Manila Standard - 2021 September 23 - Thursday

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‘NO FACE SHIELD IN OPEN AREAS’ THE public can now stop using face shields in open areas, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday. In a pre-recorded speech aired last night, Duterte said he approved the recommendation of government advisers, who said the use of face shields can be lifted in areas that do not fall under the “3C” category: crowded, closed and close contact.

“’Yan tatlo na ‘yan, face shield is a must pa rin. ‘Yun ang recommendation. Labas sa tatlong limitations, puwede na na hindi gumamit,” he said. Duterte in June limited the use of the plastic face coverings on top of face masks to hospitals. But days later, he again required face shields in public areas, both Next page

VOL. XXXV • NO. 220 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30 stresses PH arbitral win as ‘just and fair’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday stressed the importance of the Philippines’ historic arbitral victory against China’s sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea (SCS), calling it a “winwin solution.” During the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Duterte said the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s (PCA) 2016 ruling on the SCS disputes, as Next page

DUTERTE AT UN

‘Rich nations hoard vaccines’ Raps them for selfish act as poor countries get doses in trickles

By Vito Barcelo

A

DDRESSING the United Nations General Assembly for the last time during his term, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday accused rich countries of hoarding COVID-19 vaccines while poor countries “wait for trickles.” In a recorded message, the President cines ravaging poor countries” because said “there is a man-made drought of vac- rich countries hoard COVID-19 shots.

“They now talk of booster shots, while developing countries consider half-doses just to get by,” he told the world leaders. The disparity, he said, “is shocking beyond belief and must be condemned for Story on A3 what it is — a selfish act that can neither be justified rationally nor morally.” rywhere. Vaccines are key to achieving ted $1,000,000 to the US Covax Facility. “The plain fact is this pandemic will this,” he said. This is our modest contribution to our not end unless the virus is defeated eve“This is why the Philippines commitNext page

House seeks mandatory COVID-19 vaccination

Pandemic cost in 40 yrs: P41T THE National Economic and Development Authority has said the total cost of the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of the community quarantines is estimated at P41.4 trillion in the next four decades. This is according to a presentation made last week by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, with the cost being in terms of net present value at P4.3 trillion in 2020 alone, and P37.0 trillion in the next 10 to 40 years. Sources of losses over the next 40 years include foregone wages from premature deaths, lost productivity due to

Rody: Review war on drugs, punish human Low cases noted as alert system hailed a ‘success’ rights violators

SURFACE DISINFECTION. Barangay officials disinfect an area under granular lockdown at New Orleans St., Brgy. Pinagkaisahan in Quezon City. On Monday, the Philippine National Police said some 140 areas in 72 barangays in Metro Manila have been placed under granular lockdown. Of the total, some 42 areas in 35 barangays are in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

8 RVM nuns die from virus Story on A3

By Willie Casas and Joel E. Zurbano

THE National Capital Region’s COVID-19 reproduction number continues to improve, the latest report from the independent OCTA Research Group said, as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Aba-

los hailed the pilot implementation of the new quarantine alert system as a “successful experiment.” “It’s been a successful experiment on its own. It’s a successful pilot because the people are disciplined, there is still economic activity, and we’ve seen that the numbers are really going down,” Abalos said.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta NOTING the funds were all liquidated and approved, Senator Richard Gordon confirmed Tuesday that part of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or the so-called “pork barrel” was given to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in 2010. The senator made the admission days after President Rodrigo Duterte questioned Gordon if

he “parked” P88 million in pork barrel funds with the PRC. In a radio interview, Gordon, also the chairperson of Red Cross, admitted that it was true. “We gave it to the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development). At that time, it was allowed,” said Gordon. He said the funds were liquidated and approved by the DSWD. Next page

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2,417,419

By Vito Barcelo, Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte told world leaders at the United Nations that he ordered a review of his war on drugs and vowed he would hold accountable

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Gordon admits Red Cross got part of his ‘pork’

COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 illnesses, and medical expenses. The NEDA estimates considered lower consumption and investment in the next decade due to weak demand in sectors where social distancing is mandated, such as amusement, tourism, restaurants, and public transportation. These will in turn drag tax revenues lower, with the economy expected to converge to the pre-pandemic growth path only after 10 years. “Foregone consumption and investments in 2020 will result in lower capital accumulation in the future,” Chua

15,592

162,580

37,228

154

2,217,611 24,059

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(As of 4 PM, September 22)

US, UK, China vax arriving on steady stream By Joel E. Zurbano and Alena Mae S. Flores MANUFACTURERS in the United States, United Kingdom, and China have started sending steadier supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines, coinciding with an announcement that the country plans to start vaccine manufacturing opera-

tions by the second or third quarter next year. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez told a Generics Summit Webinar Wednesday seven companies have expressed interest to manufacture vaccines locally, quoting the Board of Investments. Of the seven companies, Lopez said four companies

equivalent to three projects were progressing. National Task Force against COVID 19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. himself said: “By the end of October, we will reach more or less 100 million doses delivered to the Philippines.” Next page


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