Thursday, December 2, 2021

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PhilHealth-Davao calls for registrants, accreditees for KonSulta Package

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 10:50 PM PST

SOON, all Filipinos can benefit from the national health insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) with the rollout of its recent program the Konsultasyong Tama at Sulit (KonSulTa) Package.

PhilHealth-Davao started rolling out the KonSulTa Package as early as July, with Davao City as its pilot area, having 18 accredited KonSulTa providers, namely Marilog District Health Center, Calinan Health Center, Baguio District Health Center, Mintal Health Center, Toril Health Center A, Toril B Urban Health Center for the 3rd district beneficiaries;

Agdao Health Center, Sasa Health Center, Buhangin Health Center, Bunawan Health Center, Paquibato Health Center for the 2nd District beneficiaries; and Talomo South Health Center, Matina Health Center, SIR Health Center, Jacinto Health Center, Tomas Claudio Health Center, Mini Forest Health Center, Davao City Health Office Main Dispensary for the 1st district legislative beneficiaries.

The newest accredited KonSulTa provider outside Davao City but within Davao Region is the Mati City Health Office.

Germain Tan, PhilHealth-Davao chief social insurance officer (CSIO), Local Health Insurance Office head, said during the 2nd Digital PhilHealth Forward 2021 the 18 accredited KonSulTa providers could not cover the catchment population for the entire Davao City.

"That's why we encourage health care providers to be accredited KonSulta providers," Tan said, adding that all Filipinos can avail of the Konsulta Package, they just need to be registered as among the catchment population of the KonSulta Provider.

"Good thing with the Universal Health Care (UHC) law is that those who are even non-members or those that have not paid or have stopped paying their PhilHealth premium can avail of the KonSulTa Package, they just have to fill out the registration form to be enrolled sa PhilHealth para ma-update ang records nila," she added.

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, through a video message during the event, siad the program proves that the premier state health insurer does not stop in its efforts to bolster and reinforce the mandate of the UHC.

"This is an expansion of the primary care benefit to cover all Filipinos. This is PhilHealth's centerpiece program which guarantees that everyone will be taken care of by a primary healthcare provider of their choice who will deliver basic, essential, and priority individual-based services at every life stage," Duque said.

He said through KonSulTa, an accessible primary care network will detect and stop local outbreaks before they become global epidemics and save and improve more lives with fewer children dying before reaching their fifth birthday.

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, also in his video message during the same event, calls on everyone, especially the government leaders, healthcare providers, and key stakeholders to do their part in the implementation of this initiative among the many programs of PhilHealth.

Meanwhile, Dr. Marie Allexis Campaner, OIC-Health Care Delivery Management Division (HCDMD) chief, said registrants or enrollees for the KonSulTa Package can avail of the benefits of the program throughout the year without limit.

"There are no minimum transactions in a year to avail of the Konsulta package, may capitation lang na P700 sa private health care facilities, and P500 sa public health care facilities," she said.

Among the benefits of the KonSulta Package is initial and follow-up consultation or checkups, health screening and assessment, certain laboratory or diagnostic services and certain medicines.

Dr. Marjorie Dureza-Culas, assistant Davao City Health Officer, encouraged all private and public healthcare providers in Davao to become accredited KonSulTa providers to ensure that their facilities "will be provided with financial augmentation for upgrading and granting immediate access to all residents to medical, dental, mental, and emergency health care services."

To avail of PhilHealth's KonSulTa Package, one must enroll or update their membership records by filling out their Philhealth member registration form (PMRF) and attaching necessary documents as proof of identity or relationship, such as birth certificate, marriage contract, and other government accepted documents and IDs. Use the PMRF to register to accredited KonSulTa provider by writing down at the upper right corner of the PMRF the accredited KonSulta provider of their choice, or use the KonSulTa Registration Form available at nearest Philhealth offices or at the accredited KonSulTa Providers. Forms can also be downloaded at www.philhealth.gov.ph.

A list of accredited Konsulta providers can also be viewed on the same website. Then submit all the forms and documents to the nearest Philhealth offices.

For health care providers who want to be a KonSulTa provider, they could visit the PhilHealth website and check its circular number 21 series of 2020, Annex A for information on how to accredit their facilities.

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Davao City logs lowest daily positivity rate

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 10:49 PM PST

DAVAO City has recorded its lowest Covid-19 daily positivity rate so far at 0.2 percent since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said in a radio interview on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, that the data is as of November 28

Schlosser said the city has registered its lowest positivity rate since the first wave of cases was recorded in March 2020, signifying a continuous downtrend of Covid-19 cases.

Having a positivity rate of less than five percent for the last two weeks is one of the indicators that an epidemic is controlled.

Positivity rate or percent positive is the percentage of all coronavirus tests performed that come out positive. The positivity rate will be high if the number of those tested who yield positive results are high, or if the number of total tests is too low. A higher percent positive suggests higher transmission and that there are likely more people with coronavirus in the community who haven't been tested yet, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Public Health.

According to the Department of Health-Davao Region data as of November 30, Davao City only logged 15 new cases, bringing the total active cases to 156. This is a huge improvement to the over 5,000 active cases recorded in September this year.

The official highly attributed the decline of active cases to the large number of vaccinated Dabawenyos.

According to the Davao City Vaccination Cluster as of November 19, the city has already administered 1,010,811 first doses, while 908,101 second doses have already been administered.

However, the official feared that there might be a surge of cases in the first quarter of 2022 following the Holiday season.

"Padayon gyud ang pagbaba sa (We can see a continuous downtrend of) cases, and hopefully within this Holiday season, dili ta maka-massive spread (there won't be any massive spread of the virus)," Schlosser said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

She discouraged the public from doing mass gatherings this Christmas season in line with the emergence of the Omicron variant, which is regarded as a highly infectious variant of the Covid-19.

"We are discouraging high-risk behaviours. Kanang mga (Those) unnecessary gatherings. Pero (But) after all, we're all Filipinos," she said, adding that they must comply with the minimum health protocols.

Schlosser also said that aside from intensifying its border control, she said vaccination remains to be the solution to prevent the emergence of any variant.

"Kahit masudlan ta, pero kumpleto ta, bakunado ta, unya naga-follow ta'g minimum health public standards, less likely na mukalat ang Omicron, if in case masudlan ta," the spokesperson said.

(Even if the Omicron variant will enter the city, knowing that we are completely vaccinated and we abide by minimum health public standards, the Omicron variant would less likely spread in case it would enter.)

Schlosser recently revealed that 136 out of the 182 barangays have zero recorded Covid-19 cases from November 14 to 20.

With the continuing downtrend of cases in the city, Schlosser said the spread of the Covid-19 cases in the city has been controlled.

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Netflix Philippines introduces Madame N.

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 06:24 PM PST

LOOKING for some answers? In need of guidance? Asking yourself "Ano ang kapalaran ko today?" Netflix hears you. Madame N sees you.

Starting November 29, NetflixPH's YouTube channel launches Madame N, a reco show where a fortune teller shares what's next for her viewers with quickfire, tongue-in-cheek horoscopes—and the titles they should watch. Comedienne and radio jock Nicki Morena as Madame N will give answers, provide guidance, and show what the stars possibly have planned for the important aspects in your life: love and relationships, family, health, career and finance, education, and travel.

EPISODE LIST

Each episode will start off with a typical horoscope theme that guides each zodiac prediction and Netflix title discussion.

Nov 29 - Ep 1 Theme: Love & Relationships

Title recos: Romance/Drama, Romance/Comedy, Buddy Movies

Dec 6 - Ep 2 Theme: Family

Title recos: Family Content

Dec 13 - Ep 3 Theme: Health

Title recos: Medical Drama/Comedy, Psychological Thriller, Horror, Feel-good/Good for the heart Titles

Dec 20 - Ep 4 Theme: Career / Finance

Title recos: Career and Money Motivation Titles

Jan 3 - Ep 5 Theme: Education

Title recos: Educational shows in and out of school

Jan 10 - Ep 6 Theme: Travel

Title recos: Destination movies/series, Sci-Fi

Because this fortune teller is never wrong—and if she is, she's not above saying sorry. Madame N will see you now. (PR)

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Meditalk: Pregnant needs help for swollen feet

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 06:11 PM PST

DEAR Dr. Fritz,

I am Sugar Sugar. I am pregnant and I have a problem with swollen legs. Please help.

Thanks and more power.

Sugar Sugar

***

Dear Sugar Sugar,

Leg swelling really doesn't look good during pregnancy. But, don't worry, this will soon pass away. After you deliver your child, everything will be back as it was.

The good thing is, there's help available for this and it's simple. Just lie on your side. This can help relieve the increased pressure on your veins.

Here are more tips for you.

Put your feet up. When you are at work, keep a stool or get a pile of books and put them under your desk and put your legs over them.

If you sit, don't cross your legs or ankles.

While you sit, stretch your legs out, heel first and then, gently flex your foot to stretch your calf muscles. Rotate your ankles and wiggle those toes.

Get some regular breaks from sitting or standing. Do this at least every two hours and walk around.

Choose and wear comfortable shoes that can stretch to adjust to any swelling in your feet.

Avoid wearing socks or stockings that have tight bands around the ankles or calves.

Go for waist-high maternity support stockings and wear them before you get out of bed in the morning so that blood wouldn't get around your ankles.

Drink, drink and drink water. Your body will retain less of it than hold to it.

Sweat out regularly. Do some walking, swimming, or getting into water aerobics class. Getting immersed in water may temporarily help reduce the swelling, especially if the water level is up near your shoulders.

Eat well, and shy away from junk food. The salt in them can retain more water in your body.

Good luck!

Dr. Fritz

***

(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, "Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.". For your questions, you may e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don't wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)

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Rogaciano 'Roger' L. Oropeza: A pillar of Davao community

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 06:04 PM PST

SOMETIMES change can have the biggest impact in the community like a redesigned crosswalk, established green parkway or bike lanes and parking, or a quiet street transformed into a brisk thoroughfare.

This was what businessman Rogaciano "Roger" L. Oropeza did.

He not only changed the horizons of Davao City but also restored the vitality of Claveria Street (now known as CM Avenue) in Davao City, which is now one of Davao City's main Central Business Districts (CBDs).

His mantra "Ibalik ang sigla ng Claveria", reinvented the street from being a lonely space into a vibrant place and made the old Claveria into one of the commercial hubs in Davao City— far from being almost a "ghost town" as most businesses were relocated to the malls and foot and vehicular traffic re-routed due to developments.

Oropeza together with his family started a "street revolution" that eventually saw the rise of ingenious concepts on two Davao City Investment and Promotions Center (DCIPC)-approved structures – the medical tourism-inspired OroDERM Clinic with its hotel arm the Blue Velvet Hotel; and OroDERM City Strip Mall, in the heart of Davao City.

Under Roger's chairmanship, OroDERM Corporation expanded the homegrown beauty industry to major cities in the Philippines and fostered hundreds of employed individuals combined.

In the middle of 2005 and to prepare the pipeline for the company's plans, Roger pursued the acquisition of a long foreclosed structure near a marketplace along A. Pichon St. in Davao City and converted it to the future OroDERM Hotel.

Roger and his family also acquired an 8,000 sqm. property in San Pedro, Laguna, and established a two-building cosmetic manufacturing facility that employed the locals. Initially, the cosmetic plant was planned to be set up in Davao City but due to numerous government licenses and regulations, it was decided to first set it up in Manila then expand it eventually in Davao City.

Several mall-based OroDERM branches were set up in key cities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao with a total of 41 branches in 2009.

Despite the expansion and the opportunities that awaited them in Metro Manila, Roger retained OroDERM's headquarters and main clinic facility in Davao City. A visionary in the aesthetic tourism industry, Roger's transformed the family's Davao City main center into a world-class hub with brand new and state-of-the-art million-dollar laser and robotic machines only found in major clinics in countries all over the world.

"Dad never asks for anything. It was never about the money. It has always been about the dream, the challenge of making it tangible.' Dad always stresses that in every disappointment, there is always an opportunity," his son Dr. Neil S. Oropeza, a dermatologic surgeon, said.

Education as the key

Rogaciano or Roger as he is fondly called was born on October 26, 1937, to Joaquin Oropeza and Soledad Lorbes in Legaspi City, Albay. His childhood days were mostly spent in the hinterlands of Albay to escape the atrocities of war brought by the Japanese occupation.

He knew well from a young age that if he were to escape poverty, education was the key. In fact, after graduating from high school, and setting aside his dream of becoming a doctor due to financial constraints, he took up and graduated Bachelor of Business Administration Major in Accounting at the University of the East and eventually passed the CPA board exam at a time when the national passing percentage was only 8 percent.

At the age of 23, Roger started his career by working with the founder of Radiowealth, Domingo M. Guevarra, or DMG. Eager to succeed, he took up the challenge of Guevarra by setting foot in Davao City in 1961 as internal auditor of Radiowealth, a fully Filipino-owned company.

In 1964, he was promoted as the company's regional comptroller and in 1967 he became a franchised dealer of the company. Roger managed 18 branches of Radiowealth all over Southern Mindanao.

PICPA days

Roger had admirable leadership skills. He was elected as president of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Davao Chapter in 1971.

A disorganized group with only a handful of 30 active members way back in 1971, Roger tirelessly instituted reforms and fostered camaraderie amongst members. His actions were appreciated and recognized and is not long since more and more CPAs became members and actively participated in the organization.

Roger was the kind of leader who dared to step up to the plate, think on his feet and take action even when things are difficult and this was the reason why he continued to lead the institute: became the vice president for Mindanao in 1976 and was awarded "the Outstanding CPA in Special Achievement." As vice-president for Mindanao, he organized five provincial chapters and activated five existing chapters of PICPA.

In 1977, he co-chaired the PICPA Annual National Convention held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao.

It was also through the efforts of Roger and the other past PICPA presidents that the very first CPA board examination was held in Davao City in the early '80s. This was a big help financially for the Mindanaons and Dabawenyos who did not need to travel and spend more in Metro Manila just to take the CPA board exams.

His critical skill was also tested when he and other past presidents founded the financially-constrained PICPA-Davao Foundation in 1982. Roger and the rest of the founding members worked tirelessly to raise funds and were able to acquire the lot where the PICPA House now stands along Araullo Street, Davao City.

"Without Roger's dedication, the PICPA Foundation and the PICPA building would not have been what it is now. Roger was very instrumental in the establishment of the PICPA building which eventually led for the PICPA Davao Chapter to win multiple Katipunan awards with future PICPA Davao Presidents. A Katipunan award is an award bestowed to a PICPA chapter who wins three-consecutive outstanding Chapter awards" said Sally Leuenberger, a Datu Bago awardee and Roger's esteemed colleague.

Roger also actively participated with the collaboration of the previous PICPA presidents in the campaign for Continuing Profession Education (CPE), especially to the new certified public accountants.

For Roger's loving wife, Amy, his dedication and love for PICPA were as big as his love for her.

Wearing different hats

Roger also portrayed different roles and holds many positions in different affiliations: a 33rd degree Mason, a Past Venerable Master, a Past Worshipful Master, a life member of the Sarangani Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, an active member of Rotary Club of Davao since 1976 and was past president of the club in 1992.

Outside the organizations he participated in, Roger personally and without fanfare supported the education of almost 200 scholars in Banganga Elementary School in Cabantian, Davao City for 10 years.

He also received numerous awards and recognitions such as the 1977 Convention Chairman, 31st Annual National Convention (PICPA), Honorary Life Member in 1993, Honorary life member of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., (DCCCII).

According to Dr. Neil, Roger who just turned 85 years old last October 2021, always has a mindset that "age is just a number."

"Dad is intelligent. His mind is still sharp and he's still very good with numbers and names of persons even at his age," Dr. Neil said.

Despite numerous achievements and awards, Roger remained humble and shared his blessings to the poorest of the poor and used his businesses to contribute and help improve the city where he lived, without asking anything in return.

"Dad wears the same pair of shoes for more than 10 years and wears the same collection of pants for over 30 years now. When dad was still able to do so, he'd rather walk or ride a taxi instead of stressing himself to find a parking space to where he's heading. He never wanted to be recognized as who he was and as who he'd become. He always put the recognition to his colleagues and pushed to elevate the word 'teamwork'," Dr. Neil said.

Roger, known for getting results in the community and helpful to those in need, gave life to the term "pillar of the community."

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Editorial: Face-to-face classes have started

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 05:34 PM PST

AFTER a year and a half, students have begun to slowly return to their classrooms, but at a limited capacity.

On November 15, some 400 students across Davao Region were welcomed back to their classrooms by their teachers and other school personnel.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has given the go signal to eight public schools in Davao de Oro and Davao del Sur to start their limited face-to-face classes. The schools in Davao del Sur are Clib Public School in Hagonoy and the Nodilla Elementary School and Tacub Elementary School in Kiblawan. The schools in Davao de Oro include Bares Elementary School (Pagsabangan Extension) in New Bataan, Parasan Integrated School in Pantukan, and Lower Panansalan Elementary School (Jacinto Extension), Maugat Elementary School, and Digaynon Integrated School in Compostela.

On November 24, DepEd-Davao Director Allan Farnazo said eight more schools will be allowed to conduct face-to-face classes. This batch will include eight public schools in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, and one private school in Davao City. While he did not name the eight schools in Tagum City, he did identify the private school in Davao City -- Faith International Academy.

However, the schools in Tagum City will start their limited face-to-face classes on December 6.

Dr. Marilum Deduyo, DepEd-Davao Assistant Schools Division superintendent, also said Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio has endorsed five schools for face-to-face classes. The schools are Dalagdag National High School with Senior High in Barangay Dalagdag, G. Tajo National High School with Senior High in Barangay Lampianao, Saloy National High School with Senior High in Barangay Saloy, Mabuhay Elementary School now Victor Bernal Integrated School with Kindergarten in Barangay Mabuhay, and Gumitan Elementary School with Kindergarten in Barangay Gumitan.

On November 29, Faith International Academy reopened its doors for its students. It becomes the first school in Davao City and private school in Davao Region to have limited face-to-face classes.

"We could tell that if we would get our students back to the classroom, the education would be better for them and their mental health," Alastair Walker, Faith International school head.

The reactions of netizens on social media were quite mixed. Some welcomed the resumption of face-to-face classes while there are also those who expressed worry over it.

Nonetheless, the reopening of classes is a big step in moving forward. It may be our "new normal" for several more months. The face-to-face classes will most likely improve the learnings of the children. It will not only benefit them but the teachers as well.

Just like most people, we also hope that schools will not become "super spreaders" of the Covid-19. With teachers vaccinated and health protocols in place, we hope this will be enough to protect the children.

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BOI-registered investments in Davao reach P8.45B in 2020

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 05:31 PM PST

THE Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) reported an increase in registered investments in Davao Region in 2020 despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Data from BOI showed that BOI-registered investments in 2020 increased to P8.45 billion from P6.62 billion in 2019.

"For 2020, Davao has contributed mostly in the areas of agriculture, forestry, and fishing, real estate activities, manufacturing, and accommodation and food service activities. We also have projects under administrative and support service activities as well as human health and social work activities," BOI Executive Director Bobby Fondevilla said during the Davao Investment Conference 2021 on November 11, 2021.

BOI said in a statement that real estate activities had the highest amount in investments in 2020 at P3.48 billion. It is followed by accommodation and food service activities (1.8 billion,), manufacturing (P1.19 billion), and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (P1.14 billion).

8990 Housing Development Corporation recorded the biggest investment in Davao Region with its P2.17 billion economic and low-cost housing project in Davao City.

Other large investments in Davao Region include CHMI Hotels & Residences, Inc.'s P1.8 billion tourist accommodation facility in Davao City and the P1.1 billion Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS) of Universal Power Solutions, Inc. in Malita, Davao Occidental.

Other big investments in the region were coming from Millenium Specialty Coco Products, Inc, a new export producer of coconut products in Panabo City (P994 million); Anflo Banana Corporation, a new export producer of fresh cavendish banana in Davao Oriental (P616 million); and Tagum Water Company, Inc., a new operator of Bulk Water Supply in Tagum City (P586 million).

"You can see that in 2020, the Davao Region has really contributed a lot," Fondevilla said. (RJL)

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LTFRB eyes to increase seating capacity in PUVs

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 05:10 PM PST

AS THE Covid-19 cases in the entire Philippines continue to go down, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is lobbying to adjust the maximum seating capacity of all public utility jeepneys (PUJs) from 50 percent to 70 percent in other regions in the country, including Davao.

LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III made the announcement during the Fuel Subsidy Program launching at a gasoline station in Davao City on Wednesday afternoon, December 1.

He said he will raise this proposal during the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) meeting on Thursday, December 2.

"Amo nang ginahuna-huna nga ang passenger capacity among iduso sa IATF, ugma naay meeting, Thursday, unta hinaot matubag ang among pag-ampo nga isaka pa nato ang passenger capacity from 50 to 70 percent," Delgra said.

(We are thinking of lobbying for the IATF meeting on Thursday to increase the passenger capacity. We hope that this would answer our prayer of increasing the passenger capacity from 50 to 70 percent.)

The IATF approved on November 4 the pilot implementation of the 70-percent seating capacity in all PUVs in the National Capital Region (NCR) and neighboring provinces.

The rest of the country is still following the 50-percent maximum capacity.

LTFRB had monitored the implementation to ensure that the public transportation sector won't be the cause of the widespread transmission of the virus.

Early November 2021, LTFRB also lifted the mandatory use of plastic barriers in all PUVs in the entire country. Passengers were also no longer required to wear face shields while on board.

The official said they are gradually pushing the increase of the seating capacity to help the PUV drivers who are gravely affected by the restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly the physical distancing, to recover from their economic losses

Delgra's proposal came days after the World Health Organization declared the Omicron variant of the virus as a variant of concern, which is highly infectious compared to the Delta variant.

"Mao na amo ginalikayan. Hinay-hinay ta mo-increase (That is what we are trying to avoid. Slowly we'll increase the seating capacity)," he said.

The LTFRB declined to comment if there is a possibility that the agency will reimpose the mandatory barrier on PUVs in case there will be a detected case of Omicron in the country.

Meanwhile, Delgra reminded the public to adhere to the health protocols inside public transportation.

Based on the monitoring of SunStar Davao and the observation of some netizens, some PUVs, particularly jeepneys in Davao City are already overloaded.

SunStar Davao is still trying to reach out to LTFRB-Davao Nonito Llanos III on this matter, but he already warned PUV drivers and operators that they will be slapped with a P500 penalty if the number of passengers is more than the allowed capacity.

Llanos also said there should be a 0.3-meter distance between passengers, and that elbow-to-elbow contact should be avoided to avoid virus transmission.

He also said their office had already apprehended drivers for violating the required seating capacity limit. (RGL)

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LTFRB lobbies to extend fuel subsidy program until 2022

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 04:45 PM PST

THE fuel subsidy program of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the affected public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers and operators is being lobbied in Congress to be extended until 2022.

LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said during the Fuel Subsidy Program launching at a gasoline station in Davao City on Wednesday afternoon, December 1, that separate bills were already filed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate for an additional budget for the fuel subsidy program.

"Naay pagduso on both Houses kay nakita nila nga magpadayon ang pandemya. Nakita nila nga dunay pag-usbaw sa presyo [sa gasolina]... Naa'y proposal nga ipadayon ni sa sunod nga tuig," Delgra said.

(There is a proposal filed in both Houses since they saw that the pandemic is likely to continue. They saw there is an increase in fuel prices. There is a proposal to continue the subsidy program next year.)

The fuel subsidy program is a one-time subsidy to provide financial assistance to PUJ franchisees and operators due to the recent hike in oil prices amid the pandemic. The program covers PUJs, Filcabs, and even modern jeepneys that require fuel. Each unit will be given P7,200 each.

The national government allocated P1 billion for the subsidy program for 136,000 beneficiaries nationwide.

This is in compliance with the provision of the Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law for all operating and valid franchise grantees for PUJs and filcabs.

LTFRB-Davao Director Nonito Llanos said that more than 7,500 PUJ drivers and operators in Davao Region are qualified beneficiaries for the fuel subsidy.

Llanos said as of present, around 3,000 PUJs had already been given cards, while the remaining have yet to receive their cards this week and can be claimed at the LTFRB-Davao Region office.

Delgra, meanwhile, said the cards should only be used exclusively to pay for fuel purchases.

"Ampinga ang tabang na gihatag sa inyoha sa gobyerno sa paggamit sa tama sa maong card," the official said.

(Use properly the assistance provided by the government by using the card based on its purpose.)

He added that the card may be blocked if this would be used for other purposes, while operators will be issued with a "show cause" order.

The current fuel subsidy program is part of the Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) since it was launched in 2018.

In addition to the fuel subsidy, Delgra also said that his office is lobbying for the increase of the maximum seating capacity from 50 percent to 70 percent to help affected drivers and operators financially recover from their losses. (RGL)

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‘Scoot’ lands in Davao City

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 04:24 PM PST

A DIRECT flight from Davao City to Singapore had its maiden flight on Wednesday afternoon, December 1.

Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) Head Generose Tecson told SunStar Davao in a text message that Singapore Airlines' low-cost subsidiary airline Scoot landed at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao International Airport) around 2:45 p.m.

In a Facebook post, Scoot's plane was welcomed with a water cannon salute.

Tecson said a total of 102 passengers, a mixture of local residents and those living outside Davao City, were aboard the maiden flight.

The official said Scoot will fly Singapore-Davao-Singapore every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday arriving in Davao at 2 p.m. and departing for Singapore at 4:05 p.m.

Scoot took over the services of Silk Air

When asked if the passengers will be subjected to a facility-based quarantine, Tecson replied, "depending on where they come from and their vaccination status."

She added that the increase of fully vaccinated individuals is a huge help in allowing the economy to slowly open up, particularly the tourism industry that has been heavily hit by the pandemic.

Prior to the Singapore-Davao flight, the Davao Airport had been catering to repatriation flights, while in late September this year, Philippine Airlines (PAL) started direct commercial flights from Dubai to Davao City flights only.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio repealed the mandatory submission of a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result to all travelers entering the city effective November 16, 2021. (RGL)

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End of Summer Sale ☀️😎

20% OFF Inside!🤯 ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏...