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Eased BDA rules seen to benefit rural lenders

THE CENTRAL BANK’S directive allowing banks to let clients open basic deposit accounts (BDAs) without identification documents will help bring unbanked members of rural communities into the formal financial system.

Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines President Albert T. Concha, Jr. said the move is a welcome development as 88% of their member lenders offer the BDAs.

“This move will definitely de-clog one of the available avenues for rural Filipino households to save,” Mr. Concha said in an e-mail.

“Identification is one of the factors why a lot of Filipinos are unable to open a bank account and this will make it easier for rural banks to cater to our unbanked populace, most of whom live in the areas where it is difficult for them to secure any kind of identification, much more government-issued IDs,” he added.

BDAs do not have a maintaining balance and requires no more than P100 for opening, making it accessible to more individuals.

Memorandum No. M-2021-065 released by the central bank last week said those wanting to open BDAs can present a signed certification that they do not have an ID by next year.

Mr. Concha said most rural banks are familiar with their clients as they usually live in the same community as their employees, reducing the risk of identity theft.

“Rural banks are deeply rooted in the community and pretty much know everyone. Thus, we see this regulatory easing as an opportunity to offer our services to more people,” he said.

The legacy systems still employed by many rural banks is also an advantage, Mr. Concha said.

“The risks of fraud, identity theft, data breaches, failure of technical systems and the like are quite low,” he said.

Mr. Concha noted that the continued promotion of financial literacy in the countryside will help bring more Filipinos into the banked population.

“Encouraging the opening of more branch-lite units in the remote areas would also help,” he said.

Banks that will offer BDAs with relaxed Know-Your-Customer requirement for IDs will be given regulatory relief by the BSP, including waiving fees related to the application of Advanced Electronic Payment and Financial Services for 2022.

They will also be subject to lower annual supervisory fees for 2022 to 2023 as the BSP will reduce their average Assessable Assets depending on the average amount of BDAs maintained in the preceding year.

To guard against risks, basic deposit accounts opened without an ID will be monitored for potential abuse. Suspicious transactions will be reported to the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the BSP said.

A central bank study showed the third most cited reason Filipinos do not have accounts with financial institutions is the lack of documentary requirements. This is next to lack of money (45%) and the view that they do not need an account (27%).

The BSP wants 70% of Filipino adults to be part of the country’s banked population by 2023 from just 29% in 2019. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

Border controls, mask wearing, vaccination to fight Omicron variant 

COMPUTER-GENERATED representation of COVID-19 virions via Felipe Esquivel Reed / CC BY-SA

On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron. The WHO’s decision was based on currently available evidence showing that Omicron has several mutations that may make it spread more easily. This latest variant was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on Nov. 24. 

All viruses evolve over time. Each time a virus replicates, it sometimes develops small changes called mutations. A virus with one or more new mutations is referred to as a variant of the original virus.  

“When a virus is widely circulating in a population and causing many infections, the likelihood of the virus mutating increases. The more opportunities a virus has to spread, the more it replicates — and the more opportunities it has to undergo changes,” the WHO explains. 

Preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reinfection with Omicron, as compared to other variants of concern, but information is limited.  

Researchers in South Africa and around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of the variant and will continue to share the findings of these studies as they become available, according to the WHO. 

Among the things that are being studied are its transmissibility or how fast it spreads from person to person as well as whether or not Omicron causes more severe disease compared to other variants. It is important to note though that all variants can cause severe disease or death. At the moment, the WHO stressed that current vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death. 

“We will see in the next couple of weeks just how bad (or not) Omicron is. In the meantime, we prepare — strengthen our borders, wear our masks, vaccinate as many people as we can. All of these will still work, and efficacy isn’t expected to go all the way down to zero. Layers work,” wrote infectious disease specialist Dr. Edsel Maurice T. Salvaña, director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the University of the Philippines National Institutes of Health, and a member of the Department of Health (DoH) Technical Advisory Group, in a Facebook post. 

As the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continues to go down, the government is taking proactive steps to keep the Omicron variant out and preserve the gains of the country’s pandemic response.  

Resolution No. 151, issued on Nov. 28 by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, directs the Bureau of Quarantine and local government units to identify and locate passengers who arrived within 14 days prior to Nov. 29 from countries classified as “red.”  

Countries currently included in the “red list” are Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Czech Republic, Eswatini, Hungary, Italy, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, the Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, and Zimbabwe. Passengers from these countries are required to complete home quarantine for 14 days from date of arrival and undergo RT-PCR if symptoms develop. 

Amid the emergence of the Omicron variant, the WHO stressed that current vaccines remain critical to reducing severe disease and death, including against the dominant circulating variant, Delta.  

Hospital reports submitted to DoH Data Collect from March 1 to Nov. 14 showed that 85% of the admissions due to COVID-19 were individuals who are not fully vaccinated. Moreover, reports gathered by DoH showed that deaths and serious cases of COVID-19 are more likely among unvaccinated patients, with over 93.4% of them dying from the disease. 

The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) joins the DoH in urging the general public to live out the spirit of bayanihan and participate in the “Bayanihan Bakunahan: Ligtas. Lakas. Buong Pinas” campaign, a massive vaccination drive that aims to increase vaccine coverage to protect our people from COVID-19. 

  

Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are at the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos. 

Virus worries, IPOs to affect market sentiment

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

INVESTORS are expected to stay on the sidelines this month on concerns over the impact of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) variant on economic activity.

The 30-member Philippine Stocks Exchange index (PSEi) plunged 77.56 points or 1.06% to finish at 7,200.88 on Monday, while the all shares index slid 33.26 points or 0.85% to close at 3,838.13.

Philippine financial markets were closed on Tuesday in observance of Bonifacio Day.

“It will be hard now because it won’t be the same Christmas rally [the] markets were hoping for because of the risk of new COVID-19 variant,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.

Omicron, the new COVID-19 variant that was first detected in South Africa, has now spread to more countries, namely: Hong Kong, Britain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Botswana, Israel, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, and Canada.

The World Health Organization said on Monday that the Omicron variant carried a very high risk of infection surges, while border closures by various countries cast a shadow over an economic recovery from the two-year pandemic, Reuters reported.

Asian share markets weakened sharply in late trading on Tuesday, giving up earlier gains as investors worried the Omicron variant will prove more resistant to vaccines and could cause more widespread global economic disruption.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 0.45% lower later on Tuesday after initially being up as much as 0.52%.

“We’ll have to see how December unfolds amid the ongoing spread of the Omicron variant, coupled with inflation fears across the globe. Investors may be looking forward to the upcoming listing dates of a few IPOs (initial public offerings) in the local bourse,” Timson Securities, Inc. Trader Darren Blaine T. Pangan said in a Viber message.

Medilines Distributors, Inc. and Solar Philippines Nueva Ecija Corp. are set to conduct their IPOs this month, while Citicore Energy REIT Corp. and Figaro Coffee Group, Inc. are just awaiting the exchange’s approval for their offerings.

“Immediate support is at 7,200 versus further downside potential or correction, while next important support level is at 7,040-7,120 levels, which help keep intact the underlying upward trend over the past two months,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

Mr. Ricafort added that in case there is a “healthy correction” for the PSEi, a support at the 6,730-6,870 levels will help maintain the upward trend over the past four months.

Meanwhile. Timson Securities’ Mr. Pangan said 7,060 is the PSEi’s significant support level this month.

“Otherwise, he said, we’ll have to see if the index breaks out of the 7,400 level before the year ends,” he said. — M.C. Lucenio with Reuters

PAF advances to Champions League volley semis

PNVF

GAMES TODAY
(Aquamarine Recreational Center Gym, Lipa, Batangas)
10 a.m. – Sabong International Spikers vs. Team Dasma Monarchs
1:30 p.m. – VNS Manileño Spikers vs. Basilan Steel Spikers
4 p.m. – MRT-Negros vs. Global Remit

LIPA CITY — Go For Gold-Air Force (PAF) punched a ticket to the semifinals with a sweep of pool play following a 25-15, 28-26, 25-20 win over Basilan Steel Spikers in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League men’s tournament at the Aquamarine Recreational Center Gym here.

Living up to expectations as the tournament’s heavy favorites, the national team-heavy Aguilas rose to the occasion and clinched the top seeding in Pool A after also trouncing VNS Manileño Spikers in the opener the other day.

John Vic de Guzman and Mark Alfafara fired 17 and 13 markers, respectively, to anchor the Aguilas, who will face the No. 2 team in Pool B in the crossover semis knockout on Friday.

“We still need to work on our defense, service and reception entering the Final Four. That will set the pace for us moving forward,” said coach Dante Alinsunurin, banking on a core composed of the country’s Southeast Asian Games team in 2019.

Earlier, Team Dasma Monarchs claimed the solo lead in Pool B after smothering MRT-Negros 25-16, 22-25, 25-20, 25-23 behind the troika of Mark Frederick Calado, Madzlan Gampong and Ronniel Rosales.

Calado and Gampong chipped in 13 points each while Rosales added 10 with three blocks as the Monarchs zoomed to a 2-0 card in Pool B entering their last match against Sabong International today.

“We’re happy to be 2-0, but we still have a lot to learn. We can’t relax yet,” said mentor Norman Miguel as his squad aims for the top-seed finish in Pool B after also besting Global Remit the other day.

Negros slid to 1-1 in Pool B heading into a must-win match against Global Remit today while Basilan (0-1) and VNS Manileño (0-1) dispute the last semifinal spot from Pool A.

The PNVF Champions League is backed by Rebisco, Pitmaster Foundation, Inc., Top Speed, 1Pacman Partylist, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee as platinum sponsors; F2 Logistics, Asics, PLDT, MVP Sports Foundation and Mikasa as gold sponsors; and BCDA, Philippine Red Cross, Lipa City, Davis Paint and Emerald PVC Pipes, Fittings and Doors as silver sponsors with PNVF godfather, Taguig Rep. Alan Peter S. Cayetano, chairman of the Champions League, giving his full support. — John Bryan Ulanday

A perspective on selected Asia-Pacific countries’ readiness on digital money

A perspective on selected Asia-Pacific countries’ readiness on digital money

PEZA actively pitching Korean investors as economy reopens

THE PHILIPPINE Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it is pinning its hopes on expanding the pool of South Korean investors to add momentum to the reopening of the economy.

PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza said at a recent virtual forum that the agency is continuing its efforts to attract investors throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We continue our efforts to attract and invite investors. We establish new partnerships as well with various government agencies so that we may be able to urge more local and foreign investors to do business in the Philippines by improving the efficiency factors for investments,” Ms. Plaza said.

According to PEZA, there were 320 registered South Korean locators in the Philippines as of September, representing P53.98 billion worth of investment and generating $1.095 billion in exports. It added that South Korean locators employ 42,675 workers.

Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Philippine ambassador to South Korea, urged South Korean companies to take advantage of investment opportunities in advanced industries that may emerge with the finalization of the Philippine-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Ms. De Vega said that in 2020, South Korea was the fifth-largest trading partner of the Philippines, seventh-largest export market, and fourth-largest source of imports, with bilateral trade valued at $13.92 billion.

“Korea’s status as a high-technology, innovation-focused economy makes it an attractive development partner for the Philippines in various sectors… the Philippines’ development in these sectors is critical in helping the country fulfill its stated long-term commitments towards inclusive green growth and sustainable development,” Ms. De Vega said.

“We hope that businesses will take advantage of the FTA once it becomes effective by next year so we can increase trade between our two countries. With an FTA in place, the Philippines remains as an ideal investment destination and partner for companies in Korea,” she added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

DPWH receives road master plan from Japan covering 9,000 km of ‘high-standard highways’

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Tuesday that it recently received from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) an updated road master plan that involves the development of 9,000 kilometers (km) of “high-standard highways” in the Philippines.

The new master plan updates the Phase 1 road master plan for 2010, which focused on areas within a 200-km radius of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao.

JICA officially turned over the “High Standard Highways (HSH) Network Development Master Plan – Phase 2” to the DPWH on Nov. 29, according to the department. The new master plan expands the coverage outside highly urbanized areas.

The new road master plan is “crucial not just in decongesting highly urbanized areas but also in achieving the 2040 National Development Plan of making the Philippines a prosperous country by investing in high quality infrastructure,” Acting Public Works Secretary Roger G. Mercado said in a statement.

On its website, JICA said it signed a partnership deal with the DPWH on the second phase of the road master plan in September 2017. The goal is to “ease traffic congestion along national roads, and boost investment and jobs creation in the regions.”

“The project, a follow-up to the previous master plan conducted in 2010, will cover the entire Philippines and identify infrastructure projects that can be implemented until 2040,” it added.

JICA defines high-standard highways as “highways that provide high level of traffic services assuring high-speed mobility and safe travel to support economic activities in strategic regions and the country as a whole.”

According to the department, the master plan proposes the construction of 4,400 km of HSH Class 1 roads, including upgrades to 406 km of existing roads, 265 km of roads under construction, and 3,279 km of new roads along major transport corridors.

“About 4,600 km of HSH Class-2 (regional high-standard highway) will branch off from the HSH Class-1 to provide connection to sub-regional centers, important ports and airports not covered by HSH Class-1,” the DPWH said.

JICA’s development assistance also covers the pre-feasibility study of four projects: the Agusan Del Norte – Butuan City Logistical Highway in Region XIII; the Cebu Circumferential Road in Region VII; the Central Mindanao Highway, Cagayan de Oro-Malaybalay Section in Region X; and the second San Juanico Bridge in Region VIII.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway, Central Luzon Link Expressway, and Cavite-Laguna Expressway were among the projects implemented under the master plan’s first phase, according to JICA, through public-private partnerships and official development assistance. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Public transport plans not friendly enough to commuters, NGO says

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

By Russell Louis C. Ku

THE SENATE’S realignment of P10.83 billion from the Department of Transportation (DoTr) budget to support service contracting and the EDSA Busway will not be enough to address the problems currently faced by commuters, according to the Move as One Coalition, a transport advocacy.

The coalition’s John P. Sevilla, a former finance undersecretary who headed the Bureau of Customs (BoC), said that various government agencies should “reorient themselves and their goals properly” to be able to provide better road transport solutions.

“While public transportation has since been gradually restored (from when the pandemic started), there is still not enough of it.  Most transport sector workers have endured long periods of no income or low income, even as commuters have faced difficulties getting rides at rush hour,” he said in a Viber message.

He added that President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program has long ignored commuters and active transport users.

The Senate agreed to realign P10.83 billion in its version of the 2022 national budget which included increased funding for service contracting — paying transport workers to ply the roads and compensating them for low ridership — from P6 billion to P10 billion, the EDSA busway project, and active transport projects.

The coalition is lobbying for P150.48 billion in next year’s budget for investment in road transportation, with a focus on service contracting, active transport, and infrastructure such as terminals and bus stops.

It also expressed its support for cycling groups which called on Congress on Nov. 28 to increase the budget for bicycle lanes from P2 billion to P14 billion.

Mr. Sevilla said that while the government started to invest in bike lanes in response to the pandemic, more work needs to be done to ensure that bikers are protected on the road.

“Only a small fraction of the bike lanes, even on the busiest roads such as C-5 and EDSA, are physically segregated from motor vehicles. The quality of the bike lanes has also deteriorated significantly even just in the last six years. Lots of potholes, some (of which are) very large, and all definitely posing risks to cyclists,” Mr. Sevilla said.

Realignments in the funding for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which has a proposed budget of P686.1 billion, are also needed to improve active transportation such as high-quality sidewalks on all roads, at-grade road crossings, and escalators or elevators for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.

“The newly opened bridges in Estrella-Mandaluyong and Pasig-Bonifacio Global City are perfect examples of how DPWH ignores the needs of pedestrians and that is unacceptable,” Mr. Sevilla added.

He added that transportation authorities should strengthen their capacity and refine their systems to ensure smoother implementation of their programs.

“I don’t think (the) Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and DoTr staff even know what the actual waiting time for rides is in different parts of Metro Manila, at different times of the day. They need to (understand these) and bring those down to reasonable levels,” Mr. Sevilla said.

He also said that transportation should also take priority as an issue to be tackled in the 2022 elections to see which candidates “displays a better understanding (on) the problems of ordinary commuters.”

Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo said in a forum on Nov. 18 that she plans to move away from “car-centric” projects in favor of building active transport infrastructure, starting with traffic-congested areas.

Meanwhile, Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao said that he would push for “more Skyways” in Metro Manila.

Urban green hydrogen, fuel cell projects being explored with possible German assistance

THE Department of Energy (DoE) is exploring the potential of green hydrogen production in urban areas along with fuel cell projects, which could be carried out with potential partners from Germany, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) said.

The DoE was in discussions with the chamber with the aim of “forging partnerships between Philippine and German stakeholders on the integration of green hydrogen and fuel cell technology into the Philippines’ renewable energy roadmap,” the GPCCI said in a statement.

The discussions were carried out virtually on Nov. 24.

Green hydrogen is produced with zero-carbon renewable energy instead of fossil fuels and has the potential to provide clean power for manufacturing and transportation, with only water as its byproduct.

“Reliably storing clean energy, mainly from solar and wind in the Philippines, is an ongoing challenge and limits its use as a backup power,” GPCCI’s Deputy Executive Director Charlotte Bandelow added.

The GPCCI said that the green hydrogen initiative comes as Philippine energy usage increases in line with economic and population growth.

“While coal still makes up most of the Philippines’ energy mix, there is a continued expansion of renewable energy sources which is the basis for green hydrogen production,” it said.

The German Embassy in Manila’s Commercial Counsellor Georg Maue told the DoE that although the transition from fossil fuels to climate-friendly renewable energy sources is challenging, Germany can provide support for the transition via technical expertise and partnerships.

The Philippines has committed to bring the share of renewables in its energy mix to 35% by 2030, three times the 2010 level, facilitated by reform measures such as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), the Biofuels Act of 2006, the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, the Climate Change Act of 2009, and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.

The GPCCI, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU), is assessing the market potential for green hydrogen applications in Philippine urban areas.  — Marielle C. Lucenio

ARTA launches drive to promote red tape-reduction; kickoff in La Union

THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said it is carrying out a nationwide information campaign to increase public awareness of its ease of doing business and anti-red tape initiatives.

ARTA Director General Jeremiah B. Belgica said the initiative, known as the “cARTAravan,” will be conducted in partnership with local government units (LGUs). The campaign was launched Monday in San Fernando, La Union.

“The cARTAravan sends a message that the train of reform is now making rounds all over the Philippines,” Mr. Belgica said in a statement.

Mr. Belgica said members of the LGU committee against red tape should be the responders in the event of reports of red tape in their jurisdictions.

The campaign kickoff involves compliance checks in Rosales, Lingayen, and Dagupan, Pangasinan.

Mr. Belgica also encouraged the public to report any instances of red tape to ARTA.

“Kung kayo po ay nahihirapan sa proseso na hinihingan kayo at kayo po ay nagtatagal dahil inuupuan ang mga papel ninyo, gusto po naming ipaalam sa inyo na hindi na normal ’yan sa panahon ngayon. Kung hindi niyo alam na mayroong batas, narito po kami para sabihin sa inyo na magsumbong po kayo sa amin” (If you encounter any difficulties, including any demands made on you, or any delays because your papers are not being acted on, those are no longer considered acceptable. If you’re not aware of the (ease of doing business) law, we are here to ask you to report such incidents to us), Mr. Belgica said.

ARTA Deputy Director General Ernesto V. Perez said the full implementation of Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act will ultimately benefit everyone.

“It will improve, not only our competitiveness ranking, but it will also provide opportunities to our fellow Filipinos to have employment and businesses,” Mr. Perez said.

According to ARTA, the caravan will visit in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley in the following days, and will inspect other LGUs in the Visayas next week. Other regions will be visited next year. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Bill extending validity of 2021 budget funds introduced in Senate

A BILL extending the availability of the 2021 budget appropriations until the end of next year was filed in the Senate after the House approved a counterpart measure on third reading Monday.

Senator Maria Imelda Josefa R. Marcos filed Senate Bill 2452, which amends Section 62 of the general provisions of Republic Act 11518 or the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of Fiscal Year 2021.

The extension was intended to provide more time to implement projects and programs as the coronavirus pandemic has “drastically affected businesses and employment,” delaying planned expenditures.

“I support extending (the) validity of (the) ‘21 budget,” Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto said earlier in a message to reporters.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also expressed his support, noting the poor disbursement rate of 31.5% for budget funds in 2021 due to the pandemic. “Underspending is like a disease that impedes our growth,” he added.

“We should use the budget in order to generate economic activities, feed Filipinos and create jobs amid the pandemic,” he said in a statement.

If enacted, all appropriations authorized in the 2021 GAA, including budgetary support to government-owned and -controlled corporations, will be available for disbursement under the same general and special provisions until Dec. 31, 2022.

Appropriations for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund for calamities, epidemics, armed conflicts, terrorism, and other catastrophes occurring in 2021, as well as financial aid to local government units (LGUs), will be available for release until the end of 2023, while appropriations for the LGU share of National Government income will be available for obligation and disbursement until fully expended.

After the end of the validity period, all remaining appropriations will revert to the unappropriated surplus of the general fund.

Sen. Juan Edgardo M. Angara, who chairs the Senate Finance committee, also backed the proposed bill. “We personally support the extension, and hopefully our colleagues in the Senate will too. Because of the extended lockdowns and occurrences, budget and project implementation has been less efficient and smooth.”

“Rather than the funds reverting to the national treasury, it would be better for the country’s recovery if we were to extend the effectivity of the 2021 budget in order to implement projects and fund programs which might have been delayed during the year for one reason or another,” he said in a statement.

According to the bill, appropriations for infrastructure, operating expenses, and capital outlay will only be valid until the end of 2022, but the completion of construction, inspection, and payment process may extend until the end of June 2023.

The Budget department is authorized to issue the guidelines for the effective implementation of the cash budgeting system.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has approved similar legislation that extended the validity of the 2019 and 2020 national budgets. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Philippines posts lowest daily tally in 17 months

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FB PAGE

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES logged 425 coronavirus infections on Tuesday — the lowest daily tally since June 2020 — bringing the total to 2.83 million.

Tuesday’s tally was the lowest since July 2, 2020, when 294 infections were recorded, according to the Worldometer website, citing various sources including data from the Department of Health (DoH) and World Health Organization (WHO).

The death toll hit 48,545 after 44 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 909 to 2.77 million, DoH said in a bulletin.

There were 15,800 active cases,47.5% of which were mild, 5.3% did not show symptoms, 16% were severe, 24.42% were moderate and 6.8% were critical.

The agency said three duplicates had been removed from the tally, two of which were reclassified as recoveries, while 40 recoveries were relisted as deaths.

It added that 63 cases were found to have tested negative and have been removed from the tally. Two laboratories did not operate on Nov. 28, while four laboratories failed to submit data.

DoH said 26% of intensive care units in the Philippines were occupied, while the rate for Metro Manila was 25%.

The Philippines gave out about 2.55 million doses of coronavirus vaccines on the first day of its three-day immunization drive, Health Undersecretary Myrna C. Cabotaje told a televised news briefing.

This was 2.5 times higher than the weekly average of a million vaccinations, she said. It puts the country in fifth spot worldwide in terms of jabs given out in a single day, she added.

Ms. Cabotaje said the Calabarzon region had the highest inoculation rate, followed by Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Bicol.

“The President has an order to vaccinate everyone,” Ms. Cabotaje said in Filipino, referring to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s proclamation declaring the three-day National Vaccination Days. She cited reports that some walk-in citizens had not been vaccinated.

“Our directive is to allow walk-ins,” she said. “No one should go home without receiving a shot.”

The Philippines aims to fully vaccinate 54 million people by the end of the year. Pandemic authorities originally aimed to inject 15 million shots during the vaccination campaign that runs from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

Still, the target could be a record in a country that had struggled to inoculate its people due to vaccine hesitancy, supply issues and various logistical hurdles.

On Monday night, the presidential palace said an inter-agency task force had approved a plan to keep Manila, the capital and nearby cities under Alert Level 2.

All provinces in the country have been placed under Alert Level 2 except Apayao, which is now under Alert Level 3.

The government announced the quarantine levels, which take effect on Dec. 1 to 15, after it tightened border controls to prevent an outbreak of the Omicron variant, which authorities said has had several mutations.

The Philippines has suspended inbound flights from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy.

It also suspended a plan to allow the entry of fully vaccinated foreign travelers from Dec. 1-15.

The Omicron variant has yet to be detected in the Philippines, but health experts have said its entry is only a matter of time.

The latest coronavirus variant could pose a greater threat than the Delta variant, which has been causing surges worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. “This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning,” it said on its website.

Meanwhile, the palace said the Philippines could still hit its target of 4-5% economic growth target this year despite the Omicron threat.

“We are confident of hitting our economic growth targets,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles told a televised news briefing in mixed English and Filipino.

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, so long as our cases, average daily attack rate and positivity rate continue to decline and a safe reopening of the economy is implemented, then we are confident that we will reach our growth targets,” he added.

Economic managers in August slashed their growth target for the year to 4-5% from 6-7% after fresh lockdowns were imposed to contain a Delta-fueled spike in coronavirus infections.

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