Manila Bulletin – Page 75 – Author Carlo Carrasco

COVID-19 Crisis: Over 6,000 violators apprehended in Muntinlupa City for the month of August 2021

September 3, 2021September 2, 2021carlocarrasco

For the month of August 2021, over six thousand people who violated quarantine rules and local ordinances in Muntinlupa City were apprehended according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. Officially the city count of the said violators is 6,639. Do the math, that’s an average of over 214.16 violators per day for the month that had the last enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) that followed (click here and here) and the restrictions on outdoor exercise (click here, here and here) in effect over the National Capital Region (NCR).

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

The Muntinlupa police caught more than 6,000 people in August for violating city ordinances on quarantine rules.

A report presented Wednesday by the Muntinlupa police headed by Col. Melecio Buslig showed that 6,639 people in Muntinlupa were apprehended for violating the curfew and not wearing face masks and face shields.

Of the total, 1,059 persons were fined and 5,580 individuals were given warnings for the violations.

By violation, not wearing of face shields topped the list with 3,039 (46 percent) followed by curfew with 1,879 (28 percent) and not wearing of face masks with 1,721 (26 percent).

In the first week of August, curfew in Metro Manila was from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and it was extended from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. starting Aug. 6 when the National Capital Region was placed under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

The eight-hour curfew is still in effect in Metro Manila since the region was placed under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from Aug. 21.

According to the Muntinlupa police, 1,879 people were caught violating the curfew hours in August consisting of 621 (33 percent) who were fined and 1,258 (67 percent) who were warned.

Among barangays in Muntinlupa, Tunasan had the highest number of curfew violators with 520 followed by Poblacion, 268; Alabang, 267; Putatan, 253; Bayanan, 252; Cupang, 121; Sucat, 114; Buli, 54; and Ayala Alabang, 30.

A total of 1,721 people were apprehended for not wearing face masks consisting of 438 (25 percent) who were fined and 1,283 (75 percent) who were given warnings.

Alabang topped in the number of face mask violators caught with 349 followed by Tunasan, 321; Poblacion, 292; Bayanan, 205; Cupang, 160; Putatan, 126; Sucat, 121; Ayala Alabang, 76; and Buli, 71.

The above report ended stating that Barangay Ayala Alabang had the highest number of face shield violations with 769 counted.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the news story? Do you believe that Muntinlupa residents still have a long way to go before understanding the rules and following them?

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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Entrapment operation in Muntinlupa City results arrest of suspect

September 2, 2021September 1, 2021carlocarrasco

Better be defensive and careful because there are criminal elements around even during this time of COVID-19 pandemic. This past Monday in Muntinlupa City, someone got arrested for robbery extortion as a result of an entrapment operation according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

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

A woman was arrested by the Muntinlupa police after duping a security guard into paying for a fake property.

The Southern Police District (SPD) identified the suspect as Catherine Gumarang, 40, who was arrested in an entrapment operation by the Muntinlupa police intelligence section in front of SM Center Muntinlupa in Brgy. Tunasan Monday.

Gumarang was arrested after security guard Phil Jun Yu sought the help of the police. According to Muntinlupa police chief Col. Melecio Buslig, Yu paid P50,000 to Gumarang for a house that she allegedly was selling but he discovered that it was already sold to another claimant identified as Merry Love Fernandez.

The suspect called Yu and asked him to pay for the remaining P50,000 balance. Yu went to the police for assistance to arrest Gumarang.

The police recovered P5,000 entrapment money from Gumarang, who was turned over to the Muntinlupa police criminal investigation unit for documentation.

Gumarang was previously arrested along with four others for the same offense in Sta. Mesa, Manila in March, 2018.

The above report ended stating that the Muntinlupa City police will file a complaint of robbery extortion against the suspect.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Did you notice any extortionists or scammers in your local community lately? If you have enough money and you want to buy a property, do you know anyone legitimate to contact and make deals with?

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: Trade Secretary Lopez proposes allowing vaccinated people to dine in food-and-beverage joints, and enter personal care service joints during MECQ

September 1, 2021August 31, 2021carlocarrasco

Nothing changes the fact that the restrictions imposed on businesses as a result of lockdown or the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) caused damage on the national economy in the forms of rising unemployment, added business hardship and the loss of income for the affected employees as the national authorities struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) declared that the nation’s economy would lose at least P150 billion per week in relation to Metro Manila and other areas being placed under the most restrictive quarantine measure while the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) announced that the economy should be reopened to prevent any more economic damage. ECOP already stated that lockdown is no remedy.

For the newcomers reading this, under ECQ and MECQ, dining inside food-and-beverage joints and availing of indoor services of personal care service businesses are forbidden. Restaurants, coffee shops and related food-and-beverage joints are limited to take-out and deliveries. Very recently, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has a proposal to help the food-and-beverage joints and personal care service providers and literally give more breathing room to consumers who have already been vaccinated. Take note that already the government announced that more than 50 million new COVID-19 vaccines will come into the country in September and October.

To put things into perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Times report. Some parts in boldface…

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez is proposing to allow vaccinated people to dine-in in restaurants and enter personal care services establishments in areas under stricter quarantine measures.

In a Viber message to reporters, Lopez said this will help spur employment in those sectors.

“Same MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) but [I] am pushing for allowing vaccinated to [be] allowed only in these restricted sectors like dine-in and personal care. Because we are saying that in these restricted sectors, those who are vaccinated are safer. So, we don’t expect an increase in severe critical (cases) and should not worsen ICU (intensive care unit) cases,” Lopez told reporters in a Viber message.

“We pity the dine-in workers. About one million jobs and P1.5 billion revenues gone per week in the National Capital Region (NCR),” he added.

Lopez said that on top of these, 200,000 jobs in the personal care services sector in NCR were also affected.

“For other sectors, no need for distinguishing because both the vaccinated and unvaccinated are allowed. For example, both vaccinated and unvaccinated are allowed to go to malls or ride public transport,” he said.

“Again to clarify, [vaccinated should be allowed] only in restricted sectors during lockdowns like dine-in, personal care services, and meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions. If it’s not locked down, all vaccine status should be allowed subject to operating capacity,” he added.

Lopez, however, clarified that these should be allowed to operate at a maximum of 20- percent capacity.

“We believe in the vaccine. So, we should believe in the vaccinated. This should also serve as an incentive to those who are vaccinated and to encourage vaccination. With this, we help bring back jobs, open up these sectors,” said Lopez.

He said that once approved, this will be part of the new Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) guidelines.

Metro Manila and other Covid-19 critical areas were earlier placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until August 20.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) disclosed that the two-week ECQ will cost the Philippine economy P120 billion and aggravate poverty.

In relation to the details emphasized by Trade Secretary Lopez, the affected businesses within the restricted sectors can be relieved economically and already there are millions of vaccinated consumers available in Metro Manila to come in and support these businesses even though the maximum capacity is fixed at 20% under MECQ. The unemployed and the under-employed impacted by the ECQ/MECQ will finally get the opportunities to be hired and be able to earn much-needed income. That being said, it is a must that we pray in supporting Lopez’s proposal to get approved so that our nation as whole can recover better and that MECQ won’t be too damaging for businesses and workers anymore.

Speaking of the National Capital Region (NCR), pay close attention as to how Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos and the members of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) will perceive and react to Lopez’s proposal of allowing food-and-beverage joints and personal care businesses to cater to vaccinated customers at limited capacity during MECQ. Take note that during the last ECQ, it was the MMDA and MMC who approved the restriction on outdoor exercise while businesses and their employees kept losing! Think about how these Metro Manila authorities think. That being said, it is essential to pray to our Lord to enlighten and guide all the government officials so they can do their jobs better and correctly.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you agree with Trade Secretary Lopez’s proposal to help the affected businesses during MECQ? If you are still unvaccinated, does this recent development encourage you at all to get vaccinated? If you are an owner of a food-and-beverage joint or a personal care services joint, what do you think about Lopez’s proposal in helping you and your employees?

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: Residents of locked community in Parañaque City complain about limited essentials

August 31, 2021August 30, 2021carlocarrasco

In recent times, due to a report that there were individuals living in Annex 35 (a community of about one thousand houses within Better Living Subdivision) had contracted COVID-19, the City Government of Parañaque had the said community locked-down supposedly for fourteen days to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

This past weekend, GMA Network reported that Annex 35 residents have been complaining about the effects of the granular lockdown.To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…

Residents of a portion of the Better Living Subdivision in Parañaque City have been complaining after they were reportedly placed under a granular lockdown without prior notice, leaving them isolated for 10 days.

According to residents of Annex 35 of the subdivision, they were only made aware of the initial four-day granular lockdown at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The lockdown was implemented four hours later, and was then extended to 10 days.

“8 p.m. halos sarado na ang establishments. ‘Di ba meron po tayong allowed na time for Metro Manila na open ang ganitong establishment, so ‘di lahat nakapuno ng enough food and water supply,” a resident of the area said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

(At 8 p.m. almost all establishments were already closed. Don’t we have an allowed time for establishments in Metro Manila to open? Not all residents were able to store enough food and water.)

“Hindi lahat ay okay. Kasi meron kaming community page sa Facebook, ang daming hinaing like water supply, ‘yung food supply namin not enough for 10 days,” the resident added.

(Not all are okay. We have a community page on Facebook and there are a lot of appeals for water supply, our food supply was not enough for 10 days.)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) released food packs, but the residents said this is not enough. The homeowners’ association could not intervene as the granular lockdown was implemented by the local government.

The resident said that there were food packs that were supposed to have been distributed among the residents, but these were spoiled due to the lack of manpower to deliver the goods.

“Sa sobrang dami ng houses dito, kulang sila to deliver ‘yung mga food na naka-ano sa gate namin. ‘Yung iba nasisira na ‘yung food kasi kulang ‘yung tao, isang patrol car lang ang umiikot,” the resident said.

(With the number of houses here, only a few people are distributing the food stored at the gate. Some get spoiled because of the lack of manpower, only one patrol car was making the rounds.)

The resident acknowledged that the lockdowns are for health reasons, but the local government should have given residents ample time to store goods for the lockdown.

“Alam ko po na kailangan mag-ingat, they are after doon sa aming health na hindi kumalat ‘yung virus. Pero po sana binigyan nilang konsiderasyon, binigyan nila yung mga tao at least one day na makapag-plan, one whole day. Hindi ‘yung 8 pm tapos 12 midnight sarado na,” the resident said.

(I know we need to be careful, they are preventing the virus from spreading, but they should have given consideration. They should have given residents at least one day to plan, one whole day. Not announce at 8 p.m. and then close the barriers at midnight.)

GMA News has reached out to the local government of Parañaque, but calls were left unanswered.

And now here is a related news video also from GMA Network. Watch it closely…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this latest development in Parañaque City? Are you able to relate with the complaints raised by the people living in the locked Annex 35 community? Do you believe that the City Government of Parañaque and the local DSWD were lacking (if not unprepared) with regards to manpower and efforts to provide sufficient supplies to the Annex 35 residents? What do you think will help prevent food from getting spoiled? Do all of these somehow impact your personal beliefs about the power of the local government unit (LGU) over residential communities that already have their own community management?

If you are a resident of Annex 35 reading this, what else should the City Government and DSWD do to make your lives easier apart from supplying your essential needs? Are you searching for charitable organizations out there to provide you assistance?

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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Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on the lookout for local vloggers who made millions of pesos

August 26, 2021August 24, 2021carlocarrasco

Are you a vlogger based here in the Philippines who made a lot of money recently? Be aware that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is on the lookout for vloggers they might find taxable. The other day, it was reported by the Manila Bulletin that the BIR is paying close attention to a certain unidentified couple who allegedly earned between P50 million to P100 million (US$1 million to US$2 million based on the latest foreign exchange rates) that past few years and the deletion of their social media channel was seen to be a move to avoid taxation. It should be noted that the BIR launched a campaign focused on social media influencers or SMIs.

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

A couple, who reportedly raked in multi-million pesos from video blogging (vlogging), abruptly deleted their social media channel in what the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officials believe to be an attempt to avoid paying taxes.

Based on the initial investigation of the BIR, the couple earned P50 to P100 million in the past two years which enabled them to buy luxury vehicles and built a mansion somewhere in Metro Manila.

BIR sources said the couple deleted their channel days after BIR Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay announced a crackdown against social media influencers (SMIs) who have been receiving earning huge sum of money from social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook by compelling them to pay taxes.

The couple, BIR officials said, had more than 11 million subscribers. The names of the pair were withheld pending the outcome of the investigation.

But the BIR said it will still run after the couple, saying deleting the social media channel will not excuse them from paying taxes.

Vloggers are classified as self-employed subject to 12 percent value-added tax if annual income is P3 million and more, eight percentage tax if less than the amount and tax exempt if not more than P250,000.

Dulay advised vloggers to be truthful in their income tax declaration to avoid facing tax evasion charges.

The article ended stating that social media influencers cannot hide their respective income because the “tax authorities of countries where the social media platforms are based are obligated to furnish the BIR with their salaries under a tax treaty agreement with the Philippines.”

For the newcomers reading this, the penalties for tax evasion has been updated this year in accordance to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act. A person found guilty of tax evasion, the financial penalty is now P500,000 to P10 million. Imprisonment will be 6 to 10 years.

In closing this piece, let me ask you readers: Do you believe that the BIR’s search for qualified vloggers or SMIs to tax is good for the Philippines? Do you believe that your favorite vloggers or SMIs have a legal obligation to pay taxes? Do you believe that the affected vloggers/SMIs will react by promoting/favoring the politicians or potential election candidates who oppose the current administration?

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: MECQ in effect in Metro Manila until August 31, 2021

August 21, 2021August 20, 2021carlocarrasco

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.

And here is a related news video to watch…

In an article by the Manila Bulletin, curfew hours in Metro Manila still remain and quarantine passes (QPs) are not required. MECQ also means no cash aid (ayuda) will be released by the national government. There are also other MECQ-related guidelines to follow in another article by the Manila Bulletin. As for the unpopular ban on outdoor exercise approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC), that one has ended and therefore the freedom to exercise outside our homes has been restored but to a certain extent.

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?

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: 65% of active COVID-19 cases in Muntinlupa are those of unvaccinated patients

August 20, 2021August 18, 2021carlocarrasco

Recently the Manila Bulletin reported that a majority of the active COVID-19 cases in the City of Muntinlupa are those who are unvaccinated. Specifically, unvaccinated patients count for 65% of the city’s active cases as of August 16, 2021.

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

The Muntinlupa City government reported that 65 percent of active coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the city are unvaccinated individuals.

As of Aug. 16, there are 1,756 active COVID-19 cases in Muntinlupa and of the total, 1,140 (65 percent) are unvaccinated, 160 (9 percent) are partially vaccinated, 333 (19 percent) are fully vaccinated and 123 (7 percent) are minors, who are not yet eligible to be inoculated.

All the 1,756 active COVID-19 are either asymptomatic or with mild symptoms. No case has moderate to severe symptoms.

Among the 1,140 unvaccinated positive cases, 934 (82 percent) are asymptomatic while 206 (18 percent) have mild symptoms of COVID-19.

Of the positive 160 partially vaccinated individuals, 123 (77 percent) are asymptomatic and 37 (23 percent) have mild symptoms.

Among the positive 333 fully vaccinated, 258 (77 percent) are asymptomatic and 75 (23 percent) mild symptoms. All the 123 minors who are positive for COVID-19 are asymptomatic.

By barangay, Putatan has the highest number of active COVID-19 cases with 458, or 26 percent of the 1,756 total active cases in Muntinlupa followed by Poblacion with 350 (20 percent), Tunasan with 288 (16.4 percent), Alabang with 203 (11.56 percent), Cupang with 140 (7.9 percent), Sucat with 132 (7.5 percent), Bayanan with 94 (5.35 percent), Ayala Alabang with 74 (4.2 percent) and Buli with 17 (0.96 percent).

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urged the people to register and get vaccinated to protect them against COVID-19.

As of Aug. 13, Muntinlupa has deployed 393,769 vaccines. A total of 248,579 individuals received the first dose, including 7,160 who were vaccinated at sites in private companies, or 64.4 percent of the target population of 385,725.

The above report ended mentioning that almost 150,000 individuals in Muntinlupa have been fully vaccinated. While it is a fact that being fully vaccinated does not guarantee 100% immunity from COVID-19, it definitely still more protective than being unvaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are essentially helpful.

Residents of Muntinlupa City who remain unregistered and unvaccinated should make a move to get registered by learning the ways to do it. Those who are prepared (with personal information available) and willing to go through online registration for the free vaccines in Muntinlupa are encouraged to click https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Being aware of the current COVID-19 situation, did you do your part encouraging others to get vaccinated? If you are an unvaccinated individual who still has not yet registered for the free COVID-19 vaccines, what would it take to convince you to register yourself and join the line for the 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: Asian Hospital and Medical Center reaches full capacity, confirms most COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated

August 18, 2021August 17, 2021carlocarrasco

COVID-19 patients who plan to get treated at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) in Alabang might want to consider other options as the said hospital has reached full capacity in accommodating the infected. This was reported by the Manila Bulletin yesterday morning.

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

The Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa has reached full bed capacity amid the surge in the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the National Capital Region (NCR), its medical chief said Tuesday, Aug. 17.

“The occupancy of our COVID-19 beds, both the regular rooms and critical beds, is already at 100 percent. It has been like that for more than a week, no movement,” Dr. Jose Acuin said in an interview with TeleRadyo.

“Those who need to be admitted in our intensive care unit are staying in our ER,” he added.

Acuin noted that COVID-19 patients who only manifest mild and moderate symptoms are instead advised to isolate and recuperate at home.

“We no longer accept mild and moderate cases, we instead offer home care for them. Those with severe symptoms and critical patients are advised to go to other hospitals if we no longer have rooms for them anymore,” he said.

Around 84 percent of the hospital’s COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated, according to Acuin.

“We’ve had seven deaths and all of them are unvaccinated. The other one who was vaccinated, unfortunately, less than two weeks after his second dose, had COVID, so you would presume that the protection was not that much.”

About Asian Hospital and Medical Center

Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) was founded on a vision to provide the Filipino people top notch medical service that is at par with international standards. This idea was translated into reality through the passion and dedication of its people who are burning with fervor to give more of themselves and stay true to its commitment of providing “Innovations in Healthcare for an Unforgettable Healing Experience”.

Established on May 11, 2002, AHMC is a premiere tertiary hospital accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) as one of the most advanced healthcare institutions in the Philippines dedicated to providing value healthcare for patients and their families. It is a member of the Metro Pacific Hospital Group, the largest Philippine-based private hospital group managed by the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), the local unit of the First Pacific Group headed by Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan.

The first hospital in the Philippines designed with a hotel-like ambiance, AHMC believes in creating an environment which ultimately promotes healing, comfort, and care for the patient and their family. AHMC boasts a 296-bed capacity on a 17,250-square meter, carefully planned and specially designed to provide a sanctuary that ensures the safety of every patient, guest, and staff. With over 1,000 doctors trained in various specialties at the world’s top institutions, more than 400 highly skilled nurses, and 1,000 employees and staff, AHMC continuously provides high quality patient care.

As one of the country’s most advanced healthcare institutions, AHMC is guided by the values of fairness, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and respect that have served as the hospital’s foundation since its establishment.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you know someone infected with COVID-19 looking a hospital willing to accept him/her for treatment? Does he or she have mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19?

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: Vaccine czar Galvez states it is better to take COVID-19 booster shot in 2022

August 17, 2021August 16, 2021carlocarrasco

Are you a fully vaccinated patient who feels eager to take a 3^rd COVID-19 vaccine shot because of the news about the spread of the Delta variant, the Lambda variant’s detection in the Philippines, and the buzz about the Metro Manila ECQ?

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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 booster shots 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 2^nd dose was injected into your body?

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: ECQ in Metro Manila to be extended beyond August 20?

August 16, 2021August 15, 2021carlocarrasco

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 Abalos said 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 is not 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?

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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