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• Philippines Covid-19 cases surge past 750,000
• SSS to conduct IT system maintenance; online services to resume April 3
• NCR+ LGUs told: Determine best way to release aid
• Faithful told: Online Mass a ‘poor substitute’
• Recruiters, UAE employers told: Comply with HSW hiring guidelines
• Over 700,000 Filipinos get Covid-19 jabs
• DOH case bulletin to include antigen test results
• New Manila archbishop wants ‘open communication’ with Palace

Philippines Covid-19 cases surge past 750,000 Posted: 01 Apr 2021 01:59 AM PDT THE number of coronavirus infections in the Philippines has continued to increase with almost 9,000 new Covid-19 cases reported Thursday, April 1, bringing the cumulative caseload to more than 750,000. The Department of Health (DOH), in its latest bulletin, said 8,920 new Covid-19 were recorded Thursday and six more patients have succumbed to the disease. This brought the total case count to 756,199, with 13,303 fatalities. The case fatality rate in the country is now at 1.76 percent, said the DOH. The department also reported 205 recoveries, raising the number of those who have beaten the virus to 603,948 as of 4 p.m. Thursday, April 1. This also means that 79.9 percent of the Covid-19 patients have been able to recover. The number of those who remain infected stood at 138,948. The active cases account for 18.4 percent of the Covid-19 cases in the country, the DOH said. Of the active cases, 95.9 percent are mild cases, 2.5 percent are asymptomatic, 0.6 percent are severe, 0.6 percent are critical, and 0.36 percent are moderate cases. The DOH once again appealed to the public to continue to observe physical distancing and wear a face mask and face shield to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It also asked for people to stay at home, noting that a number of people are going out this Holy Week. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

SSS to conduct IT system maintenance; online services to resume April 3 Posted: 01 Apr 2021 01:17 AM PDT THE Social Security System (SSS) will conduct a scheduled system maintenance activity on its Information Technology (IT) facilities from April 1 to 2, 2021. During this time, the following online channels, such as the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph), My.SSS Portal, and SSS Mobile App, including online payment channels, will be temporarily unavailable. These service channels will resume operations on Saturday, April 3, 2021. The system maintenance is part of efforts by SSS to improve the accessibility of its online channels and provide a consistent and friendlier user experience to its stakeholders. Members, pensioners, covered employers, and the general public are advised to follow the pension fund's official social media accounts on Facebook and YouTube at "Philippine Social Security System," Instagram at "mysssph," Twitter at "PHLSSS," or join its Viber Community at "MYSSSPH Updates" to be updated about SSS programs and services. (PR) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

NCR+ LGUs told: Determine best way to release aid Posted: 01 Apr 2021 01:00 AM PDT ALL local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal, also known as "NCR Plus," were directed to determine the most effective way of releasing the financial assistance or "ayuda" to their constituents. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the release of P22.9 billion to 22.9 million individuals affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) being imposed in NCR Plus area. The ECQ has been implemented since March 29 and will run until April 4. In Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 1, Series of 2021 dated March 31, 2021, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said LGUs must determine whether the assistance will be best given in cash or in kind. This should be done within 30 days, said the agencies. "The LGUs have the discretion to determine if the assistance will be given in cash or in kind provided that the assistance gets to their constituents soonest," said DILG spokesperson and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya. "As soon as the Saro (Special Allotment Release Order) and NCA (Notice of Cash Allocation) is received by the LGUs, the mayors will need to issue an executive order (EO) detailing therein the type, manner and process of distribution. After the issuance of the EO, they can start the distribution," he added. Priority target beneficiaries Under the JMC, the priority target beneficiaries of the financial assistance of P1,000 per individual, with a maximum of P4,000 per family, are the following: * Low-income individuals * Those working in informal economies who were beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) first tranche * Additional beneficiaries in SAP 2 * SAP wait-listed beneficiaries * Members of vulnerable groups: low-income individuals living alone, persons with disabilities (PWD), solo parents The DILG and DSWD said other individuals affected by the ECQ but not on the priority list may also get the assistance provided that the funds are still available. Other guidelines Also under the JMC are the following guidelines: * DSWD to provide LGUs the complete list of previous SAP beneficiaries. * City/municipal mayors and punong barangays to post first the approved names and barangay/district of the target beneficiaries before actual distribution of the aid. * List should be posted on LGUs' official website, social media accounts, and conspicuous places in the community. * EO must be issued detailing therein the type, manner or process of distribution before the actual distribution of assistance * Grievance and Appeals Committee per LGU must be created. This is where the residents can submit complaints. Monitoring team Malaya said to ensure that the funds will get to the intended beneficiaries, they will create a Joint Monitoring and Inspection Team (JMIT) in each LGU. The JMIT will be headed by the DILG City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officer, representatives from DSWD, Philippine National Police, City or Provincial Prosecutor's Office, and civil society organizations. The inspection team is tasked to address complaints or grievances from residents concerning the aid, monitor the LGU's compliance with the guidelines, seek the assistance of higher authorities in case of undue delay or systemic anomalies in the distribution, and cause the filing of administrative or criminal cases against public officials or individuals involved in irregular or unlawful practices. The PNP is also tasked to probe the anomalies or irregularities reported to the JMIT. Police personnel will also be mobilized to provide security to LGUs during the distribution of the financial assistance. "We will make sure that the funds downloaded to the LGUs are used for purposes they were intended for," said Malaya. (LMY/PR) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Faithful told: Online Mass a ‘poor substitute’ Posted: 01 Apr 2021 12:04 AM PDT MANILA Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo called on the faithful Thursday, April 1, to continue to have that desire to be physically present in churches as soon as it is permitted. In his homily during the Mass of the Last Supper at the Manila Cathedral on Holy Thursday, Pabillo said the faithful should not be contented with just participating in online Masses and religious celebrations. "At the moment, we are constrained to watch the online masses. But please do not lose the fire, the desire to be physically present when it is possible, and to really receive the body of Christ into our body," said Pabillo. He said this is because online masses can never be considered an acceptable form of religious celebration when actual Masses can be held in public. "Our online mass is a poor substitute of the real physical participation in the mass," said Pabillo. Since March 2020, religious gatherings have been either prohibited or limited depending on the level of community quarantine imposed in the area. In the National Capital Region, the enhanced community quarantine has been imposed until Easter Sunday, April 4. During the Mass of the Last Supper, Pabillo washed the feet of four individuals at the Manila Cathedral. "His message is clear after washing of the feet: Serve one another," said the prelate. The four individuals who had their feet washed are Augustinian friar Geoffrey Eborda Jr., full-time Manila Archdiocese catechist Ruzzel Ramos, Manila Cathedral social media staff Romain Garry Lazaro and Sisters of St. Francis Xavier member Sr. Venus Marie Pegar. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Recruiters, UAE employers told: Comply with HSW hiring guidelines Posted: 31 Mar 2021 10:02 PM PDT THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reminded all recruitment agencies and foreign employers on Thursday, April 1, to comply with the guidelines it has set with the host country. The reminder came on the heels of the resumption of household service workers (HSW) deployment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a statement, the POEA said all recruiters and foreign employers must observe provisions under the Memorandum of Understanding and Labor Cooperation signed by the Philippine and UAE governments. "Recruitment agencies, principals and direct employers found violating the provisions of the memorandum circular and other related issuance shall be subject to administrative sanctions and may be suspended or disqualified to recruit, deploy, and employ Filipino domestic workers," said the POEA. Under Memorandum Circular 6-2021, the POEA has specified the obligations of licensed Philippine recruitment agencies (PRAs) and principals to ensure that the recruitment and deployment of Filipino HSWs will be in accordance with the existing laws, procedure, guidelines and regulations of the Philippines and UAE. As such, the POEA stressed that PRAs and the principals must ensure that the workers they hire have the qualifications required of the job, physically and mentally fit, with legal employment documents, and proper orientation prior to departure. It also noted that workers must have the Unified Domestic Labor Contract with the Addendum duly signed by both parties and verified by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). The PRAs and principals, meanwhile, must uphold the rights of the domestic worker and extend them legal protection and assistance and endeavor an amicable settlement in case of dispute with the employer. Finally, the POEA said they must monitor the status or conditions of the deployed and hired workers, with the PRAs mandated to submit to the POEA Welfare Employment Office quarterly report, as well as immediate reporting through the OFW Welfare Monitoring System (OWMS) any significant incident that need direct action and response. It was back in March 31 when HSW deployment to UAE resumed. The resumption comes seven years since it was suspended in 2014. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Over 700,000 Filipinos get Covid-19 jabs Posted: 31 Mar 2021 08:59 PM PDT OVER 700,000 Filipinos have already been inoculated with coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines a month since the start of the vaccination rollout. Data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed 738,913 Covid-19 vaccines already administered from March 1 to 30. "The seven-day average of daily vaccinated individuals is 32,940," the agency said. This includes 737,569 first doses and 1,344 second doses of Covid-19 vaccines. "The National Capital Region has started administering the second dose for the healthcare worker vaccinees, thus maximizing protection for our healthcare workers," said the DOH. It also noted that vaccination for senior citizens and persons with comorbidities has already began as ordered by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). "The recent arrival of additional doses in the country allows the government to expand vaccination to more priority groups, thereby protecting more people," it said. Overall, there are already 2,525,600 Covid-19 vaccines received by the country since late February. This includes the vaccines from AstraZeneca and Sinovac. Of the total, the DOH said 1,468,200 or 58 percent have already been deployed to the 2,596 government vaccination sites across the Philippines. The National Capital Region (NCR) received the highest number of doses, with 461,070; followed by Calabarzon with 144,960; Central Luzon with 131,940; and Central Visayas with 117,960. The NCR also has the highest number of vaccines administered, at 209,710; followed by Central Luzon with 82,376; Calabarzon with 72,253; and Central Visayas with 62,650. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

DOH case bulletin to include antigen test results Posted: 31 Mar 2021 06:20 AM PDT THE daily tally of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases Is expected to increase further with the inclusion of rapid antigen test results. Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases decided to implement this in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal and Cavite. "It was part of the measures that we will start implementing, as decided by the IATF, so that we can have a more dynamic response," Vergeire said in a virtual press forum Wednesday, March 31, 2021. "In our existing guidelines, we have in the protocols that, in cases of outbreaks or surge in cases, we can use the antigen test as confirmatory test already," she added. The NCR and the four provinces, dubbed as NCR plus or Greater Manila Area, is under enhanced community quarantine until April 4, 2021. Vergeire said rapid antigen tests will hasten the testing and identification of virus-positive individuals and have them immediately isolated and quarantined. "This can hasten and facilitate our response on the ground so we can already cut transmission," added Vergeire. Rapid antigen tests used to be subjected to confirmatory tests using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, the DOH appealed to all accredited Covid-19 laboratories to continue operations from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. "We appeal to all our laboratories that, because of this increase we are experiencing, we implore to them to please do not close your labs this season," she said. "We need them to stay open so we can have continuous monitoring of new cases," added Vergeire. (HDT / SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

New Manila archbishop wants ‘open communication’ with Palace Posted: 31 Mar 2021 04:46 AM PDT CARDINAL Jose Advincula said Wednesday, March 31, that he wants to have an open line of communication with Malacañang as soon as he assumes his post as Archbishop of Manila. In a video message released by the Archdiocese of Capiz, Advincula said: "I foresee to maintain an open line of communication with Malacañang." He also said that the faithful should not expect him to be as vocal as the iconic former Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, who is known to be a staunch critic of the government during his time. "Cardinal Sin is Cardinal Sin. I am afraid I could not be as vocal as Cardinal Sin. Although I have learned from Cardinal Sin. He was the priest who admitted me to the seminary in 1964 in Capiz and my teacher in Latin in third year high school. Cardinal Sin is my mentor," said Advincula. It was on March 25 when Pope Francis appointed Advincula as the newest Archbishop of Manila, succeeding Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who became the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Vatican last February 2020. The 69-year-old Advincula will be the 33rd Archbishop of Manila. He said he plans to visit all parishes under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese as soon as he assumes his new post. "I plan to visit the parishes and the other places in Manila, although I am sad because this can only be done in a restricted way because of the pandemic. I want to look first at the situation in the entire archdiocese although in a limited way," said the Cardinal. He said he will also hold dialogues with the priests under him, so he will know their respective situations. "(I plan) to help our priests, some who might be undergoing some crisis or some, who are just trying to prepare to have a transition from one stage of life to another," Advincula said. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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