News Roundup 07 September 2020
Sep 07, 2020 • 3 min Read
Philippines’ COVID-19 tally hits 238,727 with 1,383 new cases | PHILSTAR.COM – The Philippines reported more than 1,300 new cases of coronavirus Monday, pushing the country’s caseload to 238,727. The Department of Health logged 1,383 additional cases—a level not seen since July 15 when the country had 1,392 additional cases. Monday’s figures, however, were based on the submissions of only 88 out of 115 testing laboratories. The DOH also announced 230 new recoveries, bringing the total number of people who recovered from the coronavirus disease to 184,906 The day before, 23,074 recoveries were reported, which were attributed to the department’s weekly “Oplan Recovery” initiative. But COVID-19-related deaths increased to 3,890 with the addition of 15 fatalities.
P389-M Manila Bay ‘white sand’ budget could have been used for distance learning — DepEd | PHILSTAR.COM – The Department of Education on Monday said the P389-million budget for the widely-criticized makeover project on the Manila Baywalk could have been used to fund distance learning needs amid the pandemic. DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said this during a virtual Laging Handa briefing after the issue was raised by the media. “We are not interfering with the budget of others but if we had [the P389 million] budget, I’m sure we would have used it for gadgets, computers, and radios [for distance learning],” Briones said in Filipino. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources last Thursday confirmed that piles of crushed dolomite were being dumped along the shore of Manila Bay to transform the area—known for its stunning sunset views and garbage-strewn, murky waters—into something similar to popular tourist destination Boracay. But the move to fill the 500-meter stretch with white sand—actually crushed dolomite boulders, according to DENR —did not sit well with environmental groups, who said the dumping could cause more harm to Manila Bay.
Drilon to gov’t: Cancel Sangley airport deal with blacklisted Chinese firm | INQUIRER.NET – Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday pressed the government to immediately break off its contract with Chinese firm Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC) in the construction of the Sangley Point International Airport in Cavite, saying the company has a “history of fraud and corruption.” “I urge for the immediate cancellation of the contract [CCCC] to build Sangley airport on the account of its questionable reputation. CCCC has a history of fraud and corruption,” Drilon said in a statement. “We cannot just brush it aside. We cannot turn a blind eye on this,” he added. CCCC was among the Chinese firms blacklisted by the US government for their alleged role in Beijing’s militarization of the South China Sea, Drilon further noted. It was also blacklisted by the World Bank, he added.
IATF approves mandatory wearing of face shields in supermarkets, malls | Manila Bulletin – The public will be required to wear face shields as a precaution against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) whenever they go to the supermarkets, public markets, shopping malls, and government venues, Malacañang announced on Monday. “In addition to the requirement of wearing face shields in public transportation and in workplaces as mandated by the issuance of Department of Transportation and the joint issuance of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade, respectively, the wearing of the same shall likewise be required in supermarkets, public markets, malls, and in venues where government-initiate meetings and critical government services are being conducted or provided,” the IATF said.
Oil firms to lower pump prices | The Manila Times – Oil companies will lower the prices of gasoline and diesel by 30 centavos per liter and 45 centavos per liter, respectively, this week. The cost of kerosene will drop by 55 centavos per liter. Chevron Philippines, Cleanfuel, Petro Gazz, Pilipinas Shell, and Seaoil announced that they will adjust their pump prices on Tuesday, Sept. 8,2020.
