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://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/103329/p148m-allotted-as-covid-allowance-for-health-workers-in-zamboanga-city/story/ |
Over 2,000 health workers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zamboanga City are expected to receive the last tranche of their health emergency allowance.
The Department of Health-Zamboanga (DOH-9) has already downloaded the fund to the local government amounting to P148 million.
This is for the remaining 19 unpaid months served by 2,117 health workers in 2021 to 2023.
“Lakip na dinhi ang atoang mga (Job order employees) sa atoang COVID-19 programs, ang atoang mga barangay health worker, and those who are assigned in our isolation facility taking care of COVID-19 patients,” City Health Officer, Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, said.
The City Health Office (CHO) added that the amount the workers will receive will depend on the risk exposure under DOH guidelines: P9,000 monthly for high-risk exposure, P6,000 for moderate-risk exposure, and P3,000 low-risk exposure.
It can be recalled that health agencies received massive criticism over the delay of the release.
“We did our part, maghulat lang ta… once aduna na’y pondo, i-download man gayod nato ang kwarta. We are thankful that the national government also allotted for this to help,” Miravite added.
Wasn't this money released recently? Why does it seem to be coming out piecemeal?
Pregnancies in the Philippines have been on a downward trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet the government is still pushing family planning.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230703 |
The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) remained committed to pushing the practice of family planning amid a significant drop in registered birth rates in the previous years.
At the Bagong Pilipinas interview on Wednesday, CPD Deputy Executive Director Lolito Tacardon underscored the importance of family planning as the country celebrates Family Planning Month this August.
Tacardon cited various benefits of a well-planned, empowered families.
He said that aside from preventing risky pregnancies that often result in maternal deaths, well-planned pregnancies also result in healthier babies.
“In families, of course, if the couple, the mother and the father, were able to plan their family, they have a better chance to provide for the needs of the members of thefamily like health, education,” he said.A qualitative study commissioned by CPD in 2023 revealed that more couples decided not to have children when the global health crisis caused by the Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic emerged.
However, CPD said that even before the contagion, the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) had disclosed that most of the country’s regions were already displaying a downturn in the total number of registered births.
Based on May 1, 2020 data, the country’s population was 109,035,343.
“The trend was observed as early as 2017 and 2018, when there was a decline in total registered live births from 1,700,618 to 1,668,120, then in 2019 at 1,673,923. The drop was more pronounced in 2020 as only 1,528,684 babies were born. The figure dipped further in 2021 to 1,364,739, but rebounded in 2022 at 1,455,393,” the study showed.CPD Executive Director Lisa Grace Bersales earlier said that they are monitoring whether said fertility behaviors have become the norm post-pandemic.
Meanwhile, despite the downtrend in registered births, the CPD noted the rise in adolescent pregnancies, particularly among 17 years old and below, and, worse, among very young girls - aged 10-14 years.
Records showed that in 2022, 10,826 births were recorded among adolescents aged 11 to 15 years- old, from the 8,913 recorded in 2021.
Also, 139,312 births were recorded among adolescents aged 16 to 19 years old in 2022, from 127,388 recorded in 2021.The CPD said that these pregnancies not only represent statistical increases but also highlight profound social injustices that deny vulnerable girls the chance to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
As the country celebrates Family Planning Month with the theme “Panalo ang Pamilyang Planado”, the commission said family planning would improve the quality of lives of the people.
If the pandemic was so deadly wouldn't the government want to increase the population?
The government debt ratio has hit a post-pandemic high.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/8/government-debt-ratio-hits-post-pandemic-high-again |
The proportion of the country's outstanding debt relative to its overall economic output returned to its post-pandemic peak in the second quarter, data from the Bureau of the Treasury revealed.
Despite a higher growth rate, the gross domestic product (GDP) failed to keep pace with the government's borrowing, leading to a rise in the debt-to-GDP ratio to 60.9 percent from 60.1 percent in the previous quarter.
Based on the Treasury data, the debt ratio in the second quarter matched the full-year 2022 record of 60.9 percent, a figure cited by Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto during the budget hearing last Monday as the "post-pandemic peak."
The most recent debt-to-GDP ratio also surpassed the full-year 2023 level of 60.1 percent as well as above the 60.6 percent target for 2024. It also exceeded the recommended threshold of 60 percent for developing economies like the Philippines.
To reduce the debt ratio, the Philippines needs to increase its economic growth more rapidly than its debt stock.
The Philippines’ debt-to-GDP ratio has begun to decline from its 2022 peak to 60.1 percent in 2023. The Marcos administration targets to push this ratio even lower to below 60 percent over the medium term.
As of June 2024, the government debt has reached P15.48 trillion, seven percent higher compared to P14.52 trillion in the same month last year.
Recto earlier downplayed the government’s increasing debt, stating, “There is nothing inherently wrong with a country having debts.”
“As long as the money is used for the right purposes such as growing the economy, which in turn, creates more jobs, increases income, and provides more revenues for the government,” the finance chief said.
He also added that as long as the government has the ability to repay these obligations without compromising other essential projects, it should not be a cause for worry.
“In our case, we are using debts to spur our stronger economic recovery by investing in more infrastructure and human capital development projects, which have the highest multiplier effect on the economy,” Recto said.
“It is also important to note that while we are making all of these investments, we are also paying off the pandemic borrowings we inherited from the past administration,” he added.
Recto says the government is "using debts to spur our stronger economic recovery" but to reduce the debt ratio there needs to be more economic growth. But growing the economy means taking on more debt. It is a vicious cycle.
COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Iloilo City.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230798 |
The city health office (CHO) here alerted the public about the upward trend in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases and urged them to continue practicing minimum health protocols, such as wearing face masks for protection.
In a press conference Thursday, CHO Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Medical Officer III Jan Reygine Ansino-Hortinela said the city registered 255 cases from January to Aug. 7.
Of this number, 33 are still active, 209 have recovered, and 13 died.
“Looking at the Covid-19 status in Iloilo City, we have a two-week growth rate of 500 percent, compared with the previous 46.67 percent. Our average daily attack increased to 0.74 percent (for every 100,000 population) from 0.12. This is moderate risk,” she said.
Based on the CHO data, from eight cases during the July 10-23 period, it jumped to 48 in the July 24 to Aug. 6 period.
Most cases belong to the working age group, with 35 as the median age, and working in health care facilities.
“It is not alarming but we would like to raise awareness so that those who might be affected, especially the elderly, can take precautions. It’s not enough to say that we have an outbreak,” Hortinela said.
She identified the resumption of classes, the influx of conferences, and the change in weather as July is flu season as the reasons for the increase.
Hortinela encouraged the public to follow the health protocols.
“We encourage wearing masks in crowded areas, including front-line workers and those with multiple clients like banks and the treasurer’s office,” she added.
The same is also recommended for the elderly, those with co-morbidities and immuno-compromised individuals, pregnant women, unvaccinated, and symptomatic.
She also advised the public to stay home once they manifest flu-like symptoms and seek early consultation.
July being flu season is a reason for the increase. Interesting.
A couple from General Santos began singing online during the pandemic. Now they are famous.
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| https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/general-santos-sweetnotes-couple-sang-through-covid-pandemic-become-online-sensation/ |
A husband-and-wife singing duo from General Santos City, propelled to fame by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, has been making waves both domestically and abroad with their delightful renditions of popular Filipino and foreign language songs.
Charlotte Mae and Jeffrey Bactong Jr. are the voices behind Sweetnotes, a musical act that now boasts millions of followers on Facebook and their YouTube channel.
The couple, known simply as BJ and Charlotte to their friends and family, started their singing career from humble beginnings. They have since risen to fame on social media, earning public admiration for their excellent covers of popular dance and love songs.
Having gained widespread popularity, the duo is set to embark on a series of year-end shows in at least 10 venues across the United States, where tickets have already sold out ahead of their performances.
The upcoming US tour will not be the couple’s first time performing abroad; they previously had shows in Shanghai, China.
“We actually started performing as a couple in 2017 in China, adopting the name Sweetnotes Duo,” said Charlotte, who had also previously worked as a vocalist-dancer in South Korea for four years before she met BJ.
The couple’s stint in Shanghai lasted about two years. They went home for a vacation but were unable to return to China due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
“It was supposed to be just a one-month vacation, but due to the strict pandemic restrictions, we couldn’t return,” BJ said.
With little else to do at home, the couple began performing via online live streaming, which quickly garnered strong support from their audience, with many even sending money to support them.
They said the restrictions during the pandemic turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“Had it not been for the lockdown, we wouldn’t have gained popularity on social media. People were spending more time online during that period,” BJ said.
It was also during the pandemic that they welcomed their first child, a bubbly four-year-old whom they fondly call Chikkay.
In 2021, the couple’s first viral video came from a livestream of their performance of Parting Time at the Fishcaught Bar in General Santos.
“A streamer shared our performance, and it went viral,” BJ said. The number of viewers grew overnight from just seven to 140,000. Their followers also skyrocketed from 700 to more than 10,000.
“When we noticed the upward trend, we uploaded a video every day for two years. I can hardly believe I managed to do that,” BJ said, noting that they seized the opportunity after their first viral video.
Their rendition of Roel Cortez’s hit Iniibig Kita was their first to reach a million views, and it has since garnered 17 million views.
Uploading a video everyday for two years is quite a challenge. The trick is not to be repetitive and avoid burn out.
Former PBA champion Jimmy Alapag took a chance during the pandemic and left for America. His dream was to make it into the NBA.
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| https://philstar.com/sports/2024/08/12/2377295/jimmy-alapags-journey |
Jimmy Alapag took a gamble, sacrificed for his family, and has come out a winner, as usual. Choosing to leave the Philippines at the height of the pandemic with no clear job prospects, the six-time PBA champion knew the path ahead would be challenging. But his family would be better for it.
“Back in 2021, when the pandemic hit. It was a decision one, to be close to my parents. LJ’s mom is also here,” said the 2011 PBA MVP in an exclusive interview with The Star and dwAN 1206 AM. “During that time, kids weren’t allowed to be outside. And I didn’t want them to experience what was going on in Manila. That was a big part of the decision. And because at the time, there were no sports at any level.”
Jimmy, his wife LJ, and their three (now four) children packed up and headed Stateside. They had a supports system, and a lot of wide open spaces so their kids would not be cooped up. The only question now would be what path his career would take. But in his mind, it was also a chance to try to make it into the NBA. All in God’s time and God’s plan for the Alapag clan.
His only lead was a childhood friend who had been coaching junior college for over 20 years, who offered him a job. Soon after, things took a turn for the better. Prior to that, in 2018, after his second year of coaching Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League, he reached out to retired NBA center Vlade Divac about an internship with the Sacramento Kings. Divac introduced him to Bobby Jackson and told the coach to take care of him. That led to seven weeks of traveling with the team. He started to build relationships which helped with the next step toward his goal.
“The entire seven weeks that I was there, my goodness, Coach Bobby and I were together every day,” recalls Mighty Mouse. “I was on the court with him, we were watching video, having lunch, having dinner, and really building a strong connection being two former point guards.”
Now, Jimmy was that much closer to his NBA dream.
Eventually he became the player development coach for the Sacramento Kings.
Revenge travel is still driving post-pandemic passenger growth.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230944 |
The increase in passenger volume at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) can be attributed to the robust economy and revenge travel, the head of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said over the weekend.
Passenger volume at the country's main gateway has increased by 13 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023, or 25.11 million compared to 22.2 million.
"The economy has become more robust and people really wanted to travel post-pandemic," MIAA General Manager Eric Ines told the Philippine News Agency.
The rise in fuel surcharge or the extra fee airlines may collect in addition to the base fare failed to deter travelers, Ines said.
Fuel surcharge reached Level 6 from March to June. This pushed the surcharge for domestic flights from PHP185 to PHP665, and from PHP610.37 to PHP4,538.4 for international flights, depending on the distance.
"It helped that airlines had many promos during the first half of the year," he added.
It was only during the latter part of 2023 that travel peaked as most countries have eased restrictions, Ines said.
"People were quarantined for two years. Really, I couldn't think of other reasons for the increase in passenger volume other than people's desire to go out and because the economy really grew," Ines said.
July had a daily average of 153,000 passengers and NAIA catered to 828 flights last Aug. 8, he said.
When will revenge travel come to an end"
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