Residential Fires May, 2024

This is a reported list of residential fires in the Philippines for May, 2024. The Bureau of Fire Protection is on record saying the fire codes does not apply to residential areas which is why so many of them go up in flames during a fire. Being made of light materials all it takes is one spark to cause massive devastation. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1937239/4-houses-razed-in-cavite-fire

A fire of still unknown origin broke out on Saturday, May 4, in General Mariano Alvarez (GMA) town in Cavite province, razing four houses, police said.

The Police Region 4A, in a report Sunday, May 5, said the blaze started at around 12:10 p.m. between two houses inside a compound in Barangay (village) Granados.

The fire quickly spread and also burned two more houses. The four houses, home to seven families, were made of concrete and wood materials.

No casualties or serious injuries were reported.

The fire was declared under control at around 1 p.m.

Firemen were still conducting an investigation to find out the cause of the blaze.

The property damage has yet to be determined by authorities.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/1/fire-razes-4-houses-in-la-union

Four houses were destroyed in a fire in Purok 3, Barangay San Francisco, this city, on Tuesday, April 30.

Fire Chief Insp. Jun Eland Wanawan, city fire marshal, said four families were displaced but nobody was hurt.

Wanawan said the fire started at 10 a.m. and put out at 11:26 a.m.

Investigation said the fire was caused by welding plax that fell into light materials on the first floor of a house under construction.

Various fire trucks responded to the fire which razed three other homes.

Wanawan said that damage to property is still being investigated.

The provincial and city governments have provided assistance to the fire victims. 

Nobody was reported killed or injured in the fire.

 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/6/fire-razes-16-houses-in-taguig

A fire destroyed 16 houses and displaced 55 individuals in Pulong Kendi in Barangay Sta. Ana, Taguig on May 5, the city government said. 

The fire started at about 4 a.m. with the first alarm raised at 4:17 a.m. It was put out at 4:25 a.m. 

An initial report by the Taguig City Fire Station indicated that seven families with 20 individuals were affected by the fire, which started from a house in the area. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

The Taguig City government provided help to the affected families including hygiene kits, sleeping kits, food packs and drinking water. They will also receive financial assistance. 

An evacuation site was set up in Old Talipapa in Barangay Sta. Ana. 

A total of 12 fire trucks and four ambulances responded to the incident. 

 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/8/7-families-displaced-in-lucena-city-fire

Seven families or 32 individuals were displaced in a fire that gutted an apartment building in Barangay 1 here on Tuesday, May 7.

Police said the fire started at 5:45 p.m. and responding firemen put the blaze under control at about 6:50 p.m. Fire out was declared at about 7:04 p.m.

Damage to property was estimated at P100,000,

Arson investigator Senior Fire Officer 2 Ferdinand Gapit said cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

No casualty or injuries were reported in the fire.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/906058/fire-volunteer-s-home-one-of-40-razed-in-manila-blaze/story/

Fifty families in Malate, Manila are now homeless after a huge fire hit their residences on Tuesday.

According to a report by Saleema Refran on "24 Oras," the house of one of the fire volunteers was among the 40 houses razed by the blaze..

Firefighters had to climb on roofs to extinguish the fire due to narrow alleys.

It took an hour and a half to put out the fire. Authorities are still looking into the cause and the amount of damage.

The Bureau of Fire Protection Manila warned  the public that fire accidents caused by short circuits in household electricity are common this hot season. 

(Let electricians or the right experts check on our electrical cables or outlets if they are sufficient for our appliances.) 

(The common or number one cause [of fire] is overloading, short circuit, or explosion of electrical wires.) 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/10/fire-razes-residential-area-in-caloocan-city

A fire broke out at a residential area in Pablo Street, 10th Avenue, Caloocan City on Friday Morning, May 10. 

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire reached the first alarm at 9:58 a.m. and the second alarm at 10:00 a.m.

The blaze was declared under control at 10:50 a.m. and was extinguished at 11:42 a.m. 

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to property.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/15/tondo-fire-kills-5-year-old-twin-sisters

Five-year-old twin sisters were trapped and died in their room when a fire hit their house on Yangco Street in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila on Wednesday afternoon, May 15.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said that the fire started on the second floor of the victims' house at around 2:21 p.m. 

According to reports, the children's nanny was the only one with them at home since the mother of the victims was at work.

The children's nanny went down for a moment, and that was when the fire suddenly broke out on the second floor, where the children got trapped.

The children's nanny was not able to save the twins as the fire quickly consumed the second floor which was made of wood. 

The BFP raised the first alarm at 2:21 p.m. and immediately put it under control at 2:43 p.m. 

Firefighters extinguished it at 3:09 p.m. 

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/907233/fire-hits-residential-area-in-paranaque/story/

A fire broke out in a residential area on Gomburza Street in Barangay Sto. Niño, Parañaque City on Saturday night.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said the fire started at 10:41 p.m. at one house, according to a report by Mao dela Cruz on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday morning.

The fire quickly spread to nearby houses made of light materials.

The BFP raised the fifth alarm as the fire continued to spread in the residential area.

At past 3 a.m. Sunday, firemen were able to put the fire under control, according to a report by Olan Bola on Super Radyo dzBB.

The fire was finally put out at 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

At least 70 houses were affected by the fire.

The fire reached the fifth alarm before it was finally put out on Sunday morning.

 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/fire-razes-2-houses-in-minglanilla-cebu

TWO houses were destroyed by the fire in Purok 6, Barangay Cadulawan, Minglanilla, Cebu, at around 1:40 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

The burnt houses were reportedly owned by Porfaria Latorsa and Daisy Latorsa, respectively. 

Firemen placed the damage at P391,500. 

According to Senior Fire Officer 1 Ismael Pero, an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, which was completely extinguished at 2:02 p.m.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/23/62-houses-razed-in-mandaue-city-fire

At least 62 houses were razed in a fire that broke out in Barangay Basak, Mandaue City at noon on Thursday, May 23.

The fire started at 11:54 a.m. and was controlled in 49 minutes.

The fire displaced at least 96 families. Damage to property was pegged at P280,000.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection-Mandaue, the fire started in Purok Alliance of Two Hearts and spread to Sitios (sub-village) Santan and Saging-saging.

Nearby firefighters responded after the fire was raised to second alarm.

Cause of the fire is still being investigated. There were reports that some residents were injured while trying to save their belongings.

Due to the extremely high heat index, authorities advised the public to take extra precautions to prevent fire incidents.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/907815/20-families-lose-home-14-trapped-cats-die-in-manila-fire/story/

Some 20 families lost their homes and several pet cats died after a fire broke out in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Thursday night.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report in Saksi, the fire started on the second floor of a house in Barangay 632, Zone 64. 

The homeowner said the boarders were not around when the incident happened, leaving their pet cats trapped inside.

(The fire extinguisher wasn’t powerful enough because the fire easily broke out. Maybe the owner left the fan on because they are imported cats.) 

Only one cat survived and will be turned over to its owner by the barangay. 

Meanwhile, other tenants of the house were also not able to save anything. 

A firefighter also sustained a minor injury during the operation.

The fire was declared out at 8:44 p.m. 

Barangay officials are considering setting up tents in a vacant lot and using a nearby daycare center as temporary shelter for the fire victims.

Fire authorities said the blaze easily broke out as the house’s structure is mostly built from wood. However, the cause of the fire is still unknown. 

The Manila Fire District said the fire caused around P500,000 worth of damages. 

Authorities advise the public to always unplug any gadgets or appliances before leaving their homes. 

(Before you leave your homes, please make sure to unplug your gadgets so we can be at ease. Also do regular checks on your electrical wirings.)

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/25/2nd-alarm-fire-hits-mandaluyong-residential-area-1

A fire hit a residential area in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City on Saturday, May 25, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported.

According to the BFP, the blaze involving a two to three-storey residential building complex started at 11:18 a.m. and reached the 2nd alarm at 11:38 a.m.

Firefighters declared fire out at 12:01 p.m.

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire and amount of damage to property.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/27/2-injured-chapel-partially-burned-in-malate-fire

Two firemen were injured, while a chapel was partially burned in a fire that broke out in a residential area along Leon Guinto Street, Malate, Manila on Monday, May 27.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) identified the injured firefighters as Paco, 26, who had breathing difficulty and Palaganas, 27, who sustained lacerations on his nose and cheeks.

According to the BFP, the fire was declared first alarm at 12:27 a.m. and was immediately raised to a second alarm at 12:30 a.m.

The blaze escalated to the third alarm at 12:48 a.m.

It took the fire responders an hour before the fire was put under control at 1:41 a.m. and two hours before it was extinguished at 3:30 a.m.

Fire Senior Superintendent Christine Cula, BFP-Manila District Fire Marshal said the houses engulfed in the fire were all made of light materials or wood.

Most of the establishments were rental houses, she said.

Meanwhile, at least 10 families or 30 individuals were displaced by the fire.

Some fire victims said the fire allegedly started from the electric sparks they heard from the ceiling.

Around P500,000 worth of property was damaged during the fire.

The BFP continues to investigate the cause of the fire.

That is 13 reported incidents for May. Remember, these are only the major fires reported in the national media. Residential fires are up all across the nation and they do not all make the news. This is the tip of the iceberg concerning the real situation in the Philippines. 

Retards in the Government 367

It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.

 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/23/davao-city-top-cop-sacked-amid-probe-on-drug-war-deaths

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Police Col. Richard Bad-ang was relieved from his post on Thursday, May 23, amid the ongoing investigation on the deaths of suspected drug pushers here during police operations between March 23 and 26.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-9 (Davao region) spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey said Bad-ang has been placed under administrative relief upon the recommendation of the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS)-9.

Police Col. Rolindo Suguilon, PRO-9 deputy regional director for operations, has been designated as officer-in-charge of the DCPO.

Bad-ang became officer-in-charge of the DCPO on March 22.

Upon his assumption, Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a war on drugs as well as a warning that those involved in  the illegal drugs trade would be dealt with severely.

"I hereby declare the campaign that the city is at war against drugs," Duterte said in a speech. "If you don't stop, if you don't leave, I will kill you."

Since then, eight police officers in this city have been relieved from their posts amid ongoing investigations on the deaths of drug suspects killed in police operations.

The Davao City police director has been relieved of his post while being investigated over drug war deaths. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/25/lto-employee-shot-dead-in-qc

A female employee of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding man while aboard her vehicle in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City, on Friday, May 24.

Members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) identified the victim as Mercedita Gutierrez.

According to the initial police report, Gutierrez was inside her vehicle at around 6:20 p.m. when a gunman riding a motorcycle suddenly appeared and shot her.

The victim was rushed to East Avenue Medical Center where she was declared dead on arrival.

QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said he has instructed his personnel to form a Special Investigation Task Group (STIG) to conduct a thorough investigation into the LTO employee's killing.

He assigned Col. Amante Daro to lead the investigation.

"Our prayers and sympathy to the bereaved family of the victim. The QCPD will not stop pursuing the suspect, and we will make sure that justice is served," he said.

An LTO employee has been assassinated. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/35-davao-police-relieved-amid-drug-operation-probe

THE immediate administrative relief of 35 Davao police personnel, effective May 23 and 24, 2024, was recommended by the Police Regional Office-Regional Internal Affairs Service (PRO-Rias-Davao). No additional officers will be named as of this posting.

This decision follows a motu proprio investigation into the deaths of seven individuals during anti-illegal drugs operations from March 23 to 26.

“Based po sa recommendation ng Rias [Davao], 35 personnel lang po ang ma relieve sa post (Based on the recommendation of RIAS Davao, only 35 personnel will be relieved from their posts)," PRO-Davao spokesperson, Major Catherine Dela Rey disclosed to SunStar via a phone interview, Sunday, May 25.

The list includes six station commanders, five deputy commanders, 23 Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs), and former city director Colonel Richard Bad-ang, who served the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) for only two months. These officers will now be assigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Section (RPHAS) headquarters.

PRO-Davao director Brigadier General Aligre Martinez stated that this move aims for a transparent and balanced investigation of the buy-bust operations. 

"The PNP leadership, particularly Region 11, remains committed to upholding its mandate," said Martinez. "This includes enforcing the law, preventing and controlling crime, maintaining peace and order, and ensuring public safety and internal security – all with the active support of the community."

35 Davao cops have been relieved over investigation in to drug war deaths.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/27/8-lucena-police-intel-agents-held-for-breaking-into-woman-s-house

Eight intelligence operatives of the Lucena City Police Station were arrested for allegedly entering, pointing guns, and harassing a woman in Purok Masagana, Barangay Ransohan, this city, before dawn on Friday, May 24.

The victim, Renelyn Rianzales, 52, a candidate in the 2023 barangay elections, has filed a case of violation of domicile, grave threats, and unjust vexation against Police Capt. Aaron Herrera, Master Sgt. Richie Yuayan, Staff Sgt. Henry Mago, Staff Sgt. Junar Cabalsa, and Corporals Rainier Zaballa, Allan Abdon, Wilson Bantilan, and Rene John Bartolata.

In her complaint, a copy of which was obtained by the Manila Bulletin, Rianzales said she was awakened by a loud banging on her door at around 3:15 a.m.

Unidentified men wearing dark clothes and face masks with eyes just visible were kicking at her door until it fell.

They barged into her unlocked bedroom and pointed guns at her, shouting "Pulis! Pulis! Dapa! Kamay sa likod! Nasaan si Jonathan?" (Police! Hands on your back! Where is Jonathan?), referring to Rianzales' live-in partner.

Rianzales was scared and replied, "Wala, nasa trabaho" (He’s not here, he is at work) while guns were pointed at her.

They went around the house looking for Jonathan. They failed to find him and returned to her and asked, with flashlights shining on her face that almost blinded her, "Saan nagtatrabaho?" (Where is he working?)

She replied, "Sa Laguna" (in Laguna), and the men left.

Rianzales said she counted around five men inside and later on found out that three more were posted outside.

She and her two grandchildren went to her mother's house and sought help from Armando Paderon, a fellow barangay elections candidate, who accompanied her to the police to report the incident.

Rianzales was informed that a police drug operation was scheduled in the barangay by intelligence personnel on May 24 while she was giving a statement to the police.

She recognized the police personnel by their body build and other body marks.

Upon learning of the policemen's identities, Rianzales filed complaints against them before the city prosecutor’s office.

Rianzales said she suffered trauma and immense fear for the safety of her two grandchildren.

Days earlier, she testified before a hearing conducted by the House Committee on Public Safety and Order chaired by Rep. Dan Fernandez following a resolution filed by Quezon Rep. David Suarez about unreported violence committed by armed men during the barangay elections in Lucena City.

Rianzales thought that the incident is connected with her testimony in the hearing.

The suspects are detained at the Lucena police station and face cases for violation of domicile, grave threats, and unjust vexation.

Lucena police chief Police Lt. Col. Reynaldo Reyes was relieved the same day and replaced by Police Lt. Col. William Angway as officer-in-charge.

Eight intelligence operatives of the Lucena City Police Station were arrested for allegedly entering, pointing guns, and harassing a woman in Purok Masagana, Barangay Ransohan, this city, before dawn on Friday, May 24. They have since been sacked.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/28/7-crew-of-unresponsive-iloilo-police-station-sacked

A viral video of an alleged "unresponsive" police station in San Enrique town, Iloilo province resulted in the removal of seven policemen, including the town police chief, Capt. Airel Dawn Parcon. 

“They were relieved from their posts pending administrative investigation,” said Police Col. Bayani Razalan, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

Also relieved were Senior Master Sgt. Joan Matutino, Staff Sgts. Maria Ella Cachuela, Jivelyn Parcon, and Dyan Rey Parcon, and Corporals Laurence Sionosa and Ryan Barbosa.

Police were on duty when an alleged social media influencer, Kiko, came to the police station around 4 a.m. on May 21 and no one was there to attend to his needs.

Kiko posted the incident and would later issue an apology through a radio station.

However, the incident reached Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, Police Regional Office-6 chief, who called for a deeper probe.

Allegations surfaced that Kiko was made to issue an apology and retract his statements due to pressure.

“We are still investigating the matter,” Razalan said on Tuesday, May 28.

Razalan assured that this incident will not happen again. 

“Any lapses in our service are taken seriously, and we are committed to addressing them promptly. We thank everyone for their understanding and continued support as we resolve this matter and strengthen our commitment to public safety," added Razalan.

Capt. Ivon Panes was named officer in-charge of the San Enrique Municipal Police Station.

Seven cops have been relived of duty for not responding to someone's needs when they came for help.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/575837/bohol-governor-68-others-suspended-for-6-months

Bohol Gov. Erico Aris Aumentado has been placed under suspension for six months over the controversial resort in Chocolate Hills.

Aumentado on Tuesday, May 28, announced that a total of 69 Bohol Capitol officials, including him, mayors, and even present and former officials, received orders from the Ombudsman for a preventive suspension.

The decision stemmed over recent cases filed against him and the province over the construction of a controversial resort in the world famous Chocolate Hills.

The governor’s announcement was also broadcasted on his official Facebook page.

The suspension order made against Aumentado came just weeks after the state’s anti-graft investigating body meted a similar punishment against Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

The Governor of Bohol and 68 other officials have been suspended over a resort being built in the Chocolate Hills. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225719

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said Tuesday that heads must roll over police officers' involvement in moonlighting activities, emphasizing the need for stricter personnel accounting measures.

“Our guidance is we are giving our IMEG an order to conduct an accounting – even the IAS, I also gave them power to account for our personnel so that these things won't happen," Marbil told reporters in Camp Crame.

He also said he wants to strengthen the implementation of the command responsibility principle, which means that immediate commanders would be held liable if at least one of their men is caught doing illegal acts.

“We are not forgiving sa mga ganitong bagay (on these things). We would not allow this and we have been issuing warnings on this for a long time. We would want to know who is the immediate commander and how the system works. Maybe there is a lapse in the process of accounting and we have to improve our accounting system,” Marbil added.

The move comes as another police officer was caught moonlighting as a motorcycle-riding security escort of an unidentified “VIP (very important person)”, during an operation against illegal blinkers and sirens by the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Parañaque City on Monday.

Arrested were Staff Sgt. Rafael Boco, who is assigned to the motorcycle unit of the HPG - National Capital Region (NCR), and his cohort Florencio Rabuya Geñoso Jr., a dismissed member of the Philippine Army.

Another cop and a dismissed solider have been caught working as security for a VIP.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/28/sc-suspends-pasay-city-rtc-judge-clerk-of-court-pending-probe-on-p6-m-bribe-money

A Pasay City regional trial court (RTC) judge and his acting clerk of court were preventively suspended for 90 days by the Supreme Court (SC) for reportedly demanding and accepting P6 million from a litigant for a favorable decision on a civil case.

Preventively suspended were RTC Judge Albert T. Cansino and his Acting Clerk of Court Mariejoy P. Lagman. Formal administrative proceedings have been initiated against them.

The SC had earlier directed Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva to submit a report on the incident. 

Based on Villanueva’s report, Lagman was arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on anonymous complaint received by the Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) via email.

After verifying the information, Villanueva said an entrapment operation was conducted using five marked P1,000 bills and about P6,000,000 boodle money.

Also confiscated during the entrapment was a copy of the Order bearing the judge's signature on the civil case.

Villanueva’s report also stated that both the judge and the acting clerk of court are now the subject of criminal investigations before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

A Pasay City regional trial court judge and his acting clerk of court were preventively suspended for 90 days by the Supreme Court for reportedly demanding and accepting P6 million from a litigant for a favorable decision on a civil case.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/18-families-to-sue-cebu-city-govt-officials-over-broken-relocation-site-promise

EIGHTEEN of 200 informal settler families displaced by a 2022 flood-control project will file civil cases against officials of the Cebu City Government and National Government agencies for failing to provide promised relocation. 

The families, formerly residing near Kinalumsan River, were evicted from their homes to make way for the project. 

Novelardo Diacamos, a representative of the group, said in an interview on Thursday, May 23, 2024, that the City Government promised relocation assistance for 200 informal settler families but has not followed through after two years. 

The families have been forced to move multiple times and live in cramped conditions, according to Diacomos.

The lawsuit, to be filed on Monday, May 27, 2024, in the Regional Trial Court of Cebu City, alleges violations of the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, the Right-of-Way Act and other social justice laws. 

Named respondents in the cases are the Cebu City Government, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Department of Public Works and Highways 7 and its regional director Ernesto Gregorio Jr., Mark Lester Abella, the National Housing Authority (NHA) 7 and its regional director Rizalino Cabahug.

The complainants are seeking adequate compensation and financial assistance.

The lawyers representing the families hope this case will set a precedent for how housing issues are handled, ensuring proper consultation and humane relocation procedures in future projects.

Retired major general Melquiades Feliciano, former head of Task Force Gubat sa Baha, said in a separate interview that he was not aware of the issue, as no houses were demolished during his term due to the unavailability of temporary housing. 

According to Dicamos, the City Government, under the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, gave the families two options: either avail themselves of P35,000 cash assistance without relocation or P12,000 rental assistance per household with a promise of relocation. 

The majority chose the latter, Diacamos said. 

Opting for a relocation site, Diacamos received P12,000 for three months of rental assistance. 

However, two years have passed, and there have been no updates regarding their relocation site. 

(It’s not fair that until now we are still burdened with paying rent when we have given them ample time to consider taking action and helping us, but they haven’t.)

EIGHTEEN of 200 informal settler families displaced by a 2022 flood-control project will file civil cases against officials of the Cebu City Government and National Government agencies for failing to provide promised relocation. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: DOH Allays Fears, Ordinary Spike, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

There are new COVID variants going about but the DOH says to forget about them and focus on real diseases! 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1943545/fwd-herbosa-on-covid-19

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday said it is better to focus on  preventable, “killer” ailments such as heart attack, diabetes and cancer rather than COVID-19.

(I will scare you with what you should be scared of. Filipinos die from heart attack and stroke, cancer, diabetes — that is what you should write about.)

Herbosa said that it was important for people to learn how to prevent heart attacks and strokes, control hypertension and diabetes, among others.

According to Herbosa, these are preventable diseases, but are still the leading causes of death in the Philippines.

COVID-19, however, is similar to the common cold, said Herbosa.

“For the young and healthy, there is nothing to fear – you just self-isolate; take vitamins, paracetamol and you should recover. At risk are the people who are elderly, with cancer, with immunocompromised,” Herbosa added.

COVID-19 is like the cold!!! What!? That is what many people having been saying for the past four years!

Cases are increasing in Singapore but the DOH says border controls and mandatory masks are not required.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/22/no-border-control-mandatory-masks-doh-chief-says-amid-rise-in-covid-19-cases-in-singapore

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, May 22, said that there is no need to control the country's borders or implement mandatory mask-wearing despite the rise of Covid-19 cases in Singapore.

At a Palace press briefing, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa underscored that the department is monitoring Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI), with Covid-19 being one of those.

"Luckily, even the cases in Singapore are mostly respiratory droplet infections, common cold-like, so I'm not thinking border control, mandatory masks, I'm not thinking of that," Herbosa said in a mix of English and Filipino.

However, Herbosa advised the public to follow minimum health standards.

"If you are sick, experiencing cough, colds, or a sore throat, it's better to stay home. If you need to go out, wear a mask. So it's still a personal (responsibility)," he said.

Meanwhile, the secretary answered the question circulating that the public should be vaccinated again due to the Ministry of Health of Singapore suggesting there might be a waning effect of immunity,

"That should be a personal discussion between the physician and you, the one with the request for a vaccination," said Herbosa "because I think the ones that need the vaccination are only the high-risk people."

He then emphasized that there are 78 million people that were vaccinated with boosters and "I think they still have some level of immunity."

"So, no requirement for border control, no requirement for mandatory mask, no requirement for additional vaccination," Herbosa said.

"But we're monitoring the cases," he added.

A waning effect of immunity?  So the current vaccines are worthless.

Nevertheless says high-risk groups should take precaution.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1944270/high-risk-groups-warned-vs-new-covid-variants

Despite an assurance from the Department of Health (DOH) that all regions nationwide remain at low risk for COVID-19 amid the appearance of new variants, an infectious disease expert on Thursday urged vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and immunocompromised, to take precautions to reduce their risk of contracting severe COVID-19.

But Dr. Rontgene Solante, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, the umbrella organization of internists in the country, said the public should not be alarmed over the recent rise in cases.

According to him, the cases due to the new “FLiRT” variants in other countries were not as bad as those traced to the Alpha and Delta variants in 2020 and 2021. FLiRT refers to a whole family of new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which have picked up the same set of mutations. There are three new variants under monitoring by the World Health Organization (WHO) named JN.1.18, KP.2 and KP.3. All three are descendants of JN.1, an offshoot of the Omicron variant.

Quoting the WHO, the DOH said there was no evidence for now that the KP.2 and KP.3 variants were causing severe to critical cases in the country or abroad. While the new variants cause “self-limiting and mild” symptoms where patients in general will recover without taking any medicine, Filipinos should take precautions as these mild symptoms may become severe in senior citizens and the immunocompromised.

“There is a tendency that these vulnerable populations may get severe COVID-19. And that’s what we are experiencing in hospitals right now. They have a very weak immune response that their bodies cannot fight off these low-risk types of variants,” Solante said

He explained that the previous COVID-19 vaccines given to Filipinos—generally two doses and a single-shot booster—were not as effective against the new strains, including the FLiRT variant.

“It is just unfortunate that because of the mutations, we are no longer protected against these new variants from the previous COVID-19 shots we received. In fact, there are reformulated and updated vaccines available in the market abroad already, but these are not currently available in the Philippines,” Solante said.

As a precaution, he urged the public, especially the elderly, to consult a doctor if their symptoms do not subside in a few days.

“They have to be immediately checked if they will need treatment or be admitted. Because in our current experience, those who are usually admitted to the hospitals were already late. They already had a fever for a few days and developed complications, including pneumonia,” Solante said.

He also echoed the call of the DOH for people to properly wear face masks, especially when they go to public or enclosed spaces with a large crowd.

WOW! The DOH has admitted Filipinos are not protected against the new variants. That is really shocking. But they also say the new wave of spikes are ordinary.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/05/24/2357535/new-wave-covid-19-cases-just-ordinary-spike

There is no need to panic over the new wave of COVID-19 infection as this is just a normal increase in cases, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said yesterday.

“It will not continue to spread. The uptick (in cases) will just be temporary,” Solante said at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program.

Three new COVID-19 variants – JN.1.18, KP.2 and KP.3 – are now under monitoring by the World Health Organization. KP.2 and KP.3 are known as the “FLiRT” variants.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier said “there is no evidence now that the KP.2 and KP.3 variants are causing severe to critical COVID-19, both locally and internationally.”

“These are variants that mutated through several months and that so far, this has slow public health risk unlike the Delta and Alpha (variants) which carried higher risk of severe infection or getting hospitalized,” Solante added.

He still advised the public to be vigilant and protect themselves against the virus.

It won't continue to spread? Then there is nothing to worry or warn about!

But maybe there is something to warn about as the DOH Secretary has directed the Bureau of Quarantine "conduct thorough screening at points of entry for arriving visitors coming from countries where the new COVID-19 “FLiRT” variants have been detected."

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/908086/boq-on-heightened-alert-vs-flirt-covid-19-variants/story/

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has directed the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) to conduct thorough screening at points of entry for arriving visitors coming from countries where the new COVID-19 “FLiRT” variants have been detected.

Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo confirmed on Monday the BOQ’s Memorandum No. 2024-48 dated May 24, which placed all BOQ stations and other concerned agencies under “heightened alert” for the FLiRT variants.

“The BOQ, as directed by Secretary Herbosa, is conducting thorough screening for symptoms of COVID-19, among others,” Domingo told reporters.

The KP.2 and KP.3, more commonly known as “FLiRT,” are currently circulating COVID-19 variants under monitoring by the World Health Organization (WHO). They are descendants of the JN.1—a variant of interest—which was responsible for the infection increase earlier this year.

The BOQ, a line bureau of the DOH, thus reminded travelers to complete the health questionnaire available on the e-travel app. Those who have COVID-19 signs and symptoms were also advised to go on home isolation.

“The general public should take basic health measures such as frequent hand washing, coughing etiquette, avoiding crowded situations and getting in contact with people with flu-like symptoms,” the memorandum read.

According to the DOH, all regions in the country remain at low risk for COVID-19, despite a “small” increase in cases recently observed and new variants being monitored internationally.

Despite this order the DOH is quick to say the country remains "at low risk for COVID-19."

But even if the new variant posed any health threat there are currently no funds to procure new vaccines. The Philippines is now relying on the kindness of strangers.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1945940/doh-no-budget-for-new-vaccines-vs-flirt-variant

The government has zero budget set aside this year to procure updated doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to protect vulnerable Filipinos from the new “Flirt” variants driving a wave of infections around the world, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The jabs are seen as crucial to the safety and protection of the elderly as well as people with compromised immune systems from the fast-spreading Flirt variants, which, while not considered deadly, are sparking concerns of a COVID-19 resurgence four years since the advent of the pandemic.

The DOH spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, said the public’s immunity from the virus due to the original primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots administered from 2021 to 2023 had waned over time, although “not totally lost.”

“There may be some degree of residual immunity left, which is still better than having not been vaccinated at all,” Domingo said in a message to the Inquirer.

But the DOH has no budget under the 2024 appropriations law to acquire updated COVID-19 vaccines considered more effective against the Flirt variants, the official said, noting that the department’s current funding was focused on procuring doses for the routine immunization of children.

“Budget allocations for COVID-19 vaccination are made based on an assessment of public health needs. In situations where the case severity is low or mild only, there may not be an urgent need to budget and procure as before,” Domingo explained.

For COVID-19 doses, the DOH is relying on donations, including a million doses pledged by Gavi Vaccine Alliance, a global health partnership formed in 2000 to provide equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries.

The first tranche of 500,000 jabs is set to arrive in the second quarter.

“The DOH is processing this to obtain the best/most updated COVID-19 vaccines given the circumstances,” Domingo said.

According to the DOH, it is the duty of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “to encourage and accept applications for registration of the newer COVID-19 vaccines so that they may be made available in the local market.”

The emergency use authorizations issued by the FDA to nine COVID-19 vaccines administered in past years are set to lapse in July, a year after President Marcos lifted the state of public health emergency in the country due to COVID-19 on July 23, 2023.

This means that COVID-19 vaccines without a certificate of product registration (CPR) from the FDA could no longer be administered or sold in the country.

What residual immunity? None of the vaccines actually prevented COVID-19 infection.