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Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

READ: More cases of Covid variants detected

Thirty new cases of B117, or the so-called United Kingdom variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 or Covid-19, have been detected in the country alongside the first six cases of the B1351 or the South African variant, the Department of Health said on Tuesday.

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READ: Metro Manila virus surges worrying ‒ Octa

According to the March 1 monitoring report of academe-based Octa Research Group, the rise in the number of cases in some cities in Metro Manila has become a “serious case for concern.”

READ: Vaccines key to ‘new normal’

Vaccinating “ambitiously” against Covid-19 is critical in attaining sustained economic recovery, economist-lawmakers at the House of Representatives said.

READ: Companies want to buy vaccines for employees

A growing number of employers and business establishments around the country have expressed their interest to purchase the same for the inoculation of employees and their dependents, according to a survey.

READ: Vaccine rollout a success

The first day of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout was a success, Malacañang said on Tuesday, a day after ceremonial inoculations were conducted using Sinovac Biotech’s vaccine.

READ: Senators seek pilot test of face-to-face classes

Senators urged the government to prepare for the resumption of physical classes by pilot testing face-to-face classes in areas with low Covid-19 cases.

READ: Valenzuela interconnects tracing system with 3 cities

Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday announced that the city’s contact tracing system is now interconnected with the systems used in the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong and Antipolo.

In regional news,

READ: 235 NPA rebels surrender

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Northern Luzon Command said that about 235 members of the New People’s Army or NPA in Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera returned to the fold of the government in February 2021.

In world news,

READ: Astra vaccine unused in France, Germany

Already facing a daunting Covid-19 vaccination challenge, French and German authorities are fighting to convince more people that a jab from the pharma giant AstraZeneca is just as effective as others.

In business,

READ: Govt debt rises to P10.3T at end-Jan

The government’s outstanding debt soared to a new all-time high of P10.32 trillion at end-January on bigger domestic obligations, according to the Bureau of the Treasury.

And in sports,

READ: Zion dominant as Pelicans upset Jazz

Zion Williamson produced a dominant performance as the New Orleans Pelicans upset the league-leading Utah Jazz with a 129-124 victory on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).

Marlen Ronquillo and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are the featured columnists on the front page of The Times.

Ronquillo rants about those who are

READ: Feckless on tariffs, high on Ballys and Rolexes

Fr. Aquino harps on having

READ: The right to an opinion

In The Times editorial, it is cited why

READ: Govt should put a stop to internet service monopolies

Read all about it.

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With Aric John Sy Cua, this is Dafort Villaseran reporting. Have a great week!