Final four for #DragRacePH
Here's a look at how the top four queens of Drag Race Philippines--Marina Summers, Precious Paula Nicole, Eva Le Queen, and Xilhouete--performed in the season ahead of the finale on October 12.
Guide to Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals
PAGASA has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal #5 in Polillo Islands and parts of Quezon and Aurora on September 25, 2 p.m., due to Super Typhoon #KardingPH.
These are warnings on the impact of the cyclone based on wind strength and is separate from the possible effect of rains such as flooding and landslides.
Here is what the public can expect under areas covered by the wind signals, according to PAGASA.
Slight but steady rise in healthcare utilization
The Dept. of Health reports incremental but steady increase in figures for ICU bed utilization, severe and critical admissions, as well as non-ICU bed utilization.
While the country is still at low risk, ICU bed utilization has crossed 20% for the week of July 18 to 24. This comes as DOH reported 19,536 additional infections for the week, or an average of 2,791 infections per day.
The Dept. of Health will be launching a PinasLakas COVID-19 vaccine booster campaign on June 26, aimed to improve coverage ahead of the return of face-to-face classes.
While there are 71.5 million Filipinos who have received their COVID-19 vaccine primary series, only 15.9 million got their booster.
"Agrarian reform beneficiaries who are still to receive their awarded land under the comprehensive agrarian reform program shall receive it without any obligation to pay any amortization."
Pres. Bongbong Marcos calls on Congress to unburden farmers of their dues and to focus on improving productivity by condoning the loans of agrarian reform beneficiaries.
He will also impose a one year moratorium on the payment of land amortization and interest payments, which would allow farmers to "channel their resources in developing their farms, maximizing their capacity to produce, and propel the growth" of the economy in his bid for food security. #SONA2022
"The Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all, an enemy to none."
While Pres. Bongbong Marcos vowed that he would not abandon "even one square inch" of Philippine territory, he will still pursue friendly relations with those that the country is in conflict with.
"If we agree, we will cooperate and we will work together. And if we differ, let us talk some more until we develop a consensus. After all, that is the Filipino way." #SONA2022
Mandatory ROTC, NSTP
Pres. Bongbong Marcos wants Congress to make the reinstitution of mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and the National Service Training Program (NSTP) in senior high school programs.
Marcos says this is aimed to "motivate, train, organize, and mobilize" students in national defense preparedness, such as responding to disasters and other risk-related situations.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, when she spoke of her initial plans as education secretary, publicly asked Congress to make ROTC mandatory once again for students. #SONA2022
"Time to re-examine our strategy towards building nuclear power plants."
Pres. Bongbong Marcos raises the possibility of building smaller scale modular nuclear plants in the Philippines, to be funded by PPPs, to increase energy production.
He also says "natural gas will hold the key" by clarifying policies in upstream gas, particularly in the area close to Malampaya. Marcos Jr. also pushes for alterative sources of energy, such as the windmill turbines employed in his home region of Ilocos, as well as solar power, which he says is "practical almost everywhere in the Philippines all year round." #SONA2022
Steady increase in infections and admissions
The Dept. of Health reported 19,536 new COVID-19 infections for the week of July 18 to 24.
This is equivalent to 2,791 average daily cases, 33% higher than the 2,091 average daily infections recorded for the week of July 11-17.
While the figures for healthcare utilization is still low, the DOH recorded a continuous increase in admissions.
Severe and critical cases have risen from 589 to 666, ICU bed utilization crossed 20%, while non-ICU beds are now at 26%.
Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe passes away at 67
Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, who sought to lift the economy out of chronic deflation with his bold "Abenomics" policies, beef up the military and counter China's growing clout, has died at 67.
Abe, who left office in 2020, was shot and killed on Friday during an election campaign speech in an attack his protege and incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called "absolutely unforgivable".
The lawmaker first became premier in 2006, lasting just a year before returning for a rare second stint in 2012 pledging to revive a stagnant economy, loosen the limits of a post-World War Two pacifist constitution and restore traditional values.
Abe became Japan's longest-serving premier in November 2019, but by summer 2020, support had been eroded by his handling of the COVID-19 outbreak as well as a series of scandals including the arrest of his former justice minister.
BBM positive for COVID-19 again.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos tests positive in an antigen test for coronavirus, Press Secretary Trixie Angeles says. He is experiencing a slight fever, but his symptoms are mild.
This is not the first time Marcos has contracted the virus. He tested positive in March 2020 after a trip to Europe, according to then-spokesman Vic Rodriguez.
On January, he skipped a COMELEC pre-conference on a disqualification petition. Marcos' camp explained he had "difficulty in speaking due to a painfully congested throat" after he was exposed to COVID-positive individuals.
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