日: 2020年2月6日

Philippine Embassy in Tokyo helping Filipino passengers in cruise ship

/ Manila Shimbun

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo is coordinating with Japanese authorities in providing necessary assistance to the 538 Filipinos on the MV Diamond Princess  docked at Yokohama Harbor under a 14-day quarantine period.

In a statement Thursday, the embassy said they provided Filipino passengers food, medicine, masks and other supplies.

The embassy gave its assistance-to-nationals hotline phone number and email, so Filipinos can contact the embassy.

According to the Philippine Embassy, as of Thursday, another group of 10 people onboard the Diamond Princess were tested positive for nCoV.

“Aside from the first reported case yesterday, no other Filipinos onboard have tested positive for the virus at this time,” the statement said . DMS

PMA Alumni Homecoming reset to Feb 22

/ Manila Shimbun
Amid the threat of the novel coronavirus, the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) reset the alumni homecoming to Feb.22.
“PMAAAI announces that PMA Homecoming for this year is postponed to a later date, February 22, 2020, Saturday, at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City. This is in deference to health and public safety concerns regarding nCoV,” the group said in a statement Thursday.
“The decision was reached with the help of Baguio City Mayor, Cav. Benjie Magalong ’82, and PMA Superintendent, LtGen Allan Cusi ’86, making the two-day event into one,” it stated.
“Alumni classes, especially Jubilarians, caught in this late-breaking developments are advised to exercise their best judgement on how to proceed with their individual Class events in sync with the new date,” it added.
It also noted that “Magalong already coordinated with the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Baguio.”
“Cavalier-members who have prior reservations are advised to call their respective hotel, and request for a rebooking,” it said.
“There will be no surcharge or fee. But the hotels will keep the payment that was already made. This will be deducted from your bill upon check-out,” it added.
It added that the “Battle of Classes will push thru as scheduled on 13-14 February 2020 at the same venue, Baguio Country Club.”
The PMA grounds were temporarily closed to visitors and outsider amid the 2019-nCov scare.Robina Asido/DMS

Statement: Senator Joel Villanueva on Chinese tourists entry in Boracay last Tuesday

/ Manila Shimbun

 

We need all hands on deck. We have a serious health crisis. We expect the cooperation of everyone to implement the ban. Continuous arrival of tourists from China contradicts the necessary precautions we have to take given the situation. It is irresponsible to disregard the ban for profit.

Allowing tourists from China, particularly Wuhan, to arrive in Boracay is irresponsible. It exposes workers, other tourists and residents at risk. It strains our limited resources, particularly our capacity to respond to public health emergency.

We need everyone to cooperate so we can prevent the spread of the disease and limit the exposure of the public. Let’s follow the ban.