Thread by @rapplerdotcom

NOW: Laging Handa public briefing

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DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III: As of April 18, nakarating na po sa mga 237,653 formal workers ang ating one-time cash assistance of 5,000. We are still targeting about 231,975 formal workers.

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Bello says informal workers are also given aid. Around 235,949 informal workers are being targeted.

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Bello: Ngayong mga kababayan natin na overseas workers na hindi makapagtrabaho dahil sa COVID-19, isama na rin sila sa assistance of 200 dollars. We are still in the process of receiving the application and remittances.

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Bello: Yung programa nating cash assistance of 5,000 is for formal workers, may employer sila. Ngayon, hindi sila makapasok sa COVID-19, at alam niyo naman, no work, no pay, so nagconceptualize kami ng program.

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Bello: We are conceptualizing another program to absorb yung mga hindi kaya nating i-accommodate. I-eendorse na lang namin to Secretary Domiguez. Tutal, meron naman siyang programa.

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DA Secretary William Dar: Mayroon po tayong ayuda na binibigay sa mga rice farmers initially, kasi sila ang apektado ng initial impact.

Dar: Mayroon po tayong another batch na good for 34 provinces, ang tawag natin itong ayuda ay Financial Subsidy for Rice Farmers.

Dar on swine fever: Malaking naitulong ang enhanced community quarantine for the whole Luzon, kasi dito po sa Luzon, particularly Central Luzon, ang epicenter ng African swine fever.

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Dar: Lubos na lubos tayo sa chicken production. Mayroon tayong enough supply na manok sa merkado until next year.

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BARMM Minister of MILG Atty Naguib Sinarimbo: Ang suspected cases natin so far, nasa 272. Yung confirmed na cases natin na-increase by 1, so 9 na po ang confirmed cases.

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Sinarimbo: Sa pangkalahatan, stable naman numbers natin so far. Ang unang problema po talaga natin ay wala po tayong malawakang testing.

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Sinarimbo says facilities are also being built for COVID-19 patients.

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PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac states 67 police have tested positive for COVID-19. They are all under strict monitoring.

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Banac states 41 people have been arrested nationwide for spreading false information.

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Banac also states the PNP is cracking down on online sellers and hoarders selling fake items.

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Banac: Marami po talaga ang gumagamit ng fictitious, fake accounts online.

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On checkpoints, Banac says police are only meant to conduct thermal scanning and to check identities at quarantine control points.

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Banac: Maliban doon, dapat wala na pong ginagawa ng PNP natin doon sa baggage o gamit sa loob ng sasakyan. Di dapat siya mismo ang magbubuklat.

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Boy Scouts of the Philippines Pres. Roberto Pagdanganan says their shelters have been converted to quarantine facilities for health workers.

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