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PHL short of 40,000 hospital beds for COVID-19 patients
By Fernan Angeles HOW do we solve the highly infectious COVID-19 scare if we can’t even provide separate beds for every infected patient? At the Laging Handa press briefing, Secretary Carlito Galvez, the chief implementer of the government’s COVID-19 response, cited the need for funds to address shortage of 40,000 hospital beds to provide medical…
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Sandigan rules to keep Enrile’s aide in jail
By Fernan Angeles NOT even humanitarian grounds amid the pandemic compelled the Sandiganbayan to consider issuance of provisional release to Jessica “Gigi” Reyes who is facing a P172-million plunder case in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam. In a 50-page ruling dated September 29, the anti-graft court ruled that Reyes failed to present evidence…
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Frontliners don’t need travel pass, says official
By Fernan Angeles PROVINCE-BASED medical frontliners and employees of industries cleared to operate during the community quarantine are not required to get a travel pass to board Metro Manila-bound passenger buses. Task Force Covid Shield commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar made the clarification amid reports that all passengers boarding buses heading to Metro Manila…
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DTI pushing full capacity for malls
By Fernan Angeles WITH confirmed cases of the deadly virus from Wuhan, China on a sustained surge, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing to open up the economy further amid the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing several businesses to operate at full capacity under general community quarantine (GCQ). In a radio interview, Trade…
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DOH warns hospitals selling donated PPEs
By John Clifford Lintao THE Department of Health warned hospitals against charging its patients for personal protective equipment (PPE) which were donated to them amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In a press briefing, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire did not make any categorical statement confirming such practice, but hinted at their capability to monitor and determine instances…
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DOH hints at price control on swab test
By Fernan Angeles EXPECT an executive order setting a price cap on RT–PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) or swab tests for COVID-19, said the Department of Health. In a statement, Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said that they have already asked the Office of the President to issue an EO for the suggested retail price (SRP)…
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Experts tell gov’t not to ease quarantine in NCR
By Fernan Angeles EXPERTS from three prominent universities in the country discouraged the government from easing community quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila, with high emphasis on the possibility of another surge in COVID-19 cases as Christmas draws closer. Claiming that the country’s number of COVID-19 cases is already headed downward, OCTA research team warned the…
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‘Lockdown: Food Diaries’ hosted by Alden Richards airs this Sunday
This Sunday (September 27), GMA News and Public Affairs presents “Lockdown: Food Diaries”, a special documentary hosted by Asia’s Multimedia Star and Department of Health’s Anti-COVID19 Awareness Campaign Ambassador Alden Richards that presents how COVID-19 changed the landscape of the food industry. Almost all industries have grappled with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic including…
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NCR mayors want GCQ retained beyond September 30
By Fernan Angeles GIVEN the power to decide, Metro Manila mayors would rather retain general community quarantine classification in the region, says Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who claims to have talked to most of them. At the inauguration of a mega-complex facility in Taguig City, Año also hinted on a scheduled consultation with the 17…
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13 PHL hospitals join WHO solidarity trials
By Fernan Angeles AT least 13 Philippine hospitals would be joining the World Health Organization’s solidarity trials for COVID-19 vaccines, says the Department of Science and Technology. Nine of the 13 hospitals are in the National Capital Region. In a statement, DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said among the hospitals which have signified taking part…