This Week in Southern Luzon (January 30 to February 5, 2021)

PAG-IBIG on Wheels found its way to Tagaytay and its neighboring cities. The mobile campaign offers the following services for its members:

• Loan application acceptance (Multi-Purpose and Calamity Loan)

• Membership and MP2 Savings Account Registration

• Employer’s Registration

• Verification of Member’s Contribution

• Other fund inquiries

The service will be open every Monday and Tuesday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the ground floor of Primark Tagaytay. Members must wear their face masks and shields and must observe social distancing while waiting to be accommodated. They may only speak to PAG-IBIG personnel as well. Visits must also be scheduled to avoid overcrowding. [1]

An online survey conducted by Radio Veritas showed that FIlipinos mostly considered the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine over getting vaccinated. Out of 1,200 respondents, 67% prioritized safety, 17% prioritized efficacy, 8% chose country of manufacture, 6% considered testimony of early users, and only 2% chose purpose of use. The survey was conducted from January 4 to 22, with a +3 margin of error.

According to sociologist and survey’s head Bro. Clifford Sorita, the government must improve its trust on the vaccine and minimize issues and controversies. He added that the authorities must also provide easily understandable scientifically-based information to the public to help ease their worries and ensure everyone’s concerns are attended to early and often. A Pulse Asia Survey also revealed that nearly half of Filipinos would skip getting vaccinated and only 25% of Metro Manila residents are willing to get inoculated against COVID-19. [2]

COVID-19 cases around the world surpassed 100 million with an accelerated infection pace, as per a tally by John Hopkins University. The number of cases doubled in less than three months since reaching 50 million last November 2020. According to the university’s data, the death toll is already over 2.1 million around the world, with the U.S.A. having the highest total of 25 million cases and 420,000 deaths; India coming in second with 11 million cases; and Brazil with nearly 9 million cases.

The recent data also revealed that despite worldwide efforts and safety protocols including social distancing, regular hand sanitation, and travel restrictions, the health crisis has not been curbed. Hospitals are also running low on beds and accommodations. Vaccines are short in supply, and now, there has been a new strain detected in countries such as Britain and South Africa. [3]

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Southern Luzon.