News Roundup 06 December 2021
Dec 06, 2021 • 4 min Read
DOH logs 543 new COVID-19 cases | Manila Bulletin – The Department of Health (DOH) recorded an additional 543 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases on Monday, Dec. 6. This data from DOH brought the total country’s tally since the onset of the pandemic to 2,835,154. Of the total number, 0.5 percent or 13,548 were active cases. DOH said that among the active cases, 5,545 have mild symptoms; 3,898 have moderate symptoms; 2,366 have severe symptoms; 1,063 were asymptomatic, while 676 were in critical condition. There were also 830 new recoveries bringing the total to 2,772,107 or 97.8 percent of the total number of cases while 113 deaths were recorded bringing the tally to 49,999 or 1.75 percent of the total number. DOH reminded the public that improving case trends should not entail complacency since the threat of COVID-19 is still present.
Philippines now at minimal risk classification for COVID-19 | PHILSAR.COM – The Philippines is now under “minimal risk” classification for COVID-19, the Department of Health reported Monday, following a continued decline in infections. In a briefing, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the average daily attack rate from November 22 to December 5 was 0.67 per 100,000 individuals. If the ADAR is less than one, the country’s classification can be lowered to minimal risk from low risk. The Philippines also posted a -57% growth rate in cases over the last two weeks. All regions in the country are also under minimal risk classification, except for Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region and Zamboanga Peninsula. The four regions are under low risk classification.
Robredo, Pangilinan gets rousing welcome from Ilonggos during caravan | INQUIRER.NET – Thousands of Ilonggos, mostly wearing pink, gave a rousing welcome to Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo and running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan in their first visit here after declaring their candidacies for next year’s elections. Many waited for hours in their vehicles or on foot along the route of the tandem’s motorcade from the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan town in Iloilo province to Iloilo City for a stationary caravan. Waving pink flaglets, posters, and streamers, they cheered, danced, called out her name, and jumped up and down as her caravan passed along the main streets. Some danced and cried. Ati-Atihan drum beats echoed along the streets as many struggled to shake her hand or take her photo. “I have never in my political career since 1986 (seen) such energy, such love, and such volunteerism as I have seen today. I am overwhelmed by the love and welcome by the Ilonggos for VP Leni,” Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said in a statement. Treñas, who was among the first local government officials to openly endorse Robredo’s candidacy, said many Ilonggos are showing their support for Robredo because “she did not waver from the challenges of the pandemic but continues to strive to help the people.” The mayor along with Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and Senator Franklin Drilon met Robredo and Pangilinan at the airport.
Robredo says the Beneco takeover an ‘eye opener’ for NEA, gov’t | Manila Bulletin – The controversial takeover of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco), one of country’s top-performing electric cooperatives, could teach a lesson to the National Electrification Administration (NEA), Vice President Leni Robredo said on Monday, Dec. 6. Robredo, an opposition leader who is vying for presidency in 2022, said the forcible takeover of the Beneco office in Baguio City was an “eye-opener” for the government. “Ito kasi ang pinaka problema dito (The main problem here) brings us to ano ba ‘yung (what is the) role that NEA should play? Ano ‘yung (What is the) role that NEA should play in so far as the electric cooperatives are concerned and ano ‘yung relationship, or ano ‘yung mga karapatan ng mga (what is the relationship or rights of the) member consumers?,” she said in a media briefing in Baguio City. The Vice President noted the NEA had no business interfering with the affairs of Beneco in the appointment of its general manager. “Ang may karapatan mag-appoint ‘yung board, ano ‘yung role ng NEA? Ang role niya lang is to make sure na ‘yung mga tumatakbo ay na-screen nila, na-screen nila na siya ay nagfi-fit sa mga qualifications (It is the right of the board to appoint, what’s the role of NEA? Its role is to make sure that those seeking the post are screened, they are fit to the qualifications),” she said. On October 18, armed police personnel stormed the Beneco main headquarters to implement NEA’s suspension order against the electric cooperative’s officer-in-charge Melchor Licoben and the seven board directors. The preventive suspension stemmed from the officials’ refusal to recognize general manager Ana Maria Rafael who was appointed by NEA. This incident caused a leadership impasse, but the member-consumer-owners (MCOs) reclaimed the Beneco office two days after the forcible takeover.
