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COVID-19
Cases
PH sets another record high for COVID-19 cases
The Philippines logged another record daily high in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases as 28,707 new infections were confirmed on Sunday, Jan. 9.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler
Department of Health
DOH: No FDA approved self-administered COVID-19 antigen test kit yet
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any self-administered COVID-19 antigen test kit in the country so far, the Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public.
Manila Bulletin
IATF/NTF COVID-19
NTF to replace wasted vaccines in ‘Odette’-hit areas
All the coronavirus disease vaccines that were damaged in areas hit by typhoon “Odette” last month will be replaced by the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, a government official assured Sunday, Jan. 9.
Manila Bulletin
Some people still believe COVID vaccine would turn them into zombies- DILG official
The belief that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine would turn them into zombies is discouraging some people to be inoculated, a ranking official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) disclosed on Sunday, Jan. 9.
Manila Bulletin
Philippines receives additional 2.7 million doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine
More than 2.7 million doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine arrived in the Philippines on Sunday, raising the country's jab supply as it dealt with a rise in infections of the respiratory illness.
ABS-CBN News
Stay home, PGH spox appeals to public amid Omicron threat
Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Spokesperson appealed to the Filipinos to stay home for at least two weeks to mitigate the spread of the more transmissible coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Omicron variant.
Manila Bulletin
Vaccine hesitancy also observed among provincial barangay officials
While village officials nationwide have been tasked to keep tabs on unvaccinated residents in their barangays, some of them remain unwilling to get the COVID-19 vaccine themselves.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Regions
Luzon including NCR
Metro Manila's COVID-19 positivity rate now over 50%, says OCTA
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) positivity rate in Metro Manila has reached 50.5 percent on Jan. 7–the first time it exceeded 50 percent in the region–the independent research group OCTA said on Sunday, Jan. 9.
Manila Bulletin
Several Luzon LGUs log over 1,000% COVID-19 growth rates — Octa Research
Several local government units (LGUs) recorded over 1,000-percent COVID-19 growth rates, independent pandemic monitor Octa Research said on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
IATF orders increased bed capacity in NCR+ amid rising COVID-19 cases
The government’s pandemic task force has ordered the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 to implement an increase in the availability of bed capacity in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal (NCR-plus) as the country continues to experience a spike in coronavirus cases.
Manila Bulletin
Baguio imposes heightened restrictions on travel leisure
Mayor Benjamin Magalong issued Executive Order No.1-2022, ordering the implementation of heightened restrictions to the current Alert Level 2 guidelines in the Summer Capital from January 6 to 18.
Manila Bulletin
Active COVID-19 cases in Pangasinan soar
The active COVID-19 cases in Pangasinan have jumped to 77, after recording 32 new infections on Wednesday, Jan. 5.
Manila Bulletin
Taguig limits movement of unvaccinated persons
To save lives and livelihood, Taguig's Safe City Task Force will be adopting the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) resolution that limits the movement of unvaccinated individuals
Philippine News Agency
Abra reimposes strict protocols to prevent entry of Omicron
Abra Governor Maria Jocelyn Bernos on Monday, January 3, announced on her official Facebook page that the province would reimplement strict border and entry protocols as a precaution against the possible entry of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin
Visayas
Guimaras only allows entry, exit of fully vaccinated persons
Starting January 10, only fully vaccinated persons are allowed to enter and to exit the island province of Guimaras. This was after Governor Samuel Gumarin released Executive Order No. 2022-003 to preempt the possible sure of COVID-19 cases with the threat of the Omicron variant.
Manila Bulletin
Mindanao
Dabawenyos hoard branded paracetamol but supply of generic drugs is stable
Drugstores here are running out of some branded paracetamol due to hoarding but the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPHA) Davao Chapter assured the public that supply of generic drugs remains stable.
Mindanews
Zambo City to reimpose RT-PCR requirement
This city will reimpose on January 12 the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test requirement for inbound travelers regardless of vaccination status due to the threat posed by the Omicron variant.
Philippine News Agency
World
Under flood of Omicron cases, Texans scramble to find COVID-19 tests
Texans seeking Covid tests are finding long lines and sold-out pharmacies, as the Lone Star State grapples with a new, Omicron-induced wave of the virus — the largest since the pandemic began.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
More than 100,000 march in France against COVID-19 vaccine requirements
More than 100,000 people across France protested Saturday over what they say are government plans to further restrict the rights of the unvaccinated, days after French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to “piss off” those refusing the jab.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Mexico hits record in new COVID-19 cases, more than 30,000
Mexico hit a record in confirmed daily COVID-19 cases on Saturday, according to official data, posting more than 30,000 additional infections as the highly contagious respiratory disease spread in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Australia’s New South Wales marks its highest COVID-19 death count
Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, recorded its highest number of daily COVID-19 deaths on Saturday as the Omicron variant sweeps the country and lawmakers face pressure to close widening supply chain gaps.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
UK COVID-19 death toll exceeds 150,000 after Omicron surge
The United Kingdom’s official death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic rose above 150,000 on Saturday, government figures showed, following a record wave of cases caused by the Omicron variant.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
Mass testing for crucial data
Year 3 into the pandemic, and calls for mass testing are once again being made given the dramatic rise in new COVID-19 cases. This week, lawmakers demanded anew that mass testing be implemented as new cases surged to almost 22,000 last Friday, breaching the 20,000 mark for the first time since Sept. 26, 2021.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
‘Omicron can still kill’: Expert counters OCTA fellow’s statement on Omicron as ‘natural immunity’ against COVID-19
Omicron is a “serious matter” and it poses a great threat to the public, reiterated a public health expert on Sunday, Jan. 9.
Manila Bulletin
Omicron wave could push hospitalizations to record in Philippines
ELMER G. CASTILLO, 37, got his fist vaccine dose against the coronavirus on Dec. 3, under threat of the campsite he manages in Nagsasa Cove in San Antonio, Zambales getting shuttered.
Businessworld Online
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Duterte to Black Nazarene devotees: 'Pray for our country'
President Duterte enjoined Filipino Catholics to continue demonstrating their faith by praying for the country despite the cancelation of the annual procession of the Black Nazarene due to the recent spike in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.
Manila Bulletin
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo raps DOH denial on medicine shortage, asks gov’t to work with drug companies
Despite the denial of the government that there is a medicine shortage in the country, presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday, Jan. 9, urged it to coordinate with pharmaceutical companies and drugstores to make sure that Filipinos have access to basic over-the-counter medicines.
Manila Bulletin
Amid rising COVID cases, Robredo renews call for centralized contact tracing database, free testing
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday reiterated her call for a centralized contact tracing database and free testing amid the recent rapid increase of COVID-19 cases.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Robredo asks gov’t: ‘Mass testing still a problem 2 years into the pandemic?’
Two years into the pandemic should have been enough for the Philippine government to prepare for mass testing to help curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday, Jan. 9.
Manila Bulletin
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
DOF lauds enactment of amended RTLA
The Department of Finance (DOF) has commended President Duterte and the members of Congress for the enactment of a law that will further liberalize the economy and open up the country to more foreign direct investments (FDIs).
Manila Bulletin
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT
2022 PH growth forecast cut to 7.1%
Further economic reopening during last year’s Christmas holidays likely lifted growth in 2021, but the COVID-19 infection surge at the start of this year is seen tempering gross domestic product (GDP) expansion, investment banking giant Goldman Sachs’ updated forecasts showed.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Easing of retail trade to recoup pandemic losses
The passage of a law easing the entry of foreign retailers will not only bring in fresh capital, but also create livelihood opportunities that the economy needs to bounce back from the pandemic, according to the Department of Finance.
Philippine Star
Peso seen to weaken ahead of trade data
THE PESO could depreciate versus the dollar this week on expectations of a wider trade deficit and ahead of the announcement of the restriction measures to be implemented for the second half of January.
Businessworld Online
PSE names 65 Shari’ah-compliant firms, adds nine new issues in list
SHARI’AH-COMPLIANT firms at the Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) increased to 65 from 62 previously after the local bourse operator’s latest quarterly screening for the period ending Dec. 25, 2021.
Businessworld Online
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
SURVIVING ‘ODETTE’ IN SIARGAO: Now that we’ve saved lives, how do we survive?
As we raised our arms in victory amid the destruction around us at the Siargao Sports Complex caused by the Category 5 Typhoon “Odette” on December 16, I gathered my friends to initiate a survival plan.
Mindanews
US sends P1-B worth of relief aid to ‘Odette’-hit areas
The United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has so far allocated PHP1 billion worth of humanitarian assistance to communities affected by last month’s Typhoon Odette.
Philippine News Agency
DSWD-7: Not all typhoon victims will get P5K
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Central Visayas (DSWD-7) clarified that not all typhoon-affected families will receive the 5,000-cash assistance from the national government.
Manila Bulletin
Help pours in Limasawa Island after 'Odette'
From being the worst-hit municipality in Southern Leyte during the onslaught of Typhoon ‘Odette’ in December, Limasawa Island is now on transition period three weeks after the disaster, says the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-8).
Manila Bulletin
Data collection critical to disaster mitigation
On Dec. 16, 2021, Supertyphoon “Odette” (international name: Rai) made landfall as a category 5 typhoon in the Philippines, causing over 400 deaths and an estimated over half a billion dollars of damages to infrastructure and agricultural production.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Measures sought vs damage during typhoons
A House leader is pushing for measures that will prevent massive damage during strong typhoons following the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette.
Philippine Star
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DOJ to reduce on-site workforce capacity stating Jan. 10
Amid the uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases, personnel working onsite at the main offices of the Department of Justice (DOJ) will be reduced from 60 to 30 percent effective January 10, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra announced on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Army’s 10ID gets 68 new trucks, SUVs, motorcycles
The Philippine Army (PA) turned over 68 new mobility assets to the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) in Mawab, Davao de Oro over the weekend.
Manila Bulletin
Philippine National Police
PNP reshuffles officials in Western Visayas
A day before the start of the election period, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reshuffled four provincial police directors in Western Visayas and 10 police chiefs in Negros Occidental.
Philippine Star
EDUCATION
ELECTION RELATED
AFP assists PNP in enforcing Comelec checkpoint, gun ban
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) started deploying its personnel on Sunday, Jan.9, to help the Philippine National Police (PNP) in manning checkpoints and implementing a gun ban in connection with the May 9 national and local elections.
Manila Bulletin
169 checkpoints set up in Central Luzon
A total of 169 checkpoints are set up with 1,300 police personnel deployed in Central Luzon to strictly implement the 150-day gun ban as the election period began Sunday.
Philippine News Agency
9 election hotspots in NegOr up for validation
The province of Negros Oriental has identified nine election “hotspots” or areas of concern leading to the May 9, 2022 national and local polls.
Philippine News Agency
PRO-12 primes for implementation of election gun ban
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 (Soccsksargen) has called on gun owners and enthusiasts to cooperate with the implementation of the election gun ban as strict police checkpoints will be set up across the region.
Philippine News Agency
Lawyer clarifies reason for Bongbong Marcos’ absence at Comelec hearing
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was only told to isolate himself in the morning of the preliminary conference of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division on the disqualification cases filed against him, according to a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, lawyer Victor Rodriguez.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Bongbong Marcos’ camp blasts misinformation on his absence from DQ hearing
The camp of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. refuted the speculations regarding his failure to attend the Comelec hearing on the petitions filed against him last Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Incidents
5 gun ban violators arrested in NCR, Zamboanga
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said five persons were arrested in violation of the nationwide election gun ban that kicked off Sunday.
Philippine News Agency
Motorcyclist nabbed for election gun ban violation in Laguna
Police arrested a motorcyclist in Santa Maria town in Laguna early Sunday for violating the Omnibus Election Code provision banning civilians from using and carrying firearms during the election period.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Open-pit mining environment impact seen outweighing economic benefits
THE return of open-pit mining promises a boost to the economy, possibly at the expense of degrading the environment and living conditions for residents near the mines, a University of the Philippines (UP) academic said.
Businessworld Online
JUDICIARY
SC, CA, CTA, Sandiganbayan, trial courts in Alert Level 3 operate on skeleton force starting Jan. 10
The “alarming number of COVID-19 infections” among court personnel in areas under Alert Level 3 with heightened restrictions prompted the Supreme Court (SC), the appellate collegiate courts, and trial courts in these places to just keep skeleton workforce in their offices starting Monday, Jan. 10, until Jan. 14.
Manila Bulletin
Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
Sandiganbayan
Municipal/Regional Trial Courts
LABOR
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Solon wants longer terms for president, House members, local execs
Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. is pushing for longer terms for the president, members of the House of Representatives members, and local officials.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
Big challenge for LGUs
Mayors and governors will have the gargantuan task this year of implementing programs and projects that otherwise should be undertaken by agencies of the national government, raising concerns on the spending capability of local government units (LGUs) at a time when the country needs to resuscitate a pandemic-battered economy and address the worsening poverty.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LGUs should not depend on windfall from Mandanas ruling – Escudero
Local government units (LGUs) should not rely on the additional P234 billion in internal revenue allotment (IRA) projected this year under the Mandanas ruling because the cost of devolution will be higher than the amount they will actually receive, Sorsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said in a statement issued on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
China seeks advantages in disputes as it renames locations across Asia
China is renaming disputed locations in Asia to bolster its territorial claims and build evidence to support those claims in case any sovereignty disagreements land in court, experts say, VOA reported.
Deccan Herald
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
DOST develops halal assurance system manual
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has bared the development of a generic halal assurance system (HAS) manual for selected food ingredients.
Manila Bulletin
Farmers say cash assistance not enough amid import competition
THE Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) said in a statement that the government’s decision to provide cash assistance to farmers affected by the typhoon will not offset the losses they have sustained due to competition from imports.
Businessworld Online
DA eyes higher banana, pineapple exports
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is aiming to increase banana and pineapple production in the country to boost exports of the two major Philippine fruits.
Philippine Star
GENDER
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION
Airline execs want shorter quarantine, isolation period for flight crew- Tugade
Transportation Secretary Art Tugade requested on Sunday, Jan 9., airline companies to prepare a comprehensive presentation to justify their request to shorten the quarantine and isolation protocols to flight crew.
Manila Bulletin
Over 100 CAAP employees get COVID-19
More than 100 officials and employees of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have tested positive for COVID-19 after undergoing antigen tests.
Philippine Star
TOURISM
WATER and ENERGY
Higher industry tier classification sought for energy efficiency projects
ENTITIES involved in energy efficiency (EE) projects have again called on government agencies involved in classifying projects for fiscal and other incentives to review an industry tier system before issuing specific guidelines for the endorsement of investments that will receive these perks.
Businessworld Online
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