To put it bluntly, democracy and freedom are helping the Philippines fail in its fight against COVID-19. Like the Americans, most Filipinos are not willing to give up their individual rights and privileges for the common good.
The challenges for Metro Mayors today are triple or quadruple as compared to those in the past. It is extremely important that they become more innovative and creative in their approaches to a problem that the world did not anticipate while working through the challenging bureaucracy.
Under such a state, a sharing economy is shaping up more and more not because it is mandated by government, but because such innovation has been adopted and patronized by consumers themselves.
With the government in need of money, maybe a "junk food tax" measure is a better source of revenue compared to imposing taxes on items such as telecommunications-related products or services and barter trade. However, the imposition of such tax measures should result to increased access to food and beverage that meet nutritional standards for Filipinos instead of causing food insecurity to a large number of people, especially the poor.
The CJ was guilty in the public arena and this background contributed to a decision that remains controversial to this day.
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.
Today, we are made to choose: “Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, then you are a parasite; if the second, then you are an oasis in the desert.”
Fighting COVID-19 and fighting for national survival is a shared responsibility of both the government and Filipino citizens, and I hope it is not too late for everyone to realize that and do something about it.
It will not be 730 days of wrapping up. Yes, the legacy has to be defined and clearly communicated but the coming days could actually be the beginning of a new way of looking at things, possibly a new Philippines.
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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