Friday, July 23, 2021

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

Duterte worried for Baste

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:54 AM PDT

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has expressed concern after his son, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, tested positive for Covid-19, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.

"Of course, the President is concerned as a father. Although one thing for the vice mayor is he is young and strong. The immune system is really the one fighting Covid-19," Roque said in a press briefing on Thursday, July 22.

Roque said the Palace is glad that Baste, being physically fit, can fight off the infection.

"One thing for vice mayor is siya po ay bata at malusog. Talaga naman pong immune system ang lumalaban dito sa Covid-19 (One thing for the Vice Mayor is he is young and healthy. His immune system can really fight Covid-19)," he said.

The spokesperson, however, could not confirm whether Duterte has been exposed to his youngest son.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio first confirmed that his brother tested positive for the virus in a Facebook post on Wednesday evening, July 21.

Hours later, the younger Duterte said in a short Facebook post that he is "okay."

"Salamat. Okay ra ko. Mahalaga ang importante okay ra mo (Thank you. I am okay. What is more important is that you are okay)," the vice mayor said.

On the afternoon of July 21, Baste shared in his Instagram account a video chat with the entire Duterte family.

Included in the screenshot are his parents, President Duterte and Elizabeth Zimmerman, and his elder siblings, Sara and Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte.

Baste has not yet officially issued a formal statement on his current condition.

Sona attendance

Roque reiterated that Duterte-Carpio will not attend her father's final State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, July 26.

The spokesperson also said he is uncertain if Paolo, the House Deputy Speaker and Davao City First District Representative, will be present during the event.

Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview on July 19 that she will still not attend the Sona in Manila.

Duterte-Carpio revealed that her mother and Duterte's ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman will also not attend since she will not attend.

The mayor did not elaborate her reason for not attending Duterte's Sona.

But she said Paolo will attend his father's Sona.

The mayor also said unlike in the previous years, the city will not be mounting LED screens for Duterte's Sona in public places to avoid mass gatherings.

She said the public can view the Sona via TV or online.

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Davao Oriental records 3 cases of variants of concern

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:53 AM PDT

THE Provincial Government of Davao Oriental confirmed that the province recorded three cases of Covid-19 variants of concern (VOC).

In a press release, Davao Oriental Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reden Bersaldo said in a press briefing on Thursday, July 22, 2021, that the three specimens are not positive with the highly contagious Delta variant (B.1.617.2).

But Bersaldo said the three cases are positive of the two other variants -- two cases of Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) and one case of Beta variant (B.1.351).

Bersaldo said the patients tested positive for Covid-19 in June and their swab specimens were sent to Manila for further testing.

He said the official report from the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the results of the specimens on Wednesday, July 21.

"As of now, all three patients are now fully recovered. They have all been isolated, treated, and contact traced. Their contacts have also been tested, as well," Bersaldo said.

While all the cases with variants of concern in the province have already recovered, Bersaldo said this shall not mean that the public should be complacent.

"The main difference between the new variants versus the original is the rate of transmissibility," he said, adding that avoiding new variant cases should be the same as avoiding the original variant cases.

The health official also reminded the public to get their Covid-19 vaccine shot, regardless of brand, as it can provide protection against severe forms of Covid-19.

He added it may also help patients to keep from using mechanical ventilation or death as a result of severe Covid-19 infection."

As of Friday, July 23, around 41,274 individuals consisting of 9.7 percent of the entire Davao Oriental population have been vaccinated. An estimated 384,000 individuals have yet to be vaccinated.

Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang has allotted P60 million for the procurement of the vaccines to augment the vaccines allotted for the province from the national government.

Bersaldo added that the province and the local government units (LGUs) will have a 50-50 percent sharing for the purchase of the vaccines.

The Provincial Government is set to receive around 21,000 Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Covid-19 vaccines which are set to arrive on Saturday, July 24.

As of July 22, the province has a total of 3,394 confirmed Covid-19 cases, wherein 329 are active cases, 2,969 have recovered, and 96 succumbed from the virus.

The province is currently under general community quarantine (GCQ) until July 31, 2021.

Panabo's first case of VOC

Meanwhile, the Panabo City Government also confirmed its first case of Alpha and Beta variants on Friday evening, July 23.

According to the City Health Official, the variants have been found in the specimens of four Covid-19 positive patients.

Those with the Beta variant have already recovered while one Alpha variant carrier died.

The City Government has yet to provide further details on this matter.

Panabo City and the entire Davao del Norte recently shifted from modified enhanced community quarantine to GCQ with heightened restrictions.

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Topping licensure exam amid pandemic

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:52 AM PDT

THE Covid-19 pandemic may have restricted everyone's movement but this does not limit us from achieving our goals in life.

Pamela Eika Alfar Ng was swarmed with congratulatory messages online from friends and relatives the moment she went home from work. She got a 91.55 percent passing rate.

This was then Pamela, a graduate of San Pedro College (SPC) in Davao City, found out that she placed tenth in the Pharmacist Licensure Exam last June 2021.

SPC Dean of the College of Pharmacy Fatima May Tesoro said she is proud of Pamela and all the passers for pushing through with the exams despite challenges.

"After several delays and postponements, let alone the uncertainty if the June examination will push through, their spirits were still up for the boards. San Pedro College and the pharmacy department is immensely thankful to God for this accolade," Tesoro said.

Pamela admitted that it was not the news she was expecting. While she felt thankful for it, never in her wildest dreams she expected to snag the top 10.

The announcement of the result happened a week after they took the examination, which had been rescheduled many times due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The waiting was a nerve wracking moment for her as unlike the previous when in just two to three days results were out.

What's her secret? None, she admitted. In fact, there were doubts that she would pass the test as the lessons from her classes weren't that fresh from her memories anymore.

"It has already been two years since I graduated. Of course, there were doubts considering the lessons were not that fresh in my memory. Could I pass the test after two years, after many postponements? It's already draining. But still, I am happy that I made it to the top 10," Pamela said.

While she admitted that passing the licensure exam was all that matters, she said making her the sole Mindanawon in the list was a "bonus."

It was not easy studying in the time of the pandemic. The current Covid-19 situation had affected the exam schedules. The postponements tested her motivation.

But her achievement at the time of the pandemic is definitely up for the books.

"I appreciated all the hard works. Now I believe that everything is possible," she said.

After much delay, Pamela is now a full-fledged pharmacist, and ready to serve her community.

The next test she needs to pass is scouting for career opportunities at this time, with many livelihood lost and the growing number of unemployed graduates brought about by the current Covid-19 restrictions.

She knew that it would not be easy simply by passing the examination.

For now, she utilizes her time in her family's dental-related business. This was her sideline while still reviewing for her exams.

But why did she take up pharmacy as her career choice in the first place? Pamela said, "It wasn't part of my choices in mind." In fact, she never had a dream course back when she was young.

With her parents being on the medical side of business, she then went for it.

"From the start, I planned to take up pharmacy as a pre-med course, as I planned to pursue medicine," she said.

But when she reached second year college, she was firm in finishing the course.

What made her decide to stay? Pamela said she envisioned putting up her own pharmacy. Not as a business-oriented purpose, but more of giving back to the community.

"I wanted to open my own pharmacy that serves our indigent and disadvantaged members of the society," she said, revealing that it was her father who inspired her.

"Whenever my father buys maintenance medicine for my mom, he sees other customers who can't afford to buy their prescribed meds. I even saw some Facebook posts of other customers shouldering other people's medicine bills," she added.

The pandemic struggle also made her realize that medicine is a basic commodity, and that it should be accessible to everyone, especially those in the marginalized sector. She added that it is a basic human right that must be given at an affordable price.

"Hopefully within five to 10 years, I can achieve this goal of mine," Pamela said.

If there is also one thing she wanted her story to be remembered, it's that pharmacy is not just a mere job of memorizing medicines, and which one will serve the purpose.

"In our perspective, when we go to the pharmacy we just purchase meds, but I realize that it is a practice that the people should see," Pamela said, adding that pharmacists play a vital role in ensuring that the medicines that the patients buy are apt and safe for them.

And yet, pharmacists are less appreciated in the eyes of the public in the medical field.

"I hope people will realize that in the medical field it is not just for the money, but the passion and willingness to serve them," Pamela said.

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4 Davao provinces now under GCQ

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 12:16 AM PDT

FOUR provinces in Davao Region are now under general community quarantine (GCQ) after Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Friday, July 23, 2021, that Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte will be put under GCQ with heightened restrictions, as well as Davao del Sur sans the heightened restrictions effective July 23.

These three provinces were supposed to be under a more restrictive MECQ until the end of the month prior to the updated quarantine classification approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, through the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Davao City will remain under GCQ with heightened restrictions and Davao Oriental under GCQ with no heightened restrictions.

Davao Occidental will now be the lone province in Davao Region that remains under MECQ.

The entire region was placed under MECQ due to the rising Covid-19 cases on July 1.

As of July 2, Davao Region had a total of 51,658 Covid-19 cases, wherein active cases were at 6,755, while recoveries were at 43,202 and deaths at 1,701.

Other areas placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions are Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.

Under this classification, children aged five and above can no longer stay outdoors, Roque said.

"As these areas will be placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions, children five years old and above will not be allowed to go to outdoor areas, as provided for under IATF Resolution No. 125," he said.

Under IATF-EID Resolution 125 issued on July 8, children as young as five years old can go outdoors despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, so long as they are residing in areas placed under GCQ and MGCQ.

Children in these areas can only go to outdoor spaces like parks, playgrounds, beaches, biking, and hiking trails, outdoor tourist sites, and attractions as may be defined by the Department of Tourism, including on outdoor non-contact sports courts and venues, and al-fresco dining establishments, according to the resolution.

Mixed-use indoor or outdoor buildings and facilities like malls and similar establishments are not included in the allowed outdoor areas for children, the resolution said.

Roque also announced the inclusion of Thailand and Malaysia in the list of countries with travel restrictions in connection with the Delta variant.

He also announced that the government task force has allowed foreign spouses, parent/s, and/or children of Filipino citizens with valid 9(a) visas to enter the Philippines without the need for an entry exemption document beginning August 1.

GCQ with heightened restrictions

According to the IATF Resolution 121, the following establishments and activities are prohibited from operating in areas under GCQ with heightened restrictions: entertainment venues (bars, concert halls, theatre, etc.), recreational venues (internet cafes, billiards, arcades, etc.), amusement parks, fairs, playgrounds, kiddie rides, and traditional cockfighting and cockpits.

Also prohibited are outdoor contact sports, games, and scrimmages, except for non-contact sport, which is allowed.

Indoor sports courts and venues, indoor tourist attractions, venues for meetings, conferences, and exhibitions are still not allowed in areas under GCQ with heightened restrictions.

For personal care services such as salons, parlors, beauty clinics, they are allowed to cater up to 30 percent capacity. They may add 10 percent if the area is granted with the Safety Seal.

Outdoor tourist attractions are allowed to cater up to 30 percent capacity provided that minimum public health standards are strictly followed.

Staycations and other Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited accommodations are allowed without age restrictions, provided that MPHS are adhered to. Staycation hotels with Certificate of Authority to Operate will be allowed up to 100 percent venue capacity, while other DOT-accredited accommodation establishments are allowed up to 30 percent area capacity with the local government oversight.

Indoor dining is allowed up to 20 percent area capacity. They may add an additional 10 percent if they were granted the Safety Seal. Outdoor dining is allowed up to 50 percent.

Religious activities are allowed up to 10 percent capacity but may add up to 30 percent depending on the local government.

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