Pre-pandemic, the country's state of education was already beset with a multitude of issues and concerns such as overcrowded classrooms, unattractive compensation packages for educators and poor public education infrastructure quality. As a further indication of the state of our education, the Philippines ranked lowest out of 79 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Program for International Student Assessment in 2018.
The COVID-19 pandemic has not only claimed the lives of so many Filipinos but also taken away work and earning opportunities for many willing and able workers due to forced closures brought about by periodic lockdowns. In August 2021, the unemployment rate rose to 8.1% or equivalent to about 3.9 million jobless Filipinos as the country went back to implementing harsh lockdowns due to the rapid transmission of the Delta variant.
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns across many parts of the Philippines exacerbated poverty levels in the country as poverty incidence in 2020 rose to 20% of the population or equivalent to about 22 million poor Filipinos (from pre-pandemic figures of about 17.7 million in 2018). The loss of jobs by over 8.7 million Filipinos in April 2020 is also considered a major contributing factor to the sharp increase in poverty incidence. Based on studies by the Philippine Disaster and Resilience Foundation, about 70% of businesses were forced to closed due to the implemented restrictions.
MUCH has been done at the feet of political campaigns. In order to win, branding and positioning are tools of the craft that have often used to capture the imagination of the voters. The 2016 elections taught us why authenticity was important because with it, candidates became close to the voters by being themselves; less luster and brilliance but appearing or sounding like voters gave candidates the chance to open the door and leave it ajar as the campaign progressed. Problems have croppped up when candidates positioned themselves according to some preconceived packaging so that the brand could shine or be made better. But fitting it to the candidate is the challenge. That is why some would rather be presented as is with less retouching and just plain persona. That is one of the strategies of PRRD that will have an influence in May 2022: who is authentic?
THERE is a difference between being good and being the best, and the Nobel Prize has been arguably the most prestigious award in the world. Meant to be for "those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind," according to Alfred Nobel's will, it has been tarnishing its reputation in the Peace Prize category to the extent that it is increasingly looked down on by much of the world.
It's still the economy, stupid! The next administration faces a serious challenge on how to revive an ailing economy severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A PRESIDENTIAL candidate once said that positions should not be inherited (hindi pinamamana). This mayor thought it would be a clear contrast and an early dig at a sitting president. If you look at the Philippines and other countries, there are dynastic influences whether at the national or local levels. Dynasties also fall because the nature of elections is one person, one vote. There are good and bad dynasties too. And that is what separates Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio from the rest of the kids of politicians: she does not want to be with her father in an election contest. It's either her or the father. It's her team or none. It's her way of running things or she walks away. Clearly, Duterte-Carpio does not want to be defined by anyone. Duterte-Carpio is her own person, and that is why today, she is not a presidential candidate.
You are only as good as your last performance. This applies also to political brands- may these be colors, hand signs taglines, or associations. Candidates and parties who have enjoyed relative success in using prior brands do not need to reinvent the wheel. Meanwhile, those with unsuccessful runs often associate their failures to poor branding. Changing of brands can also be attributed to a change in brain trust of candidates and/or parties and/or a shift in strategy based on past performance.
WHAT does it take to be president of this country? Why would a Mindanaoan, the first from the island, be seen in a very different light? Is it because we have often been used to looking at our country through the lens of Luzon? We are reminded of Gramsci's center-periphery model, a "spatial metaphor, which describes and attempts to explain the structural relationship between the advanced or metropolitan 'center' and less developed 'periphery'" either within a particular country or as applied in economic development." Then, there is also the "hegemonic culture" that propagates its own values and norms so that they become the "common sense" values of all and thus maintain the status quo.
Life today is filled with so much struggle and discomfort. We must adapt instead of complain because the situation calls for a change in lifestyle and perspective. We have no choice if we want to survive and fight to live for another day.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reiterated that regulations and other policies directed in monitoring prices of basic commodities are in place to protect consumers against businesses taking advantage of the pandemic.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to financial institutions to extend assistance to debtors in the form of grace periods and similar activities to lighten the load of those heavily affected by business disruptions due to COVID-19.
China firmly supports and upholds the multilateral efforts of international organizations to help the Philippines and other economies in need to tackle the challenges posed by COVID-19.
In a statement made by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, he said that the Department of Health (DOH) should effectively strategize on resources and procedures in hiring contact tracers.
House Bill No. 6709 or the proposed “COVID-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus (CURES) Act of 2020 authored by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has been approved by the Defeat COVID-19 Committee Social Amelioration Cluster.
The declaration of a national state of emergency has resulted into the temporary deployment ban on Filipino healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses, and allied health professions. Sen. Joel Villanueva suggests the agencies should tap into the pool of professions and provide them with opportunities locally.
Two bills were approved at the House of Representatives which includes a supplementary budget for mass testing, support of businesses, financial institutions, and the government infrastructure programs.
Chokepoints in the release of quarantine certificates have led to extended isolation in government quarantine facilities. Legislators criticized involved agencies on the inefficiency of carrying out protocols.
PRRD addressed the issue on the DOH’s procured PPEs and that everything that occurred was to his discretion. As PRRD instructed, he advised that everything must be done – whatever means necessary.
China will stand firmly with the Philippine people till the day of final victory. In this process, Chinese businesses will continue to contribute to the new era partnership evolving between the two countries.
Several programs were discussed by the Committee on Trade and Industry-- the House Defeat COVID-19 Committee (DCC) Economic Stimulus Package Cluster, and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to aid restart MSME operations in the country.
MANILA – The results of the third run of the NCR COVID-19 Online Panel Survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc. in partnership with Kantar suggest that unemployment caused by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila could be growing over time, even as the national government announced a second extension of the Metro Manila ECQ until May 30, 2020.
MANILA – The results of the third run of the NCR COVID-19 Online Panel Survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc. in partnership with Kantar show particularly high disapproval among respondents for the COVID-19 aid provided to the Philippines by China, especially when compared to perceptions on aid provided by other international allies.
House Bills authored by several legislators seek to strengthen the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the modernization of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs).
Given that quarantine measures will soon be lifted in several areas in the Philippines, Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson Senator Grace Poe highlighted the safety of the riding public and the prevention of COVID-19 transmission in the use of public transportation.
Addressing the nation, the President reminded the public that the COVID-19 is very lethal. Acquiring the virus at this current point in time, without a vaccine, can most likely result in death, the President reiterated. He reminded everyone to follow guidelines and stay safe.
MANILA – Roughly three out of every four Metro Manila residents who participated in the third run of the NCR COVID-19 Online Panel Survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc. support a second extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila beyond its scheduled end on May 15, 2020.
Senator Richard Gordon praised the efforts by Metro Manila LGUs to conduct COVID-19 testing among their constituents.
Addressing the nation, Monday night, the President encouraged everyone to help each other in these grueling times. Also, in line with the zero-tolerance policy on corruption, a P30,000 bounty is offered to those that would report corruptive practices by local officials.
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