PHARMA COMPANIES 'AIRLIFTING' MEDS ABROAD TO AUGMENT LOCAL SUPPLY: STAKEHOLDER
MANILA - Some pharmaceutical firms have been sourcing basic medicines from abroad to augment supply as unusual demand caused "temporary shortage" especially in Metro Manila, a stakeholder said Thursday.
There is unusual demand for branded flu products, cough and colds medicines and vitamins the past few days as Philippines saw a rapid rise in the number of COVID cases, driven by the new variant omicron.
"What we’re noticing is, this is a temporary shortage due to the surge in demand, maybe because people are a lot more vigilant now or a lot are really sick," Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines Vice President Jannette Jakosalem told ANC.
"As we speak we are already replenishing… in fact some of our members are airlifting medicines from other countries to augment supply in the Philippines," she added.
Most of these medicines are locally manufactured, therefore stocks are likely to get replenished 2 to 3 days upon receipt of orders from drug stores, Jakosalem said.
The Department of Industry earlier said there is no need to panic since goods are locally available and it's just a matter of replenishing stocks in shelves.
PRESIDENTIAL BETS DOWN TO 11 IN COMELEC'S LATEST TENTATIVE LIST FOR 2022 POLLS
MANILA — Presidential bets for the 2022 national elections are down to 11, from the previous 15, in the latest tentative list released by the Commission on Elections on Thursday.
The Comelec’s updated tentative list of aspirants for the 2022 national elections showed the following names as presidential aspirants, in alphabetical order:
Former presidential spokesperson Ernie Abella (Independent)
Gerald Arcega (Independent)
Leody de Guzman (Partido Lakas ng Masa)
Isko Moreno Domagoso (Aksyon Demokratiko)
Norberto Gonzales (Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas)
Sen. Ping Lacson (Partdo para sa Demokratikong Reporma)
Faisal Mangondato (Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi)
Bongbong Marcos (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas)
Jose Montemayor (Democratic Party of the Philippines)
Sen. Manny Pacquiao (Abag Promdi)
Vice President Leni Robredo (Independent)
PFP's Marcos is the lone Marcos on the list after the Comelec excluded Maria Aurora Marcos (Independent) as a presidential aspirant.
Marcos emerged as the top bet in the latest Pulse Asia pre-elections survey released in December, although his presidential bid faces a slew of disqualification suits and a petition to cancel his Certificate of Candidacy, which is currently up for resolution. Surveys offer a snapshot of public sentiment during the survey period but public sentiment can change over time.
Comelec also dropped three more aspirants who were running as independents: Hilario Andres, Danilo Lihaylihay and Edgar Niez.
Comelec’s list for vice presidential bets retained the nine names it released on December 24. They are:
Lito Atienza (Abag Promdi)
Walden Bello (Partido Lakas ng Masa)
Rizalito David (Democratic Party of the Philippines)
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte (Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats)
Manny Lopez (Workers and Peasants Party)
Dr. Willie Ong (Aksyon Demokratiko)
Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (Liberal Party)
Carlos Serapio (Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi)
Senate President Tito Sotto (Nationalist People’s Coalition)
For senatorial aspirants, the Commission further trimmed down from 70 to 64.
The Comelec said that the Tentative List of Aspirants/Candidates for the coming polls "are based on the initial evaluation of the Certificates of Nomination, Certificates of Candidacy and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance."
"Consequently, the contents of the list, particularly the names of the aspirants/candidates, political parties, as well as the name to appear on the ballot are subject to change as a result of any further evaluation and/or resolution of the Commission En Banc in relation thereto," it added.
ROBREDO’S OFFICE ROLLS OUT FREE ANTIGEN TESTS ANEW AMID COVID-19 SPIKE
MANILA — The office of Vice President Leni Robredo is offering free antigen tests again in response to the spike in new COVID-19 cases in the country presumed to be driven by the more infectious Omicron variant.
“Swab Cab,” a mobile COVID-19 testing hub in partnership with the local government of Quezon City, Angat Buhay of Robredo’s office and UBE Express, was relaunched Wednesday along Tandang Sora Avenue corner Visayas Avenue Extension in Quezon City.
The mobile testing hub was open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Out of the 410 people screened for COVID-19 as of 1:20 p.m., 191 of them turned out positive for the virus.
The Swab Cab’s next stop is at QCX in Quezon Memorial Circle on January 6. Those who wish to get tested must pre-register here.
Robredo’s office first rolled out Swab Cabs during a coronavirus surge in March 2021.
Robredo’s free testing initiative comes as there are renewed calls for free mass testing — appeals which the government still does not want to heed.
IATF APPROVES RESOLUTION CANCELING TRASLACION
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has urged the Catholic Church to cancel religious events that can become super spreaders of COVID-19, including the annual Black Nazarene procession, as the Philippines contends with a fresh spike in infections.
Duterte said while the Black Nazarene procession or Traslacion is important to Catholics, the government has to implement measures to protect public health and safety.
"We have stressed that our job is really to come up with critical decisions to protect public health and public safety," the president said in a pre-recorded public address last Tuesday.
"If the Roman Catholic Church is listening, I am now appealing to you to forgo and cancel all physical gatherings including the procession and the celebration of mass in the church because there are many devotees. There are millions of devotees there. And you cannot just be complacent about the transmission of the disease. I hope the Roman Catholics will understand that all gatherings are not allowed," he added.
Aside from the Traslacion, which is commemorated in Manila every January 9, other events to be held within the next few days that usually draw crowds are the feast of the Santo Niño and Chinese New Year.
FACT CHECK: OMICRON AND DELTA VARIANTS 'GENERALLY' DO NOT CAUSE DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS
MANILA — The Department of Health has clarified circulating materials claiming there are differences in symptoms for infections caused by COVID-19's delta and omicron variants and influenza.
CLAIM: The symptoms of the Omicron and Delta variants are different and thus can be used to identify what variant one is infected with. The same symptoms are also comparable to the flu.
RATING: This is misleading.
FACTS: While symptoms can be similar, the Department of Health said it is still best to actually get tested to identify what you're infected with.
What the posts say
Citing a COVID-19 study by health and wellness website ZOE, civic group Kilusang Kontra COVID posted a graphic claiming that "the first symptoms which can appear as quickly as 48 hours after you've been" infected with the Omicron include:
Sneezing
Fatigue
Scratchy throat
Runny nose
Headache
Lower back pain
Night sweats and body aches
Loss of appetite
A separate post on spotting COVID-19 and citing the US Center for Disease Control and a study by Yale Medicine compared "general symptoms of COVID-19 to Omicron, Delta, and the flu."
It claimed that what set the Omicron variant apart from COVID-19 and its Delta variant was a dry cough, fever, night sweats, body pain, a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore through.
What they left out
"This data is incorrect and not released by us," ZOE said in a comment on Kilusang Kontra COVID's graphic as it asked the civic group to take the post down.
VACCINE INCENTIVES, AFFORDABLE COVID TESTS URGED AS CASES SHOOT UP
MANILA — Progressive groups urged the Duterte administration to provide fuel and transportation subsidies as incentives to the public to boost the country's COVID-19 vaccination rate and soften the impact of the oil price hike Tuesday.
This comes as gasoline, kerosene, and diesel prices rose by as much as P2.40 per liter effective Tuesday, January 4, with coronavirus cases still rising in Metro Manila.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Akbayan party-list said that the public needs a "lifeline" to help them start the new year healthy and with fewer economic worries.
"The government should seriously explore transportation and fuel incentives to ease the suffering of so many who have only recently begun to rebuild their lives and motivate more people to get their vaccines," Perci Cendaña, the party-list's first nomineed, said in mixed Filipino and English.
"Instead of banning people from going outside, they should get more motivation to get vaccinated. Our policies should effect positive behavioral change, not simply threaten people with restrictions," Cendaña said.
ODETTE MOST DESTRUCTIVE STORM IN PH SINCE YOLANDA: DISASTER COUNCIL
MANILA — Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) was the most destructive storm to hit the Philippines since super typhoon Yolanda's (Haiyan) onslaught over 8 years ago, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.
Odette, which barreled across the southern and central Philippines in mid-December, left at least 407 dead and 78 missing, NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad told President Rodrigo Duterte in a taped meeting Tuesday that aired on Wednesday.
Jalad said the storm damaged around 597,000 houses. The estimated cost of damage was at P16.9 billion for infrastructure and P7.6 billion for agriculture.
Odette affected some 4.8 million people, with around 475,000 staying at evacuation centers or with relatives and friends, he said.
The typhoon knocked out power in 284 cities and towns. Electricity has been restored in 206 of them, said the official.
"Si Typhoon Odette ay nag-iwan nang pinakamatinding epekto at saka damages during this post-Yolanda period," Jalad said.
52,000 SENIOR CITIZENS IN METRO MANILA YET TO RECEIVE COVID-19 JAB: DOH
MANILA - The Department of Health in Metro Manila on Thursday ramped up its COVID-19 vaccination campaign to inoculate 52,000 elderly who have yet to received a COVID-19 vaccine as the capital grappled with rising cases.
Companions of senior citizens who have yet to be vaccinated may also get inoculated on-site, said Dr. Gloria Balboa, DOH-Metro Manila regional director.
"'Yung mga bedridden po, nahihirapan pumunta ng vaccination site, pupuntahan po sa kanilang bahay. 'Yun naman pong makakapunta, pati 'yung mga kasama nilang di pa bakunado babakunahan na rin," she told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
Senior citizens who are due to receive their booster shot may also get the jab, Balboa added.
"Kailangan dalhin po (ang vaccination card) para may basehan po ano ang mga bakunang nabigay sa primary series."
Elderly from other regions may also get vaccinated in Metro Manila and walk-ins are accepted, according to Balboa.
CRACKDOWN ON CIGARETTE SMUGGLING SHOULD INTENSIFY AS TAX RISES: TOBACCO FIRM
MANILA - The crackdown on smuggled cigarette products should also increase as the government imposes another hike in taxes of tobacco products, Philip Morris International and LT Group’s Fortune Tobacco Corp joint venture PMFTC Inc president Denis Gorkun told ANC.
Smuggled goods are cheaper because illegally procured items don't pay taxes, Gorkun said.
The increase in tobacco taxes under Republic Act No. 11467 took effect last Jan. 1, the proceeds of which will be used to fund Universal Health Care.
THE REST
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PHILIPPINES POSTS 10,775 NEW COVID CASES, NEARLY DOUBLE FROM PREVIOUS DAY
MANILA - The Philippines on Wednesday posted 10,775 new COVID-19 cases, nearly double from the previous day, data from the Department of Health showed, as the omicron variant has presumably spread in communities.
The positivity rate was at 31.7 percent, based on test results of samples from 44,643 individuals on Jan. 3, Monday, according to DOH data.
Nine laboratories, which contribute on average 2.2 percent of samples tested and 5.3 percent of positive cases, were unable to submit their data, the DOH said.
Of the newly reported cases, 10,688 or 99 percent occurred within the recent 14 days while Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Central Luzon were the top regions with cases in the recent two weeks, the DOH added.
The Philippines's cumulative total of COVID-19 cases climbed to 2,871,745, of which 39,974 or 1.4 percent are active infections, based on the latest case bulletin.
Majority of those still battling the disease, or 33,866, are mild cases. Those in critical condition number 319, while 1,512 are severely ill. The remaining include 2,983 moderate cases and 1,294 asymptomatic cases.
COVID-related deaths increased by 58 to 51,662. Of the new fatalities, eight occurred in December and November 2021 each, 24 in October, 15 in September, and three in August, the DOH said, citing late encoding of death information to COVIDKaya.
LAGUNA UNDER COVID ALERT LEVEL 3 STARTING FRIDAY
MANILA (UPDATED)— Laguna will be placed under Alert Level 3 beginning Friday, Jan. 7, to 15 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the province, Malacañang announced Wednesday.
Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles, in a statement, said the Inter-Agency Task Force approved the recommendation of its sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics to move Laguna under the alert level.
Laguna joins neighboring provinces Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal under Alert Level 3.
Under Level 3, in-person classes, contact sports, fun fairs, live voice or wind instrument performances are prohibited, Nograles said earlier.
Cinemas are allowed to operate at 30-percent indoor capacity and 50-percent outdoor capacity.
AIR POLLUTION IN MANILA, MARIKINA SHOT UP ON NEW YEAR'S DAY — DENR
MANILA — Air pollution levels in the cities of Manila and Marikina have exceeded the safe standards during the first few hours of 2022, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Wednesday.
Data from the department’s Environmental Management Bureau showed that air pollution levels in the two cities went beyond the standard 150 micrograms per normal cubic meter (ug/Ncm) of particulate matter (PM) 10.
PM10 and PM2.5 include inhalable particles that are small enough to penetrate the thoracic region of the respiratory system. Particulate matter can be hazardous to human health and can aggravate the conditions of people with asthma and other respiratory diseases.
According to EMB, PM10 peaked at 347 ug/Ncm in Marikina City. It recorded an average concentration of 271 ug/Ncm from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m.—215% higher than the levels recorded last year.
Meanwhile, levels of PM10 reached a high of 156 ug/Ncm in Manila. The average concentration of 116 ug/Ncm was 68% higher compared to last year’s PM10 data.
The agency is still conducting manual monitoring of 11 stations.
EMB also reported high levels of PM2.5—a smaller and deadlier pollutant—from its Manila monitoring station, which reached a high of 113 ug/Ncm.
The short-term limit for PM2.5 is 35 ug/Ncm.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
GRAMMY AWARDS POSTPONED INDEFINITELY AMID OMICRON CONCERNS
The organization behind the Grammys on Wednesday postponed the music awards gala scheduled for January 31 due to "uncertainty surrounding the omicron variant" of COVID-19 that has ripped through the United States in recent weeks.
"Holding the show on January 31 simply contains too many risks," a statement from the Recording Academy said, adding it would announce a rescheduled date "soon."
"The health and safety of those in our music community, the live audience, and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly to produce our show remains our top priority."
A class of pop stalwarts and newbies including Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo were among the leading nominees for the 64th annual show, with Jon Batiste, the jazz and R&B artist, television personality and bandleader garnering the most nominations with 11.
Last spring's show was the first Grammys of the pandemic era, and was a more television-friendly, socially distanced cabaret-esque show that was heavy on performances.
Those awards were postponed to March 14 after the original date was postponed during last winter's surge in coronavirus cases.
The 2022 edition was expected to see a return to the usual arena-style celebration at Los Angeles' Staples Center.
SPORTS
PBA POSTPONES GAMES, HALTS TEAM SCRIMMAGES
MANILA -- The PBA on Thursday announced that Governors' Cup games will be postponed until further notice.
Teams are also no longer allowed to hold scrimmages.
This, amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country. The Philippines registered 10,775 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, nearly double from the previous day. The positivity rate was at 31.7%.
In a statement, the league said that games are postponed "until such time when the current COVID-19 surge eases."
The PBA previously announced that they have postponed this week's games after the National Capital Region was placed under Alert Level 3.
The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) allows professional leagues to resume in a bubble set-up, and teams are allowed to practice in areas under Alert Level 2.
However, the PBA decided against pushing through with its games for now and also barred its ball clubs from holding scrimmages, in an effort to "help curb the spread of the virus and to contribute in arresting the alarming rate of infection."
"Yung health and safety talaga ng lahat ang importante. Mahirap na, we can't put the people under our care at risk, ganon din 'yung mga makakasalamuha nila. Mabuti na yung nag-iingat," league commissioner Willie Marcial said.
Aside from suspending scrimmages, the PBA has reduced the number of individuals participating in team individual workouts from 10 to 7. Now, only 4 players will be allowed to train with one coach, one safety officer and one staff.
NBA SCORES JAN 4
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Grizzlies25-14 27 30 19 34 110
Cavaliers21-17 30 25 20 31 106
ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE, CLEVELAND, OH
SCORING LEADERS
J. Morant MEM
26 PTS 5 REB 6 AST
D. Garland CLE
27 PTS 4 REB 10 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Spurs14-22 29 24 28 23 104
Raptors17-17 30 38 29 32 129
SCOTIABANK ARENA, TORONTO, ON
SCORING LEADERS
J. Poeltl SA
19 PTS 12 REB 4 AST
F. VanVleet TOR
33 PTS 2 REB 7 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Pacers14-24 25 30 22 17 94
Knicks18-20 32 23 29 20 104
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK, NY
SCORING LEADERS
K. Sykes IND
22 PTS 4 REB 6 AST
R. Barrett NY
32 PTS 8 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Suns29-8 42 22 31 28 123
Pelicans13-25 31 23 30 26 110
SMOOTHIE KING CENTER, NEW ORLEANS, LA
SCORING LEADERS
D. Booker PHO
33 PTS 9 REB 4 AST
D. Graham NO
28 PTS 1 REB 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Kings16-23 31 28 24 31 114
Lakers20-19 26 31 28 37 122
CRYPTO.COM ARENA, LOS ANGELES, CA
SCORING LEADERS
D. Fox SAC
30 PTS 3 REB 6 AST
L. James LAL
31 PTS 5 REB 5 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 50.96
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy. - Saadi
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