2 lalaking kasambahay na minaltrato umano ng amo, ni-rescue

Sinagip ng mga pulis ang 2 lalaking nagreklamo ng pagmamaltrato sa kanila ng amo sa isang subdivision sa BF Homes, Parañaque City Huwebes ng hapon.

Inaresto sa operasyon ang 49-anyos na negosyante, pati ang kanyang 47-anyos na asawa, 23-anyos na anak, at 24-anyos na family driver.

Ayon kay BF Homes Substation commander Police Maj. Melvin Florida Jr., tumakas mula sa bahay ang 37-anyos na biktima at nagsumbong sa guwardiya na sinasaktan sila ng kanilang amo.

Nang makarating ito sa mga pulis, pinuntahan nila ang bahay para i-rescue ang 22-anyos na kasama niya at arestuhin ang mga sangkot sa umano'y pagmamaltrato.

Nakitang may mga pasa at sugat sila sa ulo, leeg, at katawan.

Bukod sa trabahador sa kompanya ng amo, sabi ng pulis, nagsisilbi rin ang 2 sa mga gawaing-bahay bilang stay-in.

Kuwento ng mga biktima sa mga pulis, sinapak na sila ng amo at pinagtulungan din ng iba pang kasama sa bahay.

Ilan sa umano’y pang-aabuso sa kanila ay ang pamamalo ng martilyo, pagsakal ng sinturon, at pananakit ng cutter.

Pitong buwan nang namamasukan doon ang isa habang apat na buwan na roon ang kasama.

Ayon sa pulis, tinanggi ng mga suspek ang mga paratang.

Apat na araw bago ang rescue, inireklamo ng amo sa pulisya ang 2 kasambahay dahil sa pagnanakaw pero binawi rin agad.

Nakatakdang sumailalim ang 4 na inaresto sa inquest proceedings para sa mga kasong serious illegal detention with physical injuries.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/2-lalaking-kasambahay-minaltrato-paranaque

Building a house? That's allowed now under MECQ

Planning to build a house in Metro Manila? That's allowed now under the new guidelines issued by the inter-agency task force leading the country's COVID-19 response concerning areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine. 

Mayor Edwin Olivarez, chairman of the Metro Manila Council, said barbershops, salons and other similar services are allowed to open up to 30 percent operational capacity to avoid crowding and observe physical distancing. 

Indoor dining in restaurants is allowed to open up to 10 percent seating capacity; al fresco dining is also allowed. 

Home construction is also allowed now under MECQ, the mayor said. 

Spas and massage parlors, meanwhile, are not allowed to operate. 

Olivarez said the new guidelines are meant to boost the economy after nearly 1 million workers in the NCR plus bubble lost their jobs due to quarantine restrictions. 

Metro Manila and surrounding Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal are under MECQ, the second strictest quarantine level until May 14. 

The capital region alone accounts for about a third of the country's gross domestic product. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/04/30/21/building-a-house-thats-allowed-now-under-mecq

Philippines eyes COVID-19 vaccination of general public in August or September

Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News

(UPDATE) - The Philippines might start the COVID-19 vaccination of people outside its priority groups by August or September, an official leading the drive said on Thursday. 

The country will receive about 20 to 25 million COVID-19 shots between June and July, which will be enough for almost all priority groups, said vaccine "czar" Carlito Galvez Jr. 

"Iyong ating tinatawag na other target adult population o 'yong general populace, baka mag-start po tayo [ng pagbabakuna] nang August o September," he said in a press briefing. 

(We might start the vaccination by August or September of what we call the other target adult population or general population.)

 

The vaccination drive currently covers the top 3 priority groups, including health workers, the elderly, and people with health risks. 

The fourth and fifth priority groups - economic frontliners and indigents - will start getting vaccines in June, said Galvez, who is also chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19. 

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

"Pipilitin po natin na 'yong 2 million marker, matapos po natin ngayong buwan," Galvez said. 

(We will strive to cross the 2 million marker this month.) 

140 MILLION DOSES FOR 2021

In May, the government expects to take delivery of about 4 million vaccine doses, including batches from Beijing-based Sinovac Biotech, Britain's AstraZeneca, and Russia's Gamaleya Institute, he said. 

For within the year, the country expects to receive around 140 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, excluding those coming from the World Health Organization’s COVAX facility, which are scheduled to arrive in the country not later than June.

Galvez said out of the 44 million doses coming from COVAX, 33 million doses are donations while the government paid $100-million for the remaining 11 million doses.

The country’s vaccination rate could increase from 500,000 to 1 million per week in May, and rise to around 2 to 3 million per week by July or August depending on the actual number of doses delivered to the country, he added.

Among the hardest hit by the pandemic in Asia, the Philippines aims to vaccinate up to 70 million people or two-thirds of its population this year. 

The country's vaccination driver began March 1, a day after receiving its first supply of the shots.

'LAYERS OF CONTINGENCIES'

Meanwhile, Galvez said that the government had put in place “layers of contingencies” in case the second doses of AstraZeneca vaccines do not arrive in the country on time.

Around 500,000 AstraZeneca doses were scheduled to be delivered to the Philippines in early March but was postponed due to supply issues confronting the UN health agency.

The government is now considering several options which include sourcing the vaccines from either Israel, the United States or the United Kingdom, which reportedly have excess supplies, Galvez said.

He said the members of the NTF’s vaccine cluster were set to meet with US Embassy officials in Manila to discuss the possibility of procuring the country’s excess AstraZeneca doses.

In the meantime Galvez clarified that the postponed delivery of 15,000 doses of Gamaleya’s Sputnik V vaccines on April 28 were largely due to “logistical challenges.”

He said that negotiations were ongoing for the 10 million doses the government intends to purchase from Gamaleya, in which the vaccines will be delivered in tranches within a period of 4 months.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/philippines-covid-vaccination-general-population-target-start

Sakto | Teleradyo (30 April 2021)

GRASYA NG DIYOS - Kape't Pandasal kasama si Rissa Singson-Kawpeng

Halos P6 milyong halaga ng marijuana nasabat sa Kalinga; 2 tiklo

Halos P6 milyong halaga ng marijuana ang nasabat ng mga awtoridad sa isang buy-bust sa lungsod ng Tabuk, Kalinga, Huwebes ng hapon.

Huli sa operasyon ang dalawang suspek.

Ayon sa PDEA, nakuha mula sa mga suspek ang 45 na marijuana brick at 8 dried marijuana na aabot sa P5.88 milyon ang halaga.

Mahaharap sa kasong paglabag ng Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act ang mga suspek.--Ulat ni Gracie Rutao

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/halos-p6-milyong-halaga-ng-marijuana-nasabat-sa-kalinga-2-tiklo

After delay, 15,000 Sputnik V vaccine doses now on the way to PH

The first shipment of 15,000 doses of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines is on the way to Manila from Moscow, after the delivery was earlier postponed.

In a Facebook post, Philippine Ambassador to Russia King Sorreta said the vaccines will arrive in Manila by May 1.

"First shipment of Sputnik V vaccines (15,000 doses) left today, 29 April, from Moscow and should be in Manila by 1 May. More to come in the next weeks and months. Great working with the DOH, DFA, Special Envoy for Russia and the other members of the IATF to make this happen," he wrote.

The Russian-made vaccines were supposed to arrive in the Philippines Wednesday night. The 15,000 shots Sputnik V, however, were not loaded on a Qatar Air commercial flight that was supposed to bring it to the Philippines.

The Department of Health said the first batch of Sputnik V jabs would be used for simulation or practice. The remaining 480,000 Sputnik V doses will arrive by the end of April, it said.

The Philippines has administered at least 1.7 million COVID-19 shots, as of Sunday. It aims to inoculate a third of its population or 50 to 70 million by end of the year to achieve herd immunity.

The country is expecting an "accelerated delivery" of COVID-19 vaccines beginning next month even as global production of the jabs is seen to stabilize only in June, vaccine "czar" Sec. Carlito Galvez earlier said. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/30/21/15k-sputnik-v-enroute-to-ph

The World Tonight | ANC (29 April 2021)

THE 700 CLUB ASIA | Redeemed And Renewed | April 29, 2021

'Mas magandang ikumpara ang PH sa mga bansang may mabuting pandemic response'

Maraming bansa ang higit na mas malala ang sitwasyon sa Pilipinas pagdating sa kaso ng COVID-19, base sa datos ng Johns Hopkins University.

Pero paano nga ba dapat ihambing ang Pilipinas lalo't magkakaiba ang katayuan ng mga bansa?

Sa datos ng Johns Hopkins University, nasa ika-26 na puwesto ang Pilipinas pagdating sa dami ng kabuuang bilang ng mga kaso ng COVID-19.

Karamihan sa mga bansang napakataas ang bilang ng kaso ng sakit ay may matataas ding populasyon tulad ng Amerika, India at Brazil.

Mataas din ang bilang ng mga kaso sa mga bansa sa Europa na mataas ang testing gaya ng Italy, Spain, Germany pati United Kingdom.

Para sa dating adviser ng National Task Force Against COVID-19 na si Dr. Tony Leachon, mas maganda sana kung ikukumpara ang Pilipinas sa mga bansang maganda ang naging tugon sa pandemya o sa mga bansang hindi nalalayo ang estado sa Pilipinas.

"If we compare ourselves with the worst cases, may mga ulat na kino-compare natin ang sarili natin with India or Brazil, para maging ang feeling natin ay maging maganda ang pakiramdam natin," ani Leachon.

"I think ang dapat, compare with the best of the best and get their best practices para ma-adapt natin sa ating situation," sabi ni Leachon. "Ang ka-match natin should be the areas in the Southeast Asian region."

Pinakanalalapit umano ang estado ng Pilipinas sa bansang Vietnam, na may halos 100 milyong populasyon.

Pero napakababa ng Vietnam sa listahan pagdating sa dami ng kaso: pang-167 sa tala ng Johns Hopkins dahil mayroon lamang silang halos 3,000 kaso.

"Basically dahil sa pag-adhere [ng Vietnam] sa sicence," ani Leachon.

"Border control nila, isa sila sa pinakamatindi sa buong mundo... Isa sa best practice nila, 'yong clear messaging, innovative, plus transparent and open communication," dagdag niya.

Kung ihahanay ang lahat ng bansa sa Southeast Asia, pangalawa ang Pilipinas sa Malaysia na may pinakamaraming bagong kumpirmadong kaso sa bawat 1 milyong populasyon. 

May higit 60,000 testing output kada araw ang Malaysia, na may higit 32 milyong populasyon. 

Naglalaro naman sa 50,000 ang testing output kada araw ng Pilipinas na may 110 milyong populasyon.

Sa Indonesia naman, kahit may 1.6 milyong kabuuang kaso na sila, nagsimula nang bumaba ang naitatalang mga bagong kaso kada araw sa 5,000.

Isa naman ang Pilipinas sa mga nangungunang bansa sa Southeast Asia pagdating sa vaccine rollout.

Base sa datos ng Department of Health, sa higit 3 milyong doses ng bakunang natanggap ng Pilipinas, 1.8 milyon na ang naituturok sa priority sectors. 

Halos 247,000 pa lang ang fully immunized o nakatanggap ng 2 dose ng bakuna, malayo pa ito sa target na 70 milyon para makamit ang herd immunity.

Nagpaalala naman si Guido David ng OCTA Research Group sa publiko na patuloy na mag-ingat.

"We encourage pa rin to minimize 'yong going out because marami pa rin ang cases. We're still averaging 3,300," ani David.

"Until bumaba 'yong number of cases, mapupuno pa rin ang hospitals and that's why we're targeting mga less than 2,800 cases per day. Hospitals will start to ease din once we reduce the number," ani David. 

Tantiya ng OCTA Group, kung maipagpapatuloy ng mga Pilipino ang pag-iingat at limitadong galaw, maaaring makitang mabawasan ng 2,800 ang kaso kada araw sa buong bansa sa loob ng 1 o 2 linggo.

Maaari ring mabawasan ng 2,000 ang kaso sa Metro Manila kada araw pero baka raw abutin pa ito ng isang buwan. 

-- Ulat ni Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/mas-magandang-ikumpara-ph-mabuting-pandemic-response

IATF allows barbershops, beauty parlors to reopen in MECQ areas

The inter-agency task force leading the country's COVID-19 response has allowed barbershops and beauty parlors in Metro Manila and nearby provinces to reopen in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine in a bid to boost the pandemic-hit economy, Malacañang said Thursday. 

The task force granted them to resume their operations, along with nail spas and other personal care establishments, under the condition they will operate on 30% capacity to avoid crowding and observe physical distancing, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

He noted that "these establishments shall only provide services that can accommodate the wearing of face masks at all times by clients and service providers."

Dine-in services in restaurants will also be allowed at 10% venue or seating capacity.

"These food preparation establishments, however, may operate their indoor dine-in services beyond this limitation, provided that they comply with Joint Memorandum Circular No. 21-01 (s. 2021) or the Safety Seal Certification Program," Roque said.

This will take effect on May 1, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

Metro Manila and surrounding Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal are under MECQ, the second strictest quarantine level until May 14. 

The capital region alone accounts for about a third of the country's gross domestic product. 

"Itong additional na mga negosyong bubuksan ay para po maibsan ang pagbaba nng ating ekonomiya," Roque said. 

About 500,000 people will be able to return to work with the reopening of hair salons and indoor dining services, the trade department earlier said. 

The Philippines has tallied a total of 1,028,738 COVID-19 infections with 17,145 deaths and 942,239 recoveries. Active cases stand at 69,354.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/iatf-allows-barbershops-beauty-parlors-to-reopen-in-mecq-areas

Duterte told about China's control of Scarborough Shoal; Beijing breached pull-out deal

China's seizure of the Scarborough Shoal west of the Philippines in late 2012 was due to Beijing's non-compliance with a U.S.-brokered agreement with Manila to jointly pull out their ships at a certain time, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Thursday.

Del Rosario issued the statement a day after President Rodrigo Duterte suggested that the former administration's strategy resulted in China taking effective control over the shoal that the UN-backed arbitration court in The Hague declared as a traditional fishing ground of Filipinos and other nationals.

"On the unfortunate loss of Scarborough, as previously discussed, there 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," Del Rosario said.

"Accordingly, if my memory serves me correctly, we withdrew our one ship while China deceitfully breached our Agreement by not withdrawing their 30 or more ships," he added.

In his Talk To The People on Wednesday night, Duterte said the government at that time should have stood its ground.

"Sana, sinabi mo 'yong (You should have said), 'We will stand our ground. We will not retreat. We will not get out of the West Philippine Sea because it's ours'," Duterte said, addressing Del Rosario.

Help from the United States, with which the Philippines has a Mutual Defense Treaty, should have also been sought, he added.

Duterte's rant against Del Rosario, as well as of retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, were revived after the chief executive has been asked to make a bolder move in challenging Beijing's continuing incursions in the West Philippine Sea and disregard for the 2016 arbitration award.

Del Rosario said the government sought a "peaceful and durable solution" by bringing China before the Arbitral Tribunal, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, of which the China and the Philippines are signatories.

"After our efforts in securing this victory (in July 2016), we were expecting the then new administration to enforce the Arbitral Award for the benefit of the Filipino people," he said.

"Unfortunately", Duterte set it aside, noted Del Rosario and Carpio, in exchange of up to $24 billion pledge in Chinese investments and aid.

"Today, less than 5 percent of those loans and investments have materialized as President Duterte is already leaving office next year," lamented Carpio.

He said Duterte "even allowed China to fish in our exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea despite admitting that there is not enough fish stock there for both Filipino and Chinese fishermen. We even import galunggong now from China, the same galunggong that Chinese fishermen take in the West Philippine Sea."

Del Rosario said that was "in patent violation of our Constitution."

In 2017, Duterte "remained absolutely silent when China seized Sandy Cay from the Philippines," said Carpio, a feature located 2 nautical miles from Pagasa Island in the Spratlys. 

According to the former magistrate, "China’s seizure of Sandy Cay has resulted in the loss of one-third of our territorial sea in Pagasa, a loss of a maritime area three times larger than the land area of Quezon City."

"Still, President Duterte has declared, 'I simply love President Xi Jinping'," Carpio said.

"Filipinos deserve, and should demand, a President who loves Filipinos first and foremost, and who will uncompromisingly defend Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea."

Del Rosario urged Duterte "to do his utmost to protect the West Philippine Sea and be most wary of China's duplicity."

While the Philippines, according to him, owes China a debt of gratitude for its aid, including the donated 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, Duterte said during his latest televised public address that the country's territorial waters "cannot be bargained."

“Kung paalisin tayo nang ganoon lang, umalis kayo—‘wag kayong umalis. Bakit kayo alis d’yan? Atin ‘yan,” said Duterte.

(If they turn us away just like that, telling us to leave, you shouldn't follow. Why will you leave? That is ours.)

But Duterte conceded that the Philippines is "at a loss of how to get back physically the West Philippine Sea."

Hundreds of Chinese ships were sighted at the West Philippine Sea since March, and have refused to leave despite a number of diplomatic protests and repeated demands for their withdrawal.

On Monday, a spokesman of China's foreign ministry reiterated their illegal claim over the West Philippine Sea.

- with reports from Willard Cheng and Joyce Balancio, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/duterte-told-about-chinas-control-of-scarborough-shoal-beijing-breached-pull-out-deal

4 Reasons Why You Should Challenge Culture

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.  1 Peter 3:14-15

Have you ever asked yourself what prompts a mom who leads her three grade school kids to the school bus to become a leader in a cultural battle?  Or an unremarkable seamstress in the back of the bus to defy the law of the land?  Quiet and unassuming people who become passionate for a cause, and to the great surprise of even themselves, often lead the fight for right.  How does that happen?  What makes some strong enough to lead the fight while others, far better equipped and prepared, are marginalized or give up?

First, you make a difference when you believe in the rightness of a cause. These individuals are driven with passion for what is moral or right.  Take, for example, the story of a remarkable woman named Rosa Parks, called the “first lady of civil rights” by the United States Congress.  In 1955, Parks refused to give up her seat in the colored section of a bus when the white section of the bus was filled.

Solely the fact that a person believes in a cause doesn’t make it right.  But Parks was a devout Christian and was convinced that giving up that seat would be wrong–and she refused to get up. “Since I have always been a strong believer in God,” she says, “I knew that He was with me, and only He could get me through that next step.  In her book, entitled Quiet Strength, Parks said her belief in God developed early in life. “Every day before supper and before we went to services on Sundays,” Parks said, “my grandmother would read the Bible to me, and my grandfather would pray. We even had devotions before going to pick cotton in the fields. Prayer and the Bible,” she recalled, “became a part of my everyday thoughts and beliefs. I learned to put my trust in God and to seek Him as my strength.”[1]

Whether it was Rosa Parks or Jose Rizal, each was motivated by a higher cause than just changing society. They believed they fought for what God decreed.

Second, you make a difference in a cause when you are willing to pay the price.  That price includes ridicule, being the target of lies and slander, isolation, loneliness, and, at times financial loss and pain.  Or perhaps being arrested.

Third, you make a difference in a cause when you don’t give up but continually do battle for what you believe is right. Parks lived long enough to see civil rights gains which she fought for, but she inspired many after her to continue to stand up for right.  In the fly leaf of my Bible is a quote by Edward Everett Hale that goes, “I am only one, yet I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something, and what I can do, I will do by the grace of God.”

            Fourth, you make a difference when you put your cause in the hands of God who is sovereign and never takes a backseat to wrongdoing.   At times we are intimidated by strong individuals whose lives and commitment have resulted in sweeping changes and are overcome by the helplessness of believing, “I can’t do anything,” and fail to do what we can.

Never minimize the fact that God can still take you, and the small spark you ignite may well produce a raging inferno that can consume dross and make a difference in our world. God will never hold you responsible for what you cannot do, but he will hold you accountable to do what you can.  And when you do your utmost for His highest, that’s enough.  Never forget it.

Resource reading: 1 Peter 3:13-16

[1] Colson, Chuck, The Woman on the Bus:  The Faith of Rosa Parks, http://www.leaderu.com/critical/colson-parks.html, June 25, 1999.  Accessed February 25, 2017.

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/4-reasons-why-you-should-challenge-culture/

Compostela town mayor, daughter test positive for COVID-19

Mayor Lema Bolo of Compostela town in Davao del Oro on Thursday revealed that she and her daughter, who is also her executive assistant, tested positive for COVID-19 following a swab test.

In her Facebook post, Bolo said she may have contracted the virus after having a close contact with a COVID-stricken person who attended a meeting recently, which they also attended.

The Provincial Health Office on Tuesday told all personnel who attended the meeting about the COVID-positive patient and asked them if they experienced symptoms.

Bolo has placed Compostela Municipal hall on temporary lockdown until Friday, for disinfection and contact tracing.

"Ginahangyo pud nako ang akoang mga naka-close contact nga wala maapil ug identify sa atong mga contact tracers, sa pag-report dayon sa inyong mga BHERT ug pag-self-isolate labi na gayud ang mga adunay gibati nga simtomas sa COVID-19," she said. 

(I also appeal to those who have close contact with me to immediately report to BHERT or Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams and to self-isolate, especially those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.) 

The mayor also said she is currently in good condition as they strictly follow orders from the municipal health officer.

- report from Hernel Tocmo

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/compostela-mayor-covid-19-positive

WATCH: PCSO 9 PM Lotto Draw, April 29, 2021

'Utang na loob' di rason para palampasin ang mga ginagawa ng China: eksperto

"Utang na loob," partikular na sa COVID-19 vaccines, ang isa sa mga dahilan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kung bakit hindi niya magawa na maging mas matapang kontra China sa isyu sa West Philippine Sea, aniya sa talumpati noong Miyerkoles.

"I'm stating it for the record, we do not want war with China. China is a good friend. Mayroon tayong utang na loob na marami, pati 'yong bakuna natin. So China, let it be known, is a good friend, and we do not want a trouble with them, especially a war," ani Duterte. 

Halos 80 diplomatic protests na ang naihain ng bansa kontra China mula sa buong Duterte administration, ayon sa Department of Foreign Affairs.

Sabi ng Pangulo, hihintayin na lang niya ang magiging tugon ng China sa protesta, pero aminado siyang hindi niya masisi ang China sa ginagawa nito dahil umano sa ginawa ng nakaraang administrasyon.

Nagdududa rin aniya ang Pangulo sa sinseridad ng Amerika sa pagsabing sumusuporta ito sa laban ng Pilipinas sa isyu sa West Philippine Sea. 

"In so many instances, puro salita lang, that they will stand by you. That could have been the moment to show to the world that they were with us by sending their superior ships, bakit hindi nila ginawa?" ani Duterte.

Samantala, hindi naman ikinagulat ni maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal na tumatangging makipaggiyera ang Pangulo sa China dahil sa tinatanaw na "utang na loob."

Pero giit ni Batongbacal, hindi dapat rason ang utang na loob para basta na lang payagan ng Pangulo na angkinin ng China ang teritoryo ng Pilipinas.

"Hindi rason 'yung pagiging magkaibigan para payagan mo na basta na lang kukunin 'nung kabila 'yung karapatan mo at mga likas-yaman mo. So hindi tayo dapat matakot din na maging matapang, maging firm tayo, manindingan tayo sa ating karapatan. Nasa diskarte naman 'yan kung paano mo ipapahiwatig ang iyong posisyon at papaano mo paninindigan ang iyong karapatan," giit ni Batongbacal.

Sinabi naman ni retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Caprio na ang kailangan ng taumbayan ay isang pangulo na hindi magkokompromiso pagdating sa paglaban sa soberaniya ng bansa.

"Filipinos deserve, and should demand, a president who loves Filipinos first and foremost and who will uncompromisingly defend Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea," ani Carpio. 

Giit naman ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros, ang China pa nga ang may utang sa Pilipinas dahil aniya sa bilyon-bilyon halaga ng likas na yaman na nasisira dahil sa kanilang mga aktibidad sa karagatan ng bansa. 

—Ulat ni Joyce Balancio, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/utang-na-loob-di-rason-palampasin-ginagawa-china

Vaccine orders ng Pilipinas apektado ng COVID-19 crisis sa India

 Dahil sa patuloy na pagsipa ng COVID-19 cases sa India, apektado na rin ang schedule ng pagdating sa Pilipinas ng bakuna mula roon. 

"Because of what’s happening in India, they have stopped muna 'yung kanilang commitments to other countries. Hindi lang tayo ang nagkaroon ng ganiyang issue," ani Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire.

Nitong Huwebes, naitala sa India ang pinakaraming bilang ng namatay sa COVID-19 sa isang araw na pumalo sa higit 3,645.

Nasa 379,257 naman ang naitalang bagong kaso, isa ulit record-high.

Walang tigil ang trabaho ng mga sepulturero sa Mumbai para ilibing ang mga namamatay dahil sa COVID-19.

Sa mga bakanteng lote at parking lots naman sinusunog ang ibang mga bangkay dahil puno pa rin ang mga crematorium.

Nasa higit 18 milyon na ang kabuuang bilang ng nagka-COVID-19 sa India.

Dumating naman mula Russia ang ilang tulong, kabilang ang mga oxygen concentrator, ventilator at mga gamot.

Sa Mayo darating sa India ang unang batch ng Sputnik V, ang bakunang gawa sa Russia.

Ang Amerika, magpapadala naman ng mga oxygen cylinder, N-95 masks, test kits at mga sangkap sa paggawa ng bakuna.

Hindi pa rin kasi sapat ang suplay ng bakuna sa India para sa 600,000 milyong katao na maaaring makatanggap nito.

Siyam na porsiyento pa lang ng higit 1.3 bilyong populasyon ng India ang nababakunahan.

—Ulat ni Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/vaccine-orders-pilipinas-apektado-covid-19-crisis-india

500,000 pang doses ng Sinovac vaccine dumating; Sputnik V inaasahan sa Mayo

Dumating na ang 500,000 pang doses ng mga bakuna ng Sinovac mula China nitong umaga ng Huwebes. 

Ito ang kumumpleto sa 1.5 milyong doses ng Sinovac na ipinangako para sa buwan ng Abril, matapos dumating noong nakaraang linggo ang 500,000 doses ng Sinovac vaccines. 

Ang 500,000 doses ay kasama sa mga vaccine dose na binili ng gobyerno. 

Ayon kay vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., hawak na nila ang certificate of analysis para sa suplay na ito, at prayoridad sa distribusyon ang mga nasa National Capital Region (NCR) Plus. 

Sa dalawang milyong doses na inaasahang ide-deliver sa Pilipinas ngayong Abril, 1.5 milyon lang ang dumating. 

Ang 500,000 doses ng Russian COVID-19 vaccine na Sputnik V, naurong ang delivery sa Mayo. 

"Hirap tayo sa mga pagdala kasi wala nang eroplano na makuha natin na direct Russia to Philippines, China to Philippines. Maraming daanan na transshipment, dito lang hanggang Hong Kong tapos ilipat, that is why sabi niya (Galvez) mahirapan tayo minsan mag-tailor na madali ipadaan sa madaling panahon and that the integrity at iba ng bakuna is protected," paliwanag naman ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. 

Ayon kay Galvez, inaasahang darating sa Mayo 1 ang unang 15,000 doses ng Sputnik V. 

Nagsabi na rin aniya ang Philippine Airlines at Cebu Pacific na handa na silang magbiyahe nang direct mula Moscow patungong Pilipinas para sundin ang malalaking shipment ng bakuna. 

Bukod sa 500,000 doses ng Sputnik V, may 2 milyong doses pa nito na nakatakdang dumating sa Mayo. 

May ide-deliver din na dagdag na 2 milyong doses ng Sinovac, kung saan 1.5 milyon ang darating sa Mayo 7. 

Inaasahan ding darating sa Mayo ang mga AstraZeneca vaccine mula sa COVAX facility ng World Health Organization, pero nakikipagnegosasyon na rin anila ang Pilipinas para mabili ang sumobrang AstraZeneca vaccines ng Amerika, Israel, at United Kingdom. 

Makakatanggap naman ang Pilipinas ng higit 2.3 milyong doses ng Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine mula sa COVAX bago matapos ang Hunyo. 

Hunyo na rin inaasahan ang dating ng mga bakuna ng Moderna. 

Ayon naman kay Galvez, bandang Agosto pa magsisimula ang pagbabakuna ng karamihan ng populasyon. 

Inaasahan naman niya na pagdating ng 2022 ay tuluyan nang mapupuksa ng bansa ang COVID-19 at makakarekober na ang ekonomiya. — Ulat ni Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/500000-doses-sinovac-vaccine-dumating-sputnik-v-mayo

Panukalang batas para sa dagdag health care facilities, specialty hospitals tinalakay sa Senado

Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News

Sumalang sa pagdinig ng Senado ang mga opisyal ng Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways at mga kinatawan ng iba’t ibang ospital para talakayin ang panukalang magdaragdag ng health care facilities at specialty hospitals sa bansa. 

Sa hearing ng Senate Committee on Health and Demography na pinangunahan ni Sen. Pia Cayetano, vice chairperson ng komite, kanya-kanyang latag ng mga plano at pangangailangan ang DOH gayundin ang mga opisyal ng iba’t ibang government hospital para mapagbuti pa ang kanilang serbisyo sa mga pasyente. 

Ito'y sa harap ng lumutang na kakulangan sa health facilities sa bansa sa gitna ng patuloy na COVID-19 pandemic. 

Sa presentation ni Dr. Lilibeth David, Undersecretary for Facilities and Infrastructure ng DOH, kaugnay ng Philippine Health Development Plan 2020-2024, sinabi nito na bagama't mayroon nang 2,593 na primary care facilities, 1,500 dito ay pribado, 50-porsiyento pa ng populasyon sa mga rural areas ang walang access sa health facilities na kayang maabot sa loob ng 30 minuto, lalo na sa malalayong probinsya. 

“If you look at the primary health care of our country, half of our population still do not have access to primary care facilities within 30 minutes. When we talk of primary care facilities, we’re talking about the rural care unit and the health center," ani David. 

"So 'yung goal po natin is sana all our population will have access to a primary care facility within 30 minutes. So this gaps are usually in BARMM, Bicol and MIMAROPA,” sinabi ni David.

Dagdag niya, may mga health care facilities na kulang naman sa personnel. 

Suportado naman ng pamunuan ng iba’t-ibang ospital ang Philippine Health Development Plan ng DOH.

Aminado ang pamunuan ng Lung Center of the Philippines na apektado ngayon ng COVID-19 pandemic ang kanilang operasyon dahil maraming kama ang nakalaan sa mga COVID-19 patients. 

Ayon kay Dr. Vincent Balanag, Executive Director ng ospital, apektado ng COVID-19 ang paggamit sa kanilang 250-bed capacity para sa specialized services. Nasa 150 na lang aniya ang nagagamit at kailangan ng expansion nang 250 pang dagdag. 

“..[W]e need to expand for additional, another 250 beds for us to be able to provide the full set of specialized services, like lung transplant, robotic surgery and all those specialized services that we can offer,” ani Dr. Vincent Balanag, Executive Director ng ospital.

Para sa pamunuan ng UP-Philippine General Hospital, magiging malaking tulong sa mga programang pangkalusugan ng pamahalaan ang pagkakaroon ng isa pang ospital na kahalintulad ng PGH sa ibang lugar. 

Bagama't hindi aniya bahagi ng DOH ang UP-PGH, suportado nila ang pangangailangan sa serbisyo ng kagawaran sa pagbibigay ng serbisyong medikal sa publiko. 

“Currently the concern of course is this pandemic, maybe will have 2 or 3 buildings in the next 5 years and all of them to be pandemic ready. We are also in the process of establishing the institute of emerging infectious diseases," aniya. 

Nagtatayo rin ng isang 15-story neuroscience facility at isa pang 15-story cancer care building. Balak din ng PGH, na nakabase sa UP Manila, na magtayo ng medical school sa UP Diliman sa Quezon City para mas marami pang makapag-aral na mga doktor at espesyalista. 

"We envisioned that PGH is not only UP but the PGH that belongs to everyone from all over the country. I think in that aspect, putting up another PGH in strategic areas in the country for education and research purposes will benefit more trainees and students. We maintain our function as university hospital in line with improvement of services to our patients,” paliwanag ni Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, Medical Director ng UP-PGH.

Binigyang diin naman ni Cayetano na sa ilalim ng kanyang panukala, hindi isinasantabi ang basic health care para sa mga Pinoy, bagkus nais lamang nitong tutukan ang mga specialty hospital na makapagbibigay ng mas malawak na serbisyo para sa mga nangangailangan.

“Just to let you know, it is not lost on us on the need to emphasize support for the 4th, 5th, 6th class municipalities given 'yon, this bill really was focus on specialization which would tend then to be in the cities but exactly meant to reach out to the far-flung areas within those regions, but basic health care would be the bigger expense, the budget, it’s part of the plan itself,” ani Cayetano

Ayon kay Cayetano, magkakaroon pa ng mga susunod na hearing para plantsahin ang marami pang isyu kasama na dito ang paglalaan ng pondo sa mga inilalatag ng programa at plano ng mga specialty hospital sa bansa. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/panukalang-batas-para-sa-dagdag-health-care-facilities-specialty-hospitals-tinalakay-sa-senado

A first since pandemic lockdown: Workers to march the streets for Labor Day 2021

 Josiah Antonio, ABS-CBN News

Hundreds of laborers and members of left-leaning groups are expected to march the streets to commemorate the day of workers on Saturday, a first since the imposition of quarantine protocols last year. 

Workers' groups will conduct a protest at Liwasang Bonifacio to highlight the need for government aid and immediate response to arrest the rise of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country. 

Kilusang Mayo Uno Chairperson Bong Labog told ABS-CBN News that around 5,000 participants from the metro and other provinces are expected to join the protests. 

He noted that marshals will be assigned to ensure that participants wil follow health protocols and physical distancing. 

“Maghihigpit kami and mag-aassign kami ng mga marshal para parating nagbabantay at nagre-require ‘yung social distancing. Upang matiyak ‘yung health safety ng participants mismo, ire-require natin ang lahat na i-follow ang health protocols tulad ng [pagsuot] ng facemask at face shield at pagbabaon ng mga alcohol,” Labog told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview.

(We will tighten and assign marshals to constantly monitor and require ‘social distancing’. To ensure the health safety of the participants themselves, we will require everyone to follow health protocols such as [wearing] of facemask and face shield and bringing of alcohol.

“Although, magkakaroon kami ng protest, ipapatupad namin ‘yun health protocols. ‘Yun na ‘yung mayorya na nasa Liwasang [Bonifacio] and then the rest is sa iba’t ibang area muna,” he added.

(Although, we will have a protest, we will implement health protocols. That’s the majority in Liwasang [Bonifacio] and then the rest will be scattered in different areas.)

Labog said that they will cap the event will last for only an hour and they will negotiate with authorities should police aim for a dispersal. 

“Makikusap kami sa kanila na bigyan kami ng pagkakataon na makapag-address sa crowd and at a certain time among our organizations the soonest time na mailahad naman namin ‘yung mga kahilingan namin ay nais na naming matapos agad, maximum of one hour,” he said. 

(We will ask them to give us the opportunity to address the crowd and at a certain time among our organizations the soonest time we can express our requests that we want to finish immediately, maximum of one hour.)

LACK OF AID

The workers’ group chairperson said that many workers had lost jobs and the lack of aid has been an issue since the pandemic started. 

“Mahalagang mapakinggan na malaki ‘yung pangangailangan sa ayuda kaya ‘yun ‘yung sa aming kahilingan sa darating na Mayo Uno. Malaki ‘yung bilang ng walang hanapbuhay … ito’y mahalagang usapin na dapat mailahad sa publiko.”

(It is important to hear that there is a great need for aid, so that is our request for the coming May 1. So many people lost their jobs - this is an important issue that must be brought to the public.)

Unemployment worsened in February 2021 compared to the previous month as the Philippines continues to grapple with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on government data.

The Philippine Statistics Authority earlier said that the unemployment rate rose to 8.8 percent in February from 8.7 percent in January, which translates to 4.2 million jobless Filipinos.

Meanwhile, BAYAN secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. echoed Labog noting that the lack of action from the national government have pushed them to bring their action back to the streets.

“The significance of the [physical] protest pertains to the severity of the crisis. If this was not this bad, if the economic situation was not this severe, maybe there would be other forms of protests but considering the state of [the country] like the lack of response, the growing number of people lining up everyday [at community pantries], the lack of government aid all these are factors which are considered of the holding of a physical protest,” Reyes told ABS-CBN News in an interview. 

“The issue of economic aid should be addressed by the president. It has not been taken out in the previous cabinet meetings or talk to the people. The president has not spoken nor given a clear commitment on the granting of economic aid,” he added. 

Community pantries have sprouted across the country after Ana Patricia Non started the movement in Maginhawa in Quezon City.

Non started the initiative over a week ago to offer free food to people in need, as government aid had not been sufficient to feed many people who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. 

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.

Reyes said that the pandemic response should be reoriented and not just be restricted to the livelihood of the Filipino people. 

“‘Yung COVID response natin (Our COVID response) has to be drastically reoriented. Our COVID response has tampered on restricting the movement of people, restricting the livelihood of people,” he said. 

“How can you fight COVID when the most basic tool which is testing is not being ramped up, umaasa lang talaga ang national government na i-lockdown ang mga tao hoping that infections will go down but what happened when you reopened the economy, infections may rise again, there will be an outbreak again, we will end up with the same problem umuulit lang tayo if we are going to stick to the same plan mauulit lang ‘yung mga problema and it will take a fall to the livelihood of the people,” he added.

(How can you fight COVID when the most basic tool which is testing is not being ramped up, the national government is really just hoping to lock down people hoping that infections will go down but what happened when you reopened the economy, infections may rise again, there will be an outbreak again, we will end up with the same problems if we are going to stick to the same plan.)

The Philippines on Thursday reported 8,276 new COVID-19 cases, as the capital region and 4 nearby provinces remain under stricter lockdown levels until mid-May. 

Out of 49,003 individuals who underwent testing for COVID-19 on April 27, some 16.9 percent were found positive. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/labor-day-rally-set-may-1-covid19-pandemic-kmu-bayan-back-to-street

Transactions under PSA's Civil Registration Service slump by nearly 50 pct in 2020

Arra Perez, ABS-CBN News

The volume of transactions under the Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) Civil Registration Service slumped in 2020, and only reached half of those recorded in 2019, an official from the agency said Thursday. 

Based on the data presented by the PSA, there were 11,725,106 million transactions last year, declining by "almost 50 percent" from 2019's 22,480,673 million transactions. 

Marizza Grande, officer-in-charge and assistant national statistician of PSA's Civil Registration Service said the decline in transactions last year could be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, but noted that their online services also saw a boost because of this.

"Based on this, makikita niyo po talagang dumadami, a lot of our clients are now availing of the online filing of their requests. So it's safer, meron siyang additional fees because it includes the delivery and service fee, but it's safe and zero contact yan sa aming clients," Grande explained. 

With the increase in online transactions, Grande said PSA has also intensified efforts to topple fixers, who are now also gone online and have also "leveled up their marketing strategies".

She said the PSA is investigating such incidents, and emphasized that a task force for such is underway. 

"We are also in the process of creating a task force, inter-agency task force, to capture these online fixers. Initially, nakapag-meet na kami (we have already met) with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Department of Justice (DOJ). Iyong right now, we're discussing for the MOA on how we can strengthen. Kasi kami wala po kaming police power, it's the NBI and PNP that can, manghuli ng mga iyan," she said.

(We are currently discussing for the MOA... because we don't have any police power to catch them)

"The only thing that we can do is to inform the public. It's the risk actually because they also been encountering many problems kung nakikipag-transact sila with these online fixers."

The agency has been releasing advisories to warn the public about fixers, also calling on subscribers to report to them anomalous transactions, according to the official. 

PSA Serbilis and PSA Helpline

Grande said PSA has only two authorized online sites - PSA Serbilis and PSA Helpline.

The official said that both can be used to request for certificates of live birth, marriage, death, and certificate of no marriage (Cenomar) or advisory on marriage. 

Their main difference, however, is on who will be allowed to request for these documents.

Grande said that for PSA Serbilis, documents may be requested by "the owner or through a duly authorized representative; spouse, parent, direct descendants, guardian or institution legally in charge; the court or, in case of person's death, the nearest of kin."

On the other hand, PSA Helpline has "stricter" measures on who can request documents - the owner can request certificates of live birth, marriage, and Cenomar for him/herself, his/her child, and his/her parent.

A person can request for the death certificate of his/her spouse and his/her parent.

PSA Serbilis also delivers documents to local and international addresses - certificates of live birth, marriage, and death cost P330 per copy for local addresses, and US$20.30 per copy for delivery abroad, she said. 

Cenomar or advisories on marriage costs P430 per copy for local addresses, and US$25.30 per copy for delivery abroad.

The estimated delivery for Metro Manila is from 6 to 8 working days after payment, while it may take from 7 to 9 working days after payment for other provinces.

PSA said that the availability and schedule of delivery to other countries would also depend on the services of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) and restrictions in each destination country. 

A client may avail of special courier services through FedEx for delivery addresses outside the Philippines.

For PSA Helpline, certificates of birth, marriage, and death certificates cost P365 each, while Cenomar costs P420.

The estimated delivery for this is from 3 to 4 working days for Metro Manila, and from 7 to 8 working days outside the region. 

Payment options for PSA Serbilis and PSA Helpline include online banking, credit card, virtual wallet, and over the counter transactions. Cashless transactions are also available at the Civil Registry System Outlet in East Avenue, Quezon City.

Grande asked for the public's understanding, as there might be delays in the delivery due to quarantine restrictions and varied lockdown situations in various areas.

PSA Serbilis can be accessed through https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph.

For PSA Helpline, users may visit https://www.PSAHelpline.ph (formerly NSOHelpline.ph) or call 8737 1111, which is "open 24/7".

The agency also offers online and phone appointments as outlets in the capital region and 4 nearby provinces -- "NCR plus bubble" --remain closed.

"You can have walk in in our central outlet but you need to secure an appointment and present that your request is urgent or emergency, like concerns on OFW claims, VISA, passport," said Grande.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/transactions-psa-civil-registration-office-went-down-pandemic

PH posts 8,276 fresh COVID-19 cases, pushing total to 1.028 million

Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

(UPDATE) — The Philippines on Thursday reported 8,276 new COVID-19 cases, as the capital region and 4 nearby provinces remain under stricter lockdown levels until mid-May.

Thursday's newly reported infections bring the country's cumulative total to 1,028,738 million, with 69,354 remaining as active cases, the latest bulletin of the Department of Health showed.

It is the 11th straight day that new cases counted fewer than 10,000. The Philippines' single-day tally had peaked at over record-15,000 on April 2.

The ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group (IRG) noted that the number of active infections went up by 1,526 from Wednesday — 10 days since it started declining. 

The number of active cases in the past few days has been adjusted for duplicates, according to the IRG. 

Of those still recovering from the respiratory disease, 94.9 percent have mild symptoms, 1.6 percent are asymptomatic, 1.4 percent are severely ill, while 1.1 percent are critically ill. 

Fatalities due to the virus rose to 17,145 after the DOH logged 114 new COVID-related deaths. 

Except for April 26 and April 27, the country has been posting more than 100 fresh fatalities for the past week. 

Sixty-eight cases initially tagged as recovered also turned out to be deaths after DOH's final validation.

Total recoveries, meanwhile, increased by 6,636 to 942,239, accounting for 91.6 percent of the country's overall recorded cases. 

The new recoveries for the day is considered the lowest announced in 12 days, during which the DOH started the daily recovery tagging, according to the ABS-CBN IRG. 

New recoveries announced from April 18 to 28 ranged from 9,266 to 72,607, the research unit pointed out. 

Out of 49,003 individuals who underwent testing for COVID-19 on April 27, some 16.9 percent were found positive for it. 

A testing laboratory failed to submit data on time, according to the health agency.

Thirty-three duplicates, 24 of which were recoveries, have been removed from the overall tally, said the agency. 

President Rodrigo Duterte extended the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Cavite — so-called the NCR Plus bubble — until May 14, noting the healthcare capacity in these areas. 

The new wave of virus infections pushed hospitals in the bubble near the breaking point in late March, even prompting the government to distribute modular tents and send medical workers from low-risk areas. 

While the health department said the virus transmission rate partially slowed down in recent weeks, monitoring would still be needed. 

The OCTA Research forecasts the number of daily COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila to decline to 2,800 in two weeks' time. 

The Philippines has so far been able to administer about 1.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses as of Tuesday.

The government aims to vaccinate 70 million of its 108 million population to achieve herd immunity and safely reopen the economy.

Nearly 60 million are still battling COVID-19 worldwide, data from US-based Johns Hopkins University showed. 

The virus has so far killed 3.1 million people globally, while almost 87 million people have recuperated from it, according to the running tally. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/philippines-covid19-cases-update-april292021

'Buy 1, donate 1' na bakuna kontra COVID-19, mungkahi ng PH Red Cross

Hinahanapan na ng paraan ng Philippine Red Cross (PRC) kung papaano makakakuha ng mas maraming suplay ng COVID-19 vaccine para sa mga Pilipino.

Ayon sa chairman nito na si Sen. Richard Gordon, pursigido ang Red Cross na makakuha ng suplay ng bakuna hindi lamang para sa mga may pambili nito kundi pati na rin para sa mga mahihirap sa pamamagitan ng kanilang "buy 1, donate 1" na programa. 

Ito ay sa gitna ng sinasabing kakulangan sa suplay ng bakuna sa maraming mga bansa hindi lamang sa Pilipinas dahil sa iba't-ibang isyu gaya ng logistics at availability nito.

“Hindi kami nagva-vaccinate ng AstraZeneca, Nag-order kami pero hindi pa dumadating. Kausap ko 'yung British Embassy kahapon, we have a special order 1 million, babayaran namin 'yon," paliwanag ni Gordon. 

"So ‘pag ganon na ang labanan syempre ang laro ko d'yan you buy one for yourself and you buy for somebody who is poor," dagdag niya. 

Ayon pa sa PRC, bukas ang kanilang buy 1, donate 1 campaign hindi lamang sa mga taga-Metro Manila dahil target nito ang 100 vaccination centers na accredited ng Department of Health (DOH) sa buong bansa. 

Nilinaw din ng PRC na hindi garantiya ang bakuha para sa mga nakapagparehistro lamang dahil kailangan ng bayad para dito. 

"So 'yung 1 million na 'yun magiging 500,00, 'yung Moderna ganon din, we bought 200,000 so 100, 000 will go to the people who will buy for themselves and other 100,000 will be paid by them," dagdag ng senador. 

Sa mga bibili raw ng bakuna at mag-sponsor ng ikalawang bakuna para sa mas mahihirap na benepisyaryo nito, sinabi ng PRC na sila ang pipili ng magiging beneficiaries ng programa base sa guidelines ng Department of Health sa mga priority target groups. 

Pero kung titingnan ang link ng PRC para sa kanilang vaccination program, puno na ang mga slots na inaalok nito dahil sa mataas na demand sa bakuna. 

Mayroong vaccination campaign ang PRC na nag-aalok ng available na bakuna kabilang na ang Moderna vaccine. 

Ang halaga ng pagbabakuna ay P600 kada tao para sa dalawang doses. Ang presyo mismo ng bakuna ay P1,320 o kabuuang 2,640 para sa dalawang dose ng bakuna.

Pinaplantsa pa sa ngayon ang guidelines sa pagbabayad subalit maaari nang magsumite ng reservation form sa Red Cross. 

Ayon sa non-profit organization, inaasahan nilang darating ang mga in-order nilang bakuna sa Hunyo o Hulyo ngayong taon, bagama't aminado ito na depende pa rin ito sa polisiya ng pamahalaan at iba pang mga kadahilanan kung kailan talaga magiging available sa bansa ang bakuna. 

Nilinaw din ng PRC na kahit dumating na sa bansa ang bakuna, hindi pa ito agad-agad maituturok sa bumili dahil kinakailangan pa ng scheduling para sa mga matagumpay na nakapagparehistro at nakapagbayad na. 

Sa mga kumpanyang nakabili na ng saring suplay ng bakuna, maari namang kunin nalang ang serbisyo nito para sa administration o pagtuturok ng bakuna. 

- Ulat ni Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/buy-1-donate-1-covid19-vaccine-philippine-red-cross

Slain Fil-Am woman's last wish to sister: 'Tell my kids I love them'

Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN News

SAN DIEGO, California - The family of a Filipina who was stabbed to death by her husband earlier this month hopes her case may inspire action against domestic abuse. 

Rhona Fantone was a dedicated certified nursing assistant at Sharp Coronado Hospital and was on her way to becoming a nurse. 

But even as helped save those battling COVID-19, she couldn't be saved from what authorities and her family believe was a case of domestic abuse. 

"She’s a frontliner. She survived taking care of COVID patients and in general, sick people. But she didn’t survive this tragedy. It's very sad," said her sister Rhoda. 

According to her family, Rhona had been having marital problems with her Filipino-American husband of four years, Jay Barcelon. 

She was planning to spend the night of April 16th at her sister's house and picking up clothes from her home about 15 minutes away, but she never made it back. 

Police said Barcelon had stabbed Rhona to death that evening. 

One of four sisters who immigrated from Zambales, Philippines about 20 years ago, the 30-year-old had two children from a previous relationship. 

But behind Rhona's smile and sense of humor she was also confiding in her family that she and her husband were having marital issues. 

"You never could tell na meron siyang problema (that she had a problem) because she was always smiling. Even at work, they know her for being positive and very energetic, ganon, and very caring sya as a friend (she was very caring as a friend)," said Rhoda. 

Authorities have yet to release details on the events leading up to her death. 

One sister who convoyed with Rhona to her home the night of the tragedy was in her car waiting for her to come out. 

Rhona called her and their other sisters telling them about another conflict that ensued inside their home. 

While the sister who was outside Rhona's home was calling the police, Rhona had this request from Rhoda. 

"I received a call from her. She was telling me to tell her 2 kids that she loves them so much like repeatedly telling me to 'tell my kids I love them so much.' Please tell them, she kept reiterating those words," said Rhoda. 

Police had to force their way into Rhona's home and transported her to the hospital where she died. 

Since her death, a GoFundMe page has raised over $15,000 towards her funeral expenses and for her children who are currently with their biological father. 

Rhona's family hopes her death could push others in similar situations to take action before it's too late. 

"Unfortunately, in this case she rode it out to her death and now everything is being revealed after the fact. We wish we knew before, she still would’ve been here," said her cousin Krissy Flauta. 

Barcelon, a US Navy sailor, was booked into prison and charged with first degree murder, which carriers a sentence of 25 years to life.

He entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment and is expected to return to court next week for a bail hearing. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/pinay-slain-by-husband-us

Government eyes mental care for COVID-19 survivors

The government is looking into providing mental care for COVID-19 survivors, an official said on Thursday. 

One in 3 people who overcome COVID-19 suffer from a neurological or psychiatric diagnosis six months on, according a recent study. 

Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, said he also received reports of suicide and mental breakdown among COVID-19 survivors. 

"We have talked to the experts so that we can explore iyong tinatawag nating (what we call) further mental care and social healing after this pandemic," he said in a press briefing. 

At least 942,239 people have recovered from COVID-19 in the Philippines. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/04/29/21/government-eyes-mental-care-for-covid-19-survivors

WATCH: PCSO 5 PM Lotto Draw, April 29, 2021

Patay na sanggol natagpuan sa tambakan ng basura sa Baguio

Patay na nang matagpuan ang isang sanggol na inabandona sa tambakan ng basura sa Loakan Proper sa Baguio City, Huwebes ng umaga.

Tinatayang nasa 8 hanggang 9 na buwan ang sanggol na nakalagay sa isang asul na bag.

Isang mangangalakal sa lugar ang nakakita sa sanggol na nasa loob ng isang kahon at nakabalot ng puting kumot.

Agad na ini-report sa pulisya ang insidente. Sinubukan pang dalhin sa isang ospital ang sanggol para sa assessment at medical report pero hindi ito tinanggap.

 

Pinabasbasan na lang sa simbahan ang sanggol bago inilibing.

 

Patuloy naman ang imbestigasyon ng awtoridad para mabatid kung sino ang nag-iwan sa sanggol. 

- Ulat ni Micaella Costales Ilao

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/patay-na-sanggol-natagpuan-sa-tambakan-ng-basura-sa-baguio

Iba't ibang quarantine classification sa Pilipinas 'magulo' na: eksperto

Hindi napigilan ng isang public health expert na punahin ang aniya'y "nakakalito" nang mga termino na inimbento ng pamahalaan para sa quarantine classifications ng bansa. 

Matatandaang noong Miyerkoles ay pinalutang ng Metro Manila mayors ang pagsasailalim sana sa NCR Plus sa "MECQ Flex," na ikinalito naman ng netizens.

Sabi ni public health expert Dr. Aileen Espina sa TeleRadyo nitong Huwebes, nakalilito lang ang iba-ibang quarantine classifications na ang pakay naman ay higit na nakapokus sa economic activities na papayagan ng gobyerno, at hindi sa health system.

"To be candid and to be honest about it, magulo talaga siya. Kahit sa amin po, ako personally, I can only speak for myself, hindi ko po talaga memorize kung ano 'yung pagkakaiba ng ECQ, MECQ, GCQ, MGCQ, at ngayon meron pang flexible MECQ," ani Espina. 

Para kay Espina, higit na mas mahalagang maituro sa mga tao ang level of alertness at practices na dapat sundin depende sa sitwasyon at hindi ang mga bagay na may kinalaman sa pagbubukas ng ekonomiya.

Noong Miyerkoles ng gabi, napagdesisyunan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na ituloy ang modified enhanced community quarantine ang NCR Plus, na sakop ang Metro Manila, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite at Bulacan. 

Tatagal ang MECQ sa NCR Plus hanggang Mayo 14.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/confusing-quarantine-terminology-philippines

DFA reports 12 new COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad

The number of Filipinos abroad who have contracted COVID-19 rose to 18,325 as 12 new cases were recorded Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

The DFA also reported 13 new recoveries and no new fatality.

This is the fourth straight day that the number of new cases is in the double digits.

Those currently being treated abroad for the disease are at 5,947 as 11,233 of those infected have recovered, while 1,145 have died.

There are currently 94 countries/territories with Filipinos stricken with COVID-19.

Those undergoing treatment are broken down as follows by region: 1,120 in the Asia Pacific, 927 in Europe, 3,804 in the Middle East and Africa, and 96 in the Americas.

In the Philippines, COVID-19 has so far sickened 1,028,738 people. The tally includes 17,145 deaths, 942,239 recoveries, and 69,354 active cases.

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

Variants of the virus have since emerged in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil and the Philippines.

Data from US-based Johns Hopkins University showed that more than 149.6 million people globally have contracted COVID-19, with the United States, India, Brazil, France, and Russia leading countries with the most number of cases.

More than 3.1 million have died worldwide because of the disease, while some 86.8 million already recovered. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/dfa-reports-12-new-covid-19-cases-among-filipinos-abroad

Palace says 'only right' to honor 'utang na loob' to China for COVID-19 vaccines

 Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News

Palace says Philippines has debt of gratitude to COVAX, too

Malacañang said on Thursday it was "only right" for Manila to honor its "debt of gratitude" to Beijing for its COVID-19 vaccines, which President Rodrigo Duterte said was why he would not go to war with the Asian superpower despite its incursions in Philippine waters. 

Duterte had said in a public address on Wednesday: "We do not want war with China. China is a good friend."

"Mayroon tayong utang na loob na marami pati ‘yong bakuna natin," he added. 

(We have a huge debt of gratitude that we have vaccines.)

International law bans any country from starting war, which is a "crime of aggression," said Palace spokesman Harry Roque, a former law professor. 

"Pagdating po sa utang na loob, alam mo naman tayong mga Pilipino, hindi po tayo bulag sa mga tulong na natatanggap natin," he said in a press briefing. 

(When it comes to debt of gratitude, you know that we, Filipinos, we are not blind to the help that we receive.) 

"Hanggang ngayon naman po, ang naaasahan lang natin, Sinovac, aminin po natin 'yan. Ilang buwan na tayong nagsimula, Sinovac lang naaasahan talaga natin. Tama lang po na tumanaw ng utang na loob," added the official, referring to the Chinese made vaccine.

(Until now, we only rely on Sinovac, let's admit that. It has been months since we started our vaccination, it's only Sinovac that we rely on. It's only right that we honor our debt of gratitude.) 

The bulk of the Philippines' 4.025 million COVID-19 shots came from Beijing-based Sinovac Biotech. China donated 1 million of these doses. 

Aside from China, global vaccine-sharing COVAX Facility will donate 33 million vaccine doses to the Philippines, on top of securing 10 million jabs that the government would pay for. 

"Hindi naman natin sinasabi na wala rin tayong utang na loob doon sa mga bansa na nag-contribute sa COVAX Facility. Pinasalamatan nga rin po sila ni Presidente," said Roque. 

"Tumatanaw din po tayo ng utang na loob sa kanila." 

(We are not saying that we have no debt of gratitude to the countries that contributed to the COVAX Facility. The President has thanked them. We honor debt of gratitude to them, too.)

Among the hardest hit by the pandemic in Asia, the Philippines aims to vaccinate up to 70 million people or two-thirds of its population this year. 

Its procurement of COVID-19 vaccines from China continues amid unresolved disputes over the South China Sea, which saw fresh tensions recently over the presence of over 200 ships in the country's exclusive economic zone in the waters. 

During his presidential campaign in 2016, Duterte vowed to ride a jetski and plant a flag at the Spratlys— islands within the Philippine EEZ in the South China Sea— to assert Philippine sovereignty. In the same breath, he said he won't wage war against China. 

The Philippines is sourcing a total of 25 million COVID-19 shots from China's Sinovac. Officials earlier said the vaccine was a separate issue from the maritime dispute. 

Manila has filed several diplomatic protests against a recent swarm of 240 Chinese boats in the waterway. Beijing refuses to obey the 2016 ruling of a United Nations-backed court that junked its "historical" claims to almost the entire South China Sea, including the Philippines' EEZ or the West Philippine Sea. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/29/21/duterte-china-utang-na-loob-sinovac