3 more Cabinet officials named
(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has reappointed J. Prospero "Popoy" de Vera 3rd as chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Malacañang announced on Saturday. De Vera was previously appointed CHEd commissioner by former president Rodrigo Duterte with a tenure lasting from October 2018 to July 21, 2022. Before joining the Duterte administration, de Vera was University of the Philippines vice president for public affairs from 2011 to 2016. De Vera, a strong advocate of state subsidized higher education, has led the formulation of the implementing rules and regulations of RA 10931. Quiroz, on the other hand, has more than 25 years of experience in the judiciary, starting as a Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) judge then as Regional Trial Court judge.
Source:Manila Times
July 24, 2022 00:01 UTC
Monkeypox outbreak constitutes global health emergency – WHO
The rapidly spreading monkeypox outbreak represents a global health emergency, the World Health Organization‘s highest level of alert, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Saturday. The WHO label – a “public health emergency of international concern” – is designed to sound an alarm that a coordinated international response is needed and could unlock funding and global efforts to collaborate on sharing vaccines and treatments. The WHO and national governments have been facing intense pressure from scientists and public health experts to take more action on monkeypox. On Friday, the United States identified its first two monkeypox cases in children. RELATED STORIESWHO to say if it will trigger highest alert on monkeypoxStudy: 95% of monkeypox cases transmitted thru sexual activityMonkeypox: how a public emergency could be declaredatmSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 23, 2022 23:32 UTC
Wrong tool for the job
PHOTO FROM THE GCFThus, in 2010 the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreed to form what would become the Green Climate Fund (GCF). I have long been highly skeptical of the GCF, which is, as they say, an unpopular opinion. This was the title: "Green Climate Fund Board approves new climate funding, bringing assets under management to USD40 billion." These new projects bring the total number of projects in the GCF portfolio to 200, accounting for $10.8 billion in GCF resources. We do not have time for this nonsense, and neither does the world at large.
Source:Manila Times
July 23, 2022 22:05 UTC
Home Credit launches health insurance with Covid-19 coverage
AS the threat of surge in Covid-19 cases remains, consumer finance company and digital financial service provider Home Credit Philippines (HCPH) has launched Health Secure with Covid-19 coverage. Health Secure offers protection not only for personal accidents resulting in dismemberment, disability and death but also for Covid-19-related complications, including vaccine side effects. Health Secure is also one of the very few insurance plans offering protection against the FDA-approved Covid-19 vaccine side effects. "Health Secure is our way of encouraging Filipinos to appreciate health insurance and protect themselves and their families by securing their health, future and financial stability," HCPH Chief Marketing Officer Sheila Paul shared. HCPH also offers the Home Credit Protect (HCProtect) to give Home Credit-financed gadgets the protection they need at less cost.
Source:Manila Times
July 23, 2022 21:46 UTC
Senate convenes for opening of 19th Congress on Monday
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will convene for the opening of the 19th Congress on Monday. Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Miguel Zubiri is expected to lead the opening of the First Regular Session and the election of officers at the Senate Plenary Hall. The 24 senators are then expected to elect their officers for the new Congress, including the Senate President, Senate President Pro-Tempore, Majority Leader, Secretary and Sergeant-at-Arms. The losing candidate for Senate President is traditionally elected as the Minority Leader. Zubiri will likely take the helm of the Upper Chamber as the 24th Senate President.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 23, 2022 19:58 UTC
Marcos expected to back AFP modernization plan
Andolong said Marcos is looking to improve the reserve forces of the AFP as well. "Ayon kay Secretary Faustino, nabanggit ni Pangulong Marcos na isa sa gusto niyang palakasin ay ang reserve force. Maaaring iyan ang madinig natin sa Lunes sa talumpati ng pangulo (Secretary Faustino said he was told by President Marcos that among the military branches he wants to strengthen is the reserve force. More than 21,000 security forces will be deployed mostly in and around the Batasan Complex. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has released a traffic rerouting plan for Monday to guide motorists and commuters.
Source:Manila Times
July 23, 2022 13:16 UTC
Angeles City’s active COVID-19 cases break 100-mark
ANGELES CITY—The active COVID-19 cases in this city reached 102 after the local government registered 22 new ones on Friday, July 22. The city health office also recorded 10 recoveries and zero deaths. Domingo village has the most active cases at 18, followed by Cutcut and Balibago with 14 patients each. Since the pandemic started in 2020, this city had recorded 14,943 COVID-19 cases, of which 14,298 had recovered, and 543 had died. Angeles City and the rest of Central Luzon are under Alert Level 1 until the end of this month.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 23, 2022 07:00 UTC
Diocese continues fight vs mining in NVizcaya
Former president Rodrigo Duterte signed the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement 1 in June 2021, renewing OceanaGold’s contract to resume the Didipio Gold-Copper Mining project operations. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOTHE Diocese of Bayombong said it will continue to stand up to prevent the harmful effects of mining in the province of Nueva Vizcaya. Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao said the danger caused by mining in the province is no longer fair, especially regarding the safety of the community and nature. "The destruction caused by mining companies far outweighs whatever benefits they give to the workers, barangay, towns, and the national government," said Mangalinao in a statement. Former president Rodrigo Duterte signed the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement 1 in June 2021, renewing OGPI's contract to resume the Didipio Gold-Copper Mining project operations.
Source:Manila Times
July 23, 2022 04:35 UTC
Study: 95% of monkeypox cases transmitted thru sexual activity
1WASHINGTON—Ninety-five percent of monkeypox cases have been transmitted through sexual activity, according to the largest study to date, which also noted new clinical signs, such as single genital lesions. “However, our work suggests that most transmissions so far have been related to sexual activity—mainly, but not exclusively, amongst men who have sex with men,” Thornhill added. Although sexual activity was behind most cases, the researchers stressed in a statement that the virus can be spread via any close physical contact, such as respiratory droplets and potentially through clothing and other surfaces. Many of those infected showed symptoms not previously associated with monkeypox, including single genital lesions and sores on the mouth or anus. Most cases mildThese are similar to those of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and could lead to misdiagnosis, the authors said.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 23, 2022 04:26 UTC
Nicolas couple silver wedding anniversary and Evelyn Mina's birthday
Grace Bondad Nicolas wearing a Happy Andrada dirty white gown and Chairman Andrew Troy Nicolas also in Happy Andrada walked down the aisle side by side, together. What's interesting that day, my husband doesn't know that we will have a church wedding again, I told him it's just a pictorial." ***Meanwhile, showing his love for his wife Evelyn, Don Emilio Mina hosted a dinner for her birthday at his famous Caruso Italian Restaurant. To dear Evelyn, happy birthday and more celebrations to come. PHOTOS1- Nicolas Family: Alexa, Andria, Grace, Andrew and Alexis Nicolas2- Ruth, Sami, Sopia Ahmad, Grace Bondad Nicolas, Hi Society, Andria Nicolas and Ysabela Basay3- Atty.
Source:Manila Times
July 23, 2022 04:01 UTC
Army enlists 1st female Scout Ranger trainer
A FEMALE soldier of the Philippine Army will be immortalized in the nation's military history for becoming the first woman to qualify as a trainer in the elite Scout Rangers School in Bulacan. The Scout Rangers, known officially as the First Scout Ranger Regiment, is a unit that specializes in anti-guerrilla jungle warfare, raids, ambushes, close quarters combat, urban warfare and sabotage. The pinning of the badge was made during a ceremony at the First Scout Ranger Regiment's Scout Ranger School in Camp Tecson on Friday. Caoyong and her classmates graduated alongside 61 soldiers who hurdled the Combat Tracking Course which was also conducted in the Scout Rangers School. The Army's female personnel receive equal opportunities in the organization consistent with the requisites of military service.
Source:Manila Times
July 23, 2022 02:26 UTC
SBP to meet with major stakeholders to ensure formation of best Gilas team for World Cup
The call came after Gilas suffered a series of disappointments in FIBA Asia Cup 2022 and the second and third windows of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers. “As FIBA secretary-general Andreas Zagklis mentioned, it’s been nearly 25 years since Greece hosted a world basketball event. We really have to give it full support from all basketball stakeholders,” said Panlilio. “The World Cup will never happen again in Manila in our lifetime. It took 45 years to bring the World Cup back to Manila, dapat laban na, all out na.
Source:Manila Times
July 22, 2022 23:39 UTC
Toyota PH empowers MSMEs with launch of All-New Lite Ace
The All-New Toyota Lite Ace was officially unveiled recently at Farmers Plaza in Araneta City, Quezon City — one of the busiest commercial centers and marketplaces in the country that serve as a hot spot for flourishing businesses. "We are confident that the All-New Lite Ace is a game-changer, not just in uplifting the auto industry, but more importantly in improving the way homegrown businesses move people and goods." Through Toyota Financial Services Philippines, TMP is offering the All-New Lite Ace under unique financing packages that allow customers to acquire units under a weekly payment scheme. This makes investing in a Toyota commercial vehicle easier and more accessible for those who are looking to start or expand their own local businesses. Meet your newest ka-sosyo sa asenso — the All-New Lite Ace.
Source:Manila Times
July 22, 2022 22:22 UTC
Passport Mobile Application Stations to operate until early September
The Immigration Department has introduced the Passport Mobile Application Stations which will travel throughout the city between mid-July and early September for citizens to renew their expired or expiring passports. The department said the passport mobile application stations have been well received by the public since their launch. Citizens can handle their passport renewals at the seven Immigration branch offices in a self-service manner as well. At present, 168 countries and territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to SAR passport holders. Some places require visitors to have a passport with validity of at least six months.
Source:The Standard
July 22, 2022 19:15 UTC
NCR Covid cases have yet to peak
THE Covid-19 positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila continues to rise, an indication that infections have not yet peaked in the region, according to OCTA Research. OCTA projects that the daily Covid count across the country could hit 3,000 on Friday, with 1,100 cases predicted in NCR alone. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTEVergeire said the National Capital Region is now classified as moderate risk for Covid after its average daily attack rate hovered at 6.25 cases per 100,000 population. At the end of the day, cases are increasing in all areas). She also said that despite the steady climb in cases, the number of severe and critical cases has reached a plateau.
Source:Manila Times
July 22, 2022 11:56 UTC