Coronavirus Lockdown: Loyal Dog Waits for Dead Owner, Mental Health Crisis, and More!

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

Mental health concerns have been increasing ever since the pandemic. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1211404

The Philippine Mental Health Association Inc. (PMHA) on Monday raised the alarm over the “rising epidemic of mental health crisis” in the country.

The group, composed of mental health professionals and advocates, said the situation needs widespread awareness, support and action.

“We have noticed a sharp increase in mental health concerns during and after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns,” PMHA president Dr. Cornelio Banaag Jr. said during a World Mental Health Day event in this city.

“Mental health-related issues affect Filipinos of all ages and backgrounds - young or old, rich or poor. It is a silent epidemic that we need to confront head-on,” he added.

In the Philippines, mental illness is becoming a common disability and at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological and substance use disorder, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

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

Hmm. What could it be since the pandemic and afterwards that could have an impact on mental health concerns? How about the lockdowns, the economic shock, and the vaccine.

Tourism continues to thrive post-pandemic. 

https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/10/12/2302971/destination-philippines-toward-post-pandemic-tourism-success

The world is making significant progress toward a semblance of normalcy in the aftermath of the global pandemic. With this, opportunities for recovery and growth emerge across different industries, particularly in those that were deeply affected by the health crisis.

In the Philippines, the tourism sector is steadily regaining its footing and we see promising potential for further development and growth.

Recent data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) reveals that the Philippines recorded over four million international arrivals in the first nine months of this year. DOT said that this positive development positions the country well on track to meet and even exceed its full-year target of 4.8 million foreign arrivals, especially with the upcoming holiday season. The sector has already contributed P344 billion in revenues to the economy, underlining its significant contribution to the national output.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco emphasized the need for a developmental approach in improving the industry in the post-pandemic world.

With the renewed global interest and confidence in travel, the Philippines stands prime and ready to further elevate its tourism industry, aiming not only to become the destination of choice for leisure and adventure, but also for health and wellness, sports, food, and heritage, among others.

To unlock the immense potential of Philippine tourism in this new normal, the DOT needs robust funding to effectively develop and implement programs meant to improve the industry. In fact, this year, despite its limited budget, the DOT has made great strides with projects that elevate Philippine tourism and are aligned with global trends, particularly the growing focus on sustainability.

But the DOT needs more funds to develop and implement programs to improve the industry.

The first face-to-face Top Leaders Forum has been held since the pandemic. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/14/1st-face-to-face-top-leaders-forum-after-pandemic-held-highlights-inclusive-resilience

The first face-to-face Top Leaders Forum after the Covid-19 pandemic was held at SMX MOA on Friday, Oct. 13, bringing together top leaders from private and public sectors to establish and leverage resilience as a solid foundation for environmental, social, and good governance campaign. 

This year’s forum, organized by SM Prime Holdings, Inc., carries the theme, “Transforming Victims to Victors: A Multi-stakeholders Approach to Inclusive Resilience.”

In his welcome message, SM Prime Holdings Inc. Executive Committee Chairperson Hans T. Sy said the gathering is not just a forum but “a call to action that transcends titles and roles, and speaking to the very essence of our shared humanity.”

“Our dedication in fostering inclusive resilience must find expression in tangible  actions , addressing these issue head on with innovation and determination,” he said.

Sy, who is also the chairperson of the UN Disaster Risk Reduction Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies or ARISE Philippines and co-chair of the National Resilience Council for the Private Sector, said pressing concerns call for more than just dialogue, saying “they necessitate and create of clear and innovative solutions.”

“Remember, resilience is not just a word, it is a way of life. It is a commitment to ensure that we have the responsibilities to others and that no one is left behind,” he added.

The objectives of the forum are “ambitious yet essential” as they seek to establish and leverage resilience as a solid foundation for environmental social and governance which is the ESG practices, Sy said.

For her part, Mami Mizutori, the representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General for Disaster Reduction, said the word “leader” is very important.

“We need leaders for prevention. The prevention agenda is not a natural agenda. Only leaders who have foresight can take this agenda of prevention and disaster risk reduction forward,” she said in her speech.

With the Philippine taking years to recover from typhoons this kind of leadership in disaster reduction is sorely needed.

A dog who's owner died from COVID-19 waited outside the hospital for him to come home. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/16/23/loyal-dog-waits-a-year-for-dead-owner-outside-hospital

A dog who waited for the return of his dead owner outside a Caloocan hospital for over a year is now looking for a new home, an animal rescue organization said. 

The senior dog’s owner was confined for COVID-19 and passed away at the Manila Central University Hospital in Caloocan last year, the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) said. 

Unaware that his owner was never coming back, the dog stayed outside the hospital. 

The AKF received reports that the owner’s family had to tried to take the dog home, but he persistently returned to the area. 

(Perhaps he was just that attached to his owner, so he kept coming back.)

Guards, doctors, students, and hospital visitors grew fond of the gentle and sociable dog, took turns looking after him, and eventually nicknamed him Morgan after the hospital morgue that he frequented. 

Hospital staff chose not to report him to the pound because they knew that Morgan could be euthanized if captured.

A medical sales representative eventually alerted the Animal Kingdom Foundation about Morgan, who it rescued in early October. Its Facebook post about Morgan has racked up some 2,300 likes. 

(Actually, they were happy because finally someone took notice of the dog that has been staying there for so long. They’re happy because finally he’s going to be given a chance to find a family since he already lost his owner.) 

Of course his owner never returned and now the dog is up for adoption. 

Callao Cave has reopened after being closed for three years during the pandemic. 

https://pia.gov.ph/news/2023/10/17/callao-cave-reopens-today-after-closure-in-2020

After three years of closure for preservation efforts and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the famous Callao Cave in Peñablanca town in this province has officially reopened its gates today, October 16, for tourists and nature enthusiasts.

The reopening of the cave was agreed upon through a resolution made by the members of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape (PPLS).

On its reopening today, tourists will enjoy a free visit to the cave from October 16 to 27.

However, starting October 28, regular tourists shall be charged an entrance fee of P100.00, while students, local residents, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities need to pay P50.00 to enter the cave. Foreign visitors will be charged P200.00.

Children seven years old and below shall be free of charge.

There's no better Tim to go spelunking than the present.