THE NEW NORMALITY

My column in BusinessWeek Mindanao, Mindanao Daily and The Metro Cagayan de Oro Times.
 

Davao City has been placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) effective immediately until November 30, following the recent surge in the number of coronavirus diseases (COVID-19).

This was confirmed by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a statement released while writing this piece on Friday morning (November 20, 2020).

Roque said Melquiades Feliciano, Deputy Chief Implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 for the cities and Bacolod and Cebu, has been assigned to head the Coordinated Operations to Defeat the Epidemic (CODE) teams that will be deployed in Davao City to assist in the response activities. He said law enforcement agencies are directed to assist in the enforcement of granular lockdowns upon affected communities or clusters, and if necessary, deploy personnel in the city. 

In my home country Germany, just to mention another example, the government is thinking about a lockdown until January 2021 after the new Infection Protection Act was passed. The confusion on all sides is getting bigger.

The new normality? I'm almost lost in words. Merry Christmas? Happy New Year 2021. With many or even most of them, the emotions will no longer allow this.

One thing is for sure: Things we loved to do and enjoyed in the past are no longer allowed: travelling, visiting great and big events such as concerts, Oktoberfest, carnival or sport games, social gatherings. Once upon a time ... . 

 I said already several months ago: it will never be the same as before. Many people around me confirmed this. 

My dear readers: stay safe and healthy always!

COVID-19 in Davao region contained

By Chrislen Bulosan, ABS-CBN News

DAVAO CITY — With no new surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, a health official here believes the virus has been contained.

Dr. Leopoldo Vega, Medical Center Chief of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) said the area has not recorded additional cases on April 10 and April 13. 

The tally remained at 90 confirmed cases, as of April 13. Of this, 52 have recovered while 14 died.

“The condition is controlled in a certain way because for the last two weeks, we haven’t started to see any kind of surge… We have a good number of recoveries. We have controlled the COVID but we cannot put our guards down because we might have a second wave,” Vega said. 

Vega added the hospital already carried out 1,908 COVID tests, as of April 11.

But a mass testing is not yet possible so the facility is trying to do a rapid testing, with frontliners being prioritized.

Davao City has the highest is the entire region with 74 confirmed cases.

Tally of positive cases in Davao City:

TALOMO DISTRICT - 27

BUHANGIN DUSTRICT - 21

POBLACION DISTRICT - 9

AGDAO DITRICT - 4

TORIL DISTRICT - 2

CALINAN DISTRICT - 1

PAQUIBATO DISTRICT - 1

BUNAWAN DISTRICT - 1

From Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s tally, Talomo District has the most number of confirmed patients.

A barangay lockdown may be imposed, but Duterte-Carpio would prefer a "household lockdown" instead, where residents are barred from leaving their homes. 

The entire Davao Region is placed under enhanced community quarantine until April 19. There is no directive from the local government yet for an extension.

Davao de Oro holds 2019 nCoV-ARD awareness forum

Davao de Oro Province---The Provincial Health Office (PHO) led by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Antonio Ybiernas Jr. of the province of Davao de Oro in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) conducts "Provincial Inter-Agency and Stakeholders Forum on 2019 novel Corona Virus-Acute Respiratory Disease (2019 nCoV-ARD) at the New SP Multi-Purpose Hall, SP Building Ground Floor, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro on Friday February 7.

Among the topics are the Overview and Background of 2019 nCoV-ARD, DOH Interim Guidelines, 2019-nCoV Surveillance Guidelines, Health & Promotion, DILG Guidelines, Role clarification of each agency ang Agreements, and the Update Organization of Provincial Inter-Agency task Force on Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease.

The forum discussed awareness on the prevention and control of the disease as well as the Decision Tool for 2019 nCoV-ARD assessment for Bureau of Quarantine and Hospitals for the case category and intervention, for the Patient Under Investigation (PUI) and Person Under Monitoring (PUM).

According to Jayson Mayang-RESU Surveillance Officer, that anyone who came from other parts of the world with confirmed 2019-nCoV-ARD infection except China, has no history of exposure, but with fever and or cough, is considered PUI and is advised to go on self-quarantine for 14 days.

He added that the Centers for Health Development will strictly monitor those who are self- quarantined especially with history of exposure include close contact who took care, handled specimens and or lived with a confirmed case of 2019-nCoV infection, visiting or working in a live animal market in China and direct contact with animals in China with circulating 2019 nCoV in human and animals.

The forum were attended by the head of the national and local government agencies, health officials from the Municipal Health Office of the eleven municipalities of the province, different stakeholders, Barangay Health Workers, Hospital personnel from 4 government hospitals and private hospitals of the province and the municipal and capitol employees.

(Rey Antibo, ID Davao de Oro)

Maco wins LGU Night

Las Fiestas de Oro at the 12^th Bulawan Festival

Compostela Valley Province – Municipal local government units from different sectors of the province compete at the 12^th Bulawan Festival for LGU Night: Las Fiestas de Oro on March 3, 2019. In light of the event, spectators are able to see the different performances as they learn more about the history and traditions through the representation of the festivals they hold in their respective area.

They were able to showcase their presentations at the said event and many were able to see their spectacular talents and precisions in their performances. The formal event started off with a message from the LMP President Hon. Roberto M. Yugo Sr. followed by the presentation of the board of judges, Mr. Richard Dian Vilar, Ms. Ma. Cynthia P. Aranas, and Ms. Dolores G. Curay.

The contenders from Maco, who represented their municipality’s “Kaimonan Festival” were hailed the winners for the Las Fiestas de Oro, followed by the participants from Maragusan, who represented the “Pyagsawitan Festival”, and Montevista, representing the “Diwanag Festival”, winning 1^st and 2^nd runner up, respectively.

Other festivals represented during the night were from other areas within Comval Province: Pantukan and the “Pasaka Festival”, Mawab and the “Pasandugan Festival”, Compostela and the “Buganihan Festival”, Mabini and the “Dapungan Festival”, Laak and the “Imunan Cum-Fruit Festival”, New Bataan and the “Sal’Lupongan Festival”, and Nabunturan with the “Simballay Festival”.

Provincial governor Hon. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy also gives his message as he showed appreciation for the representation of the different areas within the province and how it important it is to preserve their area’s culture and history.

Guests included for the night were Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who gave out an enriching message for those in attendance during the event, and Filipino celebrity Bella Padilla, who also entertained everyone with a special performance number.

The event is part of the weeklong celebration of the 12^th Bulawan Festival and 21^st Founding Anniversary of Compostela Valley that runs from March 3 to 8, 2019.

This year’s festivity highlights the private-public partnership with big and reputable companies as well as officials supporting the event:  Co-presenters  Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, Senior Board Member Arturo T. Uy, Congressman Maricar S. Zamora and Vice-Governor Manuel Zamora, Congressman Ruwel Peter S. Gonzaga, Apex Mining Company Inc., Torre Lorenzo Development Corp, MARINO Party List, HUGPONG NG PAGBABAGO, Dumper Party List and Beautederm. For Diamond Sponsorship: Krishael’s Events and Concept while for Gold Sponsorship, SUMIFRU Philippines, Phoenix Fuels Inc., Cong. Antonio Floirendo, Jr. and HEXAT Mining Co., Inc.  (Sean Seismundo, IDS Comval)

Lebende Schildkröten in herrenlosen Koffern in Manila

PANORAMA

Quelle: WELT

AUTOPLAY

VIDEOFLUGHAFEN MANILA

Zoll entdeckt 1500 lebende Schildkröten in herrenlosen Koffern

• Stand: 04.03.2019 
• Dauer 44 Sek

0

In Manila haben Flughafen-Zollbeamte mehr als 1500 lebende Schildkröten in Koffern entdeckt. Auf den Philippinen kann der illegale Handel mit Wildtieren mit bis zu zwei Jahren Gefängnis geahndet werden.

© Axel Springer SE. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Palawan's Ed Nido under rehabilitation

148SHARES821

Robertzon Ramirez (The Philippine Star)

No total shutdown; 22 establishments closed

MANILA, Philippines — After Boracay, the government has launched a rehabilitation program for another top tourist destination, the resort town of El Nido in Palawan.

The rehabilitation starts with the shutdown of 22 tourism-oriented establishments found violating various environmental laws, including being built too close to the  sea, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said yesterday.

Unlike in Boracay, however, there will be no total shutdown of El Nido, where several of the high-end resorts of Palawan are located.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) urged the government to study carefully the proposal to close tourist spots in El Nido and Coron in Palawan for rehabilitation.

Puyat told a press conference in Quezon City that although a total closure of El Nido may not be necessary, the government is looking at the possibility of imposing limits on the number of tourists to be allowed in the resort town. 

“The local government in El Nido, Palawan said they closed 22 establishments,” Puyat said.

Local officials of El Nido met yesterday with Puyat, Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu and Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of the Interior and Local Government at the DILG office in Quezon City. 

Their three departments were tasked to rehabilitate Boracay when it was closed to tourists at the height of the travel season this year. 

Boracay was shut down in April and reopened on Oct. 26.

Puyat said the Palawan Interagency Task Force composed of DOT, DENR and DILG is set to conduct rehabilitation efforts for El Nido to prevent the looming pollution problem from getting worse.

Yesterday, the task force started its consultation with stakeholders and the local government of El Nido to chart the course of action in rehabilitating the town.

Año said what will be discussed or agreed upon in the series of meetings with the local government, environmental organizations and others will be the basis of the recommendation that the Palawan Task Force will submit to President Duterte.

The President had previously ordered the six-month total closure of Boracay in Aklan province, to give way to rehabilitation following massive water pollution and waste disposal problems.

Año said the overcrowding situation in El Nido is not as massive as it was in Boracay, thus the total closure of the town to tourists while undergoing rehabilitation may not be necessary. 

“With the help of the local government units, we can also come up with a security task force to guard El Nido. It has 45 islands and we must secure all of those if we want to preserve El Nido as a top tourist destination,” he added.

For his part, Environment Secretary Cimatu said he had already ordered an increased presence of DENR personnel in El Nido and the nearby municipality of Coron, to ensure environmental compliance of business establishments operating at the two tourists destinations.

“We have to be very strict in El Nido and Coron. We will dedicate a big portion of the DENR presence there to focus on environmental compliance,” Cimatu said.

Cimatu said ensuring the environmental compliance of the business establishments, particularly when it comes to the disposal of their solid and water wastes, is among the aspects of Task Force Palawan’s rehabilitation program.

“We are still finalizing the timeline for the rehabilitation program, but there will be three aspects. The environmetal compliance aspect, the DILG aspect which involves the issue of business permits and building constructions, and the tourism side,” Cimatu said.

As far as the meeting is concerned, Puyat said she is pushing local government officials to create a local ordinance that would limit the number of boats entering the lagoon. 

Puyat said the officials have promised to implement the ordinance by December this year. 

Dialogue for rehab

PCCI said the government should hold a dialogue with key stakeholders to map out rehabilitation plans before considering the closure of resorts.

In addition, the PCCI said concerned local government units should take a more proactive role in identifying and cleaning up their respective illegal waste disposal and sewer problems instead of waiting for the national government to come in and intervene.

“Closing El Nido and Coron will not be good for business, particularly for the legitimate industry stakeholders who will suffer the most from cancellation of bookings and reservations for the coming months,” PCCI said.

It added the move would affect the local communities and many jobs.

Instead, the group said the government should shut down or impose heavy fines only on establishments that are proven to have committed violations of environmental codes.

PCCI also said erring officials should be charged or removed from office.

About a million tourists visit Palawan every year, with the bulk going to El Nido and Coron.

Tourist arrivals in El Nido in particular reached 200,000 last year.

Given the six-month closure of Boracay island for rehabilitation, tourist arrivals in El Nido are expected to be higher this year.

No weapons

Meanwhile, Malacañang yesterday defended Duterte’s decision to bar other countries from stockpiling weapons in Palawan, saying it would protect the province from being a “flaming collateral damage” in case conflict escalates in the South China Sea. 

Last week, Duterte said he would not allow other countries to store firearms or ammunition in Palawan, the western Philippine province nearest to the disputed areas in the South China Sea. 

Duterte, who has been accused of being soft on China on the maritime row, has said there is a “great risk” that Palawan might be caught in the crossfire between feuding parties in the area. He has also stressed that the Philippines is not ready for a war over the disputed areas.

Reacting to Duterte’s pronouncement, American analyst Anders Corr said the restriction would leave Palawan militarily vulnerable to China’s advantage.

But presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo maintained that Duterte’s decision reflects the Philippine leader’s “acumen and diplomacy in dealing with the issue.”

“The President has embarked on a cautious, pragmatic, diplomatic yet independent stand on how to deal with the favorable arbitral ruling. The President has a wealth of information at his disposal, which is not readily available to ordinary citizens or foreigners, hence he is in the best position to decide on international matters that affect the welfare of the nation,” Panelo said.  – With Elizabeth Marcelo, Louella Desiderio, Alexis Romero, Catherine Talavera