FDA approves Sputnik V for Emergency Use

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to Sputnik V, one of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccines, today, 19 March 2021, as announced by FDA Director General Eric Domingo during the Department of Health (DOH)’s Special Briefing.

Authorized for limited use among Filipino individuals aged 18 and above, the non-replicating viral vector COVID-19 vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology through the support of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Both Gamaleya and RDIF were identified by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which chairs the Task Group on Vaccine Evaluation and Selection (TG VES), as one of its bilateral partners for the possible conduct of vaccine clinical trials in the Philippines. The DOST-convened Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) has reviewed the initial clinical trial data of Sputnik V, which served as one of the bases for the FDA’s approval of the vaccine’s EUA application.

As early as August 2020, the DOST-led TG VES has been in contact with Gamaleya and RDIF, through the assistance of both the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Philippines, in terms of COVID-19 vaccine development, and more recently, in Gamaleya’s submission of the required documents to FDA for their EUA application. 

The DOST welcomes this development as the country now has an additional approved  vaccine in its portfolio for the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program. 

Here's What Makes TikTok A Powerful Learning Tool

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Beyond providing entertainment, TikTok also promotes informative and insightful content on its platform.


TikTok has become a great learning resource for everything, including useful lifehacks, unique science experiments, must-learn math tricks, quick and easy DIY projects, and motivational messages and advice. Because the app is so easy to use, creators have found it to be a convenient place to share knowledge and skills with a wide audience. Through this platform, educators have found a way to liven up lessons, making them more engaging, brisk, and easy to digest. At the same time, TikTok's short-form video format has made micro-learning appealing to users across all ages.

On the app, #LearnOnTikTok now has 76 billion views and counting, which shows exactly how much the community enjoys these videos that are informative, educational, and useful. At present, the #LearnOnTikTok community is made up of teachers, scientists, chefs, beekeepers, doctors, makeup artists, and other experts from varying fields.

Even health workers have taken to TikTok, as well as other social media platforms, to dispel misinformation about COVID-19 and the way people respond to the pandemic. As the vaccination roll-out continues across the world, the need to debunk misconceptions about COVID-19 grows in importance. This is what has prompted scientists and healthcare professionals to begin doing their part in educating others online.

TikTok is also doing what it can to further reduce the spread of misinformation, particularly in areas such as health and civic processes, through its new Know the Facts feature. This fact-checking feature aims to make users think twice before sharing any unverified video content on the app.

Want to learn something new today? These videos from TikTok might be able to teach you a thing or two.

Motivation

This motivational video teaches you 5 things you need to stop doing if you want to be happy.


https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSJL5pAKJ/



Math and Science

This quick physics lesson explains why some things sink while others float in water.


https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSJL5t8Ud/




DIY

Looking for a new DIY project? This video teaches you how to make a cheap and easy wallet using duct tape.


https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSJL54vG9/




Fitness

There are a lot of great exercise videos that you can follow along with on TikTok, just like this full body workout.


https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSJL5st5U/




Cooking

Homecooked favorites, healthier dishes, and recipe hacks, TikTok has them all.


https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSJL57kKQ/



Learning never stops on TikTok! You, too, can indulge in an enriching browsing experience on the app today. Download TikTok on your iOS and Android devices to get started.

“Postman” Norman Fulgencio assumes post as PHLPost head, assures better service to the public

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Former Chairman Norman N. Fulgencio of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) was sworn in and has assumed office as the new Postmaster General and CEO on March 15, 2021.

The oath-taking was administered by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea and witnessed by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go in Malacanang Palace.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved the nomination of Postman Fulgencio as Postmaster General of PHLPost, a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) is under the Office of the President, last February 26, 2021.

The new Postmaster General wanted to be called “Postman” instead of the traditional PMG or Postgen in order to project an image of our mailman’s importance in the community and revive an era where the postal service provides the primary means of communication.

Facing an enormous task, “Postman” Fulgencio believes that PHLPost as an institution can innovate by bringing technology into its already established system.

“To start things right, we sincerely apologize for all our previous delays, unresponsiveness, mishandlings and other shortcomings. We are now revisiting our existing procedures to institute appropriate measures that will be implemented beginning April 5, 2021”, “Postman” Fulgencio said in a statement.

He assures the public that PHLPost is doing its utmost best to stay true to its mandate for better service.

“The postal service should be relevant and vital to the government in providing services to Filipinos here and abroad. It needs to play an active role and rise to the challenges”, Postman Fulgencio added.

In three months, he promises to push for the implementation of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project to cover the digitalization of the entire organization, including the mail management system, corporate financial information system, financial counter system and human resource information system.

PHLPost will align with the government’s development plan to lay down a solid foundation for a more inclusive growth, a high-trust society, and a globally competitive economy.

Postman Fulgencio will also implement stringent measures or possible organization shake-up if his people cannot deliver what is expected on them.

Amid the pandemic, the postal agency assures the public that it will continue to deliver mails and parcels, checks, medical supplies, and other essential services.