news – Page 236 – Author Carlo Carrasco

COVID-19 Crisis: Almost 30,000 Muntinlupa residents vaccinated with first dose, initial Sputnik V vaccines ran out

May 13, 2021May 12, 2021carlocarrasco

Is anyone among you a resident of Muntinlupa City and you have not registered to get vaccinated for COVID-19? If you are a local resident and if you are willing to get vaccinated, I recommend you register yourself online now. Don’t get overwhelmed with the news about the lack of COVID-19 vaccines in our country. Just get registered now and wait to get contacted. I did my part and got vaccinated with my first dose (and the local organizing was done efficiently and smoothly here in Alabang).

And now we can proceed with the latest developments as reported by the Manila Bulletin!

Firstly, almost 30,000 residents of Muntinlupa got vaccinated. Specifically, the official count was at 28,005 citizens who got injected with the first dose as of May 10, 2021. If you include the residents who got injected with their second dose, the dose count (as opposed to vaccinated people counted) is at more than 34,000 in the city. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in bold…

The Muntinlupa City government has vaccinated 28,005 residents with the first dose against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Data from the City Health Office (CHO) showed that as of May 10, there were also 6,301 residents who have received their second dose.

The Muntinlupa City government is using Sinovac Life Science’s CoronaVac, AstraZeneca, and Gamaleya Research Institute’s Sputnik V vaccines for its residents.

Of the 28,005 who were inoculated with the first dose, 5,141 are health care workers (A1), 5,400 are senior citizens (A2), 17,416 are persons with comorbidities (A3) and 48 are other frontline workers (A4).

By vaccine, 21,466, or 77 percent, were given CoronaVac; 4,182, or 15 percent, AstraZeneca; and 2,357, or 8 percent, Sputnik V.

Muntinlupa is one of the five recipients of the first delivery of 15,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine that arrived in the country on May 1.

Lorelie Bajeta, a Muntinlupa resident, was administered with Sputnik V for the first dose and she said she did not feel any side effects.

“Wala naman (nothing),” she said.

Of the 6,301 who received the second dose, 1,638 were health care workers (A1), 825 were senior citizens (A2), 3,409 were persons with comorbidities (A3), three other frontline workers (A4) and 426 were hospital workers. All of them were given CoronaVac for the second dose. In total, 34,306 doses were administered for the first and second doses in Muntinlupa.

Muntinlupa has four major vaccination hubs at SM Center Muntinlupa in Brgy. Tunasan, Brgy. Sucat covered court, Filinvest Alabang steel parking area and Ayala Malls South Park.

And another important news regarding Muntinlupa is that the initial supply of Sputnik V vaccine in the city has officially been used up. For transparency, here are specific excerpts from another Manila Bulletin report…

Excerpt 1

The Muntinlupa City government has used up all the 3,000 doses of Sputnik V Gam-COVID-Vac vaccines donated by the national government and received new supply of other brands.

Excerpt 2

The City Health Office (CHO) finished inoculating residents from priority groups with Sputnik V on May 11 as supplies of the vaccine ran out, the Public Information Office (PIO) said.

According to the CHO, 2,979 residents were vaccinated with Sputnik V on May 11.

Previously, I published a press release about the launch of Sputnik V vaccination in Muntinlupa. It took less than a week for the initial Sputnik V vaccines to run out. More COVID-19 vaccines are coming into the Philippines and that will include an additional 2,000,000 doses of Sputnik V this month.

Once again, to Muntinlupa City residents reading this, I encourage you get registered online to avail of the free COVID-19 vaccines locally. It will take the local authorities some time to sort out all those who registered, but rest assured you will get contacted by email and by text message. Do it now at https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/

For the readers from nearby Las Piñas City who wish to know more about their local COVID-19 vaccine registration program, I encourage you to read my article (filled with updated references) now.

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COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City ends roll-out of Sputnik V, receives more COVID-19 vaccines from national government

May 13, 2021May 12, 2021carlocarrasco

While the City Government of Muntinlupa maxed out its supply of Sputnik V, one week after the city received the Russia-made vaccines, it has received an additional supply of 48,000 vials of COVID-19 vaccines from the national government.

Muntinlupa Public Information Office said that the City Health Office (CHO) has finished inoculating residents from priority groups with Sputnik V last May 11 as supplies were already utilized.

According to CHO, there are 2,979 who were inoculated with Sputnik V as of May 11. In total, there are 28,635 city residents who were inoculated with their first dose in the city, of which 21,474 received Sinovac, 4,182 inoculated with AstraZeneca, and 2,979 were vaccinated with Sputnik V.

Last May 5, a ceremonial roll-out of Sputnik V Gam-COVID-Vac vaccines was launched at Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) Field Tent and Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) for healthcare frontliners, senior citizens, persons with comorbidities.

Further, the national government delivered an additional 16,800 vials of AstraZeneca and 31,200 vials of Sinovac to Muntinlupa City Health Office on May 11.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi thanked the national government for the allocation of COVID-19 vaccines to Muntinlupa and said it will boost the local vaccination program as more residents line up to receive their jab.

Fresnedi said the City Government eyes to open more major vaccination centers in the city in addition to other community vaccination sites. The major vaccination hubs in Muntinlupa are located in Brgy. Sucat Covered Court, Filinvest Alabang Steel Parking, SM Center Muntinlupa Open Parking Area, Brgy. Tunasan, and Ayala Malls South Park, Brgy. Alabang.

The local exec also assured the public of the City Government’s preparedness for the cold-chain management of the anticipated arrival of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. Muntinlupa expects to receive 7,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines.

Upon delivery, Pfizer vaccines are set to be directly stored in the City Government’s partner storage facility, Royal Cargo Logistics in Barangay Cupang. Due to the sensitive cold-chain management requirement of Pfizer vaccines, it will be initially administered in Ospital ng Muntinlupa and Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines need to be stored at a temperature of -70 to -80 degrees Celsius. Last May 10, the country received 193,050 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine through the World Health Organization (WHO)-led COVAX Facility.

As of May 11, Muntinlupa City has 12,039 confirmed cases with 10,589 recoveries, 1,136 active cases, 314 reported deaths, 76 suspect cases, and 915 probable cases. While the case doubling time is at 31.07 days while recovery rate is at 87.72% as of May 10. Doubling time refers to the number of days for local coronavirus cases to double in number. The standard rate of transmission should be at 7-30 days to be considered decelerating.

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Las Piñas River Drive Extension (AKA New River Drive) opened for motorists

May 12, 2021May 11, 2021carlocarrasco

After being formally opened a week ago, the Las Piñas River Drive’s extension (note: referred to as the New River Drive) made its presence through the local news media via the Manila Standard (May 6) and the Philippine Star (yesterday). The said new road was completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its ribbon-cutting ceremony was done with the presence of Senator Cynthia Villar and Las Piñas Congresswoman Camille Villar and other officials.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the New River Drive led by Senator Cynthia Villar and Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar plus other varied officials. (source – Senator Cynthia Villar Facebook page)

So what exactly is this New River Drive? According to the May 4, 2021 post on Senator Villar’s Facebook page, the description is as follows (some parts in bold):

LAS PIÑAS RIVER DRIVE EXTENDED FURTHER

The new 850-meter River Drive traverses Verdant Subdivision to Naga Road via Verdant Acres in Bgy. Pamplona 3 to Vergonville Subdivision, St. Joseph Subdivision and Villa Isabelita in Brgy. Pulang Lupa Dos. The 640-meter River Drive in Casimiro will also be partially opened via Casimiro Village, Dela Cruz Compound and Batibot in Brgy. Pamplona 3. The completion of this project, which is still ongoing, will connect Casimiro Village to Zapote Road.

In the respective published reports of the Manila Standard and Philippine Star, Senator Villar stated that the new road and other road developments in the City of Las Piñas will entice investors and lure in investments. Through the Philippine Star report, the Senator expressed her thanks to the DPWH for addressing their concerns on traffic in the city through the River Drive project. According to Manila Standard’s report, the elderly Villar guaranteed that she will work closely with the City Government and the DPWH to ensure that traffic problems in the city will be resolved swiftly.

*Senator Villar, Congresswoman Villar and other officials examined a stretch of the new road as they walked on it. (source – Senator Cynthia Villar Facebook page)*

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you were able to drive along the 850-meter Las Piñas River Drive, how was the experience? Was the ride smooth? How much time did it take you to travel the entire 850-meter stretch?

In relation to the above questions, how was your experience driving along the Alabang-Zapote Road since the New River Drive opened?

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: GMA News video shows patients frustrated during the launch of Sputnik V in Parañaque

May 11, 2021May 11, 2021carlocarrasco

To all the readers based in Parañaque City…were you able to avail of the free COVID-19 vaccine in your city lately? If you were vaccinated successfully, what type of vaccine was used on you? How long did you wait in line?

The reason why I’m asking this is because GMA Network published news videos that showed some people who waited long in line only to end up not getting vaccinated at a mall in the city the same day Sputnik V debuted there.

Before exploring the GMA News video, let’s put things in perspective that the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) published on May 5, 2021 a press release by the National Task Force against COVID-19 that stated that Parañaque City displayed logistical readiness related to the rollout of Sputnik V vaccines. It should be noted that vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. attended the Sputnik V launch in the said city.

To be clear, here are two excerpts from the PIA-published press release…

Excerpt 1

This city demonstrated its capability to efficiently receive and handle the administration of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccines during a trial run held here on Tuesday, May 4, at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez cited the unique characteristics of the Sputnik V vaccines, as he assured the national government and his people that the city is capable of handling the vaccines.

“Ito pong Sputnik V, special po ang logistics nito, kasi kailangan po natin dito at least negative 18 degrees centigrade ang storage. Ang City of Parañaque, through our City Health Office ay prepared na prepared sa paghandle nitong Sputnik V,” Olivarez said.

Excerpt 2

For his part, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., chief Implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 and vaccine czar thanked the City of Parañaque for agreeing to be one of the host cities for the pilot rollout of the Sputnik V vaccines.

“Through this pilot test we are conducting today, we will be able to see and address possible challenges that may arise before we begin to roll out the 485,000 Sputnik V doses that are expected to arrive this week,” Galvez said.

By reading the entire press release at PIA’s website, you would end up believing that things went well in Parañaque City and the launch of Sputnik V. What was completely missing in the press release were long lines and frustration (for those who waited so long and ended up empty handed) at the same venue on the same day as the Sputnik V rollout in Parañaque. Watch GMA Network’s news video below titled “Tempers flare at Parañaque COVID-19 vaccination site as not everyone receives jabs”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about GMA Network’s news video on Parañaque and its Sputnik V launch? Are the organizers in Parañaque taking proper care of its citizens who are trying to get vaccinated for COVID-19? Is the City Government of Parañaque relying on media gimmicks (examples: fancy speeches, lots of show-off photography, etc.) while trying to serve as many citizens to the best of its abilities? Whether you got vaccinated or not, how many hours did you spend waiting in line in your city? How many vaccination sites are available in Parañaque right now that you know? Do you believe that Parañaque can achieve its goal of vaccinating 5,000 people per day?

Are you one of the frustrated people who appeared in GMA’s news video who waited so long in line only to end up without getting vaccinated?

Were the vaccine program organizers of Parañaque City transparent and took good care of you when you lined up?

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: Many caught violating face mask ordinance in Muntinlupa City

May 10, 2021May 9, 2021carlocarrasco

In accordance to the recent order by President Rodrigo Duterte, the police officers in Muntinlupa intensified their implementation of an existing city ordinance on the wearing of face masks outside residence within the city’s jurisdiction.

The result? Over a thousand people were caught by the police last Friday for violating the said ordinance according to the report of the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the May 8, 2021 report of the Manila Bulletin…

The Muntinlupa police apprehended on Friday 1,326 persons, mostly minors, for violating the city ordinance on the mandatory wearing of face masks outside residence.

Of the total violators, 1,281, or 97 percent, were minors and only 45, or 3 percent, were adults. They were all caught without detention as mandated by City Ordinance 2020-109.

The police’s move came after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the police Wednesday to arrest people who are caught not wearing face masks properly.

The 1,281 minors who were caught by the police were given warning.

Under the ordinance, if the violator is a minor, a stern warning is imposed for the first offense, withdrawal of scholarship grant from the local government or P300 fine for non-grantee for the second offense, and P500 for third and subsequent offenses. The fines will be imposed on their parents or guardians.

On the other hand, the 45 adults were fined P300 each for the first offense. If they are caught again, they will face a P500 fine for the second offense and P1,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.

The ordinance does not impose any jail time for violators.

An individual inside a private enclosed vehicle is exempted from wearing a face mask but it is mandatory when there are at least two persons in the vehicle.

The ordinance, approved in July last year, requires all persons in Muntinlupa “to wear face masks at all times outside of their residences, at the workplace, when entering government buildings and offices, and while in public places.”

It defines face mask as any “protective clothing or material used to cover the nose, mouth and chin with specifications and proper use as recommended by the Department of Health (DOH), including, but not limited to, surgical masks, medical masks, N95 masks, ear loop masks, indigenous, reusable and do-it-yourself masks.”

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi has urged the public to wear face masks and face shields, and observe physical distancing when outside their residence.

As seen in the above news and details, wearing a face mask properly is a must in Muntinlupa City.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the Manila Bulletin report? Have you been wearing your face mask properly? Are you ready to visit Muntinlupa City soon?

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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Kidnapped foreigner rescued by police officers in Parañaque City

May 10, 2021May 9, 2021carlocarrasco

Remember some time ago I wrote about crime-related developments in Parañaque City involving Chinese nationals? Something relevant happened. Recently, the Manila Bulletin published a crime news report about the rescue of a Chinese national who was kidnapped and detained by his fellow countrymen plus a few locals. The credit for the rescue belongs to the Philippine National Police (PNP) of Parañaque.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt of the Manila Bulletin’s May 8, 2021 report…

A Chinese man was rescued by members of the Parañaque City Police after he was allegedly kidnapped by two fellow citizens and four Filipinos, police said on Saturday.

Police identified the suspects as Chen Shiduan, 47; Chen Lianxing, 37; Joseph Cardona, 52; Benidecto Manicad, 48; Raphael Milanag, 37; and Nida Bagtas , 49.

Police rescued Li Le Le, 20, working as a customer service at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) company.

Prior to the rescue, the Paranaque Sub Station 3 received a complaint from the victim’s friends who claimed that Le was being illegally detained, but they were unable to determine how many suspects were involved.

The operation was launched at 9 p.m. on Friday under the supervision of Parañaque City Police chief Col. Maximo Sebastian Jr. at the 19th floor of Washington Tower, Marina Bay in Barangay Don Galo, Parañaque City, which led to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the victim.

Police are still investigating the motive behind the abduction.

As per the Manila Bulletin’s report, the police are trying to determine how, where and when exactly was the victim kidnapped. What is the motive for the kidnapping? We don’t know yet.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the Manila Bulletin’s crime news report? Did you notice something strange going on in your local community there in Parañaque City? Are the local police and barangay tanods doing enough to secure your local community from criminals? Do you feel disturbed about the presence of Chinese nationals in Parañaque City? Is there a POGO operation within your local community?

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: Up to 7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine coming to the Philippines this month

May 7, 2021May 6, 2021carlocarrasco

Are you feeling uneasy or anxious about the fact that the millions of vaccines for COVID-19 (China Virus) secured for the Philippines could not come in fast enough? You are not alone.

Are the daily reports of new COVID-19 cases released by the Department of Health (DOH) scaring you? You are not alone as I know someone who is extremely religious yet panicky who gets affected by such reports. Not even the good news of the launch of Sputnik V in the Philippines (check out the Muntinlupa City launch) could lift up that same person’s outlook.

Anyway, the latest COVID-19 vaccine update regarding the Philippines is this…the nation will start receiving the bulk of COVID-19 vaccine composed of up to seven million doses within this month. This was according to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reports…

“Ang maganda po dito ‘yong delivery natin ng ano ng May, baka po from 4 million madadagdagan po tayo ng 7 million. Malaki po ‘yon, Mr. President, kasi ang dadagdag po dito ‘yong COVAX mukhang makakapag-deliver na po ng Pfizer at saka ng AstraZeneca (The good news is that, the delivery this May may increase from 4 million doses up to 7 million doses. That’s a huge volume, Mr. President, because the COVAX facility may also be delivering Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines),” Galvez told President Rodrigo Duterte in a Cabinet meeting Wednesday night.

Galvez assured that enough doses dedicated for the vaccinees’ second shots would arrive on time.

“‘Yong second dose wala na po tayong problema. Mayroon po tayong makukuha ngayong May more or less baka mga 1 million or 2 million na AstraZeneca. Iyong definite date lang po ang ina-ano po natin. So matutuwa na po ‘yong mga nakapag-first dose dahil kasi mayroon pong padating na COVAX na AstraZeneca (We don’t have a problem with the second dose. We might be having more or less 1 million or 2 million doses of AstraZeneca this May. We are just working on the definite dates so we are glad because the AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX Facility will be delivered),” he said.

As of May 4, a total of 2,065,235 Filipinos have been vaccinated with at least one dose against Covid-19, with 320,586 persons fully vaccinated.

The bulk of the vaccines will be arriving in June, allowing the government to begin the inoculation of the general populace, Galvez added.

“So pataas po nang pataas ang volume po, Mr. President. Talagang ang medyo nahirapan lang po tayo noong March at saka April. Pero ngayong May medyo mayroon pong bubuhos sa atin (We will be receiving an increased volume of vaccines, we really had hard times during March and April, but this May, more vaccines will be arriving),” he said.

An estimated 20-30 percent of the country’s healthcare workers have yet to be vaccinated, according to Galvez, as they opted to wait for the arrival of other brands of Covid-19 vaccines.

Despite negative reports, Galvez said the public’s acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccines has significantly increased, noting that more Filipinos wanted to get immunized.

To date, data from Our World in Data show that the Philippines is fourth among Southeast Asian nations with the most number of vaccine doses administered.

The report ended stating that as more vaccines arrive, Galvez described as “very doable” is the government’s goal to vaccinate half-a-million people daily.

In closing this, let me ask you readers…do you believe the updates from Galvez? How is the local COVID-19 vaccinating program doing there in your local area? Were you vaccinated already?

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 City lifts liquor ban with some restrictions amid MECQ, other less stringent quarantine status

May 7, 2021May 6, 2021carlocarrasco

The liquor ban in Muntinlupa City is has officially been lifted but with restrictions for the duration of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and other less stringent community quarantines as may be declared by the national government.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi approved City Ordinance No. 2021-232 lifting the liquor ban in the city with provisions on regulation and limitations for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Under the local ordinance, city residents can only consume alcoholic beverages within their private residence. Social drinking involving individuals not living in the same residence shall still be strictly prohibited.

The sale of liquor and other intoxicating beverages shall only be during 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and will only be limited to Muntinlupa residents.

Consumption or drinking liquor in public places such as restaurants and other commercial establishments permitted to operate by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) shall be regulated: beer – maximum of 2 bottles, hard drinks – maximum of 2 glasses, and for wine and whiskey – maximum of two glasses.

Business establishments who will violate the ordinance shall be meted with the following penalties: closure of one week for first offense and revocation of business permit for second offense.

Further, violating persons who are sellers shall receive P2,000 penalty for first offense and P5,000 for second offense, while those who are buyers will be penalized with P2,500 for their first offense and P5,000 for second offense.

Members of the Muntinlupa City Police Station, Public Order and Safety Office, City Security Office, Muntinlupa Traffic and Management Bureau, Business Permit and Licensing Office, Barangay Chairpersons and their personnel, and other deputized individuals will conduct inspections in commercial establishments to ensure that the local ordinance is followed.

The City Government warns beneficiaries of the emergency assistance from the DSWD that they are prohibited to use their cash aid to purchase liquor or any alcoholic beverage. The public is encouraged to report violators for proper action.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi reminds city residents that the lifting of liquor ban is for economic reasons and that the health and safety of the public should not be compromised.

“COVID-19 is still an imminent threat so I urge everyone to be responsible and to continue observing health protocols even as quarantine measures and the liquor ban are relaxed in the implementation of MECQ,” Fresnedi said.

As of May 5, Muntinlupa City has 11,585 confirmed cases with 10,127 recoveries, 1,154 active cases, 304 reported deaths, 168 suspect cases, and 988 probable cases.

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COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City officially starts vaccinating its residents with Sputnik V, MMDA lauds strong public-private partnership

May 6, 2021May 5, 2021carlocarrasco

The City Government of Muntinlupa officially launched the ceremonial roll-out of Sputnik V Gam-COVID-Vac vaccines for senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, and other frontline workers from specific groups yesterday morning.

The ceremonial roll-out was held at Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) Field Tent and Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) Tower 2 Rotunda Parking Space. At least 250 members of A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) priority groups were set to receive their first dose of Sputnik V at OsMun, while 130 individuals from A2 and A3 priority groups were prepared for inoculation at AHMC.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (right most), MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos (2nd from the right), Congressman Ruffy Biazon (3rd from the right) and other officials witness a patient get vaccinated with Sputnik V. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Only the pre-registered residents in the local COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System will be inoculated with Sputnik V in OsMun and AHMC. Residents will receive a message from the local health office for their schedule and no walk-ins will be accommodated in the vaccination areas in OsMun and AHMC. Muntinlupa residents are encouraged to register themselves for vaccination via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac.

MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos lauded the City Government’s preparedness as well as its strong partnership with the private sector for the local vaccination program. Abalos recognized the role of Muntinlupa’s partnership with AHMC in encouraging more people to get inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines.

Special Envoy to the Russian Federation Olivia Limpe-Aw said Muntinlupa met the stringent storage and handling requirements to be selected as one of the pilot sites for the roll-out of Sputnik V.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi expresses his gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for the allocation of Sputnik V to Muntinlupa and being selected as one of the few Metro Manila cities to be the pilot sites for the roll-out of the Russia-made vaccine.

“This ceremonial roll-out signifies a step closer in returning to our normal lives. We are grateful to the national government for donating additional vaccines to our city as this will help reach our target of achieving herd immunity as soon as possible. I encourage all Muntinlupeños to avail the vaccination program of the government because this is a vital step in curbing the pandemic,” says Fresnedi.

Other officials attending the ceremony include Congressman Ruffy Biazon, WHO Representative Dr. Rowena Capistrano, MMDA Public Affairs Dir. Sharon Gentillan, Ospital ng Muntinlupa director Dr. Edwin Dimatatac, AHMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jose M. Acuin, CHO chief Dr. Juancho Bunyi, Muntinlupa City Council Committee on Health and Sanitation Coun. Allan Camilon, Coun. Ryan Bagatsing, and other local officials.

Muntinlupa received three thousand doses of Sputnik V on May 3 and are being stored in OsMun and AHMC’s -18 degrees Celsius temperature storage facilities. With the cold-chain management requirement of the vaccine, members of priority group in the city will be inoculated in OsMun and Asian Hospital. The vaccine is to be administered in two doses 3 weeks apart.

This past May 1, fifteen thousand doses of Sputnik V were delivered to the country by a Qatar Airways flight from Moscow via Doha. The initial doses will be divided among five cities in Metro Manila: Taguig, Manila, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Makati.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Sputnik V vaccine manufactured by Russian medical-research institute Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology last March 19, 2021.

Recently, the City Government opened its fourth major vaccination hub in Brgy. Sucat Covered Court last May 4. Other major vaccination hubs launched in the city include: Filinvest Alabang Steel Parking last April 30, SM Center Muntinlupa Open Parking Area, Brgy. Tunasan last April 27 and Ayala Malls South Park, Brgy. Alabang last April 24.

As of May 1, a total of 24,163 Muntinlupa residents were inoculated with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, of which 19,991 received Sinovac and 4,172 inoculated with AstraZeneca. While 843 residents from priority groups received their second dose.

Muntinlupa City has 11,513 confirmed cases with 9,924 recoveries, 1,288 active cases, 299 reported deaths, 169 suspect cases, and 980 probable cases as of May 4.

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I Love Israel: Direct Philippines-Israel flights before the end of 2021 in the works

May 6, 2021May 4, 2021carlocarrasco

Have you been dreaming of visiting the Holy Land or doing business in Tel Aviv in Israel? There is something positive in development right now and breakthroughs could happen before the year ends. This is because recently, Israel’s Ambassador Rafael Harpaz announced that the establishment of direct flights between the Philippines and Israel is being worked on with 2021 in mind (specifically before the end of the year). There is no timeline yet as to when will Philippines-Israel travel will resume but make no mistake that Israel is opening its borders to foreign tourists (who got vaccinated for COVID-19) starting May 23, 2021 which itself is connected with their successful vaccination program.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) article. Some parts in bold…

Direct flights between the Philippines and Israel before the end of the year are in the pipeline, Israeli Ambassador to Manila Rafael Harpaz said Friday.

“We would like very much for the Filipino tourists to be back to Israel. The Philippine Airlines already informed us that they are planning to start a direct flight to Israel towards the end of the year,” Harpaz told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview.

There’s no timeline yet when tourism exchanges between the Philippines and Israel would resume, but he said the deployment of Filipino caregivers continues despite the pandemic.

“Actually, every day we see new caregivers because there is a demand. So they are flying to Israel and when they get there, they also get the vaccine immediately,” Harpaz said. “We don’t have a quota (on deployment) but it depends on the demand. Because our population is getting older and older, the demand is getting high. We also have from other countries but the demand is high for Filipino caregivers.”

In 2019 alone, about 35,000 Filipino tourists visited Israel, while more than 30,000 overseas Filipinos are working there as caregivers.

‘Tourism restart’

At present, there is no agreement between the Philippines and Israel for a travel bubble setup, but Harpaz said he is hopeful that the two nations’ tourism exchanges would soon resume.

He added that several Filipino tour operators are interested to bring travel groups once Israel fully reopens.

“They’re waiting. There’s so many tour operators in the Philippines who are eager to take groups to Israel because it’s a big tourist destination for Filipinos,” Harpaz said. “The Israelis are also eager. The businessmen are eager to return to the Philippines. They want to go to Banawe, Palawan, Siquijor, and all those wonderful places. Let’s hope that it will soon work out.”

Israel is opening up its borders to foreign tourists under a travel bubble setup, with the vaccinated population no longer required to undergo a long period of quarantine.

But for now, the vaccines that Israel recognizes for this arrangement are Pfizer and Moderna.

It has so far signed a travel bubble agreement with Cyprus and Greece.

“We are moving slowly with more countries because we want to have tourism back and business back,” he said.

As you already know, I strongly believe that the ties between my native Philippines and Israel are very essential. I really love it when Israelites and Filipinos are in harmony together, and the fact that Filipino caregivers and students were vaccinated for free in Israel is an example of that. Filipino caregivers have been known to be very helpful towards Israelites and there is a strong demand for more caregivers. Christians here in the Philippines, led by faith, love to visit the Holy Land and discover personally the places where Lord Jesus had been to.

Speaking of Philippines-Israel ties, Ambassador Harpaz also announced more good news for Filipinos struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Posted below is an excerpt from another Philippine News Agency article…

The Philippines can expect to be among the priority countries of Israel once the latter is able to transfer its excess vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Israel Ambassador to Manila Rafael Harpaz said Friday.

Harpaz explained that Israel, for the time being, could not transport its extra vaccine doses to any third country due to some legal issues in its contract with Pfizer.

“It has nothing to do with the Philippines. Israel, for the time being, was not able to give vaccines to a third country because we have a contract and there are limitations on giving it to a third party,” he told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview on Friday.

Aside from Manila, more than 10 countries have also expressed interest in purchasing their excess vaccines, Harpaz said.

“It’s something we are looking generally in a favorable manner but it’s the legal issues that must be resolved first. But it’s one of the issues in the discussions and when the moment that there would be a green light to give (the vaccines) as assistance to third countries, the Philippines will certainly be among them,” he said.

“The Philippines is definitely a high priority for us once we’re capable of giving away the vaccines.“

Wow! Considering the current situation here in the Philippines, it’s nice to learn that our country is a high priority for Israel for potential donations of excess vaccines from their own stocks. The legal issues are blocking access. To be very clear, the Philippines secured many millions of COVID-19 vaccines but those stocks cannot come fast enough. Very recently, the cities of Muntinlupa and Parañaque became the first recipients of vaccines from Russia. How many exactly? THREE THOUSAND doses for each city.

In closing this, here are some Israel-related videos for your viewing pleasure and for your insight.

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