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Saturday-Friday | November 28 - December 4, 2020
Palace refutes Bloomberg study, says Philippines managed COVID-19 outbreak ‘very well’ MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Thursday refuted the assessment by US-based company Bloomberg which placed the Philippines near the bottom of its COVID resilience ranking, arguing the government has handled the viral outbreak effectively. Bloomberg ranked the Philippines 46th out of 53 countries based on 10 key metrics, including increase in cases, mortality rate, healthcare system capacity, lockdown impact, community mobility, and agreements on vaccine supply. According to Bloomberg, the Philippines scored poorly when it came to community mobility—the “movement of people to offices and retail spaces compared to a pre-pandemic baseline in the past month”—with a -39.4% score. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said he has yet to study the report even as he touted the government measures that resulted in a relatively low mortality rate for COVID-19 and a small percentage of severe and critical cases. “Tingin ko parang hindi po ac-
DPWH issues show-cause orders to personnel tagged in alleged irregularities
curate ‘yan sa aktwal na nangyari,” Roque said at a news conference in Quezon. “Pinaninindigan po natin that we have managed COVID-19 very well in this country.” ‘Not a race among countries’ Dr. Albert Domingo, a consultant
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has issued show-cause orders to personnel allegedly involved in irregularities, Secretary Mark Villar said Wednesday. The DPWH had long been aware of possible corruption within its ranks prior to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for the agency to be investigated. “We know it exists in government. We do our best to manage it and I think that, initially when I first came, I real-
at the World Health Organization Philippines, said the fight against the pandemic is not supposed to be a race among countries. “This is more of like a marathon kung saan ang laban natin is laban sa ating sariling performance. Kung tayo po ay tumatakbo sa isang ma-
ized that it’s a systemic problem that requires a systemic solution to minimize,” Villar said. “As of today, I think more than 11 show-cause orders have already been given so this is part of the process… If there’s found to be cause, then we can institute a suspension,” he added. As part of efforts to combat corruption, the DPWH said it shifted to a computerized project management system and now uses satellite technology to
haba na takbuhan na marathon, hindi mo pinapansin kung nauuna ka o nahuhuli ka doon sa katabi mong tumatakbo,” he said. “Ang pinapansin po natin is nadaig ba natin ‘yung dating oras natin, mas mabilis ba ‘yung takbo natin, nagagawa ba natin ‘yung pinakamahusay sa ating paraan.” Domingo said defeating COVID-19 is a global effort. National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. added it’s hard to make a comparison between nations. “’Yung geospatial at tsaka ‘yung tinatawag natin na demographic conditions ng isang country ay magkakaiba,” he said. The Philippines implemented one of the world's longest and strictest lockdowns, with quarantine classifications for December expected to be announced by President Rodrigo Duterte on November 30. The country has so far reported 422,915 COVID-19 cases, including 386,955 recoveries and 8,215 deaths. (MNS)
monitor projects. It also blacklisted 25 contractors. The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission earlier said “less than 12” congressmen were involved in corruption in the DPWH. However, Duterte said he could not probe the lawmakers allegedly involved in corruption as they belong to a coequal branch of government, a statement that earned the ire of detained Senator Leila de Lima. (MNS)
Legarda stresses need to revisit dam “LA OPTIMIZED”... from Page 1 NDRRMC’s Jalad says damage to infra protocols following oods the elevator, she used her minimal knowl- Cagayan thus losing to Borgovfl again. She then left digital footprint and the tools necessary experience and expertise to this effort. As to Ulysses rose toofover P10B edge of Russian to eavesdrop on Soviet rounding for Paris and went back home to Kentucky to gaindue a competitive edge and lead our Founder Braven Agency, he uses digital MANIL A (Mabuhay) — Deputy communities. LIGHTHOUSE... from Page 5
world champion, Vasily Borgov and two Speaker Loren Legarda on Thursday associates, who related her story to them stressed the need for dam operators seemingly underestimating her and that to update their protocols after the he knew she was an orphan and a survivor massive flooding in Cagayan and like them. The following day, Beth played Isabela, which was partly blamed on Borgov after an intense game and loses thehim. release water from Maga Dam. to Uponofreturning to her room, she "I believe all dams including found out that Manuel had abandoned Magat Dam should update their proMrs. Wheatley and she died of hepatitis, tocols. I am not saying that they apparently from excess drinking. did not update. That's Beth why went an inquiry is Tired of travelling, back home in Kentucky order," Legarda said. with Harry to and reconnects According to Legarda, revisiting Beltik, the former state champion she defeated five years prior. Beltik moved dam protocols would allow au-in with her into her Wheatley to being accomthorities check if thehouse water pany her andwou they both relea sed ld spent time training n o t and getting close until Beltik realized that cause further Beth's obsession da mage to with chess will always supersede s u r - any relationship they may have, so they parted ways, but Beltik must have taught Beth all he can, so when she entered the 1967 US championship, where she reunited with Benny Watts, and on the evening prior to the match, Benny challenged her to several rounds of speed chess in front of a large crowd of tournament attendees. Then, he was able to beat her in all the rounds, but didn't realize that Beth used the opportunity to learn on his weaknesses, thus winning her victory over him the next day, and they ended up discussing Beth's future in upcoming international competitions. Benny ended up inviting Beth to train for the Paris Tournament in his New York place. While there, Benny tried helping her sober up and enhance her chess skills with the help of a few friends from their circle of chess supporters. It was in Benny;s house where Beth bonded with Cleo, a model who was once infatuated with Benny. When Beth left for the tournament in Paris, she worked her way up to the final match with Borgov. Suddenly, Cleo appeared in the picture and invited Beth for drinks, makingDEPUTY her relapse on herLOREN alcohol; and pills SPEAKER LEGARDA prompting her hungover during the match,
only to discover that her ng adoptive "Bago [magpakawala] tubig father, ang Mr. Wheatley had returned home andsa was dam operator, ito ba ay nakitugma trying to extort money from her by urging Pag-asa? Sinukat ba ang pagbagsak her to buy the house. It was during this ng ulan at inabisuhan ba sa simpleng time when she plunges into her substance pamamaraan na maiintindihan ng abuse spiral that even Beltik couldn't resmga local na pamahalaan?" she said. cue her after she passed out in her living "Sapat ba ang panahon para ilikas room, only to be awakened by Jolene who ang taoat saher Cagayan wasmga ringing door. Valley?" she added. Jolene arrived to inform her of Mr. ShaiLegarda recalled that when she bel's death. They both attended the funeral was senator,to ansee investigation and still Bethareturned the orphanage also tookmoved place to astears, to thewhen contribution but was she found a of alland the newspaper clippings he made ofwall dams other water reservoirs forthe her,massive along with a photograph them in flooding duringofthe together during her timeStorm at the orphanage. onslaught of Tropical Ondoy Finally, in 2009. she went back to Russia to play in"Ondoy the prestigious Invitational. [pouredMoscow a bigger volume final but gamethe is with Borgov and surofThe water] destruction in she 2020 prised him by playing the Queen's Gambit with Ulysses was much, much more. andwe thecan game becomes adjourned after So see that there should be40 moves. That same evening, Townes visited a revisit of the dam protocols," she her in her hotel and the following morning, said. Beth received a phone call from Benny who The House Committee on Agrihas assembled a team which included Beland Food andcommunity on North of tik. culture Upon realizing that her Luzonproved Growth on supporters theQuadrangle adjourned position Tuesday began its inquiry on of her match with Borgov, she was grateful thehelp massive f looding Ca-the for the of her friends and in when gayan and that Isabela. match returned evening, she finally InBorgov the said National defeated in inquiry, the adjourned game. Irrigation Administration On her way back to the airport, chief she gets out Ricardo of the car and walks around the city and Visaya maintained that finds a number men playing the openingofofold the water gateschess. of When they Dam lookedwas up and they Magat not saw the her, major realized who she was,flooding and with respect and cause of the in Caadoration, ALL of them invited her to play. gayan Valley. Though thealso riveting andconcerned thrilling movHe said ie didn't end up as aindividuals "happily everwho after" offices and film, may the lesson learned here is that fame be affected by the release and fortune are not important in life. The of water are warned at least six search for TRUE LOVE was the underlying hours releasethe of course the statementbefore createdthe throughout water from Magat Dam. of this creatively-crafted Tevis story. If Hehaven't added watched that the it release of water you yet, I suggest you from Magat Dam was done gradually should, to enable you to "escape" during and not all at once. (MNS) these challenging times.
pandemic recovery.” marketing tools and strategies to scale LA Optimized is designed to help small diverse small businesses and organizabusinesses adapt to the rapid shifts in tions –– bridging the digital divide and consumer behavior and technological ad- providing businesses owned or run by vances by empowering them to boost their people of color with the ability to compete digital marketing, maximize their online against the titans of industry. business listings, create or optimize their As Google’s Digital Coach for the Los websites, and increase their knowledge Angeles metropolitan area, Martinez enand presence in the e-commerce space - lists some of the city’s most accomplished all at no cost to businesses. business minds to build stronger indusThrough the help of dedicated partners, tries across the City. "I am honored and privileged to be the the Mayor’s Office plans to allocate over $1.5 million to help provide these services. next Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the This program will also partner with the City of L.A.,” said Martinez. ArtCenter College of Design and verynice “Now more than ever there is a need to deliver up to $500,000 in total to vetted to bridge the digital divide to help small creative professionals to provide $500 businesses. I'm excited to work with Mayworth of business and digital content or Garcetti’s administration to spearhead services including branding, video, pho- programs that leverage partnerships with tography, graphic design to struggling tech, NGO,and and Management community actors MANILAand (Mabuhay) — National Disastervarious Risk Reduction small businesses. assist ourJalad localon businesses in growing Council (NDRRMC) executive directortoRicardo Thursday said In its first up to 1,000 small busiand prospering regardless the economic damage toyear, infrastructure due to Typhoon Ulysses has alreadyofspiked to nesses be able to access these ser- climate.” P10.79will billion. vices online visibility First launched in or 2014, EIR proAt to theincrease Lagingtheir Handa press briefing, Jalad said more lessthe 125,000 and engagement, and help them adapt to gram is made possible with support from residences were destroyed after Ulysses pounded several provinces in digital marketing platforms in the wake Ernst & Young LLP and the Mayor’s Fund Luzon, causing massive floods in various areas. of pandemic-related challenges. for Los Angeles. It enlists business execThe NDRRMC has said more than four million individuals or nearly While the pandemic has accelerated utives and expert entrepreneurs to work one million families have been affected by Ulysses. the surge of online sales this year, small with the City to create exciting and powwerebusinesses recorded have fromlong the faced regionserful of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, andThey medium solutions that will lead toCentral thoughtful Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, National Capital Region, digital challenges to compete with larger policy, a growing workforce, and and aCorstrongdillera Administrative Region. small er economy. corporations. This year, California’s According to dropped Jalad, the of fatalities is proud still atto 73.support the Entrebusiness revenue bynumber 29.3%, and “We’re "Buti naman itong 73 napanatili na sa ganiyan, two weeks na 'yan, wala a September 2020 report found that Los preneur-in-Residence program and this ng naidadagdag. Si Super Typhoon Rolly naman mas mababa, 25 deaths Angeles has seen 15,000 closures, half of year’s initiative to help provide small busiang inabot diyan," Jalad said. which are permanent. ness owners with the knowledge and skills The NDRRMC official said less P200 million worth of assisLA Optimized will be open to more active or needed to thrive in the digital age,” said tance has already been extended to the victims of the typhoon. He said small businesses in the City of Los Ange- Patrick Niemann, EY Greater Los Angeles thewith Department of Social Welfare andManaging Development continues its relief les, priority given to brick-and-morPartner. operations for thelocated affected individuals. tar establishments in or serving “This is a pivotal time for our fellow An"Lahatof holow ngincome naapektuhan ay binibigyan tulong even 'yung mga residents communities. gelenos,ng and we believe that digital transBusinesses can enroll Coronavirus. formation can unlock human potential and hindi lumikas," Jaladatsaid. LACity.org/LAOptimized. accelerate new andLuzon better under ways ofstate working President Rodrigo Duterte already placed the entire initiative will be led byonslaught the City’s of toUlysses drive equitable economic ofThis calamity following the as well as othergrowth.” strong Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Roberto Mar- (MNS) Martinez will begin his EIR appointstorms, including Quinta and Rolly. tinez, who brings more than 15 years of ment on Friday, December 4th.
