News Roundup 14 October 2020
Oct 14, 2020 • 3 min Read
COVID-19 cases in Philippines rise to 346,536 with nearly 2,000 new infections | PHILSTAR.COM – The Department of Health reported 1,910 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to over 346,000. To date, the new coronavirus has infected 346,536 people in the Philippines. The DOH also reported 78 new deaths due to COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 6,449. Meanwhile, the number of recoveries is up by 579, raising the total to 293,860.
‘Short-handed’ Manila jail brings detained activist to baby’s wake under heavy guard | PHILSTAR.COM – Detained activist and young mom Reina Mae Nasino finally saw her three-month old daughter River on Wednesday, but it was a different scenario from what she hoped for. Nasino was brought to the wake of River in a funeral home in Pandacan, Manila in handcuffs and surrounded by a throng of guards — from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Manila Police District. “Masakit sa akin. Sabik ako makita ang anak ko pero hindi sa ganyang kalagayan (This pains me. I am excited to see my daughter but not in this condition),” Nasino said. The detained young mom was supposed to spend three full days with River, until her burial on Friday at the Manila North Cemetery, but the Manila court cut this short. Instead, Nasino was given three hours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and another three hours on Friday, for River’s burial. In asking the court to shorten the furlough for Nasino, Jail Chief Inspector Maria Ignacia Monteron of the Manila City Jail Female Dormitory said they only have 12 personnel as “outside forces” and are thus depleted of manpower.
Solons seek increase in OVP budget to at least P1B | INQUIRER.NET – Lawmakers are seeking to augment the 2021 budget of the Office of the Vice President to at least P1 billion to allow it to continue implementing its projects and programs. During the House plenary debates on the OVP 2021 budget on Wednesday, Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. noted that the OVP received the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit for two consecutive years. He likewise pointed out that the budget of the OVP was slashed from its proposed P723 million to P679 million. This was supported by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, pointing out that Vice President Leni Robredo has been proven “willing and very much able” to implement its programs for livelihood, for the marginalized society, and its programs in helping frontliners during the coronavirus pandemic. “I would join and second the motion to increase the budget to at least 1 billion for the honorable Vice President,” he said.
LTFRB allows over 4,800 traditional jeepneys in 44 more Metro Manila routes | Manila Bulletin – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has allowed more than 4,800 traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to ply the additional routes recently opened to ferry more commuters amid the reduced capacity in public transport. Under LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular 2020-058 released last week, a total of 4,820 traditional jeepneys have been authorized to operate in 44 Metro Manila routes. This brings the total number of traditional PUJ routes approved by the LTFRB to 302, covering 27,016 units since the enforcement of a general community quarantine in the National Capital Region on June 1. The LTFRB said that it continued to assess more routes to be opened to accommodate more passengers as many workers continue to go back on the road as the economy reopens under a more relaxed community quarantine.
OFWs in Canada eligible for Covid aid | The Manila Times – Filipinos who are working temporarily in Canada can avail themselves of the assistance coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) program offered by the Canadian government, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE). In a report to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Vancouver said Canada amended its Employment Insurance program and introduced a package of recovery benefits to better support not only its citizens but also qualified temporary Filipino workers. “The Canadian government’s continuous support to temporary Filipino workers is very much appreciated by the Philippines, most especially at this time of the pandemic,” Bello said.
