No such thing as compassionate use of vaccine

May 10, 2021 | 5:49 pm

vaccination-5958739_1280-[cromaconceptovisual-from-Pixabay] — CROMACONCEPTOVISUAL /PIXABAY

US President Donald Trump had trouble breathing on Oct. 1, 2020. He tested positive for the coronavirus. He was found to have lung infiltrates, which occur when the lungs are inflamed and contain substances such as fluid or bacteria. Their presence indicated an acute case of COVID-19.

That afternoon, White House officials frantically ordered from the biotechnology firm Regeneron Pharmaceuticals the antibody cocktail that helps people infected with the virus fight it off. The cocktail had not been authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

A lawyer in the White House Counsel’s Office called the FDA commissioner to discuss how the agency could approve the drug’s use for senior administration officials. The lawyer was exploring how Mr. Trump could avail himself of the drug through normal FDA procedures.

The FDA commissioner and other officials, including the top federal drug regulator, worked to clear the drug through a standard process known as an emergency investigational new drug application, often used for very ill patients who agree to take an experimental drug still being tested in clinical trials. Regeneron shipped a package of doses to the White House. Mr. Trump took the drug that night.

Mr. Trump’s condition became so worrisome as his blood oxygen level dipped into the 80s. The disease is considered serious when the blood oxygen level falls to the low 90s. Also, his lungs showed signs of pneumonia caused by the coronavirus. His doctor considered putting him on a ventilator.

The following day he had trouble breathing again and was running a fever. He was twice given oxygen before he had to be taken to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. As he was 74 years old and overweight, he was considered a high-risk patient. So he was prescribed an aggressive course of treatment, indicating his condition was serious.

That type of treatment is generally known in the medical field as “compassionate use of medicine.” The term is used for a treatment option that allows the use of medicine or treatment for a patient with an immediately life-threatening condition or serious disease or condition when no comparable product or treatment is available prior to final FDA approval for use in humans.

The compassionate use of the Sinopharm vaccine was how former Philippine Medical Association president Dr. Leo Olarte justified the inoculation of Presidential Security Group (PSG) personnel with the Sinopharm vaccine in October last year.

It will be recalled that in his last public address in 2020, President Duterte surprised the public when he announced, “Almost all soldiers have been inoculated. I have to be frank and I have to tell the truth.” That revelation caught Philippine FDA Director-General Eric Domingo by surprise as at that time no vaccine had been approved by the FDA for use in the country.

When asked in a radio interview who authorized the vaccination, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, answered, “Our President is our commander-in-chief. I should say it’s from the chain of command of the Armed Forces,” indicating it was authorized by the President himself.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, who is also vice-chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, said, “There’s no need for FDA approval for that. These vaccines have its (sic) EUA (emergency use authorization) in that originating country. If somebody would like to try that for personal consumption, I don’t see any conflict on (sic) the law.”

PSG Commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante explained, “We soldiers vaccinated ourselves. It’s so easy. We are soldiers so we have to take risks to accomplish our mission.” He was referring to their mission to protect the life of President Duterte.

When DOBOL B sa News TV hosts Joel Reyes Zobel and Rowena Salvacion asked Dr. Olarte when a doctor can administer medicine not approved by the FDA, the doctor, who is also a lawyer, described three situations that allowed compassionate use of medicine:

1. when the medicine the patient has been taking is not effective;

2. when there is no comparable FDA-approved medicine available;

3. when the condition of the patient is life-threatening.

Asked if the inoculation of PSG men with a vaccine not approved by the FDA falls under any of the circumstances mentioned, Dr. Olarte answered: “Yes, because it was to protect President Duterte from the life-threatening virus.”

But the use of Sinopharm to save the life of President Duterte should not be likened to the compassionate use of drugs to save the life of then US President Trump. Mr. Duterte’s condition was far from life-threatening, unlike Mr. Trump’s condition. And the Sinopharm vaccine was administered to the able-bodied PSG soldiers, not to Mr. Duterte. The Regeneron cocktail was taken by Mr. Trump.

Anyway, last Monday, President Duterte was inoculated with his first dose of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine by no less than Dr. Francisco Duque, the Secretary of the Department of Health. The vaccine has yet to be granted an emergency use authorization by the FDA, an agency under the Department of Health.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the President did not violate any law because China’s Sinopharm vaccine was “covered by compassionate use.” He explained that the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is entitled to use these doses. He added that according to Senator Bong Go, the Sinopharm vaccine was prescribed by the President’s physician and it was administered in the PSG Hospital.

But vaccines are designed to prevent disease by training the body’s immune system so that it can fight a disease it has not come into contact with before. That means the recipient of the vaccine is presumed to be free of the disease the vaccine is meant to ward off. The vaccinee is not sick. He needs no compassionate medication or treatment.

So, there is no such thing as compassionate use of a vaccine, Sinopharm or any other brand. There is only the President’s passionate love for anything Chinese.

Oscar P. Lagman, Jr. is a retired corporate executive, business consultant, and management professor. He has been a politicized citizen since his college days in the late 1950s.

Tax Guide on CREATE Law

May 10, 2021 | 5:49 pm

income-tax-4097292_1920-[] — STEVE BUISSINNE/PIXABAY

(2nd of 2 parts)

While we applaud the government for another piece of tax legislation which will help small businesses bounce back, the approval came too close to the April 15 deadline. This resulted in some confusion and an appeal to extend the deadline for the filing of the Annual Income Tax Return (AITR).

Although many taxpayers, especially tax practitioners, lobbied for an extension, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) was quick to resolve the issue and decided not to extend.

Other than allowing taxpayers to file and pay anywhere even outside the jurisdiction of the Revenue District Office (RDO) where they are registered, an AITR filed on or before the April 15 deadline may be amended not later than May 15. If the amended return will result in additional payment, no penalties shall be imposed as provided in RMC 46-2021 while any over-payment may be carried over as a tax credit in the succeeding period or may be refunded.

Since the effectivity of the reduced rates is July 1, 2020, the BIR released transitory rates to be used for purposes of computing, filing, and paying annual income tax for the taxable year 2020.

Here is a tax guide on the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law:

1. With the reduction of corporate income tax (CIT) whether 20% or 25%, a one person corporation (OPC) will now have a tax advantage against a sole proprietor business which is subject to a maximum of 35% personal income tax;

2. MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) corporations subject to 20% income tax are corporations (including OPC) with net taxable income not exceeding P5 million, and total assets not exceeding P100 million (excluding land);

3. Both individual and non-individual taxpayers will benefit from the temporary reduction of percentage tax from 3% to 1% effective July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023;

4. Sale, importation, printing or publication of books, and any newspaper, magazine, journal, review bulletin on digital or electronic format is VAT-exempt;

5. VAT-exempt medicines: a. Diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension beginning Jan. 1, 2020; and, b. Cancer, mental illness, tuberculosis, and kidney diseases beginning Jan. 1, 2021;

6. Beginning Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2023, the sale and importation of the following shall be VAT exempt: a. Capital equipment, its spare parts, raw materials necessary for the production of PPEs; b. All drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 approved by the FDA for use in clinical trials;

7. Reduced MCIT of 1% from 3% is effective July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023, imposed on the fourth taxable year in which such corporation commenced its business operations;

8. In the case of proprietary educational institutions or hospitals, if the gross income from “unrelated trade, business or other activity exceeds 50% of the total gross income derived by such educational institutions or hospitals from all sources, the tax prescribed for domestic corporations shall be imposed on the entire taxable income”;

9. The improperly accumulated earnings tax shall no longer be imposed on corporations upon the effectivity of the CREATE law. This shall apply to the entire taxable year for all fiscal years/taxable years ending after the effectivity of CREATE.

What’s next? With elections coming up, will the remaining packages of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package pass into law before the filing of candidacies in October 2021? Will the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (COCCTRP) revisit the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) Law and Tax Amnesty Act before deliberating on the remaining packages? Can they pass the proposed two-year extension for Estate Tax Amnesty before it expires on June 14, 2021? How much have we collected from the ongoing tax amnesty? What happened to the proposed General Tax Amnesty? Is Congress really afraid of the lifting of the Bank Secrecy Law?

COCCTRP must align the definition and criteria for small businesses since the TRAIN law set a P3-million sales threshold for an optional 8% income tax rate while CREATE provides a P5-million net taxable income and total asset not exceeding P100 million for a lower income tax rate of 20% for small corporations.

Further, the TRAIN law created an ultra-rich category for individuals earning P8 million and above, imposing the highest personal income tax rate of 35% against 25% corporate income tax which will further be reduced to 20% in 2027. That’s why I’m proposing a 10% flat tax for small businesses with total assets not exceeding P100 million to further broaden the taxpayer base and increase voluntary compliance among MSMEs or non-large taxpayers whether registered as sole proprietor or corporation.

Here are some urgent tax reform agendas if we want to broaden our taxpayer base and increase voluntary compliance from the informal sector and digital economy including startups:

1. Update the annual gross sales threshold for marginal income earners (MIEs) and impose a fixed annual tax from P1,000 to P5,000 based on sales, assets and nature of business. This will allow those in the underground economy to register their businesses, e.g., sari-sari store, sidewalk vendors, online sellers, etc. Providing incentives and financial assistance will definitely encourage more MIEs to formalize their operations;

2. Revisit RA 9178, also known as the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) law, to automatically grant income tax exemptions to those who will register a business with total assets of not more than P3 million but limit it to sole proprietors or the self-employed who can only avail it once and be subject to one-time renewal after two years to avoid being abused. Aside from P500 annual registration, BMBEs shall pay a 3% percentage tax quarterly with an option to pay in advance at a lower rate during annual registration;

3. Revisit RA 8289, also known as Magna Carta for Small Enterprises, to align and standardize the definition of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) whether registered as sole proprietor or corporation. Instead of an optional 8% for a small business under the TRAIN law and 20% CIT under the CREATE law, a tax system providing an optional flat 10% for small enterprises with no more than P50 million to P100 million in total assets regardless of annual sales or net income will tremendously increase voluntary compliance and broaden the tax base;

4. Revisit RA 10963, also known as Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, to repeal the 35% personal income tax for those earning above P8 million. This is owing to the fact that the CREATE law has provided an undue tax advantage for corporations paying only 25% versus 35%;

5. Revisit RA 11213, also known as the Tax Amnesty Act, to extend the deadline for another two years, allowing taxpayers to recover from losses and utilize their available funds to pay outstanding debts. Passing a General Tax Amnesty law with a provision to lift the Bank Secrecy Law is also urgent and necessary to collect more taxes without relying on audit and investigation.

Whether these proposals will be considered and completed under the Duterte administration, I hope Congress will increase the budget of the BIR by at least 100% to fund its digitalization and to professionalize tax administration if we really want to reform our tax system to be simpler, fairer, and more efficient.

This article reflects the personal opinion of the author and does not reflect the official stand of the Management Association of the Philippines or MAP.

Raymond “Mon” A. Abrea is a member of the MAP Ease of Doing Business Committee, the Founding Chair and Senior Tax Advisor of the Asian Consulting Group and the Co-Chair of the Paying Taxes — EODB Task Force. He is Trustee of the Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines — the advocacy partner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Trade and Industry, and Anti-Red Tape Authority on ease of doing business and tax reform.

map@map.org.ph

mon@acg.ph

map.org.ph

Vaccination rates and lockdown

May 10, 2021 | 5:47 pm

One of the promises or hypotheses of all these hurried vaccines is that as more people are vaccinated, COVID-19 cases and deaths will decline as people will no longer suffer severe cases of infection. Has this been achieved?

I personally wanted to see a quantitative answer to this question. I got data on vaccination by country from https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations. I chose countries with high vaccination rates. Then I checked their respective COVID-19 cases by country from https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries.

The result is interesting, or confusing. There are countries with high vaccination rates (at least one dose) of 45% to 69% of their total population and yet have rising cases. These are the Seychelles, the Maldives, Bahrain, and Mongolia.

Then there are countries that followed the promise and hypothesis, high vaccination rates of 44% to 63%, and cases-deaths are falling. These are Israel, the United Kingdom, the USA, and Hungary (see Chart A).

And there are countries with high vaccination rates of 32% to 44% and cases are fluctuating or mildly declining but still at high levels. These are Chile, Qatar, Canada, Uruguay, and Germany.

I added Japan and the Philippines, with low vaccination rates of only 2.4% and 1.7%, respectively. The Philippines experienced cases of 4,000 per day starting March 12, two weeks after Sinovac started being administered on March 1, then 6,000 to 10,000 per day has become normal from mid-March to the present (see Chart B).

These results are not exactly inspiring or assuring for people to get the rushed vaccines.

Meanwhile, the indefinite lockdown, 14 months straight, continues to damage the Philippine economy. See this column’s previous piece, https://www.bworldonline.com/10-reasons-to-lift-the-lockdown/, and here are additional indicators.

One, the Philippine Stock Exchange remains the worst performer in the Asia Pacific region, year to date (Jan. 1 to May 7, 2021) contraction of -12.3% vs growth in Hong Kong of 5.1%, Japan of 7%, Thailand of 9.4%, South Korea of 11.3%, Singapore of 12.5%, and so on.

Two, government borrowings are worsening. In 2019, government borrowings to cover the budget deficit and other obligations was P0.88 trillion, this rose to P2.5 trillion in 2020 (a nearly threefold increase), and P1.19 trillion in the first quarter 2021 or nearly one half of the full year 2020 level. The outstanding debt stock in 2019 was P8.22 trillion, this rose to P10.25 trillion in 2020 or an increase of P2.03 trillion, and P10.77 trillion in Q1 2021.

Three, more government debt means more taxes, fees, fines and penalties that will be imposed on the public. Among the new taxes being pushed are: 1.) a wealth tax, pushed by former National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Winnie Monsod, 2.) a carbon tax of $25 per ton of CO2 emission, pushed by the IMF, and, 3.) a real property valuation tax hike, pushed by the Bureau of Local Government Finance of the Department of Finance.

Four, the country’s first quarter 2021 GDP (to be released on May 11) is expected to see a continued contraction of -2.6% based on a BusinessWorld poll of 18 analysts. In contrast, our neighbors that already reported their Q1 2021 GDP have already shown recovery: Taiwan’s is 8.2%, Hong Kong’s 7.8%, Vietnam’s 4.5%, South Korea’s 1.8%, and Singapore’s 0.2%.

On May 3, the Concerned Doctors and Citizens of the Philippines met with Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, and a week before that, on April 29, the group also met with Senator Francis Tolentino. Both Senators plus Sen. Bong Revilla have expressed support for the group’s efforts and advocacies to lift the lockdown via a Focused Protection Plan of frontliners and vulnerables (elderly and with comorbidities) with ivermectin and early treatment, and home care treatment for those with symptoms to avoid hospitalization.

The government body, led by the Department of Health, that decided on these 14 months of indefinite lockdown has become the Inter-Agency to Terminate Functional businesses (IATF). The country’s 2020 GDP of P17.5 trillion was even lower than 2018 GDP of P18.3 trillion even though the population has increased by around 3.4 million people. The IATF officials must have the humility to accept that 14 months of lockdown have produced no meaningful decline in cases and deaths. Making people economically and mentally stressed out for more than a year is itself an immune system-depressing policy.

Now that ivermectin can be mass produced with Food and Drug Administration’s pullback from hard opposition to this drug, the IATF must lift the lockdown starting May 15, or at least move to the lowest level of quarantine, Modified General Community Quarantine, nationwide and remove many travel and business restrictions.

Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. is the president of Minimal Government Thinkers

minimalgovernment@gmail.com

Despite lawsuits, Google says its products and services are built with privacy mind

May 10, 2021 | 5:00 pm

Tech giant Google, which faces privacy lawsuits in multiple countries, reiterated that it puts people in control of their data through security technologies such as differential privacy and double-blind encryption.

“We work on your behalf to protect your privacy,” said Greg Fair, Google’s product manager for privacy and data protection, who added that Google never sells personal information. Neither does it use sensitive information to personalize ads.

“It’s our responsibility to keep your personal information safe, secure, and private,” Mr. Fair said in the latest installment of the Decode Series, an ongoing educational session where experts discuss how Google products work.

Differential privacy is a set of systems and practices that helps keep user data safe and private. It adds “noise” or randomness so that users can’t identify individual data points. Differential privacy is what powers Google’s COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports, which helps combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through the use of location data in a privacy-preserving way.

Double-blind encryption, meanwhile, ensures that Google only reports anonymized and aggregated sales conversions in its Store Sales Measurement, which connects mobile ads with in-store purchases. This technology, as explained by Washington, DC-based public interest research center Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), uses two filters: the first one “aims to hide the details of the monetary transactions (sourced by third parties) from Google and the second filter aims to hide the Google user’s data from the third party sources.” EPIC added, however, that “Google has not released the details of the algorithms underlying the proposed filters.”

PRIVACY SAFEGUARDS
One of the ways Google has been evolving to meet this need for data control is by allowing users to turn off their location history in Google Maps or choose to have it be automatically deleted after 3 or 18 months. Its Google Assistant was also designed to wait in standby mode until given commands like “Hey Google” or “OK Google.” Search ads, moreover, are marked with the labels “ad” or “sponsored,” and are only related to a person’s Search query.

An upcoming development is the use of privacy-preserving APIs (or application programming interfaces) such as the Federated Learning of Cohorts (or FLoC) for Google’s web products. These APIs prevent individual tracking while still delivering results for advertisers and publishers. According to Google’s Ads & Commerce blog, it expects to begin testing FLoC-based cohorts with advertisers in the second quarter of 2021.

“The entire principle of FLoC is that, instead of passing user identifications (IDs) through the ads ecosystem, it groups individuals into cohorts, so only the cohort IDs will be passed,” said Michael Katayama, Google’s ads privacy lead for the Asia-Pacific region. “This increases privacy because individual cookies will not be identified.”

EAVESDROPPING?
In 2020, Google saw searches for “online privacy” grow by more than 50%, with 81% of its consumers mentioning they’ve become more concerned with how their data was used. These results tie in with a 2019 survey by McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm, that reveals that consumers are becoming increasingly intentional about what types of data they share — and with whom. The firm stated that consumers respond to companies that treat their personal data as carefully as they do themselves.

Google is no stranger to privacy concerns, as it faces several lawsuits related to privacy vulnerabilities involving its products and services.

One lawsuit, filed in 2020, alleged that Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, surreptitiously collected information about what people view online and where they browse. This, as reported on Reuters, was despite people’s use of Google’s Incognito mode. Another was filed last February, this time for the alleged exposure of users’ sensitive data to third-party apps that were already installed on their mobile devices, according to analysis company AppCensus. In 2019 too, Google agreed to pay a $13 million settlement on a class-action lawsuit over the company’s collection of people’s private information through its Street View project. Street View is a feature that lets users interact with panoramic images of locations around the world.

The common perception that Google routinely eavesdrops in private conversations was likewise touched upon at the aforementioned May 6 session.

“There are two main points I want to say,” Mr. Fair said. “The ad you see may be from Google, but it’s also highly likely it’s an ad from another publisher. We have a healthy industry around it, but there are a ton of other ad providers. It’s possible it’s not a Google ad.” He added that when individuals become aware of something, it also becomes easier to spot. “When you’re tuned in to something, what has always been present is now visible to you.” — Patricia B. Mirasol

S.Korea President vows to raise fiscal spending to create jobs

May 10, 2021 | 4:49 pm

WOMEN wearing protective masks talk behind a cordoned-off area of a Han river park amid the pandemic in Seoul, South Korea, April 29. — REUTERS

SEOUL — South Korea President Moon Jae-in said on Monday the government will further boost fiscal spending if needed to increase jobs, as the country deals with its worst unemployment rate in two decades.

In a speech marking his fourth year in office, Mr. Moon also said policies will focus on making sure the economy expands more than 4% this year, a rosier outlook than the finance ministry’s current forecast of between 3% and 4%.

“We will pay more attention to young people and women who are undergoing hardships. Drafting additional fiscal spending would be an option if needed while quickly executing the (existing) job budget,” Mr. Moon said in a televised speech.

An active stimulus approach by policy makers has produced a modest domestic recovery. The government pledged to spend about 310 trillion won ($275 billion) of fiscal outlays through four supplementary budgets in 2020.

Exports are firing up to outweigh domestic demand, but job losses continued through the first quarter of this year, leading to the highest unemployment rate in two decades of 5% in the January-March period.

That’s hurting Mr. Moon’s image as a self-styled “Jobs President,” having pledged to add 500,000 new jobs every year during his five-year presidency.

Mr. Moon’s single five-year term ends in 2022. — Reuters

Gates divorce talks started in 2019 on Epstein link

May 10, 2021 | 4:49 pm

FILE PHOTO: Bill and Melinda Gates attend a debate on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in Brussels January 22, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

MELINDA FRENCH GATES began working with divorce lawyers well over a year before her split with Bill Gates was announced last week, partly over concerns about her husband’s dealings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The 56-year-old spoke with attorneys from several firms as early as October 2019, saying the marriage was “irretrievably broken,” the Journal reported Sunday, citing documents and people familiar with the matter. Her unease about her ex-husband’s ties to Epstein dates back to at least 2013, the paper said.

The New York Times reported in October 2019 that the billionaire had met with Mr. Epstein several times, and once stayed late at his New York townhouse. A spokeswoman for Microsoft Corp. co-founder said at the time that the meetings had centered on philanthropy. Mr. Epstein died in jail two months prior while awaiting trial on federal charges related to sex trafficking.

The divorce was negotiated during the pandemic, involving legal teams working with a mediator to divide their fortune, which the Bloomberg Billionaires Index pegs at $145 billion.

The couple said that they plan on remaining co-chairs and trustees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Billionaire Warren Buffett serves as the foundation’s third trustee. All three have vowed to give away the vast majority of their wealth.

In the days after the split was announced, a holding company that Bill Gates created transferred equity stakes in four different companies, worth more than $2 billion in aggregate, to Melinda French Gates, Bloomberg News has reported. The bulk of it is from about 14.1 million shares in Canadian National Railway Co.

Days before he died in a New York jail, Mr. Epstein named a little-known biotech venture capitalist named Boris Nikolic as backup executor of his will. Mr. Nikolic had worked as a science adviser to Bill Gates and more recently funded more than a dozen firms in gene editing and other health technologies.

In an emailed statement at the time, Mr. Nikolic told Bloomberg that Epstein had not consulted him about the will and that he had no intention to fulfill the duties. — Bloomberg

Vietnam says new COVID-19 outbreak threatens stability

May 10, 2021 | 4:49 pm

HANOI — Vietnam reported 102 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections on Sunday as the Southeast Asian country battled a fast-spreading outbreak which Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said threatened political stability if not brought under control.

The new cases raised the total to 3,332 since the pandemic began, with 35 deaths, the Ministry of Health said.

Vietnam has been praised for its record in containing its outbreaks quickly through targeted mass testing and a strict, centralized quarantine program.

But a new outbreak emerged late last month and has spread rapidly in the country, infecting 333 people in 25 cities and provinces, including the capital Hanoi, and leaving around 10 hospitals under lockdown.

“The risk for the outbreak to spread nationwide is very high,” Mr. Chinh said on Sunday. “We need to deploy stronger measures to curb the outbreak.

“If the outbreak spread nationwide, it would affect political stability, people’s health and the National Assembly and People’s Council elections, and the consequence would be unpredictable.”

Chinh said coronavirus infections in neighboring countries has put pressure on Vietnam, adding that illegal immigrants were among the prime sources of the virus.

Of the 102 new cases, 92 were transmitted locally, the health ministry said. — Reuters

DPWH sets up modular hospitals, quarantine facilities and isolation units nationwide to serve COVID patients

May 10, 2021 | 4:26 pm

National Capital Region

Caloocan City

Caloocan City North Medical Center (CCNMC), Bry. 177, Caloocan City (Quarantine Facilities-Container Vans)
Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Tala, Caloocan City (1 unit Off-site Modular Hospital and 1 Dormitory)

Las Piñas City

Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities (State-Owned Facilities and Other Pre-Determined Site Into Several Health Care Facilities) for conversion of additional COVID-19 Quarantine Facilities in Brgy. Almanza, Las Piñas City

Makati City

Makati Aqua Sports Arena, Makati City (Quarantine Facilities-Container Vans)

Malabon City

40’ Container Van Converted into 4 Unit Rooms for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms in Malabon City
40’ Container Van Converted into 4 Unit Rooms for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms along Service Road, C-4 Road, Malabon City

Mandaluyong City

Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities (State-Owned Facilities and Other Predetermined Sites Into Several Healthcare Facilities) at Mandaluyong City Hall Compound, Mandaluyong City

Manila

10 Units 20-Footer Container Vans at Malacañang Park, Manila
Health Care Facilities (Cubicles) at Malacañang Park
Makeshift Facilities Made of Plywood Materials for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms at Pamantasan Lungsod ng Maynila, lntramuros, Manila City
Makeshift Facilities Made of Plywood Materials for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms at San Andres Sports Complex, San Andres, District V, Manila City
Manuel Quezon University, Manila (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Medical Healthcare Facilities and Other Related Facilities for COVID-19 Patients and Healthcare Professionals – Malacañang
Ninoy Aquino Stadium (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Rizal Memorial Coliseum (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)

Marikina City

Brgy. Nangka, Marikina City, Metro Manila (Quarantine Facilities-Container Vans)

Muntinlupa City

Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities for the Proposed Various Medical Healthcare Facilities and Other Related Facilities for COVID-19 Patients and Healthcare Professionals in Muntinlupa City
Filinvest Tent (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Pacwood Site, Bgry. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City (Quarantine/ Isolation Facilities-Container Vans)

Navotas City

40’ Container Van Converted into 4 Unit Rooms for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms at Centennial Park, Navotas City
Navotas City (Quarantine Facilities-Container Vans)

Parañaque City

40’ Container Van Converted into 4 Unit Rooms for COVID-19 Patients at Parking Area of Air Force One, Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City, Metro Manila
Parañaque City College (Quarantine Facilities-Container Vans)
Medical Healthcare Facilities and Other Related Facilities for COVID-19 Patients and Healthcare Professionals at Air Force One, Parañaque City, Metro Manila

Pasay City

40’ Container Van Converted into 4 Unit Rooms for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms near Mall, Macapagal Avenue , Pasay City
40’ Container Van Converted into 4 Unit Rooms for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms at Folk Arts Theater, Pasay City
CCP Complex (Isolation Facilities-Container Vans)
DPWH Isolation Facility and Off-Site Dormitory for Medical Personnel, Pasay City
DPWH Isolation Facility and Off-Site Dormitory for Medical Personnel, W. Diokno, Pasay City
Folk Arts Theater, Pasay City (Quarantine Facilities-Container Vans)
Near Mall, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City (Quarantine Facilities-Container Vans)
Pasay City Sports Complex, Pasay City (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
PICC Forum (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Villamor Airbase, Pasay City (Quarantine Facilities-Container Vans)
World Trade Center (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)

Pasig City

Philippine Sports Complex (ULTRA), Pasig City (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities (State-Owned Facilities and Other Predetermined Sites Into Several Healthcare Facilities) at Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City

Pateros

Ramos Pateros Elementary School, Pateros, Metro Manila (Quarantine Facilities-Container Vans)

Quezon City

40’ Container Van Converted into 4 Unit Rooms for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms at Camp Karingal, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City
40’ Container Van Converted into 4 Unit Rooms for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms at Quezon City University, Quezon City (64 beds)
40’ Container Van Converted into 4 Unit Rooms for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms at Quezon City University, Quezon City (56 beds)
40’ Container Van Converted into 4 Unit Rooms for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms at Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital, Quezon City
Fairview, Quezon City
Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities (State-Owned Facilities and Other Predetermined Sites into Several Healthcare Facilities) at AFP GHQ & HSC, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities (State-Owned Facilities and Other Predetermined Sites into Several Healthcare Facilities) at AFP Medical Center (V. Luna General Hospital), Quezon City
Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities (State-Owned Facilities and Other Predetermined Sites into Several Healthcare Facilities) at Quezon Institute Hospital, Quezon City
House of Representative, Batasan Hills, Quezon City (Isolation Facilities-Container Vans)
Lung Center of the Philippines (Off-site Dormitory)
Lung Center of The Philippines, 1 unit off-site Modular.
National Kidney and Transplant Institute – Construction of 2 units Off-site Modular Hospital and 1 unit Off-site Dormitory, East Avenue, Quezon City
Quarantine Facilities (Cubicles) at Emilio Jacinto Senior High School, Pasong Tamo, Quezon City
Quezon Memorial Circle (Off-site Dormitory) – Clusters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
Three (3) Units Off-site Dormitory at Quezon Institute IE. Rodriguez, Quezon City
Two (2) Units 40’ Container Van at AFP GHQ & HSC, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
Two (2) Units Off-site Dormitory at Quezon Institute IE. Rodriguez, Quezon City
Two (2) Units Off-site Modular Hospital at Quezon Institute I Rodriguez, Quezon City
DPWH Regional Office IV-B Compound, EDSA, Quezon City

San Juan City

Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities (State-Owned Facilities and Other Predetermined Sites Into Several Healthcare Facilities) at P. Guevarra Extension, San Juan City

Taguig City

Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities (State-Owned Facilities and Other Predetermined Sites Into Several Healthcare Facilities) at PNP-NCRPO, Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City

Valenzuela City

Arkong Balo NHS Quadrangle, Valenzuela City (Quarantine Facilities-Container Vans)

CAR, NORTH AND CENTRAL LUZON

Cordillera Administrative Region

Abra

Danglas, Abra (Quarantine Facilities)
San Gregorio, Lapaz,Abra
Mudiit, Dolores, Abra

Apayao

Poblacion, Kabugao, Apayao (Quarantine Facilities) Sitio Payanan, San Gregorio, Luna, Apayao
Cubet, Malama, Conner, Apayao

Benguet

Ambongdolan, Tublay, Benguet (Quarantine Facilities)
Isolation Facility at Benguet Province
Health Facility for Residents Affected by COVID-19 at Teachers Camp, Baguio City
Sto. Niño Hospital, Padre Burgos, Baguio City
(Repair/Rehabilitation of Baguio City Community Isolation Facility)
Modified Isolation Facility at ltogon, Benguet
Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet

Ifugao

Caggon, Boliwong, Lagawe, lfugao
Sta. Maria, Alfonso Lista, lfugao

Kalinga

Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga
Agbannawag, Tabuk City, Kalinga
Cagaluan, Pasil, Kalinga

Mountain Province

Poblacion, Bauko, Mountain Province Evacuation Center
Poblacion, Bauko, Mountain Province
Butigue, Paracelis, Mountain Province

Region 1

Ilocos Norte

Quarantine/Isolation Facilities for COVID-19 Patients Marcos llocos Norte
DPWH Base Shop Building, Laoag City, llocos Norte
Luklukan Hall, Camp Captain Valentin Juan, Brgy. 26, Laoag City, llocos Norte
Takuat Training Center, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Callaguip, Paoay, llocos Norte
Sanna, llocos Norte
Brgy. Quiling, Norte, Batac City, llocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

Sandigan Building, Camp President Elpidio Quirino, Bulag, Bantay, llocos Sur
Brgy. Ayusan Sur, Vigan City, llocos Sur
Brgy Bucao, Tagudin, llocos Sur

La Union

City Archives Bldg., San Fernando City, La Union (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Quarantine/ Isolation Facilities for COVID-19 Patients, La Union
DPWH R01 Regional Equipment Service, Bauang, La Union (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
PR01 Health and Wellness Building, Camp BGen. Oscar Florendo, Panan, San Fernando City, La Union
Regional Training Center 1, Poblacion, Aringay, La Union
Sandigan Building, Camp Diego Silang, Carlatan, San Fernando City, La Union
Senior Citizen Bldg., San Fernando City, La Union (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Senior Citizen , Suyo, Bagulin, La Union
Agtipal, Bacnotan, La Union
Agoo, La Union
Sevilla, San Fernando La Union

Pangasinan

Barracks Building, Tayug, Pangasinan
Multi-Purpose Hall, Alaminos, Pangasinan (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Opag Building, Barbara, Pangasinan (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Pangasinan PPO. Male and Female PNCO Barracks, Camp Gov. Antonio U. Sison, Libsong West, Lingayen, Pangasinan
PMFC PNCO Barracks, Camp Narciso Ramos, Libertad, Tayug, Pangasinan
Reformation Center, Burgos, Pangasinan (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Training Center, Alaminos, Pangasinan (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Poblacion East, Calasiao, Pangasinan
Brgy. Tangcarang, Alaminos City, Pangasinan
Dasol, Pangasinan
San Nicolas, Pangasinan
Pugaro, Manaoag, Pangasinan
Brgy. Batangcoaoa, Urbiztondo, Pangasinan
Lauren, Umingan, Pangasinan

Region 2

Cagayan

DPWH Standard One (1) Storey Health Facilities Container Van (Option 1) – 2 units with 1 Swabbing Booth, Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
DPWH Standard One (1) Storey Health Facilities Container Van (Option 1) – 2 units with 1 Swabbing Booth, Gosi Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Lallayug, Tuao, Cagayan
Bangag, Lallo, Cagayan
San Gabriel, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Flourishing, Gonzaga, Cagayan
lguig, Cagayan
Amulung, Cagayan
Libertad, Abulug, Cagayan
Penablanca, Cagayan

Isabela

Various Medical Healthcare Facilities and Other Related Facilities for COVID-19 Patients and Professionals: DPWH Standard One (1) Storey Health Facilities Container Van – 2 Units with Swabbing Booth, Malasin, Aurora, lsabela
Sitio Manalpaac, San Pablo, Cauayan City, lsabela
San Mateo, Tumauini, lsabela

Nueva Vizcaya

DPWH Standard One (1) Storey Health Facilities Container Van (Option 1) – 2 units with 1 Swabbing Booth, Dupax del Norte
District IV, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

Quirino

DPWH Standard One (1) Storey Health Facilities Container Van (Option 1) – 2 units with 1 Swabbing Booth, Cabarroguis, Quirino
Brgy. Zamora, Cabbaroguis, Quirino
Maddela, Quirino

Region 3

Aurora

Dingalan, Aurora
Brgy. Bianoan, Casiguran, Aurora

Bataan

3 DPWH Standard One (1) Storey Health Facilities Container Van, Mariveles, Bataan
Orani, Bataan

Bulacan

Two (2) Units Isolation Facility at Malolos Sports & Convention Center Malolos, Bulacan
Quarantine Facility in Malolos Sports & Convention Center, City of Malolos, Bulacan
Philippine Arena – 3 Big Tents, Ciudad de Victoria (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles), Malolos, Bulacan

Nueva Ecija

Talavera, Nueva Ecija

Pampanga

3 Units DPWH Standard Health Facilities Container Van, Mexico Pampanga
5 DPWH Standard One (1) Storey Health Facilities Container Van, Lubao, Pampanga
ASEAN Convention Center, Clark, Pampanga (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
One (1) Unit, Two (2) Storey Quarantine/Quartering Facility (Container Van) At Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (Off-site Dormitory)
National Government Administrative Center, New Clark City (Quarantine Facilities)
San Roque, Mexico, Pampanga
Santa Catalina, Lubao, Pampanga

Tarlac

Brgy. San Isidro, Tarlac City

Zambales

Sitio Baring, San Nicolas, Castillejos, Zambales
Botolan, Zambales

Regions 4-A (CALABARZON), 4-B (MIMAROPA) and 5 (Bicol Region)

Batangas

COVID Facilities at Evacuation Center, Banalo, Lobo, Batangas
Off-Site Modular Hospital, Batangas Medical Center, Kumintang lbaba, Batangas City
Lipa Academy of Sports, Culture and Arts (LASCA), Lipa City, Batangas
Municipal Beach Pavillion, Brgy. Bucana, Nasugbu, Batangas San Pascual Evacuation Center
Sambat, Tanauan, Batangas
San Laurel, San Pascual, Batangas Barrio Buhaynasapa, San Juan, Batangas

Cavite

Bacoor Coliseum as COVID-19 Isolation Facility, Bacoor City, Cavite
Carmona, Cavite Evacuation Center
Van Type Isolation Facility units for COVID-19 Patients at Dasmariñas City, Cavite
General Trias Sports Park into Temporary Medical Facility (Quarantine/Isolation Facility), Brgy. Santiago, Gen. Trias, Cavite
Residential Care Facility for Children at Risk into Temporary Medical Facility (Quarantine/Isolation Facility), lndang, Cavite
Makeshift Facilities for COVID-19 Patients at Tagaytay Sports and Activity Center, Tagaytay City
Lantic, Carmona, Cavite
Cavite Govt. Center, Palico, lmus

Laguna

Alonte Sports Complex, Biñan City, Laguna (Quarantine Facilities-Cubicles)
Cabuyao Athletes Basic School’s Multi-Sports Hall (CABS), Brgy. Banay-Banay, Cabuyao City, Laguna
Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities – Release of funds to construct the needed community-based and hospital-based Healthcare Facilities for COVID-19 Patients and Healthcare professionals – Construction of Van Type Isolation Facility Units for COVID-19 Patients at Siniloan, Laguna
Canossa MPB (2nd Floor) into Health Facility, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Regional Government Center Building into Health Facility, Calamba City, Laguna – Phase I
11-20 footer Container Van (9 vans for patients and 2 for medical staff) at Impounding Area, Brgy. Langgam (3 patients per van and 2 medical staff), San Pedro City
3-20-footer Container Van at Berbacs Compound, USPS Subdivision, Brgy. San Antonio, San Pedro City, Laguna
Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities – Release of funds for the Proposed Various Medical Healthcare Facilities and other Facilities for COVID-19 Patients and Healthcare Professionals – Conversion of Regional Government Center Building Into Health Facility (Additional Fund), Calamba, Laguna
Disaster-Related infrastructure and Other Facilities-Release of funds to construct the needed community-based and hospital-based Healthcare Facilities for COVID-19 Patients and Healthcare professionals – Construction of Van Type Isolation Facility Units for COVID-19 Patients at Siniloan, Laguna
Three (3) Units Health Facility Tent, Ten (10) bed each, Brgy. Jasaan, Sta. Cruz, Laguna
Tagapo, Santa Rosa City, Laguna
lbabang Taykin, Liliw

Quezon

DPWH Modified Standard Two (2) Units Health Facility Tent (with Isolation Cubicle), Magsaysay District Hospital, Lopez, Quezon
Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities, Medical Healthcare Facilities for COVID-19 Patients and Healthcare Professionals, Construction of DPWH Modified Standard Two (2) Units Health Facility (with Isolation Cubicle), Alabat, Quezon
Buensuceso/Panikihan, Gumaca, Quezon
Latangan, Mulanay, Quezon
Camagong, Alabat, Quezon
Calimpac, Guinayangan, Quezon
Former Engineering and Motorpool Complex, Lucena City

Rizal

Seventeen (17) Units, Thirty (30) Beds Isolation Facilities (Phase 2), Brgy. Sta. Ana, Taytay Rizal
Rizal Provincial Hospital System/Five (5) tents with ten (10) beds each, Rodriguez, Rizal
Three (3) Units Health Facility Tent, Brgy. Sta. Ana, Taytay, Rizal
Mahabang Parang, Binangonan, Rizal
Three (3) Units Health Facility Tent, Antipolo City Hospital System Annex 4, Brgy. Mambugan, Antipolo City, Rizal
Three (3) Units Health Facility Tent, Rizal Provincial Hospital System, Brgy. Darangan, Binangonan, Rizal
Two (2) Units Health Facility Tent, Antipolo City Hospital System Annex 3, Cabading, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal

Marinduque

Tamayo, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque
Bangbagalon, Boac, Marinduque

Oriental Mindoro

Socorro Evacuation Center Into Isolation Facilities for COVID-19, Barangay Zone 1, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro
Gloria Rural Health Unit, Brgy. Agos, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro
Renato Umali Reyes Hospital, Brgy. Labasan, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro
Zone 1 Socorro, Oriental Mindoro
Poblacion, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro
Sabang, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
Santiago, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro

Palawan

Barangay Corong-corong, El Nido, Palawan (20 beds)
Barangay Corong-corong, El Nido, Palawan (40 beds)
Evacuation Center Converted into Quarantine/Isolation Facilities, Barangay Poblacion 6, Coron, Palawan
Evacuation Center Converted into Quarantine/Isolation Facilities, Barangay Salvacion, Busuanga, Palawan
Poblacion 6, Coron, Palawan
Tubtub Brooke’s Point, Palawan
Salvacion, Busuanga, Palawan
Poblacion, Pulot Center, Sofronio Espanola

Romblon

Barangay Dapawan, Odiongan, Romblon
Panangcalan, San Fernando Romblon

Albay

1 unit Quarantine Facility, Brgy. Calzada Infirmary (8 Rooms), Brgy. Calzada, Guinobatan, Albay
1 unit Quarantine Facility, LWCES (Pob.), Ligao City, Albay
1 unit Quarantine Facility, Polangui North Central School, Polangui, Albay Centro Poblacion, Oas, Albay Quarantine/Isolation Facility Libon, Albay Quarantine/Isolation Facility
One (1) Storey Health Facility Container Van (4-40 Footer and 4-20 Footer Container Van, 24 Air-conditioned Bed Capacity with Toilet), Inside lbalong Centrum for Recreation Compound, Bitano, Legazpi City
Balading, Malinao, Albay
Sitio Tubog, Barangay Zone 1 Libon, Albay
Basag, Ligao, Albay
Pawa, Tabaco, Albay
Mauraro, Guinobatan, Albay

Camarines Norte

Various Medical Healthcare Facilities and Other Related Facilities (Quarantine/Isolation Facility) Brgy. Camambugan, Dael, Camarines Norte
Various Medical Healthcare Facilities and Other Related Facilities (Quarantine/Isolation Facility) Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte
Five (5) Units 10mx15m DPWH Modified Health Facility Tent with CR at Brgy. Bulhao, Labo, Camarines Norte
Sitio Mat-ay Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Vinzons, Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur

1 unit Isolation Facility (Cubicle Only), Multipurpose Building (Covered Court) at Goa Central School, San Juan Bautista St. Goa, Camarines Sur
2 units Health Facility Tent, Brgy. San Juan, Balo, Camarines Sur
Health/Makeshift Facilities at City College of Naga, Naga City, Camarines Sur
Health/Makeshift Facilities at Sta. Cruz High School, Naga City, Camarines Sur
Health/Makeshift Facilities Jessie M. Robredo Coliseum, Brgy. Triangulo, Naga City
Various Medical Healthcare Facilities and Other Related Facilities for COVID-19 Patients and Healthcare Professionals, Potot, Libmanan, Camarines Sur
Capitol Annex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur
Calilog, Tinambak, Camarines Sur

Catanduanes

San Isidro Village, Virac, Catanduanes

Masbate

Bolod, San Pascual, Masbate
Three (3) units One (1) Storey DPWH Standard Health Facilities Container Van at Villa Lucia, Brgy. Maingaran, Masbate City

Sorsogon

Tughan, Juban, Sorsogon
San Pedro, lrosin, Sorsogon Dasol, Pangasinan
San Nicolas, Pangasinan
Pugaro, Manaoag, Pangasinan
Brgy. Batangcoaoa, Urbiztondo, Pangasinan
Lauren, Umingan, Pangasinan

Visayas

Region 6 – Western Visayas

Aklan

Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan
Quarantine Facility for PUM, PUI, and COVID-19 confirmed residents of the Province of Aklan, lbajay, Aklan
Quarantine Facility for PUM, PUI, and COVID-19 confirmed residents of the Province of Aklan, Malay, Aklan
Rafael S. Tombokon Memorial Provincial Hospital, Kalibo, Aklan (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)

Antique

Angel Salazar Memorial Hospital. San Jose, Antique (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
San Pedro, San Jose, Antique
Culasi District Hospital, Culasi, Antique (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)

Capiz

Bailan District Hospital, Pontevedra, Capiz (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
Milibili, Roxas City, Capiz
Quarantine/Isolation Facility for COVID-19 Patients at Hortus Botanicus, Brgy. Milibili, Roxas City, Capiz
Covered Gym for COVID-19 Patients at Capiz Gymnasium, Roxas City, Capiz
Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital, Roxas City, Capiz (Additional Quarantine Facility)
Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital, Roxas City, Capiz (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)

Guimaras

Poblacion, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
Salvacion, Buenavista Guimaras
Quarantine/Isolation Facilities for COVID-19 Patients at Brgy. Mclain, Buenavista, Guimaras
Quarantine/Isolation Facilities for COVID-19 Patients at San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras
Evacuation Center for Health Care Facilities at Brgy. Poblacion, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

Iloilo

Cabuguana, Carles, lloilo
Gines, Zarraga, lloilo
lgtambo, San Miguel, lloilo
lgtuba and Kirayan Tacas, Mig-ao, lloilo
Sibucao, San Enrique
Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital, Barotac Nuevo, lloilo (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
Ricardo Y. Ladrido Memorial District Hospital, Lambunao, lloilo (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
lloilo Provincial Hospital, Pofotan, lloilo (Off-site Dormitory-Containers)
Rehabilitation (Improvement) of Existing Evacuation Center for Health Care Facilities at Brgy. Cabuguana, Carles, lloilo
Western Visayas Sanitarium, Sta. Barbara, lloilo (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
Western Visayas Sanitaruim, Sta. Barbara, lloilo (Quarantine/Isolation Facility)
Sooc, Arevalo, lloilo City (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
Sooc. Arevalo, lloilo City (Quarantine/ Isolation Facility)
Provincial Sports Complex, La Paz, lloilo City (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
Provincial Sports Complex, La Paz, lloilo City (Quarantine/Isolation Facility)
Covered Gym for Health Care Facilities at Brgy. Magsaysay, La Paz, lloilo City

Negros Occidental

Barrio Tab-ao, Sagay City
Barrio Vista Alegre, Bacolod
2, San Carlos City
Hilamonan, Kabankalan City
Lag-asan, Bago City
Evacuation Center for Health Care Facilities at Brgy. Rizal, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
Evacuation Center for Healthcare Facilities at Brgy. Vista Alegre, Bacolod City
Alijis, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental (Quarantine/Isolation Facility)
Cadiz District Hospital, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
Off-site Dormitory for COVID-19 Medical Professional/Personnel at Valladolid, Negros Occidental
Quarantine Facility for PUM, PUI, and COVID-19 confirmed residents of Bacolod City, Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Quarantine/Isolation Facilities for COVID-19 Patients at Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
Don Salvador Benedicto District Hospital, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
Quarantine Facility for PUM, PUI, and COVID-19 confirmed residents of Bacolod City, Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Teresita L. Jalandorn Provincial Hospital, Silay City, Negros Occidental (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)

Region 7 – Central Visayas

Bohol

1 unit-16 beds Isolation Facility for COVID-19 Patients at Tubigon, Bohol
Dao,Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Camambugan, Ubay, Bohol
Tubed Monte, Jagna, Bohol
Gotozon, Laboe,Bohol

Cebu

Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities. 2 Units Isolation Facility for COVID-19 Patients at Bogo City, Cebu
Cebu City Quarantine Center (CCQC) Blk. 27, Corner M. Logarta Avenue (Isolation Facility-Container Vans)
Cebu City Quarantine Center (CCQC) Blk. 27, Corner M. Logarta Avenue (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
1 unit-16 beds Isolation Facility for COVID-19 Patients at Brgy. Manlapay, Dumanjug
4 Units with 16 beds/unit “We Heal As One” Off-site Dormitory/Isolation Facility for Medical Personnel at Lot 17, NOAH Complex, South Road Properties, Cebu City, Cebu
DPWH Evacuation Center, Brg Apas, Lahug, Cebu City (Quarantine Facility)
DPWH RO VII, South Road Properties, Cebu City (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
DPWH RO V II, South Road Properties, Cebu City (Isolation Facility-Container Vans)
2 Units with 16 beds/unit Isolation Facilities for COVID-19 Patients at DPWH Regional Office VII Compound, South Road Properties, Cebu City, Cebu
Women’s Center, Br Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City (Quarantine Facility)
1 Unit with 16 beds “We Heal As One” Off-site Dormitory/Isolation Facility for Medical Personnel and 3 Units with 28 beds/unit Isolation Facilities for COVID-19 Patients at PAF Mactan Airbase, Brgy. Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
1 unit type 2 Isolation Facility for COVID-19 Patients, Cebu City
Quarantine Facility, Block 27, Corner Logarta Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu
Hoops Dome. Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority Compound, Brgy. Ibo, Lapu-Lapu City (Isolation Facility-Container Vans)
Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority Compound, Ibo, Lapu-Lapu City (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
North Bus Terminal. Logarta Avenue. Mandaue City (Isolation Facility)
Disaster-Related Infrastructure and Other Facilities, Construction of 1 Unit Isolation Facility for COVID-19 Patients at San Remigio, Cebu
Brgy. Apas, Lahug, Cebu City
Brgy. Langu AsTurias, Cebu
Tapon, Dalaguete, Cebu
Poblacion, Medellin, Cebu
Brgy. Bugho, Moalboal, Cebu
Purok 2, Gabi, Cordova
Brgy. Manlapay, Dumanjug

Negros Oriental

Brgy. Tambongjangin, Amlan, Negros Oriental

Siquijor

Brgy. Caipilan, Siquijor

Region 8 – Eastern Visayas

Biliran

Brgy. Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran (Isolation Facilities-Tent Structure)
Evacuation Center in Sitio Dapdap, Brgy. Agpangi, Naval, Biliran (Isolation Facility)

Leyte

City Hospital Tacloban City (Quarantine Facility)
DPWH Evacuation Center, Brg Abucay, Tacloban City (Quarantine Facility)
Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, Brg Cabalawan, Tacloban City (Isolation Facilities-Container Vans)
EVRMC Magsaysay Tacloban City (Isolation Facility)
Salvacion Heights Community, Salvacion, Tacloban City (Quarantine Facilities)
DPWH Evacuation Center, Brg Macabug, Ormoc City (Quarantine Facility)
Samapao East District 9, Dagami, Leyte (Isolation Facilities-Container Vans)
Ormoc City Health Office, Brg Dolores, Ormoc City, Leyte (Isolation Facilities-Container Vans)
Schist Osomiasis Hospital, Sacred Heart Seminary, Brg Salvacion, Palo, Leyte (Isolation Facilities-Container Vans)
Brgy. 91, Abucay, Tacloban City
Suba, Villaba, Leyte
Macabug, Ormoc City, Leyte
Brgy. Guindapunan, Palo, Leyte
Cogan. Baybay City, Leyte
Brgy. Bunga, Abuyog, Leyte
Brgy. San Vicente, Tabogon

Southern Leyte

Combado, Maasin City, Southern Leyte (Isolation Facilities)
Southern Leyte Provincial Hospital (SOYMPH), Dongon, Maasin City, Southern Leyte (Isolation Facilities)
San Ricardo, Southern Leyte

Eastern Samar

Multi-Purpose Building, Songco, Borongan City, Eastern Samar (Quarantine Facility)
Brgy. San Miguel, Hemani, Eastern Samar
Brgy. San Mateo, Sulat, Eastern Samar
Brgy. 12, Poblacion, Salcedo, Eastern Samar

Northern Samar

Northern Samar Provincial Hospital, Catarman (Isolation Facilities-Container Vans)
Allen, Northern Samar

Samar

DRRM Headquarters in Brg Trinidad, Calbayog City (Quarantine Facility)
Two (2) units Isolation/Quarantine Facilities at Prov incial Tennis Court,
Brgy. 12, Poblacion, Catbalogan City, Samar
Two (2) units Isolation/Quarantine Facilities, Payao, Catbalogan City, Samar
Fronting ER of Samar Provincial Hospital, Catbalogan City (Quarantine Facilities-Tent Structure)
Malasakit Building, Brg Guindapunan, Catbalogan City (Isolation Facilities-Container Vans)
Provincial Covered Court, Catbalogan City (Quarantine Facilities), Samar
Samar Provincial Hospital, Catbalogan City (Isolation Facilities-Tent Structure)
Barangay Trinidad, Calbayog City, Samar

Mindanao

Region 9 – Zamboanga Peninsula

Basilan . –

Sumagdang, lsabela City, Baslian Quarantine Facility, lsabela City, Basilan

Pagadian City

Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center, Pagadian City
Pagadian Quarantine Facility, Pagadian City Oval Grounds, Pagadian City

Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City Quarantine Facility
Cabatangan Zamboanga City
Pasonanca Convention Center into Quarantine Facility, Pasonanca, Zamboanga City

Zamboanga Del Norte

Disud, Sindagan, Zamboanga Del Norte Quarantine Facility
Labason, Zamboanga Del Norte Quarantine Facility
Piñan, Zamboanga Del Norte Quarantine Facility
Poblacion, Jose Dalman, Zamboanga Del Norte
Sitio Bolon Brgy. Lower lrasan, Pres. M.A Roxas, Zamboanga Del Norte
Lawigan, Labason, Zamboanga Del Norte
Siocon, Zamboanga Del Norte
Barangay Tumo, Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte
Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte

Zamboanga Del Sur

Dao Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur Quarantine Facility
Guipos Limonan San Miguel, Zamboanga Del Sur
San Francisco District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur
Sta. Cruz, Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur
Don Jose, Dinas, Zamboanga Del Sur

Zambonaga Sibugay

Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay Quarantine Facility
Maasin, lpil, Zamboanga S16ugay, Quarantine Facility
Taway, lpil, Zamboanga Sibugay
Balugo, Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay

REGION 10 – Northern Mindanao

Bukidnon

Quarantine Facilities Hindangon, Valencia City, Bukidnon
Municipal COVID-19 Isolation Facility (TESDA Training Center and Municipal Tree Park), lmpasug-ong, Bukidnon
Municipal COVID-19 Isolation Facility of San Fernando Bukidnon
156 Units Isolation Cubicles, 3 Units Doffing Areas and Testing Site, Northern Mindanao Wellness and Reintegration Center, Phase Ill Extension, Casisang, Malaybalay Bukidnon
16 Units Isolation Cubicles and 1 Unit Doffing Area for the Proposed Quarantine Facility (Hall of Justice) and 1 Unit Doffing Area for Existing Quarantine Facility (Crisis Center), Poblacion, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon
Quarantine Facility, Existing TESDA Building at Brgy. Kisolon, Sumilao, Bukidnon
San Fernando, Bukidnon
Municipality of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon
Purok 17C, Sitio Hindangon, Brgy. Poblacion Valencia, Bukidnon
Casisang, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Cagayan De Oro City

Mother Theresa Compound, Upper Puerto, Cagayan De Oro City
Macasandig Covered Court, Brgy. Macasandig, Cagayan De Oro City
Tabion, Cagayan De Oro City

Camiguin

Balbagon, Mambajao, Camiguin

Lanao Del Norte

Multi-Purpose Building (Covered Court), Brgy. Poblacion, lligan City, Lanao Del Norte
Multi-Purpose Building (Covered Court), Brgy. Tomas Cabili, lligan City, Lanao Del Norte
Quarantine Facility, Existing Multi-Purpose Building (Covered Court), NSC Global Street, lligan City
Bagumbayan, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte

Misamis Occidental

Isolation Facility at Talairon, Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental
lsolation/Healthcare Facilities at Brgy. Kinuman Norte, Ozamiz City
Puntod, Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental
Caputol, Aloran, Misamis Occidental
Panalsalan, Plaridel

Misamis Oriental

Quarantine Facility, Brgy. L.unotan, Ging City, Misamis Oriental
Sitio Catuan, Brgy. Pangasihan, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental
Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental
Villanueva, Misamis Oriental
San Jose, Medina Misamis Oriental
Poblacion, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental

Region 11 – Davao Region

Davao City

SPMC Davao City (Off-site Dormitory-Container Vans)
Medical Health Facilities @ CAAP, Davao City
Medical Healthcare Facilities for COVID-19 Patients and Healthcare Professionals in Davao City
Los Amigos, Tugbok District, Davao City
Isolation Facility for PSG, DPWH Regional Office Depot XI, Panacan, Davao City
Conversion of old airport building, Sasa, Davao City into Isolation/Quarantine Facility (cubicles)
UP Mindanao Multi-Purpose Building, Davao City Sports Complex (Conversion of UP Mindanao Multi-Purpose, Human Kinetics Building into COVID Facility)

Davao Del Norte

Canocotan, Tagum City, Davao del Norte

Davao Del Sur

Davao Del Sur, Davao City (Modified Twenty (20) Units Health Facility Tent with Isolation Cubicle)
Provincial Capitol Compound, Matti, Digos City, Davao Del Sur
Poblacion, Malalag, Davao del Sur

Davao De Oro

Provincial Compound, Brgy. Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province

Davao Occidental

Lacaron, Lawrco, Malita Davao Occidental
Lawa, Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental

Davao Oriental

Government Center, Tarragona, Davao Oriental
Tinimbo, Poblacion Cateel, Davao Oriental
Saoquegue, Baganga, Davao Oriental
Corporacion, Lupon, Davao Oriental
Municipality of Caraga, Davao Oriental
Batobato, San Isidro, Davao Oriental

Region 12 – SOCCKSARGEN

General Santos City

DPWH Standard One (1) Storey Health Facilities Container Van, General Santos City

North Cotabato

Rosal Street, Carmen, North Cotabato
Tulunan, North Cotabato
New Leon, Aleosan, North Cotabato

Sarangani

Isolation Facility for COVID-19 Related Individuals, Alabel, Sarangani Province
Kiamba, Sarangani
Calabanit, Gian, Sarangani
Malungon, Sarangani

South Cotabato

One (1) Storey Health Facility Container Van, Polomolok, South Cotabato
One (1) Storey Health Facilities Container Van, General Santos City
Various Medical Healthcare Facilities and Other Related Facilities for COVID-19 Patients and Healthcare Professional in Polomolok, South Cotabato
Buayan, General Santos City, South Cotabato
Surallah, South Cotabato

Sultan Kudarat

lsulan, Sultan Kudarat
Lebak, Sultan Kudarat
Poblacion La Paz, Agusan Del Sur

Region 13 – CARAGA

Agusan Del Norte

Cabadbaran City, Agusan Del Norte (Quarantine Facility)
Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte (Quarantine Facility)
Baan Km. 3, Butuan City (Quarantine Facility)
Carmen, Agusan Del Norte (Quarantine Facility)
Rizal, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte
San Isidro, Las Nieves, Agusan Del Norte

Agusan Del Sur

Consuelo, Bunawan, Agusan Del Sur (Quarantine Facility)
Poblacion La Paz, Agusan Del Sur
Poblacion, Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur
Purok 11, Poblacion, Esperanza, Agusan Del Sur
Del Monte, Talacogon, Agusan Del Sur

Butuan City

Baan Km. 3, Butuan City (Quarantine Facility)

Surigao Del Norte

Silop, Surigao City (Quarantine Facility)
Cagniog, Surigao City (Quarantine Facility)
Luna, Surigao del Norte
Purok 7, Libungcogon, Brgy. Mabuhay, Sta Monica, Surigao Del Norte

Surigao Del Sur

Tabon, Bislig City (Quarantine Facility)
Telaje, Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur (Quarantine/Isolation Facility)
Sta. Cruz, Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur
Awasian, Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur
Bitoon, Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur
Burgos, Cortes, Surigao Del Sur
Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao Del Sur

BARMM

Cotabato City

Cotabato City

Basilan

Sumagdang, lsabela City, Basilan Quarantine Facility

Lanao Del Sur

Medical Healthcare facilities at Brgy. Mantapoli, Marantao Multi-Purpose Building, Lanao Del Sur
Medical Healthcare facilities at Brgy. Sagonsongan Relocation Site, Sagonsongan Multi-Purpose Building, Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur

Sulu

Off-Site Dormitory for Health Workers at Kajatian, lndanan, Sulu

Tawi-Tawi

Quarantine Facility at Simunul and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi

India’s COVID-19 cases dip from peak, calls for shutdown mount

May 10, 2021 | 4:14 pm

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU — Calls grew for India to impose a nationwide lockdown as new coronavirus cases and deaths held close to record highs on Monday, increasing pressure on the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The 366,161 new infections and 3,754 deaths reported by the health ministry were off a little from recent peaks, taking India’s tally to 22.66 million with 246,116 deaths.

As many hospitals grapple with an acute shortage of oxygen and beds while morgues and crematoriums overflow, experts have said India’s actual figures could be far higher than reported.

Sunday’s 1.47 million tests for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were this month’s lowest yet, data from the state-run Indian Council of Medical Research showed. The figure compared with a daily average of 1.7 million for the first eight days of May.

The number of positive results from the tests was not immediately clear, however.

Many states have imposed strict lockdowns over the last month while others have placed curbs on movement and shut cinemas, restaurants, pubs and shopping malls.

But pressure is mounting on Mr. Modi to announce a nationwide lockdown as he did during the first wave of infections last year.

He is battling criticism for allowing huge gatherings at a religious festival and holding large election rallies during the past two months even as cases surged.

“A failure of governance of epic and historic proportions,” Vipin Narang, a political science professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, said on Twitter.

Sonia Gandhi, the chief of the main opposition Congress party, blamed the government for abdicating its responsibility by leaving vaccinations to states, Reuters partner ANI said on Twitter.

Delhi’s health minister said the city was running out of vaccines, with just three to four days of supplies remaining of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, made by the Serum Institute of India and branded Covishield, the NDTV news channel reported.

By Sunday, the world’s largest vaccine-producing nation had fully vaccinated just over 34.3 million, or only 2.5%, of its population of about 1.35 billion, government data shows.

SHUT DOWN NEEDED
On Sunday, top White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said he had advised Indian authorities they needed to shut down.

“You’ve got to shut down,” Mr. Fauci said on ABC’s This Week television show. “I believe several of the Indian states have already done that, but you need to break the chain of transmission. And one of the ways to do that is to shut down.”

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also called for a “complete, well-planned, pre-announced”
lockdown.

New Delhi, the capital, entered a fourth week of lockdown, with tougher curbs such as the shutdown of the suburban rail network, while residents scrambled for scarce hospital beds and oxygen supplies.

“This is not the time to be lenient,” Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday. “This phase is so tough, this wave is so dangerous, so many people are dying … the priority at this hour is to save lives,” he said in a televised address.

Late on Sunday, the northern state of Uttarakhand said it would impose curfew from Tuesday until May 18, just days after mass religious gatherings held in the state became virus super spreading events.

Shops selling essential food items will stay open for some hours in the morning, while malls, gyms, theatres, bars and liquor shops are among the enterprises that will be shut, the government said.

Measures announced by India’s central bank last week for relief to lenders and borrowers during the new devastating wave of infections will only delay the stress for financial institutions, Fitch Ratings said.

Fitch said disruptions could persist longer and spread further than its baseline case scenario, especially in case of more regional lockdowns or one nationwide, adding that a drop in April–May activity would delay recovery.

Organizers of the popular and lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament conceded the remaining games would have to be played overseas after having suspended the contest over the virus this month.

Global support, in the form of oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators, and other medical gear, has poured in.

On Monday, US company Eli Lilly and Co. said it signed licensing deals with Indian drugmakers, such as Cipla Ltd., Lupin, and Sun Pharma to make and sell its arthritis drug baricitinib for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

India’s drug regulator has approved the drug for restricted emergency use in combination with remdesivir for hospitalized adult sufferers requiring oxygen. — Reuters

BioNTech to build mRNA manufacturing site in Singapore

May 10, 2021 | 3:33 pm

BERLIN — BioNTech said on Monday it plans to set up a regional headquarters and build a new manufacturing site for its vaccines based on messenger RNA technology (mRNA) in Singapore, in the latest move to expand its production network.

The biotech company said the Singapore production facility will have an estimated annual capacity of several hundred million doses of mRNA-based vaccines depending on the specific type, once it is operational in 2023.

BioNTech said its expansion plans were supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board and would increase the global supply of mRNA-based vaccines and establish a production facility in south east Asia to respond rapidly to future pandemics.

“Having multiple nodes in our production network is an important strategic step in building out our global footprint and capabilities,” said Ugur Sahin, chief executive officer and co-founder of BioNTech.

Governments around the world are looking to build up local vaccine production to secure access to supplies after manufacturing setbacks have slowed the rollout of COVID-19 doses in some countries.

BioNTech plans to open the Singapore office in 2021 and expects the manufacturing site to be operational by 2023, creating up to 80 jobs in Singapore.

The establishment of a southeast Asia regional hub comes after BioNTech, based in Mainz, Germany, set up a US headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2020. — Reuters

Clubhouse launches Android app as downloads plummet

May 10, 2021 | 3:30 pm

Live audio app Clubhouse will begin introducing a test version of its app to Google’s Android users in the United States on Sunday, the company said, in a potentially big expansion of its market.

The app, which spiked in popularity early this year after celebrity billionaire Elon Musk and others appeared in audio chats, has sparked copycats from startups and larger rivals including Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc.

It has been available only to users of Apple devices and by invitation. In some markets such as China, invitations were so sought after some were auctioned on online marketplaces.

But downloads of the app, one measure of popularity, have significantly fallen.

After peaking in February with 9.6 million downloads, that number fell to 2.7 million in March and then 900,000 downloads in April, according to Sensor Tower.

The drop has sparked questions about its long-term viability and whether its success was owed in part to people spending more time at home during the pandemic.

The long-anticipated Android launch is expected to reach more new users globally. The Android version will reach other English-speaking markets and then the rest of the globe days and weeks after the US market beta launch.

Clubhouse, which created the category, now faces the likes of Facebook, whose CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced in April a slew of audio products, including Clubhouse-style live audio rooms and a way for users to find and play podcasts.

In January, Twitter Inc. said that it will introduce a new feature to let users charge admission to their live audio chat rooms in its “Spaces” feature, as the company seeks to court more content creators. It has been available to Android users since March. — Reuters

US expresses ‘serious concerns’ about Jerusalem clashes, evictions of Palestinians

May 10, 2021 | 2:21 pm

Jerusalem_vista — Image via David Shankbone/CC BY 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

WASHINGTON — US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday expressed “serious concerns” to his Israeli counterpart about violent clashes in Jerusalem sparked by planned evictions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem, the White House said in a statement.

Mr. Sullivan in a phone call with Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat “encouraged the Israeli government to pursue appropriate measures to ensure calm during Jerusalem Day commemorations.”

New confrontations broke out between Palestinians and Israeli police in parts of East Jerusalem on Sunday, including in Sheikh Jarrah and outside the walled Old City, as well as in Haifa, a mixed Arab-Jewish city in northern Israel at the height of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The clashes have been sparked by the planned evictions of several Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem, an area captured by Israel in a 1967 war.

Israel’s attorney-general secured a deferment on Sunday of an Israeli Supreme Court hearing on the evictions, a session that had threatened to stoke more violence in the holy city and heighten international concern.

“Mr. Sullivan also reiterated the United States’ serious concerns about the potential evictions of Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood,” the White House statement said.

Messrs. Sullivan and Ben-Shabbat “agreed that the launching of rocket attacks and incendiary balloons from Gaza towards Israel is unacceptable and must be condemned,” the White House added.

It said Mr. Sullivan also expressed the Biden administration’s commitment to Israel’s security and to supporting peace and stability throughout the Middle East and would remain fully engaged in the days ahead to promote calm in Jerusalem. — Reuters

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