This Week in Metro Manila (May 8 to 14, 2021)

The Bayanihan to Arise As One Act or Bayanihan 3 was approved by the House of Representatives. The bill includes a PhP405.6 billion stimulus package for COVID-19 recovery [1], of which PhP108 billion will be spent on a cash subsidy program. Another PhP108 billion will be allotted for standby funds, while PhP12 billion will be used for Phase 1 of the Assistance to Individuals Crisis Situation (AICS) program. A combined budget of PhP18 billion will be used for Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the program.

To support livelihoods during the pandemic, a total of PhP20 billion will be used for phase one to three the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises. PhP10 billion will be used for programs that provide temporary employment for displaced workers.

Financial assistance programs for the agri-fishery sector will be given a PhP30-billion budget to cover income security and welfare for farmers and fishermen. Meanwhile, medical assistance of PhP3 billion will be given to indigent patients. PhP54.6 billion will be used for pensions of retired military and policemen while PhP5.6 billion will be used to assist the Department of Education for digital education during the pandemic.

As of May 3, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has resumed operations in the NCR Plus area to offer various services, including the renewal of driver’s licenses. However, those who will visit the offices for transactions must observe the strict health and safety protocols [2]. According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the following branches have resumed operations:

• LTO NCR East Regional Office

• Ali Mall DLRO

• Choice Mall DLRO

• Eastwood DLRO

• Ever Gotesco DLRO

• Fairview Center Mall DLRO

• Fishermall DLRO

• Robinsons Galleria DLRO

• Robinsons Metroeast DLRO

• Robinsons Novaliches DLRO

• Shaw Mall Center DLRO

• SM North EDSA DLRO

• SM Novaliches DLRO

• Tiendesitas DLRO

• Quezon City Licensing Center

• QCLC Renewal Section

• San Juan Licensing Center

• Taguig Licensing Extension Office

• Valenzuela Licensing Extension Office

• Diliman District Office

• La Loma District Office

• Mandaluyong Extension Office

• Marikina District Office

• Novaliches District Office

• Pasig District Office

• Pateros Extension Office

• Quezon City District Office

• Quezon City Extension Office

• San Juan District Office

• Taguig Extension Office

• Valenzuela District Office

• North Motor Vehicle Inspection Office

• Public Utility Vehicle Registration Center

• DLRO - Ayala MRT

• DLRO - Robinson's Las Piñas

• DLRO - Araneta Square Mall

• DLRO - SM Manila

• DLRO - SM Mall of Asia

• DLRO - Robinsons Place Manila

• DLRO - Alabang Town Center

• DLRO - Metropoint Pasay

• DLRO - Lucky Chinatown Mall

• DLRO - Guadalupe

• Kalookan Licensing Extension Office

• Kalookan District Office

• Las Piñas District Office

• Las Piñas Licensing Extension Office

• Makati District Office

• Malabon District Office

• Manila East District Office

• Manila Licensing Center

• Manila Licensing Renewal Section

• Manila North District Office

• Manila South District Office

• Manila West District Office

• Muntinlupa District Office

• Navotas Extension Office

• Parañaque District Office

• Pasay City Licensing Center

• Pasay District Office

• Public Utility Vehicle Registration

• Extension Center

• South Motor Vehicle Inspection Center

The Department of Tourism (DOT) reminds the public that leisure travel to and from the NCR Plus area is still prohibited during the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) [3]. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat added that tourist destinations in places under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) are allowed to operate but are not allowed to accommodate those coming from NCR Plus.

In order to accommodate deliveries, SM Malls partnered with local delivery service app Toktok for the Shop For Me program that will be available in the southern Metro Manila area. Through the program, customers can shop for essentials from the nearest SM branch without leaving their home and Toktok will deliver the package [4].

The service is available in SM City Sucat, SM Sucat-Lopez, SM City Muntinlupa, SM City BF Parañaque, SM City Bicutan, and SM City Center Las Piñas. Toktok will also be expanding its service to other SM Mall branches in Metro Manila. The service can be availed online (http://www.toktok.ph/pabiliservice/sm).

Pasay City now offers free healthcare services under its “Kandili ng Kalusugan Telemedical Consultation” program. The program was launched last May 5 for the benefit of Pasay residents; it covers free medicine and online medical consultation.

Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano asked residents to coordinate with their respective village officials for the schedule of the services. The initial schedule for Barangays 151 and 152 is from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM; Barangays 158 and 161 is between 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM [5].

Makati Mayor Abby Binay announced last May 3 that mild cases of COVID-19 will be treated at home through the Makati COVID-19 Home Care Program with the assistance of the Department of Health [6]. Under the program, mild cases will be treated at home given the following conditions and health protocols:

• The patient has a separate bathroom and bedroom.

• There are no household members who are immunocompromised, pregnant, senior citizens, or with comorbidities.

• The caregiver at home must have a strong immune system to avoid transmission.

• Caregivers should wear protective gears like masks and gloves at all times. They should also maintain at least a one-meter distance from the infected patient.

Infected individuals will be given a home care package that includes a COVID-19 Home Care Handbook and monitoring sheets. A medical kit containing masks, hand sanitizers, a thermometer, a pulse oximeter, vitamins, and an oral disinfectant spray will also be provided. Maintenance medicines will also be given to those with other comorbidities, and patients will also have two dedicated online consultations.

According to the policies set by DOH, mild cases should quarantine for 10 days since they experience symptoms. The patients should also clinically recover within three days and are required to seek clearance from a doctor. Testing is not required for clearance. Meanwhile, those who have been exposed to the infected patient should also quarantine for 14 days immediately starting the day of their exposure.

This initiative was launched due to the increase in COVID-19 patients at the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) and the need for additional isolation and quarantine facilities.

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates and travel guidelines in Metro Manila.