Hi, My Name Is...38

This series is titled "Hi, My Name Is..." but in this edition no one has a name. They are all abandoned babies.

Hi, my name is Virgilio Terado Jr. At 5:30 am Tuesday my wife found an abandoned baby in our garage. The umbilical cord had not even been cut. We immediately took the infant to the hospital. This is the second abandoned baby in recent days. The DSWD is concerned about this trend and has encouraged women who do not want their babies to contact them. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/04/23/another-newborn-baby-found-abandoned-in-cebu

Another newborn baby was found left inside a box in northern Cebu Tuesday morning, just days after an abandoned baby was also found in the province's famed Bantayan Island.

Local officials at Barangay Sambag, Bogo City were shocked to see the said baby boy, which was left inside the garage of the village's chief Virgilio Terado Jr. 

Terado's wife discovered the abandoned infant at around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Bogo City police chief Lt. Col. Joan Arnoco said the baby's umbilical cord had not been cut off.

“The captain called us and we immediately sent our Women and Children Protection Desk personnel to check on the situation,” said Arnoco.

The infant was sent to a nearby hospital for assessment and treatment.

This is the second incident this week that a newborn was left abandoned in Cebu.

Last Sunday, another baby boy was left at a Catholic church in Bantayan Island.

Because of the two incidents, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sounded the alarm on abandoned infants in the province.

“We want to let parents know that if they are not ready, they can always talk to our social worker to plan and guide them in raising their child,” said DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Lucero.

Lucero said among the reasons why infants may be abandoned include unwanted pregnancy, teenage pregnancies, being victims of rape, among others.

“We can guide them instead of them leaving the newborn anywhere which is a big risk,” she added.

As of writing, the DSWD said its personnel were already tracing the relatives of the abandoned babies. 

“They are posting, just in case a parent or relative [takes] ownership but if not we will take the babies to our center in Cebu City for adoption,” Lucero added.

Hi, our names are Vilma Jemes Sayre and Raul Taritas. I gave birth at home and I did not hear it cry so I thought it was dead. I wrapped it up in my dress and fell asleep. Unbeknownst to me my partner Raul put the baby in a sack and dumped it several meters from our house. But the baby was not even his. I already have five children and don't know who the father of this baby is because I worked as a prostitute. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/509733/newborn-found-alive-in-sack-mother-thought-baby-dead

A couple was arrested for allegedly abandoning a newborn baby in a dumpsite in Liloan town, northern Cebu on Monday, June 12.

Police in Liloan confirmed that an infant, still attached to its umbilical cord and placenta, was found inside a sack in a dumpsite in Brgy. San Vicente early Monday morning. The baby is currently confined in a health center there.

Police Major Eric Gingoyon, chief of Liloan Police Station, said they arrested Vilma Jemes Sayre and Raul Taritas, a live-in couple, around 11 p.m. on Monday.

Sayre and Taritas were accused of abandoning the newborn, who was discovered by a child scavenging the area, said Gingoyon.

Based on initial findings from the police, Sayre gave birth to the child on Monday dawn. She believed the infant was dead, as it did not cry as most newborns do.

In an interview with Cebu-based radio station, dyHP, Sayre pointed to Taritas as the one responsible for ‘disposing off’ of the newborn.

Due to poverty, the mother had not undergone any pre-natal checkup after learning she was pregnant with her sixth child. She added that her partner also threatened her multiple times if she even attempted to go to a healthcare worker for a check-up.

According to Sayre, Taritas is not the infant’s father, and the baby may have been an ‘accident’ when she briefly engaged in prostitution before.

“Nagvasectomy naman sad siya (paghuman sa among ika-lima nga anak). Masuko siya kung mugawas daw ko magpapre-natal kay mauwaw daw siya (nga di siya ang amahan),” she said.

She admitted resorting to prostitution to provide for her family, which includes her, Taritas, and their two children. The couple had a total of five children, three of whom had been already transferred to their grandparents’ care.

When Sayre’s partner learned about her pregnancy, he got mad. They also frequently fought, said Sayre.

“Sige ra mi ug away. Iyaha man kong baharan nga patyun kung magpapre-natal sad ko. Kung mahubog, manghagis,” she explained.

When she gave birth to the child last Monday, Sayre was the only one left inside their house in Brgy. San Vicente.

Taritas went out to claim his income from a nearby junkyard while her two children scavenged for scraps like metal and plastic bottles to earn money.

Eventually, Taritas returned home and found his partner weak, and the infant right underneath her legs. The newborn had not been crying, leading the couple to assume the baby was dead.

“Wala sad ko nakapapre-natal, mao to (nagtuo mi nga patay na ang bata)… Niana man dayun siya (Taritas) nga siya na balaha mu dispose sa bata,” added Sayre.

Police managed to trace Sayre and Taritas after the child who reported the discovery to barangay officials in San Vicente also claimed to have seen Taritas walking away from the dumpsite hours before.

According to Gingoyon, the abandoned newborn in Liloan is in good health condition.

Sayre and Taritas will be facing cases of Frustrated Infanticide.

Hi, I don't have a name. I didn't even get the chance to properly mature in my mother's womb. I am a five month old fetus that was found in a green bag dumped on the side of the road. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/7/5/male-fetus-dumped-in-batangas

A five-month-old fetus was found in Barangay San Joaquin here on Tuesday, July 4.

Police received a call from the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) desk of the barangay informing them that a male fetus was found inside a green eco-bag.

Women and Children Protection Desk investigators Police Corporals Arvin Olis and Maricel Malabuyuc proceeded to the barangay to investigate.

The fetus with a length of eight to nine inches was taken to the Eternal Homes Cemetery.

Police are conducting an investigation to find out who dumped the fetus.

Hi, I don't have a name. I am a newborn baby whose mother put him in a bag and dumped him on the side of the road. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1962757/cebu/local-news/fetus-found-in-carcar-city

A FETUS was found along the roadside in Sitio Mabugnao, Barangay Guadalupe, Carcar City, southern Cebu at 6:40 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Lieutenant Colonel Ardioleto Cabagnot, chief of Carcar City Police Station, told SunStar Cebu that a woman who opened the water meter valve discovered the newborn baby placed in a carton with umbilical cord still attached and half of its body already gone, which was believed to have been dragged by a dog.

The fetus was buried at the Carcar public cemetery.

Cabagnot said they are conducting an investigation to identify the culprit.

Hi, I don't have a name. I was growing in my mother's womb but she did not want me. Instead of taking care of me when I was born she stuffed me in a box. Then she stuffed the box into a bag and tried to kick it down a drain to hide me. But people saw her and could smell the bag. They opened it and found my rotting corpse with the umbilical cord still attached. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/871711/baby-found-in-bag-woman-tried-to-kick-into-sampaloc-drainage/story/

An infant was found dead inside an ecobag which a woman tried to push into a drainage in Sampaloc, Manila.

According to Mariz Umali's report on "24 Oras", the woman was caught on CCTV on Wednesday morning at the corner of España Boulebard and Maria Cristina Street.

She was seen in the video placing an object inside the drainage and kicking it a number of times to push it in.

What she did was also witnessed by residents, who complained of the foul smell from what they to be trash thrown into the drain.

A street sweeper then alerted barangay authorities.

When they opened the box inside the ecobag, they saw the baby still with the umbilical cord.

"The woman's identity is still being ascertained. It cannot be said whether she was the mother or ordered but it was clearly an intentional abortion because if not, she would have been taken to the hospital and not to the canal," said Police Staff Sergeant Danny Kabigting of the Sampaloc Police Station.

Hi, I don't have a name. But at least I still have a life. My parents did not want me so they abandoned me in a multicab. The authorities placed me in an orphanage while the cops look for my parents. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/493159/3-month-old-baby-found-in-abandoned-multicab-in-labangon

Police in Cebu City are now tracing the identities of the people who left a three-month-old baby in an abandoned vehicle in Brgy. Labangon.

Authorities confirmed finding a female infant inside a multicab in Sitio Capucolan, Barangay Labangon, Cebu City last Sunday evening, March 12. 

Social workers from the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) immediately rushed the baby to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) to determine her health condition.

Fortunately, the baby was healthy, authorities said. She is now under the custody of an orphanage in South Road Properties (SRP). 

In the meantime, police at the Punta Princesa Police Station (Station 10) has conducted an investigation to identify the individuals who left the infant in the area. 

Hi, I don't have a name. I am a newborn boy. As soon as I was birthed my mother wrapped me up and abandoned me at a sugar cane plantation. She didn't even take the time to remove the umbilical cord or placenta. My cries alerted one of the workers who went looking for the sound and found me. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/7/newborn-baby-boy-found-at-a-sugarcane-field-in-negros

A sugarcane worker found a newborn baby boy in a sugarcane plantation in Barangay Poblacion 2, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Friday, May 5.

The worker heard a baby’s cry, prompting him to search for the origin of the noise.

According to investigators,  the worker, upon checking, saw the baby wrapped in a piece of cloth, with the umbilical cord and placenta still attached to him.

Sagay police chief Police Lt. Col. Roberto Indiape Jr. said the baby was taken to a hospital for medical examination.

Indiape said they are investigating some individuals who might be responsible for leaving the baby in the area.

Hi, I don't have a name. As soon as I was born my mother placed me in a box and then placed the box inside a garbage bag. Then she tossed the garbage bag in a dumpsite which is where a garbage collector found my remains. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/7/lifeless-infant-found-at-negros-dumpsite

A dead newborn baby girl was found in a garbage dumpsite in Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Friday, May 5.

According to authorities, the infant was wrapped in a black garbage bag and was placed inside a box.

Kabankalan police chief Police Lt. Col. John Joel Batusbatusan said that a garbage segregator found the dead infant.

Policemen have no lead yet as to the identity or identities of individuals who dumped the baby.

Police have already coordinated with the City Health Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Women and Childrens Protection Desk (WCPD) for the proper disposition of the baby.

Hi, my name is Norberto Benedicto. I was walking home from my fishpond when I heard a baby crying. I searched for the origin of the noise and found an abandoned newborn baby girl. She is now with the Rural Health Unit and the cops are looking for her parents. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197168

An elderly businessman found an abandoned newborn girl in a remote area of Zamboanga Sibugay province, a top police official said Saturday.

Col. Eduard Mallo, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, said Norberto Benedicto, 80, found the baby girl in a banana plantation in Purok Paradise, Barangay Baluran, Tungawan town at about 5:50 p.m. Friday.

Benedicto told the police that he was on his way home from his fishpond when he heard the baby’s cries, prompting him to scour the place.

Mallo said the baby girl is now under the care of the Tungawan Rural Health Unit.

He has ordered an investigation to determine who abandoned the infant.

The Revised Penal Code has corresponding fines and imprisonment provisions for abandoning minors.

Hi, my name is Joven Nuga. At a local cemetery I found a newborn baby boy in a sack. His umbilical cord was still attached. The former mayor alerted the authorities and now they are looking for the baby's parents. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/04/2235114/newborn-abandoned-quezon-cemetery

A newborn baby boy was found in a cemetery in this town on Monday.

Police received a call from former mayor Cesar Isaac III that a certain Joven Nuga of Barangay Dungawan Central found the newborn in a sack.

The baby’s umbilical cord was still attached.

The newborn was brought to the Ginayangan Community Medicare for treatment.

Police are reviewing footage of closed-circuit television cameras in the cemetery to identify who left the baby.

Retards in the Government 320

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

 

 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/7/22/ex-cop-accused-of-killing-girlfriend-in-sta-mesa-motel

Operatives of the Manila Police District (MPD) are searching for a former policeman who reportedly shot his girlfriend dead inside a motel room in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Friday, July 21.

Police identified the victim as Charmaine Baesa Medina, 32, a resident of Tondo, Manila.

Investigators have yet to disclose the name and rank of the suspect.

Based on the investigation, the woman and the suspect checked in at the said hotel Thursday afternoon, July 20.

The following day, the security guard of the hotel saw the suspect rushing to leave the hotel at around 7:30 a.m.

The guard tried to stop him but the suspect told him that he already informed the front desk and continued walking.

Police said the guard called the hotel personnel to check the room of the suspect. They found the woman lying on the floor and already dead.

The branch manager of the hotel immediately reported the incident to MPD Sta. Mesa Station (PS-8).

Responding police officers said the witnesses did not hear a gunshot or commotion in the area.

Police conducted a follow-up operation and went to the known address of the suspect, but they didn't find him there.

The MPD said follow-up operations continues to arrest the suspect.

An ex-cop is wanted for murder. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/517377/coa-ccmc-project-contract-price-was-bloated-by-p62m

Government auditors said that the contract price of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) construction project was “bloated” by P62.64 million.

From its supposed contract price of P845.12 million,  its actual cost reached P907.99 million.

The excess amount resulted “as certain work items were erroneously subjected to Overhead, Contingencies and Miscellaneous (OCM) and Profit mark-up and the use of the 12 percent VAT instead of 5 percent.,” the Commission on Audit (COA) said in its 2022 audit report.

Auditors said this was contrary to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Department Order (DO) No. 197, series of 2016 in relation to the Manual of Procedures for the Procurement of Infrastructure Projects as it also placed the government in a “disadvantageous position.”

COA urged the city government to consider their audit observations in the final computation of settlement with project contractor M.E. Sicat Construction and AVECS Corporation, after both parties mutually agree to terminate the P97.99 million contact in November 2022.

“We likewise recommended that the City Mayor direct the DEPW (Department of Engineering and Public Works) to observe the guidelines issued by the DPWH relative to the preparation of the Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) for future infrastructure projects, particularly the composition of VAT and OCM and Profit mark-up components to avoid bloated estimated cost estimates which ultimately placed the interest of the government in a disadvantage position,” auditors said in their 2022 audit report.

During the issuance of the audit report on June 22, 2023, COA said that they were still waiting for the written reply from the city government.  But during the exit conference that was held earlier, city officials who were present, have signified their willingness to observe the audit observations mentioned in the report.

The COA says the Cebu City Medical Center construction project was “bloated” by P62.64 million.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/07/23/2283201/cop-dismissed-beating-girlfriend

A policeman caught on video beating up and pointing his gun at his girlfriend in April has been dismissed from the service.

Cpl. Louie Jay Lumancas of the Magpet police station in North Cotabato was dismissed for grave misconduct based on the recommendation of the police Internal Affairs Service, IAS inspector general Alfegar Trimabulo said yesterday.

The video, which has gone viral, shows Lumancas punching and kicking his partner during a birthday party. He also hit the woman several times on the head with his knees.

Lumancas was arrested on April 10.

Investigation showed that Lumancas, who was drunk at the time, confronted his girlfriend over her alleged involvement with a suitor.

A cop has been dismissed for beating up his girlfriend. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/07/24/2283387/ampatuans-graft-conviction-upheld

The Sandiganbayan has upheld the conviction of former Maguindanao governor Sajid Ampatuan in connection with the allegedly fictitious purchase of food supplies worth P16.3 million in 2009.

In a resolution promulgated on July 19, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division refused to give due course to Ampatuan’s motion, which sought to reverse an earlier decision finding him guilty of graft and malversation of public funds.

The court said Amptuan lost his privilege to appeal his conviction as he failed to surrender to authorities within 15 days from the promulgation of judgment on May 5.

“The failure of the respondent to regain his standing in court rendered the judgment of conviction against him final and immutable,” the Fifth Division said as it denied Ampatuan’s motion.

Ampatuan and his lawyer were absent during the promulgation of judgment.

The anti-graft court earlier issued an arrest warrant against Ampatuan as he failed to present himself before the court even after he was informed of his conviction.

The law states that an accused who fails to attend the promulgation of his case may regain his good standing in court if he surrenders within 15 days from the date of promulgation and file a motion for leave to avail himself of the legal remedies.

The Fifth Division said that Ampatuan lost his standing in court and failed to regain such prior to the filing of the motion.

The former governor of Maguindanao's graft conviction has been upheld. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1806654/retired-cop-busted-for-selling-loose-firearms

A retired Philippine National Police personnel was arrested in Laguna for allegedly selling loose firearms, authorities said on Monday.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Police Major General Romeo Caramat Jr. identified the suspect as Marcelito Michelana Marcial, 60, who was caught in the act of selling loose firearms to a police undercover in a buy-bust operation last Wednesday, July 19.

Caramat said Marcial was found to be in possession of the following pieces of evidence: one unit Caliber 45 pistol (Remington) M1911 A1 U.S; two pieces steel magazine for caliber 45 pistol; six rounds of live ammunition for caliber 45; and one piece black holster for caliber 45, along with the boodle money.

“Marcial is transacting through text and call to the buyers of illegal firearms around Batangas and Laguna,” Caramat said in a statement in Filipino.

The arrested person was brought to CIDG Batangas for documentation and proper disposition.

Marcial is now facing a criminal complaint for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law.

A retired cop has been arrested for illegally selling weapons. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1806988/fwd-marcos-accepts-resignation-of-18-cops-tagged-in-illegal-drugs

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday announced that he accepted the courtesy resignations of 18 officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), who are “allegedly involved in illegal drug activities.”

This information was disclosed a day after Marcos said in his second State of the Nation Address on Monday that he would accept the resignation of “unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade.”

“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Tuesday that he has accepted the resignation of eighteen (18) Third-Level Officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) allegedly involved in illegal drugs activities, upon the recommendation of the National Police Commission Ad Hoc Advisory Group that investigated the matter,” the Palace in a statement.

Although Department of Interior and the Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. previously said that there will be no disclosure of the names of the resigned police officials, the Palace statement included the list of the 18 PNP generals and colonels.

The president has accepted the resignation of 18 cops alledgely involed in drugs. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/7/25/police-major-4-other-cops-face-charges-as-crackdown-on-fraudulent-gun-registration-starts

The Civil Security Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-CSG), is now preparing criminal and administrative charges against five policemen, including an official with a rank of major, as the crackdown against erring cops involved in fraudulent firearms registration begins.

CSG director Police Brig. Gen. Benjamin Silo, Jr. said the five policemen, mostly from the PNP Health Service, were found to have intervened on the results of the neuro-examination to ensure that some gun owners would be assured of approval for gun registration.

He said the cops are asking P30,000 to P35,000 to ensure that the gun owners who would seek their assistance would pass the neuro-examination, one of the major requirements in gun registration.

“We found out about this through our computer system and with the help of our IT (information technology) experts. We also secured the testimonies of clients being victimized by this group,” said Silo.

“Right now, we are filing admin and criminal cases against them before the Office of the Ombudsman. We also recommended they should be placed on floating,” he added.

Five cops have been charged with fraudulent gun registration. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/518262/coa-flags-cebu-citys-excessive-cash-advances

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged several lapses in the cash advances of the Cebu City government for foreign travel to Canada in 2022 amounting to P1.992 million.

The state auditor is also set to issue a notice of disallowance.

COA, in its 2022 annual audit report, noted that the foreign travel to Canada of four city personnel, including Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, last August 2022, with a total cash advance of P1,992,000, “contravenes several provisions of Executive Order No. 77,” which resulted to irregular disbursement of public funds.

When a government transaction is disallowed, either due to “irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant or illegal,” the public funds used for this transaction must be returned to the government by the people who approved of it.

The COA said that except for the City Mayor, the three other city personnel: the chief protocol, director of the Sister Cities Commission, and Secretary to the Mayor, lacked travel authority from the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“The payment of travel cash advances to these officials were not approved by the Secretary pursuant to the aforesaid regulation,” COA said.

Moreover, the state auditor also noted that the amount of the cash advances exceeded by at least P54,444 each, or a total of P217,776, which is equivalent to 2.5 days as Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA).

Rama and three other city personnel went to Canada on August 19 to 27, 2022, upon invitation from the Vancouver-Kensington Constituency Office.

The travel was for the historic enthronement of the image of Sto. Niño at the St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Agassiz, British Columbia.

The COA, however, noted that the authority of the travels for the three other personnel was only given by Mayor Rama, and without any authority from the Secretary of the DILG, in contrast with the EO 77.

COA also questioned the discrepancy between the cash advance granted for airfare and the airline’s flight price. The state auditor noted that the cash advance granted amounting to P300,000 each for airfare was not supported by the airline’s flight price.

“Based on our research, airline fares from Cebu to Vancouver, Canada were only at a range for one-way tickets from $450 to $500 or P25,128 to P27,920 in Philippine currency. Thus, the cash advance granted is considered excessive,” COA said.

The state auditor also flagged the purpose of the travel of the three personnel who went with the mayor in Canada, as the purpose of the travel of these three employees, as per the travel order signed by Mayor Rama, was to accomplish the same purpose.

The state auditor emphasized that in case of trips involving delegations, the authorized approving authority should ensure that the number of participants is kept at the “barest minimum and the role of each member in the delegation is clearly specified and justified in the travel application or proposal.”

COA said that it recommended and the city government agreed to follow all the provisions of EO 77 for future similar travels to avoid disallowance in the audit.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/7/27/barangay-kagawad-in-leyte-survives-stabbing-incident

A barangay councilor or kagawad survived a stabbing incident in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Canipaan, Palompon, Leyte, on Wednesday, July 26.

The victim was identified as Renelito Evangelista, 56, a councilor of Barangay  Canipaan.

Initial investigation disclosed that the suspect, Galicano Ruizo Sr., 58, a tanod or watchman of Barangay Magsaysay, Palompon, stopped Evangelista who was driving a single motorcycle, resulting in a heated altercation during which the until the suspect took a short bladed weapon and stabbed the victim.

Evangelista was able to run home where he was found by responding police officers.

He was taken to a hospital and the police launched a hot pursuit operation that resulted in the apprehension of the suspect in Mount Eagle Ville, Sitio Bilwang, Barangay Magsaysay, with the help of a witness.

A barangay councilor has survived being stabbed. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1808301/cop-allegedly-linked-to-illegal-drugs-nabbed-in-albay-bust

An active member of the municipal police force in this town was arrested on Thursday by his comrades for selling illegal drugs in Albay province.

Police Staff Sargent Gregg Redoblado, a resident of Barangay Iraya Norte in Oas, was arrested in a lodge in Barangay Calzada around 4 a.m., Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police information officer, said in report.

She said before the arrest of the suspect, Redoblado had been under surveillance by police for a while.

Seized from his possession were about 30 grams of shabu (crystal meth) individually heat-sealed in transparent plastic sachets with market value P204,000.

His government-issued Glock 17 firearm with serial number PNP53876, along with one magazine loaded with 16 live ammunition for caliber 9mm were taken from him.

A cop has been arrested on drug charges.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Public Health Emergency Lifted, Digital Technology, and More!

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

President Marcos has officially lifted the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1805444/bongbong-marcos-covid-19-public-health-emergency-in-ph-lifted

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is lifting the COVID-19 public health emergency nationwide.

On Friday, July 21, Marcos issued Proclamation No. 297, effectively removing the country’s emergency status due to the pandemic but continued the “all emergency use authorization” issued by government regulators for another year to allow the utilization of all remaining vaccines.

The presidential directive explained that although the virus remains to be a “serious concern,” the country has maintained “sufficient healthcare system capacity” and “low hospital bed utilization rates” despite the easing of COVID-19 health protocols.

“All prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that are effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect,” Marcos’ Proclamation No. 297 reads.

“All emergency use authorization issued by the Food and Drug Administration pursuant to Executive Order No. 121 shall remain valid for a period of one year from the date of lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency for the sole purposes of exhausting the remaining vaccine,” it added.

Marcos likewise directed all government agencies to ensure their policies will adapt to the lifting of the COVID-19 state of public health emergency as the order allows amendment and promulgation of rules and regulations to align with Proclamation No. 297.

This means ALL Covid-19 health protocols have been lifted. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/23/23/all-covid-19-health-protocols-in-ph-lifted-doh

All medical protocols on COVID-19 in the Philippines are lifted, the Department of Health (DOH) said late Saturday, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. terminated the public health emergency declaration due to the disease in the country.

"Consequently, the requirement for wearing masks in public transportation and other settings as specified in (Executive Order) 7 is now considered rescinded from a technical standpoint," Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement.

For infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante, the lifting of the health protocols meant it was time for the country to "move on [from] this pandemic."

Solante said the development leaves private companies to decide whether they would still require employees to wear face masks or not, depending on the arrangements and situation in their workplaces.

But even with the lifting of the protocols, Solante urged those who show symptoms of COVID-19 and those who live in high-risk areas to continue protecting themselves.

Meanwhile, as stated in Proclamation No. 297 that lifted the Philippines' COVID-19 public health emergency status, the DOH said the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) on COVID-19 vaccines and the payment of outstanding dues for the Health Emergency Allowance would still be in effect, and would be valid for one more year.

With private companies given leave to make their own face mask rules it's a certain bet the long nightmare will continue for many workers. 

Local airlines have lifted face masks requirements. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1206317

Local carriers Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific (CEB) and AirAsia Philippines announced Monday they are no longer requiring face masks on flights.

The move comes as Malacañang announced over the weekend the lifting of the state of public health emergency due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

"Philippine Airlines welcomes the lifting of the mask mandate and other Covid protocols," said PAL in a statement, adding that this is a significant sign of the normalization of air travel.

The flag carrier added that it will continue to observe safety procedures such as disinfection of aircraft surfaces after every flight, as well as the use of, while HEPA filters and advanced airflow system inside the cabin.

AirAsia Philippines, on the other hand, also announced it will no longer require mask on domestic flights, while the wearing of face mask will remain subject to health protocols in international destinations.

Deep cleaning and aircraft sanitation will still be observed, it added.

"There is no room for complacency in the airline business. We want our guests to feel secure when they fly with AirAsia. Although it is no longer a policy, guests, and crew may still opt to wear face masks whenever they deem necessary," the low-cost carrier said in a statement.

CEB, meanwhile, has announced that the lifting of face mask mandate on flights is in effect starting July 24.

It advised passengers to continue practicing minimum health standards such as disinfecting, hand washing, and physical distancing when necessary.

They are also encouraged to check in online for contactless procedures. 

The DOTr has also lifted all COVID-19 restrictions in public transport.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/7/23/do-tr-lifts-covid-19-restrictions-in-all-public-transportation

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) lifted on Sunday, July 23, the existing health safety protocols in all public transportation system after President Marcos issued a presidential proclamation that set aside Covid-19 protocols as part of the move for the normalization.

DOTR Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the lifted Covid-19 protocols include the wearing face masks and physical distancing in passenger jeepneys, buses and mass transportation system.

“The President’s proclamation rescinds the mask requirement in public transport. All passenger vehicles can continue to operate at full capacity,” said Bautista. 

“This new development is a significant step towards normalizing public transportation and supporting economic recovery,” he added.

The Covid-19 protocols were strictly implemented since March 2020 and has been gradually eased in the past two years as the number fo infections in the country decline following the aggressive vaccination.

The health safety protocols resulted in the loss of livelihood and limited earnings for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers.

With the lifting of the Covid-19 protocols, commuters can now enjoy the pre-pandemic riding experience.

“While public safety remains a top priority, the removal of protocols aims to facilitate commuters' convenience, contribute to the revival of the transportation industry, and help stimulate economic activity,” said Bautista.

The official, however, assured that despite the removal of existing COVID-19 protocols, frequent sanitization in public transportation will continue to prevent any potential health risk.

Public transport will continue to be sanitized because despite the official lifting of the public health emergency those in charge still want the people to be afraid, or as they say, vigilant. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/7/23/senators-pinoys-must-remain-vigilant-vs-covid-19-despite-lifting-of-public-health-emergency

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Sunday, July 23 urged Filipinos to remain vigilant against the threat of the Covid-19 despite the lifting of the state of public health emergency in the Philippines.

 

On Saturday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced the lifting of the nationwide declaration, under Proclamation 297. 

 

“We respect the decision of President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. of lifting the state of public health emergency in our country. We trust that it was arrived at after careful consideration of the present health issue and the need to finally open up the economy,” said Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography. 

 

But Go reiterated his appeal to the Executive branch to ensure that the country’s healthcare workers receive their pandemic related allowances, as well as death benefits, for those who gave their lives in the fight against the Covid-19.

 

“With or without the State of Public Health Emergency, the government should fulfill its obligations to protect the lives of Filipinos, safeguard their health, and give what is due to them, especially to our medical frontliners,” he said. 

 

Likewise, Go urged Filipinos to still remain vigilant and to exercise caution: “My appeal to our countrymen is to continue to be careful, to take care of our bodies and prioritize our health.”

 

“We have learned and sacrificed a lot during this pandemic that will serve as a lesson for us to protect our community against various health threats,” the senator stressed.

Everything the public sacrificed during the pandemic was a direct result of the government's invasive, unnecessary, economically crippling lockdowns. 

Recently a group of social science scholars along with researchers, policymakers and academics gathered to discuss the nation's post-pandemic recovery.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1803886/scholars-leaders-to-champion-post-pandemic-recovery-at-a-3-day-symposium-in-dumaguete

Social science scholars along with researchers, policymakers and academics will gather at the end of July in an event to discuss plans for the country’s post-pandemic recovery and to address other matters relating to public health.

The event, dubbed as the 10th National Social Science Congress (NSSC), is an initiative of the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC), a non-government organization seeking to put forward science, culture, and education.

Co-organizaed with Siliman University, this year’s NSCC will be held in Dumaguete City, Negros Occidental from July 27 to July 29. It will adopt the theme “Centering Social Sciences in Future-Proof Health and Well-Being.”

PSSC Executive Director Lourdes Portus, in a statement on Wednesday, said the NSSC will be a platform for social scientists and other experts to discuss plans related to the country’s post-pandemic recovery.

“The [NSSC] comes at just the right time when nations are recovering from the life-altering COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted our otherwise normal world – causing deaths and unspeakable suffering and upheaval in our lives. Medical science has been at the front and center of the country’s collective response to the pandemic; now social scientists must take center stage in planning and facilitating our post-pandemic recovery,” said Portus.

According to PSSC, academic papers relating to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will also be presented during the event.

No word on what they discussed but it seems kind of late to be discussing recovery when the nation has been in recovery mode for a year and a half at least. 

A digital marketing expert says the pandemic introduced many to digital technology. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/517381/digital-marketing-expert-covid-19-introduced-many-to-digital-technology

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a ‘lasting change” in the way people think and behave.

It also introduce a lot of Filipinos to digital technology, which is the way of the future, according to Donald Patrick Lim, chief operating officer of DITO CME and chief innovation officer for Udenna Corporation.

Lim, who is known as the Father of Digital Marketing in the Philippines, said the pandemic forced a sudden shift to digital marketing.

In his presentation on “Digital Technology for Sustainability” on the second day of the Tourism Summit that was held in Cebu City on Friday, July 21, Lim said that many started to go cashless and they continued to do so to date.

People also started to patronize online shopping applications.

And as we move forward, the world is also moving towards the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), he added.

Lim said that when the pandemic hit, many were caught off guard. It disrupted the way people lived.

But for him the pandemic was a “great pause” that led to the way people and businesses behaved now.

“Maybe Covid is not just a disease, but a wake up call for humanity to really become more responsible for taking care of our planet.” he said.

With the implementation of travel restrictions, many were confined to their homes. Many workers were allowed to do remote work.

Even meetings and some of the gatherings started to go virtual.

Lim said that at first, all of these changes caused discomfort.  Eventually, people started to adapt and adjusted the way that they lived.

Now if only there were no brownouts and the internet was more stable and faster the Philippines could enter the future quicker. 

The FDA has released a product registration for bivalent vaccines now they will check to see which pharmacies have the capacity to store them.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/07/22/2282902/fda-check-pharmacies-capacity-store-bivalent-jabs

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will conduct inspection of pharmacies and check if they have the capacity to store and sell the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that was recently issued a certificate of product registration (CPR).

FDA director general Samuel Zacate said they are now streamlining the process of inspection of these pharmacies so they can easily confirm if indeed these establishments can properly refrigerate the vaccines.

“We will conduct inspection to see if they are capacitated. At the same time, there are also pharmacies with cold storage facilities already,” Zacate said at a press briefing in Quezon City yesterday. “Because of the storage requirements of these bivalent vaccines, a pharmacy must have a special storage facility.”

“We will just be waiting for the market authorization holder to import the product and afterwards, it is set for (commercial) distribution, and then people can avail themselves of it,” he said.

The FDA chief said they expect the vaccine to be brought here either this month or next month. On June 26, the FDA announced that it has granted a CPR for Pfizer’s bivalent shots, which can be received by people from ages 12 and above.

The FDA granted the CPR with five years validity after a comprehensive evaluation process, extensive clinical trials and thorough assessment of all available scientific data and information provided by the vaccine manufacturer and comprehensive evaluation process.

If only a limited number of pharmacies have the capacity to store the bivalent vaccine that will cut short its availability to the people.