Magandang tanghali po sa ating mga kababayan at sa Malacañang Press Corps. Ito po ang huling Biyernes ng buwan ng Mayo at kahapon, May 26, 2022, ay nagpulong ang inyong Inter-Agency Task Force or IATF para aprubahan ang rekomendasyon ng Sub-Technical Working Group for Data Analytics tungkol sa alert level classification mula June 1, 2022 hanggang June 15, 2022.
Umpisahan po natin sa Alert Level One. Naka-flash sa inyong screen ang mga lugar na nasa Alert Level One. Basahin po natin isa-isa. [FLASH UP ON THE SCREEN]
Ito naman ang mga lugar na nasa Alert Level Two. [FLASH UP ON THE SCREEN]
Samantala, inaprubahan din ng IATF, base po sa rekomendasyon ng Commission on Higher Education, ang pag-repeal sa medical insurance ng mga estudyante na nakasaad sa CHED-DOH Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2021-004.
In addition, the IATF, upon the recommendations of the Technical Working Group, approved in yesterday’s meeting the following entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for Filipinos and foreign nationals arriving from abroad beginning Monday, May 30, 2022.
Let us go discuss foreign nationals entering the Philippines. Foreign nationals may enter the Philippines provided they comply with the applicable visa requirements and Immigration entry and departure formalities; and provided further that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except only for minor children below 12 years of age traveling with their fully-vaccinated foreign parent/s.
Foreign nationals must likewise carry/possess any of the following acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination, which shall be presented prior to departing/boarding from the country of origin/port of embarkation and upon arrival in the country: one, the World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis; two, VaxCertPH; three, the national or state manual/digital vaccination certificate of the country/foreign government; four, other proof of vaccination permitted by the IATF.
In addition, foreign nationals must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours, or a remotely supervised, or a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test result administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishment taken within 24 hours, prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding layovers and provided, that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over.
The following, however, shall be exempted from this pre-departure testing requirement: one, foreign nationals aged 18 and above who have received primary series COVID-19 vaccine, and at least 1 COVID-19 booster shot. Two, foreign nationals aged 12 to 17 who are “fully vaccinated.” Three, foreign nationals aged below 12, regardless of their vaccination status, who are accompanied by their parents or guardians.
Foreign nationals must also have passports valid for a period of at least 6 months at the time of their arrival to the Philippines.
For temporary visitors, they must have valid tickets for their return journey to the port of origin or next port of destination corresponding to their permitted/allowable duration of stay under a valid visa or visa-free entry, as the case may be.
However, this shall not apply to foreign spouses and/or children of Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens with balikbayan privilege under Republic Act No. 9174, including their foreign spouse and/or children who are not balikbayans in their own right and are traveling with them to the Philippines.
Foreign nationals who fail to fully comply with the conditions and requisites set shall be denied admission into the country and shall be subject to the appropriate exclusion proceedings.
Once admitted into the country, they are no longer required to observe facility-based quarantine but shall self-monitor for any sign or symptom for seven 7 days.
Let us now go to foreign children traveling with Filipino nationals. A foreign child or children below 12 years of age who are not vaccinated for any reason whatsoever and traveling with their Filipino parent, shall follow the entry, testing, and quarantine protocols of their Filipino parent traveling with them.
A foreign child or children from ages 12 to 17 years of age traveling with their Filipino parent, shall follow the protocol based on their vaccination status (i.e., vaccinated or unvaccinated). in case of such unvaccinated minor children, either the foreign or Filipino parents should accompany such child or children during their facility-based quarantine.
Para naman po sa mga Pilipinong fully vaccinated, maaari silang pumasok ng Pilipinas, basta sumunod lamang sila sa requirements. Anu-ano ang mga ito? They shall carry/possess an acceptable proof of vaccination. They must present a negative RT-PCR Test taken within 48 hours, or a remotely supervised, or laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test result administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishment taken within 24 hours, prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding layovers; provided, that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over.
The following, however, shall be exempted from this pre-departure testing requirement: Filipinos aged 18 and above who have received primary series COVID-19 vaccine, and at least 1 COVID-19 booster shot. Filipinos aged 12 to 17 who are “fully vaccinated.” Filipinos aged below 12, regardless of their vaccination status, who are accompanied by their parents or guardians.
How about unvaccinated, partially unvaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, can they enter the Philippines? The answer is still yes as long as they can present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours, or a remotely supervised, or a negative laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test result administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishment taken within 24 hours, prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding layovers; provided, that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over.
They are required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the 5th day from date of arrival. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their 14th day from date of arrival.
The Local Government Units (LGUS) of destination and their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTS) are tasked to monitor those arriving passengers undergoing home quarantine.
Sa mga Pilipino po na menor de edad na hindi pa nababakunahan, for any reason whatsoever, susundin nila ang quarantine protocols ng kanilang mga magulang or adult/guardian na kasama nila sa biyahe.
Filipino nationals from 12 years to 17 years of age shall follow the classification and procedures based on their vaccination status (i.e., vaccinated or unvaccinated). In case of such unvaccinated minor children, either foreign or Filipino parents should accompany such child or children during their facility-based quarantine.
Paano naman po ang mga Pilipinong fully-recovered pero nag-positive pa rin sa kanilang pre-departure test? ito po ang sagot. Maaari silang pumasok po ng Pilipinas. Kailangan lamang nilang mag-presenta ng mga sumusunod na mga dokumento prior to departing/boarding from the country of origin/port of embarkation and upon arrival in the Philippines.
One, a positive RT-PCR test taken not earlier than 10 days but not later than 30 days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/port of embarkation.
Two, an RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding layovers; provided, that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such layover;
And three, a medical certificate issued by a licensed physician stating that the Filipino national certifying that he/she was an asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe or critical case of COVID-19, as the case may be; and has completed the mandatory isolation period; is no longer infectious; and has been allowed free movement and travel.
Upon arrival, the COVID-19 positive Filipino national shall be subject to the following protocols: If fully vaccinated, they shall no longer be required to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine but shall self-monitor for any sign or symptom for 7 days with the first day being the date of arrival and shall be required to report to the local government unit of destination upon the manifestation of symptoms, if there are any. If unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or vaccination status cannot be independently determined, they shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the 5th day. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their 14th day, with the date of arrival being the first day.
The IATF likewise resolved that all inbound passengers, whether Filipinos or foreign nationals, shall register with the One Health Pass prior to arrival in the Philippines unless exempted under relevant IATF resolutions.
Sa usaping bakuna. As of May 25, 2022, nasa mahigit 73.7 million ang naka-first dose habang nasa mahigit 69 million ang fully vaccinated, ayon sa National COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard.
Nasa halos 14 million naman ang naka-booster shots. Over-all, nasa higit 150 million ang total doses administered.
At sa mga tsikiting na edad lima hanggang labing-isang taon gulang, nasa 2.7 million na ang fully vaccinated, samantala ang mga batang dose hanggang disisiete anyos nasa higit 9.3 million ang fully vaccinated, as of May 25, 2022.
Sa ating mga lolo at lola mga senior citizens natin, nasa 6.7 million ang fully vaccinated seniors, as of May 25, 2022.
Pumunta na tayo po sa mga tanong ng MPC.
Good afternoon po sa inyo, Usec. Rocky.
USEC. IGNACIO: Good afternoon, Usec. Ablan. Good afternoon din po sa Malacañang Press Corps. Unang tanong mula po kay Rose Novenario ng Hataw: Ano raw po iyong preparation sa inauguration on June 30, 2022 ng PCOO? Papayagan na ba ulit na magkaroon daw po ng regular access sa Malacañang ang Palace reporters, photogs and cameramen kahit walang negative RT-PCR test result?
USEC. ABLAN: Maraming salamat po, Usec. Rocky. At salamat sa tanong mo, Ma’am Rose. Dalawa po iyong tanong na iyan, ang unang sagot po ay handang-handa na po ang Presidential Communications Operations Office para sa inauguration on 12 noon ng June 30. In-activate na po ni Secretary Martin Andanar ang mga teams para sa inauguration kabilang na po dito ang RTVM o ang Radio Television Malacañang, at ang Philippine Information Agency. So we are just coordinating with the Office of the President’s Appointments Office.
Pangalawa naman po, doon po sa tanong kung papayagan na po ang ating mga media na pumasok kahit na wala pong negative RT-PCR test, we have to defer po sa PSG ‘no. Buhay po ng ating outgoing President at incoming President ang nakasalalay. So, we will abide by the protocols of the Presidential Security Group.
USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Second question from Vic Somintac ng DZEC Net25: Reaksiyon daw po, Palace reaction, President-elect BBM handang gawing anti-illegal drug czar si Pangulong Duterte. Similar question po iyan ni Alvin Baltazar, ni Paul Samarita ng TV5 at saka ni Jinky Baticados ng IBC13.
USEC. ABLAN: Maraming salamat uli sa mga tanong ni Sir Vic at nila Kris. Pagdating po diyan ‘no, there is no legal impediment for [a] former President to assume an executive position in the Executive branch. Actually, puwede nga ring tumakbo ‘no hindi lang po sa pagka-Pangulo muli. So, wala pong legal impediment diyan.
Now, whether tatanggapin po iyan ni President Duterte, nasa kaniya na po iyan. Sa pagkaalam po namin, the President is looking forward to his retirement. Pero welcome po iyang balita na iyan dahil si President na mismo ang nagsabi na kailangan pa ring tuluy-tuloy po ang laban sa droga.
USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Pero ang follow-up po, Usec. Kris, ni Kris Jose ng Remate/Remate Online: Kung may balak ba raw si President Duterte na maging drug war czar sa ilalim ng Bongbong Marcos administration? Similar question po iyan ni MJ Blancaflor.
USEC. ABLAN: Salamat kay Kris at saka kay MJ. Usec. Rocky, ang sagot po diyan is very similar sa sagot ko kanina ‘no, na kay Presidente Duterte na po ang desisyon kung tatanggapin po niya o gugustuhin po ba niyang maging drug czar sa ilalim po ng isang BBM administration.
USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Usec. Kris, ang susunod na magtatanong, si Pia Rañada ng Rappler via Zoom.
USEC. ABLAN: Hi, Pia!
PIA RAÑADA/RAPPLER: Hello! Good afternoon, Usec. Ablan. Sir, because it’s already … the proclamation has happened already, so we just want to get updates on whether or not nakapag-decide na po iyong transition team ng Malacañang on when to meet with the Marcos camp?
USEC. ABLAN: Right ‘no. As you already know, Pia, that the President has already activated the transition team of the Office of the President. We are not privy ‘no, whether or not they’ve already activated it and actually met with the transition of the incoming President.
Insofar as PCOO is concerned, Secretary Martin has activated the transition team. I am included in that. And we have sent feelers to incoming PCOO Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles and we hope to meet them soon, so that there is a proper turnover between outgoing Secretary Andanar and incoming Secretary Cruz-Angeles.
PIA RAÑADA/RAPPLER: Okay. So to clarify, Usec., there has been no response from the incoming Press Secretary on transition?
USEC. ABLAN: No, we are. We’ve sent already our invitation to the incoming Secretary. I’m not yet privy on whether or not they’ve responded to that. We will let the Malacañang Press Corps know when the transition meeting will happen. But we foresee it to be in the coming days.
Secretary Andanar has instructed me to provide a proper and full turnover to the incoming Secretary not unlike what we experienced six years ago. So, we will provide them with all the information that they need and with all the assistance. I will be staying over, so I will be in charge of the transition.
PIA RAÑADA/RAPPLER: You will be staying over, meaning, you will be retaining your position in the PCOO? Hindi po kayo co-terminus, tama po ba?
USEC. ABLAN: Yes, that is correct, Pia. I am a career official under the Career Executive Service Board with the rank of CESO 1. I am the first CESO of PCOO in its history, and I am very optimistic and excited to welcome the incoming Secretary and her incoming officials and designates.
PIA RAÑADA/RAPPLER: And then, sir, just to clarify the announcements earlier doon sa IATF Resolution, doon sa travel rules, iyong sa arrival – is this basically the first time we are lifting the requirement for pre-departure tests for foreigners and Filipinos? Tama po ba iyong understanding ko?
USEC. ABLAN: I’m not sure, Pia, if it’s the first time. But the difference of this IATF Resolution is we did lift the requirements on medical insurance and it makes it easier for our travelers to come to our shores.
PIA RAÑADA/RAPPLER: Okay, and then lastly from me, Usec. Because we’ve been talking about the economic trajectory of the incoming administration and palaging pinag-uusapan, sir, iyong almost P13 trillion debt that the Duterte Administration will be leaving [to] the Marcos Administration to deal with, so just for the benefit of Filipinos, can you just explain for everyone why there was a P13 trillion debt and is there anything else that the current administration is doing to widen the fiscal space for the incoming administration?
USEC. ABLAN: All right. I can’t answer the reason why there is a debt, Pia, but I can assure you with the announcement of the camp of incoming President Bongbong Marcos, of his economic team, that the country is in good hands with the incoming Secretaries of the Department of Finance, our Bangko Sentral, as well as our DBM and our NEDA. So, they’re in good hands, Pia.
PIA RAÑADA/RAPPLER: All right. Thank you, Usec.
USEC. IGNACIO: Okay. Thank you, Pia. Usec. Kris, [ang] susunod na magtatanong [ay] si MJ Blancaflor ng Daily Tribune: Kung mayroon daw pong naka-schedule na meeting si Pangulong Duterte with President-elect Marcos before June 30?
USEC. ABLAN: All right. Salamat sa tanong mo, MJ. Hintayin na lang po natin ang announcement ng kasamahan ko sa PCOO-MARO, sila Usec. Mia at ASec. Jun Loyola sa announcement na iyan kung kailan po iyong pulong nila.
USEC. IGNACIO: From Alvin Baltazar ng Radyo Pilipinas: Will the President attend Vice President Sara’s inauguration rites on June 19? Similar question with Llanesca Panti ng GMA News Online.
USEC. ABLAN: All right. Again, for that question, Usec. Rocky, we have to wait for the announcement coming from my colleagues, sila Usec. Mia Reyes at saka sila Asec. Jun Loyola ng MARO, kung makaka-attend po ba si PRRD sa inauguration ng incoming Vice President.
USEC. IGNACIO: Susunod na magtatanong ay si Paul Samarita ng TV5: Ano ang plano ng Philippine government sa mga kababayan nating nais nang umuwi [sa bansa mula] sa Sri Lanka? May nakausap kami na isang OFW at sabi niya, marami nang mga kababayan ang nagnanais na daw po makauwi. Ang presyo ng isang litro ng gasoline sa kanila ay nasa higit 2,000 per liter habang ang isang kilo ay naglalaro sa P1,200 per kilo [sic].
USEC. ABLAN: Maraming salamat, Paul, ano. We can assure you that the Philippine government, through the DFA is on top of the situation. We empathize po for our Filipino kababayans na nasa Sri Lanka. Pero ayon po sa DFA, wala pa rin po silang natatanggap na tawag mula sa ating mga Pilipino doon, sa embahada natin sa Dhaka at sa honorary consulate natin sa Colombo.
Pero kapag nagkaroon po ng problema, tawagan lang po nila ang embahada o ang ating consulate para ma-repatriate na po sila. Pero sa ngayon, wala pa pong tumatawag sa kanila, but our embassy and our consulate are on top of things in Sri Lanka.
USEC. IGNACIO: Opo. Susunod na tanong mula kay Jinky Baticados ng IBC-13 pero, Usec. Kris, ito ay nasagot mo na. Kasama ito sa presentation mo about doon sa pre-departure test, doon sa mga fully vaxxed tourists.
From Karen Lema ng Reuters: Does President Duterte plan to sign the Extended Producer Responsibility Act into law before his terms end? Environmental groups have criticized daw po the decision not to include the ban on certain single-use plastic in the law, could you respond? Uniliver daw po and other consumer goods companies lobbied to have the ban on single-use plastic [be] removed from the law? Did this impact your government’s decision?
USEC. ABLAN: Maraming salamat sa tanong mo, Karen. According po sa Malacañang Records Office [MRO], wala pa po silang natatanggap na bill on the Extended Producer Responsibility Act, so hindi pa po iyan maaaksiyunan ng Office of the President. So, hintayin na lang po natin kung natanggap na po iyan ng OP and we follow the constitutional rules wherein the President can either lapse it into law, sign it into law or veto it – pero wala pa pong natatanggap ang MRO.
USEC. IGNACIO: Okay. Thank you, Usec. Kris. Salamat din po sa Malacañang Press Corps. Iyon lang po ang mga nakuha nating mga tanong. Salamat po.
USEC. ABLAN: Maraming salamat po, Usec. Rocky at sa mga members ng Malacañang Press Corps.
Dito po nagtatapos ang ating press briefing ngayong araw. On behalf po of acting Presidential Spokesperson Martin Andanar, maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo. See you on the other side.
God bless everyone! Stay healthy everyone.
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News and Information Bureau-Data Processing Center
