House eyes probe on polio vaccination after more cases reported
THE HOUSE of Representatives plans to look into the implementation of the Department of Health’s polio vaccination program after more cases were reported last week. Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo of the Quezon City 2nd District said she will call for the probe after one of the four latest cases was a child in the city. It was the first case in the National Capital Region. “I would like to know from DoH how many polio viruses out there are threatening our children and how many vaccines do they have to protect them,” Ms. Castelo said. As of last week, the total number of polio cases in the country was 16 since the outbreak was declared September 2019. Prior to the outbreak, the Philippines has been on a polio-free status since 2000. — Genshen L. Espedido
BI reports 29% income hike in 2019
THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) earned P11.9 billion in 2019, 29% higher than the previous year, the agency reported on Sunday. Commissioner Jaime H. Morente, in a statement, attributed the revenue collection hike to more immigration fees with the growth in foreign business and leisure travelers as well as improvements in their services. “We expect our income to increase again this year as a result of the improvements in services and programs that we instituted for the benefit of the transacting and traveling public,” Mr. Morente said. He also cited the bureau’s bid to modernize facilities and simplify procedures. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
