SEC. ANDANAR: Magandang umaga, Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao at sa ibang panig ng mundo. Ngayon ay Martes, ikatlo ng Agosto 2021. Sama-sama muli nating pag-uusapan ang mga napapanahong isyu ng lipunan partikular ang mga usaping tungkol sa COVID-19 pandemic; ako po si Secretary Martin Andanar, magandang umaga sa’yo, Usec. Rocky.

USEC. IGNACIO:  Good morning din, Secretary Martin. Hihimayin natin ngayong araw ang mga ginagawang hakbang ng pamahalaan para labanan ang paglaganap ng Delta variant sa ating mga komunidad. Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat, ako po si Usec. Rocky Ignacio.

SEC. ANDANAR: Simulan na natin ang makabuluhang talakayan. ito po ang Public Briefing #LagingHandaPH.

Para sa ating unang balita: Pasado alas kuwatro kahapon ay dumating sa bansa ang 415,000 doses ng AstraZeneca vaccines na donasyon ng bansang United Kingdom sa Pilipinas. Sinalubong ito nina Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. at UK Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce. Ang higit na apatnaraang libong doses na ito ay bahagi ng kabuuang nine million doses ng bakuna na idinonate ng UK government sa COVAX Facility at sa iba’t ibang bansa. Ngayong araw ay inaasahan ding darating ang nasa tatlong milyong doses ng Moderna vaccines na donasyon naman ng bansang Amerika sa pamamagitan ng COVAX Facility, at inaasahang personal na sasalubungin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

USEC. IGNACIO: Samantala, inaprubahan na ni Pangulong Duterte ang budget para sa ayuda ng mga indibidwal na maaapektuhan ang kabuhayan ng dalawang linggong ECQ sa National Capital Region. Narito ang detalye:

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SEC. ANDANAR: Ngayong darating na Biyernes, August 6, ay magsisimula nang isailalim muli sa Enhanced Community Quarantine ang NCR pero ngayon pa lang ay marami ng mga paghihigpit na ginagawa ang nasyonal at lokal na pamahalaan bilang paghahanda.

Alamin ang mga dagdag na paghahandang isinasagawa ng Metro Manila Council at ng Metro Manila Development Authority, makakapanayam po natin si MMDA Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos. Magandang umaga po sa inyo, Chairman.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Magandang umaga, Sec. Martin; and of course, kay Usec. Roque at sa lahat po ng mga nanunood, magandang umaga po.

SEC. ANDANAR: Chairman, all set na ba ang mga paghahanda ng Metro Manila Council at MMDA sa gagawing ECQ by this Friday, Chairman?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Opo, Sec. Martin. Actually, mamayang alas dos ay paplantsahin na namin iyong iba pang detalye. Iyong sa ayuda po ay inaantay na lang namin mamaya iyong final schedule kung ilan ang ida-download. Nakikipag-coordinate na rin po kami sa DSWD tungkol sa mga listahan. Pati po iyong mga pila ay, of course, pag-uusapan po mamaya para hindi maging super spreader event. At bukod po rito sa ayuda ay, of course, iyong ramp up ng mga bakuna ay pag-uusapan din po including iyong pool of inoculators in the event po na magkaroon ng sakit dahil kakailanganin iyong iba nating mga doktor sa ospital.

So ito ay may paghahanda na rin just in case mangyari po ito. At of course, nag-uulan po ngayon, we’re trying to look at venues in case umulan para hindi mahirapan po ang ating mga kababayan.

SEC. ANDANAR: Bukod sa mga ipinatutupad na ngayon pa lang, ano po ang mga dapat na asahang pagbabago o paghihigpit come Friday?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Well, number one:

Gusto ko lang hong sabihin sa ating mga nakikinig ngayon ‘no kaya po naman ginagawa itong lockdown ay para sa atin rin po dahil alam ninyo ang active cases ay dati between 5,000 to 6,000, overnight ay naging eight [8,000].

At kung ito ay tutuluy-tuloy, ang sabi ng FASSSTER group, itong 8,000 na ito ay kung hindi tayo gagalaw ha ay puwedeng maging, more or less, 25,000 by August… by August 30 ito ay magiging 85,000 at ito ay magiging 250,000 by September 1, at at the end of September ay puwedeng maging 500,000. So dahil dito, importante talaga ang lockdown na ito. Importante na iyon lamang puwedeng lumabas ang lalabas, bumili ng essential goods ‘no, iyong mga essential workers po natin. Mayroon na rin kaming probiso na iyong mga gustong magpabakuna ay puwede rin po. At dahil dito ay pupuwede ang ating mga transportasyon, ang ating mga dyip, inano po namin sa DOTr po iyan na payagan din. Ang mga quarantine pass ay depende po sa mga mayors po ninyo, pagtanong po natin. Ang ating curfew ay magmula alas otso ng gabi hanggang alas kuwatro. Ang ibig sabihin, kung bibili ka sa grocery o kung saan ay hanggang alas otso ‘no, iano ninyo na hanggang doon po. And of course, dito ang truck ban naman ay sinuspinde muna namin para iyong mga essential goods na papasok ng Kalakhang Maynila ay mai-deliver po kaagad.

SEC. ANDANAR: Pagdating naman sa liquor ban, magkakaroon ba ng unified decision ang metro mayors kagaya ng sa curfew hours o nakadepende per LGU ang magiging patakaran, Chairman?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Well, Sec. Martin ‘no, napagkasunduan namin – kasi iba-iba ang demography natin, of course iba iyong Makati, Taguig, Pasay – so kaniya-kaniya na lang po ang ginawa namin pagdating sa liquor ban. Ang pinakaimportante, majority kamukha ng curfew, iyan napakaimportante iyan, iyan na lang ang sinabi naming pare-pareho.

Pero pagdating po diyan lalo na sa quarantine passes, Sec. Martin, dahil alam mo we are running against time, ilang araw na lang ay mag-i-ECQ na, so para maglikha pa tayo ng sistema na bago sa buong Metro Manila, mas minabuti na lang namin na kung anong prinaktis noong araw sa isang lugar, sa isang city ay iyon na lamang ang gawin at of course kung ito ay i-improve ng mayor ‘no. So pagdating din sa quarantine pass, depende na rin po ito sa alkalde po ng bawat lugar.

SEC. ANDANAR: Chairman, doon sa ipatutupad ninyong curfew na 8 P.M. to 4 A.M. ay exempted pa rin ba dito ang APOR at paano iyong mga babakunahan lalo’t pinaplano na rin na magkaroon ng 24 hours vaccination ng ilang LGU?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Well unang-una, dapat maunawaan natin ‘no ano ibig sabihin ng APOR – ito ay mga Allowed Persons Outside of Residence ‘no. Nakalista po iyan, sila po usually iyong mga nagtatrabaho sa mga essential industries natin – mga manufacturing, mga medical at kasama po siguro itong mga pagkain ‘no, ito po iyong mga APOR po natin. And of course sinama na rin po namin dito iyong mga babakunahan, pupuwede po sila.

Ngayong kung sa isang lugar ‘no, depende ho sa lugar na mayroon talagang pagbabakuna hanggang gabi eh papayagan iyan dahil it does not make sense kung sa isang lugar eh may bakuna siya sa gabi tapos bawal lumabas ang tao ‘no so magiging contradictory iyan. Iyan po ay papayagan ng LGU na iyon. Pero hindi naman po lahat ng LGU ay mayroong ganiyang tinatawag na hanggang gabi ‘no. So it will depend pa rin sa LGU na may ganiyang klaseng programa.

SEC. ANDANAR: Paano masisiguro o paano naman mababantayan na magiging compliant ang mga establishments na hindi muna papayagang mag-operate during the ECQ period? May parusa ba sakaling may mahuling hindi sumunod?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Well, mayroon po tayong protocols niyan sa IATF, may nakalagay po diyan kung anong mga bawal po natin sa mga regulasyon po natin. At katulong natin dito ay ang kapulisyahan and of course sa baba, sa mga barangay po natin. Tandaan po natin, ginagawa natin ito para gutumin itong virus kasi 14 days kung wala siyang mahawahan, siya ay kusang mamamatay. So iyan po ang purpose talaga nitong ECQ kaya ako ay nananawagan sana po ay manggaling na sa atin ‘no, tulong na ho natin at ambag na ho natin ito sa ating komunidad, sa ating pamilya na kung hindi naman kinakailangan lumabas, huwag na ho tayong lumabas ‘no. Napakaimportante po ang pagkakaisa ho natin dito.

SEC. ANDANAR: Pagdating naman sa pagbabakuna initially ay may 4 million doses ang hiniling ng Metro Manila Mayors na bakuna para i-ramp up ang vaccination sa loob ng 2-week ECQ period na 2.5 million doses lang daw ang maibibigay. Sasapat po ba ito at anong iniisip ninyong paraan para doon sa kulang na 1.5 million doses?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Well, kasamang Martin, kaya naman namin napag-isipan ito gawa ng iba talaga iyong bakunado ka. Sa ngayon, ito ay August 1 nakuha kong figure – 8.2 million na ang bakunado, na naibigay na bakuna sa Kalakhang Maynila.

I-assume natin na from August 1, apat na araw hanggang August 5 – sa 107,000 na binabakunahan ngayon, that’s about 428,000. Tapos i-add natin iyong hinihingi naming 4 million so that’s about 4.4 million. I-add mo ngayon itong 8.2 million na nabakunahan na, that’s about 12.6 million. Itong amount na 12.6 na ito, higit-kumulang 45% ito ng populasyon natin na may dalawang bakuna na – that’s 45%.

Maganda-gandang proteksiyon na po iyon at siguro kung tatagal pa, we should achieve 50% easily or even 70% at that. At kung mangyayari iyon, protektado ang Metro Manila, mapuproteksiyunan na rin po natin ang buong bansa dahil karamihan na nanggagaling sa airport, dito sa metro tapos nag-uuwian sa probinsya so we also protect them ‘no. Kaya naman ako ay nagpapasalamat sa ating national government dito po sa strategy na ito.

Pero it goes without saying of course ‘no, tumutulong din naman sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong, siyempre kailangan sa mga ibang lugar na may surge. Pero sa ganitong klase, kung saan po iyong sunog, dapat iyon talaga medyo patayin, ganoon po ang istratehiya lalo na iyong mga malalaking lugar na may airport kamukha ng Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Pampanga, Davao – iyan po ang proteksiyunan natin dahil ang mga variant galing po sa ibang bansa.

Pero inuulit ko, kailangan din naman nating tulungan iyong nagkakaroon ng problema ngayon ‘no. So more or less iyan po ang strategy po natin at dito po sa Kalakhang Maynila kung ito ay tuluy-tuloy, sana po at the end of this, we will be able to vaccinate 45% of our population na dalawa na po ang dosage.

SEC. ANDANAR: Sa palagay ninyo ba, Chairman, ay posibleng ma-extend pa ang ECQ na ito sa Metro Manila at kung sakali kakayanin pa ba natin?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Sana naman ay huwag na po ano. Ako ay nananalangin sa Panginoon na huwag naman dahil napakahirap na ho ng buhay. Kaya nga itong dalawang linggo na ito ay pipilitin po namin, magtatrabaho kami umaga hanggang gabi; ang mga taga-MMDA, mga mayor po ninyo walang tulog po iyan ‘no, ang mga barangay captain ninyo, ang mga doktor, ang mga nurses and national government – pagtulungan natin ito bilang isang bayan. Kung kailangan nating solusyunan ito, iyong kaunting bagay na huwag tayong lumabas, gawin na po natin.

Alam mo may mga figures na binigay, apat na linggong ECQ, etcetera, etcetera, huwag na nating padaanin pa roon. Kung hangga’t kaya nating gutumin ang virus na ito ay gutumin na natin. In the next coming days tingnan natin ang mga probably, options na puwede pang gawin po natin as a country, as a nation.

SEC. ANDANAR: Puntahan naman natin si Undersecretary Rocky Ignacio para sa mga katanungan mula sa media.

USEC. IGNACIO: Good morning, Chairperson Abalos. Tanong po ni Marvin Calas ng UNTV: Confirmed po ba na magkakaroon daw po ng town hall meeting? Can you please tell us something more about this? Ano daw po ang possible discussion dito at para saan daw po ang town hall meeting na ito?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Well, ang town hall meeting po ay kasama po natin diyan si Mr. Joey Concepcion. Alam naman natin si Mr. Joey Concepcion ay isa po siyang batikan na leader sa mga negosyo ‘no. At importante po kasi, kamukha po ng ginagawa po ninyo dito po sa Laging Handa ay ang communication na open po tayo. So kung ano pong tanong ng ating mga negosyante, ito ay para bang palitan ng kuro-kuro, palitan ng opinyon. At kung mayroon silang mga katanungan sa ginagawa ng gobyerno, it’s better to be transparent and open para alam naman nila kung anong ginagawa ng mga mayors natin.

Kasama ko po pala dito si Sec. Duque, si Sec. Vince, si Sec. Año, Sec. Galvez, ang ating mga secretaries and of course ang ating mga mayors ng Metro Manila. Napakaimportante po sa panahon na ito, this critical period na there is transparency at kung saan puwedeng tumulong, magtulungan po tayo.

USEC. IGNACIO: Tanong naman po ni Kris Jose ng Remate Online: Papayagan po ba ng LGUs ang community pantry sa panahon ng ECQ hangga’t hinihintay pa ng mga apektadong Pilipino ang ayuda mula sa gobyerno?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Well, alam ninyo ang problema natin kasi sa pantry kung magpapapila ka tapos maging super spreader event eh. Siguro i-coordinate na lamang para maibahay-bahay na lang po ito. As much as possible kasi, ang purpose ng ECQ ay talagang huwag lumabas ng bahay eh. Eh kung magpapapila tayo sa labas at magbibigay po tayo baka magkagulo. So siguro kung talagang gustong tumulong, wala namang problema roon pero siguro gumawa tayo ng sistema na baka puwedeng pa-deliver na lang natin sa bahay-bahay para huwag na lang lumabas po ang tao.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Sunod pong tanong ni Kris Jose ng Remate Online: Paki-expound daw po iyong sinabi ninyo kay Pangulong Duterte sa Talk to the People na sinuspinde ninyo na ang truck ban habang may ECQ and ano daw po ang status ng coding sa Metro Manila?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Well, ang number coding po pagdating ng ECQ, of course maski sino naman puwedeng gamitin. Ang number coding ay still suspended.

Ang truck ban, ang ibig sabihin po ay ang truck on certain hours. Dahil ECQ kinakailangan talaga mabilis ang mga trucks na galing probinsiya at mga essential goods, ito ay pinapayagan na po natin, kaya suspended po ang ating truck ban.

And of course, Usec. Rocky, this will give us enough time na rin through Department of Public Works na i-repair na iyong dapat i-repair sa EDSA, ang dami nating mga lubak-lubak, mga nasira noong bagyo, noong ulan. So, iyon nga kino-coordinate namin, during this two weeks, i-repair na lahat ang puwedeng i-repair

SEC. ANDANAR: Maraming salamat po sa impormasyon, MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos. Mabuhay po kayo, sir at stay safe po lagi!

MMDA CHAIRMAN ABALOS: Ingat po kayo ha, Sec. Martin and of course Usec. Rocky, sa lahat po ingat po kayo. Thank you po!

SEC. ANDANAR: Salamat din po.  Iyan muna ang mga balitang pagsasamahan natin ngayong araw ng Martes; see you all tomorrow, Usec. Rocky, please go ahead.

USEC. IGNACIO: Thank you, Secretary Martin, mag-ingat po kayo.

Samantala, isang magandang balita naman para sa mga bakunado na ang hatid ng Department of Transportation. kahapon po inanunsiyo ni DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade ang libreng sakay sa MRT, LRT 2 at PNR simula ngayong Martes, August 3, hanggang August 20 para po sa mga nabakunahang APOR o Authorized Person Outside Residence kontra COVID-19.

Fully vaccinated man o first dose pa lang, kailangan lang iprisenta ang vaccination cards para po makasakay ng libre. Bukod diyan inanunsiyo din ng Philippine Ports Authority, Civil Aviation of the Philippines at ng Manila International Airport Authority na mamamahagi rin sila ng pagkain para sa mga bakunadong naghihintay ng kanilang biyahe sa mga pantalan at paliparan. Bago iyan ay pumayag na rin po ang Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange o PITX na i-waive ang sinisingil nilang terminal fee sa mga bus simula kahapon.

Binuksan na po ang ika-132 Malasakit Center ng Pilipinas na matatagpuan sa Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center sa Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur. Personal niyang dinaluhan ng Malasakit Center Act proponent na si Senator Bong Go kasama ang ilang ahensiya ng pamahalaan upang mamahagi rin ng mga ayuda mga medical frontliners at pasyente ng ospital. Panuorin po natin ito:

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USEC. IGNACIO: Sa kaparehong araw ding iyon ay sabay na binuksan ang Malasakit Center sa Plaza Memorial Hospital sa Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur at kahapon po ay binuksan din virtually ang ika-133rd Malasakit Center sa Eastern Bicol Medical Hospital sa Virac, Catanduanes Center na dinaluhan ni Senator Bong Go.

Kabi-kabila ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ng pamahalaan para po malabanan ang sinasabing vaccine resistant at highly transmissible na Delta variant ng COVID-19. Kumusta nga ba ang tugon ng ating bansa laban dito mula po sa International perspective, upang ipaliwanag iyan ay makakasama natin ngayong umaga si WHO Representative to the Philippines, Dr. Rabi Abeyasinghe. Good morning po, Doc.

DR. ABEYASINGHE: Good morning, USec. Rocky.

USEC. IGNACIO: Dr. Rabi, with the expected surge of COVID cases in the Philippines because of the detection of Delta variant in the country, the government decided to re-implement   the strictest Enhanced Community Quarantine in the National Capital Region starting this weekend? Would you say this could be enough to curb the possible surge in cases?

DR. ABEYASINGHE: Thank you, USec. Rocky. It’s an important question in the light of what we are seeing globally, we are seeing an increase of COVID-19 cases as much as by 80% in the last four weeks at the global level with the particular focus of increasing cases in Asia-Pacific Region.

So, we are seeing a number of neighboring countries reporting unprecedented number of cases during the last week on a daily basis and a lot of this is driven by the Delta variant.

We have been working with the government of the Philippines to delay the eventual entry of the Delta variant into the country and many of the measures that the government implemented has helped in delaying the eventual entry of the Delta variant into the country. Many countries that have very stringent protocols also are currently facing the outbreak of Delta variant because of the very high transmissibility that the Delta variant has.

So for example we are seeing in the region countries like Singapore, Australia, even China experiencing outbreaks of Delta variant and so we are continuing to work with the government to see how best we can prepare an eventual establishment of Delta variant at community level in the Philippines also; while some measures were implemented by the government ban the travel of people from known Delta affected countries to extend quarantine on arrival, strict testing on arrival. All of these measures have contributed to the delay in the eventual detection of Delta in the country.

But now, we have it here and we need to prepare for a scenario where Delta transmission, because of its higher transmissibility will start replacing the other variants. When this happens, we see that many other countries have unprecedented surges of cases.

Now, we want to reiterate that while we know that the increased transmissibility of Delta gives rise to cases, many of these surges that these countries are experiencing also were a result of breakdown or non-compliance with the minimum public health standards. So it is critically important that we continue to practice the minimum public health standard at the community level to ensure that we reduce the opportunities for this change of transmission to get a momentum. If we do that, we can manage the increase number of cases that would be linked to the Delta variant.

The other actions that we need to do is to we need to recognize the eventual increase number of cases because of higher transmissibility and we need to prepare hospital care system or TTMFs to facilitate quarantine isolation and management of patients.

And of course, the most important thing is because we know that if we can vaccinate senior citizens and comorbid populations, we are going to reduce the number of severe and complicated cases and through this we could potentially help delay or circumvent overwhelming of the hospitals. So, the measures being implemented now to increase vaccination coverage and also to strengthen the NPI, the non-pharmaceutical interventions, the movement restrictions will all go a long way to help mitigate in dealing with the impending increase of cases driven by the Delta variants. So, these are all important.

I’d like to take this opportunity also again to highlight the importance of strategically focusing the vaccines on the elderly and the comorbid because we have clearly seen that countries that did this even though the increased number of cases for their hospital systems but they were able to cope, there was no overwhelming of hospitals because oftentimes the infection in younger and healthier people does not require hospitalization or intensive care support. So, the hospital system and the health-care workers can manage that outbreak. So, this is why even in this situation where we are attempting to vaccinate as many people as possible, we still need to keep the focus on vaccinating the elderly and the comorbid populations so that when the increase in transmission happens we are able to prevent an overwhelming of the hospital care capacities.

And the last measure I think is in preparation for this, we need to see how we can mobilize additional oxygen sources because we’ve seen the Delta variant has caused significant demand in many countries – initially, India, now, Indonesia, Myanmar – we’ve seen that hospitals are running short of oxygen supplies. So, it is now time for us to prepare for this situation in anticipation as we do everything to try to reduce the numbers that will be generated and delay than spread it out by flattening the curve. We need also to prepare for the eventuality that we will need more oxygen supplies so that we can better care for our patients.

Thank you.

USEC. IGNACIO: Dr. Rabindra, what was the main reason on why the Delta variant went rampant in other countries that even before they detect it, millions got infected and died already?

DR. ABEYASINGHE: That’s correct and we need to recognize many of these countries particularly in the Asian sub-region that has so large spikes of Delta variant, there was also large scale gatherings of people for whatever reasons and this created a situation and an opportunity for the Delta variant to spread very rapidly.

So, it’s particularly important that we not only wait for the government to impose ECQ but if we individually start doing a voluntary ECQ by reducing movement by going out only for essential activities, avoiding large scale gatherings of get together, avoiding getting together in closed/confined situations, we are going to be able to reduce the transmission because we know that these measures work.

Even though we know that some of the vaccines are giving less protection against clinical infection, we also know that the vaccines are still capable of protecting people from severe disease. That’s why we continue to say let’s use the vaccines to protect those people who are at high risk of severe disease.

In this way, we can have an increase in transmission but we could prevent an overwhelming of the hospital system and if they can do that we can bring back the economic activity without a long shutdown or lockdown.

So, this should be our focus on how we manage both the risk caused by the Delta variant and also look at how we minimize its economic impact in addition to minimizing its health impact.

USEC. IGNACIO: Dr. Rabindra, according to some health experts, there may be undetected cases of Delta variant in the country and it’s possible that the community transmission is already happening. Your thoughts on this?

DR. ABEYASINGHE: Although we have very limited capacity for whole genome sequencing, consecutive series of samples have indicated that there are Delta variants in many regions of the country and in many cities of NCR. So, this drives us to conclude that with the limited capacity of testing that they have for whole genome sequencing, that there could potentially be a much larger footprint of the Delta variant in the country.

What is important is not whether there is community transmission, what is important is that we take risk-based approach in trying to minimize its potential further spread by implementing appropriate measures now. And I think what the government is doing, what the IATF is recommending are all in the correct direction. But the transmission cannot be suppressed only by these measures. We need to emphasize again that transmission can be interrupted by each and everybody doing their own bit to contribute to reducing the transmission.

So, it’s incumbent all of us to do what we can in addition to what is proposed by the government or the local government to ensure that we minimize the risk of infection and we do everything possible to protect the most vulnerable, particularly our elderly/A2 populations by helping them to access the vaccines as early as possible.

USEC. IGNACIO: But Dr. Rabindra, comparing to other countries, what is the WHO’s overall assessment on the measures implemented by the Philippine Government to somehow mitigate the effects of Delta variant?

DR. ABEYASINGHE: So, I think because of the measures that I mentioned earlier on, the early banning of travel from countries, tightening of the entry protocols, etcetera, we have been able to delay the eventual arrival of Delta in the country. Now, with the measures being planned, if we can strengthen a non-pharmaceutical intervention, if we can strengthen our minimum public health measures, what we are doing are measures that WHO has been advocating not only for the Delta variant but right from the beginning.

And we know that these measures work and help in reduction of transmission. So, we commend the activities that are being done. We are trying to see how better those can be targeted to the known areas where Delta variant is causing an increase in cases. And so if we can do at that scale, if we can do that at local levels, we will be more successful.

So, I think it’s also incumbent upon local chief executives and local government units to encourage their constituents to follow the minimum public health standards and stress on them by ensuring that mechanisms are in place so that they don’t need to congregate together so that they can access their vaccines without having to go into crowded vaccination centers so that we further minimize the risk of transmission.

USEC. IGNACIO: Dr. Rabindra, let me read some media questions for you. This one is from Joseph Morong of GMA News: Where should the Philippines focus its response to the increasing number of COVIVD cases and will you call this a surge?

DR. ABEYASINGHE:Well, there is an increase in number of cases and we need to address that. We need to do everything possible to reduce the transmission. We know that in many situations this increasing number of cases is probably attributable to the presence of the Delta variant which we know is significantly more transmissible than the previous Alpha and Beta variant.

So, it’s imperative that we focus on what needs to be done to break those chains of transmission. So, that’s above minimum public health standard, it’s the [unclear] but it’s also about early testing, is about early quarantining and isolation. Probably facility-based quarantine to minimize the risk to household contacts because what we know is that this variant can spread very quickly and so minimum exposure could result in multiple cases. So, when we know that there are cases and we are seeing this very fast rise in number of cases we need to know everything possible to suppress that.

USEC. IGNACIO: Dr. Rabi, follow-up question. You don’t think there is community transmission of the Delta variant and this is not a surge?

DR. ABEYASINGHE: I cannot exclude the fact that there is limited community transmission in some places because we have very limited capacity for whole genome sequencing. So, there may be, there is community transmission, the question is not important whether there is community transmission or there is not; it’s not important whether there is a surge or we are in an increasing case.

We need to recognize that we are facing in a risk because of a highly transmissible variant of the disease. We need to implement measures now, that are what is most important.

USEC. IGNACIO:  Dr. Rabi, another question from Greg Gregorio of TV-5. A professor of Microbial Genomics in UK warns said that the current wave of COVID- in many countries might lead to existence of more variance that may also be extra infectious and also vaccine resistant. May we get your take on this?

DR. ABEYASINGHE: So, there is some truth in this reservation because when we see increased transmission, when we see uncontrolled outbreaks the viral mass increases and there is more opportunity for the appearance of new mutations; now whether these mutations are more fitter, more transmissible can cause severe disease. We don’t know because there are mutations that are milder and there are not as effective and they are quickly replaced and removed.

I for example highlight the Theta variant that we detected within Central Visayas a few months ago, right? But there was replace by more transmissible variance which came after that – the Alpha, the Beta and now the Delta – and in a similar way when you are in a situation, where there is a very large scale transmission, the livelihood of new mutations appearing is high. So, are you agree with this micro biologist and that is why it also important that we do everything possible to suppress the level of transmission and we do everything possible to provide access to the vaccines to the most vulnerable when we know that they are helpful in preventing severe diseases.

If we can do that we believe that they will be able to delay the further emergence of new mutations that are could be potentially even more transmissible of the potentially cause more severe disease.  So, we go back to the issue right, we need to have the whole response for this right. It’s not just about access to the vaccine, it’s not about just the [unclear], it’s about the minimum public health standards.

We need to do everything, so that we maximize our capability to suppress transmission, reduce the livelihood of the new mutations happening and we protect the efficacy of the current interventions we have. So, this is why we continue to urge that all countries to comprehensive response and that response need to be across all local government units.

USEC. IGNACIO: Dr. Rabi, thank you so much for your time. WHO Representative to the Philippines, Dr. Rabi Abeyasinghe, stay safe Doc.

DR. ABEYASINGHE: Thank you Rocky. 

USEC. IGNACIO: Samantala as of 4:00 pm kahapon:

• Umabot na po sa kabuuang na 1,605,762 ang mga nagpositibo sa COVID-19 sa bansa matapos itong madagdagan ng 8,167.
• Ito ang ika-apat na araw na lagpas 8,000 ang naitatalang bagong kaso.
• 9,095 naman ang mga bagong gumaling mula sa sakit kaya umabot na ito sa 1,515,054 total recoveries.
• 77 naman ang mga nasawi kaya 28,093 na ang total deaths dahil sa mataas na bilang ng mga dagdag na mga gumaling,
• Bahagyang bumaba sa 3.9% o katumbas ng 62,615 ang nananatiling active cases sa bansa.

Good news naman dahil base po sa pinakahuling report ng Department of Health at ng National Task Force Against COVID-19:

• pumalo na sa 20,863,544 ang kabuuang bilang ng doses na naibakuna sa bansa.
• 11,747,581 dito ang para sa first dose
• habang 9,115,963 naman ang fully vaccinated na laban sa COVID-19.
• Sa nakalipas na pitong araw, umabot na sa 523,018 ang daily average sa vaccination sa buong bansa.

Samantala, libu-libong mga TODA members at vendors mula naman sa Pasig City, Northern Samar at Lanao Del Norte ang tumanggap ng tulong mula sa iba’t-ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan at kay Sen. Bong Go sa magkakahiwalay nilang aid distribution kamakailan, panuorin po natin ito. 

[VTR] 

USEC. IGNACIO: Puntahan naman natin ang mga balitang nakalap ng Philippine Broadcasting Service, ihahatid ni Pia Arevalo, ng PBS Radyo Pilipinas.

[NEWS REPORT]

USEC. IGNACIO: Maraming salamat Ria Arevalo ng PBS Radyo Pilipinas. Samantala, hindi lamang ang Metro Manila ang pinangangambahang mapunta sa kritikal na sitwasyon laban sa Delta variant dahil maging ang mga hospital sa Cebu City ay dinadagsa na rin ng mga COVID-19 patients. May ulat tungkol dito si John Aroa:

[NEWS REPORT]

USEC. IGNACIO: Kaugnay po niyan, kumustahin natin ang kasalukuyang lagay ng lungsod. Makakausap po natin via phone patch si Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, magandang umaga po Vice Mayor.

CEBU CITY VICE MAYOR RAMA: Magandang umaga din sa inyong lahat.

USEC. IGNACIO:  Opo. Sir, kalat po sa mga balita na nagkakahirapan ang pagdating sa admission ang mga hospital diyan sa Cebu City at paglilinaw po ng inyong COVID-19 response, hindi sa hospital beds kinukulang ang siyudad kundi sa mga medical personnel. Totoo po ba ito; at kung totoo, papaano ninyo po tinutugunan ang problemang ito?

CEBU CITY VICE MAYOR RAMA: Is really a concern, that is while I was waiting with this interview I have done hospital hopping and of course I am seeing the situation being calm now because every hospital management have been already aware and the usual concern we have is the medical staff.

That is the usual concern and our panawagan naman with regards staff. Ang panawagan, all over Cebu island, we have to work together because we need these medical staff let them go to the private hospital lahat ng city government with the council we’ll give them incentive P10,000 a month and that is will be for three months and hopefully that will in s way entice them and encouragement them to apply.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Vice Mayor, pero may nag-viral nga po online na larawan ng mga nakaparadang sasakyan sa labas ng isang ospital diyan sa Cebu City kung saan may nakatabi at nakakabit na oxygen tank sa mga pasyenteng sakay ninyo. So, masasabi po ba natin na talagang critical na ang health care system ng Cebu City?

CEBU CITY VICE MAYOR RAMA: Hindi ko masasabing hindi, because talagang there is a serious concern but I can see from that hospital and they have been able to manage how to put all of these together and definitely panawagan lang sa mga hospital ng Cebu City, mga [unclear] saka owners.

PhilHealth, malaki na iyong utang ng PhilHealth sa kanila, iyong iba mayroon ng half a billion. Kaya we need to boost our management likewise ng mga hospital sa Cebu City. In addition po, ginagawa namin sa Cebu City, magha-hire naman kami ng 200 at we are even lending it sa DOH, and iyung 100 sa aming own hospital na mina-manage, okay.

In addition, the city government has approved over 4 billion or 4.5 billion saka aside from that is over a billion na talagang to respond our medical care system including our funding to finish the third floor hospital public. Under in addition, to improve and respond ng TMMF kaya ang panawagan natin in the days to come para sa mga moderate or mild asymptomatic, iyong aming stadium, iyung sports complex and that will become a hospital bed thanks to Sen. Dick Gordon of Red Cross representing hospital bed. 

Pangalawa po, ibinawal din namin iyong hospital namin na mag-a-add ng three floors, ita-transfer natin iyong temporary case and hospital patient saka one building doon gawa namin new home for COVID patients. Plus, we are also expanding and doing a redirection ng existing facility namin that from a certain hundred we will be having it to accommodate 300 more patients po.

Within the City of Cebu government public will probably have medical availability pero we would also bring—panawagan pa rin, panawagan na please, please to show of the time is volunteerism, the heart is needed since all come out and help the medical requirement staff and the city government will be around. Ako naman iyong acting Mayor ngayon. I’m the acting Mayor po, kasi iyung Mayor ko is on medical leave. 

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Sir, isa rin po sa pinuproblema ng inyong siyudad ay itong mabilisang pagkaubos ng oxygen tank. Ano po ang ginagawa ng lokal na pamahalaan na sapat po ang supply ng oxygen lalo na para sa mga medical facilities at hindi po maabuso ang bentahan nito? 

CEBU CITY VICE MAYOR RAMA: Number one, the national government should direct DTI and then also I’ve been telling the police, the marching order, Chief DTI, to avoid hoarding as anyone violating then we will have the arms of the law. So, full upon this heads and then at the same time, ito iyong sinasabi ng call of the honor of the Hospitals.

Huwag naman lahat ay bibili ng oxygen, kasi kung bibili ng oxygen, hindi man naku-consume ay wala ng tangke. Hindi naman pupuwedeng diretso sa bulk, hindi naman pupuwede iyong malaking tangke na ilalagay lang, nandoon iyong mga pasyente kasi iyong tangke kung gumagawa ng oxygen ay kailangan ilagay iyon sa tangke. 

Kaya, importante iyong circulation ng tangke has be with us posible. Kaya ang panawagan, huwag naman maghu-hoard iyong mga private kasi ang kailangan ng isang pasyente, hindi naman right away the whole oxygen, nakukuha mo? Saka iyong naghu-hoard, nagbibenta ng malaki and they will have to be arrested. 

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Vice Mayor, basahin ko lang po itong tanong ni Vic Tahod ng DZAR 1026 ng Sonshine Radio: Ano daw po ang nakikitang solution ngayon ng LGU para daw po mabawasan ang aktibong kaso ng COVID-19 sa siyudad?

CEBU CITY VICE MAYOR RAMA: CTMF, CTMF. Iyong Full parati ng Treatment Medical Facility. Pangalawa, volunteers come forward offer yourself to be available as medical staff. Pang-apat, iyong mga sinasabing mga hoarders huwag kayong gagawa na iyan, ipapadakip ko sila.

Panglima po, iyong sinasabi ko, parental supervised and household lockdown. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Secretary Roque, na hina-highlight niya iyan. Kasi pag ang tao nandoon sa bahay, walang ginagawa stay at home don’t get out, don’t be a subject of transmission. Don’t be the one transmitting then we will be able to have all this COVID challenge natin being maintained at being managed po.

USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Vice Mayor, kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagpapaunlak sa amin. Cebu City acting Mayor, Vice Mayor, Michael Rama, nawa po ay talagang makaraos ang inyong lugar sa panibagong laban kontra COVID-19. Mabuhay po kayo at stay safe po!

CEBU CITY VICE MAYOR RAMA: Thank you po. Dasal at saka tulong-tulungan, baranggayan, bayanihan, boluntarismo at saka in God we trust, we will conquer COVID-19. Maraming salamat po!

USEC. IGNACIO: Salamat po, at dito na po nagtatapos ang ating programa sa araw na ito. Sa ngalan po ni Secretary Martin Andanar, ako pong muli si Usec. Rocky Ignacio mula sa PCOO at ito ang Public Briefing #LagingHandaPH.

 

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SOURCE: PCOO-NIB (News and Information Bureau-Data Processing Center)