General Info

[LaxinBuddy23]

New to this site, but have been in the Philippines for a while now. Most of my bar experience has been in Cebu (Mango and Lapu2) and Davao, with a few stops in the provinces in Mindanao. Am I missing out by not taking a trip to Manila or Angeles? I just got my 2nd dose of Pfizer in Davao (where I currently live) and am thinking about vacationing. I figure now might be a decent time to check those places out considering it is likely much less crowded. Does anyone know if bars are operating in those areas? Any help / advice in this area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Pinga 98]

Philippine's Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) just announced that returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) can get their foreign country vaccination verified online.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/dole-...ards-validated

The online form.

https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/

Is clearly designed for vaccine verification for foreigners also. But the DOLE announcement says nothing (yet) about verification for foreigners. I expect that this process will be soon extended to foreigners. This will certainly remove uncertainty about the acceptance of vaccination cards after arriving in the Philippines. The online form seeks all the details about vaccination and asks to upload your vaccination certificate as well as Passport bio page (see enclosed image). The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) will then make advance determination, before you fly or even buy your ticket.

Bottom line: OFWs are first to try this process. Then this will be extended to foreigners, hopefully. Of course, applicable to only people from Green countries (a set of countries that does not yet include Americans or Europeans).

[RainMania]

I don't even think moldy hotel rooms would be cleaned. The number of mold-covered clothes, shoes and bags I've seen at different SM outlets just left there to continue festering beggars belief.

[Mahaba]

It is no surprise the Philippines is lagging behind, as it's just the latest in a long list of failed initiatives.

I am hopeful a 3rd country will step in and manage their COVID recovery program as they are obviously unable to do it themselves.

Case in point is the freeway system between Manila, Subic and Clark. That was managed by Australians.

Hopefully they will have herd immunity in a year or so as I am anxious to get back and meet some old "friends". My sense is that it will take some time to get things going again after COVID.

I would guess the hotels that have been shut down are mouldy and generally a health hazard, so it all needs to be cleaned, employees need to be hired, etc. It will take some time as you can't just flip a switch and be back to normal.

If you are a fully vaccinated foreigner coming from one of the "Green" countries (defined based on cumulative infection over the past 28 days and its trend), you can now enter Philippines but will be quarantined for 7 days. On day 5, an RT-PCR test will be conducted. If negative, you are free to leave quarantine on Day 7.

https://iatf.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/u...-123-C-RRD.pdf

How will they verify your vaccination status? You need to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination (I have not seen one for Covid) or be validated by one of the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (they are in 13 location, worldwide). Good luck with either of that!

You must have been in the "Green" country for the past 14 days before arrival. None of the European countries or US is on the "Green" List. China, Hong Kong, S. Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Singapore, Taiwan are among the countries on the Green list. The full list is available at:

https://iatf.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/u...-124-A-RRD.pdf

For a decent commentary on this policy, see:

https://www.philstar.com/opinion/202...untries-or-not

In my opinion, this is a good start. But it is too onerous to be of much value. And of course, the list excludes most of the world's population who can actually travel and help Philippines' sulking "tourism" industry.

[Pinga 98]

If you are a fully vaccinated foreigner coming from one of the "Green" countries (defined based on cumulative infection over the past 28 days and its trend), you can now enter Philippines but will be quarantined for 7 days. On day 5, an RT-PCR test will be conducted. If negative, you are free to leave quarantine on Day 7.

https://iatf.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/u...-123-C-RRD.pdf

How will they verify your vaccination status? You need to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination (I have not seen one for Covid) or be validated by one of the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (they are in 13 location, worldwide). Good luck with either of that!

You must have been in the "Green" country for the past 14 days before arrival. None of the European countries or US is on the "Green" List. China, Hong Kong, S. Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Singapore, Taiwan are among the countries on the Green list. The full list is available at:

https://iatf.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/u...-124-A-RRD.pdf

For a decent commentary on this policy, see:

https://www.philstar.com/opinion/202...untries-or-not

In my opinion, this is a good start. But it is too onerous to be of much value. And of course, the list excludes most of the world's population who can actually travel and help Philippines' sulking "tourism" industry.

[GoodEnough]

There is a consumer-advocacy government department, the Dept of Industry / Trade. Got a consumer complaint? Nah, never. Website:

https://www.dti.gov.ph/konsyumer/complaints/

And the complaint form you must fill out and email back. Or hand-carry it to the Manila office:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0i...K93jSDlcAQ6sMg

Unfortunately, the. Pdf complaint form is not keyboard fill-able. You download it, print it out, fill it out by hand, then have it scanned at the cafe, and finally email it back to: consumercare@dti.gov.ph.

This process, of not being able to fill out the form online, of having to go to an internet cafe (or such) with a printer, then filling it out, then scanning and then emailing it, in itself deserves a consumer complaint. But, that's just me.

On the other hand, there is free software that allows you to enter information into PDF files. But, you're right, it's a hassle and one of the small inconveniences of living here I suppose. I've been here so long that I no longer think much about it.

GE.

[GDreams]

There is a consumer-advocacy government department, the Dept of Industry / Trade. Got a consumer complaint? Nah, never. Website:

https://www.dti.gov.ph/konsyumer/complaints/

And the complaint form you must fill out and email back. Or hand-carry it to the Manila office:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0i...K93jSDlcAQ6sMg

Unfortunately, the. Pdf complaint form is not keyboard fill-able.

Or use an online converter PDF to Word, fill it out and reconvert to a PDF. Or subscribe to acrobat reader which will allow editing. Or use a free online pdf editor.

[WestCoast1]

There is a consumer-advocacy government department, the Dept of Industry / Trade. Got a consumer complaint? Nah, never. Website:

https://www.dti.gov.ph/konsyumer/complaints/

And the complaint form you must fill out and email back. Or hand-carry it to the Manila office:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0i...K93jSDlcAQ6sMg

Unfortunately, the. Pdf complaint form is not keyboard fill-able. You download it, print it out, fill it out by hand, then have it scanned at the cafe, and finally email it back to: consumercare@dti.gov.ph.

This process, of not being able to fill out the form online, of having to go to an internet cafe (or such) with a printer, then filling it out, then scanning and then emailing it, in itself deserves a consumer complaint. But, that's just me.

[Geneva Guy]

Much appreciate the vaccine primer. I've already had covid, and I'm curious as to whether there's yet been a documented case of anyone previously infected contracting covid a second time?

Very simply. Yes. You can get COVID again if you already had it. Most likely due to one of the variants. The immunity produced by natural infection is much more specific for the exact virus you had, and less effective against the variants. That's why you need to get COVID vaccine. Because the immunity produced with the vaccine is much "broader" against variants (and the original).

Here is a great medical summary take a look, if you have questions, feel free to PM me:

https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1605

GG.

[DriveAllNight]

I'm not trying to change anyone's mind about COVID vaccines, but I think it's important to get the facts straight. As a Doc who has worked on numerous vaccines for over 20 years, I think I can address the science:

Moderna and Pfizer: These are mRNA vaccines, they do not get into human DNA, but they make the COVID spike protein and then the body makes an immune response (antibodies along with be and T cell response). These vaccines, to date, appear to be effective against the common variants such as Delta (indian).

Astra-Zeneca, J&J and Sputnik: These are known as "vector vaccines" because a common human or animal virus is taken, made non infectious, and reprogramed to enter the human cell nucleus (where out DNA is) and using the same mechanism that we use to make more human DNA, these vaccines make mRNA which then makes spike protein and then the body makes antibodies and be and T cells. These vaccines are a bit less effective than the Pfizer / moderna vaccines (and we don't know why).

-Sinovac and other Chinese vaccines: These use very old technology, they take COVID virus and kill it (so it cannot cause infection) and mix it with an aluminum salt to cause irritation on injection which helps stimulate the immune response more. These vaccines are much less effective and in studies and real world use, this is so, less effective..

Much appreciate the vaccine primer. I've already had covid, and I'm curious as to whether there's yet been a documented case of anyone previously infected contracting covid a second time?

[Geneva Guy]

The posts from this user need to be deleted.

I'm not trying to change anyone's mind about COVID vaccines, but I think it's important to get the facts straight. As a Doc who has worked on numerous vaccines for over 20 years, I think I can address the science:

Moderna and Pfizer: These are mRNA vaccines, they do not get into human DNA, but they make the COVID spike protein and then the body makes an immune response (antibodies along with be and T cell response). These vaccines, to date, appear to be effective against the common variants such as Delta (indian).

Astra-Zeneca, J&J and Sputnik: These are known as "vector vaccines" because a common human or animal virus is taken, made non infectious, and reprogramed to enter the human cell nucleus (where out DNA is) and using the same mechanism that we use to make more human DNA, these vaccines make mRNA which then makes spike protein and then the body makes antibodies and be and T cells. These vaccines are a bit less effective than the Pfizer / moderna vaccines (and we don't know why).

-Sinovac and other Chinese vaccines: These use very old technology, they take COVID virus and kill it (so it cannot cause infection) and mix it with an aluminum salt to cause irritation on injection which helps stimulate the immune response more. These vaccines are much less effective and in studies and real world use, this is so, less effective.

-All the vaccines reduce severe COVID disease to different degrees. That was the aim of the development. To keep people out of the hospital and from dying.

-None of the vaccines are 100% effective.

-In a recent study with the Pfizer vaccine, patients who got no doses, 1 dose, 2 doses and 2 doses + waiting 2 more weeks were examined to see rates of COVID (these were health care workers taking care of COVID patients). Workers taking care of COVID patients who got 2 doses after 2 weeks later had an infection rate of 5% (and none were seriously ill). Vaccines appear to work in real life as well as studies. All the other groups had much higher infection rates.

All of the vaccines (like all drugs) have the potential for side effects. But, COVID infection has a lot more bad effects than the vaccines.

This is the science, not from running a Google search or reading blogs from people who don't read the science. Sorry. Those are the facts as judged by peer review research.

But again. Working in vaccine clinics here in the USA. I know you can't change people's minds. So I don't try to. I only present the facts.

And no, I don't support Dr. Fauci!

GG.

[BrizLad]

Pharmaco vigilance reports over .....

The posts from this user need to be deleted.

[WestCoast1]

Travel requirements (by province). Try:

https://www.s-pass.ph/

Nice website, easy to find your province / area. Couple of caveats, as mentioned in the pic:

* Some areas are RESTRICTED (you need a Travel Coordination Permit, TCP) for travel there. Other areas are not. Unrestricted by passing thru RESTRICTED area: You need a Travel Pass-through Permit (TPP).

* Thumbtack icon indicates the province has cities or brgy within that have different travel policies.

* Like reserving your hotel, it never hurts to call your LGU (Brgy hall or city's Mayor's office) to confirm your travel document needs.

Thanks to the Board member who passed this along to me.

[MS Clive]

ARN is just the acronym for genetic therapy in France so I just reverse it. Please don't patronize me.

I don't want to spend time arguing about Pfizer since you seem to cling to any last bit of relevance from this brand. Nevertheless you appear to me a bit conservative about the efficiency of the miracle product. I would suggest 120% success rate.

Spiroul,

I checked some of the claims you made. I wish you did more due diligence before you make claims that affect people's lives. I am a pilot and double vaccinated with Pfizer. And I can assure you that there is no such talk about vaccine related panic among pilots nor airlines. Not one person has brought it up. FAA requires disclosure of any medical concerns. BA is not going to risk losing their charter in USA by hiding such key info about pilots. They would rather ground their fleet and claim insurance payout than crash planes.

How many planes have crashed worldwide? How many mayday calls have been called due to pilot health concerns in the sky due to vaccine? Answer is none. Because FAA and ATC compiles such data worldwide. And none of the mayday calls have been related to Pfizer or any vaccine. So as an industry insider I can confirm you are spreading garbage info. I trust you truly believe your inference, but sadly you are misinformed. I pray that you do a bit more due diligence before spreading such information. Even if you believe it to be true.

[PBtoCobra]

I am in the UK, and have not heard anything about this, so did a little research, and the BA aspect appears to be incorrect. https://www.reuters.com/article/fact...-idUSL2N2NZ1ZO.

ARN is just the acronym for genetic therapy in France so I just reverse it. Please don't patronize me.

I don't want to spend time arguing about Pfizer since you seem to cling to any last bit of relevance from this brand. Nevertheless you appear to me a bit conservative about the efficiency of the miracle product. I would suggest 120% success rate.

Now, let's get back to business. 4 British Airways pilots died a week ago after their double jab Pfizer. Something never heard of in the entire history of the general aviation. BA held up a crisis meeting with the government in order to suggest that vaccines pilots should not take the air! Since 80% of their pilots have been vaccinated they are cornered. Now, that just confirm what I suspected months ago that vaccines would just add another layer of crap.

Hungary stats: Pfizer hold the record of death rate per 100 000 vaccinated people (36) Sputnik is way behind with 1.

90% of the deaths in Europe reported by Pharmaco vigilance (a state organisation). Are from Pfizer.

Studies start to show that Prion disease is one of many threat that Pfizer clients are facing in the coming years (30 mouses tested with Pfizer died within a week with prion which is brain meltdown). The list is endless.

One has to be fuckin naive to believe that a three weeks vaccine development against SRAS works miracle while every genetics therapies tested those last 15 years failed miserably. It can be the future for all I know but this is the present time.

I wish vaccines work, really. But they don't. North hemisphere countries enjoy the summer season. Let's see how it goes in October. I already have some ideas.

Israel, Russia currently face a surge of contaminations and Israel acknowledge that the situation is serious (all of their Guinea pigs are Pfizer related).

I intended to go back to Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Moscow but I suspect that the mess is far from over. We have officials handling this crisis on panic mode and that won't change.

Now, to close this vaccine topic, I'm not against getting jabbed but with the right move. I would seriously consider Vanelva by the end of the year. This is definitely the most serious contender and it's French. It's similar to the flu vaccine but improved. Ironically the European Commission which has been bought out by Pfizer lobbyists already dismissed Vanelva because the factories were in Scotland and not in Europe. It's all about the money not about the best interests of the people and Pfizer has spent hundreds of millions to make sure Europe is it's garden wall. Sputnik is forbidden along with the Chinese ones. European citizens have choices between experimental genetics therapy and. Moderna. This is joke.