No disconnection in ECQ, MECQ areas – Meralco
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) on Tuesday gave assurances that it would suspend disconnection activities in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). The power distributor said it would defer disconnection activities in Laguna beginning August 1 to 15 and in the National Capital Region (NCR/Metro Manila) from August 6 to 20. "Given the current situation, we continue to take into consideration the challenges our customers are facing amid these difficult times. The company said meter reading and other vital operations would continue. "Meralco business operations, including meter reading and bill delivery activities, will continue throughout the ECQ.
Source:Manila Times
August 03, 2021 16:18 UTC
Duterte not keen on letting Villar run in 2022
Contributed PhotoPresident Rodrigo Duterte, who was said to be considering Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar as one of his senatorial bets, appeared to have changed his mind. "Manghinayang ako 'pag tumakbo ka ng senador at manalo ka naman (It would be regretful if you run for senator and win)," Duterte said. But in terms of largest projects, naturally, it will always be the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways). Duterte has yet to unveil his senatorial candidates for 2022, but it was reported that he was thinking about letting Villar join the lineup. Last week, Duterte urged Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to run for senator.
Source:Manila Times
August 03, 2021 16:07 UTC
Keeping VFA an act of gratitude – Duterte
ARMAN BAYLON/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOPresident Rodrigo Duterte admitted on Monday that his decision to retract the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) was prompted by the vaccine donation from the United States. In his weekly "Talk to the People," Duterte said it was an act of "gratitude" to the US for its generosity. He withdrew his order to terminate the agreement after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin 3rd visited Manila on July 29. Duterte personally welcomed the arrival of over three million doses of Moderna vaccine from the US through the Covax facility on Tuesday. The President also extended his gratitude to the Covax facility for the continuous donation of these vaccines.
Source:Manila Times
August 03, 2021 16:07 UTC
Financial regrets of senior citizens
In our country, turning senior may bring in the excitement of getting that discount card, but together with it may come some financial regrets. Here are some of the common financial regrets of senior citizens. No matter how far away you are from senior citizenship, listen up, so you don’t end up having these regrets when you enter that interesting stage. We will have a special guest who is joyfully turning senior the following day – my favorite person in the world. The principles you will learn from here are not only applicable in your financial life but all the other important aspects of your life.
Source:Philippine Star
August 03, 2021 15:56 UTC
Banks’ bad loans may rise until H1 next year
MANILA, Philippines — Banks’ bad loans are expected to pick up until the first half of next year as the country continues to struggle to contain the pandemic. In a virtual media roundtable, Joyce Ong, analyst at Moody’s Investors Service, said the Philippine banking sector is expected to suffer from an elevated non-performing loan (NPL) ratio until June next year. The banking sector’s NPL ratio is expected to rise to six percent this year. “This really brings the question of whether prolonged disruption has eroded the progress that Philippines banks built up over the past decade. The debt watcher said it expects the profitability of Philippine banks to remain stable at lower levels, but would not return to pre-pandemic levels.
Source:Philippine Star
August 03, 2021 15:56 UTC
Duterte commends Villar
MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte on Monday said it would be a loss to his administration if Public Works Secretary Mark Villar decides to run for senator next year. Duterte commended Villar after his presentation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s accomplishments in the last five years during his weekly public address. “Thank you, Secretary Villar. Ang galing mo (You are brilliant),” Duterte told Villar. Villar said the DPWH has implemented P2.5 trillion worth of projects under the Duterte administration that generated 6.5 million jobs.
Source:Philippine Star
August 03, 2021 15:56 UTC
ALI profit up 34% in H1
MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), the listed property arm of the Ayala Group, reported a net income of P6 billion in the first half of the year, up 34 percent. This was on the back of a 19 percent increase in revenue to P49 billion. The company showed significant improvements in performance compared to the first half of 2020 during the onset of the pandemic. In the second quarter alone, net income reached P3.3 billion compared to P197 million a year ago while revenue reached P24.3 billion from P12.8 billion. ALI president and CEO Bernard Vincent Dy said the improvement in the company’s performance in the first half was driven primarily by the property development business, with residential demand showing resilience and construction progress driving revenue recognition.
Source:Philippine Star
August 03, 2021 15:56 UTC
Investigators say New York Governor Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women
Cuomo, a third-term Democratic governor who has served in the post since 2011, called the findings inaccurate and unfair. “What this investigation revealed was a disturbing pattern of conduct by the governor of the great state of New York,” said James, a Democrat. ADVERTISEMENTAnne Clark, a lawyer who helped run the inquiry, said one of the women Cuomo targeted was a state trooper. “I want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances,” Cuomo said. It also included multiple photographs of Cuomo kissing his late father, Mario Cuomo, who also served as governor of New York.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 03, 2021 15:46 UTC
Floods leave 302 dead in China's Henan Province
DEVASTATED An aerial view of Henan, one of China’s most progressive provinces, after the deadly rains that lasted for over a week. The torrential rains left over 300 dead, according to Beijing on Aug. 2, 2021. GLOBAL TIMES PHOTOBEIJING: The State Council, China's Cabinet, on Monday set up a task force to investigate the torrential rains and floods that killed 302 and caused massive losses in Central China's Henan Province. The team will carry out a scientific, truthful and comprehensive investigation and review of the disaster response to summarize experiences for the future, give disaster reduction advice and punish any potential dereliction of duty. Fourteen people died after torrential rains flooded the subway.
Source:Manila Times
August 03, 2021 15:22 UTC
NYC to require proof of vaccination for indoor activities – mayor
NEW YORK — New York City will become the first major U.S. city to require proof of COVID vaccination for customers and staff at restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses as the country enters a new phase of battling the highly contagious Delta variant. About 60% of all New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to city data. As part of the initiative, the city is creating the “Key to NYC Pass” to provide proof of vaccination to workers and patrons at fitness centers, restaurants, and entertainment venues, the mayor said. Andrew Cuomo had urged bars, restaurants, and other private businesses to require that customers be vaccinated before they can enter. De Blasio, however, has stopped short of mandating face coverings in public indoor settings, saying instead it was strongly recommended.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 03, 2021 14:32 UTC
Paalam assured of medal in Tokyo
STUNNING WIN Uzbekistan's Shakhobidin Zoirov, left, reacts as the Philippines' Carlo Paalam celebrates a win in their men's flyweight 52-kg quarterfinal boxing match at the 2020 Olympics, Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. AP PHOTOCARLO Paalam stunned 2016 Olympic champion Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan to enter the semifinals and assured the Philippines its first-ever four-medal finish in the Olympic Games on Tuesday in men's flyweight boxing at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan. Four judges scored 20-18 in favor of Paalam and the fifth judge scored it 19-19, sending the Filipino to the silver medal fight against Ryomei Tanaka of Japan on August 5. Paalam grabbed the upperhand early in the fight as he hit Zoirov with clean shots in the opening bout. On Wednesday, reigning US Women's Open champion Yuka Saso and compatriot Bianca Pagdanganan begin their campaign in women's golf.
Source:Manila Times
August 03, 2021 12:53 UTC
PBA teams stay in shape amid stoppage
The team is currently sitting on top of the standings with a 4-0 win-loss card. Last year, the PBA was forced to stop the action when a referee was tested positive for Covid-19. Like Victolero, TNT coach Chot Reyes and Meralco mentor Norman Black are also not bothered by the temporary stoppage of the games. "The stoppage affects all the teams, so I'm not worried," added Black, whose team is currently in third place with a 4-1 card. "The key is planning well during the break and making sure my players stay in shape."
Source:Manila Times
August 03, 2021 12:45 UTC
Obiena leaps short of Olympic podium in men's pole vault
MANILA, Philippines – EJ Obiena missed out on a medal in his first appearance in the Olympics. This after he registered just a best clearance of 5.70m in the final at the Olympic stadium on Tuesday. TRACKER: Team Philippines at the Tokyo OlympicsObiena thus finished at joint 11th with Germany's Bo Kanda Lita Baehre. Obiena went into a lengthy discussion with the officials to give him another try, which he was granted. Obiena now has the distinction of being Filipino pole vaulter who had
Source:Philippine Star
August 03, 2021 12:06 UTC
Six ways to stay mentally sharp
‘Brain fog’ is a general term to describe feelings of being mentally sluggish, confused, and pretty much out of it. "Consider it your brain's way of coping with the stress and fear of circumstances that are beyond your control, like the current pandemic." "Thinking too far ahead of scenarios that may or may not happen is not only unproductive, it is mentally and emotionally exhausting," said Dr. Chu. "If you must check your Facebook or other social media accounts at specific times of the day only - like during your lunch break, or after you finish work," Dr. Chu tipped. These are challenging times, and we're all learning to cope in the best way we can," Dr. Chu ended.
Source:Manila Times
August 03, 2021 12:00 UTC
Amazon's streaming service starts Sept
CUPERTINO: Amazon announced on Monday its big-budget "The Lord of The Rings" series, based on the fantasy saga by J.R.R. The streaming service hopes the yet-to-be-titled series will rival the success of "Game of Thrones." Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books," the statement said. With the multiseason adaptation of Tolkien's literary work already turned into a successful movie franchise in the early 2000s, Amazon hopes to score points for its streaming platform Amazon Prime Video against competitors such as Netflix and Disney Plus. The internet titan founded by Jeff Bezos bought the storied MGM studios at the end of May for $8.45 billion.
Source:Manila Times
August 03, 2021 11:48 UTC