Philippines records highest one-day tally of coronavirus cases

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippines records its highest one-day tally of coronavirus cases on Friday, March 26, 2021, with 9,838 new cases.

Total cases now at 702,856.

Almost 10K cases in a day. More than a year of pandemic. And yet this admin keeps on believing the falsehood that they made that we are “excellently handling” this pandemic. 

This is the result of incompetence and hubris. This is the government's failure.

Shocking that there are still people who are rooting for this current administration that still have the audacity to make face on screen. GRABE NA!

Scary na talaga sa panahon ngayon lalo na when you have unprofessional government officials who are running the country making bleh faces on TV. Disgusting!

Frontliners cried upon hearing the news na almost 10K yung positive today.

“umiiyak na kami. pagod na pagod na kami.”

Please let’s do our part in minimizing this outbreak.

It’s what we fear. What’s alarming is some of the severe cases who are admitted are young people without comorbidities.

The fastest way to slow down transmission is to implement ECQ for 2 weeks at least. It's bad for the economy but if we don't do it, our healthcare system will collapse in a week time.

Hospitals are running out of beds, facilities and equipments. There should be a sense of urgency at this time.

As the country breaks again its record for the highest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases, we are calling on the government to expand its testing scope and healthcare capacity to avoid overwhelming hospitals. 

Two weeks ago, the spokesman of president Duterte claimed the government's pandemic response has been "excellent."

“We did a very good job given that... we lack health facilities and we lack funds for the health sector,” Harry Roque said.

Magyabang ka pang vhaklang 'to!

Then.....now:

JUST IN: CHED allows 24 colleges, universities to hold limited face-to-face classes beginning second semester of AY 2020-2021.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera says these schools can "bring their third and fourth year students for hands-on training and laboratory classes." 

DOST develops S-PaSS for easy coordination in areas with different travel restrictions

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Our right to travel has now become a privilege because of this pandemic. What we should not neglect is our creativity, collab opportunities, and care for our fellow men inspite of the struggles and disappointments. 

Let us also use technology to aid us in our quest for convenience and efficiency in our mobility requirements. We have to level up, digitize and implement technology to surpass the challenges.

The S-PaSS is a one-stop online communication and coordination platform for travelers, LGU and the PNP, developed by DOST to efficiently manage our travels.

Even with the vaccine, and when this pandemic is over, the possibilities using S-PaSS are promising.

Imagine all LGUs connected as one, making the processing of travel requirements fast and easy. We prefer to transact within the convenience of an app rather than fall in line to long queues at different establishments just to secure a travel permit from our location to or through different cities or provinces. We deserve better than this.

With 40 provinces already on board as adaptors of this technology, I'm looking forward to a better way to travel with the help of the S-PaSS.

The Department of Science and Technology developed the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage or S-PaSS, an innovative travel management system for local travelers who are returning to or visiting different localities in time for the holidays, for vacation or for business.

The S-PaSS is a travel management system that can facilitate local travel where the public can access information on travel restrictions implemented by different Local Government Units (LGU) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The S-PaSS is not a contract tracing system like the StaySafe.ph which is a community-driven contact tracing, health condition reporting and social distancing system being adopted by LGUs and also approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases or IATF.

As a travel management system, the S-PaSS will facilitate a safe, swift, and smart coordination of travels to the destination LGUs. Travelers can check the travel restrictions of their destination through https://s-pass.ph. 

If the final destination has restricted travel policy, the traveler can now apply for a Travel Coordination Permit (TCP) through the S-PaSS. The TCP now replaces the previously required Travel Authority. 

On the other hand, if the final destination of the traveler is classified as unrestricted but will have to pass through restricted LGUs before reaching their final destination, travelers should also apply for a Travel Pass-Through Permit (TPP) aside from securing the TCP required by the place of final destination.

Previously, LGUs issue the Travel Authority to local travelers including returning Overseas Filipino Workers, locally stranded individuals, and emergency travelers. With the adoption of S-PaSS by the IATF, S-PaSS will allow the LGUs now to issue the Travel Coordination Permit (TCP) to replace the previously required Travel Authority.

To use the S-PaSS, travelers just need to register using their personal mobile number. They have to check the documents required by the LGU they are going to, apply for the TCP, and submit it through the website. Most LGUs have contact numbers for easy coordination and verification of the status of approval of their TCP. However, the length of time for the approval of the TCP may vary depending on the LGU where the traveler is going to. The DOST, as the developer of the system, is not responsible for how long or how fast the LGUs will approve the traveler’s TCP. 

DOST Regional Office VI has started conducting several trainings to educate the LGUs on how to use the S-PaSS since they will be the primary service provider for the said system.

The S-PaSS is a system that will also provide the LGUs real-time monitoring of all incoming travelers to the respective localities while the system will also provide the travelers their travel history.

DOST’s S-PaSS was institutionalized by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Emerging Infectious Diseases through Resolution No. 101 last February 26, 2021 as a one-stop communication and coordination platform for travelers and Local Government Units (LGUs).  DOST is now coordinating directly with LGUs for the activation of their accounts and for the full roll-out.  Likewise, necessary orientation as well as trainings for the LGUs are being conducted for the full implementation of S-PaSS. 

The formal launch of the S-PaSS will be held on 26 March 2021 at 3:30PM via DOST-Philippines Facebook page to be attended by high-ranking officials from the DOST, Department of Interior and Local Government, League of Provinces of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines, local chief executives, the media and other partners and stakeholders. 

(S&T Media Service)

By Joy M. Lazcano, DOST-STII

#ScienceforthePeople #SPASS

DOST Region VI

#RestoreTheSnyderVerse now above 1 Million Tweets

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“You will give the people of Earth an ideal to strive towards. They will race behind you, they will stumble, they will fall. But in time, they will join you in the sun, Kal. In time, you will help them accomplish wonders.” 

#RestoreTheSnyderVerse now! We are legitimately the best fandom in the world. So much raw passion and dedication. 

#RestoreTheSnyderVerse crosses 1M tweets as fans campaign for Warner Bros to let Zack Snyder finish his DCEU plan.

WB is just being stupid and stubborn at this point. Literally this movie put them back on the map and they’re willing to overlook it because of resentment.

The thing is, do they even care? I don't think they really care about this anymore, despite the demand for it, but again, I hope the Snyderverse does continue.

They care about $ and if today's proved anything it's that there's a truckload of money waiting for them if they greenlight the sequels. They'd be insane not to take advantage of this hype.

WB would be legitimately foolish to not capitalise. There’s never been this much hype for any of their other movies.

People are onboard now and know what to expect when they walk into a DC movie directed by Zack Snyder.

Snyder Cut was the best thing DC has done since Nolan’s trilogy. It’s fitting that a company that’s always made bad decisions will bungle this too.

WB would be stupid not to continue from where JL left off. Shit ton of money up for grabs.

I feel like the issue is he more or less fully released his overall plan.. didn’t he reveal the synopsis’s for part 2 and 3? I spose they could work around the new dc movies coming and change his outline, or lean into the multiverse ..but seems too big a mountain to climb.

This is the most insane part of this whole situation. Media is upset that comic book fans voices were heard. However this is one of the best DC movies I have ever seen and would have seen in multiple times. I thought of 7 to 10 stories that could have been done after this cut. 

I much rather see this than Dwayne Johnson playing Dwayne Johnson in black Adam.

I personally think it’s because The Rock can’t act. He just plays himself. Don’t get me wrong he’s entertaining as hell but you are right it’s very repetitive.

1 million tweets... Incredible. Fans of DC films have made their voice heard. We want the Snyder Verse to continue. If Warner Brothers doesn't green light Justice League 2 then they clearly don't want to compete with Marvel.   

Ria Atayde, Save the Children aid 3,300 typhoon-stricken households in Catanduanes with lifesaving essentials

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Save the Children Philippines Ambassador Ria Atayde joins Save the Children in a recent distribution effort to help the recovery of thousands of children and families in Catanduanes affected by the devastating impact of typhoons Molave (local name: Quinta), Goni (Rolly), and Vamco (Ulysses).

Atayde and Save the Children Philippines, distributed 3,300 household kits, 3,300 hygiene and water kits, and 2,440 education kits to some 16,500 beneficiaries (including 2,440 children) in the municipalities of Virac and San Andres.

Super Typhoon Goni – the strongest typhoon to hit the world in 2020 – battered numerous parts of Luzon Island in the Philippines on 31 October and 1 November. The devastation was compounded by the aftermath of Typhoon Molave, which made landfall in Bicol almost one week prior to Goni, and Vamco which arrived in mid-November. Collectively, they have caused widespread destruction causing agricultural and infrastructural damages estimated at USD 869 Million.

Through the HKD 3.31 Million grant from the Disaster Relief Fund, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and support from Save the Children Hong Kong, Save the Children Philippines was able to procure non-food items to help alleviate the suffering and meet some of the most pressing needs of children and families in the said region.

Save the Children Philippines, now celebrating its 40th year, has been in the front line of humanitarian action since the 1990s, working closely with national and local authorities, children, and their families.

“Our six-month recovery program for the typhoon victims in Catanduanes is a testament of our commitment that when crisis strikes and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave,” said Atty. Alberto T. Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines.

Atayde and the Save the Children Philippines humanitarian response team, turned over lifesaving essentials and learning kits to the people in Barangay Comagaycay. “I was able to see how the kits we distributed can help them in rebuilding their lives,” said Atayde.

“I witnessed the importance of helping each other and unity. When it comes to crisis, solidarity and community will help us get through,” Atayde added.

Atayde also visited families who received support from Save the Children through the multi-purpose cash assistance and teachers from Comagaycay Elementary School.

Muyot commends the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Save the Children movement, partners, and stakeholders for their unwavering support to ensure that the most vulnerable Filipino children have access to shelter, clean water, food, education, healthcare, and protection at all times.

“On behalf of Save the Children and as one of their Ambassadors, I would like to thank all of you who donated to our Typhoon Rolly response. Up until now, we are still continuing to assist. Children need your support. The faster we can respond to disasters, the more we can save lives,” said Atayde.



Atayde is celebrating her 29th birthday this year and has launched a fundraiser to continue to help children in need, especially those affected by the pandemic.

WWF-Philippines, BPI Foundation Team Up to Build Food Sheds Across the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A woman tends to crops inside her communities’ food shed in Bago City, Negros Oriental. Each food shed requires the teamwork of whole communities to manage and maintain them, and can help boost food and livelihood security in areas racked with poverty. Photograph © WWF-Philippines

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) have partnered up to oversee the construction of food sheds in rural communities across the country.

The project, entitled PagSibol, is the latest development in WWF-Philippines’ multi-year effort to advance food and livelihood security in distant communities across the archipelago. Known as the Sustainable Farm to Table Program, the project has helped communities to organize and govern themselves and their savings, while supporting them in the development of agribusiness enterprises.

PagSibol looks to extend the gains made by the Sustainable Farm to Table Program, by improving the food production capacity of partner communities. 

Community members pack crops from their food shed in preparation for the marketplace. Food sheds bring the promise of sustainable prosperity for rural communities. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines

Food and livelihood security continues to be a major problem for millions of Filipinos. 5.2 million Filipinos experienced hunger in 2020, while 4 million Filipinos were unemployed as of January 2021.

“We’re very excited for this recent development. Our partner communities have come a very long way since we first started off with the project, but there is always room to do more. These food sheds that the BPI Foundation is helping us to put up will help guide our communities to further, more sustainable prosperity,” said WWF-Philippines Project Manager Muneer Hinay.

A food shed in Rizal. Each food shed allows for the year-round cultivation of crops and small animals in a way that is much less land and labor intensive compared to older farming methods. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines

A low-cost, modular agricultural technology, each food shed allows for the growing of a variety of crops in a multi-level structure that requires less land than an open-air farm. Sheltered from the elements under a roof and maintained through simple hydroponics, each food shed allows for the growing of crops year-round, with space for the cultivation of small animals, such as poultry.

With the added, consistent production provided by a food shed, each of the PagSibol projects’ partner communities will be able to provide for their needs, while selling any surplus for additional income.

PagSibol’s partner communities include Barangay Bantog in Tarlac City; Barangay Dolores in Ormoc City; Barangays Balugo and Sibulan in Negros Oriental; Barangay Ara-al in La Carlota City; Barangay Mailum in Bago City; Anajawan Island in General Luna, Surigao del Norte; Barangay Basagad in Baloi and Barangay Binuni in Bacolod, both in Lanao del Norte; Barangay Tigbalabag in Zamboanga City; Barangay Kidalapong in Malita, Davao Occidental; and Barangay Dailag in Arakan, North Cotabato.

“This is a wonderful step forward for all of us, and we are very thankful to have BPI Foundation on board supporting this effort. It is our hope that one day, all communities can enjoy the benefits of a thriving food shed. That day will come, thanks to projects like PagSibol,” added Hinay.

In the face of rising food and livelihood security for millions of Filipinos, the PagSibol project hopes to give communities a chance to dream toward sustainable prosperity. Support WWF-Philippines, and help bring an end to the food crisis.

Cover photo caption: A woman from Pampanga, beneficiary of the Sustainable Farm to Table Program, pumps water for the communal farm behind her. The Sustainable Farm to Table Program has promoted food and livelihood security all across the Philippines. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines