SOUTH KOREA—For the third time, a large-scale plasma donation drive will be conducted for the members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus who have fully recovered from COVID-19. It will run for 3 weeks starting on November 16 until December 11 at the Indoor Stadium of Daegu Athletics Center.
Last June, a total of 4,000 recovered members pledged to donate blood plasma. 1,700 members have already participated in the two previous plasma donation drives, and 312 people among them donated at least twice.
After the successful donation drives last July and September, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) invited the aforementioned church to participate again, in addition to the 2,030 total collected blood plasma in South Korea so far.
“It is necessary to quickly develop plasma treatment through group plasma donation, in the current absence of an effective treatment in the midst of the continuous occurrence of COVID-19 at home and abroad,” said KCDC.
During the last regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, Deputy Director Kwon Joon-wook expressed his gratefulness for the “active participation of Shincheonji Church and for the cooperation of the City of Daegu and the Korean Red Cross” to develop plasma treatment.
Mr. Kim, one of the church officials, said, “I was glad and grateful to hear on the news (CG Green Cross) that the plasma treatment is being used at the point-of-care situation. It’s the most valuable thing we can do (as people who have recovered from COVID). Through participating in plasma donation, all the members of our congregation have realized that the power to overcome COVID-19 is tolerance, love, and unity. We will put in our utmost effort so that South Korea to overcome COVID-19 through plasma treatment.”
He added, “I understand that many are concerned at the fact that the shutdown orders for church facilities have been lifted by regions.” Regardless of that, he assures that the church will continue to hold worship services online until the COVID-19 situation becomes stable for the health and safety of their congregation members and their communities.
Last June, a total of 4,000 recovered members pledged to donate blood plasma. 1,700 members have already participated in the two previous plasma donation drives, and 312 people among them donated at least twice.
After the successful donation drives last July and September, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) invited the aforementioned church to participate again, in addition to the 2,030 total collected blood plasma in South Korea so far.
“It is necessary to quickly develop plasma treatment through group plasma donation, in the current absence of an effective treatment in the midst of the continuous occurrence of COVID-19 at home and abroad,” said KCDC.
During the last regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, Deputy Director Kwon Joon-wook expressed his gratefulness for the “active participation of Shincheonji Church and for the cooperation of the City of Daegu and the Korean Red Cross” to develop plasma treatment.
Mr. Kim, one of the church officials, said, “I was glad and grateful to hear on the news (CG Green Cross) that the plasma treatment is being used at the point-of-care situation. It’s the most valuable thing we can do (as people who have recovered from COVID). Through participating in plasma donation, all the members of our congregation have realized that the power to overcome COVID-19 is tolerance, love, and unity. We will put in our utmost effort so that South Korea to overcome COVID-19 through plasma treatment.”
He added, “I understand that many are concerned at the fact that the shutdown orders for church facilities have been lifted by regions.” Regardless of that, he assures that the church will continue to hold worship services online until the COVID-19 situation becomes stable for the health and safety of their congregation members and their communities.
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PDEA LAUNCHES BARANGAY PDEA FACEBOOK PAGE
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) officially launched a facebook page to serve as the agency’s official online communication platform in the implementation of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP).
Known as “Barangay PDEA”, the online campaign promotes a unique approach in mitigating the menace of illegal drugs in the country by providing updated and accessible information about the BDCP, especially in this time of pandemic.
“The BDCP is the main framework of the agency’s anti-drug strategy that embodies a holistic and whole-of-nation approach in addressing the country’s drug problem. That is why there is a need to widely disseminate the program to enjoin the local government units (LGUs) and people in the communities to support and help in its implementation,” said PDEA Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva.
The Barangay PDEA aims to promote a balanced and humane anti-drug campaign. It provides the public a more comprehensive platform of information on the harm reduction initiatives of the BDCP like the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program and Balay Silangan, both drug intervention programs for surrendering drug users and pushers to help them re-integrate in the society and become productive citizens.
In addition to improving the social media presence of Barangay PDEA, the page will be linked to other online platforms for live broadcasting. “This should afford the public the chance to ask questions and receive answers live from PDEA resource persons hence, allaying the circulation of fake news while communicating messages of hope and transformation to the Filipino people,” Villanueva added.
The facebook page features segments like “SA TOTOO LANG” which features audio-visual presentations in the actual numbers/data on the war on drugs from the barangay to the national level; and “TUTOK BARANGAY” which uses live broadcast peg of the Director General or resource persons like governors, mayors, barangay chieftains, among others, on matters concerning the BDCP. The segment highlights the accountability of those who are responsible for the implementation of the program by presenting local data and highlighting best practices.
Another segment is the “BAGONG BUHAY” which showcases the success stories of those who are on their way to personal transformation and those already reformed after undergoing a community-based intervention program, and the “TULONG TAO”, a segment that sparks volunteerism through the bayanihan spirit, thus optimizing more force-multipliers on the ground.
“The Barangay PDEA will inform, educate and inspire all stakeholders to work hand-in-hand with the government in achieving the goal of having a drug-free country by 2022, as promised by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” the PDEA chief said.
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PDEA CELEBRATES 18th ANNIVERSARY
“Braving new challenges, beating greater odds”
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will continue to brave new challenges and beat greater odds as the country’s lead agency against illegal drugs.
PDEA Director General Wilkins M Villanueva said this during the PDEA 18th Anniversary Celebration held through virtual means at the PDEA Main Conference Room, PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City on September 1, 2020, citing this year’s anniversary theme.
“This year marks a turning point for PDEA as we continue to thrive through adversity, stay motivated, and rise up even if the odds are not in our favor, especially in these pandemic times,” he said.
As a matter of tradition, PDEA also honored its men and women who have demonstrated exceptional service beyond the call of duty. A raffle draw was also simultaneously held with PDEA Regional Offices across the country.
Likewise, the anniversary program featured an audio-visual presentation which showcased the significant accomplishments of the Director General during his first 100 days in office.
Under his watch, Director General Villanueva made the following initiatives amid the pandemic:
a. Issued a marching guidance to aggressively implement the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP);
b. Launched “Barangay PDEA Facebook Page”- a platform to communicate real stories of the implementation of the BDCP, and encourage more support from the public and stakeholders;
c. Prioritized the welfare of agency’s personnel and the safety of the operatives while in the line of duty, and prudent utilization of resources;
d. Strengthened collaboration with other law enforcement agencies;
e. Provided Isolation area for newly arrested drug personalities to protect operatives and personnel from COVID-19 exposure;
f. Notable seizure of large volume of illegal drugs and arrests of drug personalities in high-impact anti-drug drug operations;
g. Initiated the use of inventory marker to preserve the integrity of PDEA handling seized evidence;
h. Launched the FB page “Isumbong mo kay Wilkins”, to encourage participation of the people in the anti-drug campaign by reporting illegal drug activities- a timely initiative for the public to be involved despite under quarantine; and
i. Signed Memorandum of Agreements with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to end smuggling of illegal drugs, and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to effectively implement criminal and civil forfeiture of laundered money believed to be proceeds of illegal drug activities.
“I will never fail the President, the country and the people for the trust to lead the agency as the war on drugs continues despite the odds”, the PDEA chief said.