Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar shared the good news that COVID-19 cases in the city fell down and credited their local efforts on encouraging their constituents (including minors) to get vaccinated, the Manila Bulletin reported.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Las Pinas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar announced on Thursday, Dec. 9, that active cases of COVID-19 in the city are down to 21 based on the report of the City Health Office (CHO).
Aguilar said the decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in the city “only shows that the effort of the city government in encouraging all its residents to get the jab against the virus is a success.”
She said out of the 20 barangays in the city, nine recorded zero cases.
The mayor said among the remaining barangays with the highest actives case is Barangay Almanza Uno with 6.
Aguilar said barangays with active cases are being strictly monitored by the CHO. Most of the patients are already on their way to recovery.
She said the city government already achieved herd immunity with a total of 524, 405 equivalent to 117.3 percent of the 70 percent population who were already vaccinated with their first dose, and 477, 678 equivalent to 106.8 percent who received their second dose.
The mayor said the city is among the 23 cities around the country reported to have achieved herd immunity.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this recent development? With the fall of local COVID-19 cases, do you think that Christmas in the city will be more joyful compared to last year?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
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The Manila Bulletin reported that the City Government of Muntinlupa sent an official letter to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) about a certain project along a specific road inside the reservation of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP)
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Muntinlupa City Zoning and Administration Office has sent a letter to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) inquiring about a development project along Biazon Road inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Reservation in Bgy. Poblacion, Muntinlupa.
According to a Dec. 1-dated letter by City Zoning Administrator Noel Cardona, the development project is being undertaken by BuCor and the Aqua-Tierra Oro Mina Development Corp. (ATOM) based on billboards erected on the project site.
“Since the project is within the geographic territory of the City of Muntinlupa and covered by its City Ordinance No. 17-098 (Revised Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of the City of Muntinlupa), said development shall properly observe the rules and regulations provided in said Ordinance and other applicable laws, such as Presidential Decree No. 957, Presidential Decree No. 1216, and Presidential Decree No. 1096, among others,” Cardona informed BuCor.
Cardona said the NBP Reservation, “with an area of 366.7 hectares is classified as Planned Unit Development (PUD), as stated in Section 9.1.”
“The proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) (Section 13.14) shall be accompanied by a Comprehensive Development Master Plans (CDMPs), showing at the minimum, proposed land uses, building density and bulk, road network layout, road and sidewalk section details, and master layouts of all utilities such as those for potable water, storm drainage, sewerage, power supply, telecommunication and solid waste management,” he said.
Cardona emphasized in his letter that “the proposed CDMPs shall be properly referred to the City and approval of the said plans by the Council is required.”
He said that under Section 36, Article IX of the city ordinance “All owners and/or developers of subdivision projects shall, in addition to securing Locational Clearance, be required to secure Development Permit, which shall be subject of evaluation by the concerned City Departments or Offices and thereafter endorsed by the Mayor’s Office thru the Zoning Administrator/Zoning Officer to the City Council.”
Under Section 38, he said, “No building Permit shall be issued by the Local Building Official without a valid Locational Clearance in accordance with this Ordinance.”
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what can you say about this latest local development? What do you think about the BuCor’s recent actions?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
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Very soon the City Government of Las Piñas will launch a food supply chain program as a result of signing a key agreement with the Department of Agriculture (DA), according to a Manila Bulletin news report. This development is crucial as everyone is still living under the COVID-19 crisis and the fear of the Omicron variant generated by the mainstream media.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Las Pinas City government signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the launch of the Enhanced Kadiwa Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program to ensure food availability and accessibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Mayor Imelda Aguilar said that under the agreement, the DA will provide financial grant assistance to participating eligible organizations and local government units (LGUs) to enhance their capacities in value-adding activities in the food supply chains from aggregation, processing, packing, store, warehousing, and transport to distribution.
Aguilar said the project, under the agreement, shall focus on the implementation of two Kadiwa Stores in the city where the project aims to enable selected market vendors to have funds for the renovation and improvement of the Kadiwa store.
She said the DA shall download funds to the city which shall be granted to the Pagsasarali Talipapa Multi-purpose Cooperative and the Las Piñas Meat Dealers Association of which both organizations will receive P1 million each.
The mayor said that under the agreement, DA’s obligation through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service or AMAS shall provide financial grant to the city in the amount of P2,000,000 to be funded under the Market Development Services of FY 2021 General Appropriation Act 11518.
Vice-Mayor April Aguilar said the DA’s financial grant will be used in the implementation of the “Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Financial Grant Assistance Program” to be released in full accordance with the approved project proposal as well as the work and financial plan contained in the agreement.
“On our side, the city’s obligation is to implement the approved project and shall see to it that it will be in accordance with the approved project objectives, standards, systems, and procedures for project implementation, and the approved Work and Financial Plan contained in the agreement,” Vice-Mayor Aguilar said.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this recent development? Is there a Kadiwa store near you?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
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Recently the Manila Bulletin reported the return of face-to-face classes in Muntinlupa City, specifically limited to two public schools. For protection of the students, new materials were installed on their respective tables in the class room and they have health protocols to follow apart from regular school rules.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
Two public schools in Muntinlupa started holding face-to-face classes on Monday, Dec. 6, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Tunasan National High School (TNHS) and Putatan Elementary School (PES) are two of the 177 additional public schools included by the Department of Education (DepEd) in the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes in the next two weeks.
Face-to-face classes were suspended last year when the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Dr. Dominico Idanan, Muntinlupa schools division superintendent, and Dr. Ador Querubin, TNHS principal, welcomed the students during a flag raising ceremony.
“This morning, this is the happiest at Tunasan National High School because finally we are conducting our face-to-face classes,” said Querubin.
Idanan said, “Today is a blessed day. Today is history in Tunasan National High School, even in the entire National Capital Region. We wish you the best for this program.”
“This is only a pilot program. This will last until Dec. 17. We are under study. We are still observing strict health protocols because we are still under a pandemic. We have to wear face masks, we have to observe physical distancing, we have to wash our hands very often and disinfect ourselves, keep away from crowded places,” said Idanan.
He said that by January, the city government plans to expand the coverage of the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes in Muntinlupa.
“Hopefully by January, all schools will have to pilot at least one or two sections,” added Idanan.
The two public schools underwent strict safety assessments. They are equipped with facilities including hand washing stations, proper ventilation, physical barriers, markers and signages, thermal scanners, and air purifiers.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what can you say about this latest local development? Do you feel confident about the current setup at the two public schools to ensure the protection of the students from COVID-19?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
On the second day of the “Bakunahan Bayanihan” National Vaccination Days campaign, the City Government of Muntinlupa has reached its daily target on vaccination coverage anew with more than 8,000 individuals inoculated.
The Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) recorded at least 8,265 individuals to have been vaccinated last November 30, above its target range of 5,000 – 8,000 vaccinees per day. Of the total, 5,855 individuals are from the adult population, 2,343 are from the pediatric “well-child” population (12-17 years old), while 67 are pediatric A3 (with co-morbidities).
Recently, Muntinlupa has also reached its daily target for the first day of the mass immunization campaign with 7,287 individuals vaccinated.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi visited local vaccination sites on Tuesday and urged unvaccinated Muntinlupeños to participate in the three-day national vaccination campaign.
Further, the City Government has sent a team to Cabuyao, Laguna to assist in their local vaccination rollout. Other Metro Manila LGUs have also deployed teams to other cities and municipalities outside the region.
NTF Against COVID-19 medical consultant Dr. Ma. Paz Corrales and Cabuyao City Health Officer Dr. Elena Diamante extended their thanks to Mayor Fresnedi and the city government for its assistance to the local vaccination operations.
The Muntinlupa vaccination team deployed in Cabuyao has inoculated more than 1,000 residents on the first day of the campaign rollout.
The National COVID-19 Vaccination Days campaign is launched by the Department of Health (DOH) to ramp up the COVID-19 vaccination coverage and mobilize stakeholders from every sector to support the national government’s goal of giving Filipinos a safe and healthy Christmas.
Muntinlupa has opened all major and satellite vaccinations sites from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The major sites are SM Center Muntinlupa, Ayala Malls South Park, Festival Mall, Cupang Health Center, and Sucat Covered Court, while the satellite vaccination sites are Buli Health Center, Bayanan Unit 1 Elementary School, Poblacion Health Center, Southville 3 Covered Court, and Victory Health Center. The city-run Ospital ng Muntinlupa is also open for vaccination.
As of November 26, the Muntinlupa CoVid-19 Vaccination Program (MunCoVac) announced that 409,637 Muntinlupeños (106.2% of target) have been vaccinated with at least one dose while 340,699 (88.3% of the target) have been fully vaccinated.
Of the total number of individuals vaccinated, at least 17,521 (first dose) and 10,659 (second dose) were inoculated in Muntinlupa private companies. The city has also administered at least 2,285 booster shots for the qualified priority groups.
Meanwhile, the city also recorded a dip in active cases with only 32 cases as of November 30. Two barangays, Putatan and Cupang, have logged zero cases. By barangay, Tunasan has 1 active case, Poblacion has 13 cases, Bayanan has 1 case, Alabang has 7 cases, Ayala Alabang has 4 cases, Buli has 1 case, and Sucat has 5 cases.
To date, Muntinlupa has 27,564 confirmed cases, 26,954 recoveries, 578 reported deaths, 17 suspect cases, and 382 probable cases.
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The above information was sourced from an official press release. Some parts were changed for this website.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
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For those who drive daily in or through Metro Manila, better brace yourselves for changes regarding evening rush hours as it was announced that the number coding will return very soon according to a GMA News report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…
Majority of National Capital Region (NCR) mayors have agreed to reinstate the number coding scheme during afternoon rush hour, according to Allan Gatus’ report on Super Radyo dzBB on Monday.
Citing Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos, the report said the number coding scheme will be implemented Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will cover only private vehicles.
Public utility vehicles (PUVs) are exempted from the scheme as they are still operating under limited passenger capacity under Alert Level 2.
The above report ended stating that the actual implementation of the return of the number coding scheme will happen officially two days after the resolution gets published on the Official Gazette.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What can you say about this new development? Do you drive regularly around Metro Manila during the evening rush hours? Do you think that the return of number coding in Metro Manila is good?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
News about the new and more infectious coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 – also referred to as the Omicron variant – that reportedly originated in South Africa dominated the news cycles this past weekend and already the authorities here in the Philippines are monitoring it, according to a recent Philippine News Agency (PNA) report.
Before proceeding with the PNA’s news report, let’s take a close look as to what exactly is coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 or Omicron variant according to the World Health Organization (WHO) which published an article (published November 26, 2021) about it. The excerpt is pasted below and some parts in boldface…
The B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021. The epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was predominantly the Delta variant. In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection of B.1.1.529 variant. The first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November 2021.
This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs. The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this variant. Several labs have indicated that for one widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected (called S gene dropout or S gene target failure) and this test can therefore be used as marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation. Using this approach, this variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.
There are a number of studies underway and the TAG-VE will continue to evaluate this variant. WHO will communicate new findings with Member States and to the public as needed.
Based on the evidence presented indicative of a detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology, the TAG-VE has advised WHO that this variant should be designated as a VOC, and the WHO has designated B.1.1.529 as a VOC, named Omicron.
As such, countries are asked to do the following:
enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.
submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database, such as GISAID.
report initial cases/clusters associated with VOC infection to WHO through the IHR mechanism.
where capacity exists and in coordination with the international community, perform field investigations and laboratory assessments to improve understanding of the potential impacts of the VOC on COVID-19 epidemiology, severity, effectiveness of public health and social measures, diagnostic methods, immune responses, antibody neutralization, or other relevant characteristics.
Individuals are reminded to take measures to reduce their risk of COVID-19, including proven public health and social measures such as wearing well-fitting masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated.
As mentioned earlier, the Philippines is paying close attention to the Omicron variant. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
The Philippine government is monitoring the new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 that already has cases in South Africa, acting Presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Friday.
During the Palace briefing, Nograles said members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the Department of Health (DOH) are widely aware of the variant described by experts as “heavily mutated”.
“We are monitoring — intently monitoring — itong situation na ito. Patuloy pa rin po ang ginagwa nating (We are monitoring — intently monitoring — this situation. We continue to conduct our) genomic surveillance on the ground,” Nograles said in an interview.
He added the government is constantly exchanging information with the World Health Organization about the possible threat of the newly detected variant.
“We are waiting their advisories kung ito bang variant na ito (if this variant) is considered a variant of interest or a variant of concern,” Nograles said.
Dana Krizia Sandoval, spokesperson of the Bureau of Immigration, said in another interview that various systems are in place once the IATF sees the need to adjust the travel restrictions caused by emerging Covid-19 variants.
“Kapag may directive po ang IATF na kailangan pong baguhin, immediately po kaya po nating i-implement and we have the sufficient manpower naman po para tugunan po itong mga pangangailangan na ito (Once the IATF gives its directive to change it, we will immediately implement it and we have sufficient manpower to augment these needs),” she added.
Sandoval said they are strictly enforcing health protocols and social distancing measures in all entry and exit points to make sure that travelers are safe when passing through the immigration area.
The above report ended stating that there have been confirmed cases of Omicron variant in South Africa, Botswana, and Hong Kong.
While the Omicron news published are scary and unsettling to learn about, it should be noted that there are still ways for the Philippines to prevent the new variant from entering the country even though the national authorities are constantly working as people of different nationalities enter, exit or pass through our nation via air travel.
As the Omicron variant was found to be much more infectious than the previous variants of coronavirus, now is a much more crucial time for every unvaccinated person here in the Philippines to go out and get vaccinated. That being said, the patients who are due for a 2nd dose of their vaccine should contact the local authorities to ask when will they be scheduled for the 2nd shot. As for the fully vaccinated, watch out for updates about the release of booster shots for more patients apart from the already receiving senior citizens, the health workers and immunocompromised. For anyone vaccinated already enjoying the added freedom of movement and the ongoing revival of businesses under Metro Manila’s Alert Level 2 status (extended to November 30, 2021), always maintain caution by following health protocols.
As the many secular and liberal media outlets around the world enjoy publishing scary news about Omicron, we who believe in Lord Jesus should not panic nor allow ourselves to be crushed by fear. For His protection, I urge you all to pray to Him with Psalm 91 in the Holy Bible. Maintain unwavering faith in the Lord no matter what.
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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
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The City Government of Muntinlupa, through the Muntinlupa City COVID-19 Vaccination Program (MunCoVac), announced that the city already administered a total of 733,219 vaccines and has inoculated more than 100% of the target population as of November 19.
MunCoVac posted in its Facebook page that 402,013 Muntinlupeños (104.2% of target) have been vaccinated with at least one dose while 355,565 (87% of the target) have been fully vaccinated.
Of the total number of individuals vaccinated, at least 17,521 (first dose) and 10,659 (second dose) were inoculated in Muntinlupa private companies.
Meanwhile, MunCoVac continues to encourage those who haven’t received their vaccine yet to register online.
“Vaccination is still ongoing. Kindly register at vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/ to get your protection against COVID-19,” MunCoVac stated.
Further, at least 247 health care workers in Muntinlupa have received their COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, while 18,320 minors aged 12-17 have been inoculated as of November 21.
The City Government started administering booster shots for medical health workers in various vaccination sites last November 19. Medical frontliners in Muntinlupa were inoculated for their booster shot at Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun), SM Center Muntinlupa, Ayala Malls South Park, Sucat Health Center, and Cupang Health Center.
Local health workers are requested to bring their original vaccination card and a valid ID in the vaccination sites. While for immunocompromised members of the A1 category, they shall present a medical certificate indicating their comorbidities.
Those residing in Muntinlupa and were vaccinated in other cities are encouraged to register online thru vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac to receive a schedule for their booster shot in the city.
Meanwhile, a total of 18,320 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given to minors aged 12 to 17 years old in Muntinlupa as of November 21. Of the total, 17,773 minors received their first dose and 547 got their second dose, making them fully vaccinated. The total vaccinated are equivalent to 33 percent of the total population of 55,391 of minors 12 to 17 years old in the city.
As of November 21, a total of 33,662 minors have registered with MunCoVac or 61 percent of the total population for the age group in the city. Out of the total registrants, 2,449 or 7 percent have comorbidities and are classified as Pediatric A3, and 31,213 or 93 percent are classified as “well children.”
Muntinlupa City has 27,584 confirmed cases with 26,939 recoveries, 70 active cases, 578 reported deaths, 28 suspect cases, and 411 probable cases.
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The above information was sourced from an official press release. Some parts were changed for this website.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
The national authorities recently announced than more than 100% of the target population of the National Capital Region (NCR) here in the Philippines got vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine according to the report of the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Keep in mind that Metro Manila is home to many millions of people and is the hot spot of nation’s economy as it is also home of many corporations and employers.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine News Agency report. Some parts in boldface…
Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday said about 102.86 percent of the National Capital Region (NCR)’s target population have received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
Galvez, who is also the chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19, said more than 8.8 million individuals or 90.75 percent of the Metro Manila’s target population are now fully vaccinated against the dreaded disease.
He expressed confidence that the 17 local government units (LGUs) in NCR will be able to fully vaccinate their respective target populations, including children ages 12 to 17, by the end of the year.
Galvez said Metro Manila is among the priority regions that receive the bulk of vaccine supply, with more than 20 million doses were deployed to its local governments as of Nov. 8.
“These deliveries are directly proportional to the current vaccination output of the region, which has already inoculated 102.86 percent of its target population with at least one dose,” he added.
He lauded the Metro Manila mayors for “this another milestone” in the country’s vaccination program.
“This proves that we remain on track with our vaccination targets. Truly, nothing is impossible if we all work together. A better Christmas is now at hand,” he said.
Galvez also noted that the increasing throughput of the vaccination program has contributed to the continuous decline of Covid-19 cases in all areas nationwide.
He added the vaccination drive has helped in the growth rebound of the country’s economy up to 7.1 percent during the third quarter, despite the six weeks strict lockdowns.
“Our next goal is to start and sustain the opening up of our classes to protect our children’s future and development. We need to vaccinate our students and teachers before the end of this year,” he said.
The government remains firm in its goal to complete the vaccination of at least 54 million Filipinos before end-December.
As of Thursday, the country has administered a total of 66,816,976 doses of coronavirus vaccines with 30,478,899 Filipinos are now fully vaccinated.
Based on the latest data from the National Covid-19 vaccination dashboard, the country’s average daily vaccination rate in the last seven days has increased to 780,290 doses, compared to 647,580 doses in the previous week.
Galvez earlier said the government is now scaling up the vaccination program with the steady arrival of bigger vaccine deliveries.
While the above is positive news, there is still the challenge for the national, the regional and local authorities to vaccinate the real population (more than the target population) based on the latest census statistics per region and locality. That means not only vaccinating the minors aged 12 to 17 but also the younger ones in due time. How the authorities will be able to achieve greater vaccination numbers without causing blunders or controversy remains to be seen. Overseas in the United States, the imposed vaccine mandate by the Biden administration is clearly an act of tyranny (read: Democrats and the Satanic Left love power, terror and fascism) against the people and the employers.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Does this latest news about make you feel hopeful about having a more joyful Christmas season with friends and family? Don’t you think that the 3rd quarter growth would have been much higher had there been no enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila this past August? Do you believe that your local government unit and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) can be trusted when it comes to vaccinating as many people as possible?
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It’s been two days since cinemas around Metro Manila officially reopened which is a welcome move not because I personally want to watch movies on the big screen inside the theater but because the local cinema industry will contribute to the economic recovery of our nation from this ongoing COVID-19 crisis. That being said, I urge you readers – who got fully vaccinated locally – who love watching movies to take time out to support the local cinema operators and their employees by visiting their venues, buying tickets over the counter and watch movies on the big screen while following the local health protocols (note: local cinemas have invested a lot in making their venues safe and sanitized).
Be reminded that streaming will NEVER match the grandeur and immersion of the cinema! The cinema is always better than streaming. Movie venue choices aside, local moviegoers now have the opportunities to watch A Quiet Place Part II and the big blockbuster Dune (2021).
Going back to the topic of economic recovery, there is no doubt that the COVID-19 crisis combined with all the restrictions imposed by the local, regional and nation authorities brought down the national economy in 2020 along with all the economic sectors and the employees. All of these also translate into a major loss of tax revenue for the local governments, provincial governments and the national government.
In the case of the local cinema industry, the shutdown of cinemas since the pandemic started in March 2020 resulted a huge, collective industry loss of revenue according to a BusinessWorld report. I’m talking about many BILLIONS of Pesos lost!
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt of the BusinessWorld report. Some parts in boldface…
The cinema industry had P19 billion in foregone revenue from March 2020 to September this year, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson Mary Liza Diño-Seguerra said in a Teams video interview.
The loss had ballooned to P21 billion as of Oct. 11, Charmaine N. Bauzon, president of Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines, told PTV News.
Local government units, which charge 10% amusement tax per movie ticket, lost P1.09 million daily from the country’s more than a thousand movie screens, according to estimates by the National Tax Research Center.
“We earned P11.5 billion yearly from the box office [before the pandemic],” Ms. Seguerra said. “We sold about 52 million tickets each year.”
Cinema operators get 50% of ticket sales, while the other half goes to producers, who then give as much as a quarter to the distributor, who’s in charge of marketing and distributing the film to the public.
Last year, cinemas in areas under a more relaxed quarantine made a measly P327,000, Ms. Seguerra said.
Take note that before the pandemic started, the local cinema industry as a whole had a work force of 300,000 employees and those who lost their jobs and income really suffered. In the City of San Juan, the Manila Bulletin reported about the reopening of local cinemas there with Mayor Francis Zamora issuing statements and leading the inspection on the venues. Posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin article.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora led the inspection of cinemas in the city starting with the Greenhills Promenade Cinema.
Zamora inspected the health and safety protocols of the cinema such as the disinfection process of the establishment and the procedure of buying the tickets, which can be done before entry to the cinema or online, new seating arrangements with strict physical distancing, and the guidelines of actual movie viewing under the new normal.
“I know how Filipinos miss watching movies in silver screens which have been shut down for almost two years due to the pandemic, but now the long wait is over. With the approval of the IATF, we are allowing the opening of our cinemas in the city, provided that we take extra care and observe stringent protocols as we are still facing threats of COVID-19 despite the easing of restrictions to Alert Level 2,” Zamora said.
“I want to personally make sure that our cinemas in San Juan will be safe for all of us, not only for the moviegoers but for the employees of these establishments as well,” he added.
During Alert Level 2, the operational capacity of several businesses has been increased to accommodate more customers. It has also eased down quarantine restrictions in various indoor establishments and recreational venues including movie houses and cinemas.
Under the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines, cinemas can accommodate up to 50 percent of its maximum venue capacity, but only those who are fully vaccinated will be allowed entry into the cinemas.
For added insight, posted below are two news videos for your viewing…
Once I again, I urge you readers based in Metro Manila and in nearby provinces who got fully vaccinated to come out to support our local cinema operators and make a contribution to economic recovery as you enjoy watching on the big screen again.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Now that cinemas within Metro Manila have reopened, are you planning to revisit them and watch movies on the big screens anytime soon? Does Dune (2021) interest you a lot? When was the last time you saw a movie inside the movie theater? Do you realize that as a paying customer, what you pay helps not only movie producers and cinema operators but also their employees and the varied government units (that collect amusement taxes)?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
