2019 Novel Coronavirus (NCoV) – Page 27

COVID-19 Crisis: Police arrest suspects over illegal sale of COVID-19 test kits in Parañaque City

May 14, 2021May 13, 2021carlocarrasco

Another crime news piece related to Parañaque for you all. This time it was reported by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) and it is about the illegal act of selling rapid test kits related to COVID-19. The illegal sale happened in Parañaque City, specifically in Barangay Don Bosco.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine News Agency’s news report. Some parts in bold…

Three individuals were arrested for the illegal sale of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) rapid test kits in Parañaque City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.

PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, citing a report from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, identified the suspects as Ace Dimaplis, Charisse Purino, and Aldrin Bacaran who were arrested in an entrapment operation in Barangay Don Bosco on Tuesday.

The operation stemmed from reports of the sale of illegally marketed medical devices such as Wondfo antigen rapid test kits which are placed in advertisements in illegal online selling websites.

A poseur-buyer ordered online 250 boxes of Wondfo rapid test kit, with each box containing 20 sets, amounting to PHP1.2 million pesos.

Recovered during the operation were assorted volumes of unauthorized rapid test kits worth PHP4 million, one magazine for .40 caliber pistol, various kinds of ammunition, two sets of caliper, a digital reloading scale, and smokeless gunpowder.

Meanwhile, the suspects failed to show to the operatives their license to operate (LTO) or special permit to sell and distribute the test kits with regards to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Circular No. 2020-016 and authority to possess gun reloader and live ammunition.

“Further investigation reveals that the arrested suspects were sub-leaders of Chinese online groups who were involved in illegal online selling of unauthorized Covid-19 rapid test kit(s),” Eleazar said.

The report ended stating that the suspects were brought to the police force in Quezon City for appropriate documentation and the formal filing of cases related to violating Republic Act Number 9711 (Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 in relation to FDA Circular No. 2020-016) and Republic Act Number 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the Philippine News Agency’s crime news report? Did you notice something strange going on in your local community there in Parañaque City? Are the local police and barangay tanods doing enough to secure your local community from criminals? Did you spot online any ads related to Wondfo antigen rapid test kits?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: Parañaque cybersex den stopped by NBI, several victims rescued

May 14, 2021May 13, 2021carlocarrasco

Criminal activities in the city of Parañaque involving Chinese nationals continue to happen. Very recently, a prostitution operation in the form of a cybersex den located in a certain executive village in the city (note: GMA Network did not reveal which village was it in its news report) was entered by personnel of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on a rescue mission. The raid, which took place on May 11, resulted the arrest of one Chinese national and rescue of several victims.

To put things in perspective, here is the GMA Network news video for you all to watch…

Now we can take a close look at the details on GMA Network’s online news report. Here is an excerpt from their report with some parts in bold…

Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday rescued 20 women, two of whom were minors, from an online human trafficking syndicate at an exclusive village in Parañaque.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the NBI arrested Chinese national Kong Chiang She during the operation.

Meanwhile, the authorities found the women on the second floor of a house inside the village with their own rooms.

The NBI said the suspects used an online messaging app for their Chinese customers.

Through the app, selected customers can choose the sexual favors that the victims will do. The victims will then be brought to the customers’ homes or the hotel they have selected.

According to the NBI, sexual exploitation is especially dangerous amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Two of the women rescued tested positive in the COVID-19 rapid antigen test. Both the World Health Organization and the Department of Health though have discouraged the use of rapid antigen tests due to its unreliability and its chances of giving false negative results.

“When you engage in the services of the victim, they will not show you a certification that they are negative for swab test or antigen test,” NBI spokesperson Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said.

The arrested individuals declined to comment.

The above news is very disturbing, especially since the entire Philippines is still struggling under the COVID-19 pandemic and people in the city of Parañaque are struggling to get vaccinated. As for the Parañaque cybersex den that got stopped, there is a possibility that it contributed to the spreading of COVID-19 to other people during the time it operated and fulfilled transactions with its customers. As written in the above news report, two victims were found positive with COVID-19 based on the results of the rapid antigen test (which itself was deemed unreliable according the local and global health authorities). As such, all the victims (who were brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development or DSWD) need to be tested with the proper, more reliable methods.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the GMA Network’s crime news report? Did you notice something strange going on in your local community there in Parañaque City? Are the local police and barangay tanods doing enough to secure your local community from criminals? Do you feel disturbed about the presence of Chinese nationals in Parañaque City?

Which particular Parañaque executive village did GMA’s news report refer to?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: More than 30,000 people vaccinated in Las Piñas City

May 14, 2021May 13, 2021carlocarrasco

It’s been quite some time since the official numbers about Las Piñas City residents and frontliners getting vaccinated for COVID-19 was last revealed. Thanks to the Manila Bulletin with Mayor Imelda Aguilar being the primary source of information, we now know that over 30,000 people there got injected with COVID-19 vaccines. Take note that Las Piñas has ten vaccination sites and should have its newest isolation site open by now.

Las Piñas City residents who have yet to get themselves registered to avail of free COVID-19 vaccines, can learn the ways right here. For everyone’s information, more COVID-19 vaccines from abroad will come in and the City Government already made its move to acquire 300,000 additional AstraZeneca vaccines.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from Manila Bulletin’s report. Some parts in bold…

A total of 33, 578 individuals have been vaccinated in Las Piñas City, Mayor Imelda Aguilar said Wednesday.

Out of the total number of individuals vaccinated in the city, 5,057 were frontline workers, 16, 208 were senior citizens, and 12, 313 were persons with comorbidities.

The city has 10 vaccination sites that can vaccinate around 300 individuals per day, according to Aguilar.

Meanwhile, the city government of Las Piñas said it is expecting to receive around 11,700 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

While Las Piñas was not one of the five National Capital Region (NCR) cities that received Sputnik V vaccines, it is a recipient of Pfizer vaccines. Pfizer happened to be one of the vaccines that Israel used.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you were vaccinated already, how organized was the vaccination program there in Las Piñas City? What was the vaccine you were injected with? How many people there in your local community are aware of the local vaccine registration program?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: Almost 30,000 Muntinlupa residents vaccinated with first dose, initial Sputnik V vaccines ran out

May 13, 2021May 12, 2021carlocarrasco

Is anyone among you a resident of Muntinlupa City and you have not registered to get vaccinated for COVID-19? If you are a local resident and if you are willing to get vaccinated, I recommend you register yourself online now. Don’t get overwhelmed with the news about the lack of COVID-19 vaccines in our country. Just get registered now and wait to get contacted. I did my part and got vaccinated with my first dose (and the local organizing was done efficiently and smoothly here in Alabang).

And now we can proceed with the latest developments as reported by the Manila Bulletin!

Firstly, almost 30,000 residents of Muntinlupa got vaccinated. Specifically, the official count was at 28,005 citizens who got injected with the first dose as of May 10, 2021. If you include the residents who got injected with their second dose, the dose count (as opposed to vaccinated people counted) is at more than 34,000 in the city. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in bold…

The Muntinlupa City government has vaccinated 28,005 residents with the first dose against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Data from the City Health Office (CHO) showed that as of May 10, there were also 6,301 residents who have received their second dose.

The Muntinlupa City government is using Sinovac Life Science’s CoronaVac, AstraZeneca, and Gamaleya Research Institute’s Sputnik V vaccines for its residents.

Of the 28,005 who were inoculated with the first dose, 5,141 are health care workers (A1), 5,400 are senior citizens (A2), 17,416 are persons with comorbidities (A3) and 48 are other frontline workers (A4).

By vaccine, 21,466, or 77 percent, were given CoronaVac; 4,182, or 15 percent, AstraZeneca; and 2,357, or 8 percent, Sputnik V.

Muntinlupa is one of the five recipients of the first delivery of 15,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine that arrived in the country on May 1.

Lorelie Bajeta, a Muntinlupa resident, was administered with Sputnik V for the first dose and she said she did not feel any side effects.

“Wala naman (nothing),” she said.

Of the 6,301 who received the second dose, 1,638 were health care workers (A1), 825 were senior citizens (A2), 3,409 were persons with comorbidities (A3), three other frontline workers (A4) and 426 were hospital workers. All of them were given CoronaVac for the second dose. In total, 34,306 doses were administered for the first and second doses in Muntinlupa.

Muntinlupa has four major vaccination hubs at SM Center Muntinlupa in Brgy. Tunasan, Brgy. Sucat covered court, Filinvest Alabang steel parking area and Ayala Malls South Park.

And another important news regarding Muntinlupa is that the initial supply of Sputnik V vaccine in the city has officially been used up. For transparency, here are specific excerpts from another Manila Bulletin report…

Excerpt 1

The Muntinlupa City government has used up all the 3,000 doses of Sputnik V Gam-COVID-Vac vaccines donated by the national government and received new supply of other brands.

Excerpt 2

The City Health Office (CHO) finished inoculating residents from priority groups with Sputnik V on May 11 as supplies of the vaccine ran out, the Public Information Office (PIO) said.

According to the CHO, 2,979 residents were vaccinated with Sputnik V on May 11.

Previously, I published a press release about the launch of Sputnik V vaccination in Muntinlupa. It took less than a week for the initial Sputnik V vaccines to run out. More COVID-19 vaccines are coming into the Philippines and that will include an additional 2,000,000 doses of Sputnik V this month.

Once again, to Muntinlupa City residents reading this, I encourage you get registered online to avail of the free COVID-19 vaccines locally. It will take the local authorities some time to sort out all those who registered, but rest assured you will get contacted by email and by text message. Do it now at https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/

For the readers from nearby Las Piñas City who wish to know more about their local COVID-19 vaccine registration program, I encourage you to read my article (filled with updated references) now.

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COVID-19 Crisis: GMA News video shows patients frustrated during the launch of Sputnik V in Parañaque

May 11, 2021May 11, 2021carlocarrasco

To all the readers based in Parañaque City…were you able to avail of the free COVID-19 vaccine in your city lately? If you were vaccinated successfully, what type of vaccine was used on you? How long did you wait in line?

The reason why I’m asking this is because GMA Network published news videos that showed some people who waited long in line only to end up not getting vaccinated at a mall in the city the same day Sputnik V debuted there.

Before exploring the GMA News video, let’s put things in perspective that the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) published on May 5, 2021 a press release by the National Task Force against COVID-19 that stated that Parañaque City displayed logistical readiness related to the rollout of Sputnik V vaccines. It should be noted that vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. attended the Sputnik V launch in the said city.

To be clear, here are two excerpts from the PIA-published press release…

Excerpt 1

This city demonstrated its capability to efficiently receive and handle the administration of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccines during a trial run held here on Tuesday, May 4, at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez cited the unique characteristics of the Sputnik V vaccines, as he assured the national government and his people that the city is capable of handling the vaccines.

“Ito pong Sputnik V, special po ang logistics nito, kasi kailangan po natin dito at least negative 18 degrees centigrade ang storage. Ang City of Parañaque, through our City Health Office ay prepared na prepared sa paghandle nitong Sputnik V,” Olivarez said.

Excerpt 2

For his part, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., chief Implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 and vaccine czar thanked the City of Parañaque for agreeing to be one of the host cities for the pilot rollout of the Sputnik V vaccines.

“Through this pilot test we are conducting today, we will be able to see and address possible challenges that may arise before we begin to roll out the 485,000 Sputnik V doses that are expected to arrive this week,” Galvez said.

By reading the entire press release at PIA’s website, you would end up believing that things went well in Parañaque City and the launch of Sputnik V. What was completely missing in the press release were long lines and frustration (for those who waited so long and ended up empty handed) at the same venue on the same day as the Sputnik V rollout in Parañaque. Watch GMA Network’s news video below titled “Tempers flare at Parañaque COVID-19 vaccination site as not everyone receives jabs”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about GMA Network’s news video on Parañaque and its Sputnik V launch? Are the organizers in Parañaque taking proper care of its citizens who are trying to get vaccinated for COVID-19? Is the City Government of Parañaque relying on media gimmicks (examples: fancy speeches, lots of show-off photography, etc.) while trying to serve as many citizens to the best of its abilities? Whether you got vaccinated or not, how many hours did you spend waiting in line in your city? How many vaccination sites are available in Parañaque right now that you know? Do you believe that Parañaque can achieve its goal of vaccinating 5,000 people per day?

Are you one of the frustrated people who appeared in GMA’s news video who waited so long in line only to end up without getting vaccinated?

Were the vaccine program organizers of Parañaque City transparent and took good care of you when you lined up?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: Many caught violating face mask ordinance in Muntinlupa City

May 10, 2021May 9, 2021carlocarrasco

In accordance to the recent order by President Rodrigo Duterte, the police officers in Muntinlupa intensified their implementation of an existing city ordinance on the wearing of face masks outside residence within the city’s jurisdiction.

The result? Over a thousand people were caught by the police last Friday for violating the said ordinance according to the report of the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the May 8, 2021 report of the Manila Bulletin…

The Muntinlupa police apprehended on Friday 1,326 persons, mostly minors, for violating the city ordinance on the mandatory wearing of face masks outside residence.

Of the total violators, 1,281, or 97 percent, were minors and only 45, or 3 percent, were adults. They were all caught without detention as mandated by City Ordinance 2020-109.

The police’s move came after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the police Wednesday to arrest people who are caught not wearing face masks properly.

The 1,281 minors who were caught by the police were given warning.

Under the ordinance, if the violator is a minor, a stern warning is imposed for the first offense, withdrawal of scholarship grant from the local government or P300 fine for non-grantee for the second offense, and P500 for third and subsequent offenses. The fines will be imposed on their parents or guardians.

On the other hand, the 45 adults were fined P300 each for the first offense. If they are caught again, they will face a P500 fine for the second offense and P1,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.

The ordinance does not impose any jail time for violators.

An individual inside a private enclosed vehicle is exempted from wearing a face mask but it is mandatory when there are at least two persons in the vehicle.

The ordinance, approved in July last year, requires all persons in Muntinlupa “to wear face masks at all times outside of their residences, at the workplace, when entering government buildings and offices, and while in public places.”

It defines face mask as any “protective clothing or material used to cover the nose, mouth and chin with specifications and proper use as recommended by the Department of Health (DOH), including, but not limited to, surgical masks, medical masks, N95 masks, ear loop masks, indigenous, reusable and do-it-yourself masks.”

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi has urged the public to wear face masks and face shields, and observe physical distancing when outside their residence.

As seen in the above news and details, wearing a face mask properly is a must in Muntinlupa City.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the Manila Bulletin report? Have you been wearing your face mask properly? Are you ready to visit Muntinlupa City soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: Up to 7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine coming to the Philippines this month

May 7, 2021May 6, 2021carlocarrasco

Are you feeling uneasy or anxious about the fact that the millions of vaccines for COVID-19 (China Virus) secured for the Philippines could not come in fast enough? You are not alone.

Are the daily reports of new COVID-19 cases released by the Department of Health (DOH) scaring you? You are not alone as I know someone who is extremely religious yet panicky who gets affected by such reports. Not even the good news of the launch of Sputnik V in the Philippines (check out the Muntinlupa City launch) could lift up that same person’s outlook.

Anyway, the latest COVID-19 vaccine update regarding the Philippines is this…the nation will start receiving the bulk of COVID-19 vaccine composed of up to seven million doses within this month. This was according to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reports…

“Ang maganda po dito ‘yong delivery natin ng ano ng May, baka po from 4 million madadagdagan po tayo ng 7 million. Malaki po ‘yon, Mr. President, kasi ang dadagdag po dito ‘yong COVAX mukhang makakapag-deliver na po ng Pfizer at saka ng AstraZeneca (The good news is that, the delivery this May may increase from 4 million doses up to 7 million doses. That’s a huge volume, Mr. President, because the COVAX facility may also be delivering Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines),” Galvez told President Rodrigo Duterte in a Cabinet meeting Wednesday night.

Galvez assured that enough doses dedicated for the vaccinees’ second shots would arrive on time.

“‘Yong second dose wala na po tayong problema. Mayroon po tayong makukuha ngayong May more or less baka mga 1 million or 2 million na AstraZeneca. Iyong definite date lang po ang ina-ano po natin. So matutuwa na po ‘yong mga nakapag-first dose dahil kasi mayroon pong padating na COVAX na AstraZeneca (We don’t have a problem with the second dose. We might be having more or less 1 million or 2 million doses of AstraZeneca this May. We are just working on the definite dates so we are glad because the AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX Facility will be delivered),” he said.

As of May 4, a total of 2,065,235 Filipinos have been vaccinated with at least one dose against Covid-19, with 320,586 persons fully vaccinated.

The bulk of the vaccines will be arriving in June, allowing the government to begin the inoculation of the general populace, Galvez added.

“So pataas po nang pataas ang volume po, Mr. President. Talagang ang medyo nahirapan lang po tayo noong March at saka April. Pero ngayong May medyo mayroon pong bubuhos sa atin (We will be receiving an increased volume of vaccines, we really had hard times during March and April, but this May, more vaccines will be arriving),” he said.

An estimated 20-30 percent of the country’s healthcare workers have yet to be vaccinated, according to Galvez, as they opted to wait for the arrival of other brands of Covid-19 vaccines.

Despite negative reports, Galvez said the public’s acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccines has significantly increased, noting that more Filipinos wanted to get immunized.

To date, data from Our World in Data show that the Philippines is fourth among Southeast Asian nations with the most number of vaccine doses administered.

The report ended stating that as more vaccines arrive, Galvez described as “very doable” is the government’s goal to vaccinate half-a-million people daily.

In closing this, let me ask you readers…do you believe the updates from Galvez? How is the local COVID-19 vaccinating program doing there in your local area? Were you vaccinated already?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City lifts liquor ban with some restrictions amid MECQ, other less stringent quarantine status

May 7, 2021May 6, 2021carlocarrasco

The liquor ban in Muntinlupa City is has officially been lifted but with restrictions for the duration of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and other less stringent community quarantines as may be declared by the national government.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi approved City Ordinance No. 2021-232 lifting the liquor ban in the city with provisions on regulation and limitations for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Under the local ordinance, city residents can only consume alcoholic beverages within their private residence. Social drinking involving individuals not living in the same residence shall still be strictly prohibited.

The sale of liquor and other intoxicating beverages shall only be during 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and will only be limited to Muntinlupa residents.

Consumption or drinking liquor in public places such as restaurants and other commercial establishments permitted to operate by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) shall be regulated: beer – maximum of 2 bottles, hard drinks – maximum of 2 glasses, and for wine and whiskey – maximum of two glasses.

Business establishments who will violate the ordinance shall be meted with the following penalties: closure of one week for first offense and revocation of business permit for second offense.

Further, violating persons who are sellers shall receive P2,000 penalty for first offense and P5,000 for second offense, while those who are buyers will be penalized with P2,500 for their first offense and P5,000 for second offense.

Members of the Muntinlupa City Police Station, Public Order and Safety Office, City Security Office, Muntinlupa Traffic and Management Bureau, Business Permit and Licensing Office, Barangay Chairpersons and their personnel, and other deputized individuals will conduct inspections in commercial establishments to ensure that the local ordinance is followed.

The City Government warns beneficiaries of the emergency assistance from the DSWD that they are prohibited to use their cash aid to purchase liquor or any alcoholic beverage. The public is encouraged to report violators for proper action.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi reminds city residents that the lifting of liquor ban is for economic reasons and that the health and safety of the public should not be compromised.

“COVID-19 is still an imminent threat so I urge everyone to be responsible and to continue observing health protocols even as quarantine measures and the liquor ban are relaxed in the implementation of MECQ,” Fresnedi said.

As of May 5, Muntinlupa City has 11,585 confirmed cases with 10,127 recoveries, 1,154 active cases, 304 reported deaths, 168 suspect cases, and 988 probable cases.

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I Love Israel: Direct Philippines-Israel flights before the end of 2021 in the works

May 6, 2021May 4, 2021carlocarrasco

Have you been dreaming of visiting the Holy Land or doing business in Tel Aviv in Israel? There is something positive in development right now and breakthroughs could happen before the year ends. This is because recently, Israel’s Ambassador Rafael Harpaz announced that the establishment of direct flights between the Philippines and Israel is being worked on with 2021 in mind (specifically before the end of the year). There is no timeline yet as to when will Philippines-Israel travel will resume but make no mistake that Israel is opening its borders to foreign tourists (who got vaccinated for COVID-19) starting May 23, 2021 which itself is connected with their successful vaccination program.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) article. Some parts in bold…

Direct flights between the Philippines and Israel before the end of the year are in the pipeline, Israeli Ambassador to Manila Rafael Harpaz said Friday.

“We would like very much for the Filipino tourists to be back to Israel. The Philippine Airlines already informed us that they are planning to start a direct flight to Israel towards the end of the year,” Harpaz told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview.

There’s no timeline yet when tourism exchanges between the Philippines and Israel would resume, but he said the deployment of Filipino caregivers continues despite the pandemic.

“Actually, every day we see new caregivers because there is a demand. So they are flying to Israel and when they get there, they also get the vaccine immediately,” Harpaz said. “We don’t have a quota (on deployment) but it depends on the demand. Because our population is getting older and older, the demand is getting high. We also have from other countries but the demand is high for Filipino caregivers.”

In 2019 alone, about 35,000 Filipino tourists visited Israel, while more than 30,000 overseas Filipinos are working there as caregivers.

‘Tourism restart’

At present, there is no agreement between the Philippines and Israel for a travel bubble setup, but Harpaz said he is hopeful that the two nations’ tourism exchanges would soon resume.

He added that several Filipino tour operators are interested to bring travel groups once Israel fully reopens.

“They’re waiting. There’s so many tour operators in the Philippines who are eager to take groups to Israel because it’s a big tourist destination for Filipinos,” Harpaz said. “The Israelis are also eager. The businessmen are eager to return to the Philippines. They want to go to Banawe, Palawan, Siquijor, and all those wonderful places. Let’s hope that it will soon work out.”

Israel is opening up its borders to foreign tourists under a travel bubble setup, with the vaccinated population no longer required to undergo a long period of quarantine.

But for now, the vaccines that Israel recognizes for this arrangement are Pfizer and Moderna.

It has so far signed a travel bubble agreement with Cyprus and Greece.

“We are moving slowly with more countries because we want to have tourism back and business back,” he said.

As you already know, I strongly believe that the ties between my native Philippines and Israel are very essential. I really love it when Israelites and Filipinos are in harmony together, and the fact that Filipino caregivers and students were vaccinated for free in Israel is an example of that. Filipino caregivers have been known to be very helpful towards Israelites and there is a strong demand for more caregivers. Christians here in the Philippines, led by faith, love to visit the Holy Land and discover personally the places where Lord Jesus had been to.

Speaking of Philippines-Israel ties, Ambassador Harpaz also announced more good news for Filipinos struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Posted below is an excerpt from another Philippine News Agency article…

The Philippines can expect to be among the priority countries of Israel once the latter is able to transfer its excess vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Israel Ambassador to Manila Rafael Harpaz said Friday.

Harpaz explained that Israel, for the time being, could not transport its extra vaccine doses to any third country due to some legal issues in its contract with Pfizer.

“It has nothing to do with the Philippines. Israel, for the time being, was not able to give vaccines to a third country because we have a contract and there are limitations on giving it to a third party,” he told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview on Friday.

Aside from Manila, more than 10 countries have also expressed interest in purchasing their excess vaccines, Harpaz said.

“It’s something we are looking generally in a favorable manner but it’s the legal issues that must be resolved first. But it’s one of the issues in the discussions and when the moment that there would be a green light to give (the vaccines) as assistance to third countries, the Philippines will certainly be among them,” he said.

“The Philippines is definitely a high priority for us once we’re capable of giving away the vaccines.“

Wow! Considering the current situation here in the Philippines, it’s nice to learn that our country is a high priority for Israel for potential donations of excess vaccines from their own stocks. The legal issues are blocking access. To be very clear, the Philippines secured many millions of COVID-19 vaccines but those stocks cannot come fast enough. Very recently, the cities of Muntinlupa and Parañaque became the first recipients of vaccines from Russia. How many exactly? THREE THOUSAND doses for each city.

In closing this, here are some Israel-related videos for your viewing pleasure and for your insight.

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Ayuda sa Atleta campaign launched

May 5, 2021May 4, 2021carlocarrasco

A special campaign to help raise funds and donations in-kind for national athletes, both regular and the differently abled ones, and dubbed AYUDA SA ATLETA, was launched recently as an initiative of the private sector to help them in these difficult times of the pandemic.

Triathlon President and former Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman Tom Carrasco and veteran sports journalist and management consultant Lito Cinco, who wrote about the need for a community pantry of assistance to national athletes in his column The Bottom Line last April 21, co-lead the group. Joining them are sepak takraw President and POC official Karen Tanchanco Caballero, sports science figure and former national archer Nino Sinco, and sportsman/sports patron Alex Wang of Wang’s Ballclub.

The group is tasked to plan and manage the program, from raising funds all the way to distribution of the assistance to the recipients, initially with the differently-abled athletes who are more in need, “We know we cannot cover the total 1,500 number of national athletes and coaches, that is why decided to start off with the differently-abled ones and are in touch with PHILSPADA to get the complete roster,“ said Carrasco.

“We have categorized the assistance in the form of vitamins, sports drinks, energy bars, and personal hygiene items for those who would like to give in kind. Fortunately, Cebuana Lhuillier President/CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, himself a sports man and long-time supporter of Philippine sports has jumpstarted the program with a P250,000 donation. We hope other sports-loving companies and individuals will follow his lead, our national athletes who have brought us honor certainly deserve to be helped during this pandemic,“ added Carrasco, whose company, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines also donated P25,000 to the cause.

On his part, Cinco who has been long involved in projects for the needy, including current community pantries in Mandaluyong, said, “I was inspired by what I have seen about this community program that has grown all over and I thought, why not initiate one for athletes, and wrote about it . The following day after my column came out, I got a call from Cebuana Lhuillier pledging assistance. I was not really surprised about the help extended as I have known Jean Henri as sports patron for a long time.”

Solicitation letters will be sent to various companies and individuals for cash and in-kind donations, with the group promising transparency for all funds received and expenses made.

“Our target is to start the distribution to athletes by June to give us time to raise more donations so we can cover more athletes,“ concluded Carrasco.

For interested parties, contact persons for the program are Carrasco, 0917 8992999, Cinco, 0920 9241981 and lito_cinco@yahoo.com, Wang, 0943 0119811, and Tanchanco, dsgkarencaballero@olympic.ph

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Note: Some parts of the above press release were edited for this website.

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