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• Covid-19 cases in Philippines lowest in 5 months
• NCR now ‘low risk’ for Covid-19
• ECC cash assistance application goes online
• Over 2M doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vax arrive in PH
• Philippines begins push for equal rights in ILO
• Duterte to public: Let us pray for each other
• Increase in PUVs passenger capacity in NCR to start Nov. 4; HPG to assist DOTr
• Public warned vs ‘love scam’
• Comelec blasts ‘pre-thumbmarked voter reg forms’ in Caloocan
• Comelec urges voters to start vetting bets
• Saudi vows to settle unpaid OFW salaries by December
• DOH says minors can't be forced to get Covid-19 jabs

Covid-19 cases in Philippines lowest in 5 months Posted: 01 Nov 2021 01:31 AM PDT THE Philippines saw Monday, November 1, its lowest daily Covid-19 cases in five months, with 3,117 additional infections logged by the Department of Health (DOH). This is lower than the 3,218 cases logged on October 27, making Monday's tally the lowest since May 23, when the DOH reported 3,083 new cases. The DOH said the number, however, does not include the report from eight laboratories, which were not able to submit data to the Covid-19 Document Repository System last October 30. The positivity rate of the country stood at 7.5 percent out of the 41,712 tests conducted last October 30. As of 4 p.m. Monday, November 1, the country already has a total of 2,790,375 Covid-19 cases. Of these cases, 104 new deaths were reported, raising the death toll to 43,276 mortalities. The case fatality rate stood at 1.55 for Covid-19 cases. The number of those who have recovered from the disease also rose to 2,703,914, with 5,124 recoveries announced by the DOH. This means that 96.9 percent of the Covid-19 patients nationwide were able to recover. As to active cases, the country now has 43,185 patients who are still coronavirus-positive. This accounts for 1.5 percent of the total infections recorded. Majority or 72.6 percent of the cases have mild symptoms, 12.3 percent were moderate, 7.2 percent were severe cases, 4.9 percent were asymptomatic, and three percent were critical, added the health department. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

NCR now ‘low risk’ for Covid-19 Posted: 01 Nov 2021 12:54 AM PDT ALL local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) are now classified as "low risk" for coronavirus disease (Covid-19), said Octa Research Monday, November 1, 2021. It said the downward trend in terms of Covid-19 cases in the NCR continued, as of November 1. "NCR and all its 17 LGUs are now classified as low risk, using our metrics. This means all LGUs in the NCR are still on a downward trend," it said. The group said the seven-day average of new cases in the region dropped by 14 percent, from 901 on October 18-24 to 810 on October 25-31. The average daily attack rate (Adar) in Metro Manila also dropped to 5.72, from 6.36 a week ago. The positivity rate also dipped to five percent, from six percent last week. The reproduction rate, however, climbed to 0.53, from 0.49 last week. (Image from Octa Research) Octa pointed out, though, that seven of the 17 LGUs in NCR saw an increase in cases over the past seven days. These LGUs include Pateros (150 percent), Malabon (40 percent), San Juan (40 percent), Makati (22 percent), Las Piñas (21 percent), Muntinlupa (8 percent), and Mandaluyong (2 percent). The Adar in Mandaluyong City (10.03) and San Juan City (15.85) also remained at "high risk" classification. Still, all NCR LGUs registered reproduction numbers below 0.8. Octa also noted that Navotas City is now under the "very low risk" classification, as all indicators, particularly an Adar of 1.48 and reproduction rate of 0.27, are low. Navotas City also saw an average number of four daily cases, which is a negative 50 percent decline from last week. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

ECC cash assistance application goes online Posted: 01 Nov 2021 12:29 AM PDT IN A bid to reduce possibilities of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) transmission, the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) has introduced the online application for its cash assistance program. In a statement, ECC Executive Director Stella Banawis said they are set to exclusively use the ECC Cash Assistance Digital System (Eccads) for workers in the private and government sector, including the uniformed personnel, who became coronavirus-positive due to work or working conditions. "Eccads helps ensure the safety of our claimants and employees against the Covid-19," said Banawis. "At the same time, we are doing our best to serve and help those workers with Covid-19," she added. In using Eccads, Banawis said applicants will only need to visit https://cashassistance.ecc.gov.ph, which is accessible from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during weekdays. Applicants will have to scan their documentary requirements and upload it to the system. Requirements include a copy of the claimant's approved EC claim voucher due to Covid-19 from Social Security System (SSS) or Government Service Insurance System (GSIS); copy of two valid IDs, preferably office or company ID, GSIS/SSS UMID card, or other government issued ID; and medical abstract or certificate for Covid-19 illness indicating the period of medical attendance of illness or laboratory (RT-PCR/Rapid Antigen) test result showing positive for coronavirus, issued by a DOH-accredited testing center. "Applicants must ensure the completeness and correctness of documents to be uploaded before logging in to the system," said the labor official. Banawis said that once the application is successfully submitted, applicants must take note of their control number to be able to monitor the progress of their online application. The ECC head, though, noted that the system will initially be able to accommodate only 100 applications per day. "Currently, we are overwhelmed with cash assistance applications filed. That is why we are asking for your understanding and patience," said Banawis. To note, the ECC cash assistance amounts to P10,000 for sickness claims and P15,000 for death claims. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Over 2M doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vax arrive in PH Posted: 01 Nov 2021 12:23 AM PDT THE Philippines received Sunday night, October 31, 2021, an additional 2,098,980 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) donated by the United States through the Covax facility. The newest shipment has brought the total vaccine deliveries for October 2021 to 34,887,870 doses. The National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) said this surpassed the projections that around 29.5 million doses would arrive in October. NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., who was among those who welcomed the delivery Sunday, thanked the US government, Covax and the American people for the latest donation. He said the Philippines will be able to increase its daily jab rate to 1 to 1.5 million doses, noting that the nationwide vaccination for children aged 12 to 17 will start on November 3. "We are very confident that we can have 1 million or 1.5 million jabs a day. Before, we thought having 300 to 500 [thousand] jabs a day is impossible but right now, we're able to achieve more or less 700,000 jabs a day," he said. US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d'Affaires Heather Variava, for her part, encouraged the Filipino people to get vaccinated against Covid-19, saying "it's safe, very effective vaccines and that's the way our economy and our schools get back to normal." Behzad Noubary, Unicef deputy representative, also congratulated the Philippine government for achieving its goal of receiving over 100 million Covid-19 vaccine doses by October. As of Monday, November 1, the Philippines has received a total of 106,212,460 Covid-19 vaccine doses from various manufacturers since February. The US is so far the largest donor to the Covax facility, having facilitated the delivery of almost 28 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to the Philippines, aside from the more than 20 million doses that it donated directly to the country. (LMY/PR) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Philippines begins push for equal rights in ILO Posted: 31 Oct 2021 11:53 PM PDT THE Philippine government began Monday, November 1, its bid to give poor and rich nations equal rights in the policy-making body of the International Labor Organization (ILO). In a statement, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III made known the country's primary agenda in serving as chairman of the ILO Government Group. "I don't see the wisdom of not allowing other nations equal speaking and voting rights in the ILO's Governing Body," Bello said. "Let me assure you that this concern is among the key items we are pushing in our stewardship of the Government Group," he added. Bello reiterated his commitment to Swiss Ambassador Valerie Berset Bircher and Nigerian Labour Attaché to the ILO Essah Aniefiok Etim in their meeting at the ILO headquarters in Geneva. It should be noted that Switzerland and Nigeria are relegated to observer status in the ILO. On the other hand, countries with permanent speaking rights in the ILO are United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, India, China, and Japan. Last week, Bello presided over the meeting of the ILO Government Group, which was attended by 160 member states. On Monday, November 1, Bello attended the triannual meeting of the ILO Governing Body. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Duterte to public: Let us pray for each other Posted: 31 Oct 2021 10:30 PM PDT PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte called on the public on Monday, November 1, to pray for one another especially during this coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. In his message for the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (November 1-2, 2021), Duterte said Filipinos have to follow the example of the saints and not just pray for their loved ones who have died but also for one another. "We pray for those who have died because of Covid-19 and we also pray for those who have sacrificed life and limb to save more lives and keep us safe," he said. He added that the All Saints' and All Souls' Days are a time for the public "to reflect and be grateful for the gift of life and the promise of eternity." He expressed confidence that the Philippines will be able to beat the Covid-19 and "emerge as a stronger nation." Filipinos throughout the country commemorate the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day every year by remembering their deceased loved ones. They visit cemeteries to honor the dead, while others go to churches to pray. This year, however, the government has ordered the closure of cemeteries nationwide from October 29 to November 2 to prevent gatherings that may become coronavirus superspreader events. The public, instead, was earlier advised to visit their deceased loved ones before or after those dates. As of October 31, the Philippines has recorded a total of 2,787,276 Covid-19 cases, with 2,698,871 recoveries and 43,172 deaths. The country's active Covid-19 cases remained at 45,233. (LMY) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Increase in PUVs passenger capacity in NCR to start Nov. 4; HPG to assist DOTr Posted: 31 Oct 2021 09:58 PM PDT THE Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was ordered to assist the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in the 30-day pilot implementation of the gradual increase in the number of passengers for public utility vehicles (PUVs). PNP Chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said Monday, November 1, that the HPG is ready to extend any form of assistance during the pilot run, which will begin on November 4. The pilot run was scheduled after the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved the gradual increase in operational capacity from the current 50 percent to 70 percent for public road-based and rail transportation plying Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna. The approval was contained in IATF Resolution 146, which was issued on October 28, 2021. Eleazar said the pilot study would determine if public transportation could already resume to its full operation amid the pandemic. He reminded the commuters to continue to observe the health protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus in public utility vehicles. "May plastic barrier man o wala, may law enforcer man o wala, ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa laban sa Covid-19 ay nasa kamay ng bawat driver at pasahero. Kaya sa mga kapatid nating driver ng mga pampasaherong sasakyan, huwag na sanang mauwi sa sitahan pa ang bagong patakarang ito dahil alam ninyo na kayo din naman ang magdurusa kung kayo ay mahuli," said Eleazar. (Whether there is a plastic barrier or law enforcer, the safety of passengers is in the hands of the driver and passengers themselves. So, I hope this would not end up in violations, because you will be the ones to suffer.) "Kasama sa pagluwag ng patakarang ito ang pagtitiwala sa inyo ng pamahalaan na kayo ay magiging disiplinado at responsible sa kaligtasan ng inyong sarili at kapwa pasahero (The government trusts you to observe discipline and be responsible citizens)," he added. He clarified that the new guidelines for transportation sector means that traditional jeepneys will be allowed to accommodate an additional four to five passengers, while modern jeepneys may accommodate standing passengers. Public utility buses can allow standing passengers, but the one-seat-apart policy should be maintained. (LMY/PR) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Public warned vs ‘love scam’ Posted: 31 Oct 2021 09:36 PM PDT PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar cautioned the public on Sunday, October 31, against the so-called "love scam" being done through social media platforms. Eleazar issued the warning following the arrest of two Nigerians who were allegedly involved in this kind of activity. The suspects, Felix Aondowase and Emmanuel Abia, were accused of extorting thousands of money from a certain businesswoman. They allegedly pretended to be Australian nationals so they could lure the woman, who was made to send some private photos. The suspects then used the photos to blackmail the victim into sending US$8,000 to their Filipino contacts in Cavite. Eleazar said the public should be extra vigilant and careful on whom they are talking to in various social media sites. "This is not the first time that we encountered and arrested Nigerians using this modus, that is why I already ordered our ACG (Anti-Cybercrime Group) and CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) to help each other to bust this syndicate," he said. "Laganap ang mga tinatawag na 'love scammers' sa iba't-ibang social media platforms, kaya I would advise our kababayan to be cautious of persons they connect with online. The anonymity offered by the internet makes it a playground for scammers particularly at this time of pandemic when most of us are spending longer hours online," he added. The alleged Filipino cohorts of the Nigerians were also nabbed by authorities during an entrapment operation. The foreign suspects, meanwhile, denied the accusations against them. Eleazar urged the public who were victimized by this kind of activity to report the incident to authorities. "Hindi karupukan at kahangalan ang umibig dahil papasok at papasok ito sa puso nating lahat. Ang kailangan lamang ay ang ibayong pag-iingat, lalo na kung malaking pera na ang pinag-uusapan, upang hindi ito mauwi sa lokohan at matinding iyakan," he said. (PR) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Comelec blasts ‘pre-thumbmarked voter reg forms’ in Caloocan Posted: 31 Oct 2021 09:19 PM PDT THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) assailed on Monday, November 1, 2021, the reported presence of "thumbmarked" application forms distributed to voter registration applicants in Caloocan City. In a social media post, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body does not and will not approve such a protocol for voter registration. "The Comelec has gone on record denying any involvement in this alleged scheme, pointing out (correctly) that each applicant needs to undergo screening," said Jimenez. Proof of this, the poll official said, is that they have now started looking into the said activity. "I will take this up with Caloocan City Comelec. I'm already in touch with the Comelec director for NCR (National Capital Region). He is starting to look into this," he said. Jimenez also urged the female applicant in the report to bring the matter to the local Comelec office. "Obviously, budol yan (it's a fraud). The woman in the report should file a complaint," said Jimenez. Earlier, a television report showed some applicants complaining that the application forms for voter registration already bear thumbmarks, one of the requirements in registering. The applicant added that the one who distributed the forms claimed that using pre-thumbmarked forms will allow them to skip some steps in the voter registration process. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Comelec urges voters to start vetting bets Posted: 31 Oct 2021 09:11 PM PDT DAYS after the end of voter registration period, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged all registered voters Monday, November 1, to start examining the candidates in the May 2022 national and local polls. In a social media post, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said it is now time for the vetting process of candidates to begin, with only seven months before Election Day. "Voter registration is done. Now, you need to start thinking about what the country needs, which candidate can bring us closest to filling those needs, and what you can do to help your chosen candidates win," said Jimenez. In a separate post, the poll official stressed that choosing their candidates is entirely up to them. This, he said, means that they should not rely on other people, regardless of their stature, in choosing their bets. "Voters should remember that they are the ones holding pen to ballot on Election Day -- not their priest, pastor, or minister; not their parents, teachers, or friends; not their mayor, their congressman or their president. The choices they make should be the ones they want to make," said Jimenez. Last October 30, the extended voter registration period for the May 2022 polls ended. The Comelec released on October 29 the tentative list of candidates/aspirants in the coming elections. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Saudi vows to settle unpaid OFW salaries by December Posted: 31 Oct 2021 05:12 AM PDT THE unpaid salaries of former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are expected to be settled by December 2021, according to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. Bello said Saudi Labor Minister Ahmed al-Rajhi has committed to pay the P4.6 billion in unpaid salaries to 9,000 OFWs by next month. "The unpaid salaries of our OFWs can be settled just in time for Christmas," said Bello. "Now, our migrant workers can have a Merry Christmas," he added. He said the commitment was the outcome of the private bilateral meeting held by the two labor chiefs at the sideline of the Abu Dhabi Dialog held in KSA last week. In the said meeting, Al-Rajhi called for the lifting of the Philippines' suspension on Arab mega recruitment agencies, which were responsible for the deployment of the OFWs, whose salaries and benefits remained unpaid. In response, Bello told Al Rahji that the Philippines would lift the deployment ban in exchange for the payment of salaries of the OFWs, who were repatriated to the Philippines back in 2016. Bello earlier threatened to impose a deployment ban in KSA due to its continued failure to settle unpaid salaries of OFWs. Saudi Arabia has been the consistent top work destination for OFWs for years. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

DOH says minors can't be forced to get Covid-19 jabs Posted: 31 Oct 2021 05:08 AM PDT THE Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday, October 31, 2021, reminded parents and guardians of minors aged 12 to 17 years old that they cannot force children and adolescents to get inoculated against coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said in a radio interview that it would be impossible for children and adolescents to be vaccinated without their own approval. "In order to make sure that the children understand what will happen, we have required their assent," said Cabotaje. "This will also ensure that they are not being forced to get vaccinated and that they are aware of what will be given to them and its possible side effects," she added. The health official also said having such a process will allow children to help spread the word on pediatric vaccination. "By doing that, they can also be advocates to other children of their age on getting vaccinated," Cabotaje said. On Wednesday, the Philippine government will start the nationwide rollout of the pediatric vaccination among all children aged 12 to 17 years old. The DOH said there are around 12.7 million children and adolescents targeted for the rollout. It comes less than a month since the DOH began the inoculation of minors with comorbidities. Since October 15, the DOH has vaccinated around 34,000 children with comorbidities aged 12 to 17 years old in the Philippines. (HDT/SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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