NEW ZEALAND VIRUS OUTBREAK IS FIRST OF UK VARIANT: OFFICIALS

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Two new coronavirus infections which sent New

Zealand's biggest city into lockdown Monday are due to the UK variant of the

disease, the first to be detected in the country, officials said.

The Health Ministry said genomic sequencing identified the infections in

Auckland as caused by the highly-contagious strain first found in the UK and

said there was no link to any other positive cases detected so far in New

Zealand.

"This result reinforces the decision to take swift and robust action around

the latest cases to detect and stamp out the possibility of any further

transmission," the ministry said.

There were no results yet from sequencing of a third case linked to the

Auckland cluster, all members of the same family, which emerged Sunday and

prompted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to order a three-day lockdown in

Auckland.

It was the first clampdown in nearly six months in the Pacific island

nation, which has been widely praised for its handling of the pandemic, with

just 25 deaths in a population of five million.

Almost two million Auckland residents were told on Sunday to stay at home

from midnight, when the level-three lockdown began, with schools and

non-essential businesses forced to close.

The city has also been ring-fenced from the rest of New Zealand, with travel

in and out of the metropolis highly restricted for the next three days.

GOVERNMENT: LIMITED GLOBAL SUPPLY HAMPERING VACCINE DEALS

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday assured the public that

the government is exerting all efforts to secure cost-effective COVID

vaccines for the country.

“The entire vaccine cluster, with our vaccine czar Secretary Charlie Galvez

at the helm, is doing everything to secure cost-effective vaccines for the

Philippines at the soonest possible time,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque

said in a statement.

Duque issued the statement amid allegations on snail-paced negotiations

between the Philippine government and vaccine manufacturers.

National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez

clarified that the supply agreement negotiations are ongoing, and that the

current limited global supply prevents vaccine manufacturers from entering

supply agreements with the government.

In a previous television interview, Galvez stressed that a supply agreement

is a binding contract and that negotiating supply agreement is a complicated

process, which provides for specific details such as payment schemes and

definite delivery dates, among others.

Due to the binding nature of supply agreements and given the limited supply

of vaccines globally, Galvez said manufacturers have not been able to commit

specific delivery dates, thus preventing them from entering into supply

agreements with the national government.

LOCSIN CALLS UN ‘HYPOCRITES’ ON MYANMAR

MANILA — After the Philippines disassociated from the United Nations Human

Rights Council’s call for Myanmar to free Aung San Suu Kyi, Foreign Affairs

Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. yesterday accused the rights body of

deliberately misinterpreting his statement calling for “a complete

restoration of the status quo ante” with the leader reinstalled in power.

In a tweet, Locsin wrote: “@UNGeneva deliberately misinterpreted the

Philippine statement calling for a complete restoration of the status quo

ANTE with Suu Kyi back in her former power and influence, the Army in its

protective role, the people enjoying again the measure of freedom she

achieved. Won’t bow to the hypocrites.”

“I won’t have the Geneva hypocrites dictate on our ‘nuanced’ approach to

work for the possible rather than the self-satisfying impossibility of

whites,” he said.

The Philippines, according to Locsin, joined China, Russia, Venezuela and

Bolivia in disassociating itself from the UN Human Rights Council consensus

that adopted the resolution but without taking a vote.

“I don’t want her just free to make the whites feel good she’s out and

useless except as an object of Western pity; but free and back in the

position of power and influence taken from her and her party which swept the

elections; the position the West first stripped her of,” Locsin said.

Myanmar’s military took control of the country in a coup and declared a

state of emergency. It detained Suu Kyi and other senior government leaders

and voided her party’s landslide election victory last November.

Locsin said the Philippines has been supportive of Myanmar’s progress toward

a fuller democracy, cognizant of the Army’s role in preserving its

territorial integrity and national security, as well as the unifying role of

Suu Kyi in the history of the country and the Army her father founded.

He stressed that “the realization of this democratic process can only be

achieved through the complete restoration of the status quo ante.”

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that while it backed

Myanmar’s progress toward democracy, the Philippines believed in its

neighbor’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

CHILDREN’S WORLD SHRINKING TO HOMES, COMPUTERS – UNICEF

MANILA — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children have seen their worlds

shrink to just their homes and the screens of their computers, laptops,

mobile phones or other devices, according to the United Nations children’s

agency.

“The internet wasn’t built with children’s safety in mind,” the UN

Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which is working to eliminate online child sexual

exploitation and abuse, said over the weekend.

“At any one time, 750,000 individuals are estimated to be looking to connect

with children online for sexual purposes, a challenge so large – and so

complex – that no one entity can solve it alone,” the Global Partnership to

End Violence Against Children said in supporting Safer Internet Day.

For children already experiencing harm or hurt – online or offline – even

before the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF warned that the rise in screen time may

have exacerbated their anguish.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore had expressed the growing concern

for the well-being of children already facing online risks even before the

pandemic.

UN: GENDER INEQUALITIES STILL INCREASING

MANILA — Women represent 70 percent of all healthcare workers leading in the

response to COVID-19, the United Nations said.

They have also been among those most affected by the pandemic, the UN noted.

“Yet, as women bear the brunt of school closures and working from home,

gender inequalities have increased dramatically over the past year,” UN

Secretary-General António Guterres said over the weekend.

He said advancing gender equality in science and technology is essential for

building a better future. “We have seen this yet again in the fight against

COVID-19.”

Citing a report from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization (UNESCO), Guterres said women account for only one third of the

world’s researchers and hold fewer senior positions than men at top

universities, which has led to “a lower publication rate, less visibility,

less recognition and, critically, less funding.”

“Women and girls belong in science,” he stressed, adding the need to

recognize that “greater diversity fosters greater innovation.”

“Without more women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and

mathematics), the world will continue to be designed by and for men, and the

potential of girls and women will remain untapped,” he added.

Their presence is also critical in achieving the Sustainable Development

Goals to close gender pay gaps and boost women’s earnings by $299 billion

over the next 10 years, according to Guterres.

He urged everyone to end gender discrimination and ensure that all women and

girls fulfill their potential as they are an integral part in building a

better world.

HOUSE PASSES 3 DE VENECIA BILLS

MANILA — Three major bills authored by Rep. Christopher de Venecia of the

fourth district of Pangasinan were recently passed on third and final

reading in the House of Representatives.

Approved were House Bill 8133, which seeks to establish the Edades and

Bernal Cultural Museum in Dagupan City; HB 8377, which seeks to declare the

municipality of Manaoag as a tourist destination, and HB 8385, which

promotes integrated urban agriculture to address food security.

The proposed Edades and Bernal Museum seeks to honor Victorio Edades, known

as the father of Modern Philippine paintings, and Salvador Bernal, the

acknowledged guru in Philippine theatre design.

Both were born in Dagupan.

Meanwhile, the town of Manaoag is the seat of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady

of Rosary of Manaoag. Thousands of Catholic pilgrims and devotees converge

at the basilica weekly to renew their faith.

The proposed integrated urban agriculture aims to make Filipinos aware that

food production can be done not only in the provinces, but also in cities.

30 MILITARY CAMPS OK’D AS VACCINATION SITES

MANILA — At least 30 military camps nationwide have been approved for use as

COVID vaccination sites, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said

yesterday.

The military camps are ideal sites for the vaccination rollout due to their

accessibility and security, AFP spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said.

The AFP recommended 46 camps, but only 30 have so far been accredited by the

Department of Health (DOH).

The remaining camps are still subject to DOH inspection and accreditation.

The AFP is ready to provide security and medical support for the

government‘s COVID vaccination rollout set this month.

DOLE: 133,315 WORKERS DISPLACED IN JANUARY

MANILA — The number of displaced workers surged in January, as more

establishments adopted flexible work arrangements and temporary closures,

according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The latest DOLE Job Displacement Monitoring Report showed a total of 133,315

workers nationwide losing their jobs or suffering income loss in the first

month of 2021.

Out of the total number of displaced, DOLE said 108,089 workers from 2,799

establishments were affected by flexible work arrangements (FWAs) and

temporary closures.

There were 25,226 workers from 1,421 establishments who were affected by

permanent shutdowns and retrenchments.

The number of displaced workers rose by 19,741 or 78 percent compared to the

figure during the same period last year.

ONLY 3 OUT OF 10 METRO MANILA RESIDENTS WILLING TO BE VACCINATED AGAINST

COVID-19: DILG

MANILA - Only 3 out of 10 individuals in Metro Manila are willing to be

vaccinated against COVID-19, the Department of Interior and Local Government

(DILG) bared Sunday.

According to DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, a survey conducted by

the department showed 20 to 30 percent of the capital region's residents

affirmed their consent to be inoculated against the deadly disease.

This is much lower than the DILG's target of immunizing at least 80 percent

of Metro Manila residents.

Densing however said government won't force the public to get their jabs,

but it will double its efforts to encourage them.

“Patuloy kaming umiikot, no? Umiikot kami sa Metro Manila, Calabarzon. Sa

susunod na linggo, babiyahe rin po kami Mindanao, sa Davao City para

ipaliwanag ho sa taong bayan ang importansya ng pagbabakuna,” aniya.

An online survey conducted by University of Santo Tomas professors and

students had also showed only 55.9 percent of their 15,651 respondents are

willing to be vaccinated.

The open access online survey, conducted by the UST-CoVAX research team from

January 16 to 30, 2021 and posted on several social media platforms in both

Filipino and English forms, was answered by Filipinos from all 17 regions in

the country.

THE REST

========

PHILIPPINES' COVID-19 TALLY NEARS 550,000 WITH OVER 1,900 NEW CASES

MANILA - The Philippines confirmed 1,928 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday

bringing the country’s total to 549,176.

The Department of Health also reported 10,967 new recoveries pushing the

total number of Filipinos who recovered from the disease to 511,743.

This meant that the country has a total of 25,918 active cases as of 4 p.m.

Sunday.

Eight more deaths were reported from the illness, bringing COVID-19’s death

toll in the Philippines to 11,515.

NCR MAYORS AGREE ON ALLOWING 15-17-YEAR-OLDS TO GO OUT

MANILA — Teenagers aged 15-17 are also now allowed to leave their homes, the

Metro Manila Council said Monday.

Speaking in an interview aired over dZMM TeleRadyo, MMC chair Edwin

Olivarez, who is also mayor of Parañaque City, said that it was strange for

the government's coronavirus task force to be opening arcades and cinemas

despite most children still not allowed outside of their homes.

"We agreed to lowering the age. We're the only country still on ages 18-65.

But we're open to it now to open up the economy. Local governments are open

to adding ages 15 to 17. But we will not sacrifice protocols," he said in

mixed Filipino and English, adding that allowing more teenagers outside will

help stimulate the economy.

Olivarez also reiterated his position against the proposal to re-open

cinemas and other leisure and entertainment establishments.

To recall, the national government's coronavirus task force has since

decided to allow cinemas, video game arcades, and other establishments to

resume their operations starting Monday, citing once again the need to "open

further" the economy.

REOPENING OF LEISURE ESTABLISHMENTS DEFERRED IN METRO MANILA

The reopening of cinemas and similar establishments in Metro Manila will be

deferred, according Metro Manila Council Chairman Edwin Olivarez.

Cinemas is Metro Manila will remain closed until all 17 mayors meet in

person on Wednesday.

The mayors say they were not consulted on the order of the inter-agency task

force on COVID-19 to ease restrictions on leisure establishments.

MARIKINA SETS UP FUND FOR COVID-19 VACCINE SIDE-EFFECTS

MANILA - Marikina City is setting up an indemnity fund for its residents

should there be any unexpected side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, its mayor

said Monday.

Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said the city council had increased the fund to P15

million to shoulder the hospitalization of patients who would develop

adverse reaction to the anti-coronavirus jabs.

"We're not putting a cap on individual assistance that will be provided. It

will really be contingent, dependent on the medication or the treatment that

one will be needing," he told ANC.

Teodoro revealed that many Marikina City residents had reservations on

getting COVID-19 shots due to its safety and efficacy.

"We're sensing that hesitancy on the part of our citizenry," he said.

The city mayor described the general sentiment of his constituents as

"cautious optimism".

"They are optimistic that vaccine is necessary for normalcy, meaning to go

back to our economic, social and academic activities," he said. "But they

want to be cautious about it due to some information they are receiving."

Teodoro said his constituents preferred vaccines from the United Kingdom and

United States.

MARIKINA TO SUSPEND REOPENING OF CINEMAS, ARCADES

MANILA - Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said Monday he will issue an

executive order to suspend the reopening of cinemas and game arcades in the

city amid the continuing threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

"This is a very problematic proposition. This might bring a surge in our

COVID cases, not only in Marikina but in the metropolitan Manila area," he

told ANC.

"I think it's very important that efficient and effective vaccination

program [shall] first be implemented as a prerequisite in opening up

economic activities."

Teodoro bared that mayors in the Philippine capital region were not

consulted by the Inter-Agency Task Force in its decision to allow more

industries to reopen or expand their operations starting Monday, Feb. 15.

"I think it's public knowledge there's no prior consultation with the IATF

with the Metro Manila mayors and that's the reason why we are asking for a

meeting in order to have a consensus on the matter and have a uniform

approach with regards to easing up quarantine measures particularly in

allowing cinemas to open," he said.

SK VOTERS AUTOMATICALLY INCLUDED IN VOTER LIST

MANILA — Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voters can participate in the 2022

general elections without the need to register again.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered their automatic inclusion

in the voters’ list.

The move is meant to simplify the registration process among youth voters,

according to the Comelec.

“It is the policy of the commission to adopt a simplified registration for

SK voters turning 18 years old by not requiring them to register anew as

regular voters,” the Comelec said.

Qualified to register as regular voters are those aged 18 and above.

The automatic inclusion of SK voters in the voter list will help prevent the

possible spread of COVID-19 in local election offices, the Comelec said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

LIZA SOBERANO, ENRIQUE GIL EXCHANGE SWEET MESSAGES ON VALENTINE'S DAY

MANILA – Celebrity couple Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil exchanged sweet

messages on social media to celebrate Valentine's Day.

On Instagram on Sunday night, Ftbruary 14, Soberano posted a photo of Gil

taken from their dinner date. In another photo, she can be seen bouquets of

flowers.

"Grateful for you always. Happy Valentine’s day my love," Soberano wrote in

the caption.

"My happy valentine. I love you forever and always," Gil wrote in his posy.

In the comment section of Gil's post, Soberano left the message: "I love you

more, forever and always."

Gil has been Soberano’s onscreen partner since 2014. They celebrated their

sixth anniversary as a couple in October 2020.

The two have been on hiatus from showbiz since the cancellation of their

primetime series “Make It With You” in June 2020 due to the coronavirus

pandemic.

They are expected to make their film comeback this year.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES FEB 13

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

76ers 18-9    28    25    28    30    111

Suns 16-9    23    30    33    34    120

SCORING LEADERS

    J. Embiid PHI

35 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST

    D. Booker PHO

36 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Pacers 14-13    27    35    22    41    125

Hawks 11-15    26    32    29    26    113

SCORING LEADERS

    D. McDermott IND

26 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST

    C. Capela ATL

24 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Rockets 11-15    25    22    28    24    99

Knicks 13-15    30    33    24    34    121

SCORING LEADERS

    J. Wall HOU

26 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST

    I. Quickley NY

22 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Nets 16-12    37    29    42    26    134

Warriors 14-13    28    23    31    35    117

SCORING LEADERS

    K. Irving BKN

23 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST

    S. Curry GS

27 PTS, 3 REB, 5 AST

FINAL

    1    2    3    4    T

Heat 11-15    21    21    15    37    94

Jazz 22-5    18    29    31    34    112

SCORING LEADERS

    K. Nunn MIA

23 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST

    D. Mitchell UTA

26 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Life has a funny way of becoming ordinary as soon as it can. - Colm Tóibín