Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Monday, March 1, 2021.

READ: Vaccination drive faces big challenges

With the arrival of the first shipments of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine on Sunday, the government is expected to kick up efforts to achieve its target of inoculating 70 percent of the country's more than 110 million population. But formidable challenges lie ahead, not the least of which is the reluctance of many Filipinos to get a jab in the arm, unconvinced that the shot they would be getting is safe or effective. Logistical problems could also crop up. Health officials have conducted simulation exercises to determine how fast the vaccine could be delivered to inoculation centers. Dry runs are fine, but unforeseen hitches must be considered during actual deliveries.

READ: Sinovac vaccine arrives, AstraZeneca’s delayed

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Sticking to the vaccines, the shipment of the China-donated CoronaVac arrived on Sunday, the first vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to reach the Philippines. A second shipment, from AstraZeneca, due today, March 1, will be delayed because of a “global supply problem.” The 600,000 doses of CoronaVac arrived on a Chinese military transport plane at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. They were immediately transferred to the Department of Health’s (DoH) warehouse in Marikina City. During a ceremony welcoming the shipment, President Rodrigo Duterte thanked China President Xi Jinping for the donation. Duterte said he plans to visit Beijing soon to personally express his gratitude to Xi. In a television interview later Sunday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd announced that the delivery of the more than 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine would be delayed.

READ: Local firm eyes PH vaccine plant

A Filipino pharmaceutical firm plans to build the country’s first vaccine plant to manufacture coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine. Glovax Biotech has informed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Investments of its desire to construct a vaccine plant in partnership with South Korea-based Eubiologics and LG Chem to produce EuCorVac-19 vaccine, which was developed by POP Biotechnologies. The company said it discussed with DTI’s National Development Corp. the “possible investment collaboration” because the vaccine plant was projected to cost P7 billion, including tech transfer costs.

READ: Tulfo’s inoculation not illegal – Panelo

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said there was nothing illegal with getting inoculated with unregulated vaccines. He made the comment in his show “Counterpoint” on Saturday amid arguments on former special envoy to China and columnist Ramon Tulfo's disclosure that he was inoculated with China-made BBIBP-CorV vaccine along with other government officials whom he refused to identify. Tulfo said he was inoculated after he applied to be one of the vaccine's distributors in the country.

READ: Travel authority, medcert no longer required

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Sunday said travel authority from the Philippine National Police and medical certificate from local government units (LGUs) are no longer required for domestic travel via air, sea or land. DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya said the new protocol set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases was to be implemented nationwide. A negative coronavirus test prior to travel is also no longer required in certain areas.

READ: Gatchalian wants age of sex consent raised

SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian wants to raise the age of sexual consent to 18, saying teenage mothers tend to be victims of sexual abuse. The senator earlier filed Senate Bill 739 raising the age of sexual consent to 18. He deplored that the age of consent in the Philippines is 12 years old, the lowest in Asia and the second lowest in the world.

READ: Pasay offers free swab tests amid virus spike

THE Pasay City government announced on Sunday that residents with close contact with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients could avail of free swab tests, as the city grapples with a ballooning infection rate. Those who want to be tested must present a valid ID and a Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) number. Residents without a PhilHealth number will be asked to fill out a form at the vaccination site. Swab testing will resume today, March 1, from 8 AM to 2 PM until March 5 at the Andres Bonifacio Elementary School and Malibay Plaza.

BUSINESS: Inflation likely up anew in Feb

Topping business, Philippine headline inflation likely further accelerated in February due to low base effects and higher prices of food, oil, and electricity, analysts polled by The Manila Times said. Projections for the month ranged from 4.6 to 5.0 percent with a 4.8 percent average-higher than the 4.2 percent in January and year-earlier's 2.6 percent. Official February 2021 inflation data will be released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on March 5. Robert Dan Roces, chief economist of Security Bank Corporation projected inflation to settle within 4.8 to 5.2 percent (5.0 percent average).

SPORTS: Cuarto mum on Taduran rematch

In sports, Rene Mark Cuarto is the new International Boxing Federation minimum weight champion. In an all-Filipino clash, Cuarto beat Pedro Taduran via unanimous decision, dethroning the latter at the Bula Gym in Gen. Santos City on Saturday. All three judges came up with identical 115-113 scorecards in favor of Cuarto. With the victory, the Zamboanga del Norte native improved his 19-2-2 win-loss-draw record with 11 knockouts. Taduran was trying to push the pace all throughout, but Cuarto would have none of it, keeping his defense intact and looking for golden opportunities to strike.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Rigoberto Tiglao and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are today’s front page columnists. Tiglao wonders why detained Sen. Leila de Lima is still earning money while in prison, while Fr. Aquino analyzes the issue on children adopting their mother’s maiden names.

Today’s editorial believes there are questions and uncertainties surround vaccination program rollout. Read the full version on the paper's Opinion Section or listen to the Voice of The Times.

 

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With Dafort Villaseran, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. May you have a safe week ahead.