We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Southern Leyte swine fever infection confirmed
TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Agriculture in Eastern Visayas has confirmed the viral spread of African Swine Fever in Southern Leyte after laboratory tests found blood samples randomly taken from hogs in Padre Burgos town positive for the infection. The DA regional field office said reports of unusual deaths of hogs exhibiting ASF-like symptoms started the last week of June, prompting the Municipal Agriculture Office of Padre Burgos and Southern Leyte Provincial Veterinary Office to investigate. The DA regional office said the new ASF infection is an isolated case, as the overall trend of ASF cases in the region shows the infection is on the decline. The DA regional office is continuing to investigate the case to determine the extent of the viral spread, although initial information shows the infection seems limited to Barangay Tangkaan of the said municipality. “Based on the initial investigation, it is believed that possible transmission of the virus resulted from either the transport of infected live hogs from neighboring municipalities that still have active cases of ASF, swill feeding, and poor biosecurity,” the DA regional office said in a statement. The DA assured the public that a technical team has been deployed upon the confirmation of the cases, and continues to conduct proper preventive measures against the spread of the virus. The agency said it is closely monitoring the area and its neighboring communities for possible transmission. The DA advised the public not to be alarmed and to help stop the spread of the disease by observing the protocols so that the farmers and hog raisers will be able to continue with their livelihood. ASF is a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects pigs. There is no known cure for ASF, and the only way to prevent it is to implement strict biosecurity measures. The DA has urged the public to report any unusual deaths of hogs to the MAO or PVO. The post Southern Leyte swine fever infection confirmed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NSC condemns NPA land mine attack in Masbate
The National Security Council condemned on Monday the detonation of an improvised land mine by the New People's Army that wounded three people, including a barangay captain, by the roadside of Barangay Bonifacio in Uson, Masbate last week. In a virtual press briefing by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya read the statement of NSC chair and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año who said the incident in Masbate "is another violation" of the CPP-NPA-NDF committed against International Humanitarian Law. "NSC would like to emphasize that our fight against terorrist groups is unrelenting. CPP-NPA-NDF is the Number 1 violator of IHL by executing civilians, ambuscades, etc.," Malaya said. "Over the past decade, 373 people were killed by NPAs. [They] detonated 141 illegal landmines that killed 24 people. By 2010, 524 were recruited by them as child warriors. There are also 270 events of targeting civilians, forced disappearance, sexual assaults." The government has slapped 293 cases of violation of IHL and RA 9851 against the NPA, with 82 already in court, according to Malaya. The rebel amnesty program being offered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is "now being crafted and going through a process." However, the amnesty will only be for former rebels without court conviction or active court cases. "Those who have specific crimes , have probable cause, trials ongoing or facing cases" are not covered by the amnesty, said Malaya. He said the NSC and NTF-ELCAC' condemnation of CPP-NPA-NDF activity carries the conviction that "justice will be served" for the victims. Democrito Rivera, 62, chairman of Barangay Bonifacio; Romneck Lumabab, 32, and Alex Balayan, 39, were on a motorcycle when the land mine explosion occurred at around 1:30 p.m. on 8 August. Five men reportedly opened fire on the victims following the explosion. The gunmen escaped as state security forces and first aid responders arrived and brought the victims to the hospital for treatment. Noel Legaspi alias Ka Efren, a former CPP/NPA cadre, said the rebel groups' violations of IHL are "historical", citing the Plaza Miranda bombing in the early 70's and even their own purging campaign where thousands of NPA members suspected of conniving with the military were killed, including civilian supporters. The post NSC condemns NPA land mine attack in Masbate appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Munti active cases down to 1
The local government of Muntinlupa City on Tuesday revealed that total active cases of Covid-19 in the city is now down to one. According to the City Health Office, an active case was recorded from 1 to 7 August 2023 — a significant decrease compared to the total two cases logged from 25 to 31 July. Data from CHO showed that the only remaining active case is registered in Barangay Ayala Alabang while the other eight barangays in the city now have zero active cases. The local government said that there were 10 patients who recovered this week while no deaths were recorded. In the past two weeks, the CHO reported 34 deaths recorded including 12 in the past two weeks. The administration of bivalent Covid-19 vaccines was finished by the city government last 31 July to healthcare workers, senior citizens, adults with comorbidities, pregnant and overseas Filipino workers scheduled for deployment within the next four months. The post Munti active cases down to 1 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wiping out private armies?
Our otherwise contented political class is definitely on edge with the terrorist branding of suspended Congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. While the innovative terrorist branding seemingly solely targets mainstream politician Mr. Teves, the branding is actually also a live political grenade thrown right onto the laps of the mainstream political class. Mr. Teves’s case is the first time an elected official is officially designated a terrorist by the nascent Anti-Terrorism Council or ATC. Previously, the ATC consistently tacked terrorist tags on red-tagged activist groups and armed extremist groups. But obviously, now it’s on the right side of the political spectrum. As a matter of course, Mr. Teves — the suspected mastermind in the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo — is vehemently contesting the terrorist tag and is trying to reverse it. Anyway, we don’t see yet any telltale signs of mainstream politicians taking serious notice of the terrorist branding, much less starting to scamper for cover. But they will certainly have to. Without a doubt, the unfamiliar use of the anti-terror law complicates matters for politicians, particularly provincial-based pols who maintain private armed groups to ensure their political dominance. And, going by how it describes its intention, the ATC is clearly going after private armed groups. “The tragic incident on 4 March 2023, which claimed several lives and left many others injured, is a stark reminder of the threat posed by private armed groups within our country,” the ATC said in its resolution. ATC’s move also comes after Mr. Marcos Jr., in the wake of Degamo’s killing, ordered the dismantling of “private armies.” Mr. Marcos Jr.’s order shouldn’t be surprising. He actually has no choice but to interdict. Otherwise, he violates the Constitution. The 1987 Constitution provides in Article XVIII, Section 24 that “private armies and other armed groups not recognized by duly constituted authority shall be dismantled.” Private armed groups, of course, had long been an ugly blight on our electoral politics, not only on violence-prone Negros Island. In fact, because of private armies, politicians from North to South, both historically and at present, have been paying a deadly price, with probably 100 politicians killed every year. And in most cases, says a 2022 study, “the principals ordering the killings are not investigated, remain in the shadows and enjoy almost complete impunity. As a result, in the vast majority of cases, it cannot be proven who actually ordered the killings.” Such impunities have, of course, morphed into a violent “culture of fear” all over the country. A point ATC emphasizes in its Teves resolution: “The numerous killings and harassments in Negros Oriental which culminated in the assassination of Gov. Degamo must not be taken as isolated and random incidents of violence. A closer evaluation of these killings and harassments have an unmistakable pattern of a rather organized and orchestrated action. These killings and harassments are meticulously and deliberately planned and executed for the purpose of intimidating the residents of Negros Oriental as well as to create an atmosphere or spread a message of fear.” Despite these substantial political issues, no law — oddly enough despite repeated attempts — has been enacted to penalize private armies and other armed groups, which the Philippine National Police says numbered some 155 in 2021. Of that number, police say they consider almost half as “highly active.” Clearly, something sweeping needs to be done against private armed groups to dramatically change the political landscape. Inadvertently, the Teves camp decries the “weaponization” of the Anti-Terror Act, claiming that the government is using it “for the purpose for which it was not designed.” Yet, a private army is unquestionably designed for terror. This fact leaves us with one provocative question: If this government had accidentally found a powerful weapon, does this mean now this government is bold enough to totally wipe out all entrenched private armies? The post Wiping out private armies? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t eyes 1.8K rebels availing of amnesty
The government is eyeing around 1,800 communist rebels who may avail of the government’s amnesty program, according to National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Wednesday. Año said that the high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, New People’s Army may avail of the amnesty program should they decide to return to the folds of the law. “There are a lot of rebels in the mountains na you know [may] worries or agam agam dahil papano na yung kaso nila? (those who worry about their cases),” Año said in a chance interview shortly after the post-State of the Nation Address forum held in Pasay City. Año said the amnesty will provide a clean slate to former combatants who wish to renew their lives. However, Año said that senior NPA officials convicted of “heinous” crimes cannot avail of the amnesty. “Different siya. Pwede silang papasok sa pardon o 'yung sa parole o pardon, depende na 'yan sa Presidente (it would be a different case. They can avail of a pardon or parole, depending on the President’s decision),” he said. Th amnesty will be extended to those with pending cases but are not yet convicted. “Right now we are placing the strength of the CPP-NPA at 1,800. So more or less, that’s our target,” Año said, noting that former rebels who have availed of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP and Barangay Development Program can avail of the amnesty. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar, earlier said only three guerrilla fronts of the CPP-NPA are active while the other 18 are already weakened, out of the remaining 21. Aguilar noted that the members of the CPP-NPA-NDF have been “tremendously reduced” to around 1,800 members—from a peak of 24,000 rebels in the mid-'80s. AFP units have already neutralized 9,818 NPA rebels, of which 358 served as key leaders, with 11,013 firearms recovered from the insurgents, according to the spokesperson. The post Gov’t eyes 1.8K rebels availing of amnesty appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t eyes at least 1.8K CPP-NPA to avail of amnesty
The government is eyeing around 1,800 communist rebels who may avail of the government’s amnesty program, according to National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Wednesday. Año said that the high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, New People’s Army, may avail of the amnesty program should they decide to return to the folds of the law. “There are a lot of rebels in the mountains na you know worries or agam agam dahil papano na yung kaso nila? (Or those who are slightly doubting about their cases),” Año said, in a chance interview shortly after the post-State of the Nation Address forum held in Pasay City. Año said the amnesty will provide a clean slate to former combatants who wished to renew their lives from being combatants to becoming normal citizens in mainstream society. However, Año said that senior NPA officials who had been convicted of “heinous” crimes “could not avail of the amnesty.” “Different siya no. Pwede silang papasok sa pardon o yun sa parole o pardon, depende na yan sa presidente (it would be a different case. They can avail of a pardon or parole, depending of the President’s decision),” he stressed. He further explained that the amnesty will be given to those with pending cases but are not yet convicted. “Right now we are placing the strength of the CPP-NPA at 1,800. So more or less, that’s our target,” Año said, noting that those former rebels who have availed of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP and Barangay Development Program can avail of the amnesty. A given period will be granted to those combatants that have lay low, he added. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, Col. Medel Aguilar, earlier said that only three guerrillas of the CPP-NPA are active while the other 18 are already weakened, out of the remaining 21. Aguilar noted that the members of the CPP-NPA-NDF have “tremendously reduced” to around 1,800 members—from a peak of 24,000 rebels in the mid-80s. The AFP units already neutralized 9,818 NPA rebels, of which 358 served as the group's key leaders, with 11,013 firearms have been recovered from the insurgents. The post Gov’t eyes at least 1.8K CPP-NPA to avail of amnesty appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Treatment first
Dear Atty. Chris Liquigan, My sister was rushed to the ER due to dehydration. She needed the dextrose because she was really, really pale. The nurse told us we need to pay first before giving treatment to my sister. Is this right? Help me Atty. Vil Dear Vil, To answer your question directly, no, it is not right to demand any deposit. According to the Republic Act 10932, otherwise known as “An Act Strengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law,” succinctly, Section 1 of the law dictates that it is unlawful for any proprietor, president, director, manager or any other officer and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient, confinement or medical treatment of a patient in such hospital, viz: “Sec. 1. In emergency or serious cases, it shall be unlawful for any proprietor, president, director, manager or any other officer and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient, confinement or medical treatment of a patient in such hospital or medical clinic or to refuse to administer medical treatment and support as dictated by good practice of medicine to prevent death, or permanent disability, or in the case of a pregnant woman, permanent injury or loss of her unborn child, or non-institutional delivery: Provided, That by reason of inadequacy of the medical capabilities of the hospital or medical clinic, the attending physician may transfer the patient to a facility where the appropriate care can be given, after the patient or his next of kin consents to said transfer and after the receiving hospital or medical clinic agrees to the transfer: Provided, however, That when the patient is unconscious, incapable of giving consent and/or unaccompanied, the physician can transfer the patient even without his consent: Provided, further, That such transfer shall be done only after necessary emergency treatment and support have been administered to stabilize the patient and after it has been established that such transfer entails less risks than the patient’s continued confinement: Provided, furthermore, That no hospital or clinic, after being informed of the medical indications for such transfer, shall refuse to receive the patient nor demand from the patient or his next of kin any deposit or advance payment: Provided, finally, That strict compliance with the foregoing procedure on transfer shall not be construed as a refusal made punishable by this Act.” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) In this connection, Article 2 of the cited law defines basic emergency medical care as follows: “(i) ‘Basic emergency care’ — the response to a situation where there is urgently required medical care and attention, and shall include procedures required for initial diagnosis, use of equipment and supplies in sufficiently addressing the emergency situation, considering the welfare of the patient. It also includes the necessary medical procedures and treatment administered to a woman in active labor to ensure the safe delivery of the newborn.” Consistent with the prohibition against actually adding further features to the Act, Section 5 provides for death, disability or serious injury resulting from the refusal to provide basic emergency medical care on the basis of the policy advance payment or bond. It provides for the presumption of liability in the event of serious medical injury. In summary, Section 5 says: “Sec. 5. Presumption of Liability. — In the event of death, permanent disability, serious impairment of the health condition of the patient-complainant, or in the case of a pregnant woman, permanent injury or loss of her unborn child, proceeding from the denial of his or her admission to a health facility pursuant to a policy or practice of demanding deposits or advance payments for confinement or treatment, a presumption of liability shall arise against the hospital, medical clinic, and the official, medical practitioner, or employee involved.” Therefore, applying the above law, it is already known that advance deposits or payments are required in various practices of hospitals, except where appointment of transfer due to incompetence of the hospital or clinic is impermissible and punishable. Hope this helps. Atty. Chris Liquigan The post Treatment first appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Thousands flee Greek island fires as southern US swelters
Around 30,000 people were moved to safety on the Greek island of Rhodes where a wildfire burned on Saturday, while people in the southern United States struggled under a record-breaking heatwave. Tens of millions of people have been suffering through intense heat this summer and the world looks set for its hottest July on record. As temperature records tumble, experts have pointed to climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels, arguing that global warming is playing a key role in the devastating heat. On the Mediterranean island of Rhodes, where a wildfire has been blazing for days, boats carried 2,000 people to safety from beaches in the east of the popular tourist island. Greek fire service spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis told Skai TV: "This is not a fire that will be over tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. It'll be troubling us for days." Three coastguard ships led more than 30 private vessels in the evacuation, while a Greek navy boat was heading to the area. Island officials arranged for dozens of buses to take people to safety, but where fires had cut off road access, others had to walk. Authorities have opened up gyms, schools and hotel conference centers to serve as makeshift accommodation, while firefighters battle the blaze. In Athens, the foreign ministry said it had activated its crisis management unit to facilitate the evacuation of foreign citizens due to the ongoing forest fires. Greece is fighting dozens of forest fires 11 days into a heatwave that has seen temperatures soaring above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Meteorologists have warned it could be the longest hot spell the country has ever seen. - 80 million Americans sweltering - Across the southern United States, about 80 million Americans will swelter in temperatures of 41C and above this weekend, the National Weather Service said. The southwestern city of Phoenix, Arizona hit 46C on Saturday, extending a record-breaking streak to 22 consecutive days of highs above 43C. Tourists have been flocking to Death Valley National Park, which straddles California and Nevada, to post selfies with a temperature display outside the visitor centre. Many are hoping to see it break a world record of 56.7C, which was set in July 1913 but was likely the result of a faulty measurement, according to several meteorologists. Further north, in Canada, which has been suffering wildfires that left Montreal blanketed in smog, torrential rain hit the eastern province of Nova Scotia, cutting off roads and threatening to burst a dam. Four people were reported missing, including two children who had been in a car engulfed by flood waters. Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 active wildfires were burning across Canada, with 11.3 million hectares scorched this season by the deadly blazes. Across the border in the US state of Washington, a wildfire burned more than 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) in less than a day. - Hottest month - July 2023 is on track to be the hottest month -- not only since records began, but also in "hundreds, if not thousands, of years", said leading NASA climatologist Gavin Schmidt. The effects cannot be attributed solely to the El Nino weather pattern, which "has really only just emerged" and isn't expected to strengthen until later in the year, he added. El Nino is associated with the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. Schmidt said the trend of extreme heat was expected to persist, "and the reason why we think that's going to continue, is because we continue to put greenhouse gases into the atmosphere". The exceptional temperatures in Greece also meant key tourist sites such as the Acropolis closed during the hottest part of the day. A 46-year-old man was reported to have succumbed to heatstroke on the central Greek island of Evia after being admitted to Chalkida hospital. Staff there said cardio-respiratory failure following exposure to high temperatures appeared to have been the cause. Emergency health officials told the state broadcaster they had admitted at least 38 heatstroke patients in the last three days, while hospitals were also seeing cases of fainting and other heat-related conditions. Greece is just one of many countries battling a prolonged spell of extreme heat around the globe in recent days. burs/jj/acb © Agence France-Presse The post Thousands flee Greek island fires as southern US swelters appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pandemic era over
The vicious coronavirus-2019 is considered defeated in the country after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation 297 lifting the “state of public health emergency.” Malacañang on Saturday said the President issued the proclamation on Friday but it was made public through a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office only on Saturday. The proclamation states that “all prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that were effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect.” The directive provides that all emergency use authorizations or EUA issued by the Food and Drug Administration on vaccines shall remain valid for one year from the date of the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency “for the sole purpose of exhausting the remaining supply of vaccines.” Go pleads for health workers For his part, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said: “We respect the President’s decision to lift the state of public health emergency. We trust that it was arrived at after careful consideration of the present health issue and the need to finally open up the economy.” Go, nonetheless, said he was appealing to the government to release the remaining arrears due to healthcare workers, including Covid-19-related allowances and unpaid death benefits. The senator said the obligations should be fulfilled “with or without the state of public health Emergency.” Align with new normal Marcos’ order also enjoined all agencies to ensure that their policies, rules, and regulations shall take into consideration the lifting of the state of public health emergency and to amend existing or to promulgate new issuances, as may be appropriate. Former president Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation 922 declaring a State of Public Health Emergency all over the country in March 2020. Proclamation 922 also stated that the public health emergency would remain in force until lifted or withdrawn by the president. WHO sees downtrend The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization highlighted the decreasing trend in Covid-19 deaths last May. It also reported a decline in Covid-19-related hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, as well as the high levels of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concurred with the advice of the committee that Covid-19 was now an established and ongoing health issue, which no longer constituted a public health emergency of international concern. The WHO likewise advised a transition to the long-term management of Covid-19. Stay vigilant For Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, the pronouncement is a “positive step forward,” and he agreed that the conditions no longer warrant the continuance of the public health emergency status. “It is crucial to recognize that while the state of public health emergency is lifted, we must remain vigilant and proactive in our approach to health and safety,” he said. Herbosa likewise stressed the importance of maintaining health awareness and adhering to health protocols to protect one from potential health risks. IATF to disband The Department of Health said the Inter-Agency Task Force would convene for a final meeting to formally conclude the public health emergency. Herbosa gave the IATF a pat on the back for its “exemplary performance” and “unwavering commitment,” and so too the medical front liners who demonstrated resilience and heroism throughout the challenging period. “Their dedication to safeguarding public health had been instrumental in reaching this critical milestone,” he said. “Let us embrace this positive development with gratitude and determination, knowing that by working together we shall prevail against any challenges that may lie ahead,” he added. Covid cases on Friday brought the total infection caseload to 4,171,063, with 234 new cases. Active cases, however, dropped to 5,278 from 5,431, the lowest since 29 April 2023, while seven new deaths and 380 new recoveries were logged. @tribunephl_Lade @tribunephl_eao The post Pandemic era over appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Davao still safe; police trusted
DAVAO CITY — A recent study of the Mindanao Development Authority disclosed that majority of Dabawenyos believe that the city remains safe and that citizens’ confidence on the police force remains strong. MinDA Public Relations division chief Dr. Adrian Tamayo said that the study — conducted on 10 to 20 May 2023 with 1,200 people from different parts of Davao Region taking part — used a method called multi-stage cluster sampling, which means the respondents were chosen from different groups with a margin of error of 3 percent and a confidence level of 95 percent. The study yielded an 84 percent or very high rating for the perceived safety in the city. Security is at 86 percent; trust for the police force is 87 percent and the police’s respect for the rights, lives and property of civilians at 88 percent. “The Davao City Police maintains very high positive impressions on police training as rated by residents,” Tamayo said. He stressed that while issues about several criminal cases sensationalized online may have clouded the discourse regarding safety and security, the cases remain isolated and do not at all indicate an increase in the overall crime rate of the city. “The cases that happened in Davao City seemed to be random. The perpetrators of crime have no relation to all other crimes; victims are totally different from each other and incidents never happen in places having similar features — no pattern established,” Tamayo said. Davao City Police Office spokesperson Police Major Hazel Tuazon, on the other hand, said the city’s police force is grateful for the trust of the citizens as made evident by the study, adding that the city police continue to implement its various security programs and campaigns. This includes the anti-robbery and theft operations through “Oplan RATS-Tugis” (robbery, akyat-bahay, theft, salisi), the community-based anti-sexual crime campaign “Oplan Kilos” and Oplan Kalinaw, among others. Tuazon also asked the communities as well as barangay leaders to continue their support to the peace and order initiatives of the DCPO. “The Davao City Police Office is always thankful to our fellow Dabawenyos for their active support to our police forces in Davao City. Hopefully their confidence on us will not change when it comes to reporting incidents so we can immediately take action,” said Tuazon. The post Davao still safe; police trusted appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Palaweños warned vs online pork shopping
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The veterinary’s office of the province of Palawan has warned residents to avoid purchasing meat products online and bringing them home as pasalubong from their travels to avoid the highly contagious viral disease African swine fever. Provincial Veterinary Office officer-in-charge Dr. Darius Mangcucang said on Friday that Palawan has managed to remain ASF-free despite the presence of active cases reported by the National African Swine Fever Prevention and Control Program of the Bureau of Animal Industry in various parts of the country. He added that residents of the province can help maintain the province’s ASF-free status by not purchasing processed pork meat products sold online as there is no way of knowing if they are from red zones. “Let’s refrain from bringing pork products during our vacations as it can be a potential source of the spread of ASF. We also prohibit the collection of pork food items from hotels by those who take care of pigs because we cannot guarantee their safety,” Mangcucang said. “Similarly, let’s avoid purchasing online meat products from Manila, as we are uncertain whether they are sourced from hot meat or red zone provinces,” he added. Mangcucang said that, to date, ASF infection has been detected in 58 municipalities in 16 provinces in nine regions in the country. The post Palaweños warned vs online pork shopping appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
COVID-19 positivity rate declined to 6.4%
The country's positivity rate or the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 has declined to 6.4 percent as of 7 July, from a recorded 7.2 percent as of 30 June. The Department of Health has so far reported 397 new cases, with zero deaths, and 531 recovered from the disease. Of the total number, about 65 of the new cases are from the National Capital Region, projecting 300 to 400 new cases the next day, which is 8 July, according to OCTA Research Group fellow Dr. Guido David. The country's overall tally of COVID-19 infections has reached 4,167,259 with 6,637 active cases. Unfortunately, a total of 66,484 Filipinos have died due to the dreaded disease. Based on the DOH's latest bio-surveillance report, a total of 1,468 samples were sequenced on 26 to 29 June by the Philippine Genome Center, disclosing 85 percent of cases were XBB types. David said the most dominant was XBB 1.9.1 at 25 percent but XBB 2.3 or Acrux increased to 22 percent while XBB 1.16 or Arcturus was at 15 percent. "Moreover, 227 of the cases were from the NCR and 78 percent of them were XBB types. The most dominant was XBB 2.3 or Acrux at 33 percent,” he added. The post COVID-19 positivity rate declined to 6.4% appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hope for RA 1616 retirees
Over a thousand state auditors and numerous more from other government offices, who retired under Republic Act 1616, were pinning their hopes for an additional monthly pension under a Senate bill filed by Senator Chiz Escudero more than a decade ago. Their hopes were unfortunately overtaken by the “holocaust” in the fiscal administration in the Philippines from 2011 to 2014. With the minds of DBM Secretary Florencio Abad and those of some lawmakers in turmoil, over the “kahindik-hindik” (disgusting) audit report on their pork barrel, the bill went nowhere. But today, with a silver lining in every sector of government, there is hope the Escudero bill could move toward approval. During the 16th Congress, Senator Escudero introduced Senate Bill 588: “An Act to Grant Monthly Pension to Government Retirees under R.A. 1616 Who Have Reached the Age of Seventy Years.” Here were the bill’s features: Section I. Declaration of Policy – The Constitution provides that the State shall occasionally review to upgrade the pensions and other benefits due to retirees of both the government and private sectors. As far as possible, it should provide those who have less in life the opportunity to earn a living so that they may play a more active role in social life, especially in the economic and political spheres. It is the duty of the State to create conditions that are necessary to realize the right of all citizens, particularly the underprivileged, to equal opportunity. To this end, the State shall grant a Monthly Pension to government retirees who have availed of retirement benefits under Republic Act No. 1616. Senator Escudero was pushing for this bill. He said government pensioners are provided a gratuity under RA 1616, but the law that was enacted in 1957 could no longer sufficiently provide for the needs of the government retirees five years after the retirement age of 65. “The proposal recognizes that the majority of this class of retirees have been living in abject poverty, and many of them have to depend on close relatives and friends. Aged government personnel who retired need monthly pensions because, at their late age, their opportunities for earning are almost nil,” Escudero said. “The lump sum they received under RA 1616 was greatly eroded by the economic slump and high cost of living. Their economic difficulties were aggravated when the country suffered from the devastating effects of natural calamities,” he added. Under SB 588, the gratuity is payable by the last employer. The employee is also entitled to a refund of the retirement premiums he paid to the GSIS, his personal share with interest, and the government share without interest. The requirements to qualify are: (1) the retirees must be in government service on or before 31 May 1977; (2) has rendered at least 20 years of service regardless of age and employment status; and (3) his/her last three years of service before retirement must be continuous, except in cases of death, disability, abolition or phase out of position due to reorganization. The post Hope for RA 1616 retirees appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Anti-drug drive spares no one — Abalos
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. has vowed to spare no one in the government’s anti-drug campaign. “We have to make a statement. We are going to show our people that the government is serious about this war on drugs. There will be house cleansing, and no one will be spared,” Abalos said during a forum on mental health and substance use organized by the Department of Health and USAID RenewHealth Project as part of the observance of World Drug Day on Monday. The DILG chief also said that the government and law enforcement agencies need to become “role models” in the campaign against illegal drugs. “We do not believe in shortcuts. We believe in the rule of law. Trust in government must be sustained,” he said. “Everyone has a role in this fight. We will increase awareness against the use of illegal drugs, strengthen our community-based drug rehabilitation program, empower the youth, engage with the business sector, and promote an active lifestyle,” Abalos added. Abalos previously announced the conduct of random drug testing in the DILG, its attached agencies, and local governments as part of its Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan or BIDA Program. At least 50 police officers have also been charged with criminal and administrative cases for allegedly committing irregularities in the seizure of P6.7 billion worth of “shabu” in October last year. The post Anti-drug drive spares no one — Abalos appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Napolcom
The National Police Commission or Napolcom and the Philippine National Police have filed criminal raps against 50 active police officers in connection with the 990-kilogram drug haul in October 2022. Per Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Benhur Abalos, Napolcom and the PNP filed complaints around two weeks ago against the erring cops with the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices, the police, as well as with the military Ombudsman. Based on this news, it is worth asking and discussing the role of Napolcom. Napolcom is the agency mandated by the 1987 Constitution and the Major Police Reform Laws — Republic Act 6975, otherwise known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, and Republic Act 8551, also known as the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 — to administer and control the PNP. The Napolcom is separate and distinct from the PNP. However, there has always been a misconception that both are the same. Among the administrative control and operational supervisory powers over the PNP exercised by Napolcom — the one pertinent to this article — is the power to monitor and investigate police anomalies and irregularities. The PNP’s mission is to enforce the law, prevent and control crimes, maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety and internal security with the active support of the community. Given this very substantial and crucial mission where a lot is at stake on a national and local level, it makes sense that there should be an entity to maintain the checks and balances. As difficult as it is and given that police officers are involved, the responsibilities bestowed upon Napolcom leaders should not be ignored by the public. Rather, they must be understood and appreciated. Its vision is: “The National Police Commission shall be a competent and responsive overseer of an effective police service.” An incompetent police force will make peace and safety impossible to maintain as chaos will rule the streets; whereas a competent one will ensure laws and regulations are strictly obeyed and followed. A nonresponsive police unit will destroy the confidence of the citizenry in our uniformed personnel; while a responsive force will instill faith that our needs in times of danger and despair are going to be responded to. An inefficient police service will cause our country to decay at an unprecedented rate; on the contrary, an efficient police service will correct and address the wrongs that will guarantee progress and prosperity for the country. Its mission is: “To exercise administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP, with the end in view of ensuring a highly capable, effective, and credible police service.” This mission of Napolcom was on full display when the filing of the aforesaid cases was undertaken. The investigation process was conducted fairly and completely to showcase the capability of the police. The way the alleged wrongdoers cooperated during the conduct of the investigation showed the effective discharge of the powers of the police superiors. Last, but certainly not least, the filing of the cases with the appropriate judicial body showed that the credibility of the PNP is of utmost importance. The function and role of the Napolcom were and still are not understood by most. But based on these developments and outcomes, it will be inappropriate to let the misconceptions continue. Restoring confidence and instilling credibility in the PNP is paramount currently when we are under a new administration and leadership. This will ensure and promote that we are aligned with the plans and programs of the government. An environment where there is no peace, order and safety will deter us from implementing the plans and programs that are meant only for our improvement. Let us continue to wish Napolcom and the PNP success. The post Napolcom appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pay now, help later
Dear Atty. Chris, My sister was rushed to the ER due to dehydration. She needed the dextrose because she was really pale and needed it. The nurse told us we need to pay first before providing treatment to my sister. Is this right? Help me Atty. Vil ***** Dear Vil, To answer your question directly, no, it is not right to demand any deposit. According to the Republic Act 10932, otherwise known as “An Act Strengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law.” Succinctly, Section 1 of the law dictates that it is unlawful for any proprietor, president, director, manager or any other officer and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient, confinement or medical treatment of a patient in such hospital, viz: “Sec. 1. In emergency or serious cases, it shall be unlawful for any proprietor, president, director, manager or any other officer and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient, confinement or medical treatment of a patient in such hospital or medical clinic or to refuse to administer medical treatment and support as dictated by good practice of medicine to prevent death, or permanent disability, or in the case of a pregnant woman, permanent injury or loss of her unborn child, or non-institutional delivery: Provided, That by reason of inadequacy of the medical capabilities of the hospital or medical clinic, the attending physician may transfer the patient to a facility where the appropriate care can be given, after the patient or his next of kin consents to said transfer and after the receiving hospital or medical clinic agrees to the transfer: Provided, however, That when the patient is unconscious, incapable of giving consent and/or unaccompanied, the physician can transfer the patient even without his consent: Provided, further, That such transfer shall be done only after necessary emergency treatment and support have been administered to stabilize the patient and after it has been established that such transfer entails less risks than the patient’s continued confinement: Provided, furthermore, That no hospital or clinic, after being informed of the medical indications for such transfer, shall refuse to receive the patient nor demand from the patient or his next of kin any deposit or advance payment: Provided, finally, That strict compliance with the foregoing procedure on transfer shall not be construed as a refusal made punishable by this Act.” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) In this connection, Article 2 of the cited law defines basic emergency medical care as follows: “(i) ‘Basic emergency care’ — the response to a situation where there is urgently required medical care and attention, and shall include procedures required for initial diagnosis, use of equipment and supplies in sufficiently addressing the emergency situation, considering the welfare of the patient. It also includes the necessary medical procedures and treatment administered to a woman in active labor to ensure the safe delivery of the newborn.” Consistent with the prohibition against actually adding further features to the Act, Section 5 provides for death, disability or serious injury resulting from the refusal to provide basic emergency medical care on the basis of the policy advance payment or bond. It provides for the presumption of liability in the event of serious medical injury. In summary, Section 5 says: “Sec. 5. Presumption of Liability. — In the event of death, permanent disability, serious impairment of the health condition of the patient-complainant, or in the case of a pregnant woman, permanent injury or loss of her unborn child, proceeding from the denial of his or her admission to a health facility pursuant to a policy or practice of demanding deposits or advance payments for confinement or treatment, a presumption of liability shall arise against the hospital, medical clinic, and the official, medical practitioner, or employee involved.” Therefore, applying the above law, it is already known that advance deposits or payments are required in various practices of hospitals, except where appointment of transfer due to incompetence of the hospital or clinic is impermissible and punishable. Hope this helps. Atty. Chris Liquigan The post Pay now, help later appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Inaugural AI summit sets stage for Phl future redefined by AI
Aboitiz Data Innovation, the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence arm of the Aboitiz Group, successfully held the inaugural AI Summit in the Philippines from 10 to 11 May 2023 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Pasay, Philippines. In partnership with Union Bank of the Philippines, Aboitiz Equity Ventures and Google Cloud, the groundbreaking event broke open the discussion and incited action on shaping the future of the country with AI. The summit brought together over 1,000 industry professionals from various sectors, marking a significant milestone in the country’s technological landscape. The Aboitiz Group is currently undergoing a "Great Transformation" to become the Philippines’ first "techglomerate" with ADI at its forefront, operationalizing DSAI to transform data into business and sustainability outcomes to better serve the needs of its customers and stakeholders. The "AI Summit PH 2023: Redefining the Future with AI" forum featured real-world use cases of data being turned into actionable insights and deep-dived into discussions on the challenges, opportunities and advancements within the AI and tech space. The AI Summit PH 2023 was opened with a captivating keynote speech titled “Reimagining a Sustainable and Equitable Philippines with AI” delivered by Third District of Negros Occidental Representative and Housing and Urban Development Chairperson Jose Francisco Benitez. In his address, Benitez highlighted the pivotal role of technological innovation in promoting national development, as heralded by the Philippine constitution. He emphasized the need for collective action in equipping the people with the necessary skills and fostering innovation to adapt, compete and flourish in a brave new world. “A digital future is our national destiny. Let us work together to harness its benefits for all,” Benitez said. [caption id="attachment_132920" align="aligncenter" width="1501"] Third District of Negros Occidental Representative and Housing and Urban Development chairperson Jose Francisco Benitez inspired the crowd at the AI Summit PH 2023 with his message on the power of AI and innovation in promoting national development. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ABOITIZ)[/caption] Through a series of engaging events, including talks, fireside chats, panel discussions, knowledge sessions and networking opportunities, the AI Summit PH 2023 provided a platform for industry leaders, tech innovators and game-changers to share valuable insights and actionable use cases of AI implementation. Attendees were exposed to a diverse range of topics, exploring the immense potential of AI in revolutionizing various sectors, driving sustainable urban development, transforming financial services, powering sustainable smart cities and operationalizing DSAI. Google Cloud Southeast Asia’s Regional Customer Solutions Manager Richard Coombes delivered a presentation on how Google is bringing AI to users, business and society. He also participated in a panel discussion on Generative AI with leaders from ADI and Amazon Web Services. Tiffany Adriana, Google Data Analytics - Southeast Asia Customer Solution Consultant joined experts from Connected Women and KPMG Philippines to discuss data-driven foundations with a focus on data literacy and inclusion. The AI Summit PH 2023 also served as an exceptional platform for networking and collaboration, fostering connections among industry professionals, entrepreneurs and visionaries. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with tech innovators and game-changers, expanding their professional networks and exploring potential partnerships. During the two-day summit, ADI and Connected Women launched its partnership on empowering the latter’s members to take on advanced services such as data handling, language annotation and image annotation for ADI’s Data Science and Artificial intelligence projects. ADI and Mila’s partnership on building responsible AI solutions for the power sector was also announced during the Summit through a ceremonial signing. Mila, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, focuses its mission on core research areas such as health, environment and climate change, and AI ethics. Mila extends its expertise and leadership in AI to deliver advances that will benefit all of society. On the financial services front, LBC Express, Inc., ADI and UnionBank signed a tripartite agreement to champion financial sustainability at the inaugural AI Summit. Through this initiative, LBC clients will have access to small business financing from UnionBank to help finance their expansion plans. The SeekCap Embedded Scoring Agreement was also signed by UBX and ADI during the event. “Let me congratulate Aboitiz Data Innovation on spearheading the first Artificial Intelligence Summit. We laud your efforts in forging our path to national advancement through technological research and innovation as you forge strong partnerships in the field of technology,” shared Vice President of the Philippines Sara Z. Duterte in an official statement. “This active pursuit to explore artificial intelligence and find ways to use it positively for progress facilitates a culture of futures-thinking and preparedness in society,” she added. On the second day of the summit, Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy presented an overview of the DSAI landscape in the Philippines and future prospects of these technologies within the country. Uy said, “Digital transformation is about constantly adapting and optimizing new solutions to the ever-changing needs of society, and it starts with deeper and more meaningful partnerships between the government and the private sector. And we all share a common goal of transforming the country and accelerating its progress through the use of all these emerging technologies.” Dr. David R. Hardoon, Chief Executive Officer of ADI, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response to the first-ever AI Summit in the country and the active participation of industry and government leaders and diverse professionals. “We are thrilled with the success of the AI Summit, which surpassed our expectations in terms of attendance and engagement. This event truly showcases the potential of AI to revolutionize industries and drive sustainable development in the Philippines. We are proud to have provided a platform for meaningful discussions and collaborations that will shape the future of AI in the Philippines,” stated Hardoon. ADI plans to build on the success of the AI Summit PH 2023 and continue driving AI innovation to transform businesses and government and advance communities in the Philippines and beyond. They remain committed to advancing AI technologies, fostering industry partnerships and empowering businesses to harness the transformative power of AI for sustainable growth and development. ### The post Inaugural AI summit sets stage for Phl future redefined by AI appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t must remain vigilant vs Covid
Economists said the government must remain vigilant over the rising Covid-19 cases to avoid disrupting business activities again and dragging the momentum for bank loans. “Increasing Covid-19 cases may have an alternative impact with more cautious consumption. We will have to see and observe carefully,” Carlo Asuncion, chief economist of Union Bank of the Philippines, told the Daily Tribune last Friday. On the same day, the World Health Organization declared that Covid-19 is no longer a global emergency. However, the Department of Health reported local cases have risen, with 1,878 more cases last Saturday, nine deaths, and 10,195 active cases. OCTA Research group said this brought the Covid-19 positivity rate nationwide up to 19.3 percent and warned it could climb to 25 percent in Metro Manila. Keep numbers down Bank economists said the authorities must adopt ways to curb the spread of Covid-19 while ensuring projected economic growth will not be dragged. “There are higher Covid cases recently, but still among the lowest since the pandemic started and would remain manageable if hospital bed utilization remains low and support further reopening of the economy towards greater normalcy with no more Covid restrictions,” Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, said. For now, economists believe the slowing inflation and high vaccination rate in the country remain strong indications of vigorous business activities and possibly higher economic growth. “Unless hospitalizations dramatically increase, we think this would not significantly disrupt economic activities and affect loan demand, especially since the majority of the population are vaccinated,” Domini Velasquez, chief economist of China Banking Corporation, said. Ricafort added, “Easing inflation would fundamentally reduce interest rates that, in turn, reduce borrowing costs for the coming months, thereby supporting faster loan demand.” Inflation rate last month decelerated to 6.6 percent last month from 7.6 percent in March and the record-high 8.7 percent in January. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas aims to slow inflation further to 6 percent this year and 2.9 percent in 2024 through policy rate adjustments. The post Gov’t must remain vigilant vs Covid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DILG and PNP
It is common knowledge that the Philippine National Police is under the Department of the Interior and Local Government. What is not known is the wisdom behind this. The answer is that the mandate of the DILG is to strengthen the capabilities of local government units to develop themselves for the sake of the good life of their respective citizens. Peace and order which the PNP provides are necessary to attain this. RA 6975, otherwise known as the DILG Act of 1990, which took effect on 1 January 1991, established the PNP and placed it under the wing of a reorganized DILG. The National Police Commission, an attached agency of the DILG for policy and program coordination, and where the DILG Secretary sits as ex-officio chair, was made responsible for the administrative control of the PNP. Governors and mayors were deputized as representatives of Napolcom. The governors were given the right to choose the PNP regional director, while mayors were given operational control of the PNP within their respective territorial jurisdictions. With the enactment of the DILG law, the government was able to heed the call of many sectors for a unified single police force, instead of two law enforcement agencies. Those two were the Integrated National Police and the much older Philippine Constabulary. The first was too militarily oriented, while the second was outright military under the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In contrast, the new PNP is civilian in character. The DILG is an old and revered institution in our country. Unbelievably, it traces its roots to the Philippine Revolution of 1897. In March of that year, the Katipunan Government, amid its struggle for independence, established the first department of the interior at the Tejeros Convention held in Rosario, Cavite. The Biak-na-Bato Constitution in November of 1897 formally defined the department’s powers to include the supervision of local political units, the generation of statistics, the building of roads and bridges, the development of agriculture, the dissemination of public information, and the maintenance of the public order. From the above, one can see that there is historical continuity in the power of the present DILG over local government units, and the maintenance of public safety and order. The peace and order that the PNP can provide make it possible to attain the development programs of LGUs and the effective exercise of supervisory control of the DILG over them. Other powers and responsibilities of the DILG — which were reorganized — include forest conservation, public instruction, counterinsurgency, rehabilitation, community development, and cooperatives development. Meanwhile, the PNP grew and steadily completed its internal restructuring, even as the DILG continued to train, organize, and equip the PNP for the effective performance of civilian police functions nationwide. The core functions of the PNP have remained the same: law enforcement, maintenance of peace and order, the prevention and investigation of crimes with the active help of the community, as well as the bringing of offenders to justice. The primary responsibility to suppress insurgency was transferred to the AFP. Today, some of the PNP’s better-known operational support units include the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Highway Patrol Group, Maritime Group, Intelligence Group, Forensic Group, Drug Enforcement Group, Anti-Kidnapping Group, and the Anti-Cybercrime Group that deals with digital and online crimes. In exceptional cases, the PNP has been exposed to vulnerabilities of different sorts. To combat these, it has created an Internal Affairs Service operating nationally whose main task is to help the PNP leadership institute reforms to improve the image of the police force. It does this by doing assessments, analyses, and evaluations of the character and behavior of PNP personnel. We should appreciate the continuous improvements being undertaken by the PNP. The post DILG and PNP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EDITORIAL – Waiting for bivalent jabs
As of March 23, according to the official tracker of the Department of Health, there were still 8,414 active COVID-19 cases nationwide, with 66,304 deaths......»»