The Palace affirms the decision of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to allow the non-use of face shields outdoors, limiting its use only in situations, places, or high-risk activities that fall under the 3Cs—closed, crowded, and close contact, said Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr.
“Inaasahan po natin na a-amyendahan ng IATF yung mga guidelines na naapektuhan dahil nga po dun sa kautusan ng ating Presidente,” said Secretary Roque in a press briefing today, September 23, 2021.
The Palace official and concurrent spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) said that the IATF will release guidelines on the specific places and activities where the non-use of face shields will be allowed.
In the same press briefing, Sec. Roque also mentioned that the vaccination coverage in the National Capital Region (NCR) is now nearly 70 percent of the target population for vaccination. “Sa Metro Manila po, ang ating first dose ay 8,323,130, at ang ating second dose po ay umabot na ng 6,760,863, malapit na po sa 70 percent, nasa 69.16 percent,” Roque said.
On the other hand, national data shows that 42,659,375 total vaccine doses have already been administered nationwide as of September 22, 2021, of which 19,376,832 are fully vaccinated. “Nationally po, ang ating first dose ay 30.18 percent, ang mga naka-second dose na ay 25.12 percent, at tumaas po ang ating daily jabs to 527,604,” added Roque.
Meanwhile, Roque announced the arrival yesterday, September 22, of 1,028,430 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and the expected delivery today of another 728,910 doses of the same vaccine brand.
“Inaasahan po na marami pa ang darating bago matapos ang buwan. Nasa 27.2-M ang confirmed deliveries natin para sa buwan ng Setyembre,” Roque said.
Also in the said press briefing, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) Secretary Rolando Bautista underscored that the family food packs assistance for families in areas under granular lockdowns will be shared by the local government unit (LGU) concerned and the DWSD.
Secretary Bautista said that the assistance from the DSWD is equivalent to three family food packs per family. Bautista added that the DSWD assistance to families in granular lockdowns for the NCR pilot testing will start on September 24, 2021 until October 1, 2021.
The DSWD chief assured that based on the report of the DSWD NCR Field Office, the agency has already prepositioned 1,000 family food packs for each of the NCR LGUs.
On another issue, Roque announced that President Duterte has signed yesterday, September 22, 2021, Republic Act No. 11590 or “An Act Taxing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations”.
“Bahagi ito sa ating mahigpit na pag-re-regulate ng lahat ng klase ng gambling at pagbabawal ng ilegal na sugal,” said Roque. The Palace official noted that based on RA 11590, 60 percent of total revenues collected from the gaming tax imposed on offshore gambling shall be allocated as: 60 percent for the implementation of the Universal Healthcare Act, 20 percent shall be allocated to the Health Facilities Enhancement Program, and 20 percent for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals. ### OPS
