Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Tuesday, November 23, 2021.
Duterte: Chinese incursion 'abhorrent'
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said the government finds abhorrent the harassment of Filipino boats by Chinese coast guard ships in the Ayungin Shoal last week. Speaking at a regional summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Duterte said the incident "does not speak well" of China's relations with the Philippines and the other members of the 10-nation bloc.
BBM, Sara vow to boost Mindanao's agri-business
THE tandem of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte-Carpio vowed to improve Mindanao's standing as the country's food basket to help the region recover from the effects of the pandemic. Marcos, a former senator, is vying for president in the 2022 elections and Duterte-Carpio, the outgoing Davao City mayor, is his running mate. In a joint statement, the BBM-Sara Uniteam said Mindanao "must be at the forefront of the country's agricultural trade because one-third of its land area is devoted to agriculture." They noted that Mindanao produces 40 percent of the country's food needs and contributes over 30 percent to national food trade.
Go goal: 1 college graduate in every family
SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Monday voiced hope that every Filipino family will have at least one member graduating from college if he wins the presidency. Go vowed to continue the legacy of President Rodrigo Duterte in "providing a better and more secure future for the next generation." He said he wants to continue what Duterte has started to ensure that more disadvantaged students will have better access to quality education.
Govt starts booster shots for senior citizens, patients
THE government has begun to administer booster shots to senior citizens and immunocompromised patients. The Department of Health (DoH) released the guidelines on the administration of booster doses and additional shots for the immunocompromised priority group on Sunday night. Boosters are given to senior citizens to renew their antibody resistance, while a third dose is given to immunocompromised patients who are unable to build up their immunity after their primary shots. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a briefing on Monday that those eligible for booster doses can have their shot at any vaccination site as long they present a valid ID and vaccination card. Immunocompromised individuals need a doctor's clearance before they can receive an additional dose.
Plan on safe economic reopening out
THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has introduced the National Action Plan Phase 4 (NAP 4) which will serve as a guide to the government in safely opening the economy. The action plan was approved by the National Task Force against Covid-19 and confirmed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said in a press conference on Monday.
Fitch unit sees BSP hiking rates in 2022
Over to business, a Fitch Group unit believes that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will begin raising its key interest rates next year as economic signs point to growth. Fitch Solutions, in a statement, forecasts the BSP to begin its hiking cycle in 2022, forecasting the policy rate to rise from 2.00 percent as of end-2021 to 2.75 percent by end-2022. Mobility data and the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) both showed an increase in activity in October, which, according to the Fitch unit, indicate that signs of an economic recovery are emerging. Latest IHS Markit survey showed that the country's manufacturing sector expanded in October with the PMI hitting a seven-month high of 51.
In sports, Filipino-Japanese golf sensation Yuka Saso finished solo 48th in the CME Group Tour Championship at the Tiburon Golf Club – Gold Course in Naples, Florida on Monday (Philippine time). Saso carded another 1-over 73 in the fourth and final round for an aggregate of 3-under 285, as she pocketed a prize of $16,613 or more than P841,000.
Antonio Contreras and Yen Makabenta are today's front page columnists. Contreras discusses the issues surrounding presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., while Makabenta compares a candidate using cocaine to a so-called "wife-beating fallacy".
Today's editorial tackles the anti-lockdown riots across Europe in the wake of surging Covid-19 areas in the continent. Read a full version on the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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On behalf of The Manila Times, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. Have a safe Tuesday ahead.