2021 National Human Rights Situation Report 23 of national emergency is in effect, according to Senator Sonny Angara. This includes compensation of Php 15,000 for healthcare workers who experienced mild cases of COVID-19 while in the line of duty, and Php 100,000 for severe cases.82 100 The Supreme Court’s (SC) request to include about 30,000 employees of the judiciary in the priority list of individuals to be inoculated with the vaccines against COVID-19 has been approved by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF), according to acting Chief Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe. Bernabe pointed out that the courts and its employees are part of “an essential institution” in helping the executive department to “effectively perform its task of maintaining peace and order and safeguarding public welfare in accordance with the rule of law.” 83 101 The Office of the Vice President has opened an online channel offering medical consultation assistance, which is not limited to COVID-19 concerns, through the Facebook page Bayanihan E-Konsulta. The target audience are those who cannot afford to pay the fees or have no internet access. The service can also help those who are in need of emergency care to access the referral network set up by the Department of Health called the One Hospital Command Center.84 Barely a week into its launch, the e-consultation service faced thousands of backlogs of requests and concerns – both a sign of support and a reminder of dire conditions within hospitals.85 102 According to the Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) Chairperson Dr. Nina Gloriani, they began studying the possibility of allowing a person to be vaccinated with two different brands for the first and second doses, due to low supply and uncertainty of the next deliveries.86 103 As of 20 April 2021, a total of 1,279,233 Filipinos have received COVID-19 vaccines since the vaccination rollout started last March, according to vaccine czar Calito Galvez, Jr. It was reported that 965,960 healthcare workers, 132,948 senior citizens and 180,315 people with comorbidities were inoculated with their first dose. Meanwhile, 198,534 healthcare workers received their second dose of vaccine.87 104 A 336-bed capacity COVID-19 field hospital started construction at Luneta Park on 20 April 2021. This is to lessen incidents of deaths from COVID-19 patients due to the difficulty in finding hospitals with available space. The field hospital may still be expanded to 100 beds when necessary.88 105 The presence of B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants, detected from the United Kingdom and South Africa, respectively, in the Philippines has raised concern to health officials, said Dr. 82 Ramos, C. M. (2021). Healthcare workers’ benefits under ‘Bayanihan 2’ stay — Angara. Retrieved from https://newsinfo. inquirer.net/1415397/benefits-to-healthcare-workers-under-bayanihan-2-remain-even-after-law-expires-angara 83 Ramos, M. (2021). 30,000 court workers included in vaccine priority list. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer. net/1415216/30000-court-workers-included-in-jab-priority-list 84 Valenzuela, N. (2021). OVP’s ‘E-Konsulta’ allow for safe, convenient medical queries, hospital search. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1417345/vp-opens-e-konsulta-for-med-queries-hospital-search 85 Subingsubing, K. (2021). OVP’s Bayanihan e-Konsulta faces thousands of backlogs. Retrieved from https://newsinfo. inquirer.net/1418714/ovps-bayanihan-e-konsulta-faces-thousands-of-backlogs 86 Cinco, M. & Chiu, P. D. (2021). Panel studies if different COVID-19 vaccine brands OK for 1st, 2nd doses. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1418733/panel-studies-if-different-vaccine-brands-ok-for-1st-2nd-doses 87 CNN Philippines Staff (2021). Over 1.2 million Filipinos vaccinated vs. COVID-19 so far– Galvez. Retrieved from https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/4/20/over-1.2-million-Filipinos-already-vaccinated-vs-covid.html 88 CNN Philippines Staff (2021). City of Manila begins construction of COVID-19 field hospital at Luneta Park. Retrieved from https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/4/21/Manila-starts-construction-of-Luneta-medical-facility.html