More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1883851/covid-19-transmission-was-low-during-holidays-says-doh |
COVID-19 transmission among Filipinos was low during the holidays, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Thursday.
The DOH said that from November to December 2023, coronavirus patients occupied only an average of 12 percent of intensive care unit (ICU) beds in hospitals. Peak occupancy of ICU beds was at 16 percent during that period, it also noted.
The DOH likewise said the occupancy rate for non-ICU beds for COVID-19 cases was also low because it averaged 17 percent and reached a maximum of 19 percent from November to December 2023.
“Our data shows the continuous low transmission and mild presentation of COVID-19 locally,” it said in a statement.
“Our data also shows a consistently low percentage of severe and critical cases among hospital admissions, currently at 11 percent,” it added.
The low transmission of COVID-19 during the holidays can be attributed to “Filipinos choosing healthy behaviors and heeding the call for multiple layers of protection,” according to the agency.
“We also have high vaccination coverage. Critical cases are minimized, because eight out of every 10 eligible senior citizens are protected by a primary series,” it continued.
The health department has repeatedly urged the public to use face masks when attending gatherings and hold celebrations outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.
It again reminded Filipinos to “not be complacent about COVID-19,” encouraging them to also stay at home when feeling ill and to wear a mask if showing symptoms, if healthy but vulnerable (senior citizen or immunocompromised), or if frequently spending time with a vulnerable person.
“These same measures work against many other influenza-like and respiratory illnesses,” the DOH said.
Of course the DOH says it was those dire warnings, heeded by Filipinos to wear mulitple layers of protection, that resulted in low transmission.
The DOH has repeatedly warned about a surge of COVID-19 but when one alert circulated they debukned it as false information.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1883892/doh-shoots-down-covid-19-wave-alert-its-false-information |
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday warned the public against “fake” messages claiming that a fresh COVID-19 wave sweeping across Metro Manila.
The supposed alert was attributed to a doctor of a famous hospital in the capital region, but the DOH clarified in an advisory that:
“There is no credible evidence or official announcement from health authorities supporting the assertion of a surge in COVID-19 cases at the mentioned hospital.”
The DOH reminded the public to rely only on information from its official pages and platforms or other reputable sources.
“Misinformation can contribute to unnecessary panic and fear,” it continued.
The DOH said it would press charges against individuals propagating similar false messages.
Perhaps in this case there was no surge at a particular hospital but the DOH does continue to warn against a surge happening.
Authorites reminded traslacion devotees to wear face masks to prevent a surge.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1884192/devotees-urged-keep-face-mask-on-at-traslacion |
Authorities urged devotees to wear face masks and observe physical distancing while participating in activities marking the Feast of the Black Nazarene in the City of Manila on Jan. 9, especially during the “traslacion,” or the grand procession, to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases. At a news briefing at Quiapo Church on Thursday, organizers said that minimum health protocols would be enforced during Masses and at Quirino Grandstand where the venerated image of the Black Nazarene would be put on display starting on Jan. 6.
“We request those who will attend Mass (inside Quiapo Church) to wear masks. In Manila, (COVID-19) positive cases are not that high but to avoid any surge, we hope the public will cooperate,” Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said.
But Quiapo Church parish priest Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr. clarified that they would not limit the number of church-goers. “We know that COVID-19 is already endemic. We are just taking care to avoid a surge,” he said.
The Department of Health (DOH) also issued a similar reminder as it “strongly” urged the public to wear face masks and ensure good airflow during the procession.
Earlier, it announced that it would place hospitals on code white alert starting Jan. 6, in which medical personnel would be on “on-call status for immediate mobilization” to ensure their readiness to respond to possible emergencies.
The DOH urged devotees to refrain from touching and kissing religious images to avoid the transmission of communicable diseases.
“Our data shows the continuous low transmission and mild presentation of COVID-19 locally,” it said in a statement. It also reported a “consistently low percentage of severe and critical cases (of COVID-19) among hospital admissions, currently at 11 percent.”
DOH data shows a continually low transmission of COVID-19 but that will not stop them from making grave pronouncements about the consequences of not wearing a face mask.
Sagada tourism has finally recovered from pandemic losses.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216459 |
Improved public transportation, facilities and food choices contributed to rising tourism arrivals in Sagada, Mountain Province
From Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, 2023, tourists in Sagada reached 108,059 -- a jump from 48,761 the entire 2022.
The December data is still being collated.
In 2019, or prior to the pandemic, Sagada’s tourist arrivals reached 144,000.
"We are positive Sagada is drawing people back,” Gloria Pilamon-Langbayan, Sagada Tourism Officer, said in a phone interview on Friday.
She said tourism stakeholders are constantly enhancing their offerings to ensure visitors’ convenience.
She said tricycles, which they call “tuk-tuk,” serve as public transportation to encourage tourists to leave their vehicles at the hotels and other accommodation places to lessen traffic congestion.
Some roads have also been designated as parking areas to avoid clogging the town’s two-lane roads.
"Even the hotel facilities and the food they serve have been improved for health and safety, aside from keeping up with the standards," Langbayan said.
"Thousands came here to celebrate the holidays and based on what we felt and saw, here, even without the statistics on hand, we know we have a lot of tourists,” she added.
Sagada's chilly weather and scenic landscapes attract local and foreign tourists alike.
Across the nation tourism continues to revive to pre-pandemic levels.
OFW deployments have returned to pre-pandemic levels but one group says that shows a lack of quality local jobs.
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/01/06/2323900/return-ofw-deployment-pre-covid-level-shows-lack-quality-local-jobs |
While the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) might be back to pre-pandemic levels according to the government, progressive group Migrante said that the data is not something to be proud of.
The group had this to say after Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hands Leo Cacdac revealed last Thursday that around 2.5 million overseas employment certificates (OECs) and passes were issued to OFWs in 2023.
"It is yet another proof that after four years since COVID-19 hit the world, the Philippines continues to fail in creating decent jobs at home," said Migrante in a statement on Saturday."It shows that the country under the Bongbong Marcos regime is still not developing its manufacturing and agriculture sectors and is therefore unable to provide employment to Filipinos."OECs are required for all departing OFWs. They also serve as an exit clearance and as an exemption from the payment of travel tax and airport terminal fee.
Latest government estimates around 1.96 million OFWs all around the world, an increase of 7.6% in the same period of 2021.
It could be remembered that strict travel restrictions were earlier implemented by the government alongside lockdowns to prevent the transmission of the deadly COVID-19 virus.
"The 2.5 million overseas employment certificate (OEC) and passes issued by the government in 2023 translates to more than 6,800 Filipinos leaving the country each day," Migrante said.
"These figures only mean that the number of Filipinos who are forced to leave their families in the Philippines in order to find employment abroad continues to increase," it added.
Minimum wages in Metro Manila are currently pegged at P573 too P610 a day, the highest in the country. This is far from the "family living wage" of P1,188/day to support a family with five members.
While technically free, some OFWs complain that OECs are uncluded in the documentation fees that they must pay at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
Reportedly, DMW's online applications for OECs are malfunctioning, purportedly compelling OFWs to visit Philippine embassies/consulates, leading to potential opportunities for various scams.
It certainly is amazing how the government applauds the nation's brain drain.
The Philippines is returing to France four years after the pandemic.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216380 |
The Philippine pavilion will return physically to the Maison et Objet in France this year after the pandemic.
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is bringing 15 Filipino brands, artisans, and artists to Paris for the prestigious French trade exhibition from Jan. 18 to 22 under the DESIGNPhilippines' pavilion "ARTIPELAGO."
“We look forward to returning to Maison et Objet with a physical country pavilion that exemplifies the dynamic and vibrant local design scene that has emerged from our unique geography, history, and cultural influences," CITEM Executive Director Edward Fereira said.
With more than 6,000 visitors from 147 countries, the ARTIPELAGO pavilion will showcase the Philippines' premium design and the lifestyle products of the participating local industry players.
"In Maison et Objet 2019, we generated USD1,775,273 actual sales," Fereira said.
This year's Philippine participants in the French trade fair are JB Woodcraft, Finali Furniture, South Sea Veneer, A. Garcia, Weavemanila, Jireh Forge, Venzon Lighting & Objects, Indigenous, Zarate Manila, Mejore, Aerostone, Nature’s Legacy, Tadeco, and Vito Selma.
"We aim to demonstrate through this participation that Philippine-made products can compete globally in terms of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation,” Fereira added.
Well, Philippine-made products are returniung to a French trade exhibition.
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