Coronavirus Lockdown: Don't Call it FliRT, Yearly COVID Vaccinations, and More!

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

After claiming there are no more funds to procure new vaccines the DOH now says there is enough money to handle new COVID variants including purchasing vaccines

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225832

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday assured lawmakers that there are ample funds to prepare for the emerging Covid-19 variants, including the procurement of updated vaccine doses to protect vulnerable Filipinos.

DOH Undersecretary Achilles Gerard Bravo made the assurance during the oversight hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations after Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo expressed shock over a newspaper headline suggesting a lack of preparation to protect Filipinos from the new “FLIRT” variants driving a wave of infections worldwide.

During the hearing, Quimbo noted the DOH's significant yet underutilized funds after a presentation of the agency’s budget utilization report.

She said various funding sources, such as the quick response fund and the communicable disease program, remain largely untapped.

Bravo confirmed the availability of funds, and assured the committee of the DOH’s readiness to adjust its budget.

“Madam chair, you are correct. So, what we will do is that we have so many funds at the DOH, even from the CONAP (Continuing Appropriations) in 2023 and the current. If there’s a need to provide something for the emerging Covid variant, we can always make some modifications within our budget,” he said.

“What we are doing right now is we are collating all the resources of DOH how much are savings and CONAP of other programs, and then we will decide what will be prioritized because the slow-moving appropriations, we are going to modify them and transfer them to fast-moving appropriations.”

House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin urged preparedness for the emerging “FLIRT” variant.

She highlighted the challenges of implementing border control and emphasized the importance of vaccination and access to pneumonia and flu vaccines.

“Bottomline is, preparation should go back to either vaccination if an updated version is available, but more importantly is pneumonia, flu vaccines and the medicines for whoever will need it,” Garin said.

The former Health Secretary also called for the DOH to ensure free hospitalization and medication for health care workers and immunocompromised individuals.

In response, Bravo assured that the department is utilizing its savings to meet these needs.

Even though the DOH previously admitted there are no funds to procure new vaccines they will find the money if it is needed by shifting around their current funds.

The DOH also says there is no need for restrictions to combat the new variants. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/29/2020-all-over-again-doh-says-there-s-no-need-for-restrictions-vs-f-li-rt-variants

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday, May 29, that the Philippines won't have to undergo past pandemic restrictions as it intends to take full control regarding the possible effects of the emerging new variants of Covid-19, dubbed “FLiRT”.

DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo gave this assurance to members of the House of Representatives during an oversight meeting by the Committee on Appropriations with the agency.

It was ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro who sought this response from the DOH in the wake of possibly another period of health restrictions in the country.

(So that our people will be in the know, and we will neither be complacent, nor resort to threatening our countrymen. So how ready are we for the reported FLiRT Covid?)

(So is the DOH making sure that we will not experience the 2020, 2021, 2022 level of Covid?)

Domingo quickly said that the agency was indeed making sure that the country was prepared against the emerging Covid variants.

Of course that is what was said at the beginning of 2020 and we all know what happened. 

The new variants are being dubbed FLiRT which is "is based on the technical names for the variants' spike protein mutations or the specific amino acid changes." But the DOH says they should not be referred to by that name. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/30/don-t-call-it-f-li-rt-baka-hindi-seryosohin-doh-spox-tells-solons

The Department of Health (DOH) is intent on calling the newest Covid-19 variants by the names of KP.2 and KP.3 instead of the more commonly known term “FLiRT” variants, in a bid to make the public take them more seriously.

DOH Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo gave this message during an oversight meeting held by the House Committee on Appropriations with the agency on  Wednesday, May 29.

(KP.2 and KP.3 variants, that's what we call FLiRT because people may not take us seriously because they think of flirting when we say FLiRT.)

“Kaya KP.2, KP.3 ang ginagamit namin (That’s why we are using KP.2, KP.3.),” he added.

On May 3, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it is closely monitoring four circulating variants, namely JN.1.7, JN.1.18, KP.2, and KP.3.

These variants appear to have descended from the JN.1 variant—a Covid-19 strain that emerged in late 2023 and caused an uptick in cases worldwide.

In a recent statement, the DOH said the unusual moniker of “FLiRT” was coined by researchers to describe the amino acid changes in the Covid-19 virus’ spike protein, specifically from phenylalanine (F) to leucine (L), and from arginine (R) to threonine (T).

The department said it avoids using “FLiRT” to refer to the new variants because it might result in a “miscommunication of health risk” due to its “informal and casual” nature.

Is anyone taking these new variants seriously anyway?

One health expert is pushing for annual COVID vaccinations. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/30/expert-pushes-for-yearly-covid-vaccinations

Former Philippine College of Physicians president Dr. Maricar Limpin on Thursday, May 30 said the medical community is advocating for annual vaccinations against Covid-19.  

In an ANC interview, Limpin emphasized that the medical community expects a flu-like vaccination for Covid-19 that would need to be administered annually.

"For now, what we expect is something like the flu that occurs every year, we need to have a flu vaccine," Limpin said in a mix of English and Filipino.

She explained that similar to the flu, which tends to mutate, the vaccine available around this time in 2024 will be tailored to the strain that was prevalent last year.

"So, just like this, we are currently facing the FliRT variant that was observed in the last part of 2023. Therefore, a vaccine can be developed, which will actually be used this year," Limpin said.

"We're hoping all of us in the medical community, especially our pediatric doctors and primary care practitioners, want vaccines that can protect the people. Especially the elderly, those with comorbidities, or those who are immunocompromised," she added.

Meanwhile, the expert said that based on the studies, "we can still get protection from the vaccine that was made last year (2023)."

Isn't this more proof that COVID vaccines do not work and COVID is merely the flu?

Angeles City has reverted back to masking up inside government offices. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1946976/angeles-city-reverts-to-no-face-mask-no-entry-rule-in-govt-offices-due-to-covid-19-threat

The mayor in this city has ordered the strict wearing of face masks in the city hall and all local government buildings and offices as a measure against the possible spread of COVID-19.

In a memorandum on Wednesday, May 29, Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. said this was in line with the City Health Office’s recommendation after the Department of Health reported an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country and the World Health Organization’s update on three new variants of the coronavirus.

“The wearing of face masks shall be strictly enforced inside all city government offices, especially inside Angeles City Hall,” he said.

Lazatin also encouraged residents and transients in the city to always wear face masks in public places and on public transportation.

The mayor also advised the observance of the one-meter physical distancing and urged private establishments to place hand sanitizing stations and regularly disinfect their premises.

As if wearing a mask ever prevented a single COVID-19 infection.

The House is still investigating financial anomalies that occurred during the pandemic. It turns out that Duterte ordered the transfer of funds from the DOH to the PS-DBM and he did not inform the public. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1947691/duterte-ordered-transfer-of-p47-6-billion-covid-funds-to-ps-dbm-duque

It was then-President Rodrigo Duterte who ordered the transfer of P47.6 billion in COVID-19 funds from the Department of Health (DOH) to the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) in 2020.

Former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III admitted this information during the hearing of the House of Representatives committee on appropriations Monday, upon the questioning of ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro.

Based on a Commission on Audit (COA) report, the P47.6-billion COVID-19 fund includes PS-DBM contracts with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., which was accused of selling overpriced medical supplies such as face masks, face shields, and other equipment used during the pandemic to the government.

Former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said it was former President Rodrigo Duterte who directed the transfer of P47.6 billion under the Department of Health (DOH) to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) during the height of the pandemic.

“Another question, it was authorized by former President Duterte, right?” Castro asked Duque, referring to the transfer of the funds.

“Oho (Yes), in his public pronouncements, the transfer was done because of the public health emergency, which he declared sometime in March [2020],” Duque replied.

In an interview after the House panel’s hearing, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra – who was Justice Secretary during Duterte’s administration and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in 2020 –said he could not recall Duterte making a public pronouncement about transferring funds to PS-DBM.

Guevarra, however, noted that if the announcement had been made through the media, he may not have known.

“I don’t think it’s referring to a Cabinet meeting because I don’t remember any such Cabinet meeting where the President made that. I was Justice Secretary at the time and I was attending, of course, Cabinet meetings,” said Guevarra, who was present during the discussions of the House appropriations panel Monday.

“But, frankly, I do not recall any Cabinet meeting where a public statement like that was made by the President, unless he made it publicly before the media.  Not before the Cabinet. I’m not too sure though, but that’s my recollection,” he added.

The House committee on appropriations held the hearing as part of its oversight functions to check on the budget performances of the DOH and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

In August 2021, the COA found deficiencies in how the DOH managed its P67.32-billion fund to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that it contributed to the challenges that the country faced during the health crisis.

Questions were eventually raised on how the DOH handed over to PS-DBM the responsibility of procuring protective equipment, when the latter’s mandate is to purchase common-use supplies like pens, paper, and other generic equipment.

PS-DBM was also quizzed at the Senate as to why it gave a contract to Pharmally, despite the company having a small paid-up capital of P625,000.

Now we know it was Duterte who handed over the responsibility to the PS-DBM to procure protective equipment which lead to the Pharmally scandal. 

Philippines to Send Mental Health Workers To Ukraine War

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was recently in the Philippines. During his visit he asked Marcos to send health workers to assist in the ongoing war with Russia. In particular he asked for mental health workers. President Marcos said he would do so. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226069

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for humanitarian assistance, particularly in the mental health of Ukrainian soldiers amid the ongoing war with Russia.

In his meeting with Marcos at the Malacañan Palace on Monday morning, Zelenskyy said they need more mental health workers for their soldiers at the forefront of the crisis that their country has been facing for over two years now.

“Thanks, you mentioned about humanitarian possibilities especially for medicine and like I said to you, especially, psychological mental health and etc, – army. So, you understand how many people need their help when they come back, they can’t lose in the families,” Zelenskyy said, as quoted by a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release.

“It’s difficult for them – to study again,” he added.

For his part, Marcos told his Ukrainian counterpart that the Philippines could offer them help by sending Filipino mental health workers.

“That is something that I think we are able to offer,” President Marcos told Zelenskyy.

Marcos stressed that “the Philippines is quite well-known in healthcare in terms of providing assistance,” which is part of the country’s commitment to the United Nations for the peacekeeping process.

“I am happy to do all that we can to make sure that we can help especially the civilians and the innocents that are involved in the war. This is something that comes naturally to the Philippines so this will be something that we could pursue,” he added.

This rather a bizarre request from Zelenskyy who has gone hat in hand around the world seeking help to fight Russia. Why does he want Filipino mental health workers? Why did Marcos agree to send them when the DOH has admitted there is a lack of mental health workers in the Philippines which has created a crisis?

https://tribune.net.ph/2023/10/12/doh-admits-lack-of-mental-health-professionals

The Department of Health admitted on Thursday the lack of mental health professionals to address the looming mental health crisis in the country.

"Subjectively, I know there we do not have enough psychologists and psychiatrists," Health Secretary Ted Herbosa told reporters on the sidelines of the launching of the 2024-2028 Philippine Council for Mental Health Strategic Framework in Pasay City.

"So, we need more young people to be encouraged to go into psychological sciences," he said.

Herbosa issued the remarks when asked whether the country has enough human resources for mental health after the Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc. raised the alarm over the "rising epidemic of mental health crisis" in the country.

Citing data from the DOH, PMHA said at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological, and substance use disorders.

The PMHA said that access to mental health services in the country "remains limited and unequal due to stigma and scarce resources."

There is also less than one mental health worker for every 100,000 Filipinos, according to the group.

To address the problem, Herbosa proposed easing the requirements for psychologists and guidance counselors who want to work in government agencies.

"The government requires psychologists interested in working for them to have a master's degree, but their compensation is very low," he said.

Currently, he noted that psychologists in the government earn up to P27,000 per month under salary grade 11.

"That is wrong. So, I'm calling on CSC (Civil Service Commission) to change that," he said.

Not only is there a lack of mental health workers but DOH Secretary Herbosa has recommended lowering the requirements to become a psychologist. 

If Marcos had any sense he would have told Zelenskyy to buzz off but he did not. So, will mental health workers who cannot be spared be sent to Ukraine? Will unqualified wannabe mental health workers be shipped to console battle-scarred Ukrainian soldiers? Time will tell, of course. The whole thing is quite ridiculous. 

Insurgency: NPA Fake News

Recently President Marcos commended the Tawi-Tawi task force for bringing peace to Mindanao.  

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225444

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has commended the Joint Task Force (JTF) - Tawi-Tawi for helping the government attain peace in Mindanao, resulting in enhanced tourism and business activities in the region.

During his visit to the JTF Tawi-Tawi headquarters in Bongao town on Thursday, Marcos said Tawi-Tawi, which used to be a conflict ground zero and the nest of insurgents and terrorists in their kidnapping activities, is now peaceful because of all the efforts of the troops.

“But because of the efforts of all our personnel in the Task Force, we have now come to the situation where it is peaceful enough,” he told the soldiers of the 2nd Marine Brigade.

“Instead of fighting, the battle here now is which is the best-looking resort. That is a very big achievement and the part that you played in that is a very major part. Congratulations for the good work and for a job well done.”

Marcos said he was able to visit Mindanao because of the present peace in the region, which his predecessors did not experience during their tenure.

He said he was very happy to be able to claim to be the first Filipino president to set foot on the Marines headquarters on the island.

“The reason is not because other presidents did not want to come here. It was because other presidents were not allowed by the security conditions that had passed before to be able to come here,” Marcos said.

The President, however, emphasized that the military’s mission is not over and the soldiers have to transform themselves from warfighters to peacemakers as the nation marches toward development.

But, just like clockwork, a week later the AFP was involved in a clash with Abu Sayyaf in Tawi-Tawi.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225708

A sub-leader of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed in a counter-terrorism police operation in Tawi-Tawi province early Tuesday.

In a media interview at Camp Crame, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said Udon Hasim was killed in a 30-minute firefight with members of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Intelligence Group (IG) in Barangay Lahay-Lahay in the town of Tandubas at about 5 a.m.

Hasim opened fire on the arresting team, prompting them to return fire which led to an encounter.

Three police officers were also wounded in the firefight.

Hasim is wanted for four counts of frustrated murder and 17 counts of murder.

“On July 28, 2013, he was involved in an ambush which killed 23 civilians and wounded 14 others in Talipao, Sulu. He is not only a member of the ASG, he was involved in illegal drugs last month, April 2024 in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, his followers who are also involved in illegal drugs were also killed,” Marbil said.

Seized from the operation were several plastic sachets containing shabu, an M14 rifle, an M16 rifle, assorted magazines and ammunition for M14 and M16, and a bandolier.

If that is not enough an SAF trooper was killed while trying to serve a warrant to an ASG member. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1946778/saf-trooper-dies-2-others-hurt-serving-arrest-warrant-in-tawi-tawi

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos paid a visit to three wounded members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) at the Ciudad Medical Center on Thursday morning.

“We stand before you with heavy hearts but resolute spirits as we visit our brave SAF troopers here in Zamboanga City who were wounded during the recent operation in Tandubas municipality, province of Tawi-Tawi,” Abalos said after his brief talk with the family members inside the hospital.

The three were wounded in a clash with armed men in Tandubas last Tuesday afternoon while serving 21 arrest warrants against a certain Udon Hasim, also known as Utoh and Kah, a former member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group under Idang Susukan and Alhabsy Misaya.

On Thursday morning, Patrolman Ian Valdez, a newbie in the police force, died while being treated in a private hospital here.

Valdez and colleagues Police Master Sergeants Alberto Olbis and Mohammad Lee Aharul were seriously wounded in the clash.

Hasim is accused of being involved in heinous crimes including the ambush in Barangay Mabahay, Talipao, Sulu, and illicit drug trafficking and arms smuggling, Abalos said.

The gunfight also led to the death of Hasim, and the seizure of suspected meth, initially estimated to value P734,000, and several weapons and ammunition.

Suffice to say Tawi-Tawi is not safe and peace has not been brought to Mindanao. This is another premature declaration betrayed by the facts.

A member of the DI involved in killings in South Cotabato has been arrested. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225829

Law enforcers have arrested the leader of a notorious local terrorist group in the province of South Cotabato.

In a report on Wednesday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said the suspect, 32-year-old alias “Jaffer”, leader of the Daulah Islamiya-Emaruddin Kassan group, was arrested in an operation at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday ni Barangay Lapu, Polomolok, South Cotabato.

The suspect and his group are linked to a series of killings in Polomolok town and surrounding areas.

"Jaffer" has standing arrest warrants for four counts of murder, one count of frustrated murder, one count of attempted murder and two drug charges issued by courts in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.

The accused is currently detained at the CIDG South Cotabato Provincial Field Unit Office for proper disposition and documentation. 

That the arrest warrants can be given for a man like this shows that the government knows who the terrorists are. 

This fact is underscored by the AFP pleading with the families of rebels in Leyte, begging them to surrender. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225726

The Philippine Army is stepping up on its dialogues with families of the remaining 19 active New People’s Army (NPA) combatants in Leyte in a bid to completely wipe out insurgency in the province.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, said Tuesday they have been working with local government and even village officials to talk to the rebels’ families.

“We believe these families still have contacts with their loved ones who are still active in the armed struggle. They will be instrumental in convincing their family members to surrender,” Vestuir said in a statement.

The military and local government also extended assistance to family members to ensure that they will not be persuaded to support the armed rebellion.

Of the 19 active NPA rebels who are native to Leyte, six are from Mahaplag town; four from Kananga; two each from Jaro and Albuera; and one each from Carigara, Alangalang, MacArthur, Baybay City, and Hindang town.

Their affiliation with the NPA is a setback in declaring their hometowns as having stable internal peace and security or a full rebel-free status.

But not all NPA members who hail from Leyte are operating in their home province since some are in Samar provinces, according to Vestuir.

Are they more concerned with the lives of these rebels or with declaring towns as having a rebel-free status? But the AFP is not shy about declaring areas rebel-free despite rebels still posing a threat. 

Rebels in Negros are forming a peace and development community. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225771

A peace and development community (PDC) will soon rise for former rebels who belong to the Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan (Kapatiran) in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

The PDC will be established as a Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) project of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

First Lt. Dan Carlo Samoza, civil-military operations officer of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion, said in an interview on Wednesday they conducted an assessment and survey of the site in Sitio Huebesan, Barangay Celestino Villacin, earlier this month together with troops of the 542nd Engineering Brigade (EBDe).

“After this, the implementation of the project is set to start in the third quarter,” he added.

The PDC components include housing, livelihood, daycare center, health center, and public market.

“They would have access to all services offered by the government,” Samoza said. 

Kapatiran is the new name of Rebolusyonaryong Partido Ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA-ABB) Tabara-Paduano Group (TPG) in line with its institutional transformation after entering into a peace agreement with the national government.

The RPA-ABB is a breakaway group of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Mamad Gandarosa Jr., community environment and natural resources office officer-in-charge; Antonio Agabon, Kapatiran Cadiz City Chapter president; and Nelsan Marie Vedasto, OPAPRU project development officer, joined Samoza and Capt. Emerson Tapang, 542EBDe operations officer, during the site visit.

Samoza said the PDC will serve as a symbol of the Kapatiran’s transition to mainstream society.

“It will highlight their key role in peace-building efforts and will be a reaffirmation of their commitment to the progress of our nation, particularly in northern Negros,” he added.

Meanwhile the NPA has been spreading news about an encounter which the AFP says never happened.  

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225795

The Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) on Wednesday urged residents in northern Negros Oriental to not fall prey to the fake news being spread by the New People’s Army (NPA) of an alleged encounter in Vallehermoso town.

Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga, 62IB battalion commander, said these are all lies by a dismantled guerilla front to deceive the people amid futile efforts to recover their mass base support.

“Basically, it is part of their propaganda to spread fake news to make people believe that their presence is still significant and they are still capable of committing atrocities against government forces,” Ilanga said in mixed English and Filipino.

Ilanga was referring to a post on social media purportedly by the Leonardo Panaligan Command saying that an encounter took place between 62IB troops and NPA members at Barangay Malangsa in Vallehermoso town.

The encounter never happened and no soldier was injured or killed, contrary to the claim of the NPA, he said.

The Army commander said that nevertheless, they continue with their peace and security efforts to ensure that the NPA can no longer recoup.

This comes in preparation for the declaration of Negros Island as a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Funny that the NPA spreads propaganda "to make people believe that their presence is still significant" while the AFP spreads propaganda to make people believe that their presence is insignificant even while they continue to launch attacks. 

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.