The COVID-19 pandemic has been overcome – Marcos

President Marcos believes the country has overcome the hardships brought by the COVID-19 pandemic three years after crippling lockdowns were imposed across Luzon.

Marcos said on Thursday that the country is showing signs of recovery during the distribution of various government assistance in Camarines Sur.

The economy, pandemic effects, and COVID-19 hardships have somewhat recovered, Marcos stated.

We haven’t gotten sick as often, and now that we have already managed the situation, we don’t worry so much about getting sick. “Some of us are already immune from the disease since we have already been vaccinated,” Marcos said.

There’s still a long way to go. It is not possible to say that COVID is no longer a problem. Our economy has recovered from all the effects of COVID. Nevertheless, it remains,” said the President.

As the country recovers from COVID-19, the Chief Executive assured vulnerable sectors that government assistance will continue.

“We ensure that those in need continue to receive assistance. The pandemic and the problems brought by COVID have somewhat recovered,” he explained.

On Thursday, the Department of Labor and Employment and DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program awarded nearly 4,000 beneficiaries with financial assistance worth P26.5 million as part of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers or TUPAD program.

Under TUPAD, displaced workers, underemployed individuals and seasonal workers are provided with emergency employment for a minimum of 10 days, up to a maximum of 30 days, based on the nature of the work.

Additionally, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provides cash assistance and family food packs to individuals in crisis.

In his remarks, the President emphasized how important the Kadiwa outlets are to the development and recovery of small and medium businesses after the pandemic.

The government is close to achieving its goal of P20 per kilo of rice, Marcos said during the launch of the first Kadiwa ng Pangulo initiative in Camarines Sur.

Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets have been launched across the country so far.

There is no longer a vaccination requirement
Visitors whose antigen swab test results are negative will be permitted to visit Camiguin island, according to Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, yesterday on his radio program.

“Unvaccinated ka pwede na ka musulod dinhi sa province and enjoy the province, whether for leisure, tourism, work or other essential purposes,” Romualdo said.

As the provincial government will not accept self-administered antigen tests, the antigen test must be done no more than two days before arrival in a DOH-accredited facility.

Children aged five to 11 years old were previously required to be vaccinated before entering the province, but the new EO now allows them to enter unvaccinated. It should be noted that some places have not yet vaccinated this age group.

A negative antigen swab test will suffice for children under the age of 12 who have not been vaccinated.

Visitor and local QR codes will still be required for Clean Camiguin (www.cleancamiguinqr.com). Travelers can also click to find out their current status regarding COVID-19 vaccinations.

The municipality of El Nido in Palawan will allow all tourists, regardless of whether they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Using her Executive Order 23-023, El Nido Mayor Edna Gacot-Lim declared that traveling to or entering El Nido without a vaccination would be illegal.

COVID-19 vaccine shots have already been administered to 98.07 percent of the total population of El Nido.

Lifting vaccination requirements for most of Palawan’s tourist spots will contribute to the economy of the local government unit, she explained.

The order was issued by Lim last March 10, following a consultation with the local government and tourism stakeholders organized by the Department of Tourism’s Region 4-B or Mimaropa office.