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Tuesday, August 17, 2021

DOTR Maritime Sector probes COVID-stricken RoRo vessel; monitors health protocol compliances of other ships



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Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade has directed the DOTr Maritime Sector, consisting of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), to investigate the lapses that led to the incident surrounding COVID-stricken RoRo vessel MV Saint Anthony de Padua, which was previously plying the Caticlan-Batangas route.

Last 07 August 2021, it was discovered that 25 seafarers on board the vessel MV Saint Anthony de Padua have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. This is in addition to the three (3) infected crew members who disembarked from the ship earlier last 01 August and 05 August 2021 at Port of Batangas, without securing a permit from the PPA. Although they have been hospitalized due to COVID-19, the vessel’s shipping company only informed the PCG and PPA about the three (3) seafarers days after they left the ship. Currently, they remain confined but are in stable condition.

The preliminary investigation also suggested that MV Saint Anthony de Padua continued to transport passengers despite the indications of COVID-19 infections among its crew members on board the ship. Moreover, the 433 passengers on board the ship during 01 to 04 August may now have indirect or direct exposure to the disease. As part of standard protocol, these passengers are being subjected to a rigorous contact-tracing process.

The said incident led to the issuance of a Show Cause Order to the shipping company by the PPA Port Management Office (PMO) - Batangas on 11 August 2021.

Furthermore, citing MARINA Advisory No. 2020-86, which states that “it is the obligation of the shipowner and ship master to immediately inform the health authority and the MARINA at the next port of call about any suspected case of COVID-19,” as well as the Ship Survey System (3S) Manual, Chapter II.5.2, promulgating Safety Certificate of a vessel shall be suspended if “a major deficiency relative to the safe operation of the ship is uncovered," and Chapter VII 2.5.1.d, providing that “non-compliance with the Minimum Safe Manning Level,” the MARINA Regional Office IV (MRO 4) has issued a suspension order of the vessel’s Passenger Safety Certificate until the PCG and Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) have issued their clearances.

Presently, a dedicated medical team has been hired by the shipping company to board the vessel and monitor the conditions of the 25 infected seafarers. Although most crew members have been reported to be asymptomatic, nurses and marshals from the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) are also on stand-by if there is a sudden need to evacuate any of the seafarers onboard the vessel. Meanwhile, those seafarers who tested negative for COVID-19 also remain on board until they are given clearance by the BOQ.

The PPA will continue to monitor the port needs and operations of the said vessel, as well as ensure the centralized movements in the Batangas port. Meanwhile, the PCG will be in charge of the continuous 24/7 seaborne patrol to ensure the security within the perimeter where the vessel is currently anchored.

The country’s maritime transport authorities call on the riding public to report shipping companies and non-compliant vessels that are found to be violating the established health protocols of the national government. This is to maintain the safety of both the sea riding public and vessel crew amid the pandemic.

DOTr-LTFRB partners with Grab Philippines to boost vaccine confidence among transport stakeholders



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Rewards, discounted rides, and other benefits await individuals who wish to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) partner with Grab Philippines to boost the government’s ongoing vaccination drive nationwide.

With the crucial role being played by transportation to make sure that many industries function amid the pandemic and achieve swift economic recovery, inoculating transport stakeholders nationwide is a crucial step to bring back commuter confidence in using public transportation.

Cooperation among the DOTr, LTFRB, and Grab Philippines strengthens the GrabBayanihan Vaccination Support Program, wherein Grab Philippines takes advantage of its platform, technology, and network to help boost vaccine access and education for consumers and partners using the Grab platform.

“We need to continuously work together to accelerate vaccination efforts in our communities, most especially our stakeholders in the transport sector. We are working for them to gain necessary access, information, and means to get vaccinated so that together, as one strong transport community, we can help win the fight against COVID,” DOTr Secretary Art Tugade said.

“Kailangan nating ibalik ang kumpiyansa ng mga tao sa paggamit ng pampublikong transportasyon. Kung bakunado ka, mas protektado ka laban sa COVID. We thank the LTFRB and Grab Philippines for this partnership. Malaking tulong ito para mahikayat at mas maging kumpiyansa ang ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna,” Sec. Tugade added.

Through this collaboration, the DOTr, the LTFRB, and Grab Philippines will work together to encourage more transport stakeholders get vaccinated through the following initiatives:

First is through ‘Vacced Ka Na Ba?’ – a nationwide campaign that instantly rewards vaccinees with Grab promo vouchers every time they submit their vaccination cards to Grab. Apart from the instant promo vouchers rewarded to the participants, they can also get a chance to win up to PhP250,000 in their GrabPay accounts. For more details about the initiative, visit: https://www.grab.com/ph/blog/grab-ph-vacc-to-normal/

Second, Grab Philippines will also give discounted rides for more individuals going to and from various vaccination sites. This will be carried out through the GrabCar Bayanihan, a dedicated fleet composed of vaccinated driver-partners with fares priced 15% lower than regular GrabCar rides.

Grab Philippines will likewise extend its GrabCar Bayanihan initiative to provide safe and reliable mobility solutions to all transport stakeholders who wish to get inoculated in the DOTr’s vaccination hub at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX.)

The DOTr, LTFRB, and Grab Philippines are also exploring ways to launch several mobile vaccination hubs, as the DOTr and the LTFRB ramp up their vaccination efforts within and outside of Metro Manila. Grab Philippines will also provide these mobile vaccination hubs with DOH-accredited medical personnel who will administer the vaccine doses. Grab Philippines will also allocate parts of its procured vaccines to these mobile vaccination hubs.

“The fight against COVID-19 is far from over, and this collaboration between the DOTr, LTFRB, and Grab Philippines is a testament to how both the public and private sector can work together, combine its resources and efforts, towards a shared mission of protecting the lives and livelihoods of our transport stakeholders and our broader Filipino communities. Once again, we are pleased to be working with Grab Philippines in this meaningful cooperation, and we hope that our transport stakeholders will join us in this fight against COVID-19,” says LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III.

Grab Philippines will also continue the conduct of surveys across its stakeholders and regularly share relevant data and insights with the DOTr and the LTFRB to help them better tailor policy and regulatory approaches on the transportation sector, particularly with regards to vaccination policies.

“As we all strive our best to win the battle against COVID-19, we are reinforcing our commitment to the DOTr and the LTFRB in supporting their vaccination efforts for our transportation stakeholders. We believe that by getting more of our transport stakeholders inoculated, we are doing right by our communities, help enhance socio-economic activities, and boost our prospects of recovery,” says Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz.

World of Wonder brings Drag Race franchise to the Philippines



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The Latest International Version of the Global Phenomenon Will Premiere Worldwide Exclusively on WOW Presents Plus


World of Wonder announced the next international iteration of the Emmy-winning franchise, Drag Race Philippines. The series will premiere exclusively on WOW Presents Plus globally. The Filipino version of the worldwide franchise joins existing formats across Thailand, Chile, Canada, Holland, the UK, Spain, Australia and New Zealand, and Italy.

“The Drag Race franchise has shined a spotlight on so many incredible queens from around the world and we are so excited to introduce audiences to the dazzling queens of the Philippines.” said World of Wonder co-founders Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey. “WOW Presents Plus was created to serve as a springboard for underrepresented voices, so we are thrilled to exclusively premiere Drag Race Philippines on the platform for our global viewers.”


 

Watch the video of RuPaul calling on all fierce queens of the Philippines to submit for casting:



The host, judges, cast, and premiere date of Drag Race Philippines will be ru-vealed at a later date.

A cultural staple produced by World of Wonder since 2009, the RuPaul's Drag Race franchise is available in 193 countries through network partners and the WOW Presents Plus SVOD. The series has a total of 19 Emmy wins, making it the Television Academy’s most-awarded reality competition show in history. In 2018, Drag Race became the first series to win Best Reality-Competition Program and Host in the same year, a feat it repeated the following year. The Drag Race universe created by World of Wonder now encompasses numerous spin-off series on both linear and streaming; the world’s largest drag culture convention, RuPaul’s DragCon; merchandise lines; albums; and a Las Vegas Revue.

Drag Race Philippines is produced in the Philippines by Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc in conjunction with World of Wonder Productions, Inc. Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, Tom Campbell and RuPaul serve as executive producers on the series.


About World of Wonder:

For nearly three decades, award-winning media company World of Wonder has introduced audiences to new worlds, talent and ideas that have shaped culture. A pioneer in both scripted and documentary formats across television, film and digital platforms, WOW’s prolific portfolio includes the global phenomenon, Emmy-award winning “RuPaul’s Drag Race” franchise (VH1/Logo/WOW Presents Plus), “Million Dollar Listing” LA &

NY (Bravo), and “Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce” (Fuse.) WOW’s rich documentary filmmaking pedigree includes premiering

seven projects at Sundance Film festival and numerous productions for networks including HBO, E!, BBC, and theatrical release through WOW Docs. Notable film projects include “Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures,” “Party Monster,” and “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.” World of Wonder has also created a substantial digital footprint with its owned-and-operated streaming service WOW Presents Plus and YouTube channel WOWPresents. The extended World of Wonder-verse includes music label World of Wonder Records, WOW Podcast Network, and the world’s largest drag culture convention RuPaul’s DragCon. Co-founders Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey have been named to Variety’s Reality TV Impact Report, honored with the IDA Pioneer Award, named to Realscreen’s Global 100 list, and selected for the OUT100 list for their trailblazing work. World of Wonder creates out of a historic building/gallery space in the heart of Hollywood.


About Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc.:

Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc. is a boutique production company specializing in content development, production management & cross-platform execution for feature film, television commercials and series, digital content and live events such as concerts, musical theater productions & on-ground activations. With more than 300 unique and global projects, Fullhouse Asia is comprised of dedicated individuals who are keen to producing dynamic, relevant, innovative & award winning shows. For more information, visit www.fullhouseasia.com.
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