Travel ban extended; aliens with travel exemption may enter PH

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said foreigners who were given entry exemption document prior to the implementation last month’s travel ban may now enter the Philippines.

In an advisory issued on Friday, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said aliens with entry exemption documents issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) before March 22 are now allowed to enter the country during the implementation of travel restrictions, which was extended until April 30.

The revised rule is pursuant to the latest resolution of the Inter-Agency Task on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Morente said other foreign nationals are still prohibited from entering the Philippines and that the Balikbayan privilege for former Filipinos remains suspended.

“The foreign parent, spouse, and children of Filipinos may enter the country, provided they are traveling with the Filipino principal, and have a valid entry visa,” he sad in a news release on Sunday.

Currently, based on the IATF’s policy, the BI also allows the following aliens with valid entry visas to enter the country:

* Diplomats and members of international organizations with valid 9(e) or 47(a) (2) visas;

* Those involved in medical repatriation endorsed by the DFA and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); and

* Seafarers with 9(c) visa for crew change; and (4) those with emergency, humanitarian and analogous cases approved by the chairperson of the National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) or his authorized representative.

Morente, nonethless, said travel exemptions are without prejudice to the mandate of the BI to conduct strict screening and formalities on all arriving foreigners.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137204

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DHSUD program pushes for climate-resilient homes

 By Lade Jean Kabagani

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is pushing for a housing microfinance strategy that will grant low-income families access to climate-resilient homes at affordable costs.

Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said DHSUD will hold consultation meetings and workshops with financial institutions, private developers, and other stakeholders to establish the Inclusive Green Housing Microfinance (IGHM) program.

"With the high price of land, especially in urban areas, affordability remains a major stumbling block to homeownership for many Filipinos who fall below the poverty line," del Rosario said in a statement Sunday.

A total of 6 virtual meetings are scheduled between April and May this year. It will involve the formulation of frameworks and the creation of long-term targets for the rollout of IGHM.

"The department is committed to finding alternative means such as housing microfinance to help them afford their dream homes,” del Rosario said.

The agenda for the consultation meetings include a discussion of major findings from the assessment of existing housing microfinance programs.

The meetings will assess the operations of existing housing microfinance programs nationwide, identify and address challenges related to housing microfinance, and analysis of green housing features.

“We are reaching out to our stakeholders, especially the microfinance institutions that are already implementing housing microfinance in the communities to gather insight, capture best practices, and ease barriers for an effective nationwide implementation,” del Rosario said.

These microfinance institutions include Microfinance Council of the Philippines and Alliance of Philippine Partners in Enterprise Development, ASA Philippines Foundation, Kasagana-Ka Cooperative, and Habitat for Humanity.

DHSUD will also meet with developer groups such as the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines and Socialized Housing Developers Association, and key shelter agency Social Housing Finance Corporation and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Center for Learning and Inclusion Advocacy.

The IGHM program is aligned with the 2021 agenda of the National Human Settlements Board, a multiagency housing body chaired by the DHSUD that focuses on the pursuit of policy reforms to accelerate housing microfinance as a primary pro-poor housing finance strategy in recognition of the need to provide alternative housing solutions to low-income households.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137188

Typhoon Bising slightly weakens

 By Jelly Musico

Typhoon Bising slightly weakened and decelerated while moving west northwestward at 15 kilometer per hour (kph) over the Philippine Sea east of Catanduanes, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday.

In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, PAGASA said the eye of Typhoon Bising was located at 290 km east of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 205 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph.

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will be experienced over Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region.

Tropical Cycling Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains hoisted over Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.

The weather bureau cautioned the residents in these areas of possible light to moderate damage to structures and vegetation due to strong winds and flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.

On the other hand, areas under TWCS No. 1 are: eastern portion of Camarines Norte (San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Vinzons, Talisay, Daet, Mercedes, and Basud), Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, northern portion of Cebu (Tabogon, Borbon, San Remigio, Bogo City, Medellin, Daanbantayan) including Bantayan and Camotes Island, Dinagat Islands, Siargao Islands, and Bucas Grande Islands.

In the next 24 hours, rough to very high seas will be experienced over the northern and eastern seaboard of Eastern Visayas and rough to very rough seas over the eastern seaboard of Caraga.

“Sea travel is risky for all types of seacraft over these waters,” PAGASA said.

The typhoon is forecast to gradually weaken throughout the forecast period, PAGASA said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137196

Residents urged to stay vigilant as ‘Bising’ grazes Bicol

By Azer Parrocha

Malacañang on Sunday urged the public to remain vigilant and follow quarantine protocols as Typhoon Bising (international name "Surigae") maintains strength while passing close to Bicol Region.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark as he assured that the national government continues to monitor Typhoon Bising 24/7.

“Our concern is the safety of everyone. We therefore ask our people to remain alert and vigilant, cooperate with authorities and continue to observe minimum public health standards for protection against Covid-19,” he said in a press statement.

To date, Roque said the Office of Civil Defense has conducted pre-disaster risk assessments at the national level and issued guidance and advisories for the early preparation of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCs) and the local government units (LGUs) since April 14.

A total of PHP556,438,277 standby funds was allotted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in their central office and field offices and stockpiles consisting of 370,058 family food packs amounting to PHP188,605,445, as of 6 p.m., April 17.

Dedicated teams are also looking into the impact of any disaster, especially in monitoring the evacuation centers in relation to Covid-19 protocol, according to the Department of Health.

Assorted medicines and Covid-19 supplies have also been prepositioned to regional offices.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has prepositioned all response assistance while all unified commands were instructed to assist RDRRMCs in preemptive evacuation and other relevant operations.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has activated nine regions, reiterating the use of Oplan Listo and LGU assistance to response operations.

Oplan LISTO aims to develop the capabilities of LGUs to become resilient and safe communities as well as households that are self-reliance while building the internal capacities of the DILG and Local Government Academy.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has also carried out preemptive evacuation in Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Northern and Eastern Samar.

In the 11 a.m. severe weather bulletin, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Typhoon Bising maintained its maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 265 kph.

Bising could bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Bicol and Eastern Visayas Sunday, PAGASA said.

The typhoon may continue to bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Bicol and Northern Samar by Monday.

The state weather bureau also warned that flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are likely to occur especially in areas identified in hazard maps as highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137185

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DOH biosurveillance detects 642 cases of new Covid-19 variants

The Department of Health (DOH), University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) on Sunday reported the detection of additional 266 B.1.1.7 variant cases, 351 B.1.351 variant cases, and 25 P.3 variant cases.

On B.1.1.7 variant cases:

Of the additional 266 B.1.1.7 variant cases, 11 cases are Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs), 188 are local cases, and 67 cases are currently being verified if they are local or ROF cases. Based on the case line list, eight cases have died and 204 cases have recovered while 54 cases are still active.

On B.1.351 7 variant cases:

Of the additional 351 B.1.351 variant cases, 15 cases are ROFs, 263 are local cases, and 73 cases are currently being verified if they are local or ROF cases. Based on the case line list, 54 cases are still active, 4 cases have died, and 293 cases have recovered.

On P.3 7 variant cases:

Of the 25 additional P.3 variant cases, 2 are ROFs, 21 are local cases, and 2 cases are being verified if they are local or ROF cases. Based on the case line list, 1 case is still active and 24 cases have recovered.

The DOH, UP-PGC, and UP-NIH reiterated that the P.3 variant is not yet identified as a variant of concern since current data is insufficient to determine whether the variant will have significant public health implications.

The DOH continues to reiterate that strict and consistent adherence to the minimum public health standards, increased support for the National Vaccination Program, and continued implementation of prevention, detection, isolation, treatment and reintegration strategies by local government units along with the imposition of immediate localized interventions (such as granular lockdowns) are still keys to mitigating the continued number of increasing cases and the transmission of COVID-19.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137170

No truth to ‘generals’ withdrawal of support for PRRD

 By Priam Nepomuceno

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday denied online posts claiming that a group of retired and active military officers are withdrawing their support for President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

"We denounce the irresponsible propaganda being propagated in online posts alleging that a group of retired and active military officers are withdrawing their support for the President," he said in a statement.

Lorenzana also called the social media posts as fake news, saying he and other DND officials will never be part of such groups.

"This is fake news! I am not, and will never be, a part of any such group -- neither are the officials at the DND, many of whom are also retired military officers," he said.

He added that such disinformation is an act of reckless agitation emanating from detractors, who have a limited and myopic appreciation of the issues.

"We call on these destabilizers to cease from propagating malicious statements especially at a time when our people should all be coming together in the face of the challenges that we are all currently facing. You are not helping our country and people at all," he added.

Lorenzana was referring to the alleged demand of so-called "Viber 500" and the retired generals in the Cabinet, except vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, for Duterte to denounce China's encroachment in the West Philippine Sea.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana dismissed the alleged existence of a Viber group with claimed membership from among senior and junior officers both active and retired.

Sobejana said he will disavow the presence or association of officers and enlisted personnel if a group with such kind of mindset will be created in the future.

The sinister post comes after another message made rounds in social media about “warplanes” from various countries taking off and landing in Clark Airbase, Pampanga.

"We have issued a statement dismissing that SMS as fake news. No such landings or taking off of aircraft from other countries are taking place. The AFP is on normal alert as opposed to the claim of that spurious sender," Sobejana added.

He said it is obvious that the motive of these malicious posts is to create panic and confusion.

"We advise the public to remain calm and dismiss them as another disinformation. The AFP is a professional organization committed to safeguard democracy and protect its democratic institutions," he added.

Sobejana said the AFP will focus on its mission and continue to perform its constitutional mandates.

"We will veer away, as we appeal to all quarters to spare your AFP from partisan politics," he added.

He also said the country is already saddled with numerous challenges that the AFP must face than be distracted by people, groups, and associations advancing their own agenda.

"We assure our people that your soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines are firmly behind the chain-of-command," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137175

TUPAD workers tapped as contact tracers

The cash-for-work program Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) may now be utilized by other local government units (LGUs), aside from the National Capital Region (NCR), to help curb the spread of Covid-19 through contact tracing.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a television-radio program interview on Saturday that LGUs needing additional contact tracers may start recruiting under the TUPAD program.

Bello told “Oh My Job” he has informed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) of DOLE’s support for LGUs’ need to hire more contact tracers, especially in areas where there are high Covid-19 cases.

“In our meeting with the DILG, I already told Acting Secretary (Bernardo) Florece that he can allocate to any LGU the number of contact tracers to be employed under our TUPAD program,” Bello said.

Bello had earlier given DOLE regional directors the discretion to approve requests of local chief executives to tap TUPAD beneficiaries as contact tracers.

“Since the DILG has problems funding the contact tracing of LGUs, I thought it wise to offer our TUPAD program for that purpose. In this manner, we are not only providing emergency employment to our displaced workers but also helping the urgent need of the community to stop the spread of the disease through contact tracing,” he said.

TUPAD is an emergency employment program for displaced or disadvantaged informal sector workers.

Beneficiaries are provided with temporary employment that runs from 10 days to 30 days and paid the prevailing daily minimum wage in their areas.

They are normally those displaced by natural calamities like typhoon, earthquake, volcanic eruption or disasters, and accidents like fire.

At the height of lockdowns last year, TUPAD beneficiaries were engaged to undertake disinfection and sanitation of their homes and immediate neighborhood.

Bello had initially offered 14,000 TUPAD beneficiaries as contact tracers for the requirements of LGUs in NCR and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna for one month.

Mayors, through Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Benhur Abalos, requested that contact tracers be employed for three months instead for an allocation of P230 million equivalent to close to 5,000 contact tracers.

The application and processing for NCR contact tracers under TUPAD will be until April 22.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137176

WATCH: PCSO 2 PM Lotto Draw, April 18, 2021

Voters’ registration remains suspended in MECQ areas

By Ferdinand Patinio

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Monday that voters’ registration remains suspended in the National Capital Region Plus and other areas placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) for the entire month of April.

The poll body said there will be no registration and issuance of voters’ certification in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, or the NCR Plus, and in Santiago City, Isabela and the provinces of Abra and Quirino, which were placed under MECQ starting today until April 30.

The Comelec earlier issued an advisory suspending voter registration from April 5 to 11 in all Offices of the Election Officer in NCR Plus, as well as in the Office for Overseas Voting in the main office and its satellite offices while the area was under enhanced community quarantine, the strictest form of lockdown.

Registration will continue in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) or modified GCQ 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays.

The release of voters’ certifications is also from Mondays to Thursdays but until 5 p.m.

The Office for Overseas Voting in Intramuros, Manila, however, will be open for applicants with urgent travel needs during the MECQ period.

On Sunday, the government downgraded NCR Plus from ECQ to MECQ after two weeks.

Comelec will accept registration until September 30, 2021.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136441

Babae patay nang pagbabarilin sa loob ng bahay sa Davao de Oro

Dead on the spot ang isang babae matapos barilin sa loob ng kaniyang bahay sa Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, sabi ngayong Linggo ng pulisya.

Ayon kay Aljun Lastimoso, kinakasama ng biktimang si Marevil Gumanit, matutulog na sana sila sa bahay sa Barangay Bukal noong gabi ng Biyernes nang pasukin ng 2 armadong lalaki.

Bumunot umano ng baril ang isa sa mga lalaki at pinaputukan sa ulo nang 2 beses ang biktima.

Tinutukan pa umano ng mga suspek ng baril si Lastimoso, pero hindi na ito gumana.

Agad nakatakas ang mga suspek sa Barangay Gubatan.

Natukoy ng mga awtoridad ang pagkakakilanlan ng isa sa mga suspek at nagsasagawa na sila ng operasyon para mahuli ang mga ito.

Personal na alitan ang nakikitang motibo sa krimen, ayon sa pulisya.

— Ulat ni Hernel Tocmo

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/18/21/babae-patay-nang-pagbabarilin-sa-loob-ng-bahay-sa-davao-de-oro

Typhoon Bising decelerates, to bring rains over E. Visayas and Bicol: PAGASA

(2nd UPDATE) - Typhoon Bising (international name Surigae) slowed down as it moved over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said early Sunday.

The rain bands of the country's second storm this year will bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Eastern Visayas and Bicol region, PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

"Mababa ang tsansang maglandfall dahil may high-pressure area sa kabilang gilid ng bagyo, kaya magiging pahilaga ang pagkilos ng bagyo at nananatili ang kanyang sentro sa gitna ng karagatan," PAGASA weather forecaster Ariel Rojas told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

(It has a low chance of making landfall because of the high pressure areas on its side, which is why it will move north and its center will remain in the sea.)

The following areas were placed under tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2, where winds of up to 120 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours, which may cause old wooden electric posts to be tilted or downed:

Catanduanes

Northern Samar

Eastern Samar

Samar

Storm signal no. 1, which may cause slight damage to some houses of very light materials or makeshift structures in exposed communities, was hoisted over the following areas:

Eastern portion of Camarines Norte (San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Vinzons, Talisay, Daet, Mercedes, Basud)

Camarines Sur

Albay

Sorsogon

Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands

Biliran

Leyte

Southern Leyte

Northern portion of Cebu (Tabogon, Borbon, San Remigio, Bogo City, Medellin, Daanbantayan) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands

Dinagat Islands

Siargao Islands

Bucas Grande Islands

"Bising" was last estimated 375 kilometers east of Juban, Sorsogon as of 10 a.m., moving northwest at 20 km per hour (kph), packing 215 kph maximum winds near the center and gusts of up to 265 kph, according to PAGASA.

It was forecast to turn northward between Sunday evening or early Monday and continue moving in this direction until Tuesday, the PAGASA said.

It will then turn north northwestward while over the Philippine Sea east of Cagayan Valley and then go northeastward away from the Luzon landmass by Wednesday evening or Thursday early morning, PAGASA said.

"The possibility of a close approach scenario is not ruled out," it added.

"The typhoon is forecast to maintain its strength today before gradually weakening throughout the remainder of the forecast period."

PAGASA warned that very rough to very high seas will be experienced over the northern and eastern seaboard of Eastern Visayas (4.0 to 12.0 m), rough to very high seas over the eastern seaboard of Luzon (2.5 to 12.0 m), and rough to very rough seas over the eastern seaboard of Caraga (3.0 to 5.0 m).

Sea travel is risky for all types of seacraft over these waters, especially those under storm signals, it said.

Globe Telecom said Saturday its technical and support personnel and generators were on standby in areas threatened by Typhoon Bising.

It said its Libreng Tawag, charging, and WiFi services will be deployed in areas where the typhoon was forecast to bring heavy rains and strong winds. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/18/21/typhoon-bising-pagasa

Rape suspect na nagtago nang halos 15 taon huli sa Bacolod

 Naaresto sa Bacolod City ang isang lalaking rape susepct matapos magtago nang halos 15 taon, sabi ngayong Linggo ng pulisya.

Ayon kay Maj. Ronaldo Lumactod, public information officer ng Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group, nagkasa noong Biyernes ang kanilang unit at Bacolod police ng operasyon matapos makatanggap ng ulat sa kinaroroonan ng suspek na si Ildefonso Opilda.

Nahuli sa Barangay Mansilingan si Oplida, na itinuturing na ikatlo sa mga most wanted sa Bacolod.

Inakusahan ang suspek na gumahasa sa mga anak ng kaniyang kapitbahay noong 2007. Una niya umanong ginahasa si alyas "Rose," isang menor de edad, at matapos ang ilang buwan, kapatid naman ni "Rose" ang naging biktima.

Nakakulong na sa Bacolod City Police Station ang suspek para sa 2 counts of rape. 

– Ulat ni Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/18/21/rape-suspect-na-nagtago-nang-halos-15-taon-huli-sa-bacolod

Emergency rooms in key areas still full as COVID-19 spike lingers: PCP officer

Most emergency rooms in pandemic-hit areas are still full as the number of new COVID-19 cases remains high in the Greater Manila area, an officer of a doctors' group said Sunday.

Government must enforce "long-term" programs such as digitalizing its contact-tracing, testing all people exposed to virus patients, and improving its referral of COVID-19 cases, said Dr. Maricar Limpin, vice president of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP). 

"Marami kaming nakikita na severe na o critical. It’s frustrating sa amin kasi by the time na makita namin, malalang-malala na ang mga kababayan natin," she told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

(We see a lot of patients become severe or critical. It's frustrating for us because by the time we see them, they're in the worst condition already.)

Health workers may only feel the impact of the stricter community quarantines in 2 to 3 weeks, Limpin said.

"Kinakaya na lang talaga namin, ang mga emergency department namin ay talagang punong-puno. Hindi lang punong-puno, it is about 200-percent capacity ang aming mga emergency department."

(We just push through it. Our emergency department is really full. Not just full, it's at about 200-percent capacity.)

Limpin urged local governments to centralize their data as contact-tracing using filled-up forms has been ineffective.

"Iimprove ang contact-tracing natin atsaka sana po kung kunyari QR code magkasundo na ho sila. 'Wag na ho mano-mano na contact tracing form na finifillupan natin. Wala hong nangyayari sa kanya. Itapon na natin kasi alam na natin na hindi effective," she said.

(Let's improve our contact-tracing, and they should agree on one thing, for example, if it's QR code. Let's not do manual contact tracing because nothing happens. Let's throw it away because we know it's not effective.)

She also urged local officials to bring COVID-19 assistance to residents instead of the other way around.

"I think there should be a better way of distributing itong mga ayuda na ito. Pwede siguro naman na 'yung government employees ang pumunta sa mga tao kesa ang mga tao pa ang pupunta sa kanila," she said.

(I think there should be a better way of distributing this aid. I think government employees can go to the people instead of residents going to them.)

The Philippines on Saturday reported 11,101 more COVID-19 cases, bringing its total to 926,052. Of this figure, 203,710 are active infections.

It was forecast to breach the 1 million mark by the end of the month, the OCTA Research Group earlier said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/18/21/covid-19-hospitals-capacity

Catanduanes, Samar, 2 other areas remain under signal no. 2 as Bising intensifies

(UPDATE) - Tropical Storm Bising (International name Surigae) has intensified as it moves northwest over the Philippine Sea east of Samar, PAGASA said in its 11 p.m. update on Saturday.

Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar were still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 as Bising slightly accelerated in speed. Under signal No. 2, prevailing winds packing speeds between 61 to 120 kilometers per hour are expected in the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Signal No. 1 are hoisted over the following areas: 

LUZON: 

The eastern portion of Camarines Norte (San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Vinzons, Talisay, Daet, Mercedes, Basud)

Camarines Sur

Albay

Sorsogon

Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands

VISAYAS:

Biliran

Leyte

Southern Leyte

Northern portion of Cebu (Tabogon, Borbon, San Remigio, Bogo City, Medellin, Daanbantayan) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands

MINDANAO:

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands

Surigao del Sur

As of 10 p.m., PAGASA said Bising’s eye was located at 395 kilometers east of Borongan City in Eastern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 265 km/h. It is moving northwestward at 20 km/h.

Bising is expected to move northwestward and slow down on Sunday. By Sunday afternoon or evening, the typhoon is forecast to move generally northward while slowing down. 

The typhoon is expected to be closest to Bicol and Samar on Sunday morning and Monday morning  until it veers northeastward over the Philippine Sea east of Northern and Central Luzon by Wednesday evening.

Bising is expected to bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region on Sunday.

Landslides and flooding are expected in areas flagged as hazard areas, according to PAGASA. 

PAGASA said the public should expect tropical cyclone winds of at least the strength of a strong breeze to near gale in strength for up to 440km from the center of the typhoon. 

Destructive typhoon-force winds meanwhile extend outward up to 110 km from the center of the typhoon.

Rough seas are expected over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

“Sea travel is risky for all types of seacrafts over these waters, especially those under TCWS,” PAGASA said. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/17/21/catanduanes-samar-2-other-areas-under-signal-no-2-as-bising-accelerates-anew

4 na stranded sa CamSur-Albay border dahil sa bagyong Bising, positibo sa COVID-19

CAMARINES SUR—Apat ang nagpositibo sa isinagawang COVID-19 antigen swab test sa 280 na driver at pahinante ng mga trak na nakatigil sa Pan-Philippine Highway sa bayan ng Bato, ayon sa Incident Management Team ng probinsiya.

Nasa 13 ang close contact nila na dinala at inoobserbahan na rin sa provincial government-controlled quarantine facility.

Ayon sa IMT-Camarines Sur, pinigil ang mga sasakyan sa Camarines Sur-Albay border para maiwasan ang mahabang pila ng mga sasakyan sa Matnog Port sa Sorsogon ngayong walang biyahe ang mga barko dahil sa Bagyong Bising.

Isinagawa ang swab test para tiyaking walang sakit ang mga driver at pahinante habang naghihintay na muling makabiyahe.

Hiniling na ni Camarines Sur Gov. Migz Villafuerte maging ng Office of Civil Defense-Bicol (OCD-V) sa PNP-Bicol na paalisin sa lugar ang higit 150 stranded na sasakyang patawid ng Visayas at Mindanao at pabalikin na lang sa pinanggalingan para di na makahawa pa.

Nag-abiso na ang IMT-Camarines Sur sa mga pinapasukang kumpanya ng mga nagpositibo tungkol sa kondisyon ng mga nag-positibo sa swab test. - Mula sa ulat ni Jonathan Magistrado 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/18/21/4-na-stranded-sa-camsur-albay-border-dahil-sa-bagyong-bising-positibo-sa-covid-19

1 patay matapos matabunan ng gumuhong lupa sa Malay, Aklan

MALAY, Aklan - Isa ang patay nang natabunan ng gumuhong lupa sa ginagawang kalsada sa Malay, Aklan, pasado alas-3, Sabado ng hapon.

Nasawi si Modesto Appellido, 44 taong gulang, na residente ng Bingawan, Iloilo.

Samantala, tatlo ang sugatan sa pagguho ng lupa sa Sitio Putol, Brgy. Caticlan. Sila ay kinilalang sina Jade Daryl Castillo, 27 taong gulang; Jay Castillo, 22; at Darius Castillo, 48. Sila ay mga residente ng Brgy. Caticlan.

Lahat sila ay trabahador ng Gurrea Construction Company.

Sa imbestigasyon ng mga pulis ng Malay, natuklasan na ginagamit ang isang backhoe upang maghukay sa mataas na bahagi ng lugar nang biglang gumuho ang malambot na bahagi ng lupa. 

Hindi nasama sa pagguho ang backhoe ngunit tumabon naman ang lupa sa 4 na trabahador.

Lumambot daw ang lupa dahil sa pag-ulan noong nakaraang araw.

Kaagad naman natagpuan ang mga biktima gamit ang backhoe at dinala ng mga rumespondeng opisyal ng Malay MDRRMO at Bureau of Fire Protection sa Malay Municipal Hospital sa Brgy. Motag, ngunit ideneklarang dead on arrival si Modesto.

- Mula sa ulat ni Rolen Escaniel

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/18/21/1-patay-matapos-matabunan-ng-gumuhong-lupa-sa-malay-aklan

Is COVID-19 deadlier than other viruses?

The global death toll from COVID-19 passed three million on Saturday, with the pandemic already having killed more people than most other viral epidemics of the 20th and 21st centuries.

But there have been notable exceptions. The post-World War I Spanish Flu wiped out 50 million people, according to some estimates. And over the decades AIDS, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has killed 33 million.

Here are some comparisons:

FLU EPIDEMICS

In 2009, the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, caused a global pandemic and left an official death toll of 18,500.

This was later revised upwards by The Lancet medical journal to between 151,700 and 575,400 dead.

That brings it close to seasonal flu, which accounts for between 290,000 and 650,000 deaths worldwide every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the 20th century, two major non-seasonal flu pandemics -- Asian flu in 1957-1958 and Hong Kong flu in 1968-1970 -- each killed around one million people, according to counts carried out afterwards.

The greatest catastrophe of modern pandemics to date, the flu pandemic of 1918-1919 also known as Spanish flu, wiped out some 50 million people according to research published in the 2000s.

OTHER VIRAL EPIDEMICS

The death toll from COVID-19, which emerged in central China in late 2019, is far higher than that of the haemorrhagic fever Ebola, which was first identified in 1976.

In four decades, periodic Ebola outbreaks have killed some 15,000 people, all in Africa.

Ebola has a far higher fatality rate than COVID-19: around 50 percent of people who are infected die from it.

But Ebola is less contagious than other viral diseases, namely because it is not airborne but transmitted through direct and close contact.

AIDS is by far the most deadly modern epidemic: almost 33 million people around the world have died of the disease, which affects the immune system.

No effective vaccine has been found, but retroviral drugs, when taken regularly, efficiently stop the illness in its tracks and heavily reduce the risk of contamination.

This treatment has helped bring down the death toll from its peak in 2004 of 1.7 million deaths to 690,000 in 2019, according to UNAIDS.

The hepatitis B and C viruses also have a high death toll, killing some 1.3 million people every year, most often in poor countries.

In 2002-2003, COVID's predecessor SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) that emerged from China was the first coronavirus to spark global fears, but killed just 774 people in the final toll.

THREE MILLION EQUALS?

As a matter of comparison, the figure of three million people represents a little bit more than the population of Jamaica or Armenia.

It is also three times the toll of the Iran-Iraq war which raged from 1980-1988, or 2,000 times more than the 1,500 who died in the sinking of the Titanic.

Over the past month, more than 10,000 people have died every day from the coronavirus.

It is as many as the 10,000 children who die every day from hunger around the world, according to the UN.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/17/21/is-covid-19-deadlier-than-other-viruses

Tycoon Lucio Tan stable, recovering after hospitalized for COVID-19

Business tycoon Lucio Tan is now stable and is recovering after being admitted to a hospital for COVID-19, his daughter said late Saturday.

In a post on Instagram, Tan’s daughter Vivienne said her father “is in stable condition, responding well, and recovering.”

She also requested for privacy while her father is recuperating, and asked the public to “pray for his speedy recovery.”

Tan is the chairman of LT Group, which controls Philip Morris-Fortune Tobacco, Asia Brewery, Tanduay Distillers and Eton Properties.

He is the third richest person in the Philippines and 925th worldwide with an estimated net worth of $3.3 billion, or at least P160 billion, Forbes said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/18/21/tycoon-lucio-tan-stable-recovering-after-hospitalized-for-covid-19

Police officer shoots man dead after scuffle in Nueva Vizcaya station

Raffy Santos, ABS-CBN News

A man accused of rape died after he tried to steal a policeman's gun in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya on Saturday. 

Police say 31-year-old Delmar Cadiente was being booked at the Solano Municipal Police Station after his arrest for allegedly raping a 3-year-old girl when he grabbed the service firearm of P/Cpl. Mark Galut.

According to the police report, Sayno tried to hit Cadiente, causing him to fall down on the floor, but the latter still tried to retaliate. At that juncture, a scuffle ensued between the two. 

The town chief of police, P/Capt. Jet Sayno, who was present at the booking procedure, fired at Cadiente after the suspect aimed the gun he stole at Galut. 

"[Sayno was] left no option but to neutralize/shoot the suspect to avoid further casualty on the part of the lawmen," the PNP noted in its report. 

Cadiente was brought to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. 

He had earlier been arrested by police after a mother reported that he raped her daughter. The child identified Cadiente as her attacker. 

Cadiente's boarding house was next to the victim's residence, the police said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/18/21/police-officer-shoots-man-dead-after-scuffle-in-nueva-vizcaya-station