PUBLIC SCHOOL LEARNERS RESUME STUDIES THROUGH DISTANCE LEARNING

MANILA - Some 22.5 million students in public schools in the Philippines

finally resumed their studies on Monday through distance learning, which is

being implemented on a nationwide scale for the first time due to the

pandemic, with some students, parents and teachers airing skepticism about

the new learning mode.

The start of classes, originally scheduled during the first Monday of June,

has been delayed twice to give schools ample time to prepare for distance

learning, which is the Department of Education's response to the continuing

threat of COVID-19 that has so far infected more than 322,000 in the

country.

Under the new system, students will be learning mostly from their homes

through printed and digital modules given by schools, and online classes on

videoconferencing platforms. These will also be supplemented by lessons

delivered through television and radio.

On Sunday, Education Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said the department

was ready to address challenges that would crop up during the start of the

school year.

"'Pag sinabi naming handang-handa, pinaghahandaan din ang contingencies para

mabigyan ng tugon 'yong mga magiging hamon," he told ABS-CBN"s TeleRadyo.

For instance, a student without gadgets will be allowed to shift to a

different distance learning modality, he said.

"Hindi kailangan mag-invest sa gadget para tuloy-tuloy ang pag-aaral ng mga

bata. Naihanda na rin ng mga paaralan ang self-learning modules," he said.

Teachers without internet access may report to schools to manage their

classes as long as they follow minimum health standards and do not have

underlying illnesses, said San Antonio.

Despite having conducted hundreds of dry runs in the past months, some

parents, students and teachers remain doubtful if distance learning would

work.

DEPED ISSUES CALENDAR, GRADING GUIDELINES FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR

MANILA - The Department of Education has released guidelines for student

grading and assessment, and an updated calendar for the new school year,

which will see the basic education system shift to distance learning due to

the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Department Order No. 30, dated Oct. 2 but made public on

Sunday, School Year 2020 to 2021 would start on Oct. 5 and end on June 11,

2021.

There will also be a Christmas break starting December 19, with the

resumption of classes scheduled on January 4, 2021, based on the calendar.

Meanwhile, Order No. 31 listed the guidelines for student assessment and

grading to be adopted this school year.

Teachers may continue to administer quizzes and long or unit tests, as well

as performance-based tasks, according to the order.

Performance-based tasks include skill demonstrations, group presentations,

oral work, multimedia presentations, and research project, the DepEd said in

the order.

Private schools, technical and vocational institutions and higher education

institutions offering K-12 basic education are only encouraged to follow the

DepEd's assessment and grading guidelines, the agency added.

HOUSE LEADERSHIP SHOWDOWN SEEN ON OCTOBER 14

MANILA, Philippines —The House leadership will be decided on Oct. 14, and

the numbers between incumbent Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque

Rep. Lord Allan Velasco will finally be known.

“Just wait for Oct. 14, that is the D-Day. That is the time everything will

be revealed. Nine more days and that’s it,” a source, who requested

anonymity because both Cayetano and Velasco are his friends, told The STAR.

Any member of Congress, whether for Cayetano or for Velasco, could declare

the post of speaker vacant and the election for it would proceed.

“There is nothing Cayetano could do about it as he really has to resign and

subject himself to that election of the House speaker on Oct. 14,” the

source said.

Velasco reportedly has been making the rounds to garner votes for the

midweek showdown with Cayetano.

The President stressed he is taking a hands-off stance on this internal

matter of Congress, and has reiterated he just wanted the 2021 budget passed

without delay. Congress then has to submit the proposed budget to the Senate

for deliberations.

Cayetano, a day after meeting with Duterte in Malacañang, offered to resign

as Speaker during a plenary session last Thursday, but was egged on to

retain his post following a nominal voting of the members of Congress in his

favor.

“But let us just wait until Oct. 14, and whatever each of the two (Cayetano

and Velasco) says would ultimately be decided by the voting on that day,”

the STAR source added.

BEEP SUSPENDED; CASH OK ON BUSWAY

MANILA, Philippines — Commuters using the EDSA Busway can again use cash to

pay for their fares beginning today as the Department of Transportation

(DOTr) and the consortium behind the Beep card failed to reach an agreement

on the governmentÂ’s proposal to give the cards free to commuters.

The DOTr yesterday advised the public that it is suspending the mandatory

use of Beep cards at the EDSA Busway until the issue is resolved.

“We are saddened by the refusal of AF Payments Inc. (AFPI), the provider of

the automatic fare collection system (AFCS) at the EDSA Busway, to waive the

cost of the Beep card despite consistent pleas made by the government. This

would have made a big difference to the commuters, mostly daily wage earners

who are the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the agency said.

Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Libiran said the government and

AFPI have been conducting meetings since Friday to discuss the issue.

“(AFPI officials) said they cannot waive the fee because they will be at a

loss, and they are zero profit with the P80 cost,” Libiran said.

The AFPI had earlier said the Beep card sold at P80 is already partially

subsidized, and that the group does not earn from its sale as the cost

directly goes to the manufacturer.

Last Saturday, the DOTr warned AFPI – a consortium of Metro Pacific

Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp. – that if the Beep cards are not given for

free to commuters, its use at the EDSA Busway would be suspended.

As a result of the suspension, a dual payment system is again honored for

EDSA Busway passengers beginning today.

The DOTr said those who have already bought or have existing Beep cards may

still use them for payment of fares.

Meanwhile, off-board cash payment will be accommodated for those who have no

card yet.

The DOTr said cash payments would be collected by personnel from the EDSA

bus consortia at stations while wearing appropriate face shields, masks and

gloves to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

DOTR EYES 'ONE CARD' SCHEME FOR DIFFERENT MODES OF TRANSPORT BY YEAR-END

MANILA - The Department of Transportation on Monday said it is eyeing the

use of "one card" for different modes of transportation as part of efforts

to go "cashless" amid the pandemic.

Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade said his plan will also have "multiple

players" with one "clearing house" so that no company has control and the

public may choose which "interoperable" card to use.

"Nasa plano na namin ‘yan bago pa man magkaroon ng pandemya…Kung ako

masusunod, end of the year, this year," he told ANC's Headstart.

He said he has given instructions to search for a new service provider "and

look at the best option available for the riding public."

TEACHERS’ CONCERNS NOT YET ADDRESSED – ROBREDO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has failed to

address the concerns of many teachers on the implementation of blended

learning this school year despite the delay in the opening of classes due to

the COVID-19 pandemic, Vice President Leni Robredo said yesterday.

“There are still a lot of problems,” Robredo said on her weekly radio

program on the eve of the opening of classes in public elementary and high

schools in the country. “One of the biggest problems on the part of the

teachers is really the modular instruction and online instruction.”

School opening was originally scheduled on Aug. 24, but was moved to Oct. 5

to prepare teachers for the new system amid the pandemic.

Robredo said while online teaching is more reasonable and

environment-friendly, many students have no gadgets and teachers are still

undergoing training.

She said modular instruction, which will be implemented in most areas in the

country, is more expensive.

“It’s right to push through with the opening of classes, we cannot delay the

education of the children. But there is a more efficient way to do this,”

Robredo said.

The Vice President maintained DepEd could implement face-to-face classes in

over 400 local government units without local transmission of COVID-19.

She said classes can be conducted twice a week, with limited number of

students, and teachers focusing on core competencies “like reading, math and

science.”

The opening of classes in public schools today coincides with World

TeachersÂ’ Day, however as one group noted, the failure to grant a minimum

P2,000 internet allowance, among other items, will keep public school

teachers unhappy and unappreciated, if not downright disrespected during

this dayÂ’s celebration.

SAVINGS, DEPOSITS IN PH RISE AS PANDEMIC CAUSES DROP IN SPENDING: BSP

MANILA - Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Benjamin Diokno said Monday, the

"uncertainty" caused by the pandemic is pushing Filipinos to save more as

most of them stay holed up in their homes.

Total deposits increased by 3 percent, bringing the total by end of July to

P14.3 trillion, Diokno told ANC. However, Diokno said the savings surge was

unlikely to become "sustainable."

"People are saving because theyÂ’re not spending, theyÂ’re holed up in their

homes and maybe because they are uncertain of the future and they tend to

save more during uncertain times," Diokno said.

"I donÂ’t think this is sustainable, as you know a big part of our gross

domestic product is consumption so when things normalize, I think spending

would pickup," he added.

One of the world's longest lockdowns was imposed in the Philippines in

mid-March, forcing businesses, offices and schools to shut. The restrictions

have been gradually eased to jumpstart economic recovery.

Lending, meanwhile is likely to "normalize" starting this quarter moving

forward as the economy gradually and continuously reopens, Diokno said.

The BSP earlier encouraged consumers to spend in order to stir economic

activity and to take advantage of record-low interest rates.

The benchmark interest rate was kept unchanged at 2.25 percent during last

Thursday's monetary board meeting since the prevailing policy remains

"appropriate" Diokno earlier said.

The 4th quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth is seen to be "much,

much" better due to normalizing conditions, he said.

The Philippines fell into recession after the second quarter GDP dropped

16.5 percent due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting

lockdowns.

This year, the economy is seen to contract by 5.5 percent, according to

government estimates.

DOLE SUPPORTS FULL RESUMPTION OF BUSINESSES

MANILA - Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Monday expressed support on

the full resumption businesses under relaxed quarantine restrictions to

restimulate the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Malaking bagay 'yan sa manggagawa. Sinusuportahan ko po 'yan. Kasi kawawa

ang ating ang mga worker. Ilang buwan na silang walang trabaho," he told

Teleradyo.

"That's a big thing for workers. I support that. I feel sorry for them.

They've been unemployed for months.)

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had authorized more businesses to

operate at full capacity in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Among them are those involved in mining, financial services, advertising,

film and TV production, commercial centers, and non-leisure establishments.

Restaurants and food establishments under GCQ are also allowed to operate

beyond 50 percent capacity subject to physical distancing, the DTI had said.

Bello also called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to increase

ridership in public transportation as more workers go to work.

"Kung minsan may trabaho, hindi naman makapasok dahil walang sasakyan," he

said.

Metro Manila, Bacolod, Tacloban, Iloilo City, Batangas, and Iligan will

remain under GCQ until Oct. 31.

Lanao del Sur will be under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ)

for the duration, while the rest of the country will remain under or shift

to the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

The Philippines implements a 4-level community quarantine scheme ranging

from the strictest, enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), to the most relaxed

which is MGCQ.

DUTERTE GETS 91 PERCENT APPROVAL AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PULSE ASIA

Ninety-one percent of Filipinos approve of President Rodrigo Duterte's

performance in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, private pollster

Pulse Asia revealed Monday.

The survey conducted last September 14-20 showed that 91 percent approved of

the President's performance, 5 percent disapproved while 5 percent were

undecided.

Vice-President Leni Robredo had 57 percent approval rating, 22 percent

disapproval and 21 percent undecided.

Senate President Tito Sotto garnered 84 percent approval rating with only 6

percent disapproval and 10 percent undecided.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who is facing controversy over a

term-sharing agreement with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, garnered 70

percent approval compared to 10 percent disapproval and 19 percent

undecided.

Only Supreme Court Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta fails to obtain a

majority approval score at 44 percent, compared to 37 percent undecided ang

13 percent disapproval.

THE REST

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QUEZON CITY ELDERLY GET FREE FLU, PNEUMONIA VACCINES

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Over 16,000 senior citizens in Quezon City have

been given free pneumonia and flu vaccines, the local government announced

yesterday.

Based on records of the city health department from January to August, Mayor

Joy Belmonte said a total of 9,250 elderly residents were administered

pneumococcal shots while 7,690 others were given flu vaccines.

“We are doing this to protect the elderly from the threat of COVID-19. We

understand that sometimes, itÂ’s unavoidable for them not to leave their

houses, especially if they still earn for their families or for themselves,”

Belmonte said.

She said priority was given to seniors who are still working.

Belmonte said city health workers would go around the barangays to

administer vaccines to the elderly.

The local government also distributed washable face masks and financial

assistance to senior citizens.

Quezon City will provide free eye screening services for the elderly soon,

according to the Office for the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).

“This is in recognition of their contributions to the development of the

city and the nation. Senior citizens continuously impart their wise and

noble guidance as well as support to their families and the communities,”

OSCA chief Bayani Hipol said in a statement.

SCHOOL OPENING IN OCC. MINDORO PUSHES THROUGH DESPITE EARTHQUAKE: DEPED

The Department of Education said the school opening in Occidental Mindoro

would push through even after the province was rocked by an earthquake early

Monday.

Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano said the province did not suffer

any major damage from the earthquake, according to the DepEd.

"[Governor] Gadiano also mentioned that no suspension will be declared thus,

the opening of classes will push through in the Province of Occidental

Mindoro today," the DepEd said in a statement.

The department added that the distribution of learning modules to students

in the province was completed three days before the opening of classes.

The magnitude 5.6 earthquake rocked Looc town before dawn and was felt in

Metro Manila.

The Philippine Institute Volcanology and Seismology said aftershocks are

expected from the quake.

Some 22.5 million students in Philippine public schools resumed their

studies on Monday through distance learning.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

ANGELICA PANGANIBAN ASKED: 'HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN LOVE WITH AN ATTACHED

MAN?'

MANILA – Angelica Panganiban turned candid during the second episode of “Ask

Angelica” where she revealed personal details about her past.

During the episode, Panganiban was asked if she has already fallen in love

with an attached man.

“Hindi ko alam kung aamin ako or hindi eh,” the actress initially responded

while laughing.

Panganiban, however, later revealed that it has indeed happened to her but

she refused to give any details.

“Na-in love ako, na-in love kami sa isa’t isa habang in a relationship kami

pareho. Dumistansya naman. Mahirap ikuwento, masyadong personal and past na

'yun. Pero nung nangyari 'yun, dumistansya kami sa isaÂ’t isa talaga. Kasi

hindi pwede. Kahit na boyfriend-girlfriend pa lang, alam mong may mali,” she

said.

In the same episode, Panganiban likewise opened up about how her closeness

to one of her male friends once became an issue in his relationship.

“Kasi 'yung experience ko, malapit ako sa mga guy friends ko. May isang

beses na pinag-initan ako nitong girlfriend ng isa kong kaibigan dahil more

than friends daw kami. Ninakawan pa ako ng cellphone nun ah, para lang

tignan 'yung messages namin,” she said.

“Hindi ko na lang din pinalaki. As in sinisigaw niya sa bar 'yung pangalan

naming magkaibigan, nababalitaan ko na lang. Kung alam mo 'yung totoo,

siyempre maiinis ka, di ba?” she added.

Panganiban said she did not make a big deal out of it because she knows that

she is not doing anything wrong.

“Napag-awayan na ako. Pero kapag alam mo naman kasi 'yung totoo na wala kang

tinatago di ba, malinis 'yung kunsensya mo, hindi 'yun magma-matter dapat sa

'yo,” she said.

When asked if she ever talked to the girl, Panganiban said: “Hindi na. Kahit

matapang akong tao, hindi ako confrontational. Choose your battles.”

“Ask Angelica” is Panganiban’s new weekly online show which streams every

Friday.

It is available for viewing on the social media accounts of ABS-CBN Films

(Star Cinema and Black Sheep), the YouTube channels of Sinehub and MyChos,

during the Kapamilya Online Live streams, and the streaming platform Kumu.

It is also available on the iWant TFC app, and for listening on Spotify,

Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts, and Overcast.

It has delayed telecasts on Cinema One and Jeepney TV.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES OCT 4

    1    2    3    4    T

1 Lakers 2-1    23    31    26    24    104

5 Heat 1-2    26    32    27    30    115

GAME 3: LAL LEADS 2-1

SCORING LEADERS

L. James LAL

25 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST

J. Butler MIA

40 PTS, 11 REB, 13 AST

Next game will resume on 6th Oct

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

You can't reason with your heart; it has its own laws, and thumps about

things which the intellect scorns. - Mark Twain