Puntong Bulakenyo Online News

Mag-utol hinoldap sa sementeryo Hinoldap ang magkapatid ng dalawang trabahador sa semen­teryo habang inaayos ang bubungan ng museleo ng kanilang kaanak.

New Central Luzon, Calabarzon PNP chiefs assume post The Central Luzon and Calabarzon police offices have a new director.

BFAR puts up Bulacan fish sanctuary The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has established a fish sanctuary in Bulacan.

REPUBLIC ACT 10913 or the ANTI-DISTRACTED DRIVING ACT

1. What is RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act?

RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) is a law that prohibits a person who is driving a motor vehicle from holding and using mobile communication devices and electronic entertainment gadgets. The prohibition applies while the motor vehicle is in motion or temporarily stopped on a traffic light or an intersection.

2. What vehicles are covered by this Act?

This law covers both public and private vehicles. It also covers wheeled agricultural machineries, construction equipment, and other forms of conveyances such as bicycles, pedicabs, trolleys, "habal-habal", "kuligligs", wagons, carriages, and carts that may either be human-powered or pulled by an animal as long as the same are operated or driven in public thoroughfares, highways or streets.

3. What does this law prohibit?

Prohibited acts made while driving include but not limited to:
• Making or receiving calls
• Writing, sending or reading text-based communications
• Playing games
• Watching movies
• Performing calculations
• Reading e-books
• Composing messages
• Surfing or browsing the internet

4. Can a driver use his cellphone when he is stuck in traffic?

No. Even if a driver is stuck in traffic, as long as he is behind the wheel, he is still not allowed to hold and use his cellphone and/or gadget to make or receive calls; write, send or read text-based communications; play games; watch movies; perform calculations; read e-books; compose messages; surf or browse the internet; or other similar acts.

5. What are the actions exempted from this law?

Motorists are allowed to make or take emergency calls to authorities in cases of a crime, accidents, bomb or terrorist threat, fire or explosion, instances needing immediate medical attention, or when personal safety and security is compromised.

6. Can we use the hands-free function of our mobile communications device to make or receive calls?

Yes. Using the aid of a hands-free function such as speaker phones, earphones, Microphones or other similar device, which will allow a person to make and receive calls without holding his mobile communications device, is allowed.

However, using earphones to listen to music, or for other entertainment purposes, falls under "similar acts" in Section 4(b) of the law.

7. Where can we mount our cellphones or GPS device?

GPS or cellphones may be placed or mounted below, at the same level, or on-top of the dashboard, and even on the windshield, as long as the highest point of the device is not higher than four (4) inches from the dashboard.

In the case of navigational apps, motorists are advised to set their destination prior to their departure. In cases when motorists need to find alternate routes while in traffic, they are advised to first pull their vehicles aside.

8. How about the use of dashcams? ls this covered by ADDA?

The use of dashcams is not covered by ADDA. To date, there is no legislation regulating the use of dashcams. However, for safety purposes, drivers are encouraged to mount their dashcams at the back of the rearview mirror.

9. Are we allowed to mount our cellphones on our motorcycles?

Yes, mounting of cellphones in handle bars or other parts of motorcycles is allowed, since this does not interfere with the driver's line of vision.

10. Does ADDA prohibit the mounting of other accessories in a vehicle's dashboard? How about engaging in other "distracting activities"? Are these covered by the ADDA?

No. ADDA only covers the use of mobile communications devices and other electronic entertainment gadgets while vehicles are in motion or temporarily stopped on a traffic light or an intersection. It does NOT cover other accessories which may be found on your dashboard such as rosaries, tachometers, figurines, dashboard toys, crucifix, stickers, among others. Likewise, it does not cover activities such as putting make-up, drinking coffee, and other similar acts.

11. Who are authorized to apprehend violating motorists?

The DOTr - Land Transportation Office (LTO), PNP-HPG, MMDA, and LGUs authorized to apprehend violators of the ADDA.

12. How will we know if drivers of private vehicles with heavily-tinted windshields are violating the law?

Aside from high-definition cameras that can monitor lights from devices inside heavily-tinted vehicles, the law will also be strictly enforced by enforcers on the ground who are trained to determine from the movement of the vehicle whether or not a driver commits distracted driving. A Memorandum Circular setting specifications on the regulation of tints shall also be released by LTO soon.

13. What are the penalties?

Violators will be penalized with a fine of five thousand pesos (Php5, 000) for the first offense, ten thousand pesos ((Php10, 000)) for the second offense, and fifteen thousand pesos ((Php15, 000)) for the third offense with a three-month suspension of driver's license.

Violations incurred beyond the third offense shall be penalized with the revocation of driver's license and a fine of twenty thousand pesos (Php20, 000).

14. Are operators of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) also liable for violations made by drivers?

Yes. Operators and owners of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) shall be held liable for the violations committed by their drivers.

15. Where to settle my violation?

Violators who were apprehended by LTO and/or PNP-HPG enforcers may settle their violations in the nearest LTO Office covering the area where they were apprehended.

Violators apprehended by MMDA enforcers may either settle their violations thru selected Bayad Center within 7 days after they were issued a ticket. Violators may also pay their fines at the MMDA main office in Guadalupe, Makati City.

16. How about cyclists or those driving vehicles/machines that do not require licenses? How will they be apprehended?

Motorists who were caught violating the ADDA while riding a bicycle or wheeled agricultural machineries, construction equipment, and other forms of conveyances such as bicycles, pedicabs, trolleys, "habal-habal", "kuligligs", wagons, carriages, and carts that may either be human-powered or pulled by an animal, will still be apprehended, issued a ticket, and escorted up to the nearest authorized payment
center to settle his violation.

However, if the driver does not have cash to pay for the fine, enforcers will have the authority to take the motorist's vehicle for safekeeping within a period of six (6)
months until the violator finally presents a receipt as proof of his payment of the fine.

Should the violator fail to settle his violation within six (6) months, the LTO shall have the authority to sell the impounded vehicle in favor of the government.

CENRO-Baliwag documents "co**se flower" population in Bulacan
Ramon Efren Lazaro

BALIWAG, Bulacan – The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)- Baliwag has recently documented a "co**se flower" population in the province.

Dennis Vergara, chief of CENRO- Baliwag, said that the new population of the plant species was discovered during their recent conduct of delineation of the DRT–General Tinio Watershed Forest Reserve Strict Protection Zone.

𝘙𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘦, otherwise known as the co**se flower due to its decaying meat smell, is a rare endo-holoparasitic species with a disjunct distribution in Luzon.

It is a parasite to the wild grapes of the vine genus Tetrastigma, which provides everything necessary for it to survive.

The identity of the species and its new population record in Bulacan was confirmed by Dr. Julie Barcelona, research associate at the University of Canterbury and editor/ administrator of Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines.

Based on DENR Administrative Order 2017-11 or the Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Plants and their categories, 𝘙. 𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘦 is classified as "vulnerable," mainly due to widespread habitat destruction and degradation in the country.

Populations of this species in Central Luzon, one of the 13 recognized species of Rafflesia sp. In the country, have been documented in the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, and Nueva Ecija

The discovery of this flower population implies a new distribution record and will provide researchers additional site and population sizes to further study their structure and genetic diversity.

Members of the delineation team were Edelsten Mangande, Jayrald Gatdula, Manuel Bolusan Jr., Raymart Portanoba, Ronald Fabros, Mark Anthony Ramos, Mark Angelo Pallaya, Vynnson Quinto, Benjie Baptista, and Alvin Gabriel including the local guides Junnel Evangelista, Ryan Calderon, and Jojit San Pedro.

NWRB: No water supply cut for Metro Manila The National Water Resources Board is not reducing the allocation from Angat Dam for Metro Manila residents this month.

Bulacan PDP-LABAN suportado ang BBM-Sara UniTeam

Artisanal Fisherfolk Pushes for Blue Agenda
Ramon Efren Lazaro

Fisherfolk leaders from the seven biggest federations and fishing
ground-based alliances of small-scale artisanal fishers in the country gathered at Microtel Technohub in Quezon City Monday afternoon (February 28) to join
the umbrella group Katipunan ng mga Kilusan ng mga Artisanong Mangingisda sa
Pilipinas (KKAMPi).

Pablo “Pabs” Rosales, of the Pambansang Kilusan ng Mangingisda (PANGISDA)-Bataan and fisherfolk from Central Luzon raises concerns on destructive practices being done in Manila Bay.

Among the grievances raised by Rosales and his group include the unhampered reclamation of Manila Bay and destructive fishing methods being employed in the bay areas.

The offshore quarry in Limay, Bataan is also bringing havoc to Manila Bay, Rosales pointed out.

Meanwhile, seven federations and fishing-ground based alliances of small-scale artisanal fishers in the country met at the Microtel UP technohub in Quezon City on February 28 (Monday) to form the biggest aggrupation of artisanal fisherfolk in the country under the banner of Katipunan ng mga Kilusan ng mga Artisanong Mangingisda sa Pilipinas (KKAMPi), Rosales noted.

Rosales added that, “large-scale commercial and industrial reclamation, seabed quarrying and offshore mining, including marine plastic pollution, also contribute to the destruction of fishery ecosystems and mass
displacement of fisherfolk families from their homes and livelihoods.

Under the umbrella coalition KKAMPi, the federations compiled a 10-point Philippine Blue Agenda detailing their policy recommendations and programs in order to save the Philippine fisheries.

Rosales said that they are pushing for the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DOFAR) under the national government; which is an agency that will work on overall development of the
Philippine fishery industry.

“We need a DOFAR that will ensure the effective implementation of delineation of municipal waters with offshore islands towards the protection of coastal and marine resources, guarantee social protection for
artisanal fishers, study the impact of fish importation and respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
on fishing communities, among others.” explained Rosales.

The coalition will formally push for a Blue Fisheries Agenda and also hopes to present their issues to national and local candidates of the May 2022 Elections, and challenge candidates to become champions of Philippine fisheries.

On the otherhand, Roberto ‘Ka Dodoy’ Ballon, a fisherman from Concepcion, Zamboanga Sibugay, and one of the five recipients of the 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Awards said “It is urgent that we, Filipino artisanal fishers, come together to further push for implementation of existing fishery policies and call for additional safeguards for our lives and livelihood, in light of the worsening
fisheries degradation, climate change and development aggression."

Ballon lamented that most artisanal fishers or traditional, subsistence fisherfolk that use various small-scale, low-technology, low-capital and traditional fishing practices continue to live in poverty.

“Dwindling fish catch due to the exhaustion of fishery resources, translates to low income for artisanal fisherfolk. The degradation of critical fishery ecosystems in municipal waters, including the destruction and
decline of coral reefs, seagrass and mangroves; are also problems among the fishing communities,” added
Ballon.

Ruperto Aleroza of Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK) noted that artisanal fisherfolk are also asserting their rights to access and utilize the Philippine waters in the West Philippine
Sea, in light of the rampant illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by Chinese fishing vessels in Philippine waters.

“We are challenging national and local candidates in the coming May 2022 national and local elections to take up the cudgels and be champions of artisanal fisherfolk. We hope that with the new leaders of the
country, we can defend the West Philippine Sea and its natural resources to benefit the Filipino people,” added Aleroza.

Aleroza has also noted that "The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022). Filipinos look forward to a better future under a new administration; and we, Filipino artisanal fishers, fish farmers and fishworkers wish to be fully recognized and empowered this time, towards poverty eradication in our sector through responsible and sustainable use of fisheries and aquaculture resources.”

Bulacan holdupper killed in hot-pursuit ops
Ramon Efren Lazaro

CITY OF MALOLOS -- A holdupper was killed in a hot pursuit operation in Bustos town early Tuesday morning.

Reports reaching Col. Rommel Ochave, acting Bulacan police director, identified the suspect as Edgardo Lora Jr.

Investigation showed that Lora forcibly took the money of Danilo Pangilinan at gunpoint in a burger store in Barangay Poblacion in Bustos towm and fled on board a motorcycle.

The suspect was spotted and flagged down in a police checkpoint along the By-pass Road in Barangay Bonga Menor but didn't stop and sped off and fired his gun at the pursuing lawmen and was mortally wounded in the exchange of gunfire.

Police recovered a 9mm pistol without serial number and the valuables taken from the victim.

P9.6M worth of ma*****na seized in Bulacan
Ramon Efren Lazaro

CITY OF MALOLOS -- An estimated P9.6 million worth of ma*****na was seized and confiscated in Bulacan early yesterday (Thursday) morning.

Reports reaching Col. Rommel Ochave, acting Bulacan police director, said a drug sting was laid down against Dexter Asban alias Dex and Jomerson Macusi who were eventually in Barangay Paliwasan in San Miguel town.

Seized from the two after the transactions were 80 bricks of ma*****na dried leaves weighing approximately 80 kilograms with a street value of P9.6 million.

PDEA seizes P400k worth of shabu in Bulacan drug den
Ramon Efren Lazaro

CITY OF MALOLOS -- Authorities raided a suspected drug den in the City of San Jose del Monte on Saturday afternoon and arrested five suspects that yielded P400,000 worth of shabu

The drug sting was conducted by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the local city police that led to the arrest of Arturo Trinos, Norilyn Mariano, Roselyn Mariano, Annalyn Dupra and Sanny Bernardo.

Seized and confiscated from the suspects were 12 plastic sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 50 grams with street value of P400,000.00; assorted drug paraphernalia; and the marked money.

P2.8M worth of MJ seized in Bulacan
Ramon Efren Lazaro

CITY OF MALOLOS -- A total of P2.8 million worth of dried ma*****na leaves was confiscated from two drug suspects in a drug sting in this city on Saturday night.

Reports reaching Col. Rommel Ochave, acting Bulacan police director, identified the suspects as John Archie Sabado, a resident of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija; and a 17-year-old minor from San Andres, Cainta, Rizal who were subjected to an entrapment operations in Barangay Panasahan around 10:00 pm.

Seized and confiscated from the two were 20 bricks of suspected dried ma*****na leaves worth P2,800,000.00), cellphones and marked money.

The minor was turned over to the city social welfare officer of Malolos for custody and proper disposition.

Bulacan celebrates 123rd anniversary of the First Philippine Republic
Ramon Efren Lazaro

CITY OF MALOLOS -- The province of Bulacan celebrated yesterday in a simple ceremony but meaningful way the 123rd Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic at the historic grounds of Barasoain Church in this city.

The event was markef with a simple flag-raising rites at the historic grounds of Barasoain Church and wreath laying activity before the monument of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo infront of the said church.

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando led the simple ceremony, and was joined by Vice Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, National Historical Commission of the Philippines representative Rosario Sapitan, City of Malolos Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian, Vice Mayor Noel Pineda, and Col. Rommel Ochave, acting police director of Bulacan.

The occassion has the theme of “Unang Republikang Pilipino: Sandigan ng Nagbabagong Panahon.”

Amidst the pandemic, Fernando said that it is important to commemorate a significant event that etched the name of the Philippines in the world history as a country that can govern itself.

Before the pandemic, patriotic-inspiring activities were lined up for the annual celebration of the First Philippine Republic anniversary that also saw the birth of Fiesta Republica in the historic City of Malolos.

Despite the simple ceremony the governor said "Ang higit na mahalaga ay ang ipamulat sa ating henerasyon na taglay natin ang katatagan na nag-ugat sa mga aral ng nakaraan, at upang patunayan na marami tayong prinsipyong natutunan mula dito."

Bulacan reaches 72.5% herd immunity vs COVID19
Ramon Efren Lazaro

CITY OF MALOLOS-- The Provincial Public Affairs Office of Bulacan reported that 72.5 percent of the 70 percent target population in Bulacan have already been vaccinated against COVID 19.

As this developed, Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando is encouraging unvaccinated Bulakeños to have their shot against the viral disease noting that "Malapit na po nating makamit ang herd immunity laban sa COVID 19."

Bulacan has an eligble population of 2,596,146 for vaccination against the viral disease

The Provincial Health Office-Public Health of Bulacan reported that as of January 16 this year, a total of 4,023,817 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have already been administered in the province wherein 1,883,981 Bulakeños were already fully vaccinated, 1,947,467 have received their first dose only while 192,369 have already received their booster shots.

The province of Bulacan received a total of 4,586,231 doses of vaccine from the national government that include 1,634,776 Sinovac, 547,372 Astrazeneca, 1,564,395 Pfizer, 163,200 Janssen, 592,208 Moderna and 84,280 Sinopharm.

DOTr nagbigay linaw sa exemptions sa “No Vaxx, No Ride” policy sa pampublikong transportasyon sa NCR
Ramon Efren Lazaro

Nagbigay linaw ang Department of Transportation (DOTr)a tungkol sa exemptions sa ilalim ng “no vaccination, no ride/entry” policy sa mga pampublikong transportasyon sa Kalakhang Maynila simula noong ika-17 ng Enero 2022.

Sa ipinalabas na pahayag ng DOTr sinabi nito na ang pagbibigay po ng exemption sa mga essential workers ay HINDI BAGONG PROTOCOL na ipinatupad matapos simulan ang implementasyon ng polisiya. Iyan po ay talagang nakapaloob sa polisiya. Bago pa ang full implementation ng “no vaxx, no ride” policy noong Lunes, makailang beses nang iginiit ng DOTr ang exemptions sa pamamagitan ng Department Order (DO) nito na isinapubliko sa mga pahayagan noong ika-12 ng Enero at sa mga sumunod naming Press Releases, media announcements, at press conferences.

Ayon sa DOTr, malinaw na nakasaad sa DO na ang mga exempted sa “no vaccination, no ride” policy ay ang mga sumusunod:

• Persons with medical conditions that prevent their full COVID-19 vaccination as shown by a duly-signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctor.

• Persons who will buy essential goods and services, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, WORK, and medical and dental necessities, as shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify travel.

Ang mga exemptions na binanggit sa polisiya ng DOTr ay alinsunod sa IATF Guidelines kung sino ang mga maaaring magtrabaho sa mga essential industries sa ilalim ng Alert Level 3.

Binigyan pansin nito na bago pa man ang full implementation, ipinaalam na rin ng DOTr ang impormasyon na ito sa mga enforcers. Katuwang ang mga kaukulang ahensya, gaya ng Land Transportation Office (LTO), Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG), at NCR Police Office (NCRPO), ang mga exemptions sa ilalim ng DO ay patuloy na iginigiit sa kanilang mga formation at deployment.

Bagamat ang polisya ay epektibo habang ang Metro Manila ay nasa Alert Level 3 o mataas pa, ang DOTr ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa abalang dulot nito sa mga pasahero.

Ang polisiyang ito ay hindi anti-poor, ayon sa DOTR ginawa ito upang protektahan ang lahat – parehong ang mga bakunado at ang pinaka delikado na mga hindi bakunado; upang hindi pahirapan ang ating healthcare system, at bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga pagod ng medical workers na makapagpahinga. Dahil dito, ang DOTr ay itinatama ang iba’t ibang maling impormasyon na nagpagulo lamang sa mensahe.

Ipinaliwanag ng ahensya na mahalagang malaman na nagbabala ang mga medical experts na ang severe COVID-19 infections dahil sa kawalan ng bakuna ay nagreresulta sa pagdami ng mga kaso ng mga naoospital na tao. Nagdudulot ito ng dagdag na abala, at mas delikado kung ang mga hindi bakunadong indibidwal ay magkaroon ng severe COVID-19 infections o kaya ay mamatay, partikular ngayon na nakakaalarma ang pagtama ng Omicron variant sa mga Pilipino.

Dagdag pa ng DOTr na ang polisiya ay alinsunod sa kanilang mandato na magbigay ng ligtas na public transport system para sa mga Pilipino.

Ayon pa sa nasabing ahensya, dapat nating ikunsidera na kung mayroong pagdami ng virus transmission sa pampublikong transportasyon, mapipilitan sila na isara ito. At ang pinaka-apektado ay ang mga nasa
lower-income bracket na binubuo ng mga gumagamit ng pampublikong transportasyon.

Tinitiyak ng DOTr na patuloy silang gagawa ng ibang paraan upang kumbinsihin ang mga tao na magpabakuna. Sa susunod na mga linggo, nakatakda nila ibalik ang kanilang vaccination drive para sa mga transport workers na tinaguriang "TsuperHero: Kasangga ng Resbakuna."

Anila, ang programang ito na layong mabakunahan ang libo libong mga drayber, konduktor ng public utility vehicles (PUVs), at ibang transport workers ay inilunsad sa Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) noong ika-31 ng Hulyo 2021.

Idinagdag pa nito na sa mga patuloy na kumukwestyon sa legal na basehan ng "no vax, no ride" policy, malinaw na ipinapatupad lamang ng DOTr ang mga ordinansa na inilabas ng lahat ng local government units sa Metro Manila, na alinsunod sa Metro Manila Council (MMC) Resolution para sa mga hindi bakunadong indibidwal. Ang MMC Resolution, na alinsunod din sa IATF Resolution, ay nagbabawal sa mga hindi bakunadong indibidwal na sumakay sa pampublikong tranportasyon. Ang MMC Resolution ay inaprubahan at pinirmahan ng lahat ng Metro Manila Mayors at ng Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), at suportado ng IATF.

Gayundin, nilinaw ng Department of Justice (DOJ) sa kanilang legal opinion na ang Resolution mula sa MMDA at MMC na may kaakibat na LGU ordinances ay valid exercise ng police power sa ilalim ng Local Government Code. Dahil ang kautusan ng DOTr ay nagpapatupad ng mga ordinansang ito, ang DOTr order ay legally valid din.

Panghuli, inuulit ng DOTr ang pahayag ni Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra – "The state has the power to regulate the movement of unvaccinated persons if it deems that such regulation is in the interest of public health or public safety.”

3 Comelec gun ban violators arrested in Bulacan
Ramon Efren Lazaro

CITY OF MALOLOS -- Three Comelec gun ban violators were arrested in Bulacan on Tuesday.

Reports reaching Col.Rommel Javier Ochave said two of the suspects indiscriminately fired their guns while one was a drug suspect .

The suspects who indiscriminately fired their guns were identified as Kyle Christian Mendones who was arrested along Lias Road in Marilao town and Marcelo Yambot who was apprehended in Barangay San Agustin in San Miguel town while the drug suspect was Nomer Mendoza alias Buboy who was nabbed in a drug sting in Barangay Ibayo in Marilao town.

Yambot even tried to commit su***de by firing his gun in the head before he was apprehended and was rushed to a hospital where he was declared in stable condition after treatment by the attending physician

Police recovered a .45 caliber pistol, two .38 caliber revolvers, six plastic sachets of suspected shabu, a motorcycle and marked money.

23 Bulacan hospital staff tested positive for COVID 19, snother 60 waiting for test results
Ramon Efren Lazaro

CITY OF MALOLOS -- A total of 23 hospital staff of the Bulacan Medical Center (BMC) and the Bulacan Infectious Control Center (BICC) have tested positive for COVID 19.

This was confirmed in a text message by Dr. Hjordis Marushka Celis, BMC medical director, and added that 60 of their medical personnel are currently waiting for the laboratory results on their medical examinations for the viral disease.

Celis said that they are in the process of hiring additional personnel to reinforce their medical staff.

She noted that "BMC is the only hospital in Bulacan that accepts COVID 19 positive patients for delivery or for emergency operations."

The "BMC/BICC is a licensed 400-bed level 3 hospital that currently functions as a COVID-19 referral facility. We are currently at 83 percent bed capacity," Celis said.

She noted that "BICC is at 100 bed capacity but can be expanded up to 200 beds if needed."

Celis explained that they increase the number of COVID 19 beds as needed to be able to maximize its personnel.

"We currently have 194 covid positive patients, 102 of which are ob patients. Our COVID 19 ICU is at 48 percent capacity," Celis added.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of Bulacan reported 1,221 verified new COVID 19 cases in the province as of 4:00 pm Friday.