WHO confirms Delta local transmissions in PHL

August 31, 2021 | 8:47 pm

vaccination — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE WORLD Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said the Delta variant of the coronavirus is now the dominant strain in the Philippines, as the country has been posting more than 10,000 infections daily with a record high of over 22,000 on Monday.

“With these numbers, we are in community transmission of the Delta variant,” WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe told a virtual news briefing.

“This situation is not entirely surprising,” he said. “What we are seeing in the Philippines is not unique. It is being seen in other countries.”

The Health department in a statement said 69% of 748 samples sequenced as of Aug. 27 were carriers of the highly contagious Delta variant.

“Delta variant cases showed steady increase and constituted a greater percentage in the recent sequencing runs compared to the Beta and Alpha variants,” it said.

The Department of Health (DoH) reported 13,827 coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1.99 million. On Monday, the country posted its highest daily number of cases at 22,366.

Eight laboratories out of the 279 accredited facilities did not submit data on Aug. 29.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire, in a separate news briefing, said coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country could peak in mid-September due to the Delta variant.

DELTA
The Delta variant was present in all 17 regions in the country, except for the Bangsamoro region, Ms. Vergeire said.

The Bangsamoro minister of health, however, earlier said the absence of a recorded Delta variant in the region may just be due to limited testing.

Most of the Delta cases were detected in the regions of Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and the National Capital Region, she added.

Ms. Vergeire said the percentage of samples that tested positive for the Delta variant rose to 56% in August from 6% in June.

“This coincides with the start of a steeper rise in the number of cases in July.”

Ms. Vergeire said the country had a daily average of 17,013 coronavirus cases from Aug. 24 to 30, 14% higher than 14,886 from Aug. 17 to 23. It is also 32% higher than the 12,818 from Aug. 10 to 16.

Ms. Vergeire said the national positivity rate increased to 26.3% from the 18.6% recorded in the first week of the month.

The Health official said the capital region Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Central Luzon, Northern Mindanao, Ilocos Region, Central Visayas, Davao Region, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, and Caraga were at high-risk classification COVID-19.

The country is still at a high-risk classification, she said, noting that the majority of regions in the country have moderate to high-risk healthcare use rate.

Active cases in Metro Manila decreased, Ms. Vergeire said. More than 51% of active cases in the country came from other provinces, she added.

Nationwide, the death toll rose on Tuesday to 33,448 after 118 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 16,759 to 1.81 million, the Health department said in a bulletin.

There were 145,562 active cases, 95.9% of which were mild, 1.4% were asymptomatic, 1.1% were severe, 0.99% were moderate and 0.6% were critical.

The agency said 172 duplicates were removed from the tally, 153 of which were recoveries. It added that 37 recoveries were reclassified as deaths.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abeyasinghe said there is not yet enough evidence to prove that the Delta variant can be transmitted through air.

“The evidence we have is that the Delta variant, although more transmissible, is still largely transmitted in aerosols,” he said. “It’s not an airborne transmission.”

TRAVEL BAN
In another development, Mr. Duterte approved late Tuesday the recommendation of an inter-agency task force to extend the travel ban on India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia until Sept. 5.

“These travel restrictions form part of the pro-active measures to slow down the rising number of COVID-19 cases, stop further spread of variants, and increase the country’s existing healthcare capacity,” Palace Spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said in a statement.— Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

President defends medical supply deals under senate probe

August 31, 2021 | 8:46 pm

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter
and Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte has defended his former economic adviser Michael Yang, who had been linked to the illegal drug trade, after the Chinese businessman was implicated in another controversy involving the Budget department’s procurement of overpriced medical supplies.

Mr. Yang is back in the headlines after Senator Richard J. Gordon played a Radio Television Malacañang video in a Senate hearing last week showing him introducing officials of Taiwan-based Pharmally International to Mr. Duterte in March 2017.

Pharmally’s local subsidiary, Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., bagged about P8.68 billion worth of pandemic-related medical supply contracts last year.

“Michael Yang has been in business for 20 years, he started in Davao,” Mr. Duterte said in taped Cabinet meeting. “Hindi iyan ang Instik na kinukunan ko ng pera (That is not the Chinese from whom I get money).”

The President said the Davao-based businessman had been present in his official meetings with former Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua.

“Bakit ako magduda? Bakit ako magsabi na drug lord siya? (Why would I have doubts? Why would I say he’s a drug lord)?” the President asked, adding that the Chinese diplomat stayed at Mr. Yang’s residence when he came to Davao.

In March 2019, former police official Eduardo P. Acierto accused the President and his former police chief, now Senator Ronald M. Dela Rosa, of blocking a potential investigation into Mr. Yang’s alleged involvement in the country’s illegal drug trade. In the same month, the Presidential Palace announced that Mr. Yang was no longer economic adviser of the President since his contract expired in Dec. 2018.

“Kaibigan ako ng China, sasabihin sa akin ang totoo (I am a friend of China, they would tell me the truth),” Mr. Duterte said, noting that the Chinese government would not allow Mr. Yang to enter the Philippines if he was involved in the illegal drug trade.

In a public speech last year, the President said Mr. Yang was first introduced to him in 1999 by a Maranao tribe leader named Randy Usman.

Senators have questioned why Pharmally, which was registered with the Securities and Exchange of Commission in 2019 with a paid-up capital of only P625,000, was awarded government contracts worth billions when it had yet to establish the required track record.

Senator María Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos earlier said leaders of Pharmally “have active criminal cases in Taiwan” for alleged manipulation of stocks.

In the same Cabinet meeting, the President also defended Chinese suppliers getting pandemic contracts, saying he was in touch with Chinese business people to secure investments for the country.

“I thought we are inviting investors? That is why I went to China several times, for them to come and help us,” he said.

The President also admitted that he had instructed the Health department to skip public bidding for the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the onset of the pandemic last year.

“I was the one who instructed (Health Secretary Francisco T.) Duque. I want it done immediately,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

PERSONAL ATTACKS
Meanwhile, the tough-talking leader waged personal attacks against Senator Richard J. Gordon, Sr. and other senators for grilling former Budget undersecretary Christopher Lloyd Lao, who signed the Pharmally deals, in previous senate hearings.

The President also accused Mr. Gordon of ‘Sinophobia’ for focusing on Mr. Yang’s links to Pharmally.

State auditors, in their 2020 audit reports released recently, flagged several government agencies for irregularities and deficiencies in their handling of pandemic funds. The Department of Health had one of the highest funds in question.

Mr. Gordon, reacting to Mr. Duterte’s tirades, said the President should question those involved in the controversial deals and not the Commission on Audit nor the Senate panel.

“I don’t understand our President, he said he was against corruption,” Mr. Gordon said. “You cannot hide that there is a problem. How can you ignore that? Why are you covering your eyes and blaming others?”

The senator also took a jab at the President saying he “forgives” him for the insults because personal attacks are only done by the weak.

Mr. Gordon, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee which is conducting the probe, said Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go may be the “common denominator” among “dubious characters” involved in the medical supply deals.

Mr. Gordon said he did not want to investigate a colleague, but if evidence points to Mr. Go, then he will do so. “There may be some explanations to be made by Senator Bong Go.”

In a privilege speech on Tuesday, Mr. Go, a long-time aide of the President, denied any involvement in the deals nor working closely with the personalities being questioned.

He reiterated a previous statement that Mr. Lao “did not directly report to me nor did he ever serve as my aide.”

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, who was also attacked by the President, said the country’s leader seems to be in “panic mode.”

“The video showing Michael Yang, a Chinese national who had a signed contract as a presidential consultant, receiving a one-peso-a-year remuneration from the government and very casually introducing high officials of the controversial Pharmally Corp. is telling to say the least,” said Mr. Lacson in a statement on Tuesday.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, in a separate statement, said negligent government officials and employees must be made accountable to stop “sloppy jobs” that waste public funds.

“We can’t just sit back and watch the meltdown in government services. We need to hold liable those who have been failing in their jobs,” Mr. Sotto said.

PPE PURCHASE IN 2022
Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto on Tuesday said the Health department should publish the specifications and volume of PPEs to be purchased in 2022 to draw in Filipino suppliers.

“Make public the details. As they say, sunlight is the best disinfectant,” said Mr. Recto in a statement. “There is a capable and competent local PPE manufacturing sector whose products, if patronized by their own government, will save jobs and save lives.”

The DoH is planning to buy 758,700 sets of PPE at an average cost of P1,079 each, said Mr. Recto, citing the 2022 proposed national budget submitted to Congress.

“The Philippine-made medical-grade masks are being exported. What is loved by other countries should not be officially snubbed here,” he said.

Mr. Recto also urged the DoH to “shun the trend” of designating the Department of Budget and Management’s Procurement Service or the Philippine International Trading Corp. to do the procurement for them, especially since health authorities know best the quality needed to keep medical workers safe.

The senator also note that the 2021 General Appropriations Act and the 2022 New Expenditures Program have a section allowing early procurement activities for anticipated projects, which will help lessen delays.

MWSS proposes revisions on water service connections, billing guidelines

August 31, 2021 | 8:43 pm

THE REGULATORY office of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has proposed several revisions on water service connections and billing scheme guidelines.

Francis Eduardo P. Ayapana, Jr., supervising public utilities regulation officer, said in a virtual briefing on Tuesday that the MWSS seeks to revise provisions in the Customer-Oriented 2013 Implementing Rules and Regulations, which apply to Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Co., Inc.

Mr. Ayapana said the proposed revisions involve the disconnection and reconnection of water service, and the rate classification and billing scheme for small-scale or home-based businesses and high-rise and other multiple dwellings.

One of the proposed changes is to disallow the disconnection of a customer after presenting proof of payment that all delinquent accounts have been settled.

According to Mr. Ayapana, the current provision only provides that disconnection will not proceed if the customer has proof of payment for all delinquent accounts, and does not have the clause “subject for disconnection.”

“Delinquent accounts shall mean those accounts which have remained unpaid for a period of 60 days after due date, or after the lapse of the date agreed upon by the parties and/or the non-fulfilment of the conditions in the agreed settlement,” he said.

“Under the proposed revision, customers only need to settle the bill that has already exceeded the 60 day-period despite having multiple unpaid bills. However, we still urge customers to pay all remaining bills before the 60-day period,” he added.

Another proposed revision is to ban disconnection on the days of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Also, no disconnection will be conducted after 6 p.m.; and payment and reconnection are allowed even during weekends and holidays.

The current provision mandates that “actual disconnection shall not be implemented on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, local and/or national holidays, or the day immediately preceding local and/or national holidays to give the customer sufficient time to settle the account during regular working days.”

Further, Mr. Ayapana said MWSS seeks to revise the time it takes to restore service connection during an erroneous disconnection, or the disconnection of non-delinquent accounts.

Under the proposed revision, the concerned water provider shall restore service connection within 12 hours upon time of discovery, adding that the time shall start upon the receipt of complaint.

The current provision directs concerned water concessionaires to restore the service connection within 24 hours from time of discovery.

Another proposed revision is the grant of a discount equivalent to the customer’s daily average consumption for the past three months for every hour of delay if the service connection is not restored within 12 hours.

“Under the revised provision, the customer shall not be entitled to a discount if the concessionaire can show proof of reconnection in case no responsible person is available to acknowledge the reconnection of the service connection,” Mr. Ayapana said.

Further, Mr. Ayapana said a proposed revision is the inclusion of sewer charge in terms of the prevailing commercial tariff rate under the rate classification and billing scheme for small-scale businesses.

The planned change would read: “The succeeding cubic meters of water consumption in excess of the first 30 cubic meters shall be imputed with the prevailing commercial tariff rate inclusive of sewer charge; but customers reclassified under semi-business shall not be charged with sewer charge.”

Other proposed revisions of the MWSS include the addition of barbershops, beauty shops, and eateries among customers under the rate classification of small-scale and home-based businesses, and specifying the definition of condominiums under the billing scheme and rate classification for high-rise and other multiple dwellings as provided by Republic Act No. 4726 or The Condominium Act. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

DFA seeks additional fund to address passport backlog

August 31, 2021 | 8:42 pm

passport-service-DFA.GOV.PH — DFA.GOV.PH

THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has asked Congress to consider an additional P53.37-million fund to address the backlog on up to four million passport applications.

The department proposed a P21.051-billion budget for 2022 during the hearing at the House of Representatives Tuesday, 5.43% lower than the P22.26-billion allocation this year.

DFA Assistant Secretary Myla Grace R. Macahilig asked the House to consider including some items in the proposed 2022 budget that was removed by the executive department as the agency originally proposed a P39.08-billion allocation for next year.

Funding for the establishment of temporary off-site passport service sites were among the funds that DFA asked Congress to consider inserting to the proposed 2022 budget.

This comes after Marino Party-list Rep. Macnell M. Lusotan asked DFA officials on plans regarding backlogs on the issuance and renewals of passports after DFA Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. revealed that there was a backlog of three to four million passport applications.

“That’s in part because there is a flood of applicants, but it’s also due to venue capacity limitations brought about by lockdowns. We opened new consular offices, but there are no funds to continue their operations. We have to open more temporary offsite sites. While the rent is free, setting up costs money,” Mr. Locsin said.

DFA Undersecretary Brigido D. Dulay said that Mr. Locsin ordered the agency to put up an additional 10 to 20 temporary off-site passport processing sites to address the backlog.

VFA
Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc, meanwhile, asked what the changes are in the terms and conditions of the revised Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States after President Rodrigo R. Duterte recalled the abrogation of the military deal last July.

Mr. Locsin said it was mainly “clarifications of procedures” in the agreement’s implementation such as the handling of criminal jurisdictions in cases involving American military personnel, and transmittal of notification and communications through diplomatic channels, among others.

Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene D. Brosas said that the updated provisions would need to undergo ratification by Congress.

She also said in a separate statement on Tuesday that the modifications should be scrutinized to ensure that it does not prompt more cases of violence perpetuated by US soldiers. — Russell Louis C. Ku

House bill exempting medical oxygen from taxes approved on 3^rd reading

August 31, 2021 | 8:42 pm

oxygen-tanks-Cebu-PHILSTAR-THE-FREEMAN — PHILSTAR/THE FREEMAN

A PROPOSED law that will provide tax exemption for emergency medical supplies, including oxygen, was approved by House legislators on third and final reading Tuesday.

House Bill 8895 or the Public Health Emergency Tax Exemption Act seeks to exempt from any government tax the manufacture, sale, importation, and donation of critical medical products during public health emergencies by private firms.

It also exempts from taxes the procurement, sale, importation, distribution, and administration of critical medical products during public health emergencies by government units.

The bill also requires the secretaries of Finance and Health to compile a list of supplies needed for the prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), which will enjoy exemptions from taxes related to their sale, manufacture, or import.

It also permits the Finance chief, upon the recommendation of the secretaries of Health and Trade and Industry, to suspend the threshold on required export sales, to allow manufacturers to sell to the domestic market.

The measure passed the House Committee on Ways and Means on March 4. Substitute provisions were also added by the committee on Aug. 23 after the President requested Congress on Aug. 9 to exempt manufacturers of medical-grade oxygen from government taxes.

The revised bill was then passed by the House Aug. 25 on second reading.

Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene D. Brosas said in her vote explanation speech that the measure may have a negative impact on the competitiveness of local manufacturers of medical goods who are experiencing losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the end, what we need to focus on is ensuring that we have our own national industries, specifically on the manufacture of goods and commodities. By doing so, we can face the pandemic head on without having to beg for importation,” she said. — Russell Louis C. Ku

House approves tax relief bill for athlete prizes on 3^rd reading

August 31, 2021 | 8:41 pm

Medallists-HIDILYN-DIAZ-OLY-FB-PAGE — HIDILYN DIAZ OLY FB PAGE

HOUSE LEGISLATORS approved on third and final reading Tuesday a bill that would make cash gifts and rewards for athletes and coaches participating in international competitions tax-free.

House Bill No. 9990, also known as the Hidilyn Diaz Act after the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, would amend Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

Under the measure, prizes will also be made deductible against gross income for the donor’s income tax.

The tax relief would be valid for one year before an athlete competes in an international sports competition and three months after the event.

Donations made prior to the competition may only be used to fund training and competition-related expenses.

The tax exemptions are to be retroactive to June 1, 2021 to cover incentives given to athletes and coaches who participated in the Tokyo Olympics.

The measure was passed in the House Committee on Ways and Means on Aug. 9 and was approved Aug. 24 on second reading.

House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco said the passage of the bill “represent the token of gratitude and appreciation of Congress and the entire nation to Filipino athletes who have brought joy, pride and glory to the country.”

The House of Representatives has already adopted resolutions to confer The Congressional Medal of Excellence for Ms. Diaz and The Congressional Medal of Distinction to boxers  Nesthy  A. Petecio, Carlo  Paalam, and Eumir Felix D. Marcial. — Russell Louis C. Ku

NAMFREL proposes use of open-source software, other enhancements to 2022 automated elections

August 31, 2021 | 8:41 pm

ELECTION WATCHDOG National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) has proposed five measures to the automated system for the 2022 national and local elections to improve efficiency and transparency.

These proposals, submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), are the use of an open-source election software, conversion of the data format to another format, reformatting of the ballot, the use of QR codes on election returns and the voting receipt, and the correct implementation of digital signatures.

In a news briefing on Tuesday, NAMFREL Secretary General Eric Alvia said the use of an open-source election software will open the process to more bidders, instead of just the usual partner of the Comelec, which may make the election software “more competitive, less costly, and more transparent.”

Converting the data format of the system from the election mark-up language format to the comma-separated values format will also fast-track the transmission of election data to stakeholders such as the media, political parties, and election monitoring organizations to further avoid doubts on the credibility of the data, he said.

NAMFREL also proposed to reformat the list of candidates on ballots by arranging them based on random numbers drawn randomly before the start of the campaign period instead of the usual alphabetical arrangement by surname.

The use of QR codes and replacing the digital signatures of the machine suppliers with that of the members of the electoral boards or of the boards of canvassers will ensure the authenticity of the electronic results, he said. It will also make the counting process faster and more transparent, he added.

“We gave our proposals and recommendations to the Comelec last June and we were also able to submit our proposal to the Comelec advisory council,” Mr. Alvia said.

He noted that no legislation is needed for these proposals.

NAMFREL will deploy observers across the country to monitor the conduct of the 2022 local and national polls. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

House probe sought on DepEd’s use of 2020 funds

August 31, 2021 | 8:41 pm

HOUSE LAWMAKERS have called for a probe into the lapses found by state auditors on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) utilization of its 2020 budget, including additional funds allocated for the coronavirus pandemic response.

The Makabayan bloc, led by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France L. Castro, filed House Resolution 2182 on Aug. 27 seeking for the House Committees on Public Accounts, and Basic Education and Culture to investigate the deficiencies found by the Commission on Audit (CoA) in its 2020 audit report on DepEd.

CoA reported lapses in the utilization of P3.22 billion intended for DepEd’s Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan covered by the Bayanihan I and II, the two laws passed last year in line with the coronavirus crisis.

Among these lapses were P951.90 million that was not immediately released by DepEd’s central offices to the agency’s regional offices. Further, P1.39 billion was released by regional offices to school division offices as late as 53 days after the official opening of classes.

Other lapses included unutilized funds worth P396.29 million by seven regional offices.

CoA also found lapses in the regular budget such as unliquidated cash advances by central and regional offices worth P697.52 million that lasted from 30 days to more than a year, and P11.07 billion in suspension, disallowances, and charges which DepEd has yet to address.

“These observations brought to light in the 2020 (annual audit report) are additional proof that public education and its teachers and personnel are being under-supported despite being overworked,” according to the resolution.

The Makabayan bloc also said that the findings show that DepEd appears to have a “minimal sense of urgency” in assuring millions of Filipinos to free and quality education during the pandemic. — Russell Louis C. Ku

Bill seeks to increase benefits for barangay health workers

August 31, 2021 | 8:40 pm

barangay-health-worker-DAVAO-CIO — DAVAO CIO

A BILL filed in the House of Representatives seeks to increase benefits for barangay health workers by mandating local governments to recognize them as employees.

Filed by six lawmakers on Tuesday, House Bill 10112 or the Bayanihan Barangay Health Workers Act of 2021 will cover all those deployed in village-level health centers, whether under a job order arrangement, or hired as a casual or contractual worker, or regular employees.

“As frontliners of our primary healthcare system, our barangay health workers must be given sufficient incentives, benefits, and most of all, just compensation for all the hard work they have done for us,” according to the bill.

It also mandates the establishment of a special assistance program — to be led by the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government — to provide additional technical and financial help to local governments that have little to no capacity to provide salaries to barangay health workers.

Funding for the measure would come from the Internal Revenue Allotment share of local governments, which is expected to increase starting in 2022 in line with the Mandanas ruling.

The national government allocated P1.116 trillion for local governments in the 2022 National Expenditure Program, including P959.04 trillion as national tax allotment share consistent with the implementation of the Mandanas ruling. — Russell Louis C. Ku

NEA clarifies 2 unrecorded bank accounts with P290 million

August 31, 2021 | 8:40 pm

STATE AUDITORS found that the National Electrification Administration (NEA) had two unrecorded bank accounts that was not listed in their records with savings worth P290 million.

In a 2020 audit report, the Commission on Audit (CoA) said that confirmation letters from state banks United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) showed that NEA had around P90.67 million and P200 million in saving accounts, respectively, as of Dec. 31, 2020.

“Both savings accounts were not reflected in the NEA’s books as at yearend, and no subsidiary ledgers were found for the two accounts,” CoA reported.

CoA also found that NEA had a bank account with the DBP worth around P200.65 million that was not confirmed by the bank.

CoA recommended for NEA to record the missing amounts worth P290 million and verify the recorded amount of around P200.65 million with the DBP.

NEA Financial Services and Accounting Division Manager Ma. Chona Dela Cruz said in a press release Tuesday that they have already addressed the unrecorded accounts.

“All funds were well accounted for. A total of P290 million were transferred into newly-opened accounts of NEA in 2020, sourced from two existing bank accounts. Book entries were all that were needed for NEA’s books to reflect the said accounts, which were already done,” she said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte fired NEA Chief Edgar R. Masongsong on Aug. 21 based on the recommendation of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, following allegations of allowing electric cooperatives to continue financial support to the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association party-list. — Russell Louis C. Ku

Senate approves bill simplifying adoption process on 3^rd reading

August 31, 2021 | 8:40 pm

A BILL simplifying the adoption process was approved by the Senate on third and final reading on Tuesday.

The Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act of 2021 or Senate Bill 1933 was passed unanimously with 22 affirmative votes.

The measure is a consolidation of two bills originally authored by Senator Mary Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares and Senator Ramon B. Revilla, Jr.

Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, author and sponsor of the consolidated version, said the measure seeks to dispense with the “lengthy process associated with judicial adoption by allowing domestic adoptions via an administrative process.”

Under the bill, the waiting time of adoptive parents would be cut from years to six to nine months.

Ms. Hontiveros-Baraquel, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said in a statement that previously, “only 60% of adoption cases in the country are finalized within one year to three years. Some cases take up to four years or longer. Families end up spending hundreds of thousands of pesos in these lengthy proceedings.”

The provision also mandates a simpler, less-costly administrative process of adoption to be managed by a new government body, the National Authority for Child Care (NACC).

“There are thousands of children who have been voluntarily or involuntarily given up by their parents due to poverty, negligence, abuse, a death in the family, or many other reasons. But thank God that there are others who wish to step up, adopt children, and provide them with a loving home,” said Ms. Poe-Llamanzares in a manifestation on Tuesday.

“However, the adoption process has not always been easy. And just as it takes a village to raise a child, today, we have seen that it takes a village of senators to produce a bill that we can all be proud of,” she added.

Procedural safeguards are included in the bill to protect the child’s welfare, such as the requirement of a home study and case study by a social worker for each application for adoption. The bill also penalizes abuse and exploitation of children as well as simulation of birth or the fictitious registration of the birth of a child under a person not their biological parent.

Ms. Poe said the bill, if passed into law, may encourage adults to pursue adoption. The bill will “minimize costs, declog the courts and help the 4,943 Filipino children under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development who are still waiting for a permanent home,” she said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Meralco holds off on disconnection activities in Metro Manila, nearby areas until Sept. 7

August 31, 2021 | 8:37 pm

MANILA ELECTRIC Co. (Meralco) said on Tuesday it has suspended disconnection activities in Metro Manila, Laguna, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Lucena City in Quezon until Sept. 7, after the government extended the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status in these areas.

In a statement issued on Viber, the distribution utility said the “no disconnection” policy will continue to apply to customers who have not yet settled their obligations until next week.

“Meralco encourages customers to reach out, so they can discuss and help clarify their concerns, and even come up with payment terms, if really needed. Meralco remains to be very considerate during this period and vowed to assist customers with their concerns,” the firm said.

“Meralco will continue vital operations such as meter reading, bill delivery, and service crews will continue to work around the clock to serve its customers,” it added.

Earlier this month, the Department of Energy issued an advisory urging power distributors based in Metro Manila and 13 other areas to withhold disconnection activities in their respective franchise areas under strict quarantine classifications.

In an Aug. 6 advisory, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi advised all electricity end-users to immediately coordinate with their distribution utility on “amicable” payment settlements as soon as the strict quarantine levels are lifted. He also encouraged consumers who can pay and settle their bills to do so within their due dates to ensure the continuous operations of power utilities, among others.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., which has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Angelica Y. Yang