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We have allowed more transportation to come out.

That's going to prove to be better for demand.

If we do follow the health protocols,

the ability of people to move around will likely contribute better to growth.

We have allowed more transportation to come out.

That's going to prove to be better for demand.

If we do follow the health protocols,

the ability of people to move around will likely contribute better to growth.

If we do follow the health protocols,

the ability of people to move around will likely contribute better to growth.

For more information, visit www.ISGlobal.org

The greatest disruptor of all time is actually COVID-19.

The greatest disruptor of all time is actually COVID-19.

Because of limited mobility, people are also not being able to go to physical branches, etc.

Because of limited mobility, people are also not being able to go to physical branches, etc.

It further accelerated the adoption of consumers of digital channels.

We are now being able to provide the services needed by our citizens, by our consumers.

We are now being able to provide the services needed by our citizens, by our consumers.

Justice Secretary Jesús Crespin Remulla reveals embattled Congressman Arnulfo Tevez Jr.

has clear links to the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Digamo.

Later on in the program, we'll speak with Okta Research Fellow Guido David on the high COVID positivity rate recorded in Misamis Oriental.

And U.S. President Joe Biden calls for a ban on assault weapons following the latest school shooting in America.

Hi, I'm Camila Constantino. Dateline Philippines begins right now.

Thanks for joining us. For those of you watching us on YouTube and on Facebook, nice to have you with us today.

Topping the midday news, the appeals chamber of the International Criminal Court rejects the Philippine government's request

to suspend the ICC's probe into the Duterte administration's drug war.

It says the appeal failed to explain how the alleged lack of ICC jurisdiction would defeat the purpose of the probe.

Carlos Conde of Human Rights Watch welcomes the ruling, as well as the ICC's move to allow families of drug war victims to participate in the proceedings.

This is definitely welcome news to us, to the human rights community.

The Philippine government actually failed to explain why they wanted the investigation to be suspended.

For practical reasons for the ICC, hearing the testimonies, the voices of the families of drug war victims

is also key to determining what exactly happened in the past six or even beyond.

So it's extremely important. It's not just because the families of the victims of drug war are given a voice in all of this,

but also they can provide more information to the ICC that might come up during these interactions.

Meanwhile, the Philippine government's appeal against the ruling authorizing the resumption of the ICC's drug war probe is still pending.

The government has repeatedly argued the judicial system here is working, and that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the country.

But if they insist on doing it, well, good luck to them, because they cannot enter our country to impose a rule of law different from ours.

And our rule of law here is run by Filipinos.

A lawyer for families of drug war victims, meanwhile, says the Philippine government should not renege on its international treaty commitments.

Attorney Neri Colmenares asserts the ICC has the right to investigate the bloody drug war under the Duterte administration.

He also refutes government's claim the ICC probe is a threat to the country's sovereignty.

Well, let's get another reaction to the ICC's ruling.

We're now joined by Dr. Aurora Corazon-Parong, who is representing the Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court.

She's also vice chairperson of Amnesty International Philippines.

Dr. Parong, thank you for joining us today and welcome to the program.

Yeah, so a first question here, Dr. Parong.

The appeals chamber of the International Criminal Court junking the Philippine government's request.

With that rejection, what's going to happen next?

You know, one of the problems here, how can you say there's a robust justice system

if we only had convictions for the killers of Carl Arnaiz, Pulot de Guzman, and Ian.

But you know, these convictions are, of course, very welcome.

But it also surface pieces of evidence that debunked the Patnan Laban and the presumption of regularity

narrative touted by the Duterte government.

So, you know, for the Philippine Coalition for the ICC, if there's like 6,252 killed,

then there should be cases that are at least 6,252 cases.

Because, you know, it is the court which determines if there is really Nan Laban,

if it is really self-defense, and if it's really there's a regularity in the operation.

No one should be killed in a police operation.

At the very least, at the very least, Dr. Parong, you think government should have added to those cases

as their so-called investigation went on.

But as it stands, have there been any resolve that you've seen from the government

to make sure that the cases that they investigated before and the convictions that happened after,

no matter how small, are actually being added to?

That they're actually working on more cases, investigating more cases, getting more convictions, Dr. Parong?

Yeah, you need thousands of cases, not just the less than 50 that they said have been filed in court.

And we don't even know which of these cases have been filed, no?

So thousands, what we need are thousands, not just hundreds.

Because all the cases where the people were killed have to be investigated by the court.

If it is independent from the law enforcement agency, we are giving the police a report.

Let's go back to what the Philippine government has been saying.

They're now arguing, government is now arguing, and they have been actually, that this is all about sovereignty.

Is it really, Dr. Parong?

There's really no sovereignty issue here.

Because when we ratified the Rome Statute of the ICC, we said that,

okay, we allow the courts to come in to help us solve cases of crimes against humanity.

And so during that period, when we were still a party,

it is very clear that there is jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

And the ICC is not saying that it will investigate beyond that time that we were a party to the ICC.

So there's no issue about sovereignty inclusion.

When we were talking to Solicitor General Menardo Guevara, when they filed that appeal,

he said that they actually changed strategies, changed tactics,

that instead of just answering or putting forth their argument,

they were also attacking the very process by which the ICC conducted their investigation.

Do you think that that exactly went wrong in their appeal?

And if you think otherwise, what went wrong in the government appeal,

and what went right for the victims of the drug war?

What went wrong for the government appeal is, first, they're just rehashing all reasons why the ICC should not come in.

Sovereignty, jurisdiction, as well as being able and willing to investigate the cases,

they do not show any evidences for that.

For the victims of extrajudicial killing and their families,

what is good is that they're willing to listen to the voices of the families themselves,

as well as the civil society organizations who are helping them.

This will show how so many thousands of families are waiting for the justice that is being promised by government,

where it's real justice in real time.

We're not having it. It's been six years, and we only have these three cases as a case for conviction.

And another reason, there is no charges filed against anyone who is sub-official who emboldened the killers.

That's why it became very massive.

So no sub-officials have been charged in court yet in the Philippines.

And that's what the ICC is doing.

It wants not just to go to the low-level policemen,

but to those who have command responsibility for allowing the thousands of killings.

I want to get your thoughts now on what Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulles said this morning.

He said, if you insist on doing it, well, good luck to them,

because they cannot enter our country to impose a rule of law different from ours.

And a rule of law is done by Filipinos.

Of course, he's addressing this to the ICC.

I want to get your thoughts on that, Dr. Peron.

On the rule of law, no less than the Supreme Court has said that

we have adopted internationally recognized principles of human rights and justice.

And it is, in fact, what the Rome Statute has is really a rule of law

which is embodied in different human rights and international humanitarian law

that we have already accepted as part of the law of the land.

So what's the problem with that?

Finally, with this development, with this latest development, Dr. Peron,

what do you think is the logical progression of this case?

In terms of the ICC, if the investigation continues,

they will add more evidences to what they have already collected,

and there will be the possibilities already of charging people

and in court of the ICC itself,

which could include not only the police who pulled the trigger,

but also those who have command responsibility.

They have, in fact, earlier already said that it can go up to the police,

Chief Bato de la Rosa, as well as the former President Duterte.

And we're really waiting for that.

And the timeline, you think, by which all of this will go down?

That's what we cannot really predict, you know,

because the ICC has many cases that they are investigating right now.

But from how I look at how the Philippine situation was progressing,

it was progressing, it only started in 2018.

But right now, 2023, the investigative source have already gotten some evidences

that they said were taken when the preliminary examination was being done.

So therefore, it's just a matter of really getting more evidences

so that they can make the charges.

So hopefully, maybe end of 2023 or early 2024, like what happened in Ukraine.

There were two visits of the prosecutor.

Of course, he had asked to Ukraine, which is not present until now for us.

So that's an obstacle.

But the situation of Ukraine was, you know, progressed very fast recently

when the war was, when Russia attacked Ukraine.

For us, supposed to be, they'll test really the mettle of the Marcos Jr. government

if they are really for human rights and for justice,

as what they say in public announcements.

So it's about rhetoric and, you know.

So it also pressures the Marcos Jr. government

because it has many issues at the international level that it's fighting for.

And we're hoping that the push of the European Union, as well as other governments,

will push the Marcos Jr. government to really have to cooperate with the ICC.

And even beyond, I'm sorry to let you there, Dr. Parong, but even beyond the ICC,

the expectation is that they should be able to continue the investigation on their own

with or without the ICC.

Yes. In fact, I have an issue related to the investigation here in the Philippines.

Do you know that after May, March 16, 2019,

all these cases are not already within the jurisdiction of the ICC?

We have not heard of any investigation related to those cases until 2016.

And there are still cases of killing within the Marcos government.

They have that obligation to investigate that also,

aside from the obligation to investigate the cases that happened under the previous government.

All right. We're going to have to leave it at that.

We've run out of time.

I'm Dr. Arora Corazon Parong, their co-chair of the Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court.

Thank you for joining us this afternoon. Really appreciate it. Take care.

Thank you.

All right. From there, we're going to take a quick break.

Up ahead, the new chief of the Bureau of Corrections reveals drastic plans

to rid the state penitentiary of abuse and corruption.

Details of that story and more when Dateline Philippines returns.

Stay with ANC.

Stay with ANC.

Stay with ANC.

Mobility will be key to recovery because we have relaxed some of our quarantine methods

and we have allowed more transportation to come out.

That's going to prove to be better for demand.

If we do follow the health protocols,

the ability of people to move around will likely contribute better to growth.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The greatest disruptor of all time is actually COVID-19.

Because of limited mobility, people are also not able to go to physical branches, et cetera.

It further accelerated the adoption of consumers of digital channels.

We are now being able to provide the services needed by our citizens, by our consumers.

We are now being able to provide the services needed by our citizens, by our consumers.

We are now being able to provide the services needed by our citizens, by our consumers.

We are now being able to provide the services needed by our citizens, by our citizens.

We are now being able to provide the services needed by our citizens, by our citizens.

Mobility will be key to recovery.

Because we have relaxed some of our quarantine methods,

and we have allowed more transportation to come out,

that's going to prove to be better for demand.

If we do follow the health protocols,

the ability of people to move around will likely contribute better to growth.

And we're back.

You're still watching Dateline Philippines here on ANC.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin de Ramullo says there are clear links

tying controversial lawmaker Arnulfo Tevez Jr. to the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel de Gamo.

He points out the suspect stayed in what they call the safe house provided by the lawmaker.

Ramullo also accuses Tevez of running a criminal organization in Negros Oriental

with dozens of killings linked to the lawmaker.

It really gives you a creepy feeling that something was wrong out there,

that the values of the people were really affected by the money going around.

So there was so much money going around that it was already obscene to say the least.

When the events transpired, and then leading up to the events,

they were staying in a place provided by the lawmaker.

It was a place controlled by the Tevez family where these armed men were staying.

They were recruited and they were given jobs.

They were already being asked to do things for the Tevez King.

And directing it through one of his trusted men was Arnulfo Tevez.

When you use a place that definitely belongs to somebody who is being pinpointed as a mastermind,

that is already a link.

Ramullo adds at this point, Tevez can be considered a fugitive.

Even if he's not yet charged in Degamas' murder.

If one is suspected of having committed a crime,

he is already suspected to be considered a fugitive if he does not show up.

The actions would speak louder than words here.

Not showing up means that he is evading us or trying to evade the law.

Tevez, who has been suspended for his continued absence from the House of Representatives,

is being deemed a potential mastermind in Degamas' killing.

Brotherly advice from former Negros Oriental Governor Pride Henry Tevez

to his older brother, Congressman Tevez, returned to the Philippines and faced the charges against him.

The younger Tevez says his family has been greatly affected by the allegations against his brother.

He also expressed confidence in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s promise to provide security to his brother.

If it's the president himself who guarantees his safety,

I think he will be safe enough.

Maybe to stop all this and shed light on everything,

maybe it's about time he comes home.

Because in one way or another, he will have to face all of this.

And he has to come back.

Meanwhile, authorities on Monday night conducted another raid on a sugar mill,

which the younger Tevez partially owns.

They recovered a sniper rifle and hundreds of ammunition.

New prisons chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. set to implement a drastic plan

to prevent abuse and corruption at the state penitentiary.

Our very own Jeff Capras now joins us to tell us more about that.

Jeff, over to you.

Yes Carmina, good afternoon.

A day after newly installed Bureau of Corrections chief,

Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. take his oath,

he began his day as the new director with the Thanksgiving mass

at Inanang Awa Parish inside the NBP compound this morning.

Catapang said his appointment as Bucor director is an answered prayer.

Right after he stepped as chief of staff of AFP, he said he prayed on what's ahead of him.

Although the job as Bucor chief is not easy, he said he will do his best to do the job.

In the middle of the mass, Carmina, prayers and well wishes was offered by the priest.

Bucor personnel also gave their blessing to their director.

Catapang even received an image of the Inanang Awa.

Catapang expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

and DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla for the trust and confidence given to him.

One of his first order of business is to reshuffle prison guards in maximum security compound next week.

I will replace all the guards to maximum.

How many?

How many?

Up to...

700?

700.

All of them?

Yes, and I will also replace the girls.

They said sometimes the girls have more balls.

The girls are braver when it's right or wrong.

Because the men are poor.

Just talk to them.

Yes.

Okay, I will give you.

But the girls, it's not possible for her.

Strict.

She's strict.

You will be the frontliner.

Yes.

When will we see that, sir?

Next week.

Next week?

Yes.

All girls?

The commander is a girl.

The superintendent.

All right.

Yes.

So the first one to be reshuffled is the guards?

Yes, the...

That's 700, sir?

Yes, the guards.

Ermina Catapang added one strike policy will be also strictly implemented as he continues to receive complaints.

Under his term, it will not be just relieving from post but dismissal from the service.

Due process and investigation, however, will be followed also.

Catapang plans to convert Bucor into a BGC or the Bureau of Corrections Global City.

With a 40,000 hectare idle lot, Catapang said they'll build a government center, commercial center, and agri-industrial center in Bucor.

Some companies showed interest in the said plan.

Also included is building of food terminal and food processing inside Bucor where 50,000 workforce can plant crops in line with the food security program of the president.

A day spent of PDL in farming can be added to PDL's GCTA.

Catapang also plans to relocate informal settlers to high-rise building to be built inside NBP.

Residents can also undergo trainings and can work for business establishment in the future.

Catapang also led his first command conference and he said he will stress more on the spiritual well-being of his men to avoid doing evil works.

Catapang did not comment on the ongoing case of Bantag but he honored Percy Lapid to the changes that happened and about to happen in Bucor.

I was really designed to be the deputy of Bucor.

And then what happened to Percy Lapid, I was elevated as officer-in-charge because Bantag was suspended.

And I said, with the reforms that we're doing now, Percy Lapid did not die in vain.

Because his death ignited the reforms, the reformation, the changes that needed to be done in Bucor.

So these reforms that we're doing is also in honor of Percy Lapid who was instrumental in bringing in the reforms here in Bucor.

Carmina Catapang said he has until the year 2028 to fulfill his plans.

Carmina.

Thanks a lot Jeff Caparaz.

They're joining us on the line back here in the newsroom.

Philippine House lawmaker Richard Gomez defending the push to amend the charter.

He says it is impossible to address economic constraints in the constitution through legislation.

That's because according to him, laws meant to liberalize the economy contradict the charter.

All of these laws that were approved contradict our constitution.

Congress and Senate can come out with any law until or unless it is challenged at the Supreme Court.

Here comes the uncertainty because it is not written in stone.

The law that was passed is not a perfect law, but that law contradicts the constitution.

So there's uncertainty for investors to come in.

The Energy Department urges the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to appeal the denial of its request for an extension on its standby power supply deals.

That's after the NGCP warned the decision could lead to power outages.

The NGCP earlier called on the DOE to intervene after the Energy Regulatory Commission rejected its petition to continue with a month-on-month extensions on its ancillary service agreements.

But the DOE now says the grid operators should file a motion for reconsideration before the ERC.

It adds it is the job of the NGCP to ensure stable power supply and it should live up to that responsibility.

Braced for more searing heat, that warning coming from weather forecasters as they recorded the highest heat index yet this year.

Rafael Pazano tells us more.

State Weather Bureau Pag-asa recorded the highest heat index in San Jose Occidental Mindoro last Saturday.

Based on their classification, this may be considered dangerous because an individual may experience heat cramps and heat exhaustion.

Further exposure to this heat index may even lead to heat stroke.

Pag-asa data also showed that a high heat index in different parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao were also recorded.

The heat index is the heat an individual feels based on actual temperature and relative humidity.

They say that aside from extreme heat, the months of March, April, and May have high moisture.

Pagpanoonan ng tagini dito sa ating bansa, yung mga dry months, yung magiging dominant na hangin natin, yung tinatawag na easterlies, matas ang moisture content.

That is why yung pawis natin, imbes na mag-evaporate agad, dumalo sa hangin, ay nandito, nararamdaman natin, nakikita natin sa, for example, sa braso natin.

Which is why experts say that it would be best to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, especially from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

They also warn of warning signs of heat stroke that could lead to devastating outcomes.

Siyempre, nanghihina ka dahil nahihilo, so yun ang mga early signs ng heat stroke.

Pero usually yan, nanghihina ka muna because of the temperature. It is fatal if not prevented or managed the soonest possible time.

Senior citizens as well as individuals with hypertension are the ones most at risk to heat stroke.

An individual is advised to drink 8 glasses of water or even more, especially those engaging in physical activities.

Usually, nililimit namin yung sport events namin indoor para maiwasan namin yung heat exhaustion at heat stroke.

There are times naman na kailangan outdoor. So usually, ginagawa namin yung event during the time na hindi masyadong mainit.

Usually in the afternoon or nearing na sa gabi.

Pag-asa advises the public to brace for more hot weather in the coming days.

Kasi po, pagpanoon ng April and May, karaniwan doon natin itatala talaga yung pinakamataas na antas ng temperatura, outside temperature that is.

So kung mas mataas ang temperatura, mas malaking chance na mas mataas din po ang heat index value.

Rafael Bozano, ABS-CBN News.

We're going to take a break now. Still ahead, 7 people killed in another mass shooting in the U.S.

More on that when we come back. You're watching Dateline Philippines here on ANC.

For more information visit www.dateline.org

Ensure your safety after an earthquake. Be prepared for aftershocks.

Don't enter buildings until they're declared safe by experts.

Check yourself and others for injuries.

Check your plumbing for leaks.

Check electrical lines.

Warn donkey, police vehicle hit roads as it rolled across the street.

This issue affects up to 85 per cent of the people in California.

Mobility will be key to recovery.

Because we have relaxed some of our quarantine methods

and we have allowed more transportation to come out,

that's going to prove to be better for demand.

If we do follow the health protocols,

the ability of people to move around will likely contribute better to growth.

For more information, visit www.cdc.govt.nz

For more information, visit www.cdc.govt.nz

For more information, visit www.cdc.govt.nz

For more information, visit www.cdc.govt.nz

For more information, visit www.cdc.govt.nz

For more information, visit www.cdc.govt.nz

For more information, visit www.cdc.govt.nz

For more information, visit www.cdc.govt.nz

For more information, visit www.cdc.govt.nz

... and the Governor has called for prayers for the victims and their families. President Biden has also addressed the shooting, calling it sick and heartbreaking.

... to AK-47. So I call on Congress again to pass my assault weapons ban. It's about time that we begin to make some more progress. But there's more to learn. But I just wanted to send my concern and hearts out to so many parents out there.

Casey, this is the 129th mass shooting in the U.S. this year alone. That's according to the Gun Violence Archive. Casey?

Very difficult to watch the footage that we were showing our viewers. Again, just a note to our viewers, viewer discretion, please. I mean, this can easily trigger parents, most especially, seeing all these images there.

But TJ, talk to us about the gun loss there in Tennessee and how was it possible that this person was able to get his hands on two assault rifles? TJ?

Well, the moment the news broke out, Casey, there was so much talk on the news networks and online. And it was easily pointed out, Tennessee has some of the weakest gun laws in the country. There is no waiting period between purchasing and receiving a firearm.

There's no license or permit required to own a gun. No need to register a gun with the state. You don't need a permit to carry a handgun, open or concealed, if you're over the age of 21. So if you're over the age of 21, it's like buying candy from a store. That seems to me with basically no permits required, no need to register it, it's probably even harder to buy a vehicle.

And sadly, the criticism on the local legislature of Tennessee and the governor, they've even been trying to make it easier to purchase guns in the last year. So the spotlight is on them right now. Once again, the federal government, the White House, President Biden, appealing to Congress and hoping that they will finally take action on their assault weapons ban.

That's one of the things they want to happen at the very least. Take away these assault weapons, the AK-47s. It should not be that easy to purchase and walk around and shoot multiple people in a matter of seconds. And that is the first step that they're trying to do, amongst many other things about background checks, red flag laws. Not unless all these states get together or at least have a federal law.

Time and again, these people wake up to tragedies like this, sadly. And America, again, as I said, seeing the 129th mass shooting just this year alone, we haven't even ended the month of March.

We're reaching a high level of 26.8%. What's happening there? That's about five times higher than the threshold set by the World Health Organization to consider a COVID situation under control. Is the uptick a cause for concern and what's causing it? Let's ask our next guest, Okta Research Fellow, Dr. Guido David. Dr. David, nice to see you again and thank you for joining us today. Welcome to the program.

Yes, nice to see you again after a long while, Carmina.

I don't know. Should we be concerned that, once again, we're talking about a high level of high positivity rate here? Ms. Amis Oriental, as I just mentioned, posting high COVID-19 positivity rate at 26.8%. What would cause this spike, Dr. David?

Well, Carmina, we don't want to jump to conclusions at this time. Yes, almost 27% is a significant positivity rate. And if we compare it historically, the highest positivity rate they had, they registered, was during early of 2022 when the first Omicron hit us. And that's to be expected. That's when the positivity rate hit very high levels in the whole Philippines.

And the second highest positivity rate they had was in September of 2021 during the Delta. And the third highest was just marginally higher than what we saw last week. So this was actually a fourth highest in the history of Ms. Amis Oriental.

Right now, it's not easy to explain this because in the rest of the country, although the positivity rate is upticking, we're seeing an uptick, it's still relatively well controlled. Like in Metro Manila, the positivity rate is 3.2%. This is still below 5%. But in some parts of Mindanao, like in South Cotabato, we're seeing about a 9% positivity rate. In Davao del Sur, we're seeing about a 6% positivity rate.

So there might be something happening. Again, we don't want to jump to conclusions, but we would like to monitor this closely. I would like to add that the rest of the world has essentially moved on. Johns Hopkins has stopped monitoring COVID numbers and we no longer see worldwide numbers, but we can still track them to some extent.

So while the rest of the world has moved on and largely has accepted that COVID is just here, but it's still here. I mean, it's not the threat that once was. We should not overlook some of these signals that we're seeing if ever there's something more to it.

Next week, what do you think is likely to happen next? That this number will go down, that this is the peak already that we're seeing, or that other areas surrounding it will follow suit because people are moving around now. We no longer have mobility restrictions. Go ahead, Doctor.

Right. Well, we're hoping that it will start to decrease now and that's the peak, but we can't say that for sure. I mean, at least for yesterday's numbers, it seemed like it has dipped down to about 20%. But we can't say that for sure. That's just a short-term trend.

So it's also possible, what you said, that the infection will spread to other areas. It might have already spread to some other areas because like we mentioned, Mindanao provinces are the ones that are seeing maybe not high positivity rates, but moderate positivity rates.

Especially now, it's the summer season. People are traveling, resorts are open. So we're not trying to stop people from traveling, but at least they can practice extra precautions.

Let's get into that. Sorry to cut you there because you're running out of time, but let's get into that right now, Doctor David. There are other areas registering upticks as well. You have Batangas, Bolacan, Davao del Sur, Cebu, Negros Occidental, and Laguna.

Any idea what's causing the upticks? And also, with the people, as you mentioned, expected to be out and about, especially with the Holy Week coming, summer vacation and all that, what are your projections for this season?

Well, the last time we saw a significantly higher positivity rate was around December of last year. That was when we were seeing a downward trend of the positivity rate. Right now, it's not really a big concern yet, especially in Metro Manila. Although we're seeing an uptick in positivity rate, it's a slow uptick.

If I liken it to the weather, we're seeing slight rain or showers, not really thunderstorms, but it is sort of increasing in magnitude slowly. The rate that it's increasing is very slow, actually, so we couldn't even call it a surge because a surge would be a sudden increase in positivity rate.

Now, in Misamis and Rientel, we may consider that maybe even like a surge or something because we are seeing a significant increase in positivity rate. But we're still optimistic that the numbers will be still controlled over the next few weeks, especially since it's mostly summer and the pandemic doesn't usually spread towards the summer.

But yeah, we will continue to monitor this and keep everyone updated.

Finally, final question here. The bivalent vaccines, those have yet to arrive here in the country because there's been a delay. Is the situation now giving the virus the golden opportunity to mutate once again and do more damage?

Well, whenever the time interval between vaccinations increase and people don't get their boosters updated, our immunity against the virus weakens or decreases. And that definitely gives the virus an opportunity to infect more people.

We might not be seeing significant surges like we saw in 2021, but if infections spread, more people will be getting COVID. It will be like a season of COVID and there will still be deaths, even though the numbers are relatively lower now. But people still die and that's the reality of it. And it would be great if we could get these bivalent vaccines in the country sooner than later.

Alright, Dr. Guido David, their fellow at the Okta Research, thank you so much for joining us this noon. Nice to see you again. Take care.

Take care.

Alright, switching gears now. Before we go, local tourists from micro, small and medium enterprises get a boost at the newly launched Go Local shop in Intramuros, Manila. Our very own Jackie Pascual tells us more.

German tourist Jonas Bartz enjoys his mango shake during his first day in Manila. He plans to visit more places and buy local products.

For sure, maybe a few just to support some local stuff. Something I can like give to my parents or something like as a present. Maybe just, I don't know, a postcard or something to put on the fridge.

He can now buy those items in the new Go Local store in Intramuros, Manila. The trade department has opened the store at the Manila Canvas in Fort Santiago with the aim of helping micro, small and medium enterprises from across the country. Products of small businesses are featured in the Go Local store for free.

Hindi sila nakaka-penetrate, hindi sila nakakapunta masyado sa mga itong mga areas natin like ating mga department stores, mga malls dahil medyo mahal ang ating remta. Napakarami ng ating dapat tulungan ng mga MSMEs na kailangan talaga ng exposure ng kanilang mga produkto.

The new store features food and non-food items from different provinces which now have access to a huge tourism market. There is really market for Philippine products, for Filipino products, both para sa ating mga Pilipino na mga turista at saka sa ating mga foreign tourists.

We witnessed the food traffic during Christmas but we thought it's going to stop there and very fortunately it didn't. In fact, it is still increasing the food traffic here in Fort Santiago, here in Intramuros.

DTI now plans to add more Go Local shops across the country. Since it started in 2017, sales of Go Local products have reached over half a billion pesos and DTI is confident that can grow even further as more tourists, both local and foreign, visit destinations in the country.

This uptick in tourism is expected to help boost the livelihood of many tourism workers as well as the overall economy. Jackie Pascual, ABS-CBN News.

And before we go, no need to go to the Vatican to see Michelangelo's masterpiece. That is an exhibition of the Sistine Chapel will make its way to Manila this year. It will run from July to September at a mall in Pasig. For more on this story, head on over to news.abs-cbn.com.

And that will do it for today. Thanks for joining us. I'm Carmina Constantino. If you want to revisit today's episode, you can playback this newscast on ANC's YouTube channel and on ANC 24-7 on Facebook. Keep safe. Keep it here on ANC.

Thank you very much.

Relaxed some of our quarantine methods and we have allowed more transportation to come out. That's going to prove to be better for demand. If we do follow the health protocols, the ability of people to move around will likely contribute better to growth.

Thank you very much.