Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Mga mangingisda sa Masinloc, normal na nakakapaghanap-buhay sa ngayon

Sa kabila pa rin ng pananatili ng ilang Chinese vessels sa West Philippine Sea, wala namang nakikita o nararanasang problema ang mga mangingisda sa bayan ng Masinloc sa Zambales.


“So far this time po ang bayan ng Masinloc, ang mga mangingisda ay naghahanap-buhay nang maayos,” pahayag ni Mayor Arsenia Lim.


Sinabi sa TeleRadyo ni Lim, na normal ang pangingisda nila at wala namang nararanasang anumang problema sa ngayon.


Pero ayon kay Lim, ibang usapan na kapag may mang-harass sa kanilang mangingisda dahil hindi umano siya papayag na maagrabiyado ang mga ito.


“Wala naman this time. Kasi kung meron po, katulad noong una na, sinumbong ko naman agad sa Malacanang yun. Hindi po tayo papayag na maagrabiyado ang mga maliliit nating kababayan,” sabi niya.


—TeleRadyo 21 Abril 2021


https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/04/21/21/mga-mangingisda-sa-masinloc-normal-na-nakakapaghanap-buhay-sa-ngayon

4 tripulante ng sumadsad na barko sa Surigao de Norte natagpuang patay; 7 nasagip

(2nd UPDATE) - Patay na nang matagpuan nitong Miyerkoles ang 4 sa 20 tripulante ng sumadsad na barko sa karagatang sakop ng Barangay Cantapoy sa Malimono, Surigao del Sur, ayon sa mga awtoridad. 


Ayon kay Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo, 7 ang nakaligtas habang patuloy pang nawawala ang 9 na iba pang tripulante.


Ang mga naiulat na nakaligtas ay sina: 


Noli Labucay 

Roger Polo 

Arjie Bacarra

Joejie Villanueva

Felipe Quebuen

John Renzo Guanzon 

Junmar Galeos


Ginagamot na ang mga survivor sa Malimono Regional Health Unit at Caraga Regional Hospital.


Samantala,nakilala na rin apat na nasawing tripulante na natagpuan sa Brgy. Jubgan sa San Francisco at Bgy. Mabua sa Surigao City.


Ang mga naiulat na nasawing tripulante ay sina: 


Normal Galon

Michael Inoc

Jose Sherwin Laniba

Mark Evan Cuesta


Ito ang resulta ng ika-3 araw ng nagpapatuloy na search and rescue operation ng mga tropa ng Philippine Coast Guard at ibang search units sa mga tripulante ng LCT Cebu Grean Ocean na sumadsad sa baybayin ng Malimono noong Lunes.


Ayon sa isang pahayag, patuloy na nagsasagawa ng search and rescue operations sa mga tripulante na nawawala pa rin.


Nag-deploy na rin umano ang PCG ng land mobility vehicle para sa patrol operations sa shorelines ng Malimono at San Francisco.


Sinabi naman ni Balilo na tumutulong na rin ang Philippine National Police Maritime group at ang lokal na pamahalaan sa paghahanap sa mga tripulante sa mga kalapit na lugar ng Malimono sa Surigao area.


KAUGNAY NA BALITA: 


Ayon sa isang pahayag, patuloy na nagsasagawa ng search and rescue operations sa mga tripulante na nawawala pa rin. 


Nag-deploy na rin umano ang PCG ng land mobility vehicle para sa patrol operations sa shorelines ng Malimono at San Francisco. 


Sinabi naman ni Balilo na tumutulong na rin ang Philippine National Police Maritime group at ang lokal na pamahalaan sa paghahanap sa mga tripulante sa mga kalapit na lugar ng Malimono sa Surigao area.


KAUGNAY NA BALITA: 


Siniguro naman ng PCG na ilan sa kanilang personnel ang patuloy na magbibigay ng assistance sa mga survivors na nasa mga ospital. 


"They are also on standby for the swift admission and provision of medical care to other survivors who will be rescued," paliwanag ng Coast Guard. 


Una nang iniulat ng PCG ang pagsadsad ng LCT Cebu Great Ocean noong Lunes ng hapon.


Sa inisyal na imbestigasyon at base na rin sa salaysay ng mga survivor, sinabi ng PCG na naka-angkla ang LCT Cebu Great Ocean sa karagatang sakop ng Jabonga, Agusan del Sur nang hampasin ito ng malalaking alon at maputol ang kadena ng angkla ng barko. 


Dito na pinasok ng tubig ang barko at magdeklara ng abandon ship kaya kanya-kanya nang talon sa dagat ang mga tripulante.


Dalawang araw na nagpalutang lutang ang mga tripulante sa dagat hanggang sa mapadpad sa karatagan ng Surigao del Norte suot ang kanilang mga lifejacket at life rings. 


Kargado ang barko ng nickel ore at 2,000 litro ng diesel.


- Ulat ni Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/4-tripulante-ng-sumadsad-na-barko-sa-surigao-de-norte-natagpuang-patay-7-nasagip

Are You Courageous Enough To Obey?

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Deuteronomy 31:6


When Moses knew that time for him was running out, he gave a charge to Joshua, saying, “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach” (Deuteronomy 30:11).  As a man who knew his days–possibly even his hours—were numbered, he gave it to him straight.  He said that obedience is a choice, a decision which you make.  And with obedience comes blessing; with disobedience comes difficulty.


Then he commanded, “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).  For a moment, think of what God said in relationship to your own life. “Wait just a minute,” you may be saying.  “Isn’t that an Old Testament promise, but you are talking about our lives today?”  It’s true.  This was the first time God ever made such a promise.  And you do find it in the book of Deuteronomy–an Old Testament book.  It’s part of what our Jewish friends refer to as the Torah–foundational to Judaism.  But you also find that promise twice in the New Testament, a promise Jesus made to His disciples.  And that fact that Jesus made such a powerful statement and promise frames the Christian’s life in an entirely different perspective.


When a publisher asked me to write about my favorite verse, I spent two months pondering the promises of Scripture.  “Which one of so very many is my favorite?” I asked myself.  Finally, I concluded it was this promise.  Jesus said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!”  Those words are found in the New Testament book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 5. So how you respond to them depends on whether you really believe what He said, taking Him at His word, or vacillate, not really sure whether or not He will be there for you when you need Him.


Obedience, however, is a choice.  Nobody forces you to do anything, but with every choice come consequences.  As in Moses day, our response should be the same: simple obedience. Following the promise that God would be with them, he said that their response required three things: The were to (1) be strong; (2) be courageous, and (3) be fearless.  Then Moses gave a promise which enables even us to do this:  “He will never leave you nor forsake you!”


The Christian life is a walk of faith, a decision you make, a choice which is marked by simple obedience to what God has called you to do.  It is also one which, at times, demands courage and fearless action.  But, knowing that the Lord is with you makes those tough decisions a whole lot easier.  It also relieves you of a tremendous amount of uncertainty.


When Francis Schaeffer launched the work of L’Abri in Switzerland, he formulated four principles upon which the work was built.  For years, I’ve carried a copy of those in the back of my daily schedule as a reminder of the fact that God doesn’t change His mind.  Schaeffer’s third principle was, “That God will plan the work and unfold His plan day by day. (This is in place of planning for the future in the usual ‘efficient way,’ such as committee meetings).”            God continues to unfold his plan day by day in simple obedience to Him as we let Him work through us, accomplishing His will and purpose.  As in Moses’ day, obedience still requires the same thing:  Be strong, be courageous, and be fearless.  But with the promise of His presence and protection, what else could anyone ask?  Think about it. Obedience is the key.


Resource reading:  Deuteronomy 31:6-8


https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/are-you-courageous-enough-to-obey/

Japan PM cancels visit to Philippines –media

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is postponing plans to visit the Philippines on a trip originally set for the end of the month, Japanese media said on Wednesday.


Suga will instead focus on handling a recent surge in coronavirus cases, broadcaster FNN and other media said. 


President Rodrigo Duterte's office "understands the decision of the Office of the Prime Minister to postpone the planned Official Visit of His Excellency Suga Yoshihide to the Philippines," said MalacaƱang spokesman Harry Roque. 

 

"Defeating the COVID-19 pandemic is high on both the Philippines and Japan’s agenda and remains a key point of cooperation. The decision to postpone a planned Official Visit based on this ground, therefore, deserves support," he said in a statement. 

 

"The strategic partnership and broad cooperation between the Philippines and Japan will continue to strengthen even as we jointly and individually work to address the COVID-19 pandemic." 


Japan will provide 4.5 billion yen (P2 billion) grant aid through an international organization to 25 countries in Asia and the Pacific Islands region to help them build a cold-chain distribution network for COVID-19 vaccines, its foreign ministry said in March.


The grant aid will be used to secure cold-storage facilities, transport vehicles and other equipment necessary for the stable delivery of vaccines in those countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, according to the ministry. 


In December, Duterte and Suga discussed over the phone various issues, including the South China Sea, diplomatic aid, and the COVID-19 crisis. 


Suga also cancelled his plan to visit India in late April. 


Japan and India are members of a group known as the Quad, which also includes the United States and Australia.


Quad leaders last month pledged to work to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region and to cooperate on maritime, cyber and economic security, issues vital to the four democracies in the face of challenges from China.


– With a report from Reuters 


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/japan-pm-cancels-visit-to-philippines-media

National ID registration centers ng PSA sa 2nd district ng Albay, sarado muna

 Sarado na ngayong Miyerkoles ang lahat ng registration centers para sa National ID system ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) sa ikalawang distrito ng Albay.


Kasama na rin dito ang pagsasara pansamantala ng registration center sa bayan ng Polangui na matatagpuan naman sa ikatlong distrito ng probinsiya.


Ayon kay PSA Regional Director Cynthia Perdiz, ito'y bilang tugon sa apela ni Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda na pansamantalang itigil ang door-to-door at face-to-face data collection para sa National ID system matapos magpositibo sa COVID-19 ang isang registration kit operator sa bayan ng Polangui.


Sa kasalukuyan, nasa 400 ang naka-home quarantine sa bayan na naging close contact nito.


Pero ayon sa PSA, asymptomatic o wala namang sintomas ng COVID-19 ang nagpositibo nilang empleyado.


Bukod sa Albay, sarado rin ang registration center sa bayan ng Libmanan sa Camarines Sur matapos makapagtala rin ng positibong kaso ng COVID-19.


Oktubre noong nakaraang taon pa nagsimula ang registration ng PSA para sa PhilSys pero ngayon lang nakapagtala ng positibong kaso ng COVID-19 sa hanay ng kanilang mga empleyado.


Sa ngayon, umabot na sa 1.8 milyon ang nakapagparehistro sa Bicol para sa Step 1 ng PhilSys. Mahigit 300,000 naman para sa Step 2. 


- Ulat ni Karren Canon


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/national-id-registration-centers-ng-psa-sa-2nd-district-ng-albay-sarado-muna

Cebu Province rejects imposing fine for non-wearing of face mask

 Local government units in Cebu Province should not impose fines to people who are not wearing face mask or face shield, according to a government memo issued Tuesday. 


Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia issued a memorandum Tuesday and said violators should not be made to pay penalties, citing economic hardships brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.


"It’s hard for our people now to make out a living, pabayaron pa nimo (then you ask them to pay). We are kinder to criminals than violators of this mask-wearing thing... Let’s deal with real criminals, not violators of some illogical imposition,” she said in a press briefing.


Violators should instead be reminded, reprimanded or given lectures, she added.


As of April 20, Cebu Province logged more than 14,000 coronavirus infections, of which over 12,700 recovered while 615 died. 


The province currently has 957 active cases or patients deemed infectious, data from the Department of Health-Central Visayas showed.


On April 3, a man in General Trias, Cavite died after he was forced to do strenuous physical exercise as punishment for breaching the curfew.


A week later, village watchmen in Laguna were accused of beating a man to death for violating the curfew.


-- With a report from Annie Perez


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/cebu-province-city-no-fine-for-not-wearing-face-mask-shield

Solons push for quicker COVID-19 vaccine roll-out

Some members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the government to hasten the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations in the country.


At a joint hearing of the House Committees on Health and Trade and Industry on the COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment Plan, Quezon 4th District Rep. Angelina Helen Tan said she welcomed the rollout but pointed out that the speed is far from ideal.


"We are glad to note that the country’s COVID-19 vaccination program started officially on March 1, 2021. As of April 13, 2021, a total of 1,093,651 Filipinos were already vaccinated with their first dose of vaccine, within 2,988 vaccination sites in the country. They are composed mainly of health care frontline workers, senior citizens, and adults with co-morbidities," Tan said.


"But, this is only around one percent (1%) of our total population. It is far from ideal," she noted.


"That is why, despite only two months into the effectivity of R.A No. 11525 (COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021), this Joint Committee will now look into its proper implementation."


Tan said the committees want "to know the steps that the national government, headed by the (Department of Health) and the (National Task Force), are taking to ensure the supply of vaccines and its distribution."


The side of the private sector, "which is very crucial" in the program, will also be heard. Private entities are allowed to procure vaccines through a multi-party agreement, according to Section 5 of the law.


Tan said that the vaccination cannot be delayed. 


“The law notwithstanding, it is incumbent upon Congress to ensure a responsive and appropriate policy environment so that the legislative intent of RA 11525 will be carried out by the implementing agencies effectively. And, should it be necessary, to put in place remedies or policy reforms that would effectuate the very spirit and purpose of the law to make safe and effective vaccines extensively available and accessible to the public and as quickly as possible," she said.


"We cannot afford to delay the vaccination program. The people’s right to health cannot be compromised. The vaccination program is critical in reinvigorating the Philippine economy and our life as a nation."


Trade and Industry Committee Chair Navotas Rep. John Rey Tiangco sought a faster deployment of vaccines.


"On our part, as legislators, nand'yan na po ang batas, at may programa nang nakalatag para sa pagbabakuna kontra sa COVID-19. But, the best plan or program is only as good as its implementation," he said.


"Dahil buhay at hanap-buhay ang nakataya, kailangan po nating manalo laban sa COVID-19. Sa pamamigitan ng pulong na ito, inaasahan po natin na magiging maayos at mas mabilis ang implementasyon ng RA 11525," he added.


The Philippines has so far inoculated more than 1.3 million Filipinos against the COVID-19 nearly 2 months since the vaccine rollout started, according to government data released Wednesday.


In a vaccine statistics bulletin, the Department of Health said that as of April 21, a total of 1,562,563 vaccine doses have already been administered. Out of those, 209,456 were second doses.


The remaining 1,353,107 were first doses, which means that the same number of individuals received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.


The country has recorded a total of 962,307 confirmed COVID-19 cases, as of Wednesday, of which, 116,434 or 12.1 percent are active.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/solons-push-for-quicker-covid-19-vaccine-roll-out

Senior citizens, displaced tricycle drivers flock to Tanay community pantry

Senior citizens and tricycle drivers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are among those who flocked to a community pantry in Tanay, Rizal on Wednesday. 


These include 67-year old massage therapist Ernesto Valdez, who said he used to earn P300 on "good days" but because of the pandemic, he rarely has clients. 


“Buti meron pong ganiyan. Malaking tulong po sa mga katulad naming wala pong inaasahang pangkabuhayan,” Valdez said.


(It's good there's such a thing. It's a big help for people like us whose livelihood was affected.)


Also among those who lined up at the pantry was 69-year-old Edgardo Castalone, who earns P30 when his neighbors ask him to buy goods at the local market using his bicycle.


Both Castalone and Valdez got some dried fish, eggs and a small packet of cooking oil from the pantry.


The Tanay community pantry was started by local businesswoman Shin Gimenez, who was inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry in Quezon City, the one that inspired a national movement.


Gimenez used her and her husband's money to start the pantry.


“Sinet-up na po namin dito sa plaza sa harap ng simbahan. Sa dami ng dumadaan dito, baka mas lalo makahikayat na tumulong at saka mag-donate,” she said.


(We set it up in the plaza in front of the church. People may be encouraged to help and donate.)


Residents in the area have also started to pitch in, like Reynalyn EscaƱo who donated a tray of eggs.


“Since may labis naman, tumulong ako kahit konti,” she said.


(Since there's surplus, I decided to help a bit.)


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/senior-citizens-displaced-tricycle-drivers-flock-to-tanay-community-pantry

More than 1.3M Filipinos vaccinated against COVID-19 - DOH

Average daily vaccinations close to 44,000


The Philippines has so far inoculated more than 1.3 million Filipinos against the COVID-19 nearly 2 months since the vaccine rollout started, according to government data released Wednesday.


In a vaccine statistics bulletin, the Department of Health said that as of April 21, a total of 1,562,563 vaccine doses have already been administered. Out of those, 209,456 were 2nd doses.


The remaining 1,353,107 were first doses, which means that the same number of individuals received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.


The DOH said that all of the 3,025,600 COVID-19 vaccines that have arrived in the country have been distributed to local government units.


The 1.3 million administered doses comprise 76% of the 1,780,400 allocated doses, and the 209,456 administered second doses account for 12%.


The DOH previously said that the 2nd dose allotment for Sinovac vaccine recipients is already secured, while those for AstraZeneca are expected to arrive separately as the product has a longer interval time for a 2nd dose.


Compared to the week before, the daily average number of vaccinated individuals slightly declined to 43,835 for the past 7 days. As of April 13, it was already at 47,545 even with only 2,988 vaccination sites.


This week, the number of vaccination sites increased to 3,263.


Among the six COVID-19 vaccine candidates granted emergency use authorization (EUA) in the Philippines, only those developed by Sinovac and AstraZeneca have been delivered so far.


Vaccine products of Pfizer, Gamaleya Institute, Johnson & Johnson and Bharat Biotech have yet to reach the country.


On Monday, the DOH said hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses from Sinovac, Pfizer and Gamaleya Institute are expected to arrive later this month.


“The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has also issued EUA (emergency use authorization) for Janssen and Covaxin that will help widen the country's vaccine portfolio,” said the DOH.


The agency said that while health workers, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities are being simultaneously vaccinated now, “everyone is urged to get vaccinated when it's their turn in order to get protected against the severe form of COVID-19.”


But an official of the World Health Organization urged the Philippines to ensure that healthcare workers are "fully protected" against COVID-19 before the vaccination drive "gradually" covers other groups. 


The government on Monday said 965,960 medical frontliners have received their first vaccine dose and 198,534 have completed the second dose. The Philippines has around 1.7 million health workers. 


The latest number of vaccinated individuals is still far from the target of 70 million by the end of the year to reach herd immunity against the coronavirus. This as the country struggles to curb the spread of COVID-19, especially in Metro Manila and nearby areas.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/covid19-vaccine-tally-recipients-administered

PH may slow down OFW deployment in countries still practicing kafala system: Bello

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Wednesday he believes that countries in the Middle East still practicing the kafala system would grant President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for the complete abolition of the practice.


“Matagal na naming hinihiling 'yan na sana hintuin na nila ang kafala system na 'yan. With the appeal coming from no less than the President of the Republic of the Philippines, palagay ko hindi na makakatanggi 'yung ibang mga bansa nasa loob ng Middle East,” Bello said.


(We’ve been asking for a halt of the kafala system for a long time. With the appeal coming from no less than the President of the Republic of the Philippines, I believe other countries in the Middle East would no longer refuse.)


In a taped message during a forum on labor rights, Duterte called for the complete abolition of the kafala sponsorship system, which places migrant workers “in the most vulnerable situation."


“Itong kafala, ito 'yung sistema kung saan pinapahintulutan ng pamahalaan ng Middle East na 'yung employer ay hawak nila 'yung pasaporte at visa ng ating mga overseas workers kaya hawak sila sa leeg, pwede nilang ilipat-lipat ang ating mga OFW at kahit na tapos na 'yung kontrata pwede nilang hawakan dahil hindi naman makaalis ang ating OFW dahil walang exit visa,” said Bello.




(This system allows employers to hold on to their workers passport and visa, holding them by the neck, transferring our OFWs even if their contracts have ended because the workers cannot leave without an exit visa.)


Bello said that it’s possible Duterte may order a suspension in the deployment of OFWs in countries that refuse to stop praticing the kafala system.


“Alam naman nila na 'pag nanawagan ang ating pangulo ay ibig sabihin ginagawa niya ito para proteksiyunan ang ating mga OFW kaya kung ‘di nila pagbigyan 'yan, maliwanag ang aming direksiyon that is to suspend or at least slow down 'yung deployment ng ating mga OFW d'yan,” said Bello.


(They know that when the President makes an appeal, this means that he's doing it to protect our OFWs that's why if they can't allow it our direction is clear, that is to suspend or at least slow down the deployment of OFWs there.)


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/ph-may-slow-down-ofw-deployment-in-countries-still-practicing-kafala-system-bello

DENR mounts 'Community Pan-tree' to celebrate Earth Day 2021

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday said it would give away free seedlings of fruit-bearing trees and vegetables to celebrate Earth Day, taking a cue from community pantries for the poor that have sprouted across the country.


DENR's "Community Pan-Tree," is the agency's "humble contribution to efforts addressing the issue of food security in the region," the DENR-National Capital Region said in a statement.


"To help Metro Manilans cope with the stress caused by the pandemic through urban gardening and planting, DENR National Capital Region will be establishing a Community Pan-TREE," the statement read.


"Magtanim ayon sa kakayahan. Umani ayon sa pangangailangan," it said.


(Sow according to our capacity. Reap according to our necessity.)


The "Community Pan-Tree" will open on April 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the DENR-NCR Technical Services Office in North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.


The agency urged the public to "bring your own pots" and suggested reusing old plastic tubs or other recycled containers for the saplings they will get from the pantry.


"Private individuals and groups who share a passion for urban greening may also donate plants in support of the project," it said.


Those who live far, however, need not travel as we will try to expand the project and establish one near your area through our Field Offices. 


Earth Day, an annual global event celebrated every April 22 since 1970, seeks to raise awareness on the state of the planet and encourage action towards environmental protection.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/denr-mounts-community-pan-tree-to-celebrate-earth-day-2021

ALAMIN: Nagpositibo, may sintomas ng COVID-19 pwede bang mabakunahan?

Hinimok ng Department of Health (DOH) ang publiko na patuloy na magkaroon ng tiwala sa mga bakuna kontra COVID-19 dahil ito ang makatutulong para matigil na ang paglaganap ng impeksiyon sa bansa.


“Sana po tuloy-tuloy ang ibigay nating kompiyansa sa ating mga bakuna. Marami po tayong naririnig, maingay po ang kapaligiran natin when it comes to vaccines. Pero ang aming payo, just get the information from the sources na inyong pagkakatiwalaan at ito po ang DOH,” pahayag ni DOH health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.


Base sa tala ng gobyerno nitong Abril 18, 2021, halos 1.5 milyon doses ng bakuna kontra COVID-19 ang nagamit na sa bansa. Tanging mga medical frontliners, senior citizens at mga taong may comorbiditiies ang binabakunahan sa ngayon. 


“Magpabakuna po tayo dahil ito po ay isa sa pinaka-epektibo na paraan para matigil na ang ganitong sitwasyon lalo na tumataas ang mga kaso.


Sa panayam sa segment na Bakuna Muna sa programa sa TeleRadyo Miyerkoles ng umaga, isa-isang sinagot ni Vergeire ang mga katanungan ng publiko kaugnay na isinasagawang vaccination program ng pamahalaan.


KAILAN PWEDENG MAGPABAKUNA KONTRA COVID-19 ANG TAONG NABIGYAN NG HULING DOSE NG ANTI-RABIES VACCINE:


“Base sa ating protocols, kapag ikaw ay naka-receive ng kahit na anong bakuna aside from the COVID-19, 14 na araw ang dapat antayin bago kayo pwedeng magpabakuna.”


KAILAN ANG TARGET NA MABAKUNAHAN ANG ESSENTIAL FRONTLINE WORKERS:


“Bagaman nakapaglabas na po ng aprubado na priority list for the A4 essential workers, aantayin po natin ng hudyat galing sa vaccine cluster head natin because this will all depend on the supplies that are coming in. Sa ngayon po, ang A2 at A3 natin na mga populasyon hindi pa rin po natin masyadong nakoKover kaya aantayin natin magkaroon ng enough supplies para ma-cover natin itong A4. But definitely, masasabay po natin yan sa simultaneous vaccinations depending on the supplies.”


WALK-IN SA VACCINATION SITES, PAPAYAGAN PA BA:


“Iniiwasan po natin yung walk-in vaccination, yung bigla na lang pupunta at magpapabakuna dahil iyan po ang nakakapag-cause ng pagkakakumpol-kumpol ng tao. Ang ginawa ng ating local governments ngayon, nag set up slla ng mga masterlisting kung saan pwedeng gawin online. Kailangan pumasok kayo sa sistema na yun para mabigyan kayo ng schedules niyo and maipopost po 'yan sa ating mga social media platforms kung ano-ano itong websites ng ating mga local governments. Pwede rin silang magtanong sa kanilang barangay o sa kanilang public information officer para mas alam po nila kung paano nila gagawin ito.”


ANO DAPAT DALHIN SA VACCINATION CENTERS:


“Depende 'yan sa kung anong sektor ka mapupunta. Kung ikaw ay senior citizen, you just need to bring your senior citizen’s ID. Kung kayo naman po ay may comorbidities, kailangan lang magdala, maaaring 'yung medical certificate ng doktor na valid 18 months previous, pwede din hong mga reseta ng inyong mga gamot, pwede rin mga laboratoryo na ginawa sa inyo na nagpapatunay na kayo ay may sakit na ganun. Kung dadating na tayo sa A4 na populasyon, kailangan po nito ng certification ng inyong employer na kayo po ay eligible for this vaccination.”


REAKSIYON SA REKOMENDASYON NG PHILIPPINE HEART ASSOCIATION KAUGNAY SA VITAL SIGNS SCREENING: 


“Pinag-aaralan namin 'yan and kami naman po ay sumasanga-oyon sa kanilang obserasyon na medyo dumami deferrals natin because of this blood pressure taking. Ang nangyari po, ang atin mga healthcare workers, pagka ang blood pressure nung tao ay medyo mataas lang sa usual o normal hindi na po nila binibigyan ng bakuna kaya po kami magpapalabas ng further guidelines ukol dito para po makapag-align tayo sa rekomendasyon ng Philippine Heart Association. Ang kailangan pong maintindihan ng ating healthcare workers, atin lang dine-defer ang pagbabakuna katulad ng sabi ng Philippine Heart Association kapag ang BP ay 180/120 or higher. Pero sa iba pwede natin silang mabakunahan dahil minomotor naman natin. Kailangan lang namin pag-aralan pa nang mas maige kung pwede na nga talagang tanggalin yung vital signs screening pag tayo ay nagpapabakuna.”


GAANO KALALA ANG MGA NAIUULAT NA ADVERSE EVENTS SA BAKUNA:


“Marami na pong adverse events pero kailangan nating ilagay sa konteksto. Pag tiningnan natin kabuuan ng adverse events napakaliit po ng porsiyento ang mga adverse events na ito sa buong populasyon na biibigyan natin ng bakuna. It’s just about 2 percent out of all of those who received the vaccination. Most of these adverse events are minor, common lang po, masakit ang braso, masakit ang ulo, parang trinatrangkaso, mabigat ang katawan, nangangati yung iba. Pero yung mga serious adverse event napakaliit po .004 percent among all of those vaccinated.”


GUIDELINES SA PAGGAMIT NG ASTRAZENECA PARA SA 59-ANYOS, PABABA:


“Meron po kami ngayong meeting with the Food and Drug Administration at saka yung mga eksperto natin para mas bigyan natin ng precautions ang ating mga kababayan na magfa-fall dito sa sinasabi nating 59-years old and below. Ito pong AstraZeneca vaccine, binigyan na ng rekomendasyon ng FDA na tuloy ang bakunahan ngunit kailangan magbigay tayo ng guidelines para sa mga precautions para sa ating mga kabababayan. Antayin lang po natin, ilalabas natin ang guidelines na ito this coming days.”


CLINICAL TRIALS NG IVERMECTIN:


“Yan po ang pinakamagaling na gagawin na natin sa ngayon para maputol na yung pag-aagam-agam, maputol na yung mga sinasabing questions ng ating mga kababayan at talagang mailagay natin sa tamang proseso kung gagamitin ba natin o hindi. So these clinical trials will give us that sense or information kung itong Ivermectin talaga ay magkakaroon ng magandang epekto o it can help manage COVID-19. Ito po ay maisagawa natin at hintayin natin ang resulta para masabi natin kung pwede nating gamitin o hindi natin pwedeng gamitin ang Ivermectin sa COVID-19.”


PWEDE BANG MABAKUNAHAN SAKALING MAY SINTOMAS NG COVID-19:


“Itong mga sintomas na sinasabi natin ubo, sipon, lagnat—these are COVID related symptoms. Base po sa protocol natin kapag kayo ay may ganyang nararamdaman, wag na kayong magpunta sa bakunahan, mag isolate na po kayo, coordinate with your local government para kayo ay matest at mabigyan ng karampatang guidance. Hindi po natin binabakunahan ang mga taong may sintomas, we defer them until makarekober po sila dito sa mga sakit nila ngayon.”


MAY MASAMA BANG EPEKTO SA KATAWAN ANG BAKUNA SAKALING MABAKUNAHAN ANG TAONG MAY COVID PERO ASYMPTOMATIC:


“Itong bakuna natin is generally safe kaya lang po natin iniiwasan na makapag bakuna kapag sila ay may sakit unang-una, baka makapanghawa sila doon sa ating mga vaccination site. Pangalawa, atin din iniiwasan s’yempre nagpoproduce din ng antibodies kapag tayo ay nagkakasakit at nagpoproduce din ng antibodies pag binakunahan. Ayaw nating magkaroon ng mixing na ganito kasi mas gusto nating mamonitor ang ating mga kababayan. Generally, it is safe kahit kayo may sakit o meron kayong COVID-19 at nabigyan kayo, wala namang ipinapakitang ebidensiya na magkakaroon kayo ng masamang epekto dito.”


MAAARI BANG MAGPABAKUNA NG 2 MAGKAIBANG BRAND:


“Wala pang ebidensiya na makakApagsabi na beneficial sa atin yung magkakaroon ng mixing of vaccine o ‘di kaya nakatapos ka na sa brand na 2 doses, magpapabakuna ka pa ulit ng isa pa. Antayin po natin ang mga lalabas na ebidensiya in the coming months kung ano po ang dapat nating gawin when it comes to this booster doses na tinatawag natin.”


Nitong Martes, nakapagtala ang Pilipinas ng 953,106 kabuuang kaso ng COVID-19, kung saan 127,006 ang bilang ng active infection.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/alamin-nagpositibo-may-sintomas-ng-covid-19-pwede-bang-mabakunahan

US tells citizens: Do not travel to PH amid fresh COVID-19 surge

The US State Department on Tuesday issued a travel advisory telling its citizens to avoid traveling to the Philippines as the Southeast Asian country grapples with a fresh surge in COVID-19 infections.


"Do not travel to the Philippines due to COVID-19," the US State Department said in its notice.


"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the Philippines due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country," it added.


"Level 4" is the highest travel advisory designation of the US State Department, which imposes a "do not travel" order.


The Philippines on Tuesday logged 7,379 more COVID-19 cases which brought the total number of infections in the country to 953,106.


Active cases stood at 127,006, or 13.3 percent of the country's total recorded cases. 


ABS-CBN Data Analytics Head Edson Guido said the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in the country so far this year already exceeded that of last year.


Aside from the COVID-19 surge, the US State Department also asked their citizens to avoid or reconsider travel to some areas in Mindanao due to "crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping."


It noted the Philippine government's declaration of a "State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence in Mindanao."


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/us-tells-citizens-do-not-travel-to-ph-amid-fresh-covid-19-surge

PH prepared to handle powder, liquid form of Sputnik V vaccines set to arrive this week — DOH

The Philippines is ready to receive and properly store Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines from Russia’s Gamaleya Institute, the Department of Health said Wednesday.


This after vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said that an initial shipment of 20,000 doses will be arriving this week.


A DOH official said on Monday that this will be followed by 480,000 doses from the same vaccine developer before the end of the month.


“Meron tayong handa na storage and distribution system when it comes to the other vaccines that require this storage temperature.

Napaghandaan na natin 'yan mula’t mula pa,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a virtual briefing when asked about special preparations for Sputnik V’s storage requirements.


(We already have a prepared storage and distribution system when it comes to the other vaccines that require this storage temperature. We have already prepared for that from the start.)


Unlike Sinovac and AstraZeneca’s vaccines, which require only regular refrigerator temperature, Gamaleya Institute’s Sputnik V in liquid form needs to be stored at -18 degrees Celsius. Its powdered form can be kept at the regular 2 to 8 degrees Celsius temperature.


Vergeire noted that the vaccine has “technical requirements” that they need to carefully follow since it comes in both liquid and powder form, which require different handling procedures.


She assured the public that simulations have already been done by the logistics team to avoid any issues.


“Handa ang ating gobyerno. Handa ang sistema para mareceive natin ang mga ganitong bakuna with this kind of temperature requirements,” she said.


(The government is ready. The system is ready to receive these vaccines with this kind of requirement.)


Besides Sputnik V, the Philippine government is also expecting hundreds of thousands of vaccines from Sinovac and Pfizer this month.


The new vaccine stocks will arrive as the country struggles to deal with the high number of COVID-19 cases and the allegedly slow rollout of vaccines.


Only 1.2 million Filipinos have been vaccinated since the vaccinations started in March. This is still far from the target of 70 million Filipinos to reach herd immunity by the end of the year.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/21/ph-prepared-to-handle-powder-liquid-form-of-sputnik-v-vaccines-set-to-arrive-this-week-doh