Local govts urged to emulate victory in Battle of Mactan in COVID fight

(UPDATE) - Local governments across the country will hold simultaneous flag raising ceremonies on Tuesday, the 500th anniversary of Lapu Lapu’s Victory at Mactan, as the country continued to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Sunday.

The pandemic calls for the same commitment of Filipinos during the Battle of Mactan to wage a war against the coronavirus through "concerted efforts, cooperation, and discipline," said Año.

 

“The 500th Anniversary of the Victory of Mactan reminds us of the heroism and bravery of the Filipino race. As we commemorate our ancestors' heroism, may we all find heroes within ourselves by being part of the solution in conquering yet another battle, this time against COVID-19,” he said. 

 

"Just like the Victory at Mactan 500 years ago, we too can prevail and emerge triumphant against COVID-19. Let us hold on and we will eventually recover and rise stronger and more resilient as a people from this pandemic."

Local governments are urged to offer flowers and wreaths at pedestals of local and national heroes, hang Philippine flags in public spaces until Tuesday and light up monuments and public spaces in blue at 6 p.m., the Department of the Interior and Local Government said.

It reminded local governments to strictly observe minimum public health standards.

 

The celebration of the Battle of Mactan's 500th anniversary is part of the country's quincentennial commemoration along with the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines and the role of the country in the first circumnavigation of the world, the DILG said.

 

The agency added it would unveil 34 historical markers from March 16 to October 28, with the first one unveiled in Suluan Island, Guian, Eastern Samar. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/lgus-urged-emulate-victory-battle-of-mactan-in-covid-fight

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Parlade, Badoy pinatigil magsalita kaugnay sa community pantries

 Nagpalabas ng gag order si National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. laban sa 2 tagapagsalita ng National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) para hindi na magbigay ng mga pahayag ang mga ito kaugnay sa mga community pantry.

Sunod-sunod na batikos ang inabot nina NTF-ELCAC spokespersons Lt. General Antonio Parlade Jr. at Lorraine Badoy dahil sa umano'y pagre-red tag o pag-uugnay nila sa mga taong nasa likod ng community pantries sa mga komunistang rebelde.

"Lest it be misunderstood, they will desist (from) making statements on community pantries," sabi ni Esperon, na nagsisilbing vice chair ng NTF-ELCAC.

Kamakailan, nag-post ang social media page ng NTF-ELCAC at Quezon City Police District (QCPD) ng bintang na miyembro ng Communist Party of the Philippines-New people's Army ang organizer ng Maginhawa Community Pantry na si Ana Patricia Non.

Sinabi rin ni Badoy na dapat alamin ng mga donor kung saan napupunta ang tulong o perang ibinibigay nila sa mga community pantry.

Tinawag din ni Parlade na stupido ang mga senador dahil sa panukalang alisan ng budget ang NTF-ELCAC.

Mga senador gigil na sa walang habas na red-tagging ng NTF-ELCAC

Ayon kay Sen. Franklin Drilon, dapat umalis na si Parlade, na hepe rin ng Southern Luzon Command ng militar, sa kaniyang puwesto sa NTF-ELCAC.

Sa ilalim umano ng batas, walang opisyal ng militar ang puwedeng maupo sa posisyon sa gobyerno na laan para sa isang sibilyan.

Dapat din aniyang magsumite ng quarterly report si Parlade kung paano ginastos ng NTF-ELCAC ang P19 bilyon na inilaan para sa anti-insurgency.

Umapela naman si Esperon na huwag tanggalan ng budget ang NTF-ELCAC, na halos nakalaan umano paa sa barangay development program sa pagsugpo sa rebelyon at terorismo.

Samantala, hindi pa nagsusumite ng paliwanag ang QCPD sa ginawang pagre-red tag at profiling sa Maginhawa pantry organizer.

Umapela ang Quezon City People's Law Enforcement Board na makipagtulungan sana ang mga pulis sa imbestigasyon nila.

Muli namang iginiit ng Commission on Human Rights na walang karapatan ang pulisya na kunin ang pribadong impormasyon ng organizers at volunteers ng community pantry.

-- Ulat ni Angel Movido, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/parlade-badoy-pinatigil-magsalita-kaugnay-sa-community-pantries

KILALANIN: Ilang nagboboluntaryo sa Maginhawa Community Pantry

Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News

Hindi lang ang donasyon ang bumubuhos sa community pantry sa Maginhawa, Quezon City dahil marami ring boluntaryo ang naglaan ng kanilang oras para ipakita ang malasakit sa kapuwa.

Kasama rito si Gerry Lirio, construction worker na nawalan ng trabaho ngayong COVID-19 pandemic.

Ayon kay Lirio, alam niya ang pakiramdam na halos walang-wala na kaya gusto niyang makatulong sa iba sa pamamagitan ng pag-volunteer sa pantry na mag-repack.

"Gusto kong makatulong sa nagtayo nito at sa ating mga kababayan," ani Lirio.

"Nasisiyahan ako kasi ang ating mga kababayan, nabibigyan ng kaunting tulong sa pamamagitan ng community pantry," dagdag niya.

Huminto naman muna sa pagtitinda ng gulay si Bob Jaraldes, na volunteer sa pantry mula noong nakaraang linggo.

Tumutulong din siya sa pagbabantay sa pantry at pamamahagi ng donasyon sa ibang pantry sa Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna at Batangas.

"Tumutok muna ako sa pagtulong sa pantry kasi kailangan ng tao. Masarap tumulong muna eh. Kahit wala kang maitulong sa ibang bagay. Doon nalang sa pagvolunteer, dito sa pagsuporta sa loob," an Jaraldes.

Hindi muna nagbukas ngayong Linggo ang Maginhawa Community Pantry dahil sa paglipat nito sa mas malaking puwesto sa Teachers Village East, Quezon City pero tuloy-tuloy ang pagtanggap nito ng mga donasyon.

Sa kalapit na kalsada naman, mayos ang pila sa community pantry, na tinutukan din ng mga taga-barangay at organizers para iwas-siksikan.

Bukod doon, nagkaroon din ng mobile kitchen.

Dinagsa naman ng mga nanay ang community pantry para sa mga ilaw ng tahanan sa Barangay Old Balara, Quezon City.

Kasama ang mga taga-barangay at Quezon City Task Force Disiplina sa mga nagbantay para mapanatili ang social distancing.

Namahagi rin ng mga pagkain ang United Methodist Church sa kanilang pantry sa Pandacan, Maynila.

Nanguna naman ang riders sa inorganisang pantry sa Baseco.

Sa isa namang resolusyon, hinikayat ng Metro Manila Council ang mga organizer ng mga community pantry na makipag-ugnayan sa mga lokal na pamahalaan para matiyak na nasusunod ang safety protocols laban sa COVID-19.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/kilalanin-ilang-nagboboluntaryo-sa-maginhawa-community-pantry

Mga kaso COVID-19 sa Pilipinas halos 1 milyon na

Halos 1 milyon na ang kabuuang bilang ng mga nagkakasakit ng COVID-19 sa Pilipinas.

Nakapagtala ngayong Linggo ang Department of Health (DOH) ng 8,162 na dagdag na kaso ng COVID-19, dahilan para umakyat sa 997,523 ang kabuuang bilang.

Sa datos ng ABS-CBN Data Analytics, April 15 nang maabot ng Pilipinas ang 900,000 mark at posibleng sa Lunes ay maabot na ang 1 milyon, lalo't mataas pa rin ang daily reported cases sa bansa.

Iniulat din ng DOH ang 20,509 bagong gumaling sa sakit para sa 903,665 total recoveries habang pumalo naman sa 16,783 ang death toll dahil sa 109 dagdag na namatay umano sa sakit.

Dahil sa mga gumaling at namatay, 77,075 ang active cases ng bansa, base sa datos ng kagawaran.

Sa buong mundo, 146.4 milyon ang kabuuang bilang ng mga nahahawahan ng COVID-19, kung saan higit 3 milyon ang namatay, ayon sa Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

Sa India, na nakararanas ngayon ng matinding krisis dahil sa COVID-19 surge, gumamit na ng mga tren at military plane ang pamahalaan para mabilis na maihatid ang mga oxygen supply sa mga medical facility.

Nagpadala na rin ang air force sa ibang mga karatig-bansa para makakuha ng supply ng oxygen.

Marami sa mga namatay sa COVID-19 sa India kamakailan ay dahil sa kawalan ng oxygen.

Tinawag ng Delhi high court na "tsunami of disease" ang nangyayari ngayon sa India, kung saan 3 araw nang sunod-sunod na nakapagtala ng record high ng nagpo-positibo sa sakit.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/mga-kaso-covid-19-sa-pilipinas-halos-1-milyon-na

Halal community pantry inilunsad sa Zamboanga City

Isang community pantry na nag-aalok ng libreng pagkaing halal ang inilunsad ng grupo ng mga Muslim doktor sa Zamboanga City.

Lunes nang simulan ang halal pantry sa Barangay Tetuan, na bahagi ng dumaraming bilang ng mga community pantry sa iba-ibang bahagi ng bansa. 

Ayon kay Dr. Abdul Javar Esturco, layon nilang makatulong sa mga kababayan, mapa-Muslim man o Kristiyano, ngayong pandemya lalo't buwan ngayon ng Ramadan.

"Inspired po siya sa growing community pantries all over the country. At ngayon po ay buwan ng Ramadan, kaya encouraged po ang lahat to help out in whatever way they can," ani Esturco.

Mga doktor ang unang nag-ambag para makabili ng mga handa sa pantry. Pero kalaunan ay bumuhos na rin ang mga donasyon mula sa kanilang mga kaibigan at iba pang mga grupo.

Nakipag-tie up din ang mga doktor sa "Kids Who Farm," isang grupo ng mga out-of-school youth na nagtatag ng backyard farm ng mga gulay.

Agad din umanong nakipag-ugnayan ang grupo sa likod ng pantry sa mga pulis at tauhan ng barangay para maiwasang ma-red tag o maiugnay sa mga komunistang rebelde.

Hangad ni Esturco na sana ay umabot pa hanggang Eid al-Fitr, o ang pagtatapos ng isang buwang pag-aayuno, ang kanilang community pantry.

May higit 10 nang community pantry sa Zamboanga City.

-- Ulat ni Queenie Casimiro

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/halal-community-pantry-inilunsad-sa-zamboanga-city

VP Robredo blasts officials red-tagging community pantry organizers

Finding fault in organizers of community pantries and linking them to the communist movement are misplaced and irresponsible, especially during this pandemic, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday.

“Napaka-misplaced. Instead na maging thankful na merong isang bata pa na nakaisip ng napakahusay na activity, hinahanapan pa ng diperensiya,” Robredo said in her weekly radio program.

“Napaka-misplaced, napaka-irresponsible yung ginagawa ng ibang mga opsiyal ng pamahalaan, na sa pahanong gaya nito, eh ‘yan ang iniisp nila,” she added.

(It’s so misplaced. Instead of being thankful that someone so young was able to think of this very impressive activity, they are looking for issues… It’s so misplaced and irresponsible for these officials to think that way in times like this.)

Ana Patricia Non, who started the Maginhawa Community Pantry in Quezon City over a week ago to offer free food to people in need, said she was red-tagged by some officials and was allegedly being profiled by some policemen. It prompted her to close her pantry for a day last week as she feared for her safety.

After getting support from other officials for her “Bayanihan” initiative, Non resumed her pantry, which has already been replicated in many parts of the country.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. and Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy have been criticized for linking Non's pantry to the communist movement, with some senators proposing to defund the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, for whom they serve as spokespersons.

On Sunday, Sec. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., vice chair fo the NTF-ELCAC, said Parlade and Badoy have been instructed to desist from making statements on community pantries.

Esperon said the task force supports community pantries.

Parlade's role as spokesperson of the NTF-ELCAC is against the Constitution, said Senate Minority Leader Frank Drilon. His remark, calling senators as "stupid", is also unprecedented and uncalled for.

“May lugar at panahon para sa lahat. Ngayon na maraming nagugutom, maraming nawalan ng hanapbuhay, malaki yung pangangailanan, dapat nga, ‘pag may mga ganitong activities ay sinusuportahan. ‘Di ba dapat nga, gayahin na lang nila, kaysa nag-aaksya sila ng panahaon na maghanap ng diperensiya?” Robredo said.

(There’s a time and place for certain things. Now that many are hungry, many lost their jobs, many are in need, these activities should be supported. Shouldn’t they be replicated, instead of spending time finding fault in them?)

Robredo said beyond the immediate help the community pantries provide, the people’s “sense of community” was revived.

“May obligation, responsibility tayo para siguraduhin natin na ang mga kasamahan natin ay ‘di nagugutom; o maging mapagbigay, maging maalaga. Ito sana yung sine-celebrate,” she said.

(We have an obligation, a responsibility to ensure that our fellowmen do not go hungry; that we share and take care of others. This is what we should be celebrating.) 

The vice president noted that despite the red-tagging, many were actually inspired to put up pantries in their respective communities to give help.

“Ito yung pinaka-value ng community pantry - na napukaw yung kabutihan, yung compassion, sa puso ng maraming mga Pilipino. And ito yung mahalaga,” she said.

(This is the ultimate value of the community pantry - it stirred kindness and compassion in the hearts of Filipinos. And this is the what's important.)

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/robredo-blasts-red-tagging-community-pantry-organizers

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Gag order issued vs NTF-ELCAC's Parlade, Badoy on community pantry issue

The spokespersons of the country's anti-communist insurgency council have been ordered to stop making remarks on community pantries, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Sunday.

"Lest it be misunderstood, they will desist (from) making statements on community pantries, Esperon, who serves as vice chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said of Lt. General Antonio Parlade Jr. and Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy.

"Yes, I did if only to emphasize that NTF-ELCAC or Gen. Parlade or Usec. Badoy are not against bayanihan or community pantries," Esperon said of the gag order.

The move comes after the two last week issued red-tagging remarks against community pantries

"NTF-ELCAC will support, observe and assist CPs (community pantries), as does the whole of government," Esperon said.

Several senators have sought for Parlade's removal from the NTF-ELCAC and to defund it. The body is chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Parlade had earlier said of Maginhawa community pantry organizer Ana Patricia Non: "Alam mo, isang tao lang 'yan, 'di ba? Si Ana Patricia, 'di ba? Same with Satan. Si Satan, binigyan ng apple si Eve. Doon lang nagsimula 'yun."

(You know it's only one person. It's Ana Patricia, right? Same with Satan. Satan gave Eve an apple. That's where everything began.)

Badoy also accused Non of being a member of underground mass organization Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan (ARMAS).

Parlade denied the council was profiling community pantries and their organizers, saying they were "just checking" on their situation.

The alleged profiling prompted the Maginhawa community pantry to temporarily close for a day last week as, according to Non, she feared for her safety. It reopened Wednesday last week after officials told groups to leave community pantries alone.

Reacting to the senators' call to defund the task force, Parlade had said: ""Sila ang stupid kung ito'y binabawi nila. Pinirmahan nila 'yang batas na 'yan para maging serbisyo, ipagpatuloy yung programa ng gobyerno para sa mahihirap. Ngayon, sasabihin nila, ide-defund nila yung NTF-ELCAC?... I'm a spokesperson of the NTF-ELCAC but I don't receive any single peso from the NTF-ELCAC. I'm doing this as a second job."

(The senators are stupid for saying they want to remove the fund. They were the ones who signed the law to be able to extend service and continue the program of government for the poor. And now, they are saying they will defund the NTF-ELCAC?)

"Alam nila yun na hindi yun papunta sa NTF-ELCAC, at hindi yun ginagamit sa red-tagging, at hindi yun ginagamit sa intelligence, at hindi yun ginagamit sa profiliing, kung yan man ang gustong tawag n'yo dun," added the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command chief.

(They know that those funds don't go to the NTF-ELCAC, that those are not used for red-tagging, for intelligence gathering, and for profiling, if that's how you call it.)

Esperon, nevertheless, acknowledged Parlade's efforts as commander of the SOLCOM, "bringing basic services to disadvantaged or calamity stricken barangays and residents... with no personal agenda but to help."

Badoy is also a Bayanihan enthusiast, he added.

In a separate statement, Esperon "implored all the concerned stakeholders and the general public to understand the import of what the NTF-ELCAC and (its Barangay Development Program) seek to accomplish."

He said their projects are seen to bring development to former conflict-prone communities so that people abandon the communist insurgency movement.

The BDP has been allocated over P16 billion from this year's national budget.

Former Vice President Jejomar Binay "congratulated" Esperon for issuing the gag order saying, "It's about time."

 

"Hindi nakakatulong ang red-tagging sa panahon ng pandemya. Nakakadagdag pa sa gulo. Kaya tama lang na tumahimik na sila," Binay said in a statement.

(Red-tagging is not helpful during a pandemic. It sows trouble. It's just right they keep quiet."

"Red-tagging persons who are being hailed internationally for helping the hungry only reminds the public of government’s shortcomings. And Parlade should realize that by linking the so-called Left to acts of kindness, he is giving them tons of positive publicity," added Binay.

- with report from Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/gag-order-issued-vs-ntf-elcacs-parlade-badoy-on-community-pantry-issue

2 'nanlaban' patay sa anti-drug operation sa Nueva Ecija

Patay ang 2 hinihinalang tulak ng ilegal na droga matapos umanong manlaban sa mga umaarestong pulis sa bayan ng Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija nitong umaga ng Linggo.

Sa imbestigasyon ng Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office, nagsagawa ng anti-illegal drug operation ang mga awtoridad laban sa 2 suspek sa Barangay Soledad.

Pero sa halip na magpaaresto, nakipagpalitan ng putok ng bairl ang 2 suspek, na naging sanhi ng kanilang pagkamatay.

Narekober sa crime scene ang 2 kalibre .38 na baril, mga basyo ng bala, at 11 sachet ng hinihinalang shabu na nagkakahalagang P227,000.

— Ulat ni Gracie Rutao

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/2-nanlaban-patay-sa-anti-drug-operation-sa-nueva-ecija

WATCH: PCSO 2 PM Lotto Draw, April 25, 2021

Philippines conducts maritime drills in West PH Sea

The Philippines on Saturday conducted maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea as the country filed fresh diplomatic protests against China for its incursions.

The Philippine Coast Guard said it used 8 capital ships with government along with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to intensify their training on navigation, small boat operations, maintenance, and logistical operations.

BRP Gabriela Silang and BRP Sindangan began their training Saturday near Bajo De Masinloc while the BRP Cabra, BRP Malapascua and BFAR Vessels started exercises since last week near Pag-asa Island, said PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo.

Aside from its exercises in Bajo De Masinloc and Pag-asa Island, the ships will also train in the Batanes Group of Islands, Benham Rise, and in the southern and eastern portions of the country, Balilo said.

The Coast Guard is planning to conduct medical and dental missions among local residents and coastal families in the Pag-asa Island next week, he added.

"We are supporting the whole-of-nation approach in securing our maritime jurisdiction, especially the efforts of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) to undertake maritime security, maritime safety, maritime law enforcement, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection roles in our country’s waters,” he said.

The Philippines on Friday filed two new diplomatic protests against China over its illegal and lingering presence in Philippine waters, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

It had vowed to continuously file diplomatic actions until Beijing's ships leave the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, which is believed to hold valuable gas and oil deposits.

China's sweeping claims over almost the entire South China Sea has been adjudged to have no legal basis by a UN-backed arbitration court in The Hague last 2016.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/philippines-conducts-maritime-drills-in-west-ph-sea

PH urged to ramp up daily COVID-19 tests to 150,000: OCTA Research

 The Philippines should scale up its daily COVID-19 testing to at least 150,000 as it battles a pandemic surge, the OCTA Research Group said Sunday.

Metro Manila's reproduction rate, or the number of people infected by a virus patient, has decreased to 0.93 following the imposition of stricter quarantine measures, according to Professor Guido David, a member of OCTA.

The capital region, home to a tenth of the country's population, has also posted a positivity rate of 19 percent versus 25 percent 3 weeks ago, David said. The ideal positivity rate is 5 percent as per the World Health Organization's guidelines, he noted.

"At least 75,000 sana ang testing in NCR (National Capital Region) alone. Nationwide siguro, 150,000 would be a starting point. Pag wala namang surge, we can decrease the number of tests," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

(There should be at least 75,000 daily COVID-19 tests in NCR alone. Nationwide, maybe around 150,000 would be a starting point. We can decrease the number of tests if there's no surge.)

"What we're seeing is mataas pa rin ang hospitalization. Maganda 'yung trend na nagi-improve and we want to sustain the downward trend. May uncertainty pa rin dito because the positivity rate is still high."

(We're seeing still high hospitalization rate. The trend is improving and we want to sustain its downward trend. There's still uncertainty because the positivity rate is still high.)

As of late, the country is conducting an average of over 55,000 COVID-19 tests per day, peaking to more than 60,000, Secretary Vince Dizon, the Philippines' testing czar, said last Thursday.

Hospitals in Metro Manila and nearby provinces will remain full for the "next few weeks possibly" as 10 percent of around 3,800 daily coronavirus cases require hospitalization, David said.

"We will not get immediate reprieve sa ating hospital system...Ang isang bottleneck is because we don’t have enough nurses right now," he said.

(We will not get immediate reprieve in our hospital system...One bottleneck is because we don’t have enough nurses right now.)

Hospitals' COVID-19 bed capacity is 65 percent full in the capital region while intensive care units are 70 percent occupied, David added.

"What we hear from the ground is puno pa rin more or less ang hospitals nila (hospitals are still more or less full) and that is why they are requesting for an extension of the MECQ," he said.

Metro Manila and its four surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal were placed under enhanced community quarantine last March 29 until April 11 to curb the alarming rise in new COVID-19 cases.

The quarantine classification was downgraded to MECQ starting April 12 until the end of the month.

The Philippines on Saturday logged 9,661 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 989,380, with 89,485 active infections.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/covid19-testing-increase-philippines-octa

Govt urged to hire 1 nurse per barangay to augment workforce: group

A group of healthworkers on Sunday urged the government to hire one nurse per barangay to augment the country's workforce as it continued to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government is adding COVID-19 beds without hiring more nurse to man these, said Jocelyn Andamo, secretary general of Filipino Nurses United.

"Ang panawagan namin nung isang taon pa po, dapat merong mass hiring na libo-libo. Ang recommendation namin 1 nurse sa bawat barangay. Kaya po yun, 42,000 nurses po sana nationwide," she told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

(We already told government that there should be mass hiring of nurses. We recommended 1 nurse per barangay. We can hire 42,000 nurses nationwide.)

"Kung mabibigyan po ng maayos, sapat at proactive na sinasabi nating makatao at just na sahod, adequate benefits at assurance po na pagka magkakasakit sila pati ang kanilang pamilya ay hindi mapapabayaan."

(If government can give enough and humane salary, adequate benefits and assurance that even if they become ill, their families will be taken care of.)

The Philippines on Saturday logged 9,661 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 989,380, with 89,485 active infections.

The DOH had noted a slight decline in new coronavirus infections in the past week, after stricter lockdowns were reintroduced in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, and Cavite. 

Hospitals around the metro earlier said they still felt overwhelmed with the number of COVID-19 cases even as government has expanded bed capacity. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/04/25/21/govt-urged-to-hire-1-nurse-per-barangay-to-augment-workforce-group

PH expecting 'accelerated delivery' of COVID-19 vaccines starting May: vaccine czar

The Philippines is expecting an "accelerated delivery" of COVID-19 vaccines starting May even as global production of the jabs is seen to stabilize only in June, the country's vaccine czar said Sunday.

"Magkakaroon po tayo ng tinatawag na accelerated deliveries this coming May and June. This coming May, baka magkakaroon po tayo ng 7-8 million. Inaantay lang natin, kasi na-delay po yung sa COVAX," Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

(We will have accelerated deliveries this coming May and June. This coming May, we are expecting 7-8 million vaccine doses. We are waiting for the supply because there was a delay in the delivery from the COVAX Facility.)

The global production and delivery of the vaccines were affected by rising COVID-19 cases in countries where these are made such as India and Europe, said Galvez.

"Just in case magkaroon tayo ng added supplies sa COVAX, aabot po bago matapos ang June, baka makakuha tayo ng more less 10-15 million," he added.

(Just in case we can get added supplies from COVAX, we may be able to secure more or less 10-15 million vaccine doses by the end of June.)

"This coming June, medyo definitive na tayo na medyo malaki ang makukuha natin. More or less 7 to 10 million (doses) ang makukuha natin," he said, including those from AstraZeneca, Gamaleya and Sinovac.

(This coming June, it's definite that we'll get a huge supply of vaccine. We'll get more or less 7 to 10 million (doses)."

Global production of vaccines is expected to stabilize by the same month, he noted.

"Ang best case scenario by end of July and August, meron na po tayong enough production."

(The best case scenario is there will be enough production of vaccines by end of July and August.)

The Philippines is negotiating with seven vaccine suppliers, Galvez said, including for an initial 6-10 million doses from Johnson and Johnson.

Of the 170 million doses the country expects to receive in total, 18-23 million are those purchased by the private sector from AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Novavax, said Galvez. 

So far, the country's Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authority for the vaccine candidates of the following: Pfizer, Astrazeneca, Sinovac, Gamaleya, Johnson and Johnson, and Bharat Biotech.

It will receive its first delivery of 500,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, and an additional 500,000 doses of China's Sinovac vaccine before this month ends.

The Philippines has so far received 3.5 million vaccines, of which a million were donated by China, another million was bought from Sinovac and some 525,600 AstraZeneca jabs were from global alliance COVAX Facility.

The government aims to vaccinate a third or 50 to 70 million by end of year, Galvez said, to achieve herd containment.

The so-called NCR Plus, Cebu, and other highly-urbanized cities are prioritized as these tend to have higher virus cases, he said, adding government would still follow its priority list of sectors.

The country has so far vaccinated 1,062,609 out of 1.7 million healthworkers, some 211,000 out of 9 million senior citizens, and around 228,000 out of 14 million persons with comorbidities, according to Galvez.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/philippines-covid19-vaccine-june-2021-galvez

Public urged to only visit local community pantries: health expert

The public is urged to only visit community pantries near them, an infectious disease expert said Sunday after the health department warned that large gatherings may turn into a COVID-19 superspreader event.

The elderly and those who are sick are particularly advised against visiting community pantries, according to Dr. Eric Tayag.

"Bagama't maganda ang hangarin ng community pantry ay maaaring maging isang dahilan 'to na dumami na naman yung mga kaso natin," Tayag told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

(While the intention of community pantries is good, it may still cause a rise in our cases.)

"Dun sa kumukuha, sana malinaw po sa inyo na maaari tayong manghawa at maaari tayong mahawa. Itanong kung dapat ba 'kong pumunta, ano ang dapat gawin at paano ako makakatulong," he added.

(To those who get goods, I hope it's clear with you that you can infect other people and you can be infected. Ask yourself if you must go, what you should do, and how you should help.)

"'Yung matatanda, baka may bilinan na lang sana. 'Yung may karamdaman, 'wag na pong sumadya d'yan."

(Maybe, the elderly can ask someone else to go. Those with an illness are advised against visiting community pantries.)

Community pantry organizers are advised to limit the number of people within a period of time, Tayag said.

"Hindi lang yung layo, pati yung dami. At least 3 or 6 feet, eh kung 1,000 (katao) naman yun, hindi rin naman maganda yun," he said.

(We should not only watch the distance between people but their numbers. Even if you observe 3 to 6 feet physical distancing, if there's 1,000 people, it would be no good.)

"Sana, 'yung community pantry, 'wag na kayong dumadayo. Halimbawa, sa Quezon City, 'yan, eh ba't naman kayong taga-Paranaque ay pupunta po ro'n? 'Yan pong community pantry, mainam po 'yan dun sa kaniya-kaniyang barangay. So, ang magtutulungan, 'yung mga sa barangay na 'yun. So, 'wag kayong dadayo po," Tayag said.

"Kung gusto n'yong magka-community pantry, eh dun sa barangay n'yo, para nang sa ganun, kilala n'yo kung sino nagbibigay, at kilala n'yo rin kung sino ang kumukuha," he added.

Those who experience COVID-19 symptoms or suspect that they were infected are urged to get tested, Tayag said.

The Department of Health on Friday advised organizers to be careful setting up community pantries, especially after throngs of people mobbed the one set up by actress and philanthropist Angel Locsin in Quezon City.

The situation went out of control due to the number of people there. A balut vendor identified as Rolando Dela Cruz died due to exhaustion.

The actress and her staff did coordinate with Barangay Holy Spirit officials to enforce the health protocols.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said pantry organizers must coordinate with the local government to ensure that health protocols are followed in a such setup.

"Kapag nagkukumpol-kumpulan ang mga tao at di natin nakikita na may physical distance among themselves at maraming nagsasalita kahit po tayo ay nasa open space maaari rin po 'yang maging superspreader event," said Vergiere.

"Kaya ang ginawa nating advice ay makipag-coordinate tayo sa local government para maisaayos po natin."

(If that many people gather together and many of them are talking and they do not observe physical distancing, even if they're in an open space, that's a recipe for a superspreader event. Our advice is to coordinate with local government to make sure queues are orderly.)

The Philippines on Saturday logged 9,661 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 989,380, with 89,485 active infections.

The DOH earlier in the day noted a slight decline in new coronavirus infections in the past week, after stricter lockdowns were reintroduced in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, and Cavite. 

Hospitals around the metro earlier said they still felt overwhelmed with the number of COVID-19 cases even as government has expanded bed capacity. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/public-urged-to-only-visit-local-community-pantries-health-expert

COVID-19 survivors who still experience symptoms urged to report them

Coronavirus survivors with remaining symptoms are urged to report them as they might be experiencing "long COVID," an infectious disease expert said Sunday.

These patients suffer from at least 1 symptom for 12 weeks or more, said Dr. Eric Tayag.

"Kailangan paniwalaan po natin ito...'Yung home care ngayon, sana ay hindi lang sa mga nagkakasakit. Baka pwede na rin doon sa mga may long COVID kasi sila ay nakakaranas din ng pasubok," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

(We need to believe this...I hope home care can also be for those with long COVID, not just those who are currently suffering from the illness because they also face challenges.)

Studies show long COVID is more prevalent in the working class and women, Tayag said.

"Walang kinamalan kung ikaw ay severe o mild," he said.

(It doesn't matter if you had a severe or mild case.)

Long COVID patients are urged to find support groups online as these are not available yet in the country, Tayag added.

"This is a condition that can be extremely debilitating. Those suffering from it describe a varying combination of overlapping symptoms... (including) chest and muscle pain, fatigue, shortness of breath ... brain fog (and) many others," Martin McKee, a professor at the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies who led a World Health Organization-led guidance report, said of long COVID.

Hans Kluge, the WHO's European regional director, said long-COVID could have "severe social, economic, health and occupational consequences".

He urged health authorities to listen to patients' concerns, take them seriously, and establish services to help them.

- with report from Reuters

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/04/25/21/covid-19-survivors-who-still-experience-symptoms-urged-to-report-them

Teodoro Herbosa leaves post as UP Vice President after online flak

Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, co-lead of the University of the Philippines' (UP) COVID-19 Response Team, has resigned from his post as the University Executive Vice President.

Herbosa has tendered his resignation effective immediately due to "personal reasons," according to the state university's announcement.

UP President Danilo Concepcion accepted Herbosa's resignation, expressing regret due to the fact that the former vice president has served the university with great dedication.

"In your service as Executive Vice President, you have shown how vital this position can be to the governance of the University," said Concepcion in his letter accepting Herbosa's resignation.

Herbosa served as the University's Executive Vice President since the start of Concepcion's administration in 2017.

Herbosa was part of the UP COVID-19 Response Team which provided projections, analyses, and recommendations to aid the government's decision-making regarding COVID-19.

Herbosa's resignation came a day after he drew flak online following his "death by community pantry” tweet.

The Twitter post was Herbosa's reaction to reports of a senior citizen who died while waiting in line at a community pantry organized by actress Angel Locsin in Holy Spirit, Quezon City.

It received online backlash, prompting Herbosa to make a public apology.

"I sincerely apologize for my tweet earlier today, tagging as 'death by community pantry' news of a senior citizen's death at a community pantry of a celebrity. It may have sounded like a criticism but was ill-judged, when many are facing hardships & being helped by these kind hearted souls," he said in his Facebook post.

"I felt angry over a preventable death, & ended up issuing the tweet when I could have expressed it in a better way."

"I assure you this has nothing to do with the institution that I serve, the University of the Philippines, I have filed a leave of absence while I reflect on my actions & this misstep."

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/teodoro-herbosa-leaves-post-as-ups-vice-president

Tropical storm Bising leaves PH area of responsibility: PAGASA

Tropical storm Bising left the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early Sunday, the state weather bureau said.

The country's second storm this year was last estimated 1,315 km east of extreme Northern Luzon as of 3 a.m., moving east southeast at 25 km per hour, with maximum winds of 75 kph near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph, according to PAGASA.

The state weather bureau warned that moderate to rough seas will be experienced over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon (1.5 to 3.5 m) and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon (1.2 to 3.0 m).

Small seacrafts are advised against venturing out over these waters, it said.

Bising (international name: Surigae) has left at least 4 dead and damaged some P222 million in crops and infrastructure during its peak, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier said. 

Damage to infrastructure in the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas reached P10.5 million.

It entered the PAR last April 16, but did not make landfall in the country.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/tropical-storm-bising-leaves-ph-area-of-responsibility-pagasa

Sasakyan ng DPWH, pinasabugan ng hinihinalang rebeldeng grupo sa Masbate

 Isang sasakyan ng Deparment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ang pinasabugan noong Biyernes ng hinihinalang mga rebelde sa lalawigan ng Masbate, ayon sa mga awtoridad.

Isa sa apat na sakay na mga empleyado ng DPWH sa lalawigan ay sugatan matapos ang pangyayari.

Ayon sa ulat ng Bicol police, tinamaan ng shrapnel ng granada ang sasakyan sa Sitio San Jose, Brgy. Jamorawon sa bayan ng Milagros, alas tres ng hapon nitong Biyernes.

 

Sa mga larawang kuha ng 2nd Infantry Battalion ng Philippine Army, kita ang mga butas na tinamo ng sasakyan.

Ayon sa militar, ang nasabing pagpapasabog ay pananakot ng New People's Army sa mga mamamayan at kontraktor ng isinasagawang Road Construction Project sa nasabing lugar upang makapangikil sa pondo ng nasabing proyekto.

Mariing kinokondena ng pinuno ng 2IB na si Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe Awichen ang nasabing karahasan.

Aniya, paiigtingin pa nila ang kanilang Community Support Program para tulungan ang mga taga-Masbate na umunlad ang kabuhayan. 

Hinihintay pa ang pahayag ng DPWH sa pangyayari.

- Ulat ni Karren Canon

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/21/sasakyan-ng-dpwh-pinasabugan-ng-hinihinalang-rebeldeng-grupo-sa-masbate