![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Graphics_Anniversary-04.jpg\")
Coronavirus cases in Luzon had been falling except for the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos and Mimaropa, the Health department said.By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter
\nHOSPITALS are hanging on as coronavirus surges come and go, but their long-term health will ultimately depend on finding adequate numbers of staff and collecting on their receivables from the national health insurer, among others.
\nJust before the August wave, hospitals had a brief respite from the frantic days of the March-April surge, allowing some industry associations to reflect on bigger-picture issues ailing their member-companies instead of being preoccupied with dealing with day-to-day crises.
\nFirst, a snapshot of where things stood before the Delta surge hit last month: In Metro Manila, the majority of cases was judged to be mild, not requiring hospitalization but merely isolation. But the August surge, thought to be caused by the more easily-spread Delta variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), threatened to overwhelm hospital capacity once again.
\nSpeaking at a Zoom meeting in June, before the Delta surge, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPi) President Jose Rene D. de Grano said: \u201cThe moderate and severe cases are the ones that are placed in the hospital beds in Metro Manila. More or less, right now it\u2019s around 5% or less than 5% of the total active cases so there is not much.\u201d
\nAt the time, cases in the Visayas and Mindanao were increasing. \u201cThey were having the problem that NCR had (in March and April).\u201d
\nDespite operating under pandemic conditions for over a year, hospitals were still having a problem with manpower, according to Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) President Jaime A. Almora.
\nFinancial problems have also been exacerbated by the nonpayment of coronavirus claims by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), he said.
\n\u201cBut we are coping,\u201d Mr. Almora said in a phone interview, noting at the time that the pause in the coronavirus surge was allowing regular patients to come in for treatment.
\nThis category of patient had largely been shut out by the pandemic because hospitals were swamped dealing with emergency respiratory cases, which required extra care in handling as well as expenses. Staff were also rotated to minimize their exposure, and had to be taken off duty if they tested positive.
\nHealth department epidemiology bureau director Alethea de Guzman said in an online briefing in July that before the Delta surge in August, Philippine infection rates fell by 9% in the two weeks ending on June 26 while the average daily attack rate (ADAR) \u2014 new cases divided by population \u2014 was at 5.24.
\nMetro Manila at the time was also classified as low-risk with coronavirus infections declining by 26% in the same period while the ADAR was at 5.01.
\nCoronavirus cases in Luzon had been falling except for the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos and Mimaropa, the Health department said.
Cases in Eastern and Western Visayas were rising, while Central Visayas plateaued after a sharp decline, according to Ms. De Guzman. Cases in Mindanao had been falling except for the Davao region, where the trend was inconsistent.
\nHowever, the Health department flagged the Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Davao region and Soccsksargen as \u201chigh-risk\u201d at the time. Davao region had a high healthcare utilization rate and critical-risk intensive care utilization rate, while Western Visayas and Cagayan Valley had high-risk ICU usage rates.
\nNationally, bed occupancy was at 46.1% out of the total 35,143 beds in 1,272 facilities as of June 30. A total of 870 facilities were at safe levels or less than 60% occupied, 88 were at moderate or 60-69% occupied, 110 were classified as high-risk or 70% to 84% occupied and 148 were critical, according to the DoH\u2019s tracker website.
\nA total of 55.98% of 3,421 intensive care unit beds were occupied. Around 46.15% of 19,524 isolation beds were occupied, and around 43.3% of 12,198 ward beds were used.
\nThe National Capital Region (NCR) reported a 37.7% occupancy rate during the pause between surges. Of the 159 facilities, 132 were at safe levels, six moderate, 11 high-risk and eight critical.
\nPROBLEMS, RECOVERY
\nMr. Almora said the number of available nursing staff is falling due to migration and a preference for working in government hospitals.
Mr. De Grano said the number of nurses in private hospitals even before the pandemic had decreased by around 30% to 40%. \u201cThere are no available nurses right now because nurses went to the government facilities because they are offering higher salaries.\u201d
\nSome were afraid of contracting coronavirus and expressed a preference for work in parts of hospitals that were less exposed, he said.
\n\u201cWe are used to working under stress under pressure, but the situation is far from normal,\u201d according to Mr. Almora of the PHA.
\nMr. Almora said hospitals will recover as long as problems do not pile up to the point that they are overwhelmed. He added that much depends on the national insurance agency, which has \u201cabsolute and total control\u201d over hospital claims for treating COVID patients.
\n\u201cWe hope to recover (with the admission of) non-COVID cases. But the hospitals that have admitted COVID cases have used a lot of resources. So hopefully, babayaran ng PhilHealth ng tama (PhilHealth needs to do right by them with prompt payments),\u201d he said.
\nMr. De Grano of the private hospitals\u2019 association also cited the cash crunch caused by the payment delays and the drying up of non-COVID cases.
\n\u201cPrivate hospitals do not have subsidies like government facilities. So, they rely mainly on patients coming into the hospitals, from the admission of patients and their payments and for the services that they are using in the hospital.\u201d
\nHe said that some hospitals have availed of a debit-credit payment method (DCPM) scheme for their PhilHealth beneficiaries, but the reimbursement rate is \u201cnot enough,\u201d claiming a yield of only around 35-36% instead of the 60% promised.
\nSome preferred to go through the normal process of filing claims which he estimated takes at least 60 days. Mr. De Grano added that payments for 2021 are being released but some hospitals are still complaining that they have not received payment for coronavirus claims for 2020, saying about P20 billion has yet to be reimbursed.
\nSenator Maria Josefa Imelda R. Marcos in a statement in late June said her office received complaints of at least P26 billion in claims that remain unpaid to private hospitals. She added that the DCPM did not cover unpaid claims from last year and the 60% target amount was not fully settled, citing one private hospital, which received only P430 million out of P1.2 billion in claims, a recovery rate of 36%.
\n\u201cComplaints reaching our office show that at least P26 billion remains unpaid to private hospitals, while government hospitals are still owed hundreds of millions. Let\u2019s not wait for them to shut down nor leave them ill-prepared to deal with the possible spread of the dreaded Delta variant,\u201d she said.
\nMs. Marcos added that hospitals also raised concerns over an online ledger known as the Reconciliation Summary Module, to which hospitals and PhilHealth subscribe. The system allegedly shows that PhilHealth has paid even when the amounts have not yet been deposited to hospital accounts.
\nPhilHealth on April 8 issued a circular concerning the DCPM, in which it committed to paying 60% of healthcare facility receivables, subject to a 2% expanded withholding tax for eligible private entities.
\nIt was to pay the remaining 40%, also subject to 2% expanded withholding tax for private facilities, \u201cfollowing full compliance with existing claims processing requirements and procedures and full reconciliation of the 60%\u201d initially paid.
\nThis followed an order from President Rodrigo R. Duterte to the state insurer to fast-track the payment of hospital claims.
\nInitially, the payment method only applied to hospitals in Metro Manila, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga and Rizal. This was then expanded to high and critical-risk areas.
\nIn a Facebook post on June 9, PhilHealth said P6.2 billion had been disbursed to 203 public and private healthcare facilities under the DCPM, 114 of which were from the capital region. The payment method is applicable to claims from between March 8, 2020 and April 7, 2021.
\nThe DCPM does not include claims that are tagged as returned to hospitals, denied, endorsed to the Legal Department for further investigation and those paid as of April 7, according to the post.
\nPhilHealth recognizes the importance of paying the claims to the ability of hospitals to operate, PhilHealth Vice-President for Corporate Affairs and spokesperson Shirley B. Domingo said.
\n\u201cPhilHealth reimbursements are important… Malaki na ang nako-contribute ng Philhealth sa mga cash flow\u2026 ng hospitals (PhilHealth accounts for a major part of their cash flow),\u201d she said in a phone interview.
\nMs. Domingo said there are many reasons for delayed payment releases, citing issues in claims processing, which sometimes result in \u201creturned to hospital\u201d claims due to deficient documentation.
\nThe lockdown has also affected operations.
\n\u201cNaapektuhan din kami sa pandemic on our part because marami rin nagkasakit sa amin ng pandemic, na-quarantine because of exposure and all that (We were also affected by the pandemic. Many of us got sick or were quarantined). Right now, many are still\u2026 working from home, but they continue processing the claims,\u201d she said.
\nMs. Domingo also questioned the claim that the DCPM is not yielding sufficient payments, saying that the regional offices have to reconcile the amounts with hospitals to account for claims that are returned to hospitals or denied.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s why our regions are doing reconciliation with the hospitals on the actual amounts payable,\u201d she said.
\nShe said PhilHealth is monitoring the turnaround time of the regions and has found that some meet the 60 days\u2019 deadline for regular processing.
\n\u201cIba-iba ang turnaround time kasi per region, lalo na smaller regions, mabilis mag-process ng claims, so depende \u2019yun sa region (Processing times vary, especially with smaller regions, which are faster)\u201d she said.
\nOVERWHELMED
\nMr. De Grano said that everyone should be prepared for some kind of epidemic, but the situation with the coronavirus \u201cwent to a magnitude that we cannot really handle.\u201d
\u201cThey (hospitals) were overwhelmed by the magnitude of this pandemic,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cLessons learned here is for the hospitals to really save… you cannot rely on PhilHealth or the government to pay you,\u201d he said, noting that it takes 60 to 120 days for PhilHealth to pay up in general, with further delays for coronavirus cases.
\nHe said that a year\u2019s delay in the release of claims is not survivable for small hospitals. Some hospitals had to downsize or reduce working hours to avoid layoffs, while others took out bank loans to survive.
\nMr. De Grano said the government is trying to balance its priorities between reviving the economy and dealing with the public health emergency.
\nHe said a sense of complacency has set in when it comes to following the minimum health protocols.
\n\u201cI think if\u2026 we are able to vaccinate a majority of our people, then we will no longer get into a situation where the hospitals are overwhelmed,\u201d Mr. De Grano said.
\nVACCINATION
\nMr. De Grano said the speedy rollout of vaccines will be key in heading off surges.
\u201cIf are able to do that, and then if we attain what herd immunity, even for 40% of our population, I think that will be a big, big help to our healthcare system. Eventually, we will be able to overcome this pandemic,\u201d he said.
\nAs of Aug. 5, around 23.2 million vaccine doses had been administered, with 10.7 million fully vaccinated.
\nMr. Almora also said broader vaccination will help hospitals recover.
\n\u201cThat is the only solution,\u201d noting that prevention is the best approach.
\n", "content_text": "By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter\nHOSPITALS are hanging on as coronavirus surges come and go, but their long-term health will ultimately depend on finding adequate numbers of staff and collecting on their receivables from the national health insurer, among others.\nJust before the August wave, hospitals had a brief respite from the frantic days of the March-April surge, allowing some industry associations to reflect on bigger-picture issues ailing their member-companies instead of being preoccupied with dealing with day-to-day crises.\nFirst, a snapshot of where things stood before the Delta surge hit last month: In Metro Manila, the majority of cases was judged to be mild, not requiring hospitalization but merely isolation. But the August surge, thought to be caused by the more easily-spread Delta variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), threatened to overwhelm hospital capacity once again.\nSpeaking at a Zoom meeting in June, before the Delta surge, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPi) President Jose Rene D. de Grano said: \u201cThe moderate and severe cases are the ones that are placed in the hospital beds in Metro Manila. More or less, right now it\u2019s around 5% or less than 5% of the total active cases so there is not much.\u201d\nAt the time, cases in the Visayas and Mindanao were increasing. \u201cThey were having the problem that NCR had (in March and April).\u201d\nDespite operating under pandemic conditions for over a year, hospitals were still having a problem with manpower, according to Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) President Jaime A. Almora.\nFinancial problems have also been exacerbated by the nonpayment of coronavirus claims by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), he said.\n\u201cBut we are coping,\u201d Mr. Almora said in a phone interview, noting at the time that the pause in the coronavirus surge was allowing regular patients to come in for treatment.\nThis category of patient had largely been shut out by the pandemic because hospitals were swamped dealing with emergency respiratory cases, which required extra care in handling as well as expenses. Staff were also rotated to minimize their exposure, and had to be taken off duty if they tested positive.\nHealth department epidemiology bureau director Alethea de Guzman said in an online briefing in July that before the Delta surge in August, Philippine infection rates fell by 9% in the two weeks ending on June 26 while the average daily attack rate (ADAR) \u2014 new cases divided by population \u2014 was at 5.24.\nMetro Manila at the time was also classified as low-risk with coronavirus infections declining by 26% in the same period while the ADAR was at 5.01.\nCoronavirus cases in Luzon had been falling except for the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos and Mimaropa, the Health department said.\nCases in Eastern and Western Visayas were rising, while Central Visayas plateaued after a sharp decline, according to Ms. De Guzman. Cases in Mindanao had been falling except for the Davao region, where the trend was inconsistent.\nHowever, the Health department flagged the Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Davao region and Soccsksargen as \u201chigh-risk\u201d at the time. Davao region had a high healthcare utilization rate and critical-risk intensive care utilization rate, while Western Visayas and Cagayan Valley had high-risk ICU usage rates.\nNationally, bed occupancy was at 46.1% out of the total 35,143 beds in 1,272 facilities as of June 30. A total of 870 facilities were at safe levels or less than 60% occupied, 88 were at moderate or 60-69% occupied, 110 were classified as high-risk or 70% to 84% occupied and 148 were critical, according to the DoH\u2019s tracker website.\nA total of 55.98% of 3,421 intensive care unit beds were occupied. Around 46.15% of 19,524 isolation beds were occupied, and around 43.3% of 12,198 ward beds were used.\nThe National Capital Region (NCR) reported a 37.7% occupancy rate during the pause between surges. Of the 159 facilities, 132 were at safe levels, six moderate, 11 high-risk and eight critical.\nPROBLEMS, RECOVERY\nMr. Almora said the number of available nursing staff is falling due to migration and a preference for working in government hospitals.\nMr. De Grano said the number of nurses in private hospitals even before the pandemic had decreased by around 30% to 40%. \u201cThere are no available nurses right now because nurses went to the government facilities because they are offering higher salaries.\u201d\nSome were afraid of contracting coronavirus and expressed a preference for work in parts of hospitals that were less exposed, he said. \n\u201cWe are used to working under stress under pressure, but the situation is far from normal,\u201d according to Mr. Almora of the PHA.\nMr. Almora said hospitals will recover as long as problems do not pile up to the point that they are overwhelmed. He added that much depends on the national insurance agency, which has \u201cabsolute and total control\u201d over hospital claims for treating COVID patients.\n\u201cWe hope to recover (with the admission of) non-COVID cases. But the hospitals that have admitted COVID cases have used a lot of resources. So hopefully, babayaran ng PhilHealth ng tama (PhilHealth needs to do right by them with prompt payments),\u201d he said.\nMr. De Grano of the private hospitals\u2019 association also cited the cash crunch caused by the payment delays and the drying up of non-COVID cases.\n\u201cPrivate hospitals do not have subsidies like government facilities. So, they rely mainly on patients coming into the hospitals, from the admission of patients and their payments and for the services that they are using in the hospital.\u201d\nHe said that some hospitals have availed of a debit-credit payment method (DCPM) scheme for their PhilHealth beneficiaries, but the reimbursement rate is \u201cnot enough,\u201d claiming a yield of only around 35-36% instead of the 60% promised.\nSome preferred to go through the normal process of filing claims which he estimated takes at least 60 days. Mr. De Grano added that payments for 2021 are being released but some hospitals are still complaining that they have not received payment for coronavirus claims for 2020, saying about P20 billion has yet to be reimbursed.\nSenator Maria Josefa Imelda R. Marcos in a statement in late June said her office received complaints of at least P26 billion in claims that remain unpaid to private hospitals. She added that the DCPM did not cover unpaid claims from last year and the 60% target amount was not fully settled, citing one private hospital, which received only P430 million out of P1.2 billion in claims, a recovery rate of 36%. \n\u201cComplaints reaching our office show that at least P26 billion remains unpaid to private hospitals, while government hospitals are still owed hundreds of millions. Let\u2019s not wait for them to shut down nor leave them ill-prepared to deal with the possible spread of the dreaded Delta variant,\u201d she said.\nMs. Marcos added that hospitals also raised concerns over an online ledger known as the Reconciliation Summary Module, to which hospitals and PhilHealth subscribe. The system allegedly shows that PhilHealth has paid even when the amounts have not yet been deposited to hospital accounts.\nPhilHealth on April 8 issued a circular concerning the DCPM, in which it committed to paying 60% of healthcare facility receivables, subject to a 2% expanded withholding tax for eligible private entities.\nIt was to pay the remaining 40%, also subject to 2% expanded withholding tax for private facilities, \u201cfollowing full compliance with existing claims processing requirements and procedures and full reconciliation of the 60%\u201d initially paid.\nThis followed an order from President Rodrigo R. Duterte to the state insurer to fast-track the payment of hospital claims.\nInitially, the payment method only applied to hospitals in Metro Manila, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga and Rizal. This was then expanded to high and critical-risk areas.\nIn a Facebook post on June 9, PhilHealth said P6.2 billion had been disbursed to 203 public and private healthcare facilities under the DCPM, 114 of which were from the capital region. The payment method is applicable to claims from between March 8, 2020 and April 7, 2021.\nThe DCPM does not include claims that are tagged as returned to hospitals, denied, endorsed to the Legal Department for further investigation and those paid as of April 7, according to the post.\nPhilHealth recognizes the importance of paying the claims to the ability of hospitals to operate, PhilHealth Vice-President for Corporate Affairs and spokesperson Shirley B. Domingo said.\n\u201cPhilHealth reimbursements are important… Malaki na ang nako-contribute ng Philhealth sa mga cash flow\u2026 ng hospitals (PhilHealth accounts for a major part of their cash flow),\u201d she said in a phone interview.\nMs. Domingo said there are many reasons for delayed payment releases, citing issues in claims processing, which sometimes result in \u201creturned to hospital\u201d claims due to deficient documentation. \nThe lockdown has also affected operations.\n\u201cNaapektuhan din kami sa pandemic on our part because marami rin nagkasakit sa amin ng pandemic, na-quarantine because of exposure and all that (We were also affected by the pandemic. Many of us got sick or were quarantined). Right now, many are still\u2026 working from home, but they continue processing the claims,\u201d she said. \nMs. Domingo also questioned the claim that the DCPM is not yielding sufficient payments, saying that the regional offices have to reconcile the amounts with hospitals to account for claims that are returned to hospitals or denied.\n\u201cThat\u2019s why our regions are doing reconciliation with the hospitals on the actual amounts payable,\u201d she said.\nShe said PhilHealth is monitoring the turnaround time of the regions and has found that some meet the 60 days\u2019 deadline for regular processing.\n\u201cIba-iba ang turnaround time kasi per region, lalo na smaller regions, mabilis mag-process ng claims, so depende \u2019yun sa region (Processing times vary, especially with smaller regions, which are faster)\u201d she said.\nOVERWHELMED\nMr. De Grano said that everyone should be prepared for some kind of epidemic, but the situation with the coronavirus \u201cwent to a magnitude that we cannot really handle.\u201d\n\u201cThey (hospitals) were overwhelmed by the magnitude of this pandemic,\u201d he said.\n\u201cLessons learned here is for the hospitals to really save… you cannot rely on PhilHealth or the government to pay you,\u201d he said, noting that it takes 60 to 120 days for PhilHealth to pay up in general, with further delays for coronavirus cases.\nHe said that a year\u2019s delay in the release of claims is not survivable for small hospitals. Some hospitals had to downsize or reduce working hours to avoid layoffs, while others took out bank loans to survive.\nMr. De Grano said the government is trying to balance its priorities between reviving the economy and dealing with the public health emergency.\nHe said a sense of complacency has set in when it comes to following the minimum health protocols.\n\u201cI think if\u2026 we are able to vaccinate a majority of our people, then we will no longer get into a situation where the hospitals are overwhelmed,\u201d Mr. De Grano said.\nVACCINATION\nMr. De Grano said the speedy rollout of vaccines will be key in heading off surges.\n\u201cIf are able to do that, and then if we attain what herd immunity, even for 40% of our population, I think that will be a big, big help to our healthcare system. Eventually, we will be able to overcome this pandemic,\u201d he said. \nAs of Aug. 5, around 23.2 million vaccine doses had been administered, with 10.7 million fully vaccinated.\nMr. Almora also said broader vaccination will help hospitals recover.\n\u201cThat is the only solution,\u201d noting that prevention is the best approach.", "date_published": "2021-09-06T00:25:35+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-09-05T22:53:43+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/S7.4-2MILLIONMARKCOVID_QCGH_02_VARCAS_030921.jpg", "tags": [ "bw34", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Special Reports" ], "summary": "HOSPITALS are hanging on as coronavirus surges come and go, but their long-term health will ultimately depend on finding adequate numbers of staff and collecting on their receivables from the national health insurer, among others." }, { "id": "/?p=388705", "url": "/editors-picks/2021/08/12/388705/coronavirus-takes-its-toll-on-mental-health-as-filipinos-battle-stress-anxiety/", "title": "Coronavirus takes its toll on mental health as Filipinos battle stress, anxiety", "content_html": "JAMES B. SANTOS (not his real name), 24, was diagnosed with a general anxiety disorder in December amid a coronavirus pandemic.
\n\u201cSeeing so many of my friends getting sick from the coronavirus was scary,\u201d he said in an e-mail. \u201cThe lockdown made me feel tired and anxious about what\u2019s going to happen to me. I\u2019m now taking medication to control my condition.\u201d
\nAt least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from one kind of mental, neurological and substance use disorder, the Health department has said, citing a study by the World Health Organization (WHO).
\n![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BW-Bullseye-2020-030420.jpg\")
The mental health impact of the pandemic will be \u201clong-term and far-reaching,\u201d the WHO said in a statement last month, as experts and leaders sought action on pandemic-linked anxiety and stress. \u201cEveryone is affected in one way or another.\u201d
Patients with mental health disorders are two times as likely to die from COVID-19, according to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry last month.
\nBernard B. Argamosa, program director at the National Center for Mental Health, said they have been receiving more distressed calls at their hotline during the pandemic that has infected 1.65 million and killed almost 30,000 people in the Philippines.
\nWhen the hotline started in May 2019, the average callers in the first six months hit as many as 400. During the first few months of the lockdown that started in March last year, the number of callers doubled to as many as 700 a month, he said.
\nThis further increased by five times in the third quarter of last year, with about 1,400 calls a month, Mr. Argamosa said. It peaked at 1,600 calls in March.
\n\u201cDuring the third quarter of 2020, we noticed that the primary reasons for calling were anxiety and depression, which were exacerbated by the pandemic,\u201d he said in a Zoom Cloud Meetings interview.
\n\u201cThe uncertainty of it, the job losses, the lockdown \u2014 those are the primary reasons why they\u2019re calling,\u201d he added.
\nSuicide-related calls also accounted for a third of the calls this year, up from 10% when the hotline started.
\nA study by mental health firm MindNation released in June found that 53% of Filipino workers had experienced mental health challenges during the global health crisis.
\nThese include fears about getting infected with the coronavirus, financial pressures, personal problems, work pressure, and trying to juggle work and family matters.
\n\u201cNow that the boundaries between personal life and work are blurred with people working from home, employees are working more than they did pre-pandemic when they were onsite with colleagues,\u201d according to the report. It added that almost half of employees feel they have too much workload.
\nMindNation, which conducted the study in September 2020 to April 2021, found that workers were lacking focus and concentration and felt they no longer enjoyed things that made them happy in the past. They also had low self-confidence and had a hard time sleeping.
\nThe study also found that 13% of workers took a leave of absence due to mental health problems, while 35% had productivity issues, losing an average of two hours daily. A quarter of those polled said they were thinking about quitting their jobs.
\nIt also said these mental health and well-being challenges cost companies P7 million a year for 10,000 employees.
\n\u2018ABNORMAL CONDITIONS\u2019
\nCornelio G. Banaag, vice-president of the Mental Health Association of the Philippines, Inc., said the requests for appointments during the lockdown increased, mostly concerns about depression, anxiety, suicidal behavior, difficulties in school, lack of motivation and parents getting upset.
\u201cIt\u2019s increasing, it\u2019s not getting less,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s very difficult to adjust. We\u2019re trying to be normal under very abnormal conditions. These conditions are very abnormal for all human beings, especially for Filipinos who love connections.\u201d
\nMr. Banaag traced most mental health problems to uncertainty and social isolation. Many Filipinos have had to endure being away from their families, relatives and friends once they get infected with the virus.
\n\u201cUncertainty has removed our sense of control over our lives,\u201d he said. \u201cWe don\u2019t know when this is going to end.\u201d
\nMr. Argamosa said people should not forget to go back to the basics, including following health protocols and cultivating relationships with family and friends. \u201cWe can be physically distant, but it is important to maintain our social connectedness.\u201d
\nHe said Filipinos are known to be resilient, and hope would help them cope during the health crisis. Spirituality could also help them survive the pandemic.
\nThe speedy rollout of vaccines could ease the anxiety of people, he said. \u201cWhat is distressing for all of us is the uncertainty and the fear that this might continue for years. If we start to believe that things will get better, it will be a big help.\u201d
\nTo cope with the pandemic, people should take care of their physical well-being, which is the foundation of good mental health. Aside from getting at least six hours of sleep and eating healthy food, creating new routines \u2014 which were taken away from them during the lockdown \u2014 would help them deal with stress.
\n\u201cIt helps us predict that at a certain time this is what we will do, which restores some amount of predictability and control in our lives,\u201d Mr. Banaag said.
\nHe also said \u201cthe mind is our best ally, but it can also be our worst enemy.\u201d People should avoid negative thoughts and feed the mind with positive thinking.
\n\u201cLet\u2019s not be too hard on ourselves. We have to accept that these times have imposed limitations on the things that we can do. We are trying our best to live as normal as we can under abnormal circumstances and therefore, there will be mistakes,\u201d he said.
\nMr. Santos, mentioned at the outset, said he tries to deal with the anxiety by getting behind the wheel and taking a time off. He also practices breathing exercises, avoids overthinking, and takes things \u201cone step at a time.\u201d
\nBut when help is needed, one should seek help, professional or otherwise, he said.
\n\u201cDon\u2019t be worried about the stigma of consulting a shrink,\u201d he said. \u201cYour mental health and well-being should always be the priority. You should seek help from people around you.\u201d \u2014 VMMV
\n", "content_text": "JAMES B. SANTOS (not his real name), 24, was diagnosed with a general anxiety disorder in December amid a coronavirus pandemic.\n\u201cSeeing so many of my friends getting sick from the coronavirus was scary,\u201d he said in an e-mail. \u201cThe lockdown made me feel tired and anxious about what\u2019s going to happen to me. I\u2019m now taking medication to control my condition.\u201d\nAt least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from one kind of mental, neurological and substance use disorder, the Health department has said, citing a study by the World Health Organization (WHO).\nThe mental health impact of the pandemic will be \u201clong-term and far-reaching,\u201d the WHO said in a statement last month, as experts and leaders sought action on pandemic-linked anxiety and stress. \u201cEveryone is affected in one way or another.\u201d\nPatients with mental health disorders are two times as likely to die from COVID-19, according to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry last month.\nBernard B. Argamosa, program director at the National Center for Mental Health, said they have been receiving more distressed calls at their hotline during the pandemic that has infected 1.65 million and killed almost 30,000 people in the Philippines.\nWhen the hotline started in May 2019, the average callers in the first six months hit as many as 400. During the first few months of the lockdown that started in March last year, the number of callers doubled to as many as 700 a month, he said.\nThis further increased by five times in the third quarter of last year, with about 1,400 calls a month, Mr. Argamosa said. It peaked at 1,600 calls in March.\n\u201cDuring the third quarter of 2020, we noticed that the primary reasons for calling were anxiety and depression, which were exacerbated by the pandemic,\u201d he said in a Zoom Cloud Meetings interview.\n\u201cThe uncertainty of it, the job losses, the lockdown \u2014 those are the primary reasons why they\u2019re calling,\u201d he added.\nSuicide-related calls also accounted for a third of the calls this year, up from 10% when the hotline started.\nA study by mental health firm MindNation released in June found that 53% of Filipino workers had experienced mental health challenges during the global health crisis.\nThese include fears about getting infected with the coronavirus, financial pressures, personal problems, work pressure, and trying to juggle work and family matters.\n\u201cNow that the boundaries between personal life and work are blurred with people working from home, employees are working more than they did pre-pandemic when they were onsite with colleagues,\u201d according to the report. It added that almost half of employees feel they have too much workload.\nMindNation, which conducted the study in September 2020 to April 2021, found that workers were lacking focus and concentration and felt they no longer enjoyed things that made them happy in the past. They also had low self-confidence and had a hard time sleeping.\nThe study also found that 13% of workers took a leave of absence due to mental health problems, while 35% had productivity issues, losing an average of two hours daily. A quarter of those polled said they were thinking about quitting their jobs.\nIt also said these mental health and well-being challenges cost companies P7 million a year for 10,000 employees.\n\u2018ABNORMAL CONDITIONS\u2019\nCornelio G. Banaag, vice-president of the Mental Health Association of the Philippines, Inc., said the requests for appointments during the lockdown increased, mostly concerns about depression, anxiety, suicidal behavior, difficulties in school, lack of motivation and parents getting upset.\n\u201cIt\u2019s increasing, it\u2019s not getting less,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s very difficult to adjust. We\u2019re trying to be normal under very abnormal conditions. These conditions are very abnormal for all human beings, especially for Filipinos who love connections.\u201d\nMr. Banaag traced most mental health problems to uncertainty and social isolation. Many Filipinos have had to endure being away from their families, relatives and friends once they get infected with the virus.\n\u201cUncertainty has removed our sense of control over our lives,\u201d he said. \u201cWe don\u2019t know when this is going to end.\u201d\nMr. Argamosa said people should not forget to go back to the basics, including following health protocols and cultivating relationships with family and friends. \u201cWe can be physically distant, but it is important to maintain our social connectedness.\u201d\nHe said Filipinos are known to be resilient, and hope would help them cope during the health crisis. Spirituality could also help them survive the pandemic.\nThe speedy rollout of vaccines could ease the anxiety of people, he said. \u201cWhat is distressing for all of us is the uncertainty and the fear that this might continue for years. If we start to believe that things will get better, it will be a big help.\u201d\nTo cope with the pandemic, people should take care of their physical well-being, which is the foundation of good mental health. Aside from getting at least six hours of sleep and eating healthy food, creating new routines \u2014 which were taken away from them during the lockdown \u2014 would help them deal with stress.\n\u201cIt helps us predict that at a certain time this is what we will do, which restores some amount of predictability and control in our lives,\u201d Mr. Banaag said.\nHe also said \u201cthe mind is our best ally, but it can also be our worst enemy.\u201d People should avoid negative thoughts and feed the mind with positive thinking.\n\u201cLet\u2019s not be too hard on ourselves. We have to accept that these times have imposed limitations on the things that we can do. We are trying our best to live as normal as we can under abnormal circumstances and therefore, there will be mistakes,\u201d he said.\nMr. Santos, mentioned at the outset, said he tries to deal with the anxiety by getting behind the wheel and taking a time off. He also practices breathing exercises, avoids overthinking, and takes things \u201cone step at a time.\u201d\nBut when help is needed, one should seek help, professional or otherwise, he said.\n\u201cDon\u2019t be worried about the stigma of consulting a shrink,\u201d he said. \u201cYour mental health and well-being should always be the priority. You should seek help from people around you.\u201d \u2014 VMMV", "date_published": "2021-08-12T00:33:03+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-08-11T21:33:44+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Plant-wall.jpg", "tags": [ "Featured2", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "大象传媒" ], "summary": "JAMES B. SANTOS (not his real name), 24, was diagnosed with a general anxiety disorder in December amid a coronavirus pandemic." }, { "id": "/?p=379860", "url": "/the-nation/2021/07/02/379860/people-told-stay-alert-as-taal-erupts/", "title": "People told stay alert as Taal erupts", "content_html": "State volcanologists on Friday said Taal Volcano\u2019s next eruption could be stronger after it spewed steam and rocks hundreds of meters into the sky the day earlier, prompting thousands to flee.
\nTaal continues to emit smoke, which is caused by gas and water vapor moving up toward its crater, said Renato Solidum, chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
\n\u201cWe hope there won\u2019t be stronger eruptions but that\u2019s the threat from Taal because it continues to emit gases,\u201d he told a televised news briefing in Filipino.
\nTaal has been belching sulphur dioxide for days, creating a thick haze over Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
\nThe Department of Health (DoH) advised people to take precautionary measures against toxic gas emissions from Taal Volcano\u2019s eruption.
\nIn an advisory issued late Thursday, the agency said short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide, a colorless toxic gas emitted by the volcano, could harm the respiratory system and make breathing difficult.
\n\u201cPeople with asthma, particularly children are sensitive to these effects,\u201d DoH said. \u201cProlonged exposure or high concentrations of this gas can cause inflammation and irritation of the respiratory system.\u201d
\nOther symptoms of exposure to sulfur dioxide include skin and eye irritation, mucus secretion, coughing and asthma. It may also aggravate bronchitis and increase the risk of respiratory tract infection.
\nDoH said people should stay indoors, close the doors and windows especially if they are near the volcano and wear face masks.
\nVolcanologists on Thursday raised the alert status of Taal from Alert Level 2 or increasing unrest to Alert Level 3 or magmatic unrest.
\n\u201cThis means that there is magmatic intrusion at the main crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions,\u201d it said in a bulletin. It said people living in Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas province should be evacuated.
\nPresidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. on Friday said the palace was monitoring the situation in Taal, adding evacuation of people there were ongoing.
\n\u201cWe ask residents in the areas surrounding the volcano lake to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures, cooperate with their local authorities should the need for evacuation arise,\u201d he said in a statement.
\nThe Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Calabarzon has stockpiles of relief support including food packs worth P1.4 million and nonfood items worth P11 million.
\nMeanwhile, the National Electrification Administration ordered electric cooperatives in Luzon especially in the Calabarzon region to take contingency measures to mitigate the effects of the Taal volcano eruption on their power distribution systems. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "State volcanologists on Friday said Taal Volcano\u2019s next eruption could be stronger after it spewed steam and rocks hundreds of meters into the sky the day earlier, prompting thousands to flee.\nTaal continues to emit smoke, which is caused by gas and water vapor moving up toward its crater, said Renato Solidum, chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.\n\u201cWe hope there won\u2019t be stronger eruptions but that\u2019s the threat from Taal because it continues to emit gases,\u201d he told a televised news briefing in Filipino.\nTaal has been belching sulphur dioxide for days, creating a thick haze over Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.\nThe Department of Health (DoH) advised people to take precautionary measures against toxic gas emissions from Taal Volcano\u2019s eruption.\nIn an advisory issued late Thursday, the agency said short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide, a colorless toxic gas emitted by the volcano, could harm the respiratory system and make breathing difficult.\n\u201cPeople with asthma, particularly children are sensitive to these effects,\u201d DoH said. \u201cProlonged exposure or high concentrations of this gas can cause inflammation and irritation of the respiratory system.\u201d\nOther symptoms of exposure to sulfur dioxide include skin and eye irritation, mucus secretion, coughing and asthma. It may also aggravate bronchitis and increase the risk of respiratory tract infection.\nDoH said people should stay indoors, close the doors and windows especially if they are near the volcano and wear face masks.\nVolcanologists on Thursday raised the alert status of Taal from Alert Level 2 or increasing unrest to Alert Level 3 or magmatic unrest.\n\u201cThis means that there is magmatic intrusion at the main crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions,\u201d it said in a bulletin. It said people living in Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas province should be evacuated.\nPresidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. on Friday said the palace was monitoring the situation in Taal, adding evacuation of people there were ongoing.\n\u201cWe ask residents in the areas surrounding the volcano lake to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures, cooperate with their local authorities should the need for evacuation arise,\u201d he said in a statement.\nThe Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Calabarzon has stockpiles of relief support including food packs worth P1.4 million and nonfood items worth P11 million.\nMeanwhile, the National Electrification Administration ordered electric cooperatives in Luzon especially in the Calabarzon region to take contingency measures to mitigate the effects of the Taal volcano eruption on their power distribution systems. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-07-02T19:50:43+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-07-02T19:50:43+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Taal-20210701-SCREENGRAB-Phivolcs-FB-page.jpg", "tags": [ "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "The Nation" ] }, { "id": "/?p=379857", "url": "/the-nation/2021/07/02/379857/more-than-6000-more-filipinos-infected/", "title": "More than 6,000 more Filipinos infected", "content_html": "The Department of Health (DoH) reported 6,192 coronavirus infections on Friday, bringing the total to 1.4 million.
\nThe death toll rose by 177 to 24,973, while recoveries increased by 2,212 to 1.34 million, it said in a bulletin.
\nThere were 55,482 active cases, 1.4% of which were critical, 91.5% were mild, 3.8% did not show symptoms, 2% were severe and 1.44% were moderate.
\nThe agency said 11 duplicates had been removed from the tally, eight of which were tagged as recoveries and one as death.
\nTwelve recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 102 cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Four laboratories failed to submit data on June 30, the agency said.
\nAbout 14.1 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 30, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.
\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 183.4 million and killed around four million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.
\nAbout 167.9 million people have recovered, it said.
\nMeanwhile, Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD), which operates Clark International Airport, said it had agreed to let four medical groups use its old terminal building for mass vaccination.
\nOur Lady of Mount Carmel Medical Center, Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory, PRI Medical Center and the Medical City Clark will provide staff who will give the vaccines and dispose of medical waste, the airport operator said in an e-mailed statement.
\nThe company is set to open this month a new terminal building built by Megawide Construction Corp. and GMR Infrastructure Ltd. for domestic commercial flights.
\nThe building can hold 8 million passengers annually. Clark Airport operates with an annual passenger capacity of 4.2 million. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "The Department of Health (DoH) reported 6,192 coronavirus infections on Friday, bringing the total to 1.4 million.\nThe death toll rose by 177 to 24,973, while recoveries increased by 2,212 to 1.34 million, it said in a bulletin.\nThere were 55,482 active cases, 1.4% of which were critical, 91.5% were mild, 3.8% did not show symptoms, 2% were severe and 1.44% were moderate.\nThe agency said 11 duplicates had been removed from the tally, eight of which were tagged as recoveries and one as death.\nTwelve recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 102 cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Four laboratories failed to submit data on June 30, the agency said.\nAbout 14.1 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 30, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 183.4 million and killed around four million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.\nAbout 167.9 million people have recovered, it said.\nMeanwhile, Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD), which operates Clark International Airport, said it had agreed to let four medical groups use its old terminal building for mass vaccination.\nOur Lady of Mount Carmel Medical Center, Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory, PRI Medical Center and the Medical City Clark will provide staff who will give the vaccines and dispose of medical waste, the airport operator said in an e-mailed statement.\nThe company is set to open this month a new terminal building built by Megawide Construction Corp. and GMR Infrastructure Ltd. for domestic commercial flights.\nThe building can hold 8 million passengers annually. Clark Airport operates with an annual passenger capacity of 4.2 million. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2021-07-02T19:49:20+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-07-02T19:49:20+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/health-worker-vaccine.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "The Nation" ] }, { "id": "/?p=379852", "url": "/the-nation/2021/07/02/379852/free-check-up-bill-filed/", "title": "Free check-up bill filed", "content_html": "A senator filed a measure seeking to provide free annual medical check-ups to all Filipinos to allow early detection of serious ailments.
\nSenator Juan Edgardo M. Angara filed Senate Bill 2297 or the proposed Free Annual Medical Check-Up Act.
\nIn a statement, Mr. Angara said many Filipinos do not seek medical care in their lifetime or only do so when they are already at a critical stage. Many of them resort to traditional healing because they are poor, he added.
\n\u201cUndergoing annual medical check-ups are considered as essential especially at this time when we are facing a pandemic that has already resulted in the deaths of over 20,000 individuals and the infection of close to 1.4 million in our country,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cEarly detection of potentially deadly ailments such as heart diseases or diabetes can save lives,\u201d he added.
\nUnder the bill, Filipinos will be entitled to free annual medical check-ups that will be provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. under the Universal Health Care law.
\nFilipinos can avail themselves of free check-ups for the entire year and the state-insurer should have a system to secure that everyone will be accommodated. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "A senator filed a measure seeking to provide free annual medical check-ups to all Filipinos to allow early detection of serious ailments.\nSenator Juan Edgardo M. Angara filed Senate Bill 2297 or the proposed Free Annual Medical Check-Up Act.\nIn a statement, Mr. Angara said many Filipinos do not seek medical care in their lifetime or only do so when they are already at a critical stage. Many of them resort to traditional healing because they are poor, he added.\n\u201cUndergoing annual medical check-ups are considered as essential especially at this time when we are facing a pandemic that has already resulted in the deaths of over 20,000 individuals and the infection of close to 1.4 million in our country,\u201d he said.\n\u201cEarly detection of potentially deadly ailments such as heart diseases or diabetes can save lives,\u201d he added.\nUnder the bill, Filipinos will be entitled to free annual medical check-ups that will be provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. under the Universal Health Care law.\nFilipinos can avail themselves of free check-ups for the entire year and the state-insurer should have a system to secure that everyone will be accommodated. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-07-02T19:46:00+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-07-02T19:46:00+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Elderly-woman-patients-headache-hospital.jpg", "tags": [ "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "The Nation" ] }, { "id": "/?p=379628", "url": "/the-nation/2021/07/01/379628/philippines-at-low-risk-from-coronavirus-doh/", "title": "Philippines at low risk from coronavirus \u2014 DoH", "content_html": "By Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporters
\nHEALTH authorities on Thursday said the Philippines was at low risk from the coronavirus after declining infections in the past two weeks.
\nInfection rates fell by 9% in the two weeks that ended on June 26, Health Director Alethea de Guzman told an online news briefing.
\nPeople should still adhere to health protocols, she added, noting that the situation is \u201cvery prone to a sudden, possible increase.\u201d \u201cWe need to widen the decline.\u201d
\nThe average national daily attack rate \u2014 new cases divided by the population \u2014 stood at 5.42, within the moderate risk classification. An average of more than seven is considered high risk.
\nMs. de Guzman said 46.5% of health care facilities had been used as of June 29, while 55.2% of intensive care unit beds had been occupied. She added that 24% of isolation beds had been used.
\nThe daily infection tally increased slightly to 5,772 from June 24 to 30, from 5,638 from June 17 and 23, she said.
\nShe flagged the Davao region, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen and Eastern Visayas for rising coronavirus infections.
\nThe infection rate in the Davao region had more than doubled in the past two weeks, while the rate in Western Visayas was 63%, 67% in Soccsksargen and 118% in Eastern Visayas, Ms. de Guzman said.
\nThe daily attack rate in the Davao region was 9.14, 8.12 in Western Visayas, 7.1 in Soccsksargen and 7.05 in Eastern Visayas, she said.
\nCoronavirus cases in Metro Manila fell by 26% from June 13 to 26, while its average daily attack rate was at 5.01, which is considered low risk.
\nInfections in the capital region have plateaued after a slow decline in the past weeks. The average daily tally in the seven days ended June 30 stood at 694, from 686 a week earlier.
\n\u201cWe often describe the trend in the National Capital Region (NCR) as fragile,\u201d Ms. de Guzman said. \u201cThis is a crucial time for NCR because we don\u2019t want it going up again.\u201d
\nCoronavirus infections in Luzon have fallen except for the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos and Mimaropa, the Health department said.
\nCases in Eastern and Western Visayas were rising, while Central Visayas has experienced a plateau after a sharp decline, Ms. de Guzman said. Infections in Mindanao have been falling except for the Davao region, where the trend is inconsistent.
\nDAILY TALLY
\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 5,795 coronavirus infections on Thursday, bringing the total to 1.4 million. The death toll rose by 135 to 24,797, while recoveries increased by 2,859 to 1.34 million, it said in a bulletin.
There were 51,567 active cases, 1.5% of which were critical, 91% were mild, 3.8% did not show symptoms, 2.1% were severe and 1.56% were moderate.
\nThe agency said 17 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 14 of which were tagged as recoveries. Twenty-seven recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 93 cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Five laboratories failed to submit data on June 29.
\nAbout 14 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 29, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.
\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 183 million and killed almost four million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.
\nAbout 167.6 million people have recovered, it said.
\nMeanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said a Bloomberg report ranking the Philippines second to the last of 53 countries in terms of pandemic response was unfair. He said the report favored rich countries with a high vaccination rate.
\nHe said the country does not have enough vaccines to inoculate at least half of the population, adding that rich countries have already gotten 80% of the global vaccine supply.
\n\u201cThat leaves us among the middle-income countries scrambling and almost begging for vaccines, and they are already talking about the luxury of a third booster dose,\u201d he told the ABS-CBN News Channel.
\nThe Philippines ranked 52nd out of 53 countries in terms of pandemic response, according to Bloomberg\u2019s COVID-19 resilience ranking, where the government scored poorly in vaccine rollout, among other things.
\nThe country got a score of 45.3, ahead of Argentina, which ranked last on the list with a score of 37.
\nMeanwhile, The World Health Organization and National Commission of Senior Citizens urged local government units (LGUs) to speed up the vaccination for priority groups, including senior citizens.
\nThey said only 28.3% or about 8.2 million senior citizens had received their first coronavirus vaccine dose as of June 28.
\nWHO Representative to the Philippine Rabindra Abeyasinghe said the vaccines are important especially with the risk of more contagious variants.
\n\u201cWe strongly urge our LGUs to ramp up efforts to improve access of the elderly to vaccines, along with improving convenience at vaccination sites,\u201d he said in a statement. \u201cLet us give our elderly the protection they need and the best quality of life they deserve without delay.\u201d
\nAlso on Thursday, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. apologized for the vaccine shortage after some local governments complained.
\n\u201cWe apologize. That\u2019s the reality and we can\u2019t do anything about it,\u201d he told a televised news briefing in Filipino.
\nMr. Roque said the National Government is prioritizing coronavirus-hit areas for vaccination. Metro Manila and nearby provinces are being prioritized \u201cnot only because of the higher cases there but also because of the higher population.\u201d
\nThe Philippines aims to inoculate at least 500,000 people daily in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to achieve herd immunity by Nov. 27.
\n", "content_text": "By Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporters\nHEALTH authorities on Thursday said the Philippines was at low risk from the coronavirus after declining infections in the past two weeks. \nInfection rates fell by 9% in the two weeks that ended on June 26, Health Director Alethea de Guzman told an online news briefing.\nPeople should still adhere to health protocols, she added, noting that the situation is \u201cvery prone to a sudden, possible increase.\u201d \u201cWe need to widen the decline.\u201d \nThe average national daily attack rate \u2014 new cases divided by the population \u2014 stood at 5.42, within the moderate risk classification. An average of more than seven is considered high risk.\nMs. de Guzman said 46.5% of health care facilities had been used as of June 29, while 55.2% of intensive care unit beds had been occupied. She added that 24% of isolation beds had been used.\nThe daily infection tally increased slightly to 5,772 from June 24 to 30, from 5,638 from June 17 and 23, she said.\nShe flagged the Davao region, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen and Eastern Visayas for rising coronavirus infections.\nThe infection rate in the Davao region had more than doubled in the past two weeks, while the rate in Western Visayas was 63%, 67% in Soccsksargen and 118% in Eastern Visayas, Ms. de Guzman said.\nThe daily attack rate in the Davao region was 9.14, 8.12 in Western Visayas, 7.1 in Soccsksargen and 7.05 in Eastern Visayas, she said.\nCoronavirus cases in Metro Manila fell by 26% from June 13 to 26, while its average daily attack rate was at 5.01, which is considered low risk.\nInfections in the capital region have plateaued after a slow decline in the past weeks. The average daily tally in the seven days ended June 30 stood at 694, from 686 a week earlier.\n\u201cWe often describe the trend in the National Capital Region (NCR) as fragile,\u201d Ms. de Guzman said. \u201cThis is a crucial time for NCR because we don\u2019t want it going up again.\u201d\nCoronavirus infections in Luzon have fallen except for the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos and Mimaropa, the Health department said.\nCases in Eastern and Western Visayas were rising, while Central Visayas has experienced a plateau after a sharp decline, Ms. de Guzman said. Infections in Mindanao have been falling except for the Davao region, where the trend is inconsistent. \nDAILY TALLY\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 5,795 coronavirus infections on Thursday, bringing the total to 1.4 million. The death toll rose by 135 to 24,797, while recoveries increased by 2,859 to 1.34 million, it said in a bulletin.\nThere were 51,567 active cases, 1.5% of which were critical, 91% were mild, 3.8% did not show symptoms, 2.1% were severe and 1.56% were moderate.\nThe agency said 17 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 14 of which were tagged as recoveries. Twenty-seven recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 93 cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Five laboratories failed to submit data on June 29.\nAbout 14 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 29, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 183 million and killed almost four million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.\nAbout 167.6 million people have recovered, it said.\nMeanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said a Bloomberg report ranking the Philippines second to the last of 53 countries in terms of pandemic response was unfair. He said the report favored rich countries with a high vaccination rate. \nHe said the country does not have enough vaccines to inoculate at least half of the population, adding that rich countries have already gotten 80% of the global vaccine supply.\n\u201cThat leaves us among the middle-income countries scrambling and almost begging for vaccines, and they are already talking about the luxury of a third booster dose,\u201d he told the ABS-CBN News Channel. \nThe Philippines ranked 52nd out of 53 countries in terms of pandemic response, according to Bloomberg\u2019s COVID-19 resilience ranking, where the government scored poorly in vaccine rollout, among other things.\nThe country got a score of 45.3, ahead of Argentina, which ranked last on the list with a score of 37.\nMeanwhile, The World Health Organization and National Commission of Senior Citizens urged local government units (LGUs) to speed up the vaccination for priority groups, including senior citizens.\nThey said only 28.3% or about 8.2 million senior citizens had received their first coronavirus vaccine dose as of June 28.\nWHO Representative to the Philippine Rabindra Abeyasinghe said the vaccines are important especially with the risk of more contagious variants.\n\u201cWe strongly urge our LGUs to ramp up efforts to improve access of the elderly to vaccines, along with improving convenience at vaccination sites,\u201d he said in a statement. \u201cLet us give our elderly the protection they need and the best quality of life they deserve without delay.\u201d\nAlso on Thursday, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. apologized for the vaccine shortage after some local governments complained.\n\u201cWe apologize. That\u2019s the reality and we can\u2019t do anything about it,\u201d he told a televised news briefing in Filipino.\nMr. Roque said the National Government is prioritizing coronavirus-hit areas for vaccination. Metro Manila and nearby provinces are being prioritized \u201cnot only because of the higher cases there but also because of the higher population.\u201d\nThe Philippines aims to inoculate at least 500,000 people daily in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to achieve herd immunity by Nov. 27.", "date_published": "2021-07-01T20:01:33+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-07-01T23:46:10+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/vaccine-health-worker-1.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "HEALTH authorities on Thursday said the Philippines was at low risk from the coronavirus after declining infections in the past two weeks." }, { "id": "/?p=379663", "url": "/the-nation/2021/07/01/379663/covid-19-response-fund-reports-sent-to-pacquiao/", "title": "COVID-19 response fund reports sent to Pacquiao", "content_html": "HEALTH SECRETARY Francisco T. Duque III on Thursday said he has submitted to Senator Emmanuel \u201cManny\u201d D. Pacquiao the reports on the use of funds received by the department for the coronavirus response.
\n\u201cLahat po itong mga report na ito pinadala ko na kagabi kay (I have sent all these reports last night to) Senator Manny Pacquiao,\u201d Mr. Duque told ABS-CBN News Channel.
\nMr. Pacquiao, acting president of the ruling party PDP-Laban, has been in a squabble with a faction of their political group supported by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the party chair.
\nThe senator last week made allegations of corruption in government.
\nMr. Duterte on Monday said he would campaign against Mr. Pacquiao in next year\u2019s elections if he fails to identify the alleged corrupt officials.
\nThe senator on Tuesday accepted the challenged and cited anomalies in the government\u2019s purchase of rapid test kits, masks and other materials for the coronavirus pandemic. He also asked the Health department to account for expenditures.
\nMr. Duque, in a statement on Tuesday, said the department was disheartened by the accusations and they are open to inquiries from legislators.
\nIn Thursday\u2019s interview, he said the procurement arm under the Budget department purchased the test kits, face masks and other supplies for the pandemic.
\nThe Health chief also said that he talked on Wednesday to Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher A. Lao, who said they are ready to show the budget utilization and transactions.
\nThe funds for the vaccines coming from multilateral funding agencies go directly to the vaccine manufacturers, Mr. Duque added.
\n\u201cIf there is any hearing, we\u2019ll be very glad to be there and show a full accounting of all the funds and budget that have been allocated to the DoH (Department of Health),\u201d he said.
\nPalace Spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr., meanwhile, said the administration complied with the reporting requirements provided under the Bayanihan laws.
\n\u201cThere was a regular reporting required by the law by itself which Malaca\u00f1ang complied with,\u201d he told a news briefing Thursday. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "HEALTH SECRETARY Francisco T. Duque III on Thursday said he has submitted to Senator Emmanuel \u201cManny\u201d D. Pacquiao the reports on the use of funds received by the department for the coronavirus response.\n\u201cLahat po itong mga report na ito pinadala ko na kagabi kay (I have sent all these reports last night to) Senator Manny Pacquiao,\u201d Mr. Duque told ABS-CBN News Channel.\nMr. Pacquiao, acting president of the ruling party PDP-Laban, has been in a squabble with a faction of their political group supported by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the party chair.\nThe senator last week made allegations of corruption in government.\nMr. Duterte on Monday said he would campaign against Mr. Pacquiao in next year\u2019s elections if he fails to identify the alleged corrupt officials.\nThe senator on Tuesday accepted the challenged and cited anomalies in the government\u2019s purchase of rapid test kits, masks and other materials for the coronavirus pandemic. He also asked the Health department to account for expenditures.\nMr. Duque, in a statement on Tuesday, said the department was disheartened by the accusations and they are open to inquiries from legislators.\nIn Thursday\u2019s interview, he said the procurement arm under the Budget department purchased the test kits, face masks and other supplies for the pandemic.\nThe Health chief also said that he talked on Wednesday to Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher A. Lao, who said they are ready to show the budget utilization and transactions.\nThe funds for the vaccines coming from multilateral funding agencies go directly to the vaccine manufacturers, Mr. Duque added.\n\u201cIf there is any hearing, we\u2019ll be very glad to be there and show a full accounting of all the funds and budget that have been allocated to the DoH (Department of Health),\u201d he said.\nPalace Spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr., meanwhile, said the administration complied with the reporting requirements provided under the Bayanihan laws.\n\u201cThere was a regular reporting required by the law by itself which Malaca\u00f1ang complied with,\u201d he told a news briefing Thursday. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2021-07-01T19:59:52+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-07-01T23:53:33+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Duque.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "HEALTH SECRETARY Francisco T. Duque III on Thursday said he has submitted to Senator Emmanuel \u201cManny\u201d D. Pacquiao the reports on the use of funds received by the department for the coronavirus response." }, { "id": "/?p=379369", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/30/379369/philippines-second-to-last-in-pandemic-response/", "title": "Philippines second to last in pandemic response", "content_html": "THE PHILIPPINES ranked 52nd out of 53 countries in terms of pandemic response, according to Bloomberg\u2019s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resilience ranking, where the government scored poorly in vaccine rollout, among other things.
\nThe country got a score of 45.3, ahead of Argentina, which ranked last on the list with a score of 37.
\nThe Philippines, India and some Latin American countries ranked lowest \u201camid a perfect storm of variant-driven outbreaks, slow vaccination and global isolation,\u201d according to the report.
\nThe Philippines was behind Malaysia (46.6), India (47.7), Indonesia (48.2), Colombia (48.6), Pakistan (50.7), Bangladesh (51.3), Peru (51.4), and Taiwan (52.1).
\nThe 10 countries that received highest scores were the United States (76), New Zealand (73.7), Switzerland (72.9), Israel (72.9), France (72.8), Spain (72), Australia (70.1), Mainland China (69.9), the United Kingdom (68.7) and South Korea (68.6).
\nThe study was based on several indicators, including the percentage of people who have been vaccinated, lockdown severity, flight capacity, vaccinated travel routes, monthly cases per 100,000 population, infection and death rates.
\nMobility, 2021 economic growth forecast, universal healthcare coverage and human development index were also used as indicators.
\nThe US ranking \u201creflects a best-case scenario of high vaccinations, a waning outbreak, flight capacity nearing full recovery and few travel curbs on vaccinated people, it said.
\nMr. Duterte earlier ordered state media to report that the country had been performing better than other countries in its coronavirus pandemic response.
\nHis spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said the country was slowly recovering from the virus. \u201cOur economic team is confident that we are slowly recovering and will recover fully,\u201d he told a televised news briefing in Filipino on Wednesday.
\nThe government had given out more than 10 million coronavirus vaccine doses as of June 27, 7.5 million of which were first shots.
\nMore than 1.1 million health workers, 672,602 seniors, 710,846 seriously ill people and 12,340 essential workers have been fully vaccinated.
\nThe Philippines aims to inoculate at least 500,000 people daily in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to achieve herd immunity by Nov. 27.
\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 4,509 coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the total to 1.4 million.
\nThe death toll rose by 105 to 24,662, while recoveries increased by 5,839 to 1.3 million, it said in a bulletin.
\nThere were 48,649 active cases, 1.5% of which were critical, 90.6% were mild, 4.1% did not show symptoms, 2.2% were severe and 1.63% were moderate.
\nThe agency said seven duplicates had been removed from the tally, five of which were tagged as recoveries. A patient tagged as recovered was removed from the tally after he was found to be negative.
\nForty-nine cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Six laboratories failed to submit data on June 28, the agency said.
\nAbout 14 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 28, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.
\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 182.6 million and killed almost four million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.
\nAbout 167.2 million people have recovered, it said. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "THE PHILIPPINES ranked 52nd out of 53 countries in terms of pandemic response, according to Bloomberg\u2019s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resilience ranking, where the government scored poorly in vaccine rollout, among other things.\nThe country got a score of 45.3, ahead of Argentina, which ranked last on the list with a score of 37.\nThe Philippines, India and some Latin American countries ranked lowest \u201camid a perfect storm of variant-driven outbreaks, slow vaccination and global isolation,\u201d according to the report.\nThe Philippines was behind Malaysia (46.6), India (47.7), Indonesia (48.2), Colombia (48.6), Pakistan (50.7), Bangladesh (51.3), Peru (51.4), and Taiwan (52.1).\nThe 10 countries that received highest scores were the United States (76), New Zealand (73.7), Switzerland (72.9), Israel (72.9), France (72.8), Spain (72), Australia (70.1), Mainland China (69.9), the United Kingdom (68.7) and South Korea (68.6).\nThe study was based on several indicators, including the percentage of people who have been vaccinated, lockdown severity, flight capacity, vaccinated travel routes, monthly cases per 100,000 population, infection and death rates.\nMobility, 2021 economic growth forecast, universal healthcare coverage and human development index were also used as indicators.\nThe US ranking \u201creflects a best-case scenario of high vaccinations, a waning outbreak, flight capacity nearing full recovery and few travel curbs on vaccinated people, it said.\nMr. Duterte earlier ordered state media to report that the country had been performing better than other countries in its coronavirus pandemic response.\nHis spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said the country was slowly recovering from the virus. \u201cOur economic team is confident that we are slowly recovering and will recover fully,\u201d he told a televised news briefing in Filipino on Wednesday.\nThe government had given out more than 10 million coronavirus vaccine doses as of June 27, 7.5 million of which were first shots.\nMore than 1.1 million health workers, 672,602 seniors, 710,846 seriously ill people and 12,340 essential workers have been fully vaccinated.\nThe Philippines aims to inoculate at least 500,000 people daily in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to achieve herd immunity by Nov. 27.\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 4,509 coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the total to 1.4 million.\nThe death toll rose by 105 to 24,662, while recoveries increased by 5,839 to 1.3 million, it said in a bulletin.\nThere were 48,649 active cases, 1.5% of which were critical, 90.6% were mild, 4.1% did not show symptoms, 2.2% were severe and 1.63% were moderate.\nThe agency said seven duplicates had been removed from the tally, five of which were tagged as recoveries. A patient tagged as recovered was removed from the tally after he was found to be negative.\nForty-nine cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Six laboratories failed to submit data on June 28, the agency said.\nAbout 14 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 28, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 182.6 million and killed almost four million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.\nAbout 167.2 million people have recovered, it said. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-30T19:36:04+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-07-01T06:09:36+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/vaccination-2.jpg", "tags": [ "Featured2", "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "The Philippines ranked 52nd out of 53 countries in terms of pandemic response, according to Bloomberg\u2019s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resilience ranking, where the government scored poorly in vaccine rollout, among other things." }, { "id": "/?p=379363", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/30/379363/drilon-anticipates-ruling-party-split-but-not-sure-advantage-to-opposition/", "title": "Drilon anticipates ruling party split, but not sure advantage to opposition\u00a0 \u00a0", "content_html": "SENATE MINORITY Leader Franklin M. Drilon said he expects a split in the ruling political party, but the opposition to which he belongs will have to go the extra mile to turn it into an advantage in the 2022 elections.
\n\u201cThis development will have, to me, serious implications in the 2022 election, the ruling party will be split,\u201d\u00a0 Mr. Drilon, vice chairman of the Liberal Party, said at a forum on Wednesday.
\nHe said he expects Senator Emmanuel \u201cManny\u201d D. Pacquiao to be removed as acting president of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino\u2013Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) following his rift with President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the party chairman.
\n\u201cI expect Manny Pacquiao to be removed as party president of PDP-Laban and the signal is the President told Secretary (Alfonso G.) Cusi go ahead and convene that committee [meeting] in Cebu last month, so, that gives an indication of what will happen in the next several weeks,\u201d he said.
\nThe senator, however, said it will take \u201ca lot of work for us (Liberal Party) to take advantage of it.\u201d
\n\u201cIt will not harm the opposition to have the split, it will certainly help pag nahati ang (if there\u2019s a split in the) administration given all the resources given all the troll farms, given the social media expense and resources that they have, certainly a split will help the opposition,\u201d he added.
\nThe Liberal Party has yet to take any \u201cconcrete step\u201d on the political development, said Mr. Drilon, and they are still concentrating on the possibility of Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo, the party chair, running for a higher position.
\nIf not, the party is open to alliances, he said.
\nMr. Duterte on Monday night said he would campaign against Mr. Pacquiao if he fails to identify the alleged corrupt government officials.
\nMr. Pacquiao, in a statement on Tuesday, accepted the challenge of the President.
\nThe senator cited anomalies in the government\u2019s purchase of rapid test kits, masks and other materials for the coronavirus pandemic. He also asked the Health department to account for expenditures.
\nIn a statement on Tuesday evening, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said the department was \u201cdisheartened\u201d by the accusations.
\n\u201cWhile we are disheartened by these baseless accusations from our government officials, we submit ourselves to inquiries from legislators as this is a part of the checks and balances in our government,\u201d Mr. Duque said.
\nPresidential Spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. on Wednesday slammed the statement of Mr. Pacquiao, who remains an active professional boxer.
\nMr. Roque, in an online briefing, said the senator might have been absent when the report was presented to the Senate or he \u201cmay have been preoccupied with something else.\u201d \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "SENATE MINORITY Leader Franklin M. Drilon said he expects a split in the ruling political party, but the opposition to which he belongs will have to go the extra mile to turn it into an advantage in the 2022 elections.\n\u201cThis development will have, to me, serious implications in the 2022 election, the ruling party will be split,\u201d\u00a0 Mr. Drilon, vice chairman of the Liberal Party, said at a forum on Wednesday.\nHe said he expects Senator Emmanuel \u201cManny\u201d D. Pacquiao to be removed as acting president of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino\u2013Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) following his rift with President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the party chairman.\n\u201cI expect Manny Pacquiao to be removed as party president of PDP-Laban and the signal is the President told Secretary (Alfonso G.) Cusi go ahead and convene that committee [meeting] in Cebu last month, so, that gives an indication of what will happen in the next several weeks,\u201d he said.\nThe senator, however, said it will take \u201ca lot of work for us (Liberal Party) to take advantage of it.\u201d\n\u201cIt will not harm the opposition to have the split, it will certainly help pag nahati ang (if there\u2019s a split in the) administration given all the resources given all the troll farms, given the social media expense and resources that they have, certainly a split will help the opposition,\u201d he added.\nThe Liberal Party has yet to take any \u201cconcrete step\u201d on the political development, said Mr. Drilon, and they are still concentrating on the possibility of Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo, the party chair, running for a higher position.\nIf not, the party is open to alliances, he said.\nMr. Duterte on Monday night said he would campaign against Mr. Pacquiao if he fails to identify the alleged corrupt government officials.\nMr. Pacquiao, in a statement on Tuesday, accepted the challenge of the President.\nThe senator cited anomalies in the government\u2019s purchase of rapid test kits, masks and other materials for the coronavirus pandemic. He also asked the Health department to account for expenditures.\nIn a statement on Tuesday evening, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said the department was \u201cdisheartened\u201d by the accusations.\n\u201cWhile we are disheartened by these baseless accusations from our government officials, we submit ourselves to inquiries from legislators as this is a part of the checks and balances in our government,\u201d Mr. Duque said.\nPresidential Spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. on Wednesday slammed the statement of Mr. Pacquiao, who remains an active professional boxer.\nMr. Roque, in an online briefing, said the senator might have been absent when the report was presented to the Senate or he \u201cmay have been preoccupied with something else.\u201d \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-30T19:32:42+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-30T19:39:00+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Drilon-SENATEGOVPH.jpg", "tags": [ "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "The Nation" ], "summary": "SENATE MINORITY Leader Franklin M. Drilon said he expects a split in the ruling political party, but the opposition to which he belongs will have to go the extra mile to turn it into an advantage in the 2022 elections." }, { "id": "/?p=378935", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/29/378935/manila-remains-under-lockdown-until-mid-july/", "title": "Manila remains under lockdown until mid-July", "content_html": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporters
\nMANILA, the capital and nearby cities and provinces will remain under a general lockdown with fewer restrictions until July 15, according to the presidential palace, as it extended the travel ban on India and its neighbors until mid-July.
\nAlso covered by the travel ban are Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing on Tuesday.
\nCoronavirus infections in the National Capital Region were decreasing, Health Undersecretary Leopoldo J. Vega told the same briefing. The Bicol region, Western Visayas, Caraga, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Davao region were experiencing surge, he added.
\nAside from Metro Manila, the provinces of Bulacan and Rizal were also placed under a general community quarantine with some restrictions. Laguna and Cavite will remain under a general lockdown with tightened restrictions.
\nFitness studios were allowed to operate at 40% of their capacity in areas under a general lockdown with some restrictions, Mr. Roque said. Indoor dining was also allowed at 40% capacity, while outdoor dining was allowed at 50% capacity.
\nThe provinces of Ifugao, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and the cities of Baguio and Santiago in northern Philippines were placed under a general lockdown.
\nAlso under a general quarantine are the provinces of Batangas and Quezon and several areas in central Philippines such as Guimaras, Aklan, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Antique and Capiz, Mr. Roque said.
\nGeneral Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Cotabato City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur in southern Philippines would also be under a general quarantine.
\nCagayan, Apayao, Bataan, Lucena City, Puerto Princesa and Naga City were placed under a modified enhanced community quarantine, Mr. Roque said. Twelve areas in coronavirus-hit Mindanao were also put under same lockdown level.
\nThe rest of the country were placed under a modified general lockdown.
\nAbout 45% of intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the capital region had been used as of June 27. About 39% of isolation beds and about 23% of ward beds in the region were occupied.
\nAbout 57% of ICU beds in the country have been used, while about 47% of isolation beds and 44% of ward beds were occupied.
\nDAILY TALLY
\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 4,479 coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1.4 million.\u00a0 The death toll rose by 101 to 24,557, while recoveries increase by 6,471 to 1.3 million, it said in a bulletin.
There were 50,037 active cases, 1.5% of which were critical, 90.4% were mild, 4.4% did not show symptoms, 2.1% were severe and 1.54% were moderate.
\nThe agency said nine duplicates had been removed from the tally, seven of which were tagged as recoveries.
\nTwenty-eight recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 75 cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Fourteen laboratories failed to submit data on June 27, the agency said.
\nAbout 13.9 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 27, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.
\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 182.2 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.
\nAbout 166.8 million people have recovered, it said.
\nMeanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire reminded the public to remain vigilant and not to be complacent in following the health protocols.
\nThe situation in Metro Manila \u201cis still very fragile,\u201d she told a separate online news briefing. The daily infection average in the capital region was 666, still higher than the pre-surge level in January and February of about 300 cases, she pointed out.
\nThe agency last week flagged increasing coronavirus infections in four regions in the Visayas and Mindanao.
\nThe regions of Western Visayas, Caraga, Davao and Soccsksargen were at high risk, Health Director Alethea de Guzman told an onlne news briefing. Metro Manila and nearby provinces were now at low risk, she added.
\nMeanwhile, state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. on said it would provide a compensation package to people who may get sick from vaccination.
\nShirley B. Domingo, PhilHealth spokesperson and vice president for corporate affairs, said the benefits would cover hospitalization, permanent disability or death.
\nUnder a PhilHealth circular, patients who get hospitalized are eligible to as much as P100,000 in benefits.
\nPeople who became permanently disabled or die will get a lump sum of P100,000. In case of death or permanent injury, their beneficiaries can claim the benefits on their behalf.
\nMs. Vergeire said there had been no deaths due to coronavirus vaccines. No person who had been fully vaccinated has died of the coronavirus, she added.
\nAbout 10 million vaccine doses had been given out as of June 27, according to the Health department, more than 2.5 million of which were second doses.
\nThe government targets to inoculate at least 500,000 people daily in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to reach herd immunity by Nov. 27.
\n", "content_text": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporters\nMANILA, the capital and nearby cities and provinces will remain under a general lockdown with fewer restrictions until July 15, according to the presidential palace, as it extended the travel ban on India and its neighbors until mid-July.\nAlso covered by the travel ban are Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing on Tuesday.\nCoronavirus infections in the National Capital Region were decreasing, Health Undersecretary Leopoldo J. Vega told the same briefing. The Bicol region, Western Visayas, Caraga, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Davao region were experiencing surge, he added.\nAside from Metro Manila, the provinces of Bulacan and Rizal were also placed under a general community quarantine with some restrictions. Laguna and Cavite will remain under a general lockdown with tightened restrictions. \nFitness studios were allowed to operate at 40% of their capacity in areas under a general lockdown with some restrictions, Mr. Roque said. Indoor dining was also allowed at 40% capacity, while outdoor dining was allowed at 50% capacity. \nThe provinces of Ifugao, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and the cities of Baguio and Santiago in northern Philippines were placed under a general lockdown. \nAlso under a general quarantine are the provinces of Batangas and Quezon and several areas in central Philippines such as Guimaras, Aklan, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Antique and Capiz, Mr. Roque said.\nGeneral Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Cotabato City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur in southern Philippines would also be under a general quarantine. \nCagayan, Apayao, Bataan, Lucena City, Puerto Princesa and Naga City were placed under a modified enhanced community quarantine, Mr. Roque said. Twelve areas in coronavirus-hit Mindanao were also put under same lockdown level.\nThe rest of the country were placed under a modified general lockdown. \nAbout 45% of intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the capital region had been used as of June 27. About 39% of isolation beds and about 23% of ward beds in the region were occupied.\nAbout 57% of ICU beds in the country have been used, while about 47% of isolation beds and 44% of ward beds were occupied.\nDAILY TALLY\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 4,479 coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1.4 million.\u00a0 The death toll rose by 101 to 24,557, while recoveries increase by 6,471 to 1.3 million, it said in a bulletin.\nThere were 50,037 active cases, 1.5% of which were critical, 90.4% were mild, 4.4% did not show symptoms, 2.1% were severe and 1.54% were moderate.\nThe agency said nine duplicates had been removed from the tally, seven of which were tagged as recoveries.\nTwenty-eight recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 75 cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Fourteen laboratories failed to submit data on June 27, the agency said.\nAbout 13.9 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 27, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 182.2 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.\nAbout 166.8 million people have recovered, it said.\nMeanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire reminded the public to remain vigilant and not to be complacent in following the health protocols.\nThe situation in Metro Manila \u201cis still very fragile,\u201d she told a separate online news briefing. The daily infection average in the capital region was 666, still higher than the pre-surge level in January and February of about 300 cases, she pointed out. \nThe agency last week flagged increasing coronavirus infections in four regions in the Visayas and Mindanao. \nThe regions of Western Visayas, Caraga, Davao and Soccsksargen were at high risk, Health Director Alethea de Guzman told an onlne news briefing. Metro Manila and nearby provinces were now at low risk, she added.\nMeanwhile, state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. on said it would provide a compensation package to people who may get sick from vaccination.\nShirley B. Domingo, PhilHealth spokesperson and vice president for corporate affairs, said the benefits would cover hospitalization, permanent disability or death.\nUnder a PhilHealth circular, patients who get hospitalized are eligible to as much as P100,000 in benefits.\nPeople who became permanently disabled or die will get a lump sum of P100,000. In case of death or permanent injury, their beneficiaries can claim the benefits on their behalf.\nMs. Vergeire said there had been no deaths due to coronavirus vaccines. No person who had been fully vaccinated has died of the coronavirus, she added.\nAbout 10 million vaccine doses had been given out as of June 27, according to the Health department, more than 2.5 million of which were second doses.\nThe government targets to inoculate at least 500,000 people daily in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to reach herd immunity by Nov. 27.", "date_published": "2021-06-29T20:49:09+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-29T22:07:09+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/lockdown-4.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "MANILA, the capital and nearby cities and provinces will remain under a general lockdown with fewer restrictions until July 15, according to the presidential palace, as it extended the travel ban on India and its neighbors until mid-July." }, { "id": "/?p=378793", "url": "/economy/2021/06/28/378793/industry-counting-on-vaccines-for-improved-economy-by-december/", "title": "Industry counting on vaccines for improved economy by December", "content_html": "SOLID PROGRESS on vaccination will be required if industry is to enjoy a healthy Christmas season, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. A. Concepcion said Monday.
\nIn a Senate hearing, Mr. Concepcion said the lockdown \u201chas caused a lot of pain\u201d for many micro enterprises.
\n\u201cThe only solution really here is to solve the health problem,\u201d he said in a Senate trade committee hearing on the effects of the pandemic on business.
\nHe said the private sector is working with the government on a plan to improve the economy\u2019s performance by Christmas and in 2022, which will hinge on inoculating more of the population.
\n\u201cWhat we\u2019re trying to do is how do we get to open the economy with 50% of the population already vaccinated. In September, October that should happen,\u201d adding that it should be done as quickly as possible.
\nHowever, Mr. Concepcion flagged the possible spread of the more transmissible Delta variant which was first detected in India.
\n\u201cWhat we have to look at is the issue on Delta variant this is the most serious variant that I think can really draw a curve ball and destroy our entire plan. We have to be careful in opening up especially our borders,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cIn countries that have high level of Delta variant, because if that penetrates the Philippines then we will not be able to achieve a merry Christmas,\u201d he added.
\nHe said that hopefully, they can come up with recommendations when there is no Delta variant and 50% of the population vaccinated to the government for various industries.
\nMr. Concepcion added that the banking community \u201cwill not lend if they don\u2019t see the light at the end of the tunnel,\u201d noting that the performance of service businesses such as restaurants, gyms, spas and retail is going to turn on any government decisions regarding capacity limits.
\nThey will also be asking the government to allow greater mobility for the vaccinated \u201cto spur the economy\u201d and also allow establishment to create safe spaces to ensure the protection of both vaccinated and non-vaccinated customers.
\n\u201cI think it\u2019s a total plan, it hinges basically on the ability of both the private sector and the public sector, the LGUs especially to inoculate as fast as possible and achieve population protection; the ultimate goal is herd immunity for NCR plus. This we have to win in this year,\u201d he said.
\nMr. Concepcion also said that they are creating a roadmap detailing which industries can be opened assuming the arrival of a more transmissible variant.
\nHe said there is a \u201cgood chance\u201d of reviving the economy and opening up more by the end of this year.
\nAround 10 million doses have been administered as of June 27, according to the Health department, with over 2.5 million fully vaccinated individuals.
\nThe government hopes to inoculate at least 500,000 people daily in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to achieve herd immunity by Nov. 27. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "SOLID PROGRESS on vaccination will be required if industry is to enjoy a healthy Christmas season, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. A. Concepcion said Monday.\nIn a Senate hearing, Mr. Concepcion said the lockdown \u201chas caused a lot of pain\u201d for many micro enterprises.\n\u201cThe only solution really here is to solve the health problem,\u201d he said in a Senate trade committee hearing on the effects of the pandemic on business.\nHe said the private sector is working with the government on a plan to improve the economy\u2019s performance by Christmas and in 2022, which will hinge on inoculating more of the population.\n\u201cWhat we\u2019re trying to do is how do we get to open the economy with 50% of the population already vaccinated. In September, October that should happen,\u201d adding that it should be done as quickly as possible.\nHowever, Mr. Concepcion flagged the possible spread of the more transmissible Delta variant which was first detected in India.\n\u201cWhat we have to look at is the issue on Delta variant this is the most serious variant that I think can really draw a curve ball and destroy our entire plan. We have to be careful in opening up especially our borders,\u201d he said.\n\u201cIn countries that have high level of Delta variant, because if that penetrates the Philippines then we will not be able to achieve a merry Christmas,\u201d he added.\nHe said that hopefully, they can come up with recommendations when there is no Delta variant and 50% of the population vaccinated to the government for various industries.\nMr. Concepcion added that the banking community \u201cwill not lend if they don\u2019t see the light at the end of the tunnel,\u201d noting that the performance of service businesses such as restaurants, gyms, spas and retail is going to turn on any government decisions regarding capacity limits.\nThey will also be asking the government to allow greater mobility for the vaccinated \u201cto spur the economy\u201d and also allow establishment to create safe spaces to ensure the protection of both vaccinated and non-vaccinated customers.\n\u201cI think it\u2019s a total plan, it hinges basically on the ability of both the private sector and the public sector, the LGUs especially to inoculate as fast as possible and achieve population protection; the ultimate goal is herd immunity for NCR plus. This we have to win in this year,\u201d he said.\nMr. Concepcion also said that they are creating a roadmap detailing which industries can be opened assuming the arrival of a more transmissible variant.\nHe said there is a \u201cgood chance\u201d of reviving the economy and opening up more by the end of this year.\nAround 10 million doses have been administered as of June 27, according to the Health department, with over 2.5 million fully vaccinated individuals.\nThe government hopes to inoculate at least 500,000 people daily in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to achieve herd immunity by Nov. 27. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-28T20:00:08+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-28T20:00:08+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PFIZER-BIONTECH-VACCINE.jpg", "tags": [ "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Economy" ], "summary": "SOLID PROGRESS on vaccination will be required if industry is to enjoy a healthy Christmas season, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. A. Concepcion said Monday." }, { "id": "/?p=378681", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/28/378681/1m-more-coronavac-doses-from-china-arrive/", "title": "1M more CoronaVac doses from China arrive", "content_html": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter
\nTHE PHILIPPINES on Monday took delivery of a million more doses of CoronaVac from China, according to the presidential palace, bringing the total vaccines that have arrived to 17.4 million.
\nOn Sunday, the government received its first shipment of Moderna, Inc.\u2019s coronavirus vaccine containing 249,600 shots.
\nOf the total, about 150,000 doses would go to the government, while 99,600 doses would be given to International Container Terminal Services, Inc., according to the National Task Force Against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
\nThe government has given out more than 10 million doses of as of June 27, 7.5 million of which were first doses, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing.
\nHe said 236,867 vaccine shots were given out in the past seven days, adding that the government would probably hit its goal of 500,000 daily vaccinations.
\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 5,604 coronavirus infections on Monday, bringing the total to 1.4 million.
\nThe death toll rose by 84 to 24,456, while recoveries increased by 6,154 to 1.3 million, it said in a bulletin.
\nThere were 52,029 active cases, 1.4% of which were critical, 90.1% were mild, 5% did not show symptoms, 2.1% were severe and 1.49% were moderate.
\nThe agency said eight duplicates had been removed from the tally, six of which were tagged as recoveries.
\nFifty-seven recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 38 cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Six laboratories failed to submit data on June 26, the agency said.
\nAbout 13.9 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 26, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.
\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 181.9 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.
\nAbout 166.4 million people have recovered, it said.
\nMore than 1.1 million health workers have been fully vaccinated, according to the Health department\u2019s vaccine statistics.
\nIt said 672,602 seniors and 710,846 seriously ill people had also been fully vaccinated. About 12,340 essential workers have received their second dose.
\nThe Philippines aims to inoculate at least 500,000 people daily in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to achieve herd immunity by Nov. 27.
\nBut more cities outside the capital region, such as Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio, Zamboanga, Dumaguete, Tuguegarao, General Santos, Naga and Legaspi, were earlier included in the government\u2019s priority list after local officials complained.\u202f
\nMeanwhile, Mr. Roque said the general lockdown enforced in Metro Manila was unlikely to be eased next month.
\nThe recommendations of an inter-agency task force, which was set to meet on Monday afternoon to finalize the quarantine classifications for next month, may be appealed by local government units, he said.
\nThe OCTA Research Group on Sunday said the government should brace itself for a potential surge in coronavirus infections because of the Delta variant from India.\u00a0
\nIt noted that based on experience, cases multiply when new variants of the coronavirus arrive.
\nPeople should protect themselves from the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus from India after dealing with the Alpha and Gamma variants from the United Kingdom and Brazil, respectively, said molecular biologist Nicanor Austriaco, a member of the research group.
\nThe variants from India and Brazil are swiftly overthrowing the variant from the UK, which used to be the most-dreaded, in the United States. Health experts are worried that outbreaks would continue in the US because of these variants, unless vaccination efforts could be boosted further.
\nMore parts of Australia were locked down as authorities tried to locate workers from a remote gold mine linked to five coronavirus cases thought to be of the highly infectious Delta variant.
\nThe city of Darwin and two nearby areas were locked down for 48 hours on Sunday after officials failed to locate 15 of 211 workers who flew into the city from the Granites Mine in central Australia.
\nThe Northern Territory, which covers 548,000 square miles of mostly desert, reported four new coronavirus cases on Sunday, all linked to a worker who had tested positive.
\nThe UK variant, which is 50% more transmissible than the version from Wuhan, China swept the US at the start of the year. It was also linked to a surge in infections in the UK last fall, accounting for more than 90% of cases there.
\nIn the US, the UK variant became the predominant strain in a matter of months and accounted for about 70% of cases by end-April.
\nThe Indian coronavirus variant is considered the most concerning because it is said to be 50% to 60% more infectious and may cause a more severe disease.
\nWhen the Indian variant first appeared in the UK at the start of April, it rapidly overcame the Alpha variant and now accounts for 90% of new cases.
\nThe variant from Brazil is said to be not as transmissible but may slightly affect the effectiveness of vaccines. \u2014 with Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter\nTHE PHILIPPINES on Monday took delivery of a million more doses of CoronaVac from China, according to the presidential palace, bringing the total vaccines that have arrived to 17.4 million.\nOn Sunday, the government received its first shipment of Moderna, Inc.\u2019s coronavirus vaccine containing 249,600 shots.\nOf the total, about 150,000 doses would go to the government, while 99,600 doses would be given to International Container Terminal Services, Inc., according to the National Task Force Against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). \nThe government has given out more than 10 million doses of as of June 27, 7.5 million of which were first doses, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing. \nHe said 236,867 vaccine shots were given out in the past seven days, adding that the government would probably hit its goal of 500,000 daily vaccinations.\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 5,604 coronavirus infections on Monday, bringing the total to 1.4 million.\nThe death toll rose by 84 to 24,456, while recoveries increased by 6,154 to 1.3 million, it said in a bulletin.\nThere were 52,029 active cases, 1.4% of which were critical, 90.1% were mild, 5% did not show symptoms, 2.1% were severe and 1.49% were moderate.\nThe agency said eight duplicates had been removed from the tally, six of which were tagged as recoveries. \nFifty-seven recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 38 cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Six laboratories failed to submit data on June 26, the agency said. \nAbout 13.9 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 26, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 181.9 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.\nAbout 166.4 million people have recovered, it said.\nMore than 1.1 million health workers have been fully vaccinated, according to the Health department\u2019s vaccine statistics. \nIt said 672,602 seniors and 710,846 seriously ill people had also been fully vaccinated. About 12,340 essential workers have received their second dose.\nThe Philippines aims to inoculate at least 500,000 people daily in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to achieve herd immunity by Nov. 27.\nBut more cities outside the capital region, such as Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio, Zamboanga, Dumaguete, Tuguegarao, General Santos, Naga and Legaspi, were earlier included in the government\u2019s priority list after local officials complained.\u202f \nMeanwhile, Mr. Roque said the general lockdown enforced in Metro Manila was unlikely to be eased next month.\nThe recommendations of an inter-agency task force, which was set to meet on Monday afternoon to finalize the quarantine classifications for next month, may be appealed by local government units, he said.\nThe OCTA Research Group on Sunday said the government should brace itself for a potential surge in coronavirus infections because of the Delta variant from India.\u00a0\nIt noted that based on experience, cases multiply when new variants of the coronavirus arrive.\nPeople should protect themselves from the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus from India after dealing with the Alpha and Gamma variants from the United Kingdom and Brazil, respectively, said molecular biologist Nicanor Austriaco, a member of the research group.\nThe variants from India and Brazil are swiftly overthrowing the variant from the UK, which used to be the most-dreaded, in the United States. Health experts are worried that outbreaks would continue in the US because of these variants, unless vaccination efforts could be boosted further.\nMore parts of Australia were locked down as authorities tried to locate workers from a remote gold mine linked to five coronavirus cases thought to be of the highly infectious Delta variant.\nThe city of Darwin and two nearby areas were locked down for 48 hours on Sunday after officials failed to locate 15 of 211 workers who flew into the city from the Granites Mine in central Australia.\nThe Northern Territory, which covers 548,000 square miles of mostly desert, reported four new coronavirus cases on Sunday, all linked to a worker who had tested positive.\nThe UK variant, which is 50% more transmissible than the version from Wuhan, China swept the US at the start of the year. It was also linked to a surge in infections in the UK last fall, accounting for more than 90% of cases there.\nIn the US, the UK variant became the predominant strain in a matter of months and accounted for about 70% of cases by end-April.\nThe Indian coronavirus variant is considered the most concerning because it is said to be 50% to 60% more infectious and may cause a more severe disease.\nWhen the Indian variant first appeared in the UK at the start of April, it rapidly overcame the Alpha variant and now accounts for 90% of new cases.\nThe variant from Brazil is said to be not as transmissible but may slightly affect the effectiveness of vaccines. \u2014 with Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-28T19:40:36+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-28T23:01:11+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Chinas-Sinovac-CoronaVac-vaccines-1.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "THE PHILIPPINES on Monday took delivery of a million more doses of CoronaVac from China, according to the presidential palace, bringing the total vaccines that have arrived to 17.4 million." }, { "id": "/?p=378772", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/28/378772/duterte-hasnt-dropped-idea-of-arming-civilian-anti-crime-volunteers/", "title": "Duterte hasn\u2019t dropped idea of arming civilian anti-crime volunteers", "content_html": "PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has not dropped his idea of arming members of civilian anti-crime groups, the Palace said on Monday, amid warnings by government officials and various sectors that the move could lead to human rights abuses.
\nMr. Duterte made the recommendation last week during the launch of a civilian anti-crime coalition, which is composed of organizations that would partner with the police in promoting peace and order.
\nPresidential Spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr., in a televised news briefing on Monday, clarified that the recommendation is not yet final and would probably be subject to full staff work.
\n\u201cIf that becomes policy,\u201d he said in Filipino, \u201cI\u2019m sure there will be corresponding training.\u201d
\nThe Palace official echoed Police chief Guillermo T. Eleazar\u2019s statement that the civilian volunteers should be armed to protect themselves against criminals.
\nMr. Eleazar earlier said the idea is meant to encourage volunteerism, not vigilantism.
\nThe Philippine Commission on Human Rights earlier said \u201carming civilians without proper training, qualification, and clear lines of accountabilities may lead to lawlessness and proliferation of arms,\u201d which could worsen the country\u2019s human rights situation. \u201cThe Philippine National Police is more than enough,\u201d it said.
\nSenators on Monday also expressed opposition to the proposal, citing the potential for abuse of powers.
\nIn a statement, Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel called on the police chief to review the plan of the administration, nothing that crime rate during the previous administration was low without the need for more police powers.
\nInstead of arming citizens, communities should be helped. Police should not \u201coutsource\u201d their duty to maintain peace and should be involved with the citizens to understand their needs, she said.
\nSenate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, in a separate statement, said more guns will not make a country safe and will not help address other issues such as poverty, hunger and unemployment.
\n\u201cMore guns will not bring back investor\u2019s confidence,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat the government needs to do is to bring back good governance to address the causes of criminality which are poverty, hunger and joblessness. These are the main factors that drive people to commit crimes.\u201d \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has not dropped his idea of arming members of civilian anti-crime groups, the Palace said on Monday, amid warnings by government officials and various sectors that the move could lead to human rights abuses.\nMr. Duterte made the recommendation last week during the launch of a civilian anti-crime coalition, which is composed of organizations that would partner with the police in promoting peace and order.\nPresidential Spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr., in a televised news briefing on Monday, clarified that the recommendation is not yet final and would probably be subject to full staff work.\n\u201cIf that becomes policy,\u201d he said in Filipino, \u201cI\u2019m sure there will be corresponding training.\u201d\nThe Palace official echoed Police chief Guillermo T. Eleazar\u2019s statement that the civilian volunteers should be armed to protect themselves against criminals.\nMr. Eleazar earlier said the idea is meant to encourage volunteerism, not vigilantism.\nThe Philippine Commission on Human Rights earlier said \u201carming civilians without proper training, qualification, and clear lines of accountabilities may lead to lawlessness and proliferation of arms,\u201d which could worsen the country\u2019s human rights situation. \u201cThe Philippine National Police is more than enough,\u201d it said.\nSenators on Monday also expressed opposition to the proposal, citing the potential for abuse of powers.\nIn a statement, Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel called on the police chief to review the plan of the administration, nothing that crime rate during the previous administration was low without the need for more police powers.\nInstead of arming citizens, communities should be helped. Police should not \u201coutsource\u201d their duty to maintain peace and should be involved with the citizens to understand their needs, she said.\nSenate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, in a separate statement, said more guns will not make a country safe and will not help address other issues such as poverty, hunger and unemployment.\n\u201cMore guns will not bring back investor\u2019s confidence,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat the government needs to do is to bring back good governance to address the causes of criminality which are poverty, hunger and joblessness. These are the main factors that drive people to commit crimes.\u201d \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-28T19:36:16+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-28T19:36:16+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Duterte-Rodrigo-PCOO-1.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "The Nation" ], "summary": "PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has not dropped his idea of arming members of civilian anti-crime groups, the Palace said on Monday, amid warnings by government officials and various sectors that the move could lead to human rights abuses.\u00a0" }, { "id": "/?p=378391", "url": "/banking-finance/2021/06/28/378391/bill-establishing-deposit-insurer-for-cooperatives-filed-at-senate/", "title": "Bill establishing deposit insurer for cooperatives filed at Senate", "content_html": "A SENATOR has filed a measure to help protect cooperatives\u2019 money by establishing the Philippine Cooperative Deposit Insurance Corp.
\nSenator Francis N. Pangilinan filed Senate Bill No. 2249 or the Cooperative Depositors Act of 2021.
\nMr. Pangilinan said while cooperative banks are included in the membership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., other savings and credit cooperatives are not.
\n\u201cIn the 2019 data of the Cooperative Development Authority, it is estimated that more or less 40% of the total number of cooperatives are engaged in the business of savings and credit,\u201d he said. \u201cIn view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.\u201d
\nUnder the bill, the proposed Philippine Cooperative Deposit Insurance Corp. will be a tax-exempt government corporation attached to the Finance department.
\nIt will provide deposit insurance for cooperatives and can also receive, liquidate and wind up any cooperative in case of insolvency.
\nThe Cooperative Development Authority can appoint it as a receiver of a closed cooperative. As a receiver, it \u201cshall control, manage and administer the affairs of the closed cooperative.\u201d
\nAn insured deposit, under the bill, is the \u201camount due to any bona fide depositor for legitimate deposits in an insured cooperative net of any obligation of the depositor to the insured cooperative as of the date of closure, but not to exceed P300,000.\u201d
\nThe permanent insurance fund of the deposit insurer shall be P500 million, according to the bill.
\nWhen an insured cooperative is closed by the Cooperative Development Authority, the payment of the insured deposits with the closed cooperative shall be made either through cash or via the transfer of their original deposit to another insured cooperative.
\nThe cooperative deposit insurer shall also report annually to the Congress on its operations and its financial transactions, which will be audited by the Commission on Audit. \u2014 VMMV
\n", "content_text": "A SENATOR has filed a measure to help protect cooperatives\u2019 money by establishing the Philippine Cooperative Deposit Insurance Corp.\nSenator Francis N. Pangilinan filed Senate Bill No. 2249 or the Cooperative Depositors Act of 2021.\nMr. Pangilinan said while cooperative banks are included in the membership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., other savings and credit cooperatives are not.\n\u201cIn the 2019 data of the Cooperative Development Authority, it is estimated that more or less 40% of the total number of cooperatives are engaged in the business of savings and credit,\u201d he said. \u201cIn view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.\u201d \nUnder the bill, the proposed Philippine Cooperative Deposit Insurance Corp. will be a tax-exempt government corporation attached to the Finance department.\nIt will provide deposit insurance for cooperatives and can also receive, liquidate and wind up any cooperative in case of insolvency.\nThe Cooperative Development Authority can appoint it as a receiver of a closed cooperative. As a receiver, it \u201cshall control, manage and administer the affairs of the closed cooperative.\u201d \nAn insured deposit, under the bill, is the \u201camount due to any bona fide depositor for legitimate deposits in an insured cooperative net of any obligation of the depositor to the insured cooperative as of the date of closure, but not to exceed P300,000.\u201d\nThe permanent insurance fund of the deposit insurer shall be P500 million, according to the bill.\nWhen an insured cooperative is closed by the Cooperative Development Authority, the payment of the insured deposits with the closed cooperative shall be made either through cash or via the transfer of their original deposit to another insured cooperative.\nThe cooperative deposit insurer shall also report annually to the Congress on its operations and its financial transactions, which will be audited by the Commission on Audit. \u2014 VMMV", "date_published": "2021-06-28T00:03:47+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-27T19:00:03+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Featured2", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Banking & Finance", "Editors' Picks" ], "summary": "A SENATOR has filed a measure to help protect cooperatives\u2019 money by establishing the Philippine Cooperative Deposit Insurance Corp." }, { "id": "/?p=378444", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/27/378444/govt-told-to-brace-for-potential-variant-surge/", "title": "Gov\u2019t told to brace for potential variant surge", "content_html": "THE GOVERNMENT should brace itself for a potential surge in coronavirus infections because of the Delta variant from India, according to researchers from the country\u2019s premier university.
\nThe Octa Research Group on Sunday noted that based on experience, cases multiply when new variants of the coronavirus arrive.
\n\u201cOver the past year and a half, we had a surge when there was a new variant,\u201d molecular biologist Nicanor Austriaco, a member of the research group, told the ABS-CBN News TeleRadyo. \u201cIt\u2019s now coming down after the arrival of Alpha and Gamma variants. Now we have to protect ourselves against Delta,\u201d he said.
\nThe Alpha coronavirus variant was first detected in the United Kingdom, while the Gamma variant came from Brazil and Japan. The Delta variant is considered to be the most concerning variant seen yet.
\nOCTA was set to recommend lockdown levels for Metro Manila for July later on Sunday or early Monday.
\nThe variants from India and Brazil are swiftly overthrowing the variant from the UK, which used to be the most-dreaded, in the United States. Health experts are worried that continued outbreaks would continue in the US because of these variants, unless vaccination efforts could be boosted further.
\nThe UK variant, which is 50% more transmissible than the version from Wuhan China swept the US at the start of the year. It was also linked to a surge in infections in the UK last fall, accounting for more than 90% of cases there.
\nIn the US, the UK variant became the predominant strain in a matter of months and accounted for about 70% of cases by end-April.
\nThe Indian coronavirus variant is considered the most concerning because it is said to be 50% to 60% more infectious and may cause a more severe disease.
\nWhen the Indian variant first appeared in the UK at the start of April, it rapidly overcame the Alpha variant and now accounts for 90% of new cases.
\nThe variant from Brazil is said to be not as transmissible but may slightly affect the effectiveness of vaccines.
\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 6,096 coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing the total to 1.4 million.
\nThe death toll rose by 128 to 24,372, while recoveries increased by 6,912 to 1.3 million, it said.
\nThere were 52,570 active cases, 1.4% of which were critical, 89.5% were mild, 5.6% did not show symptoms, 2% were severe and 1.48% were moderate.
\nThe agency said 15 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 13 of which were tagged as recoveries.
\nSixty-nine cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Three laboratories failed to submit data on June 25, the agency said.
\nAbout 13.8 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 25, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.
\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 181.6 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.
\nAbout 166.1 million people have recovered, it said.
\nMr. Austriaco said Metro Manila and eight other major economic hubs could reach herd immunity by year-end if the Indian variant is contained.
\n\u201cGiven the numbers, our hope that we will reach herd immunity in the National Capital Region Plus 8 by Christmas is reasonable,\u201d he said, referring to the provinces of Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga and Rizal, as well as Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. \u201cThis does not take into account the Delta variant.\u201d
\nDoH earlier said it was seeking to vaccinate at least 108,000 people daily in these areas as more vaccines arrive.
\nThe Philippines has reported 17 cases of the Delta variant, including one death. There had been no community transmission of the variant, Health authorities said earlier.
\nThe government had given out 8.9 million coronavirus vaccines as of June 22. About 2.25 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated out of a 58-million target.
\nIt identified 10 more areas that are experiencing rise in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, namely, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Baguio, Zamboanga, Dumaguete, Tuguegarao, General Santos, Naga, Legazpi, and Iloilo City, that will be included in the COVID-19 vaccination priority. \u2014 Norman P. Aquino and VMMV
\n", "content_text": "THE GOVERNMENT should brace itself for a potential surge in coronavirus infections because of the Delta variant from India, according to researchers from the country\u2019s premier university. \nThe Octa Research Group on Sunday noted that based on experience, cases multiply when new variants of the coronavirus arrive. \n\u201cOver the past year and a half, we had a surge when there was a new variant,\u201d molecular biologist Nicanor Austriaco, a member of the research group, told the ABS-CBN News TeleRadyo. \u201cIt\u2019s now coming down after the arrival of Alpha and Gamma variants. Now we have to protect ourselves against Delta,\u201d he said.\nThe Alpha coronavirus variant was first detected in the United Kingdom, while the Gamma variant came from Brazil and Japan. The Delta variant is considered to be the most concerning variant seen yet.\nOCTA was set to recommend lockdown levels for Metro Manila for July later on Sunday or early Monday.\nThe variants from India and Brazil are swiftly overthrowing the variant from the UK, which used to be the most-dreaded, in the United States. Health experts are worried that continued outbreaks would continue in the US because of these variants, unless vaccination efforts could be boosted further. \nThe UK variant, which is 50% more transmissible than the version from Wuhan China swept the US at the start of the year. It was also linked to a surge in infections in the UK last fall, accounting for more than 90% of cases there.\nIn the US, the UK variant became the predominant strain in a matter of months and accounted for about 70% of cases by end-April. \nThe Indian coronavirus variant is considered the most concerning because it is said to be 50% to 60% more infectious and may cause a more severe disease.\nWhen the Indian variant first appeared in the UK at the start of April, it rapidly overcame the Alpha variant and now accounts for 90% of new cases.\nThe variant from Brazil is said to be not as transmissible but may slightly affect the effectiveness of vaccines.\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 6,096 coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing the total to 1.4 million.\nThe death toll rose by 128 to 24,372, while recoveries increased by 6,912 to 1.3 million, it said. \nThere were 52,570 active cases, 1.4% of which were critical, 89.5% were mild, 5.6% did not show symptoms, 2% were severe and 1.48% were moderate.\nThe agency said 15 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 13 of which were tagged as recoveries. \nSixty-nine cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Three laboratories failed to submit data on June 25, the agency said.\nAbout 13.8 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 25, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 181.6 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.\nAbout 166.1 million people have recovered, it said.\nMr. Austriaco said Metro Manila and eight other major economic hubs could reach herd immunity by year-end if the Indian variant is contained.\n\u201cGiven the numbers, our hope that we will reach herd immunity in the National Capital Region Plus 8 by Christmas is reasonable,\u201d he said, referring to the provinces of Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga and Rizal, as well as Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. \u201cThis does not take into account the Delta variant.\u201d\nDoH earlier said it was seeking to vaccinate at least 108,000 people daily in these areas as more vaccines arrive.\nThe Philippines has reported 17 cases of the Delta variant, including one death. There had been no community transmission of the variant, Health authorities said earlier.\nThe government had given out 8.9 million coronavirus vaccines as of June 22. About 2.25 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated out of a 58-million target.\nIt identified 10 more areas that are experiencing rise in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, namely, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Baguio, Zamboanga, Dumaguete, Tuguegarao, General Santos, Naga, Legazpi, and Iloilo City, that will be included in the COVID-19 vaccination priority. \u2014 Norman P. Aquino and VMMV", "date_published": "2021-06-27T19:49:24+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-27T22:27:28+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/covid-19-dna-corona.jpg", "tags": [ "Norman P. Aquino", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "THE GOVERNMENT should brace itself for a potential surge in coronavirus infections because of the Delta variant from India, according to researchers from the country\u2019s premier university." }, { "id": "/?p=378441", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/27/378441/senate-bill-filed-to-phase-out-single-use-plastic-styrofoam-products/", "title": "Senate bill filed to phase out single-use plastic, styrofoam products", "content_html": "A SENATOR has filed a bill that will regulate and phase out the production of single-use plastic and styrofoam goods, citing the plastic pollution problem to which the Philippines is considered among the biggest contributors.
\nSenator Emmanuel \u201cManny\u201d D. Pacquiao filed Senate Bill No. 2262, which aims to control the production, importation, sale distribution and use of single-use plastic and styrofoam products.
\nHe noted that the Philippines produces 2.7 million tons of plastic waste each year, 20% of which end up in the ocean, citing a statement from the United States Agency for International Development last year.
\nThis has placed the Philippines as the third largest contributor to plastic in the ocean.
\nThe senator also cited a 2015 report indicating that almost half or 48% of solid waste in the country are produced in the capital region.\u00a0 \u00a0
\n\u201cThe biggest contributor to this problem is our excessive use of single-use plastics. Single use plastics are designed to be used just once and are often thoughtlessly discarded,\u201d he said in the explanatory note of the bill.
\n\u201cWithout decisive and effective action on this problem, we could end up with 12 billion tons of plastic litter in landfills and the environment and with more plastics than fish in the sea by 2050,\u201d he said, citing the United Nations Environment Programme report in 2018.
\nThe measure also calls for the formulation of a phase-out plan, which includes a reduction and recovery among consumers, responsibility schemes for producers, identifying alternative products, and establishing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.
\nUnder the bill, single-use plastic products such as plates and saucers, cups, bowls and lids, cutlery, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene and sachets, among others, must be phased out within four years.
\nDrinking straws, stirrers, sticks for candy, balloon and cotton bud, buntings, confetti and packaging or bags of less than 10 microns shall be phased out within a year.
\nProduction, importation, sale distribution, provision or use of the plastic or styrofoam product shall be prohibited.
\nOn the other hand, properly labeled flexible disposable plastic straws for people with medical conditions shall be allowed when no reusable or compostable alternatives are available.
\nThis provision on prohibition shall not apply to the use by hospitals, nursing homes or other medical facilities for medical treatment, according to the measure.
\nThe proposal \u2014 similar to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 \u2014 also spells out the responsibilities of various departments as well as the National Solid Waste Management Commission in identifying plastic products that must be banned.
\nThe bill also tasks government agencies to develop and implement programs that will assist local manufacturers in acquiring sustainable resources of raw materials and technology for recyclable materials as alternatives.
\nProducers and importers will also be required to establish responsibility programs to prevent plastic wastes from leaking into the environment within the first two years of the law.
\nCompanies that fail to meet the recovery or offsetting of plastic product footprint target shall pay an amount equivalent to 5% of the cost if the single-use product \u201cset in the market to the producers and importers\u2019 responsibility corporation\u2026 net of whatever amount already spent for recovery for the period.\u201d
\nCommercial establishments, meanwhile, will be mandated to promote the use of reusable and recyclable products. They shall also charge take-out food or delivery services for every use of single-use plastic product whether they are disposable or compostable.
\nThe proposed law will also allow any citizen to file civil, criminal or administrative action against those who violate the provisions of the bill, government agencies with orders inconsistent with the measure and any negligent public officer.
\nImplementing rules and regulations of the law shall be crafted within six months from its effectivity. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "A SENATOR has filed a bill that will regulate and phase out the production of single-use plastic and styrofoam goods, citing the plastic pollution problem to which the Philippines is considered among the biggest contributors.\nSenator Emmanuel \u201cManny\u201d D. Pacquiao filed Senate Bill No. 2262, which aims to control the production, importation, sale distribution and use of single-use plastic and styrofoam products.\nHe noted that the Philippines produces 2.7 million tons of plastic waste each year, 20% of which end up in the ocean, citing a statement from the United States Agency for International Development last year.\nThis has placed the Philippines as the third largest contributor to plastic in the ocean.\nThe senator also cited a 2015 report indicating that almost half or 48% of solid waste in the country are produced in the capital region.\u00a0 \u00a0\n\u201cThe biggest contributor to this problem is our excessive use of single-use plastics. Single use plastics are designed to be used just once and are often thoughtlessly discarded,\u201d he said in the explanatory note of the bill.\n\u201cWithout decisive and effective action on this problem, we could end up with 12 billion tons of plastic litter in landfills and the environment and with more plastics than fish in the sea by 2050,\u201d he said, citing the United Nations Environment Programme report in 2018.\nThe measure also calls for the formulation of a phase-out plan, which includes a reduction and recovery among consumers, responsibility schemes for producers, identifying alternative products, and establishing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.\nUnder the bill, single-use plastic products such as plates and saucers, cups, bowls and lids, cutlery, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene and sachets, among others, must be phased out within four years.\nDrinking straws, stirrers, sticks for candy, balloon and cotton bud, buntings, confetti and packaging or bags of less than 10 microns shall be phased out within a year.\nProduction, importation, sale distribution, provision or use of the plastic or styrofoam product shall be prohibited.\nOn the other hand, properly labeled flexible disposable plastic straws for people with medical conditions shall be allowed when no reusable or compostable alternatives are available.\nThis provision on prohibition shall not apply to the use by hospitals, nursing homes or other medical facilities for medical treatment, according to the measure.\nThe proposal \u2014 similar to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 \u2014 also spells out the responsibilities of various departments as well as the National Solid Waste Management Commission in identifying plastic products that must be banned.\nThe bill also tasks government agencies to develop and implement programs that will assist local manufacturers in acquiring sustainable resources of raw materials and technology for recyclable materials as alternatives.\nProducers and importers will also be required to establish responsibility programs to prevent plastic wastes from leaking into the environment within the first two years of the law.\nCompanies that fail to meet the recovery or offsetting of plastic product footprint target shall pay an amount equivalent to 5% of the cost if the single-use product \u201cset in the market to the producers and importers\u2019 responsibility corporation\u2026 net of whatever amount already spent for recovery for the period.\u201d\nCommercial establishments, meanwhile, will be mandated to promote the use of reusable and recyclable products. They shall also charge take-out food or delivery services for every use of single-use plastic product whether they are disposable or compostable.\nThe proposed law will also allow any citizen to file civil, criminal or administrative action against those who violate the provisions of the bill, government agencies with orders inconsistent with the measure and any negligent public officer.\nImplementing rules and regulations of the law shall be crafted within six months from its effectivity. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-27T19:48:22+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-27T19:48:22+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Plastic-bags.jpg", "tags": [ "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "The Nation" ], "summary": "A SENATOR has filed a bill that will regulate and phase out the production of single-use plastic and styrofoam goods, citing the plastic pollution problem to which the Philippines is considered among the biggest contributors." }, { "id": "/?p=378026", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/24/378026/philippine-deaths-from-coronavirus-top-24000/", "title": "Philippine deaths from coronavirus top 24,000", "content_html": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter
\nPHILIPPINE deaths from the coronavirus breached 24,000 on Thursday, as Health authorities reported 6,043 more infections to 1.38 million.
\nThe death toll rose by 108 to 24,036, while recoveries increased by 4,486 to 1.3 million, the Department of Health (DoH) said in a bulletin.
\nThere were 51,410 active cases, 1.4% of which were critical, 90.6% were mild, 4.5% did not show symptoms, 2% were severe and 1.44% were moderate.
\nFifteen duplicates had been removed from the tally, nine of which were tagged as recoveries, the agency said.
\nA total of 44 recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 61 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. One laboratory failed to submit data on June 22, it added.
\nAbout 13.7 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 22, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.
\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 180.4 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.
\nAbout 165.1 million people have recovered, it said.
\nMeanwhile, the government on Thursday took delivery of about two million more CoronaVac doses from China, according to the presidential palace.
\nOf the total, about 1.6 million doses were bought by the National Government, while the rest were ordered by Ip Biotech, Inc. for the local government of Manila, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing
\nMore than 8.9 million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been given out as of June 22, 6.6 million of which were first doses, he said.
\nMore than a million health workers were already fully vaccinated, Mr. Roque said.
\nMr. Roque said more than 589,000 seniors and about 565,000 seriously ill people had also been fully vaccinated. More than 8,600 essential workers have received their second dose.
\nMeanwhile, the cities of Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio, Zamboanga, Dumaguete, Tuguegarao, General Santos, Naga and Legaspi would be prioritized for vaccines, he said.
\nThe decision came due to rising infections there, their being highly urbanized and their contribution to economic output, he added. Mr. Roque said the government would hire more contact tracers amid the threat of a more contagious coronavirus variant first detected in India.
\nMr. Roque said President Rodrigo R. Duterte might discuss the hiring at a meeting with key lawmakers regarding the country\u2019s second stimulus law.
\nHe earlier said contact-tracing had been the weakest point in the government\u2019s pandemic response.
\nMeanwhile, the salary increase of nurses would probably be financed by the government\u2019s second stimulus fund or by a pandemic measure that is yet to be legislated, Mr. Roque said.
\nA group of Filipino nurses earlier asked the government to use unspent funds under the second stimulus package for their wage increase.
\nUnder the law the minimum base pay of nurses working in government hospitals and health institutions should start at P31,545 a month.
\nThe government would likely heed the call of the nurses, Mr. Roque said, citing Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea\u2019s June 1 memo.
\n\u201cIt could be a supplemental budget under Bayanihan III or through further realignment of Bayanihan II,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is up to Congress since they have plenary power of legislation.\u201d
\nThe palace official earlier said more than P18 billion from Bayanihan II had not been used, more than nine months since the second stimulus package was signed. The law expires on June 30.
\nMr. Roque on June 8 said there might not be enough money to fund the salary increase of nurses.
\nMr. Duterte was set to meet with key legislators on Thursday to discuss a proposal to extend the validity the second stimulus law. A proposal for a third stimulus package would also be discussed, he said.
\nThe House of Representatives on June 1 approved the proposed P401-billion Bayanihan III law, which seeks to boost the country\u2019s pandemic response. \u2014 with Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter\nPHILIPPINE deaths from the coronavirus breached 24,000 on Thursday, as Health authorities reported 6,043 more infections to 1.38 million.\nThe death toll rose by 108 to 24,036, while recoveries increased by 4,486 to 1.3 million, the Department of Health (DoH) said in a bulletin.\nThere were 51,410 active cases, 1.4% of which were critical, 90.6% were mild, 4.5% did not show symptoms, 2% were severe and 1.44% were moderate.\nFifteen duplicates had been removed from the tally, nine of which were tagged as recoveries, the agency said.\nA total of 44 recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 61 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. One laboratory failed to submit data on June 22, it added. \nAbout 13.7 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 22, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 180.4 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization. \nAbout 165.1 million people have recovered, it said.\nMeanwhile, the government on Thursday took delivery of about two million more CoronaVac doses from China, according to the presidential palace.\nOf the total, about 1.6 million doses were bought by the National Government, while the rest were ordered by Ip Biotech, Inc. for the local government of Manila, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing \nMore than 8.9 million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been given out as of June 22, 6.6 million of which were first doses, he said.\nMore than a million health workers were already fully vaccinated, Mr. Roque said. \nMr. Roque said more than 589,000 seniors and about 565,000 seriously ill people had also been fully vaccinated. More than 8,600 essential workers have received their second dose.\nMeanwhile, the cities of Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio, Zamboanga, Dumaguete, Tuguegarao, General Santos, Naga and Legaspi would be prioritized for vaccines, he said.\nThe decision came due to rising infections there, their being highly urbanized and their contribution to economic output, he added. Mr. Roque said the government would hire more contact tracers amid the threat of a more contagious coronavirus variant first detected in India. \nMr. Roque said President Rodrigo R. Duterte might discuss the hiring at a meeting with key lawmakers regarding the country\u2019s second stimulus law.\nHe earlier said contact-tracing had been the weakest point in the government\u2019s pandemic response.\nMeanwhile, the salary increase of nurses would probably be financed by the government\u2019s second stimulus fund or by a pandemic measure that is yet to be legislated, Mr. Roque said.\nA group of Filipino nurses earlier asked the government to use unspent funds under the second stimulus package for their wage increase.\nUnder the law the minimum base pay of nurses working in government hospitals and health institutions should start at P31,545 a month.\nThe government would likely heed the call of the nurses, Mr. Roque said, citing Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea\u2019s June 1 memo.\n\u201cIt could be a supplemental budget under Bayanihan III or through further realignment of Bayanihan II,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is up to Congress since they have plenary power of legislation.\u201d\nThe palace official earlier said more than P18 billion from Bayanihan II had not been used, more than nine months since the second stimulus package was signed. The law expires on June 30.\nMr. Roque on June 8 said there might not be enough money to fund the salary increase of nurses.\nMr. Duterte was set to meet with key legislators on Thursday to discuss a proposal to extend the validity the second stimulus law. A proposal for a third stimulus package would also be discussed, he said. \nThe House of Representatives on June 1 approved the proposed P401-billion Bayanihan III law, which seeks to boost the country\u2019s pandemic response. \u2014 with Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-24T21:01:25+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-24T23:32:33+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/COVID-19-patient.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "PHILIPPINE deaths from the coronavirus breached 24,000 on Thursday, as Health authorities reported 6,043 more infections to 1.38 million." }, { "id": "/?p=378021", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/24/378021/hontiveros-plans-to-seek-reelection-in-2022/", "title": "Hontiveros plans to seek reelection in 2022", "content_html": "SENATOR RISA N. Hontiveros-Baraquel on Thursday said she is eyeing to run for reelection in 2022.
\nIn an online briefing, Ms. Baraquel said she will make a bid for another term as legislator when asked by reporters.
\n\u201cBut there will be time to share more about that with you kasi nga may iniintay tayong anunsyo ng isang kapwa pamilya natin (because we are still waiting for announcements from our fellow political family),\u201d she said.
\nMs. Baraquel, national chairperson of Akbayan party, said the party is also preparing for possible alliances.
\n\u201cFor now, it\u2019s early stages also, like most, there are a lot of discussions on alliances,\u201d she said in a mix of Filipino and English.
\nShe added that her party supports the call to form unity among Filipinos. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "SENATOR RISA N. Hontiveros-Baraquel on Thursday said she is eyeing to run for reelection in 2022.\nIn an online briefing, Ms. Baraquel said she will make a bid for another term as legislator when asked by reporters.\n\u201cBut there will be time to share more about that with you kasi nga may iniintay tayong anunsyo ng isang kapwa pamilya natin (because we are still waiting for announcements from our fellow political family),\u201d she said.\nMs. Baraquel, national chairperson of Akbayan party, said the party is also preparing for possible alliances.\n\u201cFor now, it\u2019s early stages also, like most, there are a lot of discussions on alliances,\u201d she said in a mix of Filipino and English.\nShe added that her party supports the call to form unity among Filipinos. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-24T20:48:28+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-24T20:48:28+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Hontiveros-Risa-SENATEgovph.jpg", "tags": [ "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "The Nation" ], "summary": "SENATOR RISA N. Hontiveros-Baraquel on Thursday said she is eyeing to run for reelection in 2022." }, { "id": "/?p=378018", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/24/378018/bill-filed-for-declaration-of-2-sites-as-protected-areas/", "title": "Bill filed for declaration of 2 sites as protected areas", "content_html": "SENATOR CYNTHIA A. Villar filed measures to include two more sites \u2014 Mount Arayat in Pampanga and Hinakpam Mystical Hills Natural Monument in Negros Oriental \u2014 under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).
\nIn a statement on Thursday, Ms. Villar, chair of the committee on environment and natural resources, said Mount Arayat is a \u201ckey biodiversity area\u201d with endemic tree species like Arayat Pitogo and other rare flora such as tibig, molave and tumbang.
\nHinakpam Mystical Hills Natural Monument, meanwhile, has unique biological features like geologic formation of karstic conical hills, caves, sinkholes and valleys.
\nThere are currently 107 declared protected areas under Republic Act No. 7586 or the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018, the senator said.
\nThe law mandates the protection of \u201cecologically rich, unique and biologically important areas that are habitats of threatened species of plants and animals, biographic zones and related ecosystem, whether terrestrial, wetland or marine.\u201d
\nMs. Villar earlier filed five other bills to include more protected areas under the system. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "SENATOR CYNTHIA A. Villar filed measures to include two more sites \u2014 Mount Arayat in Pampanga and Hinakpam Mystical Hills Natural Monument in Negros Oriental \u2014 under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).\nIn a statement on Thursday, Ms. Villar, chair of the committee on environment and natural resources, said Mount Arayat is a \u201ckey biodiversity area\u201d with endemic tree species like Arayat Pitogo and other rare flora such as tibig, molave and tumbang.\nHinakpam Mystical Hills Natural Monument, meanwhile, has unique biological features like geologic formation of karstic conical hills, caves, sinkholes and valleys.\nThere are currently 107 declared protected areas under Republic Act No. 7586 or the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018, the senator said.\nThe law mandates the protection of \u201cecologically rich, unique and biologically important areas that are habitats of threatened species of plants and animals, biographic zones and related ecosystem, whether terrestrial, wetland or marine.\u201d\nMs. Villar earlier filed five other bills to include more protected areas under the system. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-24T20:46:04+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-24T20:46:04+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/sen-cynthia-villar-1-scaled.jpg", "tags": [ "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "The Nation" ], "summary": "SENATOR CYNTHIA A. Villar filed measures to include two more sites \u2014 Mount Arayat in Pampanga and Hinakpam Mystical Hills Natural Monument in Negros Oriental \u2014 under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)." }, { "id": "/?p=377766", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/23/377766/rising-covid-19-infections-in-4-regions-flagged/", "title": "Rising COVID-19 infections in 4 regions flagged", "content_html": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporters
\nTHE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) on Wednesday flagged increasing coronavirus infections in four regions in the Visayas and Mindanao.
\nThe regions of Western Visayas, Caraga, Davao and Soccsksargen were at high risk, Health Director Alethea de Guzman told an onlne news briefing. Metro Manila and nearby provinces were now at low risk, she added.
\n\u201cThese places have reported more cases in the past two weeks,\u201d she said in Filipino.
\nCoronavirus cases have increased by 27%, Western Visayas by 41%, the Davao region by 53% and Soccsksargen by 33%, she said.
\nThe average daily attack in the Caraga region from June 6 to 19 was 9.95 for 100,000 people. The ratio was 8.83 in the Western Visayas, 8.16 in the Davao region and 7.01 in Soccsksargen.
\nThe average daily attack rate refers to the number of new cases in the area for two weeks divided by the population. An average of more than seven is considered high risk.
\nIn contrast, the infection rate in Metro Manila in the past two weeks declined by 23% and its average daily attack rate was at 5.7.
\nMs. de Guzman said the average daily tally in the capital region from June 16-22 was\u00a0 685, down from 825 a week earlier..
\n\u201cWe are of course equally glad to see this change,\u201d she said. \u201cThe goal now is to push it down even further so that we reach our pre-enhanced community quarantine levels of less than 500.\u201d
\nMs. de Guzman said coronavirus infections nationwide have been declining, with the average daily tally in the past seven days at 5,790, lower than the 6,678 a week earlier. Cases peaked from April 9 to 15 at 10,845 infections.
\nMetro Manila is under a general community quarantine, with some restrictions\u202funtil June 30.
\nDAILY TALLY
\nDoH reported 4,353 coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the total to 1.37 million.
The death toll rose by 119 to 23,928, while recoveries increased by 7,139 to 1.3 million, it said in a bulletin.
\nThere were 49,862 active cases, 1.5% of which were critical, 90.4% were mild, 4.5% did not show symptoms, 2.1% were severe and 1.49% were moderate.
\nThe agency said 15 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 12 of which were tagged as recoveries.
\nA total of 74 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Six laboratories failed to submit data on June 21, the agency said.
\nAbout 13.6 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 21, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.
\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 179.9 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.
\nAbout 164.7 million people have recovered, it said.
\nMeanwhile, Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo said she might expand her mobile \u201cvaccine express\u201d program to the Visayas and Mindanao, which has been experiencing a fresh surge in coronavirus infections.
\n\u201cWe are very much willing,\u201d she told Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez in a tweet. \u201cWe will ask our team to coordinate with yours.\u201d
\nShe made the tweet after the congressman asked her office to expand the initiative to coronavirus-hit areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.
\nEarlier in the day, Mr. Rodriguez said the Vice President should include areas in Mindanao and Visayas, such as Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo, where coronavirus cases were increasing, instead of Manila \u201cwhich has already given so many vaccines to its residents.\u201d
\n\u201cLet us not forget that Metro Manila is not safe as long as there are people in areas outside the capital region getting the virus,\u201d he said.
\nMs. Robredo and Manila City on Tuesday started drive-thru coronavirus vaccination program for transport workers in the country\u2019s capital. Ms. Robredo provided buses that served as inoculation sites, while the local government provided vaccines. The two-day program seeks to vaccinate 5,000 pedicab drivers and delivery riders. More than 2,000 had been vaccinated as of Tuesday night.
\nMs. Robredo, who launched the project together with Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso, said drivers and riders had been given P500 gas cards as an incentive.
\nGiven that her office did not get access to vaccines, Ms. Robredo said the initiative would depend on local government willing to partner with her office. \u201cOur biggest problem is that in our office, we didn\u2019t have access to supply,\u201d she told reporters this week. The National Government has been prioritizing Metro Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao in its vaccination drive. It seeks to\u00a0 vaccinate at least 50% of the people in these key economic hubs by yearend.
\nVaccine czar Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. in mid-June said half of the country\u2019s vaccines arriving this month would be deployed to the Visayas and Mindanao.
\n", "content_text": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporters\nTHE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) on Wednesday flagged increasing coronavirus infections in four regions in the Visayas and Mindanao. \nThe regions of Western Visayas, Caraga, Davao and Soccsksargen were at high risk, Health Director Alethea de Guzman told an onlne news briefing. Metro Manila and nearby provinces were now at low risk, she added.\n\u201cThese places have reported more cases in the past two weeks,\u201d she said in Filipino.\nCoronavirus cases have increased by 27%, Western Visayas by 41%, the Davao region by 53% and Soccsksargen by 33%, she said. \nThe average daily attack in the Caraga region from June 6 to 19 was 9.95 for 100,000 people. The ratio was 8.83 in the Western Visayas, 8.16 in the Davao region and 7.01 in Soccsksargen.\nThe average daily attack rate refers to the number of new cases in the area for two weeks divided by the population. An average of more than seven is considered high risk. \nIn contrast, the infection rate in Metro Manila in the past two weeks declined by 23% and its average daily attack rate was at 5.7.\nMs. de Guzman said the average daily tally in the capital region from June 16-22 was\u00a0 685, down from 825 a week earlier..\n\u201cWe are of course equally glad to see this change,\u201d she said. \u201cThe goal now is to push it down even further so that we reach our pre-enhanced community quarantine levels of less than 500.\u201d\nMs. de Guzman said coronavirus infections nationwide have been declining, with the average daily tally in the past seven days at 5,790, lower than the 6,678 a week earlier. Cases peaked from April 9 to 15 at 10,845 infections.\nMetro Manila is under a general community quarantine, with some restrictions\u202funtil June 30.\nDAILY TALLY\nDoH reported 4,353 coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the total to 1.37 million.\nThe death toll rose by 119 to 23,928, while recoveries increased by 7,139 to 1.3 million, it said in a bulletin.\nThere were 49,862 active cases, 1.5% of which were critical, 90.4% were mild, 4.5% did not show symptoms, 2.1% were severe and 1.49% were moderate.\nThe agency said 15 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 12 of which were tagged as recoveries. \nA total of 74 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Six laboratories failed to submit data on June 21, the agency said.\nAbout 13.6 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 21, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 179.9 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.\nAbout 164.7 million people have recovered, it said.\nMeanwhile, Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo said she might expand her mobile \u201cvaccine express\u201d program to the Visayas and Mindanao, which has been experiencing a fresh surge in coronavirus infections.\n\u201cWe are very much willing,\u201d she told Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez in a tweet. \u201cWe will ask our team to coordinate with yours.\u201d\nShe made the tweet after the congressman asked her office to expand the initiative to coronavirus-hit areas in the Visayas and Mindanao. \nEarlier in the day, Mr. Rodriguez said the Vice President should include areas in Mindanao and Visayas, such as Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo, where coronavirus cases were increasing, instead of Manila \u201cwhich has already given so many vaccines to its residents.\u201d\n\u201cLet us not forget that Metro Manila is not safe as long as there are people in areas outside the capital region getting the virus,\u201d he said.\nMs. Robredo and Manila City on Tuesday started drive-thru coronavirus vaccination program for transport workers in the country\u2019s capital. Ms. Robredo provided buses that served as inoculation sites, while the local government provided vaccines. The two-day program seeks to vaccinate 5,000 pedicab drivers and delivery riders. More than 2,000 had been vaccinated as of Tuesday night.\nMs. Robredo, who launched the project together with Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso, said drivers and riders had been given P500 gas cards as an incentive.\nGiven that her office did not get access to vaccines, Ms. Robredo said the initiative would depend on local government willing to partner with her office. \u201cOur biggest problem is that in our office, we didn\u2019t have access to supply,\u201d she told reporters this week. The National Government has been prioritizing Metro Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao in its vaccination drive. It seeks to\u00a0 vaccinate at least 50% of the people in these key economic hubs by yearend. \nVaccine czar Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. in mid-June said half of the country\u2019s vaccines arriving this month would be deployed to the Visayas and Mindanao.", "date_published": "2021-06-23T20:49:52+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-23T23:08:35+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/senior-citizen-vaccination-health-worker.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) on Wednesday flagged increasing coronavirus infections in four regions in the Visayas and Mindanao." }, { "id": "/?p=377684", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/23/377684/attempts-to-erase-victory-in-sea-row-with-china-rejected/", "title": "Attempts to erase victory in sea row with China rejected", "content_html": "THE COUNTRY\u2019S top envoy on Wednesday rejected attempts to undermine a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal voiding China\u2019s claim to more 80% of the South China Sea.
\n\u201cWe firmly reject attempts to undermine it, nay, even erase it from law, history and our collective memories,\u201d Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said in a statement on the fifth anniversary of the ruling.
\nThe arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines in the sea dispute is\u202ffinal, he added..
\nMr. Locsin said the arbitral award \u201cwas given to a set of maritime circumstances that would be as true in our waters as in others.\u201d
\nThe Philippines has filed several diplomatic protests against China due to its continued presence in the South China Sea within the country\u2019s exclusive economic zone.
\nMr. Locsin said that the arbitral award \u201cbecame and continues to be a milestone in the corpus of international law.\u201d
\n\u201cIt is available to other countries with the same problematic maritime features as ours,\u201d he said.\u202f\u201cIt puts one issue out of the way of conflict; because there is nothing there taken by force that results in any gain in law.\u201d
\nThe jurisprudence a Philippine gift to other countries and \u201cbenefits the world across the board.\u201d
\n\u201cWe do not see it as directed at any other country, near or far.\u202f\u202fWe see it as it should be seen, as favoring all which are similarly situated by clarifying definitively a legal situation beyond the reach of arms to change.\u202fIt puts this aspect of international law beyond the limit of prescription,\u201d he said.
\nMr. Locsin said the country is committed to having a peaceful South China Sea.
\n\u201cFor as long as nations abide by the rule of law and not of military might, the award is the North Star that will keep us on course in the present, and that will point us back to the right direction in the future should we, in a moment of weakness or inaction, lose our way,\u201d he said. \u00a0
\nForeign ministers in Southeast Asia want to resume talks with China on a code of conduct in the South China Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on June 9.
\nDFA said the ministers had met to discuss peace prospects in the region.
\nMr. Locsin called for \u201cfull support and sincere cooperation to achieve our collective aspiration for the South China Sea to be a sea of peace, security, stability and prosperity.\u201d
\nThe sea should not be \u201ca moat between the members of the family of Southeast Asian nations but a wide watery highway for trade and connection,\u201d he said.
\nThe foreign ministers had also reiterated their commitment for the full implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, DFA said. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "THE COUNTRY\u2019S top envoy on Wednesday rejected attempts to undermine a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal voiding China\u2019s claim to more 80% of the South China Sea. \n\u201cWe firmly reject attempts to undermine it, nay, even erase it from law, history and our collective memories,\u201d Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said in a statement on the fifth anniversary of the ruling.\nThe arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines in the sea dispute is\u202ffinal, he added..\nMr. Locsin said the arbitral award \u201cwas given to a set of maritime circumstances that would be as true in our waters as in others.\u201d\nThe Philippines has filed several diplomatic protests against China due to its continued presence in the South China Sea within the country\u2019s exclusive economic zone.\nMr. Locsin said that the arbitral award \u201cbecame and continues to be a milestone in the corpus of international law.\u201d \n\u201cIt is available to other countries with the same problematic maritime features as ours,\u201d he said.\u202f\u201cIt puts one issue out of the way of conflict; because there is nothing there taken by force that results in any gain in law.\u201d \nThe jurisprudence a Philippine gift to other countries and \u201cbenefits the world across the board.\u201d\n\u201cWe do not see it as directed at any other country, near or far.\u202f\u202fWe see it as it should be seen, as favoring all which are similarly situated by clarifying definitively a legal situation beyond the reach of arms to change.\u202fIt puts this aspect of international law beyond the limit of prescription,\u201d he said. \nMr. Locsin said the country is committed to having a peaceful South China Sea.\n\u201cFor as long as nations abide by the rule of law and not of military might, the award is the North Star that will keep us on course in the present, and that will point us back to the right direction in the future should we, in a moment of weakness or inaction, lose our way,\u201d he said. \u00a0\nForeign ministers in Southeast Asia want to resume talks with China on a code of conduct in the South China Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on June 9.\nDFA said the ministers had met to discuss peace prospects in the region.\nMr. Locsin called for \u201cfull support and sincere cooperation to achieve our collective aspiration for the South China Sea to be a sea of peace, security, stability and prosperity.\u201d\nThe sea should not be \u201ca moat between the members of the family of Southeast Asian nations but a wide watery highway for trade and connection,\u201d he said.\nThe foreign ministers had also reiterated their commitment for the full implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, DFA said. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-23T20:48:27+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-23T23:11:04+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Locsin-Philstar.jpg", "tags": [ "Featured2", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "THE COUNTRY\u2019S top envoy on Wednesday rejected attempts to undermine a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal voiding China\u2019s claim to more 80% of the South China Sea." }, { "id": "/?p=377501", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/22/377501/threat-to-arrest-anti-vaxxers-has-no-legal-basis/", "title": "Threat to arrest anti-vaxxers has no legal basis", "content_html": "PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte\u2019s threat to order the arrest of people who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus has no legal basis, the country\u2019s Justice chief said.\u00a0
\n\u201cAs a lawyer, he (Mr. Duterte) knows that not getting vaccinated is a legal choice; there is no law as yet that compels vaccination against COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), much less criminalizes it, as presently available vaccines are still in their trial phases,\u201d Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra told reporters on Tuesday via Viber.
\n\u201cI believe that the President merely used strong words to drive home the need for us to get vaccinated and reach herd immunity as soon as possible,\u201d he added.\u00a0
\nHe explained that not getting vaccinated and not following health protocols are \u201ctwo entirely different things.\u201d
\n\u201cGetting vaccinated is not mandatory but complying with health protocols is mandatory,\u201d he said.
\nPresidential Spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr., however, insists that the state has the power to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory.
\nMr. Duterte, during his public address on Monday night, said he will order the arrest of those who refuse to take part in the vaccination program. He also threatened to require village officials to prepare a list of those who decline to be vaccinated.
\nThe President also said those who do not want to be vaccinated may leave the country. \u201cFor as long as you are here and you are a human being who can carry the virus, magpa-bakuna ka (get vaccinated),\u201d he said.
\nThe President\u2019s statement \u201cemphasized what the state can do,\u201d Mr. Roque told a televised news briefing on Tuesday.
\n\u201cThis is part of what we call the police power of the state,\u201d Mr. Roque said, reiterating that the government can use police power to deter potential threats to public health.
\nHe did acknowledge that implementing compulsory vaccination would require legal basis, either under a national law or a local government ordinance.
\nThe spokesman said it would be easy for the executive branch to ask Congress to pass a law that would make vaccination mandatory.
\nLAWMAKERS
\nSeveral lawmakers, on the other hand, questioned the President\u2019s threat.
Senator Francis N. Pangilinan said the solution to encourage Filipinos to get vaccinated is through \u201cscience-based\u201d interventions, not by intimidation.
\n\u201cThreatening or arresting are not the solutions. The solution is science-based interventions, contact tracing, testing information dissemination and an effective vaccine rollout,\u201d he said, partly in Filipino, in an online briefing Tuesday.
\nSenator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, in a statement in Filipino, said there is no need to threaten Filipinos.
\n\u201cThere is no need to threaten the public if there is a sufficient and continuous supply of vaccines that are safe, effective, and appropriate to their conditions; credible health information and education in the communities; and an organized vaccination system,\u201d she said.
\nMeanwhile, Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay noted that vaccine hesitancy is not the problem.
\n\u201cVaccine supply is the biggest problem, so we need to arrest that. But at the same time, vaccine hesitancy is there, but for me, the urgent need right now is you need to have more supply of the vaccine,\u201d she said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
\nA Social Weather Station survey released on May 20, conducted among 1,200 respondents from April 28 to May 2, found that 32% of Filipinos were willing to get vaccinated, 35% were uncertain, and 33% were unwilling to get their shots.
\nAround 8.4 million coronavirus vaccines doses were administered as of June 20, with around 2.15 million people who were fully vaccinated, according to the Health department.
\nPhilippine authorities and medical experts have been urging the public to get vaccinated to reduce the number of critical cases and achieve herd immunity by the end of the year. \u2014 Bianca Angelica D. A\u00f1ago, Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, and Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte\u2019s threat to order the arrest of people who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus has no legal basis, the country\u2019s Justice chief said.\u00a0\n\u201cAs a lawyer, he (Mr. Duterte) knows that not getting vaccinated is a legal choice; there is no law as yet that compels vaccination against COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), much less criminalizes it, as presently available vaccines are still in their trial phases,\u201d Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra told reporters on Tuesday via Viber.\n\u201cI believe that the President merely used strong words to drive home the need for us to get vaccinated and reach herd immunity as soon as possible,\u201d he added.\u00a0\nHe explained that not getting vaccinated and not following health protocols are \u201ctwo entirely different things.\u201d\n\u201cGetting vaccinated is not mandatory but complying with health protocols is mandatory,\u201d he said.\nPresidential Spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr., however, insists that the state has the power to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory.\nMr. Duterte, during his public address on Monday night, said he will order the arrest of those who refuse to take part in the vaccination program. He also threatened to require village officials to prepare a list of those who decline to be vaccinated.\nThe President also said those who do not want to be vaccinated may leave the country. \u201cFor as long as you are here and you are a human being who can carry the virus, magpa-bakuna ka (get vaccinated),\u201d he said.\nThe President\u2019s statement \u201cemphasized what the state can do,\u201d Mr. Roque told a televised news briefing on Tuesday.\n\u201cThis is part of what we call the police power of the state,\u201d Mr. Roque said, reiterating that the government can use police power to deter potential threats to public health.\nHe did acknowledge that implementing compulsory vaccination would require legal basis, either under a national law or a local government ordinance.\nThe spokesman said it would be easy for the executive branch to ask Congress to pass a law that would make vaccination mandatory.\nLAWMAKERS\nSeveral lawmakers, on the other hand, questioned the President\u2019s threat.\nSenator Francis N. Pangilinan said the solution to encourage Filipinos to get vaccinated is through \u201cscience-based\u201d interventions, not by intimidation.\n\u201cThreatening or arresting are not the solutions. The solution is science-based interventions, contact tracing, testing information dissemination and an effective vaccine rollout,\u201d he said, partly in Filipino, in an online briefing Tuesday.\nSenator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, in a statement in Filipino, said there is no need to threaten Filipinos.\n\u201cThere is no need to threaten the public if there is a sufficient and continuous supply of vaccines that are safe, effective, and appropriate to their conditions; credible health information and education in the communities; and an organized vaccination system,\u201d she said.\nMeanwhile, Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay noted that vaccine hesitancy is not the problem.\n\u201cVaccine supply is the biggest problem, so we need to arrest that. But at the same time, vaccine hesitancy is there, but for me, the urgent need right now is you need to have more supply of the vaccine,\u201d she said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.\nA Social Weather Station survey released on May 20, conducted among 1,200 respondents from April 28 to May 2, found that 32% of Filipinos were willing to get vaccinated, 35% were uncertain, and 33% were unwilling to get their shots. \nAround 8.4 million coronavirus vaccines doses were administered as of June 20, with around 2.15 million people who were fully vaccinated, according to the Health department.\nPhilippine authorities and medical experts have been urging the public to get vaccinated to reduce the number of critical cases and achieve herd immunity by the end of the year. \u2014 Bianca Angelica D. A\u00f1ago, Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, and Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-22T20:21:21+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-22T21:54:38+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Duterte-vaccination-PCOO.jpg", "tags": [ "Bianca Angelica D. A\u00f1ago", "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte\u2019s threat to order the arrest of people who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus has no legal basis, the country\u2019s Justice chief said.\u00a0" }, { "id": "/?p=377500", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/22/377500/us-to-donate-1m-more-coronavirus-vaccines-to-phl/", "title": "US to donate 1M more coronavirus vaccines to PHL", "content_html": "THE UNITED States is set to donate as many as one million doses of coronavirus vaccines to the Philippines, Manila\u2019s envoy to Washington said on Thursday.
\nThe 800,000 to one million doses are part of the 18 million vaccine vials that the US will give to various countries, Ambassador Jose Manuel D. Romualdez said at a televised interview with Palace spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr.
\nThe vaccines would be either from Moderna, Inc. or AstraZeneca Plc, Mr. Romualdez said. The vaccines would probably arrive next month.
\nMr. Romualdez said Manila would also get \u201ca substantial amount of doses\u201d from the 500 million vaccine vials donated by America \u201cto the world.\u201d
\nThe US government would donate about 80 million vaccine vials globally, according to a White House statement on June 3. Of the total, at least 75% will be shared through a global initiative for equal access, which will allocate roughly seven million doses to Asian countries, including the Philippines.
\nThe Philippines earlier negotiated for the purchase of about 20 million doses of Moderna vaccines. The first batch of which will arrive before the end of the month, Mr. Romualdez said.
\nThe Philippines has so far received about 10.8 million doses of coronavirus vaccines. About 8.4 million doses have been administered as of June 20.
\nOn Tuesday, the Department of Health reported 3,666 new coronavirus infections, bringing the country\u2019s total to 1.37 million.
\nThe death toll rose by 60 to 23,809, while recoveries increased by 6,810 to 1.29 million, it said in a bulletin.
\nThere were 52,696 active cases, 1.4% of which were critical, 91% were mild, 4.2% did not show symptoms, 2% were severe and 1.40% were moderate.
\nThe agency said 11 duplicates had been removed from the tally, eight of which were tagged as recoveries.
\nA total of 56 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Twelve laboratories failed to submit data on June 20, the agency said.
\nAbout 13.6 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 19, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.
\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 179.6 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "THE UNITED States is set to donate as many as one million doses of coronavirus vaccines to the Philippines, Manila\u2019s envoy to Washington said on Thursday.\nThe 800,000 to one million doses are part of the 18 million vaccine vials that the US will give to various countries, Ambassador Jose Manuel D. Romualdez said at a televised interview with Palace spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. \nThe vaccines would be either from Moderna, Inc. or AstraZeneca Plc, Mr. Romualdez said. The vaccines would probably arrive next month.\nMr. Romualdez said Manila would also get \u201ca substantial amount of doses\u201d from the 500 million vaccine vials donated by America \u201cto the world.\u201d\nThe US government would donate about 80 million vaccine vials globally, according to a White House statement on June 3. Of the total, at least 75% will be shared through a global initiative for equal access, which will allocate roughly seven million doses to Asian countries, including the Philippines.\nThe Philippines earlier negotiated for the purchase of about 20 million doses of Moderna vaccines. The first batch of which will arrive before the end of the month, Mr. Romualdez said.\nThe Philippines has so far received about 10.8 million doses of coronavirus vaccines. About 8.4 million doses have been administered as of June 20.\nOn Tuesday, the Department of Health reported 3,666 new coronavirus infections, bringing the country\u2019s total to 1.37 million.\nThe death toll rose by 60 to 23,809, while recoveries increased by 6,810 to 1.29 million, it said in a bulletin.\nThere were 52,696 active cases, 1.4% of which were critical, 91% were mild, 4.2% did not show symptoms, 2% were severe and 1.40% were moderate.\nThe agency said 11 duplicates had been removed from the tally, eight of which were tagged as recoveries.\nA total of 56 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Twelve laboratories failed to submit data on June 20, the agency said.\nAbout 13.6 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 19, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 179.6 million and killed 3.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-22T20:20:49+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-22T21:55:55+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/vaccine-from-COVAX-facility-USEmbassyphotorelease.jpg", "tags": [ "Featured2", "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "THE UNITED States is set to donate as many as one million doses of coronavirus vaccines to the Philippines, Manila\u2019s envoy to Washington said on Thursday." }, { "id": "/?p=377498", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/22/377498/military-gets-p183m-worth-of-weapons-equipment-with-us-assistance/", "title": "Military gets P183M worth of weapons, equipment with US assistance", "content_html": "THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines on Monday took delivery of weapons and equipment worth P183 million from the Joint United States Military Assistance Group-Philippines (JUSMAG-Philippines) at the Clark Air Base.
\nThe delivery, which aims to boost the military\u2019s counterterrorism and maritime security capabilities, was paid for by the Philippine government with grant assistance from the US, the American Embassy in the Philippines said in a statement on Tuesday.
\nThe shipment included nine M3P .50 caliber heavy machine guns, 10 mortar tubes and other equipment.
\nCol. Stephen C. Ma, JUSMAG-Philippines chief and senior defense official, said the US will continue supporting the Philippine military\u2019s capacity-building efforts through training and key military training equipment transfers.
\n\u201cOur mutual security collaboration remains a cornerstone of a free and open Indo-Pacific,\u201d he said in the statement.
\nThe Philippines is the largest recipient of military assistance from the US in the Indo-Pacific region, according to the US Embassy. Since 2015, the country has received more than P48.6 billion in US security assistance.
\nPresident Rodrigo R. Duterte last week extended, for the third time, for another six months the suspension of the termination of the country\u2019s visiting forces agreement with the US, a pact that allows the entry of foreign military troops in the country for joint drills.
\nIn February last year, he said he would terminate the agreement after the US Embassy cancelled the visa of his ally Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa.
\nMr. Duterte suspended the termination for six months in June 2020, citing the heightened tensions in the region and that it was a distraction to the countries\u2019 anti-coronavirus efforts. He suspended it again for another six months in December. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines on Monday took delivery of weapons and equipment worth P183 million from the Joint United States Military Assistance Group-Philippines (JUSMAG-Philippines) at the Clark Air Base.\nThe delivery, which aims to boost the military\u2019s counterterrorism and maritime security capabilities, was paid for by the Philippine government with grant assistance from the US, the American Embassy in the Philippines said in a statement on Tuesday.\nThe shipment included nine M3P .50 caliber heavy machine guns, 10 mortar tubes and other equipment.\nCol. Stephen C. Ma, JUSMAG-Philippines chief and senior defense official, said the US will continue supporting the Philippine military\u2019s capacity-building efforts through training and key military training equipment transfers.\n\u201cOur mutual security collaboration remains a cornerstone of a free and open Indo-Pacific,\u201d he said in the statement.\nThe Philippines is the largest recipient of military assistance from the US in the Indo-Pacific region, according to the US Embassy. Since 2015, the country has received more than P48.6 billion in US security assistance.\nPresident Rodrigo R. Duterte last week extended, for the third time, for another six months the suspension of the termination of the country\u2019s visiting forces agreement with the US, a pact that allows the entry of foreign military troops in the country for joint drills.\nIn February last year, he said he would terminate the agreement after the US Embassy cancelled the visa of his ally Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa.\nMr. Duterte suspended the termination for six months in June 2020, citing the heightened tensions in the region and that it was a distraction to the countries\u2019 anti-coronavirus efforts. He suspended it again for another six months in December. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-22T20:19:45+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-22T20:19:45+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/military-equipment-USEMBASSYphotorelease.jpg", "tags": [ "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "The Nation" ], "summary": "THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines on Monday took delivery of weapons and equipment worth P183 million from the Joint United States Military Assistance Group-Philippines (JUSMAG-Philippines) at the Clark Air Base." }, { "id": "/?p=377497", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/22/377497/opposition-party-exploring-alliance-with-3-senators-manila-mayor/", "title": "Opposition party exploring alliance with 3 senators, Manila mayor", "content_html": "THE OPPOSITION party has initiated exploratory talks with four prospective candidates seeking to form a coalition for the 2022 elections, a senator said on Tuesday.
\nSenator Francis N. Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party, said there were \u201cefforts to reach out\u201d to Senators Panfilo M. Lacson, Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay, and Emmanuel Joel M. Villanueva, and Manila Mayor Francisco \u201cIsko\u201d M. Domagoso.
\n\u201cNandiyan si (There is) Senator Lacson, Senator Villanueva, nandiyan si Senator Binay, di ba. Nandiyan si Isko Moreno, of course si vice president (Maria Leonor G. Robredo),\u201d he told an online briefing.
\nThe vice president is the current Liberal Party chair.
\n\u201cCan you imagine if everyone of those would be united in saying we want a better direction for our country,\u201d he said in Filipino.
\nThe party leader said there is a need for \u201cbroader unity\u201d in the upcoming elections, noting that differences should be set aside to build the \u201cbroadest coalition possible.\u201d
\n\u201cWe are working towards a broader unity which is critical,\u201d he said.
\nThere is nothing set though, he said, as they only had informal discussions. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "THE OPPOSITION party has initiated exploratory talks with four prospective candidates seeking to form a coalition for the 2022 elections, a senator said on Tuesday.\nSenator Francis N. Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party, said there were \u201cefforts to reach out\u201d to Senators Panfilo M. Lacson, Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay, and Emmanuel Joel M. Villanueva, and Manila Mayor Francisco \u201cIsko\u201d M. Domagoso.\n\u201cNandiyan si (There is) Senator Lacson, Senator Villanueva, nandiyan si Senator Binay, di ba. Nandiyan si Isko Moreno, of course si vice president (Maria Leonor G. Robredo),\u201d he told an online briefing.\nThe vice president is the current Liberal Party chair.\n\u201cCan you imagine if everyone of those would be united in saying we want a better direction for our country,\u201d he said in Filipino.\nThe party leader said there is a need for \u201cbroader unity\u201d in the upcoming elections, noting that differences should be set aside to build the \u201cbroadest coalition possible.\u201d\n\u201cWe are working towards a broader unity which is critical,\u201d he said.\nThere is nothing set though, he said, as they only had informal discussions. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-22T20:19:14+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-22T20:19:14+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/LPpresident-Pangilinan-LIBERAL.PH_.jpg", "tags": [ "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "The Nation" ], "summary": "THE OPPOSITION party has initiated exploratory talks with four prospective candidates seeking to form a coalition for the 2022 elections, a senator said on Tuesday." }, { "id": "/?p=376960", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/20/376960/govt-seals-deal-for-40m-doses-of-pfizer-vaccine/", "title": "Gov\u2019t seals deal for 40M doses of Pfizer vaccine", "content_html": "THE PHILIPPINES has sealed a deal for 40 million doses of the vaccine made by Pfizer, Inc., the country\u2019s vaccine czar announced on Sunday, calling it the biggest order secured for this year.
\nSecretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said deliveries are expected \u201cafter eight weeks starting August.\u201d
\n\u201cWe are very happy to report that the government and the management of Pfizer have finally concluded our negotiations. (Health) Secretary (Francisco T.) Duque and I signed yesterday the supply agreement for the biggest and most decisive deal we had for 2021,\u201d Mr. Galvez said in a press release by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).
\nThe procurement of the 40 million Pfizer doses will be financed through a multilateral arrangement with the Asian Development Bank, Mr. Galvez said.
\nThe loan \u201cfollows a direct disbursement scheme wherein payments are paid directly by the fund manager to the vaccine manufacturer,\u201d he said.
\nMr. Galvez said a global facility for equal vaccine access has also committed to deliver about 44 million vaccine doses to the country this year.
\nWith the latest supply commitments, Mr. Galvez said the country has now secured 157 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, including 26 million from Sinovac Biotech Ltd., 10 million from Russia\u2019s Gamaleya, 20 million from Moderna, Inc., and 17 million from AstraZeneca, Plc.
\n\u201cThe vaccines from Pfizer will significantly boost our national immunization program and will enable us to realize our goal of achieving herd immunity by yearend,\u201d Mr. Galvez said.
\nThe Philippines aims to vaccinate 70 million Filipinos this year to achieve herd immunity.
\nAs of June 18, data from the National Vaccination Operations Center show more than eight million doses have been given out. Of the total, more than 5.9 million were given as first doses, while more two million were administered as second doses, the task force said in a press release.
\nCASE COUNT
\nThe Department of Health reported 5,803 coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing the total to 1.36 million.
The death toll rose by 84 to 23,621, while recoveries increased by 7,652 to 1.28 million, it said in a bulletin.
\nThere were 57,679 active cases, 1.3% of which were critical, 91.9% were mild, 3.7% did not show symptoms, 1.8% were severe and 1.29% were moderate.
\nThe agency said eight duplicates had been removed from the tally, six of which were tagged as recoveries and one was tagged as death.
\nA total of 115 recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 59 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Two laboratories failed to submit data on June 18, the agency said.
\nAbout 13.5 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 18, according to the Health department\u2019s tracker website.
\nPROTOCOLS
\nMeanwhile, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson on Sunday urged the government to fast-track the implementation of standard quarantine protocols for vaccinated Filipinos.
In a statement, Mr. Lacson said he fully supports the national task force\u2019s move to have a standard quarantine protocol for Filipinos vaccinated here and abroad, noting the \u201ceconomic recovery cannot afford to wait.\u201d
\n\u201cPlease make it sooner, not later. Mind the economy for a change,\u201d Mr. Lacson said in a social media post.
\nThe senator previously pushed for a vaccine passport system that will make travelling to the country easier for vaccinated people, especially returning migrants and foreign investors.
\nHe also urged the inter-agency task force to \u201cfine-tune\u201d protocols to address these problems and ensure that they are in line with those of other countries.
\nPresidential Spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr. early this month said the task force has approved the shortening of quarantine protocols for returning Filipinos who received their shots in the country. The policy takes effect June 22.
\nThe returning migrants will only be subjected to a swab test if they show symptoms within seven days, he said.
\nOn the other hand, those who got vaccinated overseas must quarantine for 10 days at a facility and continue isolation for another four days at home.
\nHe said this is in consideration of the full rollout of the validation process of vaccine certificates. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "THE PHILIPPINES has sealed a deal for 40 million doses of the vaccine made by Pfizer, Inc., the country\u2019s vaccine czar announced on Sunday, calling it the biggest order secured for this year.\nSecretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said deliveries are expected \u201cafter eight weeks starting August.\u201d\n\u201cWe are very happy to report that the government and the management of Pfizer have finally concluded our negotiations. (Health) Secretary (Francisco T.) Duque and I signed yesterday the supply agreement for the biggest and most decisive deal we had for 2021,\u201d Mr. Galvez said in a press release by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). \nThe procurement of the 40 million Pfizer doses will be financed through a multilateral arrangement with the Asian Development Bank, Mr. Galvez said.\nThe loan \u201cfollows a direct disbursement scheme wherein payments are paid directly by the fund manager to the vaccine manufacturer,\u201d he said.\nMr. Galvez said a global facility for equal vaccine access has also committed to deliver about 44 million vaccine doses to the country this year.\nWith the latest supply commitments, Mr. Galvez said the country has now secured 157 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, including 26 million from Sinovac Biotech Ltd., 10 million from Russia\u2019s Gamaleya, 20 million from Moderna, Inc., and 17 million from AstraZeneca, Plc. \n\u201cThe vaccines from Pfizer will significantly boost our national immunization program and will enable us to realize our goal of achieving herd immunity by yearend,\u201d Mr. Galvez said.\nThe Philippines aims to vaccinate 70 million Filipinos this year to achieve herd immunity.\nAs of June 18, data from the National Vaccination Operations Center show more than eight million doses have been given out. Of the total, more than 5.9 million were given as first doses, while more two million were administered as second doses, the task force said in a press release.\nCASE COUNT\nThe Department of Health reported 5,803 coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing the total to 1.36 million.\nThe death toll rose by 84 to 23,621, while recoveries increased by 7,652 to 1.28 million, it said in a bulletin.\nThere were 57,679 active cases, 1.3% of which were critical, 91.9% were mild, 3.7% did not show symptoms, 1.8% were severe and 1.29% were moderate.\nThe agency said eight duplicates had been removed from the tally, six of which were tagged as recoveries and one was tagged as death.\nA total of 115 recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 59 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Two laboratories failed to submit data on June 18, the agency said.\nAbout 13.5 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 18, according to the Health department\u2019s tracker website.\nPROTOCOLS\nMeanwhile, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson on Sunday urged the government to fast-track the implementation of standard quarantine protocols for vaccinated Filipinos. \nIn a statement, Mr. Lacson said he fully supports the national task force\u2019s move to have a standard quarantine protocol for Filipinos vaccinated here and abroad, noting the \u201ceconomic recovery cannot afford to wait.\u201d\n\u201cPlease make it sooner, not later. Mind the economy for a change,\u201d Mr. Lacson said in a social media post.\nThe senator previously pushed for a vaccine passport system that will make travelling to the country easier for vaccinated people, especially returning migrants and foreign investors.\nHe also urged the inter-agency task force to \u201cfine-tune\u201d protocols to address these problems and ensure that they are in line with those of other countries.\nPresidential Spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr. early this month said the task force has approved the shortening of quarantine protocols for returning Filipinos who received their shots in the country. The policy takes effect June 22.\nThe returning migrants will only be subjected to a swab test if they show symptoms within seven days, he said.\nOn the other hand, those who got vaccinated overseas must quarantine for 10 days at a facility and continue isolation for another four days at home.\nHe said this is in consideration of the full rollout of the validation process of vaccine certificates. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-20T19:54:37+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-20T20:43:16+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Pfizer-from-COVAX-facility-USEmbassyphotorelease.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "THE PHILIPPINES has sealed a deal for 40 million doses of the vaccine made by Pfizer, Inc., the country\u2019s vaccine czar announced on Sunday, calling it the biggest order secured for this year." }, { "id": "/?p=376806", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/20/376806/analysts-see-duterte-leaving-vfa-as-an-unfinished-business/", "title": "Analysts see Duterte leaving VFA as unfinished business", "content_html": "PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte may simply leave the fate of the military pact with the United States to the hands of his successor and maintain the administration\u2019s current relations with both America and China, according to analysts.
\nForeign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. announced last week that the President suspended for another six months the termination the visiting forces agreement (VFA) between the US and Philippines, which allows the entry of American troops in the country for joint drills.
\nMichael Henry Ll. Yusingco, research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center, said Mr. Duterte may choose not to make a final decision on whether the VFA should be terminated.
\n\u201cI am not particularly confident that President Duterte will make a firm decision on the fate of the VFA before his term ends. I think more than likely, he will just let the next President take on this matter in his term,\u201d he told 大象传媒 via email.\u00a0
\n\u201cI think delaying the abrogation of the VFA, while at the same time insisting on his personal appeasement policy stand with regards to our troubles in the West Philippine Sea, is a delicate balancing act which he has been successful at doing. So why change tactics so close to the elections, right?\u201d he added.
\nRenato C. de Castro, international studies professor at the De La Salle University, said there are chances that Mr. Duterte would again extend the suspension by another six months in November.
\n\u201cIt will be up to his successor to determine whether we will sign or of course do away with the visiting forces agreement. So, he\u2019s leaving it to his successor,\u201d he said in a phone interview.
\n\u2018PERSONAL DISLIKE\u2019
\nMr. De Castro said the President may have a \u201cpersonal dislike\u201d of the US, and he may be afraid the country would be dragged in a conflict between China and the US, but other factors come into play in making such policy decisions.
\u201cOn the other hand, he cannot simply terminate the agreement because the military and the foreign affairs department want to maintain the agreement,\u201d he told 大象传媒 in a phone interview. \u201cBecause the military and of course the foreign affairs department are still wary of China.\u201d
\nMr. Yusingco cited other factors such as the need to strengthen diplomatic and trade relations with Asian neighbors as well as the pressure on the part of the government to assert national sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.\u00a0
\n\u201cIt is pretty clear that the foreign relations cluster of the administration is struggling with the evolving geopolitics in our region,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd the fact that it is being delayed indicates that our government does not have a coherent and firm foreign policy plan yet in light of the changing geopolitics in Asia.\u201d
\nMeanwhile, Marlon M. Villarin, political science professor at the University of Santo Tomas, said the government is still studying the risk and opportunities of the pact.
\nHe said the extensions on the suspension order \u201cis a politically and diplomatically calibrated stance to bargain\u201d their issues and concerns on the benefits from the VFA.\u00a0
\nMr. Villarin also said that the extension would allow the executive and legislative branches to collaborate before the government decides on the VFA\u2019s fate. \u201cI think the President is playing a queen\u2019s gambit to strategically ensure that should he decide to extend VFA, the Philippine government will practically benefit and that transparency and accountability issues that cloud VFA is addressed at the same time,\u201d he said in a Viber message.
\nMr. Duterte in February last year said he would terminate the agreement after the US Embassy canceled the visa of Senator Ronald M. de la Rosa, one of his closest allies.\u00a0
\nHe suspended the abrogation for six months in June 2020, noting the heightened tensions in the region and the global coronavirus pandemic. It was suspended again for another six months in December.\u00a0 \u00a0
\nPhilippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said in a briefing early this month that the two countries have discussed how to improve the pact and the agreement is \u201ckind of a bigger picture of our relationship, especially in our Mutual Defense Treaty.\u201d \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte may simply leave the fate of the military pact with the United States to the hands of his successor and maintain the administration\u2019s current relations with both America and China, according to analysts.\nForeign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. announced last week that the President suspended for another six months the termination the visiting forces agreement (VFA) between the US and Philippines, which allows the entry of American troops in the country for joint drills. \nMichael Henry Ll. Yusingco, research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center, said Mr. Duterte may choose not to make a final decision on whether the VFA should be terminated. \n\u201cI am not particularly confident that President Duterte will make a firm decision on the fate of the VFA before his term ends. I think more than likely, he will just let the next President take on this matter in his term,\u201d he told 大象传媒 via email.\u00a0\n\u201cI think delaying the abrogation of the VFA, while at the same time insisting on his personal appeasement policy stand with regards to our troubles in the West Philippine Sea, is a delicate balancing act which he has been successful at doing. So why change tactics so close to the elections, right?\u201d he added. \nRenato C. de Castro, international studies professor at the De La Salle University, said there are chances that Mr. Duterte would again extend the suspension by another six months in November. \n\u201cIt will be up to his successor to determine whether we will sign or of course do away with the visiting forces agreement. So, he\u2019s leaving it to his successor,\u201d he said in a phone interview.\n\u2018PERSONAL DISLIKE\u2019\nMr. De Castro said the President may have a \u201cpersonal dislike\u201d of the US, and he may be afraid the country would be dragged in a conflict between China and the US, but other factors come into play in making such policy decisions.\n\u201cOn the other hand, he cannot simply terminate the agreement because the military and the foreign affairs department want to maintain the agreement,\u201d he told 大象传媒 in a phone interview. \u201cBecause the military and of course the foreign affairs department are still wary of China.\u201d \nMr. Yusingco cited other factors such as the need to strengthen diplomatic and trade relations with Asian neighbors as well as the pressure on the part of the government to assert national sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.\u00a0\n\u201cIt is pretty clear that the foreign relations cluster of the administration is struggling with the evolving geopolitics in our region,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd the fact that it is being delayed indicates that our government does not have a coherent and firm foreign policy plan yet in light of the changing geopolitics in Asia.\u201d \nMeanwhile, Marlon M. Villarin, political science professor at the University of Santo Tomas, said the government is still studying the risk and opportunities of the pact. \nHe said the extensions on the suspension order \u201cis a politically and diplomatically calibrated stance to bargain\u201d their issues and concerns on the benefits from the VFA.\u00a0\nMr. Villarin also said that the extension would allow the executive and legislative branches to collaborate before the government decides on the VFA\u2019s fate. \u201cI think the President is playing a queen\u2019s gambit to strategically ensure that should he decide to extend VFA, the Philippine government will practically benefit and that transparency and accountability issues that cloud VFA is addressed at the same time,\u201d he said in a Viber message. \nMr. Duterte in February last year said he would terminate the agreement after the US Embassy canceled the visa of Senator Ronald M. de la Rosa, one of his closest allies.\u00a0\nHe suspended the abrogation for six months in June 2020, noting the heightened tensions in the region and the global coronavirus pandemic. It was suspended again for another six months in December.\u00a0 \u00a0\nPhilippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said in a briefing early this month that the two countries have discussed how to improve the pact and the agreement is \u201ckind of a bigger picture of our relationship, especially in our Mutual Defense Treaty.\u201d \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-20T19:53:26+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-20T20:43:43+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Balikatan-2018-www.c7f.navy_.mil_.jpg", "tags": [ "Featured2", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte may simply leave the fate of the military pact with the United States to the hands of his successor and maintain the administration\u2019s current relations with both America and China, according to analysts." }, { "id": "/?p=376722", "url": "/economy/2021/06/18/376722/iatf-approves-expanded-quota-for-deployable-health-workers/", "title": "IATF approves expanded quota for deployable health workers", "content_html": "The government has increased the quota of overseas-deployable health workers in occupations deemed critical to 6,500. the Palace announced Friday.
\nIn a statement, the President’s spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said the interagency task force on the pandemic approved the new quota Thursday for health workers with “mission-critical skills.” The previous quota had been 5,000.
\nMr. Roque said health workers with perfected contracts as of May 31 will be eligible to deploy subject to the quota.
\n\u201cHealthcare workers under government-to-government labor agreements shall, however, be exempted from this adjusted ceiling,\u201d he said.
\nThe Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in December issued an advisory lifting the suspension on the deployment of nurses, nursing aides and nursing assistants starting Jan. 1, after deployments were frozen at the hight of the pandemic.
\nOn June 1, the POEA announced the suspension of processing documents of new-hire health workers after the 5,000 quota was filled.
\nThe original suspension on deployments had been imposed in April 2020 by the POEA Board, via a resolution imposing a moratorium on the deployment of mission-critical health workers. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "The government has increased the quota of overseas-deployable health workers in occupations deemed critical to 6,500. the Palace announced Friday.\nIn a statement, the President’s spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said the interagency task force on the pandemic approved the new quota Thursday for health workers with “mission-critical skills.” The previous quota had been 5,000.\nMr. Roque said health workers with perfected contracts as of May 31 will be eligible to deploy subject to the quota.\n\u201cHealthcare workers under government-to-government labor agreements shall, however, be exempted from this adjusted ceiling,\u201d he said.\nThe Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in December issued an advisory lifting the suspension on the deployment of nurses, nursing aides and nursing assistants starting Jan. 1, after deployments were frozen at the hight of the pandemic.\nOn June 1, the POEA announced the suspension of processing documents of new-hire health workers after the 5,000 quota was filled.\nThe original suspension on deployments had been imposed in April 2020 by the POEA Board, via a resolution imposing a moratorium on the deployment of mission-critical health workers. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-18T18:32:20+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-18T18:32:20+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/health-care-deployment-reuters.jpg", "tags": [ "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Economy" ] }, { "id": "/?p=376570", "url": "/labor-and-management/2021/06/18/376570/unemployment-declined-but-remained-high-in-q1/", "title": "Unemployment declined but remained high in Q1", "content_html": "AROUND 12.2 million adult Filipinos were jobless in the first quarter, Social Weather Stations (SWS) estimated, citing projections made from one of its surveys.
\nIn a statement Thursday, SWS said adult joblessness fell by 1.5 percentage points to 25.8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. This latest level is still much higher than the pre-pandemic level of 17.5% from December 2019.
\nThe estimated number of jobless adults was 12.2 million, against 12.7 million in its Fourth Quarter Survey conducted in November 2020.
\n\u201cThe jobless consist of those who (a) voluntarily left their old jobs, (b) are seeking jobs for the first time, or (c) lost their jobs due to economic circumstances beyond their control,\u201d it said.
\nThe survey was conducted on 1,200 adults between April 28 and May 2, according to SWS. The sampling error margins for national percentages was at \u00b13% and \u00b16% for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
\nThe survey also found that the labor force participation rate, or the proportion of adults in the labor force, is at 67% or an estimated 47.5 million. This was up from 66.7% or about 46.3 million in the fourth quarter survey.
\nThe 1.5-point decline in joblessness was driven by decreases of 7 points in Metro Manila and 9 points in the rest of Luzon. However, this was offset by a 10-point increase in the Visayas, and a six-point increase in Mindanao.
\nJoblessness in the rest of Luzon fell to 24.2% from 32.7%; in Metro Manila, it declined to 30.8% from 37.8%.
\nIt rose to 28.7% from 19.1% in the Visayas and increased to 23% from 17% in Mindanao.
\nThe joblessness rate fell among 25- to 24-year-olds to 24.6% from 33.6% and among 18- to 24-year-olds to 55.5% from 57.2%.
\nIt was little changed for those 45 years and above to 18.2% from 18% and also rose slightly in the 35- to 44-year cohort to 25.6% from 23.9%.
\nThe joblessness rate among men increased to 23.6% from 22.2% and fell among women to 29% from 34.1%. The five-point gap between women and men is the lowest since 2004, when the joblessness gap was only three points.
\nIn rural areas, the rate fell to 23.3% from 24.9%. It also declined in urban areas to 28% from 29.8%.
\nBy educational attainment, the joblessness rate fell among non-elementary graduates to 11.7% from 16.4%, and among elementary graduates to 21.6% from 24.2%.
\nThe rate was little changed among junior high school graduates at 30% from 30.8% and among college graduates at 29.7% to 30%.
\nThe Philippine Statistics Authority reported that unemployment rate in April rose to 8.7% or 4.138 million Filipinos from\u00a07.1% or 3.441 million in March due to the imposition of another lockdown because of the surge in infections. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "AROUND 12.2 million adult Filipinos were jobless in the first quarter, Social Weather Stations (SWS) estimated, citing projections made from one of its surveys.\nIn a statement Thursday, SWS said adult joblessness fell by 1.5 percentage points to 25.8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. This latest level is still much higher than the pre-pandemic level of 17.5% from December 2019.\nThe estimated number of jobless adults was 12.2 million, against 12.7 million in its Fourth Quarter Survey conducted in November 2020.\n\u201cThe jobless consist of those who (a) voluntarily left their old jobs, (b) are seeking jobs for the first time, or (c) lost their jobs due to economic circumstances beyond their control,\u201d it said.\nThe survey was conducted on 1,200 adults between April 28 and May 2, according to SWS. The sampling error margins for national percentages was at \u00b13% and \u00b16% for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.\nThe survey also found that the labor force participation rate, or the proportion of adults in the labor force, is at 67% or an estimated 47.5 million. This was up from 66.7% or about 46.3 million in the fourth quarter survey.\nThe 1.5-point decline in joblessness was driven by decreases of 7 points in Metro Manila and 9 points in the rest of Luzon. However, this was offset by a 10-point increase in the Visayas, and a six-point increase in Mindanao.\nJoblessness in the rest of Luzon fell to 24.2% from 32.7%; in Metro Manila, it declined to 30.8% from 37.8%.\nIt rose to 28.7% from 19.1% in the Visayas and increased to 23% from 17% in Mindanao.\nThe joblessness rate fell among 25- to 24-year-olds to 24.6% from 33.6% and among 18- to 24-year-olds to 55.5% from 57.2%.\nIt was little changed for those 45 years and above to 18.2% from 18% and also rose slightly in the 35- to 44-year cohort to 25.6% from 23.9%.\nThe joblessness rate among men increased to 23.6% from 22.2% and fell among women to 29% from 34.1%. The five-point gap between women and men is the lowest since 2004, when the joblessness gap was only three points.\nIn rural areas, the rate fell to 23.3% from 24.9%. It also declined in urban areas to 28% from 29.8%.\nBy educational attainment, the joblessness rate fell among non-elementary graduates to 11.7% from 16.4%, and among elementary graduates to 21.6% from 24.2%.\nThe rate was little changed among junior high school graduates at 30% from 30.8% and among college graduates at 29.7% to 30%.\nThe Philippine Statistics Authority reported that unemployment rate in April rose to 8.7% or 4.138 million Filipinos from\u00a07.1% or 3.441 million in March due to the imposition of another lockdown because of the surge in infections. \u2014 Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-18T00:02:50+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-17T20:04:44+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Jeepney-driver.jpg", "tags": [ "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "Labor and Management" ], "summary": "AROUND 12.2 million adult Filipinos were jobless in the first quarter, Social Weather Stations (SWS) estimated, citing projections made from one of its surveys." }, { "id": "/?p=376591", "url": "/the-nation/2021/06/17/376591/govt-takes-delivery-of-1-5m-more-coronavacs/", "title": "Gov\u2019t takes delivery of 1.5M more CoronaVacs", "content_html": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter
\nTHE PHILIPPINES on Thursday took delivery of about 1.5 million more doses of CoronaVac from China, according to the presidential palace, in a further boost to the government\u2019s vaccination drive.
\nOf the total, about 500,000 doses were paid for by the private sector under a deal with the National Government, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing.
\nThe shots were bought by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc., Jusan Vincent Arcena, assistant secretary at the Presidential Communications Operations Office, told reporters in a Viber group message.
\nMr. Roque said the latest shipment is the third batch of CoronaVac shots received by the government this month. About 24 million more CoronaVac doses are set to arrive on June 24.
\nHe said the country had received about 14.2 million doses of coronavirus vaccines as of June 17.
\nMr. Roque said about 7.5 million doses of vaccines have been given out as of June 16. Of the total, more than 5.5 million were initial doses while the rest were second doses, he said.
\nAbout a million health workers have received their second and final vaccine doses, he said.
\nAlmost 514,000 seniors and about 470,000 seriously ill people have also completed their vaccination, he added. Mr. Roque said 7,165 economic frontliners have also received their second doses
\nThe government will take delivery of about 250,000 doses of the vaccine made by Moderna, Inc. on June 25. It will also receive more than two million doses of the vaccine made by AstraZeneca Plc and about 150,000 doses Sputnik V from Russia this month.
\nDAILY TALLY
\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 6,637 coronavirus infections on Thursday, bringing the total to 1.34 million.
The death toll rose by 155 to 23,276, while recoveries increased by 4,585 to 1.26 million, it said in a bulletin.
\nThere were 58,407 active cases, 1.3% of which were critical, 91.8% were mild, 3.8% did not show symptoms, 1.8% were severe and 1.3% were moderate.
\nThe agency said 12 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 10 of which were tagged as recoveries.\u202f
\nA total of 235 recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 107 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Five laboratories failed to submit data on June 14, it added.
\nAbout 13.4 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 15, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.
\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 177.8 million and killed 3.8 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.
\nAbout 162.3 million people have recovered, it said.
\nMeanwhile, the presidential palace confirmed that President Rodrigo R. Duterte thinks face shields should only be worn inside health facilities.
\nEarlier in the day, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto tweeted that the President \u201cagreed that face shields should only be used in hospitals.\u201d Senator Joel J. Villanueva also made a similar claim.
\nThe two senators met with the President on Wednesday during the ceremonial reenactment of the signing of several bills in Malaca\u00f1ang.
\n\u201cI can only confirm what Senate President Tito Sotto and what Senator Joel Villanueva said earlier, that the President did say that the wearing of face shields should only be in hospitals,\u201d Mr. Roque told a televised news briefing.
\n\u201cWhat the President says becomes a presidential policy,\u201d Mr. Roque said when asked whether an inter-agency task force (IATF) would reconsider the mandatory use of face shields.
\n\u201cThe IATF is recommendatory to the President and when the President has decided, then that\u2019s the policy,\u201d Mr. Roque said. \u201cThis is without prejudice to IATF appealing possibly.\u201d
\n\u201cI think the possible move of IATF now is to appeal to what the President said and what was repeated to the public by the Senate President and Senator Villanueva,\u201d he added.
\nMr. Roque said he would raise at a meeting of the pandemic task force this week the proposal of Mr. Sotto and other policymakers to do away with face shields when outside.
\nHealth Undersecretary Leopoldo J. Vega on Wednesday said people could remove their face shields when outdoors.
\nManila Mayor Francisco M. Domagoso earlier urged the National Government to scientifically explain why face shields are required outdoors.
\nThe Interior and Local Government department last month said more than 900 people were arrested in the second week of May for failing to wear a face mask. \u2014 with Vann Marlo M. Villegas
\n", "content_text": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter\nTHE PHILIPPINES on Thursday took delivery of about 1.5 million more doses of CoronaVac from China, according to the presidential palace, in a further boost to the government\u2019s vaccination drive. \nOf the total, about 500,000 doses were paid for by the private sector under a deal with the National Government, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing.\nThe shots were bought by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc., Jusan Vincent Arcena, assistant secretary at the Presidential Communications Operations Office, told reporters in a Viber group message.\nMr. Roque said the latest shipment is the third batch of CoronaVac shots received by the government this month. About 24 million more CoronaVac doses are set to arrive on June 24.\nHe said the country had received about 14.2 million doses of coronavirus vaccines as of June 17. \nMr. Roque said about 7.5 million doses of vaccines have been given out as of June 16. Of the total, more than 5.5 million were initial doses while the rest were second doses, he said.\nAbout a million health workers have received their second and final vaccine doses, he said.\nAlmost 514,000 seniors and about 470,000 seriously ill people have also completed their vaccination, he added. Mr. Roque said 7,165 economic frontliners have also received their second doses\nThe government will take delivery of about 250,000 doses of the vaccine made by Moderna, Inc. on June 25. It will also receive more than two million doses of the vaccine made by AstraZeneca Plc and about 150,000 doses Sputnik V from Russia this month.\nDAILY TALLY\nThe Department of Health (DoH) reported 6,637 coronavirus infections on Thursday, bringing the total to 1.34 million.\nThe death toll rose by 155 to 23,276, while recoveries increased by 4,585 to 1.26 million, it said in a bulletin.\nThere were 58,407 active cases, 1.3% of which were critical, 91.8% were mild, 3.8% did not show symptoms, 1.8% were severe and 1.3% were moderate.\nThe agency said 12 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 10 of which were tagged as recoveries.\u202f \nA total of 235 recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 107 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Five laboratories failed to submit data on June 14, it added.\nAbout 13.4 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of June 15, according to DoH\u2019s tracker website.\nThe coronavirus has sickened about 177.8 million and killed 3.8 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.\nAbout 162.3 million people have recovered, it said.\nMeanwhile, the presidential palace confirmed that President Rodrigo R. Duterte thinks face shields should only be worn inside health facilities.\nEarlier in the day, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto tweeted that the President \u201cagreed that face shields should only be used in hospitals.\u201d Senator Joel J. Villanueva also made a similar claim.\nThe two senators met with the President on Wednesday during the ceremonial reenactment of the signing of several bills in Malaca\u00f1ang.\n\u201cI can only confirm what Senate President Tito Sotto and what Senator Joel Villanueva said earlier, that the President did say that the wearing of face shields should only be in hospitals,\u201d Mr. Roque told a televised news briefing. \n\u201cWhat the President says becomes a presidential policy,\u201d Mr. Roque said when asked whether an inter-agency task force (IATF) would reconsider the mandatory use of face shields.\n\u201cThe IATF is recommendatory to the President and when the President has decided, then that\u2019s the policy,\u201d Mr. Roque said. \u201cThis is without prejudice to IATF appealing possibly.\u201d\n\u201cI think the possible move of IATF now is to appeal to what the President said and what was repeated to the public by the Senate President and Senator Villanueva,\u201d he added.\nMr. Roque said he would raise at a meeting of the pandemic task force this week the proposal of Mr. Sotto and other policymakers to do away with face shields when outside. \nHealth Undersecretary Leopoldo J. Vega on Wednesday said people could remove their face shields when outdoors.\nManila Mayor Francisco M. Domagoso earlier urged the National Government to scientifically explain why face shields are required outdoors.\nThe Interior and Local Government department last month said more than 900 people were arrested in the second week of May for failing to wear a face mask. \u2014 with Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "date_published": "2021-06-17T20:20:01+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-06-17T21:28:00+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/vaccine-health-worker-1.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Vann Marlo M. Villegas", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "The Nation" ], "summary": "THE PHILIPPINES on Thursday took delivery of about 1.5 million more doses of CoronaVac from China, according to the presidential palace, in a further boost to the government\u2019s vaccination drive." } ] }