Oil heads for biggest annual gains since 2009
Oil prices edged down on Friday but were set to post their biggest annual gains in 12 years, spurred by the global economic recovery from the Covid-19 slump and producer restraint, even as infections surged to record highs around the world. Global oil prices , are expected to rise further next year as jet fuel demand catches up. "We've had Delta and Omicron and all manner of lockdowns and travel restrictions, but demand for oil has remained relatively firm. You can attribute that to the effects of stimulus supporting demand and restrictions on supply," said Australian brokerage firm CommSec's Chief Economist Craig James. "I think we will see a lot of pressure on OPEC+ to make sure there's enough oil being supplied to market," James said.
Source:The Standard
December 31, 2021 13:59 UTC
Plantation of Philippine bet to Mrs. World ravaged by 'Odette'
Plantation of Philippine bet to Mrs. World ravaged by 'Odette'MANILA, Philippines — Mrs. World Philippines Meranie Gadiana Rahman revealed that she had firsthand experience of Super Typhoon Odette when she recently carried out an outreach program in her hometown Cagayan de Oro. In her interview with the media during her send-off party on December 26, Meranie said that Odette was the worst typhoon she ever experienced. It’s the worst typhoon I’ve ever experienced!” she said. Meranie also said that her falcata tree plantation was destroyed by the typhoon. Meranie is vying to become the country’s first winner of Mrs. World.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2021 10:09 UTC
Typhoon Odette death toll climbs to 405 — NDRRMC
MANILA, Philippines — The deaths due to Typhoon Odette have reached 405 as of Friday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). ADVERTISEMENTAccording to the latest report of the agency, the typhoon affected 1.1 million families or 4.4 million individuals in 6,526 villages, and displaced 500,626 persons during its onslaught. The typhoon also left P28 million worth of damage to houses and P16 billion to infrastructure. FEATURED STORIESIt likewise damaged 86,264 hectares of farm lands, 1.2 million livestock and poultry, and 5,187 agriculture infrastructure equipment, all amounting to P6.6 billion. NDRRMC said a total of 334 cities and municipalities in the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga region were placed under a state of calamity due to the typhoon.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 31, 2021 10:03 UTC
Alunan on ‘Poblacion Girl’ who skipped quarantine: ‘That idiot should be locked up in jail’
Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Raffy Alunan described the person, who tested positive for the coronavirus, as an “idiot,” adding that she must be jailed for the reported quarantine breach. The Department of Tourism has launched an investigation after a hotel supposedly allowed one of its guests who returned from the US to skip quarantine. The balikbayan and her companions reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus. Berna Puyat on quarantine breach involving Poblacion girl: ‘We won’t tolerate reckless acts’ | (politics.com.ph)Oh may Omicron! DOT probing Makati hotel for alleged quarantine breach (politics.com.ph)
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 31, 2021 08:17 UTC
Ring in the New Year with a festive celebration
Holiday dining at Flame Al FrescoMake the holiday season even more magical with festive dining experiences at Flame Al Fresco. Savor this experience with your loved ones as you dine with soaring views of the city as your backdrop. Holiday dining at Discovery Primea's Flame Al FrescoRing in the New Year with Novotel Manila's festive dining offersRing in the new year with a special get-together feast for family and friends with Novotel Manila's festive buffet spread at Food Exchange Manila and The 6th Manila. Anything beyond will be charged kid's rate.) For walk-in guest: adult rate is P1,500 nett and kid's rate (13 to 17 years old) is P750 nett.
Source:Manila Times
December 31, 2021 06:14 UTC
Experts see ‘alarming’ rise in Covid-19 cases in Philippines - Asia News Network
The Department of Health (DOH) reported a 6.6-percent positivity rate on Thursday, above the World Health Organization’s 5-percent benchmark—the indicator that infection is under control. The increase in the number of cases can be attributed to holiday-related mobility and gatherings, he said in an interview with ANC. “With the newly reported cases doubling the past two days, the DOH enjoins everyone to do what is within our power to avoid making year 2022 another version of 2020. OCTA agreed with Solante that the increase in key COVID-19 data was not surprising because of the increased number of holiday gatherings. Case updatesThe DOH reported 11,772 active cases as of Thursday and a total caseload of 2,841,260 since the start of the pandemic.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 31, 2021 05:43 UTC
More than 5.2 million children fully vaccinated vs COVID-19 — Galvez
More than 5.2 million children fully vaccinated vs COVID-19 — GalvezA teenage boy receives a BioNtech-Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during the inoculation of the population aged 12 to 17 at a stadium in San Juan City, suburban Manila on November 3, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — Some 5.2 million children have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus since the inoculation of minors was gradually rolled out this year, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Friday. "We are happy that the children, over 8 million [of them] have been vaccinated and 5.2 million have received a second dose,” Galvez said in Filipino during a briefing aired on state media. Overall, the vaccine czar said the number of people fully vaccinated had breached the 50-million mark. Galvez said the government would likely hit the 54-million mark in the first or second week of January 2022.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2021 05:34 UTC
Gov't to prioritize inoculation of 1.5M unvaccinated senior citizens as it prepares for Omicron
Gov't to prioritize inoculation of 1.5M unvaccinated senior citizens as it prepares for OmicronA health worker shows syringes filled with Pfizer vaccine as they administer the first dose to those belonging to A1 (medical frontliners), A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidity) categories during their continuation of vaccination program for San Juaneños at FilOil Flying V Centre (San Juan Arena) on May 12, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will prioritize the inoculation of unvaccinated senior citizens as it prepares for a possible Omicron-fueled increase in COVID-19 cases, the country’s vaccination chief said Friday. According to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., around 1.5 million senior citizens remain unvaccinated. Since March, over 5.56 million senior citizens have completed vaccination against COVID-19, while 4.92 million have received partial protection. More than 446,000 senior citizens have been given booster shots.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2021 05:31 UTC
Sha Tin worker killed as towel wrapped around his neck gets caught in grinding machine
A fatal accident in Sha Tin on Thursday saw a 75-year-old male construction worker killed after the towel he wrapped around his neck was caught in a grinding machine. Police said the worker was working alone inside a residential flat at Wah Shing House of Fung Shing Court on Thursday when the accident happened. The force suspected that the 75-year-old was suffocated to death after a towel he wrapped around his neck as a face cover was accidentally caught in a handheld grinding machine. The case has been classified as an industrial accident, with the cause of death pending an autopsy examination.
Source:The Standard
December 31, 2021 05:16 UTC
Flight ban hits 1,000 helpers
Wallis WangOver 1,000 domestic helpers from the Philippines are greatly affected by flight cancellations and are delaying their arrival here by at least two weeks, according to employment agencies. Thomas Chan Tung-fung, chairman of Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies, said agencies and employers were in a panic after hearing of the flight ban, and had to quickly secure another flight for helpers. If employers fail to secure another ticket, the booked quarantine hotel room for their helpers may also be affected, he said. "Securing a quarantine hotel room is more troublesome than flight tickets, because the hotel may not arrange another room for helpers if they cannot arrive in Hong Kong on time," Chan said. Chan also said the SAR would soon announce details for a fourth quarantine hotel for helpers.
Source:The Standard
December 31, 2021 02:01 UTC
Isko Moreno hopes private firms will follow lead of Manila Zoo in keeping bay clean
I hope our countrymen will do the same if they have properties or business along the bay,” the 47-year-old local chief executive pointed out. Moreno cited places in Singapore like Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, which used to “really stink” but had been rehabilitated. I want their children to experience what my children can experience,” Moreno said, whose wife and children attended the soft opening. Opened in July 1959, the zoo is located near the Estero de San Antonio Abad in Malate, Manila, which directly drains into Manila Bay. These are Angat River, Bocaue River, Maria River, Marilao River, Meycauayan, Meycauayan-Valenzuela River, Pasig River, Parañaque River, Imus River, Ylang-ylang River, Rio Grande, Cañas River, Obando River, Navotas-Malabon-Tinajeros-Tullahan River, Talisay River, Guagua River and Pampanga River.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 30, 2021 23:10 UTC
The Philippines' top searches in 2021
After the pandemic first rocked the world in 2020, by no means was 2021 less uneventful, especially in the Philippines — from witnessing the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold to the 2022 election race, users in the Philippines rushed online to look up these headline-defining moments this year. Athletes and celebrities continued to dominate headlines, while politics and catastrophes remained some of the most-searched topics in 2021. Meanwhile, historical events topped searches in 2021: weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz was the fourth biggest newsmaker this year after her groundbreaking win at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Beloved K-drama superstar Lee Min-ho topped searches for male celebrities, while "Crash Landing on You's" Hyun Bin (3rd) continued to be popular in searches, as well as Ji Chang-wook (7th). Binance Coin (1st), Bitcoin (2nd), Tether (3rd), Ripple (4th), and Uniswap (5th) topped crypto searches, while "meme coins" Shiba Inu (6th) and Dogecoin (8th) also made the list.
Source:Manila Times
December 30, 2021 22:16 UTC
Emperor International sold Shau Kei Wan plot at HK$688 mln
Emperor International Holdings (163) sold a Shau Kei Wan plot at HK$688 million. The site, located on 67-77 Nam On Street, was originally occupied by three adjoining old buildings with an aggregate site area of approximately 5,900 square feet. It is expected to record a gain of approximately HK$214.1 million from such disposal. Net proceeds will be used for future business development of the group and as general working capital. The transaction is expected to be completed on April 29 next year.
Source:The Standard
December 30, 2021 20:59 UTC
Duterte signs law creating department for migrant workers
Duterte signs law creating department for migrant workersThis April 2, 2020, photo shows overseas Filipino workers who were repatriated amid the global coronavirus pandemic. MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure creating a department for overseas Filipino workers. Related Stories Bill creating OFW department clears Senate hurdleIn May, Duterte certified as urgent the Senate bills seeking to create a department for the welfare of migrant Filipinos after the House of Representatives passed its version last year. Under the measure, the department will absorb the functions of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and will be tasked to protect the rights of migrant workers. Economic managers expressed opposition to the measure as they saw the creating of another agency as ballooning an already bloated bureaucracy.
Source:Philippine Star
December 30, 2021 19:54 UTC
Philippines' Duterte signs US$98.5 billion budget for 2022
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday signed a 5.024 trillion pesos (US$98.45 billion) budget for next year. (Reuters)Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday signed a 5.024 trillion pesos (US$98.45 billion) budget for next year, the Southeast Asian country's largest ever, as it aims to sustain economic recovery and manage Covid-19 outbreaks. It includes capital outlays of 1 trillion pesos for infrastructure spending, budgetary support for state corporations, and capital transfers to local government units. The Philippines, among the worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic in Asia, plans to spend up to 48.2 billion pesos for vaccine purchases next year as it ramps up its booster programme. The country has allocated 23 billion pesos to construct new health facilities, expand and upgrade existing ones, and procure equipment for hospitals.
Source:The Standard
December 30, 2021 18:49 UTC