Shield face mask

PAGADIAN CITY: Bus passengers traveling to Zamboanga City from various Zamboanga Peninsula provinces are no longer required to undergo quarantine as long as they show a negative RT-PCR or swab for Covid-19 test result. In addition, senior citizens and children will be allowed to commute as long as they have complete requirements. Rafael Derrick Evangelista 3rd, head of the Zamboanga City Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT), said the bus passengers “do not have to undergo quarantine, but they have to inform their barangay (village) leaders where they would reside in Zamboanga City for monitoring purposes.” He added that there will be no straight bus travel to and from Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod and other cities outside Region 9. According to Evangelista, no passengers will be picked up or dropped off by buses along the way and passengers can only have their toilet stop in Ipil, Zamboanga del Norte. He said Zamboanga City bound commuters from other Zamboanga Peninsula provinces can ... » Learn More about No more quarantine for R9 bus travelers

SENATORS Ana Theresia Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan on Sunday recognized the invaluable contributions of Filipino women in the country’s fight against the pandemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 70 percent of the health and social workforce is made up of women. In a 2019 study, WHO stressed that investments in the health workforce could lead to women’s economic empowerment. For instance, while the majority of healthcare workers are women, they earn, on average, 28 percent less than men. For this year’s celebration of International Women’s Day, Hontiveros stressed that women and the Filipino spirit of bayanihan (communal unity) are key factors in the country’s recovery. “The pandemic only exacerbated the multiple burdens women already carry. If we want to wholly recover from this crisis, we need to band together to better support our women,” she said in a statement. “The past year is unlike any other, and as we commemorate International Women’s Day, we ... » Learn More about Senators laud women’s role in pandemic fight

In partnership with the Philippine Blood Center, SM Foundation Inc. recently conducted a bloodletting program at SM City San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Employees from SM and the mall’s affiliates, tenants and shoppers participated in the blood donation in the hope of saving lives through the donation drive. Romalyn Ordoñez, an SM employee and a regular participant of the program, said her family once experienced the need for a blood donor. “I saw its importance, and I know I have something to give. So, why not donate if I am fully aware that I am qualified?” she added. “Besides, I want to encourage others to do the same. I believe there are a lot of people who can donate. Maybe they’re just not aware of its significance yet,” Ordonez added. Another is Joseph Guela, a customer and a first-time donor, who recognized the importance of bloodletting when his grandmother once needed it, but he was unable to donate. “Now that I am able to donate, I am encouraging everyone to be healthy and ... » Learn More about SM, blood center lead donation drive

A staff member of the Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok on Witthayu Road, wearing a face shield over a face mask and a pair of gloves, waits for Department of Health officials to begin an inspection early this month to assess whether the hotel can be an alternative Covid-19 quarantine facility. (Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool) The Public Health Ministry is to ask the government to consider reducing the length of mandatory quarantine for incoming travellers from 14 days to 7-10 days, from next month. The plan was announced on Monday by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as chairman of the National Committee on Communicable Diseases. Mr Anutin said the ministry would ask the government to cut the length of mandatory quarantine in order to help stimulate tourism and give the economy a boost. "We are prepared to open the country to help drive economic growth," he said after the committee met on Monday. "If we can administer vaccines to 70% of all ... » Learn More about Ministry proposes shorter quarantine from next month

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, through his outreach team, extended help to families displaced by fire in Barangay Caromatan, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte and in Agusan del Sur. His team brought cash assistance, food and medicine packs, masks and face shields, as well as a bicycle for Crisanto Dahili and his family. The family also received other forms of emergency assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the National Housing Authority and the local social welfare office. The Department of Trade and Industry, meanwhile, pledged to provide financial assistance to help Dahili start a hog-raising business in their village. “We will continue to help our fellowmen, especially our countrymen, affected by the different crises and disasters. Who will help the Filipinos if not their fellow Filipinos. Let’s help them recover. The government will not leave you behind,” Go said. ... » Learn More about Go aids Lanao Norte, Agusan Sur fire victims

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go sent assistance to a total of 444 individuals, some of whom were fire victims and the others were drivers of tricycles and padyak (pedal pushers) in Obando, Bulacan on Tuesday. The aid distribution was held at the covered stage of Obando Central School on JP Rizal Street Barangay Paliwas where Go’s team met with 14 families affected by the fire on January 10, 2021 in Barangay Salambao and 290 tricycle drivers and 140 padyak drivers. “Huwag po kayo mag-alala, kapag dumating na ang bakuna kayong mga mahihirap kasama na ang mga guro ang una namin bibigyan para makabalik na tayo sa normal. Magbayanihan lang po tayo at sumunod sa paalala ng gobyerno at huwag makalimot magdasal sa Panginoon (Don’t worry, if the coronavirus vaccine arrives, you along with teachers will be the first to be inoculated so we may return to normal. Let us work together, follow the protocols set by the government and never forget to pary to God),” Go said. The ... » Learn More about Fire victims, trike drivers receive help from Bong Go

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go urged Filipinos on Monday to double down on prevention measures following a spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Metro Manila. “Huwag tayo magkumpyansa habang nandirito pa rin ang Covid-19. Ang inyong kooperasyon at pagsunod sa mga patakaran ay makapagliligtas ng buhay ng mga kapwa nating Pilipino (Do not be complacent while Covid-19 is still around. Your cooperation and following the guidelines will save the lives of your fellow Filipinos),” Go, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, said. “Konting tiis na lang po dahil ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat para tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbabakuna sa mga Pilipino. Ang ating maayos na vaccine rollout ang tanging susi at solusyon upang tuluyang malampasan ang pandemyang hinaharap natin (A little more patience because the government is doing everything to ensure uninterrupted vaccination. Proper vaccine rollout is the key to overcoming the pandemic),” he added. Despite the arrival ... » Learn More about Go warns vs complacency as Covid cases surges