PNP deputy chief for operations, and JTF Covid-19 Shield commander, Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia (File photo) MANILA - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos, has appointed Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia as the new Joint Task Force (JTF) Covid-19 Shield commander. "Effective Wednesday, March 2, Lt. Gen. Sermonia is designated as the (PNP) deputy chief for operations and concurrent Task Force commander of the enforcement arm of the national government in the implementation of quarantine rules and health protocols," Carlos said in a statement Wednesday night. Sermonia, the current PNP deputy chief for operations, replaced Lt. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson, who was promoted as PNP deputy chief for administration, the second in command of the PNP. "As the new commander of this Task Force, I expect Lt. Gen. Sermonia will continue the plans and programs of the previous commander and enforce minimum health protocols for us to fully mitigate the deadly virus," Car
MANILA - San Miguel Corp.'s (SMC) response efforts for provinces hit by Typhoon Odette continue, with food and water donations totaling more than PHP35 million to date. Fuel subsidiary Petron Corp. has also managed to restore full operations to most of its damaged service stations throughout the affected provinces. SMC president and chief executive officer Ramon S. Ang said following its food donations, estimated at PHP30 million in the week following the typhoon last December, the company has continued to send food aid to affected provinces, with PHP5 million worth of additional food donations given out through partner organizations and its businesses. Repairing and reopening damaged fuel service stations have also been a priority for the company, Ang said, as these are critical to restoring business operations, transportation, as well as supporting relief operations. Nearly 100 percent of all damaged stations throughout the regions are now operational, he reported. The company is
FISHERY DEVASTATED. Residents who lost their homes and livelihood to Typhoon Odette get their relief goods in Surigao City on Thursday (Dec. 23, 2021). Fishermen are among the sectors most affected by the devastation in Surigao del Norte and Surigao City with over PHP1 billion damage in the fishery sector in the area. (Photo grabbed from Surigao City PIO FB Page) BUTUAN CITY - Typhoon Odette has left a damage of over PHP1 billion to agriculture and fishery sectors in Surigao del Norte, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) report showed. In its status report as of December 23, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine News Agency Friday, the PDRRMO in Surigao del Norte said the fishery sector in the province and in Surigao City suffered around PHP1,122,241,500 losses from the recent typhoon. The amount includes damage to fishponds worth PHP264 million, PHP23.8 million to fish cages, PHP75 million worth of pump boats, PHP10 million in fishing gears, PHP2
RESCUE.Emergency respondershelpflood-affected residents cross the Wangag River in Gonzaga, Cagayan on Monday (Oct. 11, 2021).Malacanang on Tuesday urged the public to take precautionary measures as Severe Tropical Storm Maring is expected to bring heavy rainfall over parts of Luzon. (Photo courtesy of PIA Region 2) MANILA - Malacanang on Tuesday urged the public to take precautionary measures as Severe Tropical Storm Maring (international name Kompasu) is expected to bring heavy rainfall over parts of Luzon. "We ask the public to continue to take precautionary measures, observe minimum public health standards, and cooperate with their respective local authorities in case of an evacuation," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement. Roque assured that the Palace is closely monitoring the developments of the ongoing operations for "Maring" as it continues to move away from extreme Northern Luzon. He said local government units (LGUs) are in close
Cebu Provincial Capitol(File photo) CEBU CITY - Travelers entering Cebu province are no longer required to present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or rapid antigen test results for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). A memorandum released Friday said a medical certificate showing that the holder has no symptoms of Covid-19 from the point of origin would be enough. The medical certificate must be issued within 24 hours before arrival in Cebu. The memo, signed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, was addressed to mayors, the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, and airline operators. The Department of Health-7 (Central Visayas) also observed a downtrend in Covid-19 cases. As of Friday, Cebu has 2,176 active Covid-19 cases out of the region's total 10,097. Of the province's total 35,881 infections since March last year, 31,513 have recovered while 2,192 have died. (PNA) }