Philippine News Agency (PNA) – Page 25

Chinese national and local companion arrested in Parañaque City for human trafficking

September 20, 2023September 20, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, a Chinese national and his local companion got arrested by police officers for the alleged operation of a prostitution ring within the city, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Take note that this is not the first time that Chinese nationals were involved with prostitution and human trafficking within Parañaque City (click here, here and here).

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

A Chinese national and his female cohort were arrested by Southern Police District (SPD) agents for allegedly operating a prostitution ring in Parañaque City, according to a news release on Sunday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez identified the Chinese national as Xiao Ji, and his 48-year-old Filipino companion, Arlene Lapurga Geron.

Police arrested the two while serving a search warrant at SoleMare Parksuites in Barangay Tambo on Saturday.

Police rescued seven Chinese nationals and one Filipino woman during the operation, Nartatez said.

They were victims of human trafficking and sexually exploited before they were distributed to high-end hotels, casinos and clubs in Parañaque, he added.

Another suspect, a Chinese national identified as Lin Wei, managed to escape and is now the subject of manhunt. Operatives also seized several firearms, laptops and money.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be Chinese nationals moving around Parañaque secretly committing human trafficking violations? Do you think that Parañaque’s prostitution industry is under the heavy influence of Chinese nationals right now?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. 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/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

Show cause orders against several BSKE candidates surpass 300 nationwide

September 15, 2023September 13, 2023carlocarrasco

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) revealed that show cause orders for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) candidates over election offenses have surpassed three hundred nationwide, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. The BSKE will have an official campaign period before the voting happens on October 30, 2023.

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

A total of 304 candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) have been issued show cause orders for various violations as of Tuesday, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia said.

Aside from the 102 issued last week and 122 on Monday, another 80 were sent to candidates on Tuesday, Garcia said in a Viber message.

Garcia said the complaints were about the distribution of breads and noodles with imprinted faces of the candidates on the packaging; door-to-door distribution of maintenance medicine kits for senior citizens; cakes for birthday celebrators; and smart televisions, fans and sacks of rice as raffle prizes.

Comelec data show that Cebu, Quezon City, Pampanga, Bukidnon, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan, Manila, Batangas, Bataan, Cotabato and Rizal have a high number of premature campaigning violation reports.

Violations were also recorded in some areas in Caloocan, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Taguig, Sorsogon, Tarlac, Camarines Sur, Leyte, Albay and Negros Oriental, among others.

“Expect the number to increase as complaints come in and the show cause orders roll out,” Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in another Viber message Monday night.

Comelec gives BSKE candidates three days upon receipt of the show cause order to respond.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that the rising number of show cause orders will somehow soften the rising number of alleged election rules offenses? Were there lots of instances of premature campaigning in your local barangay? How can you tell if the local candidates are committing premature campaigning? Do you think local community bingo events involving the presence of BSKE candidates should be counted as premature campaigning?

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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Consultancy firm in Parañaque City shut down by DMW for illegal recruitment

September 12, 2023September 9, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, agents of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shut down a consultancy firm for illegal recruitment, according to a news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). There were also local police officers and barangay officials present during the closure.

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

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has shut down another consultancy firm found to be offering fake jobs overseas.

On Thursday, DMW Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, together with Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, head of the DMW’s Licensing and Adjudication Services cluster, Assistant Secretary Francis de Guzman, and lawyer Geraldine Mendez, Chief of the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB), raided the office of RTM Maritime Consultancy Services Corp. at the 2nd floor of the J & P Building along Ninoy Aquino Avenue in Santo Niño, Paranaque City.

They were assisted by the Parañaque City police and the officials from Barangay Sto. Niño.

Cacdac said the DMW received several emails early this year complaining about the RTM Maritime Consultancy agency.

He cited victims “Ernesto” and “Dindo” who sent separate emails to the department narrating their experience.

Cacdac said “Ernesto” was promised by RTM a job as Chief Cook onboard a container vessel in Dubai with a monthly salary of USD900 (PHP51,300).

“Ernesto” was asked to pay by the consultancy firm a total of PHP105,000 as consultancy fees for finding him an overseas job.

Meanwhile, “Dindo” applied for the position of Engine Cadet with a promised monthly salary of USD350, or approximately PHP20,000, and was asked by RTM to pay a consultancy fee of PHP140,000 for the job placement.

Both “Ernesto” and “Dindo” applied for their alleged jobs in the first quarter of 2023.

However, several months have passed but they have not been deployed yet despite having paid the consultancy fee, and so they decided to file their complaints with the DMW.

The DMW conducted initial surveillance operations of RTM’s activities in March while a follow-up surveillance operation was undertaken in June to bolster the case against the agency.

Cacdac said RTM does not have a valid license or accreditation from the department.

He said RTM received and processed applications and referred these to its partner manning agency, and collected consultation fees ranging from PHP105,000 to as much as PHP140,000 from their applicants who were promised fake jobs as seafarers in Dubai, despite a no placement fee policy for seafarers.

RTM officers and personnel will be charged with illegal recruitment, the DMW said.

The DMW is also urging other victims of RTM Maritime Consultancy Corp. to visit the MWPB so they may be assisted in filing their complaints and cases against the illegal recruitment agency.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Do you anyone who got victimized by the Parañaque consultancy firm that got shut down? Do you believe there could be more scammers operating in Parañaque?

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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To fight vote buying-selling, COMELEC seeks imposition of “money ban”

August 24, 2023August 22, 2023carlocarrasco

In relation with their campaign against the buying and selling of votes, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that it seeks to impose a ban on money (“money ban”), according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). This is related with the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) which is scheduled to happen on late October. The election body previously announced its plan to allow warrantless arrests in response to vote buying and selling.

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

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing to impose a “money ban” to combat vote buying and selling during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.

In an interview Tuesday, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said under Section 27 of the draft of Kontra Bigay resolution, the poll body may presume vote buying or selling through one’s “possession or transport” of cash exceeding PHP500,000 five days before the election day.

“Hindi natin pipigilan ang pagwi-withdraw ng mahigit PHP500,000. Ang atin pong ipo-prohibit at ipa-punish ay yung pagpapadala ng PHP500,000 lalo na kapag pumasok yung period ng kampanya (We will not prohibit withdrawal of PHP500,000. What we will prohibit and punish are those sending PHP500,000 especially when the campaign period starts),” he said.

However, Garcia said individuals with justifiable backgrounds shall be exempted, including businessmen and disbursement officers or cashiers, among others.

“Saan ka naman nakakita may dala kang kalahating milyon isang araw bago mag election tapos ni hindi ka treasurer, ni hindi ka negosyante? Ano ka, tagapamili ng boto? So ipe-presume namin yung mga taong yan involved sa vote buying (Where can you see someone carrying half a million [pesos] before the election day and you’re not a treasurer nor a businessman? What [kind of worker] are you, a vote buyer? So, we will presume that person is involved in vote buying),” he said.

All police authorities are tasked to conduct 24-hour money ban checkpoints nationwide.

Garcia said although these measures are not under the law, setting such is also not prohibited.

Garcia said the Comelec has submitted the draft of Kontra Bigay resolution to en banc for approval of the proposed money ban and other measures, and setting of guidelines.

Besides transporting or delivering large sums of money, Comelec also aims to monitor the splitting of at least PHP20,000 cash into smaller denominations of PHP100s, PHP50s or PHP20s.

It also targets to cooperate with mobile banking and digital payment platforms to ensure they are not used for vote buying or selling.

“Ang GCash, PayMaya at iba pa pong platform ay under ng BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas). Kausap natin ang BSP at pati na ang AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council) (The Gcash, PayMaya and other platforms are under BSP. We are coordinating with the BSP and AMLC),” Garcia said.

Under the Comelec draft resolution, long queues of registered voters for distribution of cash or other favors shall also be subject to the action of law enforcement.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the COMELEC’s planned “money ban” is unrealistic or doable? What do you think the COMELEC should do to effectively fight vote buying-selling?

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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COMELEC and Philippine Army to coordinate on security for October 30 BSKE

August 16, 2023August 14, 2023carlocarrasco

The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) are a little over two months away from happening and to ensure security, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will coordinate with the Philippine Army, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

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

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will coordinate with the Philippine Army to beef up security preparations for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.

In a Viber message, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said newly installed Philippine Army Commanding General Lt.Gen. Roy Galido on Friday paid a courtesy call to Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia.

“Chairman Garcia took this occasion as an opportunity, not only to touch base with one of the most hardworking AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) brass, but more so, to jump-start the continuing working coordination between the Comelec and the AFP, in particular, the more than a hundred thousand strong Philippine Army,” he said.

Included in their discussions were preparations for the upcoming BSKE, he added.

Laundiangco said it is not new for the Comelec to coordinate with Galido on matters related to nationwide polls.

“Comelec has worked with Gen. Galido in previous elections, notably the 2022 NLE (National and Local Elections) where he was then Commander, 6ID (Infantry Division), thereafter as Commander, WESMINCOM (West Mindanao Command), and now, CGPA (Commanding General of the Philippine Army),” he said.

Galido now serves as the 66th Commanding General of the largest arm of the country’s military force.

Laundiangco said the poll body is set to conduct a command conference this month with law enforcement.

“The command conference between the Comelec, the AFP, the PNP (Philippine National Police), and the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) for the 2023 BSKE is scheduled on August 22, 2023,” he said.

The Comelec is wrapping up preparations for the October polls, which will be manually done in over 42,000 barangays nationwide, except for the three pilot sites for automated elections in Dasmariñas City and Quezon City District 6.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are there many members of your local community who intend to vote in the BSKE on October 30?

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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Setback did not stop growing nationwide support for “Love the Philippines” campaign of DOT

August 15, 2023August 13, 2023carlocarrasco

Not even the embarrassment that hit the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) “Love the Philippines” slogan previously could stop its momentum as support for it nationwide grew, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. To say the least, there were hundreds of local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders that confirmed support for “Love the Philippines” campaign.

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

Nearly 900 local government units and stakeholders across the country have so far adopted the “Love the Philippines” campaign, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Thursday.

In her remarks during the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) general meeting in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco confirmed anew that the country will carry the slogan amid the previous issue with the advertising agency that conceptualized the campaign.

“Love the Philippines is an effort on the part of our national government to remind our fellow Filipinos that there is so much to love about our country. We are only one of the 18 mega biodiverse destinations in the world. We are a treasure trove of heritage, history, culture and the creative arts,” she said.

She said the campaign is a call to action to highlight “that if we love our country, we will herald the best of the best of our destinations”.

“To love the Philippines is to ask the difficult questions, to try to understand what we can do to introduce difficult but helpful solutions to programs and projects that have never been done before, but are being implemented now as our response to global tourism trends,” she said.

Frasco said nearly 900 local government units and stakeholders all over the Philippines “have expressed this deep love for the Philippines” by adopting the slogan in their own local destinations.

She called on stakeholders present to join the movement and “localize” the campaign in their towns.

“We love our country. We all love the Philippines. And it is this deep love for our country that will propel us and give us the daring to say that the Philippines deserves a much more primary position in Asia and the world as a tourism powerhouse,” she said.

The DOT terminated its contract with advertising agency DDB Philippines after discovering that it used stock footage shot abroad in the new tourism campaign video.

The advertising firm publicly apologized, saying it is taking full responsibility for the non-original materials used in the now-deleted video.

The DOT adopted “Love the Philippines” as the country’s new tourism campaign slogan in June, replacing the decade-old “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that the DOT’s “Love the Philippines” campaign will succeed in terms of public awareness, marketing and attracting more tourists (both local and foreign)? Is your local government’s tourism office localizing the new DOT slogan?

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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Las Piñas City Representative Villar reiterates call for early breast cancer detection programs

August 4, 2023August 3, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently Las Piñas City Representative Camille Villar emphasized government-backed early detection programs and ways on helping women deal with breast cancer, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar on Tuesday reiterated her call for the government to intensify its early detection programs, and promote easier access to preventive screening against breast cancer to save the lives of Filipino women.

“With the alarming growth of breast cancer cases in the Philippines, there is a need to strengthen dedicated programs against breast cancer, and to allocate adequate budgetary support for programs involving early detection in hospitals and at the local level,” Villar said in a statement.

Citing data from the World Health Organization, she noted that in 2020, there were 86,484 total cancer cases in the Philippines, of which 27,163 breast cancer cases.

She pointed out that in the same year, breast cancer claimed the lives of 9,926 Filipino women, making it the third most fatal type of cancer afflicting Filipinos, just behind lung and liver cancer.

The Philippines had the highest rate of breast cancer in Asia and the ninth highest in the world in 2019, with the disease often diagnosed already in advanced stages.

She said an estimated 70 percent of breast cancer cases also affect indigent women, making it more difficult for them to fight off the dreaded disease.

“There is a seeming absence of comprehensive screening programs especially in far-flung areas, thereby depriving women to seek immediate early screening or medical help,” Villar said.

In view of this, Villar has filed House Resolution No. 1023 urging the appropriate House Committees to look into the increasing number of breast cancer cases in the country with the intent of promoting early detection programs and increasing breast cancer awareness.

She also called on her colleagues to pass a separate measure seeking to establish a special assistance fund dedicated for cancer patients, particularly the indigents and underprivileged Filipinos who need all the support from the government.

In her House Bill No. 5686, or the Cancer Medicine and Treatment Fund for Filipinos, Villar seeks the institutionalization of a PHP10-billion fund to support needy Filipino families in the battle against cancer.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this new development? Are you convinced that Representative Villar’s proposals for government-backed measures on dealing with breast cancer and early detection programs are justified? Are you convinced that breast cancer is a very serious issue in the country right now?

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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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. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

High-priority infrastructure projects to be financed by Maharlika Investment Fund

July 27, 2023July 25, 2023carlocarrasco

Just days after signing into law the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., stressed during his 2^nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the new law will finance the high-priority infrastructure projects of the Philippines, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

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

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said the newly established Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) would be used to fund high-priority projects.

“For strategic financing, some of the nation’s high-priority projects can now look to the newly established Maharlika Investment Fund, without the added debt burden,” Marcos said in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The MIF is the Philippines’ first-ever sovereign wealth fund designed to catalyze economic development by mobilizing government financial assets.

“In pooling a small fraction of the considerable but underutilized government funds, the Maharlika Fund shall be used to make high-impact and profitable investments, such as the ‘Build Better More’ program,” Marcos said.

He said the gains from the Fund shall be reinvested into the country’s economic well-being.

To ensure sound financial management, Marcos assured that a group of internationally recognized economic managers shall oversee the operations of the Fund, guided by principles of transparency and accountability.

“This guarantees that investment decisions will be based on financial considerations alone, absent any political influence,” Marcos said.

“The funds for the social security and public health insurance of our people shall remain intact and separate.”

The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier said the Fund can look into big-ticket infrastructure such as in green and blue projects, countryside development, and other employment-generating projects.

For the newcomers reading this, if you want to understand what a sovereign wealth fund is and how it would work with the Philippines in mind, watch the video below…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you able to watch President Marcos’ 2^nd SONA?

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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Marcos emphasizes digitalization and online payment systems

July 26, 2023July 24, 2023carlocarrasco

During his 2^nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) this past Monday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., emphasized the focus on digitalization and online payment systems for efficiency, achieving public service, easing the processes of doing business and cutting graft and corruption, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report.

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

During his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said digitalization helps in frontline services, back-end functions, as well as supports the government in “data-driven and science-based planning and decision-making.”

“Digitalization is the call of today; not of the future –but of the present. It is here. It is needed, and it is needed today,” Marcos said.

He said government streamlining efforts through digitalization has so far “significantly boosted efficiency” such as in government payments, company and business registration, issuance of permits and licenses, loan applications, and revenue collections.

“All our digitalization efforts will be linked to our payment systems, whose digital transformation has been accelerating at a remarkable rate,” he added.

In 2022 alone, Marcos said digital payments accounted for 42 percent of total retail payments for businesses, individuals, and by the government.

“Its high trajectory is now well-positioned to achieve Bangko Sentral’s target of 50 percent of total retail payments by this year,” he said.

Digital payments – Marcos cited the rise in the share of retail digital payments to 42 percent of the total in 2022, almost near the 50 percent share target of the Bangko Sentral ng ng Pilipinas (BSP) by this year.

Based on the BSP’s 2022 Status of Digital Payments report released last June, digital payments were only 1 percent of the total in 2013.

It rose to 10 percent in 2018, 14 percent in 2019, 20.1 percent in 2020, and 30.3 percent in 2021.

Retail payment transactions grew by 611.7 million in terms of volume in 2022 relative to the previous year, BSP data show.

In 2022 alone, payments made by persons accounted for 68.6 percent of the total, and were followed by the payments made by businesses, 30.3 percent; and payments made by the government, 1.1 percent.

Of the total, 90.6 percent of digital payments volume were accounted for by person-to-business (P2B) payments, 73.7 percent; person-to-person (P2P) and business-to-person (B2P), 14.7 percent; and salaries and wage payments, 2.2 percent.

Authorities have attributed the big rise in digital payments to the impact of the pandemic, which prevented most people from going out, thus the need to do online transactions for most of their purchases.

Marcos said the country’s financial system, which he describes as “the nerve center of our economy”, “remains strong and stable.”

He said banks, the monetary policy’s transmission arms, “have strong capital and liquidity positions.”

With the easing of restrictions put in place during the pandemic, Marcos said, “transactions once again flourished—alongside the booming e-commerce that was undeterred by the pandemic.”

“In 2022, the digital economy contributed PHP2 trillion, equivalent to 9.4 percent of our GDP (gross domestic product). The economy is revived and rejuvenated, backstopped by a favorable enabling environment and the strong rule of law,” he said.

eGov PH app – To eliminate redundancy and further ensure ease of use, Marcos showcased the eGov PH mobile app that aims to integrate all key government services for the convenience of its users.

“The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has been directed to consolidate all these digitalized government services into the eGov PH app to establish the National Government Portal and the Philippine Business Databank, and to improve the internet speed in our country,” he said.

On the other hand, Marcos said the National ID System will serve as the core of a “digitally transformed network of government services.”

To date, he said the National ID System reported around 87 percent total registration.

“We are now closer to establishing a complete, accurate, and reliable digital database of our entire population. This has already been integrated into the eGov PH app, and can be accessed by our citizens,” he added.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Have you been using digital or online methods to settle your dues with government units?

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: Marcos officially lifts COVID-19 state of public health emergency

July 25, 2023July 23, 2023carlocarrasco

In case you missed the biggest update related to COVID-19 in the Philippines, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., officially lifted the state of public health emergency related to novel coronavirus, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Take note that the said state of emergency pertaining to public health had lasted more than three years and the nation has clearly recovered from the negative effects of the pandemic. Many millions of Filipinos got vaccinated for COVID-19 while a growing number of businesses have been reporting the best financial results since the pre-pandemic age.

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

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has formally lifted the state of public health emergency declared due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Malacañang announced on Saturday.

Marcos on Friday issued Proclamation 297, lifting the nationwide declaration of a public health emergency due to Covid-19, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

“All prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that are effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect,” according to the proclamation.

Under Proclamation 297, all government agencies are enjoined to ensure that their policies, rules, and regulations will take into consideration the lifting of the state of public health emergency.

Government agencies are also instructed to amend existing or promulgate new issuances, as may be appropriate.

Garafil said all emergency use authorization (EUA) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Executive Order (EO) 121 issued in 2020 would remain valid for one year from the date of issuance of Proclamation 297 “for the sole purposes of exhausting the remaining vaccines.”

EO 131 authorizes the FDA to issue EUAs for Covid-19 vaccines, which shall be valid only within the duration of the declared public health emergency.

“The proclamation also states that although Covid-19 remains to be a serious concern for certain subpopulation and requires continued public health response, the country has maintained sufficient health care system capacity and low hospital bed utilization rates even after the liberalization of Covid-19 health protocols,” Garafil said.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation 922 on March 8, 2020, declaring a state of public health emergency after the first Covid-19 transmission reported by the Department of Health (DOH).

On May 4 this year, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) noted the decreasing trend in Covid-related deaths, the decline in hospitalizations and intensive care unit admission, and the high levels of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2).

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on May 5 concurred with the committee’s advice and determined that Covid-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. Ghebreyesus advised the transition to long-term management of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In May, Marcos said the country is already “on normal footing” after the WHO lifted the global state of public health emergency.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the lifting of the COVID-19 state of public health emergency will impact local societies around the country?

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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