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Peso retreats against the dollar on hawkish comments from Fed officials

BW FILE PHOTO
THE PESO weakened against the dollar on Wednesday following hawkish comments from US Federal Reserve policy makers. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO retreated versus the greenback on Wednesday as US monetary officials signaled their openness to more rate increases this year to normalize their stance.

The local unit ended trading at P51.43 per dollar on Wednesday, shedding 24 centavos from its P51.19 finish on Tuesday, based on Bankers Association of the Philippines data.

The peso opened Wednesday’s session at P51.25 versus the dollar, which was also its intraday best. Its weakest showing was at P51.445 against the greenback.

Dollars exchanged dropped to $1.263 billion on Wednesday from $1.303 billion on Tuesday.

A trader in an e-mail said the peso weakened significantly after hawkish statements from the US Federal Reserve officials.

Reuters reported that Fed Reserve Governor Lael Brainard on Tuesday said she expects monetary policy to be in a more neutral position through rate increases and a rapid balance sheet runoff.

Separately, Fed Bank of Kansas City President Esther George said she is open to a 0.50-basis-point increase in interest rates as part of monetary policy tightening.

The Fed raised rates last month for the first time in three years and released projections that policy rate would end the year at least in the range of 1.75% to 2%, if not higher, which would require quarter-point rate increases at all six remaining Fed meetings this year.

Meanwhile, another trader in a Viber message said the dollar’s broad-based strength was a main driver for foreign exchange trading on Wednesday. The second trader said the peso’s depreciation also tracked losses in the local stock market.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index declined by 46.81 points or 0.65% to close at 7,109.26 on Wednesday. The broader all shares index likewise fell by 16.94 points or 0.44% to end trading at 3,780.49.

For Thursday, the first trader gave a forecast range of P51.35 to P51.60 per dollar, while the second trader sees the peso moving within the P51.20 to P50.50 band. — L.W.T. Noble with Reuters

Bongbong keeps poll lead even if his rating falls

FACEBOOK.COM/BONGBONGMARCOS

FORMER senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. kept his lead in Pulse Asia Research, Inc.’s presidential opinion poll last month, even as his rating fell.

In a statement, Pulse Asia said 56% of Filipinos would vote for the son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, 4 percentage points lower than his February rating.

He remained the top pick for president in the Visayas, Mindanao, the National Capital Region and the rest of Luzon, even if his numbers decreased. He was also the top choice across socioeconomic classes C, D and E.

Still in second place was Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, whose rating rose by nine points to 24%.

Pulse Asia conducted the poll on March 17-21, after the first official presidential debate that Mr. Marcos failed to join.

Ms. Robredo’s rating increase was caused by significant jumps in Balance Luzon (from 16% to 30%), the Visayas (19% to 28%) and Mindanao (5% to 14%). Her rating in Manila, the capital, and nearby cities also rose by a point.

Her numbers increased among the classes C (17% to 30%), D (14% to 24%) and E (13% to 22%).

She was followed by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso (8%), Senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao (6%), Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson (2%), businessman Faisal Mangondato (1%), former Cabinet official Ernesto C. Abella (0.1%), cardiologist Jose C. Montemayor, Jr. (0.05%) and labor leader Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman (0.02%).

Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio was the top pick for vice-president, with 56% of Filipinos backing her candidacy. She was followed by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III with 20%.

In third place was Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan (15%), followed by cardiologist Willie T. Ong with 5% and party-list lawmaker Jose Livioko “Lito” Atienza, Jr. (1%.).

Pulse Asia interviewed 2,400 adults for the poll, which had an error margin of ±2 percentage points. 

Meanwhile, Ms. Robredo was the most preferred candidate of Filipino voters who want to see change in the next government, WR Numero Research said, citing a 2021 poll.

In a statement, the research firm said the vice-president was the choice of 41.6% of Filipinos who disagree with how President Rodrigo R. Duterte has run the government.

Mr. Marcos came in second with 26.95%, followed by Mr. Domagoso with 11.8%.

WR Numero said Ms. Robredo was also the second choice of voters who preferred partial continuity, with 16.49% of respondents expecting her to continue and reform the policies of Mr. Duterte, whose war on drugs has killed thousands. 

She followed Mr. Marcos who got 44.38% but was ahead of Mr. Domagoso who got 13.2%.

Mr. Marcos, who is leading in most presidential opinion polls, attended the 75th birthday dinner of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday.

The event took place in Quezon City, a day after the former leader asked supporters and members of political dynasties in Pampanga province to vote for Mr. Marcos and his running mate.

Ms. Arroyo’s father, the late President Diosdado P. Macapagal, Sr. and the late dictator were bitter rivals in the Liberal Party, the political group of Ms. Robredo.

The elder Mr. Marcos left the Liberal Party and joined the Nacionalista Party to run against Mr. Macapagal for president in 1965.

Mr. Macapagal and his daughter helped the anti-dictatorship movement, which later opposed Ms. Arroyo’s rule after alleged cheating in the 2004 presidential election.

The government under her successor Benigno S.C. Aquino III indicted her for election sabotage, for which she was arrested in Nov. 2011 while confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City.

She was transferred to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City a month later and was released from hospital arrest on bail in July 2012.

Three months later, she refused to enter a plea on charges she misused $8.8 million in state lottery funds while she was president, for which she got arrested again and placed on hospital arrest

In July 2016, the Supreme Court dismissed the corruption charges against her and ordered her release from the hospital where she had been detained since 2012. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Philippines says China trespassing broke sovereignty

PHOTO FROM PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

THE PRESIDENTIAL palace on Wednesday said China violated Philippine sovereignty when one of its naval vessels entered the country without permission on Jan. 29 to Feb. 1.

“Following an investigation, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has determined that these actions violate national sovereignty,” palace spokesman Jose Martin M. Andanar told a news briefing.

Mr. Andanar said DFA had “taken appropriate diplomatic action.” “The DFA summoned the Chinese ambassador to lodge a diplomatic protest regarding this incident.”

“While engaging in diplomacy in dealing with China, the President will always protect our territory and uphold our national interest,” he added, referring to President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana on Tuesday said the Chinese ship entered the Sulu Sea to spy on the recent joint naval exercises between the Philippines and United States, contrary to China’s claim of innocent passage.

“In intel, that is following and watching,” he told reporters, according to local media. “The ship was shadowing the Philippine-US naval exercise in the Sulu Sea.”

Mr. Lorenzana noted that while he does not find the incident “really disturbing because the vessel did not do any dangerous thing,” the act of monitoring the Philippines’ naval exercises with its former colonizer contradicts China’s claim of innocent passage.

“If it was an innocent passage, it would not take half a day to traverse Balabac Strait to northern Palawan,” he added.

The South China Sea, a key global shipping route, is subject to overlapping territorial claims involving China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Mr. Duterte led a foreign policy pivot to China when he took office in 2016. He has been accused of gambling Philippine territories to appease China, from which he got about P1.2 trillion in investment and loan pledges to boost big-ticket infrastructure projects. But critics said few have materialized.

His predecessor, the late Benigno S.C. Aquino III, led the Philippines in suing China before a United Nations-backed tribunal due to its island-building and military activities in Philippine-claimed areas in the waterway. 

In 2016, the international court favored the Philippines by voiding China’s claim to more than 80% of the waterway based on a 1940s map in a decision that China has ignored.

The Philippines is set to hold national elections on May 9. Political analysts have said the country’s sea dispute with China is a major election issue.

Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research said in a report last year that Philippine presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. “appears one of the few candidates to agree with Duterte’s policy of engagement.”

Local civic groups and foreign policy experts have accused him of parroting China’s mantra in its sea dispute with the Philippines.

Mr. Marcos’ main rival, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, has said the next government should be uncompromising when it comes to the South China Sea dispute. She said Mr. Duterte’s successor should not deal with Beijing until it recognizes the 2016 arbitral ruling.

Presidential bets Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson and labor leader Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman have cited the need for diplomacy in dealing with China, including collaboration with Southeast Asian neighbors and middle powers like Japan and Australia.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso, another presidential candidate, has sought increased military presence in the South China Sea. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Comelec lets cash aid distribution amid spending ban

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) has allowed the government to distribute cash aid to public drivers and operators amid an election spending ban on public works and social welfare dole-outs.

“The petition of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for its fuel subsidy program has been granted, but subject to the strictest implementation of the program,” Election Commissioner George Erwin M. Garcia told a news briefing on Wednesday.

Mr. Garcia said the LTFRB must wait for the release of the Comelec order before continuing its program. “We will definitely release the resolution right away, the earliest is by tomorrow and the latest by Friday.”

Last month, Comelec allowed Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo to continue her pandemic response initiatives during the campaign period.

Senator Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares on Monday asked Comelec to fast-track its decision on LTFRB’s exemption application.

The election spending ban runs from March 25 to May 8. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Metro Manila mayors eye policy to force booster shots 

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARGAS

MAYORS in the capital region Metro Manila are considering the imposition of a policy that would compel people to get a booster shot against coronavirus, according to the country’s health chief. 

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said at a televised Cabinet meeting on Tuesday night that he had a meeting with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando S. Artes to discuss the policy, which he said is being eyed since a large number of Filipinos have yet to receive a third dose.  

The policy would be similar to mobility and entry restrictions imposed on those who are unvaccinated, he said.  

“I talked to Metro Manila Chairman Don Artes, and he said he would convene NCR (National Capital Region) mayors and study if they could also do this with booster dose since our booster coverage is still low,” Mr. Duque said. 

The Metro Manila Council, composed of the NCR’s 17 mayors, governs and sets policies for implementation by the MMDA.  

“We’re only 25% of our eligible population of about 46.4 million individuals who are supposed to be given the booster dose,” Mr. Duque said. 

The Philippines, with a population of 109 million, has fully vaccinated 66.34 million people as of April 5, while 12.26 million people have received booster shots, according to government data.  

NCR, which has a population of over 13.48 million, has one of the highest vaccination rates among regions across the country.  

LEGISLATION 
Mr. Duque, meanwhile, has asked Congress to pass a measure that would make coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, including the injection of booster shots, mandatory. 

Senators, however, scoffed at the health secretary’s call for legislators to show “political will” by passing such law that critics have tagged as discriminatory and may lead to political divisions.  

“It’s his way to pass on his problem to us,” Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, who is running for vice president, said in a Viber message to reporters on Wednesday. 

“We have six days left (in plenary sessions),” he added, which means there would be no time for a new measure, especially one that could be contentious, to go through the legislative process.  

“We are converting into the National Board of Canvassers not to mention the Human Rights aspect.” 

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, Sr., who is running for president, said “there is no political will in violating the basic rights and freedoms that belong to any person.” 

The act of forcing a person to get vaccinated, he said, is a clear violation of human rights. Instead of “passing the burden to Congress,” he called on the health department to be proactive by implementing house-to-house campaigns. 

Meanwhile, Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” L. Pimentel III, who chairs the Senate Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship Committee, said Mr. Duque’s suggestion was “not a valid idea” as it is unconstitutional. 

“Since COVID-19 vaccines are still experimental, then it is scientifically unsound to make them mandatory,” he said.  

Mr. Pimentel also said that it was “unethical and immoral” for the health chief to suggest such legislation just because a large number of vaccines are about to expire.  

VACCINATION PLAN 
At the Cabinet meeting, President Rodrigo R. Duterte asked authorities to conduct a house-to-house COVID-19 vaccination program to use the doses that are due to expire in the next few months. 

“The vaccines are here and ready to be utilized, just in case. A good number of Filipinos continue to refuse to be vaccinated,” he said. “Wala na tayong magagawa (We can’t do anything about that).” 

“The most we can do, a last minute program, is we embark on a program to deliver the vaccines to houses (in the countryside)” he added. 

Citing the country’s pandemic task force, Palace Spokesman Jose Martin M. Andanar said on Wednesday that most of the vaccine doses that will expire by July were either donated by other countries or procured by local governments and the private sector. 

“A 1.54% estimated wastage rate among vaccines purchased by the national government has been recorded,” Mr. Andanar told a regular news conference. “This is below the 10% indicative rate of the World Health Organization.” 

He said the Department of Health and the national task force against COVID-19 are working with manufacturers “to extend the shelf life of vaccines based on updated scientific data such as updated stability studies.” 

Mr. Andanar said the top three challenges in the government’s vaccination program against the coronavirus are the low turnout during the recent national vaccination days, declining daily output, and low coverage in the Bangsamoro region. 

The Philippines, which remains at minimal risk from the coronavirus, has experienced four waves of COVID-19 since 2020. It reported the highest single-day tally on Jan. 15 at 30,004. 

Authorities have said that the Philippines is ready should the new highly infectious recombinant variant of COVID-19, dubbed XE, enter the country. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Alyssa Nicole O. Tan 

Lacson plans 85% national budget share for LGUs; Ka Leody, Domagoso vow local jobs for OFWs 

SENATOR Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, Sr. on Wednesday said if he wins the presidential race in May, his administration will distribute 85% of the annual budget to local government units as a strategy to combat corruption.   

He said he was able to test the effectivity of this scheme when he led the Philippine National Police from 1999 to 2001.  

“Because at that time, 60% (of the funds) were at the headquarters, only 40% were going to the frontline units,” the senator said in mix of English and Filipino in a statement.   

“This can’t be, because the police (on the ground) would be tempted to extort money without proper funding. So, I said, the headquarters would only take 15%, 85% (would go to regional offices).”  

The senator also said that he used his discretionary fund as police chief, which amounted to as much as P100 million at that time, to provide financial assistance to the families of uniformed personnel killed in the line of duty.  

These experiences, he said, formed his advocacy to “lead by example” and solidified his resistance to corruption.  

OVERSEAS WORKERS
Meanwhile, two other presidential contenders have vowed to provide more local opportunities for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).   

“As a long-term solution, let us start as early as now to strengthen our local economy so that the efforts and capabilities of our OFWs may be directed towards the development of our society,” Labor leader Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman said in a statement in Filipino.  

He also plans to implement a “labor first” policy in the operation of the newly-established Department of Migrant Affairs. 

“This (institution) should always serve migrants rather than the principal employer or manpower agencies,” he said.    

Mr. de Guzman also reiterated his planned shift in economic policies, focusing on the modernization of the agricultural sector and massive industrialization.  

Among the Partido Lakas ng Masa standard-bearer’s platforms is to develop local industries, and move away from the import-dependent and export-oriented policies of past administrations. 

“Who would still want to leave our country if everything we need is here,” he said. “Workers wouldn’t need to endure living far from their families if we had a lot of decent jobs and equal opportunities to work with dignity.”  

Presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso, for his part, said he would ensure returning OFWs have access to livelihood or job opportunities through the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).  

“Some of them have savings and houses, while others do not. How do we help them integrate?… That’s only two things. Either they find jobs through DTI or go back to planting, agriculture. They will need the government for that,” he said in Filipino in a live-streamed interview held in Zamboanga del Sur.  

Mr. Domagoso, the standard-bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko, also said that his administration will invest in the development of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educational program as well as agricultural courses. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan, John Victor D. Ordoñez, and Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan 

System for identifying, locating learners with disabilities urgently needed — senator 

EDUCATION authorities must immediately set up a system for identifying and locating learners with disabilities, as mandated by a new law, to address the drop in enrollment among this group due to the coronavirus pandemic, a senator said on Wednesday. 

“We need to intensify our search for young people with disabilities so that they will not be left behind to have a better future,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who sponsored the bill and chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said in Filipino in a statement. 

Republic Act 11650 requires the rollout of a “child find” system that will identify, locate, and evaluate learners with disabilities up to 24 years old to ensure they receive basic education. The law was signed last month.  

The education department recently announced plans to increase enrollment for this group.  

The number of enrolled learners with disabilities dropped by almost 74% to 93,895 in the current school year from 360,879 before the coronavirus pandemic that prompted school closures and other restrictions starting March 2020, according to data released by the education department. 

It also reported a decline in the number of schools enrolling learners with disabilities to 13,408 from 21,270 in the same period. 

The new law provides support services for learners with disabilities and requires the implementation of various inclusive education programs. It also mandates the establishment of at least one Inclusive Learning Resource Center in every city and municipality. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan 

Davao water utility seeks 60% rate hike over 3 years 

BW FILE PHOTO/ LSDAVALJR

DAVAO City’s water supply distributor has filed for a 60% rate increase, which it plans to implement over a three-year period, an official said.  

Davao City Water District (DCWD) spokesperson Jovana Cresta T. Duhaylungsod said the proposed rate adjustments — at 30% in the first year, then 20% and 10% in the two succeeding years — is still under evaluation by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA). 

“Rest assured that once there is a decision (by LWUA)… we will implement it in tranches to cushion the financial impact,” she said in a media briefing.  

DCWD currently charges residential customers P137.40 for the first 10 cubic meters (cu.m.) plus meter maintenance fee between P25.00 to P40.00. 

Additional consumption is priced in brackets of P14.40 for the next 10 cu.m., P18.60 for 21-40 cu.m., P24.70 for 31-40 cu.m., and P36.00 per cu.m. thereafter.  

DCWD’s last rate increase was approved in 2005, and was implemented under a staggered scheme up to 2013.  

Ms. Duhaylungsod said the proposed rate adjustment is necessary for DCWD to generate funds for service area expansion and keep up with public and private infrastructure developments in the next 10 years.  

She noted that while DCWD is categorized as a government-owned and controlled corporation, it has not been receiving any subsidy from the national or local government.  

“What we use are the water bill payments that we receive to fund our operation and expansions,” she said. — Maya M. Padillo 

P63-M worth of counterfeit goods seized in Greenhills  

THE NATIONAL Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) has seized P63 million worth of counterfeit products at the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City on April 4.   

In a statement on Wednesday, NCIPR member Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said 755 pieces of fake Louis Vuitton products were confiscated during a raid led by the National Bureau of Investigation.   

“The activity is part of the NCIPR’s commitment to remove Greenhills from the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) list of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy. The shopping center is the lone market in the country to be in the list,” IPOPHL said.   

IPOPHL Deputy Director General Teodoro C. Pascua said the government is taking action because Greenhills’ reputation as a “go-to for fake goods” harms the country’s standing.  

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has confiscated nearly P6 million worth of uncertified products in the National Capital Region and the Visayas in central Philippines.   

In a separate statement on Wednesday, the DTI said its Fair-Trade Enforcement Bureau has sequestered 37,870 pieces of uncertified products after a series of random spot-checking activities within March across 324 local establishments in these areas.  

Of those checked, 175 establishments were given notices of violation for selling consumer products that do not have marks indicating compliance to the required certification process. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave  

Party-list vows representation for 4M tricycle drivers 

ZAMBOANGA CIO

A NOMINEE of a new party-list that seeks to represent tricycle drivers said Wednesday that he will push for a bill that grants benefits to this sector. 

Valenzuela City Councilor and Towards Development and Action (TODA) Party-list 1st nominee Rovin Andrew M. Feliciano said a Magna Carta for Tricycle Drivers will be among his priority legislation.  

“Based on a 2019 survey, it reveals that there are four million tricycle units in the whole country. This means that the tricycle drivers make up a huge sector of our society. Unfortunately, not one bill on the privilege of tricycle drivers was passed in Congress,” he said in Filipino in a radio interview. 

Related bills that were submitted in both chambers of Congress included provisions on tricycle drivers’ membership in the Social Security System and a national budget allocation for the sector. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan 

2 Koreans wanted for telecom fraud nabbed 

PHILIPPINE immigration officers have arrested two South Korean nationals wanted for telecommunications fraud in their home country. 

The Bureau of Immigration (BI), in a statement dated April 5, reported the arrest on Sunday of the two fugitives who have red notices from the International Criminal Police (Interpol). 

A red notice is a request to authorities worldwide to arrest a fugitive wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence. 

Communication between BI and Interpol showed that the fugitives are members of separate telecom and voice phishing fraud syndicates that swindled victims of $66,000 and $43,200, respectively. 

The suspects made calls to victims who were duped into transferring money to the syndicates’ bank accounts. 

Immigration Chief Jamie H. Morente issued a deportation order for one of the fugitives in 2017 while the other has yet to undergo deportation proceedings before the BI legal division. 

“The two of them will be expelled, blacklisted, and banned from re-entering the country for being undesirable aliens,” Mr. Morente said. 

BI said the South Koreans’ passports have been revoked by their government and have been hiding in the Philippines for almost six years. 

The two are detained at the BI holding facility in Taguig while awaiting deportation. — John Victor D. Ordonez 

Business chambers support booster requirement by June

BUSINESS CHAMBERS declared their support for a requirement to show proof of vaccination booster shots by June as a condition for entry into most establishments, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. A. Concepcion III said.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mr. Concepcion said the organizations supporting the booster requirement were the  Philippine Franchise Association, the Philippine Retailers Association, the Philippine Marketing Association, the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Financial Executives Institute, the American, European, and Indian Chambers of Commerce, the Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Nangangasiwa ng Panlalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas, and other groups representing personal service businesses like salons and spas, amusement park owners, and event organizers and venues.

He added that airlines and restaurants would like to offer various incentives to customers who have received coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) booster shots. Other groups are also studying the proposal.

“We in the business community know only too well how important it is to keep the economy open, not just for our own businesses but for the entire economy,” Mr. Concepcion said.  

“The real barrier here is citizens who are putting off their boosters or are rejecting them altogether,” he added.

According to Mr. Concepcion, the Philippines is risking a surge of COVID-19 cases in the second half unless the vaccine and booster adoption rate rises.

“Right now, there is no danger. The danger is in the next semester when the waning immunity might be felt already. And this is not counting the possibility that new variants might emerge,” Mr. Concepcion said.

“We already know what might happen if we don’t act, and we know what needs to be done. If we close down again in the second semester, we risk losing our gains in the last two years. This can be entirely preventable if we act now,” Mr. Concepcion said.  

“The proposal gives people 60 days to get their boosters once the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) finalizes the resolution. It will also allow all persons regardless of priority category to get their booster shots. It is also being proposed that booster cards become the proof of vaccination for use in registering on VAXCERT PH,” he added.

Mr. Concepcion said in a Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday that there is no need to implement travel restrictions in response to the emergence of a more transmissible COVID-19 variant known as Omicron XE.

“I don’t think there’s a need for that… You cannot prevent these variants from coming in. The best you can do is to prepare for it,” Mr. Concepcion said.

The countries where Omicron XE has been detected include Thailand and the UK. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

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