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Other cities across Philippines prepare for Traslacion

The largest and most well-known gathering for the Feast of the Black Nazarene will take place in Manila, but other parts of the country are also holding their own major processions, or Traslacion, on Tuesday.

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Creation of state-run tertiary school pushed in Dinagat

Dinagat Islands Lone District Rep. Alan 1 Ecleo. (Photo grabbed from the House of Representatives Facebook Page) BUTUAN CITY - The establishment of a state-run tertiary school for the Province of Dinagat Islands will provide avenues for the growing number of Grade 12 graduates to pursue higher and technical education. This was according to Dinagat Islands Lone District Representative Alan 1 Ecleo, who filed House Bill (HB) No. 321 seeking the creation of a government tertiary educational institution in the province to be known as the Dinagat Islands State College. In a statement Tuesday, Ecleo said the measure, which was filed during the opening of the 19th Congress, is now pending with the Committee on Higher and Technical Education in the Lower House. "We will pursue the approval and enactment into law of this legislative measure," he said. Ecleo pointed out that the island province "does not lack students who are ready to pursue further studies." During the school years 2017-2018 to 2019-2020, he said Dinagat Islands produced around 3,838 Grade 12 graduates projecting a graduation rate of 98.47 percent. The province has 33 secondary level schools and one tertiary institution that is privately-owned. "What is lacking, however, is a state university or college (SUC) to provide avenues for its residents to pursue public tertiary education, especially among its most economically challenged and vulnerable sectors," Ecleo said. Due to the absence of a SUC, families who cannot afford to pay tuition and miscellaneous fees opt to send their children to Surigao City, or as far as Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City, and Marawi City to secure a public tertiary education. Sending the children to distant public tertiary schools, the lawmaker said, entails burdensome costs for hard-up families in the island province. Ecleo also observed that the growing economy and trade in the Dinagat Islands need sufficient workers in the industry. A state college right within the island, he said, will help provide competent and technically-equipped workforces, especially in the fields of fisheries, agriculture, environmental science, mining engineering, marine engineering, hospitality management, and food technology. "Without the establishment of a state college in the province, not only is the employment and economic development in the local economy of Dinagat Islands in jeopardy, but it also means the vicious cycle of poverty pervasive in its population will not be broken," Ecleo said. (PNA) }

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CDO village revives marine inspired festival with less catch

BARANGAY FEST. A sardine vendor in Barangay Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro City, joins the float parade as the village celebrates the "TambaNipa" Festival on Friday (Sept. 9, 2022). The celebration is a reminder that the coastal barangay is a rich source of sardines and nipa palms. (PNA photo by Ercel Maandig) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The coastal community of Barangay Bonbon here once prides itself as a rich source of sardines where the species thrived because of the dense nipa (Nypa fruticans) palms thriving in the area. This is why the barangay (village) council sought to bring back its display of marine abundance and be reminded of their village's identity through the revival of the "TambaNipa" festival on Friday. The festival started in 2002, with Bonbon as the first barangay in the city to institutionalize a local festival. "TambaNipa" is a portmanteau of "tamban," the vernacular word for sardines, and "nipa," a variety of mangrove palm that covers the barangay's coastal zone. However, the annual celebration stopped for two years following the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in March 2020. Synonymous was the small catch of fishermen even during the sardines season. In an interview Friday, village chairperson Allan Mabalacad said the sardine season usually begins between August and September, a time when the village comes alive as fishermen busily attend to their generous catch. This time might be different, however, as villagers observed that the sardines aren't keeping up with the season. During the TambaNipa launching Friday, only one fisherman managed to catch the "obligatory" one-kilo sardines. "Fishermen used to be merrier in this time of the year celebrating with lechon on their tables, but not so much this year due to fewer catch," resident Maryjane Daba noted. "It's been a year since sardines did not appear on many of our coastlines in Macajalar Bay, the last time was in August of 2021," she said. Daba said when sardines are in abundance, these would only cost PHP10 to PHP30 per kilo, but are currently sold at PHP80 to PHP100 per kilo. According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Northern Mindanao, sardines manufacturing plants nationwide are contemplating on halting their operations due to the lack of sardines supply in the country. The agency has started its investigation into the causes of catch decline of sardines, especially in Macajalar Bay. BFAR-10 Director Teodoro Bacolod said one possible cause of the decline of sardine yield is illegal fishing, which uses small fish nets with pockets that would catch even the sardine fry. In the meantime, the revived TambaNipa Festival in Barangay Bonbon is attempting to boost the residents' morale with a street dancing competition, featuring props and costumes made from fishing nets and nipa grass. Float parades are also in competition for the first time, followed by a dance showdown with Festival King and Queen contest. The floats were decorated with nipa leaves, and fishing gears, where creativity takes control to get winning prizes, which can somehow cope with the meager income of most fishermen in the village at the moment. (PNA) }

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CDO cops lead 'peaceful' eviction of 7K informal settlers

EVICTION. Demolition teams dismantle makeshift houses in Upper Dagong, Zayas, Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Tuesday (June 14, 2022). Some 7,000 informal settlers were removed by the police from the area without protest. (Photo courtesy of Rhoel Condeza/Cagayan de Oro CIO) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) and the city government facilitated Tuesday the demolition of dwellings of some 7,000 informal settlers inside a private property here. Maj. Evan Vinas, COCPO spokesperson, noted that the demolition team did not experience violent protests from settlers in Sitio Zayas, Barangay Carmen. "We were here (police team) since 6 a.m., and there was no resistance from the occupants, and we thank everyone for their cooperation," Vinas said in an interview Since March, the settlers had been occupying a private property near the old city landfill with an area of around 27 hectares. Weeks before the demolition, police served a notice of eviction detailing the removal of their makeshift houses and other structures. Settlers claimed they paid an amount ranging from PHP500 to PHP2,000 to secure a "slot" for a parcel of the property. The payment was allegedly received by an Indigenous People (IP) organization that claimed the property as part of their ancestral domain. However, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in Northern Mindanao said the IP organization that claimed the Zayas property was not legitimate. Meanwhile, Mayor Oscar Moreno said the rule of law should prevail in the case of the illegal settlers who were compelled to vacate a privately-owned lot. "There's a law that favors illegal occupants and the government finds ways to help settlers relocate. At the same time, people simply cannot occupy privately-owned land without permission from the owner," he said. Moreno said the settlers were manipulated and encouraged to occupy the land by "unscrupulous groups" that should be exposed for their wrongdoing. "What's painful about this is that these groups brought people to Sitio Zayas and swindled them of their hard-earned money to occupy the land. We should not allow these groups to exploit the kindness of the government (for their benefit)," he said. (PNA) }

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P1.2-M CDO hydroponics, 'micro-farm' upgrade proposed

NUTRITIOUS GREENS. A resident in Barangay Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, shows lettuce and snow cabbage (pechay) produce in the community grow house, as part of the urban community micro-farm initiated between the barangay and the Center for Human Development of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines together with non-government partners. The center announces Wednesday (March 30, 2022) that the project will receive an upgrade through a partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, following the proposal of a PHP1.2-million hybrid water supply system. (Photo courtesy of USTP-CHD) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) on Wednesday proposed PHP1.2-million worth of funding as an upgrade to its existing Urban Community MicroFarm (UCM) project. In an interview, Angeli Collera, head of USTP's Center for Human Development (CHD), said the proposal targets to improve the current UCM set-up of vegetable or crop grow houses with a hybrid water supply system for hydroponics, the art of gardening without soil. Collera said the proposal was tackled last year with the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) non-research and development projects division. "We are already working with DOST-MisOr (Misamis Oriental) so that everything will be in place, and it will be submitted to the technical panel for deliberation," she said. The proposal came about after the success of the center's "Gulayan sa Kabalayan (GsK), a predecessor of the UCM, which initially was launched as a pandemic response in 2020, at a time when movements were restricted due to the growing cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the city. If approved, Collera said the UCM project can be expanded to more partner barangays in the city. Currently, USTP-CHD has partnered with Barangays Pagatpat and Tablon for the project. Last year, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed via Zoom with the aim of training communities on the benefits of vegetable production and processing, agro-enterprise development, and financial literacy with the two partners barangays. Communal gardens Other than USTP, the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) and the Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. in Region 10 are also promoting small-scale farming in communities through communal gardens. In November 2021, DA-10 and PAA launched the search for the best communal garden, and during the ocular inspection and validation last week, officials visited the participating group's locations that have a minimum garden area of 500 square meters. In a statement, DA-10 Director Carlene C. Collado said the initiative aims to support the Plant, Plant, Plant Program (Agri 4Ps) of the agency, which intends to scale up the country's food and nutrition security level amid the pandemic, while empowering localities on food production as a source of livelihood. Joining the contest are the Tangaro Young Farmers of Catarman, Camiguin; Barangay Calaocalao in Don Carlos, Bukidnon; Sinai Rural Improvement Club Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental; Barangay Libertad in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte; and the Pan-ay Vegetable Farmers in Clarin, Misamis Occidental. The participating organization's gardens were rated according to the physical arrangement, diversity of crops planted, adoption of technology innovations, production yield, and utilization of garden space. DA-10 Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga, who is also the PAA-10 president, said the agency has provided the participating groups with inputs such as vegetable seeds, organic fertilizers, biopesticides, including the distribution of knapsack sprayer units. "The communal garden will provide additional income to the communities, and at the same time promote organic and natural farming technology systems. With this (communal garden contest), other small groups from the different sectors will be more encouraged to plant their vegetables using indigenous materials in a minimal space," she said. Winners of the communal garden competition are set to receive a cash prize and a plaque of recognition that is scheduled for an announcement by the second quarter of this year. (PNA) }

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Metro Manila stays under Alert Level 1

(File photo) MANILA - Metro Manila, along with 47 other areas in several parts of the country, will remain under Alert Level 1 until March 31, Malacanang said on Tuesday. This, after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the new alert level classifications in the country, acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement. "The Inter-Agency Task Force on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, placed the National Capital Region, along with 47 other areas, under Alert Level 1, effective March 16, 2022 until March 31, 2022," Andanar said. Only Metro Manila and 39 other areas have been placed under the most lenient Alert Level 1 for the first half of March. The provinces of Nueva Ecija, Zambales, and Batangas, as well as the cities of Lucena, Cebu, Ormoc, Tacloban, and Butuan have been added to the roster of places in the country where Alert Level 1 will be implemented from March 16 to 31, Andanar said. In Luzon, Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Kalinga, Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, City of Santiago, Isabela, Quirino Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Puerto Princesa City, Romblon, Naga City and Catanduanes will stay under Alert Level 1. For the Visayas, Aklan, Bacolod City, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Siquijor, and Biliran will remain under Alert Level 1. Alert Level 1 in Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, and Davao City will continue until the end of March. Andanar said the rest of the country will remain under Alert Level 2. "The areas not in the abovementioned list shall be under Alert Level 2 beginning March 16, 2022 until March 31, 2022," he said. Under Alert Level 1, movement of persons regardless of age and comorbidities is allowed, but with restrictions on crowded and closed spaces and close contact (3Cs) settings. The operations of private establishments and government agencies are likewise allowed at full on-site capacity, subject to minimum public health standards. The IATF-EID is also still requiring the wearing of well-fitted face masks, except when eating and drinking; participating in team and individual sports in venues where ventilation standards can be maintained; and practicing outdoor sports or exercise activities where physical distance can still be observed. People aged 18 and above must present proof of full vaccination before participating in mass gatherings or entry into indoor establishments like churches, restaurants, fitness studios and gyms, indoor cinemas, meetings and exhibition venues, wedding receptions, birthday parties, hotels and other accommodation establishments, and venues for election-related events. Proof of full vaccination is also required for those aged at least 18 years before entry in confined spaces with poor ventilation; crowded places with no physical distancing; and close-contact settings with face-to-face interaction. (PNA) }

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Capacity of indoor venues for campaign sorties still set at 70%

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez (File photo) MANILA - The maximum capacity of indoor venues for campaign sorties is still 70 percent even in areas placed under the lowest Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday. "There is nothing else to relax there except the number of people who can enter the venues. It maxes at 70 percent. We want to keep, still don't want to do 100 percent. Obviously, there is still a pandemic, only Level 1," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a virtual media briefing. On Sunday, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said 39 areas, including the National Capital Region, will be placed under the most lenient Alert Level 1 classification for the first half of March. Under Alert Level 1, the IATF said there are no restrictions in terms of indoor and outdoor capacities. Everyone can undertake intrazonal and interzonal travel without regard to age and even comorbidities. All establishments, persons, or activities are likewise allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at total on-site or venue seating capacity, provided these are consistent with minimum public health standards. "Biggest news for Comelec is the use of face shield. It is only voluntary. Under IATF-EID rules, Level 1 still includes the voluntary use of face shields. As far as everything else is concerned in the campaign, we are already at minimum health protocols, we are doing the barest minimum necessary to keep everyone safe," Jimenez said. He said the Comelec has yet to receive a request to relax their guidelines from the candidates even in areas under Alert Level 1. "In the meantime, we are still not in receipt of any formal requests to relax our guidelines so we will continue with our guidelines as they are," Jimenez said. "Our guidelines are calibrated. They are responsive to changes of alert level by IATF." Other areas under Alert Level 1 are: Abra, Aklan, Angeles City, Apayao, Aurora, Bacolod City, Baguio City, Bataan, Batanes, Biliran, Bulacan, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Dagupan City, City of Santiago, Davao City, Guimaras, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, La Union, Marinduque, Naga City, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Puerto Princesa City, Quirino, Romblon, Siquijor, Tarlac, and Zamboanga City. Meanwhile, the poll body together with the Vote Pilipinas and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) launched the Candidate Profile Dashboard where the public will be able to know more about those running for national positions in the May 9 polls. The information on presidential, vice-presidential, senatorial and party-list aspirants can be accessed through www.votepilipinas.com. The voters will be provided with candidates' political and professional experience, among others. Ces Rondario, the founder of Vote Pilipinas, said the undertaking aims to provide the voters with the backgrounds of those who are seeking to be elected in the forthcoming polls. On the other hand, PCOO Undersecretary Kris Ablan said the dashboard contains important information about candidates which are available to the electorate. There are a total of 10 aspirants for president, nine vice-presidential bets, 64 candidates for senators and 178 party-list groups running in the forthcoming polls. (PNA) }

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100% on-site workforce in gov't offices under Level 1 ordered

MANILA - Malacanang has issued a memorandum circular requiring all government agencies and instrumentalities to remain operational regardless of the Covid-19 alert level of the area where they are located. Under Memorandum Circular No. 96 issued by the Office of the President, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said all agencies and instrumentalities of the government under Alert Level 1 "shall adhere to 100 percent on-site workforce." "This issuance is consistent with the de-escalation of certain areas in the country to Alert Level 1, and the release of an updated Alert Level System Guidelines," Nograles said in a statement. On Sunday, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) approved placing the National Capital Region and 38 other areas under Alert Level 1. Other areas under Alert Level 1 are: Abra, Aklan, Angeles City, Apayao, Aurora, Bacolod City, Baguio City, Bataan, Batanes, Biliran, Bulacan, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Dagupan City, City of Santiago, Davao City, Guimaras, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, La Union, Marinduque, Naga City, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Puerto Princesa City, Quirino, Romblon, Siquijor, Tarlac, and Zamboanga City. Under Alert Level 1, the IATF said there are no restrictions in terms of indoor and outdoor capacities. Everyone can undertake intrazonal and interzonal travel without regard to age and even comorbidities. All establishments, persons, or activities are likewise allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at total on-site or venue seating capacity, provided these are consistent with minimum public health standards. The MC 96 further provides that under Alert Level 2, Nograles said all agencies and instrumentalities must adhere to at least 80 percent on-site workforce, 60 percent under Alert Level 3, and at least 40 percent on-site workforce under Alert Level 4. Under Alert Level 5, skeleton workforce on-site and the remainder under alternative work arrangements as approved by the head of the agency unless a greater on-site capacity is required in agencies providing health and emergency frontline services, laboratory and testing services, border control, or other critical services. "The aforesaid issuance is intended to balance health considerations and the continuous delivery of public services, consistent with the updated Alert Level System," Nograles said. (PNA) }

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More 'friendship routes' to open in BARMM: LTFRB

NEW ROUTES. Buses that will go from Davao City to Marawi City and vice-versa line up during the launch of one of the many "friendship routes" opened within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Wednesday (Feb. 23, 2022) in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. The Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, together with the BARMM's Ministry of Transportation and Communications and LTFRB, launched in the city three friendship routes to provide modern, safe, secure, and comfortable public land transportation. (PNA photo by Nef Luczon) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - More "friendship routes" will be opened in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the head of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said after the launch of the Davao-Marawi route for public utility vehicles (PUVs) in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur on Wednesday. During the event, LTFRB chairman, lawyer Martin Delgra III said they are working closely with the BARMM's Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and its regional LTFRB offices to establish the identification of the routes. "We have talked initially with (Marawi City) Mayor (Majul) Gandamra about these partnerships, and now we can see that we can already see (heavy) traffic, and it's not just about (improving) traffics, we are also going to improve the routes (for PUVs)," he said. The Davao City-Marawi City route will be first served by the Mindanao Star Bus Transport Inc. (MSBTI), a bus company under the Yanson Group of Companies which operates in Visayas and Mindanao. The bus line usually had been servicing routes within Davao City, Cotabato, and Soccsksargen region. Arwin Roas, one of the bus drivers present during the event, said there were initially six out of 15 buses prepared for the particular route and they have done road-testing from Davao City, with stopovers in Maramag and Talakag towns in Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, and Iligan City. Ruel Pagunsan, MSBTI operations manager, said based on the current rate, fare prices would range from PHP797 to PHP948 spanning around 431 kilometers from Davao City to Marawi City, and a travel time around 10 to 15 hours, based on the standard PUV speed of 80 kilometers per hour. In a video message, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new inter-regional routes will not only achieve mobility and connectivity in the regions but will also spur economies as it will open up commerce and trade in the areas. Meanwhile, Gandamra said the opening of the friendship routes along with the availability of public utility vehicles is a great opportunity to serve the riding public with more accessible, affordable, and convenient public transport. "This does not only connect two cities but it connects different provinces and different regions. It connects economies, industries and most importantly it connects the lives of our constituents," he said. The other friendship routes launched are Iligan City to Marawi City with 27 Class 2 PUVs operated by Mindanao State University (MSU)-Marawi Iligan Transport Services Corporation, and the General Santos City to Dipolog City via Cotabato with 15 provincial buses operated by Rural Transit Mindanao Inc., the sister company of MSBTI. (PNA) }

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IATF retains Alert Level 2 in NCR; puts 7 areas under Level 3

(File photo) MANILA - The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved a recommendation to retain the National Capital Region (NCR) under Alert Level 2 status until the end of February, Malacanang said Monday. In a statement, Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said aside from Metro Manila, other areas will also be placed under Alert Level 2 from February 16 to 28. Areas in Luzon under Alert Level 2 are Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan in Region 1 (Ilocos); Batanes, City of Santiago, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley); Bulacan, Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales in Region 3 (Central Luzon); Cavite, Rizal, Batangas, Laguna, Lucena City and Quezon Province in Region 4-A (Calabarzon); Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Puerto Princesa City and Romblon in Region 4-B (Mimaropa); Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Naga City and Sorsogon in Region 5 (Bicol). Areas in the Visayas under Alert Level 2 are Aklan, Antique, Bacolod City, Capiz and Negros Occidental in Region 6 (Western Visayas); Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor in Region 7 (Central Visayas); and Ormoc City, Tacloban City, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Biliran and Southern Leyte in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas). In Mindanao, the areas under Alert Level 2 are the City of Isabela, and provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula); Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao); Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental in Region 11 (Davao region); General Santos City, North Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat in Region 12 (Soccsksargen); Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Butuan City and Dinagat Islands in Region 13 (Caraga); and Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and Lanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Under Alert Level 2, the maximum operational capacities for several businesses and activities is 50 percent for indoor venues, fully vaccinated persons, and those below 18 years of age, even if unvaccinated and 70 percent for outdoor venues provided all workers of the establishments are fully inoculated against Covid-19. Under Alert Level 3 Nograles said the IATF also placed seven areas under more stringent Alert Level 3 classification during the same period. These include Iloilo City, Iloilo Province and Guimaras in Region 6; Zamboanga City in Region 9; Davao de Oro and Davao Occidental in Region 11; and South Cotabato in Region 12. Under Alert Level 3, establishments or activities shall be allowed to operate or be undertaken at a maximum of 30 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 50 percent outdoor venue capacity, provided that all workers of the establishments are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported 2,730 new Covid-19 cases, the lowest rise this year. The country's active cases dropped to 76,609 after the DOH logged 7,456 new recoveries. MMC recommendation The Metro Manila Council (MMC)-composed of the 17 mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR)- on Monday recommended the extension of Alert Level 2 status in the region to the IATF. In a resolution, the MMC noted that only five out of the 17 local government units (LGU) in the NCR are currently classified as "low-risk" and the rest are at a "moderate risk" classification based on Covid-19 growth rate and average daily attack rate. "Alert Level 2 must be preserved, maintained, and improved. And a less stringent alert level in the NCR may potentially result in super spreader events in the region, especially with the start of the May 2022 election campaign period," the MMC Resolution No. 2204 released on Monday read. It cited the Department of Health's (DOH) Covid-19 situation report in the NCR as of Saturday that about 32 percent of all confirmed cases nationwide were detected in the NCR with a regional average positivity rate of 7.32 percent. While these data are "truly encouraging" and show an improving Covid-19 situation in the NCR, the resolution urged to await an improvement in the risk classifications of the 12 LGUs at moderate risk. "The economic gains and advancement in health care which were realized in the past weeks under Alert level 2 must be preserved, maintained, and improved," the resolution read. MMC chairperson and Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said the recommendation was made to further assess the healthcare utilization rate and ramp up the vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 years old. "Siguro po dahan-dahan, ang tingin po naming mga mayor at mga LGU (local government unit)-even ang recommendation ng aming mga CHO (City Health Office) ay i-sustain muna natin itong alert level until end of the month (Maybe slowly, we, mayors and LGUs, look at it and even our CHOs recommended to sustain this alert level until the end of the month)," Olivarez said in a media briefing during the vaccination event in Paranaque City. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reminded the public that the government's decision on the alert levels is guided by a set of metrics, such as the two-week growth rate, average daily attack rate (ADAR), and hospitalization rate. Duque said until the NCR will not meet the ADAR threshold of 7 percent or below, de-escalation to Alert Level 1 is not possible. Metro Manila's ADAR is currently at moderate risk, while its health system capacity is at a low-risk utilization rate or only 30 percent. (PNA) }

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