Legarda calls for mandatory free mass testing, urges for the enactment of Better Normal Bill

With the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, three-term Senator and Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda once again called for mandatory free testing to help prevent the transmission of the virus.

Citing the two Bayanihan laws that embody the national government’s pandemic response and recovery strategies, Legarda stated in a recent interview that there should already be sufficient and accessible COVID-19 testing centers in the country which shall be overseen by the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, in cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). These testing centers should provide free tests for the Filipinos.

Legarda also shared that, in her home province of Antique, they were able to establish a molecular laboratory, utilizing the budget of the provincial government, that can process COVID-19 RT-PCR tests. “Antiqueños now need not go to neighboring provinces of Iloilo or Aklan to do their RT-PCR tests and this minimizes the need for people to travel, thus mitigating the risk of people being exposed to the virus or even being infected,” Legarda said.

As the author and sponsor of House Bill No. (HB) 6864, or the “Better Normal Bill”, which she sponsored at the start of the pandemic yet, Legarda said the bill aims to strengthen the country’s COVID-19 response by mandating local government units (LGUs) considered as “critical zones” for COVID-19 to put up testing centers and procure COVID-19 test kits and protective equipment necessary to conduct mass testing. The measure likewise provides for the establishment of drive-thru testing centers, and other contactless modes of testing. Furthermore, the bill mandates the conduct of a nationwide testing drive in preparation for possible waves of infection surges in the coming months or years.

“Ang intensyon po ng probisyon na ito ay makapagbigay ng libreng testing sa ating mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalawak ng ating testing centers at pag-procure ng test kits kaya tiniyak po nating maisama ito sa panukalang batas noong ipinasa natin ito sa Kongreso,” Legarda said.

“Kung ito po ay maisabatas na, magiging mandatory at readily available na po [ang free testing]. Legarda concluded.

House Bill 6864 was passed on 3rd reading by the House of Representatives on August 10, 2020 and is now pending in the Senate for approval.***

Rewrite your story with Viviamo’s 2022 planners and journals

Surely, you still have a holiday hangover. There’s something about being able to spend time (albeit online or in small groups) with friends and loved ones in this cuddle weather that allows us to have restful minds and peaceful hearts even just for a moment.

In this moment, you’re probably high on natural endorphins and have a renewed sense of clarity. Don’t you just want to hold on to that feeling as you walk into a brand new year?

We’re approaching 12 months of endless opportunities; 52 weeks and ways to be better; and 365 days of unknown possibilities. The power to right our wrongs is upon us! 

“COVID-19 has left many feeling displaced. ‘I’m stuck. What can I do? How do I move forward?’ The pandemic has affected us in so many ways, bringing up fear, worry, and even languishing. We, at Viviamo, want to reassure Filipinos that these feelings of hopelessness and despair can be replaced with hope and positivity. That is why we offer you the tools to help you switch from that mindset of ‘simply surviving’ to thriving! We have the power to rewrite our own stories,” shares Viviamo CEO Darlyn Ty-Nilo.

For 16 years now, Viviamo, makers of the Belle de Jour Power Planner, has been creating empowering products. Scratch that – more like, Dreampowering products – Dreampowerment is an advocacy so close to the core of Viviamo’s purpose and has grown a 10,000+ strong community through The Bella Tribe, BDJ Plan With Me and You Got This Facebook Groups that ultimately help Filipinos desire a life full of love and joy through mindfulness, journaling with love, planning with courage and this year, coaching for abundance.

 

Literally, turn a new page in your life with any of these products from Viviamo’s 2022 Collection:

The Belle de Jour Power Planner (P599, P699, P1,199) is not a planner with empty pages. It’s a LIFE PLAN. BDJ believes in you even when you don’t believe in yourself. The 2022 edition is the support you didn’t know you need that will allow you to declare your purpose in life. It gives you the space to remember who you are in 4 stylish designs that suit your personality and packed with lifestyle coupons from over 40 brands; free mobile and desktop wallpaper downloadables, Spotify playlists and NEW features this year include free virtual reality meditation videos and 12 Coaching Experiences led by 12 world-renowned experts in the field of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Strengths Finding, Reiki Masters, Holistic Aromatherapists, Business and Beauty Experts, Energy Healers, Positive Psychologists, Motivational and Image Training Professionals in the BDJ Coach Quenza App that you can access from the pages of the BDJ Planner.

 

“I wasn't much of a journaling person and was satisfied with simply writing my schedules on sticky notes. However, last year was highly toxic for me and I was in an identity crisis. When I was scrolling through Facebook, I saw an advertisement for the 2021 Journal and was intrigued with the design --the girl on the cover is beautiful and she looked confident. I liked the design, the content, and the marketing strategy so I decided to give journaling a try. A year has passed and I don't think I can ever live without your journal; I don't think I can ever use another journal if it's not the BDJ version. I've imprinted my soul into it and I will continue to support you as your journal has with its owners.” shares Trisha Manao, one of the many users of the BDJ Power Planner.

 

The Navi Journal (P599), on the other hand, invites you to embark on your own journey of self-discovery and features 12 magnificent staircases around the world that you can virtually explore through the exclusive I Am Cardboard virtual reality videos embedded in the QR codes of the monthly dividers throughout the year.  Despite their grandeur and intricacies, these captivating staircases are still just a small representation of what your mind can create. And yes, it has a coupon booklet too!

You might be thinking, “You never know what will happen in life. There are things that are out of your control.” This is why you struggle with using a planner. The 2022 Everything is Possible Planner (P599) is inspired by phases of the moon that embody inspiration, renewal, and unwavering energy, this year’s EIP Planner is what you’ve been waiting for. Featuring 13 Monthly Calendars (covering Dec 2021 to Dec 2022), special Pages that help you achieve your goals and open possibilities and a vertical weekly layout with timestamps, EIP has been helping people achieve their big and small goals for a decade now. It's a planner that's designed for go-getters like you who know exactly what they want and will do anything it takes to make those dreams happen. Now is the right time to finally stop feeling like a victim of circumstance and start living the life you want. It’s not too late. It never is. Just as the moon transitions, so will you.

And finally, The Focus 2022 Journal (P550) is a guide to help you accept your life as it unfolds. With each phase, chapter, or stage of life comes new challenges and experiences that make up the fabric of our lives. It’s a great tool to inspire you to shove the distractions aside and put your goals to the forefront. With it’s dedicated weekly grid layout and unique worksheet pages, you will be able to start building the tomorrow you want with laser-like clarity.

Viviamo also has beautiful leather Quest Journals (P280, P499, P699, P999) in 4 sizes that you can switch out fillers and create a journaling system with, along with calendar pads and other productivity tools! Who says you only need one notebook? Get a journal for every aspect of your life, every piece of your brain to start rewriting your story.

Pour out your worries, visualize your dreams and turn them into actionable plans with these exciting journals from Viviamo! Choose all or any from www.shop.ilovebdj.com and www.crazyaboutpaper.com.