Good day. Here are the stories The Manila Times for Monday, April 26, 2021.
READ: Slow internet hounds learners
SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday stressed the need to address poor internet connection and lack of gadgets to ensure learners continue to get their education during the pandemic. Gatchalian said a new poll on distance learning highlighted the challenges parents and learners faced amid the health crisis. He noted of 1,200 adults surveyed by Pulse Asia from February 22 to March 3, 63 percent have children in basic education. Over 1.6 million learners are attending online classes.
READ: Covid spread in Metro Manila slows
THE spread of Covid-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR) has slowed after several weeks of moderate enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), a team of researchers said on Sunday. Octa Research said in its latest monitoring report the Covid reproduction number (R0) in Metro Manila has dropped to 0.93 from April 18 to 24, or an average of 3,841 cases, a growth rate of -20 percent.
READ: Envoy pushes rules-based tack in settling WPS row
Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Grete Sillasen has proposed a rules-based approach to settle the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute between the Philippines and China. The ambassador said while the issue has no direct impact on her country, it is of importance to Denmark, being a maritime nation and the home of the biggest container company in the world — Maersk. The European Union (EU), of which Denmark is a member, stressed it cannot allow countries to unilaterally undermine the rule of law in the WPS.
READ: Asean to use common fund to buy vaccines
THE leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have agreed to use their common fund to procure vaccines for their constituents and hasten the region's recovery from the effects of Covid-19. The Asean Leaders Meeting was convened on April 24 in Jakarta, Indonesia to advance community building, strengthen external relations and address pressing issues of common interest to all member-states. Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, chairman of this year's Asean leaders' meeting, issued a statement which carried the highlights of the meeting, including the common goal to address the pandemic. The leaders reiterated their commitment to implement the Asean comprehensive recovery framework "in a timely manner and welcomed Asean sectoral bodies’ efforts to complement the framework."
READ: Pasay, Muntinlupa open jab sites in malls
PASAY and Muntinlupa are the latest cities in Southern Metro Manila to open vaccination sites inside shopping malls. Pasay Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano said the city has partnered with SM Supermalls to build “one of the biggest” vaccination centers in the country at the SM Mall of Asia. She also disclosed more than 42,000 health care workers and 5,300 senior citizens had received their first shots before the temporary vaccination halt last week due to shortage of doses. The Pasay Public information office told The Manila Times vaccination centers could open late April or early May. The planned vaccination site, which is also set to have a drive-thru, can accommodate people from other cities.
READ: Asean to Myanmar general: End killings
Southeast Asian leaders demanded an immediate end to killings and the release of political detainees in Myanmar in an emergency summit on Saturday with its top general and coup leader who, according to Malaysia’s prime minister, did not reject them outright. The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) also told Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing during the two-hour talks in Jakarta that a dialogue between contending parties in Myanmar should immediately start with the help of Asean envoys.
READ: Group files criminal complaint vs Dar
THE Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) filed a criminal complaint against Agriculture Secretary William Dar in connection with the delay in putting up a border inspection facility.
The complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman accused Dar of violating Republic Act 10611, or the Food Safety Act of 2013; Executive Order 292, or the Revised Administrative Code of the Philippines; RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; and RA 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Dar refused to comment on the case, saying he has yet to know the details.
BUSINESS: Economy shows signs of rebound
Over to business, the Department of Finance (DoF) said latest data on trade and manufacturing sectors are indicating improving economic activity in the country. In its latest economic bulletin, the Finance department said the rebound in merchandise trade and indicators of expansion in manufacturing activities signify that the green shoots of economic recovery are growing, albeit precariously given downside risks posed by Covid-19 and the uncertainties of its variants.
SPORTS: Gilas Pilipinas resumes training in ‘Calambubble’
In sports, the Gilas Pilipinas training pool is set to return to the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna on Monday, April 26, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin. Baldwin told The Manila Times the whole Gilas delegation will undergo strict health protocols first including swab tests and quarantine before they can resume their stalled training.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are today’s front page columnists. Tiglao claims former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario “lost” the Panatag Shoal to China, while Fr. Aquino talks about the poverty that was blessed.
Today’s editorial believes fighting terrorism needs cooperation with the Philippines’ allies. Read a full version on the paper’s opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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With Dafort Villaseran, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. May you have a safe week ahead.