More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.
Lockdowns are still ongoing in 2022 and with the increase in cases comes an increase in lockdowns.
Some 540 areas across the country have been placed under granular lockdown as the country continues to grapple with a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said Monday night.
“(In fact, there are 97 LGUs under Alert Level 3. In the implementation of our granular lockdown nationwide, we can see that 31 cities and municipalities are affected, with 268 barangays and 540 areas currently under granular lockdown -- 60 are in the National Capital Region while a total of 717 households or 1,482 individuals are affected),” Año said in his report to President Rodrigo R. Duterte during his Talk to the People briefing.
As cases continue to rise, especially in the NCR, the number of granular lockdowns will no doubt grow.
The DOTr is now implementing a strict "no vaccine, no ride" program in the NCR and many are not happy about this.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday ordered a “no vaccination, no ride” policy for all modes of public transportation in Metro Manila, citing its already high vaccination rate as justification to further restrict the movement of those who have yet to be inoculated.
The order, which takes effect starting Jan. 17 (Monday), will apply to all domestic travels to, from and within the National Capital Region (NCR) via land, rail, sea and air public transport, Transportation Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. told reporters at a virtual press briefing hours after the order was released.
Commuters can present their inoculation status through physical or digital copies of their vaccine cards issued by their respective local government units or certification from the national government.
Tugade’s order exempts from the policy individuals with medical conditions that prevent them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, but must present a certification from and the contact details of the physician.
Also exempted are persons who will buy essential goods and services, such as food and medicine “as evidenced by a duly issued barangay health pass or other appropriate proof to support and justify such travel.”
“There will be points of checking, not necessarily checkpoints, but areas where there would be checking to see if the people inside the public vehicle have vaccination cards,” he explained.
He rejected criticism that the order was a form of discrimination toward unvaccinated individuals and a violation of human rights, pointing out that they could still board private vehicles to go around the metropolis.
“In our Bill of Rights, what is protected is the right to travel. We are not limiting the travel of the commuters, what we are limiting is the use of public transport. They can still go out through the use of their own [vehicles], but not public vehicles,” said Tuazon, who is also a lawyer.
Passengers themselves would not be penalized if they are unvaccinated since only PUV operators and drivers would be sanctioned, depending on the regulations of LTO and LTFRB, Tuazon clarified.
"We are not limiting the travel of the commuters, what we are limiting is the use of public transport.?" What a lie! Travel is being limited BECAUSE they are limiting the use of public transport which is how so many people travel in the NCR. Travel for those with public vehicles is also limited because there are now checkpoints around the NCR where one must show their vaccine card. If they do not have one they will be forced to turn around.
Koko Pimentel has called the campaign against the unvaccinated as unconstitutional. Senate President Vic Sotto has called the "No vax, no ride" program discriminating and has suggested there be PUVs especially for the unvaccinated. Other groups have also blasted the "no vax, no ride" policy.
Banning the unvaccinated from using public transportation is a "shotgun approach" that will only inconvenience commuters instead of addressing the coronavirus surge in Metro Manila, transport advocacy groups said Thursday.
In a statement sent to media, the Move as One Coalition said that the move "unduly burdens commuters and transport workers and fails to address more basic issues" — such as the lack of ayuda, testing, and ventilation in public transport and public spaces — that also cause the spread of the pathogen.
The transport advocacy group urged the national government's coronavirus task force to instead allow more public transport units to ply their routes while ensuring these units have proper ventilation to prevent COVID-19 transmission — which a government adviser has said is largely airborne.
"The policy will further burden weary commuters who already struggle to ride limited public transport and have no other way to travel...Excluding them from public transport would prevent them from going to work, earning a living, and feeding their families," the coalition's statement reads.
According to Move as One co-convenor and transport economist Robert Siy, the policy "sets up drivers and operators for more harassment by enforcers, especially where the supply is far short of demand" while authorities "cannot expect drivers to be checking vaccination cards of all passengers especially during rush hour."
In a separate interview aired over GMA's Unang Balita, Ric Rivera of Pilipino Society and Development Advocates Commuter-Consumer said that the policy may only force commuters to resort to colorum vehicles.
"Better we really entice our PUVs. Do not limit them. Because they already have special permits and franchises. It would help us more," he is quoted as saying in Filipino in a report by GMA News Online.
But months before the policy was even conceptualized, jeepney drivers said that checkpoints set up for enforcers to check on the observance of minimum public health standards only intimidated drivers with aggressive enforcement, forcing some to stay at home instead out of fear of operating at a loss. This only meant less transport options for the commuting public, they said.
"If unvaccinated workers are not allowed on public transport to get to work then it is tantamount to being a requirement for work," Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Transportasyon convenor Dante Lagman told Philstar.com earlier.
"Malls [are] not essential but commuting [is] extremely essential...there’s really a violation of the right to mobility. We are exempted as consumers, but we are not exempted as workers. That just means you can buy, you can go out if you want to spend, but not if you want to work and earn," The Passenger Forum convenor Primo Morillo also told Philstar.com.
And here we see the absolute lie that the "no tax, no ride" policy is aimed at protecting anyone from getting infected with COVID-19.
Twenty-three passengers have tested positive in the free, random, and voluntary COVID-19 antigen testing being conducted in Metro Manila’s railways, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit 2 (LRT-2), and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) have so far conducted a total of 228 tests as of January 13.
Eight out of 96 tested passengers at the MRT-3;12 out of 85 from the LRT-2, and three out of 47 from PNR stations were positive in the antigen test, the transportation department said.
“Passengers who tested [positive], and who will be tested positive in the aforesaid testing shall not be permitted to ride the trains. They are asked to return home, isolate, and report to their Barangay Health Emergency Response Team for proper support and monitoring. They are also advised to undergo confirmatory RT-PCR Testing,” the DOTr said in a statement on Friday night.
Imagine submitting to this test becasue you don't want to be singled out for not cooperating and then you test positive and have to lose your life for 2 weeks being stuck at home. That is nuts. With the "no tax, no ride" policy in place its a guarantee that all these people were vaccinated. What's it going to take for people to understand that the vaccine offers no protection against the virus?
It does not good to protest all these draconian and unconstitutional measures because you will only be arrested.
The Manila Police District (MPD) on Wednesday subjected to inquest proceedings six persons who conducted an anti-vaccine rally without wearing or improperly wearing a face mask, and charged them with violation of city ordinances and for disobedience to a person in authority.
The suspects were arrested for violation of City Ordinance 8627 requiring the mandatory use of facemask in all public places within the City of Manila, Ordinance 8800 that regulates the movement of unvaccinated individuals, Republic Act 11332 or the mandatory reporting of notifiable diseases and health events, and Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code or the disobedience to person in authority.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, MPD spokesman Capt. Philipp Ines said the group believed to be leaders and organizers of Gising Maharlika led a crowd of about 150 rallyists and promoted a “No to Vaccine” advocacy campaign at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Jan. 11.
They also claimed to be unvaccinated and encouraged their members and other people to refuse to get vaccinated as they do not believe in the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Ines said police officers tried to hold a dialogue with the rallyists and asked them to stop the activity but they refused to listen, insisting it is their right.
“(They were also the ones who said that they are unvaccinated and they were not even wearing their face masks so they were arrested),” Ines said.
“(We appeal to these groups, we understand that it is their right but we have to balance things right now as we are in midst of a pandemic. Our freedom and rights always comes with a responsibility),” Ines said.
Rights come with responsibilities is the sly way of authorities saying, "Your rights don't matter."
At least those who disagrees with the vaccine mandates have a friend in the PAO, Public Attorney's Office.
The recent policy requiring commuters to present their vaccination cards before boarding public vehicles is unconstitutional and discriminatory, Public Attorneys Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta said Monday.
"I think the policy of the LGUs is highly unconstitutional and against the law," Acosta told ANC.
Acosta cited Republic Act 11525 which states that vaccine cards “shall not be considered an additional mandatory requirement for educational, employment, and other similar government transaction purposes.”
(And yet they are circumventing. You will indirectly violate the law so you will be forced to get vaccinated. You need to get vaccinated so you will be able to board. You are being forced.)
Exemptions to the policy include persons with medical conditions that prevent their full COVID-19 vaccination as proven by a duly-signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctor.
Another exemption is those who will buy essential goods and services, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify the travel.
Despite these, Acosta maintained that the policy is unconstitutional.
“That’s unconstitutional because the Bill of Rights, Section 1 states that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, and property without due process of law,” she said.
“You know you are discriminating against the unvaccinated and then you are just favoring the vaccinated. You let them ride and then the unvaccinated anong gagawin, maglalakad?” she added.
She also cited the patient’s rights in the Department of Health portal.
(Patients have the right to refuse vaccinees and medicine because they own their bodies, the government does not own their bodies.)
According to the PAO chief, the public has the right to refuse to become an “experimental pig.”
(The government said it recognizes the experimental nature of the vaccine and will compensate serious adverse effects.)
At least someone is talking sense. These people are doing everything they can to circumvent the law including using the zoo to get children in jetted with the experimental vaccine.
Manila is eyeing to use the newly renovated Manila Zoo as a vaccination site for minors age 5 to 11 when the national government rolls out the pediatric vaccination by the first week of February.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said it would serve a double purpose for kids, including senior citizens, to get vaccinated and have a preview of the facility as well.
“Since many have been requesting to have a sneak peek of the zoo and the area has an open air, we thought it would have a double purpose for our lolo and lola to visit the place with their grandchildren,” he said on Saturday.
“We will have a registration and we will also launch a website for Manila Zoo so that those who want to get vaccinated can register there,” he said.
Parents and grandparents of minors could also avail themselves of booster shots at Manila Zoo, the city mayor said.
What's the difference between this and a pedophile enticing a child with candy? Not much. It's the same method.
All the COVID-19 news this week and this year so far has been outright maddening as the government continues to strip away the rights of the people. Duterte even declared COVID-19 to be as big a threat as the NPA! He also reminded people that their rights must subserve the good.
“Balik tayo sa basics ng (Let’s go back to the basics of a) democratic country. The rule is always and has been and it does not change: Public good remains high in the hierarchy of things, obligasyon ng gobyerno (as an obligation of government),” he said.
He said “government can always come up with measures that would intrude your rights” if it is for the national interest.
“Ang hinahabol natin diyan (What we are after) is the greatest good for the greatest number. That’s a dictum that must be remembered when Constitutional provisions are being put into issue kagaya ng alamin ng barangay captain kung sino yung walang bakuna (just like directing barangay captains to identify those who are unvaccinated),” he added.
Duterte said it is the duty of the government to ensure the safety and well-being of most Filipinos.
“The duty of government in a democracy is the greatest good for the greatest number…Kaya nga (That is why) just to illustrate what it is, what it means, it means a democracy—the majority prevails,” he added.
Duterte has no idea what he is talking about. In a Democracy the government cannot intrude on your rights for the national interest. That is the language of autocracy. In a Republic, which is what the Philippines is, the rights of the people are paramount and the government is there servant of the people. Even the Philippine constitution says sovereignty lies in the people. Article II Section 1: The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
One man has had enough of having to show his vaccination card every time he goes shopping. His solution? Have it printed on his shirt.
Several Filipinos came up with ideas to easily present their vaccination card whenever authorities ask for it.
According to Mark Salazar's report on "24 Oras" on Monday, Jhowjow Pasia got tired of having to take out his vaccination card every time he entered an establishment so he decided to print his card on a t-shirt instead.
"Every time we have a door to go in, we always present the vaccination card, always looking, 'when you go to fastfood, you just CR, vax card like that. I thought, I'll just print it on the clothes "I had an idea, took a picture, posted it, I didn't know it would be trending," he said.
His post — a photo of himself wearing a t-shirt with his vaccination card plastered —went viral online.
"I tried here in an establishment here with us, in a mall. The guard saw him, the man guard just laughed," he said.
Aside from printing it on a t-shirt, a traveler who recently visited Boracay printed his QR code on a tarpaulin.
However, a barangay health officer clarified that Filipinos should still use the vaccination card issued by their local government units as this is the official one.
"What you give by the government or our LGU, that's really because that's the standard really. It's also different so what you give is right, that's what we will show," she said.
It's difficult to discern what the government's goal is for the vaccination program. Surely they know that you can die from the virus even if you are fully vaccinated.
Another police officer has succumbed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Wednesday.
In a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), PNP deputy chief for administration, Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, said the police force's 126th Covid-19 fatality was a staff sergeant assigned to the Jaen municipal police in Nueva Ecija.
The 38-year-old patient, who was fully vaccinated, died at the Nueva Ecija Medical Center on January 14 due to Covid-19 and acute respiratory failure.
This is the PNP's first death from Covid-19 since November 9 last year.
“(He was) vaccinated but with co-morbidities,” Vera Cruz said.
The patient tested positive for Covid-19 on January 13 and has been under medical care to manage his co-morbidity.
His medical records further showed that he had an acute respiratory failure secondary to community-acquired pneumonia and chronic kidney disease.
What are we supposed to get from this store? That co-morbidites render the vaccine ineffective? But if the vaccine was effective he would never have gotten COVID-19 in the first place. Why bother to get vaccinated when you can still get infected? But if you do get infected while fully vaccinated that is actually a good thing because it can act as a natural immunity booster!
Getting infected with COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated gives a "natural boosting response," the chairperson of the country's vaccine expert panel said Wednesday.
The booster depends on the severity of the illness, according to Dr. Nina Gloriani.
(After breakthrough infection, one can receive a natural boosting response that can stay. If a person recovered from severe disease, they will receive a higher level of immunity.)
Taking antibody tests to check one's immunity is recommended only to "moderately to severe immunocompromised" individuals, Gloriani said. These individuals must be medically stable before inoculated, she added.
Those who suspect they have COVID-19 during their vaccination can still get immunity later on, according to the jab expert.
(All of our vaccines are safe and does not cause COVID. If a person gets infected, it's not through the vaccine. It will also not worsen the infection.)
(It's not a live virus, the two may actually combine and the person will get immunity later.)
It is also normal that some individuals do not experience side effects after getting vaccinated, Gloriani added.
Basically she is saying what everyone knows. Getting infected gives one a natural immunity. So, why would anyone who has been infected need to get vaccinated when they have natural immunity? It's a confusing message that makes no sense because nothing about the vaccine program makes sense.
