Private sector ready to provide over 500,000 Filipinos 2nd doses of AstraZeneca shots

 Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News

The country's private sector is prepared to provide government a portion of its COVID-19 vaccine orders if jabs from the COVAX facility won't arrive on time for the second inoculation of Filipinos who received their first shots.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said the private sector will be able to provide for more than 500,000 Filipinos if AstraZeneca jabs from the UN-led initiative won't arrive in June.

The rollout of AstraZeneca jabs in the Philippines began in March. The Food and Drug Administration has recommended a 4-12 week interval between the first and the second doses.

“Their worry is that if COVAX does not deliver sometime May, what will happen to their doses?” Concepcion said at a virtual summit.

“They requested and asked me if we can help them with 500,000 doses for those who took already their first dose. Of course, we said yes, we will support them. That is if the vaccines of AstraZeneca from COVAX do not arrive in May or June,” he added.

Concepcion said that according to AstraZeneca, it will begin its shipment in June, which consists of around 6 million doses purchased by the private sector, and 11 million doses purchased by local government units.

“What I can say with certainty is that the AstraZeneca vaccines are sure to arrive without any delay anymore,” he noted.

Despite delays in vaccine arrivals due to global supply issues, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. is “confident” the Philippines will be able to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 by yearend with the help of the private sector.

“For this year, our country is expecting the arrival of at least 148 million doses from seven manufacturers in our vaccine portfolio,” Galvez said, noting that the figure does not cover doses from the COVAX facility.

According to ABS-CBN'S Data Analytics Head Edson Guido, with the current pace of COVID-19 vaccinations, it would take more than a decade for the government to reach its target of inoculating 70 million Filipinos.

But Galvez reiterated that once the bulk of vaccines start to arrive in the country in the middle of the year, the Philippines can “significantly scale up vaccinations”.

As of April 29, the Philippines has received only over 4 million vaccine doses. Of this, 3.5 million are made by Chinese vaccine manufacturer Sinovac, while the remaining 525,600 doses are made by British-Swedish pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca. 

The Philippines needs at least 140 million doses of vaccines to achieve herd immunity. 

The country has one of Asia's worst COVID-19 outbreaks and has been slower than most of its Southeast Asian neighbors in securing vaccine supplies.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/private-sector-ready-to-provide-over-500000-filipinos-2nd-doses-of-astrazeneca-shots

Lolo binaril ang apo dahil umano sa alitan sa chainsaw

(UPDATED) - Huli ang isang 85 anyos na lalaki sa umano'y pamamaril ng kaniyang 27 anyos na apo sa loob ng kanilang bahay sa bayan ng Sta. Fe sa probinsiyang ito, Huwebes.

Ayon sa imbestigasyon ng New Corella police, nag-away umano ang dalawa dahil pinalitan umano ng biktima ang guide bar ng chainsaw ng kaniyang lolo. 

Sa kaliwang balikat binaril ng suspek ang kaniyang apo gamit ang .357 revolver. 

Isinugod sa ospital ang biktima habang agad ring sumuko sa mga awtoridad ang suspek na posibleng humarap sa kasong homicide.

Nakumpiska rin ng mga pulisya ang apat na bala ng baril mula sa suspek. -- Ulat ni Chrislen Bulosan

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/lolo-binaril-ang-apo-dahil-umano-sa-alitan-sa-chainsaw

The World Tonight | ANC (30 April 2021)

LGUs allowed to tap reserved Sinovac 2nd dose for new vaccine recipients

Kristine Sabillo, ABS-CBN News

The Department of Health is now allowing local government units to use their reserved 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccines to increase the number of those being vaccinated.

“That was part of the discussions and instructions whatever you reserved for the 2nd dose, you can use it as a 1st dose for the other constituents because we will be providing you with additional vaccines,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano during a briefing. 

Cayetano said this was good news as the city’s vaccination sites were already running out of vaccines to administer.

“Napakalaki ng epekto nun,” Cayetano said. “Magsasara na in 2 days yung vaccination center kung hindi nagbigay ng announcement yung DOH.

(That will have a huge effect. Our vaccination centers would have closed in 2 days if the DOH did not give that announcement.)

He said the 10,000 to 15,000 Sinovac vaccines that they have reserved for the 2nd dose can now be given to new vaccine recipients.

Cayetano said the regional director of the DOH told them a few days ago that they can already use up 50% of the reserved doses.

Unlike AstraZeneca, which has an interval of 12 weeks between the 1st and 2nd dose, Sinovac only has an interval of 4 weeks for its 2nd dose. This is why local government units had to reserve the doses to make sure vaccine recipients will get their jabs on time. However, with additional vaccines received by the country this week, the government is confident it will be able to replenish the 2nd doses.

Vergeire said the move was already discussed with Metro Manila mayors and the vaccine cluster of the InterAgency Task Force for COVID-19.

“This has already been given approval,” she said, adding that a portion of the reserved doses can be used up to ensure that the vaccination program is not halted.

The Philippines received an additional 500,000 doses from Sinovac this week. This increased the number of vaccines sent to the Philippines to 4 million. Most of it are from Sinovac and only 525,000 are from AstraZeneca.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/lgus-allowed-to-tap-reserved-sinovac-2nd-dose-for-new-vaccine-recipients

THE 700 CLUB ASIA | Bihag Ng Nakaraan | April 30, 2021

Mga manggagawa, grupo sanib-puwersa sa lansangan sa Labor Day 2021

Lulusob sa lansangan ang mga manggagawa at sari-saring labor groups sa Sabado para gunitain ang Labor Day at iprotesta ang anila'y hindi sapat na alalay sa mga trabahanteng Pinoy. 

Liwasang Bonifacio sa Maynila ang napiling venue ng Kilusang Mayo Uno, sa Mendiola ang Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, at People Power Monument naman ang Nagkaisa Labor Coalition.

Pero sa hapon, magsasanib-puwersa ang lahat sa isang online rally.

    

Ang panawagan nila ay trabaho, ayuda, bakuna, karapatan at kasarinlan.

"Hindi bababa sa 20 milyon ang naapektuhan ng mahigit isang taong lockdown sa iba’t ibang kaparaanan. Katulad ng mass layoff at retrenchment, extended floating status," ani Nice Coronacio ng Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa.

"Ang karapatan ng manggagawa ay balewala. Sila'y sinusupil at dinadahas. Ang pangakong wakasan ang ENDO ay nahulog sa presidential veto," ani Rene Magtubo, chairperson ng Partido Manggagawa.

"Hindi lang sinusuko ang West Philippine Sea sa China kundi ang karapatan ng ating mga mangingisda sa kanilang kabuhayan," sabi naman ni Deobel Deocares ng Alliance of General Unions, Institutions and Labor Associations.

Ayon naman sa Department of Labor and Employment, naiintindihan nila ang hinaing ng mga manggagawa.

"Alam ko na napakalaki ang pinagdadaanan nila, ang dami-dami nating mga kababayan na nawalan ng trabaho, merong trabaho pero kulang ang trabaho, meron talaga na wala nang trabaho. Kaya big challenge ito… Pero kahit papano ginagawan namin ng paraan na makarating ang kaunting tulong sa ating mga manggagawa," ani Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. 

Nananawagan naman ang grupong Bayan Muna kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na magpatawag ng isang special session sa Kongreso para maaprubahan agad ang mga panukala para sa P10,000 ayuda at P100 daily wage subsidy.

Ayon kay Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, dahil hindi napigilan ng pamahalaan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, karapatdapat lang ibalik sa mga manggagawa ang nawalang halaga ng sahod, para mabuhay din ang ekonomiya lalo’t ilang trilyong piso na ang inutang ng bansa.

— Ulat ni Zen Hernandez, ABS-CBN News 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/mga-manggagawa-grupo-sanib-puwersa-sa-lansangan-sa-labor-day-2021

The Spiritual Laws Of Giving And Receiving

 Jesus answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”  Luke 3:11

Scientists have clearly defined laws that govern our physical world‑‑laws that have been in operation since creation. Those laws are subject neither to the ideas or philosophies of humankind.  For example, Sir Isaac Newton articulated the law of gravitation, showing that the gravitational pull of something is inversely proportioned to the mass of the attracting object. The law of gravity has nothing to do with how I feel, or what I think, or whether or not governments should pass laws disallowing the force of gravity. It’s there and its force cannot be legislated or countermanded.

In the realm of the spiritual, there are also certain laws or principles that operate just as certainly, though they may be more difficult to define or illustrate.  For example, one day Jesus talked about the law of giving and receiving.  This was not really what He called it.  He did not say, “All right, folks, today I am going to explain the law of giving and receiving, which is the key to getting rich.”  Instead, He spoke in parables or stories, and often demonstrated His truths with incidents from everyday living.

Jesus defined a spiritual law that is totally contrary to human logic, yet what He said can be demonstrated as lucidly as the laws of sowing and reaping.  If you sow seed, you will reap a harvest.  What Jesus talked about, however, has been widely abused, misinterpreted and used for selfish gain, yet the fact that people have twisted and perverted the truth doesn’t change it.

Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).

A paraphrase puts it like this, “For if you give, you will get.  Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over.  Whatever measure you use to give‑‑large or small‑‑will be used to measure what is given back to you.”

Strange mathematics‑‑this principle that Jesus used.  Give away what you have to gain more of the very same substance?  The interesting thing about this giving‑ receiving principle is that it is not restricted to money.  It also includes your time as a volunteer, your willingness to listen to someone, sharing your abilities and many other things.

I will never forget the time I was in a tribal area of the Philippines, and after I spoke, the person in charge opened the meeting for questions. It was a long, slow and laborious task because the question was in Ifugao which was translated into Ilocano which then was translated into English so I could understand, then whatever I said had to be reverse-translated.  It was almost midnight when the interpreter said, “See that fellow over there.  He is asking, ‘Why should I who have so little give to God who has so much?'”

I took a closer look at the man. He sat on his haunches, a worn t-shirt on his back, and shoeless.  I was taken by surprise by the question because I hadn’t even mentioned money or giving.  Wow!  What a question. It deserved an answer.  I said, “There are three reasons.  1. Giving is a response of obedience to what God asks.  Then I added, 2. It is a means of receiving a blessing from God which can come many ways (quoting what Jesus said), and then I said, 3.  You can pool what you have and send someone over the mountain into the next valley to share the Gospel with them. That’s what the law of giving is about.

Resource reading: 2 Kings 4:1-37.

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/the-spiritual-laws-of-giving-and-receiving/

Mag-ama na dating miyembro ng CAFGU, patay sa pamamaril sa Davao de Oro

 Patay sa pamamaril nitong Huwebes ng gabi ang isang mag-ama sa kanilang bahay sa bayan ng Maco, Davao de Oro, ayon sa pulisya. 

Natagpuan ng pulisya sa labas ng bahay sa Purok 1, Barangay Concepcion ang bangkay ni Arman Demecillo Sr., 49 taong gulang. 

Nasa kusina naman daw ang bangkay ng anak nitong si Arman Demecillo Jr., 26 taong gulang.

Mga miyembro daw ang dalawa ng Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), ayon sa pulisya. 

Batay sa inisyal na imbestigasyon ng pulisya, nakaupo lang umano sa silya ang ama na biktima sa labas ng kanilang bahay habang nakaupo rin sa balkonahe ang anak nito. 

Tatlong lalaki umano ang dumaan at huminto sa kanilang pamamahay na nakasuot ng bonnet, itim na t-shirt, at long pants. Lulan daw ang mga ito ng isang motorsiklo. 

Sa hindi malinaw na kadahilanan, binaril umano ng isa sa mga suspek ang ama, habang nakatakbo pa hanggang sa kusina ang anak at doon na binaril.

Nagtamo ng tama sa iba't ibang bahagi ng katawan ang dalawang biktima na naging sanhi ng kanilang pagpanaw.

Nagsagawa na ng hot pursuit operation ang pulisya habang inaalam pa ang motibo sa krimen.

- Ulat ni Hernel Tocmo

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/mag-ama-cafgu-patay-pamamaril-davao-de-oro

Carpio hinamon si Duterte: Aminin ang totoo ukol sa West PH Sea

Muling nagkasagutan sina Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at si retired Supreme Court senior associate Justice Antonio Carpio hinggil sa isyu ng West Philippine Sea.

Miyerkoles ng gabi, pinatutsadahan ni Duterte si Carpio at sinisi ito sa umano'y pagkawala ng kontrol ng Pilipinas sa karagatang inaangkin ng Tsina.

"If you're bright, why did we lose the West Philippine Sea?" ani Duterte.

Hindi ito pinalampas ni Carpio at sumagot nitong Biyernes.

Pinaalala niya na kahit miyembro siya ng hudikatura noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Noynoy Aquino, hinimok niya ang administrasyon na ipaglaban ang karapatan ng bansa sa West Philippine Sea na nauwi sa pagkakapanalo ng Pilipinas sa arbitral tribunal noong 2016.

Pero paalala ni Carpio, hindi nga ba si Duterte ang nagsantabi sa naturang tagumpay kapalit ng $22 bilyon na pangakong utang at ayuda ng China.

Pero hanggang ngayon, wala pang 5 porsyento nito ang natutuloy.

Dagdag pa ni Carpio, si Duterte ang nagsabing hindi na magpapatrolya ang Navy sa West Philippine Sea at siya rin ang nakipagkasundo kay Chinese President Xi Jinping na payagan ang Chinese fishermen na mangisda sa karagatan ng Pilipinas.

Binanggit din ni Carpio ang pag-amin ng Pangulo na inutil siya sa pagtatanggol sa West Philippine Sea at ang makailang beses na pagsabi ng Pangulo na hawak na ito ng Tsina, bagay na tinututulan ni Carpio dahil maliit na porsiyento lang umano ng West Philippine Sea ang inokupa ng mga Tsino.

"Shout out to President Duterte that China is not in possession of the West Philippine Sea. Shout out loud so that President Duterte will wake up from his sleep under the kulambo and admit to the nation the truth — that China is not in possession of the West Philippine Sea," ani Carpio.

Noong Huwebes ay pinaliwanag ni dating Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario kung tungkol saan ang paninisi ng Pangulo sa dating administrasyon dahil sa pag-atras umano nito ng barko ng Pilipinas kaya naagaw ang Scarborough shoal noong 2012.

"[T]here was an agreement with China in settling an impasse in 2012 which was brokered by the United States. It involved the withdrawal of all ships on both sides by a certain hour... We withdrew our one ship while China deceitfully breached our agreement by not withdrawing their 30 or more ships," ani Del Rosario.

Mungkahi naman ni Carpio ang patuloy na pagpapatrolya ng Navy at Coast Guard sa West Philippine Sea.

"President Duterte cannot really stop the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard from doing their duty under the Constitution. I salute our Navy and Coast Guard for defending our sovereignty and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea against all odds," ani Carpio.

Sang-ayon si House national defense and security panel vice chair Rep. Ruffy Biazon sa patuloy na pagpapatrolya sa West Philippine Sea.

"Admittedly naman di natin kaya sa resources na araw-araw ang patrolya at dami ng mga vessel. We have to accept that fact. Pero kinakailangan kung di man natin madaan sa frequency, idaan natin sa consistency. Hindi man araw-araw pero kung tuloy-tuloy tayong maglalayag diyan, ang matitigas na salita natin masusundan ng aksiyon," ani Biazon.

Pero noong Miyerkoles lang, sinabi ni Duterte na hindi niya puwedeng giyerahin ang Tsina dahil sa utang na loob nito sa mga bakuna.

Kaya tingin ni Carpio, ang susunod na administrasyon na ang magpapatuloy ng laban para sa West Philippine Sea.

— Ulat ni Mike Navallo, ABS-CBN

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/carpio-hinamon-duterte-aminin-totoo-west-ph-sea

Herd immunity maaaring 2022 pa kung maaantala ang COVID-19 vaccines: Duque

Aminado ang pinuno ng Department of Health (DOH) na posibleng umabot ng hanggang unang quarter ng 2022 bago maabot ng Pilipinas ang herd community kontra coronavirus disease (COVID-19), sa harap ng nararanasan umanong kakulangan ng bakuna. 

Sa loob kasi ng halos 2 buwang pagbabakuna na umarangkada noong Marso, halos 247,000 pa lang o wala pa sa isang porsiyento ng target na 70 milyong Pilipino ang nakakakumpleto ng required 2 doses ng COVID-19 vaccines. 

Samantala, higit 1.5 milyong Pinoy naman o mahigit 2 porsiyento ng target ang nakatanggap ng unang dose ng bakuna. 

"Worst case scenario, siguro until about the first quarter of 2022… If the vaccines don’t come as expected. Kasi marami 'yan. We have Pfizer, they said it was gonna come through the COVAX February… Tomorrow May na tayo. Wala pa rin. Why? Talagang nako-corner ng mayayamang bansa ang kanilang bakuna. Sila ang gumagawa eh," ani Duque. 

Dagdag pa niya: "Ang layo pa n'ung biyahe ng bakunahan sa Pilipinas…. For obvious reasons. Hindi pa naman talaga sapat ang bakuna. Its not a funding problem. We have the money. With multilateral loan agreements." 

Nanawagan naman ang ilang grupo ng mga negosyante na pabilisin na ang kampanya para mabakunahan ang publiko kontra COVID-19. 

"The PCCI (Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry) together with the Philippine business community have consistently called for the speeding up of the procurement process and rollout of vaccines to ensure the safety of the citizenry, boosting of consumer confidence and for the recovery of our economy," ani PCCI President Benedicto Yujuico. 

"The sooner vaccination is carried out throughout the country, the sooner we can revive our economic confidence, rebuild businesses and further open up the economy," dagdag pa ni Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, President ng Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. 

Pero sa kabila ng kakulangan sa global supply ng COVID-19 vaccines, naniniwala si Galvez na puwede pa ring maabot ang target na makapagpabakuna ng 70 milyong Pinoy ngayong 2021 para makamit ang herd immunity - sa tulong ng pribadong sektor. 

"This year, our country is expecting the arrival of at least 148 million doses from 7 manufacturers in our vaccine portfolio," ani Galvez. 

Nakikipag-usap na ang bansa sa iba't ibang vaccine manufacturers at may mga hakbang na rin ang Department of Science and Technology tungo sa posibilidad na magkaroon ng kapasidad ang bansa na mag-manufacture ng sariling bakuna. 

Ayon kay Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta, umalis na ang bakunang gawa ng Russia, ang Sputnik V ng Gamaleya, mula sa Moscow at inaasahang darating sa Pilipinas sa Sabado. 

Dalawang beses naudlot ang delivery ng bakuna sa Pilipinas na nakatakda sana nitong Abril dahil sa umano'y logistical issues. Higit 2 milyon pang Sputnik V vaccines ang inaasahang darating sa Mayo. 

Samantala, inaasahang darating ang 15,000 na bakuna ng Sputnik V sa bansa sa Sabado. 

-- Ulat ni Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/herd-immunity-2022-kung-maaantala-covid-19-vaccines-duque

WATCH: PCSO 9 PM Lotto Draw, April 30, 2021

DFA reports 32 new COVID-19 cases among Pinoys abroad

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday 32 more Filipinos abroad were infected with COVID-19, bringing the total number of Pinoys who caught the virus outside the country to 18,357. 

Recoveries increased by 38 to 11,721. This is the highest number of recoveries in a single day so far in over 2 weeks, data collated by ABS-CBN News showed. 

For the second straight day, meanwhile, the DFA recorded no new fatalities due to the virus. 

The death toll among Filipinos abroad stood at 1,145. 

In the Philippines, more than 1.037 million Filipinos have already been infected with the respiratory disease, almost 74,000 of which are active cases. 

More than 17,200 have also died because of the virus. 

The new coronavirus is believed to have first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/department-foreign-affairs-covid19-updates-filipinos-abroad-april302021

Pagdadagdag ng critical care facilities vs COVID-19 umarangkada

Umarangkada na ang pagpapatayo ng mga modular facility para matugunan ang mga tumataas na kaso ng severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

Pormal na binuksan ngayong Biyernes ang modular facility sa Batangas Medical Center na itinayo ng Department of Public Works and Highways noong Nobyembre. 

"Ito 'yung parang response natin lalong lalo na sa pandemic kasi alam naman natin na talagang kinukulang tayo lalong lalo na sa ICU (Intensive Care Unit) na mga pasyenteng nangangailangan ng severe or critical care management,” ani treatment czar Leopoldo Vega. 

Ayon sa medical chief ng ospital na si Dr. Ramoncito Magnaye, ilang beses silang nag-100 percent capacity nitong nakaraang tatlong linggo. Galing sa iba pang lugar gaya ng Metro Manila, ibang bahagi ng Calabarzon at Mindoro ang tinanggap nila noon na pasyente. 

"The problem sometimes is when you are in the middle of the day and there are many patients coming in, now you only have to juggle the patients, meaning allocation of room becomes problematic,” ani Magnaye. 

Ayon kay Vega, aabot sa 300 critical care beds ang target nilang idagdag para mapunan ang kakulangan sa gamutan ng mga pasyenteng nasa malubhang kondisyon. 

Higit 60 porsiyento ng 2,805 intensive care beds ang okupado ngayon sa buong bansa. 

May 10 ICU beds ang modular facility sa Batangas at 21 regular isolation beds na maaaring i-convert na ICU. 

Operational na rin ang modular hospital sa National Kidney Transplant Institute na may kapasidad na 20 pasyente kada araw. Bukod sa 110 bed capacity modular hospital sa Quezon Institue, may Lung Center modular hospital din na may 16 na kama, at Dr. Jose Rodriguez Hospital na may 22 na kama. 

Magtatayo rin ng modular facility sa Southern Medical Center, Las Piñas General Hospital, V. Luna Medical Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila, at Pasig City General Hospital. 

Binuksan din ang 52 bed facility sa San Juan para sa mga asymptomatic at mild COVID-19 patients - na ikaapat sa siyudad. 

May emergency hiring na rin ang DOH na 10,500 health workers kung saan 3,500 ang ilalaan sa Metro Manila. 

Hirit naman ng Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), ibigay na rin dapat sa frontline at direct patient care workers ang umano’y libo-libo pang bukas na plantilla position sa DOH. 

"Sinabi nga natin sa ating Department of Health, kay Sec Duque, na i-convert ito ng mga health workers ng direct patient care para 'yung mga health workers natin na mga contractuals ay automatic sana magkaroon ng security of tenure," ani AHW President Robert Mendoza. 

-- Ulat ni Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/pagdadagdag-critical-care-facilities-covid-19-umarangkada

Pagdadagdag ng critical care facilities vs COVID-19 umarangkada

Umarangkada na ang pagpapatayo ng mga modular facility para matugunan ang mga tumataas na kaso ng severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

Pormal na binuksan ngayong Biyernes ang modular facility sa Batangas Medical Center na itinayo ng Department of Public Works and Highways noong Nobyembre. 

"Ito 'yung parang response natin lalong lalo na sa pandemic kasi alam naman natin na talagang kinukulang tayo lalong lalo na sa ICU (Intensive Care Unit) na mga pasyenteng nangangailangan ng severe or critical care management,” ani treatment czar Leopoldo Vega. 

Ayon sa medical chief ng ospital na si Dr. Ramoncito Magnaye, ilang beses silang nag-100 percent capacity nitong nakaraang tatlong linggo. Galing sa iba pang lugar gaya ng Metro Manila, ibang bahagi ng Calabarzon at Mindoro ang tinanggap nila noon na pasyente. 

"The problem sometimes is when you are in the middle of the day and there are many patients coming in, now you only have to juggle the patients, meaning allocation of room becomes problematic,” ani Magnaye. 

Ayon kay Vega, aabot sa 300 critical care beds ang target nilang idagdag para mapunan ang kakulangan sa gamutan ng mga pasyenteng nasa malubhang kondisyon. 

Higit 60 porsiyento ng 2,805 intensive care beds ang okupado ngayon sa buong bansa. 

May 10 ICU beds ang modular facility sa Batangas at 21 regular isolation beds na maaaring i-convert na ICU. 

Operational na rin ang modular hospital sa National Kidney Transplant Institute na may kapasidad na 20 pasyente kada araw. Bukod sa 110 bed capacity modular hospital sa Quezon Institue, may Lung Center modular hospital din na may 16 na kama, at Dr. Jose Rodriguez Hospital na may 22 na kama. 

Magtatayo rin ng modular facility sa Southern Medical Center, Las Piñas General Hospital, V. Luna Medical Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila, at Pasig City General Hospital. 

Binuksan din ang 52 bed facility sa San Juan para sa mga asymptomatic at mild COVID-19 patients - na ikaapat sa siyudad. 

May emergency hiring na rin ang DOH na 10,500 health workers kung saan 3,500 ang ilalaan sa Metro Manila. 

Hirit naman ng Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), ibigay na rin dapat sa frontline at direct patient care workers ang umano’y libo-libo pang bukas na plantilla position sa DOH. 

"Sinabi nga natin sa ating Department of Health, kay Sec Duque, na i-convert ito ng mga health workers ng direct patient care para 'yung mga health workers natin na mga contractuals ay automatic sana magkaroon ng security of tenure," ani AHW President Robert Mendoza. 

-- Ulat ni Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/pagdadagdag-critical-care-facilities-covid-19-umarangkada

Mga Pinoy sa India todo-ingat sa gitna ng COVID-19 crisis

Walang patid pa rin ang pagtaas ng bilang ng mga nagpopositibo sa COVID-19 sa India kaya ibayong pag-iingat ang ginagawa ng mga Pinoy doon.

Gaya ni Marthy Bermejo na kasalukuyang work from home mula nang magpatupad ng lockdown sa Bangalore. 

"Pag lumalabas ako, kailagan dala-dalawa ang mask ko, nag-face shield din ako. Ang mga officemate ko ganoon din ang ginagawa nila. Mostly sa mga local, hindi mo makikita sa kanila 'yan kasi they are not-well informed kumbaga," ani Bermejo.

Kuwento ni Bermejo, naging kampante ang India isang taon mula nang magsimula ang pandemya. 

Bago mangyari ang second wave ng mga kaso, pinayagan ang mga religious at political events sa India. 

"Hindi nila na-anticipate ito eh, kasi festival 'tsaka one year from lockdown, one year from coronavirus bumaba naman ang mga cases nila but unfortunately ang second wave na sinasabi nila hindi na-anticipate, naging kalma sila, hindi nila napaghandaan," ani Bermejo.

Gayunman, mahalaga ayon kay Bermejo ang hindi mag-panic at gawin ang kaukulang pag-iingat. Nagparehistro na rin siya para magpabakuna sa kompanyang pinapasukan. 

Nitong Biyernes, umabot sa higit 386,000 ang mga bagong kaso ng COVID-19 habang halos 3,500 ang bilang ng nasawi. 

Tatlong araw na magsasara ang mga vaccination center sa Mumbai dahil kapos ang supply ng bakuna. 

Sa kabila nito, tuloy ang buhos ng tulong mula sa ibang bansa. 

Dumating mula UAE ang mga ventilator at oxygen masks. 

Dumating din ang mga oxygen cylinder na ipinadala ng pamahalaan ng Thailand at mga relief supply mula Amerika. 

—Ulat ni Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/pinoy-india-todo-ingat-covid-19-crisis

Robredo office organizes Labor Day online concert for health workers

Vice President Leni Robredo's office said on Friday it organized with its partners a virtual concert on Labor Day dedicated to health workers in the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight. 

The May 1 concert "Harana: Musical Tribute to Filipino Frontliners" aims "to offer a breather" to medical professionals, the Office of the Vice President said in a statement. 

The OVP said the event would feature volunteer artists including The Company, Noel Cabangon, Cooky Chua, Nonoy Zuñiga, Agot Isidro, Buboy Garrovillo, Jim Paredes, Joana Ampil, Renato Lucas, Skarlet Brown, Ivy Violan, Joey Ayala, Noli Aurillo, Bayang Barrios, Amp Big Band, Nona Galan, and Arman Ferrer.

Doctors, nurses and staff from the Philippine General Hospital will also perform in the concert. Messages of inspiration and hope from frontliners, their families and patients who recovered from COVID-19 will also be featured in the program, said Robredo's office. 

True Faith lead vocalist and founder Medwin Marfil and Binibining Pilipinas 2020 top 16 finalist Caroline Veronilla will host the concert that will be aired live on the Istorya ng Pag-asa Facebook page, 7 p.m. on Saturday, said Robredo's office. 

To allow on-duty frontliners and patients to enjoy the musical, viewing stations will be set up at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, and other hospitals, the OVP said. 

"Sana kahit papano, kahit sandali at kahit sa maliit na paraan ay magawa nating ipakita ang ating paghanga at pagmamahal para malaman nilang hindi sila nag-iisa sa labang ito," said Architect Peach Buencamino, a partner in the OVP's projects.

(We hope that even for a short time and a small way, we can show our admiration and love, so that they know that they are not alone in this fight.)

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/robredo-office-organizes-labor-day-online-concert-for-health-workers

PH logs 8,748 more COVID-19 cases, new recoveries lowest in nearly 2 weeks

 Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

(UPDATED) — The Philippines on Friday recorded 8,748 new COVID-19 cases, raising the country's overall tally to 1,037,460 million. 

This is the 12th straight day that fresh infections were less than 10,000, data showed. New cases in early April went to as high as 15,000— a record high since the pandemic hit the Philippines in 2020.

ABS-CBN Data Analytics head Edson Guido said the country reported an average of almost 9,700 cases daily this month. 

Remaining active infections were at 73,908, the Department of Health's (DOH) latest bulletin showed. 

Of those still recovering from the respiratory disease, 95.1 percent are experiencing mild symptoms, 1.7 percent are asymptomatic, 1.3 percent are severely ill, while 1 percent are in critical condition. 

The ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group (IRG) pointed out that this is the second day that the number of active cases increased, up by 4,416 from Thursday. 

It added that from April 19 to April 28, the number of those still battling the disease decreased. 

The number of active cases reported in previous days was adjusted for duplicate cases, the IRG said. 

There were 4,143 new recoveries, bringing the country's total to 946,318. This accounts for 91.2 percent of the Philippines' cumulative cases. 

According to the ABS-CBN IRG, recoveries announced from April 18 to 29 ranged from 6,636 to 72,607.

Friday's fresh recuperations is considered the lowest announced in 13 days, when the health department started its time-based recovery tagging. 

COVID-related fatalities, meanwhile, went up by 89 to 17,234. 

Out of 54,025 individuals who underwent testing for COVID-19 on Wednesday, some 17 percent were found positive for the disease. 

The DOH said 26 duplicates, 18 of which were recoveries, have been excluded in the overall tally. 

Forty-six cases initially tagged as recovered also turned out to be deaths after the agency's final validation. 

Five laboratories failed to submit data on time.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/philippines-covid19-update-april302021

Lyceum Northwestern University grad tops pharmacist licensure exam

A graduate from the Lyceum Northwestern University in Dagupan City led the new batch of pharmacists in the country, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Friday.

According to the PRC, Angelo Proceso Zarate had a 90.60 percentile rating for the exam given this month in 7 cities. 

He was followed by Anna Teresa Galian from the University of Santo Tomas (89.95 percent), Rhomvinz Villena Hilbero from Universidad de Zamboanga-Pagadian (for Mendero College) with 89.33 percent, Janella Jalal with from Centro Escolar University in Manila (89.22 percent), and Cheyenne Dublada with Liceo de Cagayan University (88.75). 

A total of 674 out of 1,168 passed the examinations, said the PRC. 

Saint Louis University in Baguio is this year's performing school with a passing rate of 100 percent. 

The successful examinees who garnered the 10 highest places in the April 2021 Pharmacist Licensure Examination were: 

The top performing schools with 10 or more examinees and with at least 80 percent passing percentage are:

According to the PRC, the date and venue for their oathtaking will be announced later in the day. 

Here's the full list:

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/lyceum-northwestern-university-grad-tops-pharmacist-licensure-exam

Comparing PH to other countries ‘more miserable’ than us ‘unfair’ — DOH

Kristine Sabillo, ABS-CBN News

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said it is unfair for people to compare the Philippines to other countries on basis of which one is “more miserable.”

This after the Presidential Communications Operations Office confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a government news agency to emphasize that the Philippines was “faring better than other countries” after a memo leaked online.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also said Thursday that while the Philippines has a high number of cases, it is ranking low when it comes to deaths.

During a virtual briefing on Friday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said she would prefer that the Philippines be compared to countries that are doing better than to those that are not doing well.

“Fair din ba dun sa country na yun na kinukumpara tayo sa kanila?” she said. “Kinocompare mo by 100,000 population for example ang namamatay sa atin compared sa namamatay sa ibang bansa.”

(Is it fair to that country that they are being compared to us? YOu are comparing by 100,000 population for example those who had died in the Philippines to those who died in other countries.)

“Parang di siya katanggap-tanggap for us and even for the other countries na kinokompara tayo. Parang pinapakita mo sino mas miserable sa ating dalawa,” she added.

(It’s unacceptable for us and even for other countries to be compared like that. When you’re showing which country is more miserable.)

Vergeire said technically comparing countries is acceptable, especially in the academic setting since it is used to monitor and evaluate performance. However, she said it would be better to just compare countries based on their successes.

“Now when it comes to comparing ourselves to those countries which have successful implementation, wala namang problema. We adopt the best practices from other countries actually na nakikita natin uy maganda yung ginawa.”

(Now when it comes to comparing ourselves to those countries which have successful implementation, that’s not a problem. We adopt the best practices from other countries actually that we see are doing good.)

“We compare that so can see trends, we can see progress and we can see what needs to be done,” she added.

The Philippines is still struggling with a high number of COVID-19 cases and the relatively slow rollout of vaccines due to a global supply problem.

The country reached a total of 1 million COVID-19 cases this week.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/comparing-ph-to-other-countries-more-miserable-than-us-unfair-doh

Invalid ivermectin prescriptions? DOH, FDA to send reports to PRC

Kristine Sabillo, ABS-CBN News

Following reports of invalid ivermectin prescriptions given to the public, the Department of Health (DOH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday said they will forward such reports to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), which supervises the practice of doctors and other professionals.

“Following the distribution of ivermectin capsules to different communities in Quezon City, the DOH disclosed that it has received reports of alleged invalid prescriptions being given to individuals,” a statement from DOH and FDA read.

“The DOH likewise assured that it will officially endorse the reports to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to investigate the veracity of the reports and impose sanctions as deemed necessary, based on existing laws,” it added.

Reiterating the statement of other medical and pharmacist associations, the agency reminded the public that a valid prescription should contain the date of prescription, the patient’s name, age, and sex. It should also include the name, office address, and professional regulation number of the doctor.

On Thursday, two lawmakers led the distribution of the anti-parasitic drug for Quezon City residents. Some photos from the event showed recipients being given prescriptions on bond paper without the name and information of the doctor.

The DOH and the FDA said Filipinos should be vigilant and ensure they receive proper prescriptions that “will protect them and ensure accountability from the issuing professional.”

Invalid prescriptions may be reported to the PRC while adverse reaction to the prescribed drugs may be reported to the FDA at (02) 8809-5596 or pharmacovigilance@fda.gov.ph.

In the same statement, the DOH and the FDA reiterated that it still does not recommend the use of ivermectin for COVID-19 “due to insufficient scientific evidence.”

“We do not recommend the use of ivermectin for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 as the benefits of this antiparasitic drug for this purpose has not been established. President Rodrigo Duterte has also ordered DOST PCHRD to conduct a clinical trial to test the efficacy of ivermectin against COVID-19, let's wait for the results,” FDA Director General Rolando Enrique Domingo was quoted saying.

However, the FDA said that investigational drugs may be used through a compassionate special permit (CSP) or “when it is compounded by a duly licensed pharmacy and properly dispensed by a pharmacist to a patient with a valid prescription.”

The lawmakers who distributed the ivermectin on Thursday claimed that their supply came from a compounding pharmacy. 

The DOH and the FDA said they are not against investigational drugs but utmost care must be taken when using such medication.

“While we recognize recent calls for its use, the positive effects of ivermectin have yet to be proven. Moreover, the danger of self-administering this drug is concerning, which is why we call on the public to refrain from self-medicating and indiscriminately using this potentially harmful product,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/invalid-ivermectin-prescriptions-doh-fda-to-send-reports-to-prc

Puwede na bang di mag-mask kung nabakunahan na? Eksperto sumagot

Dapat pa ring magsuot ng face masks ang mga Pinoy kahit pa nakumpleto na nila ang doses ng bakuna kontra COVID-19, ayon sa isang infectious diseases expert.

Ito'y matapos mapasambit ng #SanaAll ang ilang Pinoy sa balitang pagluwag ng Amerika sa patakaran sa pagsusuot ng mask para sa mga nabakunahan na.

Paliwanag sa TeleRadyo ni Dr. Eva Roxas nitong Biyernes, hindi puwedeng gayahin ngayon ng Pilipinas ang Amerika dahil mababa pa ang coverage o kakaunti pa lang ang mga nababakunahan.

Kung si Roxas ang tatanungin, magluwag lang sana sa patakaran sa pagsusuot ng face mask kapag may herd immunity na sa bansa o nabakunahan na ang 70 milyong Pilpino na target ng pamahalaan.

"Medyo malayo-layo pa po sa current status natin. Baka in the future po that can also be applicable in our country but sa ngayon, as of this time, since hindi pa ganu'n karami ang coverage, we still have to practice wearing face mask," ani Roxas.

Bukod dito, ang mga bakunang ginagamit sa bansa, tulad ng CoronaVac, ay laban lamang sa severe COVID-19 cases.

Patuloy pa namang pinag-aaralan kung may kakayahan itong pigilan ang transmission o hawahan ng sakit.

    

Hindi rin aniya dapat balewalain ang mga variant na hindi pa tiyak kung napupuksa rin ng mga naimbentong bakuna. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/puwede-na-bang-di-mag-mask-kung-nabakunahan-na-eksperto-sumagot

Mag-aaral na nasa online class habang nagtatrabaho sa construction, hinangaan

Nag-viral sa social media ang post ng isang college professor mula sa San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan tungkol sa kaniyang estudyante na nagtatrabaho sa construction site habang nasa virtual class.

 

“All my students are encouraged to open their cameras during our virtual class so that makita ko dapat kung anong ginagawa nila, kung nakikinig pa ba sila sa akin for my lecture,” ayon kay teacher Justin Veras.

Sa kuwento ni Veras sa TeleRadyo Biyernes ng umaga, sinabi niya na bago magsimula ang klase ay may katanungan siya sa mga mag-aaral at nasagot ito ng estudyanteng si “Rich”. Ang 23-anyos ay isa sa mga estudyante ng computer engineering program ng kanilang paaralan.

“After sumagot, sabi ko Mr. Dela Cruz please open your camera saka niya sinabi na Sir, pasensiya na nasa construction site ako,” sabi ni Veras.

Ayon kay Veras, batid niya ang hirap na dinaraanan ng estudyante na pagsabayin ang pag-aaral at trabaho lalo na ngayong bagong sistema ng online learning.

“Nung sinilip ko 'yung mga students ko nakita ko na merong nagpapala, may hagdan tapos meron pa akong nakita sa kaniya na parang meron silang ginagawa related sa construction,” sabi ng guro.

Kinuhanan niya ito ng screenshot at ipinost sa Facebook para magbigay inspirasyon umano sa mga tulad ni “Rich” na working student.

“Ang intention ko is to inspire another student na kagaya mong nagtatrabaho at nagsusumikap para makamit 'yung pangarap,” sabi ng guro.

Pareho nilang hindi inasahan na mag-viral ang naturang post. Simula nang maibahagi ito sa Facebook, mayroon na itong higit 47,000 shares at lampas 128,000 reactions.

Marami rin aniya ang nanghingi ng kaniyang contact number para magpaabot ng tulong.

Sa parehong panayam, sinabi ni “Rich” na hindi niya inasahan na ang normal na bagay para sa kaniya ay makakapag-inspire ng maraming tao.

“Sir, salamat. Talagang di ko akalain na isa kayo sa unang na-inspire sa akin. Maraming salamat po dahil sa inyo may mga blessings na aking natatanggap. Sana pagpalain kayo ng Panginoon tulad ko,” sabi ni Rich.

Paliwanag ni Rich na matagal na niyang balak na maghanap ng trabaho para masuportahan ang pag-aaral lalo’t ayaw na niyang iasa pa ito sa kaniyang mga magulang.

“Nahihiya na rin ako sa magulang ko na umasa pa kaya gumawa ako ng paraan para makahanap ng trabaho at matulungan ko sarili ko,” sabi niya.

Ang stepfather niya umano ang tumulong sa kaniya na makahanap ng trabaho.

“Stepfather ko po ang medyo nagkakaroon ng kontrata sa electrical, sa plumbing sa mga malilit na bahay, doon po ako sa kanya pumasok tapos siya rin po ang nagturo sa akin na mag electrical at mag plumbing,” sabi niya.

Laking pasalamat ni Rich sa lahat ng mga na-inspire sa kaniyang pagsusumikap.

 

“Ang katuwiran ko 'pag may puhunan ka, may tutubuin ka, may interes ka po. Konting sakripisyo lang po ginagawa ko,” sabi niya.

Tumatanaw din ng pasasalamat si Rich sa mga patuloy na tumutulong sa kaniya.

Sa mga nais na magpaabot ng tulong kay Rich, maaring magpadala sa mga sumusunod na GCash No:

Justine Veras: 0907-051-5122

Rich: 09301000453 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/mag-aaral-na-nasa-online-class-habang-nagtatrabaho-sa-construction-hinangaan

Tech issues mar 1st day of online national ID registration

(UPDATE) - Technical difficulties affected the first day of the online registration for the country's national identification system Friday.

"We are currently experiencing technical difficulties. Our technical team is currently figuring out the source of the problem. We will provide updates as soon as the website is up and running," the verified Facebook page of the Philippine Statistics Authority - Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) reported Friday.

In a separate statement issued later, the PSA-PhilSys said it received over 40,000 requests at the opening of the registration, which "caused delays in the sending of the one-time passwords (OTPs) necessary to proceed with the registration."

"We are urgently looking into the issue and updating the website to resolve this technical challenge," it added.

The national ID system aims to establish a single national ID for all Philippine residents.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law mandating the national ID in 2018. He has registered for a national ID himself. 

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua earlier said the national ID system would help streamline the distribution of social aid as well as broaden access to financial services.

The national ID will also facilitate the ease of doing business and reduce fraud, economic managers have said.

National IDs are valid for life with no expiration date. 

Online registration is the first step in acquiring a national ID. To register visit the official PhilSys website. 

This is followed by biometric registration and the issuance of an ID number, PSA assistant secretary Rosalinda Bautista earlier said.

The PSA in April said at least 28 million Filipinos have already registered for the national ID.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/first-day-national-id-philsys-glitch-psa

At least 16 PNP Region 6 personnel positive for COVID-19

ILOILO CITY - Some 16 personnel of the Philippine National Police Regional Office in Iloilo City have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

The PNP Police Regional Office 6 said two members of the Regional Operations Division were first found positive for the disease, based on results released last April 29. Because of this, all personnel in the division had to undergo a swab test. 

Swab test results released Friday showed that 14 more personnel had also acquired COVID-19. Meanwhile, 17 other personnel are still waiting for their results. 

 

Those found positive on April 29 were transferred to isolation facilities in coordination with the city government while the other 14 are now isolated in the PRO6 office and are waiting to be transferred to quarantine facilities.

Contact tracing protocols are underway and personnel found to be close contacts of positive cases underwent swab tests. 

Meanwhile, the regional police office will implement a skeleton workforce to minimize the number of personnel reporting to the regional headquarters. The rest may work from home.

The police Regional Operations Division will also get augmentation staff to ensure continued operations, as it is the nerve center of regional police operations. 

Stricter health protocols will be implemented inside camp. Offices providing services for civilians will continue daily operations but will limit the number of people accommodated. 

PRO6 now has a total of 106 active COVID-19 cases, along with 303 recoveries and 1 fatality since the pandemic started.

— Report from Rolen Escaniel

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/at-least-16-pnp-region-6-personnel-positive-for-covid-19

Police station sa North Cotabato hinagisan ng granada

CARMEN, North Cotabato — Isang riding-in-tandem ang naghagis ng granada sa Carmen Municipal Police station sa North Cotabato noong Miyerkoles ng gabi.

Ayon sa pulisya sa istasyon, pasado alas-7 ng gabi nang may isang matigas na bagay umano ang itinapon sa kanilang bubungan hanggang sa nahulog, saka sumabog.

Nasira ang isang sasakyang nakaparada sa labas ng istasyon, pero wala namang nasugatan.

Sakay umano ng motorsiklo ang dalawang lalaking naghagis ng granada.

Kaagad nagsagawa ng pursuit operation ang Carmen police pero bigo sila na mahuli ang mga salarin.

Nagpapatuloy pa ang imbestigasyon ng pulisya hinggil sa insidente.

—Ulat ni Lerio Bompat 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/grenade-north-cotabato-carmen-police-station

Herd immunity? Duque says PH may achieve it in 2022 if vaccines delayed

Aleta Nishimori, ABS-CBN News

The Philippines may achieve herd immunity by the first quarter of 2022, in a worst case scenario, health chief Francisco Duque III said Friday.

“Worst case scenario baka until the first quarter of 2022. If the vaccines don’t come as expected,” Duque said in an interview with Karen Davila on ANC’s Headstart.

Herd immunity is when enough members of a population are immune to a disease, preventing the virus from being spread further. The Philippines aims to inoculate around 70 million against the coronavirus to achieve this.

The Philippines has so far received 4.025 million COVID-19 shots, about 1.8 million of which have been administered. 

Duque said herd immunity is governed by adequacy and supply of the vaccines.

“We need 140 million doses of vaccines to reach herd immunity. We need to vaccinate 70 million people. Ang byahe ng bakunahan sa Pilipinas malayo pa talaga 'yan for obvious reasons, hindi naman supisyente or sapat ang bakuna. It’s not a funding problem, we have the money,” he said. 

On Thursday, Malacañang said the supposed delivery to the Philippines of 15,000 Sputnik V COVID-19 shots from Russia was postponed. Sources earlier told ABS-CBN News that 15,000 shots of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V were not loaded on a Qatar Air commercial flight that was scheduled to arrive in the Philippines by 11 p.m. Wednesday. 

The government’s vaccination program currently covers the top 3 priority groups, including health workers, senior citizens and people with health risks.

“Ang importante sa atin ngayon 2 things in the face of a vaccine scarcity environment: yung healthcare workers they need to be protected fully. We have 1.7 million of them. How many vaccines or doses do we need? 3.4 million doses for them to give them complete protection. Senior citizens, they are the once most vulnerable. Sila po yung mga namamatay dahiil sa matinding kumplikasyon ng COVID. How many are they? they’re 9 million, you need 18 million doses. So 18 million plus 3.4 million ilan po yun? That’s about 21.4 million, malayo pa nyan,” he said.

The Philippines is expecting an accelerated delivery of COVID-19 vaccines starting May. Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez earlier said that the global production and delivery of vaccines were affected by the rising COVID-19 cases in countries like India.

As of Friday the Philippines logged 1,028,738 total confirmed COVID-19 cases, with over 69,000 active infections.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/francisco-duque-doh-herd-immunity-covid19-coronavirus-anc-headstart

Philippines lifts entry ban on foreign nationals from May 1

Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News

The Philippines will lift this weekend its entry ban on foreign nationals except those coming from India, Malacañang said on Friday, as the country continued to battle a surge in COVID-19 infections. 

The inter-agency task force leading the country's COVID-19 response, in a meeting on Thursday, approved the entry of foreigners who satisfy several requirements from May 1, 2021, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing. 

These are the following: 

They must have a valid and existing visa at the time of entry, except for those qualified under the Balikbayan Program 

They must have a pre-booked accommodation for at least 7 nights in an accredited quarantine hotel or facility 

They should be tested for the novel coronavirus in their quarantine facility on the sixth day from the date of their arrival

They are subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry 

They are subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers (1,500 per day) at the port and date of entry

 

"Travel restrictions, however, shall continue to be in effect for those coming from India or those with travel history to India," Roque said in a statement. 

The Philippines suspended the entry of travelers from India from April 29 to May 14. India is fighting a surge in coronavirus cases that has pushed the health care system close to collapse in major cities. 

"The Commissioner of Immigration shall have the exclusive prerogative to decide on the waiver or recall of exclusion orders of foreign nationals, subject to regular reporting to the IATF Secretariat," Roque said. 

 

The Philippines has tallied 1,028,738 coronavirus infections, of which 69,354 remain active as of Thursday. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/philippines-lifts-travel-ban-foreigners-may-2021

WATCH: PCSO 5 PM Lotto Draw, April 30, 2021

Palace admits more must be done to curb hunger

Malacañang admitted on Friday that more should be done to address hunger caused by the COVID-19 lockdowns.

The Department of Science and Technology earlier this week said that of 5,717 households it polled between Nov. 2 and Dec. 3, 62.1 percent said they experienced moderate to severe food insecurity. 

"Ginagawa po natin ang lahat para matugunan po itong problema ng kagutuman sa panahon ng pandemya, pero alam po natin na mas marami pang dapat gawin," said Palace spokesman Harry Roque. 

(We are doing everything to address this problem of hunger during the pandemic, but we know that more should be done.)

The social welfare department is distributing food packs, on top of a fresh round of cash aid. Meanwhile the labor department is offering loans to businesses and rolling out a cash for work program, he said in a televised public briefing. 

 

Metro Manila and several other areas remain under the second strictest quarantine level. 

Some 500,000 people will remain out of work in the NCR Plus area even after government allowed the reopening of hair salons, barbershops, nail spas, and indoor restaurant dining, the trade department has said. 

"Naintindihan po natin talaga na kapag hindi nakapagtrabaho ang mga tao ay talagang ang resulta ay kagutuman," said Roque. 

"Kaya nga po gustuhin man natin na pahabain pa talaga itong lockdown na ito ay talagang napakahirap po ng desisyon dahil tinitimbang din natin iyong kahirapan na magiging bunga ng lockdown," he added. 

(We understand that if people cannot work, this will lead to hunger. That is why even if we want to extend the lockdown, it is a very difficult decision because we weigh the suffering it will cause.)

The struggle of the poor through the pandemic this month spawned the sprouting of community pantries that provide free supply of food and other essentials. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/04/30/21/malacanang-hunger-dost-lockdown-quarantine

Duque says Ivermectin use conditional; warns doctors who issue 'token prescription'

Doctors who have issued token prescriptions for anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin should be made accountable for any adverse effect, the health secretary warned Friday, a day after lawmakers publicly distributed the drug. 

Francisco Duque III said while doctors can prescribe it for human use against the COVID-19 infection, they have to follow the protocol for which the compassionate permit was issued. Taking the drug with prescriptions that lacked details as prescribed by law is another story. 

“Ang ating batas malinaw [The law is clear]. All prescriptions must contain the name of the presciber, office address, professional registration number…dapat sundin ito. Hindi pwedeng token prescription lang,” Duque told ANC's Headstart. 

“Moving forward, the way to deal with this immediately is that the patients who received it can call up FDA (Food and Drug Administration) anytime for adverse reaction if any, and further advise. Yung doctor na nandoon na nag-prescribe will be held accountable in accordance with our statutes. Ang importante dyan may pananagutan ang doctor na nag prescribe,” added Duque. 

Duque said the FDA has issued compassionate special permit to hospitals that have applied for it. 

“So may conditions. There is an enumeration of what has to be done—patients name, everything, doses, anong side effects, anong positive effects. Number 2, FDA also authotizied the compounding of the ivermecting by authorized pharmacies and that there has to be a doctors prescription. If all these conditions have been met I don’t think there’s anything illegal about the actions,” said Duque.

Meanwhile, Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor, who led the ivermectin distribution, said Duque's issue was "petty."

“I cannot fully comprehend while in the middle of this war where 16,000 people are already dead and hundreds of thousands are sick, your highest ranking general is looking at prescriptions instead of pro- actively supporting a winning strategy that may win to save the lives of our people and emancipate us from this economic debacle," the lawmaker said. 

"The issue is petty. You have four known doctors giving prescriptions to patients who collect ivermectin from a nearby table. The patients submitted their records before hand and are recorded," he added. 

 

Defensor, who is not a doctor, said he was confident Ivermectin will eventually be proven effective against COVID 19.

”Later on it would be proven right maraming masasalbang kababayan natin na di mahahawa maraming masasalba yung nagkasakit sila hindi magiging severe,” he added. 

Defensor and Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta distributed capsules of Ivermectin to residents in Quezon City despite warnings from various health authorities and medical groups.

The FDA has so far granted 5 hospitals access to Ivermectin as investigational drug to treat COVID-19. In an advisory issued in March, the FDA said registered oral and intravenous preparations of ivermectin in the country were veterinary products used for the prevention of heartworm disease and treatment of internal and external parasites in certain animal species.

- With reports from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/doh-duque-on-ivermectin-coronavirus-covid19-mike-defensor-distribution

Libreng Ivermectin, walang reseta? Sino ang dapat managot kung may adverse effect

Sino ang dapat managot sakaling magkaroon ng adverse effect ang mga taong nakatanggap ng anti-parasite drug na ivermectin na ipinamigay ng libre sa Quezon City?

Para kay Dr. Maricar Limpin, vice president ng Philippine College of Physicians, dapat managot ang mga doktor, mambabatas at maging ang Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sakaling magkasakit ang mga tao dahil sa Ivermectin lalo na't ipinamigay ito na walang tamang reseta. 

“Sino ang hahabulin ng tao kung magkakaroon ng problema? I think kung pumapayag ang FDA, then they should also be held accountable kasi pinayagan nila. Definitely, 'yung dalawang congressman who are involved here kasi sila ang nag initiate together with the doctors who are there, they should be held accountable for whatever problems na maaaring mangyari because of that particular activity,” aniya sa panayam sa TeleRadyo.

Kinwestiyon din ni Limpin bakit walang pangalan, license number at pirma ng doktor ang mga reseta na ginamit umano sa pamimigay ng libreng ivermectin sa Quezon City nitong Huwebes. 

"Pag may kulang dito may problema ho sino ang mananagot kung may mangyari doon sa mga tao. Sina congressman [Mike] Defensor ba o congressman [Rodante] Marcoleta ba o 'yung mga doctor na naroroon? In the end, whatever happens to the patient there should be someone accountable and the one who is more accountable ay 'yung mga doctor na nagpeprescribe nung gamot na 'yan," aniya.

Nanguna si Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor at at Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta sa pamimigay ng libreng ivermectin sa higit 35 residente ng Barangay Matandang Balara, Quezon City nitong Huwebes.

Bago binigyan ng gamot ang mga residente, pinapirma muna sila ng ivermectin request form na nagsasabing sumasang-ayon sila na makatanggap nito habang batid nila ang ang posibleng epekto nito sa kalusugan.

Tinatanggalan din nila ng anumang responsibilidad, o posibilidad na makasuhan ang nagbigay sa kanila ng ivermectin.

Pero ayon kay Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, ang pagpirma sa waiver ay hindi nangangahulugan ng kawalan ng criminal liability kung mapapatunayan na may pananagutan ang isang tao o grupo.

Ayon kay Limpin, ang naturang gamot na hindi pa rehistrado ay dapat lamang gamitin sa mga ospital na nabigyan ng compassionate special permit mula sa FDA.

“Kung ang kumuha ng approval for compassionate use ay 'yung mga hospitals, that means 'yung gamot gagamitin doon sa ospital. Dapat kung gagamitin katulad sa Quezon City, I think the more appropriate, this is my opinion, I do believe that the more appropriate process ay 'yung mga doctor na involve na mamimigay, magpe prescribe ng gamot they should have applied by themselves for approval for compassionate use,” aniya.

Malaki ang paniwala ni Limpin at iba pang health professionals na dapat na hintayin muna ang resulta ng clinical trials sa naturang gamot bago ito gamitin bilang treament para sa COVID-19.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/libreng-ivermectin-walang-reseta-sino-ang-dapat-managot-kung-may-adverse-effect

Antipolo Cathedral napili ng Vatican sa prayer marathon para wakasan ang pandemya

Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News

Napili ng Vatican ang Antipolo Cathedral bilang isa sa mga Marian sanctuaries na lalahok sa 30 araw na prayer marathon para ipanalangin ang pagwawakas ng pandemya. 

Isasagawa ang sabayang panalangin sa buong buwan ng Mayo, alas-6 ng gabi, oras sa Roma; o alas-12 ng hatinggabi, oras sa Pilipinas.

Ibo-broadcast ng Vatican media ang panalangin. 

“During each day of May, guided by a calendar with specific intentions, all the Shrines around the world, united in a communion of supplication, will lift up their prayers, which, like the fragrance of incense, will rise up to heaven,” ayon sa liturgical guide na inilathala ng Pontifical Council for Promotion of the New Evangelization.

“Thirty Marian Shrines will take turns leading this prayer throughout the Church and offering the faithful a series of prayer moments for them to participate throughout the entire day.”

Naatasan ang Antipolo Cathedral na manalangin ng Holy Rosary para sa intensyon ng lahat ng pamilya.

Itinuturing ng Simbahang Katolika ang buwan ng Mayo bilang Buwan ni Maria. 

Ayon kay Fr. Nante Tolentino, rector ng National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, isang biyaya na mapabilang ang Simbahan ng Antipolo sa dami ng mga Marian shrine sa buong mundo. 

“Napakahalaga nito at ito’y blessing para sa ating mga Pilipino. Alam naman natin, napakaraming mga international shrines, national shrines, diocesan shrines sa buong mundo. At 30 shrines lang ‘yung kailangan ni Pope Francis para makasama niya sa marathon rosary na ito,” saad ni Tolentino sa panayam ng ABS-CBN News Huwebes. 

Sabi ni Tolentino, mahalagang lumahok ang komunidad sa panalangin ng mga simbahan para ipahayag ang nagkakaisang hiling ngayong higit isang taon na ang pandemya. 

“Simula nang magkaroon ng pandemic, nakita ‘yung importansya na tayo’y magkaisa at magsama-sama. Hindi lang sa pagi-ingat, hindi lang sa pagsugpo sa pandemic; kundi higit sa lahat, sa pagdarasal sa Panginoon, sa tulong ng Mahal na Birhen kasi lahat tayo apektado,” ani Tolentino

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/antipolo-cathedral-napili-ng-vatican-sa-prayer-marathon-para-wakasan-ang-pandemya

WATCH: PCSO 2 PM Lotto Draw, April 30, 2021

Rouse him from 'sleep under his kulambo': Carpio cites Duterte's 'self-inflicted' blows favoring China on sea dispute

 Mike Navallo, ABS-CBN News

In one of his strongest statements yet against President Rodrigo Duterte’s foreign policy towards China, retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Friday encouraged Filipinos to “wake Duterte” from his sleep and correct the narrative that China is in possession of the West Philippine Sea.

“Shout out to President Duterte that China is not in possession of the West Philippine Sea. Shout out loud so that President Duterte will wake up from his sleep under the kulambo (mosquito net) and admit to the nation the truth — that China is not in possession of the West Philippine Sea,” he said in an online forum Friday organized by the Philippine Bar Association.

Carpio was among speakers at the forum that tackled enforcement of the 2016 arbitral award the Philippines won before a UN-back tribunal which declared that the country has an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on a portion of the South China Sea, now called the West Philippine Sea.

Having an EEZ under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) means a coastal state has jurisdiction over exploration and exploitation of marine resources in an area 200 nautical miles from the coast.

Citing Duterte's "self-inflicted blows" that favored China on the sea dispute, the retired magistrate said the President's repeated statements claiming China is in possession of the West Philippine Sea is “grossly incorrect.” 

Duterte made these remarks in November 2018, on 2 state of the nation addresses in 2019 and 2020, and again in April this year.

Carpio clarified China is actually in possession of only 8 geologic features in the Spratlys plus Scarborough Shoal, which together constitute less than 7% of the total maritime area in the West Philippine Sea.

He noted all ASEAN states agree with the arbitral award and all outside naval powers support it. China is the only state that opposes it.

Carpio and Duterte have, on several occasions, engaged in a verbal exchange over the West Philippine Sea, the latest on Wednesday with Duterte taunting Carpio: “If you’re bright, why did we lose the West Philippine Sea?”

He also responded on Thursday reminding Duterte it was former President Benigno Aquino III who won the arbitral award only for Duterte to set it aside. 

On Friday’s forum, he faulted Duterte for being one of 2 challenges to the enforcement of the arbitral award, the other being China.

Carpio enumerated these “self-inflicted blows” that he said Duterte had committed against the arbitral award, aside from his remarks on supposed Chinese possession of the Philippine EEZ:

 Duterte’s statement shortly after taking office setting aside the arbitral award to secure $22 billion in loans and investments from China, of which less than 5% has so far materialized

 Duterte's statement in September 2016 that the Philippine Navy will patrol only territorial seas, not the Philippines’ EEZ

 Duterte's decision in July 2019 to enter into a verbal fishing agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which Carpio said is a derogation of the exclusive sovereign right of Filipinos to fish in the West Philippine Sea

 Duterte's July 2019 State of the Nation Address where he admitted to being “inutil” or useless in defending the West Philippine Sea

 CHALLENGES TO ENFORCEMENT OF ARBITRAL AWARDS

International law experts who joined the panel admitted that enforcing an arbitral award is not easy as international tribunals do not usually have the means to implement their rulings.

“The matter of enforcement of international law has long been a sore point in the theory and practice of international law,” said Dr. Brendan Plant, a fellow at the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law and Downing College at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

“As with any legal decision making, the post-adjudication phase is primarily political in nature and strategies and techniques must be devised and pursued to motivate a state to comply with an order made against it,” he added, explaining the absence of a unitary enforcement structure that leads to a “politicized” enforcement of a legal award.

He said that while resort to UN mechanisms is possible, China could veto some measures under the UN Security Council.

Dr. Julian Ku, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at the Hofstra University in the United States, said he was initially critical of the Philippine government’s 2013 move to resort to arbitration because of the difficulty of enforcing an award.

“Bringing the award, even if it led to a positive legal result as it did, was always going to be very challenging for the Philippines, at this stage, enforcement, and would have required a really detailed plan not just to win the law to win your judgment in court but a really good strategy to implement and push and use that judgment to defend the interest of the Philippines afterward,” he said.

While he acknowledge that the Philippines was “extremely effective” in winning the award, it’s strategy for enforcing it was “less so.”

“It was never gonna be easy to get a country like China to comply with arbitral award that was against it. But I think the Philippine strategy was one of the less effective ways it could have been done and I think it’s difficult at this stage, several years later to have a positive development,” he said.

 PH MUST TAKE THE LEAD

Both experts said there are several measures the Philippines could take to have the award enforced.

Plant suggested that the Philippines could try again resorting to a judicial settlement by filing a new dispute due to China's non-compliance with the 2016 arbitral award.

“If we were to assume that China has not complied with the 2016 award, that, in itself is an internationally-wrongful act — not complying with a binding ruling is an internationally-wrongful act which may form the basis of a new dispute and non-compliance is internationally wrongful — a breach of obligations under UNCLOS and international law which gives the Philippines as injured state the same rights it would have when faced with any internationally wrongful act,” he said.

Ku suggested a “diplomatic shamefare” — coming up with ways to “shame” China in international fora such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“International relations literature has shown that this kind of shaming does have an impact. It won’t induce immediate compliance but it does create costs and raises the cost of non-compliance,” he said. 

He also suggested seeking economic sanctions against China.

But Ku emphasized the Philippines must take the lead in the campaign since it is the injured party.

“If the Philippines doesn’t care about interests in South China Sea, why should any other country in the world? It’s gotta start with the Philippines for any effective pushback against, what are after all, in theory anyway, violations of the Philippine sovereign rights over the EEZ and perhaps over its sovereign territory,” he said.

 WHAT CAN PH DO TO ENFORCE ARBITRAL AWARD?

In his speech Friday, Carpio recommended several initiatives that the Philippines could explore to enforce the arbitral award, including sponsoring a resolution before the UNGA to demand that China comply with the award.

He cited as examples the cases of Nicaragua in 1997 when the United States refused to recognize the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to pay damages for supplying arms to Contra rebels and mining the harbors of the country, and Mauritius when it secured UNGA backing to enforce an ICJ ruling that the United Kingdom should return the Chagos Archipelago.

“A resolution of the UN General Assembly calling China to comply with the Award will send a strong moral message to China that the world will not legitimize China’s illegal act of seizing the South China Sea,” he said.

He also suggested entering into a convention on the South China Sea with other adjacent coastal states incorporating and implementing the arbitral award by practice.

The 2016 arbitral award rejected China’s nine-dash line claim which invoked historic rights to claim more areas in the South China Sea. 

Carpio also proposed that the Philippines conduct joint patrols with neighboring coastal states in their respective EEZs and join freedom of navigation operations with the United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Australia and Canada.

The country could also encourage Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam which has disputes with China, to question the latter's claim to additional fishing rights to strengthen the 2016 arbitral award or agree with them to establish the Spratlys as a marine protected area, suspending their claims for the next 100 to 150 years.

He said the Philippines could file an extended continental shelf claim before the UN Convention on Limits of Continental Shelf.

But Duterte’s attitude towards the ruling, Carpio said, means the arbitral award will have to be enforced “under a new administration, after President Duterte leaves office in June 2022.” 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/wake-up-duterte-foreign-policy-china-west-philippine-sea

Monte Maria Shrine sa Batangas gagawing isolation facility

Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News

Gagawing isolation facility ang Monte Maria Shrine sa Batangas City na itinuturing na pinakamataas na statue ng Mama Mary sa buong mundo.

Ayon kay Batangas Provincial health Officer Dr. Rose Ozaeta, mismong ang pamunuan ng Monte Maria ang nag-alok sa provincial government na gawin itong isolation facility para matugunan ang kakapusan ng mga isolation facility sa lugar 

Dagdag ni Ozaeta, punuan na ang mga isolation facility ng mga local government units, mga ospital at mga hotel.

May 17 palapag ang Monte Maria Shrine pero 3 floors muna ang gagawing isolation facility na kayang mag-accommodate ng higit 200 pasyente.

Pero puwede naman ma-expand hanggang sa ibang floors kung kakailanganin.

Ayon kay Dr. Ozaeta nasa 2,000 asymptomatic COVID-19 patients na naka-home quarantine ang kailangang mailipat sa isolation facility.

Mangangailangan ngayon ang Batangas provincial government ng mga doctor at nurse para sa Monte Maria isolation facility.

Nangako na rin umano ang DOH Calabarzon na magpapadala sila ng kanilang mga tauhan.

Hinihintay na lamang ang approval ng DOH Calabarzon para makapagsimula na ang Monte Maria bilang isolation facility.

Ayon kay Dr. Ozaeta, napakaganda na maging isolation facility ang Monte Maria dahil sa sariwa ang hangin, at ang mga nakaka-relax ang tanawin gaya ng dagat at ang Isla Verde at Mindoro Island.

Sa ngayon, nasa higit 4,000 pa ang COVID-19 active cases sa Batangas.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/monte-maria-shrine-sa-batangas-gagawing-isolation-facility

DOT: Leisure travel still prohibited for NCR Plus residents

Leisure travel to and from Metro Manila and 4 nearby provinces is still prohibited, the Department of Tourism said Friday, as the so-called NCR Plus remains under the modified enhanced community quarantine.

"As of now, bawal pa 'yong travel from NCR Plus kasi MECQ pa tayo (travel from NCR Plus is still not allowed because we are still under MECQ)," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat told Teleradyo.

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the second strictest quarantine level in the capital region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal until May 14 as there has been no letup in coronavirus infections.

On Monday, the country's COVID-19 cases soared past the 1-million mark, with over 17,000 people succumbing to the disease.

While leisure travel remains suspended for those in the Greater Manila Area, Puyat noted that tourist destinations under modified general community quarantine — the loosest quarantine restriction — stay open.

"Ang Baguio, Bohol, Siargao, Boracay at Cebu ay tumatanggap pero hindi lang galing sa NCR Plus kasi dito mataas ang cases," she said.

(Baguio, Bohol, Siargao, Boracay and Cebu accept tourists except those coming from NCR Plus because of the high number of cases.)

"Hirap talaga ang restart ng tourism ngayon. Kaya napaka-importante na may dumating na suplay ng vaccines," she added.

(Our tourism [industry] is struggling to restart. That's why it's important that there are vaccines that have arrived.)

The government has included tourism workers under the country's A4 vaccination group. They follow health workers, elderly people and persons with comorbidities.

The government had previously said only authorized persons outside their residences were allowed to travel to and from NCR Plus.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/dot-leisure-travel-still-prohibited-for-ncr-plus-residents

Leronlimab, drug used by ex-president Estrada, touted as COVID-19 treatment

A Filipino doctor on Friday pushed the use of anti-inflammatory drug leronlimab as treatment for seriously ill COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Randy Nicolas, associate clinical professor for surgery at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, said the investigational drug was used to treat former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada after contracting the virus.

"The biggest improvement was actually his respiration. His demand for oxygen was less. He was able to get off the ventilator. He continued to improve," he told ANC.

"And after the second dose when he was admitted to the ICU, he again showed the same pattern of improvement, approximately 35 to 52 hours after the second dose. That's what we see in our patients as well," he added.

Estrada was discharged from the hospital on Monday after nearly a 1-month bout with COVID-19.

Leronlimab, which is being investigated for use in the treatment of coronavirus, is developed by US-based biotech company CytoDyn.

The humanized monoclonal antibody , which was originally designed to treat HIV, has so far been studied in 11 clinical trials for HIV infection.

"They had almost a thousand patients on this drug for 5 years with zero adverse effects. The safety record of this drug is absolutely astounding," Nicolas said.

For COVID-19 treatment, he said leronlimab targets the cytokine called CCR5 receptor found on T lymphocytes of the human immune system. 

Nicolas explained that COVID-19 is a 2-phase disease - virus phase and immune phase.

"The virus phase is the constitutional symptoms. The fever, cough, loss of taste and smell, and body aches. This is where we need to actively treat the patients before they go into the second stage," he said.

"The second stage is the stage that kills. This is the immune stage. The initiator of the immune phase is actually our own immune system, meaning to say our immune system forgets about the virus and starts attacking our own cells...Leronlimab is an antibody that blocks the cytokine that initiates the immune response. The immune phase is stopped by this drug."

Nicolas noted it was Estrada's team of doctors who suggested the use of leronlimab, which came from the US.

"When I look at the science, I was thoroughly convinced that leronlimab is truly the drug of choice for severe, critical COVID," he said.

The Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved Leronlimab for treatment of COVID-19 patients.

However, the agency has so far given 2 doctors compassionate special permit to use the drug against the respiratory illness.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/leronlimab-drug-used-by-ex-president-estrada-touted-as-covid-19-treatment

Duque warns of possible India-like surge if health protocols violated

Aleta Nishimori, ABS-CBN News

The Philippines could face a COVID-19 surge similar to that of India, where daily recorded cases already breached 300,000, if Filipinos fail to follow minimum health protocols, said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday.

“Pagka hindi tayo sumunod doon sa ating minimum health standards [and] if we do not intensify our COVID pandemic response like what has happened in India and also in some other countries where the second or third waves are being experienced, that is a big possibility,” said Duque in an interview on ANC’s Headstart.

He added Philippines must learn from the experience of India and other countries.

“We cannot dig our heads into the sand and make it appear that we're doing okay all the time. There are ways to doing things better that’s why everyday you have to read, everyday you have to watch out for what’s happening. What are the best practices, what are the practices that are really worth avoiding…at the end of the day we just have to work together,” he said.

India is facing an increasing death and infection rate since this month with the daily death toll climbing over 3,600.

‘We are not helpless. We are not without the power to fight this. Simple interventions, face mask, face shields, physical distancing, proper ventilation, avoidance of people in superspreader events yung mga mass gathering lahat naman ito nandyan na,” he said.

As of Thursday, the Philippines logged 1,028,738 total confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 69,354 active infections.

The Philippines has temporarily banned the entry of travelers from India.

All travelers coming from India or those with travel history to India within the 14 days preceding arrival will be prohibited from entering the Philippines "beginning 0001H of April 29, 2021, until May 14, 2021," Palace spokesman Harry Roque earlier announced.

The surge in COVID cases in India is caused by a more virulent virus. But the Indian variant has not yet entered the Philippines, Duque said.

"Mutations do happen when there is high transmission rate. I think control bring down the transmission. How do you do that? Prevention, early detection, isolation, quarantine, aggressively treatment protocols and guidelines ought to be followed at all times," he said.

Meanwhile, Duque said it was pointless to compare the Philippines with how other countries are dealing with the pandemic given the fragmented structure of the healthcare system.

“It’s been a weakness that the fragmentation of the health care system has really contributed to some of the delays in the response. I think this is a strategic issue that needs to be addressed and I’m glad that the Speaker of the House of Representatives has initiated discussions on the possible reintegration of the Philippine healthcare system,” he said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/francisco-duque-doh-on-india-coronavirus-covid19-philippines-situation

2022 presidential election could be ‘dirtiest, most vicious’ in PH history — Trillanes

The 2022 presidential election could be the "dirtiest and most vicious" yet in the history of the country, according to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, with the winner deciding if the Philippines will continue the present policies of the Duterte administration.

Speaking to ANC's "Matters of Fact", Trillanes, a former vice-presidential candidate, said running for president in the next election is practically going to war, considering what is at stake amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"2022 would be probably one of the dirtiest, most vicious elections we will ever have because the other side, the Duterte camp, will be fighting for their physical freedom because they know that if the opposition wins -- and again we will win -- he is going straight to prison along with his cohorts," Trillanes said. 

"That is what's at stake for them. For the opposition, what is at stake is the survival of the country," he added. 

A February 22 to March 3 survey by Pulse Asia earlier showed Sara Duterte, daughter of President Duterte, leading the race with 27 percent voter preference more than a year before the 2022 elections. 

Other candidates in the survey were former senator Bongbong Marcos (13 percent), Sen. Grace Poe and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (12 percent), Sen. Manny Pacquiao (11 percent), Vice President Leni Robredo (7 percent), Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go (5 percent), former Vice President Jejomar Binay (3 percent), Sen. Panfilo Lacson (2 percent) and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (2 percent). 

In the interview, Trillanes questioned the timing of the release of the survey, saying the poll was conducted 2 months ago.

"So many big, significant events have happened that could affect the results by now. A nationwide survey is only valid for only a month. During the campaign, it is even shorter, say, a week," he said. 

He added: "The numbers that they are seeing for Sara Duterte and those aligned with Duterte may look high at this point but you have to look at where they came from."

He said that while Vice-President Leni Robredo has yet to decide whether or not she is running in the next election, there is still time to catch up with the survey frontrunners.

The former senator noted that the next election would have a polarized campaign between those aligned with Duterte and those who are not. 

Trillanes said any Duterte-aligned candidate would have to defend the present administration's policies, including the president's decision not to oppose Chinese intrusion in the West Philippine Sea. 

"A Duterte-aligned candidate would basically be a continuation of the present policy, not only the West Philippine Sea but the domestic policies. They will have to defend everything about Duterte. If you are aligned with him, the media, the electorate would ask them if you are supportive of the policies of Duterte. If you say no, they will say why are you aligned with him? Where were you during the times when these issues were being discussed?" he said. 

Ultimately, however, he said corruption would still be top of mind in the next poll. 

"While the issue of the West Philippine Sea is a very serious matter, a very sensitive matter and it resonates a lot of the electorate, the gut issues would still be at the forefront in 2022 and the cause of that is corruption. They saw how corruption has eroded the trust in government and affected the lives of so many people," he said. 

"A lot of people are out of work and are dependent on the subsidies of the government, which they cannot give because of corruption. It would be the primary issue in 2022." 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/2022-presidential-election-dirtiest-most-vicious-trillanes-west-philippine-sea-china