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NCR remains under GCQ
By Fernan Angeles METRO Manila, the epicenter of the deadly coronavirus disease that has caused the death of over 5,000 Filipinos, will remain under general community quarantine for the entire month of October. In a televised meeting with the President, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III himself made the announcement on the areas that would be…
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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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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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NCR mayors want metro cemeteries closed on Nov. 1
By Fernan Angeles NEITHER would there be visits nor vigils in honor of the dead come All Saint’s Day and the All Souls Day on November 1 and 2 in Metro Manila as mayors from the National Capital Region hinted at a consensus that would see all cemeteries and pantheons closed on those days amid…
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COVID-19 leaves 180,000 Filipinos jobless – DOLE
By Fernan Angeles THE global pandemic forced over 180,000 Filipinos to lose their jobs, said the Department of Labor and Employment. Government data released by DOLE’s job placement monitoring unit showed most of them lost their jobs due in view of company scale-down, retrenchment and closure. The National Capital Region recorded the highest number with…
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NCR, 4 other areas remain under GCQ until Sept. 30
MANILA (UPDATE) – Metro Manila and four other areas will remain under general community quarantine until Sept. 30, President Rodrigo Duterte announced Monday night. Aside from the National Capital Region, the provinces of Bulacan and Batangas, and the cities of Tacloban and Bacolod will also remain under GCQ as the country continues to grapple with…
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Metro mayors want GCQ extension
By Fernan Angeles IF they had their way, all 17 mayors in the National Capital Region would rather want to keep their cities under general community quarantine. Metro Manila Council Chairman Edwin Olivarez said mayors from Metro Manila’s 16 cities and lone municipality are suggesting that general community quarantine should be maintained in the National…
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UP experts: Don’t place NCR under MGCQ
By Fernan Angeles EXPERTS from the University of the Philippines have dissuaded government plans of placing Metro Manila under the most lenient form of community quarantine, citing the need for more studies and observation to ensure that relaxing the lockdown won’t result in a drastic rise in COVID-19 cases. “Sa ngayon, hindi pa natin mare-recommend…
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Metro Manila needs over 10,000 contact tracers
By John Clifford Lintao WITH an enormous task ahead, the Department of Interior and Local Government hinted at hiring more than 10,000 additional contact tracers for the National Capital Region, citing its large population. “Sa Metro Manila, may 13 million na tao. We have around 4,000 contact tracers so we would need to hire more…
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NCRPO chief goes on leave, cites medical reasons
By Fernan Angeles A PUBLIC outrage over “mañanita” failed to compel National Capital Police chief Debold Sinas to step down but recent developments over his health condition seemed to have forced the controversial general to take a leave. With Sinas at the sideline “for a medical check-up,” his deputy Nolasco Bathan takes over the post…