UN SEEKS $6.5 MILLION IN AID AFTER TYPHOON ODETTE

 

 

 

The United Nations will kick off a campaign Friday to raise $6.5 million (approximately P325 million) in aid for victims of Typhoon Odette (international name Rai), which ravaged the Philippines last week, the organization's in-country coordinator said.

 

"Tomorrow, we'll be launching at the local level with the international community represented in Manila... a presentation of the humanitarian needs and priority plan," Gustavo Gonzalez told a virtual press conference Thursday.

 

"The financial ask is $6.5 million dollars," he said.

 

The money will be targeted towards 530,000 people in the worst-affected areas, who are in dire need of health logistics, access to drinking water, and sanitation facilities.

 

"There is momentum for full support," said Gonzalez. "Now the challenge is that all of this announcement and solidarity is rapidly translated into concrete actions."

 

Super Typhoon Odette devastated parts of the Philippines one week ago, leaving at least 375 people dead, largely in the south and center of the island chain.

 

It destroyed homes, uprooted trees, and knocked out power for many cities across the country.

 

 

 

 

 

PH FACES 'MAJOR HUMANITARIAN CRISIS' IN TYPHOON ODETTE AFTERMATH

 

 

 

MANILA — International aid groups see a "major humanitarian crisis" unfolding in the central and southern Philippines amid reports of water and food shortages, power outages and looting, as the government scrambles to reach isolated areas a week after the onslaught of Typhoon Rai (local name: Odette).

 

The national disaster agency said over 486,000 people affected by the super typhoon remain in evacuation shelters, while power restoration is impossible before Christmas Day, a highly anticipated holiday in the predominantly Catholic Philippines.

 

"I wish I can say that we are OK, but unfortunately, to be truthful about it, the province is in a state of devastation," said Arthur Yap, governor of the hardest-hit province of Bohol.

 

The government Thursday confirmed the death of 258 people, while 47 remained missing. The national police independently counted 375 fatalities.

 

UNICEF Philippines meanwhile called for an "urgent" response to over 900,000 children affected by the typhoon and facing a greater risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

President Rodrigo Duterte has placed areas in southern Luzon, central and eastern Visayas, and northern and northeastern Mindanao under a state of calamity that allows a faster release of state funds for rehabilitation.

 

As he went around typhoon-hit areas, Duterte said the government is willing to cut the budget for other projects in order to prioritize giving cash aid to the typhoon victims.

 

A number of countries have so far pledged help for the Philippines, among them Japan, the United States, Britain, Australia and China.

 

 

 

 

 

FDA: COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT FOR CHILDREN AGED 5-11 MAY START JANUARY

 

 

 

MANILA—The Philippines may begin administering COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5 to 11 in January, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday, as the country expands its inoculation coverage amid a still-raging pandemic.

 

This, after state regulators authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use to protect children from the threat of omicron variant, which is spreading rapidly around the world.

 

"Ito pong Pfizer na bakuna na 5 to 11, ang plano po ng ating gobyerno gamitin siguro by January," FDA director-general Eric Domingo told TeleRadyo.

 

The government will still have to procure the anti-virus jab for children, in which the dosage is lower than those for adults, he added.

 

State regulators had already granted an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine to children aged over 12.

 

There are some 13.5 million children aged 5 to 11 in the country, according to the Department of Health. Guidelines for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines for this age group have yet to be released.

 

 

 

 

 

BANGKO SENTRAL ASSURES PUBLIC OF 'ADEQUATE' CURRENCY SUPPLY IN ODETTE-HIT AREAS

 

 

 

MANILA— The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has said there is adequate supply of cash in areas hit by Typhoon Odette.

 

In a statement, the BSP said it is committed to meeting currency demands in provinces that suffered the most from the typhoon "to support immediate recovery."

 

Millions of pesos were lost and at least 258 people died when Odette ravaged the central and southern parts of the country, government data showed.

 

"The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) assures the public that there is adequate supply of currency in areas affected by Typhoon Odette," the central bank said.

 

"Amid electricity and internet connection outages, BSP offices and branches continue to fully service the currency requirements of banks in the Visayas and Mindanao," it added.

 

Banks in Visayas and Mindanao were also advised to carry out measures to ensure availability of cash in automated teller machines (ATMs) for the public's withdrawal needs.

 

 

 

 

 

ROBREDO URGES FILIPINOS: HOLD ON TIGHTLY TO HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS

 

 

 

MANILA— Vice President Leni Robredo on Christmas Eve urged Filipinos to "hold on tightly to hope" as the Philippines grappled with the coronavirus crisis and destructive Typhoon Odette.

 

Robredo said many Filipinos have just begun trying to starting over from the pandemic's challenges when Typhoon Odette left a wide trail of devastation late last week.

 

"There will be those among us who will celebrate Christmas without the presence of their loved ones," said the Vice President, who visited several typhoon-ravaged areas this week.

 

Despite these challenges, she said Filipinos continue to wrap presents, however small, and set the table even if get-togethers are humbler.

 

"We hang lanterns and lights so that those around us feel the message Christmas brings: That hope is found in togetherness, in opening oneself to one’s fellow human beings, in letting them feel that they are not alone, that we always have someone beside us, whether in times of trial or along the path towards our dreams," Robredo said.

 

She urged Filipinos to "fervently give thanks for any blessings we receive" this Christmas.

 

"Let us hug those we love more tightly, in the same way we hold on tightly to hope: Hope we bring to our fellow human beings every time we show our love for them, and the hope they bring us every time we accept their love. Let us recognize how we are bound by the single color of our dreams; the single color of love, which is the color of Christmas," Robredo said.

 

 

 

 

 

PHILIPPINES GRANTS FIRST EMERGENCY APPROVAL FOR ANTI-COVID PILL

 

 

 

MANILA — The Philippines’ drug regulator has given the first emergency use authorization for an anti-COVID pill, allowing wider use of the drug that was previously only available through select health facilities.

 

Food and Drug Administration director general Eric Domingo said Thursday on state-run People’s Television that it has granted emergency use authorization for Molnarz, a brand of the antiviral molnupiravir.

 

Domingo said the drug is indicated for adults aged 18 and above with mild to moderate COVID-19 who have risk factors for developing severe illness.

 

Molnupiravir is an investigational oral antiviral drug developed by Merck & Co. and Ridgeback Therapeutics, which can cut the risk of hospitalization among people with mild to moderate COVID-19 by 50%, according to interim phase III clinical trials.

 

Merck & Co. is known locally as MSD. Previous media releases indicate that Molnarz will be distributed by Faberco Life Sciences Inc. and RiteMed Philippines Inc., who were selected by Merck & Co. licensed manufacturer Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. to import the drug.

 

 

 

 

 

FACT CHECK: DID DUTERTE COMMEND ROBREDO FOR ‘ODETTE’ RELIEF EFFORTS?

 

 

 

MANILA — A quote card circulating on social media makes it appear that President Rodrigo Duterte commended Vice President Leni Robredo for her relief efforts in response to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.

 

CLAIM: The quote — attributed to Duterte and posted as early as December 19 on Facebook by a page called Marcos Kawatan — thanked Robredo, who is running for president in the 2022 elections, for her help to victims of the typhoon.

 

RATING: This is fake.

 

FACT:

 

What the quote said

 

The quote attributed to Duterte first slammed her political rival and fellow presidential aspirant, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., for being a “weak leader” due to his supposed absence during times of calamity.

 

“‘Pag sinabi kong weak leader, weak talaga yan, tingnan ninyo where is Bongbong?” the quote said.

 

The quote then made mention of a certain “Inday,” presumably the president’s daughter and Marcos’ running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is identified as someone stronger than the former senator.

 

It then thanked Robredo’s office “for setting aside our politics and helping our kababayans in Mindanao and Visayas.”

 

The quote does not appear in official transcripts on the website of the Presidential Communications Operations Office of Duterte's speeches and briefings related to the onslaught of Odette.

 

Reputable news organizations have also not reported on the quote attributed to Duterte.

 

The claim that Marcos has been absent in times of disasters is also false as he had visited Southern Leyte, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Bohol and Cebu to deliver relief assistance in the wake of Odette.

 

Essential context

 

Robredo’s responses to disasters and calamities have been widely praised, except by Duterte, who had even told the vice president to stop “competing” with the government’s efforts.

 

Despite having meager funding, Robredo has assessed the situation and deliver relief assistance in Bohol, Cebu, Surigao City, Siargao, Dinagat Islands, Southern Leyte, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Iloilo.

 

 

 

 

 

MARCOS DQ PRELIMINARY HEARING SET JANUARY 14

 

 

 

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set on Jan. 14, 2022 the preliminary conference on a petition seeking to disqualify aspiring president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the May 2022 polls.

 

The petition was filed by the Pudno nga Ilokano.

 

In a four-page summons, the Comelec said the preliminary conference would be held virtually at 10 a.m. and focus on seven important matters such as the production of a special power of attorney and comparison between the original or certified true copies of documents and physical documents, among others.

 

The Comelec said the simplification of issues, necessity of desirability of amendments to pleadings, possibility of obtaining stipulations or admissions of facts and documents to avoid unnecessary proof, and setting the period for submission of memoranda would also be discussed.

 

The submission of respective memoranda will be held not later than three days from Jan. 14, the poll body said.

 

Aside from setting the preliminary conference, the Comelec directed the camp of Marcos to file a verified answer to the petition filed by the Pudno nga Ilokano “within a non-extendible period” of five days upon receipt of the order.

 

The Comelec also directed Marcos to furnish the petitioners copies of his verified answer.

 

 

 

 

 

DA SETS P2.6-B ASSISTANCE FOR TYPHOON-HIT FARMERS, FISHERMEN

 

 

 

MANILA— A total of P2.6 billion worth of assistance is available for farmers and fishermen from 10 regions affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, the Department of Agriculture said on Friday.

 

Farmers and fishermen lost their livelihood when the typhoon that brought strong winds and heavy rains swept through the country’s 10 regions last week.

 

“Sampung regions ang naapektuhan at umabot na po sa P3.5-B (billion) ang initial damage to the agriculture and fisheries sector pero buti na lang po at nakapag-abiso tayo ng maaga at nakapag-save dahil tapos na po ang anihan ng palay at mais noong nakaraang mga buwan. Hindi masyadong naapektuhan ang ating rice production and corn production,” said Agriculture Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes.

 

“Naglaan po kami ng P2.6 billion na assistance sa ating mga apektadong magsasaka at mangingisda sa 10 rehiyon na 'yun," he said.

 

Under the P500 million Survival and Recovery Assistance, affected farmers and fishers can loan an amount of P25,000 at zero interest payable in 5 years.

 

 

 

 

 

2 MORE DISQUALIFIED PARTY-LISTS GET SC RELIEF

 

 

 

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) prohibiting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from enforcing its decision to disqualify two party-list groups from the May 2022 elections.

 

The SC en banc issued the TRO in favor of Ang Programang Aasenso Taumbayan-Dream, Act, Participate and Advocate for Sustainable Transformation or Apat-Dapat party-list and Ugyon Mangunguma, Mangingisda Kag Mamumugon Nga Ilonggo.

 

The SC said the groups’ petitions appear to be sufficient in form and substance.

 

The high tribunal ordered the Comelec to respond to the petitions within 10 days after receiving the notice.

 

The organizations filed their petitions before the SC, questioning the Comelec’s resolution that dismissed their registration as party-lists.

 

Disqualified party-list groups Igorot Warriors International Inc. and the Alliance for Resilience, Sustainability and Empowerment were able to secure a TRO from the high court on Dec. 17.

 

 

 

 

 

THE REST

 

========

 

 

 

 

 

120 NAOSPITAL SA SIARGAO DAHIL SA DIARRHEA BUNSOD NG BAGYONG ODETTE

 

 

 

MAYNILA—Nasa 120 katao ang naospital dahil sa diarrhea outbreak sa Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte matapos ang pananalasa ng Bagyong Odette.

 

Ayon kay Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco "Lalo" Matugas, kasalukuyang puno ng mga pasyente ang Siargao District Hospital.

 

"May namatay na dahil sa diarrhea. 'Yung hospital puno na ang district hospital. Mga 120 patients na doon," aniya sa panayam sa TeleRadyo Biyernes.

 

Ayon sa gobernador, pahirapan pa rin ang makukuhanan ng malinis at maiinom na tubig sa isla.

 

Wala pa ring kuryente sa Siargao kaya hindi pa naibabalik ang operasyon ng lahat ng water-refilling stations. Limitado rin aniya ang mga barko at eroplano na naghahatid ng relief goods.

 

"'Yung tubig isa 'yun sa pinakaproblema, kasi... mga bata nagka-diarrhea," ani Matugas.

 

"As of now, 'yung iba umiinom lang kung saan-saan," dagdag niya.

 

Umaapela ng tulong ang opisyal at partikular na hinihiling niya ay generator sets.

 

Nasa 25 katao ang nasawi sa Surigao del Norte, kabilang ang 18 katao sa Siargao.

 

 

 

 

 

8 MANILA AREAS UNDER GRANULAR LOCKDOWN

 

 

 

MANILA — Eight areas in Manila were placed under granular lockdown due to COVID-19 cases, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

 

Police said the locked down areas consist of eight houses located in eight barangays. No other areas in Metro Manila are under lockdown.

 

Eight persons have been isolated from their neighbors and are being secured by police and force multipliers, the PNP said.

 

There are 21 areas across the country, which are under granular lockdown, affecting around 20 households or 30 people.

 

The region with most numbers of areas under lockdown are the Cordilleras with 10, followed by the National Capital Region with eight and Mimaropa with three.

 

 

 

 

 

ODETTE SPOILS VACCINES

 

 

 

MANILA — The onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette has rendered useless or potentially dangerous a still undetermined number of vaccine doses, the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) reported yesterday.

 

At a briefing, NVOC’s Dr. Kezia Lorraine Rosario said some of the vaccines had to be discarded due to safety concerns.

 

“We are recording more wastage… We had to discard several because we’re not sure if they’re still safe to administer or not,” Rosario said. She said they are still consolidating figures on vaccine wastage.

 

According to Rosario, vaccines are considered wasted if they get submerged in floodwaters, are improperly stored for more than four hours, or if their labels get peeled off.

 

“Vaccine safety is a priority. If they can’t be saved it’s ok. We do not want to compromise safety, we can’t give vaccines to people if we can’t ensure they’re safe,” she said.

 

 

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

 

 

 

 

 

NADINE LUSTRE, RUMORED BOYFRIEND LEAD RELIEF DRIVE IN SIARGAO

 

 

 

MANILA — Actress-singer Nadine Lustre and her rumored boyfriend, businessman Christophe Bariou, have been leading relief operations in Siargao, one of the worst hit areas by super typhoon Odette.

 

On Facebook on Thursday, Bariou shared photos of Lustre busy with coordinating relief supplies, including one where she is posing with a solar panel — among the items their group has reportedly been donating to typhoon victims.

 

Lustre, 28, has a home in Siargao. She has been shuttling between Manila and the island, where she resides for weeks or months at a time.

 

Bariou, meanwhile, owns a luxury resort in Siargao.

 

“Guys we are working day and night here to set up, coordinate, and secure distribution points for relief goods especially rice and canned goods,” Bariou wrote on Facebook.

 

The rumored couple’s efforts have so far reached Malinao, Union, and Mam On, according to Bariou. He also said that a distribution point will be set up tomorrow, December 24, at “what’s left of our warehouse.”

 

“Planning to send boats to the islands, first Mam On, if possible La Janosa and Anajawan,” he wrote.

 

Bariou also detailed donation channels by posting his bank account number.

 

“If you want to help specifically these places, you [can] send donations [to] my account. But for general help and purchasing goods from the mainland, please send to Bastien del Isle, info I already shared earlier on my feed,” he said.

 

The environmental group Greenpeace, Bariou added, has been “helping a lot on installing and distribution of power stations and lights.”

 

“It’s ant work here in the island. I see everybody trying to help their own area of responsibility. Thing are finally improving but we need all the help possible. Thank you so much!” he wrote.

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

NBA SCORES DEC 22

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Cavaliers19-13  26        22        25        28        101

 

Celtics16-16      31        32        22        26        111

 

TD GARDEN , BOSTON, MA

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

D. Garland CLE

 

28 PTS 2 REB 6 AST

 

J. Brown BOS

 

34 PTS 6 REB 3 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Magic7-25         22        25        23        34        104

 

Hawks14-16      20        17        24        37        98

 

STATE FARM ARENA, ATLANTA, GA

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            F. Wagner ORL

 

25 PTS 4 REB 1 AST

 

            C. Reddish ATL

 

34 PTS 4 REB 4 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Nuggets15-15   18        34        14        28        94

 

Thunder11-19   28        32        28        20        108

 

PAYCOM CENTER, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            N. Jokic DEN

 

13 PTS 7 REB 3 AST

 

            S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC

 

27 PTS 11 REB 12 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Rockets10-22    24        26        26        30        106

 

Bucks20-13       25        38        34        29        126

 

FISERV FORUM, MILWAUKEE, WI

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            C. Wood HOU

 

20 PTS 11 REB

 

            J. Holiday MIL

 

24 PTS 4 REB 10 AST

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Clippers17-15    25        24        25        31        105

 

Kings13-20       20        18        30        21        89

 

GOLDEN 1 CENTER, SACRAMENTO, CA

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

            E. Bledsoe LAC

 

19 PTS 8 REB 7 AST

 

            T. Haliburton SAC

 

22 PTS 3 REB 13 AST

 

 

 

 

 

INDICATORS

 

 

 

FOREX $1 = P 50.04

 

 

 

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

 

 

Our business in life is not to succeed, but to continue to fail in good spirits. - Robert Louis Stevenson