News Roundup 21 November 2020
Nov 21, 2020 • 4 min Read
Philippines COVID-19 cases exceed 416,000, deaths now at 8,080 | PHILSTAR.COM – Another 1,791 coronavirus infections were reported by the Department of Health on Saturday, bringing the national caseload to 416,852. Of the total number of cases, 33,224 are classified by the health department as active, which means these patients are still undergoing treatment or quarantine. On Friday, the country reached a grim milestone as the total number of coronavirus-induced deaths exceeded the 8,000-mark, landing on a total 8,025. Another 55 fatalities recorded Saturday brings the country’s death toll to 8,080. Another 328 individuals were reported to have survived the deadly virus, however, bringing the total recoveries to 375,548.
Environmental org seeks to raise funds for reusable diapers for typhoon-hit Bicol | PHILSTAR.COM – A non-profit organization dedicated to understanding the world’s plastic addiction, promoting new material innovations, and acting against plastic waste, recently launched a campaign that seeks to raise funds to provide reusable diaper kits to 300 affected families in Bicol region. “After two typhoons ravaged the Philippines, we are in dire need of support to help rebuild lives back to normal. However, disposable diapers in relief operations don’t last long and families will have to start buying again,” Rethink Plastic said. The organization is promoting the use of reusable diapers, citing that disposable diapers are “unrecyclable, soiled, and piling up all over the country, contributing to a sea of plastic waste.” In view of this, Rethink plastic is also seeking to raise P240,000 or ($5,000) until December 25 to provide reusable diaper kits to 300 babies affected by the typhoon.
1 dead, 4 injured as Skyway steel girder collapses, falls on vehicles in Muntinlupa | INQUIRER.NET – At least one person was killed while were four others were injured after a steel girder from a portion of the ongoing Skyway project fell on vehicles passing on the East Service Road in Muntinlupa City on Saturday morning. In a statement, Skyway contractor EEI Corporation said the accident happened along the East Service Road in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City at 8:50 a.m. “At 8:50 this morning, a crane that was being positioned for its next task tilted and fell on the girder spanning the two posts of the north-bound Skyway extension project,” EEI said. “The girder fell on vehicles below, killing at least one and injuring at least persons who were rushed by ambulances from the Skyway O&M Corp. and EEI to various hospitals,” EEI added. The contractor also said that it was monitoring the progress of those injured, as it was trying to get in touch with their next of kin “for proper coordination and to extend any assistance they may need.”
VP Leni ‘overwhelmed’ by the generosity of Filipinos | Manila Bulletin – Vice President Leni Robredo commended the Filipino people for their “overwhelming generosity” to extend help to those who are in need and expressed her gratitude to those who have been providing assistance – through donations of food and supplies – to families and communities that were severely affected by the recent typhoons that hit the country. “Overwhelmed by the generosity of our fellow Filipinos,” Robredo said in a Twitter post on Friday. “At a time of great need, we all come together to help those who need help the most,” she added. Robredo shared that since the Office of the Vice President (OVP) started accepting donations for those who were affected by typhoons “Rolly” and “Ulysses,” help from so many individuals, groups and other organizations have been pouring in. “Long line of vehicles again, outside our office, of people wanting to contribute what they can to ease the burden of the typhoon victims,” Robredo said.
Police chief in Jolo ‘misencounter’ shooting killed | PHILSTAR.COM – Gunmen killed on Saturday the officer at the helm of the Jolo police station when policemen killed four Army agents in a mysterious encounter in that southern municipality last June. The incident in Jolo, Sulu has since remained unsolved and was even subject of a Senate inquiry in aid of legislation. Captain Walter Annayo, 41, who was reassigned to the headquarters of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Camp SK Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao after the alleged encounter in Jolo, died from multiple bullet wounds sustained in the attack. Initial police reports said Annayo has just alighted from his Toyota Fortuner sports utility vehicle to buy buco juice from a vending stall along a stretch of the Secretary Narciso Ramos Highway in Barangay Macabiso in Sultan Mastura town in Maguindanao when his attackers riding another SUV came close and opened fire. His killers immediately sped away towards the direction of Parang, according to witnesses.
