FAST-TRACK VACCINES TO PROVINCES – DUTERTE

MANILA — President Duterte has ordered government agencies to fast-track the deployment of vaccines to the provinces as the number of COVID-19 infections in Mindanao continues to rise.

During a meeting of the government’s pandemic task force last Monday, Health Secretary Franciso Duque III reported that Mindanao is presently the highest contributor of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Duque cited the need to act on the rising number of persons being admitted to hospitals to address the pandemic surge in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Duterte then inquired whether the local governments in areas with rising numbers of COVID-19 infections have received vaccines.

Duque told the President the government already has a vaccine allocation plan for every region, province, city and town.

Duterte ordered agencies to move faster in distributing the vaccines to areas with rising numbers of cases.

National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said local governments have been scaling up their daily vaccination capacities as COVID-19 jabs are being consumed fast. He cited Cagayan de Oro, Ormoc, Negros and Iloilo, which he said consume 5,000 to 8,000 doses per day.

“Different sectors are being mobilized and integrated so that they have an increased capacity in the vaccination,” Galvez said.

DUTERTE SAYS HE WON’T OBEY ANY COURT ON ISSUE OF CEBU PANDEMIC MANAGEMENT

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday during his taped weekly briefing that he would not obey any court ruling on the matter of managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Cebu province.

That was his reaction to the filing of Cebu-based lawyers of a petition before a court seeking to stop the 10-day quarantine period for returning Filipinos being enforced by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“I don’t want to lock horns with the judiciary. I said I respect it. But there are times that, you know… the courts can function normally and maybe grant injunctions,” Duterte said, speaking partly in Filipino. “But this time, I said they are put on notice that I will not be stopped. I will not obey the courts in the matter now of managing the pandemic.”

Cebu has insisted on implementing its own protocols on passengers arriving from abroad, requiring to undergo COVID-19 testing on arrival.

Under IATF rules, returning Filipinos should be tested seven days after their arrival and undergo facility-based quarantine for 10 days.

As for Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Duterte said: “I assured her we are fair. I see the wisdom in her view. But the overwhelming notion among us in government simply does not agree with her. I leave the fate of Governor Garcia to the DILG.”

“I will just say that I am here to protect the people, and for as long as I am guided by reason, as long as it is factual, backed up by studies, then I will follow what the medical science will tell me. That is my answer,” he went on.

Duterte also stressed that a provincial ordinance could not be “higher than a national policy.”

“Not all cases can really be the subject of an injunction or a TRO [temporary restraining order] for that matter. I’m sorry, but the courts will not interfere in all matters,” he said. “This is not a question of justice and equity. This is a question of survival of the nation. I will not allow any court for the matter. I’m putting notice. I will not obey.”

CEBU GOVERNOR SETS ASIDE PROVINCE'S COVID-19 QUARANTINE RULES 'IN DEFERENCE' TO DUTERTE

CEBU — Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has set aside her Executive Order 23, which threatens government agencies with criminal and administrative charges should they refuse to follow the provincial government’s protocols for returning Filipinos (ROFs) and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In a statement aired over Facebook live yesterday, Garcia said she is setting aside her EO in “deference to the President.”

“This Executive Order I am now setting aside in deference to the President even as we look forward to the scheduled meeting on the 28th of June with (Health) Secretary (Francisco) Duque and the same technical experts who had advised the President last night, as regards the need to strictly implement the IATF guidelines,” Garcia said, referring to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

President Duterte yesterday told Cebu to follow the IATF protocol.

Even as she withdraws the EO, Garcia said the swab-upon-arrival policy will be implemented on OFWs and ROFs arriving at the Mactan Cebu International Aiport.

“Allow me to thank again the President, for announcing last night that the ROFs, aside from the OFWs, will not need to pay the hotels since this will be answered by the national government. This certainly lessens the financial burden of our ROFs,” Garcia said.

She said the swab-upon-arrival policy would give the provincial government better control of those who would test positive.

“This will continue at no cost to arriving OFWs and ROFs,” she said.

DUTERTE APOLOGIZES FOR CONFUSION OVER FACE SHIELD POLICY

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday apologized to the public for the confusion over the government’s policy on the use of face shields.

He was referring to reports that he had agreed to do away with the mandatory use of face shields outdoors and only require it in hospitals. He made the pronouncement during a meeting with lawmakers in Malacañang last week.

His pronouncement was announced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III in a Twitter post last week.

“I will apologize to the Filipino people. This thing was being discussed openly and many thought that we were ready to do away with the face mask,” he said in his pre-recorded weekly briefing yesterday.

He maintained that the wearing of face shields would still be required at all times, whether indoors or outdoors,” acknowledging the Delta variant “poses a very grave danger.”

ROBREDO WILLING TO EXPAND 'VACCINE EXPRESS' TO VISAYAS, MINDANAO

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo said Wednesday that her office is willing to expand its “Vaccine Express” project to Visayas and Mindanao after a Cagayan de Oro lawmaker sought help with vaccine distribution.

"We are very much willing," Robredo said on Twitter, in response to Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez, who urged her to set up drive-through vaccination sites for economic frontliners outside of Metro Manila. "Will ask our team to coordinate with yours."

In a statement, Rodriguez said Robredo should roll out the Vaccine Express program in cities like Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo where COVID-19 cases are rising, instead of the city of Manila, "which has already given so much vaccines to its residents."

In the pilot Vaccine Express program launched Tuesday in Manila, Robredo’s office only provided the buses which served as vaccination sites and staff, while the local government of Manila provided the vaccines to be used for tricycle, pedicab and delivery riders.

Speaking to reporters at the launch of Vaccine Express, Robredo signalled that her office is willing to partner with other local government units, but said that they have problems with vaccine supply.

"Our biggest problem is that in our office, we didn't have access to supply. So for us, we are really dependent on which LGUs are willing to partner with us,” Robredo said.

NURSES TO FILL 99% OF ADDED SLOTS FOR HEALTH WORKERS' DEPLOYMENT ABROAD: POEA

MANILA— Nurses will fill most of the new slots for health care workers that will be allowed to be deployed abroad, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration announced Tuesday.

The inter-agency task force on COVID-19 raised last week the annual cap on the deployment of nurses and other health care workers who want to work abroad to 6,500 from 5,000.

POEA administrator Bernard Olalia said in a public briefing Tuesday that 99% of the 1,500 additional slots will go to nurses.

He clarified that the 1,500 slots will be given to medical workers who have already secured employment contracts abroad and work visas.

"Exempted naman po sa cap 'yung mga government-to-government deployment natin, at saka 'yung mga balik manggagawa natin. Ang tanging mabibilang sa cap 'yung mga natitirang agency hires at 'yung mga direct hires," Olalia said.

Olalia sought understanding from health workers looking for better opportunities abroad, saying the government needs to cope with the needs of the Philippine health care system amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that the Philippines lacks around 120,000 nurses for its own population, based on the sustainable development goal indicator that there should be at least 27 nurses for every 100,000 people.

Olalia said the country only has around 183,000 nurses for the country's 110-million population.

"Kinakailangan po nating tingnan, balansehin ang pangangailangan natin sa sariling bansa, sa health care natin, at 'yung opportunity na ibibigay natin sa nurses," he said.

The Philippines, which is one of the world's biggest sources of health care workers, has deployed some 10 million Filipinos abroad, receiving in excess of $30 billion in annual remittances, a key driver for the country's consumption-driven economy.

Filipino nurses earn more abroad than in the country.

‘UNNECCESSARY’, ‘UNJUST’: NURSES’ GROUP REITERATES APPEAL TO END DEPLOYMENT BAN

MANILA—A group of nurses on Wednesday again urged government anew to lift the overseas deployment ban on all health-care workers, saying it is their right to seek better opportunities abroad.

Filipino Nurses United president Maristela Abenojar, in an interview on ANC, said there were enough nurses in the country even if the government lifts the ban.

"Some of our nurses are pushed to leave our country is because of the very low salary and the lack of appreciation our government is giving to our nurses here," Abenojar said.

The annual cap of deployment of medical professionals overseas is also "unnecessary" and "unjust," she said.

"For us, the 5,000 cap is unnecessary and it is not just for our nurses who have already processed all the documents and necessary papers for having a better opportunity outside the country," she added.

Abenojar said hospitals still face "chronic understaffing" because salaries were "not enticing."

"They're not even enough for our nurses to survive individually," she said, adding nurses in private hospitals earn an average of P8,000 to P10,000 per month.

"Working here in the country is really sacrificing a lot because aside from the very low salary, they're not even well protected and compensated facing the battle of COVID-19," Abenojar added.

THIRD VACCINE DOSE STILL NOT RECOMMENDED – EXPERT

MANILA — Despite the detection of Delta and other variants of concern in the country, a vaccine expert has advised against getting a third dose of the anti-COVID vaccine, at least for now.

In an interview on Monday night with “The Chiefs” on One News, adult infectious diseases specialist and Vaccine Expert Panel member Dr. Rontgene Solante said all the variants of concern of COVID-19 have not “significantly” affected the effectiveness of the first generation of vaccines.

Until proven that the variants of concern have significantly diminished the efficacy of the vaccine, Solante said, the first generation of vaccine should be used to protect the people.

“As of now it’s not yet significant, the impact of the variants of concern. The goal is still for us to vaccinate as many people as possible… and let the data come in,” Solante said in a mix of Filipino and English.

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PHILIPPINES LOGS 3,666 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 12 LABS WITHOUT DATA

MANILA — Coronavirus cases in the Philippines rose to 1,367,894 after the Department of Health logged Tuesday 3,666 new infections.

Active cases decreased by 3,151 from Monday's 55,847. The Department of Health said 12 laboratories did not submit testing results.

Active cases: 52,696 or 3.9% of the total

Recoveries: 6,810, bringing total to 1,291,389

Deaths: 60, raising death toll to 23,809

HULING ARAW NG DRIVE-THRU BAKUNAHAN PARA SA DELIVERY RIDERS, TRICYCLE DRIVERS SA MAYNILA, PINILAHAN

MAYNILA - Mahaba na ang pila sa ikalawa at huling araw ng vaccine express na isinasagawa sa paradahan ng Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex sa Maynila.

Madaling araw pa nagsimulang pumila ang mga delivery rider, tricycle drivers at pedicab drivers na gusto nang magpabakuna kontra COVID-19.

Target na mabakunahan ang nasa 5,000 riders mula Martes hanggang ngayong Miyerkoles.

Gamit nila sa vaccination driver ang nakalaan na bakuna para sa lungsod ng Maynila mula sa national government.

Naisagawa ang naturang vaccination driver sa pakikipagtulungan ng Office of the Vice President, Manila LGU at ilang private partners.

May ilan ang lumiban na sa trabaho para pumila at mabakunahan lalo't may incentive pa na P500 na pang gas sa mga magpapabakuna.

Para sa mga riders, malaking bagay na ito para sa kanilang hanap-buhay kaya nahikayat na rin silang magpabakuna.

'PILIPINO RIN KAMI': ILOILO CITY MAYOR SEEKS MORE VACCINES, COVID-19 ASSISTANCE

MANILA - Iloilo City received fewer doses of COVID-19 vaccines than the Department of Health reported, its mayor said Wednesday.

The local government received only 66,000 out of the 84,000 doses that DOH said it gave, said Mayor Jerry Treñas.

"I don't know where the 17,000 doses went. Sumulat ako kay (DOH-Western Visayas director Emilia) Monicimpo, walang sagot sa'kin," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

"Ang bakuna di nagtatagal dito sa'min. Wala kaming problema sa vaccine acceptance, ang kulang namin bakuna. We can do 8,000 vaccinations a day. Sumusobra ang tao sa bakuna."

The mayor again appealed to national government to send more COVID-19 vaccines and assistance as he bewailed the latter was focusing on Metro Manila and 8 other economic hubs or the NCR+8.

"Sana naman ang DOH tulungan naman kami maski malayo kami sa NCR, Pilipino rin kami," he said.

"We need ventilators, high-flow oxygen canula. We need COVID medicines like remdesivir."

Treñas said the regional DOH direct was "missing in action" and lashed out at Health Secretary Francisco Duque for allegedly getting mad at him for low vaccination rate.

TRASH TO CASHBACK: BASURA PINAPALITAN NG POINTS PAMBILI NG PAGKAIN SA QC

MAYNILA - Inilunsad ng Quezon City ang Trash to Cashback program kung saan pwedeng kumita ang mga residente sa sarili nilang basura.

Bagong proyekto ito nang Quezon City, partikular na ang Novaliches District Center.

Sa ilalim nito, pwedeng ipalit ang mga basura sa mga environmental points, na pwede namang magamit para ipambili ng pagkain sa iba't ibang partner merchants.

Ang isang kilo ng karton ay katumbas ng 3 environmental points.

Ang isang kilo ng may kulay na plastic na recyclable kagaya na lang ng lalagyan ng mga shampoo ay katumbas ng 13 environmental points.

Ang isang kilo ng clear na plastic kagaya na lang ng lalagyan ng isang galong alcohol ay 18 environmental points.

Ang isang kilo ng pet bottle ay nasa 6 points.

Ang isang kilo ng mga plastic tulad ng sachet ng shampoo ay 1 point.

Ang papel gaya ng shredded, bond, at newspaper ay may 1-3 points.

Pwedeng dalhin yan sa trash to cashback drop off and exchange sa Novaliches District Center.

Ang maiipon na puntos ay pwedeng ipambili ng pagkain sa iba't ibang partner merchants na makikita sa bxtra.com.ph.

Makikita dyan ang mga partner na restaurants at shops kung saan magagamit ang points.

Sisimulan ito sa mga empleyado ng Novaliches District Center at ibababa sa lahat ng mga barangay at residente ng district 5 ng Quezon City.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

SETHDREA’S ‘WILD LITTLE LOVE’ IS LATEST KAPAMILYA FILM ON NETFLIX

MANILA — “Wild Little Love,” the romantic-comedy film starring Andrea Brillantes and Seth Fedelin, is the latest ABS-CBN title to be released on the streaming service Netflix.

The Benedict Mique-directed film became available on the platform on June 21, adding to an already wide library of Kapamilya productions streaming on Netflix.

“Wild Little Love” follows the story of a spoiled only child (Brillantes), whose forced transfer to a public school leads her to finding an unlikely romantic match (Fedelin).

It initially premiered on the ABS-CBN streaming platform iWant in November 2019 as a back-to-back offering with “Silly Red Shoes,” starring Francine Diaz and Kyle Echarri.

The movie then made its television debut in February 2020 to massive ratings via ABS-CBN Channel 2, before the network was forced off free television in May.

“Wild Little Love,” a co-production of Dreamscape Entertainment and Lonewolf Films, also stars Carmina Villaroel, Victor Neri, Alfred Vargas, and Criza Taa.

SPORTS

REPORT: NETS' KEVIN DURANT, JAMES HARDEN COMMIT TO US OLYMPIC TEAM

Brooklyn Nets teammates Kevin Durant and James Harden are committed to playing for the United States Olympic basketball team, but Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is out, The Athletic reported Monday.

They become the biggest stars on what is shaping up to be a star-laden team. While USA Basketball has not confirmed the 12-man roster for coach Gregg Popovich's squad, it reportedly includes Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat) and Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors).

ESPN said Monday that Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell also declined the opportunity to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, instead choosing to use the time to rehab a right ankle injury.

Durant is a two-time veteran of Team USA, which has won the past three Olympic gold medals. Durant and Harden played in London in 2012, with Durant a headliner of the 2016 team in Rio de Janeiro.

Green (2016) is the only other member of the reported Tokyo roster to have Olympic experience. His teammate Curry never has played in the Olympics, and it was believed he might compete this year.

The Nets' season ended Saturday night with a loss in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Milwaukee Bucks. Harden was limited by a Grade 2 hamstring strain in the playoffs and will need to make a quick recovery.

Team USA will begin training camp July 6 in Las Vegas. The United States opens play in the Tokyo Olympics on July 25 against France.

The only player among those on the reported roster still competing in the playoffs is Booker, whose Phoenix team has a 1-0 lead on the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference finals. Should the Suns win the series and advance to the NBA Finals, Booker would not be available for the start of the camp.

INDICATORS

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart. – Socrates