Dishonest individuals to be involved in vaccination fraud or those falsifying their information to receive a COVID-19 vaccine “booster” shot in Muntinlupa will now be penalized and face charges following the approval of a local ordinance.
Muntinlupa City Council passed Ordinance No. 2021-262 this past Tuesday penalizing the dishonest and untruthful declaration of any person undergoing vaccination and to prevent fully vaccinated persons from getting additional COVID-19 vaccine shots as boosters.
Under the local ordinance, persons undergoing vaccination who “knowingly and deliberately lie, commit dishonesty or withhold relevant information such as excess in the number of doses presently allowed or taking different doses” shall be penalized. Violators will be meted with P5,000 penalty and imprisonment from six (6) to nine (9) months.
The ordinance against illegal COVID-19 vaccine booster shots is as an amendment to Ordinance 2020-088 or the Anti-Patient’s Dishonesty Ordinance of 2020 which seeks to apprehend individuals withholding relevant information and committing dishonesty on medical forms required by health workers.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi warns those who will falsify their information in order to get a booster shot that they will be apprehended. The local exec underscored the health risk of getting an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than what is presently allowed by the Department of Health or by mixing the brands of their first and second dose.
To date, DOH does not endorse booster shots of any COVID-19 vaccine because of the lack of studies backing up the efficacy and safety of booster inoculations.
Further, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has appealed to the public not to take a third dose, saying that the so-called booster shot is illegal. MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos said those taking booster shots are stripping others of the opportunity to get even one dose of the government-acquired and donated jabs considering the low supply.
As of August 23, 442,586 vaccines have been administered in Muntinlupa. At least 293,909 individuals have received their first dose, of which 7,160 were inoculated in vaccination sites of Muntinlupa private companies, translating to 76.2% of the target population. While there are 153,036 fully vaccinated individuals, or those who received their required doses, translating to 39.7% of the target.
The target population to be vaccinated in Muntinlupa is 385,725 individuals or 70% of 551,036 Muntinlupa’s estimated population for 2020.
Muntinlupa City has 18,586 confirmed cases with 15,860 recoveries, 2,299 active cases, 427 reported deaths, 4 suspect cases, and 3,028 probable cases as of August 24.
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The above information was sourced from the official press release of the Muntinlupa PIO. Some parts were changed for this website.
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To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) article. Some parts in boldface…
In a statement on Friday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and concurrent MMC Chair Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said the resolution prohibiting outdoor exercise will lapse by the end of the current enhanced community quarantine but will be allowed only from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
“Outdoor exercises in NCR will be allowed for the period of MECQ starting tomorrow, August 21,” Abalos said.
While restrictions on outdoor exercise have relaxed, he said the current 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew will remain across the National Capital Region (NCR).
Think about what MMDA chief Abalos announced. Three hours for outdoor exercise in the morning during this current MECQ period? A three-hour window for exercise outside people’s homes will mean that those who work out will have to rush with whatever physical activity they do. Those who bike will have to rush. The same with those who jog or do urban hiking. A 3-hour period is not good enough for those who need to shed weight, build-up stamina and enhance the immune system which itself is essential in this time of COVID-19 crisis.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you believe that MMDA chief Abalos and the Metro Manila mayors really care about the fitness and health of their constituents during this time of pandemic? Do you believe that Abalos and the mayors consulted with doctors and fitness experts at all? Did MMDA personnel or police officers disrupt your outdoor exercise recently?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Finally, the surprise enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for Metro Manila has ended as the national government announced late Thursday night that the new level of restriction for the metropolis is the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) which is now in effect and will last until August 31, 2021. For the newcomers reading this, MECQ is supposed to be lighter than ECQ when it comes to restrictions.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
The quarantine classification in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Laguna and Bataan has been downgraded from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to modified ECQ (MECQ), Malacañang announced Thursday.
This, after President Rodrigo Duterte, upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EUD), approved the latest quarantine status in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Bataan, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
“These latest classifications are without prejudice to the strict implementation of granular lockdowns,” said Roque, also acting as IATF-EID spokesperson, in a press statement.
Roque said Metro Manila will be placed under MECQ from Aug. 21 to 31.
Bataan, on the other hand, will be under MECQ from Aug. 23 to 31, he added.
Metro Manila, Laguna, and Bataan were initially placed under ECQ, the strictest form of community quarantine, due to the spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections.
Roque stressed that despite the deescalation of quarantine level, religious gatherings should remain “virtual” in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Bataan.
He added that indoor and al-fresco dine-in services, as well as personal care services such as beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and nail spas should remain prohibited.
Roque said local government units in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Bataan are likewise directed to improve the vaccination rates within their localities, as well as intensify the “Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) strategies to control the spread of Covid-19.
As seen in the details regarding MECQ, there is no real ease nor positive change for several businesses and churches. Restaurants, coffee shops and convenience stores that have tables and chairs are still prohibited from having customers dining inside and on the immediate space outside their joints. In a business sense, this is bad because take-out and delivery services are not good enough for food/beverage sellers to make their ends meet. People of faith, meanwhile, are still literally blocked from worshiping the Lord physically at the venues of their faith communities or ministries. As such, the online form of worship in Metro Manila is still the way but I can tell you from my experience that onsite, physical presence worship of the Lord is the better and more preferable way to worship Him. Online worship has its limits and it lacks the immersion that on-site, physical worship has.
That being said, I encourage you all reading this to pray to God to enlighten all the public officials (from the barangay up to the national level) to look up to Him and come back to Him for His guidance which they really need when it comes to managing the people and their communities as everyone still struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic. The public officials need prayers for the Lord to guide them, strengthen them and prevent them from getting lost.
It should be noted that just days ago, the Metro Manila Council left the decision on community control to national government. Just think about that! Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Benhur Abalos and the mayors met and that was all they could come up with – letting someone else decide for the many millions of people living and struggling in the National Capital Region (NCR).
As such, praying to the Lord to help the public officials is very much needed. It is a fact that each local government unit (LGU) in Metro Manila is struggling not only with their respective COVID-19 vaccine operations but also with all other functions.
Also pray to the Lord that the national government will be more accommodating to the businesses and churches that got negatively affected by these community quarantine levels. Pray to the Lord that the employees, the business owners, the people of faith, the pastors and ministries will be assisted and accommodated better.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about the shift to MECQ for Metro Manila? If you are a manager or owner of a restaurant or coffee shop, how did the recent ECQ affect you and your employees?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Before you take any form of action, you should be aware first that according to a Manila Bulletin article, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., stated that it is better to have a third dose (also referred to as the booster shot) of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2022 than this year.
In other words you should not rush, and you better NOT even think about crossing borders to get a 3rd vaccine shot in a different city because it could lead you to trouble as already one fully vaccinated patient of Mandaluyong City somehow got the 3rd shot in another city. That incident even compelled Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman and former Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos to react.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin article. Some parts in boldface…
A third dose or booster shot of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine is preferrable to have in 2022 than right now, according to the country’s vaccine czar.
Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., also the chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, claimed experts have found out that boostershots are “more effective” nine to 12 months after an individual has taken the recommended two doses of the jab, or single dose in the case of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen.
“Ang sabi ng experts, ang booster shot walang gaanong epekto iyan kung ang ating spacing napakababa (According to experts, the booster shot has no significant impact if we have too little spacing),” Galvez said Sunday afternoon, Aug. 15, during the arrival of 469,200 doses of Moderna vaccine that were procured by the government and private sector.
“Mas maganda kung ang booster natin is sa first month of year 2022, sa first quarter (It would be better if our booster shots will be given in the first month of 2022, in the first quarter),” he noted.
Aside from this, the country still has limited number of supplies so Galvez said it is the moral obligation of fully vaccinated Filipinos to let the unvaccinated get their shot in the arm, instead of getting a third dose or more for themselves.
“We are asking our people to be patient. We should be morally obliged. We need to wait for our turn. When we are finished [getting the recommended two doses], let the others [take] their turn,” Galvez stressed.
The vaccine czar issued the remark after reports surfaced that there were individuals who have already been inoculated with booster shots in some parts of Metro Manila through “vaccine hopping.”
The NTF has launched an investigation to punish individuals who are registering for vaccination in different cities to get more than two vaccine doses as he called them “immoral.”
In closing this piece, let me ask you readers: Do you believe that Galvez is correct that fully vaccinated patients should take the booster shot in 2022? If you were fully vaccinated already, how long has it been since the 2nd dose was injected into your body?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
The Manila Bulletin reported yesterday that Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos confirmed that he and the National Capital Region (NCR) mayors will meet very soon to talk about the possible extension of the ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) which itself was announced to last until August 20, 2021. Meanwhile, a GMA Network news report states that the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) expressed that a lockdown is not the remedy and that the reopening of the economy is necessary.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report regarding Abalos and the Metro Manila mayors. Some parts in boldface…
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalossaid he and the mayors of the National Capital Region (NCR) will discuss the possible extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period in the metropolis this coming week.
Abalos made this revelation in an interview over DZBB radio on Sunday, Aug. 15.
“Martes or Miyerkules mag-uusap po kami, marami kang babalansehin diyan (We will talk either Tuesday or Wednesday, you have to balance a lot of things there),” said Abalos, who is the concurrent chair of the Metro Manila Council (MMC).
He said the factors that need to be considered in such talks are the number of those who will have no work as a result of the possible ECQ extension, the hospitalization rate for coroanvirus disease (COVID-19) cases, and the number of vaccinated persons in Metro Manila.
“Kasi kung mag-i-ECQ ka, ayuda nanaman yan eh (Another round of ECQ means another round of cash aid),” he pointed out.
Abalos reiterated in the interview that the mayor-members of MMC have yet to come to an agreement on whether or not to extend the imposition of ECQ, contrary to a news report over the weekend.
“Hindi pa po nag-uusap tungkol doon, pag-uusapan pa lang po (We haven’t talked about that yet, but we will),” he noted.
The report quoted MMC chair, Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez as saying that the local chief executives have agreed during a meeting to extend the ECQ up to Aug. 30. Abalos has denied this, saying that Olivarez was just misquoted.
In addition, Abalos and the Metro Manila mayors should be aware of the presence of the Lambda variant in the Philippines. For sure that will be discussed in their meeting.
Now, we focus on the economic side with this excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) on Saturday said reopening of the economy is necessary to prevent further economic damage and job losses, along with continued rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and adherence to health protocols.
“It’s time we learn that lockdown is not the remedy,” ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said in a statement.
“Let’s compromise, we have to think that the economy is more important and we have to live with COVID-19,” he said.
Ortiz-Luis made the statement amid speculations of possible extension of the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila after August 20.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier said that the possibility of extending the ECQ in Metro Manila for another three weeks isnot yet on the table, and talks of a five-week ECQ are mere rumors and disinformation.
Citing government estimates, Ortiz-Luis said lockdowns cost the economy P150 billion a week, or P300 billion for the two-week ECQ.
Further, he pointed out that the estimated lockdown losses are on top of business closures that lead to unemployment.
“It would have been much productive and useful to channel even a fifth of these losses to strengthen our healthcare system to address the cases and for prevention measures,” the ECOP chief said.
Ortiz-Luis, likewise, noted that the number of deaths related to the coronavirus is small compared to those who die due to other diseases, and even suicide and hunger.
He said there is thus a need to intensify monitoring of severe cases as a large majority of COVID-19 infections are asymptomatic.
“Let us not be fixated on the numbers. Instead, let us intensify and fast-track our vaccination.
“Let us not forget practicing health protocols and comply with quarantine classifications. Continue adding hospital rooms, facilities, COVID-19 centers…,” he said.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you think that the MMDA and the Metro Manila mayors will recommend an extension of the ECQ knowing that such a move will require another round of releasing cash aid/ayuda? Do you think the ECOP is correct with the economic damage estimates of P150 billion per week of lockdown?
Within your city of residence, are you satisfied with the way that your local government and its partners are organizing the registration, set-ups and COVID-19 vaccination operations?
Did you hear the recent news about a fully vaccinated patient (two doses in Mandaluyong City) who somehow got a third shot of COVID-19 vaccine in another city?
Still within your city, how many people do you personally know lost their jobs because of the most recent ECQ? Are there any business owners you know who had no choice but to scale down operations or shut down entirely all because of the ECQ?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Did you spot anyone running or biking or hiking outdoors in your local community recently? I spotted nobody doing any fitness activities outdoors which is not surprising since the Metro Manila mayors passed the resolution prohibiting outdoor exercise for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) which is supposed to end on August 20, 2021.
Yesterday I spotted the Philippine News Agency (PNA) follow-up story to the NCR outdoor exercise ban and it focuses on the side of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who are following the orders to implement the said ban.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, on Wednesday, ordered all police officers to strictly enforce the prohibition on outdoor exercises for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period in the National Capital Region (NCR).
“Ang pagbabawal sa mga outdoor activity ay desisyon ng ating mga Metro Manila mayors na kailangang ipatupad ng inyong PNP para sa kapakanan ng lahat, lalo na at marami na ang kumpirmadong kaso ng mga bata, kabilang ang mga sanggol, na nahahawa ng Covid-19 (The prohibition on all outdoor activities is the collective decision of all Metro Manila mayors that need to be implemented by the PNP for the safety of all, especially now that there are a lot of cases involving children, and even babies, who got infected with the coronavirus disease 2019),” Eleazar said in a statement.
He called the prohibition on all outdoor activities very timely, considering that the Philippines has been declared as “high-risk” for Covid-19 due to the increasing number of infections.
The measure, he added, is needed to ensure that the situation would not worsen the country’s health and economic situation.
Eleazar also directed police commanders to maximize the information drive on the measure through the PNP’s social media accounts and through Oplan Bandillo where policemen warn the public through a megaphone or speaker system installed in roving police vehicles.
He appealed to Metro Manila residents to abide by this rule and cooperate with authorities.
In Resolution 21-17, series of 2021 issued on Monday, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) banned outdoor exercise for the remainder of the ECQ in the NCR.
The resolution was signed by the 17 NCR mayors and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr.
“It is hereby resolved that the MMC prohibits outdoor exercise in NCR during the ECQ until 20 August 2021 through the local government units of Metro Manila,” the resolution read.
The decision was made after the “steady rise” in the number of Covid-19 cases, including confirmed cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus,s in the region.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said the Philippines has gone up to high-risk classification as a rise in Covid-19 cases has been observed with a positive two-week growth rate (TWGR) at 47 percent.
In closing this piece, let me ask you readers: Do you believe that the Metro Manila Council made the right decision prohibiting outdoor exercise for the duration of the current ECQ? Are you concerned that the police will abuse their authority once they spot someone exercising outdoors? What do you think about the PNP right now?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Are you conscious about your health and you constantly need to exercise to meet your personal fitness goals? If you are residing here in Metro Manila, you will be screwed because the Metro Manila Council (MCC) composed of many mayors with Parañaque mayor Edwin Olivarez as the chairman approved a resolution prohibiting residents from going out of their homes for exercise in relation to the current enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Take note that lesser outdoor space to exercise means lesser opportunities to keep yourselves healthy and boosting your immune system (this we all need so badly in this COVID-19 pandemic apart from the vaccines).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Metro Manila Council (MMC) Chairman and Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said the mayors of the National Capital Region (NCR) are ready to implement the ban on exercising outside residences during the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Olivarez said Metro mayors agreed and passed a resolution prohibiting residents from going out of their homes to exercise until August 20.
“Ipinagbabawal po natin ang exercise, ang walking. Dahil po sa Delta variant, talagang hard lockdown po talaga. Ganon ang naging usapan talaga dahil nagkakaroon po kasi ng gathering kapag nageexercise. (We prohibit exercise and walking. Because of the Delta variant, it’s really a hard lockdown. That’s what we talked about because there’s a gathering when people exercise), the mayor said in an interview with DZMM Teleradyo.
“Kung hindi po talaga essential yung paglabas mo talaga, hindi po talaga papayagan talaga (If it is not really essential, it really won’t be allowed),” he added.
Let me ask you readers: What do you think about the latest news? Do you believe that the Metro Manila mayors carefully analyzed the health-related science, the situations in their respective cities and the COVID-19 data before deciding on a resolution prohibiting outdoor exercise? Do you believe the Metro Manila mayors consulted with doctors and scientists about outdoor exercise being a COVID-19 risk?
Do you agree with mayor Olivarez’s claim about people gathering when they exercise? How far should local government leaders go with their authority over their constituents over the topic of outdoor exercise? If you are a resident of Parañaque City, do you believe that the local vaccination organizers are doing a good job with the registration, contacting registrants and handling all the people who lined up at local vaccination sites?
Could the Metro Manila mayors be more concerned about the next national and local elections of May 2022 than public health and COVID-19? If ever MMDA chairman Abalos runs for a national position in 2022 like, let’s say for Senator, would you vote for him?
In concluding this, I want you readers to pay close attention to what I’m posting here…
No matter what the other news outlets report about the prohibition on outdoor exercise within Metro Manila and no matter the public officials do, we must never lose faith in the Lord high above us all. It is to Him we should look up to and pray to Him for continued protection and lifting us up. We also need to pray to Him to enlighten all the public officials in office so that they may see the light. Always remember that Lord Jesus is the true savior of all. Posted below is a holy scripture for you all…
When you abide under the shadow of Shaddai,
you are hidden in the strength of God Most High.
He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me,
the only God for me, and my great confidence.
He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy,
and he will protect you from false accusation
and any deadly curse.
His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you.
You can run under his covering of majesty and hide.
His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.
You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night
nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you.
Don’t fear a thing!
Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you,
nor will the powers of evil be launched against you.
Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed,
you will remain unscathed and unharmed.
You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment,
for they will be paid back for what they have done!
Psalm 91:1-10 (TPT)
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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
The national government will deliver 6.5 million doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) jabs to local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus to intensify mass vaccination.
National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 deputy chief Secretary Vince Dizon said NCR mayors asked for more supplies during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20.
“Plus” provinces Rizal, Laguna Cavite, and Bulacan will also be supplied an additional 2.5 million doses.
“Humingi ang NCR ng four million doses. ‘Yan ay ibibigay na ng national government. Ipinangako na ni (NTF chief) Sec. (Carlito) Galvez ang four million doses ng ibat-ibang bakuna nitong mga susunod na linggo. Magbibigay din ng 2.5 million sa ibat ibang probinsya sa Plus (NCR asked for four million doses. That will be given by the national government. Sec. Galvez promised four million doses of different vaccines for NCR these coming weeks. Also, 2.5 million for those in the Plus areas),” Dizon said in an interview on Saturday during the launch of the Covid-19 drive-thru vaccination site in Manila at the Quirino Grandstand.
He said NCR mayors committed to finishing administering all four million doses, a combination of first and second doses, while under ECQ.
Dizon said the NCR accounts for 30 percent of the over eight million who are fully inoculated.
As you can see in the above details, the mayors of Metro Manila requested the additional 4 million vaccine doses which in reality is one of the two conditions they made in relation to supporting the return to ECQ according to a report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer. To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the said report. Pay close attention to the details below…
At a press briefing on Thursday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chief Benhur Abalos said the mayors had an emergency meeting on Wednesday to come up with a game plan against the highly infectious Delta variant.
“We will not wait for hospitals to get filled. Our suggestion is to have more heightened restrictions,” Abalos said.
But under Metro Manila Council Resolution No. 21-15 series of 2021, the mayors listed two conditions that needed to be met before placing Metro Manila under ECQ again: the availability of financial assistance for the poor and an additional supply of vaccines for an aggressive inoculation program.
Abalos said the mayors agreed that an ECQ could not be implemented without financially helping the families that would once again lose income for two weeks.
They also wanted an allocation of at least 4 million vaccines for the NCR that they committed to administer during the two-week period.
For people to survive and be protected, getting vaccinated is crucial (note: the unvaccinated are at risk) and looking up to the Lord and being faithful to Him is essential. For your faith in the Lord and for His divine protection, go read the entire Psalm 91 in the Holy Bible and pray in tongues to Him.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you believe the national authorities and the local government units (LGUs) are doing enough to get more people here in the Philippines vaccinated? Are there still people in your local community who continue to be defiant and completely avoid getting vaccinated? Do you think that the LGUs of Metro Manila ran out of money which made them come to the national government for new supplies of vaccines for their respective constituents? Is your local government doing enough to contain the Delta variant?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Take note that the Metro Manila mayors favored ECQ and even set terms that include the national government will provide financial assistance to their respective constituents plus millions of vaccines.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) article about the sudden ECQ announcement. Some parts in boldface…
Metro Manila will be placed under the most restrictive enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20, Malacañang said on Friday.
This, after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF-EID) recommendation to impose the strict quarantine classification in Metro Manila.
In an announcement aired over state-run PTV-4, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Metro Manila will stay under general community quarantine (GCQ) “with heightened restrictions” from July 30 to August 5 and will shift to ECQ from August 6 to 20.
“Hindi po naging madali ang desisyon na ito. Maraming oras ang ginugol para pagdebatehan ang bagay na ito (It is not an easy decision. We have spent so much time to debate on the proposal [to place Metro Manila under ECQ]),” Roque said.
Metro Manila is currently under GCQ with heightened restrictions. Its quarantine status was supposed to be extended until August 15.
However, Metro Manila mayors have urged the IATF-EID to implement a two-week ECQ in the country’s metropolis to prevent the spread of the more infectious Delta coronavirus variant.
More restrictions
Roque said “additional restrictions” would be imposed in Metro Manila from July 30 to August 5.
“The heightened restrictions for NCR are more stringent compared to the GCQ with heightened restrictions of other areas,” he said in a press statement.
Roque said indoor dine-in services and al fresco dining are prohibited and only take-out and delivery are allowed in Metro Manila.
“For people working in these establishments, operations are allowed to continue and finish within the day,” he said.
Personal care services like beauty salons, beauty parlors, barber shops and nail spas may operate up to 30 percent of venue or seating capacity, Roque said.
He added that indoor sports courts and venues and indoor tourist attractions and specialized markets of the Department of Tourism (DOT) may not operate, while outdoor tourist attractions, as may be defined by the DOT, will be allowed at 30 percent venue capacity.
Roque said only Authorized Persons Outside their Residences will be allowed to travel “into and out” of NCR Plus, which is composed of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
Only virtual religious gatherings shall be allowed. Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals for those who died of causes other than Covid-19 shall be allowed, provided they are limited to immediate family members, he said.
Avoid panic buying
Following the government’s decision to implement ECQ in Metro Manila from August 6 to 20, Roque reminded the public not to resort to panic buying.
“Meron naman tayong isang linggo para mag-prepara dito sa two weeks na ECQ. Wala pong dahilan para mag panic buying dahil maski ECQ po, bukas naman po ang ating mga groceries (We still have one week to prepare for the two-week implementation of ECQ. There’s no reason for panic buying because despite the ECQ implementation, groceries are still open),” he said.
Apart from Metro Manila, Iloilo province and its city, Cagayan de Oro City, and the City of Gingoog in Misamis Oriental have also been placed under ECQ from July 21 to August 7.
On Tuesday, Roque announced that individuals residing in Iloilo province and its city, as well as the cities of Cagayan de Oro City and Gingoog, will receive cash assistance worth PHP1,000 per individual or PHP4,000 per family.
When quizzed if Metro Manila residents would also be given financial aid, Roque said: “Most likely but will seek confirmation.”
And here are related news videos to watch…
Economic damage and losses very likely
While it is understandable that ECQ is a response to the Delta variant and COVID-19 problems, it is very clear that this will result more financial losses on businesses and damage the nation’s economy which itself has been struggling to stand up and grow. Take note that the more businesses lose money, it could lead to job losses and result in lower tax collection on the part of the national government and LGUs. For insight, posted below is an excerpt from another PNA article published before the ECQ announcement. Some parts in boldface…
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for approving the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to put Metro Manila and nearby provinces under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions.
“The economy cannot bear another massive lockdown. We lose around PHP30 billion for a two-week lockdown. Many lost their jobs, livelihood, most of them are micro (and) SMEs (small and medium enterprises),” Lopez said during the Laging Handa public briefing Thursday.
He said the recommendation of placing National Capital Region (NCR) Plus under GCQ with heightened restrictions is in accordance with the IATF’s consultations with reliable health experts.
“We really take a balance, a holistic approach,” he added.
Lopez underscored that the IATF enforces restrictions amid the threats of the more infectious Covid-19 Delta variant.
But the restrictions are focused on ‘super spreader’ activities like mass gatherings, while lockdowns will remain a granular lockdown approach, the DTI chief said.
He also called on businesses to create their own health and safety committee that will ensure minimum public health protocols are being monitored and maintained in their respective establishments.
COVID-19 vaccination operations will still continue
Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccination operations will still proceed during the ECQ period. Check out this excerpt from the GMA Network news report below…
Malacañang said the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program will proceed in Metro Manila even if the region will be under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20.
“Yes, definitely [it will proceed]. Details will be provided in due course of the COVID-19 vaccination committee,” Roque said.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you surprised about the sudden announcement of ECQ for Metro Manila? Do you believe that the Metro Manila Council (MMC) is correct that the national government should provide the financial aid and vaccines for their respective constituents? Could it be possible that certain city governments or LGUs (local government units) of Metro Manila have ran out of funds and have no choice but to rely on the national government to provide for them?
If you are a business owner within Metro Manila, do you believe that August 6 is too early for the imposition of another ECQ? Do you think that the Metro Manila mayors spent enough time researching about the potential economic damage of the ECQ they pushed for?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Are you tired of using face shields when moving around in public here in the Philippines during this COVID-19 crisis? The issue about face shields became hot recently in relation to what President Rodrigo Duterte said about them which drew mixed reactions on a national scale. That being said, the national government made a move about the issue with the local government units (LGU) according to a news report by GMA Network.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network report. Some parts in bold…
Local government units must adjust their ordinances on the use of face shields to match the national government’s decision on the matter amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to Vonne Aquino’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” Inter-Agency Task Force co-chairperson Secretary Karlo Nograles said President Rodrigo Duterte currently has a memorandum on the use of face shields.
“Apart from ‘yung sinabi ni Pangulo na hospitals, may idadagdag din doon sa memo na list nung places kung saan kailangan mag soot ng face shield,” he said.
(Apart from the what President said on hospitals, the memo includes other places where the use of face shields is mandatory.)
“So completely and clearly, makikita natin doon saan lang talaga… na dapat mandatory magsoot ng face shield. All other places, it won’t be mandatory. Kumbaga, magiging ano na lang siya… voluntary,” he added.
(So completely and clearly, we can see places where use is mandatory. All other places, it won’t be mandatory. It will be voluntary.)
Malacañang on Thursday said the President’s statement on the wearing of face shields on top of face masks only in hospitals is considered policy.
Nograles said local governments must adjust their ordnances.
“It cannot be over and beyond ‘yung policy ng national, no? You cannot have LGUs na mas strict ‘yung guidance or ‘yung enforcement kaysa sa ano, kasi magkakalituhan, eh,” he said.
(It cannot be over and beyond ‘yung policy ng national. You cannot have LGUs with stricter guidance or enforcement because it will lead to confusion.)
Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Council said it has yet to tackle the issue.
“Ang mag mayors, may kaniya-kaniyang pananaw dito… it’s better for the IATF since they got experts there. At, of course, mapag-uusapang maiigi ito,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos said.
(The mayors have varying views on this. It’s better for the IATF since they have experts there. Of course, we will talk about this.)
And now here is a related news video by GMA Network…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you believe that there more disadvantages than advantages with the use of face shields in public? Do you believe that face shields are truly protective? Is your local government clear and specific with regards to the use of face shields? Do you believe that it is excessive for a person to be arrested and imprisoned for failing to use a face shield? Do you think that the national government knows what it is doing over the issue of face shields?
Who do you think would benefit the most when people are required to use face shields?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Author Carlo Carrasco 