US DONATES 3 MILLION MORE COVID-19 VACCINE SHOTS TO PH; DUTERTE HAILS 'STRONG, DEEP FRIENDSHIP'

MANILA — The United States on Tuesday donated 3 million more COVID-19 shots to the Philippines, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to tout the "strong and deep friendship" between the 2 countries, despite testy incidents during his term.

Duterte thanked the US for its "generosity" at the arrival of its donated 3,000,060 Moderna jabs.

The US also provided the Philippines with key medical supplies and equipment, and support to institutions, said the President.

"All of these have helped and definitely will continue to help the Filipino people. Indeed, the cooperation between the Philippines and US in overcoming the pandemic highlights the strong and deep friendship between our two countries," he said at an arrival program for the jabs.

Washington is the biggest contributor to the vaccine-sharing COVAX Facility, and has "facilitated the delivery of more than 13 million vaccines to the Philippines", according to US Embassy Charge d’ Affaires John Law.

"The United States will continue to partner closely with the Philippine government to confront and defeat this pandemic. For decades, our 2 nations have been allies and partners," he said during the program.

"For generations, Filipinos and Americans have been friends and family, despite the challenges and difficulties we’ve endured during the past year and a half, our nations and our friendship are stronger for having faced them side by side," Law added.

PALACE SAYS GOV'T MUST MAINTAIN AT LEAST 20 PCT ON-SITE STAFF DURING METRO MANILA LOCKDOWN

MANILA — Government agencies must maintain a workforce of at least 20 percent of their on-site capacity when Metro Manila returns to a 2-week lockdown later this week, according to a memo that Malacañang made public on Wednesday.

Home to some 13 million people, the National Capital Region will shift to the strictest of 4 lockdown levels, the enhanced community quarantine, from Aug. 6 to 20.

"There is a need to ensure the continuous delivery of public services during the ECQ period in NCR," Malacañang said in Memorandum Circular 87.

It said heads of government agencies and government corporations shall determine the size of the skeleton workforce that "shall not be less than 20% on-site capacity at any given time, with the remainder being under work-from-home arrangements."

"Nonetheless,, agencies providing health and emergency frontline services, laboratory and testing services, border control, and other critical services shall be allowed up to full on-site capacity," added Malacañang.

The legislative and judicial government branches, independent constitutional commissions, and local governments in Metro Manila "are strongly urged to adopt the provisions of this Circular," it said.

Confirmed infections in the Philippines exceeded 8,000 a day from Friday to Monday. Sunday's recorded cases of 8,735 were the highest since May 28.

On Tuesday, the health department confirmed another 6,879 coronavirus infections, pushing the total COVID-19 cases to 1,612,541.

HOUSE OKS MAYNILAD, MANILA WATER FRANCHISES

MANILA — The House of Representatives yesterday approved the renewal of the legislative franchises of water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc.

In plenary session, an overwhelming majority of congressmen voted to pass on third and final reading the bills granting another 25-year franchise to both firms.

Voting 206-7 with no abstention, the Lower House approved House Bill 9423, or “An Act Granting Manila Water Co., Inc. A Franchise To Establish, Operate and Maintain The Waterworks and Sewerage System In The East Zone Service Area of Metro Manila And Province of Rizal.”

With the same vote, the chamber also approved House Bill 9422 or “An Act Granting Maynilad Water Services, Inc. a Franchise To Establish, Operate, And Maintain A Water Supply And Distribution System And Sewerage and Sanitation Services In The West Zone Service Area of Metro Manila and Province of Cavite.”

The six members of the Makabayan bloc, along with Deputy Speaker and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, voted against both measures.

Under the approved bills, Maynilad and Manila Water will be allowed to develop, finance, construct, install, maintain and operate, as their operations may require, water sources, including new raw water sources, including deep wells, dams, aqueducts, tunnels, treatment plants, reservoirs, pump stations and facilities for transmission, conveyance and distribution of water including pipelines, machineries and other waterworks for the purpose of supplying water in their franchise areas, for domestic, commercial, industrial and other purposes.

'LABAN PILIPINAS!' VP ROBREDO THANKS PH OLYMPIANS FOR BRINGING FILIPINOS TOGETHER

MANILA - Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday expressed her gratitude and support to Filipino athletes competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, hours after the Philippines got another medal.

"Sa bawat laban ng Pilipino sa Olympics nitong mga nakaraang araw, naghahalo ang saya, kaba, pati ang gigil. Pero higit dito, araw-araw, nangingibabaw sa atin ang pagiging proud. Today is no exception," Robredo said.

The country's second highest official congratulated boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial for making history for the country.

"Kay Nesthy, ang ating Olympic silver medalist: proud na proud kami sa’yo for making history. Kay Carlo: Maraming salamat sa pusong ipinakita mo sa ring kanina, para sa isa pang Olympic medal," she said.

"Pahabol rin para kay Eumir, na ginulat tayo kahapon ng knockout victory at another sure podium finish," Robredo added.

The official likewise expressed her support for EJ Obiena, Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan for their upcoming matches.

"Mamaya, lalaban ulit sa pole vault si EJ. Bukas naman, magsisimula na ring sumabak ang ating mga pambato sa golf na sina Yuka at Bianca," she said.

Robredo thanked all the athletes for making the Filipinos proud and uniting the country as it continues its battle against COVID-19.

PHILHEALTH TOLD: PAY HOSPITALS, HEALTH WORKERS

MANILA — Sen. Grace Poe has urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to expedite payments to hospitals and health workers as the country faces the threat of the COVID Delta variant.

“We have been struggling like this for more than a year, and both the DBM and the PhilHealth have experiences from last year that they can base on to improve their service with the advent of another ECQ,” Poe said, referring to the enhanced community quarantine.

“We must do everything for the health sector and ensure compensation for our medical health workers and hospitals so they can save lives. When this is not done, our situation will get worse. Let’s not extend ECQ to season 10,” she added.

Many institutions are urging the DBM and PhilHealth to immediately release the funds needed to fight the pandemic.

HOUSE HEARINGS SOUGHT INTO METHODOLOGY, QUALIFICATIONS OF OCTA RESEARCH

MANILA — Members of the House of Representatives are seeking hearings to look into think tank OCTA Research's membership, methodologies and composition partly because government experts dispute its analysis that there is a "surge" of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.

The Department of Health has acknowledged that cases are rising in the capital but said on July 28 that there is still "no definitive evidence" of a surge that OCTA Research said Metro Manila was already in.

The National Capital Region will go back to Enhanced Community Quarantine on August 6 in response to the increase in cases.

The authors of House Resolution No. 2075 — posted online by The STAR's Edu Punay — referenced OCTA Research's declaration of a surge and said that "[b]oth the Department of Health and Dr. (Edsel) Salvana urged independent experts to apply circumspection in making such statements in order to avoid public panic.

OCTA researchers made the declaration of a surge to urge tighter restrictions in Metro Manila.

Salvana is also quoted in the resolution as saying OCTA Research's projections may be based on "incomplete and erroneous data." The Department of Health controls the release of data on COVID-19 cases, which it releases daily.

DUTERTE COMMENDS VILLAR

MANILA — President Duterte on Monday said it would be a loss to his administration if Public Works Secretary Mark Villar decides to run for senator next year.

Duterte commended Villar after his presentation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s accomplishments in the last five years during his weekly public address.

“Thank you, Secretary Villar. You know what, all of you are top performers. But in terms of largest projects, of course it will always be the DPWH. Ang galing mo (You are brilliant),” Duterte told Villar. “My problem is if you run for senator…if you are no longer in the executive department, you are really working.”

“I will regret it if you run for senator and win. The executive department will lose someone like you,” the President added.

Villar said the DPWH has implemented P2.5 trillion worth of projects under the Duterte administration that generated 6.5 million jobs.

“And even if we are in the middle of a pandemic, we were able to generate 1.6 million jobs,” Villar said.

Villar is reportedly running for senator in 2022 under the administration ticket.

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QC PUTS LIMIT ON PURCHASES TO PREVENT PANIC BUYING, BRINGS BACK QUARANTINE PASSES

MANILA — The local government of Quezon City said it will impose a limit on the number of items a person may buy per day during the two-week enhanced community quarantine period starting August 6.

QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement that she issued Ordinance No. SP-2948 limiting the purchase of goods of a person per day to avoid panic buying and hoarding.

"We have to impose limits to avoid panic buying and hoarding that may lead to supply problems and could prevent other citizens from purchasing the needs of their families during the ECQ," Belmonte added.

Under the ordinance, a person can buy a maximum of five cans of sardines per brand and up to ten cans per brand of other canned goods like meat loaf and corned beef .Other limitations for consumer or buyers per day may be seen here.

The QC mayor assured residents that there will be enough food supply and delivery of goods will continue during the lockdown period.

The ordinance will take effect midnight of August 6, the start of the ECQ period in Metro Manila. Quezon City like the rest of Metro Manila will be under an 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. during the said period.

METRO MANILA CASH AID DISTRIBUTION LIKELY TO BEGIN FRIDAY - DILG

MANILA - The cash aid distribution for residents of Metro Manila will likely begin Friday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday.

The capital region's 13 million people will be under enhanced community quarantine from Aug. 6 to 20. Some 10.7 million residents will get P1,000 each while up to 4 members of a family can get cash assistance, Malacañang earlier said.

Some P11.2 billion will be allotted for financial aid, Año said.

"Siguro pagpatak ng ating ECQ pilitin nating masimulan na yan," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

"Sa lalong madaling panahon kasi kailangan nating mabigay itong ayuda."

The final list of beneficiaries will depend on the local government and aid may be given out through distribution points, via house-to-house, or through transmittance centers, according to Año.

All authorized persons outside their residence, including those unvaccinated, may leave their house during the ECQ provided they have valid IDs or documentation, Año said.

"Wala tayong pinaiiral na ang kailangan bakunado lang...Puwede pa rin lumabas ang di bakuna, kailangan lang todo ingat. Kung puwede, ang mga bakunado na lang ang bumili ng pagkain o gamot," he said.

Manufacturing and food delivery businesses will be allowed to operate, he added.

PALACE: AGENCIES IN NCR MAY REDUCE ON-SITE STAFF, MUST MAINTAIN FULL OPERATIONS

MANILA — Governmenr agencies in Metro Manila will have fewer people on site during the Enhanced Community Quarantine period but will remain fully operational, Malacañang said,

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued Memorandum Circular 87 authorizing heads of agencies under the Executive department in the National Capital Region to reduce on-site work capacity.

"To ensure the continuity of government service, the skeleton workforce shall not be less than 20% on-site capacity at any given time, with the remainder being under work-from-home arrangements," the memo read.

Agencies providing health and emergency frontline services, laboratory and testing services, border control and other critical services may operate at 100% on-site capacity, it added.

The Palace memo covers all agencies and instrumentalities under the Executive branch and government-owned and –controlled corporations in NCR.

But Medialdea stressed that the government will remain in full operational, subject to on-site capacity and work-from-home during the ECQ period from August 6 to 20.

GATCHALIAN NAIS MAGING VP NI SARA DUTERTE SA 2022; SOTTO KAKAUSAPIN PA

MANILA — Pinupuntirya ngayon ng isang senador ang ikalawang pinakamataas na posisyon sa gobyerno ng Pilipinas, kahit na una nang nagparamdam ng kagustuhang tumakbo sa parehong pwesto ang kanyang kapartido.

Ito nga ang mismong inamin ni Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian sa panayam ng ANC "Headstart" ngayong umaga, habang idinidiing nais niyang makatambal sa panguluhan si ang anak ng presidente na si Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

"I talked to Mayor Sara a few months back. And we talked about my plans," wika niya nang tanungin kung sino ang nais niyang maging presidential running mate, Miyerkules.

"I'm vying for the vice president position, but this is still very fluid."

Tikom pa rin naman at hindi nagkukumpirma ng plano si Sara, na anak ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, kung tatakbo talagang presidente sa susunod na taon.

Inilabas ni Gatchalian ang kanyang plano kahit may ugong-ugong na maging magiging bise ni Sara ang kanyang tatay.

Hunyo lang nang sabihin ni Sen. Panfilo Lacson na tatakbo siya sa pagkapangulo kung magiging bise presidente niya si Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.

Sina Sotto at Gatchalian ay parehong miyembro ng partidong Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC). Nang tanungin kung handa siyang umalis ng NPC kung sakalaing igiit ni Sotto ang pagtakbong bise, ito na lamang ang naging sagot ni Gatchalian: "We will talk about it... for now.... I do not have any definite answer for now because it's still quite fluid."

"I'm still talking to Sen. Sotto about arrangements."

DAVAO LIQUOR BAN, CURFEW EXTENDED TO DECEMBER 31

DAVAO CITY — The 24-hour liquor ban and 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew in this city will be in effect until the end of the year.

President Duterte’s daughter, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, issued an executive order on the extension of the liquor ban and curfew to regulate activities that can contribute to the local transmission of COVID-19.

Carpio said those who work or do business are exempted from the curfew.

There are now three Delta cases here. Seventy-one new COVID cases were recorded on Monday, bringing the total infections to 2,709.

Meanwhile, the city government is rolling out a mobile anti-COVID vaccination drive for senior citizens.

At least 76,472 senior citizens have received their first dose. The city government aims to inoculate 300,000 senior citizens.

132 CEBU HEALTH WORKERS GET COVID-19

CEBU — Amid a shortage in health care personnel as COVID-19 cases rise, 132 medical workers in Cebu City have contracted the virus in the past two weeks.

Doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, medical technologists, laboratory technicians and paramedics working in 31 hospitals, medical clinics, offices and laboratories in Metro Cebu were infected, Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the city’s emergency operations center, said yesterday.

Garganera said the patients have been vaccinated and are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. The close contacts of the patients have been isolated.

“This is such a big dent to the medical force... aside from the lack of nurses in private hospitals here,” he said.

Also in Cebu City, a 51-year-old policeman with the rank of master sergeant died of COVID-19 on Sunday a day after he was found infected.

The policeman’s medical record shows he had his first dose of Sinovac vaccine.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

JULIA MONTES TAKES MOTORCYCLE TRAINING TO PREPARE FOR 'ANG PROBINSYANO'

MANILA -– After doing target shooting, Julia Montes has now hit the tracks as she tries to learn more about riding a motorcycle in preparation for her TV comeback via ABS-CBN's long-running action-drama “Ang Probinsyano.”

On Instagram, the actress shared a sneak peek of her training.

"Madami nakakasabik na eksena ang dapat po ninyong abangan kaya sana samahan po ninyo ako. Promise ko po sa inyo is to keep you updated. Wish me luck, guys! This is thrilling!” she said.

Montes made headlines last Friday after it was announced she will be joining the cast of “Ang Probinsyano” as the newest leading lady of Coco Martin.

The popular tandem's TV reunion is finally happening after years of clamor from fans to bring them back together.

"Ang Probinsyano" is the TV adaptation of the late Fernando Poe Jr.'s 1997 movie.

SPORTS

PETECIO HONORED TO REPRESENT LGBT COMMUNITY AT OLYMPICS

When Nesthy Petecio won a silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics, she did so not just for herself, for her family and for her country, but also for the LGBT community.

The 29-year-old Petecio has made no secret of her sexual orientation, and in a March 2020 appearance on the "Go Hard Girls" podcast, she expressed her gratitude that her family accepts her for who she is.

"Sobrang proud po ako bilang member po ng LGBT po. Hindi ko po tinatanggi 'yun," Petecio told reporters on Tuesday after she became the Philippines' second medalist in the Tokyo Olympics.

Petecio lost via unanimous decision to Japan's Sena Irie in the finals of the women's featherweight division, but still made history as the first Filipina to win a boxing medal in the Summer Games.

It was also the Philippines' first Olympic boxing medal in 25 years, following the silver that Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco won in Atlanta in 1996.

Petecio hopes that her feat will show that one's sexual orientation should not be a barrier to chasing dreams.

"Kumbaga, kahit anong gender po natin, basta kung may pangarap po tayo, laban po," she said.

Petecio is one of three out Filipino athletes who competed in the Tokyo Games, along with boxing teammate Irish Magno and skateboarder Margielyn Didal.

According to Out Sports, there are at least 181 publicly out athletes who competed in the Tokyo Olympics, including the first trans Olympians.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Scientists were rated as great heretics by the church, but they were truly religious men because of their faith in the orderliness of the universe. - Albert Einstein