Coronavirus Lockdown: Frequent Handwashing Crucial, Depression Among PH Youth, and More!

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

Cebu's tourism sector continues to recover from the pandemic. With that recovery comes the need for a stable electrical grid.  

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/633239/why-energy-stability-is-crucial-for-cebus-booming-tourism-sector

With the beach just minutes from the airport, Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island—site of the historic clash between chieftain Lapulapu and Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan—has earned its title as the “Historic Resort City.”

Thousands visit this highly urbanized coastal destination each week, making it a hotspot for global hotel brands and luxury resorts like Filinvest’s Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan.

Three years after the COVID-19 pandemic devastated the global travel industry, tourism in Lapu-Lapu City is roaring back. From 2022 to 2023 alone, the city saw a remarkable 43.6% jump in tourism, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority-Central Visayas (PSA-7).

Just as Cebu’s tourism sector begins to recover its momentum, a long-standing issue resurfaces—power instability, once again threatening to hinder its growth.

Despite thriving commercial activity and infrastructure expansion, Cebu remains heavily dependent on imported electricity. This growing reliance, particularly on power supply through transmission lines from Luzon and Mindanao, is raising red flags among energy advocates and tourism leaders.

As Cebu’s tourism and hospitality sectors expand, their energy demands rise in tandem—a reality that has placed the island’s limited local power generation capacity under increasing pressure.

Researchers from non-profit group ILAW Foundation are calling on leaders and businesses in Cebu to invest in reliable, in-island power sources. Without this, they warn, the province risks undermining one of its bread-and-butter industries—tourism.

In 2023, Cebu welcomed over 5.1 million visitors—a 28% increase from the previous year, official data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed. Though the island has yet to match its 2019 peak of 6.6 million arrivals, the momentum is clearly back.

Cebu’s rapid development is outpacing its ability to supply power from within the island. While Cebu’s current electricity demand is being met through a mix of local and imported supply, this growing dependence on inter-island transmission makes the region vulnerable to disruptions. 

According to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, Cebu’s total plant capacity today is 1,123 megawatts against a peak demand of 1,223 that was recorded in May 2024.

That 100 MW shortfall is bridged through inter-island transmission lines that import electricity from Luzon and Mindanao.

This means Cebu, and the Visayas in general, relies on power from other islands—and not just occasionally. As of the latest figures, Cebu imports about 60% of its total electricity requirements from outside sources.

While these interconnections allow Cebu to avoid full-blown blackouts, they are far from ideal. According to ILAW Foundation, a non-profit organization advocating for affordable and accessible electricity, that such dependence makes the province vulnerable to transmission failures, rising electricity prices, and national grid strain.

This problem is not limited to Cebu. The entire nation's electric grid is unstable because of various factors including a lack of capacity and old infrastructure. 

Depression among Filipino youth has doubled in the past eight years. The isolation of the pandemic lockdowns are partly to blame. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2065571/study-depression-among-ph-youth-doubles-in-8-years

The number of Filipino youth experiencing depression has more than doubled in just eight years, with some of the most vulnerable sectors in this age group being disproportionately affected.

This was one of the key findings of a new study conducted by a Filipino research team and published by Cambridge University Press.

The researchers found that the prevalence of moderate to severe depressive symptoms (MSDS) among Filipinos age 15 to 24 years old rose from 9.6 percent percent in 2013 to 20.9 percent in 2021, highlighting a significant decline in youth mental health.

While COVID-19 contributed to the notable increase in the prevalence and sociodemographic disparities in MSDS, it was also deemed likely that depression among Filipino youth was already on the rise before the pandemic.

“This increase not only underscores the deteriorating mental health landscape for young people in the Philippines but also signals a potential crisis that could have long-term implications for individuals and society as a whole,” the study said.

The number of Filipino youth with MSDS also climbed the highest among those who were unable to complete elementary education: from 10.8 percent to 26.5 percent (up by 15.7 points); and those belonging in the poorest households: from 10.6 percent to 25.1 percent (up by 14.5 points).

Female youth also grew more depressed compared to their male peers, with MSDS prevalence rising from 10.8 percent to 24.3 percent, up by 13.5 points.

“These disparities indicate that certain populations are more likely to experience depression and face greater barriers to accessing necessary mental health services,” the study said.

The significant increase in the number of Filipino youth with MSDS could be largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, it added.

“The pandemic exposed people and communities to higher levels of stress and crisis while greatly reducing access to support and services,” it said, citing earlier similar studies. “This is especially true for marginalized groups that are more likely to experience social inequalities.”

The Philippines had one of the longest and strictest lockdowns leading to prolonged school closures. This resulted in many students being cut off from essential mental health support from counselors and peer networks.

For youth in low-income households, being forced to switch to online learning—where access to digital tools and quiet learning spaces were often lacking—added to the strain.

The lockdowns also kept Filipinos indoors, reducing opportunities for social interaction and physical exercise, sports and leisure, which are significant factors for wellbeing.

But it was also likely that depression among Filipino youth was already in the upswing even before the pandemic, as revealed by previous studies.

Among the proposed explanations for this global trend was widespread use of digital technology and social media.

The pandemic also accelerated the adoption of teletherapy as a practical and scalable method of delivering mental health services. However, access to teletherapy among Filipinos is largely limited to those with the financial means, technological resources and private spaces.

It seems as if this article is seeking to absolve the unnecessary and life-crippling pandemic lockdowns for any blame in the decline in mental health amongst the youth. 

Monkey pox is quickly becoming the next new pandemic even if it is limited in the way it is spread. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/04/negros-oriental-forms-mpox-task-force

The provincial government has created a task force to effectively prevent and control the spread of monkeypox (Mpox) in Negros Oriental although no case has been recorded in the province.

Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria issued an executive order on Monday, June 2, establishing the Negros Oriental Mpox Task Force and institution of measures, citing reported monkeypox virus in several parts of the country, which pose a significant threat to public health and safety.

Sagarbarria stressed the urgency to strengthen the province's preparedness and response mechanisms to ensure timely detection, isolation, treatment, and containment of suspected and confirmed monkeypox cases.

He said that the provincial government recognizes the critical role of inter-agency coordination and public participation in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

The EO said that the Department of Health (DOH) has issued advisories and guidelines for the prevention, detection, and management of monkeypox cases to mitigate its spread and impact on affected communities.

The task force is composed of key officials led by Sagarbarria as chairperson and the provincial health officer as vice-chairperson.

The task force will ensure a coordinated and comprehensive response and functions include monitoring, education campaigns, health protocols, and resource allocation to mitigate the impact of the virus.

All city and municipal mayors were directed to activate health emergency response teams, conduct community awareness campaigns on monkeypox prevention, implement active surveillance and reporting of suspected cases, ensure that local health facilities are prepared to handle these cases, and coordinate closely with the provincial task force for timely reporting and response.

Residents were urged to adhere to public health protocols such as proper hygiene, social distancing, reporting of suspected cases, and coordination with health authorities for contact tracing and other preventive measures to safeguard their health and the wellbeing of the community.

The provincial government remains committed to transparency, cooperation, and proactive measures to address the challenges posed by the monkeypox virus.

Meanwhile, Sagarbarria visited the DOH-Negros Island Region (NIR) office on the third floor of the Integrated Provincial Health Office within the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital Compound in Barangay Piapi, Dumaguete City on Monday, June 2, prior to the official inauguration of the regional office on June 18 with DOH national officials.

The visit aimed to enhance coordination and discuss upcoming health programs, ensuring the continuous improvement of health services in the province.

No cases and they still have a task force. On the next island over Iloilo City has recorded 12 cases. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1251845

The Iloilo City government is working closely with all stakeholders as the number of mpox cases here has reached 12.

Of the six confirmed cases, one patient has already recovered.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, City Health Officer Dr. Mary Ann Diaz said the six suspected cases are undergoing laboratory confirmation.

“All patients are in stable condition, receiving appropriate medical care and are currently under isolation,” she said.

“We are now working closely with barangays, schools, boarding houses, religious groups, the business process outsourcing industry, the transport sector, regional government offices, and other sectors to strengthen preventive measures and contain the spread of the virus.”

She urged the public to exercise vigilance and caution in all social interactions, seek early medical consultation if symptoms occur, report symptoms honestly and accurately, and isolate promptly if they are symptomatic.

The public is also enjoined to observe key preventive actions like regular handwashing, wearing face masks and long sleeves when in public or traveling, avoiding crowded or poorly ventilated places and practicing safe and responsible sexual health.

“Mpox is primarily transmitted through close, prolonged physical contact, including skin-to-skin and intimate contact such as sexual activity. It can also spread through respiratory droplets, contact with contaminated materials, and lesions or body fluids,” she said.

Diaz said they are still waiting for a response from the Department of Health regarding the request of the city government to allow its molecular laboratory to conduct the confirmatory test for suspected mpox cases in Panay.

The public is urged to wash their hands and wear face masks even though neither of those things will stop the spread of monkey pox as the Department of Health as already advised. That's not stopping antique for issuing inutile handwashing warnings. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1251472

The Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reminded the public to observe precautionary measures, including handwashing, as protection against the monkeypox (mpox) viral disease.

IPHO information officer Irene Duldoco said in an interview Wednesday that Antique has no mpox case. However, it would be better for Antiqueños to take precautionary measures due to the province's proximity to Iloilo.

Iloilo province has one confirmed mpox case, while Iloilo City has four laboratory-confirmed and two suspect cases.

“Antiqueños travel to Iloilo City or province back and forth for their transactions. It is really better that they do frequent handwashing and other precautionary measures,” she said.

Duldoco advised home isolation if they suspect having signs and symptoms of mpox such as fever, painful rash, muscle ache, back pain, and low energy.

The rural health unit or health worker should be informed immediately for appropriate medical intervention.

“Keep yourselves well-informed about mpox by listening to the programs of the DOH or IPHO through the media so you would know what to do to prevent yourselves,” Duldoco said.

Ironically the IPHO urges the public to stay "well-informed about mpox by listening to the programs of the DOH." The DOH has already said handwashing does not prevent the spread of monkey pox. Did the Antique IPHO not get the memo?