Robin seeks budget reform for local development projects
SEN. Robinhood "Robin" Padilla on Saturday said that local government units (LGUs) will be assured of enough funding for their priority development projects with a budget reform that provides for a Local Development Equalization Fund (LDEF), as contained in a bill he filed in the Senate. Padilla filed Senate Bill (SB) 447 which provides that the LDEF be used strictly by LGUs for development projects, activities and programs (PAPs) listed in their Comprehensive Local Development Plans (CDPs). "The cornerstone of this proposed measure is the creation of a Local Development Equitability Fund to support the mandated expenditure assignments imposed upon LGUs. Aside from promoting the principle of devolution, the bill is also in line with the agenda of budget reform pursued by former senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson. Neither may the LDEF be used for funding PAPs that may duplicate or overlap with those being implemented by the national government.
Source:Manila Times
August 28, 2022 04:18 UTC
Baby boy in serious condition among latest 8,457 Covid cases HK sees
A 17-month-old baby was among the two latest serious cases announced by health authorities as officials denied the relationship between the severe symptoms and Sinovac jab after reporting 8,457 new Covid infections on Saturday. Hospital Authority announced two latest serious cases that involved toddlers, including a 17-month-old baby boy. The hospital said they will closely monitor the baby's condition and his Covid test result remains negative so far. He was also sent to the children's intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital and remained in serious condition. Among them, 39 are in critical condition, 33 are in serious condition, and 12 are in hospital intensive care.
Source:The Standard
August 27, 2022 22:04 UTC
Two sent to hospital after gas stove explodes in hotpot diner
Two women in a Tsuen Wan hotpot diner were sent to hospital on Friday night after the cassette gas stove exploded and injured their faces. Lives sources said the duo accompanied by three others, started their hotpot dinner around 7pm Friday, and one of the two gas stoves – both turned off – suddenly exploded around 9pm as they were having desserts. The explosion shattered the induction panel on the table and splashed glass debris, food, and the soup base at the women's faces. They sustained facial injuries and were sent to Yan Chai Hospital in a conscious state. Firefighters later arrived at the scene to follow up on the incident.
Source:The Standard
August 27, 2022 07:20 UTC
Long Covid hurts Australia's labor force
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Friday that Australia's "labor market has been absolutely smashed by Covid, and Long Covid increasingly." This mirrors how Long Covid is characterized by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which lists a wide variety of respiratory, heart, digestive and even neurological symptoms. A comprehensive study published in the Lancet this month found that one in eight people who get Covid develop at least one Long Covid symptom. The findings of the Australian treasury analysis were in line with this study — with 12 percent of Covid-related absenteeism attributed to Long Covid. Australia is facing serious labor market constraints after its borders were closed to international arrivals for nearly two years during the pandemic.
Source:Manila Times
August 27, 2022 04:16 UTC
Busy traffic expected on first school day
The Transport Department said on Friday that it has reminded major public transport operators to provide adequate public transport services to cater to the transport demand on the first school day on September 1. It noted that students should familiarise themselves with the public transport routes to be taken to school and allow more traveling time on the first day, especially if they are attending a new school this term. The department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will closely monitor the traffic situation and public transport services, and will maintain close liaison with major public transport operators and relevant government departments. “Staff will be deployed at various major locations throughout the territory to observe the traffic conditions and provide on-site information…for arranging public transport service enhancements or informing the Police for traffic regulation when necessary," a department spokesman added.
Source:The Standard
August 26, 2022 10:02 UTC
Peso drops to 56.11 vs US dollar
(UPDATE) THE Philippine peso continued to fall against the United States dollar, closing at P56.11 on Wednesday. Even after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) raised its key policy rate by 0.50 to 3.75 on Aug. 18, 2022, the Philippine peso-US dollar exchange rate kept declining. "We expect global monetary conditions to tighten further over the coming months, which will likely exert more depreciatory pressures on the peso," said Fitch Solutions. "This will likely prompt the BSP to hike interest rates to safeguard exchange rate stability," added Fitch Solutions. However, in an August 22 report, he mentioned that the US dollar-peso exchange rate "eased" from P56.45 record high matched July 12 and 14, 2022.
Source:Manila Times
August 26, 2022 09:11 UTC
Baked fish in potatoes to recreate at home
The restaurant uses seabream (or bacoco in Tagalog) but other popular fishes are also used such as seabass (called lubina in Spanish or apahap in Tagalog) which has a similar dish called Lubina al horno (aptly translated as baked fish) or lubina al horno con patate (or baked fish with potatoes). A great option for those looking for fish recipe ideas. Admittedly, we do tend to lean towards meat dishes but this fish recipe can make for a great weeknight/weekend meal that the family will love. * * *Baked fish in potatoes(Besugo al horno con patate)Ingredients:- 1 large seabream fish (bacoco) about 800g to 1kg, gutted and cleaned. You may opt to use seabass (apahap) as well- Salt and pepper- About 5 to 6 potatoes, thinly sliced- Extra virgin olive oilProcedure:1.
Source:Manila Times
August 26, 2022 08:23 UTC
BARMM under state of calamity for 2 months due to massive floods
COTABATO CITY — Officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) placed the entire region under a state of calamity as floods hit its seat of government here and several villages in Cotabato province under its administrative jurisdiction. “The declaration of calamity will provide augmentation to the ongoing response operations and recovery efforts of BARMM,” Ebrahim said. On Wednesday, the Maguindanao provincial board also placed the province under a state of calamity due to a series of floods that submerged 105 villages in 15 of 36 towns. Prior to the provincewide calamity declaration, six towns were already placed under a state of calamity due to floods that began in late July. Maguindanao’s calamity declaration came after disaster response and agriculture officials reported that at least P130.5 million worth of crops, mostly palay, had been destroyed by floods.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 26, 2022 07:48 UTC
Public transport crowded as citizens return to work after typhoon
Hongkongers rushing to get back to work after the Observatory lowered the No. 3 this morning found themselves among crowds waiting in line for public transport, extending the typically short morning rush hour period by a few hours. At North Point MTR Station, the platform for the train to the Hong Kong Island line was crowded with commuters. Across the harbor in Tsuen Wan, many began congregating at bus stops and the MTR station, with a few lines forming at bus stations. “The company requires you to return within two hours,” he said, which may have contributed to the shocking scenes of congestion across the city.
Source:The Standard
August 25, 2022 20:01 UTC
Care homes to do PCR tests every two days: official
Staff in residential care homes need to do nucleic acid tests every other day from next Wednesday (August 31). In a TV program, Sun told the public that more than 40 percent of the cases of Covid confirmed staff in care homes were identified through PCR tests. More than 70 care homes reported Covid confirmed cases in the past seven days. "We will inform the results of the test as soon as possible to care homes for their normal operation," Sun said. Grace Li Fai, chief executive officer of the elderly commission, showed concern about the capability of care homes to conduct PCR tests as frequently as once every two days.
Source:The Standard
August 25, 2022 17:17 UTC
Manufacturer of allegedly contaminated infant juice claims not on Hong Kong shelves
The manufacturer of an imported infant apple juice claimed today its product, which was said to be contaminated, is not on sale in Hong Kong. A preliminary investigation found that the importer had imported the affected batch of the product concerned into Hong Kong, the spokesperson added. HiPP Hong Kong, the importer of the juice, issued an announcement today claiming the contaminated batches of products were only sold in the Polish market. The affected product is HiPP Organic Mild Apple Juice (200ml) with a best-before date of October 31, 2023. The HiPP incident is the second incident involving imported food quality in August this year after the incident of Haagen-Dazs ice cream pulled from Hong Kong shelves since it was reported by the CFS as contaminated with pesticides.
Source:The Standard
August 24, 2022 16:57 UTC
'Florita' weakens but Signal No. 3 remains over 4 areas in Luzon
SEVERE Tropical Storm "Florita" slightly weakened while traversing the northern portion of Apayao province but Signal No. 3 remains up over at least four areas in Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 5 p.m. advisory. Pagasa said Ilocos Norte, Apayao, the southern portion of Babuyan Islands (Camiguin Islands, Fuga Islands and Dalupiri Islands. 3 while Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Sur and the rest of Babuyan Islands under Signal No. The state-run weather agency said that with the prevailing southwest monsoon or "habagat" enhanced by Florita, the gale warning remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, most of the seaboards of Southern Luzon, and western seaboard of Visayas.
Source:Manila Times
August 23, 2022 17:22 UTC
Schoolgirl styles for face-to-face commencement
Campus sweetheart: ribbed crop sweater, plaid button-front shacket and a plaid skirt. And Forever 21 celebrates schoolgirl style with four inspirational looks Elle, Alexa, Callie and Sofia. Back to school grunge: plaid cami mini dress, happy face sweater vest, mini skirt and oval framed sunglasses. Tops, pants, dresses, skirts and heels as it transitions into a '90s wall street style with a touch of modern minimalism. A double- breasted blazer paired with a mini skirt and a baguette shoulder bag.
Source:Manila Times
August 23, 2022 04:07 UTC
Russian missiles rain on Ukraine as war nears half-year mark
But he dismissed speculation about talks between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying there “was not any practical platform for having this meeting,” the report said. Russian authorities were investigating a suspected car bomb attack outside Moscow that killed the daughter of Alexander Dugin, an ultra-nationalist Russian ideologue who advocates Russia absorbing Ukraine. Of particular concern was the shelling of Nikopol, a city near Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine and Europe’s biggest nuclear plant. Five Russian Kalibr cruise missiles were fired from the Black Sea at the region overnight, a regional administration spokesperson said, citing information from the southern military command. Russia said on Sunday the missiles had destroyed an ammunition depot containing missiles for U.S.-made HIMARS rockets.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 22, 2022 08:43 UTC