauhan pa rin ng Pag-IBIG na aasikaso sa mga dokumento. Kukuhanin lang ang mga dokumento at isa-sanitize bago iproseso.
"Parang business as usual po the next day makakatanggap po kayo ng tawag to inform you whether may discrepancy ang documents na iyong isa-submit," ani Franco-Garcia.
Suspendido naman ang face-to-face transaction sa GSIS ngayong marami ang nagpositibo sa COVID-19.
Pero puwede namang drop box o e-GSIS ang gamitin ng miyembro na tiyak umanong aaksiyunan ng GSIS staff.
Abiso ng GSIS sa kanilang pensioners na gamitin ang social media at internet sa paggawa ng Annual Pensioners Information Revalidation.
Kung ideklara ang modified ECQ sa susunod na linggo, mananatiling suspendido ang face-to-face transaction sa Social Security System at GSIS bukod sa e-card enrollment.
Hihingi naman ng gabay sa pandemic task force ang Pag-IBIG Fund kung puwede nang buksan ang mga sangay sa Metro Manila at karatig-probinsiya.
— Ulat ni Alvin Elchico, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/09/21/face-to-face-pagpasa-pag-ibig-gsis-requirements-suspendido
DFA says 18 more Filipinos sick with COVID-19 abroad
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday reported 18 more Filipinos who got infected by COVID-19 abroad.
The day's tally raised the total number of coronavirus cases among Pinoys outside the country to 17,082, according to the agency.
Remaining active infections among them stood at 5,892, said the DFA.
Deaths, meanwhile, increased by 2 to 1,068.
The agency also logged 45 more people who recovered from the respiratory disease. Recoveries are now at 10,122.
This is also the first time this month that recoveries from Filipinos abroad reached over 40, data collated by ABS-CBN News showed.
Here in the Philippines, coronavirus cases reached over 840,000, with over 178,000 remaining active infections.
The Department of Health also reported 401 deaths, the highest since the pandemic hit the country over a year ago.
The government imposed a 2-week enhanced community quarantine in the capital region and 4 nearby provinces to stem the virus spread, which has been attributed to COVID-19 variants and the violation of standard health protocols.
Worldwide, the coronavirus has already infected 134 million people, based on the running tally of US-based Johns Hopkins University.
Over 2.9 million have already died because of the respiratory disease, while more than 76 million have recovered, the same tally showed.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/09/21/dfa-says-18-more-filipinos-sick-with-covid-19-abroad
Erap removed from ventilator support, 'responding well' to treatment - Jinggoy
Former Philippine president Joseph "Erap" Estrada no longer needs ventilator support as he is supposedly responding well to treatment amid his battle with the coronavirus, his son Jinggoy said Friday.
In a Facebook post, the former senator said that despite the development, his father would still require "high flow oxygenation" based on his latest medical bulletin.
The deposed Philippine president and former Manila mayor was placed under mechanical ventilation on Tuesday due to pneumonia.
He was also intubated and mildly sedated this week.
"We are happy to report that my father seems to be responding well to treatment as his condition has steadily improved... His other organ functions remain stable," the younger Estrada noted earlier in the day.
"We still have a long way to go before he is completely out of danger and we hope that he continues to fight with his usual tenacity as only Erap can," he added.
The former chief executive, who is turning 84 on April 19, tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
Jinggoy earlier revealed that his wife and his aunts tested positive for COVID-19 following exposure to the former president, and that they are all asymptomatic.
Who's calling the shots? Robredo says Philippines needs a 'conductor' in pandemic fight
Over a year into the pandemic, Philippines must now have someone to pilot the Philippines' COVID-19 pandemic response like how a conductor would lead an orchestra, Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday.
There must be someone pushing and overseeing the pandemic response, and it would be good if it's the President who will step into this role, she said.
"Yung nagtitimon, it doesn’t have to be the President. Although para sa akin, malaking bagay kung Presidente yung nagtitimon kasi hindi makakahindi…Pag si Presidente, mas mabilis. Mas mabilis kung siya yung andun," she told ANC's Headstart.
(The one calling the shots, it doesn't have to be the President. Although for me, it's a big thing if it's the President because no one can decline. If it's the President, it's faster. It's going to be faster if it's him.)
"Pero para sa akin kung hindi si Presidente yun, there has to be somebody na yung ginagawa niya lang, parang konduktor sa orchestra. He doesn’t play the instrument, but he’s the one who’s putting order in a lot of things. Yun yung nakikita kong kulang ngayon kasi," she said.
(But for me, if it's not the President, there has to be somebody whose sole job is that, like a conductor in an orchestra. He doesn’t play the instrument, but he’s the one who’s putting order in a lot of things. That's what I see is lacking right now.)
Philippines currently has Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) chaired by Health Secretary Francisco Duque. President Rodrigo Duterte last year appointed Cabinet members and ex-military generals to lead the pandemic response like chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Bases and Conversions Development Authority President and CEO Vince Dizon, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, and Health Undersecretary Dr. Leopoldo "Bong" Vega.
Experts have previously asked the government to change its militaristic approach to the crisis.
Asked about netizens looking for President Rodrigo Duterte and inquiring about his health, Robredo said it's only natural for people to look for their leader during crisis situations to look for "assurance that everything is under control."
"In crisis situations, kahit hindi presidente, kahit nga mayor—pag may nangyari sa lugar mo, people wait for your mayor to be visible, to say that, 'Everything is alright, we’re on top of the situation. This is what we’re doing'," she said.
(In crisis situations, even not the president, just the mayor—when something happens in your area, people wait for the mayor to be visible, to say that, 'Everything is alright, we’re on top of the situation. This is what we’re doing.')
Without assurance from the leader, citizens tend to be stressed and unsure if they can get through the problem, she said.
"Parating yung tanong, 'Saan na ba tayo papunta? Kaya pa ba natin?' I think that’s where it is all coming from...Sa akin, may basis kung bakit naghahanap, kasi ganun naman. Hindi lang presidente, governor, mayor, basta may nangyayari sa lugar mo, it’s the natural instinct for people to look for their leader," she said.
(The question is always, 'Where will we go? Can we still do this?' I think that's where it is all coming from...For me, there is basis why they are searching, because that's how it really goes. Not just the president, governor, mayor, whenever there's something happening, it's the natural instinct for people to look for their leader.)
Robredo said everyone seems to be working, but are all "exhausted already" because the pandemic has been raging since last year.
She said in a "smaller office" like hers, she's hands on in the operations, including the newly launched "Bayanihan E-Konsulta," which offers medical consultations for free via Facebook Messenger.
She said for that program, she had been personally calling her doctor friends to help after their page received lots of patients when it opened on Wednesday.
The Office of the Vice President also recently rolled out a community testing project called the Swab Cab. Using donated antigen kits, the program was able to test about 1,300 individuals in Malabon, where it was first mounted.
Robredo said dealing some people refused to take the test due to fears that if they test positive, they will have to be isolated and their families will go hungry. To address this, she said the OVP offered free rice packs to everyone who lined up for testing and an even bigger package to those who would be found to have COVID-19.
The Swab Cab may be heading to Marikina City soon, as the OVP is currently in talks with Rep. Stella Quimbo, said Robredo.
'Infuriating', 'heartbreaking', says Robredo as Chinese ships chase Filipino vessel in West PH Sea
Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday she was enraged and heartbroken that a Filipino vessel was driven out by Chinese ships inside the West Philippine Sea.
"When you watch the video, nakakagalit, nakakadurog ng puso na nangyayari 'yon (it's infuriating and heartbreaking that it's happening) within our territory," she told ANC's "Headstart".
Chinese ships, including missile-capable boats, on Thursday chased down the Filipino vessel near Ayungin Shoal, which is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
The West Philippine Sea is the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, where China lays claim to nearly 90 percent of the waters. Several of its ships have lingered in the area.
The vessel, with the ABS-CBN News team aboard, was traveling across various reefs and shoals in the West Philippine Sea to check the livelihood of Filipino fishermen affected by the presence of Chinese vessels in the area.
The incident came as Philippine officials demanded the withdrawal of the Chinese ships in Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef), with a retired Supreme Court judge warning their presence may be a prelude to occupation and building of a naval base as China did on Mischief Reef in 1995.
On Wednesday, the Philippine foreign ministry filed another diplomatic protest against China, vowing to do so every day, as a Chinese maritime militia fleet remained in the West Philippine Sea.
While the strongly-worded statements of the Department of National Defense and Department of Foreign Affairs against China's latest incursion have brought some comfort, Robredo said she couldn't help but express concern for the safety of Filipino fishermen in the area.
"'Yong takot na dinadala ng mga mangingisda natin every day of their lives when this is an area where they have every right to fish. Tapos, itataboy sila ng gano'n. Parang nakakaano siya, very heartbreaking," she said.
(The fear that our fishermen have to carry every day of their lives when this is an area where they have every right to fish. Then, they are driven away like that. It's very heartbreaking.)
Robredo said the Philippine government could invoke the landmark 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated China's sweeping claims over almost the entire South China Sea.
"One of the things we could have done since 2016 was to use the decision of the ruling, to team up with all the other neighboring countries who are going through the same struggles. Parang to use the ruling to be able to have a stronger position," she said.
The Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the contested waters.
"Parati kasi natin sinasabi na hindi natin sila kaya kasi maliit lang tayo. Pero 'pag nagsama-sama tayo lahat, mas malakas tayo (We always say we can't stand up to them because we are small. But if we band together, we are stronger). I think it's one of the areas where we have not, it’s an opportunity we have not taken advantage of. We have not maximized," Robredo said.
Up to 220 vessels were first monitored at Julian Felipe Reef, the largest feature in the Pagkakaisa Bank, on March 7. While the number has gone down to 44 during the last surveillance on March 29, several other Chinese ships were also monitored in other features in the West Philippine Sea, according to a government task force.
Chinese officials had denied allegations the ships moored at Julian Felipe Reef are part of Beijing's militia, describing those as fishing vessels taking shelter due to “rough sea conditions.” The Philippine foreign ministry said the claim is among China's "blatant falsehoods."
The United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom have criticized China's incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
PGH maglulunsad ng programang gagabay sa mga may COVID-19
Naghahanda na ang Philippine General Hospital sa paglulunsad ng isang programang tutulong sa mga pasyenteng may COVID-19 at magbibigay gabay kung paano haharapin ang sakit, kabilang na ang kung kailan kinakailangang dalhin sa ospital.
“Naisip namin, siguro makakatulong kung meron kaming paraan para makausap ang ating mga kababayan na may COVID-19, para ire-assure o kaya guide sila kung talaga bang dapat na silang maospital o pwede pa silang sa bahay lang magpagaling. Kung magawa namin 'yun, matutulungan namin ang mga ospital, at least sa amin sa PGH, para hindi na nila kailangang pumunta sa emergency room nakakadagdag sila sa bilang ng mga naghihintay doon at baka ma-expose pa sila,” ayon kay Dr. Jonas Del Rosario, tagapagsalita ng PGH.
Makakatulong din ang OPLAN: COVID-Gabay para malaman ng mga pasyente o mga nag-aalaga sa mga ito ang dapat gawin nang hindi naman maisugod sa ospital nang malubha na ang kalagayan.
Sa ngayon, nangangailangan pa sila ng mga volunteer para sa programa.
“Ang una naming ginawa, dahil ito ay pilot, iniimbitahan po muna namin ang mga doktor na grumadweyt sa UP College of Medicine at mga grumadweyt din po sa Philippine General Hospital, mga alumni namin para tulungan po kami. Ang plano para itong nasa call center, tatauhan mo 'yung telephone lines at may shifts, malaking bagay kung marami ang magbo-volunteer para hindi naman napapagod ang isang volunteer,” sabi ni Del Rosario.
Kanila munang uumpisahang manawagan sa mga doktor ng PGH at kapag napuno na ay saka nila bubuksan ito para sa ibang mga doktor.
“Official launch sa Lunes, meron na po kami kung tawagin Bayanihan Operations Center, 'yung hotline na 155-200, isang taon na po 'yun. Parang call center po 'yun, 'pag may concern ka sa COVID pwede mong i-dial 'yun may kakausap sa iyo. Pinapalawak lang namin at talagang tututukan namin 'yung COVID concerns, lalo na 'yung pwede naming alagaang pasyente sa bahay lang,” dagdag niya.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/09/21/pgh-maglulunsad-ng-programang-gagabay-sa-mga-may-covid-19
Leatherback sea turtle natagpuang patay sa dalampasigan sa Aklan
Isang Leatherback sea turtle ang natagpuang patay sa dalampasigan ng Barangay Baybay sa bayan ng Makato sa Aklan, Huwebes ng hapon.
Ayon sa mga residente na unang nakakita sa pawikan, posibleng may ilang araw na itong patay at napadpad lamang sa kanilang lugar dahil sa naagnas na ang ilang bahagi ng katawan nito.
Kaagad namang ipinagbigay-alam ng mga residente ang patay na pawikan sa mga awtoridad.
Kaagad na ipinalibing ang pawikan matapos masuri ng Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) sa Makato.
Groups say NICA’s mandate to warn public vs. Reds' allies
By Lade Jean Kabagani
Anti-communist groups said it is the mandate of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) to warn the public against national security threats.
In a joint statement Thursday, the League of Parents of the Philippines (LPP), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), Melchora Women's Partylist, Youth Power against Destabilization and Terrorism (YPADT), and Duterte Youth Partylist have backed the claim of National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Director-General Alex Paul Monteagudo that the union of Senate employees is affiliated to the communist group.
"We the various multi-sectoral organizations have thrown its support to the efforts of Dir. Gen. Montaegudo of NICA in his effort to enlighten the public on the dangers of government unions being affiliated to COURAGE that has also strong affiliations with Bayan and Bayan Muna, actually they are member-organizations of both of it," the groups said.
In an earlier Facebook post, Monteagudo said the Senate workers' union, the Sandigan ng mga Empleyadong Nagkakaisa sa Adhikain ng Demokratikong Organisasyon (Senado), has been “the eyes and the ears of the CPP, the New People’s Army, and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF)."
"In fairness to him, it is his mandate as the head of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency to inform and raise the level of awareness of the public on such issues," they said. "Countless records and personal accounts clearly manifest the role of COURAGE in the legal front facade of the CPP-NPA-NDF."
According to the law, the NICA directs, coordinates, and integrates all government activities involving national intelligence.
"It serves as the focal point for the preparation of intelligence estimates of local and foreign situations."
Eye-opener
The groups said the Senate should not misinterpret Montegudo's intention to aware them of the possible threats to national security.
They added it should serve as an eye-opener for the public about the communist' allied groups.
"On the contrary, senators should not take it as red-tagging but should be very appreciative to the effort of the Director-General. We clearly believe that there is no intention to malign the integrity of the SENATE, its employees, the union, or even the senators," they said.
The groups added that it was CPP founding chairman Jose Maria "Joma" Sison himself who red-tagged several individuals and militant organizations.
"As we all know, the CPP founder and present chairman Joma Sison has publicly tagged and confirmed that 'Bayan' is a legal front of them," the statement read.
The groups said associating these front organizations and individuals with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDF) were based on the pronouncements of Sison in a video during a meeting at the International Center, CIC in Brussels, Belgium on March 4, 1987.
“At any rate, even while there are of the armed revolution, there are the legal democratic forces in the Philippines. The biggest of these is Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or BAYAN, in short. Its biggest component organizations are: Kilusang Mayo Uno which is the labor center; the Kilusang Magbubukid (KMP); GABRIELA, the woman’s Alliance; League of Filipino Students (LFS); Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT); KADENA; and so on,” Sison was quoted as saying.
The groups likewise condemned the "baseless" allegations tossed against Monteagudo by raising awareness about the front organizations of the communist terrorist groups.
"We also condemn the baseless accusation against Monteagudo that he is red-tagging the S.E.N.A.D.O union and C.O.U.R.A.G.E," they said.
Appeal to senators
The anti-communist groups, meanwhile, urged senators to review the alleged reds' infiltration within the government.
"To our beloved Senators, viewed the matter as a positive note in order to preserve the integrity of the SENATE as a clean institution without any creeping danger of being infiltrated by Communist Terrorist Group," they said.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier said Senate employees suspected of being affiliated with the communist movement will be investigated.
Sotto told NICA to give him the names of the employees to push a further investigation, however, identities will remain confidential once submitted.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136262
US, Philippine top diplomats express concerns over Chinese militia boats
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, in a phone call on Thursday, expressed their shared concerns about Chinese militia vessels in South China Sea, the US State Department said in a statement.
Blinken also reaffirmed that a US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty applied to the South China Sea, the statement said.
The Philippines has described the presence of hundreds of Chinese boats inside its 200-mile exclusive economic zone at Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea as "swarming and threatening."
Chinese diplomats have said the boats were sheltering from rough seas and no militia were aboard.
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Vietnam have competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, through which at least $3.4 trillion of annual trade passes.
Data shows Ivermectin doesn't work vs COVID-19, says expert
The supposed effectivity of anti-parasitic drug ivermectin in treating COVID-19 is not backed by data, an infectious disease expert said Friday, as several groups continue to advocate for its use.
"Ivermectin is very popular in South America where it is used for worms. A lot of countries started it using it out of desperation. Clearly, the controlled data, the data studies that are coming out really don't show that it's working," Dr. Edsel Salvana told ANC.
"Early data showed that maybe it works in a Petri dish, maybe it works in certain subsets of patients, but when they did the big clinical trials with proper controls for any kind of bias, it turns out it doesn't work," he added.
Despite previous warning by international health organizations, the Food and Drug Administration has granted an undisclosed hospital a compassionate use permit of ivermectin as COVID-19 treatment.
Currently, the registered Ivermectin products in the country for human use are in topical formulations under prescription use only, the health regulator earlier said. This is used for the treatment of external parasites such as head lice and skin conditions such as rosacea.
The registered oral and intravenous preparations of Ivermectin are veterinary products, which are approved for use in animals for the prevention of heartworm disease and treatment of internal and external parasites in certain animal species, according to an advisory the FDA issued last month.
Salvana, a member of the technical advisory group that advises the Department of Health (DOH), cautioned against using ivermectin citing potential side effects.
"The supposed anti-viral dose of ivermectin is about 5 times or higher that. So, I'm really concerned as a doctor if there will be toxic side effects because we do know that there are neurologic side effects of ivermectin if taken at higher dose or even in usual doses," he said.
The health expert also lamented that non-medical professionals were promoting the drug despite a lack of data demonstrating its benefits.
"Unfortunately, we also have, aside from a viral pandemic, we have a pandemic of misinformation where everybody thinks they can read journals, read the science when they're not properly trained to do so," he said.
"This is something we called epistemic trespassing where experts in some field feel that they can competently talk about something that's not in their field and that's really dangerous," he added.
The World Health Organization has warned against the use of ivermectin in patients with COVID-19 except for clinical trials because of inconclusive evidence.
The UN health agency's recommendation followed the European Medicines Agency's warning against the drug. The US Food and Drug Administration has also said it was not recommended for COVID-19 treatment.
The Department of Health also said a systematic review of 6 randomized controlled trials showed that ivermectin did not significantly reduce the risk of mortality and duration of hospitalization among COVID-19 cases.
PH Navy keen on acquiring US Cyclone-patrol vessels
By Priam Nepomuceno
The Philippine Navy (PN) has expressed its interest to acquire the newly-decommissioned Cyclone-class patrol vessels of the United States (US) Navy.
"The PN has manifested its interest in the decommissioned Cyclone-class patrol vessels (CCPVs) of the US Navy as a stop-gap to the decommissioned legacy PN ships. As to how many, that depends on the seaworthiness and efficiency of the CCPVs that will be offered, and this will be determined by the PN Joint Visual Inspection Team," PN chief, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Thursday night.
Bacordo said he will be happy if the PN acquires at least five of these Cyclone-class patrol vessels which will be a boost to its fleet.
At present, the PN has one Cyclone-class patrol vessel in its service, the BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS-38), formerly the ex-USS Cyclone, which was transferred to the PN in 2004.
"We have manifested our interest with JUSMAG (Joint US Military Assistance Group) and US INDOPACOM (Indo-Pacific Command)," he added.
The Cyclone-class patrol ships are a class of US Navy coastal patrol boats consisting of some 14 ships.
These vessels weigh around 328.5 long tons and have a length of 179 feet, a beam of 25 feet, and a draft of 7.5 feet.
Their maximum speed is placed at 35 knots and they have a range of between 2,000 to 2,500 nautical miles.
Cyclone-class patrol vessels are armed with two 25mm autocannons and several high-powered machine guns.
Pinoys urged to show ‘greater sense of patriotism, solidarity’
By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday enjoined his fellow Filipinos to exhibit a “greater sense of patriotism and solidarity,” especially now that the country is still grappling with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Duterte made the call as he joined the entire nation in commemorating Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor).
In his message, Duterte also hailed the front-liners whose dedication to fighting Covid-19 is worthy of imitation.
“As we continue to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, we take a moment to honor the fortitude displayed by our selfless and dedicated front-liners whose unrelenting commitment in this fight reflects the heroism of the warriors of Bataan that continues to inspire in us a greater sense of patriotism and solidarity during these trying times,” he said.
An estimated 60,000 Filipino and American troops on April 9, 1942 were taken prisoners of war by the Japanese.
They were forced to walk some 112 kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac under the sun with no food and water for days. The forced march of the prisoners is known as the Death March.
Around 18,000 Filipino soldiers and 650 Americans died during the Death March due to exhaustion or were either shot or bayoneted to death.
Duterte said the “meaningful and solemn” occasion serves as a reminder of the “unyielding determination of the Filipino to prevail over all forms of adversity.”
“The valor of our forebears, which was exhibited during the defense of Bataan almost eight decades ago, has left an indelible mark in our history and shaped our indomitable spirit to rise after every fall,” he said.
Duterte was optimistic that Filipinos would be inspired by the fallen soldiers whose sacrifice “became the bedrock of our resolve to uphold our most cherished liberties.”
“May this awareness resonate among us as we strive to become worthy heirs to the nation that they fought and bled for,” he said.
‘Great sacrifice of past, modern heroes’
In a separate statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar called on his fellow Filipinos to emulate the past and modern heroes who made a “great sacrifice” for the country.
Andanar issued the statement, as he lauded the gallantry and patriotism of the fallen soldiers for the freedom the country presently enjoys.
He also praised the hard work and commitment of front-liners in the country, who he dubbed as modern heroes for displaying courage despite the risk posed by the coronavirus.
Andanar urged his fellow Filipinos to show valor by heeding the government’s call to follow the health and quarantine protocols amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“May we be inspired by the great sacrifice of both our patriotic veterans and our modern-day heroes. Following the minimum health standards and being part of our government's collective fight to recover and rise as one nation against this virus is how we can show valor in our own little way,” he said.
April 9 of every year, by virtue of Executive Order 203 signed in 1987, has been declared as “Araw ng Kagitingan” to honor the thousands of Filipino and American forces who fought for freedom and democracy.
PNP coronavirus recovery tally reaches 14.2K
By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
An additional 238 police officers have recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing the police force's recovery tally to 14,206.
In an update on Friday, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy chief for administration, said they also recorded 166 new confirmed cases, 156 of which are tagged as new while the remaining 10 as reinfections.
This raises the PNP's cumulative number of Covid-19 cases to 16,770, with 2,524 active cases and 40 deaths.
Meanwhile, the number of PNP personnel vaccinated has reached 4,546, with 2,917 being injected with their first dose of Sinovac and another 1,267 with their second dose.
Those injected with AstraZeneca have reached 1,629.
Meanwhile, around 82 percent of PNP personnel have expressed willingness to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136254
Fair weather over most of PH Friday
By Ma. Cristina Arayata
Most parts of the country will continue to experience generally fair weather, the weather bureau said Friday.
The northeasterly surface wind flow will bring isolated light rains over Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecast moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas to continue over northern Luzon.
Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas, PAGASA said.