COVID-19 Updates: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte Press Briefing | November 30, 2020

December 1, 2020

As of November 30, 2020, 08:45 PM, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte addressed the nation through a recorded speech to provide COVID-19 Updates. Below are the highlights of the briefing:

• PRRD started off his speech by celebrating Filipino hero Andres Bonifacio and honoring the heroic frontliners, especially the healthcare workers and uniformed personnel.
• Before giving the new quarantine classification for the different cities, PRRD warned the public of the third wave of confirmed cases that other countries are experiencing wherein there number of people getting sick as well as the death toll are much higher than the previous waves.
  • For critics who question the increasing cases in the Philippines, he argued that the government cannot prevent the people from going out, especially if it’s needed for work or to buy essentials. He simply reminded everyone to continue practicing minimum health standards or just stay at home.
• The new quarantine classification from December 1-31, 2020 are as follows:
  • General Community Quarantine
    • National Capital Region (NCR)
    • Batangas
    • Lanao del Sur
    • Iloilo City
    • Tacloban City
    • Davao City
  • The rest of the country will remain under Modified General Community Quarantine.
• PRRD proceeded to address the alleged communists in the country and identified Makabayan bloc and Gabriela as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
• Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III reported that as of November 30, 2020, there are 1,773 new confirmed COVID cases in the country, increasing the country’s total to 431,630 — 419 are from NCR, 363 from Region IV-A, 203 from Region III, 166 from Region VI, and 622 from other regions.
  • Active cases are at 24,580 while total number of recoveries is 398,658.
  • The country’s COVID death toll is now at 8,392.
• Sec. Duque shared that the DOH is closely studying the downward trend of the pandemic to properly guide the public and maintain the lowering numbers.
  • Health facilities are currently preparing for an anticipated post-holiday surge of COVID cases.
  • He shared that the Philippines currently ranks 27th in the countries with the most number of COVID cases, and 44th in the number of active cases.
• Sec. Duque appealed to both the national and local governments to remind their respective communities about the safety measures for the upcoming holidays and to discourage people from having mass gatherings.
• For workers who are commuting daily, they are implementing the Joint Administrative Order No. 2020-0001: “Guidelines on the Proper Use and Promotion of Active Transport During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic” to ensure everyone’s health and safety. This is in cooperation with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
• Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reported that the National Task Force on COVID-19 is currently monitoring areas where there are an increasing number of confirmed cases.
• The total number of Overseas Filipino Workers who have returned home is already at 333,697.
• With regards to the Low Pressure Area that will be hitting northern Luzon, Sec. Lorenzana shared that Cagayan Valley is expected to experience heavy rains. Units from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) are already preparing to provide assistance for communities that will be affected by floods.
• Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and National Task Force COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. reported that cases in Davao continue to increase, but additional medical staff have already been deployed to manage the situation.
  • Referral system and emergency response in Davao and Cebu are being strengthened to help improve the COVID-19 situation in their respective areas.
• DILG Secretary Eduardo Año reported updates on the criminal cases regarding the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
  • Of the 782 complainants with 1,278 suspects, 270 have already been filed with the prosecutor, 30 are already in the court, while 27 have been refiled in the Office of the Ombudsman.
  • In administrative cases involving barangay chairman, 184 have already been referred to the prosecutor, 57 are already in the court, and 66 have been refiled in the Office of Ombudsman. There are currently 89 barangay chairman under suspension.
• On the approval of applications for building of towers from telco companies, Sec. Año shared that 2,220 have already been approved while 712 are pending.
• On contact tracing, Sec. Año shared that there are a total of 263,698 contact tracers in the country which are part of 30,540 teams. From the 50,000 additional contact tracers from Bayanihan 2, 48,920 have already been deployed.
• For the upcoming holidays, Sec. Año added that respective LGUs in NCR are also preparing for a surge in COVID cases.
  • Christmas parties, mass gatherings, and caroling are prohibited.
  • There is a gradual expansion of age groups who are permitted to go out including minors who must be accompanied by their parents when going to malls. This applies for those areas under GCQ.
• As for the anti-illegal drug operations campaign during the pandemic, Sec. Año reported that from November 16-26, the Philippine National Police have arrested 14 individuals and have confiscated 4.130 kg of shabu amounting to PHP 28.084 million.
  • He shared their observation that as access to shabu is limited, there are increasing numbers of marijuana usage. In a recent buy-bust operation in Quezon City, three individuals were arrested with 128 kg of marijuana amounting to PHP 15.36 million.
  • As of November 24, three marijuana plantations have been discovered by the PNP and have uprooted 28,800 marijuana trees that amount to PHP 5.76 million.
  • From January 1 to September 30, the PNP and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have ceased PHP 12.47 billion worth of shabu, cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana.
• PRRD then read the list of people that have been identified in the government’s campaign against graft and corruption. The names are as follows:
  • Nasser Pangandaman, Secretary – Dismissed;
  • Rowena Agbayani, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Dismissed;
  • Ronald Venancio, DAR – Dismissed;
  • Teresita Legaspi Panlilio, DAR – Dismissed;
  • Ricardo Oblena, DAR – Dismissed;
  • Doroteo Galavia, Department of Education (DepEd) – Dismissed;
  • Lucinda Dela Cruz, DepEd – Dismissed for extortion;
  • Mary Ann Sta. Maria Parcon, DepEd – Dismissed for extortion;
  • Rebecca Teodosio Esto – Dismissed for graft
  • Dorothy Calimag – Dismissed;
  • Exequiel Arevalo Jr., PNP, PO3 – Dismissed;
  • Ferdinand Relasyon, Police Inspector/Chief of Police – Dismissed;
  • Renato Masangkay, SPO1 – Dismissed, PNP;
  • Louie Senolos, San Andres, Quezon – Dismissed;
  • Pedro Ruiz, Jr., LGU, San Andres – Dismissed;
  • Renato Fontanil, Quezon – Dismissed;
  • Royle Macandog, Municipal Treasurer – Dismissed.
  • Sergio Emprese, Mayor – Dismissed;
  • Sheila May Llanto, OIC-Municipal Accountant – Dismissed;
  • Constancia Salonga of San Antonio, Nueva Ecija – Dismissed, grave misconduct;
  • Daisy Pili – Dismissed for misconduct;
  • Reynaldo Policarpio, LGU, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan – Dismissed;
  • Reynaldo San Pedro, Barangay Tigaon, Camarines Norte – Dismissed;
  • Eduardo Ravena, Chief Accountant / Executive Assistant, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental – Dismissed;
  • Sherwin Antazo, LGU, Barangay Binangonan, Rizal – Dismissed;
  • Romeo Roseos, Barangay Clerk, Davao City – Dismissed;
  • Renerio Raboy, Barangay Captain – Dismissed;
  • Boyet Geronimo, sa Pangasinan – Dismissed;
  • Tito Fernandez, LGU, Pangasinan, Malasiqui – Dismissed;
  • Ivan Siy Alcarioto, Barangay Captain – Dismissed;
  • Danilo Casasola, Sr., Barangay Captain of Sampaloc Manila – Dismissed;
  • Merlinda Cuevas of Sampaloc District – Dismissed;
  • Barangay Councilor Ferdinand Mojica – Dismissed;
  • Gilbert Pineda – Dismissed;
  • Luzviminda Torres – Dismissed;
  • Rafael Palisoc, Sr., Barangay 779, Manila – Dismissed;
  • Rodolfa Flores, LGU, Barangay 509, Sampaloc Manila – Dismissed;
  • Teresita Reyes – Dismissed;
  • Rogelio Capiral – Dismissed;
  • Bel Altares, LGU – Dismissed;
  • Maria Alicia Providencia, Treasurer of Zamboanga del Sur, San Pablo Municipality – Dismissed;
  • Mosibicak Guiabel, Maguindanao -Dismissed;
  • Ann Rutche Moreno, Lianga, Surigao del Sur – Dismissed;
  • Florufina Pelismino – Dismissed;
  • Nena Quijano – Dismissed;
  • Renato Tubo – Dismissed;
  • Nena Quijano, Mayor – Dismissed;
  • Renato Tubo, BAC Member, – Dismissed;
  • Rosalina Cuadra – Dismissed;
  • Rosemarie Luib – Dismissed;
  • Wilfredo Laid, BAC Chairman — Dismissed;
  • Toribio Reyes III, Dinagat – Dismissed;
  • Jed Patrick Mabilog, Mayor, Iloilo City – Dismissed for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service;
  • Jessie Galano, Paoay, Ilocos Norte – Dismissed, abuse of authority, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave misconduct;
  • Brian Tuanquin, AFP – Dismissed, disgraceful and immoral conduct and serious dishonesty;
  • Ethelbert Aaron Kiunisala – Dismissed, Captain, AFP;
  • Nilo Olimpo, AFP – Dismissed, Technical Sergeant;
  • Delia Morala, Operations Officer, Bureau of Customs – Dismissed;
  • Julito Vitriolo, CHED – Dismissed;
  • Luben Quijano Marasigan, Agriculture – Dismissed;
  • Apipa Usman Manalocon – Dismissed, sa DAR ito sila, Accountant;
  • BAC Member Beverly Faith Tanggol – Dismissed;
  • Faisal Dimaporo Macabato – Dismissed;
  • Minisah Pundamudag Solaiman, Acting Cashier – Dismissed.
• After identifying these individuals, PRRD then addressed the alleged communists he mentioned earlier, reiterating that they are not being tagged, but identified.
• Referring to the communist parties in Mindanao, PRRD shared that the Lumads are the victims of the NPA as many of them have been killed. If these parties do not stop, it might be the cause of extinction of this indigenous tribe.
• PRRD also reassured the public that he will be present to address the nation every Monday before Christmas. He also shared about his work ethics and his approach to the daily paperwork that he needs to accomplish.
• PRRD concluded his speech by reminding the public to stay safe and stay at home and continue practicing minimum health standards. The government is taking care of securing a vaccine for the Filipinos and a competent group has been appointed to handle it.

Earlier that day, PRRD addressed the public in celebration of Bonifacio Day. Below are the highlights of his short speech:

• PRRD shared that he is one with the nation in commemorating the 157th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio and it was a day to honor his legacy of sparking the fires of a revolution that awakened national consciousness, serving as the foundation of Republic of the Philippines.
• PRRD further shared that Bonifacio’s love for the country is vital now more than ever as the country overcomes the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In remembrance of his life and deeds, PRRD wished that his values continue to inspire many FIlipinos to become worthy heirs of the just, progressive, and inclusive society that Bonifacio envisioned.
• Fueled by Bonifacio’s extraordinary courage and determination, PRRD rallied the Filipinos to conquer challenges and secure a much better and brighter future.

DOH Advisory

As of November 30, 2020, 4:00 PM COVID-19 Update, the Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 431,630 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1,773 of which are new cases, bringing the number of active cases to 24,580. There are 44 people who recovered from the disease, increasing the total number of recoveries to 398,658. However, 19 more died, increasing the local death toll to 8,392.

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