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(BusinessWorld) MANILA, the capital and nearby cities are ripe for a shift to the most relaxed lockdown amid decreasing coronavirus infections, the country’s health chief said on Thursday.

Infections in the capital region have declined in the past two weeks, while the average attack rate was moderate, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III told an online news briefing. It remained at low risk from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), he added.

Less than 30% of Metro Manila’s health system was used, while 84% or 1.03 million of its 1.2 million seniors have been fully vaccinated, he added.

The Department of Health (DoH) has adjusted the target vaccination rate for the lockdown to be eased further to 80% for the elderly and seriously ill adults. “That is their state, which is truly and genuinely right for de-escalation,” Mr. Duque said.

The agency might conduct house-to-house vaccinations to reach more senior citizens, he added.

Metro Manila mayors this week voted to lower the lockdown in the region to Alert Level 1, the most relaxed in a five-tier system. The 17 mayors don’t have the power to decide on the lockdown level and can only recommend actions to an inter-agency task force against the coronavirus… Read More

(BusinessWorld) MAYORS in the Philippine capital and nearby cities have voted to lower the lockdown in the region to the most relaxed level amid decreasing coronavirus infections.

“The basis of the Metro Manila Council to ease the restrictions in the region is to open up the economy to ensure job generation,” Romando S. Artes, officer-in-charge of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), told a news briefing on Wednesday.

The 17 mayors don’t have the power to decide on the lockdown level and can only recommend actions to an inter-agency task force against the coronavirus.

The Department of Health (DoH) posted 1,534 infections on Wednesday — the fifth straight day the tally fell below 2,000 — bringing the total to 3.66 million.

The death toll hit 55,977 after 201 more patients died, while recoveries rose by 2,729 to 3.54 million, it said in a bulletin.

It added that 6.1% of 24,527 samples from Feb. 21 tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), still above the 5% threshold set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Of 55,449 active cases, 652 did not show symptoms, 50,258 were mild, 2,811 were moderate, 1,426 were severe and 302 were critical… Read More

(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has tagged 16 organizations linked to the communist movement in the country as “terrorists.”

In a statement released this month, the ATC said it approved a resolution designating the “underground organizations” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as “terrorist groups of persons, organizations, or associations.”

The ATC listed the following in its resolution passed in January:

1. Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions (RCTU);

2. Katipunan ng mga Samahang Manggagawa (KASAMA) or Federation of Labor Organizations;

3. Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid (PKM) or National Association of Peasants;

4. Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA) or Patriotic Movement of New Women;

5. Kabataang Makabayan (KM) or Patriotic Youth;

6. Katipunan ng Gurong Makabayan (KAGUMA) or Association of Patriotic Teachers;

7. Makabayang Samahang Pangkalusugan (MASAPA) or Patriotic Health Association;

8. Liga ng Agham Para sa Bayan (LAB) or League of Scientists for the People;

9. Lupon ng mga Manananggol para sa Bayan (LUMABAN) or Committee of Lawyers for the People;

10. Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan (ARMAS) or Artists and Writers for the People;

11. Makabayang Kawaning Pilipino (MKP) or Patriotic Government Employees;

12. Revolutionary Organization of Overseas Filipinos and their Families (COMPATRIOTS);.. Read More

(GMA News) Filipino-American TikTok sensation and singer Bella Poarch posted a hilarious photo of herself showing her struggle to be a “marites.”

In the photo, Bella was seen trying to tip toe to be able to look out from a parking lot that had a tall barrier.

“‘Yung gusto mong makichismis pero di mo abot,” Bella wrote in the caption of her post followed by a laughing emoji and a Philippine flag.

Her Filipino followers found her post hilarious. The post garnered over 73,000 reactions with more than 2,100 shares.

As of this writing, Bella has over 88 million followers on TikTok with over 2 Billion likes… Read More

(SunStar) AN INFECTIOUS disease expert said on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, that the Philippines is already exiting from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a Laging Handa public briefing, infectious disease specialist and government pandemic response consultant Dr. Rontgene Solante said this is indicated in the continuous decrease in Covid-19 cases and the country’s ability to deal with severe and critical infections.

“Yes, I think we are on that process now, our mindset, hopefully, we can be exiting this pandemic, we can exit with this pandemic. Napaka-importante ng pagbaba ng kaso (The decline in cases is very important) because this is an important indicator na once we had na lower na ‘yung cases natin, we can deal with the virus, we know how to deal with it,” he said.

“And I think isa sa mga punto natin we also have available anti-viral agents that are appropriate against this infection we have oral and IV antivirals, our health care facilities are already equipped on how to deal with severe Covid, so for me, we are better of prepared now compared to two or one year ago,” he added.

Solante also maintained the importance of vaccination against Covid-19, especially the booster, in order for the country to be free from the pandemic and shift to endemic or learning to live normally along with the virus.

The country has shifted to low risk classification following a surge brought about by the Omicron variant in January.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, in his report during President Rodrigo Duterte’s Talk to the People Address on Monday, February 21, noted the continuous decline in Covid-19 cases nationwide, as well as hospital admissions brought about by Covid-19 infection… Read More

(SunStar) DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said on Tuesday, February 22, that he sees nothing wrong in the use of government-procured helicopter to pick up Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Dionardo Carlos from a private family gathering.

“He’s the chief PNP and as the chief PNP attending to official functions, it is just rightful for him to use the PNP chopper. Kasama na rin jan ang pagse-secure kay chief PNP kasi hindi mo pwedeng maalis ang kanyang title or position bilang hepe ng PNP,” he said.

“It’s fine ang di okay pag pinagamit ang chopper sa ibang tao. Yun ang hindi talaga pwede. Walang pinag iba sa ibang head ng organization like President, kahit may private time, di pwedeng sabihin ay hindi pwede. Wala namang unusual dun kasi wala namang available means para makabalik ng Crame at may official function, so okay na yun. Wala namang nakikitang unethical dun,” he added.

Año said using government resources is one of the privileges of officials, especially the head of the agency.

“Hindi mo maihiwalay ang private time from an official time. Bilang chief PNP, kasama sa privileges as head of the organization. Pag di pinayagan ‘yung ganun, it will be hard for our people to be able to do their functions kung palaging ang iniisip mo kasi ganito. There are certain things na pwede ibigay sa kanya,” he said… Read More

(The Manila Times) MEGASTAR Sharon Cuneta confirmed through her social media platforms that she will be doing a Hollywood project this year — the upcoming film adaptation of Marivi Soliven’s acclaimed novel, The Mango Bride.

“SURPRISE! Hollywood, here come the PINOYS!!! Please pray for this project to succeed. My prayer is that it is able to open doors for ALL OF US in the industry — FINALLY!” Cuneta wrote on her Instagram @reallysharoncuneta.

In an interview with Variety, which Cuneta shared as part of her official announcement, the actress stated that she intends to connect with a global audience through the film. She will also act as the project’s executive producer.

“I wanted to do ‘The Mango Bride’ because it’s the best way to connect to a global audience by putting some of the best Filipino talents and stories together to tell an emotional and uplifting story like this,” Cuneta told Variety.

“I have long been a fan of Marivi Soliven’s writing, from ‘Suddenly Stateside,’ her collection of light essays about living in the US, to ‘The Mango Bride.’ She captures the Filipino migrant and Filipino American experience skillfully.”.. Read More

(GMA News) Close to two years since COVID-19 changed the work setup, some employees hope that working from home will be part of every company’s new normal.

According to Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, “Sheila” said she prefers the work from home setup because she has a daughter to tend to at home.

“Hassle din po ito sa biyahe kapag ganitong rush hour,” she added.

Another employee said the work from home setup is more efficient as they do not have to commute everyday.

“Mas nakakatipid kasi ‘yong sa budget,” Jillard said.

Meanwhile, some workers prefer to go back to the office as they are affected by the no work, no pay scheme.

“Kailangan po talagang makabalik,” Minda said.

Some 85% of Filipino office workers were forcefully shifted to a work from home (WFH) setup since the start of the pandemic, says a study by SEEK Asia, Boston Consulting Group, and The Network in an earlier report.

According to the Need to Know report, those in the coworking and staff leasing industries in the Philippines believe this is the future workplace… Read More