Latest News: SoKor to donate 539K doses of AstraZeneca vax to PH

 

The South Korean government is augmenting its pandemic assistance to the Philippines with the upcoming donation of 539,430 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine this month.

The Korean Embassy in Manila said the donations are expected to arrive on November 30.

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"The Embassy of the Republic of Korea is happy to support the Philippine government as it seeks to inoculate 15 million Filipinos during the National Covid-19 Vaccination Days from November 29 to December 1, 2021," it said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The donation is part of the joint efforts made by Korea and the Philippines to protect public health and support the local response to Covid-19 in the Philippines by vaccinating Filipino people."

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) last year, the embassy has worked closely with partners from the Philippines, both to help protect the front-liners and reduce the crisis' impact on the livelihood of affected Filipino families.

The upcoming donation brings to USD210.7 million or approximately PHP10.67 billion Korea's Covid-19 assistance to the Philippines.

About USD200 million of the amount is in the form of concessional loans to help the Philippines procure enough vaccines in 2021 and support government efforts in scaling up its Covid-19 response.

Korea's grant element in its concessional loan is at least 88.4 percent, based on the 2018 data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

"It implies that the Philippines need(s) to repay only 12.6 percent and 88.4 percent will not be repaid by the Philippines. Thus, Korea's concessional loan provides very, very good terms to the Philippines," the embassy said.

Apart from the loans, Korea has donated 530,000 swab test kits, seven walk-through booths, two extraction equipment, six isolation beds, 970,000 masks, 167,000 hygiene kits, and 1,200 units of personal protective equipment.

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It also distributed rice pouches to help about 365,000 Filipinos who are among the country's most vulnerable cope during the pandemic.

The Korean Embassy said at least 34 refrigerated trucks for transporting Covid-19 vaccines and four trucks for transporting vaccine-related goods are likewise scheduled for delivery in January 2022.

This year marks 30 years of the Philippines’ and Korea’s development partnership, with the latter's contribution to the country reaching USD2.1 billion in total.

Transportation infrastructure accounts for 47 percent of Korea's official development assistance (ODA) to the country at about USD982 million while disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance account for 19 percent or USD410 million, according to the embassy.

Seoul's ODA in agriculture, another priority sector, amounts to USD358 million.

Source: PNA

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Celebrities, netizens reacts to proposed name change of NAIA

Filipinos were caught by surprise on June 25 after a bill to rename the NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) was filed at the House of Representatives.

The move was made by three  congressmen, Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco, ACT-CIS Representative Eric Yap, and presidential son and Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte.
The three stated that since the NAIA is the center of international gateway it is identified as belonging to the Philippines, thus it should be renamed to ‘Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas.’ They said, “With the proposed name, the airport will easily be identified as the international doorway of the country, in view of it being in Filipino language and branding it as the international airport of the Philippines,”

However, the bill was criticized by many and even celebrities voiced out their sentiments on the untimely filing of such a bill knowing that the country is still suffering from the pandemic.
K Brosas slammed the government as she questioned their priorities.


Alessandra de Rossi made a sarcastic comment that this might help resolve the pandemic crisis and hunger.

Edwin Lacierda also ironically questioned what Ninoy Aquino has done to the pandemic to cause the removal of his name, knowing that it was tagged as a symbol for being known as an opposition leader.
Dr. Gia Sison angrily reminded the government that the country is still facing the COVID-19 pandemic.


Jasmine Curtis, Erwan Heussaff, Kakie Pangilinan, and others also expressed their contradictions regarding the bill.
A netizen even pointed out that changing airport names involves expenses, and knowingly president Rodrigo Duterte had said that the budget for the pandemic is tight but maybe a budget was set aside for this, he jokingly posted. Another netizen also thinks that it should be said in English NAP (National Airport of the Philippines) or better yet ‘No Action Plan.’


To know which new name is more suitable to netizens the Lionheartv team made a poll on whether PAPAPI (Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas) or PIA (Philippine International Airport) would be a better replacement.


And the results showed that more are in favor of naming the airport PIA rather than the proposed PAPAPI by congress.

But still, the majority criticized the bill for its untimely proposal since the country is still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and also dropping the name of Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. is like taking away a symbolic inspiration that would remind Filipinos about the democratic movement and it as well violates a sense of history.

Source:  Rochelle Pamotongan

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‘Something is very wrong’ says Sotto as Philippines has fastest rise of COVID cases in region

Lawmakers over the weekend called on the administration to step up its game as the Philippines was identified as the country with the fastest-growing number of new coronavirus cases in the Western Pacific region.

In separate statements released on Sunday, senators responded to data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) that showed the Philippines has the fastest growth in terms of COVID cases in the region.

"IATF must address the health protocols and programs being done by the DOH. Something is very wrong!" Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said.

The Philippines has recorded a total of 34,803 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease as of Saturday, June 27, 2020. This includes 9,431 recoveries and 1,236 deaths. The same sentiment was mirrored by Senator Joel Villanueva, who said that there was a lack in the guidance of protocols being made to curb the spread of the disease.

"There was no clear guidance on surveillance and epidemiological monitoring. The current statistics are obviously consequences of these actions," he said in a separate statement.

"I really hope that during the past months we have upgraded our healthcare system to properly respond to this pandemic," added Villanueva.

The statement comes three months after Metro Manila and other key high-risk areas were placed under strict quarantine rules, restricting mobility and shutting the economy.

"We continue to encourage the public to stay at home, practice social distancing and only come out of their homes when necessary. We urge the government to put in place a methodologically sound epidemiological surveillance so that we can make informed decisions on our policy approach regarding COVID," said Villanueva. In a separate statement, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said the public must follow safety protocols to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.

"Kung susunod po tayo sa mga patakaran at patuloy tayong magtutulungan para maiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit, kung mas maisasaayos rin ang ating health facilities and capabilities — ito po ang mga tanging makakapagsabi kung kailan natin malalampasan at tuluyang matapos ang krisis na dulot ng COVID-19," he said in a separate statement.

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, pushed for the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2) which was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in May.

The program, which has since been suspended, aimed to decongest Metro Manila by encouraging the public to head back to provinces by providing benefits.

Several cases of Balik Probinsya beneficiaries were reported to have spread the coronavirus to areas in provinces such as in Baybay City in Leyte, which reported its first COVID-19 case from a member of the program.

"Habang tumataas ang kaso ng COVID-19, mas tumataas rin dapat ang quarantine, contact tracing, at necessary treatment capabilities natin," said Go.

"Sa anumang mga hakbang na gagawin ng gobyerno at pati ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan, palagi nating unahin ang buhay at kapakanan ng kapwa nating Pilipino," he elaborated.

Source:  JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS,GMA News

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Hocus-pocus in the 2nd tranche SAP distribution?

IF the money in the second tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) does not reach the beneficiaries on time, blame the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The distribution of the first tranche of SAP was chaotic as it was coursed through local government units whose leaders either skimmed money from beneficiaries or played favorites.

The distribution of the second tranche to be done through private outlets is expected to be easy and honest.

The DSWD and the BSP have awarded the contract to distribute the second tranche to three mobile payments systems — Paymaya, GCash and UnionBank. Two other leading payment systems, Starpay and USSC, which have many more outlets than the three chosen outlets combined, were left out.

Consider: In Metro Manila, Paymaya has 103 outlets; GCash, 165; and UnionBank, 245—a total of 513 outlets.

On the other hand, Starpay and USSC combined have a total of 1,916 outlets in Metro Manila alone. USSC runs the reputable Western Union.

What made the DSWD and the BSP choose Paymaya, which is owned by Manuel V. Pangilinan; GCash, which is owned by the Ayalas; and Unionbank of the Aboitizes?

Starpay is owned by Dennis Uy while USSC is owned by Jose Xavier Gonzales. The BSP recommended the three outlets, and the DSWD followed the recommendation.

My sources at the DSWD said, “money changed hands” in the choice of the outlets, either at the BSP or DSWD.

Subordinates of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista favored Starpay and USSC to distribute the second tranche.

Bautista, however, denied the accusation of bribery in the choice of Paymaya, GCash and UnionBank.

“I am not aware of any money changing hands because it is the BSP who (sic) formulated the matrix for distribution which we intend to adopt because they have the expertise on this. I don’t know yet the content (sic) of the matrix. MoA (memorandum of agreement) was discussed yesterday with reps (representatives) of BSP, FSPs (financial service providers or outlets) and DSWD,” Bautista said in a text message to the office of Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, to whom I referred the complaint by Starpay/USSC.

Here’s the Solomonic solution: Why not include Starpay/USSC in the distribution of SAP cash in Metro Manila?

DSWD and BSP can prove that there was no hocus-pocus in the choice of SAP distribution by also including Starpay/USSC.

The more outlets, the faster the distribution of cash to SAP beneficiaries.

Millions of Filipinos are hungry because they’re out of work as a result of the pandemic.

The suffering masses should be given immediate relief by employing as many private outlets as possible.

* * * I doff my hat to Olongapo City Judge Richard Paradeza for dismissing the sedition charges against Zambales public school teacher Ronnel Mas, who said in his Twitter account that he would pay P50 million to anybody who would assassinate President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte.

Paradeza showed independence of mind amid the popular clamor for Mas’ head.

I may not be happy with the verdict — netizens should be responsible for posting their opinions on the internet — but I respect Paradeza for his judicious decision.

The judge said Mas’ arrest by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents was illegal, as it was not covered by a warrant.

“A court does not acquire jurisdiction over the person of one who is illegally arrested and/or questions his/her arrest before arraignment,” Paradeza said.

Let Paradeza’s ruling be a lesson to NBI agents and policemen who arrest citizens without a warrant.

I wonder how many judges in the country have their own minds like Paradeza?

* * *

The decision of Baguio City prosecutors to file murder cases against three officers and seven cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) for the hazing death of 4th Class Cadet Darwin Dormitorio last year is commendable but….

The three officers are doctors at the PMA Station Hospital while the seven cadets were Dormitorio’s upperclassmen.

I said commendable “but” because the Baguio prosecutors did not include former PMA superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista and Brig. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, PMA commandant.

The National Bureau of Investigation found that Evangelista and Bacarro tried to cover up the hazing of Dormitorio.

In doing so, Evangelista and Bacarro were complicit in the murder of Dormitorio.

If Evangelista and Bacarro had been included in the murder charge sheet, it would have sent a clear message to PMA higher-ups not to condone hazing under their noses.

Oh, well, Evangelista and Bacarro are probably graduates of the PMA. Could it be the reason why they looked the other way in the hazing death of Dormitorio?

They probably also experienced hazing when they were cadets.

Physical hazing is a bestial form of punishment of a cadet for an infraction.

The United States Military Academy at West Point, after which the PMA is patterned, did away with physical hazing — beating up a cadet — a long time ago.

* * * Four policemen in Marikina accosted a DZBB Radio reporter for not asking permission from them when he made a live report of the traffic situation in a busy street in the city on Thursday, June 25.

“Dapat nagpaalam ka sa amin na magla-live coverage (You should ask permission from us to make a live coverage).”

Duh! Why would reporters ask permission from policemen to do a live coverage in a public place?

Well, what can you expect from our birdbrained policemen?

And to think that all our cops are college graduates!

I wonder what the criteria are for accepting candidates for the police service.

Source:  Ramon T. Tulfo

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Beijing cancels flights, shuts schools over new virus outbreak

Beijing's airports cancelled more than 1,200 flights and schools in the Chinese capital were closed again on Wednesday as authorities rushed to contain a new coronavirus outbreak linked to a wholesale food market.
The city reported 31 new cases on Wednesday while officials urged residents not to leave Beijing, with fears growing about a second wave of infections in China, which had largely brought its outbreak under control. Tens of thousands of people linked to the new Beijing virus cluster -- believed to have started in the sprawling Xinfadi wholesale food market -- are being tested, with almost 30 residential compounds in the city now under lockdown.
At least 1,255 scheduled flights were cancelled Wednesday morning, state-run People's Daily reported, nearly 70 percent of all trips to and from Beijing's main airports.

The outbreak had already forced authorities to announce a travel ban for residents of "medium- or high-risk" areas of the city, while requiring other residents to take nucleic acid tests in order to leave Beijing.

Meanwhile, several provinces were quarantining travellers from Beijing, where all schools -- which had mostly reopened -- have been ordered to close again and return to online classes.

"The epidemic situation in the capital is extremely severe," Beijing city spokesman Xu Hejian warned Tuesday.

Mass testing under way Officials have closed 11 markets and disinfected thousands of food and beverage businesses in Beijing after the outbreak was detected.
The city has now reported 137 infections over the last six days, with six new asymptomatic cases and three suspected cases on Wednesday, according to the municipal health commission.

An additional two domestic cases, one in neighbouring Hebei province and another in Zhejiang, were reported by national authorities on Wednesday, while there were 11 imported cases.

Authorities have so far banned group sports, ordered people to wear masks in crowded enclosed spaces, and suspended inter-provincial group tours in response to the outbreak.

Officials said that since May 30, more than 200,000 people had visited Xinfadi market, which supplies more than 70 percent of Beijing's fruit and vegetables.

More than 8,000 workers there were tested and quarantined.

Until the new outbreak, most of China's recent cases were nationals returning from abroad as COVID-19 spread globally, and the government had all but declared victory against the disease. China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that the virus type found in the Beijing outbreak was a "major epidemic strain" in Europe.

Source: Agence France-Presse

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