The remaining months of the year will see the delivery of highly sensitive Covid-19 vaccines and the National Task Force (NTF) reminded local government units (LGUs) to be prepared. NTF Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said if LGUs need to upgrade their cold storage facilities, they should do so now. “These types will comprise the bulk of our supply inventory in the remaining months of 2021,” he said in a statement on Friday. The vaccine czar said more than 70 million doses of Covid-19 jabs requiring sub-zero temperature, procured by the national government and the private sector, and those

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday handed over the diplomatic note recalling the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III. In a statement following their meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Locsin said the US has shown its commitment to fulfilling its obligations to Manila under its alliance. “They have addressed issues arising from our security relationship with good faith. Together, we have moved forward on the basis of common interest, shared values, and mutual respect,” he said. “As such, upon the instructions of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,

Malacañang on Saturday expressed delight over the performance of several Filipino athletes at the Tokyo Olympics. In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque relayed the Palace’s congratulatory message for boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam and pole vaulter EJ Obiena. “We congratulate Nesthy Petecio in winning the women’s boxing featherweight semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics and securing a second Olympic medal for the Philippines; EJ Obiena for leaping into the finals of the Men’s Pole Vault; and Carlo Paalam for clinching a quarterfinals ticket in the men’s boxing flyweight class,” Roque said. A second Olympic gold medal could now be

Artemio Rocamora, 88, is looking forward to meeting his fellow weightlifter, Olympian and Philippine Air Force officer Hidilyn Diaz. Rocamora placed 19th in the light heavyweight division of the 1964 Tokyo Games while the 30-year-old Diaz will be etched in history books as the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist. She also snatched a silver at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. Incidentally, the ongoing Games are also being held in Tokyo. Yhara Ramirez, Rocamora’s granddaughter, posted on Facebook on Friday that her “super lolo” (grandfather) is amazed by Diaz and wants to swap stories with her. Rocamora, born on June

Nesthy Petecio is now one win away from giving the Philippines another Tokyo Olympic gold after beating Irma Testa of Italy in the semifinals of the women’s featherweight boxing tournament at the Kokugikan Arena in the Japanese capital on Saturday. Petecio turned things around in the final six minutes to turn back her taller opponent. Testa used her reach advantage pretty well in Round 1, tagging Petecio with solid jabs, and despite some activity from Petecio late into the round, all the five judges had it for the Italian. Petecio, however, began pouring it on in Round 2, delivering solid

Magat Dam in Luzon may resume spilling operations this August as a precaution against structural damage due to a possible rise in its water to the spilling or normal high level. Ailene Abelardo, a hydrologist of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Saturday this is due to the expected high amount of rainfall by next month. “If the forecast maximum rainfall is reached, and given the water allocation there for August, Magat’s water will be at the normal high,” Abelardo said in an interview. To prevent this, she said Magat may opt to either resume its