ABACA FIBER. Drying of abaca fiber in Leyte province. The bunchy-top disease that has been plaguing several areas in Eastern Visayas has significantly contributed to the drop in abaca fiber production in the region in 2022, the Philippine Industry Development Authority reported on Tuesday (Feb. 28. 2023).(PNA photo by Roel Amazona) TACLOBAN CITY - The bunchy-top disease that has been plaguing several areas in Eastern Visayas has significantly contributed to the drop in abaca fiber production in the region in 2022, the Philippine Industry Development Authority (PHilFIDA) said on Tuesday. From 4,768 metric tons (MT) output in 2021, the volume dropped to 3,835 MT last year, or a 19.55 percent reduction, said PhilFIDA Regional Director Wilardo Sinahon. "The major contributor was the abaca bunchy-top disease, which has greatly affected our abaca production since early 2000. Currently, we have no data on the exact number of affected areas since almost all farms in the region are now inf
MANILA - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to Ronapreve, a monoclonal antibody drug to prevent and fight SARS-CoV-2. FDA Director General Eric Domingo on Friday said the EUA was released on October 1 and is authorized for patients age 12 and above with a minimum weight of 40 kilograms. Domingo said the government would conduct a "health technology assessment" first before placing an order. Ronapreve cannot be sold in the market yet and only the government is allowed to procure and distribute it. "Kapag nagawa na nila 'yong guidelines at makapag-desisyon doon siya magiging available (Once they've crafted the guidelines and have made a decision, that's that time it will be made available)," he said. Ronapreve, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies casirivimab and imbevimab, is being jointly developed by Roche and Regeneron. It is designed to block the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. Phase 3 clinical tria