It’s all systems go for the city government here in connection with the second leg of the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” National Vaccination Days (NVD) from December 15-17 that primarily targets those who have not been jabbed against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). In an interview on Wednesday, City Public Information Office chief Aileen Refuerzo said the city is targeting to serve all the 14,229 registered unvaccinated individuals from the city’s 16 health districts. She noted that according to the city Health Services Office (HSO), 5,147 individuals missed their second dose and they are being located and also targeted for the three-day activity.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday formally received the credentials of four new ambassadors at Malacañan Palace. Duterte welcomed ambassadors Folakemi Ibidunni Akinleye of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Borhan Uddin of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, William John Carlos of Ireland, and Răduta Dana Matache of Romania. During her presentation, Akinleye pledged to work “tirelessly” during her stay in office to improve Nigeria-Philippine friendship while engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of trade, medical exchange programs, information technology, maritime security, education, and tourism. Duterte, meanwhile, expressed hope that bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest would be further
Two communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas were killed while six firearms were recovered during separate encounters with state troopers in the borders of Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Norte, the military here said Wednesday. In a statement, Maj. Francisco Garello, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID) public affairs office chief, said the encounters took place Tuesday between Sitio Mangilit, Barangay Bal-ason, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; and Sitio Malague, Barangay Guinabsan, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. “In Buenavista, the 23rd Infantry Battalion (IB) recovered one firearm, while the 58IB, together with the 16IB, had five firearms in Gingoog City,” he said.
Typhoon Odette has further intensified while moving west northwestward over the Philippine Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Wednesday. In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said “Odette” was estimated at 485 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 130 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph. Gale to storm-force winds will be experienced in the areas where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) No. 2 has been hoisted, it said. Areas under TCWS No. 2 are southern portion of Eastern Samar (City of
The World Health Organization (WHO) chief said on Tuesday the new omicron variant of coronavirus has been confirmed in 77 countries and is spreading faster than any previous variant. “Omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn’t been detected yet. Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant,” Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus told a press conference in Geneva. Omicron, first detected in South Africa last month, was declared as a variant of concern by the UN health agency. He expressed concern over people dismissing omicron as mild, saying that even if it
Several local government units in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) have suspended work in government offices and classes on Wednesday ahead of Typhoon Odette’s landfall. In Tacloban City, Mayor Alfred Romualdez declared a half-day suspension of work in government offices on Wednesday and a day-long work suspension on Thursday. Romualdez also ordered the evacuation of those living in low-lying and coastal communities. The local government’s preparation for the upcoming storm is in full swing according to the city disaster risk reduction and management office. The city earlier hoisted Blue Alert status, signifying round-the-clock monitoring and standby of the emergency response cluster.
