PHILIPPINES CONFIRMS LOCAL TRANSMISSION OF DELTA VARIANT

MANILA — The Department of Health confirmed the local transmission of the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19.

In a statement issued late Thursday, the DOH said that based on the phylogenetic analysis by genomic experts and the investigation by the department, “clusters of Delta variant cases were seen to be linked to other local cases, therefore, exhibiting local transmission.”

According to the World Health Organization, “local transmission indicates locations where the source of infection is within the reporting location.”

Early Thursday, the agency reported 12 additional local cases of the Delta variant, bringing the country’s total cases of the variant to 47.

The DOH said authorities have initiated "enhanced" COVID-19 response in areas where Delta variant cases were detected.

“Both the national and local governments have been continuously working together to intensify the implementation of the ‘prevent, detect, isolate, treat, and re-integrate’ response strategies and increase the country’s health system capacity to be able to manage cases,” it said.

The government said it is making sure there are enough COVID-19-dedicated wards, ICU and isolation beds across the archipelago, especially in areas experiencing case spikes.

Preparations are also being made to ensure sufficient supplies of COVID-19 medicines, oxygen tanks and critical care equipment in hospitals and augmentation of human resources.

The department urged the public to continue practicing COVID-19 protocols and get vaccinated when it is their turn.

METRO MANILA, 4 PROVINCES UNDER 'GCQ WITH HEIGHTENED RESTRICTIONS' OVER DELTA COVID-19 VARIANT THREAT

MANILA — The National Capital Region and 4 other areas will be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) "with heightened restrictions," Malacañang said on Friday, after the Philippines confirmed local transmission of the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 variant.

The following areas will be under GCQ with heightened restrictions from July 23 until 31, said Palace spokesman Harry Roque.

NCR

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

Davao De Oro

Davao Del Norte

The inter-agency task force on COVID-19 earlier placed Iloilo province, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro, and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental under the strictest lockdown level, enhanced community quarantine, at least until the end of the month.

Davao Del Sur will be downgraded to GCQ from its previous modified ECQ classification, starting July 23 until 31, Roque said.

PHILIPPINES BANS TRAVELERS FROM MALAYSIA, THAILAND DUE TO COVID-19 DELTA VARIANT THREAT

MANILA — The Philippines starting this weekend will include Malaysia and Thailand in its travel ban to arrest the spread of more infectious Delta COVID-19 variant, Malacañang said on Friday.

Travelers from the 2 countries will be barred from entering the Philippines "beginning 12:01AM of July 25, 2021 until 11:59PM of July 31, 2021", said Palace spokesman Harry Roque.

The restriction will cover "those with travel history to Malaysia and Thailand within the last fourteen (14) days preceding arrival in the Philippines," he said in a statement.

Passengers already in transit from the Malaysia and Thailand who arrive before 12:01AM of July 25, 2021 "may still be allowed to enter the country but will be required to undergo a full 14 day facility quarantine, notwithstanding a negative Reverse Transcription - Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) result," Roque said.

"These travel restrictions, however, are subject to the same exceptions on repatriation and special commercial flights for Filipinos, but they have to follow the prescribed testing and quarantine protocols," said the Palace official.

PH GOV'T, UN LAUNCH FIRST NATIONAL JOINT HUMAN-RIGHTS PROGRAM

MANILA—The Philippine government and the United Nations (UN) on Thursday signed the first-ever national-level UN joint program on human rights.

In a statement, the UN said the joint program was developed to implement Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution 45/33, adopted on October 7, 2020, which outlined specific areas for cooperation and capacity-building to promote and protect domestic human rights.

Through the program, the UN in the Philippines will strengthen domestic investigation and accountability mechanisms; data-gathering on alleged police violations; civic space and engagement with civil society and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR); national mechanism for reporting and follow-up; counter-terrorism legislation; and human rights-based approaches to drug control.

"This joint program with the UN manifests the sincere efforts of the Philippine government to infuse its law enforcement and investigative operations with a human rights dimension in a non-political setting," said Secretary of Justice Menardo Guevarra.

"This joint program with the UN manifests the sincere efforts of the Philippine government to infuse its law enforcement and investigative operations with a human rights dimension in a non-political setting," said Secretary of Justice Menardo Guevarra.

Besides the Department of Justice, other agencies involved in the program are: the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, the Dangerous Drugs Board, the Department of Health, the Anti-Terrorism Council-Program Management Center, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Commission on Human Rights.

Civil society organizations and the academe will also be core partners in the implementation of the program, the UN said.

KIDS AGED 5-17 AGAIN BARRED FROM LEAVING HOMES IN METRO MANILA, 4 OTHER AREAS

MANILA — Children aged five to 17 years old are again prohibited from leaving their homes as Metro Manila and four other areas shifted to a stricter general community quarantine in the face of the threat of the more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Malacañang announced Friday that President Rodrigo Duterte hoisted heightened restrictions over the capital region, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte from July 23 until July 31 after the health department confirmed local transmission of the Delta variant.

This means that only individuals aged 18 to 65 years old can leave their homes in those areas.

Local health authorities have so far detected 47 cases of the Delta variant, 22 of which are local cases.

PNP TO COOPERATE IN DOJ’S DRUG WAR PROBE

MANILA — The Philippine National Police yesterday vowed to cooperate in the review by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of cases of PNP members who have been cleared of liability in the deaths of drug suspects during law enforcement operations.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar made the assurance after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said they would review the cases involving police offcers who have been absolved by the Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

“If the DOJ will push through with the review of the cases of those who were already cleared, I will guarantee full cooperation,” Eleazar said.

He said they would forward any case folder that would be requested by the DOJ.

QCPD DENIES PERMIT FOR SONA PROTESTERS

MANILA — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has denied the request of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan to hold a protest along Commonwealth Avenue during the final State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte on July 26.

Elmo San Diego, who heads the city’s department of public order and safety, said the request for a rally permit was denied due to the threat posed by the more infectious Delta variant of COVID-19.

The city government had endorsed the group’s application to the QCPD for decision.

Under the law, demonstrations and meetings may be held at any time in freedom parks without permits from local governments.

CREATION OF VIROLOGY INSTITUTE, CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AMONG HOUSE PRIORITIES

MANILA — Bills creating the Philippine Virology Institute and the Philippine Center for Disease Control are among the House of Representatives’ priority measures for its third regular session, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said Friday.

The two measures, which were responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, have both been approved on second reading and are up for approval on third and final reading.

The Philippine Virology Institute is envisioned as the premier research and development institution in the field of virology, while the Philippine Center for Disease Control is imagined to be the country’s principal health protection agency that would prevent, protect and manage the spread of diseases and other health threats here and abroad.

Apart from these proposed laws, the House also aims to pass amendments to the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016, the Bureau of Immigration Modernization Act and the National Housing Development Act.

THE REST

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ISKO: RAINS, FLOODS WON’T STOP VACCINATION

MANILA — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has asked the public for patience as he thanked them for lining up to get vaccinated despite the heavy rains and floods caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon in several parts of the city.

In his Facebook live address on Wednesday night, Moreno said the rains and floods would not stop the city’s vaccination drive.

He commended the residents for braving floods brought by Typhoon Fabian and an enhanced monsoon to get inoculated.

“Thank you for coming to your senses and getting vaccinated despite the difficulties posed by the weather,” Moreno said in Filipino. “Because COVID-19 does not stop, we will not halt our vaccination.”

The vaccination sites at the San Andres Sports Complex and Ospital ng Sampaloc were among those inundated.

METRO MANILA MAYORS SEEK STRICTER PROTOCOLS AMID DELTA VARIANT THREAT

MANILA - Local chief executives of the capital region has recommended stricter protocols to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) amid the threat of the more contagious Delta variant, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos said Friday.

“Right now, it’s very fluid. Later probably (spokesman) Harry (Roque) will tell you about the new quarantine classification of Metro Manila. Just wait for the classification for Metro Manila it will be announced by Sec. Harry. Our recommendation is of course, for stricter protocols right now,” Abalos said.

In an interview on ANC’s Rundown, Abalos said they initially discussed in a meeting on Thursday the policy allowing 5 years old to go to open parks.

“We’ve discussed first about the 5 years old but we were surprised to know about new developments about these new Delta variants,” he said.

The Department of Health late Thursday confirmed local transmission of the Delta variant. The DOH earlier reported 12 new local cases of the Delta variant, which was first detected in India. With the new local cases, this brings the total cases of the strain in the Philippines to 47.

“Of course, with this there would be more stricter protocols in place,” Abalos said.

Abalos said Metro Manila has prepared for a possible surge in COVID cases due to the Delta variant. He said there are 5,775 contact tracers and testing kits and isolation centers have been prepared as well.

“Our isolation centers are about 83, 46 of which are being used right now in different LGUs. Isolation centers are schools and quarantine facilities, and 37 emergency, they’re just there, they’re functional. Aside from that, Oplan Kalinga of OCD is also there,” he said.

Metro mayors are also monitoring possible clustering of cases in their areas.

“The mayors themselves can apply for granular lockdowns if there are clustering. There are protocols in place,” he said.

The MMDA chief added that as of July 21, about 6.8 million have been vaccinated so far in Metro Manila.

53 PAMILYA MULA SA 2 BARANGAY SA QC IN-EVACUATE MATAPOS BAHAIN ANG LUGAR

Nalubog sa baha Huwebes ang ilang mga lugar sa Quezon City dahil sa malakas na ulan.

Kaya inilikas ng lokal na pamahalaan ang nasa 53 pamilyang nakatira sa ilang mga flood prone areas sa lungsod.

Nasa 35 pamilya o katumbas ng 124 indibidwal ang pinalikas sa tennis court ng Barangay Masambong.

Lahat ng mga evacuee ay hinatiran na ng mga pagkain at mahigpit ding pinatutupad ang mga safety protocols kontra COVID-19.

185 FAMILIES EVACUATED IN OCCIDENTAL MINDORO; OFFICIALS CITE FABIAN-ENHANCED HABAGAT

MANILA—Hundreds of families have been evacuated from 4 villages in 3 municipalities in Occidental Mindoro because of flooding caused by the effects of the southwest Monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Fabian, a spokesman of the national disaster agency said Friday.

“Sa municipalities ng Sablayan, Santa Cruz and Mamburao sa Occidental Mindoro ay nagkaroon ng flooding incidents kaya nagkaroon tayo ng evacuation ng 185 families o 641 katao. Apat na barangay,” said National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesperson Mark Timbal.

Earilier reports said the floods washed out the detour bridge in Barangay Lumang Bayan that isolated the barangays of Dayap and Barahan in Santa Cruz. Other areas in the town experienced waist-high water due to nonstop rains.

“Kasalukuyan silang nag-stay sa 6 na evacuation centers. Ang pangangailangan nila, mga relief items, pagkain, pino-provide po ngayon ng ating lokal government doon sa area,” Timbal said in an interview on TeleRadyo on Friday morning.

FULLY VACCINATED MAKATI SENIORS GET GIFT CHECKS

MANILA — Almost 17,000 elderly residents of Makati have received incentives after completing their two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As of July 20, the city government has distributed P1,000 worth of gift certificates to 16,986 senior citizens, according to Mayor Abby Binay.

Binay said senior citizens who were fully vaccinated could claim their incentives at Glorietta 2 and Ayala Malls Circuit.

Seniors who cannot go out can send their representatives who must bring authorization letters and original or duplicate copies of their vaccination cards.

The city government launched the program last July 1 to reward elderly residents who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Binay cautioned senior citizens not to reply to text messages saying they would be given cash if they get vaccinated.

“It’s a scam,” Binay said.

Makati targets to inoculate 437,192 residents or 70 percent of the city’s population to achieve herd immunity.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

PAOLO GUMABAO BARES IT ALL FOR LAUNCHING FILM 'LOCKDOWN'

Paolo Gumabao earned the praise and admiration of the invited media who watched the special preview of the Director's Cut version of "Lockdown," his first solo starrer, held last Saturday at Sine Pop.

The upcoming actor was very impressive in his role of an OFW who was forced to enter the world of cybersex to support his family during the lockdown.

"I am proud and happy of my launching film and I am very grateful to be given this opportunity to show what I can do as an actor," Paolo told the media.

Paolo was daring in his role that required baring and frontal nudity. "I knew what I was getting into when I auditioned. Direk Joel told me there will frontal nudity and asked me if I can do it. I told him I am willing to do anything needed to make the scene good."

The newbie actor said he is very happy with the finished product. "I am very happy and thankful because Direk Joel guided me well. He was with me every step of the way. He took good care of me during the shoot. I am confident that I was doing things right because of my director's guidance."

Paolo considers the scene with Alan Paule as the most challenging and it is also his favorite.

"The scene was very emotionally-draining scene because it was full of real emotions. I was physically-drained after doing that scene. I seemed to have lost all of my reserved energy. I had a sore body the next day. But I was happy how the scene came out."

When it comes to accepting acting assignments, Paolo said if there is a good script and he knows that the director can guide him well, he will accept the offer.

"When I accepted Lockdown, I am aware of the daring scenes that I needed to do. I just had to make sure that every scene will be shot well and decently. Kailangan hindi magmukhang bastos ang eksena. While there are plenty of daring scenes, including frontal, the scenes were done artistically."

To prepare himself for his role, Paolo read his script several times. "I tried to figure out where is my character coming from? What is his motivation in doing such thing? I have to understand my character well so that I will know what kind of emotion I should bring out so I can give the right facial expression for it," he said.

"I even memorized my own script. I am very meticulous as an actor. I don't want to commit mistakes. I don't like it if I won't be able to give what my director wants for a particular to the scenes," added Paolo who also appears in the inspirational series

"Huwag Kang Mangamba."

Lockdown is a realistic look on how the pandemic has affected the lives of the Filipinos. Many lost their jobs and loved ones. The pandemic has driven some people to desperation and are willing to do anything just to survive.

Danny initially rejects the offer of a friend to be a cyberprostitute but in the end, he has no choice but to show himself masturbating and having sex with his co-prostitutes in front of the camera to please their foreign clients on cam.

The movie, produced by Jojo Barron, boasts of good performances from Alan Paule, Jess Evardone, Max Eigenmann, Jim Pebangco and Ruby Ruiz. The Director's Cut will be streamed starting July 23 at ktx.ph.

SPORTS

OLYMPICS: FILIPINO ROWER CRIS NIEVAREZ ADVANCES TO QUARTERFINALS

Filipino rower Cris Nievarez advanced to the quarterfinals in men’s single sculls on Friday, starting off the country’s 2020 Summer Olympics campaign on a positive note.

The top 3 in each heat marched on, and Nievarez did so by placing third at Sea Forest Waterway, Tokyo.

He clocked 7 minutes and 22.97 seconds, behind first-place Damir Martin of Croatia and No. 2 Alexander Vyazovkin of the Russian Federation.

The quarterfinals are set Monday.

Nievarez, 21, is the first Filipino Olympic rower since Benjamin Tolentino participated in Sydney 2000.

The Philippines is eyeing its first gold medal in the Olympics.

Nievarez’s campaign began before the official opening ceremonies set for Friday afternoon.

Team Philippines is composed of boxers Irish Magno, Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam Nesthy Petecio; golfers Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan and Juvic Pagunsan; swimmers Luke Gebbie and Remedy Rule; weightlifters Elreen Ando and Hidilyn Diaz; gymnast Carlos Yulo; judoka Kiyomi Watanabe; pole-vaulter EJ Obiena; shooter Julius Valdez; skateboarder Marigielyn Didal; sprinter Kristina Knott; and taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful – Sigmund Freud