The Philippine National Police (PNP) continues to see a decrease in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections among its personnel, with 320 new recoveries recorded on Friday. In its Covid-19 bulletin, the police force said this raised the recovery count to 45,909 out of a total of 47,897 confirmed infections since the pandemic started in 2020. Despite logging another 139 fresh cases, the number of active cases declined to 1,862 from Thursday’s 2,043. The death toll stands at 126. Meanwhile, the total number of fully vaccinated PNP personnel is placed at 96.85 percent which is equivalent to 218,102 out of a
The country’s upcoming reopening to foreign leisure travelers would restore jobs lost and businesses forced to shut down during the pandemic, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Friday. Starting February 10, the Philippines will allow fully vaccinated international tourists from visa-free countries, provided that they present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin. To date, a total of 157 countries enjoy visa-free entry privileges to the Philippines, including some of its top tourist markets prior to the pandemic such as South Korea, Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States,
The Electoral Board (EB) Certification portal developed by the Department of Science and Technology – National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) will be deployed to end users by March. Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said in a taped report on Friday the DOST deemed it necessary to automate the usual certification process because of restrictions on face-to-face activities due to the pandemic. The portal will conduct an online written examination for the certification of teachers who will serve in the May 9 national and local elections. The DOST has been carrying out the certification of EBs for the elections since 2007. De
The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday officially signed the contract for the acquisition of Indian-made BrahMos medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missiles. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and BrahMos Aerospace director general Atul Dinkar Rane signed the contract worth PHP18.9 billion in a virtual ceremony at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu physically represented New Delhi in the event. Lorenzana said the signing of the BrahMos contract is a milestone for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “As Secretary of National Defense, I am elated to be part of this huge
Farmers who are agrarian reform beneficiaries in Camalig, Albay have noted higher palay yields of up to 120 cavans from only 60 per hectare. This, after the completion of the PHP11.6-million Manawan Communal Irrigation System (CIS) that irrigates over 60 hectares of rice land in the villages of Manawan and Quinartilan. In an interview on Friday, Gerard Buensalida, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Bicol spokesperson, said the CIS, with its concreted 2.8-kilometer line canals, is now providing a steady supply of irrigation water from the Malobago River in Guinobatan town to Camalig. “The farmers here could now expect continued higher farm
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has responded anew to the concerns raised by some farmer groups regarding the country’s participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). In a statement Friday, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the RCEP excludes highly sensitive agricultural products from zero tariffs including swine and poultry meats, potatoes, onions, garlic, cabbages, sugar, carrots, and rice. Cement, flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, among others, are also exempted from tariff liberalization. Lopez added that RCEP also provides safety nets and flexibilities “to address any threats to industries that may arise” amid the free trade
