COVID-19
Cases
New COVID-19 cases surpass 12,000 for 2nd consecutive day
For the second straight day, new coronavirus cases yesterday breached 12,000, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Philippine Star
PH detects 177 more COVID-19 Delta variant cases raising tally to 627
Health authorities have detected an additional 177 cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant, increasing the total to 627.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Department of Health
Pregnant women now part of jab priority group
Pregnant women are now part of the priority group for vaccination against COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) announced yesterday as it opted to expand the immunization coverage upon the recommendation of experts.
Philippine Star
FDA sees no shortage of medical oxygen supply amid pandemic
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is confident that the country will not have a problem with the supply of medical oxygen amid the COVID-19 pandemic with the current 81 licensed medical oxygen manufacturers and 30 hospitals that produce their own requirements.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
IATF/NTF COVID-19
IATF advisor traces Mindanao outbreak to OFWs who entered through Cebu
Infectious disease expert Edsel Salvana, an advisor for the national government’s COVID-19 task force, said outbreaks in parts of Mindanao could be traced to returning overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) who entered through Cebu.
Rappler
Regions
Luzon including NCR
On first day of distribution, over 233K Makati residents receive ECQ ‘ayuda’
Makati City has already released cash assistance to over 233,000 residents during the first day of distribution alone, Mayor Abby Binay said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Active COVID-19 cases among Central Luzon cops hit 100
The number of active COVID-19 cases among the workforce of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Luzon climbed to 100 on Thursday (Aug. 12), records showed.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Visayas
95% of Covid-19 deaths in C. Visayas 'unvaxxed': DOH exec
About 95 percent of the mortalities due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) were unvaccinated, Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) official said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Cebu administers 1 million COVID-19 vaccines
More than one million COVID vaccines were administered in Cebu as of Wednesday, the Department of Health (DOH)-Central Visayas office announced yesterday.
Philippine Star
Mindanao
Davao Region receives 102,960 additional doses of Pfizer vaccines
The Davao Region received additional 102,960 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Thursday, bringing the total doses of all vaccines combined delivered to the region to 1,927,480 as of August 12.
MindaNews
World
US FDA set to authorize COVID-19 vaccine boosters for immunocompromised patients
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize a third booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc for people with weakened immune systems, NBC News reported on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Canada planning COVID-19 vaccine passport for international travel
Canada is working to create a digital vaccine passport that would allow citizens to travel abroad and it should be available in the next few months, government officials said on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
80 charged for pandemic-related offenses, including 52 for spreading ‘fake news’
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said they have charged a total of 80 persons in court for pandemic-related offenses, including 52 for “spreading fake news” about COVID-19 on the internet.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Nearly 2,000 quarantine violators arrested in Pampanga
Authorities in Pampanga province have arrested nearly 2,000 people for violating quarantine protocols.
Philippines Lifestyle
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Duterte 'withholding judgment' on COA findings until DOH responds
Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte will not yet comment on the Commission on Audit's findings of deficiencies in the Department of Health's spending until the agency responds to the accusations.
Rappler
Palace: ‘No criticism towards Isko Moreno heard from Duterte’s mouth’
No criticism towards Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso was heard from President Rodrigo Duterte’s mouth, Malacañang said Thursday as it kept mum about the mayor whom the Chief Executive was pertaining to in his recent tirades.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo, Quezon City launch COVID Vax Express service for 5,000 tricycle drivers
The Office of the Vice President and the Quezon City government formally launched another Vaccine Express drive-through site, this time to cater to jeepney and tricycle drivers and operators, as well as to delivery riders in Quezon City.
Philippine Star
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Ombudsman holds off until COA audit of DOH fully done
Ombudsman Samuel Martires will wait for the full audit reports on the Department of Health’s (DOH) COVID-19 fund spending as the Commission on Audit (COA) recommendations can be settled by the beleaguered agency.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
DOF sees REITs as catalyst for strong economic rebound
The growing roster of real estate investment trust (REIT) offerings is serving as a catalyst for a quick and strong economic rebound, according to the Department of Finance.
Philippine Star
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
‘Road to Philippine economic rebound gets more bumpy’
The path toward economic recovery continues to dim as the new wave of COVID-19 cases from a more transmissible variant is now being felt, with vaccine rollout still lacking pace than needed.
Philippine Star
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
[OPINION] 10 ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects in CARAGA
In the second quarter of 2021, Philippines’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 11.8 percent, the highest since the fourth quarter of 1988. The biggest contributor to the increase was the construction sector, which is pegged at 25.7 percent. It was followed by manufacturing at 22.3 percent and industry and services at 20.8 percent. In other words, Philippines has ended its recession with the fastest year-on-year growth in 32 years.
Manila Bulletin
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Strong quake strikes Philippines, no major damage reported
A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off the Philippines on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said, as initial warnings about the risk of tsunamis were lifted and with no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.
Reuters
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
DND verifying presence of Chinese research vessel in WPS
The Department of National Defense (DND) on Thursday said it is now verifying reports about the alleged presence of a Chinese research vessel off Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Philippine News Agency
Armed Forces of the Philippines
AFP renews commitment to uphold int'l humanitarian law
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reaffirmed its commitment towards a strengthened implementation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), as the country commemorates IHL Day on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Philippine National Police
146 more PNP personnel test positive for COVID-19
The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases within the Philippine National Police (PNP) rose to 31,933 on Thursday after 146 more personnel tested positive for the illness.
GMA News
EDUCATION
DepEd eyes ‘modified enrollment process’ to start on Aug. 16
The Department of Education (DepEd) is eyeing the implementation of a “modified enrollment process” when the enrollment period for the basic education level starts next week
Manila Bulletin
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
ELECTION RELATED
Gordon on talks with Robredo: 'May sinabi siyang napakaganda'
Will a "partnership" between Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Richard Gordon soon come to fruition?
CNN Philippines
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DENR to keep nationwide ban on open-pit mining
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) opted to keep the nationwide ban on open-pit mines amid the clamor of environmental groups. This was after the government agency attempted to insert a provision in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Executive Order 130 that would also lift the moratorium on the controversial mining method.
Manila Bulletin
LABOR
DOLE probes firms with ‘no vaccine, no work’ policy
Some companies allegedly preventing their unvaccinated workers from reporting to the workplace are now under investigation by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Philippine Star
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Senate to probe DOH over audit report on ₱67-B pandemic funds
The Senate is gearing up for an inquiry into the Department of Health's management of its over ₱67-billion pandemic response funds.
CNN Philippines | Philippine Daily Inquirer
Lacson: Duque only cares for his boss, President Duterte
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III only cares for his boss, President Duterte, but ‘’mismanages’’ the DOH’s strategy in containing COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
House of Representatives
House panel approves bill on nationwide hospital referral system
During its virtual hearing, the panel, chaired by Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, approved House Bill 9633, which would institutionalize and broaden the scope of the One Hospital Command System, which currently conducts health facility referrals in Metro Manila.
Canadian Inquirer
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
‘Biggest ever repatriation in PH history’ is ongoing
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. was not exaggerating when he described the ongoing repatriation of Filipinos from various countries as the biggest in Philippine history.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
West Philippine Sea
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
BDO ramps up sustainability initiatives
Top lender BDO Unibank Inc. continues to ramp up its efforts in sustainable finance to help achieve the private and public sectors’ impactful global activities that cushion the destructive effects of climate change.
Philippine Star
EDC turns over PHP29 million to LGUs
Energy Development Corp. (EDC) has turned over P29.1 million to the communities and local government units (LGUs) hosting its 130-megawatt (MW) geothermal power plant in the Bicol region.
Business Mirror
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