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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) shouldered the entire medical expenses of the city's lone confirmed 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patient, who was discharged over the weekend after almost two weeks of confinement.

Adrian Nicolas, social insurance assistant of the PhilHealth office here, said Monday the agency settled the patient's (PH 3669) bills amounting to around PHP700,000 based on the guidelines earlier set by their central office for Covid-19 cases.

Nicolas said the patient was covered by the full package, as mandated for all positive cases confined in private and public hospitals until April 14.

"PH 3669 qualified for the no balance billing policy so we shouldered all his hospitalization and other medical expenses," Nicolas said in an interview.

Nicolas said they also assisted patients who were previously classified as persons under monitoring and patients under investigation, with packages ranging from PHP43,000 to PHP786,000.

Hannah Naanep, PhilHealth-12 public information officer, said they fully covered the hospitalization expenses of all confirmed Covid-19 patients who were admitted in various facilities in the entire Soccsksargen from April 1 to 14.

Naanep said the disbursements for the patients were handled by their benefits administration section.

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, the region's confirmed Covid-19 cases remained at 16, with one fatality and eight recoveries.

PH 3669, who was confirmed positive of Covid-19 last April 7, was released from the General Santos Doctor's Hospital here Saturday night, two days after getting clearance from health authorities.

The 59-year-old male patient, who was among the cockfighting aficionados here who attended a derby in Davao City last month, tested negative on his repeat Covid-19 test based on results released on April 16 by the Southern Philippines Medical Center laboratory in Davao City.

Dr. Rochelle Oco, acting head of the City Health Office, said at least nine suspected Covid-19 patients were still admitted in local hospitals while 11 were undergoing home quarantine.

Oco said 28 suspected patients have already tested negative of the disease while the laboratory confirmation of two others was still pending.

As of Sunday, she said 97 individuals were undergoing home quarantine, including 45 persons who had close contact with PH 3669.

Oco added that they traced a total of 333 persons who were considered as "sub-contacts" of PH 3669 and also being monitored. (PNA)

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SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan -- Another death of a suspected case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) was recorded here on Sunday, authorities confirmed.

 

In a Facebook post, the San Carlos City Information Office said a 56-year-old lady from Barangay San Pedro Taloy here was suffering from underlying health conditions, such as the history of goiter and dementia, and was being treated for pulmonary tuberculosis.

 

"On April 18 at around 1:30 p.m., the patient was brought to the City Health Office for nebulization after experiencing difficulty in breathing and was rushed to Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) and was sent home for medication," the brief timeline of the post reads.

 

However, a few hours after sending her home, the patient was again rushed to the PPH after experiencing shortness of breath and passed away at 10:45 p.m. that same day.

 

"She was categorically considered as a suspect case because the patient expired due to pulmonary disease," it said.

 

The remains of the patient were immediately buried within the 12-hour standard protocol in handling suspect, probable, and confirmed deaths for Covid-19 to ensure the safety of others.

 

Authorities in the city have already identified people who possibly had recent close contact with the patient, and are now under the 14-day mandatory quarantine protocol.

 

Meanwhile, the city remains to be Covid-19 free after the result of swab tests conducted for the suspect cases from Barangays Bolingit, Payapa, and Mamarlao turned negative. 

 

Two new other suspect cases from Barangays Nelintap and Tamayo are now admitted to a hospital while waiting for the results of their medical tests. (PNA)



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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan —The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) recorded 30 index crimes a month after the enforcement of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

 

Based on the PPPO's data, the number of index crimes in the province from March 15 to April 16 was 83 percent lower than the 176 recorded in the same period last year.

 

Index crimes are crimes against persons such as murder, homicide, physical injury, and rape; and crimes against property such as robbery, theft, carjacking, and cattle rustling.

 

"Murder on the given period decreased from 13 last year to two this year, homicide from seven to one, physical injury from 65 last year to eight incidents this year, rape from 28 to three, robbery from 11 to four, theft from 47 to 10, and carnapping of motorcycle from five to two," based on PPPO's data.

 

In a recent radio interview, PPPO director Col. Redrico Maranan said the checkpoints set up within boundaries and the curfew due to the ongoing ECQ have been deterrent to crimes committed in the province.

 

Meanwhile, the number of non-index crimes or those violations of special laws, such as illegal logging or local ordinances, have also decreased by 51 percent from 934 incidents in the given period last year to 456 in the same period this year. (PNA)



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COTABATO CITY – Local authorities have intensified its saturation drive against the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) violators, shutting down non-essential businesses here that were found operating on Sunday.

Rolen Balquin, city chief security officer and vice-chairperson of the ECQ enforcement team, warned local business owners of stiffer penalties if they continue to defy the city's measures against the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Aided by the Cotabato City PNP personnel and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Balquin led the closure of garment stores, second-hand clothing stalls, kitchenware stores and even variety stores selling non-essential items.

"Under the ECQ guidelines, the city government only allows pharmacies and drug stores to operate, food deliveries from restaurants, grocery stores, some hardware stores, money transfer centers, hospitals and clinics, and broadcast radio stations," Balquin pointed out.

From April 5 to 15, Balquin noted the ECQ team treated violators only with light exercises routine. That is about to change, he said, warning that "starting Monday, charges will be filed against them".

During the same period, he said a total of 23 persons were apprehended for violation of curfew hours, 268 traffic violators were reprimanded, 24 motor vehicles were impounded, four public transport impounded for violating public transport ban, and 17 persons were held for failure to present quarantine pass issued by the city government.

"There's no time for complacency despite zero positive cases of Covid-19 in the city," Balquin said. (PNA)

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COTABATO CITY – Considerable tracts of forestlands across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are slowly being converted into "survival gardens" amid the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.

Abdulraof Macacua, BARMM's Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) minister, said Monday the conversion of forestlands into agricultural areas was in line with the regional government's long-term plan to ensure food security.

"This is in pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act11469, otherwise known as the 'Bayanihan to Heal as One Act'," said Macacua, who is also the concurrent BARMM executive secretary.

Earlier this month, Macacua ordered MENRE offices in the provinces to allocate food production areas in forestlands suitable for vegetables and short-term crops.

"This survival garden will serve as another source of food for the region's constituents, helping them ease the shortage of food supply," Macacua added.

He said the program will be implemented by local environment officers and "palaw" (forest) rangers, most of whom are former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"They have already begun implementing the initiative in their respective communities early this month," Macacua said.

Currently, he said PENRE offices continue to identify suitable planting areas in BARMM that are strategically located close to forest-dependent communities and where access to water is available for easy watering in preparation for the season.

"We would like to thank the BARMM Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) for providing us the vegetable seeds," Macacua said.

He also encouraged the Bangsamoro to practice vegetable gardening in the backyards during and even after the duration of the enhanced community quarantine to contain Covid-19. (PNA)

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LEGAZPI CITY -- Over 400 individuals were arrested for violating curfew and other guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measure in the island province of Catanduanes since last month, the Philippine National Police provincial office said.

Col. Paul Abay, provincial police director, said that in a report for the period March 17 to April 19, some 426 persons were caught loitering during curfew hours in their respective communities.

"Catanduanes province has 11 towns. Most of the violators caught were from the town of Virac with 174 violators, followed by Bato, 80; Viga, 58; San Andres, 28; Pandan, 22; Bagamanoc, 19; and San Miguel with 10; while the rest of the five towns have only few violators," he said.

The Catanduanes provincial government declared a total lockdown in March as a preemptive measure against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019. (PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY – Sixty foreign nationals, mostly Australians, left Negros Oriental on a repatriation flight from the Sibulan-Dumaguete airport to the Mactan Cebu International Airport over the weekend.

The so-called sweeper flight of the Philippine Airlines was arranged by the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, said Dumaguete Tourism Officer Jacqueline Antonio.

Antonio said this is part of a series of repatriation trips organized by several government agencies, led by the Provincial Tourism Office and the Dumaguete Tourism Office.

The sweeper flight arrived here at around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and departed at past 2 p.m. after having undergone the necessary processes and health protocols, said Mark Diamaoden, airport manager and chief of the local Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) here.

The aircraft did not carry inbound passengers, he said.

Present during the screening and boarding procedure of the repatriated foreigners were officials and representatives from the Integrated Provincial Health Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, Provincial and City Tourism offices, CAAP-Dumaguete, and the Philippine National Police, among others.

Upon departure, the PAL flight had four crew members and 60 other people on board.

Provincial Tourism Officer Myla Mae Bromo said the repatriated foreign nationals included 26 Australians, while the others were from the United States of America, New Zealand, Norway, United Kingdom, Canada, and Israel.

Over 1,000 foreign nationals have already left the province since March 17, a day after the entire Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and flights were canceled thereafter, Antonio said.

Since then, there have been 21 repatriation trips as a result of joint efforts of the foreign embassies, the local government units, Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Ports Authority, CAAP, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, and the Department of Health, she said.

Antonio said foreigners who are still in the province continue to call the Provincial Tourism Office and the City Tourism Office for assistance, after Negros Oriental was also placed under a 14-day ECQ on April 3 but was extended to April 30.

Since then, the province's borders have been totally sealed and travel by air, land, and sea was canceled.

"So they chartered planes to pick them up at the Dumaguete airport, Bacolod airport, or (via) the Philippine Coast Guard boats that would ferry them to the Mactan International Airport," Antonio said.

Meanwhile, approximately 150 foreigners of different nationalities are still in Negros Oriental and have chosen to stay, Antonio said.

Some have been here a few months, others more than a year, and they are either tourists, employed here, or residing in Negros Oriental, she said.

For those residing in Dumaguete, the hotels/Air BnB/landlord/landlady at which they are staying are taking care of them, while more foreign nationals live in neighboring towns and cities, she said.

Those with their own residences have their own quarantine pass so they can be allowed to leave their homes on certain days to access their necessities and other essentials, Antonio added. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has donated PHP30 million to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Sub-National Laboratory (VSMMC SNL) to fund the purchase of equipment to be used in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Glen Jesus Rada, PCSO Cebu branch manager, said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Monday that officials from the national charity office signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last April 13 with VSMMC SNL officials for the transfer of the fund to the regional hospital's official account.

Rada said the parties initially agreed to use the fund in the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other equipment needed in running the sub-national laboratory.

The VSMMC is the only Department of Health (DOH)-run government hospital accredited to conduct laboratory test of swab specimens for Covid-19 in Central Visayas.

Out of the first 229 specimens, VSMMC SNL found 22 positive cases with one negative, later labeled as laboratory negative. Around 24 days later or on April 19, the center confirmed that the number of cases climbed to 190 with 23 laboratory negative, out of 118 swab samples.

"Initially, the PHP30-million fund the PCSO turned over to the VSMMC SNL will be used for the protection of our front-liners in the laboratory. The hospital's chief finance officer made a follow up with our social worker for the deposit of the fund as they want to use it for the purchase of necessary equipment like PPE," Rada said.

The hospital can also use the fund to pay for the bills of Covid-19 patients, he said.

After President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, Rada said PCSO general manager Royina Marzan Garma endeavored to raise funds for the national government's battle against Covid-19.

The Bayanihan to Heal As One Act enjoins government-owned and controlled corporations, including PCSO, to help and earmark funds for the government's battle against Covid-19.

Rada said Garma directed PCSO branches to donate financial assistance to 81 hospitals from 69 provinces in the country.

"We recommended to our central office to give financial assistance to provincial hospitals. But so far, the PCSO finds it urgent to fund the anti-Covid-19 program of the VSMMC," he added.

In Cebu, department manager Gloria Ybañez and Rada represented the PCSO in signing the MOA with Dr. Gerardo M. Aquino Jr., VSMMC chief, and other hospital officials.

Apart from the financial assistance, PCSO-Cebu also donated medicines to the towns of Alegria, Ginatilan, Tabuelan and Santa Fe. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY – The city government here will impose a number coding scheme for vehicles with Negros Occidental provincial car passes (PCPs) entering Bacolod starting April 22 as required by Executive Order 31 issued by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Bacolod, although the provincial capital, is not under the jurisdiction of the Negros Occidental provincial government, being a highly-urbanized city.

Leonardia said on Monday that despite the restrictions stated in Executive Order 31, the city government will continue to grant the courtesy of unhampered passage to elected/appointive government officials of the province and its component local government units (LGUs) as an exemption from the odd-even number scheme.

They can enter Bacolod any day, even on a Sunday, through any route convenient for them, he added.

"Before I signed this, Governor Bong (Lacson) and I personally discussed and agreed on the essence and features of this EO.  I see this as a show of unity and respect that will be mutually beneficial for us," Leonardia said.

For those with PCPs, the odd-even scheme requires that cars with plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) will be permitted entry/ exit on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Cars with plates ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, or will be permitted entry/ exit on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Travels during these days are allowed from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. only, and only the persons listed in the PCPs will be allowed entry into Bacolod.

The PCPs will not be honored on Sundays.

Leonardia issued the EO after Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson requested him that the city government honor the Capitol car passes after the city had already imposed stringent restrictions on mobility into and out of its jurisdiction since March 30, the start of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

The EO stated that the provincial government issued its PCPs to cater to the essential activities of business and services in its component towns and cities.

However, the holders of such PCPs used them to freely come and go into the territorial jurisdiction of Bacolod, which could imperil the effectivity of the city's own ECQ.

It also courts the dangers of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) spreading out into the component cities and towns of the province considering that Bacolod City already has seven confirmed cases, the EO added. (PNA)

 



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DUMAGUETE CITY – The Drugstores Association of the Philippines (DSAP)-Negros Oriental and Siquijor Chapter has donated personal protective equipment (PPE) gears to the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) as the province entered the second day of its extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Col. Julian Entoma, provincial police director, received the donation at the NOPPO headquarters at Camp Francisco Fernandez in Agan-an, Sibulan, Negros Oriental on Monday, said Chief M/Sgt. Edilberto Euraoba III, NOPPO Public Information Officer, in a media release.

The DSAP-Negros Oriental/Siquijor Chapter, headed by its president, Reynaldo Roca of DOH Pharmacy, vice president Haidee Lou Fuentes of HL Pharmacy in Bais City, and Chiqui Fabillar, national DSAP officer for Visayas and proprietor of Botica de San Francisco, turned over face shields and four thermal scanners to Entoma.

This is a "gesture of strong support as we continue our mission of preventing and eliminating Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) in the province)," they were quoted as saying.

Euraoba further quoted DSAP president Reynaldo Roca as saying that more equipment will follow and will be handed over to the provincial police command soon.

Entoma, who expressed gratitude for the donation, said "this will boost the morale of his men in the field, knowing that more concerned and responsible people are uniting for the welfare of the community we serve," Euraoba quoted him as saying. (PNA)



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MANGATAREM, Pangasinan – A policeman filed charges against the town mayor here for allegedly defaming and disrespecting a person in authority at a checkpoint in Barangay Dorongan Punta.

 

In an interview Monday, Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) director, Col. Redrico Maranan, said Mangatarem Mayor Ramil Ventenilla is facing administrative charges after he allegedly shouted at Staff Sgt. Rey Pastor of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company in Alaminos City, who is currently assigned to man a checkpoint in Barangay Dorongan Punta this town.

 

"Pinagmumura niya at kung anu-ano ang pinagsasabi sa pulis na nagmamando (He uttered bad words to the police manning the checkpoint)," he said.

 

Maranan said Pastor was with other local government unit representatives in the checkpoint when Ventenilla, who was with other unidentified companions, made an outburst against them for letting a cargo truck pass through their border.

 

"Sergeant Pastor admitted that they let the truck go, although he explained that the truck had been checked, cleared, and identified as an authorized person outside residence (APOR)," he added.

 

As of this posting, Ventenilla had not given his side regarding the incident.

 

Meanwhile, a councilor and a barangay security (tanod) have been apprehended for violating the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, Maranan said.

 

"The councilor was caught at a checkpoint, he is even drunk, while the barangay tanod was spreading fake news," he said.

 

Maranan said the police will implement the law as it is, and violators will be arrested regardless of who they are.

 

Governor Amado Espino III, through Executive Order (EO) No. 0019-2020-A, amended the extension of the extreme enhanced community quarantine in the province of Pangasinan.

 

Under the new EO, the quarantine shall be extended until midnight on April 30 instead of midnight on April 21. The order was issued on April 16. (PNA)



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SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Antique has recorded four additional confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing the province's total number to nine.

The latest confirmed cases are from the municipality of Pandan in northern Antique, and Semirara Island, according to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO).

There are now five cases in Pandan and four in Semirara, Caluya town.

"We are sad to announce that there are some more Covid-19 confirmed patients in Pandan," IPHO chief Dr. Ric Noel Naciongayo said during the Inter-Agency Task Force for Covid-19 press conference on Monday.

The result was released by the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) sub-national laboratory on Sunday, April 19.

Naciongayo said the newly-confirmed patients had exposure with the first Covid-19 case in the said municipality whose result was released on April 9.

"These patients were identified during the contact tracing last April 10 to 12. They are now in a stable medical condition," he said.

He said the new cases are now in a patient care center, which was set up in Pandan, and being monitored by the municipality's health officials.

The new cases are two male patients who are both home-quarantined and two female patients who are being facility-quarantined, according to the Department of Health report released on Monday. (PNA) 



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DUMAGUETE CITY – The province of Negros Oriental continues to see a decline in suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases as health authorities reported that the province no longer has new confirmed ones.

The number of cases of persons with symptoms associated with Covid-19 has also gone down in what appears to be a "flattening of the curve", said Dr. Liland Estacion, Assistant Provincial Health Officer and chair of the health committee of the province's Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Covid-19.

In its latest advisory issued at 4 p.m. Sunday, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) still maintained its previous reports in the past two weeks or so of four confirmed cases with two deaths, one still confined, and one recovered.

Estacion, who is also the IATF's information officer for health concerns, over the weekend said one of the patients codenamed CV 27 has been discharged from the hospital after having been cleared of the disease.

That patient first tested negative and then tested positive in the second confirmatory swab test and then tested negative again twice in a row in subsequent tests, she said.

CV 28, meanwhile, is still in the hospital but already "extubated" and tested negative in the third swab test, she added.

"We're definitely seeing a downtrend in cases and we are praying that there will be no more new positive Covid-19 cases in the coming weeks," Estacion said in Cebuano.

The first confirmed Covid-19 patient who died here was an "imported" case, having a history of travel to Greenhills in San Juan, Metro Manila, but also had underlying health conditions.

The second patient who died was a relative who had come into contact with the first patient.

The PHO also reported a decrease in the number of asymptomatic persons being closely monitored and self-quarantined, and a spike in the number of asymptomatic persons who had completed the mandatory 14-day quarantine

All other cases, whether suspect or probable, either have a history of travel or have had contact with an infected patient or symptomatic persons.

The province still has three cases classified as Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), seven as Moderate Acute Respiratory Infection (MARI), 31 as Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) without co-morbidities, and seven with co-morbidities.

Persons who are asymptomatic and are under monitoring and home quarantine are pegged at 572, while the number of asymptomatic persons who have completed quarantine has reached 13,088.

Majority of these persons have had a history of travel, mostly domestic or inter-island prior to the province being placed under enhanced community quarantine which led to the sealing of its borders.

Under the new classification of Covid-19 cases being used by the Department of Health (DOH), ILIs (both with or without co-morbidities) fall under the classification as "suspect", while SARI and MARI cases are considered as "probable", said Dr. Socrates Villamor, provincial DOH chief in Negros Oriental.

The early classification of Covid-19 cases, namely, Patients Under Investigation (PUI) and Persons Under Monitoring (PUM) had also been dropped, he said.

While the DOH is using its latest three classifications of Covid-19 cases – suspect, probable, and confirmed – health authorities here are using the SARI, MARI, and ILI classification, according to guidelines set by the DOH Region 7, Villamor added. (PNA)

 



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police arrested 12 persons in this city and South Cotabato province over the weekend for engaging in illegal cockfights in their communities amid the enhanced community quarantine.

Col. Lino Capellan, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-12, said Monday the suspects were collared in separate operations on Sunday afternoon in Barangay Conel here and Barangay Basag in Tboli, South Cotabato.

Citing a report from the city police office, Capellan said seven persons were caught in the act of having an illegal cockfight, locally known as "tari-tari" past 1 p.m. in Purok Udagre, Barangay Conel.

"A concerned citizen reported the matter and sent pictures of the illegal gambling activity through Facebook," he said.

Col. Aden Lagradante, the city police director, immediately sent a team of operatives to the scene and found the suspects placing bets while a cockfight was ongoing, Capellan said.

Police identified the suspects as Romel Domingo Andong, 29; Danny Lom-ok, 29; Jefferson Alipin Edoloverio, 24; Dennis Naje Tesiorna, 31; Allan Cajegas Ypanto, 45; Von Brian Gectica Dichosa, 22; and, Vincent Macorol Dichosa, 25.

Recovered at the scene were two fighting cocks used in the illegal activity and PHP1,220 in bet money.

In Tboli, Capellan five suspects were also caught engaging in an illegal cockfight past 2 p.m. in Sitio Lubia, Barangay Basag.

Capellan said personnel from municipal police sub-station caught a group of bettors during a cockfight and cornered seven suspects through the help of barangay peacekeeping volunteers.

Arrested were Anthony Narciso, 28; Mannuel Marco Jr, 26; Gerald Jade Cagandang, 20; Jay Roie Quilot, 26; and, Bartolome Tadle, 59, all residents of the neighboring Barangay Glamang in Polomolok town.

Capellan said the suspects will be charged with violation of Presidential decree 1602 or illegal cockfighting and Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code or disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person.

"Let me all remind you that we're are still on regular duty and all violators of the law will be arrested and properly charged," he added. (PNA)

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CEBU CITY – Central Visayas now has 190 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Health (DOH)-Region 7 said Monday.

The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Sub-National Laboratory (VSMMC-SNL) released late Sunday the 118 test results, with four additional positive cases.

The data on confirmed cases show the number has almost doubled since April 15 after city health officials closely monitored viral disease cases in Sitio Zapatera of Barangay Luz here.

Dr. Jaime Bernadas, DOH-7 regional director, said in a statement they also recorded one Covid-19 patient who died, bringing to nine the total number of deaths in the region.

"The new confirmed cases and the additional death have slightly increased the case fatality rate or the percentage of deaths among those who are infected with Covid-19 at 4.7 percent from 4 percent. However, it is still lower compared to the global average of 6.4 percent," Bernadas said.

He said Cebu City had two more coronavirus-positive patients recorded on Sunday, bringing the total to 165. Lapu-Lapu City has 11; Mandaue City--6; Cordova--1; Talisay--1; and Consolacion--1.

Negros Oriental still has four cases recorded, and Bohol, one case since the start of the Covid-19 health crisis.

Siquijor remains to have no documented case of the viral infection. 

Bernadas said, "contact tracing activities for the new cases are now being conducted by the local health authorities".

Meanwhile, he encouraged residents in different provinces in the region to contact their local government units for questions on limitations of movement.

He said that work from home arrangements have been put in place in order to avoid the presence of people in public places, in an effort to contain the virus.

"We urge everyone to stay at home and limit going out unless for essential reasons. Staying at home has been shown by studies to effectively slow the transmission of cases especially in areas where congestion is a reality," he said.

Bernadas also reminded health care workers to follow infection control measures in dealing with suspected Covid-19 patients.

"Changing your work clothes before going home prevents any contamination that may have been obtained while on duty which results to further contamination of your contacts on the way home. Small steps like these can have a big impact on preventing an increase in cases of Covid-19," he added.

He also reminded the public to read safety labels on chemicals that may be used to disinfect their homes.

Bernadas likewise pushed proper disposal of wastes to avoid the spread of infection and contaminating the environment with harmful chemicals is strongly advised. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- A total of 64,344 families in Davao Oriental is set to receive PHP6,000 cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

In a statement on Monday, the provincial government of Davao Oriental said the family-beneficiaries belong to low-income households and other vulnerable sectors who are most affected by the enhanced community quarantine due to 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Reynante Cruz, Social Welfare Development Officer, said a total of PHP617 million has already been downloaded to all 11 local government units of the province and now ready for disbursement.

"Once the lists are finalized, the social amelioration cards will be distributed house-to-house to be filled out by the head of the household," said Cruz.

Under the program, qualified family beneficiaries will receive P6,000 cash assistance for the month of April and another P6,000 for the month of May.

The PHP6,000 subsidy was computed based on the prevailing minimum wage rate in the region.

For the rest of the beneficiaries, Mr. Cruz underscored the role of the Purok and barangay officials in the identification of the deserving recipients.

"Once validated by the DSWD, social amelioration cards will be distributed to the household to be filled out by the head of the family.

These cards will be given back to the city or municipality followed by the preparation of the payroll," he added.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang appealed to the local officials to seriously take on their crucial role in the identification of recipients as he also warned those who will take advantage of the situation.

"Give to the people what they are entitled to," he said.

To date, the DSWD has already disbursed cash assistance in some barangays in the municipalities of Boston, Tarragona, and Baganga while the distribution in the rest of the municipalities and the city is set to follow immediately as the department targets to finish the disbursement by next week. (PNA)

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BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental provincial government has eased restrictions in some of its quarantine measures starting Monday, as the province gradually transitions from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to the general community quarantine (GQC).

The ECQ imposed in the province to contain the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) will end on April 30.

"After safeguarding the health and safety of every Negrense, it is now time to look after the economic and financial welfare of everyone affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in the province," Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said in Executive Order 20-20-B.

In his directive, Lacson said that since the ECQ started on March 30, there has been no reported local transmission of Covid-19 in the 12 component cities and 19 municipalities in the province.

"Therefore, it is now safe to plan the transition from ECQ to GCQ in Negros Occidental," he added.

Starting Monday, tricycles and trisikads (pedicabs) have been already allowed to operate in all the towns and cities in Negros Occidental, except in Bacolod City, which is not under the jurisdiction of the provincial government, being a highly-urbanized city.  

However, tricycles can pick up only a maximum of three passengers while "trisikads" are allowed to have only one passenger while observing physical distancing.

Related to this, local government units are directed to devise a scheme that allows only 50 percent of public transport to operate daily.

Government and private construction projects are also allowed to resume and their workers are included among the authorized persons outside of residence and allowed to pass through the quarantine control points.

Also, hardware stores are now considered essential and permitted to conduct business.

The administrative staff of public and private schools in the province can now resume their work with a skeletal workforce of 50 percent of the regular employees.

On April 8, Lacson issued Executive Order (EO) 20-20-A to extend the ECQ in Negros Occidental, from the initial March 30 to April 14, up to April 30.

Under EO 20-20, which provided the initial ECQ period until April 14, the governor suspended the operations of all public utility vehicles, including buses, jeepneys, taxis, V-hire vans, tricycles, e-tricycles, trisikad and similar forms in the province. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY – The city government here has tapped the assistance of professors from the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) for a study on the gradual lifting of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) here.

 

During Monday's regular press conference, City Mayor Jerry Treñas presented the 18-page working draft of the study on "Gradual Easing of Enhanced Community Quarantine Scheme in Iloilo City: Inputs to the Lockdown Exit Plan".

 

He also submitted a copy of the study to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado for their recommendations.

 

"We have to get suggestions and recommendations of everyone so that we come up with a gradual easing of the ECQ that is well-studied," he said in a press conference.

 

A copy was also sent to the mayor's friends in Manila who said it was the first time that they saw a study coming from a local government unit.

 

Treñas said the people behind the study include Dr. Ma. Elisa Baliao, Dr. Rhodelia Ibabao, Dr. Vicente Balinas, Hanny John Mediodia, Cristabel Parcon and Juhn Chris Espia as members.

 

The draft copy was also shared with local chief executives (LCEs), and regional directors of regional line agencies of national government agencies. 

 

"This is not the scheme that should be applied in all LGUs but at least it gives us a certain model that can be followed," he added.

 

Over the weekend, Treñas signed Executive Order Number 065 creating the Iloilo City Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) Ad-Hoc Transition Committee that will formulate and prescribe policies for the gradual lifting of the ECQ.

 

"There is a need to create an Ad-Hoc Committee to prepare specific protocols for the gradual lifting of the ECQ in Iloilo City to protect the economic, financial and societal re-integration of everyone affected by the Covid-19 in Iloilo City," the EO states.

 

The committee is chaired by Covid-19 focal person Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna with representatives from various private and business sectors in the city. 

 

The committee will be calling on the different sectors for their inputs and suggestions, the mayor said.

 

"We need all the recommendations that we can get," he said.

 

Meanwhile, as the city gears for the gradual opening, it continues to talk with medical experts to strengthen its measures against the dreaded disease.

 

On Monday, Treñas talked with officials of the West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC) as the local government plans to capacitate its laboratory to get an accreditation to undertake testing.

 

He said the only sub-national laboratory in Western Visayas, which is the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), has a turn-around time of seven to eight days. 

 

He said the period is already "very long".

 

The patient may have already infected a lot of other patients before the result is known, he added.

 

Last week, Treñas also announced the plan of the city government to have its own 40-footer container van laboratory, which is equipped with medical equipment and medicines.

 

The local government has consulted with the Department of Health (DOH) if the mobile laboratory can get an accreditation from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

 

If doable, the city government will use a portion of its PHP94-million one-month Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) to purchase the laboratory van, which costs around PHP14 million.

 

The mayor also wanted to determine the cost of a respirator because there are only 83 available units in Panay.

 

SM donated one unit, bringing the available units to 84. 

 

He said they could probably lease three or four more units to add to the capacity. (PNA) 



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COTABATO CITY – A front-liner physician in the fight against the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Monday said there have been no new reported cases in this city since last month.

Dr. Faisal Samanodi, a doctor at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC), the Covid-19 referral hospital in Central Mindanao, said the feat could be attributed to the timely lockdown in interior areas, which was imposed by the city government.

"All the six Covid-19 positive patients confined and treated at the CRMC have recovered and are now with their respective families," he said.

The first Covid-19 confirmed case in the city was recorded on March 18, prompting Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi to place the entire city under enhanced community quarantine to contain the spread of the disease.

With the mayor as head, the city's inter-agency task force on Covid-19 was also activated to implement the ECQ guidelines.

Samanodi said health front-liners who have been working round-the-clock are hopeful that no new cases would emerge, even as he appealed to the public to stay at home for everyone's safety.

"Continue wearing masks even if no new positive case has been reported, maintain physical distancing too," Samanodi said in an interview. (PNA)

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Health in Region 10 (DOH-10) said Monday it has begun converting a laboratory for tuberculosis study into a testing facility for the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Dr. Ian Gonzales, DOH-10 Infectious Diseases Cluster head, said the testing facility is undergoing renovation in time for the delivery of testing equipment for suspected Covid-19 cases.

"Even if we have fewer Covid-19 cases, we should not wait for an upsurge of cases in order to prepare the facilities and equipment for testing," Gonzales said.

Aside from the DOH-10 laboratory, other hospitals identified by the joint teams from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for installation of testing facilities and equipment are the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), the Polymedic Medical Plaza, and the Philippine National Red Cross-Mindanao Regional Blood Center.

Gonzales said the lab renovation at the DOH-10 regional office will have further use beyond the Covid-19 crisis.

"The renovation of the lab can also facilitate testing for other diseases like measles, HIV and hepatitis B. Rather than sending our specimens of the diseases to the RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine), we can test our samples here," he said

Meanwhile, Gonzales warned about the rapid testing kits being sold online.

While these test kits may be compliant with the standards set by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), these should be administered by qualified health workers and doctors.

"These rapid testing kits are not like pregnancy test kits which can be used by a person," he said. (PNA)

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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 9 (DSWD-9) has advised the beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) to spend wisely the cash aid the government has given them.

Ivan Eric Salvador, DSWD-9 information officer, said Monday the cash assistance should be used to buy the basic needs of the family to cope with the ongoing health crisis.

However, Salvador clarified the agency has so far not received reports of wrongdoings in the region involving the use of SAP benefits.

"The local government unit should be on top of monitoring the beneficiaries of the program," Salvador said.

How each family is going to spend the financial assistance is beyond the control of the DSWD, he said, as he cited media reports in other areas showing that some of the beneficiaries used the cash grant for gambling and other vices.

The DSWD earlier announced that 721,841 families will benefit from the government's Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in Region 9 to cushion the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis on poor families

In this city, the distribution of the SAP continued on Monday in the barangays by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

The DSWD has turned over the amount of PHP582.59 million as part of the first tranche (month of April) of the SAP. (PNA)

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BALANGA CITY, Bataan — A state-of-the-art mobile field hospital was assembled at the compound of the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) here to serve as holding area for patients suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Governor Albert Garcia on Sunday said the portable medical facility called Blu-Med Medical Shelter is the provincial government's response to the health crisis the province is facing.

He said the field tent hospital is transferrable and can serve as isolation center for suspected Covid–19 cases.

The tent has a negative pressure capability with a capacity of 20 beds.

"Magtiwala kayo na patuloy ang pagsasagawa ng inyong pamahalaan ng aksiyon upang mapangalagaan ang bawat isa at malagpasan natin ang matinding pagsubok na ito (Rest assured that the government is continuously doing actions to protect every one and overcome this challenge)," Garcia said.

As of 6 pm. Sunday, the Provincial Health Office said the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases rose to 81 after one was added -- a 52-year-old male from Orani town.

Of this number, 15 have recovered while four died. (PNA)

 



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TACLOBAN CITY – A 60-year-old woman from Tarangnan, Samar is the sixth confirmed carrier of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Eastern Visayas, the Department of Health (DOH) regional office here reported on Monday.

In virtual press briefing late Monday afternoon, DOH Regional Director Minerva Molon said the new confirmed case is a co-worker of the third and fourth Covid-19 patients at Tarangnan Community Hospital in Tarangnan, Samar.

The patient, known to have asthma, reported occasional coughing on April 11 and was tested for Covid-19 on April 16.

The health department rushed her to the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in this city on Monday.

The health department released the test result on Monday, including those of 57 others from the region, which all turned out negative of the dreaded virus.

"New confirmed case of Covid-19 means the virus is still here, the risk of having the virus is higher especially when you are outside. Please help us to cut the transmission by staying at home and continue practice proper hygiene," Molon said.

Of the six Covid-19 patients in Eastern Visayas, four of them have already recovered – the first case from Catarman, Northern Samar; the second case from Calbayog City, Samar; and the two patients from Tarangnan, Samar, who were released from confinement on Monday.

The three cases in Tarangan town are considered as local transmission since they all had close contacts with the patient from Calbayog City.

The region's fifth case from Burauen, Leyte is still admitted at the EVRMC. She was found positive of the virus on Friday.

Meanwhile, five of the six samples taken from suspected carriers who had close contact with the patient from Burauen turned negative of the disease, according to DOH. They are still waiting for the result of another person's test.

At least 32 persons from Burauen and nearby towns have been identified as close contacts of the patient. (PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY – A village in the town center of Tarangnan, Samar was placed under total lockdown on Monday after a resident tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The town's third case is a 60-year-old female and co-worker of the town's first two Covid-19 patients at Tarangnan Community Hospital.

In an executive order, Mayor Arnel Tan said no residents can go out of their respective communities, not even for livelihood purposes to prevent further spread of the virus.

"No one will be allowed to enter or stay on lockdown areas except for security personnel, medical and rescue teams. Areas along the highway are open for passing only and no vehicles will be allowed to stop," he said.

The local government will supply food and water to every house as well as their other needs, the EO added.

Immediate families within the patient's residence are strictly prohibited to go out of their houses for whatever purpose, as their needs will also be provided by the local and village response teams.

Meanwhile, new test results of the town's first two coronavirus cases are now negative, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

"They can now be discharged but will undergo strict home isolation for 14 days or until further tests show negative results," said Minerva Molon, DOH Eastern Visayas director in a virtual press briefing on Monday.

With this, the local government of Tarangnan will downgrade the quarantine status of the two sub-villages where the first two patients reside.

From total lockdown, Duyunan in Imelda and Upper Bahay in Bahay villages, together with the town's other villages with no confirmed or suspected case of the virus, are placed under enhanced community quarantine.

As directed, only those with essential business will be allowed to go out of their respective houses, provided they have a quarantine pass and wear a face mask.

On the other hand, those who will go out to work will be allowed to go out of their village but within the town.

The directive also prohibits all construction works within the town, all forms of gambling, and selling, buying, and consuming alcoholic beverages.

The local government has also intensified its community patrol with the help of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police to ensure that each citizen is compliant with the directives.

Tan sought understanding from nearby municipalities and assured that best efforts are made to contain the spread of the highly contagious Covid-19.

"All we need is your moral support and acceptance as fellow Samar residents. Rest assured that we will do our best in ensuring that no further harm will be inflicted on your respective towns or cities," he said. (PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) arrested on Monday a total of 42 curfew violators during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

City public information office chief Aileen Refuerzo said those unauthorized Persons Outside Residence (UPOR) were nabbed in 18 areas here including the central business district (CBD).

The curfew violators were caught while walking on Quirino Highway (Naguilian Road), Victoria Village, Upper Magsaysay, Block 4, Hilltop market, Kisad Road, MOT checkpoint, Kayang Street, Lower Gen Luna Road, Public Market, Zandueta Street, Post Office Loop, Legarda Road, Mabini Street, Abanao Street, Wright Park, Lualhati Barangay, and Engineer's Hill Barangay.

Police brought the violators to the Baguio Athletic Bowl and the different police stations where they were processed for their violations.

Two violators were found to be under the influence of alcohol and are now detained at Police Station 7, BCPO chief Allen Rae Co said.

Co said that his cops handcuffed violators who did resist arrest.

They were made to stay at the holding areas for six hours and were given lectures after which they were also booked with mugshots taken.

"They were lectured on the ECQ purpose and rules and warned not to repeat the same offense, with no prejudice to the filing of cases against them once the ECQ is lifted," said Co.

Charges will be filed against them for violation of the Republic Act 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act) and Presidential Proclamation (PP) 922 or the State of Public Health Emergency after the lifting of the ECQ.

On April 19, police were able to apprehend 21 curfew violators from three areas in the city.

Co said that three were arrested at barangay Pacdal, five near Cooyeesan on Naguilian Road and 13 at the CBD.

He said the violators breached the 24-hour curfew and were outside of their houses without the required quarantine pass.

He said that they will continue to heighten their operations in the next days.

Refuerzo said Mayor Benjamin Magalong "ordered a boost in the ECQ implementation to ensure the people's compliance and prevent further transmission of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19)." (PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY – Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas announced on Monday that classes in all levels in the province are suspended until May 31.

May 31 effectively also is the end of the semester and school year of all the private schools in the province, including the state university here.

Benguet has three major universities -- government-run Benguet State University (BSU) with its main campus at capital town La Trinidad and several campuses at the different municipalities, and the private universities Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) and Kings College.

Students from these universities come from the different towns of Benguet, Baguio City, Mountain Province and other places in La Union and Kalinga province.

Diclas said the suspension of classes will prevent students from returning to Baguio and Benguet especially with the city which is still implementing a total lockdown, preventing non-Baguio and Benguet residents from entering the city.

The prohibition includes the residents who were stranded in other places. (PNA)



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LAOAG CITY — It is a summer of discontent for red chili farmers in Badoc, Ilocos Norte.

Since the implementation of a total lockdown in the province, Charito Jose, a red chili grower in the remote Balbaldez village of Badoc town, said there has been a drastic fall in the prices of their produce that they even refuse to harvest because the extensive labor and the amount they would earn from sales would not be enough to compensate them.

Local farmers, particularly the small ones, are in great distress. Before the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, red chilies were as hot in the market with prices ranging from PHP400- to PHP800 per kilogram.

"For now, we could hardly sell it to outside traders because of strict quarantine measures," Jose said, even as he noted that the premium variety is now being sold at a mere PHP20 per kilogram compared to PHP400 during the same period last year.

Last Saturday, members of the Ilocos Norte First Provincial Mobile Force Company who were distributing relief aid to some indigent seniors in Badoc towns saw the plight of chili farmers and volunteered to help in harvesting their produce so they could sell it to local consumers.

"Our small-time farmers are helpless so we volunteered our services just so they could at least earn a little in this time of crisis," said Police M/Sgt. Noel R. Abad, team leader of the Ilocos Norte First Provincial Mobile Force Company.

With the help of some friends from the Bakers and Restaurant Association of Ilocos Norte (BRAIN), Abad's group initiated the transport of the farmers' produce directly to some local restaurants in the province.

"We are buying some of their produce and process it into chili oil or flakes so we can help them at least," said Maria Theresa Labayog, owner of Miguel's Green Garden Cafe and Snackbest in Laoag City.

Basilio Pagdilao Jr., Balbaldez village chief, hopes the government will take up some market intervention measures or provide them good seeds so they could plant anew. 

Meanwhile, some restaurant owners in the province said farmers could dry their chilis for now and preserve it until the lockdown is over.

In Balbaldez village alone, almost all farmers in the community planted red chili early this year, expecting that they would earn as high as they did last year, but the Covid-19 health crisis broke out and the price collapsed. (PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Monday began collecting data that would boost the country's pandemic response.

A total of 2,716 sample households in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) will take part in the labor force survey (LFS) and consumer and business rapid assessment (CBRA) meant to determine the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on the country, Wilma Perante, PSA-8 director, said.

"The national task force has provided an exemption to PSA in conducting data gathering and survey activities related to Covid-19, including those related to the registration and implementation of the National Identification System, during the enhanced community quarantine," Perante said.

To abide by the government's policy to maintain social distancing, sample households will be enumerated using face-to-face interviews with a distance of one meter between the interviewer and interviewee. However, they may also opt for alternative interview methods, such as through telephone or online or electronic questionnaires.

"We assure that our personnel and hired statistical researchers are in good health condition and will strictly follow precautionary measures against the disease, such as wearing of personal protective equipment, the practice of proper hygiene and sanitation, and physical distancing," she said.

The LFS aims to gather data on demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population that provides a quantitative framework for the preparation of plans and formulation of policies affecting the labor market.

Perante said the stoppage of work, business operations, transport, and tourism efforts brought by the global health crisis highlights the need for a continuous supply of data and provides evidence-based narratives on the extent of the impact of the crisis on the labor force.

The nationwide survey also serves as a tool to measure the distribution of household population 15 years old and above in terms of employment status, industry, nature of employment, class of worker, and basis of payment.

Questions on hunger experienced by any member of the household and the frequency of occurrence will also be asked, the PSA added.

Meanwhile, the CBRA is a survey of the National Economic and Development Authority that will serve as the basis to assess the impact of the health crisis for appropriate policy recommendations to help stimulate the economy, rebuild consumer confidence, and adapt to the "new normal" state of economic activities.

"We appeal to the public to cooperate and respond to this undertaking. We assure that our deployed personnel and statistical researchers are in good health condition and will strictly follow precautionary measures," Perante said.

As of Monday, Eastern Visayas had six confirmed cases of the disease – four have been discharged and on strict 14-day home isolation and two are confined at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center. (PNA



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BAGUIO CITY – Nine days before the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is lifted, the city government here is laying down plans for its transition back to the normal which Mayor Benjamin Magalong described as "baby steps".

"It will be difficult for us to really open it up if we make a big leap but it's so difficult to make adjustments kaya kailangan baby steps yan, dahan-dahan (that is why we have to take baby steps, slowly)," Magalong said in an interview on Monday.

He said that while they are waiting for the national government to issue a post-April 30 directive, the city is planning for the transition from an ECQ to a localized community quarantine.

"We are just planning, we are anticipating kung saka- sakaling the national government would decide that some LGUs [local government units] or all LGU would go for the lifting of the ECQ. We are preparing for it. We are planning ahead so that we will be prepared," he said.

He said the first to resume is the construction industry.

"Definitely the construction (industry) would be the first, especially on government projects. Second, is private construction especially the critical projects like retaining walls, drainage systems, sewerage systems, those are important," Magalong said.

"Ang daming projects natin dito na kailangan ayusin, rainy season na so ang daming mga retaining walls na kailangan tapusin. Kahapon may dalawa ng bumagsak dahil sa heavy rain. May mga naapektuhan nang mga construction (We have several projects that need to be fixed, it is now the rainy season and there are retaining walls that need to be completed. Yesterday, there were already two projects that eroded because of the heavy rain. There are construction projects that are being affected)," he said.

He said that for the transport sector, it will be demand-driven.

"We have to ease up on transport but it depends on what would be the demand," he said.

When the construction industry opens, hardware, auto supply will also resume, Magalong said.

He also said the city will have its own strategic plan but the action plan on how to implement will cover certain periods or duration then make an assessment and either modify, amend, revise and then continue again with the process.

The city had earlier issued an extension of the suspension of classes in all levels in the city until May 31, which is basically the end of the school year and a semester in all schools that have adopted an August to May school calendar.

Among the changes felt in the past two days also include a stricter implementation of the ECQ and the 24 hours curfew as well as the cutting to two days of the market day schedule of villages from the previous three days a week. (PNA)

 



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DAVAO CITY – Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has called on areas in Mindanao with no registered cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to ease their lockdown measures and prepare for the planting season.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Piñol said the strict total lockdown enforced by many local government units in Mindanao has become "ridiculous" and could jeopardize the island's food production activities.

"Within provinces, even those without reports of probable and suspected Covid-19 cases, neighboring barangays and towns enforce local lockdowns, effectively preventing people from doing anything," he said.

Piñol said the situation has virtually paralyzed food production and economic activities, making almost everybody dependent on food rations and cash aid.

"The problem is if the Covid-19 pandemic does not let up in some parts of the country and the economic paralysis continues, the government may not be able to sustain the assistance program," he said.

As rains start to fall in many parts of Mindanao, Piñol said it is a good indication that the planting season has begun early for at least two of the major crops of the island – rice and corn.

"We hope that the recommendation of MinDA on the preparation of the rainy season will be addressed by the relevant agencies. Because if there are no prepared seeds and other farm inputs, this rain will just be a waste," he said.

Piñol noted that planting rice and corn by the end of April and May would ensure harvest by August and sustain food supplies well into the lean months.

"It could help address a feared rice supply shortage, resulting from the decision of major rice exporting countries to hold on to their stocks," he said.
Every Mindanao province that decides to resume normal activities where people could go back to farming and fishing would mean additional assurance of sufficient food supply for the country, Piñol said.

"Also, it would mean one province was taken off the list of food and cash-aid dependent areas and one less headache for President Rody Duterte," he added. (PNA)

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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has recorded four more new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) recoveries as of April 20, bringing total recovered cases to 21 in the province.

 

The latest recovered cases are a 73-year-old and a 58-year-old, both females and residents here, as well as a 53-year-old female from Urdaneta City and a 71-year-old male from Bayambang town, the PHO through the Provincial Information Office (PIO) said.

 

The two females from Lingayen town were admitted on April 4 at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH), while the female from Urdaneta City was admitted on April 2 also to PPH, the PIO posted on Facebook Monday.

 

It added the male from Bayambang town has been home quarantined since March 16.

 

As of 9 a.m. on April 21, Pangasinan has a total of 36 confirmed Covid-19 cases, 21 have recovered, six are still admitted to hospitals, while nine have died.

 

There are a total of 209 suspect cases, 126 of them recovered, 45 are still confined, while 38 have died.

 

The extreme enhanced community quarantine in the province was set to end at midnight on April 30 based on the latest Executive Order of Governor Amado Espino III. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Additional troops have been deployed to the outskirt villages of Kiamba town, Sarangani province to secure the government relief operations for residents affected by the enhanced community quarantine.

 1Lt. Efren James Halawig, civil-military operations officer of the Army's 27th Infantry Battalion (IB), said Tuesday they have launched "community support operations" to counter the reported presence of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Gasi, Kiamba.

 Halawig said the operations, which include close air support, were meant to prevent the rebels from taking advantage of the distribution of food packs and emergency cash assistance under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

 He said the deployment was requested last Saturday by the municipal government of Kiamba.

 "This is to ensure the unhampered distribution of the food and SAP assistance in the affected barangays," Halawig said in an interview.

An official of Baragay Gasi, who was not named for security reasons, confirmed the presence of NPA rebels in their village, he said, adding that the combatants were reportedly planning to loot the food supplies being distributed among poor residents in the area.

Halawig said the presence of the rebels has prevented the concerned village official from visiting his farm in the past three months.

Lt. Col. Victorino Seño, 27IB commanding officer, assured that their operations would continue until the concerned communities are cleared of the presence of the NPA.

Seño said they would not allow a repeat of the incident in Samar province last April 7, where at least 30 combatants ransacked and carted away the relief stocks intended for poor residents.

"It is unfortunate that the communist terrorist group continue(s) to endanger the lives, properties, and livelihood of civilians by residing near the communities and extorting subsistence from them," he said in a statement.

Seño said the operations are legitimate and follow the rules of engagement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Development Support and Security Plan Kapayapaan. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The opening of a testing center here for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) will be a "game-changer" in the city's efforts to contain and prevent the spread of the deadly disease, a health official said. 

Dr. Ryan Aplicador, chief of the city government-run Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital (DJPRH), said Tuesday they have fast-tracked the processing of the requirements for the operationalization of the facility, which will have an advanced laboratory setup. 

The city government had contracted a company accredited and recommended by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for the establishment of the laboratory at the DJPRH.

It allotted an initial PHP15 million for the acquisition of a reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machine and installation of a biosafety Level 2 laboratory system.

Aplicador said the presence of the testing center would mainly level up the management in the city of suspected, probable, and even confirmed cases of Covid-19.

"We call it a game-changer because in China, they used this testing to isolate people who need to be isolated," he told reporters.

Citing their current protocol, Aplicador said they isolate patients based on their signs and symptoms and label them as suspected Covid-19 cases.

He said these were all treated like positive cases, prompting doctors and other health care workers to use their limited supply of personal protective equipment because they could not immediately confirm the infection status of the patient.

With the RT-PCR machine and laboratory in operation, Aplicador said medical front-liners and workers would be able to manage and respond properly in case of a second, third or even fourth wave of Covid-19 resurgence.

He said the city's Covid-19 inter-agency task force, headed by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, has been coordinating with the DOH and RITM to speed up the approval of the testing center.

The city, he said, has already complied with the first and third of the five-stage process for the operationalization of the facility.

The first stage was the self-assessment and application while the third was the training of assigned laboratory personnel.

Aplicador said at least three assigned medical technologists have completed the training with RITM on laboratory operations and safety protocols.

He said the second stage, which is still ongoing, is the construction of the testing laboratory and installation of the required equipment.

Once completed and approved, Aplicador said they would proceed to the fourth stage, which is the trial testing and calibration in collaboration with the RITM.

"Stage 5 will be the start of the actual testing," he added. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY – The dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has claimed its first fatality in the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

Dr. Joshua Brillantes, DOH assistant regional director, said the first fatality is a 94-year-old female resident of Veterans Avenue here.

Brillantes said the patient, who was admitted at the Zamboanga City Medical Center's (ZCMC) Covid-19 referral center, was diagnosed with severe pneumonia and has comorbidities or other simultaneous illnesses.

"She was already on a mechanical ventilator when transferred to ZCMC from a private hospital," Brillantes said.

Dr. Justin Paber, ZCMC Incident Command System information officer, said the patient--locally known as ZC07--died of respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia at 2:48 a.m. Tuesday.

The patient was found positive for Covid-19 on April 9. She had no travel history.

"We express our deepest condolences to the family, as we pray for the eternal repose of her soul," said Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

There are 12 confirmed cases of Covid-19 recorded in the region, eight of which are from the city--including two that were diagnosed in Manila, and four in Zamboanga del Sur.

Brillantes said that three of the Covid-19 patients are still in hospitals, while six have been cleared and discharged from the hospital.

Of the admitted patients, two are at ZCMC and the other three at the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center (ZDSMC).

Meanwhile, Brillantes said that there are 461 suspect cases of Covid-19 as of April 20 in the region: Zamboanga City, 227; Zamboanga del Norte, 120; Zamboanga del Sur, 69; Zamboanga Sibugay, 32; and, Isabela City, 13.

He said there is no probable case of Covid-19 in the region as of Tuesday. (With reports from R.G. Antonet A. Go/PNA)

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DAVAO CITY – The office of Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte is set to hand over PHP3,000 cash assistance each to "traysikad" (pedal-powered trike) drivers affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on Wednesday.

In a statement Tuesday, Duterte said a total of 2,235 pedicab drivers have already been identified by his office as beneficiaries in 54 barangays within the first district.

He said around PHP6.7 million is being allocated for the initiative.

"Apart from that, we will also provide food assistance to the drivers," the lawmaker said.

Duterte said his office has also been distributing rice and food assistance to various orphanages, homes for the aged, and other health care institutions here.

Last week, Duterte's office also distributed medical equipment to the various hospitals in Davao Region to help local authorities contain the 2019 coronavirus disease. The donation consists of two million face masks and 1,000 thermal scanners.

The presidential son also installed three epidemic and sanitizing stations that are capable of detecting persons with high temperatures.

Eight more sanitizing stations are expected to arrive from donors in China, including 10 high-tech IR236 fever warning system equipment. (PNA)

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ZAMBOANGA CITY – A teenager here has sought and received help from Good Samaritans for his hospitalization after he suffered severe burns in an accident while working as a painter in a local school last September.

Jonjon Ansilan, 17, is a resident of Sitio Latap, Barangay Limpapa here. He lives with his father, Sampul Ansilan.

Jonjon's mother died while giving birth to his younger brother when he was two years. A neighbor adopted his other younger brother because his father lacked the financial means to raise the infant.

At a young age, he was already helping his father who is a farmer. His father can barely read and write while Jonjon managed to reach only sixth grade, mainly because the school was considerably far from their residence.

In late 2018, fire razed the family's house while father and son were on the farm. This prompted Jonjon, who was 16 at the time, to work as a construction worker to augment their income.

Despite his meager income, he managed to save money to buy materials that enabled them to rebuild their house.

An engineer hired Jonjon as a painter in a school project where he met the tragic accident on Sept. 13 last year.

He suffered severe burns when a can of thinner exploded while he was boiling water at the worksite. He was rushed to the government-owned Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC).

The hospital's Medical Social Services Department (MSSD) took care of Jonjon's medication as he was not a registered member of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

His employer disappeared and stopped helping with his medical expenses after a month.

Alma Ramos, a member of the Zamboanga Caregivers Association (ZCA), along with Rowena Daimba and Lorna Tolentino, the association's secretary and board member, respectively, visited Jonjon at the Labuan Public Hospital when they saw a post on Facebook narrating his plight.

He was surprised but very thankful when the three visited and offered whatever they could, especially because they were strangers to him.

"We buy food and other things he needs through the cash contribution of our members," Ramos said.

She said Jonjon's plight has reached the attention of Good Samaritans abroad like Jane Soutere, who referred his condition to Olga Briton Famorcan, MRRD-NECC Europe coordinator.

"On April 12, due to the lockdown in Paris, Famorcan called me to inquire about the condition of Jonjon and I told her that he was discharged from the hospital and sent home," Ramos said.

She recounted that she never thought Famorcan would find a way to bring Jonjon's predicament to the attention of Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

"I was surprised to receive a text message from Jonjon telling me that he was fetched by soldiers (and brought) to the Brent Hospital," Ramos said.

"It was then I learned that Ma'am Olga requested the help of the mayor's office to bring Jonjon back to the hospital since it is dangerous for him, with his condition, to remain at home."

Salazar, it was learned, paid Jonjon's PHP103,000 hospital bill from her own pocket before the patient was transferred to the ZCMC.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Ma. Socorro Rojas said relief aid has been provided to Jonjon and his father.

"I have also advised the village chief to see what are the other needs of Jonjon and his father," Rojas said.

"I am very thankful to Mayor Beng (Maria Isabelle Cliamco-Salazar), Ma'am Olga (Famorcan), Ma'am Jane (Soutere), Ma'am Alma, Rowena, and Lorna of the Zamboanga Caregivers Association, and Ma'am Pamela of the MSSD of ZCMC and all the other Good Samaritans for helping me in my trying times. God bless all of you," Jonjon said.

"I hope I will continue to receive help from the good and kind-hearted Samaritans for my full recovery. I will never forget you." (PNA)

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BUTUAN CITY – The military condemned Tuesday the communist New People's Army (NPA) for planting deadly landmines in a farm trail regularly utilized by the farmers in San Agustin town, Surigao del Sur.

In a joint statement, the Army's 401st Brigade (401Bde) and the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) said the NPA endangered the lives of civilians when the rebels planted anti-personnel improvised landmines in Sitio Sparcoot, Barangay Gata, San Agustin, on Sunday (April 19).

A 10-minute firefight ensued after government troops responded to the scene, recovering an AK-47 magazine filled with ammunition, subversive documents, and the four anti-personnel improvised landmines after the clash.

No casualties were reported on the government side, said 1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, the civil-military operations officer of 3SFBn.

Lt. Col. Joey Baybayan, 3SFBn commander, noted that the landmines planted along the farm trail posed a great danger not only to the soldiers but also to the civilians who regularly use it to visit their farms.

"The CNTs (Communist NPA Terrorists) showed no regard to the lives and security of the farmers and residents in the area," Baybayan said.

He also denounced the NPA's violations of the extension of the ceasefire the communist rebel movement earlier declared.

"We all know that time and again, the CNTs violate any ceasefire agreement. The definition of ceasefire for them is a deceptive means to prepare and buy time for future terroristic attacks," Baybayan, said.

Col. Allan Hambala, 401Bde commander, said the Army "will remain steadfast in fulfilling its role in the implementation of community quarantines in local government units (LGUs) in response to the threats of Covid-19 (2019 coronavirus disease)".

"With the CNTs' recent attempt to hamper the distribution of social amelioration cash in Agusan del Sur which resulted to the Army's recovery of five high-power firearms, we should have no let-up in continuing our efforts to secure the seamless delivery of government services amid the Covid-19 crisis," Hambala said.

He said the recent NPA attacks on government troops and civilian population alike showed that "the CNTs' declaration of a ceasefire and their false hopes in the peace talks can never be trusted".

"We will only believe their sincerity in achieving lasting peace if they (their leaders and elements) will come down and surrender themselves and their firearms peacefully and return to the folds of the law," Hambala said.

The 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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TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) has already tested 275 suspected carriers of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Eastern Visayas with only six patients found out positive, one of the lowest in the country.

Citing laboratory results, DOH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Minerva Molon said only 2 percent of the total swab samples taken from the region's suspected carriers were found positive of the virus.

Of the 275 samples, 14 were tested by the DOH- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City and 261 were examined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City.

The VSMMC has started RT-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing of samples from the Visayas in the third week of March.

"Through contact tracing, we're able to identify people who are a priority for testing or people manifesting severe symptoms with travel history in areas with local transmission and close contacts with Covid-19 positive," Molon said in a statement.

Also listed as a priority are healthcare workers with severe or critical symptoms and history of travel or exposure and those vulnerable such as 60 years old or older with other illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes.

The health department has to prioritize suspected carriers for testing due to the global shortage of testing kits and limitations in local capacity for testing.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the DOH has already identified six positive patients from the region's three provinces.

The first patient is a 51-year-old woman in Catarman, Northern Samar with travel history to Japan and Manila. She already recovered and was discharged from the hospital.

A 63-year-old male from Calbayog City, Samar is the region's second positive case with travel history in Manila. He is already out of the hospital, but still completing the 14-day home isolation.

The patient from Calbayog transmitted the virus to the region's third patient, a 56-year-old woman and the fourth patient, a 32-year-old woman. Both of them are from Tarangnan, Samar. They are now recovering at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in this city.

The region's fifth case, also admitted at EVRMC, is a 58-year-old woman from Burauen, Leyte with recent travel history to Guam and Manila.

A co-worker of the fourth and fifth patients is the region's sixth case.

She's a 60-year-old woman, also from Tarangan town. She was rushed to EVRMC on Monday.

As of Tuesday, the region has 246 suspected carriers of Covid-19 with 34 of them admitted in hospitals and 212 under home isolation. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY – Within two to three days, the new 83-bed isolation facility in this city will be ready to serve patients needing to be quarantined.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas together with officials of the City Health Office (CHO) and the City Engineer's Office (CEO) inspected the St. Therese MTCC hospital owned by his sister-in-law Theresa Sebastian-Sarabia located along Jalandoni Street in the city proper on Tuesday.

It will be used for Covid-19 confirmed patients who are asymptomatic and for probable cases with mild symptoms.

"We are preparing for our positive cases who are asymptomatic and mild so our hospitals will not be overwhelmed," he said in a press conference.

He added the patient care center needs a little cleaning and furnishing such as an electric fan for each room.

"But we are praying that no patient will be placed there," he said.

Treñas also extended his gratitude to Sarabia for allowing the city government to use the facility for free.

Aside from the St. Therese hospital, he added that 50 rooms are also being readied at the University of Iloilo-PHINMA.

Iloilo City, based on its April 20 Covid-19 situation report released by its emergency operation center, has six confirmed cases with one death, 14 patients under investigation and 149 persons being actively monitored.

Currently, the city government has a ready quarantine facility at the Diamond Jubilee Hall, which can accommodate up to 100 probable cases showing mild symptoms. It now caters to the city government's Covid-19 extraction team.

Moreover, the Technical Institute for Iloilo City (TIIC) Uswag Hall accommodates personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) under quarantine.

Meantime, the Iloilo City Community College (ICCC) Uswag Dorm, with 12 rooms and 120 beds for health workers, doctors, and nurses, is hosting 90 medical front-liners from The Medical City, Qualimed and city nurse.

The M/V Capt. John B. Lacson Vanguard training ship with a ready 200 beds for front-liners and government employees currently accommodates 35 city government front-liners.

The Pius Institute XII that has 250-bed capacity for front-liners from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has 192 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary with 200 beds ready for Philippine Army and augmentation for border checkpoints serves as quarters for 35 Army personnel. (PNA)




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SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Some 149,517 rice farmers in Region 1 (Ilocos) are set to receive PHP5,000 cash subsidy under the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers (FSRF) program.

 

In a forum Monday, DA-1 officer-in-charge, regional director Erlinda Manipon, said the beneficiaries are farmers who plant one hectare or less registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture.

 

There are 36,679 farmer-beneficiaries listed in La Union, 49, 343 in Ilocos Sur, 32,289 in Ilocos Norte and 31,206 in Pangasinan, she said.

 

"The municipal and provincial agriculture offices are conducting validation and they will submit the list to the regional office on April 23, and we will submit the list on April 24 to the central office," Manipon said.

 

She clarified farmers who are also beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program will no longer be covered by the FSRF.

 

"The amount will be received by the farmers through their cash card. For those who still do not have the cash card, a stub will be provided for them to claim their cash cards," she added.

 

Aside from the cash subsidy, the DA has other programs for the farmers amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

 

"In the expanded hybrid rice production, farmers are given 15 kilos per hectare of hybrid seedlings and also if they buy three bags of fertilizer, they will get another three bags of fertilizer for free. While for the expanded inbred rice production, if they buy two bags of fertilizer, they will get another two bags of fertilizer for free," Manipon said.

 

She added the Philippine Rice Research Institute also distributes free fertilizers to the farmers.

 

DA-1 likewise provides free low-land vegetable seeds to individuals and seedlings to some farmers in towns who will plant earlier. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY – Government officials in Negros Island have denounced the continuing atrocities of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (NPA) amid the Negrenses' battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

"I am deeply dismayed and I condemn the attacks against our soldiers during a humanitarian mission," Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said in a statement on Monday.

Three soldiers were killed while four others were injured when troops of the Philippine Army's 94th Infantry Battalion clashed with the communist-terrorists in Sitio Tugas, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City on Sunday.

The troops led by 2nd Lt. Ralf Amante Abibico, who was among the casualties, were conducting outer security patrol during the distribution of the social amelioration grant in the area.

When they learned about the presence of NPA rebels extorting food and money from residents, they pursued them. As the soldiers were closing in, the communist-terrorists set off an improvised explosive device and lobbed grenades at them.

Two of Abibico's men, Cpl. Joel Nobleza and Pfc. Carl Venice Bustamante, were also killed.

Lacson said before Covid-19 struck, the government has been making progress in the peace process with President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order 70, which institutionalizes the "whole of nation" approach in ending the local communist armed conflict through the creation of a national task force.

"The entire world, the entire human race is in the midst of (a) pandemic right now. Covid-19 and the efforts to address it are not a socio-political issue or concern. This is human race survival. Let us not allow this pandemic to diminish our progress to attain real and lasting peace," he added.

Meanwhile, all the 11 Negrense legislators in the House of Representatives also condemned the violence against the government forces perpetrated by the CPP-NPA.

"We condemn the treacherous and cowardly attack against the soldiers who were in the area to assist in the distribution of the social amelioration (grant) to beneficiaries affected by Covid-19, a clear violation of the unilateral ceasefire agreement," the congressmen said in a resolution passed on Monday afternoon.

They said that "confirmed reports indicate that the government forces were ambushed (as) the army vehicle suffered from a landmine blast and grenades were thrown at the soldiers. It was not an encounter as claimed by the NPA spokesman."

The lawmakers added that as they express their deepest sympathies to the families of the fallen soldiers, they also recognize the heroism of all soldiers who are among the selfless front-liners in the fight against Covid-19, and for keeping the peace in Negros Island.

The resolution was supported by Negros Occidental representatives
Gerardo Valmayor Jr. (1st District), Leo Rafael Cueva (2nd District), Francisco Benitez (3rd District), Juliet Marie Ferrer (4th District), Ma. Lourdes Arroyo (5th District), Genaro Alvarez Jr. (6th District), Greg Gasataya (Lone District of Bacolod City), and Stephen Paduano of the Abang Lingkod Party-list.

Those from Negros Oriental are Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st District), Manuel Sagarbarria (2nd District), and Arnolfo Teves Jr. (3rd District).

The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, 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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ILOILO CITY – The local government of Malay, Aklan is identifying means to aid the 344 workers stranded in Boracay Island due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)-related enhanced community quarantine.

In a phone interview Monday, Malay mayor Frolibar Bautista told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the local government unit will distribute rice assistance to stranded workers within this week.

The Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Malay has initially listed 344 stranded workers composed mostly of construction workers and those employed in tourism establishments.

"Some of them are from Iloilo, others from Capiz, and there are also some from Romblon," Bautista said.

The local government of Panit-an, Capiz has already sent food packs to its stranded locals in the island while the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Office in Iloilo province is coordinating with Malay also to assist their stranded locals.

Bautista is exploring possibilities that Malay can also use the available funds for Aid for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) to help the stranded workers.

"It is because they cannot avail of the Social Amelioration Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). We also have to check if they already availed of the Department of Labor and Employment's amelioration program. But for the meantime, we will distribute rice assistance to them within this week," he said.

In recent press conference, Ma. Evelyn Macapobre, regional director of DSWD 6 said they will coordinate with Malay's local government unit in their needs for food of stranded workers.

"We can help them through our food packs. The DSWD will work together with the local government unit because they are the first to help them. If the LGU cannot assist them with food, DSWD can augment through our food packs," she said.

Bautista said that some of the workers wish to go home in their respective provinces.

Malay allows them to leave the island but Bautista said they might find it hard to cross borders because of quarantine protocols.

He said the local government also received information that the families of stranded workers are being taken care of by their respective local government units.

"They depend on the salaries of our stranded workers but we are assured that their families also receive aid from the government while they are stranded here," he said.

Malay town was put under general community quarantine last March 19 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

To date, the town has one suspected case and one confirmed.

Bautista said the suspected case was a 26-year-old man, who died last April 15 while the confirmed case involves a 37-year-old man, who is in stable condition and awaiting repeat Covid-19 testing result.

The mayor also noted that the province of Aklan is imposing travel restriction and enhanced community quarantine until April 30, as per the executive order signed by Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores last April 9. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY – Violators of the curfew hours to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Western Visayas have reached 5, 181, the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) chief said on Monday.

In a virtual press conference, Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, PRO 6 regional director, noted that there are still persons who go out of their homes beyond the curfew hours.

"As of today April 20, 2020, a total of 5,068 were warned, 57 were fined and 56 were arrested, totaling to 5,181 violators in the region," Pamuspusan said.

Based on the data of PRO 6 from March 18 to April 20, the top three provinces with most number of violators are Bacolod City Police Office recorded with 1, 888; Negros Occidental Police Office with 1, 480; and Iloilo City Police Office with 1, 258.

Aside from the curfew violators, there were also 346 persons arrested for disobedience to authorities. The PRO 6 set the 300 for regular filing while 46 others are subject for inquest.

"You are not only keeping yourselves and families safe from the danger of being infected but you are also helping our government in this war," he said.

Pamuspusan, meanwhile, lauded the efforts of the police in sustaining the region's peace and order on the one-month implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.

While there were several violators, Pamuspusan noted that the total crime incidents has been reduced to 45 percent.

"From a total of 234, we are down to 106 cases comparing the period February 16 to March 16, 2020 and March 17 to April 16, 2020.

"Meanwhile, if we compare it to the last year's data, we have a remarkable decrease of 63 percent (229) from 362 cases down to 133 cases for the period March 17 to April 16, 2019 versus the same period for 2020," he said.

He said that the decrease in the crime volume could be attributed to the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, Enhanced Managing Police Operations (E-MPO) and the establishment of checkpoints.

"Indeed, staying at home will not only keep you safe from Covid-19 but it is also the best way to prevent crimes," he noted.

Pamuspusan also told police personnel to take care of themselves as they continue to remain on the battle against the unseen enemy.

"Take care of yourselves and always expect the worse because we do not know what is in store for tomorrow, so let us always be ready," he said. (PNA)



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LEGAZPI CITY — A cache of high-powered firearms and ammunition left behind by fleeing suspected New People Army (NPA) rebels were recovered on Tuesday in a remote village in San Fernando town in Masbate province.

Army Capt. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) public affairs office chief, said while Army soldiers were pursuing the armed guerrillas after an encounter with them on Sunday, a villager of Barangay Salvacion informed the troops about the sightings of several firearms in a copra-drying shack in Sitio Diwata.

"The Army troops, upon scouring the area, were able to recover seven M16 rifles, an M4A1 carbine, M653, a shotgun, and 13 long magazines and assorted ammunition," Belleza said in an interview.

Earlier on Sunday, an Army soldier was slain in an encounter with NPA rebels in Barangay Salvacion. Following the clash, Army troopers recovered three M16, two M4, and an M653 rifle, as well as an M203 grenade launcher left behind by fleeing NPA rebel.

Belleza said as of the moment, a total of 16 high powered firearms and other important equipment and documents have been recovered from the NPA.

The Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) headed by Maj. Gen. Fernando Trinidad "commended the brave troops for the job well done and once again, thanked the public for the prompt report and cooperation in the government's fight against the communist rebels," he added.

Belleza said the JTFB believes that this is a clear indication that the people are already tired and fed up with the communist-terrorist group's useless cause which only brings harm and violence to the innocent civilians.

Trinidad once again encouraged the NPA rebels to lay down their arms, surrender and live a long and peaceful life with their families.

JTFB emphasized that it is never too late for them to abandon the armed movement and avail of the numerous programs and benefits awaiting them under the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC). (PNA)



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CEBU CITY — Although the current data of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Cebu province is not alarming, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is contemplating on implementing a massive targeted testing.

"I met earlier with the doctors of UP (University of the Philippines) medical group to come up with how we can slowly but surely go back to economic activity," Garcia was quoted as saying in the Cebu Capitol news site, Sugbo News.

In line with the plan, the provincial government will purchase some 50,000 kits to be used to test individuals being monitored for Covid-19 in all towns and cities.

The massive targeted testing will get a specific number per town based on demographic data the Capitol will collate in order to maximize utilization of the kits, Garcia said.

Accordingly, the massive testing will be done in partnership with the UP-Cebu medical alumni, which will identify the towns, cities or communities, depending on factors like population density, presence of Covid-19 positive patients, and location to the nearest area where confirmed cases are high.

Garcia decided to conduct massive testing to confirm the data that shows a slower increase in coronavirus-positive patients from the towns and cities of the province.

The Department of Health (DOH)-Central Visayas data as of Monday showed only three confirmed cases of Covid-19 from Cebu province, with one case each in the towns of Cordova and Consolacion and the city of Talisay.

The 84-year-old male resident of Talisay city was the only fatality recorded in the province.

Apart from the three local government units (LGU) under the provincial control, Lapu-Lapu Ciy has 11 cases and six in Mandaue.

However, Cebu City has a total of 166 cases, bringing the total number of positive cases to 186 in the entire Cebu island.

The rising number of Covid-19 cases in Cebu City has forced both Garcia and Mayor Edgardo Labella to issue executive orders (EO) imposing new stringent measures apart from the existing ones under the enhanced community quarantine.

Garcia issued an EO cancelling the exemptions given to workers of supermarkets, grocery stores, fastfood chains, business process outsourcing, pharmacies and bakeries among others which were previously able to cross boundaries, effective on Tuesday (April 21).

Garcia ordered the closure of access points to the southern towns via Barangay Bulacao, the boundary of Talisay City and Cebu City in the south and the Mahiga Creek ingress to Mandaue City via M. Logarta Avenue for northern Cebu, as well as the Balamban town in the western part of Cebu that has access to city central via the Cebu Transcentral Highway.

Labella, for his part, issued an EO implementing a number-coding scheme for vehicles. Those with plate numbers ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are only allowed to ply the city streets every Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

All vehicles with plate numbers ending in even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 0) are allowed to ply only on every Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

No vehicles are allowed to roam around the city on Sundays. (PNA)



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BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Bishop Ruperto Santos of the Diocese of Balanga said on Tuesday that the coronavirus disease 2109 (Covid-19) that led to the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has brought people to what he termed as the new normal.

Santos said Covid-19 proved to be a leveler that respects no gender, race, age, social status, position or fame and in a matter of weeks, people's lives around the globe drastically changed.

"Holy Masses and other church services are online, people are working from home, business meetings are conducted via Skype or Zoom, and families are confined and nestled in their houses with no visitors allowed. This has become the 'new normal'," he said in a statement.

Santos said many found the adjustment a bit challenging as routines changed and many were not quite ready to give up their liberty to go out as they please.

"The period of ECQ, however, allowed us to be free from worldly distractions and variables that have long pervaded our materialistic society," he said.

With the new normal, people, he said, have tread on the path of rediscovering one's self, gaining a new sense of purpose and spending more time with the family.

"Dining together in one table has become the norm. Parents-children interaction improved. Those who reduced God to the background started to foster a deeper relationship with Him, making God top priority once again. The Covid-19 outbreak led tens of thousands to hear and witness about Jesus online," Santos said.

He shared the view that as the world spirals into pandemic chaos, the new normal points people to the fact that they are not in control.

"Let us therefore embrace our new normal and not go back to the old one by prioritizing God, spending more quality time with our family and loving others in the best of times or in crisis. This will be very pleasing to God," Santos said.

He composed this prayer of gratitude in time of Covid–19:

"O Almighty God, our merciful Father, we are grateful that we can cast all of our burdens and weaknesses upon Your feet. You move in mysterious ways in accomplishing Your plans and purposes. We are thankful that as we release our faith in You. You caused us to rise above the challenges from this pandemic time.

"We pray that You continue to reign over our lives and the entire nations. We give You thanks that You came to restore us right where we are. Because of Your abundant grace, You have opened our eyes to find sufficiency in You alone.

"We rejoice in knowing that even in the midst of crisis, You O Lord can turn our human frailties into reasons for worship. As we respond to renew our lives, refresh our hearts along with our commitment to You and to others.

"We recognize the wonder of what has been accomplished to us and through us. Regardless of our situations, the real basis for thanksgiving is in knowing You, O Lord, are our God, and we belong to You. We bow in reverence as we give You praise and glory, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen." (PNA)



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BOCAUE, Bulacan – Repurposing of three mega tents at the Philippine Arena complex in Bocaue, Bulacan into additional Covid-19 quarantine health facilities has formally started on Monday.

Offered to the government by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in response to the health crisis, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through the Task Force on Augmentation of Healthcare Facilities formed by Secretary Mark Villar and the Regional Office 3 leads in coordinating the conversion of mega tents at INC's Ciudad De Victoria estate.

DPWH Task Force head Undersecretary Emil Sadain led a coordination meeting to identify and resolved urgent requirements of the tent facilities with the Maligaya Development Corporation, Department of Health (DOH), Meralco, Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Also present were other DPWH officials including Assistant Secretary Eugenio Pipo Jr.; Region 3 director Roseller Tolentino; assistant regional director Denise Maria Ayag; Region 3 Planning Division chief Arthur Santos; Pampanga 1st District engineer Almer Miranda; Bulacan 1st Assistant District engineer Aristotle Ramos; and Bulacan 2nd Maintenance engineer Edgardo Pingol.

Discussed at the meeting are the specific responsibilities and commitments of every organization such as the health facility equipment like hospital beds, quarantine operation, and management, the urgent need for electrical power lines, internet access, preparation of meals, sanitation, among others.

Tolentino also recommended the installation of steel barriers within the mega tents' perimeter to ensure the safety of all patients and health workers. This suggestion for perimeter fence was relayed to the management of the Philippine Arena complex.

More than 100 workers from the District Engineering Offices of Bulacan 1st and 2nd and Pampanga 1st were mobilized since last week to assist in the clearing and dismantling of partition frames and taking out of hundreds of steel beds which were later cleaned and disinfected.

These workers are part of the augmentation personnel to complete the setting up of some 300-bed "We Heal As One" center in Bulacan within 10 days for the isolation and treatment of patients with mild symptoms and asymptomatic of Covid-19 infection.

Service vehicles from the District Engineering Offices of Pampanga 1st, 2nd, and 3rd; Bulacan 1st; the Regional Equipment Management Division; and the District Engineers League of the Philippines Region 3 Chapter were pooled to transport the labor manpower to the Philippine Arena complex.

Also providing support to DPWH Task Force and coordinating with counterpart officials from DOH, Department of the Interior and Local Government, concerned local government unit/s, an Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases are the technical working group members and bureau directors namely Bureau of Maintenance director Ernesto Gregorio Jr.; Bureau of Design director Aristarco Doroy; Bureau of Equipment director Noel Toribio Ilao; and Bureau of Construction director Eric Ayapana and assistant director Edgar Garces. (PR)



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BOCAUE, Bulacan – Repurposing of three mega tents at the Philippine Arena complex in Bocaue, Bulacan into additional Covid-19 quarantine health facilities has formally started on Monday.

Offered to the government by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in response to the health crisis, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through the Task Force on Augmentation of Healthcare Facilities formed by Secretary Mark Villar and the Regional Office 3 leads in coordinating the conversion of mega tents at INC's Ciudad De Victoria estate.

DPWH Task Force head Undersecretary Emil Sadain led a coordination meeting to identify and resolved urgent requirements of the tent facilities with the Maligaya Development Corporation, Department of Health (DOH), Meralco, Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Also present were other DPWH officials including Assistant Secretary Eugenio Pipo Jr.; Region 3 director Roseller Tolentino; assistant regional director Denise Maria Ayag; Region 3 Planning Division chief Arthur Santos; Pampanga 1st District engineer Almer Miranda; Bulacan 1st Assistant District engineer Aristotle Ramos; and Bulacan 2nd Maintenance engineer Edgardo Pingol.

Discussed at the meeting are the specific responsibilities and commitments of every organization such as the health facility equipment like hospital beds, quarantine operation, and management, the urgent need for electrical power lines, internet access, preparation of meals, sanitation, among others.

Tolentino also recommended the installation of steel barriers within the mega tents' perimeter to ensure the safety of all patients and health workers. This suggestion for perimeter fence was relayed to the management of the Philippine Arena complex.

More than 100 workers from the District Engineering Offices of Bulacan 1st and 2nd and Pampanga 1st were mobilized since last week to assist in the clearing and dismantling of partition frames and taking out of hundreds of steel beds which were later cleaned and disinfected.

These workers are part of the augmentation personnel to complete the setting up of some 300-bed "We Heal As One" center in Bulacan within 10 days for the isolation and treatment of patients with mild symptoms and asymptomatic of Covid-19 infection.

Service vehicles from the District Engineering Offices of Pampanga 1st, 2nd, and 3rd; Bulacan 1st; the Regional Equipment Management Division; and the District Engineers League of the Philippines Region 3 Chapter were pooled to transport the labor manpower to the Philippine Arena complex.

Also providing support to DPWH Task Force and coordinating with counterpart officials from DOH, Department of the Interior and Local Government, concerned local government unit/s, an Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases are the technical working group members and bureau directors namely Bureau of Maintenance director Ernesto Gregorio Jr.; Bureau of Design director Aristarco Doroy; Bureau of Equipment director Noel Toribio Ilao; and Bureau of Construction director Eric Ayapana and assistant director Edgar Garces. (PR)



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BACOLOD CITY – Localities in central Negros have sealed their borders after Negros Occidental recorded its second coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-2019) case, a 43-year-old man from La Castellana town, on Monday night.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the municipal government has responded "very fast" by implementing a lockdown in Barangay Nato, the village where the second patient is from.

"La Castellana, I believe is on top of the situation," Lacson said during the Capitol's Covid-19 virtual press conference on Tuesday.

Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, said the patient has been admitted to the town's quarantine facility while his family, including his wife and child who both tested negative, has also been isolated.

Contact tracing of persons who have been exposed to the patient is also being conducted, he added.

Personnel of the Provincial Health Office have been deployed to the village to conduct a rapid test and collect specimens from residents.

La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Manguilimutan said Barangay Nato, which has 1,148 households, was placed under extreme enhanced community quarantine (EECQ) on Tuesday, and all home quarantine passes of the residents have been canceled.

The EECQ will remain in effect until May 5 as stated in Executive Order 020-034.

"They are now under lockdown. The local government will facilitate the things they need to buy. The front-liners will also stay there. We have also asked for additional policemen and army personnel to secure the borders," Nicor-Manguilimutan added.

Negros Occidental's Patient No. 2 works as the driver of a couple from Pavia, Iloilo, who were found positive of the virus.

She said on March 13, he traveled from Iloilo City to Bacolod City, where he stayed overnight at his sibling's house in Barangay Estefania.

The following day, March 14, he went to La Castellana to be with his wife and child.

He went on home quarantine for 14 days, but his symptoms manifested only on April 5. Then on April 8, he learned that his employers' test turned out positive, prompting him to report his status to the Municipal Health Office.

 On April 11, he was placed under quarantine, and on April 12, he underwent a swab test. His test result on April 20 showed that he was positive for Covid-19.

With this development, neighboring local government units (LGUs), including La Carlota City, Moises Padilla, and Isabela towns, prohibited residents of La Castellana from entering their territories and warned their own residents against going to the town.

On Monday night, La Carlota Mayor Rex Jalando-on said he has instructed the village chiefs of barangays Haguimit and RSB to lock their borders.

Also sealed were borders in Barangays La Granja and Yubo.

In Isabela, a checkpoint has been set up to ban the entry of people and vehicles from La Castellana. Its borders in barangays Bulad, Bungahin and Libas are being strictly monitored.

In Moises Padilla, residents have been advised not to travel to La Castellana. (PNA)




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TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Eastern Samar has acquired eight new high-end ambulances to boost medical emergency response amid coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Governor Ben Evardone led the blessing and turnover ceremony on Tuesday at the capitol grounds in Borongan City, the provincial capital.

"We can finally use them although there was a delay because we have to make sure that these ambulances are fully-equipped with the specifications of the Department of Health (DOH)," Evardone said in his message.

The Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital received two units, while the district hospitals in the towns of Arteche, Oras, and Taft each received one ambulance.

One unit each was also intended for Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital in Guiuan, Albi Duran Memorial Hospital in Balangiga, and the provincial governor's office.

The DOH-accredited ambulances are equipped with automatic external defibrillator, nebulizer, examining light, an aneroid sphygmomanometer, folding and scoop stretcher, heavy-duty stethoscopes, non-contact thermometer, and blood glucose meter.

Each unit also has a manual resuscitator, portable suction machine, oxygen cylinder with oxygen therapy set, endotracheal tubes, laryngoscopes and delivery sets, heavy-duty LED flashlight, and fire extinguisher.

"I must admit our hospitals are not ready in terms of equipment, facilities, and manpower. We have been improving our school facilities complete with computer sets and other instructional materials, so why not our hospitals as well," Evardone said.

He reminded the chief of hospitals that the ambulances must be exclusively used for patients in public health care facilities for free.

The provincial government will allocate budget for the gasoline, lubricants, and other maintenance expenses of each unit, Evardone said.

In order to maximize the minimum resources, those old ambulances will be pulled out and distributed to community hospitals with no ambulance.

"We want to establish modern hospitals in the province. We have to improve them, so we become ready for any eventualities," he said.

Meanwhile, Eastern Samar remains free of the highly contagious Covid-19, DOH said. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY – Stricter maritime border control measures are being enforced in Negros Occidental as people from neighboring islands have been monitored to sneak into the province while the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is in effect.

On Monday, personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) monitored the presence of two persons in Manapla town, who have recently arrived from Ajuy, Iloilo.

Lt. Commander Jansen Benjamin, chief of PCG-Negros Occidental, said on Tuesday the incident has been recorded as a maritime border violation, based on the information they received from the barangay.

He said the mother and son went to Ajuy before the ECQ, and were later picked up by the father and brought them home to Manapla.

A neighbor reported their presence to the village chief, and the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team confirmed that these persons have just arrived and placed them under mandatory home quarantine.

"As instructed by our governor (Eugenio Jose Lacson), all coastline communities have to be alert. The barangay officials and Bantay Dagay should also be vigilant," Benjamin said.

"The PCG-Negros Occidental is intensifying security measures and trying its best to secure our maritime borders," he added.

Stations under the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) have also stepped up border control activities.

Col. Romeo Baleros, police provincial director, said he directed all chiefs of police to intercept vehicles illegally transporting people into the province.

"Vehicles, motorboats, and bancas will be impounded pending investigation," he added.

As part of the quarantine measures, the NOCPPO has set up 14 border control points in the cities of San Carlos, Talisay, Bago and Kabankalan, and towns of Murcia, La Castellana, Isabela and Hinoba-an.

There are also 87 quarantine control points across the province.

Earlier, Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya also called for consistent strict control measures on the city and the province's borders, including the shoreline villages, to prevent the illegal entry of persons using private motorized bancas or fishing boats.

There should also be a strict inspection of possible illegal entry of people inside cargo trucks in seaports, he added.

"Please, let us all help monitor our borders. If (you) receive any information text it to your respective barangay officials and local authorities," Gasataya appealed. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY – Five "child warriors" of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) were among the 11 captured individuals in an encounter between the Philippine Army and the rebels in Miagao, lloilo on Saturday, an Army commander has confirmed.

The Philippine Army's 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) under the 301st Infantry Brigade (301st IBde) said government troops have responded to persistent reports of locals that the CPP-NPA is conducting training of minor recruits at Sitio Anoy, Cabalaunan village, Miagao.

The blocking force of the Army has captured 11 rebels while one was killed in the 35-minute gun battle.

"For the captured, we have five minors. One of them is 14 years old; two are 15 years old; one is 16 years old, and the other one is 17 years old," Col. Marion Sison, commander of the 301st IBde, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a phone interview on Monday.

Sison confirmed that the five can be considered as "child warriors" as some of them are "newly recruited and some are armed already," he said.

The Army commander said the five minors are all male and residents of Antique province.

The five, along with the six others, are currently under the custody of the Miagao Municipal Police Station and are undergoing inquest proceeding.

Charges will be filed against those of legal age while the minors will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 6 (Western Visayas) for proper custody, he said.

Sison also slammed the claims of the enemy that those captured are not their members. "That is not new to us. They will always disclaim that these (captured) are not their members but we have rebel returnees here that confirmed that the captured are indeed their former comrades," he said.

As recruitment of minors is confirmed in the southern area of Panay, Sison is calling on the parents and guardians to always guide the teenagers.

He said using minors to wage an armed struggle is "very alarming" and is a serious offense committed by the rebels.

"It is a clear violation of Rule 136 of the International Humanitarian Law which prohibits the recruitment of minors by any armed groups involved in hostilities," he said.

The casualty on the armed encounter, meanwhile, was of legal age, a regular member of the CPP-NPA, and was already turned over to his family.

"I commend the troops of the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion for acting swiftly in eliminating the threat posed by the CPP-NPA terrorists in Barangay Cabalaunan, Miagao, Iloilo, that despite being exhausted in our deployments in different quarantine control points and in performing other necessary tasks to help contain the local transmission of Covid-19 in the island of Panay, they were still able to perform their task of protecting our people from terrorism," Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, 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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SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned 5,000 food packs to be distributed to the poorest of the poor families and those affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in this province.

DSWD 6's (Western Visayas) division chief for the disaster response and management office, Luna Moscoso, said in an interview on Tuesday that the food packs for San Jose de Buenavista and Barbaza towns were delivered on Monday.

"Each food pack is worth PHP360, composed of four cans of corned beef, four cans of sardines, six coffee sachets, and 6 kg. of rice," Moscoso said.

She said the food pack would be good for two days for a family of five.

"The food packs will be distributed to the local government units (LGUs) that would be requesting for it for their constituents," Moscoso said, adding that families from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and fourth- and fifth-class municipalities would be given priority in the distribution of the food packs.

Meanwhile, Libertad town Mayor Mary Jean Te said in a separate interview that she already wrote a letter addressed to DSWD-6 Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre, asking for food packs.

"I am making a request to the DSWD for Libertad to be provided with 1,000 food packs," Te said, adding that Libertad, which is the northernmost town of Antique province, has a rich fishing industry but lacks rice, that is why some households need food assistance from the DSWD.

She also said the local government unit, as its own assistance to needy residents, is distributing a sack of rice each to 500 households.

"One sack of rice will be given to one family needing it," Te said, adding that the provincial government during the first week of April already distributed 1,000 sacks of rice to indigent families and informal sectors displaced by Covid-19. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY – This city has reported seven new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in six of its villages.

The new positive cases are in addition to the 166 confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH)-Central Visayas on Monday as showed by test results from the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center sub-national laboratory.

Mayor Edgardo Labella announced this in his official social media page on Tuesday afternoon, after the Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) confirmed the result of the swab tests conducted on a number of suspected cases, including the seven.

"As of April 21, 2020, after validation and confirmation, two new cases are confirmed in Barangay Calamba, one new case in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, one new case in Barangay Carreta, one new case in Barangay Suba's Fishport, one new case in Barangay Hipodromo, and one new case in Barangay Labangon in Katipunan area," he said.

Four of the seven patients from Calamba, Hipodromo and Labangon are now admitted in a hospital in the city for close monitoring, he said.

According to him, two of the seven new cases in the city are inmates at the Cebu City Jail.

Elmer Abella, village chief of Duljo-Fatima, confirmed in a phone interview that the one positive case from his barangay is an inmate at the city jail.

The other inmate is from Carreta.

"Yesterday (April 20), the Cebu City Health Team rendered selective massive testing in different barangays," the mayor said.

The team took swab samples from 11 patients in Hipodromo, 18 in Barangay Luz which is placed under enforced lockdown, 75 in Barangay Labangon, 199 in Cebu City Jail. The official result is yet to be released, he added.

Meanwhile, Labella encouraged Cebu City residents to visit any of the five influenza-like illness (ILI) cluster clinics set up by the CCHD last March in case they experience coughing, runny nose, fever, sore throat and diarrhea which are symptoms of Covid-19.

City residents living in north area can visit the ILI cluster clinic in Pit-os Gym, and Brotherhood Gym at Barangay Basak-San Nicolas for the southern residents.

Residents of the western corridor can also seek consultation from the doctors stationed at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay San Nicolas-Proper, with Tinago Gym and Cebu Medical Society Compound in Banilad for residents in east and central area, respectively.

The advisory posted on Labella's social media page said that the ILI cluster clinics are open every 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

As of Tuesday, the CCHD monitoring report said the city has 35 ILI cases under surveillance and 102 persons under monitoring. About 827 persons placed under monitoring were already cleared of the coronavirus disease. (PNA)



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LEGAZPI CITY – The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bicol said it has sufficient supply of rice to sustain the staple food requirement needed under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In an interview, Henry Tristeza, NFA regional director, on Tuesday said there are 516,000 bags of palay (unhusked rice) in various warehouses across Bicol.

He said once milled, the 516,000 bags are equivalent to 325,000 sacks of milled rice, and these would add up to the 8,055 bags now kept in NFA warehouses for distribution.

"The 333,055 bags of rice would serve as additional buffer stocks to maintain the 15-day supply requirements under the agency guidelines," he said.

Tristeza added that the rice supply would address the pending rice requirement needed by various local government units and other front line agencies involved in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.

To date, the NFA has a request for 493,000 bags of rice from various LGUs and of the number, the agency has released 224,000 bags of the grain staple.

The heavy demand would be addressed once the 160,000 bags of rice arrive from Mindoro province.

"Initially, we expect the first batch of shipment of 20,000 bags to arrive next week," Tristeza said.

He admitted that the milling preparation has slowed down due to the strict enforcement of the ECQ.

"Our private milling firms were closed while some of them can only operate for four hours instead of the 10 to 12 hours normal operations due to the ECQ," he said. (PNA)



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COTABATO CITY – Some 100 orphans in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao were beneficiaries of relief goods and protection kits for 2019 coronavirus disease (Covids-19) from a Bangsamoro family-run foundation on Monday.

Volunteers of Taha Foundation delivered food items and Covid-19 protection kits to the children.

The charity is named after Taha Basman, a Maranao community development worker from Marawi City and former commissioner of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The young orphans, whose parents died during the wars and other calamities in Maguindanao, are currently living with relatives in the municipality.

"Despite the challenges we face in light of the threat of Covid-19, we still find solace, hope, and excitement in welcoming the holy month of Ramadan," said Tajallih Basman, son of the late commissioner and current head of the foundation.

Each of the relief packs contained 15 kilos of rice, eight cans of sardines, eight cans of tuna, 12 packs of noodles, 12 pieces of chocolate drink, a kilo of sugar, a pack of iodized salt, one liter of vinegar and cooking oil and a pack of biscuits.

With barely a few days into the observance of Ramadan, a beneficiary said: "The supplies we received today will assure us that we'll have food for "iftar" (sunset meal) and "sahur" (pre-dawn meal) during Ramadan."

"Some of the goods were delivered to the houses of those who cannot go out due to the enhanced community quarantine being implemented", Basman said.

Taha Foundation has been implementing the Orphan Support Program (OSP) in the region in partnership with the US-based Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD), an international charity organization.

The foundation was organized in June 2009 to continue the community activities undertaken by its namesake. (PNA)

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COTABATO CITY – Environment officials in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) made public on Monday local villagers' efforts to rescue five eagles in the provinces of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat in the past several days amid the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The endangered species were rescued in the boundary of Magpet, Tulunan, and Makilala in North Cotabato; and in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, according to Khadija Bayam-Benpolok, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 12 public affairs office chief.

Dr. Sabdullah C. Abubacar, DENR-12 chief, said two eagles, a Pinsker's Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus pinskeri) and a juvenile "Besra" or "Sparrow Hawk-Eagle" were separately rescued on Monday by villagers in the mountains of Makilala and Magpet towns in North Cotabato.

One of the rescued species, the adult Pinsker's Hawk-Eagle was rescued by Juan Magdayo, a village watchman in Barangay Buena Vida, Makilala, North Cotabato.

Magdayo said he found the eagle in a bush and it appeared to be injured due to a small rope tied around its feet. The bird is now in the custody of the DENR in Makilala.

In Tulunan town, Abubacar said farmer Baldz Lanao, of Sitio B'laan, Barangay Kanibong found the endangered bird in a bush on April 19.

Upon advice from village officials, Lanao said he immediately turned over the juvenile bird to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Matalam the following day.

Jestoni Almarez, a staff of CENRO-Matalam, said the rescued young raptor was weak but had no signs of harm or injury.

"The eagle is still learning to fly," Almarez said.

Also on the same day, another eagle was found by farmer Juan Suarez in the fields of Tulunan. This time, it was a young "Serpent Eagle" that appeared to be injured.

The serpent eagle has been checked by DENR personnel and will soon be sent back to the wild.

On April 17, a juvenile Philippine Eagle, also known as the "monkey-eating eagle", was also rescued by fisherman Mastura Sugkan in Barangay Kolong-Kolong, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat while he was gathering shrimps along Butril River.

Mastura then turned over the bird to Palimbang environment officer Soraima Akmad the next day.

Last month, two Philippine eagles in North Cotabato were rescued by villagers who turned them over to the DENR. They were eventually released back to their natural habitat.

Benpolok said the series of sightings and rescue of eagles and other endangered species could be due to the upcoming summer season when the forests dry up and eagles look for food outside their natural habitat. (PNA)

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BUTUAN CITY – A communist New People's Army (NPA) fighter was killed and a minor was rescued after a clash with government forces in the Agusan del Norte town of Kicharao on Monday (April 20).

The five-minute firefight broke out when Army personnel encountered about 20 NPA combatants in Barangay Bangayan, said 1Lt. Miguel Borromeo, civil-military operations officer of the Army's 29th Infantry Battalion.

Borromeo said two more skirmishes broke out on the same day in the area involving a different NPA unit, with the last encounter resulting in a 20-minute firefight.

He said the series of clashes led to the recovery of three high-power firearms, ammunition, an improvised explosive device, a backpack containing subversive documents with high intelligence value, and other pieces of evidence.

One of the NPA units was led by a certain alias "Gab" of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP), Borromeo said, adding no one was hurt on the government side.

The NPA units operating in the area are under Guerrilla Front 16 (GF-16) of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Command, he added.

Borromeo said a minor and the other three suspected NPA supporters were turned over to the local government of Kitcharao "for processing and investigation".

The Army official said the clashes were the result of the NPA's extortion activities on villagers.

"Life is difficult now for the NPA as they could no longer buy food due to the enhanced community quarantines (ECQs) being implemented by local government units (LGUs)," he added.

Lt. Col. Isagani Criste, 29IB commander, condemned the "continued atrocities" of the NPA in Agusan del Norte.

"The NPA shattered the aspirations of many youths, destroyed many families and killed numerous innocent people. Given this, it should have been easy for us to take vengeance into our hands, but that is not what we want," Criste said.

"I reiterate my call to all who are still in the mountains. Lay down your weapons of war and surrender now. The government is ready to assist you in your desire to change for the better. We will help you, just surrender peacefully," he added.

Criste said the identity of the slain NPA is currently being withheld pending validation.

"His body will later be turned over to his family," he said.

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

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BUTUAN CITY – The mass distribution of food packs for some 40,000 households in this city started Monday (April 20) and will run throughout the week, an official said.

The 39,980 recipient-families are directly affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) being implemented in the city to contain the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Butuan City information officer May Diez told the Philippine News Agency Tuesday (April 21).

"The first batch of distribution was done in 31 barangays on Monday with at least 5,483 household beneficiaries. The distribution will continue for this whole week," Diez said.

Butuan City has a total number of 86 barangays.

She said that under the scheme designed by the city government, the distribution of relief goods will be divided into eight batches. The relief goods include rice, canned goods, and noodles.

"Mayor Ronnie Lagnada wants an efficient and smooth distribution and to sustain the availability of food supplies for the residents of Butuan," Diez said.

During the weekend, the city government received some criticisms from individuals for the delay of the release of relief goods.

"We cannot release the assistance at one time. Remember that the SAP and the separate benefits for the Pantawid program of the DSWD were released about a week ago. This means that the people of Butuan still have the resources to secure food," Diez said.

She added Lagnada does not want to compare the distribution of aid into a race or sprint.

"The mayor wants to sustain the availability of our food supplies. We do not know how long the ECQ will stay," Diez said.

Among the barangays included in the first batch of distribution, Monday was Barangay Ong Yiu where 736 families received their food packs.

A City Information Office statement on Monday quoted a resident, Sergio Sanchez, who expressed gratitude to the local government for the support his family received.

"My family is among the victims of the fire that struck Ong Yiu last March. With the SAP I received and now the relief goods, we are now ensured of enough resources to survive for the coming days. I have five children to feed," Sanchez said.

Color-coded quarantine pass

Butuan City also started Monday the use of the color-coding scheme for Home Quarantine Passes (HQPs) distributed to households.

HQPs will be used for buying food, medicines and other necessities for households. Passes with black signatures of village chiefs can be used every Monday and Thursday; blue signature for Tuesdays and Fridays; and red for Wednesdays and Saturdays.

"The new HQP scheme is more effective as this will limit the number of residents that can go out to buy food, medicines and other needs," Barangay Doongan chairperson Gilberto Enriquez said Monday.

Enriquez said that with the scheme, grocery stores, pharmacies, and even the markets will not be packed with buyers and the social distancing will be properly implemented to ensure the safety of residents from the Covid-19. (PNA)

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COTABATO CITY – A total of 325 families in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao benefited from the Ramadan relief goods extended by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), in partnership with the Islamic Relief Worldwide-Philippines (IRW) on Tuesday.

The family-beneficiaries--all from Barangays Solon and Tarinen--each received 15 kilos of rice, 15 canned goods, 500 grams of mongo beans, one liter of vegetable oil, 500 grams of native coffee, and other food items.

IRW Country Director Sighbhatullah Ahmed said the activity was to reach out to the poorest and vulnerable families in the municipality to help them during the period of Ramadan. This year's Ramadan observance is tentatively slated to start on April 23.

"We are closely working together with the BARMM to support and strengthen the Bangsamoro region," Ahmed said.

Tuesday's relief distribution was assisted by village officials of the municipality. A similar activity was also held in the town of Datu Piang, also in Maguindanao.

The IRW is an independent humanitarian and development organization based in Birmingham, United Kingdom, which provides emergency response and supports early recovery efforts of communities affected by calamities.

Meanwhile, the BARMM has suspended all its regular activities during Ramadan such as the Ramadan Trade Fair and other events that involve mass gathering due to the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic. (PNA)

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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- This city will soon have its own testing laboratory for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), officials said Tuesday.

Dr. Joshua Brillantes, Department of Health assistant regional director, said that the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) and Department of Agriculture (DA) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) Tuesday to operate the testing laboratory.

Brillantes said the MOA is one of the requirements since the DA owns the laboratory facility while the ZCMC personnel will be the ones who will handle the testing center.

The laboratories of DA and ZCMC were earlier assessed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), DOH central office and World Health Organization (WHO) to serve as Covid-19 testing facility, but only the DA's Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory has qualified.

"We are happy to collaborate with ZCMC. The DA is willing to share its resources in this time of crisis," said Melba Wee, DA regional technical director for research policy, planning and regulatory, and integrate laboratories.

Brillantes said they are making some arrangements in preparation to start the operation of the testing center for Covid-19, starting with the transfer of the bio-safety cabinet of the ZCMC to the DA facility.

He said the WHO will train the personnel to be assigned to the testing facility, which is seen to hasten the tests of specimens taken from patients and suspected cases of Covid-19.

Wee said the testing center is expected to start operating next week.

Currently, the specimens are being taken to the RITM or to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City. (PNA)

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BUTUAN CITY – A communist New People's Army (NPA) fighter who surrendered earlier this month on Monday said that the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has made the rebels' life harder in the mountains.

"Jack", a former member of Guerrilla Front 4-A of the NPA's North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, said food had become scarce for the rebel group when local governments in Agusan del Norte started implementing community quarantine measures to contain Covid-19 last month.

"We were hungry and tired. We could not demand or steal food from the masses because they too are affected by the quarantine," Jack told Philippine News Agency on Monday (April 20).

Rather than join his comrades to force hinterland communities to give them food, Jack said he decided to surrender instead to ensure that his family is well-provided amid the hardships being felt during the pandemic.

"I know the government has already provided them with food through recent relief operations. But the food they received is only enough for their members," Jack said of the hinterland villagers who have been the NPA's regular source of food supplies.

Jack said he was also worried about the safety of his family as the Covid-19 continues to threaten Agusan del Norte and neighboring areas.

"I also thought there's no more use to continue fighting the government. After more than three years in the movement, I gained nothing. The promise our leaders made before are not realized. Instead, my life turned miserable. I cannot provide my family and children a good future," he added.

Jack was accompanied by six other NPA fighters when he surrendered to the headquarters of the Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion on April 6.

Jack and his colleagues turned over an M16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, three .38 caliber pistols, magazines, and assorted ammunition.

"We were surprised by the warm welcome given to us by the Army upon our surrender. In the movement, we were told that the Army would torture us once we surrender. Now we realize that all they told us were lies," Jack said.

1Lt. Roel Maglalang, 23IB civil-military operations officer, said Jack was instrumental in the recent recovery of ammunitions cache belonging to the NPA.

"Our troops, through the direction provided by Jack, recovered 1,300 rounds of M16 ammunition buried in Barangay Aclan, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte," Maglalang said.

Lt. Col. Francisco Molina Jr., 23IB commander, said the Army will not tire to "encourage the remaining NPA rebels to return to the government and their families".

"Even in the midst of crises, we continue to call unto our brothers to go down and join us in solving the current crises our country is facing. I am grateful that some of our brothers heed to this call and they are now with us. I hope others will follow the same," Molina said.

The 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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COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) targets to finish the planned 100-bed capacity patient care canter (PCC) for 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) within the next three weeks.

This was bared by BARMM Cabinet Secretary and regional Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Covid-19 spokesperson Mohammad Asnin Pendatun during a virtual presser here Tuesday.

BARMM's Ministry of Public Works (MPW) started the construction of the PCC early this month, which is located near the Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

"According to the MPW, we will finish the construction in three weeks," Pendatun said.

Pendatun also announced that the Bangsamoro IATF is "leaning towards the direction" of using rapid testing kits in the region, with consistencies from the guidelines set by the national government.

"This is an option of the IATF to procure rapid test kits, however, the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing will still be the sole basis and standard for testing Covid-19," Pendatun added.

He noted that the region's Ministry of Health (MOH) will request a portion of the incoming rapid test kits from the national government soon.

Currently, the BARMM has a total of nine Covid-19 confirmed patients, an additional of one patient from last week's eight cases.

The ninth patient, PH 6367, a female resident of Marawi City with no recent travel history, had her laboratory result released on April 17, 2020. She is currently admitted to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

As of Tuesday, BARMM has zero probable and 235 suspected Covid-19 cases. (PNA)

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LAOAG CITY — Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan have unanimously passed an ordinance on Monday imposing a penalty of PHP5,000 to violators of all provincial executive orders, issuances and directives related to President Rodrigo Duterte's proclamation declaring the country under a state of public health emergency due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

 

In an interview Tuesday, Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos appealed to all residents to obey the government as it is doing its best to serve and protect the people.

 

"The best for Ilocos Norte is for residents to obey the government. We appeal for understanding that we don't wish to collect money. The point is for everyone to obey because it is for everyone's protection," Araneta-Marcos said following the approval of the ordinance.

 

Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-04-025 further encourages people to stay home and avoid roaming around if not necessary.

 

The entire Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until April 30 to contain and prevent the spread of the disease.

 

The ordinance shall take effect after 15 working days. 

 

On Monday, at least two new patients categorized as suspect cases for Covid-19 were admitted at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City.

 

The province has a total of four suspect cases who are isolated and all of them in stable condition, according to the Batac hospital's daily report as of April 20.

 

Based on the latest declaration of the Department of Health, a suspect Covid-19 case who underwent testing shall be reclassified as a negative, probable or confirmed case once the test result is available. (PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY — Six suspected drug personalities were arrested while an estimated PHP250,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized during three separate police operations in Negros Oriental early this week.

A report from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) said that on Tuesday, two of them were arrested in this capital city and in nearby Valencia town.

At around 4 p.m., police operatives, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Negros Oriental team, arrested Robert Ybañez Piñez, 31, single, of Boloc-boloc, Sibulan, Negros Oriental, during a buy-bust operation at Purok Madasigon in Barangay Cantil-e here.

Seized from him were some 15 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) value of PHP102,000.

Earlier, at around 3:40 p.m., police and PDEA personnel arrested Diomedes Ombas Melon, 43, single, a resident of Purok 5 in Barangay East Balabag, Valencia town, also in a buy-bust operation in that barangay.

The operatives confiscated 0.60 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated DDB value of PHP4,080.

Meanwhile, four suspected drug pushers were arrested during a buy-bust operation on Monday at around 4:51 p.m. at Canlas Subdivision in Barangay Bagacay here.

The suspects were identified as Janette Dunque Libradilla, 34, female, of the said subdivision; Jumar Cabreros Estoras; Jimboy Libradilla Almenzo, 41, male, of Barangay Tinago in this capital city; and Marycris Almenzo Peras, 32, single, male, also of Barangay Tinago.

The operation yielded more or less 21 grams of suspected shabu with a DDB value of PHP142,800.

The suspects are now detained as charges of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are being readied against them. (PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY – Residents here and neighboring towns forming Cluster 1 of Negros Oriental under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) procedures on Tuesday availed of fresh produce from local farmers following the launching of the Kadiwa on Wheels Mobile Market.

Gov. Roel Degamo led the launching in the morning at the Capitol grounds, joined by agriculture and some provincial officials.

The Kadiwa on Wheels Mobile Market is a project rolled out by the Department of Agriculture in some parts of the country to allow people to access food while under the ECQ to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The ECQ has regulated the movement of people, with calls to stay home and only leave during emergencies or for urgent necessities, and the mobile retail market will answer the needs of the people who have restricted mobility.

In Negros Oriental, the Provincial Agriculturist's Office, Department of Agriculture-Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO), and the Provincial Veterinary Office initiated the mobile retail market, the first in the province.

Local producers brought their farm produce such as fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, eggs, and meat, which were sold at a retailer's price.

Non-Dumaguete residents also availed of the farm products as the Kadiwa on Wheels fell on a day when the borders of this capital city were opened to residents of Cluster 1, namely, the towns of Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Valencia, and Sibulan.

The city government has allowed entry of residents from these areas, provided they can present a temporary safe pass valid only for one day, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, during the extended ECQ period.

Meanwhile, several packs of seedlings such as eggplant and tomato were given to the people for backyard gardening.

The Kadiwa on Wheels was scheduled to go around the different barangays in this city and will proceed to Guihulngan City in the north on Wednesday. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY – Health authorities in Central Visayas are now investigating a "unique" case of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) transmission to a newborn infant in this city.

"The presence of a newborn case in the region needs further validation on how transmission occurred since the mother tested negative," Dr. Jaime Bernadas, Department of Health (DOH)-Central Visayas regional director, said in a statement.

Bernadas said there are studies that could back the possibility of "transmission from infected mothers to newborn infants" or what they call in medical science as "vertical transmission."

According to a report, the newborn baby tested positive of Covid-19 is from this city. However, Cebu City Health Department personnel are yet to release details of the case.

"Pregnant women belong to a special group that is at a higher risk of contracting Covid-19 compared to non-pregnant women," Bernadas said, explaining further that "their pregnancy makes them more vulnerable due to the increased demand on nutrition and lowered immune system status as the body accommodates the growing fetus."

Facing such high risk, he said pregnant women are advised to stay at home, avoid crowds and wear a mask when going out.

"Rest assured, existing protocols are in place. We call on all pregnant women to continue monitoring themselves in these times that put them at a more than usual vulnerability," Bernadas said, encouraging pregnant women to reach out to caregivers for their health concerns.

He advised individuals who are taking care of or living with pregnant women "to exert extra care to prevent transmitting any infection to them by practicing proper handwashing, social or physical distancing and not going near them if you are not feeling well".

"Let us keep both the mother and the unborn baby safe," Bernadas said.

He also advised the public "not to treat those who are at risk or have been diagnosed with Covid-19 with discrimination," and to instead give them kindness and understanding. (PNA)



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BUTUAN CITY – Some 70 families belonging to the Manobo tribe in Surigao del Sur received food packs Monday from the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and farm school Montanez Agri-Venture.

In a statement Tuesday, Capt. Jonald Romorosa, 36IB civil-military operations officer, said the recipient families in Barangay New Umalag, San Miguel town are among the most affected by the continuing implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to contain the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

"The activity aims to reach out to those poverty-stricken and disadvantaged areas particularly the indigenous people (IP) communities," Romorosa said, adding that it was spearheaded by Lt. Col. Jezreel Diagmel, 36IB commander, Director Rey Cueva of TESDA-Caraga and Lito Montanez of Montanez Agri-Venture.

He said the distributed food packs consisted of rice, assorted canned goods, and noodles.

Diagmel said the Army will strive to help more struggling communities "in partnership with other stakeholders so that the needs of the people are sustained and delivered as the country battles with this unseen disease."

He also appealed to other government and private entities to continue giving to needy individuals.

An Indigenous People's leader was quoted in the statement expressing gratitude to the Army and its partners for recognizing their hardships amid the Covid-19 crisis.

"We are thankful for the 36IB and TESDA Surigao Del Sur for giving importance to us in this time of crisis," the unnamed IP leader said. (PNA)

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Over PHP65 million cash aid has been distributed to rice farmers in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte beginning Monday, April 20, as part of the government's initiative to ease the impact of the quarantine measures on the agriculture sector.

In a statement Tuesday, the Department of Agriculture in Region 10 (DA-10) said the initiative under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program (RCEP) aims to help 13,036 farmers in the two provinces.

At PHP5,000 per household, the financial aid is granted to small-scale rice farmers tilling rice field two hectares and below.

"The rice farmers entitled of this grant are duly validated and are registered to DA's Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA)," said DA-10 OIC-Executive Director Carlene C. Collado.

DA-10 Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga said: "This assistance is given to eligible rice farmers affected by the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) due to low buying price of palay."

Madriaga said the aid also intends to support the farmers in procuring farm inputs and foods during these trying times.

Collado and Madriaga hoped that the aid will encourage more productivity to stabilize the market amid the quarantine measures to contain the 2019 coronavirus disease. (PNA)

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COTABATO CITY – Health workers have been attending to 42 patients in an island village in Maguindanao hit by a diarrhea outbreak, a regional health official said Wednesday.

Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan, health minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said two children have died as diarrhea hit Bongo village in Parang, Maguindanao in the past several days.

"Our health teams are now there and we can say the disease has been contained," Dipatuan said, adding that the incident was triggered by contaminated water sources.

"A medical team has been sent there to treat the sick, investigate, and gathered stools samples that confirmed high E. coli bacteria in water sources," he told reporters here.

Dipatuan said most of the victims were children.

He said the contaminated water was traced to two water sources of the residents, mostly fishermen.

Dipatuan said one of the sources was an open well while the other was a closed well but both have been contaminated.

He said one of the causes of diarrhea was the high concentration of E. coli in drinking water sources.

Many residents lack comfort rooms and dispose of human wastes elsewhere.

"Dry spell has ushered in and during this time, residents rely mainly on open wells as sources of drinking water," he said, adding that health workers from the Parang local government would remain in the island village to monitor the situation of those affected by diarrhea. (PNA)

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ILOILO CITY – With the current coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has activated the "bayanihan" system through kiosks that encourage community sharing.

On Tuesday, the IPPO has launched 47 "bayanihan kiosks" that are open for sharing of rice and goods for all Ilonggos.

Col. Paul Kenneth Lucas, IPPO director, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that people who have excess rice, food items, and even alcohol, can leave their donations at the kiosks and those who need them can get for free.

"Our concept was made after we saw that there a lot of donations coming to our front-liners. We decided to put the donations in the kiosks so that people who need them can access it for free," he said.

The bayanihan kiosk located in Santa Barbara town has listed 500 beneficiaries on Tuesday morning.

To avoid crowding, Lucas said not all 500 individuals were catered and were asked to come back on Wednesday.

Carrying the slogan "Bulig Mo, Kabuhi Ko" ("Your Help, My Life"), the IPPO director said the kiosks are open to all regardless of social status and place of residence.

An individual can avail of a maximum of two kilograms of goods daily while the IPPO does not limit the beneficiaries' visit per week.

"The kiosks welcome everyone. If you are not from Iloilo province and you happen to pass by the kiosk, you are welcome to avail of the goods," he said.

The IPPO bayanihan kiosks are located either at the municipal hall, municipal police station or at a quarantine control point.

Lucas appeals to the Ilonggos to share their extra rice, noodles, canned goods, dried fish, condiments, and even livestock to the kiosks.

He also reminded those who will be availing at the kiosks to bring their quarantine pass, wear masks, and practice social distancing to avoid the spread of the disease. (PNA)




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LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The province of Benguet has assured that there will be a continuous supply of vegetables for Filipinos even after the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Governor Melchor Diclas said on Tuesday.

"Agmula manen ti tat-tao tayu ta isu met ti trabaho tayu (Our farmers plant because it is our people's job)," Diclas said.

Diclas said he has ordered local government units to allow healthy farmers to tend to their vegetable gardens.

He said in farms, people do not work side by side and have been observing physical distancing even before the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

He urged residents that if they feel being restricted, they can call the attention of the province.

"We will talk straight to the mayors or barangay officials to allow farmers to plant because we need to have a continuous supply of food," he said.

Benguet produces at least 85 percent of the highland vegetable produced in the country. Its products are brought to Batanes in the north and Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan in the south.

An average of 1.5 million kilograms of assorted vegetables used to leave the trading post areas in Benguet daily but was cut to half due to the ECQ.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) has released more than 400 kilograms of assorted short gestation vegetable seeds.

It is also eyeing the dispersal of small animals for backyard livestock production of residents to assure food for all even after the ECQ.

Dr. Cameron Odsey, regional executive director of the DA-CAR, said about 50 kilos of assorted seeds- pechay, Chinese kale, kangkong, lettuce, pole beans, shingkang pechay, French beans were distributed to the provincial governments for repacking and distribution to interested residents.

The seeds can grow on pots, allowing those without a yard to grow vegetables.

"If we plant now, we will have food in the coming weeks," he said.

He also said that they intend to expand the urban agriculture program of the DA by giving small animals for livestock that residents can raise.

"We will give away small animals like chicken, goats, and ducks that residents can raise at their backyard," he said, adding that procurement procedures are in progress.

"Our farmers are planting. There should be an unhampered activity of the farmers on farms and the transport of their produce," he said.

Odsey said CAR is getting an additional PHP200 million for the expansion of the rice-food security in rice-producing areas of the region, Kalinga, Apayao, and Ifugao.

"This will be used for the procurement of additional planting materials," he said. (PNA)

 



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BAGUIO CITY – Around 900 nutri-buns and 100 carrot loaves were distributed to front-liners here on Wednesday courtesy of the Baguio City School of Arts and Trades (BCSAT), which is under the supervision of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Arlene Cadalig, BCSAT vocational school administrator, said the nutria-bun production is one of the center's support to the city government to produce nutrient-packed food for front-liners and undernourished children.

She said baking will be done twice a week.

Cadalig said 400 nutri-buns will be given to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC). They will also receive carrots loaves. The other supplies will be given at the checkpoints for the policemen to share.

Cadalig said they will also give the breads to City General Services Office, villages and other volunteer front line service providers.

"We rotate our recipients so that we can give to others," she said.

Last week, the BCSAT distributed 240 pieces of muffins, 155 cookies and 17 pieces of pizza to the City Social Welfare and Development Office's (CSWDO) food operation center at PFVR Gymnasium adjacent to the BCSAT and policemen at the checkpoints.

Earlier, TESDA Director General Isidro Lapena directed TESDA regional offices and tech-voc institutions to come up with programs in aid to the government's effort to combat the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Aside from nutria-buns, Cadalig said they also baked carrot loaves due to the abundant supply of carrots in the locality. They have also made pan de coco as another option.

She said they started the baking on April 6 and hope to continue until mid-May.

While contributing to the whole of a government effort to combat Covid-19, Cadalig said the initiative is also able to provide additional skills to their staff who are not bakers.

"We are doing this initiative as training cum production of the other staff," Cadalig said.

Aside from producing baked products, BCSAT also opened its door to the front-liners of the CSWDO, allowing the use of their hostel laboratory as a temporary shelter of the workers who live in neighboring towns.

The hostel, which can accommodate eight to 10 persons, can take in five who are expected to observe physical distancing protocol. (PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY – The local government of Tarangnan, Samar lifted on Tuesday the total lockdown enforced in its two sub-villages, where two residents tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a statement on Wednesday, Mayor Arnel Tan said no further suspect or a probable case has been identified in the two communities after 15 days of isolation.

These are the sub-villages of Duyunan in Imelda village and Upper Bahay in Bahay village. These two communities have been placed under total lockdown on April 7.

The two patients are health workers of Tarangnan Community Hospital and had close contacts with the region's second Covid-19 patient from nearby Calbayog City.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday that new test results of the two patients are now negative.

Tan said they are now discharged from the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center here but will undergo strict home isolation for 14 days or after further tests show negative results.

From total lockdown, the two communities where they reside, together with the town's remaining villages with no confirmed or suspected case of the virus, are placed under enhanced community quarantine.

Meanwhile, a 58-year-old female kitchen staff of the same community hospital has also contracted the virus, the DOH announced on Monday.

She is the region's sixth patient and the third resident in Tarangnan who got infected with the highly contagious disease.

The local government has placed the community where the patient resides under total lockdown immediately after confirmation of results.

As directed, no residents can go out of their respective communities, not even for livelihood purposes to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The local government will supply food and water to every house as well as their other needs.

"No one will be allowed to enter or stay on lockdown areas except for security personnel, medical and rescue teams. Areas along the highway will be open for passing only and no vehicles will be allowed to stop," Tan said.

Immediate families within the patient's residence are strictly prohibited to go out of their houses for whatever purpose, as their needs will also be provided by the local and village response teams.

The local government has also temporarily closed its rural health unit and community hospitals as health personnel are on self-isolation while waiting for their test results.

Tan sought understanding from nearby municipalities and assured that best efforts are made to contain the spread of the Covid-19.

"All we need is your moral support and acceptance as fellow Samar residents. Rest assured that we will do our best in ensuring that no further harm will be inflicted on your respective towns or cities," he said.

Tarangnan, is a coastal town in Samar provinces with a population of 25,000 people in 41 villages.

The town is 129 kilometers north of Tacloban City, the regional capital of Eastern Visayas. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY – Iloilo Vice Governor Christine Garin on Tuesday pushed for the inclusion of elected and appointed village officials to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)'s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

Qualified SAP beneficiaries in the region are entitled to a PHP6, 000 financial assistance for two months while enhanced community quarantine is imposed to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In her privilege speech during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan's regular session on Tuesday afternoon, Garin has called on the DSWD, the House of Representatives and the Senate to do everything under their power to include the village officials, specifically the village captains, secretaries, treasurers, and councilors in the target beneficiaries under the SAP.

"Of course, we know that there are a number of households that are included under the SAP. They are given PHP6,000 per month, but here, our village officials, especially the village captain, councilors, secretaries, and treasurers are not included," Garin said in a media interview shortly after the session.

She underscored the appointed and elected officials are on the front line during the current pandemic yet they were denied government's financial assistance.

Village officials also serve as a springboard of complaints, work round the clock to maintain the village's peace and order, deliver relief goods to households, among others, she said.

"Is it fair for our barangay officials tasked to assist in distributing the SAP to indigent members of the community giving them PHP6,000 each for two months without them receiving any?" Garin asked.

She said appointed and elected village officials also have families to feed yet they only receive an honorarium of only more or less PHP4,000 per month.

In the province of Iloilo, village chiefs receive an average of PHP5,000 monthly and PHP4,000 for secretaries, treasurers and councilors.

Garin called to address the resulting inequality caused by Memorandum Circular 09 which excludes village officials from receiving SAP aid.

She said recognizing the village officials and their contributions to the fight against the pandemic will be more in harmony with the Constitution's concept of social justice.

"Under a climate of fairness and equity, healing will not be so difficult," she said.

While elected and appointed village officials are excluded under the amelioration program, the DSWD has earlier clarified that village watchmen, daycare workers, and village health workers can qualify for the SAP.

Rhea Peñaflor, DSWD assistant secretary, said that village watchmen, daycare workers, and village health workers can qualify if they have no or low, or no other source of income and none of their family member has received aid from the government. (PNA)

 



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ILOILO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas (DSWD 6) on Tuesday cited local government units in the region, which were first to distribute Social Amelioration Program (SAP) aid to qualified households.

In a virtual presser, Rhea Peñaflor, DSWD's assistant secretary, noted some local government units have nearly completed their payout.

"We thank the local government units that already released the Social Amelioration Program cash grant in their respective municipalities," she said.

Among those with notable accomplishments include the town of Maasin in Iloilo which is already at 99.6 percent done with the payout or have already distributed to 6,033 beneficiaries; Candoni, Negros Occidental at 98.81 percent with 2,912 beneficiaries; Salvador Benedicto also in Negros Occidental at 85.35 percent with 2,435 beneficiaries.

Most of the local government units commended by the DSWD 6 are from Antique province.

Peñaflor said these include the town of Belison at 97.6 percent with 1,831 beneficiaries; Valderrama at 96.79 percent with 1,479 beneficiaries; Culisi at 95.88 percent with 4, 660 beneficiaries.

Laua-an in Antique is at 81.91 percent with 2, 585 beneficiaries while Anini-y is at 80.44 percent with 2, 114 beneficiaries, she said.

She also thanked the local chief executives who showed their commitment to list only qualified individuals to finish the SAP distribution.

Among these are Mayors John Tarrosa of Zaraga, Liecel Seville of New Lucena, Geefre Alonsabe of Aminodian and Jett Rojas of Ajuy, all of Iloilo province.

Ajuy town has ordered the barangay officials to post the lists of beneficiaries in their respective areas for transparency purposes.

In a separate statement, Rojas said the residents can report to the barangay or municipal officials if there are beneficiaries on the list but are not qualified to receive the PHP6,000 government cash grant.

Several barangay captains have already returned the cash grants to the municipal government due to the inclusion of ineligible families who have already received the cash grants.

Rojas attributed the inclusion of ineligible beneficiaries to the erroneous data they filled in at the Social Amelioration Card.

"We are now in a crisis where people need help from the government and other sectors of the society," he said.

Meanwhile, Peñaflor appealed to the public to include the front-liners in their prayers.

She said three members of the Philippine Army had sacrificed their lives in an encounter with rebels in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last April 19.

The soldiers were conducting community security patrol in connection to SAP distribution when the clash happened.

"They (front-liners) are there. While they distribute (SAP), they risk their lives not only from Covid-19 but from other elements. Thus, we appeal for you to pray for us so that we can continue. We want to help those who are needy and hungry," she said. (PNA)



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ILIGAN CITY--Authorities arrested Tuesday an online seller and seized more than 1,000 gallons of alleged overpriced isopropyl alcohol.

The Iligan City Police Office (ICPO)--aided by the City Health Office and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)--confiscated isopropyl 70% solution products amounting to PHP607,211 from an unnamed suspect.

Officials said the alcohol products, retailed at PHP770 per gallon, were priced beyond government regulations based on the price freeze order set by the Department of Health (DOH).

DOH circular 2020-0161 states that alcohol products "shall not exceed PHP520.00 per gallon, for the duration of the public health emergency" because of the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Maj. Allan Abalde of the Iligan City Police Office said the suspect, who sells the overpriced alcohol products on Facebook, was subjected to surveillance prior to the Tuesday's entrapment operation.

Abalde said the 25-year-old suspect was arrested in her own shop along with two other individuals.

He said the suspect yielded 725 gallons of alcohol, 408 gallons of antiseptic disinfectants, and other pieces of evidence.

Charges were filed against the suspect and her alleged accomplices before the Iligan City Prosecutors Office on Wednesday. (PNA)

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TACLOBAN CITY – Water consumers in Kananga, Leyte will only pay part of the full-service fees for March as assistance to locals affected by the global health crisis.

"The general community quarantine (GCQ) drastically affected the logistical capability of all residents in the municipality and further necessitates a greater consideration from the local government to ease up some payables that were regularly paid by them," Mayor Manuel Vicente Torres said in a statement on Tuesday.

 The local government approved Ordinance 22L-20-020, waiving the collection of fees for the first 10 cubic meters of consumption of each water consumer connected to the local government-run Kananga Waterworks System.

The ordinance covers both residential and commercial users and they would pay only the excess consumption.

Kananga town and the rest of Leyte province were placed under GCQ on March 16 as a mandatory precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The directive has forced the closure of non-essential business establishments and affected small entrepreneurs.

In response, the local government has also decided to waive the rent of business owners at the town's public market for March and April.

"With the declaration of (a) public health emergency in the country, we are enjoined to render full assistance and cooperation and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate response and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the Covid-19 threat," Torres said.

The town remains free from the highly contagious disease, according to the Department of Health.Kananga, a first-class town in Leyte province, has a population of nearly 57,000 in 23 villages. It is approximately 78 km. west of Tacloban City, the capital of the Eastern Visayas region. (PNA)



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SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan – The SM Foundation, Inc. has donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to health workers of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) here.

 

The donation was received on Tuesday by the hospital where most of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients in the province are being treated.

 

In an interview on Wednesday, SM public relations manager, KJ Santiago, said they have turned over 1,600 KN95 masks, 540 pieces of personal protective clothing, 120 pieces of PPE sets for nurses at the intensive care unit, 1,650 face shields, 1,920 raincoats, 1,000 pairs of rubber gloves, 800 pairs of shoe covers, and 4 gallons of alcohol.

 

SM has allocated PHP170 million in medical supply donations to more than 50 hospitals nationwide that helped equip health workers in the battle against the pandemic.

 

It has also contributed PHP100 million to a multisector Covid-19 poverty relief initiative called Project Ugnayan. 

 

Project Ugnayan aims to bring much-needed support to more than 1.5 million families, or 7.6 million persons, affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has extended a PHP1-million calamity assistance fund to Pangasinan.

 

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the provincial government said the assistance would be used for the procurement of testing kits, reagents, medical and diagnostic equipment, PPE sets, and medicines for Covid-19 cases.

 

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has also donated 1,000 pieces of face masks and 40 cases of ready-to-drink calamansi juice to the Provincial Health Office for distribution to the front-liners. (PNA)



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SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Some 659 qualified displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Region 1 (Ilocos) have been approved to receive PHP10,000 cash under the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) AKAP assistance program through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

 

In an interview Wednesday, OWWA Ilocos regional office information officer Geraldine Lucero said they are still processing the release of the cash assistance to the first batch of approved OFW-recipients in the region.

 

"As of April 21, we have already released PHP10,000 each to some 87 approved OFWs, and the rest we are still processing," she said.

 

She, however, clarified that the amount will come from DOLE.

 

Lucero added OWWA-1 has already received 5,508 applications for the program since it was started on April 13.

 

"We are validating if they are qualified to receive the assistance from the program," she said.

 

DOLE-AKAP is a financial assistance provided to displaced land-based and sea-based OFWs due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

 

Lucero said the qualified applicants are OFWs who have experienced job displacement due to the receiving country's imposition of a lockdown or community quarantine or having been infected by the Covid-19; must be still at overseas job sites, or in the Philippines as Balik-Manggagawa, or already repatriated to the Philippines, and do not receive any financial support or assistance from the receiving countries or employers.

 

She added the OFWs who will be approved will receive the same amount of PHP10,000 regardless if they are active or inactive OWWA members.

 

The program also covers qualified documented and undocumented OFWs, she said.

 

"Documented OFWs are those who possess a valid passport and appropriate visa or permit to stay and work in the receiving country and whose contract of employment has been processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO)," Lucero said.  

 

She said the assistance program also covers qualified undocumented OFWs or those who were originally regular or documented workers but for some reason or cause have lost their regular or documented status.

 

"It also covers those who are not registered with the POEA or whose contracts were not processed by POEA or the POLO, but have undertaken actions to regularize their contracts or status; or those who are not registered with the POEA or whose contracts were not processed by POEA or the POLO, but are active OWWA members at the time of availment," she added.

 

Other details, including how to apply for the assistance program, are available at OWWA-1's Facebook page. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The provincial government of South Cotabato is eyeing to ease restrictions on the movement of people and vehicles and to implement a phased reopening of the province's economy after the end of the enhanced community quarantine on April 30.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said on Wednesday that authorities are currently studying various measures to slowly restart economic activities in the entire province in the coming weeks.

Tamayo said the provincial government's inter-agency task force on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and representatives of the business sector discussed the partial lifting of quarantine restrictions in a meeting last week.

He said they have set at least four criteria for the reopening of the economy and public services: the "flattening of the curve" or the reduction of cases for 14 days, availability of the province's Covid-19 patient care center in case of an outbreak, availability of medical front-liners and personal protective equipment, and the capacity to conduct contact-tracing.

"The province has so flattened the curve in the past several weeks and the three confirmed Covid-19 patients were already in stable condition," Tamayo told reporters.

The Department of Health 12 (Soccsksargen) reported last week that the province's first Covid-19-positive patient (PH 2173), a 52-year-old from Tboli town who had returned home from Manila, has already tested negative and recovered from the disease.

The Integrated Provincial Health Office opened last April 5 the Upper Valley Community Hospital in Surallah town as the province's dedicated Covid-19 isolation and treatment facility.

As part of the initial preparations for the reopening of the local economy, Tamayo said they are looking at segregating businesses based on "needs and wants."

Businesses classified as "need" or essential that can implement physical distancing measures may be allowed to reopen on a phased basis, he said.

Tamayo said an executive order is being worked out for release within the week that would return to normal status all pending infrastructure projects in the province.

Under the plan, he said, contractors will be required to house the workers in the project sites and maintain the physical distancing protocol.

Tamayo said the provincial government would also set guidelines to ensure that the delivery of aggregates and construction materials would not be hampered.

"But we have to complete the four criteria to make sure that the blind areas of risk will be shorter once we make the move. That way, we can gamble with it because we already know where we are going," he said

Tamayo added that the province's boundaries would remain on lockdown after April 30, during which the local government is expected to have a clearer picture as to the other activities that can be allowed. (PNA)

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Residents and visitors who fail to use protective face masks when going out in public places here will now face hefty penalties, including potential jail time.

This came after the City Council approved during Tuesday's special session an ordinance that requires the mandatory use of face masks by all persons in the city as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

City Councilor Franklin Gacal Jr. said the move complies with the Department of the Interior and Local Government's Memorandum Circular 2020-071, which sets the use of face masks by everyone when going to public places.

Gacal pointed out that even the wearing of improvised masks and other home-made protective equipment can reduce the risks of local transmission of Covid-19.

He also reminded local business establishments of their duty to provide face masks for their employees for free.

Under the ordinance, first-time offenders would be meted with at least nine days of community service. For the second and third offense, violators will face a fine of PHP3,000 and one-month imprisonment.

Gacal made it clear that the ordinance would only take effect during the enhanced community quarantine.

The quarantine period here will end on April 30 but the city government was still evaluating whether it would terminate or extend the measure. (PNA)

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The city's lone confirmed 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patient who has now recovered said he is willing to donate his blood plasma to help combat the deadly disease.

Businessman William Gonzales, who was known as PH 3669, said Wednesday he told health authorities here he will cooperate "in any way possible" to help other Covid-19 patients overcome the virus.

"I am willing to donate my blood plasma if that can help others also recover," he told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview.

The 59-year-old trader, who is still undergoing home quarantine, said he has agreed to come out in the open so others can also learn from his story.

Several major hospitals in the country have already conducted experimental treatment for Covid-19 using the blood plasma of recovered patients.

Pending the availability of vaccines, the World Health Organization has given its go-signal for the treatment as an alternative approach to managing patients.

Gonzales, who was confirmed Covid-19 case on April 7, described his nearly two-week ordeal as a "lesson in life" and eventual recovery as a "miracle."

The known cockfighting aficionado believed that he contracted the disease when he attended the Araw ng Dabaw six-cock derby held at the New Davao Matina Gallera in Davao City from March 6 to 12.

When told that he was positive of Covid-19, he said the thought of not being able to survive the virus immediately cross his mind--as it was also raised by some doctors.

Despite the grim scenario, Gonzales said he did not lose hope and fervently prayed for God's healing.

"But I questioned: why me? People can no longer come near me and I can't even call my family. It dawned on me at that point that God is my only chance and I am really grateful for this second chance," he said.

Gonzales said his perspectives in life has changed so much in the past weeks, especially in terms of cockfighting, and believed that he has found a "new purpose."

He thanked the doctors, nurses and other front-liners who took care of him, saying they were instrumental in his recovery.

"They sacrificed their lives and did all their best despite the difficult situation," he added.

With Gonzales' recovery, local officials said the city has no recorded Covid-19 case as of Tuesday, April 21.

In the same period, a total of 28 suspected Covid-19 patients here have tested negative for the virus while four were still awaiting laboratory confirmation.

Among those pending was the case of the city's third suspect Covid-19 patient, a 45-year-old male, who died on April 19 due to "pneumonia severe hypoxia and septicemia secondary to severe pneumonia."

The City Health Office said at least 45 persons who were earlier traced to have made close contact with PH 3669 have already completed their mandatory home quarantine without manifesting any symptoms of the disease. (PNA)

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BUTUAN CITY – A top military official in Surigao del Norte has expressed alarm over the continued use of anti-personnel mines (APMs) by the communists New People's Army (NPA).

Lt. Col. Jeffrey A Villarosa, commander of the Army's 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB), said the recent recovery of APMs in a remote barangay in Surigao del Norte only proves the continuing use of APMs by the rebels.

Villarosa reiterated that APMs pose danger to the lives of residents in the area.

Government troops recovered two APMs last Sunday following an encounter with NPA rebels in Barangay Camam-onan, Guigaquit, Surigao del Norte.

"We received reports from concerned citizens that CNTs (Communist NPA Terrorists) were conducting extortion and recruitment activities in their community," Villarosa said.

Aside from the APMs, government soldiers also recovered bomb-making materials, ammunition, and subversive documents.

Villarosa said the Army also managed to overrun the NPA hideout during the encounter.

He said the "strong resistance" of the villagers against the NPA has helped the military's continuing drive to end the communist armed conflicts in Surigao del Norte.

"I commend the boldness of concerned citizens for timely sending us information that led to this encounter. It is just sad to note that in the midst of our efforts in making our communities free from the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid19), the CNTs continue to pursue their selfish agenda by forcing the civilians to gather to listen to their propaganda," Villarosa said.

He also condemned the continued use of APM by the NPA, saying the use of this war materiel is contrary to the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

"We will continue to hunt the CNTs wherever they are. We will continue to protect each and every peace-loving civilian in all of Surigao del Norte and the Province of Dinagat Islands," Villarosa said.

1Lt. Wilfredo F. Quilang, 30IB civil-military operations officer, said a total of eight APMs have been recovered in Surigao del Norte from January 1 to April 22 this year.

"Last January 17 this year, the NPA rebels detonated an APM near a build-up area in Barangay Ladgaron, Claver, Surigao del Norte," Quilang told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview Wednesday.

Last year, Quilang said a total of 18 APMs were recovered by government troops in the province.
 
The 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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GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The city's lone confirmed 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patient who has now recovered said he is willing to donate his blood plasma to help combat the deadly disease.

Businessman William Gonzales, who was known as PH 3669, said Wednesday he told health authorities here he will cooperate "in any way possible" to help other Covid-19 patients overcome the virus.

"I am willing to donate my blood plasma if that can help others also recover," he told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview.

The 59-year-old trader, who is still undergoing home quarantine, said he has agreed to come out in the open so others can also learn from his story.

Several major hospitals in the country have already conducted experimental treatment for Covid-19 using the blood plasma of recovered patients.

Pending the availability of vaccines, the World Health Organization has given its go-signal for the treatment as an alternative approach to managing patients.

Gonzales, who was confirmed Covid-19 case on April 7, described his nearly two-week ordeal as a "lesson in life" and eventual recovery as a "miracle."

The known cockfighting aficionado believed that he contracted the disease when he attended the Araw ng Dabaw six-cock derby held at the New Davao Matina Gallera in Davao City from March 6 to 12.

When told that he was positive of Covid-19, he said the thought of not being able to survive the virus immediately cross his mind--as it was also raised by some doctors.

Despite the grim scenario, Gonzales said he did not lose hope and fervently prayed for God's healing.

"But I questioned: why me? People can no longer come near me and I can't even call my family. It dawned on me at that point that God is my only chance and I am really grateful for this second chance," he said.

Gonzales said his perspectives in life has changed so much in the past weeks, especially in terms of cockfighting, and believed that he has found a "new purpose."

He thanked the doctors, nurses and other front-liners who took care of him, saying they were instrumental in his recovery.

"They sacrificed their lives and did all their best despite the difficult situation," he added.

With Gonzales' recovery, local officials said the city has no recorded Covid-19 case as of Tuesday, April 21.

In the same period, a total of 28 suspected Covid-19 patients here have tested negative for the virus while four were still awaiting laboratory confirmation.

Among those pending was the case of the city's third suspect Covid-19 patient, a 45-year-old male, who died on April 19 due to "pneumonia severe hypoxia and septicemia secondary to severe pneumonia."

The City Health Office said at least 45 persons who were earlier traced to have made close contact with PH 3669 have already completed their mandatory home quarantine without manifesting any symptoms of the disease. (PNA)

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BUTUAN CITY – A top military official in Surigao del Norte has expressed alarm over the continued use of anti-personnel mines (APMs) by the communists New People's Army (NPA).

Lt. Col. Jeffrey A Villarosa, commander of the Army's 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB), said the recent recovery of APMs in a remote barangay in Surigao del Norte only proves the continuing use of APMs by the rebels.

Villarosa reiterated that APMs pose danger to the lives of residents in the area.

Government troops recovered two APMs last Sunday following an encounter with NPA rebels in Barangay Camam-onan, Guigaquit, Surigao del Norte.

"We received reports from concerned citizens that CNTs (Communist NPA Terrorists) were conducting extortion and recruitment activities in their community," Villarosa said.

Aside from the APMs, government soldiers also recovered bomb-making materials, ammunition, and subversive documents.

Villarosa said the Army also managed to overrun the NPA hideout during the encounter.

He said the "strong resistance" of the villagers against the NPA has helped the military's continuing drive to end the communist armed conflicts in Surigao del Norte.

"I commend the boldness of concerned citizens for timely sending us information that led to this encounter. It is just sad to note that in the midst of our efforts in making our communities free from the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid19), the CNTs continue to pursue their selfish agenda by forcing the civilians to gather to listen to their propaganda," Villarosa said.

He also condemned the continued use of APM by the NPA, saying the use of this war materiel is contrary to the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

"We will continue to hunt the CNTs wherever they are. We will continue to protect each and every peace-loving civilian in all of Surigao del Norte and the Province of Dinagat Islands," Villarosa said.

1Lt. Wilfredo F. Quilang, 30IB civil-military operations officer, said a total of eight APMs have been recovered in Surigao del Norte from January 1 to April 22 this year.

"Last January 17 this year, the NPA rebels detonated an APM near a build-up area in Barangay Ladgaron, Claver, Surigao del Norte," Quilang told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview Wednesday.

Last year, Quilang said a total of 18 APMs were recovered by government troops in the province.
 
The 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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SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The municipal mayor of San Remigio town is bent on filing a case against the person who posted in social media about a dead person allegedly being listed as a beneficiary in the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in one of their barangays on April 19.

Mayor Margarito Mission, in an interview Wednesday, said that he was already talking to his lawyer about the possible filing of a case against the person who made the allegation.

"The possible case is violation of Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act," he said.

He particularly cited Section 6, Paragraph F of Republic Act 11469 provides penalty for people spreading false information.

The mayor named the person who posted the allegation on Facebook as "Lily Victoriano". The post which was made on April 18 has 426 shares and 126 comments and even picked up by local radio stations.

The FB account of one of the stations even garnered 15,000 reactions.

"Actually, until now the barangay captain of Bugo (the barangay singled out in the story) has not yet submitted their official list of SAP beneficiaries," he said.

He said that the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) as of Wednesday morning was still following up on the official list of beneficiaries duly signed by the barangay captain of Bugo so that the SAP payout could be conducted already.

"The payout in Barangay Bugo was delayed because of that embarrassing incident," he said.

He said the barangay captain of Bugo submitted to his office and to the MSWDO on April 19, 2020 an unsigned list of beneficiaries, which was unofficial, which he refused to sign.

Mission said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office in Antique is already conducting an investigation on the matter.

Of the 45 barangays of San Remigio, 20 barangays have already conducted payout. "The payout in our town started last Saturday," he said.

He said that hopefully the payout in the barangays could be finished within the week. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY – An additional fund of PHP160-million will be used by the city government here for measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The allocation is under the Supplemental Investment Program approved on Tuesday by the City Development Council (CDC), chaired by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

The city government is strengthening its measures to contain Covid-19 as Bacolod recorded its eighth case on Tuesday night.

"I was informed by the City Health Office that one patient has been declared positive, which brings the total to eight. We have to continue our campaign for awareness, cooperation, and support to avoid the spread of the disease," Leonardia said.

The additional fund will be used to buy more personal protective equipment, test kits, welfare goods, and other needs.

The PHP20-million budget for the establishment of a microbiology laboratory testing facility at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital is also included in the allocation.

The Supplemental Investment Program was endorsed by the CDC to the City Council on Wednesday.

Of the PHP160 million, a total of PHP119-million will be sourced from the financial assistance allocated by the national government to Bacolod through the "Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities".

The amount is equivalent to the one-month Internal Revenue Allotment share given to Bacolod to boost its capacity to respond to the Covid-19 crisis.

The rest of the supplemental fund will come from the savings of the city government.

During the meeting of the CDC with the barangay officials on Tuesday, Leonardia was joined by Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who chairs the Inter-Agency Task Force Against Covid-19, and other city officials. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY – Some 46 Negrenses stranded in Metro Manila arrived in Negros Occidental on board a Cebu Pacific special flight on Wednesday afternoon.

"I'm happy to announce that the passengers were able to ride the plane and have already arrived in Negros Occidental. They were brought to our quarantine area in EB Magalona," Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said during the Capitol's Covid-19 virtual presser.

The group was originally scheduled to come home on Tuesday but since the provincial government was unable to secure the needed documents in time for their flight, they had to stay in Manila for another day.

They include 28 females, including an elderly, two toddlers and an infant, as well as 18 males, including a toddler, and two senior citizens.

After arriving at the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City, the passengers were ferried to neighboring EB Magalona town to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

The travel ban due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak has left hundreds of residents of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City stranded in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

As of Wednesday, the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) has recorded 1,647 Negrenses who remain in various parts of the country.

Of the number, 981 are from towns and cities outside Bacolod City while 666 are Bacolodnons.

PDMPD chief Zeaphard Caelian said these individuals, listed in the Capitol's online registration system, have also expressed their intention to come home.

He advised the residents of Bacolod to contact the city's hotline number 0942-189-7127 for further assistance.

On March 18, a total of 89 Negrenses stranded in Luzon have also been flown into Negros Occidental.

The passengers left Clark International Airport also on board a Cebu Pacific flight.

On April 14, some 35 Negrense overseas Filipino workers also arrived in Escalante City from Tabuelan town in Cebu.

The group included 20 residents of various towns and cities, as well as 15 from Bacolod. They are also undergoing a 14-day mandatory quarantine at the patient care center in EB Magalona. (PNA)

 

 





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DUMAGUETE CITY — A 79-year-old male patient with suspect coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) died early Wednesday at a private hospital here ahead of the release of results of his throat swab tests.

The patient from Tayasan, Negros Oriental, who was admitted to the hospital on Sunday died at around 12:20 a.m., said Dr. Liland Estacion, assistant provincial health officer.

The suspect Covid-19 case had co-morbidities, such as cancer and was "terminally-ill" with sepsis, severe pneumonia, diabetes, and heart failure, she said.

On Monday, throat swab samples were taken from the patient, and sent on Tuesday morning to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu for testing, she added.

Estacion said the man was immediately laid to rest on the same day he died, with only a few family members allowed to attend the burial.

She assured that proper protocols were followed in the disposal of the body.

Estacion said those who came in contact with the elderly man were also throat-swabbed and asked to do self-quarantine at home.

She added that the suspect Covid-19 case, who was "bed-ridden" did not have any contact with the late Tayasan councilor who tested positive of the coronavirus and died last March at a private hospital in this city.

His swab test results are expected later on Wednesday or early Thursday, she said.

Meanwhile, records at the Provincial Health Office showed that 21 swab test results returned here on April 20 all tested negative, while 31 more throat swab samples of suspect and probable cases were sent to VSMMC for testing.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the PHO reported seven cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), seven Moderate Acute Respiratory Infection (MARI), 27 Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) without co-morbidities, and three ILI with co-morbidities.

Persons who are asymptomatic and are under monitoring and quarantine totaled 860 while persons who are asymptomatic and had completed quarantine reached 13,193.

These persons mostly have a history of travel and a few had contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case, including front-liners.

The total number of individuals tested so far reached 201, with 197 negative results and four confirmed positive.

Of the four confirmed cases, two have died, one has already recovered and released from the hospital, while another is still admitted but is on the way to recovery, having tested negative already in the third test and in fact, has been extubated, Estacion said.

Under the new classification of Covid-19 cases being used by the Department of Health (DOH), ILIs (both with or without co-morbidities) fall under the classification as "suspect", while SARI and MARI cases are considered as "probable".

The early classification of COVID-19 cases, namely, patients under investigation (PUI) and persons under monitoring (PUM) had also been dropped.

While the DOH is using its latest three classifications of Covid-19 cases – suspect, probable, and confirmed – health authorities here are using the SARI, MARI, and ILI classification according to guidelines set by the DOH Region 7, said Dr. Socrates Villamor, provincial chief of the Department of Health here. (PNA)



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SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan -- As many people call for transparency in relief distribution amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis, netizens have lauded the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) council of Barangay Magtaking here after coming up with a complete list with prices of the relief items distributed.

 

Facebook users who saw the post commented that being transparent to constituents is a "noteworthy move" that other elected officials may also adopt, and share their best practices in addressing public concerns like a health crisis.

 

In a phone interview Wednesday, SK chairperson Lemuel Gio Cayabyab told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) they wanted to bring transparent leadership to their village and be youth role models among their constituents.

 

"We really need to be transparent all the time to avoid issues of corruption because there are some barangays which have an issue on report discrepancies when it comes to their liquidations," he said.

 

Cayabyab said SK officials should always find ways on how to efficiently disburse funds in accordance with the law.

 

"It is important to always review the directives of the Department of Interior and Local Government, National Youth Commission and other government agencies, especially when utilizing public funds," he added.

 

Cayabyab said they were able to generate sufficient funds from their annual Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) fund and through realignment of other budgets for the relief operations in their community.

 

He said the council has utilized PHP15,000 DRRM funds and realigned PHP90,000 from the 2020 Sports Development Fund, and another PHP15,000 from the health fund while the PHP7,712.40 was added from his own pocket.

 

"We have 1,140 registered youths in our barangay and each of them was given relief packs that cost PHP112.03," he said, adding they will also provide relief aids to some 200 unlisted youths in their barangay.

 

Items distributed include one kilogram of rice, two packs of biscuit, two sachets of coffee, and two pieces of canned goods. (PNA)



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BALER, Aurora – Two soldiers were killed and three others wounded when troops of the 91st Infantry "Sinagtala" Battalion (91IB) were attacked by some 20 members of the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Sierra Madre in Barangay Diaat, Maria Aurora town in Aurora province on Tuesday.

Killed were Private First Class (PFC) Ken Lester Sasapan and Private First Class Jackson Mallari.

Those wounded, on the other hand, were platoon leader First Lt. Jevie Jay Sagragao, Corporal Rondy Polancos, and Private First Class Clarence Urpilla. They are still undergoing treatment at the Fort Magsaysay Army Station Hospital (FMASH) in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.

Col. Andrew Costelo, commander of 703rd Infantry (Agila) Battalion, said members of the 91IB Scout Platoon were conducting advanced security patrol operation during the distribution of the Emergency Subsidy Program cash aid of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the area when "the rebels opened fire on the troops that resulted in an hour-long encounter".

He said the members of the KLG, an armed front of the New People's Army, escaped to different directions after the clash and are now being pursued by the government troops.

Costelo lauded the heroic deeds of the Sinagtala troopers in performing their duties as he gave an assurance that their sacrifices would not be vain.

He likewise called on everyone to actively participate in the undertakings of the government to maintain peace and order against both the seen and unseen enemies.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen Sinagtala troopers.

"We combat Covid-19, it is disappointing and disheartening to learn that the communist terrorists are prepared to fraudulently wage their selfish motives. I am very proud of my soldiers. They are among our modern heroes and like our heroes of old, they offered their lives for the sake of all of us and the country. For their acts, they will be forever remembered, and will not be forgotten.," Rosario said.

He also vowed that they would not let pass the treacherous act of the communist terrorists.

"Sooner or later, we will catch these bandits, and for sure they will pay for the crimes they have committed," Rosario said.

He encouraged everybody to take part in whatever capacity in the fight against the enemies of the state. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY – Due to the rising number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases here, Mayor Edgardo Labella on Wednesday said he is considering extending the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) up to May 30.

Labella's executive order (EO) No. 64 imposing city-wide ECQ became effective on March 28 and will end on April 28.

At first, Labella said the extension would be up to May 15, but he now wants it changed to May 30.

He said it is better to keep the quarantine status in the city in consonance with the ECQ in Metro Manila.

"As the need arises, if and when the data on Covid-19 cases in Cebu City would plateau or decrease significantly, we can just immediately lift it," Labella said in Cebuano during a press conference at the Cebu City Hall.

The mayor said he is yet to sign an EO imposing another month-long lockdown in the city.

His pronouncement came after the Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) reported a sudden spike of Covid-19 cases from 173 on Tuesday to 312 on Wednesday noon.

Of the number, 123 cases are from the Cebu City Jail.

Previously, the Cebu City Jail recorded only four cases. Two of them are jail guards who are now under quarantine confinement, while the other two are inmates from Barangay Duljo-Fatima and Carreta, one of whom died.

Nine confirmed cases were reported in Barangay Labangon, three in Barangay Luz which is under an enforced lockdown, and one each in C. Padilla, Kasambagan and Inayawan villages and from the Cebu City Health Office.

Labangon has imposed its own lockdown.

"Lockdown in Labangon has been authorized by the Office of the President, with condition that they will comply with the protocols of the DOH (Department of Health)," Labella said.

Some residents of Sitio Zapatera where many cases were reported, were pulled out from their homes and placed in an isolation facility at the nearby Bo. Luz National High School. Others who live in bigger houses preferred to undergo home quarantine.

Labella ordered a two-day massive disinfection of the city's Pasil Fishport in Barangay Suba where one confirmed case of Covid-19 was detected on Monday.

Meanwhile, he commended the barangay captains of 80 villages in the city for establishing their own isolation centers. (PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY – A woman suspected to be engaged in the illegal drug trade was shot dead Wednesday by unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects in Barangay Bulado, Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental.

A report from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) said the victim was identified as Zelsun Blue K. Behag, a resident of Barangay Poblacion in the said city.

Initial investigation showed the woman was driving her motorcycle at around noontime in Sitio Agay-ayan when the suspects, who appeared to be tailing her, shot her several times before fleeing.

The woman was brought to the Guihulngan District Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.

Based on the documents recovered from her, the victim was from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. However, police had information that she was selling illegal drugs in Guihulngan City as well as in Vallehermoso town.

Further investigation also revealed that her former live-in partner was arrested for alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

The police recovered from the crime scene five empty shells and two slugs for .45-caliber. (PNA)



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BUTUAN CITY – Agusan del Norte's Provincial Board has approved an allocation of PHP8.3 million as financial aid to all barangays to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Monday's Provincial Board resolution granted Governor Dale B. Corvera the authority to transfer about PHP50,000 for each of the province's 176 barangays.

In a statement on Tuesday, Corvera said the assistance was part of the provincial government's broader approach to contain Covid-19 at the grass-roots level.

"We cannot just leave the barangays alone in the fight against Covid-19," he was quoted as saying.

Corvera said the barangays could use the funds in their anti-Covid-19 activities, including the maintenance of barangay checkpoints.

Last month, the provincial government also released PHP1 million in aid to each of the province's local government units (LGUs) in support of their Covid-19 containment measures.

"The funds extended by the province to both the municipalities and the barangays now sum up to PHP19.3 million," he said.

On top of the financial assistance, he said the provincial government has also supported LGUs in terms of food and other essential needs of the residents. (PNA)

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BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has cautioned anew the recipients of the social amelioration grant against using the amount for illegal activities.

The warning was issued by Col. Romeo Baleros, police provincial director, on Wednesday after nine residents of Victorias City, who have received cash assistance of PHP6,000 each from the national government, were arrested for engaging in illegal drugs and illegal gambling.

Lt. Col. Edison Garcia, public information officer of NOCPPO, said the names of those arrested are in the list of the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

"The chief of Victorias City police (Lt. Col. Eduardo Corpuz) has confirmed that they have received the cash grant," Garcia told the Philippine News Agency.

On Monday, three drug personalities were arrested during a buy-bust operation at Villa Miranda in Barangay 6A at around 7:30 p.m.

The suspects were identified as Belen Castro, 42; Maricar Dolendo, 37; and Jerson Miranda, 29. They yielded about two grams of shabu valued at PHP20,000.

They are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

On Tuesday, six persons were arrested while playing "mahjong" at around 4:30 p.m. at Villa Victoria in Barangay 13.

Arrested were Danilo Artagame, 54; Luisa Fernandez, 53; Elizabeth Gallego, 50: Rodel Octoso, 48; Lynn Ticar, 47; and Christianne Abancio, 38.

The suspects are facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1602.

"The financial aid is supposed to help alleviate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to vulnerable families. It's disheartening that instead of buying essential needs, they chose to spend it on their vices," Baleros said.

The social amelioration grant is being distributed by the DSWD through Emergency Subsidy Program (ESP) provided under Section 4 (c) of Republic Act 11469 or the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act".

In Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, each family-beneficiary is expected to receive a total of PHP12,000 or PHP6,000 each for April and May. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY – Three coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients in Western Visayas have recuperated, bringing the region's total recoveries to 11, the Department of Health - Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) 6 (Western Visayas) reported on Wednesday.

Dr. Renilyn Reyes, head of the DOH-CHD 6's Public Health Program Development, said two of the new recoveries are from Aklan province and one from Capiz province.

In a virtual press conference, Reyes identified the new recoveries as Western Visayas (WV) patients 5 and 13 from Aklan and patient 19 from Capiz.

Meanwhile, in a virtual presser on Tuesday, Dr. Cornelio Cuachon, Aklan's provincial health officer, confirmed the recovery of the province's two Covid-19 patients.

"We have two negative (results). This is the case from Libacao, as well as the case from Malay," Cuachon said, referring to the 81-year-old man from Licabao who was sent home from the hospital on Wednesday and the 37-year-old man from Malay who would remain in quarantine at the Aklan Training Center.

In an official statement, Capiz's Provincial Health Office said its "second confirmed case of Covid-19 was already discharged -- improved and in generally well condition -- from (the) Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital."

The new recovery in Capiz is a 53-year-old man from Mambusao town.

Reyes explained that the health department follows a new policy in determining the recoveries.

Contrary to the former policy, which only classifies patients as "recovered" through a negative reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) result, she said a Covid-19 patient could now be classified as recovered if his or her rapid diagnostic test shows positive Immunoglobulin G (IgG).

The IgG grows in the immune system if an individual is at a recovery phase from sickness, Reyes explained.

"Our recovered patients from Covid-19 can test negative for RT-PCR or if there is no RT-PCR, he or she has positive IgG antibody," she said, noting, however, that both policies require a clinical resolution of signs and symptoms from a doctor.

If the patient manifests no fever for three days and records improvements in respiratory symptoms and chest X-rays, a health worker can declare that he or she has clinical resolution.

Reyes said experts also use other parameters, such as diagnostic and laboratory results, to assess the patients.

Once a recovered patient is discharged from a temporary treatment facility or a hospital, he or she will still undergo 14 days of quarantine.

"If the patient has recovered in terms of signs and symptoms after 14 days, he or she will be assessed by the health worker, particularly a doctor, to give him the certification of recovery and has no symptoms," she said.

To date, the region has 55 confirmed cases of Covid-19, two of which are new cases – a 54-year-old man from Bacolod City and a 51-year-old woman from La Paz in this city.

The top three areas with the most cases of Covid-19 in the region are Iloilo province with 18; Antique with nine; and Bacolod City with eight. (PNA)

 



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Tarangnan, Samar were tested on Wednesday for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) after three of their co-workers were found positive for the infection.

These health workers are employed by the rural health unit and community hospital. The Department of Health (DOH) asked them to monitor their health status, stay at home, and strictly isolate themselves if they manifest symptoms related to Covid-19 while waiting for the test result.

Both health facilities have temporarily stopped its regular operation after the DOH announced on Monday that the region's 6th Covid-19 positive is a 60-year-old woman, a kitchen staff of Tarangnan Community Hospital, the workplace of the region's 3rd and 4th infected persons.

The three patients reportedly had contacts with other health workers assigned in the town.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Tarangnan Mayor Arnel Tan asked residents with health concerns to get hold of rural health midwives and nurses deployed by DOH in their respective communities.

"We have no idea on the specific date on the re-opening these health facilities. I still have to talk to the governor," Tan said. The town's community hospital is supervised by the Samar provincial government.

The news of local transmission has rocked the town of Tarangnan, a fourth-class town in Samar province with a population of 25,000 in 41 villages. The town is located 129 kilometers north of Tacloban City, the regional capital of Eastern Visayas.

It was on April 7 that the health department confirmed that a nurse and an administrative staff of Tarangnan Community Hospital were positive for Covid-19 after catching the virus from a patient in nearby Calbayog City, the region's second infected person.

Their respective villages were placed under total lockdown for 15 days until Tuesday. The village of the town's third Covid-19 patient also faced the same fate since Monday afternoon.

The first two patients were discharged from the hospital on Tuesday and are now undergoing strict home isolation for 14 days.

"Those who recovered and their family members are not allowed to leave their homes. The local government has been providing their essential needs," Tan said.

Since the health crisis, Samar has already recorded four cases of Covid-19 -- one from Calbayog City and three from Tarangnan town. Three of them have recovered.

The region's 5th case is from Burauen town, the first positive case in Leyte province. She has been recovering at EVRMC.

The first confirmed Covid-19 patient in Eastern Visayas is from Catarman, Northern Samar. She has already recovered and completed the 14-day home isolation after confinement. (PNA)







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BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The chief of the government-run Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) here said on Tuesday that 55 of their workers tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and the number is still expected to rise once laboratory tests are released.

Latest report showed there are 81 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the province with 15 recovered and four dead.

"Nakalulungkot man pong sabihin nitong mga nakaraang araw, biglaan ang pagtaas ng bilang ng confirmed positive health workers sa BGHMC dahil halos sabay-sabay na lumabas ang resulta ng confirmatory test na isinagawa sa kanila (It is sad to say that in the past days, the number of confirmed positive Covid-19 health workers at BGHMC abruptly increased because the results of their confirmatory tests were released simultaneously)," Dr. Glory Baltazar said in a statement.

She said hospital workers who reported for work from April 1 to the present have been subjected to laboratory examination.

At present, Baltazar said there are more than 700 hospital health workers who have undergone testing. Of the total number, 230 turned negative while more than 400 are still awaiting results.

"Ang patuloy na tumitingin sa mga Covid cases ay regular at mas madalas ang testing (Those who are continuously looking after Covid-19 cases are tested regularly more often)," the hospital chief said.

Baltazar said contact tracing showed that the spread of Covid–19 at BGHMC started when a male patient underwent emergency surgical procedure on the first week of April.

She said the surgeon was asymptomatic when subjected to Covid-19 test on April 5 but when the result was known on April 10, the doctor was found positive of the virus.

From then on, she said, all with direct contact to health workers confirmed Covid-19 positive and the operated patient underwent testing.

She said the hospital workers were divided into two groups. The first group was composed of those without direct contact with workers who turned positive and with no symptom of the virus. The second group comprised those with direct contact to those who were infected but also without symptom.

She said the hospital workers were further grouped into low, medium and high risk.

Nine hospital workers with mild symptoms were quarantined at the Bataan People's Center in Balanga City.

Some 100 health workers billeted in hotels continued with their hospital duties because the result of their confirmatory test was negative, she said.

The provincial government under Gov. Albert Garcia has taken care of the food, hotel, transportation and security of all hospital workers, both quarantined and those continuously working.

She also said that BGHMC has no shortage of personal protective equipment, medical supplies and even hospital beds. A 20-bed state-of-the-art mobile hospital was set up in the hospital compound.

Baltazar said 200 doctors, nurses and other hospital staff who were tested negative of the virus and have no direct contact with those confirmed positive continue serving patients at the BGHMC. (PNA)

 



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ZAMBOANGA CITY – The local government here said on Wednesday it has continued distributing the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) benefit to families affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.

In an interview, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) chief Ma Socorro Rojas said that as of Tuesday, some 6,587 poor households in 13 of the 98 barangays have received the SAP benefit.

Rojas said CSWD has already disbursed over PHP32.8 million to the recipients, who received PHP5,000 each.

Ivan Eric Salvador, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional information officer, said there are 116,518 identified SAP beneficiaries in the city.

The DSWD turned over earlier this month to Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar PHP582.59 million as part of the first tranche of the SAP.

Uldarico Fabian of CSWDO said that some 374 farmers and fishermen from three barangays in the east coast are among the SAP beneficiaries. (With reports from Salvador Santiago/PNA)

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