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MARCOS APPROVES BLENDED LEARNING ‘IN VERY SPECIFIC AREAS’ By Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said blended learning would continue in “very specific areas” come November, when most schools will be mandated to fully resume face-to-face classes. This was a departure from an earlier directive from the Department of Education (DepEd) for all schools to do away with blended learning after Oct. 31. “We continue with blended learning but only in very specific places. As
much as possible, it’s really face-to-face learning,” the President said in a mix of English and Filipino. “We need to identify which areas will continue with blended learning so we can focus,” Marcos added. At the same time, Marcos directed the DepEd and other relevant agencies to intensify preparations and planning for the opening of face-to-face classes this year. During the Cabinet meeting, Marcos asked Vice President and Education Next page
Entry of toxic variant likely VOL. XXXVI • NO. 156 • 4 SECTIONS 24 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Solante: It’s a matter of time before Omicron BA.2.75 reaches our shores By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta
I
T IS only a matter of time before the highly transmissible COVID-19 Omicron subvariant BA.2.75 enters the Philippines, a health expert said Wednesday.
“This variant is in 10 or 12 countries including India and I cannot say it will not happen here to us,” said Dr. Rontgene Solante, chief of the adult infectious diseases and tropical medicine unit of San Lazaro Hospital. “There’s a possibility, it’s only a matter of when it will enter here.” “We will also have to prepare just like what we’re doing now with BA.5,” he said in a public briefing. Solante said he agreed with the Department of Health (DOH) decision not to impose tighter border controls even as new subvariants emerge.
FOR MONDAY’S SONA. Photo shows the refurbished session hall of the House of Representatives where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver his first State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25, 2022. Inset photo shows presidential helicopters during a rehearsal of landing and take off maneuvers at the helipad at the rear entrance of the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno
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NDRRMC assumes role of NTF vs. COVID THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has assumed the functions of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19. “To streamline the government’s pandemic response, the duties of the NTF will now be transferred to the NDRRMC,” the NTF said in a statement Wednesday. “We advise that all queries regarding NTF be directed to the NDRRMC, and questions about the vaccination program be addressed to the DOH,” it added. Next page
SONA to be delivered in refurbished Batasan PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver his first State of the Nation Address in the newlyrenovated session hall of the House of Representatives that cost about P100 million to refurbish. House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza said the renovations began during the term of former Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, citing the age of the structure that was inaugurated in 1978
and the need to increase the hall’s seating capacity. At least 1,300 guests have been invited to the SONA, most of whom have confirmed their attendance, Mendoza said. Guests will be required to present a copy of a negative RT-PCR test for COVID-19 taken 48 hours before the event. Mendoza said there will also be enough space at
the Plenary Hall of the Batasang Pambansa Complex to observe social distancing. Film and TV director Paul Soriano, a staunch supporter of Marcos, will direct the SONA. Meanwhile, the Presidential Security Group said it is now in the “final stages of preparation” for the SONA.
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BBM names new chiefs of TESDA, MIAA, other posts
FILIPINAS AT THE PALACE. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes members of the Women’s National Football Team at the Palace after their historic win of the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship title.
DFA set to evacuate some 115 Pinoys from crisis-hit Sri Lanka SOME 115 Filipinos in Sri Lanka said they want to return to the Philippines amid the economic crisis in the South Asian country, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Wednesday. “Of the 700 Filipinos in Sri Lanka, about
115 have expressed intention to go home to the Philippines because life is hard there, and we are now working on that,” De Vega said in a radio interview. De Vega, the undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, said the Philippine gov-
ernment will shoulder the airfare for the commercial flights of the Filipinos who will be repatriated. Filipinos may bring their children who were born in Sri Lanka with them,
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made more additions to his Cabinet on Wednesday, appointing Danilo Cruz as director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Bowling legend Olivia Garcia “Bong” Coo has also been designated as a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a statement. Cruz served as undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment under the Arroyo administration. Coo brought pride to the country after bagging several medals in various tournaments including five gold, two silver, and three bronze medals in the Asian Games as well as eight gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games. The PSC will name one chairman and three commissioners following Coo’s appointment. The President also appointed Health Assistant Secretary Nestor
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PH retains Tier 1 status for curb in human trafficking By Rey E. Requejo
SM Supermalls and the Commission on Elections have officially teamed up to provide voters with more registration venues in SM Supermalls nationwide. The memorandum of agreement was signed on July 19, 2022 at the Event Center of SM City Manila.
THE Philippines has maintained its position as one of the countries that undertook sustained efforts to end human trafficking, according to a report from the United States State Department. In the 2022 Trafficking in Person Report, the Philippines was ranked under Tier 1 again — a status it has Next page
Lydia De Vega
Jesus Verzosa
Lydia de Vega in ‘critical’ state
Ex-PNP chief’s conviction upheld
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