health – Page 39 – Author Carlo Carrasco

COVID-19 Crisis: 10 million vaccine doses to be administered in the Philippines this June

June 1, 2021May 31, 2021carlocarrasco

As the old say goes – the more, the better! In the case of this ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Philippines needs all the vaccines it can get! A new development is brewing in relation to this.

Yesterday, it was announced through the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that ten million vaccines doses are being eyed by the national vaccination program as additional vaccines will arrive in this new month of June. In addition, the newest supply of COVID-19 vaccine from Russia called Sputnik V just arrived.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA’s article. Some parts in boldface…

The national vaccination program is eyeing to reach 10 million doses by the middle of the year as the bulk of Sputnik, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca orders arrive within June.

On June 6, one million doses of China’s Sinovac are expected while 1.3 million and 900,000 US-made Pfizer jabs are arriving on June 7 and 11, respectively.

Moderna vaccines, also from the US, are scheduled for delivery on June 21.

“We are very thankful that we have already breached the five-million figure and this June, mapapabilis tayo (we will speed up). We are aiming to breach another five by the end of this month,” said National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Sunday night during the arrival of 50,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccines at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“There will also be another batch from the COVAX facility this month most likely,” he added.

The Sputnik V jabs were taken to the PharmaServ cold storage in Marikina City.

So far, the country has received 80,000 doses of the Russian vaccines after the first two tranches of 15,000 doses each on May 1 and 12. Another shipment will arrive within 21 days.

Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov, who also welcomed the delivery, said the occasion further strengthened cooperation between the two nations in fighting the pandemic.

“This is timely for the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia. It is important for us to help the Filipino people. [We hope to] contribute to the strength in our relationship,” he said in an interview.

Last week, Russian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Morgulov said the vaccine allotment is one of the prominent areas for cooperation between the Philippines and Russia and expressed hope that more batches of the jabs could be delivered in the next months.

Indeed, more of the COVID-19 vaccines are coming in gradually here in the Philippines. Any new supply that arrives is welcome because there simply are not enough to vaccinate local citizens with the required two doses. And then there are also other challenges such as preserving the delicate vaccines and delivering them by the bulk to different cities, towns and barangays.

Meanwhile, the City of Muntinlupa confirmed that as of May 27, 2021, 46,015 residents have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, of which 16,989 have received their second dose. For those inoculated with their first dose, 22,758 received Sinovac, 16,771 were inoculated with AstraZeneca, 2,979 with Gamaleya’s Sputnik V, and 3,507 with Pfizer-BioNTech.

Muntinlupa City residents are urged to register online in the city’s COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac to avoid crowding in vaccination areas.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you were vaccinated already, how many doses were you inject with right now? What was the brand of vaccine you got injected with? Did you experience any tremendous chaos or disorganization when you lined up to get vaccinated at the local vaccination site?

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: No selling of COVID-19 vaccines in Las Piñas City

May 27, 2021May 25, 2021carlocarrasco

A few days ago, Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar declared that there was no selling of COVID-19 vaccines in the city. This was reported by the Manila Bulletin on May 24 in the late afternoon online.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report. Some parts in boldface…

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar said Monday there was no reported incident of selling of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines or offering jab slots in the city.

To prevent such illegal activity, Aguilar ordered the deployment of additional barangay watchmen at their 15 vaccination sites.

Paul San Miguel, Public Information Office chief, said the mayor reminded city residents not to entertain calls from unscrupulous individuals engaged in the selling of COVID-19 vaccines or offering slots.

San Miguel said Aguilar also asked the residents to report to the police or Office of the Mayor immediately once they were approached or received a call selling vaccines or offering slots for inoculation.

“The mayor is thankful that the city residents are very disciplined and do not engage in such illegal activity of selling vaccines or offering slots,” San Miguel said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you a Las Piñas resident who is happy to learn that the mayor took action to prevent the illegal act of selling COVID-19 vaccines or offering slots to others?

If ever you get approached or called in relation to the selling of vaccines or the offering of slots, would you report it to the local authorities immediately?

Does this latest announcement from the City Government encourage you to get registered and line up for the free COVID-19 vaccine?

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: House-to-house vaccination of bedridden residents in Muntinlupa launched

May 27, 2021May 26, 2021carlocarrasco

The City Government of Muntinlupa officially started providing at-home COVID-19 vaccination services for bedridden residents and individuals who are not capable of travelling to the city’s major vaccination sites.

Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded 84 individuals from Brgy. Sucat, Brgy. Putatan, and Brgy. Tunasan who were vaccinated in their homes for the initial rollout of the house-to-house vaccination service as of yesterday. The CHO expects more requests for at-home service in the coming days.

The local health office also launched a pilot drive-thru vaccination service to accommodate more vaccine takers and decongest local major vaccination sites.

*The health workers assigned to do house-to-house vaccination services. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi says the City Government, through the CHO and in partnership with the barangays, continues to expand the local vaccination program through the house-to-house vaccination services and installation of drive-thru vaccination centers. Fresnedi added that the City Government is targeting to finish vaccinating 385,000 eligible residents by November to achieve herd immunity.

*A patient gets vaccinated while on a bed at home. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

As of May 24, a total of 41,443 residents received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, of which 15,394 have received their second dose. For those inoculated with their first dose, 22,011 received Sinovac, 12,994 were inoculated with AstraZeneca, 2,979 with Gamaleya’s Sputnik V, and 3,507 with Pfizer-BioNTech.

The public is urged to register online in the city’s COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac.

Walk-ins in the city’s major vaccination sites including Ayala Malls South Park, Festival Mall UGF Covered Parking, SM Muntinlupa, and Sucat Covered Court will not be accommodated. Only those who are registered online will be given schedule in the major vaccination sites and will be notified via SMS. For more inquiries, the public may reach the MunCoVac hotlines: 0956 358 9228 / 0915 805 5932 / 0915 806 7419 / 0960 588 5935 / 0960 588 5937 / 0998 249 4580.

Further, Brgy. Sucat has launched a raffle campaign for vaccinated residents to win 25 kgs. of rice in a bid to boost the local COVID-19 vaccination drive. 20 lucky vaccinated residents from the barangay will be randomly chosen in the raffle. Brgy. Sucat captain Raffy Sevilla added that the raffle is the barangay’s gesture to thank the residents for their cooperation in the government’s vaccination program.

Muntinlupa City has 12,695 confirmed cases with 11,703 recoveries, 651 active cases, 341 reported deaths, 119 suspect cases, and 1,971 probable cases as of May 25.

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The above details were from the official press release issued by the Muntinlupa Public Information Office. Some parts were edited for this website.

COVID-19 Crisis: Festival Mall approved as 2nd major vaccination site for Pfizer, Sputnik V in Muntinlupa City

May 26, 2021May 25, 2021carlocarrasco

The Department of Health – Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) has recommended an additional vaccination site in Muntinlupa City as one of the rollout areas for Pfizer-BioNTech and Gamaleya’s Sputnik V vaccines.

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and DOH – MMCHD exec Dra. Ara Jurao led a simulation activity for Pfizer and Sputnik V vaccines at Festival Mall Covered Parking area, one of the city’s major vaccination sites, yesterday.

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (left) talks to National Immunization Program Coordinator for COVID-19 in Muntinlupa Dra. Maria Rochelle Abat, Department of Health – Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) execs Dr. Anthony de los Santos, Dr. Jose Castro, and Dra. Ara Jurao (L-R) during the City Government’s simulation activity for Pfizer-BioNTech and Gamaleya’s Sputnik V vaccines at Festival Mall vaccination site last May 25. DOH-MMCHD has given the go signal to use the major vaccination site for the rollout of the temperature-sensitive vaccines. Festival Mall Covered Parking area is the second major vaccination site in Muntinlupa to have been accredited for the rollout of Pfizer and Sputnik V. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Jurao lauded the planning and preparation of Muntinlupa City Health Office for the administration of the temperature-sensitive vaccines. She has given the go signal to use the major vaccination site for the rollout of Pfizer and Sputnik V. Muntinlupa awaits additional allocation from the national government as it maxed out the supply of Pfizer and Sputnik after reaching the target number of vaccine takers.

As of May 24, a total of 41,443 residents received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, of which 15,394 have received their second dose. At least 3,507 members of A1-A3 priority group were vaccinated with Pfizer and 2,979 received Sputnik V.

*The information desk at the new vaccination site at the Festival Mall Covered Parking Area. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

Festival Mall Covered Parking Area is the second major vaccination site in Muntinlupa to have been accredited for the rollout of Pfizer and Sputnik V. Previously, the DOH has only allowed the rollout of Pfizer at Ayala Malls South Park while Sputnik V was only allowed to be administered at Ospital ng Muntinlupa and Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

Other officials attending the simulation activity were DOH – MMCHD execs Dr. Anthony de los Santos and Dr. Jose Castro, City Health Officer Dr. Juancho Bunyi, and National Immunization Program Coordinator for COVID-19 in Muntinlupa Dra. Maria Rochelle Abat, among others.

*A look at the equipment and physical set-up at the Festival Mall Covered Parking Area. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

Further, Muntinlupa CHO will continue to inoculate remaining members of priority groups using AstraZeneca and Sinovac Life Sciences’ CoronaVac. On May 11, the City Government received an additional 16,800 vials of AstraZeneca and 31,200 vials of Sinovac.

Muntinlupa residents are urged to register online in the city’s COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac to avoid crowding in vaccination areas.

The public is reminded that walk-ins the city’s major vaccination sites including Ayala Malls South Park, Festival Mall UGF Covered Parking, SM Muntinlupa, and Sucat Covered Court will not be accommodated. Only those who are registered online will be given schedule in the major vaccination sites and will be notified via SMS. For more inquiries, the public may reach the MunCoVac hotlines: 0956 358 9228 / 0915 805 5932 / 0915 806 7419 / 0960 588 5935 / 0960 588 5937 / 0998 249 4580.

Muntinlupa City has 12,651 confirmed cases with 11,630 recoveries, 683 active cases, 338 reported deaths, 119 suspect cases, and 1,802 probable cases as of May 24.

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COVID-19 Crisis: DILG urges LGUs to sign up non-tech savvy senior citizens for vaccination

May 21, 2021May 20, 2021carlocarrasco

Here in the Philippines, senior citizens are a priority group of people for COVID-19 vaccines and in order to avail of such vaccines, registration is the first step (which goes the same for others). Once the registration has been done, the local organizers will have to maintain the records, look closely and sort out the senior citizens whom they will contact and inform them of the slots scheduled for them.

While Internet access is widely available in the Philippines, there are still senior citizens who cannot get themselves registered digitally (online registration) not only because of the lack of access (or lack of hardware) but because they are not familiar with the digital ways and processes. In the City of Las Piñas, vaccine registration can be done digitally or manually. Check out the details right here. If other cities don’t offer manual registration at all, then their senior citizens who have no Internet access or are not oriented with computers/gadgets are in a major disadvantage and may have been left behind.

In relation to this, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged local government units (LGUs) to come up with ideas to help the disadvantaged senior citizens get registered. Posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) article. Some parts in bold…

Local government units (LGUs) should find a way to register seniors, who are non-tech savvy and without access to the internet, for a Covid-19 vaccination schedule, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said.

“The LGUs must help our seniors who do not know how to use high-tech gadgets. Find the ways on how to register them immediately even manually so that they can avail themselves of the vaccines,” Año said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Wednesday.

While many older adults have access to the internet and are tech-savvy, others are not and have a hard time navigating vaccination registration websites set up by LGUs.

“Kung kinakailangan i-house-to-house sila (If needed, LGUs should conduct house-to-house visitations to register them) then so be it,” Año said.

Since the start of the vaccination rollout last March, among the groups prioritized for inoculation are senior citizens or under the A2 category.

So there you have it! DILG Eduardo Año made a pitch to the LGUs to literally go the extra mile to help the senior citizens who could not get registered digitally. It should be noted that there are some senior citizens who are bedridden or are physically disadvantaged and could not get themselves registered online. Also remember that some websites designed for online registration might not be user-friendly enough for senior citizens and others who are just starting using the Internet.

In ending this article, let me ask you these questions: Is your local government unit doing enough to get disadvantaged people registered for COVID-19 vaccines? Do you know any senior citizen in your local community who badly needs help on getting registered? Have you thought about assisting senior citizens (who are not oriented with computers and online processes) to get registered? Is your local government unit offering manual registration? Is your barangay offering assistance to senior citizens who are unable to get registered? Did anyone from the LGU or your barangay send representatives to your local community to help the unregistered senior citizens get registered?

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: New Las Piñas City vaccination sites at SM Center and SM Southmall opened for patients

May 20, 2021May 19, 2021carlocarrasco

Good news for all those based in Las Piñas City needing vaccines for COVID-19! It was reported by the Manila Bulletin that two new vaccination sites were opened which reflects the cooperation between the City Government and SM.

To be more specific, the new vaccination sites are located within the premises of SM Southmall and SM Center Las Piñas.

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

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar expressed appreciation to the management of SM Center and SM Southmall for offering spaces in their malls as vaccination sites.

Aguilar said the two COVID-19 vaccination sites that will open starting Wednesday (May 19) are located at the activity area of SM Center on the second floor and at the cinema section of SM Southmall on the fourth floor.

She said the two sites are additional to the 12 current vaccination areas serving the residents from 20 barangays in the city.

The mayor said the two new vaccination sites can now accommodate more patients who wanted to be inoculated.

Aguilar said the new sites would initially accept about 200 senior citizens and adults with comorbidities on the first day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We are happy that a growing number of residents are now willing to be vaccinated as we have been encouraging them all along, stressing the importance of their protection from the fatal effects of COVID-19,” Aguilar said.

To date, those who were given the first dose of vaccines are already on their second dose and being scheduled along with the residents in categories 2 and 3.

The above report ended with an official count of 37,364 people in the city already vaccinated for the first dose and over 10,000 vaccinated with their second dose, according to the local CHO or City Health Office.

The newest vaccination sites with SM involved are a blessing. The City Government is dedicated on serving Las Piñas residents while SM has a long-term record of customer care and utilizing their available commercial spaces for vaccinating the locals is worth admiring. Technically, having more vaccination sites can somehow decongest the incoming traffic of patients at the other vaccination sites.

In relation to this, SM Southmall made an official moment yesterday via their Facebook page. Below is an excerpt. Some parts in bold…

In accordance and full cooperation with Las Piñas City Office & Health Office, SM Southmall is opening its door as a vaccination site today, May 19, 2021, from 8am to 6pm at 3rd Level, Cinema Lobby.

The vaccination will prioritize (A2) Senior Citizens and (A3) Persons with comorbidities.

We are encouraging everyone to register online thru this link bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination and patiently wait for an SMS regarding your vaccination schedule and designated site.

❌Strictly NO walk-ins❌

For additional questions and concerns, you may call the ff. hotline below:

•09271400554 •09271400542 •09271400547 •09605140383 •09605140382 •09605140381

Below are visual instructions, including the QR code.

Take note of the details above, notably the confirmation that walk-ins will not be accepted. Registration and confirmation should happen first before you visit any vaccination site. Also check out these photos of the SM Southmall vaccination site below. Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery personally visited the said site.

*The encoding and vaccination areas at the brand new vaccination site inside SM Southmall. (source – SM Southmall Facebook page)*

*Patients getting monitored. (source – SM Southmall Facebook page)*

*Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery (standing) observing the vaccination of a patient. (source – SM Southmall Facebook page)*

For the newcomers reading this, get to know the ways to get registered by clicking right here. There are details and images with instructions included. For more insight about COVID-19 developments in Las Piñas, read about the number of people who got vaccinated as well as the announcement of an additional isolation center.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you a Las Piñas resident who is happy to learn about the brand-new vaccination sites made possible by SM Southmall and SM Center LP in coordination with the City Government? Does this latest development encourage you to get registered and line up for the free COVID-19 vaccine?

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 ends Pfizer rollout, reminds residents to register online to avoid crowding in vaccination areas

May 19, 2021May 18, 2021carlocarrasco

Reaching the target number of residents from priority groups and due to the sensitive cold-chain management, the City Government of Muntinlupa announced yesterday that it has ended its rollout for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.

The Muntinlupa City Health Office was set to finish inoculating healthcare frontliners, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities with COVAX-donated Pfizer vaccines yesterday at Ayala Malls South Park, Alabang.

The vaccines were exclusively administered at Ayala Malls South Park, the only venue approved by the Department of Health (DOH) due to handling requirements, from May 14-18. The local health office targeted to vaccinate 3,510 individuals from the A1, A2, and A3 priority groups using Pfizer vaccines.

On May 13, Muntinlupa received 1,170 vials (7,020 doses) of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines from the national government. The remaining vials will be stored in the City Government’s partner storage facility Royal Cargo Logistics Center in Barangay Cupang as second dose allocation of vaccinated residents.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine was administered as a series of two doses 3 weeks apart. Inoculated residents will receive their second dose in June. The Philippines expects 2.2 million doses of the American-made vaccines through COVAX facility of the World Health Organization by end of May, according to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr.

Further, Muntinlupa CHO will continue to inoculate remaining members of priority groups using AstraZeneca and Sinovac Life Sciences’ CoronaVac. On May 11, the national government delivered an additional 16,800 vials of AstraZeneca and 31,200 vials of Sinovac to Muntinlupa.

The City Government urged residents to register online in the city’s COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac to avoid crowding in vaccination areas.

The public is reminded that walk-ins the city’s major vaccination sites including Ayala Malls South Park, Filinvest Steel Parking, SM Muntinlupa, and Sucat Covered Court will not be accommodated. Only those who are registered online will be given schedule in the major vaccination sites and will be notified via SMS.

For more inquiries, the public may reach the MunCoVac hotlines: 0956 358 9228 / 0915 805 5932 / 0915 806 7419 / 0960 588 5935 / 0960 588 5937 / 0998 249 4580.

Muntinlupa City has 12,359 confirmed cases with 10,976 recoveries, 1,057 active cases, 314 reported deaths, 88 suspect cases, and 1391 probable cases as of May 17.

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COVID-19 Crisis: Over 90% of ECQ aid distributed to beneficiaries in NCR Plus

May 18, 2021May 17, 2021carlocarrasco

For NCR Plus (National Capital Region plus Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal provinces), the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) are both over. What is also over during this COVID-19 pandemic is the period of the distribution of the so-called Ayuda or financial assistance by the national government for NCR Plus-based low-income earners who got affected by the ECQ. Specifically, the distribution of the funds ended on May 15, 2021 (Saturday) and according to a news report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) – citing the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – over 90% of the funds were distributed.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA’s article. Some parts in bold…

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said the distribution of aid has reached 91 percent or PHP21.06 billion given to low-income earners in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus area as of May 15, the deadline set by the national government.

In a news release, the agency said 37 local government units (LGUs) reached 100 percent completion of aid distribution.

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said that amid all the challenges, the LGUs delivered their end of the bargain on the distribution of ‘ayuda’ to millions of beneficiaries, with most registering a 90 percent completion rate as of May 15.

He said the 91 percent distribution rate is a testament to the LGUs’ commitment to extend the most help they can give to their constituents.

“Alam ninyo po isang malaking hamon po talaga itong pamamahagi ng ayuda sa panahon ng pandemya at nakakatuwa na we saw the commitment of the LGUs (As you know, the distribution of the assistance at this time of a pandemic was a big challenge. We are elated with the commitment we saw from the LGUs). And now billions of pesos of financial assistance have reached our kababayans. The 91 percent or PHP21.06 billion ‘ayuda’ distributed to qualified beneficiaries is a victory for the LGUs and the national government,” Año said.

He explained that the remaining 9 percent represents the unclaimed ‘ayuda’ and they have granted the LGUs with unclaimed funds the authority to prepare a new payroll and distribute these to other affected individuals in their respective communities within 10 days.

“Despite diligent efforts by the LGUs, some of the beneficiaries did not claim their ‘ayuda’ because they have moved to the provinces or are no longer residing in their LGUs. Many of them were also delisted because they were found to be duplicates in the Social Amelioration Program list. The LGUs have started to prepare a new payroll in order to distribute these unclaimed funds,” he said.

On May 15, Año said Bulacan tallied the highest completion rate of 96.85 percent corresponding to PHP2.87 billion worth of financial assistance with 12 LGUs namely Balagtas, Baliwag, Bocaue, Calumpit, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Guiguinto, Norzagaray, Pandi, Paombong, Plaridel, San Miguel and, San Rafael finishing their ‘ayuda’ distribution.

Laguna tallied 19 LGUs which have completed aid distribution, the most among the whole NCR Plus bubble while garnering a high completion rate of 96.50 percent corresponding to PHP2.62 billion worth of financial aid distributed.

Among the LGUs which have completed distribution of ‘ayuda’ in Laguna are the cities of Biñan, Cabuyao, San Pedro, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and the towns of Alaminos, Calauan, Famy, Kalayaan, Lumban, Mabitac, Magdalena, Nagcarlan, Paete, Pagsanjan, Pakil, Pila, Rizal and Siniloan.

Meanwhile, Rizal followed with 93.34 percent, NCR with 90.99 percent; and Cavite with 86.04 percent, with five LGUs including Tagaytay City, Amadeo, Mendez, Naic, and Noveleta completing the aid distribution.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the Philippine News Agency’s crime news report? Did your local government unit distribute the money with transparency and honesty? Do you believe your LGU achieved 100% completion of the ayuda distribution?

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 700 Muntinlupa City residents vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech on first day of availability

May 17, 2021May 16, 2021carlocarrasco

Almost seven hundred residents in Muntinlupa City were vaccinated for COVID-19 (China Virus) with vaccines of Pfizer-BioNTech on the first day of availability which was May 14. To be more specific, the official count was at 677 residents. Previously the City Government of Muntinlupa announced that their initial supply of the said vaccines would be maxed out by tomorrow (May 18) due to their sensitivity.

To put things in perspective, below is an excerpt from the report of Manila Bulletin. Some parts in bold…

On the first day of the rollout of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the city, 677 residents belonging to the A3 priority group, or persons with comorbidities, were inoculated.

The initial supply of the vaccine will be used by the city government from May 14 to 18 at its vaccination site at Ayala Malls South Park, the only venue approved by the Department of Health (DOH) due to handling requirements for Pfizer-BioNTech.

Before dilution, the vaccine needs to be stored at a temperature of -80 to -60 degrees Celsius.

After dilution, each vial of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine contains six doses of 0.3 mL each.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the vaccine is administered in two doses three weeks apart and is for people 16 years old and above.

The vaccine needs to be administered “within six hours from the time of dilution.”

Data from the Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) showed that as of May 14, a total of 29,436 residents have been vaccinated with their first dose.

Of the total, 5,171, or 17.57 percent, were health workers (A1); 5,400, or 18.34 percent, senior citizens (A2); and 18,817, or 63.93 percent, were persons with comorbidities (A3); and 48, or 0.16 percent, were A4, who are overseas Filipino workers sent by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) last May 1 during the Labor Day celebration.

By vaccine brand, 21,598 residents, or 73.37 percent, were given Sinovac Life Sciences’ CoronaVac; 4,182, or 14.21 percent, received AstraZeneca; 2,979 were administered the Sputnik V; and 677 were inoculated with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

In addition, 9,399 residents also received their second dose of the vaccine using CoronaVac. Of the total, 1,772, or 18.85 percent, belonged to A1; 2,534, or 26.96 percent, were A2; 4,664, or 49.62 percent, were A3; and three, or 0.03 percent, were A4; and the remaining 426, or 4.53 percent, were administered at a hospital.

In total, 38,835 first and second doses have been administered in Muntinlupa.

As revealed in the above details, Muntinlupa’s local vaccination program continues to get more residents vaccinated while also doing the difficult task of managing the supplies of vaccines, some of which are really delicate and require special handling.

To all residents of Muntinlupa reading this…you are all encouraged to register in the city’s COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac. Only those who got registered will be notified via email and text message. As such, you must monitor your mobile phone’s text messages as well as your email. Be patient as the vaccination program organizers work to sort out who registered and categorize them.

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COVID-19 Crisis: So-called stricter GCQ in NCR Plus begins today

May 15, 2021May 14, 2021carlocarrasco

Starting today until the 31^st of May, the level of quarantine and restrictions in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the bordering provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal – these form NCR Plus – has been lowered to the softer general community quarantine (GCQ). The period of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) for NCR Plus (note: specific places outside of NCR Plus are still under MECQ) is over at last and the shift to GCQ was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

However, the GCQ this time around will have some more restrictions of its own. To put things in perspective, read the details from this excerpt from the Philippine News Agency’s (PNA) article. Some parts in bold…

Duterte decided to ease quarantine protocols in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, also known as “NCR Plus,” upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Presidential Spokesperson Roque, who was present during a meeting with Duterte at Malacañan Palace, said NCR Plus will be placed under GCQ “with heightened restrictions” from May 15 to 31.

“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, May 13, 2021, approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to place the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions from May 15 to 31, 2021,” Roque said in a statement.

Apart from NCR Plus, the quarantine classification in Abra was also downgraded from MECQ to GCQ.

Areas of concern

The MECQ status was, however, retained in the City of Santiago in Isabela, Zamboanga City, Quirino, and Ifugao.

Duterte said the four areas would remain under MECQ until end of May following local governments’ concerns over the spike in the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) within their localities.

GCQ is imposed in Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Quezon, Iligan City, Davao City, Lanao del Sur, and Puerto Princesa City until May 31.

The rest of the country remains under the least restrictive modified GCQ (MGCQ) for the whole month of May.

Implementation of stricter GCQ

Once GCQ with heightened restrictions is implemented in NCR, only “essential travel into and out of the NCR Plus” will be allowed, Roque said.

Roque said interzonal travel from NCR Plus areas, except those conducted by Authorized Persons Outside Residence, will remain prohibited in GCQ areas with heightened restrictions.

“Public transportation shall remain operational at such capacities and protocols in accordance with the Department of Transportation guidelines while the use of active transportation shall be promoted,” he said.

Roque said only individuals aged 18 to 65 can leave their homes while NCR Plus is under stricter GCQ.

Entertainment venues like bars, concert halls, and theaters; recreational venues, such as internet cafes, billiards halls, and arcades; amusement parks, fairs, playgrounds, kiddie rides; indoor sports courts and venues and indoor tourist attractions; and venues for meetings, conferences, exhibitions will not be allowed in NCR Plus, Roque said.

Roque said religious gatherings and gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals for those who died of causes other than Covid-19 in NCR Plus will be allowed up to 10 percent of the venue capacity.

He added that indoor and outdoor dine-in services would be allowed in Metro Manila and its four neighboring provinces.

Also, indoor dine-in services in NCR Plus shall be at 20 percent venue or seating capacity while outdoor or al fresco dining shall be at 50 percent venue or seating capacity,” he said.

Roque said outdoor tourist attractions in NCR Plus may be opened at 30 percent, with “strict” adherence to minimum public health standards.

“Also continued to be allowed in GCQ areas with heightened restrictions are non-contact sports, games, scrimmages held outdoors; and personal care services that allow for services not requiring mask removal, such as salons, parlors, [and] beauty clinics, at 30 percent capacity,” he said.

While the GCQ is stricter than its previous form, it does allow more breathing room for businesses because they are essential on providing customers the products and services needed (or wanted), and it is the businesses who provide jobs for the unemployed. Businesses, not socialists, can lift people up from poverty and prevent their employees from falling into poverty. As I mentioned previously, the more Filipinos fall into poverty due to restricted economic activities (that result job losses), the more expensive it becomes for any government unit to provide relief to the constituents.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your impression about the so-called stricter GCQ for NCR Plus? Are the restrictions of the new GCQ disturbing to you? Does the new GCQ affect your plan to travel to the provinces?

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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