News Roundup 14 August 2021
Aug 14, 2021 • 3 min Read
Philippines sees 14,249 new COVID-19 cases in 2nd highest daily rise since pandemic started | PHILSTAR.COM – Philippine health authorities on Saturday reported 14,249 more COVID-19 infections, pushing the national caseload to 1,727,231. This is the second-highest daily rise in cases recorded since the beginning of the pandemic, trailing behind the peak of 15,310 infections seen on April 2 and replacing yesterday’s 13,177 cases.
- Active cases: 98, 847 or 5.7% of the total
- Recoveries: 11,714, pushing total to 1,598,314
- Deaths: 233, bringing total to 30,070
MMDA: No agreement among mayors to extend ECQ in Metro Manila | PHILSTAR.COM – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority denied Saturday that mayors in the capital region have agreed to extend enhanced community quarantine until the end of the month. “The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority denies a news report quoting Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez that all metro mayors have agreed to extend the enhanced community quarantine until August 30,” it said in a statement. MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos said he spoke with Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez who refuted the story and denied that a meeting with Metro Manila mayors on the topic of extending ECQ occurred. The MMDA did not name the news outlet that published the article, but a now deleted article by the Manila Bulletin claimed that Olivarez said that Metro Manila mayors have agreed to extend ECQ in the capital region beyond August 20.
Probe of DOH over unpaid health workers’ benefits pushed | INQUIRER.NET – The Department of Health (DOH) allegedly failed to pay mandated allowances and other benefits to thousands of health-care workers, including those who had fallen ill with COVID-19 or had died working in the front line during the pandemic, according to a minority lawmaker. In House Resolution No. 2121 she filed on Friday calling for a congressional inquiry into another alleged spending lapse by the health department, Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo said there were “urgent concerns as to why the DOH was not able to effect these payments and grants of benefits” under the law. The resolution urges the good government and public accountability panel to look into the nonrelease of the benefits for health-care workers under the Bayanihan laws, such as special risk allowance, life insurance, accommodation, free meals and transportation. “There is an urgent need to review the capacity of the DOH to absorb COVID health response funds and its ability to exercise due diligence in disbursing the funds which is meant to alleviate the plight of health-care workers,” said the House deputy minority leader. “The front-line health-care workers and the beneficiaries of those who died performing their functions now have an established right to be paid their allowances and other benefits under Bayanihan 2, which should not be diminished by reason of poor administrative management of any department of agency,” she said.
In a catchy jingle, Robredo supporters sing ‘Kay Leni Tayo’ for 2022 polls | Manila Bulletin – #DapatSiLeni Network, composed of volunteers who are pushing Vice President Leni Robredo to run as president, released a short video clip of the “Kay Leni Tayo” jingle to amplify her “messages and traits.” Lawyer Alvin Clyde Gregorio, spokesperson of the #DapatSiLeni Network, stated that the group “wanted to show the vibrant and youthful side of VP Leni’s supporters—traits that most of the 1,000 volunteers the group have.” “We were so excited when we listened to ‘Kay Leni Tayo,’ especially when we found out that it was made by the composer of Tala because our volunteers are part of the generation who’ve danced to it,” he told Manila Bulletin. “The song has many messages, proving that there are many reasons why one would support VP Leni, and we focused on the part that says ‘Husay at Tibay (competency and strength)’ because we believe these are the core of VP Leni,” Gregorio added. The #DapatSiLeni Network was built out of the volunteers’ need to see a leader who is capable to lead with strength and conviction, Gregorio stressed. Entitled “Kay Leni Tayo,” the song has a youthful vibe into it, incorporating a short rap in the chorus about the vice president’s initiatives.
