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PALO, Leyte, Aug. 7 --  Lands for commercial spaces and other businesses are being made available in this town to answer the rising demands from increasing number of investors in the commercial and residential sectors.

<p> Palo town Mayor Remedios Petilla on Monday admitted  the town is growing at a fast pace these recent years and that they are running out of area to offer to would-be investors.

However, lots for commercial spaces and other business are being made available along the newly opened West Bypass Road traversing through some inland villages of the town, he said. The road opens another alternative highway for motorists and transportation particularly those going to the west side of the province. 

"For now, this area provides the need for available lots for interested investors, who are inquiring where they can possibly set up businesses," Petilla said on Monday.

 More economic activities are noted at the Government Center, which houses several regional government officers, and in the nearby Pawing and Guindapunan villages where commercial businesses have opened over the past years.

Lining the primary highway along Pawing and Guindapunan areas are fast food chains, groceries, gasoline stations, and other local businesses.

Petilla said, all lots here, particularly those along the carlines, are now either sold or already occupied.

Anticipating for the town's growth, Petilla added that the local government is likely to concentrate the commercial boom to the town's outskirts and other alternative area  to preserve its old "poblacion" or the town's commercial district.

 Palo, with a population of 70,052 , is a home to historical sites and its town proper houses old religious sites and residential homes worthy of preservation. Palo is also the seat of the Roman Catholic archdiocese. The town is only 14 kilometers from the city.

In the coming months, another food chain will open in Pawing village while a community mall will  start its construction within the year, also in the same area.

At the Government Center, it is noted that more government offices are constructing their own office buildings with the land under a usufruct agreement with the Leyte provincial government.

Meanwhile, Petilla disclosed that both Vista Land & Lifescapes  and Ayala Land, Inc. have also inquired available lots for residential development.

 "We see more and more developments every month here in the town and we are making sure that our people also grow and develop as the town does," Petilla said.

The town, celebrated its 187th Palo Day on Monday and marked the important event with nightly festivities to showcase their local culture and promote local economy.  

 The Palo Day Celebration is the town's yearly fiesta in commemoration of Our Lord's Transfiguration. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY, Aug 7 - - The Philippine Sepak Takraw team is leaving this city on Tuesday as it completed its almost two months of training here for Southeast Asian Games (SEAG)  starting this August 16 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Iloilo City Hall officials led by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog gave their best wishes to the team, whose members and coaching staff made its appearance  after Monday's flag-raising ceremony.

In an interview, Coach Hector Mamarion thanked the local governments of Iloilo city and province headed by Mabilog and Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., respectively, for adopting the team and supporting its training.

Mamarion said the team was supposedly set to train in Dipolog City; however, the training was cancelled after the Marawi City war broke out and the whole of Mindanao was placed under Martial Law.

Mamarion said the training facilities and the accommodation provided to them helped a lot in the conditioning of athletes. Apparently, the national team trains outside of Metro Manila to have the athletes focus on their training.

Mamarion said the team will participate in five events - Regu, Team Doubles and Doubles for the Men's team, and Regu and Double's for the Women's team.

The national team is also joining two Chinlone events. Chinlone is a new to Pinoy Sepak Takraw players that the team trained in Myanmar to master the sport. Chinlone is Myanmar's national sport.

Mamarion said the team targets to bring home at least five medals - two gold, one silver and one bronze.

The team composed of 12 men and eight women underwent more than one and a half month rigorous training here.

"We are thankful because Iloilo City adopted us," said Mamarion.

Mamarion is an Ilonggo who hails from Sta. Barbara town, Iloilo. He joined the national team after he graduated college at Central Philippine University in 1996. He was a sepak takraw varsity in high school and college.

Mamarion is looking forward to the prospects of Sepak Takraw in Iloilo, and cited the increasing number of towns that have Sepak Takraw program.

"Nakita ko man na madamu sa mga Ilonggo nga mga kabataan ang mayo sa takraw. Sa PRISAA, CPU champion sa National PRISAA, baskug kag may potential. Damu na towns na naga-takraw na gid like Alimodian, Sta. Barbara kag Banate (There are many Ilonggo youth who are good in sepak takraw; the CPU team won in the National PRISAA, a strong team and has a potential. There are many towns that have sepak takraw like Alimodian, Sta. Barbara and Banate)," he said. (Maricyn A. De los Santos/PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY, August 7 – The city hall's façade will be garbed with yellow, blue, red and white lights, depicting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) colors starting Tuesday night in time for the simultaneous nationwide lighting of landmarks in 50 cities and provinces of the country.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Monday ordered city officials and their staff to attend the activity in support to the golden anniversary celebration of the ASEAN at the city hall. "Rain or shine, we will proceed and we expect as many to attend the celebration."

The mayor had earlier issued a memorandum to all the departments for all personnel to attend the grand event on August 8 and celebrate with the whole country and the ASEAN region the 50th year anniversary of the creation of the regional organization, which the Philippines is hosting this year.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte also urged the different departments in the government to participate and help in the promotion of the ASEAN, and reap the benefits of the country's membership in the organization.

The city government will have the lighting of the giant lantern of the ASEAN which at this time is already hanged between the two center pillars at the front of city hall. There will also be the Philippine Information Agency Cordillera (PIA-CAR)-initiated flotilla at the lake in Burnham Park which is supported by the city government.

The flotilla will have ten boats carrying each member-country's flag and the ASEAN flag with a lady clad in the national attire of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Laos PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

The giant ASEAN logo, the primary symbol of this year's ASEAN summits and the Philippine chairmanship will also be placed at the center of the lake, specifically where the foundation is, to demonstrate that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Day is an important celebration that commemorates the golden year of the regional organization.

[http://media]Burnham Lake in Baguio City (PIA-CAR file photo)

 

Helen Tibaldo, PIA-CAR regional director, said Baguio will have Police Chief Inspector Kimberly Molitas, spokesperson of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) as the guest speaker who is expected to give a briefing on the ASEAN gains on peace and security at the international and national level within the ASEAN context and related updates.

Joma Rivera, city tourism officer, that aside from the colorful lights within the giant lantern, the four 25-foot high pillars at the front of the city hall and the façade of the whole building will bear the four ASEAN colors. "This will be lighted every evening up to the end of the year," he said.

He said the anniversary is a milestone of the 10-member state regional organization, a historic event and the local celebrations will enhance awareness and appreciation of the ASEAN particularly its member-states' history, as well as opportunities and challenges. (PNA)

 



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ILOILO CITY, Aug 7 -- The city government here through a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) recognized Ilonggo Grandmaster Eugene Torre's achievements, a copy of the citation was presented to him on Sunday afternoon.

[http://media]

GM Eugene Torre plays with young Ilonggo woodpushers, including Rafael Lazarus Zulueta-Salazar at SM City Iloilo.

Torre was in Iloilo City August 4-6, 2017 for an exhibition game with Ilonggo woodpushers and for the seminar of chess trainers in Iloilo city and province.

Councilor Liezl Zulueta-Salazar with Iloilo City Sports Development Division head Jojo Castro presented to Torre the resolution unanimously approved by the City Council, after the latter's exhibition game with young Ilonggo woodpushers at SM City Iloilo in Mandurriao district.

The resolution recognizes the "unparalleled achievements in the field of sports of Grandmaster Eugene Torre, an Ilonggo chess legend and Asia's first Grandmaster."

Torre was born in Iloilo City on Novermber 4, 1951, and was the first chess grandmaster in Asia at the age of 22.

The resolution says that Torre is considered the strongest chess player the Philippines has ever produced since 1970, who ranked as high as No. 17 in the world in the 1980s.

Further, the resolution noted how Torre assumed the top board (Board 1) for Team Philippines in the 1972 Skopje Olympiad, a position he held until the 2004 Olympiad held at Mallorca, Spain, or a total of 17 Olympiads, which is a world record.

Last February 13, 2017, Torre received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the 2017 PSA Annual Awards, an awarding ceremony that recognizes sports athletes, personalities, organizations and NSAs organized by the Philippine Sportswriters Association, the country's oldest media organization founded in 1949.

"Being the first Asian player to earn the title of International Grandmaster, Torre has brought honor and prestige not only to Filipino nation but especially to the City of Iloilo," it said.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines was also furnished a copy of the resolution. (Maricyn A. De los Santos/PNA)



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NAGA CITY, Aug. 7 --- Bagong Henerasyon Party List Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy said that the spread of "fake news" in media must now end, otherwise, "we will end up as a society of people with a headful of lies created by insidious people and organization."

She said in an interview with PNA during the South Luzon Media Summit on Fake News and Responsible Reporting that "fake news" would bring the society and people a headful of lies, and deceit.

The lawmaker who heads the public information committee in the House of Representatives said that two legislative measures are pending in both houses of Congress that would tackle regulations and penalties confronting the issues on fake news circulating in both mainstream and social media.

The proposed bill filed by Senator Joel Villanueva that is still pending in the Senate seeks to penalize people who publish, distribute and circulates fake news or information, Dy said.

The bill refers to fake news as information that would damage the safety and welfare of the public and is likely to cause panic, chaos, violence or intends to exhibit propaganda that discredits reputations.

The Villanueva bill would penalize those found guilty with a fine ranging from P100,000 to P500,000 and imprisonment from one year to 5 years.

The same bill would penalize media outlets. Social media companies that create, neglect or refuse to remove the fake news within a reasonable time would be fined from Php10 million to Php20 million and face imprisonment of 10 to 20 years.

The House bill filed by Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte is focused on the "out of context" news. This refers to misquotations, false and inaccurate reports including the editing audio and video bites which could result in the distortion of facts and contents.

The Villafuerte proposed bill penalizes four acts: the creation of fake news; dissemination; adding and abetting in the creation of fake news and the failure or refusal to retract or remove the fake news and issue an erratum.
The penalty of the Villafuerte bill for posting, sharing of fake and inaccurate report for mass media outlets would be fine of Php1 million for the first offense, Php2 million and suspension of the outlet or corporation for a week; Php5 million fine and suspension for a month.

Both proposed bills are subject to deliberation and debate and once passed in their respective chambers, the bills would be submitted to the Bicameral committee for further scrutiny, Dy said.

The BH party list solon, at the summit appealed to the media for support for the passage of the two Anti-Fake News bills still pending in Congress.

"We need you there when we conduct the hearing, we need to consult you to know your stand," Dy said.

"I am appealing to the media to be responsible in reporting and writing news --- that's how we influence people, we have the power of the pen because you can change the way people think and that is your responsibility as journalist," she  said.

She believes that fake news is no longer a laughing matter as it is now created, developed and believed as legitimate news.

Meanwhile, at the open forum, media representatives in Bicol expressed doubts on the real intentions of the proposed bill pending in both houses of Congress.

The media participants showed mixed reactions whether those bills were really intended to correct and improve journalists' way of gathering and presenting the news or aimed to trample the freedom of the press and expression.

Others expressed concern that the measure would only serve the interest of politicians, government officials and people who are empowered.

Joey Garalde, columnist of Weekly Digest, a tabloid in Albay, said "journalists always have to do their job right to counter fake news. Maintaining the highest standards of journalism in delivering the news would help the public discern which is real or fake."

He said the bill presumably has good intentions. However, legislators should tread lightly so as not to circumvent the Freedom of Expression and of the Press.

This is precisely why the media sector should be allowed to participate or contribute in the fine-tuning the bill, Garalde said.

The lawmakers should also look into issues of commercialization and political biases particularly of prominent media institutions in the country, he concluded. (Mar Arguelles/PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY, August 7 – Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Monday said this city is already reaping the gains of the country's membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

He specifically mentioned investments, tourism including peace and order being the benefits that the city is already receiving from the country's membership.

 

[http://media]

Mayor Mauricio Domogan during

his State of the Region Address

Earlier during the Cordillera mayors' summit, Domogan mentioned of the businesses that locate in Baguio City, specifically at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), which has been identified as one of the main exporters of quality products for the world. PEZA, the mayor said, contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country with gains trickling down to the household level.

PEZA's involvement in the export industry has brought in investments from other countries which contribute to the economic improvement of the city. "Investors from neighboring countries open opportunities for better jobs and improved quality of life in the locality and the region as a whole," Domogan, who is also the chairman of the Cordillera regional Development Council (RDC), said.

He also talked about the increasing tourist arrivals coming from ASEAN countries and other foreign nations, which have added the city and the rest of the Cordillera in their bucket list of places to visit.

[http://media]

The Lion's head at Kennon Road remains as

a favorite attraction and landmark of Baguio City.

 

Department of Tourism Wanda Teo had also earlier reported that through the inclusion of the country in the promotion of the ASEAN-member states to other regions of the world, the country as a whole benefits, trickling down such gain to the city of Baguio and the rest of the Cordillera down to the smallest businesses and households.

Domogan said such attraction leads to the promotion of local products and natural resources even in foreign lands.

The mayor also mentioned of the city's need for intelligence reports from other countries to help improve the peace and order. "A sustained relationship can help develop the city's safety especially on raising security against possible terrorist attacks," he explained.

He urged local government units (LGUs) to "take advantage of this relationship to get what we don't have as well as promote what we can produce," Domogan said.

The mayor's statement came in the light of his urging the city officials and residents of Baguio to participate in the celebration of the ASEAN's 50th anniversary in Baguio tomorrow. Baguio is among the 50 LGUs where simultaneous lighting of landmarks will be done as part of the ASEAN regions' commemoration of the creation of the regional organization.

Domogan stated, "we cannot exist alone without cooperation and teamwork with our neighboring countries," as he also expressed that it is a welcome development and must be embraced and sustained by LGUs. (with a report from Kris Chan/PNA)



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STA. ROSA, Laguna, Aug. 8 -- Monetary Board Member Felipe M. Medalla on Monday urged banking partners and stakeholders in Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions to promote cashless transactions as he thanked their support in policy formulation and government efforts in maintaining price and financial stability.

 

 

Calabarzon region comprises the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon while Mimaropa is composed of the island provinces of Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

 

Medalla guested at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) 2017 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch at the Paseo Premiere Hotel, Greenfield City here to honor BSP's partners.

 

"Arm-in-arm we are ready to face today's challenges, the visions we share from past to present flourished the dynamics of our revolving and growing partnership and enable us to achieve what we could otherwise have not achieved," Medalla said as he expressed confidence given the various banking stakeholders' continuing support.

 

Adopting the celebration's theme "Transforming Shared Visions into Dynamic Partnership," BSP feted the central bank partners for their contributions in the policy formulation and advocacies particularly on the three Central Banking operations, among them, to maintain price and financial stability, and an efficient payment and settlements system.

 

Medalla explained that although cash payment is still "king" in our country, with the growing demand of the electronic banking and payments system

 

"We will go into that direction - where, like in other countries people use less cash and use their phones in paying, even ambulant vendors," he said.

 

A former Dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) School of Economics and Director General of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Medalla assessed that "this is what keeps BSP thinking" and call on the government and private partners to help in terms of requirements and regulations.

 

He added that this would goad people to use institutions and companies that are under the regulation and influence of the BSP citing the country's foreign exchange trading where people do business with foreign exchange dealers not falling under BSP's control but offer lighter rules and requirements. (PNA)



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KORONADAL CITY, Aug. 7 -- The city government  is pushing for the establishment of a new office that will manage the operations and development of its thriving economic enterprises.

City Mayor Peter Miguel said Monday the local government is currently drawing up mechanisms and necessary policies for the operationalization of the City Economic Enterprise and Development Office (CEEDO).

He said they are targeting to set up the new office before the projected completion in October of the city's PHP150 million integrated public transport terminal project.

Aside from the terminal, he said it would manage the operations of the city public market, slaughter and public cemetery.

Miguel said the creation of the CEEDO is part of the local government's efforts to improve its revenue generation initiatives.

The city government earlier launched a comprehensive study improve the operations and further develop its economic enterprises.

In line with the initiative, local government personnel conducted benchmarking activities earlier this month in the cities of Tagum in Davao del Norte and Digos in Davao del Sur.

They specifically looked into the policies and strategies implemented by the two local government units in line with the operations of their economic enterprises.

Miguel assured that he will appoint competent and experienced officials and personnel for the new office.

"We working on setting this in place soon as the new head and personnel will later lead the crafting of ordinances for the operations of our economic enterprises," he said.

The construction of the city terminal project is currently ongoing in a 5.9-hectare site earlier acquired by the city government in Purok Yellow Bell, Barangay Sta. Cruz, is now about 70 percent complete.

The local government is also working on the development of a new public cemetery at the boundary of Barangays Mabini and Esperanza covering around four hectares.

It had laid out plans to establish a city hospital and a convention center that would require investments of around P400 million.(PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Aug. 7 -- A villager was injured after a landslide hit a remote community in Banga town in South Cotabato on Sunday afternoon.

Dionito Otic, head of the Banga Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), said Monday the incident happened *at around 5 p.m. at a portion of Sitio Little Baguio in Barangay El Nonok.

He said two houses owned by the Balolo and Laugan families were totally destroyed as a result of the landslide, which happened following heavy rains in the area.

"Loosened portions of a nearby hill gave way after the rains and struck two nearby houses," he said in an interview over Brigada News FM in Koronadal City.   

A resident, identified as 21 year-old Bernie Balolo, sustained injuries after reportedly being buried in the landslide, he said.

Otic said the victim was immediately rescued by responding family members and neighbors and was rushed to a hospital in the area.

He said their office has provided the affected families with food packs, sleeping mats and other relief items.

A team from the MDRRMO has been dispatched to the area to assess the situation and determine other possible damages caused by the landslide.

Owing to the incident, Otic urged local residents to remain vigilant and prepared as the area's situation remains volatile due to intermittent heavy rains.

He added that their office has been continuously monitoring several other barangays within the municipality that are considered prone to floods and landslides.(PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Aug. 7 – Environment personnel in South Cotabato are targeting to start by next month the full implementation of the United States Agency for International Development (USAid)-supported Protect Wildlife Project.  

Mary Jane Manlisis, forest and inland water management division chief of the Provincial Environment Management Office, said Monday they are finalizing the arrangement for the project's rollout in areas covered by the Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape and the Allah Valley Protected Landscape.

She said the project's implementation period is specifically set from September this year to August next year.

Manlisis said they are working with  local stakeholders and local government units to ensure its proper rollout.

"Our stakeholders have already identified and agreed on a set of strategies and major activities for the year-long project implementation," she said.

The Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape covers portions of Tupi Tampakan and Polomolok towns in South Cotabato.

Mt. Matutum, which is South Cotabato's highest peak, is classified as an active volcano considered as the province's vital watershed areas.

The Allah Valley Protected Landscape, which is located in the province's upper valley area, hosts critical watersheds and the headwaters of the area's two biggest rivers -- Allah and Banga.

The protected area, which covers 92,450 hectares, was declared a watershed forest reserve in 1985 by virtue of Proclamation No. 2455. 

Mt. Matutum, South Cotabato's highest peak, and the Allah Valley Protected Landscape are home to various wildlife species, among them the tarsiers, as well as rare flora and fauna.

These areas were known habitats of the Philippine deer, tarsiers, civets, bats, among others.

Manlisis said the province was among the pilot areas earlier chosen by USAid and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the first phase wildlife protection project.

She said it will mainly focus on the establishment of a system that will facilitate the biodiversity conservation in the two protected areas.

"It will work on decreasing the threats to biodiversity and improve the ecosystems of the province as a whole," she said.

Protect Wildlife, which was launched in March, is a five-year, PHP1.2 billion project that seeks to address biodiversity loss and rampant wildlife trafficking in the Philippines.

A project briefer said it aims to improve attitudes and behavior toward biodiversity and conservation in target areas, intensify private and public sector partnership in conserving and financing initiatives, and improve biodiversity competencies of local government units (LGUs) and civil society organizations.

It also aims to enhance the capacities of local universities to advance conservation education, research, monitoring and innovation, as well as improve the enforcement policies of LGUs.

Aside from South Cotabato, the project will also be expanded in its second phase in Sarangani Province's Mt. Busa complex and the Sarangani Bay seascape.

Project implementers earlier pushed for the project's expansion in South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces, which it identified as host to "some of the most biodiverse yet vulnerable natural habitats and species in southern Mindanao."(PNA)



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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 7 – The city government here is partnering with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the establishment of a facility for the processing and marketing of locally-produced mangoes.

The project, which is worth Php15-million, will be set up at Sitio Tagumpay, Barangay Inagawan Subcolony, an outlying barangay located in the southern part of Puerto Princesa.

City Agriculturist Melissa Macasaet said in local interviews that operation of the mango processing facility is expected to operate in January 2018.

The mango processing facility, she said, will be established to support the agriculture sector, particularly mango farmers in Puerto Princesa.

She said the processing facility will substantially help in the mango pulp weevil problem that is currently plaguing the city's mango industry, and being faced by growers.

"Until now, our mangoes still have the mango pulp weevil problem. But with this processing facility, we hope to give our mango growers the chance to make profit out of their produce,"

Macasaet said the province of Palawan, and its capital, Puerto Princesa, are among the major producers of mangoes in the country.

However, marketing the city's and the province's mangoes has suffered serious declines in the past years due to the problem of mango pulp weevil (MPW).

The pest, which is believed to have come from neighboring Malaysia, started infesting mango farms in Palawan in 1987, according to the International Pest Control (IPC).

The IPC said its sporadic infestation in Puerto Princesa City started to be recorded in 1995 after the mango disease spread throughout the province of Palawan.

Mango pulp weevil (Sternochetus frigidus) is a serious exotic pest that burrows into the flesh of mangoes, making them unfit to eat. The MPW looks akin to the mango seed weevil, but eats the flesh rather than the seed. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Aug. 7 -- Police authorities in Region 12 have intensified efforts to properly account for around 28,000 unlicensed firearms in parts of the region. 

Supt. Roldan Daniel, chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 12's Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU), said Monday these firearms are mainly those with expired or non-renewed permits and with no License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) issued to their owners.

He said their records showed that there are more than 32,000 firearms previously registered in the region but only around 4,000 are covered by LTOPFs.

The figure does not include firearms carried by criminal elements and those issued to police and military personnel, he said.  

"This is an alarming number but we're continually working on the accounting and campaigning for the proper registration of these firearms," he said in a radio interview.

The RCSU held on Monday a one-day "One-Stop Shop (Caravan) on the LTOPF and Firearms Registration" at the Sangguniang Panlungsod or city council session hall here.

The activity was intended for personnel and officials of local government offices in the city such as city councilors, barangay chairs and councilors, purok officials and civil security unit members, and other concerned gun owners who want to apply for LTOPF.

The caravan was joined by personnel from the PRO-12's health service, which provided neuro psychiatric testing services, and the regional crime laboratory, which handled the drug tests.

Daniel said they launched the caravan to speed up the licensing process and encourage more gun owners to register their firearms.

He said the RCSU-12, which is under the supervision of the Philippine National Police's Civil Security Group, is mandated to register firearms, explosives and private security businesses.

Citing the provisions of Republic Act 10591 and its implementing rules and regulations, all gun holders are required to secure an LTOPF as pre-requisite to the registration of their firearms.                  

"It is important for our gun holders to secure LTOPFs and properly register their firearms to avoid facing illegal possession of firearms violations later on," Daniel said.

Aside from the caravan, he said the PRO-12 has intensified its operations against loose firearms in parts of the region.

Also known as Soccsksargen, Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Daniel said the recovery of loose firearms was among the directives issued by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in line with the prevailing martial law in Mindanao.(PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 7 -- The Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Negros Oriental field office is preparing charges against some policemen in the municipality of Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental in what appears to be an "unlawful arrest" of a person accused of being a drug suspect.

 In a press conference Monday, CHR special investigator Dr. Jess Cañete identified the complainant as Charlie Sta. Ana Marollano, 36 years old, married and resident of Barangay Tagbino, Vallehermoso town, who had sought his help claiming to have been a victim of an alleged conspiracy.

 According to Dr. Cañete, Marollano was arrested last July 16 and placed under detention for 19 days until the prosecutor dismissed the case the police had filed for illegal possession of shabu, The suspect was ordered released Saturday, August 5.

 The CHR investigator said that based on his investigation, Marollano was invited to the police station to purportedly discuss some concerns regarding the cockpit in that town whicht appears under the name of Marollano.  However, Cañete said the real owner seems to be "the opponent" of the incumbent mayor of Vallehermoso, Marianne Gustilo.

 Cañete disclosed that when Marollano arrived at the Vallehermoso police station, he saw two plastic sachets of suspected shabu and a P500 marked bill on the table, which the police personnel later reported as having been confiscated from the suspect in a buy-bust operation.

 Marollano was then placed under detention for almost three weeks, the CHR investigator further disclosed.

 Dr. Cañete said he will look into the circumstances behind the arrest and detention of Marollano and see if there was arbitrary detention on the part of the arresting policemen.

 In the meantime, he said that he will be filing charges under Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act as amended against the police officers for alleged planting of evidence against Marollano, which he described as a "serious offense" and is "non-bailable".

 The CHR-Negros Oriental chief saidhe will file charges of unlawful arrest and planting of evidence this week against the arresting officers.

 He said another police officer will also be included in the complaint, perhaps on a perjury charge, for claiming to be an arresting officer when investigation otherwise showed he was not around when Marollano was "arrested."

He showed a copy of the video footage obtained from a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system from the barangay captain of Tagbino near the house of Marollano which showed the purported timeline of events in the buy-bust operation.

 Meanwhile, Dr. Cañete has requested on Sunday the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 18 (PRO-18) or the Negros Island Region for the immediate relief of these policemen.  (Judy Flores Partlow/PNA) 



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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Aug. 7 -- Worried about possible incursion of rebels in eastern Pangasinan, the provincial board is set to invite police and military officials in their next regular session on August14 to shed light the extent of insurgency in the province.

This was sought by Sixth District Board Member Noel Bince following a clash between the PNP and New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the outskirts of San Nicolas town where one member of the Regional Public Safety Battalion 1 (RPSB1) was killed and another was wounded.

Bince said that incident worried many residents of eastern Pangasinan with the spread of "fake news" in social media that the town mayor of San Quintin was abducted and pupils of one elementary school in Natividad town were held hostage although these were just falsities.

Invited by the board during its question hour at the start of its reguloar session are Senior Supt. Ronald Oliver Lee, the commanding officer of RPSB1, the chief of police of San Nicolas town as well as the commanding officer of the Philippine Army stationed near San Nicolas town.

Bince said the provincial board is still in the dark as to what happened when members of RPSB1 on  patrol clashed with NPA rebels whose reports of earlier sightings in San Nicolas were belied by the police,

He said they want to find out the real score about the insurgency problem in Pangasinan, that is why they are inviting the police and military authorities who know the situation. (PNA) 



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SARIAYA, Quezon -- The national government has earmarked more than Php 2 billion to fund various development projects in the second district of Quezon province next year.   

 2nd District Congressman Vicente Alcala confirmed on Monday that their current Php 1.4 billion  2017 budget has been hiked to more than Php 2 billion for next year.

 Alcala thanked President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the increased budget for the 2nd District next year which, he said, demonstrates the Chief Executive's priority thrust on education and inclusive growth and services above political affiliations.

 Alacala made the disclosure during the inauguration last week of the Barangay Talaan Pantoc farm to market road in Sariaya, Quezon.

 He said the fund is intended for infrastructure projects, farm-to-market roads, road widening and bridges including constructions of overpass and underpass in Barangay Gulang-Gulang in Lucena City.

 The Quezon 2nd district representative also disclosed that part of the fund is allocated for medical assistance and scholarship program.

 He also proposed the expanded scholarship program to cover huge number of students especially among the indigents who could not meet the current average grade requirements of 85% under the scholarship availment.

 Alacala has mulled to lower the passing grade requirement for the scholarship program to 75% to provide more financially-strapped students access to tertiary and collegiate education. (PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY, August 7 – The City Veterinarian Office (CVO) has given an assurance that meat sold in the city's public market is safe for human consumption.

City Veterinary Office Chief Dr. Brigit Piok, during Monday's flag raising ceremony at the City Hall, said they conduct regular inspection of the meat being sold to the public. The inspections are done from the time food-animals are brought for slaughter at the city's abattoir on Magsaysay Avenue and other accredited facilities until they are brought to the public market as meat.

She reported that with the daily inspection, the inspectors were able to find animals which are not safe to be butchered and the meat, sold for human consumption.

Piok said a total of 273,980 heads of animals passed for slaughter at the city-owned abbatoir, yielding 4,996 tons of meat. Of the number, they condemned some 1,345 kilograms of meat that did not pass the requirement of safe, hygienic and healthy meat that can be eaten by humans without being infected with any illness.

Those condemned were properly disposed of to prevent the possibility of their being recycled and brought to the market for sale.

Piok added that at the city market, some "7,091 tons of meat and 5,143 tons of fish were inspected and have passed for public sale." But through the networking with other offices that monitor the sale, proper and hygienic handling of meat, the task force composed of the police, National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), city treasury office, Health Services Office (HSO), permits and licensing office and the CVO, warning was issued to 15 violators of meat inspection rules and regulations.

Also, confiscated were 262 kilograms of meat and 100 kilograms of fish which were found unfit for public sale and consumption.



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ZBO)Gov't school ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 7 – The Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) is building a memorial garden and a museum to serve as the resting place of dead marine species in this city.

Dr. Milavel Nazario, ZSCMST president, on Monday said the two projects have a budget of P5 million -- P1 million for memorial garden and P4 million for the museum.

The memorial garden will serve as burial site for dead marine species such as turtle, fish and others. Buried marine species, to include its scientific name, will be properly marked.

She the ZSCMST is always requested to bury in its property every time marine species are found at the shores of this city "that is why we decided to put up a memorial garden."

Meanwhile, the skeletal remains of the giant sperm whale will be displayed at the museum once it is completed.

The 52-foot long sperm whale was buried at the premises of the ZSCMST after it was found dead in the waters of this city on September 12, 2012.

Nazario said they need P2  million to exhume and reconstructed the skeletal remains of the whale to be displayed at the museum.

She said the marine species museum can serve as one of the tourist attractions of this city. (RGAAG/PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 7 - The Philippine Coastguard (PCG) has deployed another multi-role and rescue vessel (MRRV) to conduct security and coastal patrol within the area of PCG's southwestern Mindanao district.

The MRRV, christened as BRP-Malapascua, is the second vessel the PCG has deployed in southwestern Mindanao district. It is manned by 25 crew including five officers.

The first was the BRP-Malabrigo. Both vessels are part of the 10 units the Philippines acquired from Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).

"One of the mandate of the PCG is maritime patrol and security. This is a multi-role vessel where it can respond to any situation. It can also respond to search and rescue and in law enforcement operations," Commander Gary Dale Gimotea, BRP-Malapascua captain, on Monday said.

The BRP-Malapascua was commissioned into the PCG on March 6, this year. Its first deployment was during the Asean meeting last April in Bohol.

After that, the BRP-Malapascua was deployed to conduct blockade against the Abu Sayyaf bandits who infiltrated Inabanga, Bohol and it patrolled at Benham Rise.

The MRRV is equipped with the latest equipment and capabilities. It runs 27 knots.

The area of responsibility of PCG's southwestern Mindanao district included the areas under the Coastguard Stations in Zamboanga, Pagadian, Cotabato, Jolo, Mapun and Bongao. (RGAAG/PNA)



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SAN ANTONIO, Nueva Ecija, Aug. 7-- The municipal council passed on Monday a resolution urging its member, independent councilor  Renan Morales, to shed light on the allegation that he masterminded and financed a plot to kill Mayor Arvin Salonga.

The resolution was approved unanimously after each councilman and Vice Mayor Julieta Maxwell delivered brief speeches, mostly calls for Morales to come out with an explanation.

"Please come out and face the allegation to know the truth and not let the townfolks be confused," councilor  Renier Umali said as he noted that Morales has been a good friend of his.

Maxwell, for his part, expressed surprise and dismay even as she expressed fears for the lives of the people who might have been killed if a grenade was lobbed during the flag ceremony.

"I am sad because our colleague Councilor Renan Morales is being pinpointed as the mastermind of the plot to kill Mayor Salonga," she said.

Morales was identified by the alleged hired gun, former policeman Ruelito Roxas as the one who contracted them .

Roxas was caught by police along with a certain Alex Panganiban with firearms, a hand grenade and several rounds of bullets.

Morales could not be reached for comment. His mother, Rodora, said in an earlier text that the life of her son was in danger.

She said he could not be behind any attempt to kill Salonga.

"Not even in his wildest dream to harm anyone " she said.

Lawyer Arnold Castro, counsel of Salonga, said they would initially file an administrative case against Morales pending further investigation of the supposed slay plot. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 7 – The Regional Board of Investment in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-Armm) is making a representation to encourage Australian executives on the needed economic investment to shore up development in Armm—one of the key solutions to the root causes of the chronic security problem in the region.

Ishak Mastura, RBOI-Armm chief, along with other economic and trade officials, flew to Australia in Sunday, August 6, to participate in the week-long trade and investment mission from Monday, August 7, until, August 11.

The week-long event is organized by the Board of Investments (BOI) under the Philippine Investment Promotion Plan (PIPP) program.

Mastura said the trade mission came at a critical time when Mindanao, particularly Marawi City, is facing a crisis.

"The Australian newspapers are full of stories and opinion columns that are referring to the Marawi crisis as the Islamic State (IS) presence at their doorstep due to the proximity of Mindanao, particularly to Darwin in Northern Australia," he said.

"At the same time there is increasing public call for Australia to be more involved in Mindanao in all spheres of activity from security to the economy. So we want to take advantage of such high public awareness in Australia regarding Marawi and the Armm," he added.

Armm Gov. Mujiv Hataman said they are encouraging investment in agriculture, particularly in the cattle industry, since Australia has a well-developed Halal industry revolving around the supply of Halal meat to the Middle East. 

"We can raise cattle cheaply in ARMM or we can import them from Australia and process them into Halal meat products to be re-distributed around the region since ARMM and Mindanao are geographically at the heart of Muslim Southeast Asian countries, who all belong to the BIMP-Eaga (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippine East Asean Growth Area)," Hataman said.

Mastura said the delegation would present the Philippine economy and investment opportunities to the businessmen in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. 

He said Australian investor interest is high in the Philippines "because of the shared security environment that necessitates increased partnership and collaborations between the two countries."

"Foremost in mind is the Marawi crisis in the ARMM, wherein IS-affiliated armed groups occupied Marawi City with still no end in sight," he said. 

"Instead of turning off investors from investing in the country and the Armm in particular, strategic investors have come forward to offer their help to rebuild Marawi City and provide much needed jobs in the Armm," Mastura said.

To date, the Australian government is active in providing aid in the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. Australian security is also assisting the government troops in the ongoing effort to flush-out militants in Marawi City by sending its AP-3C Orion aircraft to provide surveillance support.

The Australian government also gave $920,000 (P34.5 million) worth of food and other supplies to help alleviate the plight of the displaced residents of Marawi City.

Mastura said neighboring countries are concerned that the Marawi crisis could galvanize IS members from the region, who are returning home from the battlefields of Syria and Iraq, to seek sanctuary in Marawi City and its environs. 

"This means that investments in building a vibrant economy that can provide jobs to the Muslim population in the ARMM have become a priority as disaffected Muslim populations with long-standing grievances are known to be susceptible to radicalization by IS," he said.

Citing, a recent United Nations study, Mastura said of 43 people who left their countries to become "foreign terrorist fighters" in Syria has found that most came from disadvantaged backgrounds, lacked good education and decent jobs — and saw their Muslim religion "in terms of justice and injustice rather than in terms of piety and spirituality." (Darwin Wally T. Wee/PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY, Aug. 7 – To mark  the  50th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations  this week, officials and employees of Victorias City, Negros Occidental wore ASEAN-inspired attires on Monday and performed songs and dances during a program held at the city public plaza.

They formed 10 groups, representing each ASEAN-member states, for various competitions.

The talent contest for both male and female categories will be held on Tuesday, the foundation day of ASEAN, at Don Alejandro Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center.

The candidates, wearing costumes, will give a performance relevant to the the ASEAN country they represent.

Aside from the Philippines, other ASEAN member-states include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The City Communication and Information Office said the activity is spearheaded by the Victorias City Human Resource Office in compliance with Memorandum No. 2016-069 of the Office of the Mayor and Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 6-2016 on "Awareness Campaign in Support of ASEAN Community 2015 and the Philippines' Chairmanship of ASEAN 2017."

In Bacolod City, the Philippine Information Agency also conducted a briefing for information officers and "Kumpas Barangay" in Barangay Granada on August 4 to heighten awareness and appreciation for the ASEAN.

The ASEAN information campaign is a government program aimed to reach out to the masses to bring the message of economic prosperity, peace and unity in the region.

On Tuesday, the Grand Commemorative Celebration of ASEAN's 50th Anniversary will be highlighted by a Parade and Simultaneous Lighting of ASEAN Landmark at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, and the Bonifacio Global Center in Taguig City.

About 1,700 ASEAN foreign ministers and their spouses, senior officials and delegates are expected to participate.(Nanette L. Guadalquiver/PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 7 – The Japanese government has allocated $1.2 million through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support the relief operations for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Marawi City.

Mats Persson, WFP country director ad interim, on Monday said the funds would benefit at least 38,000 IDPs who are housed in evacuation camps and with their relatives outside of Marawi.

"WFP is grateful to the government of Japan for this very timely contribution, which will provide great support in addressing the food needs of communities uprooted by the conflict in Marawi. This enables us to sustain ongoing relief and recovery assistance in the area," Persson said.

WFP currently co-chairs the Food Security Cluster of the humanitarian response coordinated by the National Response Pillar of the Philippine Government that operates in Iligan City.

Persson said the WFP has been "closely monitoring and coordinating with national and local government agencies to provide technical and logistics support for the emergency response to the affected communities" since the fighting erupted between government forces and armed militant groups linked to Islamic State on Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on May 23.

"With this financial boost from Japan, WFP can expand operations to directly provide around 38,000 displaced people of Marawi with rice to complement the family packages and hygiene kits distributed by the government in the next three months," Persson said.

Aside from food assistance, the government of Japan also infused $800,000 to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) that will be used to provide support in the areas of water, sanitation, and hygiene.

"Given the importance and closeness of Japan and the Philippines, Japan will continue to explore ways to best support the Philippines government and the people of the Philippines on this matter," the embassy said.

Meanwhile, the WFP said they have also distributed rice to more than 7,000 affected families. WFP is also providing emergency school meals in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte where displaced school children have been tracked.

The WFP said the rice distribution is to address the plight of the IDPs as they "missed the last planting season."

"About 70,000 people in farming households have seen their income shrink. And are struggling to secure food due to reduced rice and corn supplies and rising prices, and face further food insecurity if they are unable to resume planting," WFP said. (DWTW/PNA)



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LILIW, Laguna Aug. 7 - The town's police force here has initiated the "Bola Imbes na Droga" (ballgames instead of drugs) program for out of school youths and the drug surrenderers to ward off hard drugs in the communities.

 Liliw police station chief of police Senior Inspector Raymund Alfred Osea told Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Monday that they have partnered with the town government through Mayor Ericson Sulibit to engage the millennials and out-of-school youths (OSYs) and surrenderers on alternative sports program to keep them away from the perils of dangerous drugs.

Liliw, known as the "Tsinelas (footwear) Capital of Laguna," has boosted its anti-illegal drug efforts with the staging of ballgames like basketball and other sporting events through collaborative efforts of the police force, municipal government and the private sector.

 Basketballs and others sports gear were distributed to some 33 villages starting Monday following the flag raising ceremony at the Liliw Municipal Covered Court.

Osea said the distribution of a ball each for the drug surrenderers and youth team will be used for their upcoming sports league.

Senior Inspector Gerry Sangalang, Laguna provincial police spokesperson who represented Laguna Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Cecilio Ison, has relayed the message of commendation for the local police and town initiative for the anti-drug program.

Sangalang also thanked the Liliw local government for their relentless support to the PNP to eradicate hard drugs in their communities.

He said their assistance and advocacy towards fighting hard drugs and criminality has reduced the crime index.

Mayor Sulibit and the town legislative council likewise lauded police whose mission and efforts in pursuit of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's policy on the relentless "war on drugs and criminality" helped local officials to curb the drug menace that resulted in declaring Liliw as a "drug-free community". (Sol Luzano/PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY, Aug. 7 -- Eight policemen in Negros Island Region (NIR) were awarded the Philippine National Police (PNP) Medalya ng Kagalingan (Medal of Merit) Monday for their valuable contribution to the war against drugs.

The police commissioned officer (PCO)-awardees included Superintendents Antonietto Cañete, Roberto Lingbawan and Alvin Futalan;  and Chief Inspector Mark Anthony Darroca.

Senior Police Officer 1 Marlou Ragay, Police Officers 2 Patrick Garcia, Rey Anthony Bañga, and Angelo Pacardo were the police non-commissioned officer (PNCO)-awardees.

The awarding rites, held at the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office headquarters in Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr., was led by Chief Superintendent Leonardo Cesneros, deputy regional director for administration of Police Regional Office (PRO)-18, with lawyer Roselyn Borja, acting director of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) -18.

Both officials awarded the medals to the eight awardees.

The PRO -18 commended the eight police officers for their valuable and efficient performance that brought honor and pride to the police organization.(Nanette L. Guadalquiver/PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY, Aug. 7 -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) enjoined Negrense students to become the agency's scholars in both the undergraduate and junior levels for next school year.

Engineer Allan Francis Daraug, provincial director of DOST-Negros Occidental, said in a report Monday there are about 250 DOST scholars enrolled in various public and private institutions, colleges, and universities in the province.

"Our primary aim here is to help deserving students by transforming them into professionals who are globally competitive and can significantly contribute to development of the society," he said.

Under the DOST undergraduate scholarship, all students under the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) track of the K to 12 program are 100 percent qualified to apply.

Only the "upper five percent" of the total graduating students for the non-STEM track are qualified.

Daraug said there is no limit to the number of applicants, who must submit the requirements at the DOST-Negros Occidental Office here not later than August 25. The examination will be held on October 15.

Meanwhile, the application deadline for junior college students will be on September 22 while the examination will be conducted on November 19.

Information on priority courses offered, examination coverage, selection, test fee, terms and conditions, among others, for both scholarship programs can be accessed through www.sei.dost.gov.ph.

Republic Act 7687, or the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994, provides scholarships to talented and deserving students whose families' socio-economic status does not exceed the set cut-off values of certain indicators.

Daraug said these courses offered are geared toward the government's goal of creating a pool of scientists, researchers, engineers and technologists.

"These are also positioned to increase the country's capability in terms of producing champions in various science and technology related competitions," he added.(Erwin P. Nicavera/PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 7  – Authorities have warned the public against shellfish consumption following the raised level of Red Tide occurrence in Tambobo Bay in Barangay Bonbonon in Siaton, Negros Oriental.

Recent laboratory tests of samples of shellfish meat and water taken from Tambobo Bay area were found to be positive of increased density of dinoflagellates or planktons that cause Red Tide events when elevated to abnormal levels.

On July 26, red tide was first monitored following sampling taken from at least three areas in Tambobo Bay, where private yachts and other fishing vessels are docked or anchored.

Wilmencita Pialogo, a marine biologist of the Provincial Agriculture's Office (PAO) and team leader of the Provincial Red Tide Task Force, disclosed that laboratory sampling showed a high level of density of the red tide organism at 219 micrograms SPX per 100 grams of shellfish meat tested.

In an interview Monday afternoon, she said he tolerable level is only pegged at 60 micrograms SPX per 100 grams of shellfish.

Initial testing also showed the presence of what she described as a "potent species" of the Red Tide toxins that have contaminated the water and the shellfish in the bay area.

By July 31, another sampling was again done as part of their regular weekly monitoring of the Red Tide event, also known as algal bloom, said Pialago.

She believes the algal bloom was caused by agricultural run-offs, such as fertilizers from sugarcane fields following continuous heavy rains that may have triggered the Red Tide event.

Pialago explained that red tide organisms are present everywhere but at a tolerable level that would not pose harmful effects to humans or animals. However, when the presence of nitrates and phosphates are at higher levels, they trigger algal blooms that cause Red Tide to occur.

So far, authorities have not received reports of shellfish poisoning in the area.

As for fish consumption, residents in Tambobo Bay and nearby areas are advised to properly clean the fish taken from the bay by removing its gills and guts.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Provincial Red Tide Task Force have instructed officials of Barangay Bonbonon to warn residents against gathering shellfish for consumption until further notice.

Barangay Bonbonon councilman Celso Tuban said he received information on Saturday about the presence of Red Tide in the bay, thus he and other barangay officials visited the households especially in the coastal areas to warn them against shellfish consumption.

A resident of Tambobo Bay, who runs a mini-store in Tambobo Bay, admitted that she was worried about the possible prolonged ban against shellfish gathering. Elizabeth Palopalo said they gather a variety of shellfish for consumption that they usually harvest during low tide.

A lot of people in their community are dependent on shellfish for their daily meals, she added.

Meanwhile, the adjacent Siit Bay has tested negative of Red Tide, said Pialogo.

The Provincial Red Tide Task Force has taken samples again today, Monday, for another round of testing as they continue to monitor the situation at Tambobo Bay, she added. (Judy Flores Partlow/PNA)



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SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Aug 7-- There will be six municipal ports that will be constructed  in Antique province, said Vice Governor Edgar Denosta on Monday.

Denosta said that the construction of the ports will be funded by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) that sent engineers from Manila  last week to discuss the plan.

The total funding for the Antique ports is estimated at PHP200 million. The port in Hamtic town will get the biggest slice as it was  earlier identified as a provincial auxiliary port by a provincial board resolution.

Other ports to be constructed are in the coastal towns of Anini-y, Bugasong, Culasi, Pandan and Caluya.

The ports are important for the fishing boats as well as for the motor propelled passenger boats like that in Culasi for its three island barangays.

Denosta said that the municipal ports are also necessary now that the province is being visited by more tourist for its beautiful white beaches such as Mararison in Culasi.   



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TAGBILARAN CITY, Aug. 7 -- Security was tightened in Bohol as delegates from 34 nations around Asia converged in Panglao Island Monday for the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Conference.

Bohol hosts the three-day conference, which seeks to address the various issues on energy security, sustainability and resiliency in the Asian region.

Checkpoints have been set up in key areas since Thursday when delegates started arriving for the forum.

The increasing energy demand in Asia has been an issue, and the forum seeks to gather solutions and ideas for sustainable and reliable energy.

The reduction in the use of fossil fuels will also be tackled as the participating Asian nations are likewise focusing on the use of renewable energy.

Energy Secretary Al Cusi extended his gratitude to the Bohol Provincial Government for its support and cooperation in the country's hosting of the forum.

Cusi said the forum will help the Philippine government find answers to problems on energy security, sustainability and resiliency in the face of climate change as there would be information exchange and sharing of best practices among member countries.

"We also need to find ways that would make electricity affordable to the rural poor," said Cusi.

The forum also comes at a time when Bohol is struggling with its power supply, which remains less than desirable in the aftermath of the Leyte earthquake last July.

Participants in the meetings, including experts and officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, are from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and the Philippines. (Dave Albarado/PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY, August 7 – The city human resource office is upgrading the employees' human relations skills in order to improve delivery of service to the public.

Atty. Augustin Laban III on Monday said they are continuously improving the human relations skills of all employees of the different departments in an effort to better serve the clients, the taxpayers.

He explained that aside from the scheduled trainings that they conduct, they constantly go around the offices to see how employees deal with the clients who come for assistance.

"This is a continuing activity. Aside from trainings, we need to see the actual service delivery, how the employees deal with the clients and if we see something improper, we immediately correct them."

He added that it is very important for the public servants to deliver the correct service, proper action as well as properly deal with clients within the time required to satisfy the taxpayers. "We are in public service, we are mandated by law to deliver with satisfaction the services to the people."

Aside from human relations skills, Laban said they saw the need to correct the way leaders beat during the flag raising ceremony."The singing of the national anthem should not just be for compliance, it is a mandate that we as Filipinos should do properly," thus the importance that the conductors do the beating properly when leading the singing of the national anthem, the hymn of the city government, the Cordillera hymn, and also the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) hymn, he said.

Laban said that they are also mulling on holding a conducting training for all employees so that whoever is asked to lead the singing during events will know how to properly do it. He said public offices are a matter of public trust and the public that seeks to be served must be properly provided with the assistance. (PNA)



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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Aug. 7 -- The Pangasinan provincial board passed a resolution in its regular session today, August 8 expressing its deepest sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family of a member of the Regional  Public Safety Battalion 1 who died during a firefight with New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the outkirts of  San Nicolas town last July 28.

The resolution authored by Fourth District Board Member Agerico Jeremy Rosario also honored the heroism of the dead policeman, PO2 Aries Tamondong, stating that "there is no better service than dying for your country and fighting against the enemy of the state in defense of its freedom and security."

Tamondong, 38, father of four, was from Barangay Cabanbanan, Manaoag, Pangasinan.

"The entire nation is saddened over the death of PO2 Aries Tamondong of the Philippine National Police in an encounter with rebel gunmen last July 28 in San Nicolas, Pangasinan with a mission,"  the resolution reads.

It went on to state that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan recognizes the valor of PO2 Aries Tamondong whom it called a "modern-day hero who had helped to bring peace and order in the province of Pangasinan."

The SP said PO2 Tamondong deserves the highest salute from all officials, leaders and people of Pangasinan.

A copy of the resolution will be handed by members of the SP led by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim to Tamondong's widow, Katrina, a school teacher of the Manaoag National High School and their four children. (PNA)



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LAOAG CITY, Aug. 7 — With the onset of rainy season, public school teachers both from elementary and secondary schools here are advised to have a flu shot.

Flu or influenza is an acute infection of the respiratory tract that is caused by any of the three types of influenza viruses (A, B, and C), each of which has several subtypes or strains.

Health care providers said flu viruses enter the mouth or nose by inhalation of droplets that are coughed, sneezed, or exhaled out by people with the disease; by direct contact with secretions from infected people; or by touching contaminated objects and then touching the nose or mouth with the hands.

Funded by the Department of Education under the Gender and Development program, the free vaccine is available this August, said Dr. Lloyd Rosquita on Monday.

Ilocos Norte Schools Division Superintendent Vilma Eda said it is very important that teachers are in good health to better serve their learners. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY, Aug 7 – The members of the militant National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) in Davao thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for approving the law providing free tertiary education in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). "Kami ay nagpapasalamat sa ating Presidente sa libreng edukasyon (We are thankful to the our President), Rowen Wabina said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday at the SM City Annex. NUSP described the signing of the Republic Act 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, as victory worth celebrating. The law was signed by the President on August 3. Wabina, who is the coordinator of NUSP in Southern Mindanao Region and a student of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), said this would not stop the NUSP to be vigilant because are not fully aware of the details of the rules and regulations. He said the NUSP has yet to see the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to be crafted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). But Wabina said they need to remain vigilant and carry on the fight for free education since the CHED declared that out of 113 SUCs, the University of the Philippines (UP) is the only SUC that will collect this semester. NUSP also cited some contentious provisions particularly on prioritization of poor but deserving students and the ambiguity of Section 6 which states that "Those students who fail to complete their Bachelor's degree or comparable undergraduate degree within a year after the period prescribed in their program." Prince Harvey Arellano, vice chair of UP Mindanao Student Council, said the students are still pushing a nationalist, scientific, and mass-oriented education. Arellano also called for vigilance while CHED will be crafting the IRR of the RA No. 10931. RA 10931exempts qualified Filipino students from paying tuition and other school fees in pursuance of their bachelor's degree or comparable undergraduate degree in any state or local universities and colleges (LUCs). RA 10931 exempts from paying those students currently enrolled or shall enroll in non-degree technical-vocational education and training offered by any technical-vocational institution (TVI) under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). SUC and LUC students who have already attained a bachelor's degree are not qualified to the free tertiary education. This is also applies to those who failed to comply with the school's admission policies and did not complete their undergraduate degree within a year after the prescribed period. For state-run TVI, students are ineligible to free education if they have a bachelor's degree or received a technical-vocational course diploma equivalent to at least National Certificate III, or failed in any course enrolled in during the course of the program. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)

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CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, Aug. 7--The provincial government of Bulacan headed by Governor  Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice Governor Daniel Fernando on Monday commended the Bulacan police, notably the San Jose Del Monte (SJDM) City police station, for swiftly solving the June 27 multiple murder case in North Ridge Royal Subdivision, Barangay Sto. Cristo in the said city.

 Alvarado and Fernando commended Bulacan acting police director Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat Jr., and the SJDM City police force headed by Supt. Fitz Macariola during the celebration of the "5 Haligi ng Katarungan" at the Capitol Gymnasium here on Monday.

 The governor presented a plaque of recognition to Supt. Macariola for diligently solving one of the most heinous crimes committed in the  province.

 "Col. Macariola and the SJDM city police force, who as true public servants have shown utmost professionalism and dedication to duty, in the conduct of the speedy investigation and early resolution of the June 27 multiple murder case of the Dizon-Carlos family at North Ridge Royal Subdivision, Barangay Sto Cristo. The competence and leadership bespeak well of the positive reflection of you and the entire PNP meriting the respect and admiration of the people in the community, " Alvarado said as he congratulated Macariola and Caramat during the ceremony.

 Vice Gov. Fernando, for his part, said that this achievement is a fitting example that the five pillars of justice in Bulacan are indeed working well.

Auring Dizon, Estrella Dizon-Carlos, Donni, 11; Ella, 7, and Dexter Jr., one year old, were all found dead with multiple stab wounds last June.

Barely a day after the grizzly murders were discovered by security guard and the victims' patriarch Dexter Carlos Sr., the SJDM police arrested Carmelino Ibanez alias "Miling" after an eyewitness appeared at the police station.

"If you remember, Ibanez or "Miling" admitted his participation in the gruesome killing of Carlos family on June 28, 2017 in the presence of his immediate family inside their house which resulted to his eventual arrest. Likewise, he reiterated his admission regarding his participation on the crime during exclusive interviews with different news networks and mentioned alias "Inggo" (Rolando Pacinos) and alias "Tony" (Anthony Garcia) as his cohorts in perpetrating said crime," Caramat said.

The two other persons of  interest (POIs)  Roosevelt Serema alias "Ponga" and Alvin Mabesa were mentioned by confidential informants.

 Pacinos, Serema and Garcia have been found dead one after the other recently.

The four POIs were all negative in the DNA test from samples found at the crime scene but Caramat said it does not  mean that they are excluded from investigation on the said crime.

Ibanez admitted the crime but later recanted his statement. However, the forensic results of the Bulacan PNP Crime Laboratory pinned him down.

He was arraigned last week and pleaded not guilty at the sala of Bulacan RTC Branch 78 Judge Gregorio Sampaga.

Ibanez is now detained at the Bulacan Provincial Jail. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY, Aug 7 – The Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) has continued to provide aid to farmers cooperative in Mindanao for the enhancement of their facilities and improve production.

Sherwin Manual, the head of the PRDP Information Unit revealed that one of the cooperatives recent grantee is the Subasta Integrated Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Barangay Subasta, Calinan this city. The cooperative was granted PHP9.5 million fund for the development of its PHP34-million Marketing of Dry Fermented Cacao Beans. The rest of the fund requirement was covered by the cooperative for the land, facility and other structures. Manual said the fund will be used to enhance their production capacity since they need to purchase trucks and consolidator facility for the hauling of the products of nine cluster member cooperatives of Calinan, Malagos, Marilog and Paquibato. PRDP also granted fund assistance to the Farmers Cooperative Marketing Association of Zamboanga del Norte for Cacao Production and Marketing which has a project cost of PHP13.4 million. Manual said the Lanao del Norte Integrated Coconut Base Enterprise got an assistance of PHP8.8 million for its project with a cost of PHP13.4 million. The local government unit of Lanao also gave its counterpart funds to help the farmers. On the other hand, Manual said there is still PHP212 million which can be accessed up to 2018 under the PRDP's Enterprise Program. He said the objectives of this program is to increase smallholder groups operating viable enterprises; to enhance producer productivity through formalized arrangements for marketing and technical services; and to increase smallholder and fishery resilience to climate change and adverse weather condition. (Digna D. Banzon/PNA)



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MANILA – A total of 312 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kombolcha, Ethiopia are returning home via Qatar Airways to the Philippines on Wednesday.

They are employed by Yapı Merkezi, Inc., a Turkish company specializing in the design and construction of buildings, heavy construction, and railway projects.

The OFWs left Kombolcha for Addis Ababa on the evening of April 27 for their flight to Doha, and then for their onward flight to Manila.

The repatriation of the Filipino workers was made possible by the organization and funding of Yapi Merkezi in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Egypt, which assisted in the documentation and the coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.

Before their repatriation, the Filipinos worked as machine operators, skilled workers, and engineers in the Awash- Kombolcha-Hara Gebaya (AKH) railway project in the Amhara region in northern Ethiopia.

The first group of 30 Filipinos arrived at the AKH construction site in April 2017. (DFA PR)



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MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte is aware that Filipinos are struggling to survive amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the country, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte wants the speedy distribution of emergency relief to families to help them cope with the health crisis and the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

"Well, syempre po, naiintindihan ng ating Presidente na napakahirap talaga ng buhay habang tayo ay nasa ECQ (Of course the President understands how difficult life is while there is ECQ)," Roque said in an interview with ANC, when asked if Duterte is satisfied with government's response to Covid-19.

The national government has released PHP275 billion as an emergency fund to address the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

Some PHP200 billion of the PHP275 billion have been allocated for the implementation of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), which provides for the distribution of emergency subsidies ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP8,000 to 18 million poor families.

Roque said Duterte was elated by Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año's recent move to impose a deadline on the distribution of emergency relief to low-income households.

He said the national government will impose disciplinary action on local government units (LGUs) that will fail to distribute the cash assistance on or before Thursday.

"All LGUs must disburse to the intended beneficiaries yung ating (our) SAP. Otherwise, they will be issued the show cause letter and subject to disciplinary action," Roque said.

"I think that reflects the President's general predicament. Money is there to be given to those in need. It should have been given yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday)," he added.

Año on Monday reminded LGUs that they only have until April 30 to complete the distribution of government subsidy under SAP to the qualified beneficiaries.

A memorandum of agreement was signed between LGUs and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in a bid to fast-track the distribution of emergency subsidies to poor families.

Around 8.7 million of the 18 million beneficiaries have so far received the cash aid, based on DSWD's SAP Monitoring Dash Board for Emergency Subsidy.

Some PHP80.75 billion have already been given to LGUs for the payout of financial assistance to 18 million low-income households.

However, LGUs have only disbursed PHP29.52 billion out of the PHP80.75 billion downloaded to them. (PNA)



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MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday said it respects the decision of Taiwan rejecting the deportation of the Filipino caregiver who allegedly criticized the Philippine government's coronavirus disease (Covid-19) response on social media.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the deportation is a decision to be made solely by Taiwanese authorities.

"We respect that decision and of course, in the same way that we will enforce our law on all foreigners while they are under our jurisdiction," Roque said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC).

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Taiwanese authorities said they will not deport the Filipino caregiver because she did not violate their laws and regulations.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ou Jiangan emphasized that workers in Taiwan are protected by their laws and regulations.

Angelito Banayo, the Philippine government's representative in Taiwan, on Monday, said there were no instructions to arrange the deportation of the Filipina caregiver.

Banayo, Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman, also noted that deportation is "not within the prerogative of a foreign government like the Philippines,"

On Sunday, Roque denied that the government is seeking the deportation of a Filipino caregiver in Taiwan for alleged cyber libel.

"Wala pong katunayan na tayo mismo ang naghingi ng deportation na yan kasi hindi naman po natin pinakikialaman yung mga milyon milyong OFWs at lahat ng kanilang sinasabi dahil dito po sa ating bayan ay meron naman tayong karapatan ng malayang pananalita (There is no truth that we are the ones who sought for her deportation because we do not interfere with the millions of OFWs and what they say because here in our country, we have freedom of expression)," Roque said in an interview over DZBB.

Earlier, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) accused a certain Elanel Egot Ordidor of cyber libel for posting "nasty and malevolent materials against President Duterte on Facebook."

The DOLE claimed that Ordidor intended to cause hatred amidst the global health crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Labor Attache Fidel Macauyag said Ordidor's posts fall under cyber libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act or Republic Act 10175.

If found guilty, Ordidor may be imprisoned for up to six months or fined up to PHP 250,000.

Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) welfare group Migrante described DOLE's accusation as "harassment", claiming it was meant to divert attention away from the government's response to the outbreak. (PNA)



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MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday said it respects the decision of Taiwan rejecting the deportation of the Filipino caregiver who allegedly criticized the Philippine government's coronavirus disease (Covid-19) response on social media.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the deportation is a decision to be made solely by Taiwanese authorities.

"We respect that decision and of course, in the same way that we will enforce our law on all foreigners while they are under our jurisdiction," Roque said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC).

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Taiwanese authorities said they will not deport the Filipino caregiver because she did not violate their laws and regulations.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ou Jiangan emphasized that workers in Taiwan are protected by their laws and regulations.

Angelito Banayo, the Philippine government's representative in Taiwan, on Monday, said there were no instructions to arrange the deportation of the Filipina caregiver.

Banayo, Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman, also noted that deportation is "not within the prerogative of a foreign government like the Philippines,"

On Sunday, Roque denied that the government is seeking the deportation of a Filipino caregiver in Taiwan for alleged cyber libel.

"Wala pong katunayan na tayo mismo ang naghingi ng deportation na yan kasi hindi naman po natin pinakikialaman yung mga milyon milyong OFWs at lahat ng kanilang sinasabi dahil dito po sa ating bayan ay meron naman tayong karapatan ng malayang pananalita (There is no truth that we are the ones who sought for her deportation because we do not interfere with the millions of OFWs and what they say because here in our country, we have freedom of expression)," Roque said in an interview over DZBB.

Earlier, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) accused a certain Elanel Egot Ordidor of cyber libel for posting "nasty and malevolent materials against President Duterte on Facebook."

The DOLE claimed that Ordidor intended to cause hatred amidst the global health crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Labor Attache Fidel Macauyag said Ordidor's posts fall under cyber libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act or Republic Act 10175.

If found guilty, Ordidor may be imprisoned for up to six months or fined up to PHP 250,000.

Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) welfare group Migrante described DOLE's accusation as "harassment", claiming it was meant to divert attention away from the government's response to the outbreak. (PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY – Local businessmen here have raised about PHP2 million for the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Tacloban-Leyte chapter president Eugene Tan said on Tuesday that 40 of their members joined the fundraising drive to help ease the burden of medical front-liners.

Recipient hospitals are the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), Tacloban City Hospital, Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Hospital, Divine Word University Hospital, and ACE Medical Center in Tacloban City.

Other recipients are the Department of Health 8 (Eastern Visayas), Schistosomiasis Hospital, and Leyte Provincial Hospital (LPH) in Palo,
Leyte.

The donations include face shields, N-95 masks, goggles, shoe covers, and whole-body PPE.

"This is our way of showing our appreciation and recognition for all the efforts of all our front-liners to fight this coronavirus pandemic," Tan said during the turnover held at a coffee shop here.

While businesses are badly affected by movement restrictions, PCCI members see this opportunity to serve the community by providing PPEs and disinfecting the city's streets for three weeks.

Earlier, the business group distributed food packs to the city's pedicab drivers, one of the most vulnerable groups.

The distribution of face shields for police officers and ambulant vendors is part of their future activities, Tan said.

He assured that their group has been looking into the welfare of their workers by providing them protective gear and vitamins at their workplace.

Employees who have to stay at home are provided with full salary and relief goods. (PNA)



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MANILA – Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Wednesday his department is asking the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Land Bank of the Philippines to earmark PHP30 billion to fund a low-interest loan program for entrepreneurs.

During the Laging Handa public briefing, Lopez said the program aims to help entrepreneurs get back to their businesses once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is lifted.


"We have this extra program in getting more funds for entrepreneurs themselves, not only the workers, lending them the working capital," he said in Filipino.


Lopez clarified that this lending program would be for existing businesses.


The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) earlier allotted PHP1 billion under its Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso or the P3 Program to offer PHP10,000 up to PHP200,000 low-interest loans to micro and small entrepreneurs.


He said the P3 Program and the planned PHP30-billion lending activities with DBP and LandBank would be rolled out once the ECQ is lifted since these programs would require inspection of businesses.


"We can't do it now because we are under ECQ. So we will start this once ECQ is lifted. But we are prepared to roll out this program," Lopez added.


By May 1, the ECQ will be eased in some parts of the country except Metro Manila, Central Luzon excluding Aurora, Calabarzon, Pangasinan, Benguet, Baguio City, Iloilo, Cebu, Cebu City, and Davao City. (PNA)



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LEGAZPI CITY – Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua is set to return to his post on Thursday after serving his one-year suspension over an administrative case slapped against him by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2019.

This was confirmed by Uldarico Razal, provincial director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in an interview on Tuesday.

Razal said Cua sought clearance from the DILG that would allow him to return to the office.

Last January, Cua installed himself as governor of the province, asserting that he had completed serving his suspension order but his self-reinstatement was blocked by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año.

Año said the department did not recognize Cua's assumption of office and ordered him to vacate the post pending the resolution of his case with the Office of the Ombudsman.

Lawyer Anthony Nuyda, DILG regional director, advised Cua "not to assume earlier than April 30 this year," citing article 13 of the Civil Code of the Philippines that stipulates his 365-day suspension period from May 1, 2019 until April 29, 2020. 

Cua, in a letter to Nuyda last Monday, said: "I would like to insist the date of my resumption to office shall be upon the completion of service of the suspension order which is one year or April 29 as I would like to live up to the same mandate by the people."

"I would like to reiterate, as always, that in good faith I am for critical collaborations and partnership so that I can be a better steward of the people's welfare as we share in the steadfast vision for a better social, economic and political climate in this part of the country," he added.

The administrative case against Cua stemmed from a complaint filed by private citizen Rey Mendez in 2018 for alleged abuse of authority, conduct prejudicial to the interest of public service, dishonesty, and grave misconduct.

In his complaint, Mendez said Cua allowed a construction firm to use a vacant government lot without authority from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Rice and coconut farmers in Sarangani province who were affected by the enhanced community quarantine are set to receive financial assistance from the national government.

Jonathan Duhaylungsod, head of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, said Wednesday they have started processing the requirements for the release of the subsidy from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).


Duhaylungsod said they have already submitted to DA 12 (Soccsksargen) the list of about 4,000 target beneficiaries from the province's seven municipalities for the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program.


Under the program, he said, qualified farmers would each receive cash assistance of PHP5,000.


"We are now working on the other requirements and system of distribution to the beneficiaries," Duhaylungsod said in a statement.


He said the target beneficiaries are rice farmers who were forced to stop planting and attending to their crops due to the implementation of quarantine measures amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat.


They were also not covered by the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) assistance based on their validation, Duhaylungsod said, adding that the names of the beneficiaries were provided by the municipal agriculture offices based on the province's Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture database.


He said they were hoping that all identified qualified rice farmers in the province would be considered for the RFFA subsidy.


For the assistance to coconut farmers, Duhaylungsod said they were only waiting for the release of the guidelines from the PCA.


He said they have yet to finalize the list of the target beneficiaries, which includes coconut farmers who were into inter-cropping or integrated agriculture system.


Duhaylungsod said PCA governing board member, retired general Benjamin Madrigal Jr., recently informed Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon about the province's inclusion in the program, which would provide a subsidy of PHP5,000 to each qualified farmer.


"These (DA and PCA subsidies) are a huge relief to our farmers and very timely since the rains are already here and we're nearing the start of the regular planting season," he added. (PNA)  



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MANILA – The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Monday recognized the indispensable support of local government units in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a statement, NCRPO chief, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, lauded LGUs for their assistance in terms of providing facilities for quarantine violators and patient care centers.

For instance, he said Malabon City Mayor Antolin Oreta lll converted Catmon Tennis Court located in Barangay Catmon into a detention facility to house violators of the enhanced community quarantine.

"We are very much thankful for the support of our stakeholders and LGUs in our fight against the unseen. Now, more than ever, their support is indispensable for us to overcome the hurdles brought out by this pandemic," Sinas said in a statement.
The increasing number of ECQ violators continue to crowd detention cells all over the metropolis.

Among the commonly violated ECQ protocols include failure to wear face masks; social distancing (especially in crowded places like markets); violation of the curfew hours except those Authorized Persons to be Outside of Residence; and failure to bring quarantine pass while outside of residence, among others.

With the active support of different LGUs, local city task forces, barangay officials, volunteers, and other concerned agencies, he said the NCRPO will continuously go against ECQ violators to prevent the further spread of the Covid-19 in the region.

"With the invigorated implementation of ECQ in the Metro and the presently ongoing e-inquest proceedings against violators, we guarantee stringent enforcement of ECQ related laws and ordinances. Hence, we plead cooperation among our citizens to please obey the law and stay home," he added.

Sinas also thanked San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and private sponsors for their unwavering support to the construction of two patient care facilities at the San Juan National High School Basketball Court.

"These facilities will be manned by Quick Response Team or the San Juan-PNP personnel who are also licensed nurses with adequate training on how to monitor patients. They will attend to the needs of our front-liners from San Juan PNP who will be diagnosed as suspect and probable Covid-19 cases under the new classification of the DOH. The two facilities with a 15-bed capacity each are fully-air conditioned with comfort rooms and bathrooms which are of big help to our current plight. We are glad that front-liners with a higher risk of exposure to the virus are given appropriate assistance and appreciation," he added. (PNA)



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MANILA – An international organization has recognized the government's effort in providing emergency employment assistance to workers to help cushion the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Saturday.

In a statement, the DOLE said the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has acknowledged the agency's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD).

"The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has cited the labor department's social protection program for informal sector workers in addressing the global Covid 19 pandemic," it said.

The DOLE said the FAO, in a recent report, said the Philippines is among only 11 countries out of the 84 introduced social protection measures to address the impact of Covid-19, which adopted such programs that specifically targeted the most vulnerable informal sector workers of the economy.

Aside from the Philippines, the other countries cited for such programs are Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Egypt, Australia, Thailand, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia.

"The most common measures taken so far include the introduction of cash grants and food distribution for vulnerable groups and temporary employment schemes for informal workers," FAO said.

"In the Philippines, informal workers who have temporarily lost their livelihood can apply for a temporary employment programme, limited to 10 days of work involving disinfection/sanitation of their houses and immediate vicinities. Beneficiaries will have orientation on safety and health, payment of 100 percent of the highest prevailing minimum wage, and will be enrolled into group micro-insurance," the report added.

FAO referred to the DOLE's modified TUPAD Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko Disinfection/Sanitation Project, or TUPAD #BKBK, an employment creation program that provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed and seasonal workers in the informal economy.

Qualified workers were paid the prevailing minimum wage set in their respective regions equivalent to 10 days.

The DOLE also reported that as of April 24, a total of 259,449 workers have availed the TUPAD #BKBK across all regions which exceed the initial target of 235,949 beneficiaries. Of this, 65 percent have completed their work and were paid a total of PHP723 million in wages.

More than 500,000 people have pending requests to be covered under the project. However, these pending requests will not all be covered due to dwindling funds.

The Bicol Region has served the highest number of workers under the TUPAD #BKBK with a total of 53,169 workers amounting to PHP68.8 million in wages paid.

This was followed by Calabarzon with a total of 23,808 affected informal workers at PHP60.4-million disbursement.

In Davao, TUPAD #BKBK workers have expressed how the project had provided a sense of security to be able to spend their wages on family necessities while in quarantine.

"DOLE quickly responded and taken measures in response to CoVID 19 pandemic affecting the formal sector, workers in the informal economy and the Overseas Filipino Workers. We hope that the TUPAD #BKBK can help alleviate the thousands of informal sector workers displaced by this crisis," Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said. (PNA)



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MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed support for Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go's proposed "Balik Probinsya" program that seeks to decongest overcrowded Metro Manila once the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic is put under control.

 

In a speech aired Friday on state-run PTV-4, Go explained to Duterte that the proposed Balik Probinsya program aims to provide incentives and livelihood opportunities to Filipinos who wish to return to their respective provinces after the lifting of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

 

He noted that the lack of urban planning and rural development is one of the reasons why Covid-19 is spreading fast in the country's metropolis.

 

"As soon as the enhanced community quarantine is lifted and travel is gradually normalized, the government must encourage Filipino families to move out of Manila and other metropolitan areas. Government must provide them the means and incentives to go back to the provinces for good," Go said.

 

Under the Balik Probinsya program, the government would provide free transportation and livelihood assistance to Metro Manila residents who want to be relocated to their respective provinces.

 

The planned relocation would start after Duterte lifts the implementation of the ECQ in Metro Manila and other areas with confirmed Covid-19 cases.

 

Duterte, responding to Go's remarks, agreed that the proposal would give Filipinos "hope".

 

"Maganda iyan, Bong (Your recommendation is good, Bong). Go home to the province. They have the means of going back and there is a promise," he said. "What's important is we give them hope."

 

Metro Manila is home to 12.87 million Filipinos, according to a 2015 census.

 

About 4,877 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been recorded in Metro Manila, according to the April 24 data uploaded on the official website of the Department of Health.

 

Proper planning

 

Go, chairperson of the Senate health and demography panel noted that 70 percent of Covid-19 cases in the country are in Metro Manila.

 

He said overpopulation, congested traffic, and pollution in Metro Manila would be addressed, once his proposed relocation program is implemented.

 

He added that the government would also be able to prepare for future possible disease outbreaks, other crises and natural disasters.

 

Go saw the need for proper planning to ensure the effective implementation of the proposed Balik Probinsya program.

 

He said the government, in coordination with the private sector, must take the necessary steps for the country to be able to adapt to the "new normal" after the Covid-19 crisis.

 

"(Balik Probinsya) is a long-term plan to encourage them na bumalik sa ating probinsya. Kailangang pag-aralan at planuhin ito nang mabuti kung paano sila bigyan ng kabuhayan. Hindi ito immediate na ngayon (i-implement) kasi may mga quarantine protocols pa tayo na sinusunod (Balik Probinsya is a long-term plan to encourage them to return to their respective provinces. We need to thoroughly study and plan how we can grant the livelihood assistance. It will not be immediately implemented because we still have to follow the quarantine protocols)," Go said.

 

Robust economy

 

Go said the proposed Balik Probinsya would not only contain the Covid-19 outbreak but would also boost the country's economy.

 

He made the remarks as he cited that the Philippines, despite its booming economy, remains a "largely agricultural country with plenty of idle lands in the countryside that can be developed."

 

"This proposal is also about equitable distribution of the gains of our fast-developing economy, balanced development of the urban and rural areas and poverty alleviation," he said.

 

He suggested that the government may facilitate the use of some idle lands for the productive use of people who will be relocated from Metro Manila and other metropolitan areas.

 

"Coupled with tax reforms and more aggressive support for MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprises) development, the government may be able to create a business environment conducive for more investments in the countryside," he explained.

 

Go also said rural areas can provide the needed human resource for new businesses in provinces by linking up with higher educational institutions and technical and skills development centers.

 

The Department of Trade and Industry has vowed to provide incentives for businesses that would open in the provinces to attract countryside investments.

 

Financial assistance and affordable loans would also be provided to those who seek to open MSMEs in the provinces.

 

Go said his proposal is being studied by the government.

 

"Maraming sumasang-ayon na ilagay na rin ang national offices sa probinsya. Papakinggan natin 'yan para ma-decongest ang Metro Manila. Maraming probinsya ang may potensyal (Many agree that national offices should be in provinces. We are also listening to the proposal to decongest Metro Manila. Many provinces have the potential to be developed)," he said. (PNA)  

 

 

 



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MANILA – As Muslims observed the Holy Month of Ramadhan, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Saturday said the season is very much in-line with the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

 

"The spirit of sacrifice, faith, obedience, discipline, and charity being observed by our Filipino Muslim brothers and sisters this month is very much in line with what is needed in the current imposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in high-risk areas as well as the general community quarantine (GCQ) in low-risk areas starting May 1, 2020, amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic," Año said in a statement.

 

"The quarantine safety measure is beneficial in easing your fasting as you stay home and do your solemn prayers and reflections," he added.

 

Año said the DILG, together with its attached agencies, especially the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are one with the Muslims in ensuring peaceful observance of Ramadhan.

 

"As we continue to fight Covid-19, the DILG reiterates its call to local government units (LGUs) to ensure the provision of halal food packs to your Muslim constituents, as directed in DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-061, and ensure that Muslim communities are not bypassed in the relief operations," he said.

 

"And for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Pedology (BJMP), the Bureau is ensuring the provision of halal food and the observance of physical distancing during prayer activities in jails," Año said.

 

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is also on guard in ensuring a fire-safe nation.

 

"May we continue to tread the path of unity amid diversity through tolerance and coexistence; solidarity amid challenges; and faith in our only one God who will not fail us from our common enemies such as Covid-19," he said. (PNA) 



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MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday reported 102 new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, bringing the total to 7,294.

The agency also reported 30 new recoveries and 17 new deaths. As of April 25, there are 792 recoveries and 494 Covid-related deaths.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at least 1,101 healthcare workers have been diagnosed with the disease-- 434 doctors, 400 nurses, 55 nursing assistants, 32 medical technologists, and 21 radiologic technologists.

Of this number, 26 have died including 20 physicians and six nurses.

In a virtual briefing, Vergeire sent the country's condolences to the bereaved families of those who passed away due to the respiratory disease.

Currently, the Philippines continues to strengthen its testing capacity. There are a total of 18 laboratories in the country licensed to test people for Covid-19.

As of this writing, Vergeire said 72,794 persons have been tested.

On Saturday, the government also received 700 units of Q-Sens 2019-nCoV Detection Kits from the South Korean government.

The kits, which can yield a total of 35,000 tests, are valued at USD500,000 or approximately PHP25.38 million.

"Patuloy po itong makakadagdag sa ating kasalukuyang testing capacity. Ito po'y nakatakdang i-deliver sa RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) at mga sub-national laboratories sa susunod na araw (This would augment our current testing capacity. These will be delivered to RITM and the sub-national laboratories in the coming days)," she said as she thanked South Korea for the donation. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday reported 152 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) among overseas Filipinos (OFs), bringing the total to 1,337.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez said most of the new cases came from the Middle East.

"The DFA has been monitoring and compiling reports of Covid-19 cases among our OFs since March. For the past month, an increasing trend of confirmed cases has been noted with an average of 37 cases per day, while there is a steady rate of recoveries and deaths at 7 and 5 cases per day, respectively," he told reporters.

In terms of regional data, most of the confirmed cases are among Filipinos in the European region at 413, the highest number of recoveries was in Asia and the Pacific at 198, and most cases of fatalities are in the Americas at 105.

To date, a total of 328 Filipinos abroad recovered while 184 died due to the disease, two of whom were recorded in Asia and the Pacific, 63 in Europe, 14 in the Middle East/Africa, and 105 in the Americas. (PNA) 

 



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MANILA – Solicitor General Jose Calida has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss a petition seeking the release of detained communist rebels.

Calida, on April 24, asked the court to dismiss a petition for lack of merit, saying "to grant the petition would result in grave injustice not only to the People of the Philippines but also to the surviving relatives of petitioners' victims who are still waiting for justice to be finally served."

The petition, he said, "is one that involves perception and deception", noting that while the petitioners in the suit claim to be political prisoners, they are actually under detention for non-bailable offenses.

Some five of the 22 petitioners are charged before Branch 32 of RTC Manila with 15 counts of murder for their involvement in the Inopacan massacre, which came to light after 68 skeletal remains were discovered in Inopacan, Leyte in 1992.

They were the victims of the inhumane Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) internal cleansing dubbed project "Venereal Disease," Calida said.

"One must call a spade a spade. The petitioners are all valuable members of the terrorist organization," he said.

He added that "without a doubt, this petition is a ruse" to remove them from the confines of jail.

"Contrary to their claim, there are no humanitarian considerations involved but merely opportunistic legalism to distort established judicial processes," Calida said.

He said the petitioners' continued detention affords them "ready access to government resources if and when the dreaded virus reaches the doors of their cells, no less different outside their cells."

The petition filed on April 8 by the Public Interest Law Center and the National Union of People's Lawyers was on behalf of 22 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

They said the petition also covers prisoners who are similarly situated "but cannot be included in this petition due to the difficult circumstances".

It also asked the High Court to compel the government to create a Prisoner Release Committee, "similar to those set up in other countries, to urgently study and implement the release of all other prisoners in various congested prisons" throughout the country.

Among those listed as petitioners at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and at the Manila City jail were Dionisio S. Almonte, 62; Ireneo O. Atadero Jr., 57; Alexander Ramonita K. Birondo, 68; Winona Marie O. Birondo, 61;Rey Claro C. Casambre, 68; Ferdinand T. Castillo, 60; Francisco O. Fernandez Jr, 71; Renante Gamara, 62; Vicente P. Ladlad, 70;Cleofe S. Lagtapon, 66; Ediesel R. Legaspi, 62; Adelberto Silva, 72; Alberto L. Villamor, 63;Virginia B. Villamor, 65; Emmanuel Bacarra, 55; Oliver Rosales, 48; Oscar Belleza, 63; Norberto A. Murillo, 66; and Dario Tomada, 60.

Detained at the Bureau of Corrections is Lilia Bucatcat, 73.

Ge-ann Perez, 21, is detained at the Taguig City Jail Female Dormitory while Reina Mae Nasino, 22, is detained at the Manila City Jail Female Dormitory.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)



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MANILA – A Mountain Province town mayor expressed disgust over leftist groups' arrogant misrepresentation of Igorots and Cordillerans to push for the communist ideology that has already been a lingering "virus" in the country.

Sadanga Mayor Gabino P. Ganggangan, in his Facebook post on April 21, said leftist organizations nor their officers are never authorized to speak on behalf of the natives of Mt. Province.

"At this time of national health emergency, the CPP-NPA-NDF and their front organizations (leftists) are again exploiting the situation to bolster their agitations against our duly constituted government," Gavino said, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People's Army – National Democratic Front.

The Cordillera People's Alliance (CPA), he added, along with their allied leftist groups have been criticizing the government, organizing rallies and protest activities geared towards heightening dissent as they have always been doing for the past decades.

"They keep on doing these things using our collective identity as IGOROTS/ KAIGOROTAN and Cordillerans especially wearing our native attire and gongs which are rather reserved for use in rituals and other cultural traditions," he said. "They project the impression to the world that they represent us all as if we ever gave them such mandate to speak for us!!!"

He assured that as mayor of Sadanga, Mt. Province, his constituents will never give communists the consent to represent them.

As the country battles the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), he urged other officials to insulate their people from the "communist virus" lurking for the past five decades.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

"As elected officials in our provinces and region let's make it our duty to guide and lead our constituents especially shielding our youth from their influence," he said.

He also urged them, being the legitimate representatives and leaders of the people, to take a stand publicly just like what he did. (PNA)



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MANILA – Interior Secretary Eduardo Año urged the local government units (LGUs) to issue certification to the private groups who plan to conduct relief operations amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

DILG spokesperson, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the certification would be needed before organizations can pass through quarantine checkpoints and conduct their relief operations.

He said all relief operations should be properly coordinated with LGUs before the relief items are distributed at the community level.

He added that they have received reports that some were caught with unauthorized placards that state they were volunteer organizations.

"Based on the report Joint Task Force Covid Shield, dahil ginagamit na palusot ang relief ops, minabuti ni Secretary Año na maglabas ng kautusan na lahat ng relief operations ay magpakita ng certification galing sa LGU na sila ay nakipagugnayan para mamigay ng relief goods (relief ops are being used as alibi, Secretary Año decided to come out with directive that all relief operations must have certification from LGU allowing them to distribute relief goods)," Malaya said in a Laging Handa briefing on Saturday.

Malaya said relief organizations will violate the government's "stay at home" and "social distancing" policies of the government if they will distribute goods without permit from LGUs.

He assured that LGUs will be responsive in processing the certification of relief organizations and their volunteers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said one-page certification from the city government would suffice and would be honored by the police at checkpoints.

He added that the policy aims to protect both the volunteers and the communities that they are trying to help from the dreaded coronavirus.

"We are not prohibiting people from doing relief organizations. What we are saying is we need to control the movement of people. That is what ECQ is, ergo the government needs to regulate. If you want to distribute, whether large or small. Talk to your LGU," he said.

Zero tolerance

Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force Covid Shield has started implementing a zero-tolerance policy on curfew violators as the government further intensified the security measures due to the ECQ extension up to May 15.

In compliance with directive of Año and Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, JTF Covid Shield commander, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said violators will be arrested and will no longer be given consideration.

Eleazar said the intensified ECQ implementation has been reinforced with deployment of more policemen on the streets to arrest violators of not only home quarantine but also those who do not observe social distancing and do not wear face mask.

He said the stricter rules and deployment of more soldiers and policemen on the streets resulted in the sharp increase of the number of violators arrested on Friday.

"From the average of 24.17 percent arrested violators in the first 39 days of the ECQ implementation, our record yesterday (April 24) was at 73.79 percent," Eleazar said in a statement on Saturday.

He explained that while there were 145,940 violators reported from March 17 to April 24, only 35,270 of them, or 24.17 percent, were arrested while 103,781 (71.11 percent) were just warned and allowed to go home mostly for humanitarian reason. The remaining 6,889 violators (4.72 percent), were fined.

For April 24, a total of 1,488 violators were reported across the country. Of the figure, 1,098, or 73.79 percent, of them were arrested while the remaining 390 (26.21 percent), were fined.

"The increase on the number of violators arrested can be attributed to our zero-tolerance policy, meaning, not a single violator was warned on April 24. They were either arrested or fined," said Eleazar.

Eleazar, however, said the number of violators has been declining since March 17.

"We expect substantial compliance to the directives of the SILG and the Chief PNP now that we further intensified the implementation of the ECQ," said Eleazar. (PNA)



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MANILA – Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers will prevail over the archipelago due to easterlies and localized thunderstorms, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Sunday.

In its 4 a.m. forecast, PAGASA said extreme Northern Luzon will experience light to moderate winds and slight to moderate coastal waters.

Light to moderate winds will blow all over the country while coastal waters along all areas will be slight to moderate.

The minimum temperature for the day is 24.6°C while the maximum temperature is at 34.2°C, PAGASA said. (PNA)

 



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MANILA – Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines is cancelling all its domestic and international flights set for May 1-15, it announced over the weekend.

The move comes after Malacañang announced that the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will be extended in Metro Manila and other select areas considered high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) until such period.

Affected passengers may rebook their flights on the same route to a new travel date before October 31, subject to seat availability but with no rebooking fee.

They may also retain their ticket value on their membership account.

Earlier, other local carriers Cebu Pacific (CEB) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) also canceled all their commercial flights for May 1-15.

CEB will mount all-cargo flights, while PAL's domestic sweeper flights and special flights to ferry stranded nationals will continue. (PNA)



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MANILA – Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel has challenged the Philippines' top retailers to follow in the footsteps of America's Walmart Inc., which has hired some 200,000 new temporary or part-time workers amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

"We would urge our leading supermarket and minimart chains -- since they are the only ones thriving for now - to stay open for longer hours and start hiring on a temporary or part-time basis furloughed employees from other industries," Pimentel said.

"This way, retailers can also help ease the economic pain of the crisis as they grapple with the surge in households stocking up on food and other basic necessities," Pimentel said.

Pimentel addressed his challenge to SM Retail Inc., Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., Cosco Capital Inc., Philippine Seven Corp. and other big retailers.

SM Retail owns SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and the Savemore chains.

Robinsons Retail runs Robinsons Supermarket, The Marketplace, Rustan's Supermarket, Shopwise, Ministop, Southstar Drug, and The Generics Pharmacy chains.

Cosco owns the Puregold, S&R, NE Bodega, Budgetlane and Lawson chains, while Philippine Seven runs the 7-Eleven stores.

"Retailers ought to enlarge their operations and recruit additional cashiers, stockers and baggers to work in stores as well as extra personnel for warehousing, distribution and delivery activities," Pimentel said.

"The private sector has to help government keep as many Filipinos as possible gainfully employed at this extremely difficult time," Pimentel said.

"We have to keep as much cash as possible flowing into low-income households," Pimentel said.

Besides keeping all its staff on the payroll and giving them USD550 million worth of bonuses for staying on the job despite the pandemic, Walmart -- America's largest grocer -- quickly enlisted thousands of temporary and part-time workers by reducing its hiring process to just 24 hours.

Many of the new workers signed up by Walmart are on unpaid leave from restaurants and hotels in America that have been hammered by the pandemic. (PR)



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MANILA – More than 3,000 farmers in Rizal province are thankful for the multivitamins and Plumpy Sup, a ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF), provided to them by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in coordination with the Lions Club of Marikina District 301.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Saturnino Bello, together with farmer leaders of agrarian cooperatives, received 35 boxes containing 500 bottles of multivitamins and 35 boxes of RUSF from DAR Undersecretary Virginia Orogo, officials of Lions Club Markina District 301 and the Philippine Coast Guard on April 17, 2020.

Bello said 3,771 members belonging to 29 agrarian cooperatives will benefit from the donation.

"To be specific, 2,122 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and 1,649 non-ARBs will receive these donations. We also shared these to 78 employees of DAR-Rizal," Bello said.

The 29 agrarian cooperatives are located in Jalajala, Tanay, Antipolo, Pililla, Rodriguez and Pinugay.

Acting on the directive of DAR Secretary John Castriciones to support the welfare of farmers, Orogo sought the help of Lions Club of Marikina District 301 for the provision of the goods and coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard to help deliver the goods to DAR in Tanay, Rizal.

"Since I live in Cainta, Marikina is a neighbor town, so it wasn't hard asking for the help of the Lions Club in Marikina," Orogo said. "We are grateful for their big help. The multivitamins will greatly help in building resistance against viruses for our farmers. The RUSF would address the nutritional needs of people who might be suffering from malnutrition due to lack of food during this enhanced community quarantine."

The ready-to-use Plumpy Sup is also defined as lipid-based nutrient that is good for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition. (DAR-PR)



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MANILA – The Duterte administration's proposed 2021 budget will prioritize the country's response to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, Malacañang said on Sunday.

In an interview over DZBB, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Executive Department will be submitting a "different" type of budget proposal this coming July, the same month Duterte is expected to deliver his fifth state of the nation address (SONA).

"Yung darating na budget for 2021 na isusumite natin sa mga buwang Hulyo, ibang iba po ang hitsura niyan no. Siyempre po ang buong budget nakatutok din sa Covid-19 habang wala ngang tayong bakuna (The upcoming budget for 2021 that will be submitted in the month of July, it will look very different. The whole budget will focus on Covid-19 while we don't have a vaccine yet)," he said.

Roque said there will be some government projects that will have to be set aside to give more importance to the needs of Filipinos.

He, however, assured that the government has enough funds to sustain the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) and other cash assistance programs, thanks to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020 or Republic Act 11469.

"Sa susunod na buwan ay wala po tayong problema, covered po tayo ng Bayanihan Act. Pero beyond that po ay titingnan natin kung ano pang mga pangangailangan (Next month, we have no problem. We're covered by the Bayanihan Act. But beyond that, we have to see what else we need)," he said.

The Bayanihan Act gives Duterte special powers in handling the current health crisis, including realigning funds in the 2020 national budget.

Duterte's powers are valid until June 26, unless extended by Congress.

"Meron din pong otoridad na binigay ang Kongreso sa ating Presidente mag realign ng budget, so meron po talagang mga budget na proyekto na di na mapapatupad para po mapunta sa Covid-19 (The Congress has also given the President authority to realign the budget so there are really projects that will be discontinued so that the funds can be used for Covid-19)," he said.

Although there is enough budget for the next few months, Roque said the Executive Department should also have medium-term solutions for the health crisis.

"Pero ang solusyon po na medium-term siyempre ay yung budget sa (But the medium-term solution of course is the 2021 budget) 2021 will be the first Covid-19 budget ng ating gobyerno (of our government)," he said.

"Ang hihingin siguro ng gobyerno ay yung para sa budget matapos itong ECQ at GCQ ano dahil ang talagang budget naman na ibinigay sa atin ay mahigit kumulang dalawang buwan (What the government will be asking for is budget after the enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine because the budget they have given will last for at least two months)," he said.
Supplemental budget

Roque, meanwhile, bared that Budget Secretary Wendal Avisado has already prepared a draft of the supplemental budget to augment the government's resources for Covid-19 response.

"Meron na pong preliminary figures at alam na more or less kung ano yung mga preliminary figures na kakailanganin sa immediate, future, sa medium-term at saka sa pantaunang budget sa 2021 (There are preliminary figures and we know more or less what are the preliminary figures that we need in the immediate future for the middle-term and the annual budget for 2021)," he said.

Last Friday (April 24), Duterte said he might ask Congress to approve a supplemental budget to augment the government's depleting resources for Covid-19.

Congress, under the Bayanihan Act, has granted Duterte special powers to tap some PHP275 billion in unused government funds to stop the further transmission of Covid-19 in the country.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the national government has already spent PHP352.7 billion to address Covid-19.

The Senate and the House are Representatives will resume session on May 4. (PNA)



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MANILA – Malacañang on Sunday told the communists not to expect President Rodrigo Duterte to declare another unilateral ceasefire amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the country.

In an interview with DZBB, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte might no longer direct the military and the police to stop offensives against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and its armed and political wings, the New People's Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front (NDF).

"Tapos na po yung ceasefire. 'Yan po ay natapos na at hindi pa nare-renew. Sa tingin ko naman, sa patuloy na pag-atake ng NPA, 'wag na po silang umasa siguro bagamat 'yan pa rin ay desisyon ng ating Presidente (The ceasefire already expired and has yet to be renewed. I think, NPA rebels should not expect another truce, considering their relentless attacks. However, the decision is still up to the President)," Roque said.

Duterte earlier ordered the suspension of military operations from March 19 to April 15.

The CPP-NPA reciprocated the truce and extended it until April 30.

Despite the declaration of ceasefire, NPA members continue to attack government troops, including those who are involved in the distribution of relief assistance to the poor families affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

The latest NPA attack happened in Masbate's Monreal town on April 24 that resulted in the wounding of a police officer and a local government official.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Philippine National Police said NPA members attacked a police vehicle carrying personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and local officials who distributed cash assistance to qualified beneficiaries in Monreal, Masbate.

Roque was dismayed by NPA rebels' series of attacks, despite the government's call for them to help in the fight against Covid-19.

"'Yun pa rin po nakalulungkot dahil galing nga po sila sa ganoong aktibidades (That is saddening because they attack those who are involved in the distribution of cash aid)," he said. "'Yan naman po ay hindi rin dapat. Hindi ko makita kung ano ang military objective nila sa ganyang pag-atake (That's unacceptable. I do not see their military objective in launching such attack)."

In a speech delivered before his Cabinet officials on April 23, Duterte broached the idea of declaring martial law, in case NPA guerillas' lawlessness persists.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the President can impose martial rule, when there is presence or invasion or rebellion.

Roque said Duterte might be compelled to declare martial law, should NPA members continue to perpetrate unlawful acts.

"'Pag hindi sila tumigil sa pag-atake at pagkuha ng mga ayuda na binibigay ng gobyerno sa taumbayan, ay mapipilitan siya (Duterte) mag-martial law (If they do not stop from attacking the government forces and stealing the assistance intended for qualified beneficiaries, he has no choice but declare martial law)," he said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist group by the Philippines, United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. (PNA)



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MANILA – The temporary suspension of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators' (POGOs) operations stays in areas that will be placed under a general community quarantine (GCQ) beginning May 1, Malacañang said on Sunday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in an interview with DZBB, said POGOs are included in the "negative list" which identifies the sectors that are still prohibited to operate while GCQ, or the so-called "new normal," is imposed in select areas in the country.

"Hindi pa po dahil 'yan po ay amusement at leisure kaya nasa negative list pa rin 'yan kasama ng eskwelahan, yung mga pagsambang relihiyoso, mga industriya para sa mga bata, at tsaka turismo (They still can't [operate] because these are considered amusement and leisure. They are included in the negative list which also bars the reopening of schools, places of worship, industries and tourism)," Roque said.

Select workers in non-essential services are allowed to go to work, once areas that have low or moderate risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections are placed under GCQ from May 1 to 15.

Beginning May 1, non-leisure shops in malls operating in low-risk or moderate-risk areas are likewise allowed to resume their operations.

Roque clarified that the reopening of POGOs is not allowed, despite the government's intent to allow its operations amid the imposition of quarantine measures to augment the funding for the country's Covid-19 response.

He also reminded POGO workers that they might face arrest when they violate the quarantine protocols imposed in the country.

"Meron po tayong Bayanihan To Heal as One Act na 'pag nagsabi na ikaw ay lumabag sa isang palatuntunan dito sa panahon ng emergency na ito ay pwede kang maparusahan (We have Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which penalizes an individual who violate in this time of crisis)," Roque said.

Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act imposes a one-year imprisonment or a fine ranging from PHP10,000 to PHP1 million on quarantine violators.

Police on Friday arrested 44 Chinese nationals and nine Filipinos for allegedly continuing POGO operations in Parañaque City despite the implementation of enhanced community quarantine.

On April 23, Roque said Duterte is studying the proposal of Finance Secretary Dominguez III to allow the reopening of POGOs amid Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

Dominguez earlier said revenues from POGOs could boost the national government's funds to fight Covid-19.

There are currently 60 licensed POGOs in the Philippines.

The national government is targeting to collect PHP2 billion in taxes per month from POGOs.

In 2019, the national government collected PHP6.42 billion in taxes from POGOs and their service providers. (PNA)

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MANILA – Malacañang on Sunday denied that the government is seeking the deportation of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Taiwan for alleged cyber libel.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) accused an OFW of cyber libel for the "willful posting of nasty and malevolent materials against President Duterte on Facebook intended to cause hatred amidst the global health crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic."

"Wala pong katunayan na tayo mismo ang naghingi ng deportation na yan kasi hindi naman po natin pinakikialaman yung mga milyon milyong OFWs at lahat ng kanilang sinasabi dahil dito po sa ating bayan ay meron naman tayong karapatan ng malayang pananalita (There is no truth that we are the ones who sought for her deportation because we do not interfere with the millions of OFWs and what they say because here in our country, we have freedom of expression)," Roque said in an interview over DZBB.

Roque, however, said that the government is ready to assist the OFW should she be deported by Taiwan.

He said the Palace will leave it to authorities in Taiwan to decide on the OFW's fate.

"Aasistihin po natin kung ano ang kinakailangan nung manggagawa na inorder na ma-deport ng Taiwan. Bagamat ang decision po ng Taiwan ay desisyon ng Taiwan. Hindi po natin pinanghihimasukan 'yan (We will assist the worker who was ordered to be deported by Taiwan but the decision of Taiwan is the decision of Taiwan. We do not interfere with that)," he said.

Roque reiterated that under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the state can derogate among others freedom of expression when there is a national emergency.

He also reminded the public that there are certain "limits" to free expression.

In a statement, the DOLE identified the OFW as Elanel Egot Ordidor, an alleged caregiver employed in Yunlin County, Taiwan.

DOLE said that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) has already coordinated with Ordidor's broker and employer on her deportation on the basis of the gravity of her offense under Philippine Law.

Sharing and posting of such videos, DOLE said, are punishable under cyber libel under Republic Act 10175.

On April 20, DOLE said POLO officers went to her workplace to enlighten her that her actions amounted to a crime for which she might be prosecuted both in Taiwan and the Philippines.

DOLE said Ordidor was cooperative and cordial at first and committed to delete all her uploaded videos against the President and promised not to do it again.

She also promised to upload a video of her public apology to the President and to the people in the government at 9 p.m. of the same day, DOLE said.

However, hours after the visit, DOLE said several posts were seen on the POLO Taichung's Facebook page from several fake accounts assuring Ordidor's cause and further giving her assurance of support.

"It has come to our knowledge that Ms. Ordidor is using several social media accounts, among which are Lenale Elanel Egot, Mha Lan Dee, Linn Silawan and Hampas Lupa and has a group organized to discredit and malign the President and destabilize the government," DOLE said.

Controversial music video

After a music video about the Philippines and China's partnership sparked outrage online, Roque said there is no need for the Chinese Embassy to seek approval from the government in releasing such material.

Roque said the Chinese Embassy is also entitled to free speech.

"Sa ating Saligang Batas naman lahat tayo merong karapatan ng malayang pananalita. Ang isang video po kasama yung mga awitin ay kabahagi po yan ng karapatan ng malayang pananalita (In our Constitution, we all have the right to freedom of expression. A video accompanied by a song is part of freedom of expression)," he said.

Citing the Bill of Rights in the 1987 Constitution, Roque said freedom of expression generally applies to both aliens and citizens.

"Sabi po ng ating Korte Suprema, lahat po ng ating karapatan sa ating Bill of Rights ay binibigay natin sa ating mga dayuhan na naninirahan dito sa ating bayan (Our Supreme Court says that all rights under the Bill of Rights are given to foreigners living in the country)," he said.

The song titled "Iisang Dagat (One Sea)," released by the Chinese Embassy in Manila last Friday drew flak, mostly from Filipinos who criticized the intent of its message amid China's assertion of rights to the West Philippine Sea. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will be addressing "management issues" in relation to the leak of the supposed IATF recommendation to extend the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) only in high-risk administrative regions, provinces, or areas across the country until May 15.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he would leave it to the IATF to search for whoever is responsible for the leaking of photos of the supposed IATF resolution, which circulated online late Thursday, the night before President Rodrigo Duterte announced the fate of the ECQ.

"It's a management issue na a-address-in ng (that will be addressed by the) IATF itself," he said in an interview over DZBB.

He admitted that it would be "difficult" to determine who leaked the photos since the government officials present would also be accompanied by their respective staff members.

Roque also reminded government officials and workers of its duty to protect "confidential" information against leaks or premature disclosure.

The leaking of confidential information is also one reason why Duterte has decided to "centralize" the communication system of the government with himself taking the lead.

Last April 23, Roque said Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea authorized only him and Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire to speak on behalf of the government.

He, meanwhile, expressed relief that he was not among the suspects of leaking the document.

"Mabuti na lang po ako ay hindi suspect sa pag-leak na 'yan dahil wala po akong kopya ng PowerPoint presentation na 'yun (It's good that I'm not a suspect in the leak because I don't have a copy of the PowerPoint presentation)," he said.

Roque said that he does not ask for materials from the IATF unless they are given to him for announcement.

He also assured reporters that he would only make announcements once given the go signal by the IATF.

"Kaya mga kaibigan sa media, wala po kayong aasahan na leak sa akin dahil hangga't maaari ayoko po hawakan ang mga impormasyon na ako rin naman po ang mag-a-anunsyo hangga't hindi kinakailangang i-anunsyo (To my friends in the media, you can't expect any leak from me because as much as possible I don't want keeping documents/information which I am to be announcing later," he said.

Although Duterte would usually approve of IATF recommendations, Roque reminded the public that the President also had the option to disapprove certain recommendations.

In a recorded public address aired Friday (April 24), Duterte extended anew the ECQ in Metro Manila and other select areas that are considered high risk for Covid-19 until May 15.

Roque confirmed that Duterte approved the IATF recommendation to extend ECQ in Metro Manila, Benguet, Pangasinan, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Albay, and Catanduanes, Davao del Norte, and Davao City.

He said the proposed extension of ECQ in Antique, Iloilo, Cebu, and Cebu City are "subject to rechecking."

The ECQ was initially enforced in the whole island of Luzon to arrest the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

Luzon-wide ECQ was supposed to end on April 12 but was extended until April 30.

In deciding on the extension, Duterte consulted medical experts, former health secretaries, and members of IATF-EID. (PNA)



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MANILA — San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has committed to grant full-time pay to all its employees and extended workforce as the ECQ remains in effect, even as it works round the clock mobilizing resources to help address the larger societal and economic impact of the coronavirus crisis.

In a news release, SMC also announced that it has set aside PHP11.67 billion in tax, concession and contractual payments throughout the quarantine period to make available funds needed to respond effectively to the challenges of the pandemic.

Of the amount, SMC said it already paid government PHP8.77 billion, while the remaining balance will be remitted before the end of the ECQ.

Meanwhile, it has released full compensation with benefits amounting to over PHP3 billion for all its 66,557 employees, consultants and contract workers.

"These are trying times and while we, as a company, are not immune to the challenges of this crisis, the safety and security of our workforce will always come first. We do not want them worrying about their jobs," SMC president and COO Ramon S. Ang said.

Ang said told SMC employees that he is "truly proud of the hard work that you, most especially our front-liners, have been doing in the midst of the challenges: delivering essential goods and services that are critical in this battle."

To date, SMC and the businesses under it, have provided assistance of over PHP1 billion in the form of cash, food, flour, disinfectant alcohol, fuel, free toll and personal protective equipment (PPE) donations to vulnerable communities and front liners.

It has also built emergency quarantine facilities together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to help ease the pressure on health facilities flooded by patients needing intensive medical treatment resulting from the pandemic. (PR)



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ILIGAN CITY – An Army official of the 103rd Infantry Brigade (103rd IBde) on Sunday called on the New People's Army (NPA) to allow children in their group to return to their respective families after two armed encounters that occurred on Saturday in Barangay Buntalis, Lumba-Bayabao town in Lanao del Sur.

Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo, the brigade commander, said during the clashes, government troops noticed that there were children looking on who they believed were not residents but likely relatives of the NPA fighters since the encounter site had no villages nearby.

"I'm calling (for these NPA fighters) to give these children to the nearby village leader so that we can help them return to their homes," he said.

The latest clashes at past 9 a.m. and past 2 p.m. resulted in the death of an NPA member. A report from the 1st Infantry Division's Public Affairs Office said the government troops "out-maneuvered the 20 NPA members, whom the military labeled as terrorists, in their lair".

The government forces seized three high-powered firearms, 36 sacks of rice and other war materiel from the rebel group, which, according to the military, is also operating in the hinterland boundaries of Bukidnon and this city.

No government soldier was wounded in the clashes but the military believed there were wounded rebels based on the bloodstains discovered in their withdrawal routes.

"Residents and concerned citizens reported the timely and accurate report that led to the encounter that favored the government troops," Cuerpo said.

He also said the armed men were the same group that conducted tactical offensives and previous ambuscades of government troops in Bukidnon near the boundary of Lanao del Sur province.

"They also threatened the front-liners who are helping the communities in defeating and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 disease," Cuerpo said, referring to some atrocities in Luzon and Visayas areas.

Meanwhile, the slain NPA member was buried by soldiers in the area, according to Cuerpo.

"There are no residents in the area. The soldiers buried the dead enemy. It was a decent burial as respect to a human being," he said. (PNA)



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ILIGAN CITY – An Army official of the 103rd Infantry Brigade (103rd IBde) on Sunday called on the New People's Army (NPA) to allow children in their group to return to their respective families after two armed encounters that occurred on Saturday in Barangay Buntalis, Lumba-Bayabao town in Lanao del Sur.

Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo, the brigade commander, said during the clashes, government troops noticed that there were children looking on who they believed were not residents but likely relatives of the NPA fighters since the encounter site had no villages nearby.

"I'm calling (for these NPA fighters) to give these children to the nearby village leader so that we can help them return to their homes," he said.

The latest clashes at past 9 a.m. and past 2 p.m. resulted in the death of an NPA member. A report from the 1st Infantry Division's Public Affairs Office said the government troops "out-maneuvered the 20 NPA members, whom the military labeled as terrorists, in their lair".

The government forces seized three high-powered firearms, 36 sacks of rice and other war materiel from the rebel group, which, according to the military, is also operating in the hinterland boundaries of Bukidnon and this city.

No government soldier was wounded in the clashes but the military believed there were wounded rebels based on the bloodstains discovered in their withdrawal routes.

"Residents and concerned citizens reported the timely and accurate report that led to the encounter that favored the government troops," Cuerpo said.

He also said the armed men were the same group that conducted tactical offensives and previous ambuscades of government troops in Bukidnon near the boundary of Lanao del Sur province.

"They also threatened the front-liners who are helping the communities in defeating and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 disease," Cuerpo said, referring to some atrocities in Luzon and Visayas areas.

Meanwhile, the slain NPA member was buried by soldiers in the area, according to Cuerpo.

"There are no residents in the area. The soldiers buried the dead enemy. It was a decent burial as respect to a human being," he said. (PNA)



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DIGOS CITY – A job order employee of the city hall here fell into the hands of the authorities during a joint buy-bust operation on Saturday afternoon.

Lt. Col. Vici Anthony Tababa, Digos City acting police chief, identified the suspect as Jimver Tecson Iglesias, 42, a resident of Estrada 6th Street, Barangay Zone-2, here.

Tababa said a team of law enforcers from the province and local police launched the drug sting against Iglesias who was arrested in Purok Marang, Vinzon Street in Barangay Zone 3 in this city.

The operatives seized four sachets of suspected shabu from the suspect, one during the buy-bust, and the other three from his possession.

A report said the marked PHP1,000 bill used by the poseur-buyer was also recovered by the police from the possession of Iglesias, along with a Nokia cellular phone, professional driver's license and blue Honda XRM motorcycle.

Tababa said the suspected shabu weighed more or less 0.4 grams with an estimated street value of PHP4,000.

Iglesias will be charged for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

He is now under the custody of Digos police station awaiting inquest proceeding.

"We commend the effort of our personnel for such a commendable accomplishment. Rest assured that we will continue to enforce the law in our area of responsibility to attain peace and order of our city," Tababa said. (PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY – A 61-year-old doctor and three nurses were confirmed positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases here to 29, of whom 12 are health care workers.

In a report, Aileen Refuerzo, head of this city's Public Information Office, said the four are employees of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC).

Two of the nurses are female and both 34 years old, while one is a 27-year-old male. The four nurses and the doctor are from BGH Compound, Camp 8 and Sto. Niño villages, and Wangal in La Trinidad.

"All appropriate courses of actions and standard operating procedures are currently being executed" for the Covid-19 patients, the report quoted Mayor Benjamin Magalong as saying.

Magalong has declared Barangay Sto. Niño under lockdown. The two other barangays were earlier closed due to confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

Last Saturday, seven Baguio residents were found positive for Covid-19. An eight patient also tested positive but is a resident of La Trinidad, Benguet.

Four of those tested on Saturday are health care workers -- two physicians, a nurse and a hospital clerk, all of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.

Meanwhile, City Health Officer, Dr. Rowena Galpo said the spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in the city was expected. She warned that the number is expected to rise in the next days "as the city had begun conducting more confirmatory tests with the arrival of additional test kits and machines".

Refuerzo said Magalong has urged residents to be extra conscious in observing health and safety precautions as he directed the sustained stricter implementation of the enhanced community quarantine rules on checkpoints, lockdown, curfew, physical distancing and wearing of mask, among others.

Refuerzo said the city will start the expanded risk-based testing using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmatory test kits on April 27, at 200 tests a day until May 15.

Refuerzo said: "The risk-based testing enables the locality to seek out those infected not only from the pool of suspected ones who manifest symptoms but also from the group of probable cases who are asymptomatic."

"This enables early detection and thus leads to the prevention of the transmission of the virus," she added.

Galpo said the city, as of April 24, had conducted 847 RT-PCR confirmatory tests and 411 rapid tests. (PNA



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MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported 200 new persons infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing the total number of positive cases to 6,459.

During the Beat Covid-19 virtual presser, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reported 41 new recoveries and 19 new deaths.

The total number of recovered cases nationwide is now at 613 while the death toll stood at 428.

To increase the number of patients recovering from Covid-19, Vergeire said the DOH is using two main strategies - case prevention and early management of cases and contacts.

"Ang pag-prevent ng cases ay magagawa sa dalawang sub-strategies, ang maging resilient o matatag laban sa sakit at stopping transmission o pagtigil sa pagkakahawaan (Prevention of cases can be done through two sub-strategies, being resilient against the disease and stopping the transmission of the disease)," Vergeire said.

Healthy diet, healthy lifestyle and proper stress management could help every Filipino in fighting Covid-19.

"Sundin ang mga alituntunin ng enhanced community quarantine [ECQ], gumamit ng mask kung lalabas ng bahay, ugaliing maghugas ng kamay, huwag kalimutan ang wastong pag-ubo at iwasan ang pagpunta sa lugar na may kaso hangga't hindi ito nadi-disinfect (Observe the ECQ guidelines, use masks when going out, wash hands regularly, don't forget the proper cough etiquette, and avoid going to places where there are cases until they're disinfected)," Vergeire said.

Meanwhile, shortening of the infectious stage of Covid-19 patients, early tracing, and isolation of their contacts comprise the proper management strategy.

"Sinisiguro ng kagawaran ang pagkakaroon ng mahusay at sapat na dami ng healthcare workers sa ating mga pasilidad at mayroon silang sapat na kaalaman sa pag-manage ng Covid-19 at mga equipment para masiguro na hindi lamang pasyente ang ligtas kung hindi pati na rin ang (The department ensures that there are enough skilled healthcare workers in our facilities and they are knowledgeable of the proper management of Covid-19 patients and equipment to ensure that not only patients are safe but also the) healthcare workers," Vergeire said.

She added the DOH ensures there is enough supply of personal protective equipment, medicines, medical supplies, and that healthcare facilities follow the guidelines in handling Covid-19 cases.

Vergeire also reported about the continued establishment of community quarantine facilities for Covid-19 patients with the help of local government units. (PNA)



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MANILA – Authorities apprehended a motorist for using a falsified document purportedly issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to be able to pass through a quarantine control point (QCP) on Monday.

Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shield) commander, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, identified the driver as Roy del Rosario, who was flagged by members of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) along Edsa northbound lane near Camp Aguinaldo.

Del Rosario showed a certification bearing the signature of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año for him to be exempted from being checked at the police-manned QCPs.

Upon verification with DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, Eleazar said the document was fake and the attached signature was not that of Año.

"I immediately checked with an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) who told me that the document was fake. That's why he was arrested," Eleazar told reporters.

He said that the documents stated that del Rosario is a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) engaged in transporting important equipment and medical supplies.

The document also instructs the PNP to allow del Rosario to pass through all QCPs and use sirens and blinkers.

He said del Rosario will also be facing charges and his vehicle was impounded for illegal use of siren, blinkers and commemorative license plates.

The vehicle does not have a license plate issued by the Land Transportation Office LTO) but it was bearing a commemorative plate with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) logo at the time of apprehension.

"He was using a siren and was so arrogant when confronted. When we found out that the signature in the document is not the signature of Secretary Año, we impounded his vehicle and we will file criminal charges against him that include falsification of public documents," said Eleazar.

Eleazar said the mobile checkpoints inside Metro Manila are being manned and supervised by personnel of the PNP-HPG, who were tasked to check if private vehicle owners are complying with quarantine guidelines.

The HPG will issue a Land Transportation Office-Temporary Operator's Permit (TOP) or Metropolitan Manila Development Authority-Ordinance Violation Receipt (OVR) tickets against motorists who are not allowed to go outside of their homes.

Following the incident, Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, HPG director, instructed his men to be alert against fake documents being shown by motorists just to be exempted from the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

More than 100 motorists have been apprehended for violation of the ECQ since Wednesday.

Cruz said they will be conducting daily operations against private vehicles to ensure that the ECQ guideline is strictly observed.

"We will continuously do this to send a message that we are serious in the implementation of home quarantine and social distancing. So, we are warning private car owners and drivers of non-cargo vehicles not to engage in non-essential travels because they will certainly be apprehended," Cruz said. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday directed first and second level courts to conduct an inventory of pending criminal cases and determine if any persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in these cases are entitled to be released under existing guidelines of the high court for speedy trials of accused persons.

In Circular 91-2020, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said that "considering the continuing congestion of detention facilities nationwide" and the "consequent high risk of persons deprived of liberty being affected with Covid-19", there is a need to effectively implement existing policies laid down as provided in earlier resolutions of the court en banc in 2014.

Marquez directed judges of the first and second level courts to immediately conduct an inventory of their pending criminal cases to determine if they have cases which may be covered by guidelines on the matter, and if so, "to comply with the said guidelines without unnecessary delay, using their sound discretion".

The guidelines cover:

-Instances where the PDL has been detained while the case against him is pending for a period equal to the minimum of the penalty of the offense if had been found guilty; and

-Provisional dismissal of cases when the delays are due to the absence of an essential witness whose whereabouts are unknown or cannot be determined.

Marquez directed the lower courts to "immediately act motu proprio (on their own without a motion from a party)" on cases of PDLs who have been detained for a period at least equal to the minimum penalty for the offense charged and if warranted, may release such detainees on their own recognizance, provided the court is assured of where the accused can be located while their cases are ongoing trial.

Under the guidelines, the accused, before release, must provide contact numbers and exact address where they will be residing.

"Motions for recognizance and provisional dismissal of cases resulting in the release of the PDLs from detention may be considered urgent and must be immediately set for hearing," Marquez said.

He added that if release orders are warranted, judges may apply provisions on the electronic transmission of release orders. (PNA)



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MANILA – Malacañang offered deep condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of former Senator Heherson "Sonny" Alvarez who succumbed to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Monday.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque offered prayers to the late senator who died three weeks after he reportedly contracted Covid-19.

His wife, Philippine Educational Theater Association founder Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, also tested positive for the virus but her condition has already improved.

"We pray that the perpetual light will shine upon Senator Sonny, and that his soul, through the mercy of the Almighty, may rest in eternal peace," Roque said.

Earlier this month, Alvarez's children asked for prayers after announcing that their parents were tested positive for the virus.

In a Facebook post last April 6, Alvarez's son, Hexilon, said his father had been moved to Intensive Care Unit-Covid-19 wing for close monitoring.

He said his father remained in critical condition, though his X-ray results showed "some slight improvement."

His mother, on the other hand, has been extubated and was "already breathing comfortably."

Roque described Alvarez as having a "distinguished record" as a public servant.

"He served the government for over 40 years as a constitutional delegate, freedom fighter, legislator, and former Cabinet member," he said.

Alvarez served in the Senate from 1987 to 1998. He focused on environmental legislation and was also chairman of the Senate committee on environment for 10 years.

He also became a congressman representing the fourth district of his home province, Isabela, from 1998 to 2001.

Among the laws he pushed in Congress were The Clean Air Act of 1999, National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, Solid Waste Management Act, Northern Sierra Madre Protected Area Act, Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan.

Prior to joining the Senate, Alvarez was appointed by the late President Cory Aquino as Department of Agrarian (DAR) Secretary from 1986 to 1987 after the fall of the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

After former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was impeached in January 2001, Alvarez was also appointed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary.

He was the principal complainant in the impeachment case filed against Estrada in the lower House in 2000.

Besides being an environmental advocate, Alvarez was one of the youngest delegates to the 1971 Constitutional Convention and one of the leaders of the anti-Marcos movement after martial law.

He was survived by his wife and two children. (PNA)



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MANILA – Malacañang offered deep condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of former Senator Heherson "Sonny" Alvarez who succumbed to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Monday.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque offered prayers to the late senator who died three weeks after he reportedly contracted Covid-19.

His wife, Philippine Educational Theater Association founder Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, also tested positive for the virus but her condition has already improved.

"We pray that the perpetual light will shine upon Senator Sonny, and that his soul, through the mercy of the Almighty, may rest in eternal peace," Roque said.

Earlier this month, Alvarez's children asked for prayers after announcing that their parents were tested positive for the virus.

In a Facebook post last April 6, Alvarez's son, Hexilon, said his father had been moved to Intensive Care Unit-Covid-19 wing for close monitoring.

He said his father remained in critical condition, though his X-ray results showed "some slight improvement."

His mother, on the other hand, has been extubated and was "already breathing comfortably."

Roque described Alvarez as having a "distinguished record" as a public servant.

"He served the government for over 40 years as a constitutional delegate, freedom fighter, legislator, and former Cabinet member," he said.

Alvarez served in the Senate from 1987 to 1998. He focused on environmental legislation and was also chairman of the Senate committee on environment for 10 years.

He also became a congressman representing the fourth district of his home province, Isabela, from 1998 to 2001.

Among the laws he pushed in Congress were The Clean Air Act of 1999, National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, Solid Waste Management Act, Northern Sierra Madre Protected Area Act, Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan.

Prior to joining the Senate, Alvarez was appointed by the late President Cory Aquino as Department of Agrarian (DAR) Secretary from 1986 to 1987 after the fall of the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

After former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was impeached in January 2001, Alvarez was also appointed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary.

He was the principal complainant in the impeachment case filed against Estrada in the lower House in 2000.

Besides being an environmental advocate, Alvarez was one of the youngest delegates to the 1971 Constitutional Convention and one of the leaders of the anti-Marcos movement after martial law.

He was survived by his wife and two children. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) is preparing a learning continuity plan for the upcoming school year amid the country's fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, an education official said Monday.

"We foresee a number of disruptions this coming school year kaya naghahanda kami ng (we are preparing) learning continuity plan," DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said in a radio interview. "Kung ang Covid-19 ay tuloy-tuloy, certainly, ang kaligtasan ng ating mga guro at mga mag-aaral ang magiging pangunahing concern natin (If Covid-19 persists, certainly, the safety of our teachers and learners will be our major concern)."

Malaluan, however, said the learning continuity plan may not include the mass testing for learners and teachers as suggested by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

Gathalian, chair of the Senate committee on education, said the mass testing would ensure the safe re-opening of classes.

The lawmaker said the cost of the tests should be shouldered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) or the local government units.

"Baka naman ang ibig sabihin niya sa mass testing ay not necessarily universal, may targeting parin na mangyayari (May be what he [Gatchalian] meant by mass testing is not necessarily universal, there will still be targeting)," Malaluan said.

He said the Department of Health should be consulted on Gatchalian's suggestion.

According to the latest DepEd data, the country has more than 27 million learners and over 800,000 public teachers nationwide.

Citing some schools designated as facilities for community quarantine, Malaluan said the DepEd is considering the adjustment of the school opening.

"Not necessarily face to face classroom setting, tinitingnan namin ang multi-modal na pagdeliver ng mga lessons at iyan ang hinahanda. (we're looking into multi-modal delivery of lessons and we're preparing.) We're also consulting other partners for this learning continuity plan," Malaluan said.

He said DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones intends to present the proposal to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and to the public at the right time. (PNA)



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MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to issue any order for the military to implement a "stricter" implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon and some parts of Visayas and Mindanao, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this clarification after an internal memo of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) advising troops to "prepare for strict implementation of extensive enhanced community quarantine where the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will be the overall in-charge along roads and highways" was leaked.

"The President has not actually exercised this extraordinary power of calling upon the military for this purpose," Roque said in a virtual presser.

Roque, however, said it was only natural for the military to prepare to enforce an "extensive" ECQ upon the President's orders.

He also said Duterte's order for the military to implement stricter quarantine protocols should not be likened to martial law.

"Iyan po ay kapangyarihan ng Presidente at hindi po iyan martial law (That is the power of the President and it's not martial law)," he said.

Roque said the President will not think twice about letting the military takeover since it is allowed under the 1987 Constitution.

"He will not hesitate to call upon the military to enforce the ECQ. That's the calling out power. If he so decides, he will issue the necessary and corresponding executive issuance," he added.

On April 17, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said pronouncement was a "mere warning" to those who would continue to defy the quarantine protocols.

"The President is only trying to emphasize to the people that he also has the ability to ask the AFP and the PNP (Philippine National Police) to help impose orders, if need be. He has that power. So, warning lang sa violators. (It's a warning to violators)," he said.

Nograles also noted that the 1987 Constitution is "very clear" that Duterte can only enforce a martial rule when there is rebellion or invasion.

Thus, the President would only give soldiers and policemen a "bigger" role in the imposition of the ECQ, should quarantine violations persist, he said.

Under Article 7, Section 18 of the Constitution, "the President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion".

The Constitution also provides that the President can declare martial law, "in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it."

In a televised national address on April 16, Duterte told the police and the military to get ready to take the lead in the implementation of the ECQ in Luzon, in case the number of quarantine violators continues to rise.

Upset over the reported quarantine violations during the ECQ period, the President said his order would be similar to the declaration of "martial law."

This week, President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to decide on whether to extend or modify the ECQ which will end on April 30.

He will consider five parameters, which include the "trends in the Covid-19 epidemiological curve, the capacity of the health care system, and the social, economic, and security factors," in deciding on the fate of ECQ. (PNA)



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MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said atrocities committed by the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), show that they are not sincere in declaring a ceasefire during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this comment amid the growing recommendations to President Rodrigo Duterte to terminate the ceasefire with the CPP-NPA amid series of violations.

"Identified po ang mga NPA na gumawa niyan. So parang wala pong good faith din itong CPP-NPA (NPA has been identified to be involved in those cases. So, it seems the CPP-NPA is not acting on good faith)," Roque said in a virtual presser.

Roque was referring to the March 29 incident where one soldier and another NPA rebel were reportedly killed during a firefight in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Reports also showed that NPA guerrillas allegedly snatched food packs from Guinmaayohan village officials in Balangiga, Eastern Samar last April 7.

Communist guerillas also reportedly killed Wilson Esta Behing, a member of the Manobo tribe in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur while he was tending his farm and was unarmed on April 14.

"Bagama't wala pang desisyon ang Presidente, ang tanong natin ay bakit kasi nagdedeklara ng unilateral ceasefire na hindi naman nila sinusunod mismo (Although the President has not decided yet, our question is why declare a unilateral ceasefire when they can't follow it themselves)," he said.

Roque earlier said it is up to the National Task Force on Ending Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELAC) to discuss the ceasefire with Duterte

"Ang alam ko, maraming nagre-recommend na huwag na pong ituloy iyan pero hindi pa po nagdedesisyon ang Presidente (What I know is many are recommending not to continue the ceasefire but the President has not made his decision yet)," he said.

Last March 25, the CPP accepted Duterte's truce offer so law enforcement agencies could focus on curbing the rise in Covid-19 cases.

After initially refusing to reciprocate the ceasefire declared by Duterte, CPP founder Jose Maria Sison announced that they would observe their own truce in response to the call of the United Nations (UN) for an immediate global ceasefire.

The CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) is listed as a terrorist organization by the Philippines, United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. (PNA)



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MANILA – To promote transparency in giving PHP200 billion worth of assistance to 18 million poor families amid enhanced community quarantine to contain coronavirus disease, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) agreed to the suggestion to post the names of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) beneficiaries in visible places in the barangays.

In a press briefing on Monday, DSWD Undersecretary for Special Concerns Camilo Gudmalin thanked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for initiating the posting of the SAP recipients for transparency.

"The DSWD has been advocating transparency in our programs. It is only proper that the public will know who are the (SAP) beneficiaries. So, we welcome this initiative from the DILG," Gudmalin said.

He said the DILG's move would also help the public report to the authorities if ever there are beneficiaries who are in the list but not qualified to receive PHP5,000 to PHP8,000 assistance from the government.

Gudmalin said DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista and DILG Secretary Eduardo Año talked about the posting of the SAP beneficiaries.

"We did it first in Marikina last Saturday, and Secretary Año approved it," he added.

The DILG has directed 'punong barangays' to post the list of target beneficiaries after receiving complaints that some beneficiaries are on the list but not qualified to receive assistance.

Año said it is very important to fully disclose the list of SAP beneficiaries as this will promote honest, transparent, and orderly management of the SAP funds.

He urged the punong barangays to fully reveal the list of beneficiaries. (PNA)



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MANILA -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday said it has downloaded PHP73.766 billion to various local government units for the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the government amid the ongoing enhanced community quarantine.

DSWD Undersecretary for Special Concerns Camilo Gudmalin said the figure, as of 8 p.m. of April 19, is a running data.

"Our database is online and it changes from time to time as field offices are encoding data as it arrives," Gudmalin said in a message.

In an email sent to the Philippine News Agency, data showed that the Calabarzon region posted the highest number of beneficiaries with 1,880,617.

Of the PHP73.766-billion budget, the region received a PHP12.208-billion fund.

DSWD-Calabarzon posted on their Facebook the updates of the constituents who have availed of the emergency subsidy.

Esmeraldo Casajeros from Barangay Poblacion 2, Ternate in Cavite was among the 2,100 beneficiaries of the SAP who received PHP6,500.

Casajeros qualified as a beneficiary after the social workers reviewed his background being a farmer who gets paid with 10 kilos of rice every harvest.

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He and his two children who work in a hardware shop do not have any source of income as the enhanced community quarantine halted all their operations.

Data from DSWD also showed that there are already 4,886,083 beneficiaries who already received their subsidy as of 8 p.m. of April 19.

Of this number 1,164,250 are non-4P's beneficiaries while 3,721,833 4P's beneficiaries received their subsidy through their cash cards.

Cash aid amounting to PHP3,650 to PHP6,650 per beneficiary was credited to their Landbank cash cards.

Together with the DSWD, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Landbank started distributing to 18,602 Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers in the National Capital Region amounting to PHP148.816 million with each driver receiving PHP8,000 to help tide them over in these difficult times.

Under the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), a total of PHP1.2 billion in financial assistance will be released to an initial batch of 250,000 beneficiaries from 2,773 private companies at PHP5,000 per worker.

Landbank has already started releasing to the workers from the National Capital Region.

It is also working with DOLE on the cash assistance for displaced land-based and sea-based OFWs due to the pandemic under the DOLE AKAP for OFWs Program. (PNA)

 



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MANILA – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is finalizing the computer-based application ReliefAgad to expedite the distribution of cash assistance under the government's various social amelioration programs (SAPs).

According to President Rodrigo Duterte's fourth weekly report submitted to Congress, the DICT is in the process of completing the requirements for the implementation of ReliefAgad "to fast-track the disbursement of the SAPs allowances" to alleviate the impact of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Among the SAPs currently being implemented are: the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Program (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); the Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) for affected formal workers, the CAMP Abot-Kamay at Pagtulong (AKAP) for displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); and the financial subsidy for rice farmers of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The report showed that as of April 18, around 4,054,360 beneficiaries were served under the AICS; 237,653 affected formal workers served under CAMP; 178,549 displaced workers served under TUPAD; 86,054 applications received and 3,245 approved under CAMP AKAP; and 52,043 beneficiaries for DA's financial subsidy for rice farmers.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies is also currently providing local government units with community-based monitoring system data to generate the list of households eligible to receive assistance from the government's SAPs and other local safety nets.

Under the "Bayanihan to Heal as One' law, the executive department must submit a weekly report to Congress, every Monday, detailing how the President used his special powers to address Covid-19.

The report must include the amount and corresponding utilization of funds used, augmented, reprogrammed, reallocated, and realigned. (PNA) 



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MANILA -- Warm and humid weather will prevail over most parts of Luzon, while generally fair weather can be expected over the Visayas and Mindanao on Tuesday, with the easterlies still affecting the eastern section of the country.

Weather specialist Ezra Bulquerin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said most parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers in the afternoon or evening.

Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will be experienced over Eastern Visayas and the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat, while the rest of the country will have fair weather with isolated rain showers in the afternoon or at night.

Light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas will prevail over the entire country.

Meanwhile, Bulquerin said PAGASA does not see any low-pressure area that may develop or affect the country in the next two to three days. (PNA



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MANILA – Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Monday warned recipients of the government's social amelioration program (SAP) for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) health emergency may face disqualification in the next distribution of assistance.

Go made this reaction following reports that some SAP recipients used the government aid to buy illegal drugs and engage in cockfighting despite the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to contain the dreaded coronavirus.

"Ang tulong mula sa gobyerno, sabi nga ng Pangulo, ibigay na lang sa asawa, ibigay na lang sa anak. 'Yung iba naman po ay isinasabong. Ibig sabihin, kung may pera naman pala kayo na pang-sabong, disqualified na sila dapat sa susunod na distribution (The cash aid from government, according to the President, should be given to the wife, their children. But others used in cockfighting. It means you have money, they should be disqualified in the next distribution)," said Go, former top aide of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a radio interview, Go advised recipients to spend the government aid conscientiously.

"Alam ninyo po, 'wag ninyo po sayangin ang pera ng gobyerno. Ibili ninyo po ng pagkain. Ang dami-dami na po naghihirap na Pilipino sa ngayon (You know, don't waste the money of government. Use it to buy food. Many Filipinos are suffering today)," he said.

Go reminded the public that the national government is struggling to allocate funds just to help individuals heavily affected by the ECQ.

"Tapos ibibili nyo lang ng droga. Sayang lang po, (But you just used it to buy drugs. It's a waste of money)," he said.

A staunch supporter of the government's campaign against illegal drugs, Go warned the public about the negative effects of these substances.

"Kaya sabi ko noon pa, tuwing umiikot ako, 'wag ninyo po aksayahin ang pera ninyo diyan sa droga na 'yan dahil nakakasira ng utak 'yan at damay po ang buong pamilya ninyo (That's why I said before, don't spend your money in illegal drugs because it will damage your brain as well as your family)," Go said.

On April 16, police authorities arrested a certain Clark Jerel Navalta in Bacoor City, Cavite after he allegedly bought shabu using the PHP6,500 he received from the SAP.

Some two beneficiaries were also disqualified from the program after they were reportedly caught engaging in cockfighting and violating government-imposed quarantine measures. (PR)



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MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority's (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) has approved a PHP5.09-billion project to fund the Department of Health's (DOH) emergency response against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

This was disclosed in President Rodrigo Duterte's fourth weekly report submitted to Congress on his use of additional powers in dealing with the health crisis.

According to the report, the emergency response project would cover the establishment of testing and patient care centers at six major international airports in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

It would finance the construction of 21 first-line decontamination facilities at international airports in selected areas across the country.

Negative pressure isolation rooms shall be installed in 70 DOH hospitals and 85 provincial public hospitals across the country.

The DOH project also includes equipping national laboratories and sub-national public health laboratories to handle Covid-19 cases across the country; setting up 450 isolation tents; and providing personal protective equipment, Covid-19 test kits, diagnostic and life support equipment, and ambulances.

The ICC consists of the Finance Secretary and NEDA Director-General as co-chairpersons; and the Executive Secretary, the Secretaries of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Budget and Management, and the Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as members.

Under the "Bayanihan to Heal as One" law, the executive department must submit a weekly report to Congress, every Monday, detailing how the President used his special powers to address Covid-19.

The report must include the amount and corresponding utilization of funds used, augmented, reprogrammed, reallocated, and realigned. (PNA) 



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MANILA -- United States President Donald Trump has offered additional assistance to the Philippines in its fight to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) during a phone conversation with President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday.

"President Trump expressed his solidarity and offered additional assistance to the Philippines as it continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic. Both leaders agreed to continue working together as long-time allies to defeat the pandemic, save lives, and restore global economic strength," the US Embassy in Manila said in a statement Tuesday.

During the call, Trump also expressed condolences for the death of 11 Philippine soldiers recently killed while fighting Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu.

The two leaders discussed how the Philippines and US can continue building upon its "strong and enduring economic, cultural, and security ties binding the two nations".

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, the US has committed a total of USD4-million in health assistance to the Philippine government.

The aid supports several efforts, including laboratory system preparedness, case-finding, and event-based surveillance, technical expert response and preparedness, risk communication, and infection prevention.

Recently, Washington also donated nearly 1,300 cots, originally intended for the Balikatan 2020 joint military exercise, for the patients and front-liners battling the deadly respiratory disease. (PNA) 



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MANILA – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Monday denied posts and pictures circulating on social media claiming that personal protective equipment (PPE) sets and supplies needed by medical personnel in containing the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak are for sale.

"Days ago, the agency has received some reports of misleading posts. One of which was a photo of (PPE sets) being unloaded from a military aircraft used by a netizen for business purposes, claiming that the items in the photo which are intended for distribution to hospitals are for sale," OCD administrator Ricardo Jalad said in a statement.

He added the agency strongly condemns such activities, as well as other forms of disinformation which aims to advance a personal interest.

Jalad assured the public that donations and other procured items by the government are being received by the intended beneficiaries as it uses a strict monitoring system for its distribution.

He added that all equipment sets are being distributed directly to various health institutions.

"The OCD ensures that donations and other procured items are properly managed as it upholds transparency and efficient arrangement," he added.

However, Jalad said if the agency discovers any irregularities, it assures the public of appropriate action towards people involved as well as appropriate charges if warranted.

"OCD once again calls on the public to be cautious, check sources, and refrain from sharing unverified information," he said.

Meanwhile, he said the agency has launched a section for Covid-19 donations on its website, in which the public, can access the list and other further details of donations.

The OCD is the agency tasked for the distribution of medical equipment such as face masks, protective overall suits, gloves, goggles, and other supplies to facilities tasked to care for Covid-19 patients. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) is honoring the sacrifices made by the three soldiers who were killed by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) terrorists while on patrol in Negros Occidental last Sunday. 

"We honor the sacrifice of our three fallen soldiers in Negros Occidental who fought gallantly in protecting our people against the threat brought by the CPP-NPA terrorists while doing their duty to deliver services to combat Covid-19 (coronavirus disease)," PA commander Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said in a statement on Monday.

Initial reports said the troopers of the 94th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division were conducting security patrols to protect the distribution of the government's Social Amelioration Program when residents reported the presence of communist rebels conducting extortion and recruitment activities in Sitio Tugas, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan, Negros Occidental.

The soldiers immediately responded and engaged in a 30-minute firefight with the rebels.

A landmine detonation killed 2nd Lt. Ralf Almante C. Abibico, Cpl. Joel C. Nobleza, and Pfc. Carl Venice S. Bustamante. Four soldiers were also wounded from the blast.

"Their sacrifice will motivate us to continue our mission with formidable resolve and bring lasting peace to our country," Gapay said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday assured due process for the six members of the Anakpawis Party-list who were detained after the police filed cases against them for violating the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols, failing to practice social distancing, and attempting to organize a mass gathering in the guise of an alleged relief operation.

"The rule of law does not stop during a public health emergency. The DILG respects the rights of the detained Anakpawis members and we assure them that they will have their day in court. Since nahuli na sila, sa hukom na lang sila magpaliwanag (Since they have been caught, it is up for them to explain themselves in court)," DILG spokesperson, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, said in a news release.

Malaya said the Philippine National Police (PNP) saw a probable cause against Anakpawis because its members were caught in the act by the Norzagaray Police in a checkpoint.

"Clearly, they violated quarantine rules because they are Unauthorized Persons Outside of Residence (UPOR), they misrepresented a food pass to gain passage through checkpoints, there was no coordination with the LGU (local government unit) of Norzagaray, Bulacan for this alleged relief operation, and they intimidated our police officers by using a congressman who, in fact, is no longer an incumbent member of Congress, among others," he said.

Malaya said those detained are entitled to adequate legal representation of their own choice and he has no doubt that a battery of lawyers would represent them.

"I'm sure a battalion of lawyers from the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL) and Public Interest Law Center (PILC) has been mobilized by their central committee for this purpose. So, sa hukuman na lang sila magpaliwanag (they just explain in court)," he said.

Malaya reiterated that a food pass, even if issued by the Department of Agriculture, is not valid for the conduct of relief operations.

"They illegally used a food pass for another purpose when a food pass is for the transport of farm produce from farm to market. In fact, the use of the DILG logo for this purpose is again illegal and will not be tolerated by this department," he added.

Malaya said the DILG and PNP have been very busy fighting the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and seeking an end to the ECQ that it zaps their time, energy, and effort dealing with Anakpawis and similar "pasaway" (stubborn) organizations.

"Instead sana of being pasaway, tulungan ninyo na lang ang gobyerno (Instead of being stubborn, just help the government) for a change. Stay home and save lives," he said.

Malaya said all six Anakpawis members have been charged with violating the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, as well as Section 9, Article 1132 (non-cooperation of persons) and Article 151 (resistance and disobedience to a person in authority) of the Revised Penal Code concerning the IATF directive dated April 2, 2020, the Department of Health's Department Order 2020-0090, and Executive Order 922, Section 4 (all citizens are urged to act within the bounds of the law). 

The IATF is the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Meanwhile, former Anakpawis representative, Ariel Casilao, will also be charged for usurpation of authority under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code, according to the release. (PR)



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MANILA – The Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shield) on Tuesday said Special Action Force (SAF) commandos will be deployed in 10 areas in Metro Manila, where violations of home quarantine and physical distancing are rampant.

The SAF commandos are known to be the toughest and the strictest among operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Eleazar said the deployment of SAF commandos has been approved by PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa whose instruction is to ensure that the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus are strictly enforced "anytime, anywhere".

Gamboa earlier gave a go-signal for the deployment of more policemen to enforce quarantine guidelines.

Eleazar said a total of 116 SAF commandos have been deployed in various areas in Metro Manila on board six medium troop carriers (MTC) and six multi-purpose armored vehicles (MPAV).

"They will assist the local police in enforcing the ECQ. We believe that the presence of our SAF commandos will further compel hardheaded people to behave and follow the ECQ because our SAF are tough and strict when it comes to discipline," he said in a press statement.

He added that there will no double standard in the implementation of the ECQ.

"Regardless of your social status, you will be arrested if you violate the home quarantine," Eleazar added.

He said the SAF commandos were divided into 12 teams.

Each team is composed of eight SAF commandos.

Eleazar said the initial deployment will be in areas where violations of home quarantine and physical distancing are unrestrained based on intelligence reports and monitored social media posts.

These include Blumentritt in Sta. Cruz, Manila; Libertad in Pasay City; Pasig Palengke; Napindan public market in Taguig; public market in Lower Bicutan, also in Taguig; Las Piñas City public market; North Caloocan; Alabang public market; Bagong Parañaque public market and Marikina public market.

"Initially, these areas are where they would be assigned to enforce the ECQ. But they can transfer to other locations depending on our monitoring of areas where home quarantine and physical distancing are violated," Eleazar said.

He said they could also increase the number of SAF commandos depending on the situation on the ground.

"We are assessing the situation on the ground on a daily basis. With the approval of our Chief PNP, we could increase the number of our SAF personnel in the coming days depending on the situation on the ground," Eleazar added.

Meanwhile, SAF director Maj. Gen. Amando Clifton Empiso said they have enough standby forces to augment local police forces in enforcing the ECQ guidelines not only in Metro Manila but also in the provinces.

"Your SAF has always been in the frontline in any kind of battle, we are willing to do our share to win this fight against Covid-19, this time, in helping in the enforcement of the necessary measures to ensure that the virus is contained," he said.

Eleazar also disclosed that they have stepped up the intelligence operations in Metro Manila to identify other areas where ECQ guideline violations are prevalent.

Monitoring of social media posts relating to ECQ violations was also intensified.

"We are also encouraging the public, particularly our netizens, to report to us any violation of the home quarantine and social distancing. We assure you that we will immediately act on your complaint or report. Nasa kalye man o nasa common areas ng gated subdivision o condominium ang mga violators ay magkakaroon tayo ng agarang aksyon (Whether violators are on streets or common areas of gated subdivisions or condominiums, we will act on them quickly)," he said.

Stressing that they respect human rights, Eleazar said their main concern is to uphold the people's right to life and safety from Covid-19 in this "extraordinary time" the country is facing. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Philippines will have ample supply of essential food items, particularly chicken and pork, despite the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) up to April 30, a Palace official said on Tuesday.

In a virtual presser, Cabinet Secretary and Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) spokesperson Karlo Nograles said there will be a stable supply of chicken and pork until June despite African swine fever (ASF) and bird flu outbreaks.

"Sinisiguro ng Department of Agriculture (DA) na sapat ang ating bigas at essential food items tulad ng manok at baboy (The DA is making sure that we have enough rice and essential food items like chicken and pork)," he said.

Citing data from the DA, he said the country currently has 18 million metric tons (MT) of rice which could last for 84 days.

Nograles said the country also has 1.95 million MT of chicken which is good for 62 days and 1.12 million MT of pork which is enough for 10 days.

"Sa madaling salita: may pagkain po tayo at di po tayo mauubusan ng suplay sa ating mga merkado (To put it simply, we have food and we will not run out of supply in the markets)," he said.

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said chicken supply is estimated to exceed the annual requirement of 1.3 million MT by 24 percent, equivalent to more than 400,000 MT and enough to supply the country for 157 days.

He also said there is an oversupply of pork among producers in the Visayas and Mindanao.

However, he said forecasts showed a possible deficit of around 121,000 MT by the end of the year due to a 21 percent decline in production.

Under the Food Resiliency Action Plan, Dar assured that the DA has gathered the initial commitments of its regional offices and the private sector to supply the needs of Metro Manila residents.

He said the plan includes the strategic positioning and efficient distribution of basic food commodities, including the monitoring of suggested retail prices of the same in public markets in Metro Manila.

Other basic food items include eggs, other poultry products, fish, vegetables, fruits, sugar, cooking oil, and other coconut by-products.

Dar said the action plan will be further expanded in partnership with the private industry, local government units, and farmers' and fishers' groups.

He also urged the public to try engaging in food production via urban gardening or aquaculture in their respective backyards, verandas, rooftops, and designated areas in the barangay, school or community.

The IATF-EID has already approved the PHP8.5-billion fund for the Rice Resiliency Project (RRP) under the ALPAS Kontra-Covid-19 which seeks to boost the production of palay by the end of 2020 to 22.12 MMT, which is equivalent to 13.41 MMT of milled rice.

The ECQ in Luzon will lapse on April 30. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed criminal charges against members of the Anakpawis party-list for attempting to hold a mass action disguised as a relief operation in Norzagaray, Bulacan. 

Charges of violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) including refusal to observe guidelines on home quarantine and insisting to pass through checkpoints, Executive Order 922 Section 4 and attempted "inciting to sedition" pursuant to Article 142 of the RPC were filed before the provincial prosecutor's office of Malolos City, Bulacan on Monday against Karl Mae San Juan, 29; Marlon Lester Gueta, 26; Roberto Medel, 52; Eribeto Peña Jr., 60; Raymar Guaves, 21 and Tobi Estrada, 22.

The complainants were Lt. Schnieder Garcia, Pat. Marlon Castillo and Pat. Fernando Estrada of the Norzagaray Municipal Police Station.

Meanwhile, former Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao is also facing the same charges and a separate complaint for usurpation of authority pursuant to Article 177 of RPC.

The complainants in the charges against Casilao are Staff Sergeants Marlon Mito and Jonathan dela Cruz, also from the Norzagaray police.

[https://files]Based on the report of the Police Office Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon), the Anakpawis members were on board a passenger jeepney (ZNH-869) that was stopped at a quarantine control point in Barangay Bigte at around 11 a.m. on Sunday

The group failed to show any proof of exemption or authority for their presence in Bulacan, except for the alibi that they will deliver a cargo of relief packs to their members and sympathizers in Kalye 11 in Barangay Bigte.

[https://files]

But upon visual inspection, the jeepney contained anti-government flyers, printed materials and tarpaulins with suggestive slogans that promote the political ideology of Anakpawis, the electoral wing of the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno and the Kilusang Mangbubukid ng Pilipinas.

The relief packs were promptly released and turned over to officials of Barangay Bigte while the propaganda materials were confiscated as evidence for court proceedings.

In 2006, the Kidapawan City Regional Trial Court Branch 17 in North Cotabato ordered the arrest of Casilao and Karapatan Southern Mindanao secretary-general Kelly Delgado for libel charges filed by former North Cotabato governor and now Mindanao Development Authority chairperson, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol. (PNA)



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MANILA – More than 4.5 million low-income households have already received the cash relief granted by the national government to help them cope with the crisis driven by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Tuesday.

In a virtual presser aired on state-run PTV-4, Nograles said the government was able to distribute the emergency subsidies to some 4,597,854 poor families or more than 25 percent of the 18 million target beneficiary-families of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

Nograles, spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), said the poor families who already got the cash aid include the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

"Ayon sa DSWD, nakabigay na po sila ng emergency subsidies sa 4,597,854 low-income and 4Ps families, katumbas ng 25.54 percent ng 18 million target beneficiary-families (The DSWD said it was able to provide emergency subsidies to around 4,597,854 low-income and 4Ps families, which is equivalent to 25.54 percent of 18 million target-beneficiaries)," he said.

The PHP200-billion SAP was implemented following the signing of Republic Act (RA) 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act to address the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

The SAP authorizes the distribution of cash assistance ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP8,000 to 18 million low-income households nationwide, including the existing 4.4 million 4Ps family-beneficiaries.

Under the SAP, 4Ps beneficiaries will receive top-up assistance from their existing payouts to complete the PHP5,000 to PHP8,000 monthly emergency subsidies that will be given to poor families for two months.

The DSWD, with the help of local government units (LGUs), was tasked to administer the distribution of the emergency relief to low-income households affected by the health crisis in the country.

LGUs were earlier warned that they would face criminal, civil, and administrative charges, if they do not follow the guidelines for the distribution of emergency subsidies to poor families.

In a public address on April 13, President Rodrigo Duterte said the implementation of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) could have helped speed up the distribution of cash aid under SAP.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in a separate virtual press briefing on Tuesday, said Duterte had directed acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua to hasten the implementation of PhilSys.

"Ano po ang mandato ni Presidente kay Secretary Chua? Unang-una, ipatupad sa lalong mabilis na panahon ang national ID system (What is the President's order to Secretary Chua? First and foremost, ensure the speedy implementation of national ID system)," Roque said.

Under RA 11055 or the PhilSys Act, all Filipino citizens and resident aliens will be issued a Phil ID that will serve as a valid proof of their identity.

The entire Luzon and some parts of Visayas and Mindanao have been placed under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

Nograles said the DSWD had given 445,580 food packs to displaced families due to Covid-19.

He added that some 445,580 standby stocks of family food packs from DSWD have already been prepositioned, in case LGUs will need emergency augmentation in the wake of the health crisis.

"The government continue to prioritize efforts to provide our people with the financial assistance needed to ensure that everyone can secure the basic necessities during the ECQ," Nograles said. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday said local government units whose listed recipients of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) will not pass the validation process will be obliged to return the fund to the agency.

DSWD Undersecretary for Special Concerns Camilo Gudmalin, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency, said the LGU will have to refund the amount released to unqualified beneficiaries to receive the government's emergency subsidy for low-income families who were heavily affected by the containment measures amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

"Ang ating ahensya magka-conduct ng validation after the payouts (The agency will conduct a validation after the payouts). The LGUs will submit all documents including their [beneficiaries'] Social Amelioration Card copies, sample/post-audit [to see if] yun bang nakatanggap ng subsidiya ay karapat-dapat (those who received are among the target beneficiaries)," he said.

The DSWD will submit an advisory to the concerned LGU with the list of recipients who did not pass the validation.

"Bibigyan ng advisory ang concerned LGUs na [nagsasabing] itong pondo na naibigay ay ibalik sa DSWD (The concerned LGUs will receive an advisory stating they need to return the fund to DSWD)," he added.

Special guidelines amended

In the initial version of the special guidelines for DSWD's SAP, would-be beneficiaries are subject to undergo the verification process to be done by DSWD Field Offices to validate whether they qualify as an indigent family.

However, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said given that "it is a working data", they have amended the guidelines to hasten the distribution so the assistance could be provided immediately to families who are in dire need of the subsidy.

DSWD said with the amended guideline, LGUs may proceed with the distribution of the cash aid within 24 hours upon receipt of the funds from the department, adding that DSWD "will conduct validation within 15 days from receipt of documents from the LGUs that support the completion of the distribution of the emergency subsidies".

"The validation is important as this will detect the duplication of assistance and to ascertain the eligibility of the beneficiaries," DSWD added.

As of 8 p.m. of April 19, DSWD reported that at least PHP73.7 billion were already downloaded to the LGUs for distribution of the SAP.

Some 4,886,083 beneficiaries already received their subsidy as of the said date.

Of this number 1,164,250 are not 4P's beneficiaries while 3,721,833 4P's beneficiaries received their subsidy through their cash cards.

The cash aid amounting to PHP3,650 to PHP6,650 per beneficiary was credited to their Landbank cash cards.

Together with the DSWD, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Landbank started distributing to 18,602 Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers in the National Capital Region amounting to PHP148.816 million with each driver receiving PHP8,000 to help tide them over in these difficult times.

Under the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), a total of PHP1.2 billion in financial assistance will be released to an initial batch of 250,000 beneficiaries from 2,773 private companies at PHP5,000 per worker. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday deployed one of its logistics support vessel, the BRP Bacolod City (LS-550), to pick up 23,385 boxes of personal protective equipment (PPE) at the Zhangzhou Port in Xiamen, China.

The ship departed Sangley Point, Cavite after a short send-off ceremony, PN public affairs office chief, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a statement.

BRP Bacolod City is under the leadership of Commander Rogelio Lachina.

Roxas said the ship was deployed after Presidential Peace Adviser and National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer, Carlito Galvez Jr., called for the Navy's services in picking up and delivering to the country the remaining sets of PPE that the Department of Budget and Management procured from China last month.

Aboard the ship were 33 container vans courtesy of the Pacific Roadlink Logistics, Inc. (PRLI) which is based in Angat, Bulacan.

Roxas said these container vans will serve as storage rooms of the PPE sets.

Meanwhile, Philippine Fleet commander, Rear Admiral Loumer Bernabe, one of the ranking officials who saw BRP Bacolod City and its crew off, said their mission is very important as this will help provide more PPE sets to medical front-liners tackling the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.

"Always bear in mind that you're doing this for our country and our people in the Glory of God," he said as he wished everyone aboard a safe voyage.

Roxas said this undertaking highlights the crucial capability of the PN to provide much needed logistical support and another manifestation of its full support to the government by devoting personnel, assets, and resources to the resolve of containing this pandemic. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corp. has donated PHP60 million to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to set up coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) testing laboratories in Metro Manila.

 

The donation was used to purchase four brand new sets of Covid-19 test laboratories. Each test laboratory has two RT-PCR (reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction) machines, one RNA machine that speeds up the test capability of the laboratory, a medical lab freezer, and a bio-safety cabinet that protects samples from contamination.

 

"This will further strengthen our government's efforts in detecting Covid-19 cases so we can really get to focus on them and prevent more people from being infected. The Philippine Red Cross has the experience and capability to operate these testing laboratories, and we are confident that this project can greatly help in having more people tested fast," Megaworld chief strategy officer, Kevin Andrew Tan, said in a statement on Monday.

 

The new testing labs are capable of conducting some 10,000 Covid-19 tests every day and the results of each test sample may be released within three hours.

 

"We continue to look for more projects and partnerships like this so we can further help (the) government in saving lives and beat(ing) the virus," Tan added.

 

During the past weeks, Megaworld, along with its subsidiaries, has been distributing food and grocery bags to health care and border security front-liners around Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

 

The company also dispatched its Citylink buses to provide free transport to medical personnel to and from hospitals in Metro Manila.

Its socio-civic arm, Megaworld Foundation, also distributed face masks to various foundations to protect the elderly and orphan beneficiaries.

 

Megaworld Hotels, on the other hand, also distributed shower caps, toiletries such as soap and shampoo, as well as personal protective equipment to various hospitals and local government units around the country. (PR)



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MANILA – The Philippine Embassy in London has brought to the attention of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) the concerns of Filipino nurses in the UK such as the need for more personal protective equipment, especially for those who are assigned at the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) wards.

As of April 20, no less than 20 Filipino health care workers have perished in the UK's fight against the Covid-19, based on Covid-19 deaths reported to the Philippine Embassy in London.

The figure represents less than 50 percent of at least 50 Filipinos -- by citizenship or ethnicity -- who died of the disease, including three who are undocumented immigrants.

The deaths of the Filipino healthcare workers due to Covid-19 have caused a stir among British society since it is well known that Filipinos represent the third biggest group of National Health Service (NHS) staff after the British and Indians.

According to a March 2019 report on the NHS' workplace diversity, close to 19,000 Filipinos serve the UK's public health system either as medical professionals such as nurses and allied health professionals or as support staff.

Various independent fundraisers have been organized by the friends and family of those who succumbed to the disease while several other Filipino community organizations are contributing in different ways to support those who continue to fight at the frontlines.

These efforts include the provision of face masks as well as hot meals.

"We are deeply concerned about the deaths of Filipino health workers who sacrificed their lives as the world continues to fight this vicious disease. They put their lives on the line so that others may heal, live, and be reunited with their loved ones," Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo said.

Majority of those who died worked in hospitals across England, which as of April 20, also registers the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the UK at 93,030 out of 124,743 lab-confirmed cases and 14,828 out of 16,509 hospital deaths.

Despite the suspension of frontline consular services, the embassy's consular section as well as the Philippine Overseas Labor Office continue to coordinate closely with Filipino community organizations in extending assistance and monitoring the condition of those severely affected by the onslaught of the disease.

The embassy has also adopted measures to safeguard public health while at the same time to render critical assistance-to-nationals services to distressed Filipino citizens in light of the global pandemic. (Philippine Embassy in London PR)



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MANILA – Around 23,300 Filipinos fight at the front lines of the United Kingdom's and Ireland's battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) since the initial report of cases in both countries late January and early March, respectively, this year.

According to a 2019 report published by the National Health Service (NHS), Filipinos, who comprise around 19,000 of all NHS staff, are among the largest groups of NHS health workers, third to those who are identified as British and Indians.

In Ireland, around 4,300 Filipino nurses make up the Health Service Executive's (HSE) 65,000-strong health care workforce.

"Even with personal protective equipment (PPE), there is still that feeling of vulnerability for myself, our patients and their loved ones, colleagues, and our families. The traditional nurse-patient relationship has changed as the anxiety is not more from the persons and their loved ones getting care but from the key workers as well in these unprecedented times. How we are still able to show resilience, care, and reassurance is beyond me," said Katrina Albarico, a nurse in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The efforts of Filipino front-liners in the UK and Ireland have earned praises from the British and Irish.

"Amazing number of Filipinos working in the NHS and unsung heroes like so many. It's worth bearing in mind when we talk about immigrants in this country, these are the immigrants currently saving people's lives. Coming here and actually enriching our country and doing an amazing job," said British broadcaster, Piers Morgan, who recognized the contribution of Filipinos in the NHS during a recent episode of Good Morning Britain.

However, as Covid-19 cases in the UK continue to escalate, the Philippine embassy in London has recorded at least 10 coronavirus-related deaths among Filipino front-liners in the NHS and zero deaths among Filipino front-liners in Ireland's HSE as of April 14, 2020.

"We are deeply saddened by reports of Filipino staff who are either infected by Covid-19 or have succumbed to the disease. Our thoughts are with their loved ones. Filipino health workers have served tirelessly and courageously at the front lines of the war against this pandemic, and their contribution to the ongoing efforts to save lives is nothing but immense," said Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Antonio Lagdameo.

Although the Philippine embassy in London temporarily suspended its front-line consular services due to measures undertaken by the host government to stop the spread of the disease, the embassy's Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) team works round the clock to respond to inquiries and to assist distressed Filipinos, especially those who are infected with Covid-19. (PR)



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MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte will be giving up to PHP10-million reward to any Filipino who can develop a vaccine against coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Malacañang said on Tuesday.

In a virtual presser, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte made this pronouncement after meeting with health experts, including former secretaries of the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday.

"Inanunsyo po ng Pangulo na siyang magbibigay ng pabuya ng hanggang PHP10 million sa kahit sinong Pilipino na makaka-diskubre ng vaccine laban sa Covid-19 (The President announced that he will be giving a PHP 10 million reward to any Filipino who can discover a vaccine against Covid-19)," he said.

Roque said Duterte will also be giving the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) a "substantial grant" to develop a vaccine.

"Pinapa-anunsyo din po ng ating Presidente na siya po'y magbibigay ng isang substantial grant sa UP at sa UP-PGH para po maka-develop nga ng bakuna laban dito sa Covid-19 (The President is also asking me to announce that he will give a substantial grant to UP and UP-PGH to develop a vaccine to fight Covid-19)," he said.

He did not mention the amount of the substantial grant to be given to the state-run UP-PGH.

In a televised meeting with select members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Inter-Agency Task Force last April 9, Duterte praised UP-PGH for considering the use of antibodies found in the blood of Covid-19 survivors to treat patients who were severely ill.

"Ang pag-asa natin is -- including UP, itong atin ipagmalaki rin natin ang mga doktor natin. Iyang mga bright. 'Yung na -- gumaling na, nagkaroon na 'yan sila ng antibodies (Our hope is...including UP, we take pride in our doctors. They're bright. They found out that those who have recovered from Covid-19 have antibodies)," he said.

A team of scientists from the UP-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH), the Philippine Genome Center, and The Manila HealthTek Inc. also developed Covid-19 test kits which can release results in just two hours.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a certificate of product registration to the locally-made test kits last April 3.

During his address at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (Asean) Plus Three Summit on Covid-19 with Japan, China and South Korea last April 15, Duterte said the Philippines is willing to join the other countries in conducting clinical trials of Avigan, a Japanese anti-viral drug, for potential treatment of Covid-19.

Researches at Wuhan University and other institutions in China have revealed that Avigan, developed by a subsidiary of Japan-based Fujifilm Holdings Corp., is seen as an effective drug in treating Covid-19.

Japan has begun conducting clinical tests to examine the effectiveness and safety of Avigan, otherwise known as Favipiravir, to Covid-19 patients.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga earlier announced the Japanese government's plan to offer Avigan for free to nations hit by Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier, World Health Organization's (WHO) health emergency program executive director Dr. Mike Ryan said it could take at least a year to develop a vaccine as protection against Covid-19.

Though a vaccine has yet to be developed, he said countries could start implementing strong measures such as widespread testing. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) is working on a longer loan term for the benefit of public school teachers who borrowed money from government and private lending institutions.

During the Laging Handa public hearing on Tuesday, DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla said the department was processing a loan moratorium so that loan payments from teachers' salaries would not be remitted at this time when the nation continues to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

"Hindi sila mag-aalala na kailangan bayaran agad dahil kami na po ang mag-a-adjust. Kung ang inyo pong loan ay naka-encode sa aming salary and payroll database, nakausap na po namin lahat ng private at government lending institutions na naka-a-accredit sa aming database (They [teachers] don't have to worry that they have to pay immediately because we will do the adjustments. If your loan is encoded in our salary and payroll database, we have talked to all private and government and lending institutions accredited in our database)," Sevilla said.

The DepEd has released in advance the salaries of more than 800,000 public school teachers for March and April.

"'Yung May, processing na rin ngayon. 'Yung clothing allowance na PHP6,000 per employee ay nakuha na rin ng lahat ng ating mga empleyado. Amin na rin pong inaasikaso ang kanilang performance-based bonus at may mga region na rin po na nakatanggap dito at ang 13th month pay ay atin na pong pino-proseso at ready to release by May 15 (The May salary is being processed. All our employees have received the PHP6,000 clothing allowance per employee and we're now processing their performance-based bonus and some regions have received this. We're also processing the 13th month pay so it would be ready to be released by May 15)," Sevilla said. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Tuesday said scaled-down operations at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), the country's primary testing center for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) specimen, is temporary.

In a virtual presser, Cabinet Secretary and IATF Spokesperson Karlo Nograles made this remark after the RITM announced that it has scaled down its operations "in consideration of the safety of its staff responding to Covid-19 Public Health Emergency beginning April 16, 2020 until April 24, 2020."

Nograles assured that the country's 17 subnational laboratories and Covid-19 partner laboratories will receive more specimens to prevent delays in testing and releasing of results.

"Even if the RITM has limited already their testing because of the 40 health workers that were infected by Covid-19... the backlog will be resolved through the 17 sub-national laboratories that are operating right now," he said.

Nograles emphasized anew the importance of accrediting testing centers to ensure that biosafety is followed, since the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19, is highly infectious.

"Kaya nga hindi tayo puwede basta-basta mag-accredit ng laboratory (That's why we cannot just accredit laboratories) because again the exposure to the Covid-19 virus is too great," he said.

According to its advisory, the RITM would only process specimens from Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Pasay City beginning April 17.

In an interview on CNN, RITM director Dr. Celia Carlos bared that at least 43 RITM staff members tested positive for Covid-19.

Nograles assured that the RITM employees will be given appropriate care until they are restored to their full health.

He also said the government will also be deploying more employees to the RITM so that it could resume operations as soon as possible.

"We need to find health workers who are healthy, obviously not infected, who can come in to the RITM so that we can ensure that the RITM goes back to normal operations while we take care of the health workers ng (of) RITM who were infected by Covid-19," he said.

The country's 17 subnational laboratories that have the capacity to test Covid-19 are:

--Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), Muntinlupa City
--San Lazaro Hospital, Manila
--Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Baguio City
--Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City
--Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City
--University of the Philippines (UP) National Institutes of Health, Manila
--Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon City
--Western Visayas Medical Center, Iloilo City
--Bicol Public Health Laboratory, Legazpi City, Albay
--St Luke's Medical Center, Quezon City
--Victoriano Luna Hospital, Quezon City
--The Medical City, Pasig City
--Makati Medical Center, Makati City
--Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Mandaluyong City
--St Luke's Medical Center, Taguig City
--Philippine Red Cross, Mandaluyong City
--Chinese General Hospital, Manila

Aside from the 17 subnational labs, Nograles said the Philippine Red Cross will also be inaugurating a new facility capable of Covid-19 testing.

A total of 40 more facilities are already in the pipeline for accreditation by the Department of Health, he added.

Currently, a total of 766 health workers have been infected with Covid-19. Of this, 339 are doctors and 242 are nurses while at least 22 health workers have died.

As of Monday, health authorities reported a total of 6,459 cases of coronavirus, with 428 deaths and 613 recoveries. (PNA)



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MANILA – Over four million learners and teachers are using Department of Education's online learning platform called Commons at the height of the enhanced community quarantine amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

"Tinitingnan namin ang alternative delivery modes gaya ng learning activities sa kanilang tahanan...patuloy pa rin ang edukasyon sa anumang paraan. 'Di natin pababayaan ang ating mga guro at mag-aaral (We're looking into alternative delivery modes like learning activities in their homes... education must continue in any way. We won't neglect our teachers and learners)," DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said during the Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday.

Going to school to attend classes have been suspended in March when the community quarantine took effect. Since then, classes are done online through the platform.

Based on the DepEd's latest data, about 4,236,667 users have accessed the portal and the number of users is projected to rise in the coming days.

Users of Commons can now access the online platform without incurring data charges on their smartphones or tablets if they are Globe or TM subscribers.

"In this time of crisis, it is important that we make it possible to overcome this challenge with solid partnerships with the private sector. We are thankful for our partners' generosity in support of the continuity of public education by providing us free data for DepEd Commons access amid the Covid-19 situation," Briones said.

The portal contains online review materials and open educational resources created by the public school teachers.

It also integrates the Globe eLibrary, an online platform which features age-appropriate and engaging e-books ranging from storybooks for children and young adults to textbooks on core subjects such as Math, Science, English, Filipino, Music, and Arts. (PNA)



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MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday said it is working with various groups on the possible mass testing of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, following reports of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections in the facility.

"We are now talking to certain parties, including the Red Cross, for the conduct of mass testing at the CIW." Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a media statement.

"The CIW has been instructed to immediately isolate these cases in its own quarantine facilities and bring to the hospital any PDL who manifests serious symptoms," he said.

Guevarra added that Undersecretary Deo Marco, who supervises correction facilities, is in direct contact with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Gerald Bantag and is doing the rounds to personally inspect the preventive measures so far taken.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) last week announced efforts to assist the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in the establishment of the 48-bed tent Covid-19 isolation facility for detainees at the new Quezon City Jail in Payatas, which is currently operational.

The ICRC is also supporting the BJMP to expand the capacity of this facility to 150 beds to respond to future needs.

The ICRC said it is also exerting efforts to ensure that three other facilities -- the new San Fernando District Jail in Pampanga (for Region 3), Quezon District Jail in Pagbilao (Region 4A), both operated by the BJMP, and the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) -- will be functional as soon as possible and equipped with necessary materials, and infection-control training for its staff. (PNA)



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MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte was asked to extend the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in select areas in Luzon after April 30, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

This developed following Duterte's meeting with health experts, as well as the members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Monday.

In a virtual press briefing aired on state-run PTV-4, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the recommendation pitched to Duterte was to either "maintain, relax or lift" the ECQ in areas in Luzon with high cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

"Ang option na lumabas kahapon ay ipagpatuloy, 'di naman kaya i-relax o di naman kaya completely itigil ang ECQ sa iba't ibang lugar ng bansa, depende sa dami ng kaso ng Covid-19 (The option being floated yesterday was either continue, relax or completely stop ECQ in other areas in the country, depending on the number of Covid-19 cases)," he said.

Duterte's meeting with experts from the medical field and IATF-EID members came 10 days before the imposition of Luzon-wide ECQ expires.

The imposition of ECQ in Luzon was supposed to end on April 12 but was extended until April 30 in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections in the country.

Roque said it was proposed to continue the implementation of ECQ in Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), and parts of Bulacan, considering that there are high Covid-19 cases in these areas.

"It's not just (Metro Manila). It's also Calabarzon and portions of Bulacan," he said.

No final decision yet

Roque, however, clarified that Duterte still has to carefully study the proposals made with regard to the fate of Luzon-wide ECQ.

Roque said Duterte is likewise weighing the pros and cons of the possible lifting or extension of ECQ in some areas in Luzon.

He said Duterte still has until April 30 to come up with a final decision.

"President Duterte will look at the recommendation of IATF. He will look at the recommendation of WHO (World Health Organization) and the recommendation of the experts and then he will make a decision," Roque said. "Ang sabi po ni Presidente ang kaniyang (The President said his) decision may come today or it may come on April 30."

More options

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, in a separate virtual presser, said the IATF-EID members gave Duterte "more options" to consider in deciding on ECQ's fate.

Duterte, however, told the IATF-EID to have "another round of discussion" on their proposals, Nograles said.

Nograles said the inter-agency task force will hold a meeting on Wednesday for "more extensive discussion" on the fate of ECQ.

"Bawat miyembro ng (Every member of) IATF will continue to look at all of these options and study all of these options," he said. "We will come back with our panigabong inputs based sa options na yun (We will come back with new inputs based on that options."

No proposal for 'total lockdown'

During Duterte's meeting with health experts and IATF-EID members, there was no recommendation to enforce a "total lockdown," Roque said.

"Wala pong nag-rekomenda ng total lockdown (No one recommended a total lockdown)," he said.

Roque's statement came after he earlier said that imposing a total lockdown is an "option," in case the government fails to "flatten the curve" of Covid-19 cases in the country.

Nograles said the term lockdown was "not in the vocabulary" of IATF-EID.

"IATF is [only using the terms] quarantine, community quarantine, modified or enhanced or general community quarantine. So, we never used the lockdown," he said.

If a total lockdown is implemented, people will be barred from leaving their homes and public establishments will be closed.

Following WHO advice

Roque said Duterte would make sure that his decision conforms with WHO's advice to consider several factors before lifting measures imposed to halt the spread of the contagion.

"Ang WHO advice na dahan-dahan dapat ang pagbalik sa normal ay iku-konsidera rin ng ating Presidente (WHO's advice for a gradual return to normalcy will also be considered by the President)," he said.

On April 10, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that premature lifting of quarantine protocols to fight Covid-19 could lead to a "deadly resurgence" of the new pathogen.

Tedros said countries that seek the lifting of restrictions should check if the transmission is controlled; sufficient public and health medical services are available; and outbreak risk in special settings like long-term care facilities are minimized.

He added that affected countries should make sure that preventive measures in public spaces are in place; importation risks can be managed; and communities are fully aware and engaged in the transition.

Nograles said the five parameters set by the government, which include the "trends in Covid-19 epidemiological curve, the capacity of the health care system, and the social, economic, and security factors," would also be compared with WHO's guidelines.

The Philippines has so far reported 6,459 Covid-19 infections, with 428 fatalities and 613 recoveries. (PNA)



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MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the authorities to go after those who are selling fake identification cards (IDs) that will purportedly serve as a quarantine pass amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte is directing the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to ensure the immediate arrest of those behind the sale of fake IDs bearing the President's signature.

"Inaatasan po ng Pangulo ang PNP at ang NBI na imbestigahan itong mga anomalyang ito. Ito po ay krimen (The President is ordering the PNP and NBI to investigate these anomalies. This is a crime)," Roque said in a virtual presser aired on state-run PTV-4.

Roque's statement came following reports that people are enticed to buy fake IDs with Duterte's signature and Malacañan's logo for them to pass through quarantine checkpoints.

The fake IDs were purportedly being sold at between PHP1,000 and PHP3,000.

Roque said culprits would face criminal charges, which include falsification of documents and estafa.

"Ito po ay falsification of public documents at ito po ay estafa dahil sila ay nagbebenta. So habulin po ang mga criminal na iyan at sila ay ikulong (Criminal offenses include falsification of documents and estafa because they are selling fake IDs. We should run after those criminals and detain them)," he said.

On April 18, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Greco Belgica warned the public against those people who are taking advantage of the situation amid the ECQ in Luzon.

Belgica issued the stern warning after the PACC had received complaint that a person pretending to be a member of the Presidential Task Force on Moral Recovery is selling fake IDs that can be used as "Covid-19 quarantine pass or working permit."

Belgica said the suspect was identified as Marvin Cuna, a resident of Biñan, Laguna.

Cuna was arrested in an entrapment operation on April 16, Belgica said.

A motorist, identified as Roy del Rosario, was also apprehended on Monday on Edsa northbound lane near Camp Aguinaldo for using a falsified document purportedly issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to be able to pass through quarantine checkpoints.

The entire Luzon island was placed under ECQ until April 30 to stop the further transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the country.

Despite this, many continue to defy the quarantine protocols to contain the spread of Covid-19.

In a separate virtual press briefing, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Norgales cited report from the PNP that to date, there have already been 130,177 ECQ violators.

Some 30,366 of the ECQ violators have been arrested, Nograles said.

Nograles also noted the arrest of around 2,740 drivers of private vehicles who have violated social distancing rules, based on the report of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

"These are not trivial violations," he said. "Every time an individual violates ECQ guidelines, he or she chooses to become a health threat to those who abide by it."

Under Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, quarantine violators will face one-year imprisonment or a fine ranging from PHP10,000 to PHP1 million, or both. (PNA)



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MANILA – A few cases of Filipinos infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) have been reported in the Netherlands, Philippine Ambassador Jaime Victor Ledda said Tuesday.

The envoy, however, did not say the number of Filipinos infected with the disease.

"Sa awa ng Diyos wala po tayong maraming kaso, very few ang balita na natanggap ng embassy tungkol sa mga naapektuhan ng Covid-19 pero kahit papaano ito'y seryoso pa rin kahil kaunti lang ang naapektuhan and we continue to operate kahit work from home tayo (By God's grace, only few Filipinos were reportedly affected by Covid-19, meanwhile, we continue to operate even while we're working from home)," he said during a phone patch interview at the Laging Handa briefing.

At present, there are approximately 8,412 Filipinos in the Netherlands and about 5,000 in the Dutch Caribbean island Aruba.

Ledda said most of the overseas Filipino workers in Aruba are affected by the drastic halt on global tourism due to the pandemic as majority of them are working in the travel and hotel industry.

The embassy is coordinating with the Dutch government and the Filipino community to provide them necessary assistance, including the Filipino seafarers currently in the country.

"Ang mga ginagawa po natin aside from regular consular services, nakikipag-ugnayan tayo sa Dutch government tungkol sa mga ilang concerns ng ating kababayan (Aside from regular consular services, we are also in touch with the Dutch government about the concerns of our nationals)," he said.

The embassy is also working with the Philippine Overseas Labor and Office in Berlin for the release of the one-time cash assistance to OFWs affected by the pandemic. (PNA)



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