For more details and to put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VietnamPlus.vn article. Some parts in boldface…
The 20,000 tickets available for the opening ceremony of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi will be distributed free of charge as invitations rather than sold as tickets.
The organising committee said the tickets will be allocated to Government and international officials, foreign embassies in Vietnam, as well as fans.
The tickets have been reserved for seats in Stand A because Stand B will host performances during the ceremony on May 12.
At the 2-hour event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will announce the official opening of the SEA Games 31 after a parade of the 11 delegations.
Meanwhile, tickets for the final and runners-up matches of the men’s football, slated for 4pm and 7pm on May 22 at My Dinh Stadium, will be sold both online and offline at 300,000 VND (13 USD), 500,000 VND, 700,000 VND, and 900,000 VND each, according to the Games organising committee.
Tickets to see the Vietnamese men’s U23 football team in Group A at Viet Tri Stadium will be distributed by the organising committee of Phu Tho province. They will be sold at 200,000 VND, 300,000 VND, and 500,000 VND each.
A semi-final of the men’s football will also be held at Viet Tri Stadium, and tickets will be at 300,000 VND, 400,000 VND, and 600,000 VND each.
Whatever your plans are on enjoying the SEA Games sports events spectators and tourists, better prepare your budget. To secure an invitation to the SEA Games opening ceremony, you will have to contact the event organizers and see how many tickets are there remaining for fans. While there are 20,000 opening ceremony tickets available, no breakdown was printed in the VietnamPlus.vn report. If you are fortunate to secure an opening ceremony ticket/invite, that would be a bonus since it would not cost you money to watch the event which is sure to be a spectacle. Watching other SEA Games sports events on-location may require paying for tickets (depending on the sport, the venue and local agreements related to it).
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the tickets for the 31st SEA Games opening ceremony that will be distributed free of charge? If you are truly traveling to Vietnam to watch the SEA Games events in-person, is the opening ceremony part of your plan?
As the rollout of 2nd COVID-19 booster shots goes on around Metro Manila initially for the immunocompromised patients, the same has started officially in the City of Las Piñas as confirmed by Mayor Imelda Aguilar, the Manila Bulletin reported. If you are a local resident who is immunocompromised and you have already received one booster shot (or 3rd shot following two doses of most COVID-19 vaccines) previously, then you must read the details carefully here.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar announced the rollout of the second booster shot for immunocompromised individuals against Covid-19 on Wednesday, April 27.
Aguilar encouraged the immunocompromised individuals to receive their second booster shot three months after receiving their first shot as an additional protection against the virus.
She said the immunocompromised individuals, 18 years and above, are entitled to receive their second booster shot at the vaccination sites identified by the city government.
The mayor said those who can avail of the second booster shot are those with HIV, active cancer, undergoing steroids treatment, patients with poor prognosis, and transplant patients.
Aguilar said the second booster shots are available at the SM Center and Southmall from 10 a.m. to 12 noon; University of Perpetual Help System Dalta gym from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at Village Square from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
She also said there are also vaccination sites in Robinson’s mall (2-4 p.m.) and Villar Sipag Hall (12 noon to 4 p.m.).
Aguilar advised vaccinees to also visit the Las Piñas Facebook page for the schedule in administering the second booster shot.
The above report ended stating that vaccines can receive the same brand of vaccines administered to them (homologous) or a different brand compared to the first brand received (heterologous). Right now, if you need the 2nd booster shot, better start calling the local vaccination sites to find out. Call the city COVID-19 hotline.
For all the unvaccinated people reading this, any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for the free COVID-19 vaccines can learn the ways by clicking here. Anyone who is ready and willing to register online can click bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident who was successfully boosted previously for COVID-19, how long has it been since you received it? Did you keep the vaccination-related documents with you showing that you received your booster shot?
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 much anticipated 31st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) are only fifteen days away from formally opening in Hanoi, Vietnam. For those who have been wondering what the designs of the gold, silver and bronze medals of the SEA Games would look like, the local organizers recently unveiled them for public viewing and released some details about them (check out the VietnamPlus report). For everyone’s reference, posted below is the official image of the medals sourced from the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports.
The gold, silver and bronze medals of the 31st SEA Games. (source – Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports)
For more details and to put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VietnamPlus article. Some parts in boldface…
The Organising Committee of SEA Games 31 said the designs of medals to be awarded during the SEA Games 31 have been completed, and the manufacture of the medals has begun.
About 4,000 gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to athletes with high achievements in competition.
The SEA Games 31 medals are cast in copper – zinc compounds, of which red copper accounts for over 85 percent.
Each medal is 5mm thick, with an embossed saola (the mascot of the event) image on one side, and an embossed logo on the other side.
The V-shaped hand logo on the medal is inspired by the image of athletes putting their hands on the left chest when singing the national anthem of their country, while the blue ascending wing symbolizes the brave spirit, the aspiration to conquer new heights and the friendship in the region.
The gold medal will be plated with 24k gold, silver medals will be silver plated, and bronze medals will be copper plated.
To maintain the durability, each medal will be lined on the inside with 3 layers of plating and covered with an extra layer on the outside.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the newly unveiled SEA Games medals? What caught your attention the most with regards to their designs?
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), a government agency that is focused on a Philippine government that is clean, just, people-centered and highly efficient, recently commended the City Government of Muntinlupa for its good government services, the Manila Bulletin reported recently.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has commended the Muntinlupa City government for its e-governance innovations and other business-friendly programs.
In an inspection report, ARTA Deputy Director General for Operations Usec. Ernesto Perez lauded the innovations on public service made by the city government through the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) such as compliance to national standards and automation in business registration processes.
“The Authority would like to express our utmost gratitude for your continuous efforts towards making the government services of your Local Government Unit more efficient, systematic, and productive for all,” said Perez in a letter.
ARTA recently conducted an on-site inspection to validate and monitor the compliance of the Muntinlupa City government on the provisions of Republic Act 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018) that seek to streamline services.
The inspection evaluated the city’s establishment of an electronic Business One Stop Shop (eBOSS), setting up of a Citizen’s Charter and other provisions under RA 11032.
ARTA cited the city’s “outstanding automation efforts” in the local Business One Stop Shop and noted that Muntinlupa has complied with the required automation and has passed inspection
The Muntinlupa City government is the first local government unit to introduce the Single Window Transaction–Modified Business One-Stop Shop, a single-interface business-registration process in which a business permit registration application can be accomplished in up to 15 minutes only.
The city government rolled out the program to implement more efficient governance by creating one-stop-shop access for the delivery of public services, which has been modified and simplified over time.
The article ended stating that Mayor Jaime Fresnedi thanked the ARTA for its feedback on the City Government’s efforts to ease transactions.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what do you think about this recent development? How much do you trust the City Government right now when it comes to services?
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
Recently in Las Piñas City, a male teacher was arrested by law enforcers as a result of an entrapment operation in relation to his extortion attempts and threatening schools with bombings, the Philippine Star reported. There were more than thirty schools located in different cities that received extortion demands via email from the suspect.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine Star news report. Some parts in boldface…
A (teacher) accused of extortion and threatening schools in Metro Manila with bombings and mass shootings while posing as a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was apprehended in Las Piñas City, police reported yesterday. Jake Castro, 26, was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group under the supervision of CIDG director Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz during a sting in Barangay Zapote on Friday.
According to probers, Castro is a teacher at a private school for poor children at Doña Manuela Subdivision in Barangay Pamplona.
Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, who heads the CIDG National Capital Region field unit, said Castro e-mailed extortion demand messages to 33 schools in Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Makati, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Taguig and Quezon City.
Nine of the schools the suspect allegedly threatened are in Parañaque and seven in Quezon City.
Using the e-mail address newpeoplesarmy1969@gmail.com, Castro claims to be a member of the NPA special tactics unit, threatening the schools with bombings and terror attacks if his demands are not met.
One of these educational institutions from Barangay Bago Bantay in Quezon City filed a complaint with the CIDG after receiving e-mail from the suspect demanding P2 million.
“In case the school management failed to give in to the demand, they would bomb and blow the school into pieces and would shoot the people inside the school,” Silvio said.
Police said 26 other schools in Metro Manila received similar threats from the suspect.
A school principal convinced the suspect to agree to lower the amount to P500,000. Acting on this, the CIDG launched an entrapment operation with the help of a delivery rider after Castro agreed to receive the money at his house in Zapote village.
The suspect was placed under arrest after he received the marked money.
Police said they confiscated a .38-caliber handgun, five shotgun bullets, a cell phone, other gadgets and a motorcycle from Castro.
Castro is being held on charges of robbery, resisting arrest, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, violation of the election gun ban and Presidential Decree 1727 or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this crime story? If you are a school employee, did you work for a school that received a threat from the suspect via email? Are you thankful to the CIDG for apprehending the suspect?
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
For the residents of Metro Manila who need another booster shot for COVID-19, the national government and strategic partners have officially launched the rollout of the 2nd booster shots specifically for the immunocompromised patients, GMA News reported. Take note that last week, multiple brands of COVID-19 vaccines were approved as 2nd booster shots.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…
The administration of second COVID-19 booster shot for the immunocompromised population is set to begin in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday, April 25, 2022.
In a message to reporters, the Department of Health (DOH) said the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC), Tala Hospital, Valenzuela Medical Center, and the city government of Makati are scheduled to begin the rollout of the second booster shot within the day.
More vaccination sites will start administering second boosters as the days progress, the DOH added.
The National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) said on Saturday that it is expecting around 7,000 to 13,000 immunocompromised individuals to take their second booster doses during the first day of its rollout.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted the emergency use authorization for the second booster shot for senior citizens, the immunocompromised, and frontline health workers.
The article ended stating that the DOH said that the 2nd booster shot will be given at least 4 months (120 days) after the administration of the first booster shot.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? If you have been boosted for COVID-19 already, how long has it been since you got boosted? Were you able to keep your vaccination records that include the first booster shot? Has your local government informed you about the 2nd booster shot? Do you wish that the national and local authorities will soon start administering 2nd booster shots for other patients like the senior citizens, the frontline workers and the rest of the population? Are you worried that officials of your local government unit (LGU) are so occupied with election campaigning, they won’t be able to direct the local vaccination teams to properly release 2nd booster shots?
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
There is no denying the fact that the number of fully vaccinated COVID-19 patients here in the Philippines who successfully got boosted is growing at a sluggish pace. As of April 19, 2022, less than 13 million patients received their booster shots and there are tens of millions of fully vaccinated patients who still have not been boosted.
To put things in perspective, posted below are selected excerpts from the Manila Bulletin article. Some parts in boldface…
Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar has ordered for a massive information campaign through social media on the importance of getting booster shots now the the city was identified as among the six cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) registering positive Covid-19 growth rate.
According to Paul San Miguel, head of the Public Information Office, Aguilar told the City Health Office (CHO) to continue the community vaccination through house-to-house, administering booster shots at the city’s barangay health centers, and by placing posts in each barangay where residents can easily receive their vaccines.
Aguilar said the city government also placed swabbing microscopy centers in six barangays, namely, Almanza Uno, Aldana, Pulanglupa Dos, CAA, Pamplona Uno, and Talon Uno.
She said CHO medical technologists at the microscopy center will conduct the antigen and RT-PCR testings.
Aguilar also reminded residents to always strictly observe the public health protocols like the wearing of face mask and observing physical distancing.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, have you been fully vaccinated already? Are there many fully vaccinated patients among the members of your local community who still have not availed of their respective booster shots?
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 31st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam is just weeks away from formally opening (for references, click here and here). The City of Hanoi is the host city supported by the nearby localities of Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh, Hai Phong, Phu Tho, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, and Vinh Phuc which will host certain SEA Games events. Hanoi will host 18 sports as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.
As this is the 2nd time the nation is hosting the region’s biggest sports event (which will attract thousands of athletes and officials) while struggling to recover from the 2-year-old COVID-19 crisis, the national authorities recently conducted a review of the preparations of the SEA Games, according to a report by VietnamPlus.vn.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VietnamPlus.vn article. Some parts in boldface…
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, head of the national steering committee for organising the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), chaired a meeting with ministries and sectors on April 22 to review preparations for the region’s biggest sport event.
The Deputy PM requested ministries, sectors and localities to continue working closely and effectively with one another to address problems and ensure a successful Games.
Tran Duc Phan, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration, reported that preparations for SEA Games 31 have been basically completed, and the country is now ready for the event.
The organising committee has ordered plans to be carried out to guarantee security, health care, pandemic safety, logistics, public services and transport. It has also publicised competition regulations, guidebooks and competition schedules.
So far, it has received registrations from over 7,800 delegates, coaches and athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries, as well as more than 2,500 domestic and foreign reporters. It has also invited nearly 1,300 international referees, supervisors and technical officials for the Games, Phan noted.
The localities hosting competitions have also been working hard to gear up for the Games.
The official added from now to the opening ceremony, the organising committee will continue examining preparations, training volunteers, and implementing plans to ensure security and order.
The 31st SEA Games is slated for May 12 – 23, featuring 40 sports with 526 categories.
For a quick glimpse at the upcoming SEA Games in Vietnam, watch these videos…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What can you say about the combined preparations of the national and local authorities for the 31st SEA Games? How excited are you for the SEA Games right now?
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Welcome back superhero fans, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we continue revisiting Jim Lee’s flagship title under the Image Comics label – WildC.A.T.S: Covert Action Teams!
For the newcomers reading this, I’ve been doing retro reviews of WildC.A.T.S that had Chris Claremont and Jim Lee collaborating together during the early Image Comics years following their previous works together on X-Men comic books while they were at Marvel. Issue #10 of WildC.A.T.S saw the debut of Claremont’s very own Huntsman while Zealot became the major character among her teammates (note: Voodoo had the 2nd most amount of page presence while the rest made very short appearances). In issue #11, the stakes were raised as most of the WildC.A.T.S got captured by the new super villainess Tapestry and Voodoo remained possessed, leaving Zealot as the only free team member who – out of fear – had to reach out for reinforcements (note: brand new characters who happened to have history with Zealot). In issue #12, Zealot and Huntsman really struggled clashing with the Troika while the reinforcements were on their way. What happened saw new revelations about Zealot and the plot expectedly built up the anticipation of the next big conflict.
The issue I am about to review is the conclusion of the current storyline Claremont wrote and Lee illustrated which, so far, expanded the lore of the WildC.A.T.S within the WildStorm universe of the time. So far, I’ve been enjoying re-reading WildC.A.T.S issues #10 to #12, seeing what kind of creative stuff Claremont and Lee could make while being free from the restrictions and limitations of Marvel Comics.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at WildC.A.T.S: Covert Action Teams #13, published by Image Comics in 1994 with a story written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Jim Lee.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins with the possessed Voodoo – now looking frail and ugly as a result of Raksha’s hunger for flesh – attacking Jacob Marlowe’s two trusted assistants who arrived to help her. Deep inside her body struggling with Raksha’s possession, Pris manages to stop her attack – Voodoo’s face restored to normal – and warns Jules and Stansfield that Jacob and her teammates have been turned into evil by Tapestry and that Zealot may still be free.
Meanwhile, Grifter, Hunstman, Zealot, Savant, Soldier and Mr. Majestic fight the mind-controlled WildC.A.T.S – Spartan, Maul, Jacob Marlowe and Warblade – and Alabaster Wu who are acting under Tapestry’s evil. As Grifter shoots Maul and kicks Jacob Marlowe’s head, Huntsman reveals to him that Tapestry and Zealot have a history together while Alabaster Wu was trying to save his people…
Quality
Chris Claremont’s Huntsman contributes solidly into the story even though he is not protagonist.
As expected, this storyline-concluding issue delivers the natural progression of what started in issue #10 laced with lots of solidly fun action, key character interactions and more notably the further development of Zealot supported by Huntsman. To put it short, if you enjoyed the previous works of the Claremont-Lee creative team and you enjoy the early, bombastic ways of WildC.A.T.S, then this comic book should delight you.
Without spoiling the entire plot, this comic book concludes the storyline that started in issue #10 and it also marked the end of Claremont-Lee’s collaboration on this particular volume of the WildC.A.T.S comic book series. What is very notable in my view is the way Claremont emphasized the evolution of Zealot not only as a WildC.A.T.S member but also her very own personality as well as her very own spot within the WildStorm universe.
It is in this storyline where you will see Zealot being much more than just a fearless, hard-fighting warrior who lives by the strict standards of the Coda. In this particular comic book, her greater purpose is realized (and you will realize that in a particular scene with Savant late in the story) and the interactions she has with the Huntsman, her sister Savant and others really brought out more of her personality. This is clearly Zealot redefined just as Claremont expanded the lore of the WildC.A.T.S.
Fans of Grifter should be happy to learn that their favorite character (who returned at the end of issue #11) joined the big battle and Claremont’s prepared dialogue of him made him more livelier than his usual portrayal in this comic book series. Huntsman, meanwhile, is his usual honorable self but gets to define his place among the WildC.A.T.S through action. His companion Miranda (now wearing armor thanks to Zealot) plays a short yet notable key role in the story.
The reinforcements composed of Mr. Majestic, Savant and Soldier each have a stronger presence in this story which is expected and they don’t just talk and do some action…they also contributed to the plot and what Savant knew emphasized the essence of the conflict between Zealot and Tapestry.
As for the super villainess herself, Tapestry is very convincingly evil and this comic book shows exactly why the fearless Zealot deeply fears her and why she is a danger to everyone. While she has a very sinister agenda, Tapestry’s confirmation of her origin (in the form of dialogue) and what her place is between the Daemonites and Kherubim will intrigue readers, most especially WildC.A.T.S fans. As for her conflict with Zealot, this comic book will show you how they are connected with each other and what elements connect them together. Their spectacle-filled duel here is a must-see and you will enjoy it a lot when you pay attention to the details (read Savant’s expository dialogue) as the action happens.
When it comes to artwork, fans of Jim Lee should know that this comic book has some of very best pieces of art the famed creator ever made during his time with Image Comics. Very clearly, Lee took his time designing the shots and when to really go out with great visual detail as the story went on.
Conclusion
In the heat of a battle against the other WildC.A.T.S, Grifter and Huntsman still managed to talk.
I can say that WildC.A.T.S: Covert Action Teams #13 (1994) is still a great comic book as it solidly and satisfyingly concluded the 4-part storyline that Chris Claremont came up with in this collaboration with Jim Lee. More on the storyline itself, Claremont took a really daring approach on presenting the titular team by having Zealot in the lead (with his creation Huntsman as the 2nd major player) and then putting most of the other team members on the background which effectively emphasizes the presence of the very wicked Tapestry (truly the definitive parallel to Zealot) along with the Troika (note: this is their best and most action-packed portrayal).
While this WildStorm universe-building story concept could put off some Claremont-Lee team fans who expected to see a WildC.A.T.S story fashioned like what was seen in the creators’ past X-Men works, this particular storyline for me is still a great read and its concept is commendable.
I should also state that the themes of omnipotence, legacy and destiny are all well defined in this comic book which made the 4-part storyline make more sense to read and analyze. More on Zealot, the way Claremont developed her will make you think deeply about how you should perceive her, how you think her place within the WildC.A.T.S will affect her teammates, etc. This comic book and its three immediate predecessors all have very solid writing by Claremont!
Overall, WildC.A.T.S: Covert Action Teams #13 (1994) is highly recommended!
The path for boosted patients of the Philippines towards the much-discussed 2nd booster shot (note: the 4th shot following the first two doses and the first booster shot) for COVID-19 is looking clearer as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the COVID-19 vaccines of Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik Light and Janssen for use as 2nd boosters, according to a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Take note that the number of boosted patients nationwide is less than 13 million.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA report. Some parts in boldface…
Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik Light and Janssen Covid-19 vaccines have been approved as second booster shots by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a health official said Tuesday.
In a televised public briefing, National Vaccination Operations Center chair Myrna Cabotaje said the FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for the six brands.
The center is still waiting for the review and final recommendations of the Health and Technology Assessment Council (HTAC).
“Ready na ang guidelines, idadagdag lang natin ‘yung provisions ng FDA EUA saka final recommendations ng (The guidelines are ready, we’ll just add the provisions of FDA EUA and final recommendations of) HTAC,” Cabotaje said.
The administration of second booster shot which was originally slated April 20 is expected to start next week.
Healthcare workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised will be prioritized.
Cabotaje said the second booster shot may be given four months after the first booster dose.
“Gagawin natin sa NCR [National Capital Region] muna, although nagre-request ang Region 3 and Region 4A na isama na sila and then expand natin pagkatapos (We’ll do it in NCR first, although Region 3 and Region 4A have requested to be included and then we’ll expand afterwards),” she added.
In another article published by PNA, Cabotaje stated that booster shots could prevent a possible surge of new COVID-19 cases in the middle of May. She also expressed concern about current low booster shot rate of the nation as a whole.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? If you have been boosted for COVID-19 already, how long has it been since you got your first booster shot? Have you contacted your local vaccination team to find out if you are cleared to avail of a 2nd booster shot from them? Do you still remember the brand of vaccine used for your first booster shot?
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 