General Info

[Datiao]

I think that's exactly right. In particular, declaring a state of calamity authorizes local government units and national agencies to draw down resources from the national government for response, recovery, and mitigation costs.

Interestingly, the case and death numbers indicate that the Philippines has a 1.7% fatality rate among those that contract the virus. Globally that rate is currently 3%. Perhaps the Philippines is doing a better than average job of responding to known cases.

In March, 6 months of calamity was declared and now extended for another 1 year.

I think more like they are giving up of really bringing down the virus numbers, rather more concerned of an economy meltdown, solely pinning the hope of vaccine.

The GCQ status instead of ECQ in NCR attest to that even the virus cases are averaging about 1500 daily.

I live in cebu city and it has done well in bringing down the cases from daily few hundreds to present 30's or so by implementing ECQ from April to June and now we are in MGCQ. Thanks mainly to actions by authorities strict Quarantine measures and apprehend / penalise violators.

But yesterday when returning from shopping for my groceries, I passed by an area which caters vans to passengers for near provincial travel.

There were at least 10 persons including the van personnel and passengers who were not wearing masks or have them pulled down below their nose or mouth.

And about 20 m away sits the security who pretend nothing happened.

I did not see any police or army uniformed person else I would definitely make a complain.

I guessed they thought that it's MGCQ now and they can be complacent since the virus cases are low.

Duterte knows his country men very well that there are many stubborn pigs that make his covid fight very tough. Maybe that is why he permit the shooting of extreme violators that retaliate posing danger.

I do hope cebu does not go back to ECQ cause of these irresponsible hopeless idiots but we know very well how these pigs are and behave.

The situation in NCR is very much worse.

Even Vietnam, that is top in covid cases control is facing a surge in cases.

Tourist travel to Philippines or even Vietnam is not realistic for a long time and worst if you are from a country w rampant covid issues.

[Soapy Smith]

As I understand a state of calamity simply allows the government to exercise additional powers during that period. These powers may be used well into the new normal or beyond for economic reasons.

I think that's exactly right. In particular, declaring a state of calamity authorizes local government units and national agencies to draw down resources from the national government for response, recovery, and mitigation costs.

Interestingly, the case and death numbers indicate that the Philippines has a 1.7% fatality rate among those that contract the virus. Globally that rate is currently 3%. Perhaps the Philippines is doing a better than average job of responding to known cases.

[PedroMorales]

Populist politicians (ie 99% of them) sing from the same hymn sheet. There is no way mongers wil be allowed in soon and, if they were, they would be blamed for Covid spikes and the shake downs would be horrendous. I would actually say some elements in Pinoy society are happy with this.

Duterte is not going to risk Angeles or Makati blowing up in his face. They are small; beans compared to international remittances in any event. The clock is being resent. Reality is being dispensed with and virtual is in. Europe is a mess with quarantine and other rules changing from day to day. I am under self quarantine myself but, more sadly, am confined to barracks as we cannot go anywhere or bonk anyone. Talk of going to the Philippines is akin to going to the moon, or Africa in the 1930's.

Jollibee days are over.

Philippines extends state of calamity for one year amid COVID-19 spread.

Source: Xinhua.

2020-09-18 19:27:37.

Editor: huaxia.

MANILA, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has extended a state of calamity for a year amid the spike of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country, the government said on Friday.

Duterte declared a state of national calamity for six months in mid-March as the country strengthened its response to the pandemic.

"I, hereby extended the declared state of calamity throughout the Philippines for a period of one year, effective September 13,2020, to September 12,2021, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstance may warrant," read the proclamation that Duterte signed on Wednesday but was released to the media on Friday..

[Kabul Guy]

.....
"I, hereby extended the declared state of calamity throughout the Philippines for a period of one year, effective September 13,2020, to September 12,2021, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstance may warrant," .....

Unless earlier lifted or extended as the circumstance may warrant is the key wording. While we can take a clue as to how long the government expects the impact of the virus to last, that does not mean travel will be restricted this long or that tourists will not be allowed. As I understand a state of calamity simply allows the government to exercise additional powers during that period. These powers may be used well into the new normal or beyond for economic reasons.

[Engine Driver]

Don't hold your breath.

<snip> and (d) diplomats.

Diplomats, priests and NGO do gooder types are the biggest mongers on the planets. Hahahaha. They will certainly make sure that no poor LBFM starves.

[Datiao]

Philippines extends state of calamity for one year amid COVID-19 spread.

Source: Xinhua.

2020-09-18 19:27:37.

Editor: huaxia.

MANILA, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has extended a state of calamity for a year amid the spike of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country, the government said on Friday.

Duterte declared a state of national calamity for six months in mid-March as the country strengthened its response to the pandemic.

"I, hereby extended the declared state of calamity throughout the Philippines for a period of one year, effective September 13,2020, to September 12,2021, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstance may warrant," read the proclamation that Duterte signed on Wednesday but was released to the media on Friday.

The proclamation said the extension will, among others, "effectively afford the national government, as well as local government units (LGUs), ample latitude to continue utilizing appropriate funds, including the quick response fund, in their disaster preparedness and response efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, monitor and control prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, and provide basic services to the affected populations. ".

The Philippines continues to grapple with a surging number of COVID-19 cases despite the imposition since mid-March of varying degrees of lockdown measures that shut down 75 percent of the economy.

The Philippines now has 279,526 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 4,830 deaths and 208,790 recoveries. Enditem.

Copyright 2000-2020 XINHUANET.com All rights reserved.

[Soapy Smith]

I don't even see planes advertising trips now. I had three planes rides cancelled on me in the last month.

Airlines are signaling major layoffs.

[Soapy Smith]

He then joked further "that the only people who want to come to PH at present are horny guys who want to take advantage of girls who are poor", and we're not likely to let them in any time soon.

What a sour attitude. Given the abundance of poor girls in the Philippines, he oughta be willing to share. You'd think some of those NGO do-gooder types must have gotten to him.

[Mr Enternational]

Thinking about the future. Has there so far been any dumping of real estate as mongers head back to the western homelands?

How about resort land at Siargao? I heard they had a boom last few years when boracay was closed, then boracay reopened and then later covid hit. Presumably lots of joints must be feeling the pain of over investing at the top of the market.

How about the Manila condo market? Must be a mess.

My girlfriend and her partners had to let their new bed & breakfast in Siargao go as well as their shop at Mall of Asia. Fucked up.

[PedroMorales]

Don't hold your breath.

I have a friend who works in Immigration in Intramuros.

All priority is being given to (a) returning OFWs (b) anyone with family ties and / or a residence visa (13 A) who can validly justify entry with a visa obtained at a PH embassy (c) business-linked people who have established bona fide business in the PH and who have obtained a visa at an overseas Embassy and (d) diplomats.

He joked that NOBODY else wants to visit the Philippines right now for genuine tourism since most things are closed. He then joked further "that the only people who want to come to PH at present are horny guys who want to take advantage of girls who are poor", and we're not likely to let them in any time soon. So unless you're in (a) - (d), please fall in line.

Covid19 is moving towards poorer countries like the Philippines https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries and these guys are thinking of Pinays lining up to chew on their marshmallows. Oil prices are in the toilet and a massive expulsion of OFWs could be on the cards, throwing the Philippines into utter turmoil and these pathetic urchins think their marshmallows are of consequence. I have been holidaying in Europe and small firms are being crucified with the cops and their authorities on their case. Only for the kindness of strangers, Germans in particular, these folk would be screwed. Even if Duterte wanted to open up Angeles for the small minority who benefit from it, the WHO mafia would stop him.

A major reset is on. The weather here in Europe is great unless you are a virus but the virus marches onwards. In my owsn case, I am hoping for one last hurrah in the Philippines, if we are ever allowed back in. Your thoughts on dates (2021/2 etc) would be welcome. I consider places like Angeles to be now part of history. Hollywood might make a movie of it sometimes.

As for my own marshmallow, I am going through options but this universal celibacy is no laughing matter. Providers have taken to the hills and one has to be dubious of those who are still open for business. I remember when HIV was ravaging India, the hookers were still going at it full tilt. I have even been eyeing up junkeys, who are so strung out they should turn you off sex forever.

I feel the problem is we have populists of left and right for politicians and civil servants who who were born without brains or initiative running the show.

Any PRACTICAL advice / indicators welcome. I don't even see planes advertising trips now. I had three planes rides cancelled on me in the last month. God knows who can survive this ongoing mass house arrest.

[Red Kilt]

I can't wait either. I have 6 girls lined up. Plus one 20 yo cherry girl refereed by her 30 yo Tita. Hope I can get there before her 21st birthday.

Don't hold your breath.

I have a friend who works in Immigration in Intramuros.

All priority is being given to (a) returning OFWs (b) anyone with family ties and / or a residence visa (13 A) who can validly justify entry with a visa obtained at a PH embassy (c) business-linked people who have established bona fide business in the PH and who have obtained a visa at an overseas Embassy and (d) diplomats.

He joked that NOBODY else wants to visit the Philippines right now for genuine tourism since most things are closed. He then joked further "that the only people who want to come to PH at present are horny guys who want to take advantage of girls who are poor", and we're not likely to let them in any time soon. So unless you're in (a) - (d), please fall in line.

[Mr Enternational]

Whoops, I actually meant Colombia. The videos looked like a great party scene but if my penis can't touch a vagina I'm not interested.

Flights to Colombia started back yesterday and even though they had one of the strictest lockdowns, many mongers were still reporting daily of their penises touching vaginas while they were "stuck" in the country.

[BrizLad]

Thinking about the future. Has there so far been any dumping of real estate as mongers head back to the western homelands?

How about resort land at Siargao? I heard they had a boom last few years when boracay was closed, then boracay reopened and then later covid hit. Presumably lots of joints must be feeling the pain of over investing at the top of the market.

How about the Manila condo market? Must be a mess.

Any intel appreciated.

BL.

[FuriousGeorge]

Whoops, I actually meant Colombia. The videos looked like a great party scene but if my penis can't touch a vagina I'm not interested.

My buddy went to Costa Rica

[WestCoast1]

OMG! A post about PH in the PH forum!

The problem with the lack of reports is there is not much to report during lockdown. Obviously the gogo bars are closed, as is LAC and the Burgos FL street scene. The only thing left to report on is the province scene and Tinder-type girls, which has been done. I have a handful of regulars at this point tossing my salad routinely. Very satisfying, but not much worth reporting.