DENR targets swimmable dolomite beach this month
DENR targets swimmable dolomite beach this monthMembers of the Manila Police District (MPD) arrive early to provide security at the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach on Tuesday (December 28, 2021) before dawn as it opens to the public for a two-day trial. MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has bared the agency’s target to make the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach swimmable this month. The DENR opened the beach to the public last Dec. 28 and 29. Those interested to visit the Dolomite Beach should first register online at the DENR Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Appointment System http://denrncrys.online. They will then receive a reply confirming their appointment to visit the beach.
Source:Philippine Star
January 01, 2022 17:11 UTC
10 predictions for 2022
A Black Swan (capitalized) as defined by Taleb is a surprise event that could not have been predicted, has a major effect and is, usually, inappropriately rationalized by hindsight. Surprises happen all the time, but the world has not seen a true Black Swan — other than the literal birds, which are native to Australia — in about 20 years, but it will in 2022. If I knew what it was, then it wouldn't be a Black Swan. It is probably up to the task; other predictions of the Chinese economy's demise in years past have, so far, all been proven wrong. Any serious escalation, particularly involving Taiwan, will be viewed as too costly; at least, until China gets its financial house in order.
Source:Manila Times
January 01, 2022 16:29 UTC
3,142 foreigners deported in 2021
UPDATED 12:05AM JAN. 2, 2022THERE were more Chinese deported from the Philippines in 2021 than any other foreigners combined. Data released by the Deportation and Implementation Unit of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) showed that out of the 3,142 foreigners deported from January to November 2021, 2,875 were Chinese. In 2020, the BI deported 3,219 aliens. Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement that despite the pandemic, they will continue deporting foreigners who violated the Philippine Immigration Act. "Foreigners who blatantly violate our laws will be deported and blacklisted."
Source:Manila Times
January 01, 2022 16:24 UTC
North Korea’s Kim talks food not nukes for 2022
ADVERTISEMENTThe meetings coincided with the 10-year anniversary of Kim effectively assuming leadership of the country after the death of his father in 2011. Kim has used previous speeches around the New Year to make major policy announcements, including launching significant diplomatic engagements with South Korea and the United States. The tractor factory he discussed in the speech is also likely to be used to build launch vehicles for missiles, foreign analysts have said, and North Korea is believed to have expanded its arsenal despite the lockdowns. The big focus on rural development is likely a populist strategy, said Chad O’Carroll, founder of NK News, a Seoul-based website that tracks North Korea. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 01, 2022 16:17 UTC
Over 100 pay last respects to victims in fatal San Po Kong car crash
Around 100 people dressed in black clothing reached Tai Yau Street in San Po Kong on Saturday afternoon and paid their last respects to two victims who died in a car crash there. A 23-year-old woman surnamed Sze and a 63-year-old man surnamed Lee died after they were hit by the car, while four others sustained injuries. It was understood that Sze lived in Tsz Wan Shan and she had just started working as a community organizer for only a short while. He worked in San Po Kong and suspectedly walked past the road when the incident took place. Also read: (Video) Two dead and three injured in San Po Kong car crash
Source:The Standard
January 01, 2022 14:29 UTC
Philippine Airlines exits US bankruptcy
Philippine Airlines (PAL) planes are seen parked on tarmac in Manila International Airport in Pasay city, metro Manila September 9, 2014. (Reuters)Philippine Airlines has said it has emerged from bankruptcy after a US court approved its plan to slash up to US$2 billion in debt and obtain additional capital. Air travel in the Philippines collapsed by more than 75 percent in 2020 due to travel restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus, according to government data. PAL said in September it had cancelled more than 80,000 flights, wiping out US$2 billion in revenue, and let go of more than 2,000 employees. As borders reopen and travel restrictions ease, the airline said it will resume regular flights, including to cities in mainland China and Australia.
Source:The Standard
January 01, 2022 12:29 UTC
DOST, stakeholders seek FDA approval of VCO vs COVID-19
DOST, stakeholders seek FDA approval of VCO vs COVID-19Rowena Cristina Guevara, undersecretary for research and development, said that the DOST’s Research Group led primarily by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development will provide technical, as well as R&D documentation assistance, to the VCO Producers and Traders Association of the Philippines Inc. for the project. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will work with the country’s foremost industry association of coconut processors to get virgin coconut oil (VCO) approved for indications for mild COVID-19 cases by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Engineer Marco Reyes, president of VCO, stressed that prevention of COVID-19 infection and transmission was a better strategy in the war against the coronavirus. “VCO is a natural, sustainable and highly renewable resource of our country that is accessible and affordable for all Filipinos. “We must remain open-minded, thorough and aggressive in undertaking scientific studies on the use of virgin coconut oil against this virus,” Reyes said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 01, 2022 09:58 UTC
12 dead in stampede at religious shrine in India
SRINAGAR, India — At least 12 people died and 13 were injured in a stampede at a religious shrine in the early hours of Saturday in Indian-administered Kashmir, officials said. “At least 12 people lost their lives and 13 are injured,” one senior government official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the most revered Hindu shrines in northern India, with tens of thousands visiting to offer prayers every day. FEATURED STORIESAnother disaster-management official confirmed the death toll, saying the stampede took place at about 2:45 am (2115 GMT). “A high-level inquiry has been ordered by the government into the stampede incident at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine,” he said.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 01, 2022 09:13 UTC
Tsukii aims for better performance in 2022
Junna Tsukii reacts during one of the World Karate Federation (WKF) tournaments. WKF PHOTOFILIPINO-Japanese Junna Tsukii has won three gold medals and one silver in major karate tournaments in 2021. For 2022, she said she wants more. Tsukii said that she wants to come out stronger in 2022 after ruling the two legs of Karate 1 Premier League and the Golden Belt Karate, and claiming a silver medal in the Asian Championships in 2021. I feel a lot of frustration, but it means that it will make me even stronger next year," said the 30-year-old Tsukii in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Source:Manila Times
January 01, 2022 04:06 UTC
PH receives final shipment of vaccine
AMID rising Covid-19 cases, the Philippines received on Thursday night the last shipment of vaccines for the year — 609,570 doses of Pfizer. The shipment completes the country's supply agreement for 40 million doses from the US drug maker. Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, special medical adviser of the National Task Force Against Covid-19, thanked the US government for its assistance. Aside from the 40 million Pfizer doses, Herbosa said the US also donated more than 26 million doses of Pfizer to the Philippines. As of Thursday, the country has more than 2.8 million confirmed Covid-19 cases, more than 2.7 million recoveries, and 51,373 deaths.
Source:Manila Times
January 01, 2022 03:12 UTC
Odette death toll climbs to 405; 82 still missing
Odette death toll climbs to 405; 82 still missingIn this photo taken on Dec. 17, 2021 a destroyed house stands along the coast in Ubay town, Bohol province in central Philippines, a day after Super Typhoon Rai (Odette) devastated the town. The NDRRMC said 6,526 barangays in 479 cities and municipalities in 38 provinces in 11 regions were affected by Typhoon Odette, while displaced persons numbered some 500,626 across 1,325 evacuation centers. The damage to agriculture due to Odette has reached P9 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center. Central Visayas suffered the largest infrastructure damage, costing P1.68 billion, followed by Eastern Visayas (P963.64 million), Western Visayas (P549.65 million), Caraga (P230 million), Mimaropa (P157.83 million) and Northern Mindanao (P134.34 million). “Quick Response Teams are out in the field working tirelessly to clear roads and help our kababayans affected by typhoon Odette,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 01, 2022 01:35 UTC
Hong Kong further tightens air crew quarantine rules
Hong Kong authorities have further tightened regulations over air cargo crew members, subjecting them to seven days of hotel quarantine instead of three days before they start home isolation. The SAR government announced on Friday that, starting Saturday, all air cargo crew members who have stayed in overseas countries or in Taiwan will have to spend seven days in hotel quarantine before a period of medical surveillance along with frequent Covid tests. Meanwhile, the government expresses deep regret over non-compliance by individual air crew members, and has directed the airline concerned to follow up seriously. “The government has also urged the airline to take effective measures to ensure its air crew strictly comply with the relevant requirements under the anti-epidemic measures so as to prevent recurrence of contraventions,” said a government spokesman. “Air cargo crew are subject to medical surveillance and those who contravene the conditions in the Notification of Medical Surveillance may be in violation of the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation,” the spokesman added.
Source:The Standard
December 31, 2021 19:53 UTC
World rings in New Year under Covid cloud
But it was the pandemic — now entering its third year — that again dominated life for most of humankind. Over 5.4 million people have died since the coronavirus was first reported in central China in December 2019. Countless more have been sickened — subjected to outbreaks, lockdowns, lock-ins and an alphabet spaghetti of PCR, LFT and RAT tests. But the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of trying times ahead. "This is and will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers, and health systems on the brink of collapse."
Source:Manila Times
December 31, 2021 16:30 UTC
30 firecracker injuries logged ahead of New Year festivities
30 firecracker injuries logged ahead of New Year festivitiesMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health on Friday reported 30 cases of firecracker-related injuries in the past week as Filipinos prepare to usher in 2022 after another year of battling the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the DOH, over a third of the cases occurred in Western Visayas. But the figure was 66% lower than the five-year average of 89 cases during the same time period. “There was no fireworks ingestion, stray bullet injury, or death reported this year,” the DOH said, adding 83% of the firecracker-related injuries were caused by illegal fireworks such as Boga. The Philippines ended the year with 2,961 new infections, bringing the number of active cases to 14,233.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2021 15:59 UTC