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- ‘Weak explosion’ recorded on Mount Pinatubo
- Philippines logs lowest new Covid-19 cases this year
- Duterte urges Pinoys to emulate Bonifacio’s bravery, patriotism
- Over 2.4M doses administered on 1st day of national vax drive
- Duque: Omicron’s entry to PH not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’
- Duterte inclined to make Covid-19 vaccination mandatory
- NCR to remain under Alert Level 2
- Bong Go drops presidential bid
| ‘Weak explosion’ recorded on Mount Pinatubo Posted: 30 Nov 2021 01:22 AM PST THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned the public against going into the vicinities of Mount Pinatubo in Zambales following a "weak explosion" recorded around noon Tuesday, November 30. Phivolcs, in an advisory issued around 4 p.m. Tuesday, said the Pinatubo Volcano Network recorded "seismic and infrasound signals" of a weak explosion at the volcano between 12:09 p.m. and 12:13 p.m. It said the weak explosion produced a plume, which was detected by the Himawari-8 Satellite and reported to the agency by the Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center. "The seismic and infrasound signals are not typical of known volcanic processes and are currently being evaluated together with other potential sources, e.g. aircraft activity, ordnance disposal, and others," said Phivolcs. It added that there has been very low seismic activity in the past days and geochemical survey of the Pinatubo Crater Lake this November 2021 yielded "low diffuse volcanic CO2 flux (257 tonnes/day)," discounting magmatic activity beneath the edifice. Phivolcs advised local government units (LGUs) to prohibit entry into the Pinatubo crater until the source of Tuesday's explosion has been determined. It also reminded communities and LGUs surrounding Pinatubo to be always prepared for both earthquake and volcanic hazards and to review, prepare and strengthen their contingency, emergency and other disaster preparedness plans. It assured the public that Phivolcs continues to strengthen its monitoring of Mount Pinatubo, adding any new development will be relayed to all concerned. Mount Pinatubo erupted on June 15, 1991, killing more than 840 people. It has been considered the world's largest volcanic eruption to happen in the past 100 years, said the USGS. (SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Philippines logs lowest new Covid-19 cases this year Posted: 30 Nov 2021 12:52 AM PST THE Philippines recorded again Tuesday, November 30, the lowest number of new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in a day since July 2020 with the Department of Health (DOH) logging 425 additional infections. This is the lowest daily case count recorded since July 2, 2020 when 294 additional infections were reported. These new infections brought the country's total case count to 2,832,734, of which 15,800 are active cases (0.6 percent). Of the active infections, 47.5 percent have been considered mild, 5.3 percent were asymptomatic, 24.42 percent were moderate, 16 percent were severe and 6.8 percent were critical. The country's positivity rate stood at 2.1 percent, based on the 24,442 samples tested last November 28. The DOH also reported 909 new recoveries that brought the total number of patients who have recovered from the disease to 2,768,389, or 97.7 percent of all confirmed infections. The death toll continued to increase with 44 new mortalities logged on Tuesday, November 30. The country's total was already at 48,545 (1.71 percent). The health department said Tuesday's numbers do not include output from two laboratories that were not operational and four that failed to submit data to the Covid-19 Document Repository System last November 28. The six laboratories contributed an average of 0.4 percent of all the samples tested and 0.4 percent of all individuals who tested positive for the virus. The DOH appealed to the public anew not to be complacent despite the decrease in the country's Covid-19 cases, saying following the minimum public health standards and getting vaccinated are very important to further lower the infections and end the Covid-19 pandemic. (SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Duterte urges Pinoys to emulate Bonifacio’s bravery, patriotism Posted: 29 Nov 2021 09:59 PM PST PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte urged the Filipinos on Tuesday, November 30, to emulate Katipunan leader Gat Andres Bonifacio's bravery and love for the country, especially as the Philippines battles against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. "I invite every Filipino to become a hero like Bonifacio by participating actively in our nation building efforts, especially those challenges times when we have to secure our nation's health, safety, and wellness," Duterte said, as he graces a Bonifacio Day ceremony at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City Tuesday. The country commemorated Tuesday, November 30, the 158th birth anniversary of Bonifacio. "In this light, I call on our kababayans to emulate Gat Andres Bonifacio's strong sense of civic duty, courage, love of country in our daily lives even in the simplest ways. May we be challenged to give our very best for the benefit of our people and nation," Duterte said. He offered a wreath and posthumously conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Magalong to Bonifacio. The award was received by Bonifacio's great granddaughter, Buena Grace Distrito Casanova. Duterte also expressed gratitude to Bonifacio for paving the way for the liberty and independence Filipinos are enjoying nowadays. "Remembering the heroism of our gallant forebear Bonifacio provided the sense of hope, determination and optimism for today's generation of Filipinos, especially as we surmount difficult challenges in our time including the Covid-19 pandemic," the President said. The event coincided with the opening of the newly restored El Deposito Underground Reservoir and the new diorama exhibit at the Museo ng Katipunan that showcases the historical Battle of San Juan del Monte. (SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Over 2.4M doses administered on 1st day of national vax drive Posted: 29 Nov 2021 09:44 PM PST OVER 2.4 million doses of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine were administered during the first day of the national vaccination drive in the Philippines, National Task Force (NTF) chief implementer Carlito Galvez said on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Galvez said 2,048,681 doses were administered as first dose and 354,705 as second dose. He said 50,771 people also got their booster shots. He said the figures were based on the report of the vaccination operation system as of 5 a.m. The National Government aims to vaccinate three million people each day during the three-day national vaccination drive from November 29 to December 1. Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said in a television interview they are satisfied with the turnout of the program. "We are satisfied doon sa performance natin kahapon because nakita natin ang daming dumagsa, marami talagang nagpabakuna. May mga lugar talaga na na-ooverwhelm, but in general naman, maganda talaga ang turnout," he said. (We are satisfied with the performance yesterday because we saw a number of vaccinees. There were some areas that were overwhelmed, but the turnout was good in general.) "At umikot tayo, tiningnan natin yung mga vaccination sites, specifically I went sa area ng Calabarzon, at maganda talaga yung resulta at nakita naman natin walang anumang nangyaring tinatawag nating spreader event. Na-kontrol ng ating LGUs (local government units) at kapulisan at iba pang ahensya 'yung mga lugar na kung saan tayo nabakuna," he added. (I went to vaccination sites, specifically in Calabarzon, and the result there was really great. There were no spreader events. The LGUs, police and other agencies were able to control the crowding in our vaccination sites.) As of November 27, 35,557,409 individuals have been fully vaccinated, while 45,286,049 people have received their first dose. The National Government eyes to fully vaccinate 54 million individuals by the end of the year and of at least 77 million individuals by the first quarter of 2022, as well as to start the inoculation of children 11 year old and below. The second leg of the three-day vaccination event will be held from December 15 to 17. (SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Duque: Omicron’s entry to PH not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ Posted: 29 Nov 2021 07:15 PM PST HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque said on Monday, November 29, 2021, that the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of the Sars-CoV-2, which causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), will surely get into the country. "It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when, so talagang 'yan po, papasok yan just as we have experienced with Alpha, Delta, among the more compelling variants of concern," Duque responded, as President Rodrigo Duterte asked him of the possibility that the highly mutated Omicron variant will enter the country. Duque emphasized the three major interventions necessary as the country prepares for the said strain. These include the strict compliance to minimum health standards, vaccination of more people and the strengthening of the country's health systems capacity for the worst scenario. He also reiterated the importance of reimposition of the mandatory wearing of face shields in closed and crowded spaced and in close-contact settings, including in public transportation, as an added layer of protection against Covid-19. Duterte then ordered the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases to discuss the face shield policy. Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said the face shield policy was not disregarded but was integrated in the alert level system. Under Alert Level 1 to 3, the wearing of face shield is voluntary, while under Alert Level 4, local government units have the discretion to require its use. The use of face shield is mandatory only in areas under Alert Level 5. "Pag pumasok ang Omicron at tumaas ang alert level, ii-impose ulit natin (ang face shield policy). Ang face shield parang payong pag malakas ang ulan nagpapayong tayo, pero pag wala nang ulan, pwede itabi na muna 'yung payong pero pag uulan or maulap, magdadala ng payong," said Año. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said that while it is important to prepare for the effects of Omicron variant, preventing it from entering the Philippines is also vital. "Hindi lang kontrolin ang Omicron pag pumasok na, ang mahalaga kontrolin natin na huwag pumasok o bawasan ang oportunidad na pumasok," he said. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Edsel Salvaña said aside from the interventions mentioned by Duque, the imposition of strict border control to prevent the Omicron variant from entering the country is also very important. The National Government has imposed ban on flights coming from Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique where there were already local cases of Omicron. Año said the government also instituted border controls in the southeast porous, which serves as a gateway for Filipinos coming in from Sabah, Malaysia and Indonesia without having to pass through in sea and airports. The Philippines is yet to record Omicron cases in the country but Philippine Genome Center executive director Dr. Cynthia Saloma said they are backtracking and retesting samples from early November, particularly from those who tested positive for the virus upon arrival in the country. Dr. Eva Cutiongco of the National Institutes of Health said they are encouraging laboratories in the country to submit to them samples, especially those from returning overseas Filipinos, for the conduct of genomic sequencing. (SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Duterte inclined to make Covid-19 vaccination mandatory Posted: 29 Nov 2021 07:01 PM PST PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday, November 29, that he is inclined in making coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination mandatory in the country amid the threat of the new and potentially more transmissible Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of Sars-CoV-2. "I may agree with the task force if they decide to make it mandatory (vaccination). It's for public health. Now, kung ayaw mo, 'wag kang lumabas," Duterte said during his Talk to the People Address. "It's actually to protect public health... In some countries, mandatory na. Dito, maingay ang human rights... Now, under the police power of the state, I can compel you (to get vaccinated)" he added. For those who would continue to resist vaccination, Duterte said they have a choice to either live longer or die early. "Iyong ayaw magpabakuna, madali lang man 'yan. Mamili ka: matagal kang mabuhay o gusto mo nang mamamatay?" he said. "'Pag kumapit 'yang Covid na iyan, hindi pa natin alam itong Omicron, patay na. Mamili kayo: early demise or live longer," he added. Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, however, suggested that while making vaccination mandatory remains to be just an idea, strict protocols on unvaccinated population should be imposed instead. He said the National Government may impose protocols that will make it hard for the unvaccinated to live while there is a pandemic. Año noted that the country already has sufficient supply of vaccines and it is being given out for free, which gives the public no reason to get inoculated. "So while we cannot really impose mandatory because we don't have laws, national law, but at least sir, we -- through the Section XVI of the Local Government Code, a local chief executive can -- can issue executive order or ordinances that will protect its constituents. And that is once -- is considered legal unless stopped by the court," he said. "So let them feel the ano, the pressure, the hardship, the difficulty and then they will now be -- they will be willing to be vaccinated. So I think sir, that's the only way we can address hesitancy. Many of these hesitant people are actually based on fake news lang sir eh, sa dami ng mga article, ng mga reading materials na hindi naman sir totoo," he added. Several health experts attended the meeting, and aside from the strict compliance to the minimum health protocols, such as the wearing of face shield, frequent handwashing and maintenance of physical distancing, they suggested the ramping up of vaccination in the country, which will serve as a person's protection against severe Covid-19 infection. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Edsel Salvaña said based on the recent findings, the Omicron variant is currently the most mutated virus, in which spike protein is doubled than that of the Delta variant, which may affect vaccine efficacy and increase its transmissibility. Spike protein is what the virus use to attach to the cells of the body. It is the main target of the vaccines. He also highlighted the importance of proper ventilation, as well as the imposition of strict border control to prevent Omicron variant from entering the country. The Omicron variant was first detected in Botswana, and then in South Africa. It was tagged as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization. The National Government has imposed ban on flights coming from Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique where there were already local cases of Omicron. (SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| NCR to remain under Alert Level 2 Posted: 29 Nov 2021 06:55 PM PST METRO Manila will remain under Alert Level 2 until the 15th of December, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Monday, November 29, 2021. In a statement, Nograles said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases also approved to place the following areas under Alert Level 2 until December 15: * Cordillera Administrative Region: Benguet, Abra, Kalinga, Baguio City, Mountain Province, and Ifugao * Region 1: Dagupan City, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Pangasinan * Region 2: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and City of Santiago * Region 3: Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Zambales, and Tarlac * Region 4-A: Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, and Lucena City * Region 4-B: Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Princesa City, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan * Region 5: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Naga City * Region 6: Aklan, Antique, Bacolod City, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Iloilo City, and Negros Occidental * Region 7: Bohol, Cebu, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor * Region 8: Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, Tacloban City, and Western Samar * Region 9: City of Isabela, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay * Region 10: Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental * Region 11: Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental * Region 12: General Santos City, North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat * Region 13: Butuan City, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and Agusan del Norte * Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Basilan, Cotabato City, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao. The province of Apayao will remain under Alert Level 3. (SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Bong Go drops presidential bid Posted: 29 Nov 2021 06:37 PM PST SENATOR Christopher "Bong" Go announced on Tuesday, November 30, his withdrawal from the presidential race for the 2022 elections. "In the past few days, I realized in my heart and my mind are contradicting my actions. Talagang nagre-resist po ang aking katawan, puso, at isipan. Tao lang po ako, nasasaktan at napapagod din," Go said during the 158th birth anniversary celebration of Andres Bonifacio at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City. He said his primary consideration for his decision are his family who were against his presidential candidacy and President Rodrigo Duterte to whom he served as aide for a long time. "Ayaw rin talaga ng aking pamilya kaya naisip ko na hindi ko pa panahon sa ngayon. Diyos lang po ang nakakaalam kung kelan ang tamang panahon," he said. "Ayaw ko rin po na lalo maipit si Pangulong Duterte, higit pa po sa tatay ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya. Matanda na po siya at marami na siyang naibigay sa bayan kung kaya ayaw ko nang dagdagan pa ang kanyang problema. Nanatili akong tapat sa kanya at nangako akong sasamahan ko po siya habang buhay," he added. Go said he was the one willing to make the "supreme sacrifice" for the good of the country and for the sake of unity among their supporters and leaders. He vowed to continue rendering "selfless and tireless" service to the Filipino people. (SunStar Philippines) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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