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Groups step up to help people living with HIV during coronavirus outbreak

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LIVING WITH HIV. People living with HIV face challenges in accessing life-saving medication and services during the enhanced community quarantine. Photo by George Moya/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) are again faced with the threat of another virus: the coronavirus disease or COVID-19. But they are not alone in their fight, as community-based organizations in the Philippines have intensified their efforts to ensure that PLHIV treatment and care remain uninterrupted amid the pandemic. 

Since March 17, the Philippine government has enforced a lockdown on the entire island of Luzon, home to over 57 million people, in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease in the country.

Following the announcement, checkpoints were set up. Mass public transportation was  suspended, and land, air, and sea travel restricted. According to government officials, Filipinos must stay home as the general rule. (READ: LIST: Who are allowed out during Luzon lockdown?)

Hurdles posed by the lockdown

People living with HIV are among those significantly affected by the enhanced community quarantine, as it poses challenges to access life-saving medication and services. As of August 2019, the HIV/AIDS and ART registry of the Philippines reported that 40,952 PLHIV are undergoing antiretroviral treatment (ART). 

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have explained that there is currently no evidence that PLHIV are at an especially increased risk of contracting COVID-19.

However, WHO and UNAIDS emphasized that this does not mean that PLHIV should take COVID-19 lightly and reiterated that they must take the same precautions as the general population. 

This includes washing hands often, physical distancing, avoiding touching face, practicing good respiratory hygiene, self-isolating if with contact with someone with COVID-19, and seeking medical care if symptomatic. 

Additionally, WHO advised PLHIV who are taking ARV medication to ensure that they have enough for at least 30 days, or enough to last 3 to 6 months if possible. They should also make sure that their vaccinations – both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines – are up to date.  

Acknowledging the challenges posed by the quarantine for PLHIV to access life-saving ARV medication, the Department of Health released an advisory outlining measures to ensure access to medication and services needed during the lockdown.

Among its proposed measures was the use of courier service for pick up and delivery of needed ARVs during the lockdown. 

The DOH said  electronic or SMS appointment information can be used as proof of entry of PLHIV in areas under community quarantine, during extreme instances where visit to a treatment facility is necessary. 

The DOH also ordered treatment facilities to cater to all PLHIV for their ARV refill and other needed services, regardless of treatment facility affiliation, and to ensure that mechanisms are in place for coordination and communication between their staff and PLHIV in their area. 

Community-based organizations have been quick in making necessary adjustments to comply with the ECQ and the DOH advisory to ensure continuous provision of services and medication to PLHIV. 

Shift to online services

Several of these organizations have moved most of their consultations online and have started using telemedicine to attend to their clients. 

Pinoy Plus Advocacy Pilipinas Incorporated President Owie Franco shared that apart from their online call center, PLHIV Response Center (PRC), interim shared file services are being used to encode shareable information. 

He emphasized that protective measures are done to ensure the confidentiality of patient information when using these online services. 

Pick-up and delivery services

Aside from online services, some groups have developed new mechanisms to aid access to ARV medication.

The Xpress by LoveYourself and the Oplan ARVayanihan by The Red Whistle and MapBeks provide PLHIV access to medication without having to leave their homes by offering pickup and delivery services. 

They also provided an online map of ARV distribution points and developed the #SafelyPH app which can direct PLHIV to the nearest hygiene clinics and treatment hubs in their community. 

Assessing needs

The United Nations Development Programme Philippines and UNAIDS Philippines have launched a survey, which can help inform and guide the national AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases prevention and control program of the DOH, UN agencies, and other groups in making services more accessible for PLHIV during the coronavirus pandemic.

Other challenges

Despite the success of these innovations, many groups see additional challenges if the lockdown in Luzon is extended beyond April 12. The lockdown in Metro Manila is until April 14.

Organizations that provide temporary shelter for PLHIV such as the Positive Action Foundation Philippines Incorporated (PAFPI) see a possible shortage in food, basic necessities, and medication. 

“The current stockpile that we have is projected to last for two weeks. We are communicating with our donors for additional provisions of important commodities, especially food, should there be an extension. Another concern is the refill of ARV medication, given that public transportation is being put on hold,” said PAFPI Training Coordinator Robert Lim. 

Despite the DOH advisory, delivery of life-saving medicines continues to be a challenge. 

“While the government has ensured free mobility on cargoes and medicines, this is not the case that is happening on the ground, especially for deliveries going outside Metro Manila. Checkpoints and other logistical hardships have pushed some logistic companies to scale down or close their operations,” shared Danvic Rosadiño, Senior Operations Manager of LoveYourself Inc. 

“We hope that there is a way for the government and its local units to ensure unrestricted delivery of cargoes, particularly medicines. While it is already written on paper, in reality, this is not always ensured,” he added 

Access to HIV viral load testing is also a concern. The Sustained Health Initiative of the Philippines (SHIP), which sends PLHIV clients to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for testing, says that now that the PGH has been designated as a COVID-19 referral hospital, they are uncertain if the PGH can still provide this service. 

Benedict Bernabe, President of The Red Whistle, is also concerned with the impact of the lockdown on HIV testing and linking PLHIV to care. 

“Testing has stopped so we will probably reach less clients than targeted, diagnostics tests are not the priority, enrollment to treatment is also paused,” he said. 

Several community-based organizations also acknowledge the possibility of burnout and fatigue among their volunteers and donors.

Notwithstanding these challenges, many of these groups are working to ensure the sustained delivery of life-saving medication and services to PLHIV. Indeed, not all heroes wear capes. – Rappler.com

Ma. Irene N. Quilantang is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at the University of the Philippines – Manila. She is currently studying Global Public Health at Brown University in the United States.  


LIST: Groups help vulnerable sectors affected coronavirus lockdown

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MANILA, Philippines – Organizations are bringing various forms of assistance to vulnerable sectors amid the rising cases of novel coronavirus infections in the Philippines, even as the entire island of Luzon and some provinces and cities outside Metro Manila remained on lockdown.

The lockdowns involve strict quarantine procedures, suspension of transportation services, and regulation of food and essential health services, among others. Additional travel restrictions have been in place as local governments implement curfews from 8 pm to 5 am. 

Here’s a list of the ongoing relief operations for urban poor families, daily wage workers, the homeless, elderly, displaced Lumad youth, and other marginalized communities affected by the measure. (READ: Shelters kept unlocked for the homeless during coronavirus outbreak

 

2KK Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid Foundation

2KK Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid Foundation is calling for cash donations to support families and daily wage earners. 

Deposited to: 

2KK Bank Account:
2KK Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid Foundation Inc.
Union Bank Pasong Tamo JTKC Branch
Account no. 002020031146

You may also send  your donations through the 2KK Website and indicate that the donation is for COVID-19. 

Deposit slips may be sent to official@kapwakapatid.com to receive confirmation and updates. For questions or concerns, you may contact Kring at 09178974619.

 

Caritas Manila

Caritas Manila is calling for donations to provide kits and supplies to 6,000 poor families in Metro Manila.

These LIGTAS COVID-19 kits worth P2,000 each are good for a family of 5 and include the following items:

  • 1 liter of 70% ethyl alcohol
  • 5 bottles of 30 ml alcohol
  • 5 washable face masks
  • 1 liter of antibacterial liquid soap
  • 1 box of 100 tablets of vitamin C with zinc
  • Reusable gloves
  • 1 liter of liquid bleach
  • 3 pieces of cleaning cloth
  • Eco bag

They will also be giving P700 worth of Caritas Manna food bags containing:

  • 5 kilos of rice
  • Monggo seeds
  • 9 assorted canned goods
  • 2 packs of Caritas Margins kalabasa/malunggay noodles
  • 1/4 pack of sugar and salt
  • Eco bag

Refer to this post for details. For more inquiries, call 8562 0020 to 25 local 118, 139, 135; or 09175955083.

 

Help Our Tricycle Drivers

Ilocandia Blog, Taga Tuguegarao Ka Kung, and Cagayan Digital Post are looking to help tricycle drivers affected by the enhanced community quarantine in Tuguegarao City. 

If you know of tricycle drivers in Tuguegarao City who are most in need, or if you would like to give cash or in-kind donations, you may contact 09152670759. 

 

HOPE: Business For Good

HOPE is accepting donations to provide much needed clean water for the tireless frontliners and poor communities in Metro Manila.

All donations will allow the group to deliver water directly to hospitals and communities that are most affected. For transparency, they will be reporting the total pledges committed by this drive and documenting the turnover of all supply on their social media pages.

Donate or make your pledge through:

BPI 
Friends Of Hope, Inc.
Savings Account: 3521-1061-73

Paypal
Friends of Hope, Inc.
donate@friendsofhope.ph 

You may visit this post to know more. 

 

Project Duyan for Sustainable Geriatric Health & Wellness

Coalition of Services of the Elderly Inc (COSE) & Project Duyan for Sustainable Geriatric Health & Wellness are seeking financial and in-kind assistance to help provide personal protective equipment, health and hygiene materials, and ready-to-eat food for the elderly. 

Course financial donations through the following accounts of COSE:

Bank Deposit
Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc.
Bank of Philippine Islands
Aurora Blvd. Branch
Account No: 3151-0415-65

Paypal Account
cosefinance@cose.org.ph

Gcash
0966-5846621

For in-kind donations such as face masks, alcohol, soap and ready to eat food, please contact 09175727398 or 09996422316.The group will coordinate the collection & distribution of these items accordingly. 


San Isidro Labrador Parish

San Isidro Labrador Parish is seeking assistance for those affected in their parish. 

The parish initiated a DIY Drive Thru system to distribute food to its community, especially those in need, while observing physical distance. 

Cash donations may be deposited to:

Gilbert S. Billena
BDO account number: 003990315514 

SILP Pastoral Council PPC Fund
BPI account number: 0423-3306-86 

In-kind donations may be brought to the pastoral office of San Isidro Labrador Church Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, located in front of Renboy Store.

For questions, you may contact Father Gilbert Billena at 09363249618.  

 

Save San Roque

Save San Roque, an alliance of individuals from different sectors, launched a donation drive to provide food packs and sanitation kits for the urban poor in advocating the rights of the urban poor community in Sitio San Roque, North Triangle, Quezon City.

Donations may be coursed through Lazada or Visa / Mastercard

Cash donations may be deposited to: 

BPI Savings Account
Account name: Jan Marvi F. Atienza
Account number: 1519 -2141-44

 

Save Our Schools Network 

The Bakwit School in Metro Manila that is feeding around 100 displaced Lumad youth called for food donations to help the children. 

For bank donations, arrangements, and inquiries, contact Teacher Elsa at 09090128952. 

For meet-ups within UP Diliman, contact teacher Mon at 09065575647. 

Rappler.com 

Here are other lists you may want to check: 

LIST: How to help healthcare workers, frontliners during coronavirus pandemic
LIST: Groups providing transportation services for frontliners
LIST: Groups providing helpful information about the Luzon lockdown

[OPINION] No to frontliner-shaming!

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This was written for all frontliners in health care, by a non-frontliner.  

This was also written for people whose social media posts are insults to the efforts and sacrifices of those working tirelessly to fight the menace that is COVID-19

To start things, I am a registered nurse by profession and used to work in a government hospital. As a former health care worker, I know too well what life is like inside – the long work hours, the stress, the life-and-death battles, the demands made by patients and watchers alike, the risks and dangers (inevitable exposure to a number of infectious diseases while on duty, for example), and the occasional feelings of disappointment and frustration every time someone decides it's okay to downgrade the health care profession and be bold about it. Even proud. (READ: Evicted, banned from eateries: Frontliners face discrimination in Iloilo City)

1. "It's just their job!" 

Reading this statement from posts by fellow Filipinos really strikes the heart. Health care is more than just a job, mind you. Aside from the necessary skills and knowledge, you need compassion, patience, and selflessness to be able to serve the sick, injured, and the dying. You must also be willing to sacrifice things like sleep and time for family. No other job in the world leaves you wanting to do more for those in your care, sometimes at the cost of your own peace of mind. 

Upon arriving home after a toxic shift – especially after a patient's death – we'd ask ourselves things like, "What went wrong? What else could have been done? Did I use the right management? How are his/her family members dealing with things now? Was I a bad doctor/nurse?"

We love caring for our patients so much that more often than not, we end up going above and beyond our duty, like looking for extra medications and supplies to give to financially challenged patients or lending a listening ear to the anxious and depressed. (READ: Germany to fly in Filipino nurses to care for their coronavirus patients – report)

2. "Why glorify them? They are NOT special!" 

Because of COVID-19, health care workers in the Philippines and all over the world are now in the spotlight. Before COVID-19, the health care profession was largely unappreciated. I actually feel happy that my fellow healthcare workers, especially my former workmates and supervisors, are now getting the attention and recognition they deserve. It's also heartwarming to know that for the past few days, individuals, groups, and government offices are showing support through donations like food and additional PPEs and services like free transportation and accommodation. 

For the record, health care workers never asked to be "glorified," but to be simply appreciated and respected like other professionals. Please remember that they are also human beings working to help other human beings. They get tired, stressed, and even put in harm's way while on the job. And not just that, they also go through the pain of being separated from their families to prevent their loved ones from being exposed to COVID-19.

We need them and at the same time, they also need us. Kindness is free and makes things a lot better. If you can't help by making donations, at least avoid spreading hate and negativity towards their work through unkind words.  

3. "They're only working for money!" 

Now this one got me fuming. Yes, like any other regular person with a job, a health care worker has a family to feed. But it's never just about the salary, which sadly, gets delayed for a lot of them every now and then. They don't just work to earn a living; they work for human lives. 

Know that no amount of money can ever replace the value of a single life. And while we're talking about a worldwide health threat like COVID-19, imagine the pain and pressure health care workers in largely affected countries like Italy and Iran are dealing with as we speak, with deaths here and there by the thousands. (READ: Long shifts, low pay are part of a PH nurse's reality)

4. "I don't give a f**k!"  

Guess what? COVID-19 doesn't give a f**k either. It's a danger to everyone everywhere, especially for those who don't care enough to follow simple precautions like staying home, practicing proper hygiene, and being honest enough about their symptoms.  

Just this weekend, a young nurse in Italy passed away as a result of being infected by COVID-19 while practicing her profession. A young Filipino doctor also passed away, all because of a patient who lied about his/her travel history. Before them, hundreds of healthcare workers have already lost their lives fighting COVID-19. All of them had families who depended on them. All of them had friends who adored them. All of them had workmates and colleagues who enjoyed their company, never to enjoy another day in their respective hospitals doing what they knew best – saving lives. 

You don't have to be in health care to be able to feel something about their deaths. You just need to be a decent human being and it actually won't cost you much. Exhibiting apathy by saying things like "I don't care!" or "IDGAF!" only shows that you are a sorry excuse for a human. A heartless and brainless alien from another galaxy perhaps?  

By disregarding (and even laughing at) the efforts of health care workers, you're actually killing their fallen comrades for the second time around. 

–– 

While not all of us can be frontliners, we can choose to fight COVID-19 and support those on the front lines by doing what we can. 

Whether you choose to donate food or PPEs, give a healthcare worker a ride home, give money for supplies, say prayers, write uplifting articles to spread awareness, or send healthcare workers letters of appreciation – it's all up to you. (READ: LIST: How to help healthcare workers, frontliners during coronavirus pandemic)

Always have this in mind:

Hate and negativity are weapons of the weak. 

Love and perseverance are weapons of the strong and selfless. 

Which weapons do you choose? – Rappler.com

Johanna Zehender is a registered nurse who writes to uplift nurses and fellow health care workers everywhere.

 

Xavier University produces rubbing alcohol to shield health workers from coronavirus

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Photos from Kristine Renebelle Flores

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – In joint efforts to lessen the spread of the coronavirus, the Chemistry Department of Xavier University (XU) – Ateneo de Cagayan has created local versions of ethyl and isopropyl alcohol to protect Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) health workers from the disease.

The NMMC is the referral hospital for all persons under investigation (PUI) for the coronavirus in the region. (READ: Northern Mindanao's largest public hospital saves lives against the odds

Upon learning the NMMC had insufficient rubbing alcohol, Dr Analyn Asok, a chemist and chairperson of XU’s chemistry department, and her colleagues decided to prepare localized alcohol straight from their laboratory to address the supply shortage.

“We are happy that at least in our own little way we offer some help. Being a chemist, in these times, is a blessing,” Asok expressed.

By Tuesday, March 24, the XU Chemistry Department developed and tested the localized ethyl and isopropyl alcohol in their laboratory with Dr Asok in the lead, along with licensed chemical technician Renebelle Flores, and other colleagues Higinio Barros Jr, Ann Marian Lou Eslopor, and Don Vic Obaob.

While expensive, Dr Asok said the department opted to use absolute ethanol following guidelines provided by the World Health Organization on the local production of alcohol.

“Absolute ethanol is quite expensive, however, we still pushed with this method because it's the only way wherein we can respond to the need immediately. We are glad that the XU community supported this initiative,” Asok justified.

 

All the raw materials were sourced directly from the XU Chemistry Laboratory, while some donations of absolute ethanol came from the XU Biology Department. 

'Our strength is in the lab'

At the end of the production stage, 32 bottles of 70% ethanol and 11 bottles of 70% isopropanol with moisturizer were made. The chemists decided to produce two kinds of rubbing alcohol to maximize their resources and further help frontliners in the area.

“The initial purpose is only to produce 70% ethanol. But because of the great demand and we have isopropanol of high purity at hand, we decided to make 70% isopropanol so that we can donate more. After all, both can be used as disinfectant,” Asok shared.

The bottles of alcohol are already set for distribution. The university, through the XU Social Development Office, will soon be handing out the alcohol to NMMC. 

FOR FRONTLINERS. The chemistry department of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan is producing local alcohol to help frontliners at Northern Mindanao Medical Center. Photo from Higinio Barros Jr

Apart from the alcohol, the XU Chemistry Department will also be facilitating more donations in the form of surface disinfectants for all hospitals in Cagayan de Oro and other local government units (LGUs) soon.

They will also produce more bottles of alcohol containing 70% ethanol once they receive more absolute ethanol.

Dedicated to doing their line of work as chemists, Dr Asok said they will continue pushing for actions to help curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic as long as supplies are on hand. (READ: Kagay-anons join hands to fight coronavirus)

“Our strength is in the lab. As long as the raw materials will be provided to us, my team will surely assist in whatever way we can,” Asok said.

After Flores’ Facebook post gathered much attention online, a number of people came to their department to offer in-kind donations to help NMMC, other hospitals and LGUs. 

“Though they know that absolute ethanol is expensive but still they donated some to help our frontliners,” Asok added.

As of writing, the XU Chemistry Department is planning to reach out to other departments in the university to start mass production of the alcohol. – Rappler.com

Dominic Joaquin Dublado is a mover from Cagayan de Oro City, Managing Editor at The Squire Publication – the official student publication of Xavier University Senior High School. He is an incoming college freshman at Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.

Join MovePH's webinar: Fact-checking in the time of coronavirus

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MANILA, Philippines – Have you received an unverified message related to the coronavirus in the past few days? Maybe it was forwarded by your tita in one of your group chats on Viber? 

During crises such as a pandemic, unverified reports and misleading posts online can spread as fast and as wide as the virus itself. 

This is not surprising. With almost everyone locked inside their homes during the quarantine, Filipinos crave for information that could help allay any feelings of uncertainty and fear.  (READ: 

However, the disinformation network that casts doubt on official and established sources of reliable information makes Filipinos – who are currently driven by fear and uncertainty – especially gullible to misleading information. 

Recently, the World Health Organization said that the "infodemic" or the unprecedented surge information – be it truthful or false –  has become a severe deterrent in combating the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Therefore, staying at home is not the only thing that quarantined Filipinos can do to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. It also becomes imperitive for online-savvy Filipinos to be responsible when sharing information online.

How can netizens help separate fact from fiction in the time of coronavirus? 

MovePH, Rappler's civic engagement arm, is organizing a series of webinars aimed at training participants to spot disinformation online and combat it. The first run will happen on Friday, April 3. 

Here's how you can register: 

– Rappler.com 

 

 

 

[FIRST PERSON] I became PH253

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I am a physician, an adult cardiology fellow. I am also a frontliner. 

Regardless of how many times I wash my hands or wear a surgical mask or an N95 mask, I am at a high risk for any kind of infection. Frontliners are not at a lesser risk of infection just because of strict self-protection protocols.

It was around March 9 when I was unconsciously exposed to a Patient Under Investigation (PUI)-turned-COVID positive case in the hospital — all during my tour of duty. Despite my protective gear and meticulous handwashing, I slowly contracted symptoms, such as low-grade fever, chills, and muscle pains. I could’ve stopped working, but I had to continue on and fulfil my duty to the patients we had to save.

Two days later, during my 36-hour tour of duty, the symptoms started to hit me hard: high-grade fever, chills, and worsening joint pains. I sought consult at our emergency room, and I was then declared as a PUI. (READ: Braving a pandemic: Frontliners battle fear to confront the novel coronavirus)

Patient under investigation 

My first COVID swab was traumatic. They stuck the swab through my nose to get a sample – an experience that I didn’t want to repeat again, though I had it for 4 more times after that. Worse, I had to wait not just 24 to 48 hours, but rather, 6 days before my first test came out. It was negative. 

I was sent home that day to start my home quarantine. I stayed at my aunt’s condominium unit away from my family, whom I haven’t seen for days and counting since my ordeal started. My greatest worry then was my parents, who are in their senior years and have their own share of co-morbidities, possibly contracting the virus from me and my younger brother, who is also a doctor. It was a worrisome idea that I had to bear for days on end. (READ: LIST: How to help healthcare workers, frontliners during coronavirus pandemic

During my self-quarantine, I felt so alone: I had to fix my own room and prepare my own meals despite the high fever and chills. I had to take my paracetamol pills to tone down a fever that never seemed to disappear. I even had to do tepid sponge baths on myself despite my worsening weakness. It was hard, but I had to survive on my own.

Five days after the index event — going on the third day of self-quarantine — my friend and former chief resident, an Infectious Disease fellow, strongly advised me to get admitted because of my worsening symptoms. I was hesitant at first, but because my fever was spiking to as high as 40 degrees Celsius and my body was not having any of it anymore, I had myself admitted at our hospital. But first, I had another COVID swab taken while waiting for 10 hours outside the sweltering heat of the ER, packed with PUIs and unsuspecting COVID-positive cases. 

Seeing the ER staff working hard round-the-clock made me realize the risks these heroes: doctors, nurses, and ancillary staff, take just to save one soul at a time, even at the expense of their own safety. 

People were ranting about poor service. But what good do their rants about waiting for 10 hours make when the staff are so overworked to the point that they even tend to forget to care for themselves? (READ: Undermanned, overworked: A doctor's view from the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak)

I was then admitted at a regular room-turned-isolation room — a heroic and gallant effort on the part of the hospital to accommodate such patients despite going beyond their capacity to admit more. That room would then bear witness to the sufferings I was about to endure during my stay.

Positive case

I never felt so hopeless and weak on my first week: persistent fever and chills, loss of appetite to the point I was seeing my jawline after the first hospital week, and worsening muscle aches. The worst was when, at one time, I was coughing non-stop, suffocating and gasping for air due to the lack of oxygen inside my infected lungs, that the nurse hurriedly hooked me to the oxygen tank via a nasal cannula just to help me breathe. I was already submissive to the fact that I was about to get intubated and possibly sent to the Intensive Care Unit, but God had another day ready for me.

It was during that harrowing moment when I then learned of my fate: I was COVID-19 Positive. 

I became PH 253.

When I was told of my diagnosis, my first reaction was just any sick doctor’s reaction to his or her own illness: “Okay.”

Back then, I was already in the doldrums of my sickness: antibiotics were not working well on me. My sputum culture turned out consistent with hospital-acquired pneumonia. My chest X-ray showed progression of pneumonia infiltrates, and round-the-clock, high-dose intravenous paracetamol was not doing wonders.

Prayers and well-wishes from my family, fellow doctors, staff, med school, residency and fellowship friends and even from my nephew’s pre-school teacher, were enough then just to keep me alive during those worsening times. 

Things started to turn for the better when my antibiotics were shifted to Ertapenem, a high-level antibiotic, and two “miracle” pills for COVID-19: Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin. As these medications were started, my fever then started to abate, up to the point that my hospital bed was drenched in sweat after the second dose of Ertapenem. 

Waiting for full recovery

I was starting to breathe better to the point that I did not need oxygen support anymore. I started feeling lighter and better to the point that I could already open the air-conditioning unit and absorb all the chill inside the room. A chest x-ray then showed that my pneumonia was starting to clear out and improve.

It was a miracle that I didn’t expect. To think I had already submitted to the sad truth that I may not make it through. 

Five days after I started feeling well, my attending doctor had me endure two repeat COVID swabs — tests to prove that my sickness was nearing its end. The pain that I had to endure just to have swabs stick inside my throat and nose were nothing now compared to the trauma I felt when I thought I was about to die.

Looking back, I realized that COVID-19 spares no age group, and that it can devour even the strongest of immune systems. My experience with that harbinger of death taught me to trust the process through the unsung heroes of this fight – our frontliner doctors, nurses, and staff, – to believe in the power of medicine and science, to have a great support system to hold on to, and most especially, to pray to God, and have faith to trust in miracles.

To date, I am still waiting for the results of these COVID swabs while on my second week of confinement. 

Once these results come back negative, it won’t take long before I am sent back to the throes of war — an invisible war against an invisible foe, to become a frontliner yet again, ever ready to save people one soul at a time. – Rappler.com

 

Dr. Jose Antonio Bautista, or Bodjie to his family and friends, is an Adult Cardiology Fellow at the Heart Institute of St. Luke’s Medical Center - Global City, Taguig. He enjoys seeing and treating patients during busy days, reading textbooks and journals, and presenting in conferences and conventions. He watches movies and anime, dabs into tech, games, and food, and spends quality time with his family during his spare time.

[OPINION] Coronavirus in Baseco: A community leader's assessment

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In the tidal wave of ideas bursting onto the coronavirus scene, certain issues stand out: increasing infection rates; the lack of test kits; terrifying mortality statistics' doctors, nurses, and medical personnel without protective gear; overcrowded hospitals; physical distancing; and governance.

What about the millions of urban poor living in the densely packed neighborhoods of Metro Manila? How are they affected? Can anyone explain to a family of 10 living in a 20 sqm shack how to distance themselves one meter apart?  How are the 16,000 households in Baseco, Manila facing looming virus outbreaks while simultaneously suffering the impact of sudden income and job losses? Informal settlements are a COVID-19 disaster waiting to happen. (READ: Thousands of Metro Manila’s poorest left out as deadly coronavirus spreads)

Since the current lockdown prevents academic researchers from making field visits, Mary Racelis (MR) on Saturday, March 21 called Jeorgie Tenolete (JT), President of Kabalikat, a People’s Organization, on his cellphone asking him how Baseco was doing in the wake of COVID-19. The following account is JT’s assessment as told to and written by MR.         

A community leader tells it like it is

“You know, we’re used to disasters and disaster preparation here. We’ve coped with everything from floods, fires, earthquakes, even volcanos – but this coronavirus is something else!  We’ve never experienced anything like it!”

JT is mainly referring to the staggering challenge of mobilizing a huge community of urban poor households to combat the looming health and economic disasters facing them. 

As of March 21 only one person has been confirmed positive in Baseco, an OFW who recently flew in from the Middle East and is now under hospital care. Two others have self-quarantined because they recently arrived from countries with high infection rates – a resident Korean couple and a Filipino worker returning from Europe. Another 8 persons with colds and fever are currently being monitored by health workers every 3 hours and receiving paracetamol. If they still have a fever by the third visit, they will be transferred by DSWD staff to a hospital via the ambulance parked at Baseco’s entrance. No one has died.

To a question about the surprisingly low number of infections, JT chuckles, “People have grown up here facing so many illnesses that they have probably developed immunity, even against corona!”

More soberly he acknowledges that the lack of testing may explain the small numbers. Now that the health personnel have PPEs (personal protection equipment) and thermal guns donated by VP Leni’s office and a city councilor, they are in a better position to detect colds, coughs, labored breathing, and fever. Community health workers lead the surveillance teams with one standing at the entrance applying a thermal gun to those coming into the barangay. Others walk house to house with the block coordinators tracking down people with symptoms and starting monitoring procedures.    

The multi-sectoral Coronavirus Interagency Committee organized by the barangay captain meets regularly to assess the situation and decide on needed action. Since Kabalikat is a member, JT gets access to up-to-date information and enables his members to participate in the planning and decisions reached for Baseco. Donations from partner fundraisers, Urban Poor Associates, Kaya Natin Movement, and the Peace and Equity Foundation reach Kabalikat through the nearest local bank branch, enabling it to purchase supplies locally. The City of Manila and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) assist through the barangay captain. 

Life goes on during a lockdown. Residents adjust to the 3-hour windows allowed for visits to the market or pharmacy. Limited funds and refrigeration require daily food purchases. As for social distancing, although the barangay captain constantly warns his constituents against clustering, they appear to take this as a joke. The barangay captain retaliates with repeated tongue-lashings, upon which they disperse only to recongregate once he has left the scene. Most, residents though, abide by the government orders. 

The COVID-19 threat remains amorphous. Far more alarming and immediate is the problem of feeding one’s family. Post-lockdown losses of incomes and jobs have hit the community hard. Affected are thousands of families with little or no savings: small-scale vendors in Divisoria; bus, jeepney and tricycle drivers; cargadores at the pier; workers dismissed by their shuttered companies; those still employed but unable to get to work because their companies are too far away with no transport available. (READ: Give cash to urban poor during coronavirus lockdown – experts)

People complain: while the still invisible epidemic merits serious attention, so do the masses of people who are visibly hungry now. How are they supposed to manage? What if the food packet distributions last only one week? What is the government doing about the situation? Distribution delays add further anger and resentment. All this could have been avoided, insist many, had the government given cities and barangays more time to prepare. (READ: Fighting coronavirus requires efforts to help the poor – PCIJ report)

What message would I send the President and government if given the chance?  Let me offer some comments circulating in Baseco: 

When the authorities realized they had to call for a lockdown of the city, they should have immediately assembled key officials, business people, and civil society representatives, including POs at local levels, to plan the future scenarios. That would have meant infinitely better preparation. How? Through onsite pre-positioning of sufficient food stocks, water, medicine, health equipment, fuel, and other priority items including cash. Communities could have been mobilized to cooperate in that effort – from planning through implementation and evaluation. 

Instead, what happened? The government gave people no advance warning. By ordering an immediate lockdown, they ignored the chance to do serious stakeholder planning and community mobilization.  Now, people are really suffering, not only in Baseco but in other urban poor barangays also.

Again, our leaders must confront the health threat, but also take seriously the economic crisis they have created. Otherwise, COVID-19 will bring us increased hunger, sickness, lowered body resistance, and death. Government needs to act – and fast!

The researcher’s end-note (MR): 

The COVID-19 incidence appears still low in Baseco, perhaps because health threats surface slowly but more likely because genuine testing is absent. Despite delays in information and material assistance from the national government, many community groups have voluntarily come forward to address anticipated COVID-19 threats under the overall leadership of the barangay captain. All in all, the barangay is managing well in this initial phase of the crisis. Yet, vigilance is imperative to prepare for the pandemic’s predictable next phases.

Critical issues emphasize putting in place long-term support to chronically vulnerable groups. Also needed are dramatic measures to assist those families recently affected by income and job losses. Perceptions of an ill-prepared government with a top-down style and limited faith in its citizens’ capacities undermine hope. When future statistics are recited, urban poor Filipinos suspect they will make up the highest percentages of reported deaths. Baseco therefore speaks for many of its counterpart Metro Manila communities when it demands urgent attention to the disastrous economic downturn that is accompanying COVID-19. Is anyone listening? – Rappler.com

Jeorgie Tenolete is the president of Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran sa Baseco, Manila, which partners with NGO Urban Poor Associates (UPA)

Mary Racelis is a social anthropologist at the Ateneo de Manila University and a trustee on the UPA Board.

Lumad evacuees adjust to life under coronavirus lockdown

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LIFE UNDER LOCKDOWN. Displaced Lumad children from Lumad Bakwit School in UP Diliman face new challenges due to the coronavirus outbreak. All photos from Save Our Schools Network

MANILA, Philippines – As the Luzon lockdown continues, displaced Lumad children in University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman are adjusting to the new normal of living life under quarantine.

Seeking solace in the new building of UP's College of Fine Arts, some 100 Lumad children live and study in the Bakwit School set up by the Save Our Schools Network. (LISTEN: [PODCAST] Making Space: Lumad schools face challenges after government-ordered closure)

With the “enhanced” community quarantine in place since March 17, Bakwit School teachers worried about what would happen to them in the next few weeks, especially with the coronavirus outbreak.  (READ: Trauma haunts Lumad students after attacks on their community)

Struggles

Among their major concerns is their limited resources and where they could source food during the lockdown. 

The suspension of mass public transportation and the restriction of land travel have made it difficult for usual donors of Lumad Bakwit school to reach out and help.

“The food and other resources is a challenge in this time of enhanced community quarantine since we couldn’t leave the premises, and so do other individuals or groups who have been visiting us,” said Save Our Schools Network’s Rius Valle.

“We have been dependent on humanitarian support from different individuals and groups since 2017," he added.

They also struggle to buy groceries good for more than a hundred people, after the Department of Trade and Industry imposed a limit on the purchase of select items to avoid hoarding during the coronavirus outbreak. (READ: LIST: Who are allowed out during Luzon lockdown?)

Another challenge the Lumad Bakwit School faces is ensuring the health of all teachers and students during the coronavirus outbreak, especially as they share one space.

“We could not afford to get infected,” Valle said. “That is why we are taking this issue seriously. A slight complacency is absolutely unacceptable.” 

To protect themselves from the coronavirus, the Lumad Bakwit school conducts general cleaning and disinfection measures every 4 days. They also bleach personal things and items used by all, as well as observe daily monitoring of their health. 

HEALTH CHECK. A man gets a blood pressure reading.

 

A no-visitors policy, covering even their Manila-based teachers who are volunteering, has been put in place as well to ensure the students and teachers of Lumad Bakwit School don’t get exposed to the new virus.

A concern, however, is how sleeping in one space can affect the health of the students.

“The sleeping is a challenge since even with physical distancing, we share one space – although we have prepared an isolation tent for those who have cough and colds,” Valle shared.

Coping with life under quarantine

But even with their challenges, life continues for the students and teachers at Lumad Bakwit School, as they try to make the best out of their situation.

While classes in all levels have been suspended due to the lockdown, the Lumad Bakwit School has been doing special classes for students to pass the time.

With the help of their 8 in-camp Lumad teachers, the classes touch on issues such as the coronavirus outbreak through educational discussions and film viewing. (WATCH: Lumad children want to be back in classrooms)

On March 13, the Lumad students even made a video tutorial on how to make your own face masks, after supplies ran out following the rising number of coronavirus cases.

Despite the restrictions imposed by the lockdown, the Lumad Bakwit School is still thankful that there are groups and individuals who went above and beyond to donate goods to them.

“Right now, we are seeing different individuals and groups, some we never met before, offer to help–from donating food and other supplies to offering transportation, equipment and volunteer work, all in an effort to help Lumad children get through with this,” said Valle. 

Since the lockdown, people from the Lumad Bakwit School have hesitated to leave their space, as they worried about their health. But the donations of rice, vegetables, fruits, hygiene kits, alcohol,and other items have helped keep them afloat during the lockdown so far.

SUPPLIES. Food donations

 

Others went even as far as lending their refrigerator to store perishables, while some volunteer doctors offered to give online consultations. To safeguard their health, they disinfect donations they receive, as part of its protocols.

But not all vulnerable groups are as lucky as the Lumad Bakwit School. (READ: Fighting coronavirus requires efforts to help the poor – PCIJ report

Valle highlighted the importance of supporting vulnerable sectors especially at a time like this.

“The call for support is still open for both the bakwit school here in UP Diliman and also for the refugees in UCCP (United Church of Christ in the Philippines) Haran in Davao,” said Valle.

The Lumad Bakwit School also thanked the UP Diliman community and the other heroes who continue to be of service to the people before and during the crisis.

“In this time of uncertainty, these people – and they are a lot of them, like frontline health workers, teachers, church people, students and scientists battling this virus, taking greater consideration to the needs of the poor and marginalized – have been reassuring us. During crisis, it is the people’s collective movement that will defeat not just this virus but social inequality and injustices,” Valle said. Rappler.com

The SOS Network calls for assistance for hundreds of Lumad evacuees in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic and its spread all over the Philippines.  Contact the following numbers for more details on how to help: Metro Manila (09090128952), Cebu (09453549620), and Davao (09462336527).


[OPINION] 365 days later: The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

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As the country joins the rest of the world in combatting an outbreak that has taken countless lives, the journey towards lasting peace in its southern region continues. 

After decades of seemingly endless conflict, the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front finally closed a monumental chapter with the passage and ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, paving the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). On March 29, 2019, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim regional parliament, marked its first inaugural session, launching the next chapter of the peace process in Mindanao.

It’s important to look back on what's described as one of the most important peace agreements in this lifetime, and to revisit how far the BARMM has gone – 365 days later.

By mandate, the BTA is expected to produce priority bills which will serve as the hallmarks of the new bureaucracy. 

As of writing, the education and local government codes are now in its final stages while the administrative, internal revenue, electoral, civil service and Indigenous People’s codes are also in the works. There is a need, however, to mainstream these codes for the locals, who are probably still unaware that the crafting of these laws is the heart of the transition period. (READ: [OPINION] Building social capital with the Bangsamoro is a must)

Whether the Parliament can deliver all codes before 2022 or not remains to be seen, but the hope remains intact, especially with the incredible support of the different Members of Parliament.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front which currently leads the Government of the Day has also rallied behind the “moral governance” advocacy, signaling a new dawn of bureaucratic accountability inspired by the shared faith of the Muslims in the South. In fact, this might be the most important legacy of this interim government: to redefine public service and governance to its core, to portray BARMM as a new system that rejects corruption, and to reimagine the future of the Bangsamoro with all stakeholders involved.

Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawah Ebrahim, Al Hadj who currently leads the new bureaucracy has also introduced social services to provide for the immediate needs of the once conflict-stricken region, which includes Project TABANG (Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan), a special initiative that brings major government services to the people, and the AMBAG (Ayudang Medikal Mula sa Bangsamoro Government) Program, which provides medical assistance to needy constituents of the region should they be confined in 12 partner hospitals of the BARMM Government.

In all fairness, the appreciation from the grassroots is overwhelming, especially those who rallied behind the “YES” campaign last year.

Of course, the region is currently on its feet to see how the new government will utilize and safeguard the unprecedented P65 billion block grant, and how it will address the socio-economic conditions of the Bangsamoro.

The first year of the Bangsamoro Government has seen its share of challenges. For example, the pressing issues on the separation pay of some employees from the defunct ARMM, the heated discussions on the inclusion of Cotabato City, the rehabilitation of Marawi City, and the entry of the new members of the bureaucracy through the Job Portal, among many others, are valid concerns that will contribute to the lasting legacy of this transition period.

It is important to acknowledge that the MILF is also undergoing its normalization track, as prescribed in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. So, the transition phase is truly wholistic by nature through the bureaucracy and through social interventions on the ground.

While skepticism will remain, the Bangsamoro needs to pull everyone together, regardless of affiliation, ethno-linguistic group, or ideology, because at the end of the day, we will be the ones who will collectively redefine what it means to be Bangsamoro and redirect its future towards progress, development, and most importantly, self-determination. 

Jorjani Sinsuat is a youth leader and writer currently working for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's Bureau of Public Information. Sinsuat is known for his work in preventing and countering violent extremism, and his efforts in engaging conversations on the Bangsamoro Peace Process in various academic and socio-civic platforms.

 

 

 

‘Doki’ to the barrios: Dr Israel Bactol’s commitment to serve

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MANILA, Philippines – They say that when you die, you won’t be remembered by the wealth you made or the awards you received, but by the lives you touched. 

There is no doubt about Dr Israel Bactol’s brilliance. He was a consistent honor student since elementary school. He strived through college and medical school as a scholar. He served as chief resident during his internal medicine residency training. 

His last achievement was to be among the select cardiology fellows-in-training of the Philippine Heart Center.

However, on March 21, the promising 34-year-old physician lost his fight against COVID-19, disease caused by the novel coronavirus which, to date, has not spared the lives of more than 50 in the Philippines, including medical frontliners. 

“I’ve been around many physicians. Everybody’s brilliant. But, every now and then, you come across a person who just separates himself from the crowd. That’s El,” Dr Tom-Louie Acosta told Rappler in an interview. 

Acosta, an internist, is Bactol’s close friend and co-trainee from his 3-year residency at Premiere Medical Center in Cabanatuan City. 

“You can’t help but gravitate towards him because he was such a beautiful person, on top of being a brilliant physician,” he added. 

Bactol’s memory is etched in the hearts of his family, friends, fellow physcians, hospital colleagues, and patients coming from underserved communities. 

Bactol, whose parents are both public school teachers in Peñaranda town in Nueva Ecija, believes that the medical profession should be in the service of the people. 

'BEAUTIFUL SOUL'. Dr. Israel Bactol with colleagues at Premiere Medical Center. Photo from Gelmark Olivares

Heart for the people

After graduating from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and passing the Physician Licensure Exam in 2012, Bactol went to Occidental Mindoro, where he would serve as a doctor to the barrio for two years. It’s a second-class province in terms of income, with a population of less than half a million at the time.  

His dedication to attend to the medical needs of financially-challenged patients did not end in Mindoro. Bactol, sleepless from at least a 32-hour duty, would also visit his patients at home because they cannot afford to go to the hospital. 

“He would even take it out of his own time to look for medicines for his patients. He would talk to his contacts, for example, in the pharmaceutical field,” Acosta recalled. 

Since news of his death broke, his family and friends have been receiving calls from the people Bactol helped. Many of them are from low-income households but still want to give something as a sign of their gratitude to his service. 

Bactol, said Acosta, even wanted to go back to the barrio after his training at the Philippine Heart Center. He said his friend was planning to mentor the local community. For him, healthcare had become a lot limited to the privileged, and so he wanted to bringing access closer to those on the fringes.

He was generous not only of his time but also of his knowledge. “Doki” or “Doc B,” as he was fondly called by his colleagues at Premiere Medical Center, was a “walking medical dictionary,” said nurse Gelmark Olivares. He would answer their questions, guide them in treating patients, and mentor them with the growing knowledge he gets from constantly reading. 

Bactol was only stingy with one thing: words.

But what he lacked in expressing himself, he more than made up for in the way he cares for his loved ones. 

When he earned enough, he gifted his mother with an oven because she said she wanted to bake when he and his brothers were little. 

A torpe (shy) man, he courted his girlfriend by cooking hot meals and delivering them to her hospital duty. 

(R) Dr. Israel Bactol with girlfriend Dr. Lerma Iglesia. Photo from Dr. Lerma Iglesia's Facebook profile

“Steak, sinigang, iyan ang mga niluluto niya para sa akin. Dinengdeng o inabra, at iyong mga gulay na pinipitas niya sa bakuran,” Dr Lerma Iglesia, his girlfriend of two years, said. 

(Steak, tamarind pork stew, he cooked these for me. He also cooked sautéed vegetables, which he picked from their backyard.) 

Simple lang ang gusto niya. Ayaw niya ng masyadong luho sa buhay (He was a simple man. He did not go after luxuries in life). He was a simple man with simple dreams,” she added. 

Bactol and Iglesia met during their residency training. The couple had been together for two years and were already talking about getting married as soon as he finished at the Philippine Heart Center. 

“But God had better plans,” said Iglesias, who is also under quarantine during our phone interview. 

Contracting COVID-19 

It was uncertain how the doctor got the novel coronavirus. According to a Philippine Heart Center bulletin, Bactol did not come in direct contact with a COVID-19 patient. He was also not in the COVID ward.

His older brother Elijah Bactol said that he experienced body pains and was initially diagnosed with dengue. His condition worsened and he was brought to the intensive care unit on March 12. Just 9 days later, he passed away. His COVID test results came only two days before his death. 

Bactol was young but he was diabetic, according to Iglesias. That might have weakened his body’s resistance to the virus. 

The Philippine Heart Center and the Philippine Heart Association mourned his death as the community lost a young and promising cardiologist.

People close to him want the young physician to be remembered for his dedication to promote the most important values of the medical profession: service and compassion. 

“I take solace and comfort in the fact that he died doing what he loved – that is, saving people,” said Acosta. – Rappler.com

WATCH: Doctors serenade coronavirus frontliners amid fear, loss

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VOICING OUT HOPE. Medical doctors across the country, who are also alumni choir members, sing a popular Christian song to serenade frontliners. Screenshot grabbed from video courtesy of Kathlynne Anne Abat-Senen.

MANILA, Philippines – At a time when the medical community is beset by worry and fear over the coronavirus outbreak, a number medical doctors sang their hearts out to bring hope and courage to their colleagues on the front lines of the pandemic

Through a “virtual choirantine,” 21 alumni choir members and graduates of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine sang  “Lead Me Lord,” which was popularized by Basil Valdez.

“We believe that medicine cures the body but music heals the spirit.... We chose the song because it resonates our collective cry as health care workers in the time of the pandemic. We fear for the worst but we have hope that God will guide us,” said Kathlynne Anne Abat- Senen,  a neonatologist from the Philippine General Hospital.

As the number of confirmed cases continues to rise in the country, the deadly virus has taken away the lives of several medical doctors in the country. Senen said that the medical community is devastated by its loss. There are other medical professionals and workers who are either confined or in quarantine. 

Hoping to uplift their spirit, individual recordings made by each medical doctor in the group were stitched together to come up with the entire production. 

“We wanted to sing to uplift our spirits. We were devastated by the loss of our mentors. We decided to record individually and stitch the videos together. We had no idea it would touch so many lives,” Senen, who also took charge in editing the video, added. 

Hope in difficult times

It was not the first time that the acapella group turned to music to bring hope to others. Back when they were still in medical school, they would serenade their patients and mentors by going around different wards at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), 

“The choir has been our creative outlet amidst all the pressures of medical school. It gave us refuge and also a chance to heal ourselves. Because of that, we have formed tight bonds that went beyond med school. Up to now we keep in touch and try to get together for reunion concerts,” Senen said. 

Senen said that all proceeds from their reunion concerts were for the benefit of PGH patients.

With the challenges everyone faced today, the group hopes to also give encouragement to fellow frontliners as well as patients. 

“We hope this song gives hope and healing in this most trying time,” Senen said. 

She said the video recording which had been uploaded online received a lot of messages from its viewers expressing support. As of posting, the video has garnered at least 4,700 reactions, 3,000 shares, and over 60,000 views. 

“They say it gives them hope and courage knowing that we the doctors have not lost hope,” Senen added.

Senen continues to hope that the song would raise awareness on the daily struggles of health care workers who battle an unseen enemy with very little protection due the shortage in personal protective equipment.  She also called on the public to support the frontliners by donating PPEs and advocating for expanded testing. (READ: LIST: How to help healthcare workers, frontliners during coronavirus pandemic

“Help us heal you,” she said in a Facebook post. 

Those who are interested to donate may course it through the PGH Medical Foundation.

Here are the  doctors who took part in the video:

  1. Daryl Dagang - IM Endo, South Cotabato
  2. Jamine Cruz-Nalumen - Pathology, Bacolod
  3. Katrina Torres-Magno - Retina specialist; Angeles, Pampanga
  4. Jose Donato Magno - Cardiologist; Angeles, Pampanga
  5. Jae Salvan - GP, PharmaMed, Quezon City
  6. Marissa Elizabeth Lim - IM Nephro, Quezon City
  7. Eliza Mia Dejoras - IM Rheuma, Antipolo
  8. Rene Gerard Galera - Public Health-Nutrition Specialist, Parañaque City
  9. Margarita Echavez-Quitos - Cornea External Disease Specialist, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte
  10. Fernando B Serra III - Anesthesiology, Manila
  11.  Miguel Dimacali - GP, Metro Manila
  12. Gerald Abesamis - Plastic Surgery; Sta Rosa, Laguna
  13. Benjo Delarmente - GP/Health Policy; Baltimore, Maryland
  14. VJ Mercado - Academe - Parasitology/Biochemistry, Cavite
  15. GK Galvez Tan - Radiology, Metro Manila
  16. Joy Zeta - Nephrology; Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
  17. Patricia Anne Collantes-Concepcion - Ophthalmology/Glaucoma, La Union
  18. Christel Mendoza - Pediatrics, Metro Manila
  19. Recivall Salongcay - Ophthalmology/Vitreoretinal Surgery, Metro Manila
  20. Juan Paolo Lagunzad - IM Nephro, Quezon City
  21. Kathlynne Anne Abat Senen - Pediatrics Neonatology; Valenzuela, Bulacan

Senen also mentioned that the group is looking into having an entire repertoire soon. – Rappler.com 

'A people’s martyr': Dr Raul Jara celebrated for living, dying for his country

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MANILA, Philippines – When duty calls, Dr. Raul Jara, was always among the first to answer.

One of the country’s finest cardiologists, Jara did not hesitate to be in the front line as the coronavirus pandemic reached the Philippines. He was among the first to fall, heroically, as he tried to save the lives of those who fell ill from the deadly coronavirus disease.

Jara’s family, friends, colleagues, and patients paid tribute to him after he passed away on Monday, March 24.

The Philippine Heart Association described Jara as a pillar of Philippine cardiology, "one who has spent his life teaching."

In its statement, the association mourned his passing and called him a “great father, teacher, mentor, poet, author, singer, colleague, friend” who spent his life imparting wisdom to others.

Born into a family of achievers, Jara was consistently in the top section of his batch. He took up medicine at the University of the Philippines- Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) where he specialized in cardiology and later served as its training program chief.

His expertise in echocardiography, or the live imaging of the heart, eventually led him to work at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) where he became the chief of the non-invasive diagnostic cardiology division.

'Tower of strength, leadership'

For his daughter, Dr Ling Jara-Salva, he was a “tower of strength and leadership” who knew the extent of the battle he was facing but chose to carry on. She said her father’s memory should be defined not just by how he died but how he lived.

Jara-Salva's tribute was shared by friends, colleagues, and her father's former students including health reform advocate, Dr. Tony Leachon, in their social media posts.

 

Jara-Salva described her father as a model husband and father who always put his family first before himself. “He has a garden in front of our house, where he takes care of his plants and his dream for us was to be like the branches of the trees, outgrowing their trunk,” Jara-Salva said in her post.

She shared that her father dedicated his entire life to teaching and molding future doctors. “He believed in his students and would think of them as his children and the hope for the future generations,” she said.

An educator through and through, Jara eventually headed the education, training, and research department of the PHC where his exacting brand of excellence became renowned. “Sometimes even feared,” said his former student, Dr Jose Donato Magno.

Magno shared an article he wrote about Jara from 2013 where he talked about “the blueprint of a great teacher.”

Jara’s mere presence during conferences, Magno recounted, can send shivers down an unprepared presenter’s spine or waves of adulation from a promising protégé. 

“For him, the field of medicine was not meant for bystanders, but rather for those who actively pursue its truths and boldly face its controversies,” Magno said.

“Through his example, he has unwittingly given me a sneak peek into the blueprint of a teacher in the truest sense of the word—a teacher who strives for wisdom to attain mastery of the craft; a teacher who toils with fortitude to answer the difficult questions that lie ahead in his path; and a teacher who moves with gratitude to inspire his students in the pursuit of their own dreams,” Magno added.

'A people's martyr'

Kapatid, an advocacy group for political detainees, expressed their condolences and thanked Jara for being a doctor to political prisoners.

The progressive labor group, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), also paid tribute to Jara, who they hailed as a “people’s martyr. 

In a statement, KMU chair Elmer Labog said Jara was a “patriot and health worker par excellence” who once fought the Marcos dictatorship as an activist.

“No words can express our deepest sorrow in the passing of Dr. Raul Jara. He was a selfless and heroic doctor who died in the line of duty,” said Labog.

Labog blasted the lack of personal protective equipment and other measures to protect those in the front line in the fight against the coronavirus threat. (READ:  Left in the dark: Little protection for government's coronavirus frontliners

“The country is ill because the system serves the powerful and elite. With our unity and resolute struggle, we shall prevail and give Dr. Jara the highest honor as a martyr of the Filipino people,” Labog added.

Outpouring of grief

What makes it harder for people who lost a loved one to the coronavirus disease is that they could not even be together one last time.

There is no wake, there are no flowers, and if they are in quarantine themselves, no one to hold on to as they cry. The collective grief, instead, is felt online.

In a heart-warming post, Jara’s daughter-in-law Ria Casiño-Jara shared how he had personally attended to her as she gave birth to his grandchild, becoming her “doctor, advocate, and dad.” 

“Even in my semi-drugged state, I vividly remember that tall frame entering the delivery room and greeting everyone a warm and snappy good morning, scanning and taking everything in the room, reassuring me while checking with his stethoscope, and finally huddling with the doctors in hushed but urgent tones,” shared Casiño-Jara.

In the picture with my firstborn is his beaming grandfather, Dr. Raul Jara, taken in the operating room when Skywalker...

Posted by Ria Casiño Jara on Tuesday, March 24, 2020

“In the hospital, Papa is my person, the one I rely on the most and trust fully when things go south or directionless even, the one who reassures and comforts me and my side of the family and many other loved ones that everything will be okay under his care,” she said. “When he is there, I breathe better.”

Jara’s alma mater, UP Manila, released a statement celebrating his legacy, calling him an “indefatigable teacher, mentor, leader, and healer.”

Senator Risa Hontiveros also expressed her grief at the passing of her family’s cardiologist and reiterated the call for better working conditions for frontline medical workers like him.

Here are other tributes for the late doctor:

I woke up to news that he was gone. My phone was ringing and when I answered it, I heard my mom’s sad voice -- “Jill,...

Posted by Jill Santos on Tuesday, March 24, 2020

I received a text from my sister who is a pediatrician with this sad news. Dr. Jara was my cardiologist who treated me...

Posted by Liza Largoza Maza on Monday, March 23, 2020
 

It remains unclear how Jara got the viral infection. He was known to be very careful and practiced all health protocols. After experiencing the symptoms at home, Jara brought himself to the hospital.

Aside from Jara, at least nine other doctors have succumbed to the coronavirus disease, including anesthesiologist Dr Greg Macasaet and Pampanga health chief Dr Marcelo Jaochico. – Rappler.com

*TOP PHOTO: Photo of Dr Raul Jara with his colleagues first published on Dr Jose Donato Magno's blog entitled 'The blueprint of a great teacher'

Selfless until the end: Dr Rosalinda Pulido's calling to help others

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MANILA, Philippines – Responding to the call of those direly in need of help during the coronavirus outbreak, 46-year-old Dr Rosalinda “Rose” Pulido didn’t hesitate to join the frontliners in treating patients with the fast-spreading disease.

Seen by many as a compassionate and dedicated doctor, Pulido was a medical oncologist who devoted her time to aid those with cancer, and was known for attending to charity patients with care and attention.

In the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, she offered her remaining days on the front lines of San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City. Even when she started exhibiting symptoms of the disease and was self-quarantined, she was determined to recover and go back to the front lines to help her colleagues. 

“In two days probably, I would be cleared,” Dr Pulido said. “Antayin niyo ako, ako bahala diyan. (Wait for me, I’ll handle it.)” 

She did not make it. On March 21, she succumbed to the disease.

Her family said the selfless doctor was not just another statistic. (READ: 9 Filipino doctors die fighting at front lines vs coronavirus)

“Our sister is not just a COVID-19 patient number. She is a true hero – a selfless, compassionate, and dedicated doctor,” her family said.

“Her memory is not defined by how she died but how she lived. Her kindness, generosity, and compassion will always be remembered. We love you, Rosey, and we will continue the fight you tirelessly started,” added Kennard Quilao Felix, a friend of Pulido's.

Always compassionate and kind 

“Bunak,” as Pulido's friends and family called her, was the fifth of 8 siblings.

Described as the bravest and brightest among the Pulido family, she was exceptionally smart, having been a consistent honor student from elementary to high school.

She went on to take Biology at the University of Santo Tomas and graduated in 1993. She then studied medicine, with a specialization in oncology, at the De La Salle University in 1997, and was later voted as Best Resident during her residency program.

In an open letter posted on Facebook by her family, Pulido was described as one of the kindest and most selfless in the family, always catering to the needs of others – whether family or strangers. (READ: Beyond ultimate sacrifice, Dr Greg Macasaet remembered for his selflessness)

“You were a very compassionate, dedicated, patient, and caring doctor who devoted time to each patient, even charity patients. You had a sweet smile for everyone,” they added.

A calling to the front lines

Pulido initially wanted to become a marine biologist. True to her selfless nature, however, she decided to study medicine for the sake of her family. 

“We know that medicine was not your first choice and that you originally wanted to become a marine biologist studying whales, but you thought we needed a doctor in the family. To you, it is always others, before self,” Jeanie Pulido, one of her sisters, said. 

But becoming a doctor was a calling she learned to love. Eventually, she enjoyed the craft for the opportunity it gave to serve others. 

Pulido went on to treat cancer patients at the Cancer Institute of St Frances Cabrini Medical Center in Batangas, even leading clinical trials for cancer treatment.

“She was very active in doing events for our cancer patients. She was a strict but very kind person. Her advice and suggestions for the hospital really helped align some protocols of the hospital,” said Nida Carpio, Pulido's former executive secretary at St. Frances Cabrini Medical Center.

SMILE. Dr Rose Pulido, an oncologist, talks to a patient during one of her sessions. Photo from Ana Evangelista

Pulido knew that cancer treatment was, at best, draining and discouraging, including for the patient's loved ones, which was why she understood the importance of providing hope for them. 

“Some survive but for those who are in the late stage of cancer, at least I can serve as an instrument for them to extend their life and spend more time with their families," Pulido used to say when asked about her cancer patients. 

Selfless from the start

Pulido's selflessness also went beyond her family and work, as she helped fellow classmates and friends throughout her life. (READ: 'Doki to the barrios': Dr Israel Bactol's commitment to serve)

In a Facebook post, her schoolmate Charmaine Javier Linao recalled a time when Pulido helped her through rough times when they were taking their medicine courses. For her, she would never have been a general surgeon if it weren’t for Pulido.

“When my family became financially down, I was sheltered by Rose…She was my family and my inspiration at the lowest point in my life,” Linao said.

Pulido let her stay in her dorm, shared her resources, and offered financial assistance until her friend could stand on her own two feet. 

Tina Dem, a close friend also from medical school, remembered Rose’s selflessness in conversations prior to her death.

“Even though she was in bad shape, she still managed to keep [her real situation] from us. She probably didn’t want us to worry, so she told us she was better,” Dem said.

Dem, through a member of the hospital staff, then found out that she had been moved to the intensive care unit due to her worsening state.

To honor the late doctor, classmates, coworkers, and relatives recounted their memories with Pulido on social media, even making tribute videos to commemorate her work and life.

“Bunak is now an angel...I salute the way she lived her life – full of love, compassion, and kindness,” Jinky Jamir, another close friend from medicine school, said.

As of Sunday, March 29, there are 1,418 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease in the Philippines, with a death toll of 71. – Rappler.com

Ahmed Khan Cayongcat and Jiselle Anne Casucian are the News Editor and Features and Circle Editor, respectively, of The Varsitarian, the official school publication of the University of Santo Tomas. 

Pinukpok designer in Albay makes face masks, protective gear for frontliners

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PROTECT. Jean Alta of Kutur ni Jean showcases the sample of PPE intended for physicians responding to the coronavirus outbreak. Photo by Rhaydz B. Barcia/Rappler

LEGAZPI, Philippines– As supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) begin to dwindle due to the coronavirus pandemic, local pinukpok designer Jean Alta is putting her skills to good use to help frontliners in the city.

The 31-year-old designer is the woman behind Kutur ni Jean, which specializes in formal wear made from “pinukpok” or abaca fiber, which is shipped across the Philippines and abroad.

Due to the outbreak, Alta and her team began focusing on providing free face masks for frontliners, patients, journalists, market vendors, and village officials in several barangays in Albay. (READ: LIST: How to help healthcare workers, frontliners during coronavirus pandemic)

Given the continued rise of cases and the shortage of vital medical apparatus including PPEs at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH), Alta said they are gearing towards making PPEs for medical frotnliners. 

BRTTH is one of three referral hospitals in the region tapped by the Department of Health to handle patients with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. (READ: Filipinos find ways to improvise safety in the time of coronavirus)

“We are making 50 pieces of PPEs for BRTTH doctors provided by several donors. I’m also providing free face masks for medical frontliners, including patients. For now, I have more than 100 pieces of face masks but the Diocese of Legazpi will also be providing materials for face masks which we are rushing to donate,” she said.

The situation has gotten so dire that Dr Eric Roborar, Health Emergency Management Staff chief at BRRTH, had appealed to Bicolanos to donate P850 for the purchase of PPEs and other vital medical equipment for at least 500 frontliners through a fundraising campaign launched on March 22.

Dubbed “Tarabangan para sa frontliners (Help for frontliners)” the campaign seeks to help healthcare workers and frontliners during the coronavirus pandemic.

While Alta wants to provide free PPEs for medics, she is facing budgetary constraints to cover both the purchase of fabric materials and the provision of salaries for her team at Kutur ni Jean.

As her way of helping, Alta said that she will instead be making affordable PPEs for medics at P600. 

“Kutur ni Jean will produce affordable suits to help our frontliners. As much as we want to give it for free, we also need finances for the materials and laborers. That is why we are willing to give it for an affordable and cheaper price,” she said

FOR FRONTLINERS. Pinukpok designer Jean Alta in Legazpi City rushes to make PPEs for physicians and medical frontliners of Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital. Photo by Rhaydz B. Barcia/Rappler

Alta urged fashion designers to show their bayanihan spirit and join in helping frontliners who are responding to the outbreak by producing PPE suits as well. 

"As we face these difficult and trying times, everyone is called to help and support each other in whatever we can. We are also asking our co-fashion designers, couturiers and people in the same industry. Let us share our skills and talents by helping in the mass productions of suit and washable mask. We are also willing to lend PPE patterns. Together, we will fight COVID-19. Together, we will rise as one if we work together," Alta said.

Since the launching of Tarabangan para sa Frontliners, the fundraising campaign has generated P1,013,518 as of posting.

Geraldine Francia-Naron, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) public relation officer in Bicol, said the corporation has also released P351,929,930.59 to assist 11 hospitals across the region to respond to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease here, following a request from Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda. 

These were mainly given to DOH-identified referral hospitals for COVID-19 such as Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi, Bicol Medical Center in Naga City, Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatic Medical Center (formerly Bicol Sanitarium).

The BRTTH was received P101,986,381.04 in funding from Philhealth to assist them in attending to the outbreak.

““This is to help them respond to the increase of COViD-19 cases in the country. The amount is equivalent to 3 months' worth of claims based on historical data, which will be charged to their future claims,” Naron told Rappler.

As of March 29, there are 4 confirmed coronavirus cases in Bicol, with 17 persons under investigation and 105,566 persons under monitoring. – Rappler.com

[OPINION] Social distancing as a form of social exclusion

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Up until a few days ago, the World Health Organization repeatedly emphasized “social distancing” in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Broadly defined, social distancing is understood as maintaining a distance of least a meter for individuals in a social interaction.

Professor Filomin Gutierrez of the UP Diliman’s Department of Sociology quickly questioned the use of social distancing. She elaborated that in social sciences, social distance determines the strength and depth of inclusion, family, engagement, and trust in a community. Social distance also implies the perceived distinction between one’s and other people’s identities, unfamiliarity with others, and even the degree of closeness with others. 

For many, "social distancing" may appear as a very neutral term, but social distance is also illustrative of asymmetric power relations, access to resources, and willingness to accept and interact with a stigmatized group (e.g. Magee and Smith, 2013 and Coventry and Case, 2020). Thus, maintaining social distance in human interactions can potentially exacerbate existing prejudices and discrimination. More importantly, the sense of dissimilarity felt by high-power individuals may result in further loss of empathy on the plight of low-power individuals (Magee and Smith, 2013). (READ: [OPINION] Let’s not forget the poor during the coronavirus pandemic)

Not surprisingly, during the March 20 briefing of the WHO, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove emphasized the need to shift from social distancing to physical distancing to stop people from transmitting the COVID-19 virus to one another. Kerhove further emphasized that they want family and friends to remain socially connected through technology, in this time of crisis. Closer to home, Prof. Gutierrez recommended the use of the term “interpersonal physical distancing.” 

While the WHO started to veer away from “social distancing” to the more appropriate term of “physical distancing,” the emerging management of this health emergency is replete with illustrations of unevenness in accessing basic resources, and powerlessness of the most vulnerable groups to weather the situation. 

Admittedly, the social protection program coverage of the Philippines has improved in the last few years. However, people who work in the informal sector still lack adequate protection and inclusion in risk insurance schemes (World Bank, 2018). There is also the absence of social safety nets for the daily-wage earners who are barred from going to their places of work due to the expanded community quarantine. (READ: [ANALYSIS] The Philippine gov't should get cash into the hands of the poor, now)

These economic shocks have dire consequences on the most vulnerable groups, including the children and the older members of the households who need adequate nutrition, to ward off the possible attack of the COVID-19 virus. For these groups, the sense of isolation is not only social but also economic as well.

What the numbers are telling us? How dire is the situation?

Illustrative is the case of one city in Metro Manila where disadvantaged households needed to make adjustments to respond to economic disruptions. Based on the survey conducted by the Ateneo de Manila University’s Community Welfare, Wellness, and Well-Being Laboratory (CW3) in September 2018, the majority (63.14%) of these households were already struggling with various degrees of food insecurity with a quarter (24.68%) classified as severely food insecure. 

After the onset of high food-price inflation in 2018, between February and September, food insecurity increased from 63.14% to 75.97%, which means that the majority of the households lack consistent access to enough nutritious and healthy food. 

While many are able to work from home during the ECQ period, not everyone has that same option. The vulnerability of these daily-wage earners is very glaring in these difficult times. They do not get any income when they do not show up for work,  and together with workers in the informal economy, they find themselves, and to a certain extent their respective families, with no source of income. 

Thus, the impact of ECQ on food insecurity is expected to be much worse compared with the 2018 high food price inflation. In the sampled households, 64% have at least one member who is a daily wage earner which translates into P2,638.31 loss in the weekly income. For 14% of the households with two daily wage earners,  the estimated loss in weekly income is double at P5,276.62.

There is also the 23% of the households with at least one member in elementary occupation or an informal worker. For this group, the weekly income loss is about P1,572.43. By all indications, this pattern is repeated many times in other cities and municipalities in the country.

The plight of the most vulnerable groups is further exacerbated by the difficulty of maintaining physical distancing in crowded areas where many of them reside. In 2016, the UN estimated that around 43.5% of the urban population in the Philippines are residing in slums characterized by overcrowding with poor ventilation. Meanwhile, there are about 4 physicians per 1,000 people, and for the most vulnerable groups, health insurance provided by the government remains very low. For example, only 8% of informal workers and 6% of senior citizens in the country have PhilHealth coverage (National Demographic and Health Survey, 2017).

While there are compelling reasons to practice physical distancing to abate the spread of COVID-19, the vulnerabilities currently experienced by a significant portion of our population is very much illustrative of social distancing by virtue of their lack of access to the much-needed health and economic resources.

Social connectedness in the time of COVID-19

Now more than ever, as everyone is reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to foster a greater sense of connectedness, though not of the physical kind. Through technology and the power of the internet, there are different modalities to maintain a strong link with the outside world despite the imposed physical isolation needed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

There is much comfort in knowing that one can tap their existing network of friends and family for mutual trust and support. As a final solution appears to be still a long way off, the same level of mutual trust and support should ideally also extend to the representatives of both local and national governments.

At this point, the people do not need further threats to exacerbate the fear and insecurities that they can barely manage. What they actually need is the reassurance that someone is looking after their wellbeing. Such is a fail-safe way to soften the social and economic isolation currently being experienced by the most vulnerable groups in the country.

In short, there is a need for leadership with a high degree of empathic accuracy in understanding,  and at the same time, capable of responding well to the plight of the people, most especially the least protected ones. – Rappler.com

Leslie A. Lopez is an Assistant Professor with the Development Studies Program and a Research Associate at the Institute of Philippine Culture, both at the Ateneo de Manila University.  


Meet 4 women on the frontlines of PH's battle vs the coronavirus

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MANILA, Philippines – In a race against time, women are heeding the call to war against the coronavirus pandemic.

In the Philippines, as March ends, the cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, has surpassed 1,000 – from only 3 cases at the beginning of the month. (READ: 343 new coronavirus cases in PH, bringing total to 1,418)

Frontliners, experts, and individuals are exhausting efforts to protect and save the public from infection.

As Women’s Month comes to a close, Rappler honors 4 Filipinas who are at the forefront of the country’s battle against the pandemic.

 

Celia Carlos

Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) director Celia Carlos. Photo from RITM official website

Dr Celia Carlos is the director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), the research arm of the Department of Health (DOH), and arguably the most hectic facility in the country lately.

As the country's national reference laboratory for infectious and tropical diseases, the RITM plays a significant role in addressing the coronavirus crisis. Until last week , the RITM had been the only institution in the country duly accredited by the World Health Organization (WHO) to test samples for COVID-19. (READ: Where are testing centers for coronavirus in PH?)

Assuming the highest post in a most critical institution, Carlos has been a subject of a few controversies.

There were speculations that amid the shortage of test kits for possibly infected patients,  Health Secretary Francisco Duque III relieved Carlos of duty for supposedly refusing to prioritize VIPs or government officials in the administration of tests. Duque denied after he was criticized on social media for naming an OIC despite Carlos' presence.

Netizens have since rallied behind Carlos, who was praised for her integrity despite pressure from the higher-ups. (READ: VIP treatment in coronavirus testing not a policy, says DOH

 

Maria Rosario Vergeire

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES. DOH Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire gives updates on the status of the novel coronavirus in the Philippines on February 17, 2020. Photo by Mara Cepeda/Rappler

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire makes her daily appearance in press briefings as the health department’s spokesperson. Aside from keeping the public up to date with the latest total cases of COVID-19, deaths, and recoveries, Vergeire’s job is to explain issues, like mass testing, in terms that the general public understands. (READ: Coronavirus mass testing not needed for now – DOH)

Vergeire has also shown relative transparency with regards to backlogs and challenges that the Department of Health (DOH) is facing. For instance, she had earlier admitted that reports of delays in test results were true, despite DOH’s previous claim that results would be available within 24 to 48 hours. (READ: DOH admits PH health care system 'challenged' by virus testing demand)

Filipinos online have since been commending Vergeire for being straightforward and for diligently answering questions, even the ones that deal with matters that the DOH has been criticized for. (READ: After backlash, DOH studying increase in health workers pay)

 

Analyn Asok

Xavier University (XU) - Ateneo de Cagayan Chemistry Department Chairperson Analyn Asok. Photo from Xavier University official website

Groups and experts have stepped up to help address the shortage of supplies and protective gear for the frontliners. (READ: PH youth step up: Scientists, engineers fill gaps in coronavirus response)

Among these groups is Dr Analyn Asok’s team from Xavier University (XU) in Cagayan de Oro, which took the initiative to produce local versions of ethyl and isopropyl alcohol for the health workers in Northern Mindanao. (READ: Xavier University produces rubbing alcohol to shield health workers from coronavirus)

Asok, the chairperson of XU Chemistry Department, led the initiative along with fellow chemists and experts to aid the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), the COVID-19 referral hospital in the region, which was experiencing a shortage in supply of rubbing alcohol. (READ: Northern Mindanao's largest public hospital saves lives against the odds)

Asok’s team did what they could with the limited materials available from their laboratory, and with the help of the campus’ biology department. They produced 32 bottles of 70% ethanol and 11 bottles of 70% isopropanol with moisturizer, all of which adhere to WHO’s recommended formulation. They are set for hand over their donations to the NMMC.

The team is planning to expand their production with the help of other departments in the university.

 

Kathlyn Valdez

Kathlyn Valdez works as a nurse at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). Photo from Kathlyn Valdez

At least 9 doctors in the Philippines have succumbed to the virus in the line of duty. (READ: 9 Filipino doctors die fighting at front lines vs coronavirus)

Kathlyn Valdez knows this – that the dangers the medical frontliners face are graver this time around. A nurse at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for two years now, she is assigned in a ward that was recently converted into a unit that caters to COVID-19 patients. (READ: PGH accepts DOH's request to be coronavirus referral hospital)

Valdez said that the first few days of the Luzon-wide lockdown were especially difficult for them – on top of the escalating fear and panic brought about by the crisis, many health workers had to face the ordeal of going to work when mass transportation had been suspended. (READ: Frontliners in a bind: Health workers fined P5,000 for backriding)

Among the challenges that hospital workers like her face, Valdez said, is the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPEs), which, if not addressed, would place the frontliners in more serious danger, the WHO have warned . (READ: DOH assures hospitals of PPEs for coronavirus response)

The overall lack of support for the frontliners also shows in inadequate compensation offered by the government. There's also the emerging issue of discrimination against frontliners, cases of which are becoming more violent. (READ: After bleach thrown at personnel's face, Sultan Kudarat hospital condemns discrimination)

But amid these challenges, Valdez said the frontliners would nonetheless continue the fight until the enemy is defeated.

"This must be one of the most challenging battles that our institution has ever faced," said Valdez, "but we are giving our best efforts to fight this." – Rappler.com

[OPINION] Anticipating the aftermath of the pandemic through a human rights response

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On March 27, 2020, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made a statement defending President Rodrigo Duterte’s appointment of military men to lead the national policy against COVID-19. Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., former AFP Chief and current presidential adviser on the peace process was designated by Malacañang as Chief Implementer of the Philippines’ declared national policy to combat COVID-19. Former generals Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Secretary Eduardo Año are also part of the National Action Plan, as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.

Panelo said that “We are in state of war against an unseen enemy and we need men and women trained in the art of warfare.” This pronouncement effectively affirms the military complexion and character of the Philippine government’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The rhetoric of “war” in the middle of the current pandemic is not unique to the Philippines. US President Donald Trump has dubbed himself a “wartime president” on a mission to defeat an enemy. 

Utilizing the language of conflict in the context of a global health crisis poses an additional threat to the stability of societies today and reveals a fundamental character of the present world – that governments have always been prepared to wage war, but less so to deal with crises in peacetime. Placing the use of force at the forefront of a response might also likely result in consequences such as an increase in human rights violations and the disruption of the fabric of society. 

“We need the PNP and the military as they have the discipline, the organization, the manpower, and the equipments to implement the measures that the government has established,” Panelo further stated. With its monopoly of coercive force, the police and military must continue to discharge their role as duty-bearers of human rights. 

The Bayanihan To Heal As One Act, signed by President Rogrido Duterte last March 24, 2020, has effectively placed the Philippines under a state of emergency through a law. United Nations experts have advised that in the use of emergency powers by States, they must endeavor to prevent “excessive powers to become hardwired into legal and political systems” by making restrictions “narrowly tailored and should be the least intrusive means to protect public health.” This means the use of methods that are “proportionate, necessary, and non-discriminatory” to contain the spread of the virus.

However, various accounts of alleged abuse and violations committed by police and military have already cropped up in social media since the implementation of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. These violations range from arbitrary deprivation of liberty to gender-based harassment. If left unchecked and unabated, these patterns of abuse might give rise to yet another trend of large-scale human rights violations in the Philippines. (READ: Over 17,000 coronavirus lockdown violators arrested in PH)

An important question now that needs to be asked is: where will we find ourselves in the aftermath of the pandemic in terms of human rights? It might not be far off that with the use of “waging war” as a rhetoric, social and political structures of today would have to adapt and change like those in post-conflict societies. 

While untested for situations of natural calamities and disasters, the framework of transitional justice might provide important insights on steps moving forward. Transitional justice refers to the full range of judicial and non-judicial measures carried out to deal with a legacy of human rights abuses for societies under transformation and transition. Such measures include truth commissions, prosecutions, memorialization, and institutional reform. A society that has been exposed to collective trauma will have to find itself carrying, hopefully, a shared learning of lessons of the past. 

As we are in the middle of an unpredictable situation and our institutions operate in crisis mode, it is up to advocates and practitioners in the field of human rights to take up the mantle of hypervigilance for the preservation of rights and monitoring of abuses. Practices and learnings from the government’s so-called war on drugs could be useful, for instance, in terms of preserving collective memory and documenting violations of human rights. Whatever we will learn from these efforts will help us map out politically, legally, and socially our next steps into the future. Additionally, it will help keep track on who has to be accountable once we find ourselves facing a radically changed society. (READ: CHR says U.N. resolution vs drug war 'opportunity' to improve PH situation)

An analogous application of the mechanisms used by transitioning societies could also help inform and recalibrate the future of humanitarian responses for segments of the population that will be hit hardest by the pandemic. Such responses should be crafted with precision and sensitivity to the needs of those who will be affected. The mechanisms could also be expanded not just to address abuses of civil and political rights, but also to ensure the State’s continued fulfillment of its duty to secure economic, social, and cultural rights.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that with respect to responses to COVID-19, “Human dignity and rights need to be front and center in that effort, not an afterthought.” Society will be tested as it heeds the call to uphold dignity and rights. More than ever, commitments to such principles must remain firm and steady – for in the aftermath of the crisis, our very humanity could be at stake. – Rappler.com

Ross Tugade is a lawyer in the human rights sector and a graduate student of law focusing on transnational crime and justice.

 

[OPINION] Putting the 'community' back in the enhanced community quarantine

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My mom, who hails from Bicol, has experienced being forced to stay home or evacuate during Mayon Volcano's eruptions. However, she tells me that in facing today's public health crisis, she's "unaccustomed." She constantly goes to me and asks me to explain to her what "enhanced community quarantine" means. If the resolution isn’t obeyed, what are the repercussions? And the list just grows longer and longer, day by day while we are locked in our own home to wait ‘til the quarantine protocol is lifted. 

Aside from the ongoing efforts to lessen COVID-19 cases from affecting a greater population and putting Filipinos at risk, the bigger picture that our public servants should take into consideration is the impact this pandemic is creating on the communities being left behind. They must look at the urban and rural poor, Filipinos who rely on their informal sector jobs, and people living below minimum wage who, like my mother, have absolutely no idea about the "how to's" in dealing with this novel virus socially, mentally, and economically. The coronavirus' taking their livelihood away is for them the only downside to this pandemic . 

In the past week of the quarantine, I've noticed that the marginalized sector often relies on what their neighbors see on TV about COVID-19. Most of the time, they fall prey to fake news surrounding their sitios, or unverified videos and chain messages circulating on Facebook. Unfamiliarity with the imposed circumstances and constant misinformation can lead to serious problems we might overlook. 

Remember, laborers and workers have resisted staying at home, and despite the agony the virus can bring, continue to work “normally.” A lot of people have criticized them, calling them selfish, illiterate, and “pasaway/matigas ang ulo,” as if they really wanted to risk their necks outside. Either way, these workers could die: work outside and get the virus, or stay inside and die from hunger. (READ: [OPINION] Let’s not forget the poor during the coronavirus pandemic)

Moreover, in my barangay, patrols roam around, announcing, “Huhulihin po ang mga aso para hindi na kumalat ang virus," and “Wala na pong pupunta ng computer shop, bawal po mag-inuman sa kalsada, manatili lamang po sa inyong mga bahay.”

Yes, the messaging is straightforward but do we really think that what we do routinely, and on a normal basis, can just be halted by reprimanding announcements and weak communication measures? It could have been more productive if on-the-ground announcements were about how to prevent catching the virus, what the infection pathways are, who to contact locally, what the specific domestic precautions are, etc.

What are the most important questions relevant to the underrepresented? What are the practical questions they have in mind which are not being addressed? 

What can help? A “community-centered” response 

Beyond securing effective communication tools, and producing rapid change in managing this pandemic – the ongoing enhanced community quarantine should look into understanding the protocol's keyword itself: "community.” A concrete and definitive community-centered response can be one of the most effective interventions in our context. This enables us to look beyond developing mobile applications and analyzing statistical projections of COVID-19 cases, which are, more often than not, not immediately relevant or important to the communities/marginalized sector.

Community-centered response aims to prioritize the vulnerable, the poor, and women to successfully mobilize local, and in our context, barangay-level security and active involvement. 

In Liberia, community-centered response was one of their key tickets out of the Ebola crisis. The response highlights effective “risk communication.” Their strategy is very simple. They organized the key actors in the community and let them do informal surveys, identifying key issues highlighting people’s in-depth fear and the roots of the stigma, soliciting behavior patterns, and understanding community-based culture, values, and collective motivation. 

The strategy also aimed to achieve community self-reliance and to build a bottom-to-top approach by cultivating a culture of caregiving. This response prioritizes prevention of further cases and protecting the current community situation outside the confirmed cases. 

However, we have to take into account that Ebola and COVID-19 have keen differences in terms of severity and transmission. 

How do we replicate this in PH? 

In the Philippines, the Department of Health has heavily relied on social media to produce and reproduce information materials for the public. While Viber, Facebook, and Twitter have enormous reach, we can’t deny the fact that we are still preaching to the same crowd over and over again. Social distancing has restricted our mobility, but it isn’t an accepted excuse to further the class divide and to prevent decent and accurate information from reaching others with no access to social media. 

We've seen how groups, institutions, and individuals have mobilized donation drives, offered free online psychosocial support, and filled in the financial gaps that have kept our fellow Filipinos from getting their most basic necessities. And while our collective effort has reached thousands of our kababayans, these efforts alone aren’t enough. 

How do we visualize a community-centered response in the Philippines? We first have to understand how we respond and communicate the risks. 

1. Each unit of the society should have a clear role. Provincial and municipal health officers are our frontliners in this response. One of the key objectives is to standardize response through the directive of provincial health offices. Barangay health workers (BHWs) shall be at the forefront as well. My experience with BHWs is that they are technically volunteers with minimum pay. We have to deploy them and pay them full time because they have full knowledge of their communities, sitios, and compounds. Subdivision housing association members can also be second in line. In rural cases, chieftains, chief leaders, IP leaders can also lead and coordinate with the barangay. In Libon, Albay a Barangay Health Emergency Response Team was formed even before the quarantine in NCR was enacted. 

2. The mass number of donation drives is an opportunity to interact with beneficiaries and at the same time provide relevant info dissemination/pamphlets that’s easy to understand. Translating the materials to one’s own mother tongue is preferable but we need to ensure that these materials reflect massively on the perceptions, identities, fear, stigma, and information needs of our communities. 

3. Protocols that are community-centric mean they are clearly adjusted to the local demands. For one, we need to adjust to the local ways of mobility. The use of tricycles and pedicabs are practical and can pass through small eskinitas and hard-to-reach parts of the localities. Many have also rallied that tricycles are effective in observing social distancing measures. 

4. Inclusion of detailed contingency planning and thorough community-care. This includes localizing mass testing, and building testing centers per city/municipality. Community-care shall include the roles of family members with or without a COVID case in the family. Filipinos' close familial ties shall be recognized and should be used to the community’s advantage by making family members first responders as well. Upfront participation of social protection workers are also essential in monitoring community quarantine measures. 

In a community-centered response, total lockdown isn’t advisable. As what we are currently experiencing, it only perpetuates human rights violations. Lockdown masked as enhanced quarantine also produces stigma and violence at home. Conflicting individuals also tend to hide the disease because a lockdown only generates an image of “kahihiyan” (shame). A lockdown only adds to the wider class divide and privilege of access. 

What we propose under this response is collective and centralized community effort to mass produce awareness raising, prevention, and response measures. 

Our current version of the enhanced community quarantine has no sense of "community" at all. What we hope for is an institutionalized “bayanihan” – involving the most affected and basic units of our society in communicating, mobilizing, and decision-making. 

To end this pandemic, we must first eliminate communicative inequality: a symptom that has contributed to the cause of wider health disparities rooted in our health system. 

My Lolo, despite already in his late 70s, is still an active farmer. He’s also leading their town’s senior citizen coalition in Bicol. Will he ever have enough resources at hand for him to fully understand that this awful pandemic is harmful their age group? 

He and so many other Filipinos are why we should shift to a community-centered response in order to combat COVID-19. – Rappler.com

Jona Turalde is an anthropology student and reproductive health advocate. She is the youngest board member and champion of the SheDecides movement. Public health policies and women’s human rights are her favorite conversation starters. She tweets at @jonaturalde.

[OPINION] Who will produce our food during the coronavirus crisis?

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When it comes to the Department of Agriculture's (DA) call for stronger farm-to-market links amid the pandemic, we have to remember that the production side needs to be strengthened as well.

The government should prepare for the worst. There must be a comprehensive plan from the government for sustaining the food supply in the country. We need to have a planned agri-fishery production system as soon as possible to avoid food shortage amid the lockdown. Remember, there is no magic in food production. (READ: [OPINION] Let’s not forget the poor during the coronavirus pandemic)

In this time of crisis, the government should mobilize not only the health care frontliners who fight the virus, but also the frontline workers in the agricultural and fishery sector who can fight hunger in the long run.

The DA should allocate a budget for continuous agricultural production and mobilize the country’s agriculture and fishery sector’s frontline workers (both urban and rural), such as farmers, fisherfolk, agricultural scientists, and agricultural engineers, to ensure that essential food supplies continue to be available for all Filipinos, especially the poor, if things get worse.

This crisis is projected to last for not only a month, but 3 or more months. If the situation gets worse, the country's food security is at risk.  

Who will produce food for the people?

For a long time, people in highly urbanized areas like Metro Manila were mainly dependent on the people in rural areas in terms of food supply. They do not produce their own food, but are instead consumers of the agricultural products produced by the rural areas.

It's about time that people residing in urban areas engage in urban agriculture while they practice home quarantine. They can use the vacant spaces in their homes – rooftops included – to plant at least green leafy vegetables for their own consumption. Vertical farming is the key to maximize their limited space.

People in the rural areas, in the meantime, should continue to plant vegetables, root crops, etc. to produce a sufficient amount of agricultural products for their own consumption and to supplement the needed agricultural products in urban areas. Likewise, fisherfolk should also be mobilized to ensure that there is enough supply of fishery products. Of course, social distancing must be observed in all these instances.

Who else?

Through CHED, all agricultural state universities and colleges (SUCs), including UPLB, should also be mobilized by the government. They can use their resources (scientists, engineers, experts, land, technologies, etc.) to engage in agricultural production to produce more food for the people.

Our frontliners might win their fight against the coronavirus in the long run, but there is another fight that we still need to face and win: the fight against hunger. – Rappler.com  

Ronald Esmas Garcia is an Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer by profession and currently an instructor in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department of Bataan Peninsula State University.

[OPINION] Our BPO workers are essential in this pandemic

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We've passed the second week of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), and we BPO workers have already transitioned to work-at-home arrangements, working in shifts following company and government directives.

We’ve been busy helping our counterparts in the Visayas and Mindanao prepare for their own lockdown experiences. After all, we who are first to face difficulties should do everything to ensure that those who will inevitably follow are better equipped to face their trials. 

Even at this moment, some businesses are still operating, requiring their employees to report on-site. I remember the stories on Facebook of a supermarket cashier who had to walk from Pasay to Makati just to report to work, and of the delivery boys who had do their delivering on foot. (READ: Frontliners in a bind: Health workers fined P5,000 for backriding)

And like them, BPO workers provide essential services during this pandemic. 

Most people think that BPO companies are inconsiderate because they continue to operate even nowI understand the sentiment. I truly do. But why single us out? 

“Hindi rin ba tayo frontliner? Ano bang akala nila, sila lang ang nagtatrabaho? Na sila lang ang essential?” one of my colleageus chatted in exasperation. (READ: [OPINION] No to frontliner-shaming!)

Gross misconceptions

Last Wednesday, my internet connection acted up and I had to contact the network service provider. After a few minutes, an agent picked up the line, asked about my concern, and together, we proceeded to do the troubleshooting steps – to no avail.

“Teka lang, sir, tawagin ko po ‘yung supervisor ko," she said. 

I smiled and asked, “Ah, so pumapasok pa rin kayo on-site?” 

No answer. After a few minutes, we did another round of troubleshooting that solved my problem.

From solving internet problems, to taking food orders, to answering insurance inquiries and government service-related questions, there will always be a contact center agent ready to help you solve your problems in the midst of this pandemic. Kaya kung gagamit po kayo ng ruler, make sure po to use the same ruler for all. ‘Wag naman po short plastic ruler ang pang-measure at pamalo 'nyo sa iba, tapos sa amin long metal ruler; nasaan ang hustisya? 

Contrary to popular belief, BPO workers, our frontline agents, do not merely answer calls – we provide solutions systematically, creatively, and with increasing empathy at every moment. We endure bad, unreasonable behavior. We endure insults, racial slurs, and condescending comments even from fellow employees from other sectors. (Ay call center agent. Ah taga-BPO. In the name of all workers, I rebuke you!) Human labor, in all its forms, even within this dehumanizing global capitalist system, has a dignity of its own that should be upheld at all times. 

Please understand: this COVID-19 pandemic is the first of its kind and every measure we take continues to be a work in progress. Work from home arrangements are not as easy as it sounds. BPOs work with highly confidential information and it is our duty to be the champions of data security. We have security policies and protocols that must be followed – add to this the challenges in equipment and network infrastructure.

In a normal situation, employees work in shifts and take turns using company equipment. But network connectivity continues to remain a challenge for work-at-home arrangements. A secure, reliable, and stable internet connection is needed. This setup also holds true for other industries that rely heavily on an internet connection for their operations. And given the expensive but sorry state of our internet, we try to make do with what we have.

A lot of workers continue to work despite and through this pandemic to sustain their lives, and in so doing help us access necessary products and services. We can cry out of frustration, but at some point, we understand that while businesses could and should shell out generously in times like this, unplanned spending, cutting, stalling, and suspending operations can lead to reduced take-home pay, and worse, bankruptcy and closure for our workplaces.

And if some BPO sites continue to be staffed by agents on different shifts, their welfare and safety are of the utmost priority. Free and proper food and accommodations are ensured on-site. Testing and medical services incurred due to COVID-19 are covered by health care insurance. Shuttle services are provided and salaries, benefits, and other incentives have been released early and fast for all employees.

I have no illusions about the goodness of people, and business altruism is something that I always question. But what I am certain of is that we do not lack good people who try as hard as they can to strike a balance in protecting the lives and livelihood of their fellow employees in times like this. And at the end of the day, some people will need to make the hard calls to make sure everyone has a workplace to return to once this pandemic ends. – Rappler.com

Dom Balmes is a communications professional in the BPO industry and a struggling writer.

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