Factories churn out robust growth in August
Factories churn out robust growth in AugustMANILA, Philippines — The country’s manufacturing output continued its massive rebound streak in August, registering three-digit gains for five consecutive months, largely due to low base effects despite the reimposition of mobility curbs during the month. Factory output, as measured by the Volume of Production Index (VoPI), surged by 534.6 percent in August, just slightly below the 539.7 percent in July but way better than the 82.2 percent contraction in August 2020. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) attributed the upturn in VoPI to the growth of 15 industry divisions led by the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products, which swelled 3,800 percent. Fifteen out of the 22 industry groups covered by the index registered growth during the month, led by the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products at 3,800.9 percent. Nineteen of the 22 industry groups had at least 50 percent average capacity utilization rate, led by the manufacture of furniture, tobacco products, and other non-metallic mineral products.
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
DND: Japan-donated equipment to boost Philippines disaster response
DND: Japan-donated equipment to boost Philippines disaster responseMANILA, Philippines — The P46 million worth of equipment donated by Japan to the Philippine Army will help boost the country’s disaster response capability, the Department of National Defense said yesterday. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Japan donated life boats, vests, chainsaws, digging tools, lighting apparatus with generators and other search and rescue equipment. “These would be very helpful in times of disasters,” Lorenzana said. “While we pray that nothing will require the use of these equipment in the future, we are thankful that the military is better equipped to respond to the people’s call for help during emergencies,” he added. The equipment were turned over last Wednesday to the Philippine Army’s 51st Engineering Brigade in Taguig, which is tasked as the standby disaster response unit in Metro Manila and neighboring areas.
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
Sarazuela begins?
It didn’t help Sara’s credibility when President Duterte said Sara would now run for president with Bong Go as vice president. Sen. Bong Go, who was nominated by PDP-Laban for president, filed to run for vice president. BBM has announced his presidential bid and indicated he wants Sara to run as vice president in his ticket. According to Politiko, President Duterte was not happy with Sen. Imee Marcos’s questioning of the Pharmally witnesses. Her supporters say she was underrated as a VP candidate in 2016 and still emerged a winner.
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
‘NCR may be included in pilot in-person classes’
‘NCR may be included in pilot in-person classes’FILE - In this March 9, 2020 photo, school workers disinfect a classroom amid the novel coronavirus threat in the country. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said an area has to be classified as low or minimal risk to be included in the pilot implementation of face-to-face (F2F) classes. Vergeire said the Departments of Education (DepEd) and of Health (DOH) would continue their discussions on the implementation of in-person classes. A total of 120 schools will participate in the pilot face-to-face classes that will start on Nov. 15. Education Secretary Leonor Briones assured the public that the pilot in-person classes would be carefully monitored and would comply with safety protocols.
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
Stocks fall as investors take profits
Stocks fall as investors take profitsThe benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index or PSEi lost 106.15 points or 1.50 percent to close at 6,951.30 while the broader All Shares index slipped by 54.29 points or 1.23 percent to end at 4,354.85. MANILA, Philippines — Investors quickly took profits from the stock market’s recent three-day runup, sending the main index back to the 6,900 territory yesterday. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index or PSEi lost 106.15 points or 1.50 percent to close at 6,951.30 while the broader All Shares index slipped by 54.29 points or 1.23 percent to end at 4,354.85. The PSEi initially sustained its uptrend and hit an intra-day high of 7,098 in early trading. However, profit-taking took over by mid-session, sending the index tumbling back after finishing at an eight-month high on Wednesday, said RCBC Securities in a report.
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
Ely Buendia holds 1st online show with son
Ely Buendia holds 1st online show with sonThe erstwhile Eraserheads frontman will share the stage with son Eon Drake Buendia (center, photo below, with his band Nobody’s Home) for the first time in the virtual concert Superproxies. MANILA, Philippines — The new setup for Ely Buendia’s first solo concert this pandemic, Superproxies, is something he hasn’t experienced before. It has taken him quite a while to perform online and he needed to convince himself that yes, it can be done. The forthcoming Superproxies is the first online concert for Ely, who will be joined by his son, Eon Drake Buendia, for the first time onstage. Any chance he gets, I’m pretty sure it’s more of excitement than apprehension for him.”Ely does not mind performing in an empty venue for his Superproxies online concert.
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
2 more cops die of COVID-19
2 more cops die of COVID-19MANILA, Philippines — Two more Philippine National Police personnel have succumbed to COVID-19, the PNP reported yesterday. One of the patients is a 31-year-old policewoman assigned in Batangas who died while being treated at the Philippine General Hospital. PNP health service records showed that the patient, a police corporal, died of obstructive shock from pulmonary embolism. He died of severe COVID pneumonia at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute on Sunday. A total of 121 police personnel have died of COVID-19 since last year, 91 of them since last January.
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 15:56 UTC
Kim Atienza joins GMA's growing roster of talents
Replying to The Manila Times Entertainment's upfront question, the popular weather man and trivia guru categorically denied the insinuation. Kuya Kim will soon be part of ’24 Oras’ as segment host and of the upcoming GTV news magazine show ‘Dapat Alam Mo!’"First of all, it's not my plan to get into politics at any point in my life. "About [the mayoralty] in Manila being open, all I can say is, mas maganda ang tunog ng Kuya Kim kesa Mayor Kim. Pag mayor, mahal ka ng kaharap mo pero pagtalikod mo, minumura ka nun. Aside from 24 Oras, he will also be part of "Mars Pa More" and GTV's upcoming news magazine show "Dapat Alam Mo!"
Source:Manila Times
October 07, 2021 15:22 UTC
Nearly 800,000 Pfizer shots arrive in PH
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 797,940 doses of US-made Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived in the Philippines on Thursday night. The vaccine doses arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at around 8:30 p.m., as shown on a livestream by state-run PTV. ADVERTISEMENTThe National Task Force against COVID-19 said 64,350 doses will be delivered to Davao on Friday morning. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said the country’s COVID-19 vaccine supply may reach over 100 million doses by the end of October. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyFor more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 07, 2021 13:48 UTC
Comelec bares last day filing procedures
Comelec bares last day filing proceduresIn an advisory, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced the special registration on March 8-10 for Filipino women abroad. MANILA, Philippines — The filing of the certificates of candidacy for the 2022 national and local elections is set to conclude at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 8. Ahead of the filing, the Commission on Elections broke down the rules for the last day of filing. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that according to Comelec Resolution No. Once the name is called, the aspirant shall proceed to the filing of the COC.
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 13:06 UTC
UN rights chief urges public release of 'drug war' review findings
UN rights chief urges public release of 'drug war' review findingsUnited Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet delivers a speech on global human rights developments during a session of the Human Rights Council on June 21, 2021 in Geneva. MANILA, Philippines — United Nations rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Thursday called on Philippine authorities to make public the findings of their review of anti-drug operations that have resulted in deaths. "We encourage [them] to also involve the national human rights commission and other relevant actors including by sharing information on cases under investigation to ensure an effective and victim-centered process." Rights group Human Rights Watch said this period covers the "Davao Death Squad" killings when the president was still mayor of Davao City. She also said that human rights defenders, environmental defenders, journalists, union activists, church workers, humanitarian workers, judges, and lawyers "continue to be at high risk of harassment, threats, and killing."
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 12:22 UTC
DOH urges Duterte to issue order for release of healthcare workers' allowances
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to issue an administrative order that would pave the way for the release of the meals, accommodation and transportation allowance of workers in public and private healthcare facilities. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the allowances would benefit some 423,000 healthcare workers who are working in hospitals while the country is under a state of calamity because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the Bayanihan 2 law has lapsed, the health department needs authority to use the funds and distribute the allowances. "We seek your approval , Mr. President, so we can provide the allowances I mentioned to our healthcare workers," he added. Duque also recommended the giving of additional benefits to healthcare workers who received smaller amounts of meals, accommodation and transportation allowances.
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 12:09 UTC
BSP beats digital payments volume goal in 2020
BSP beats digital payments volume goal in 2020The BSP is targeting to convert half of retail transactions in the country to digital form by 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas hit its digital payments volume target in 2020, as more consumers relied on online platforms to transact amid the pandemic. In terms of value, digital payments grew 26.8% year-on-year in 2020 from 25% in the previous year. “This could strongly indicate that Filipino consumers are moving from traditional cash payments to digital payments,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in an online briefing. According to a BSP report, the rise in digital payments last year was driven by “high-frequency, low value retail transactions” such as person-to-merchant payments and person-to-person payments.
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 11:03 UTC
DepEd urged: Set 100% vaccination target for teachers
DepEd urged: Set 100% vaccination target for teachersStaff of Dagat Dagatan Elementary School in Navotas City prepare the classroom and other materials needed on Sept. 16, 2021 once the government allows the resumption of face-to-face classes. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Nancy Binay urged the Department of Education on Thursday to "go on full blast" in vaccinating teachers by setting a target rate of 100% as the government prepares to pilot test face-to-face classes for students. According to DepEd, the pilot test of face-to-face classes in the country will start on November 15. "I think the vaccine should be made accessible to teachers and school personnel, and all our teachers should be vaccinated. DepEd should target a full vaccination coverage ASAP.
Source:Philippine Star
October 07, 2021 10:51 UTC
Thief barges into house, stabs teacher dead in Negros Occidental
BACOLOD CITY — A senior high school teacher was stabbed to death by an alleged thief in her house at Sitio Canipa-an, Barangay Banquerohan, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental at 7:36 a.m. Wednesday, October 6. ADVERTISEMENTJessica Transmonte Ducay, 28, was alone when the suspect barged into her house and stabbed her in the different parts of her body, a Cadiz police report said Thursday. The police identified the suspect as Delleon Del Rosario who fled in an unknown direction, carting away P79,000. The victim was rushed to the Cadiz City Emergency Clinic but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. Policemen are conducting a hot pursuit operation to arrest the suspect, said Lt. Col Rocky Desear, Cadiz police chief.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 07, 2021 10:41 UTC