PHILIPPINES SUSPENDS SHORTER QUARANTINE FOR FULLY VACCINATED COVID-19 CLOSE CONTACTS

MANILA — The inter-agency task force (IATF) leading the Philippines pandemic response said on Wednesday it suspended the shortened quarantine period for fully vaccinated individuals who came in close contact with probable and confirmed COVID-19 patients.

Earlier protocol allowed fully vaccinated individuals to undergo a 7-day quarantine period, instead of 14 days, provided they remain asymptomatic.

"The decision to temporarily suspend said protocol is part of the continued implementation of proactive measures to slow down the surge in COVID-19 cases and to stop the further spread of the variants," said IATF and Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque.

With this suspension, all close contacts of probable and confirmed COVID-19 patients shall be placed under a 14-day quarantine period, he said in a statement.

Those who remain asymptomatic for at least 14 days from the date of exposure can discontinue their quarantine. In the event that they develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus, they shall be isolated and shall be admitted and treated in an appropriate facility, added the official.

The health department defines close contacts as those with exposure during the 2 days before and the 14 days after the onset of symptoms of the probable or confirmed case through the following, said Roque.

-Face-to-face contact within 1 meter and for at least 15 minutes

-Direct physical contact

-Direct care for a patient without using personal protective equipment

-Other situations as indicated by local risk assessments

PH SEA LEVEL RISE MAY BE FASTER THAN GLOBAL AVERAGE: CLIMATOLOGIST

MANILA – Sea levels in the Philippines may be rising faster than the global average, a climatologist said.

Meteorologist and climatologist Lourdes Tibig said a coastal island in Visayas may be experiencing a sea level rise faster than that of the global average.

“The global average is 3.7 millimeters per year. In Visayas islands, in that particular study site, they found out that the sea level rise is happening four times 3.7 millimeters per year. 3.7 millimeters times four. That’s more than one centimeter every year,” she said.

“Imagine what that coastal island would look like, say, in 2050. It really is very grim. That coastal island would be submerged almost the whole year. It would be totally submerged in water if sea level rise is, rather climate change is not really decelerated.”

Tibig said the impact of climate change on coastal communities could be severe.

“The way we are acting now, the way people are acting now is like nothing, they’re not causing any problem at all. They don’t realize the gravity of the situation. But I tell you, sea level rise in the Philippine seas is faster than what the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report says,” she stressed.

The United Nations IPCC on Tuesday released a report that said global warming is dangerously close to spiraling out of control, warning the world is already certain to face further climate disruptions for decades, if not centuries, to come.

Tibig also said tropical cyclones will have greater impact as climate change worsens.

“Because the projection is that while the number of tropical cyclones may not increase, the intensity will certainly increase. And you have seen how much is the destruction being wrought about by any tropical cyclone has become in recent years,” she warned.

“And if we do not heed new report, we are bound to see more problems in terms if weather security, in terms of agricultural produce, in terms of health…and in terms of the environment itself.”

HONG KONG REJECTS PINOY VAX CARDS ISSUED BY LGUS

MANILA — Hong Kong will not recognize COVID-19 vaccination cards issued by local government units in the Philippines, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said yesterday.

“Our vaccination cards are not accepted in Hong Kong because they are not connected to a single source. Poor OFWs going to their jobs in Hong Kong even if jabbed,” Locsin posted on Twitter, referring to overseas Filipino workers.

A South China Morning Post report said an employment agencies’ group announced that the Philippines proposed, during a meeting last week, using a COVID-19 vaccination certificate recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Hong Kong government to allow foreign domestic helpers to work in the city.

The report said domestic helpers from Indonesia and the Philippines, previously barred from entering the city because both countries were listed in the highest-risk category, would be able to return if they had been vaccinated in Hong Kong. All of them will be quarantined for 21 days upon entry in one or two specified hotels.

The Philippine government is seeking clarification from Hong Kong on the number of quarantine days required for a fully vaccinated OFW to go through.

Hong Kong officials and the two consulates started talks for a system to recognize inoculation records of helpers vaccinated in Indonesia and the Philippines.

MANILA CITY GOVT TO DISTRIBUTE ECQ AYUDA ON AUGUST 11: ISKO

MANILA - Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Tuesday said the distribution of cash aid in the capital city will begin August 11, adding that the city government has already withdrawn the funds.

"Bukas po ay ide-deploy na ng Manila Department of Social Welfare ang ayuda," Domagoso said in a Facebook live video.

"Masayang-masaya po ako na mabibigay na ang ayuda bukas. Handa na po ngunit mga kababayan, makisuyo lang eh mag-behave tayo. Kusang disiplina," he said.

"Walang maiinip, walang mag-uunahan. Disiplina lang mga kababayan," he said.

The development comes after the Manila mayor was reportedly summoned to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headquarters in Makati City at around 6 p.m., a source told ABS-CBN News.

Domagoso met with Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and MMDA chair Benhur Abalos to discuss President Rodrigo Duterte's directives over the cash aid for Manila, the source said.

The DSWD, DILG and the DND are in charge of monitoring the distribution of cash aid in barangays, said Ma. Asuncion Fugoso, officer-in-charge of the Manila Department of Social Welfare, in a separate interview.

Duterte, in a taped speech aired late Monday, said the cash aid for a particular city would be coursed through various agencies instead of the local government.

The President criticized the unnamed mayor for allegedly having "disorganized" thoughts, and even brought up the said politician's sexy photos circulating online.

Duterte did not name any politician, but Domagoso - a former actor - is the lone Metro Manila mayor who had half-naked photos on the internet while he was still a young actor.

Domagoso thanked the executive branch for granting the cash aid to the capital city.

"Maraming salamat kay Pangulong Duterte, sa DSWD, sa DILG, at sa Department of National Defense," he said.

Manila cash aid beneficiaries will have to bring their barangay certificate and valid ID to claim the fund, Fugoso said.

‘YORME NEVER LIED, DID NOT KILL’: CAVITE GOVERNOR DEFENDS ISKO MORENO

MANILA—Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday defended Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso against critics shaming the actor-turned-politician for sexy pictures of him taken in the 1990s.

Domagoso "did not break any laws by joining showbiz in his youth nor by posing sexy in photos," said Remulla, who once blasted the Manila Mayor over the alleged lack of aid for Manila residents who transferred to Cavite.

"Yorme did not do those provocative poses while in office as a respected councilor, vice mayor or as the current Manila Mayor," Remulla said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page.

"Hindi ito isyu (This is not an issue). What’s important is that Yorme NEVER LIED, DID NOT STEAL, KILL nor did he ever brought shame to the great people of Manila as a public servant."

Remulla did not mention names of Domagoso's critics, but President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this week slammed a Metro Manila mayor for "being like a call boy" because of his half-naked photos circulating online.

Duterte did not name any politician, but Domagoso is the lone Metro Manila mayor who is known to have provocative photos on the internet, taken when he was still a young actor.

The Cavite governor underscored that Domagoso never hid the fact that he grew up in the slums of Tondo, and had to earn for his family at a young age.

"Sa palagay ko, ang nais lamang ni Yorme noong mga panahon na iyon ay ang maiahon ang kanyang pamilya sa kahirapan," Remulla said.

"He was very young then. I am sure the limelight was quite tempting for a young lad from a very poor background. And why not? The opportunity for him to earn a living was readily available," he said.

"Ang paghatol sa kalaban sa pulitika ay dapat tungkol sa kaniyang kakayanan bilang Serbisyo Publiko at hindi paninira lamang base sa kaniyang nakaraan o noong siya ay bata pa."

TANODS NOT ALLOWED TO CARRY GUNS – ELEAZAR

MANILA — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar yesterday ordered PNP personnel to ensure that no barangay peace and security officer carries firearms.

“Make sure that no barangay tanod would be allowed to carry guns, especially in the enforcement of quarantine protocols,” Eleazar said.

He issued the directive after a curfew violator was shot dead by Cesar Panlaqui, a barangay tanod in Tondo, Manila.

The victim, 59-year-old scavenger Eduardo Geñoga, was found dead on Saturday with a gunshot to the chest.

Panlaqui said he fired at Geñoga because the victim was creating a ruckus during curfew hours.

Eleazar ordered the Manila Police District to conduct a thorough investigation on Geñoga’s murder, as the PNP chief wanted to find out how Panlaqui was able to obtain a firearm.

Eleazar vowed justice for the family of Geñoga, said to be mentally ill.

“We will look into this case.  The victim’s family can expect that we will pursue all legal means upang mapanagot ang may sala,” Eleazar said.

Following the incident, Eleazar reminded police officers of the rules of engagement and other operational procedures in the enforcement of quarantine rules.

“We remind PNP personnel to always observe our protocols, especially in dealing with civilians during the enforcement of ECQ in Metro Manila and other areas,” Eleazar said.

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CHR FLAGS GENERAL SANTOS CITY FOR HIGHEST EJK NUMBERS IN SOCCSKSARGEN

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has flagged General Santos City for topping the numbers of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in Soccsksargen, or Region 12.

The CHR said General Santos City accounts for most of the EJK cases in the region since 2016, followed by the provinces of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. The bulk of EJKs in the city happened this year.

Keysie Gomez, CHR spokesperson for Region 12, said there have been 56 EJK cases in General Santos since 2016.

North Cotabato trailed with 45 EJK cases, closely followed by Sultan Kudarat with 44, said Gomez, citing records from CHR-12’s investigation division.

Data indicate a dramatic rise in General Santos’s suspected EJK cases from January to June this year. Of the 59 cases since 2016, authorities documented 41 gun attacks, including 26 that resulted in deaths, during the first six months of 2021. The shootings also left at least 15 people wounded. The latest shooting incident was recorded on August 1.

But the city's police chief, Colonel Gilbert Tuzon, dismissed the CHR's claim, saying that none of the shooting deaths that took place in General Santos have been established to be EJK cases.

Many of the shootings were carried out by still unidentified gunmen riding in tandem on motorcycles.

Lawyer Erlan Deluvio, CHR director for Region 12, said at least 200 EJK cases have so far been documented by the Commission throughout the Soccsksargen region since 2016 and these were included in a document submitted to the United Nations (UN).

Deluvio, however, said, “We appreciate and acknowledge the steadfast dedication of the PNP leadership to deter crimes and end criminality in the city, particularly with the recent developments now.”

CEBU CITY EYES MASS BURIAL SITES AS COVID-19 DEATHS INCREASE

Should the number of COVID-19 cases continue to surge, the Cebu City government is considering mass burials to trim the long queues of dead bodies for cremation in funeral parlors.

According to data from the Emergency Operations Center, Cebu City has had an average of 11 deaths per day for a total of 62 deaths so far in August. Prior to the latest surge, the city had a relatively low number of COVID-19 deaths.

The latest data from the Department of Health (DOH) Central Visayas office showed that almost all COVID-19 wards in Cebu City are fully occupied. The city's vaccine drive has so far covered only 9% of the 700,000 eligible residents.

“That is something that is bound to happen. If the mortality that we are experiencing on a daily basis in-ana...mahitabo na ((remains to be like that...it is bound to happen),” City Councilor Joel Garganera, the head of the Emergency Operations Center, told media during a press briefer on Monday, August 9.

Garganera said the city government is eyeing a lot in Barangay Adlaon as a possible mass burial site.

'STUBS, COLOR-CODED SCHEMES': QC EMPLOYS VARIOUS MODES OF DELIVERY FOR CASH AID DISTRIBUTION

MANILA - The local government of Quezon City is employing several modes of delivery for the distribution of cash aid intended for qualified beneficiaries affected by the lockdown.

QC Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday said the local government conducted orientation for barangay officials on the general guidelines in the distribution of cash aid.

“Nag orient na ng mga punong barangay at sinigurado namin na lahat may maayos na sistema kung di man stubs katulad sa Batasan, yung iba color-coded, yung iba naman per batch ayon sa kalsada kung saan sila nakatira. Yung iba naman alphabetical ang kanilang napiling mode of delivery,” she told TeleRadyo.

Belmonte said it is important that the distribution of cash aid is done per batch, hourly and staggered.

“Hindi tawagin ang second batch kung hindi pa natatapos ang pagbibigay sa unang batch. 'Yan ang ating patakaran para maiwasan ang crowding at pag breach ng minimum health standards natin at maaaring maging superspreader events,” she said.

Charges will be filed against barangay officials for anomalies involving the distribution of cash aid.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

DEREK RAMSAY ENDS FRIENDSHIP WITH JOHN ESTRADA OVER ELLEN ADARNA ISSUE

MANILA — Kapuso actor Derek Ramsey ended his friendship with John Estrada.

In his new interview with talent manager and actor Ogie Diaz, Derek said John is not his enemy but is also no longer his friend.

"Hindi ko siya kaaway. Hindi ko siya kaibigan. He's no longer a friend of mine. I just don't want to associate myself with John,” Derek declared.

"Magsisinungaling ako kung walang kinalaman 'yung nangyari kay Ellen, pero 'yon 'yung icing on the cake. 'Yun ang nag-push sa akin na enough is enough," he added.

Derek said Ellen experienced lots of hardships on the set of her “John En Ellen” sitcom with John.

"Naramdaman niya 'yung galit ko. I think na-understand naman ni John kung saan ako nanggaling... Marami nangyari kay Ellen sa show na iyan. But, ibigay ko kay John. He was apologetic sa mga bagay na nangyari. Pero, there were certain things na 'di ko na puwede tanggapin,” he said.

"For me, you go on with your life, I'll go on with my life. I wish you well, Bro," he added.

It can be recalled that Derek and Ellen met through John earlier this year.

'A LOVE STORY' STARRING MARICEL, AGA, ANGELICA HAS BEEN RESTORED AND IS SET TO PREMIERE

MANILA — “A Love Story,” the 2007 romance film starring Maricel Soriano, Aga Muhlach, and Angelica Panganinban, has been digitally remastered and is set to premiere anew this month.

The Star Cinema film, written by Vanessa Valdez and directed by Maryo delos Reyes, is the latest title to be restored by Sagip Pelikula.

The campaign by ABS-CBN Film Restoration has been releasing its updated movies across different platforms, with KTX.ph serving as its virtual venue for premieres.

The restored “A Love Story” is scheduled to debut on August 17 via KTX. Tickets, priced at P150, are now available and gives access to a pre-show and the digital premiere.

Originally released in August 2007, “A Love Story” follows Ian Montes (Muhlach), a businessman who is torn between to women: Joanna (Soriano), a doctor, and Karyn (Panganiban), and flight attendant.

Aside from “A Love Story,” dozens of other remastered classics from ABS-CBN Film Restoration remain available to stream on KTX.

SPORTS

PACQUIAO WILL HAVE NEW OPPONENT, AS EYE INJURY FORCES SPENCE TO BACK OUT

Manny Pacquiao will not be fighting Errol Spence Jr. on August 21 in Las Vegas, after Spence sustained a retinal tear in his left eye, the company promoting the bout announced Tuesday.

“I was excited about the fight and the event. Unfortunately, the doctors found a tear in my left eye and said I needed to get surgery on it ASAP and that there was no way I could fight with my eye in that condition,” Spence said in a statement.

“I’d like to apologize to everyone. You know I’ll be back as soon back soon. We’ve come back from worse.”

World Boxing Association welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas will replace Spence with his title on the line.

In a tweet, Pacquiao wished Spence to recover.

In a statement, Pacquiao added that he has agreed to fight Ugas.

Ugas, meanwhile, said he relished the opportunity to fight Pacquiao.

“It’s an honor to fight the great multiple division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, as I am more than ready to take on this challenge,’’ said Ugas, who boasts a 26-4 career record with 12 knockout wins.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Pacquiao, but I am coming to win this fight. I’ve been in camp working hard with my coach Ismael Salas and I know together we will come up with a masterful game plan to combat anything Manny will bring to the ring.

“I wish Errol Spence Jr. a speedy recovery and I want to ensure the fans that I will be at my best for this fight.”

FOOTBALL: MESSI JOINS PSG WITH BARCELONA LEGACY INTACT

PARIS, France -- There was once the romantic notion that whenever Lionel Messi finally left Barcelona, he would return to Argentina and play for Newell's Old Boys, the club he supported as a boy.

Paris Saint-Germain, a club transformed by the unfathomable state wealth of Qatar, is a rather less romantic destination for the player Barca fans hoped would never turn out for anyone else.

But on Wednesday, Messi will be unveiled as a Parisian player on a two-year contract, with an optional third.

At the age of 34, Messi did not want to leave the Camp Nou, certainly not in the manner he ultimately did.

He had agreed a new five-year deal but the cash-strapped Catalans could not afford to make it happen. PSG can.

INDICATORS

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

If you have tried to do something and failed, you are vastly better off than if you tried to do nothing and succeeded. - Richard Martin Stern