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Metro Manila ready for GCQ
By Fernan Angeles CITING figures that saw a declining trend in figures representing cases of COVID-19 contamination, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana hinted Metro Manila could be ready to return to general community quarantine (GCQ) status on August 18. Lorenzana, who is also the National Task Force against COVID-19 chairman Delfin Lorenzana, said: “Yes, I think…
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Drivers, conductors now required to wear face shields
By John Clifford Lintao The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has amended a memorandum circular requiring not just passengers, but the drivers and conductors of public utility vehicles (PUVs) nationwide to also wear face shields starting Aug. 15. In amending a previous circular, the LTFRB issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-33, which was issued…
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African swine fever spreads in Bataan
By Mar T. Supnad ASIDE from the highly-infectious coronavirus disease, Bataan also got hit by another virus strain – this time affecting the farm livestock. But unlike the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which is required to undergo multiple layers of bureaucratic process before it could release aid, Bataan Provincial government was too quick…
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Party-list solon passes away
By John Clifford Lintao A CONGRESSMAN representing the elderly at the House of Representatives had passed away. In a statement issued by House Secretary General Jose Luis Montales confirmed Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Francisco “Jun” Datol demise, but did not delve on details as to what caused his death. “It is with deep sadness that…
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Villar moves to protect ecologically-rich areas
Sen. Cynthia Villar moves to put more areas under government protection in filing bills that seek to declare protected areas in the provinces of Masbate, Negros Oriental, and Pampanga. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said there is a need to amend Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected…
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Gov’t to give away 50 million face masks
By Fernan Angeles THE government hinted at producing some 50 million face masks to be given away for free as it continues its fight against COVID-19, according to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. In news dispatch sent to reporters, TESDA deputy director-general for partnerships and linkages Aniceto Bertiz III said a Cabinet cluster…
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Let Senate decide on Morales’ skipping Senate probe – Roque
By John Clifford Lintao ONLY the Senate may decide whether or not to consider the alibi of top PhilHealth officials who have hinted on the possibility of skipping its next hearing on the alleged irregularities within the agency. Sought for reaction over reports that had PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales and Senior Vice President Arnel de…
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COVID-19 war may take longer, says gov’t
By Fernan Angeles THE government urged the public to be prudent in spending limited resources as the adverse economic effects of the global pandemic may take longer than they thought. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez went as far as likening the government’s war against the COVID-19, to how pro-boxer, now Senator Manny Pacquiao trains for an…
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PRC exams reset for next year
By Fernan Angeles COVID-19 seemed affecting every aspect of life, including licensure exams which had to be postponed in view of the continued spike of infections. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced the postponement and resetting of 13 licensure examinations originally slated in October and two exams for November 2020, to next year. The postponed…
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Physical distancing at evacuation centers
By Fernan Angeles NOT even calamities should be made a reason to skip public health safety protocols, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as it reminded the public and local government units to observe COVID-19 health measures in case of evacuation due to the effects of storm “Enteng.” NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal…