SONA 2020: BARMM execs revisit milestones of Bangsamoro

Cot abato City— On the day of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Bangsamoro Government’s Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim and Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s (BTA) House Speaker Atty. Ali Pangalian Balindong revisited the significant strides of the one-year-old regional government since the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). 

Ebrahim stated during the “SONA 2020: Revisiting Bangsamoro” held on Monday, July 27, that the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will remain as one of President Duterte’s significant legacy.

Since the inauguration of the BARMM in March 2019, it has established its call for “moral governance” and has created programs like the Project Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (TABANG), Ayudang Medikal Mula sa Bangsamoro (AMBAG) Program, and Bangsamoro Job Portal, among others, for the benefit of its constituents.

“We pray that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region will continue to succeed for the benefit of the people,” Ebrahim stated.

Balindong, on the one hand, noted the importance of the BOL for the Bangsamoro people and that the recognition of the Bangsamoro people’s aspirations was unprecedented.

Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Administrative Code, Local Government Code, and the Civil Service Code were introduced during the July 2020 BTA parliament sessions, and are currently on the committee level being deliberated by the Committee on Rules.

“The laws that we have enacted are consistent with the national laws,” Balindong noted. “There are other legislations that we’ve lined up and hopefully, this will be done within the year, including the six priority legislations stated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law.”

On March 23, 2020, BARMM turned one year. Due to the emergence of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19), the Bangsamoro Government commemorated its first anniversary through public service delivery, instead. 

As of today, there are 448 recorded Covid-confirmed cases with 9 fatalities. Despite this, the regional government continues to accept the arrival of Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and Returning Overseas Workers (ROF) through Duterte’s Hatid Probinsya Program.

“These are the challenges that we continue to address, because they are our people and we need to serve them for their benefit. The BARMM government will continue to supply the needs to fight the pandemic,” Ebrahim stated. (Bureau of Public Information)

 

Duterte’s 5th SONA draws mixed reactions from Senate members

By Jose Cielito Reganit  

file photo

MANILA – Several senators on Tuesday welcomed and expressed various views on President Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) which he delivered Monday at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said Duterte delivered an “inspiring” SONA that articulated the government’s plans, goals and vision for a better future for Filipinos despite the challenges the country is facing brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“The President was able to clearly lay down measures in his speech that will strengthen the fight against the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, address the immediate needs of the people to overcome the hardships, and sustain the gains of the administration in fulfilling its promise of a comfortable life for all,” said Go, the chair of the Senate Committee on Health.

Duterte, he said, emphasized how important it is for Filipinos to stay united in the spirit of “bayanihan” (cooperation) and “malasakit sa kapwa tao” (concern for fellowmen) “in order for us to achieve our goals and lead our country towards a ‘better normal’ and better quality of life despite the challenges that we are currently facing”.

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian welcomed Duterte’s directives on various measures to push forward the economic recovery, saying the economic agenda set by Duterte is “quite comprehensive”.

“It is embodied in the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) which is supported and certified as urgent by the President. The Bayanihan 2 will supplement funds for recovery and response against the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

The vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs agreed with Duterte’s key economic legislative measures: the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE Act, which cuts the corporate income tax to 25 percent from the current 30 percent; and the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer or FIST Act that will assist banks and other financial institutions in managing their non-performing assets (NPAs).

He also commended the President's support for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by providing capitalization for their business operations, and for providing loans and assisting displaced Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in entrepreneurship projects.

"The real challenge, however, is operationalizing these plans. Putting all of these into action at the least possible time is the most essential objective that we need to accomplish now. The people need to see these implemented as fast as the government can," Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian urged his fellow lawmakers to set aside politics for the immediate passage of the measures endorsed by the President.

With Covid-19 infecting more than 80,000 Filipinos now, Gatchalian emphasized that this is the best opportune time for everyone to set aside political differences and work towards a common goal which is beneficial to all Filipinos.

On the other hand, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto believed that Duterte’s penultimate SONA was not re-assuring, hopeful, and allegedly divisive.

He said that while he supports the Bayanihan 2 and agrees with investments in agriculture, the President failed to give much detail on how to win the war against the pandemic.

“I think the President economized in spelling out his anti-pandemic program, which is what Filipinos were expecting to hear more from him. He could have made it detailed and nuanced, in a language that is comforting, assuring and emphatic,” he said.

Recto said Duterte should have also given marching orders to his men, especially those who are lagging behind in delivering programs to the people.

“Oftentimes, excellent visions are canceled by poor execution. In this regard, Cabinet or sub-Cabinet changes should be explored, so that promises made can be fulfilled. In the battle for national survival, we need the best men up the front,” he said.

But for Senator Imee Marcos, hammering up an elaborate and all- encompassing economic plan is up to lawmakers and the country’s economic managers, not the President.

“To me however, it is our job, both the economic managers and the legislature, to hammer together the details of effective social protection, genuine healthcare modernization and quick and universal economic recovery,” she said.

Marcos said Duterte declared in his SONA the government’s readiness to lead the way out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“In every crisis there is indeed an opportunity - and the opportunity for launching at last a truly transformational agenda is here. To be rid of corruption in government, of crime, and most of all the stranglehold of an ancient oligarchy. We have heard his clarion call, let’s get to work and save our country,” Marcos said.

Death Penalty

Marcos also expressed support to Duterte’s call for the reimposition of the death penalty for drug-related heinous crimes and capital offenses.

“I'm for the death penalty because the nature of the time has changed... Today, what we see in the international landscape are vast syndicates of multi-national corporations involved in drugs, terrorism, gun-running, human trafficking, and it's very obvious that their tentacles extend from the police, the justice system, and even narco-politicians, so kailangan ang (we need) death penalty as a deterrent,” she said.

She appealed to her colleagues, especially to those who oppose the death penalty, to at least start the debates and hear all sides of the arguments.

“That's the only time that we can judge. To hear everyone and everything. That's the only time we can make a fair judgment. If we continue to keep it in the back burner and refuse to hear it, I think we will not be doing our jobs,” Marcos said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said he also supports the reimposition of the death penalty as a deterrent to crime.

“Having served as a law enforcer in my previous life I have good enough basis to believe that the reimposition of the death penalty is a deterrent to crime and an encouragement for victims to come forward and seek justice. Just like the Anti- Terrorism Act of 2020, timing is of no moment when we are dealing with heinous crimes and crimes against humanity,” the former chief of the Philippine National Police said.

Another former PNP chief-turned lawmaker also voiced his support for the death penalty.

“I am happy that he (Duterte) appealed to Congress for the passage of the death penalty law for drug trafficking because my death penalty bill has been languishing at the referred committee for one year already without actions taken,” Senator Ronald Dela Rosa said. (PNA)

5th SONA to bring hope for Filipinos amid pandemic: Go

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go

MANILA – Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go is optimistic that President Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, will bring the hope of a better future for Filipinos amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19 pandemic.

Go said he is expecting the President to provide concrete plans and proposed legislative measures to strengthen the government’s efforts to overcome the ongoing crisis and steer the country toward socio-economic recovery.

“I am expecting that the President will focus his 5th SONA on measures to strengthen our fight against the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; to address the needs of the people to overcome the hardships that the crisis has caused in everyone’s lives; and also to sustain the gains of the Duterte Administration’s promise of a comfortable life for all despite the challenges that we are facing,” he said in a statement.

“Our goal now is not only to adapt to the ‘new normal’ but to lead our country towards a ‘better normal’ and better quality of life,” he added.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go is confident that primary importance will be placed on measures ramping up the healthcare system’s capacity at all levels.

“Aside from enhancing our overall capacity to test, trace and treat Covid-19 cases, I am hoping that he will also prioritize improving the capacities and capabilities of public hospitals, establishing mandatory quarantine facilities and evacuation centers, strengthening our health workforce, promoting the welfare and well-being of our medical front-liners, and preparing a national vaccine program for Covid-19,” Go said.

He expects to see more of health-related bills to be prioritized as both Houses of Congress are set to open their second regular session of the 18th Congress next week.

Go also said he expects the President will highlight the key economic responses to mitigate the human and economic impact of the pandemic.

“Kasama na dyan ang pagpapabuti ng mga (That include the improvement of) government assistance programs for the poor, livelihood opportunities for displaced workers, and stimulus programs to jumpstart the economy,” Go said.

Go said efficient, effective, and responsive government service delivery must be sustained despite the ordeal for citizens to continue to develop and for the businesses to help jumpstart the economy.

He said the government has initiated programs to ensure that learners continue their education, displaced workers to have jobs, including those overseas Filipino workers, and to continue government service without compromising the health and safety of the public.

Despite the challenges faced this year, Go said the Duterte administration will continue with projects and programs to fulfill its promise of a comfortable life for all Filipinos, like the “Build, Build, Build” program.

As the Duterte administration enters the latter part of its term, Go said the President remains determined in improving the lives of Filipinos by consistently pushing for development in all parts of the country and by continuously aiming to bring government services closer to the people.

“Due to the effects of the pandemic, our President has initiatives like the Balik Probinsya Program that would give new hope and a better life to Filipinos if they choose to live in the province,” he said in Filipino.

Other initiatives of the government are to stamp out the bureaucratic red tape, eliminate corruption, and promote E-governance, Go added.

Go also expressed his faith that the country will bounce back from this crisis with a deeper commitment to improving the lives of fellow Filipinos.

“We have gone a long way since President Duterte assumed office. Though there are still challenges we face every day, these shape our capacity to serve our fellowmen toward genuine change,” Go said. (PR)

Cotabato City nurse, 5 others test positive for coronavirus

By Edwin Fernandez 

The Department of Health-Soccsksargen coronavirus disease 2019 as of July 25, 2020

  

COTABATO CITY – A nurse attending to a coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) positive engineer-patient at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) here was also tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), health officials here said on Sunday.

The infected nurse and five other persons were the latest Covid-19 patients in Region 12 (Soccsksargen).

“She is asymptomatic and in stable condition,” Dr. Meyasser Patadon, Cotabato City health chief, told reporters here, adding the nurse is now isolated at the CRMC isolation facility.

The 23-year-old female nurse, the second CRMC health worker infected with the virus, was exposed to Cotabato City’s Patient No. 23, a service engineer from Las Piñas working in one of the isolation facilities inside the hospital compound who was tested positive for the disease on July 22.

The first CRMC nurse who tested positive of Covid-19 was a 36-year-old female who belonged to the first batch of CRMC health front-liners subjected to RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) tests due to possible local transmission.

Major services of the CRMC had been shut down for decontamination and disinfection, including the ICU, outpatient department and emergency rooms, according to Dr. Helen Yambao, CRMC chief, after front-liners were exposed to patients who were admitted for non-Covid-related diseases but later turned out positive for Covid-19.

Only emergencies and life-threatening cases are admitted to CRMC in the next two weeks since July 23.

Across the region, five other persons tested positive for the virus -- three from General Santos City and one each in Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato, raising the total number of patients region-wide to 204 with 98 patients having recovered from the infection or a 48 percent recovery rate.

As of Saturday night, DOH-Soccsksargen reported that Sarangani has the highest number of positive patients with 46, followed by South Cotabato (40), North Cotabato (33), Sultan Kudarat (33), Cotabato City (26), and General Santos City (26).

In addition, the regional health office said ten patients have recovered from the virus. Four of them were from Sarangani; South Cotabato (two); North Cotabato (two); and one each from Sultan Kudarat province and General Santos City.

In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the region’s Ministry of Health reported six new confirmed cases, raising the region’s total number of positive patients to 429 with 133 patients having recovered or 31 percent recovery rate.

Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan, BARMM health minister, said Lanao del Sur and Marawi City remained to be on top with the most number of patients at 177 or 41 percent of the total patients. (PNA)

Davao City, CHED offers 9K slots for college scholarship

By Che Palicte 

DAVAO CITY – The city government and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) opened about 9,500 scholarship slots for all tertiary students, the city hall said in a statement Saturday.

The initiative is under the High Priority Bus System’s (HPBS) "Tulong Dunong Program" offered to children of public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers affected by the public transport modernization system.

However, the city government here has asked CHED to give the other slots to qualified college students.

Commissioner Norman Baloro, the spokesperson of the Tulong Dunong Program, said the project is a four-year scholarship grant that provides PHP7,500 per semester for four academic years.

For the remaining slots, Baloro said priority will be given to Davao City residents, children of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have lost their job, repatriated, and local residents who lost their jobs.

“Upon assessment, we cannot utilize the amount if we only base it on PUJ drivers’ children. Base on our profiling, many children of the PUJ drivers are not yet at the college level. Out of the 10,000 slots allotted for Davao City residents, 500 slots were already availed by children of PUJ drivers and operators,” he said.

He said the scholarship program is also open to those who have not availed the Eskwela Davao program or any scholarship grant offered by the government.

Baloro added that students are qualified if their parents’ annual income does not exceed PHP400,000, and who are enrolled from the school year 2019 to the present in CHED-accredited institutions.

“Interested tertiary students who wish to avail of the scholarship program can e-mail the following information to tulongdunong.cgd@gmail.com: complete name, date of birth, sex, complete address, school enrolled, course, year level during the school year 2019-2020, father’s name ad occupation, mother’s maiden name, and occupation, contact number, and email address,” he said.

The deadline for the submission of complete details will be on or before July 31, 2020. (PNA)

Bangsamoro Gov’t builds four more 100-bed isolation center

Cotabato City  – Four (4) additional 100-bed Covid-19 isolation facilities are now being constructed by the Bangsamoro Government in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

This is to accommodate the increasing number of Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (ROFs) in the region, as well as the Filipino returnees from Sabah.

Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Sinarimbo, Social Services Minister Raisa Jajurie, and Public Works Minister Archt. Eduard Guerra led the groundbreaking ceremonies of the said facilities in the four provinces from July 20 -23.

In his 8th Chief Minister’s Hour on Wednesday, BARMM Chief MInister Ahod ‘Al Haj Murad’ Ebrahim said the significant increase of Covid-confirmed cases in the region can be associated with the arrival of ROFs and LSIs.

“As of July 16, 2020, we have already facilitated a total of 15,184 ROFs, LSIs, and returnees from Sabah. Generally speaking, we still have enough isolation facilities in the region but in some critical areas, we are already reaching the maximum capacity,” Ebrahim said.

“In view of this and as I have mentioned before, we will build additional isolation facilities similar to the one we built in Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital,” he added.

The 100-bed capacity isolation facility in Cotabato Sanitarium, which was launched on May 28, was completed in just 40 days through the BARMM’s Ministry of Public Works.

Chief Minister Ebrahim emphasized that “despite the challenges brought by the sudden increase of confirmed cases associated with the LSIs and ROFs, the Bangsamoro Government remains committed in bringing these people home.”

“We shall continue to cater their immediate needs. After all, they are our people. And in this time of crisis, our decision should mainly focus on public health, continuity of government service, and humanitarian considerations, all in the name of our call for moral governance,” he added.

He also stressed that proper and prior coordination from all levels of governance – between national government, the BARMM and its LGUs – must be in place in handling the returnees.

“This is to avoid another incident like that of the BaSulTa (Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi) bound LSIs who were brought to Cagayan De Oro on July 7, 2020 and we were only informed of their arrival after they were disembarked in CDO,” Ebrahim said.

Ebrahim assured that the Bangsamoro Government is taking care of the needs of the BaSulta bound LSIs, and that proper handling and precautionary measure are in place to ensure that the spread of the virus is contained.

As of July 23, BARMM has reported a total of 416 confirmed cases, with 8 deaths, 128 recoveries, and 280 active cases. Out of the 416 cases, 331 are LSIs and 28 are ROFs. (Bureau of Public Information)

2,103 new cases of Covid-19, total now at 76K: DOH

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz 

 MANILA – There is still no light at the end of the tunnel for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the country as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,103 new cases on Friday.

In its daily Covid-19 bulletin, the DOH said the new cases bring the country’s total to 76,444, while active cases — net of Covid-19 deaths and recoveries — are now at 50,063.

It said the areas with the highest number of new cases were the National Capital Region (NCR) with 1,272, Cebu province, 291; Laguna, 107; Rizal, 83; and Cavite with 53.

Of the active cases, it said a little over 90 percent were showing mild symptoms, 8.93 percent were asymptomatic, 0.49 percent were experiencing severe symptoms, while those in critical condition were at 0.43 percent.

Recoveries continue to rise with 144 new recoveries reported, bringing the country’s total to 24,502.

Fifteen more deaths were also reported, bringing the total number at 1,879.

Currently, the country remains capable to take care of more cases of Covid-19, with only about half of all beds for Covid-19 cases currently occupied, it said.

In particular, it said beds at intensive care units currently total 1,379 of which 50.1 percent were occupied.

Isolation beds total 10,799 and currently has an occupancy of 50.8 percent, while ward beds total 3,807 with an occupancy of 55.6 percent.

Moreover, it said only 28.8 percent of the country’s ventilators were currently in use, with 71.2 percent, or 1,412 units still available for use. (PNA)

US exceeds 4M coronavirus cases: Johns Hopkins

(Anadolu photo)

WASHINGTON – The US on Thursday surpassed four million coronavirus cases as the number of cases spiked, according to a running tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

In all, the Maryland-based university recorded 4,007,859 positive tests, and 143,846 Covid-19-related deaths. It reported 1,210,849 recoveries.

The US remains the country hardest-hit by the pandemic with the highest number of cases and deaths recorded worldwide.

US President Donald Trump acknowledged Tuesday that the situation will likely "get worse before it gets better."

“We are in the process of developing a strategy that’s going to be very, very powerful,” he said without elaborating as the US is five months into the outbreak.

Cases have been flaring in California, Texas, and Florida.

California surpassed New York, the original epicenter of the US outbreak, Wednesday for the highest number of confirmed cases. The state, America's most populous, has 421,857 confirmed cases after adding over 12,000 on Thursday. (Anadolu)

Covid-19 cases breaching 61K-mark saddens Palace

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos 

 

Drive-thru testing in Manila (File photo)

MANILA – Malacañang on Friday said it was saddened that the total confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the Philippines has jumped to over 61,000.

In an interview with state-run PTV-4, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it was disheartening that the University of the Philippines (UP) researchers’ initial prediction of 60,000 Covid-19 cases in the country by July 31 happened before the month ends.

“Ngayon, nagkatotoo na nga. Hindi pa tapos ang buwan. Nakakalungkot po iyan. Nag-bago pa sila (UP researchers) ng forecast na mas maraming magkakasakit ng Covid (Now, the prediction becomes true. It’s just less than a month. It’s saddening. They even changed their forecast, saying that many more will get infected with Covid),” Roque said.

Roque issued the statement a day after Covid-19 infections in the Philippines rose to 61,266.

As of Thursday, the Philippines has reported that around 21,440 Covid-19 patients have recovered while 1,643 others have died of coronavirus.

In June, a group of researchers from UP projected that the country is likely to hit 60,000 Covid-19 cases by end of July.

The group revised its projection, saying the Covid-19 infections could top 85,000 by the end of July, considering the disease’s transmission rate and doubling time.

Strategies still working

Despite the latest development, Roque remained confident that the quarantine measures imposed by the government are still “working” to combat Covid-19.

“Gumagana naman po dahil kung hindi po tayo gumalaw, eh di milyun-milyon na po ang may Covid (They are still working because millions of people would have acquired Covid-19, had we failed to take appropriate actions),” Roque said.

Roque was referring to experts’ previous warning that the number of Filipinos who might get infected with Covid-19 could be up to 8.3 million, in case the government fails to address the Covid-19 pandemic.

Roque said the government’s strategies to contain Covid-19 are effective since only a few people are dying of Covid-19.

“So gumagana naman po dahil maliit pa rin ang bilang ng mga namamatay sa sakit na ito (So our strategies are still working because the number of people dying due to this disease is just low),” he said.

Roque also maintained that with the cooperation of the public, the country would be successful in its fight against Covid-19.

He reminded everyone anew to continue wearing face masks, washing hands, and observing social distancing to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“Ang importante po ngayon, makipag-cooperate po tayo (What’s important now is the cooperation of everyone),” he said. (PNA)