News Report 11 January 2021 Local
1. COVID-19 tally of Phl cases
The Philippine Star, 10 January 2021, p. 1
New COVID-19 cases: 1,906 Active cases: 20,087
Death toll: 9,405 (+8) Recoveries: 458,198 (+8,592) Total number of confirmed cases: 487,690
2. Red Cross launches Covid saliva tests The Manila Times, 11 January 2021, p. 2
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) pilots 1,000 Covid saliva tests starting today, as part of the requirements to get the approvals from the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before it is rolled out for widespread use. The saliva test is said to be a faster and cheaper way to detect COVID-19 infection.
3. Abalos is new MMDA chairman
The Philippine Star, 11 January 2021, p. 6
Former Mandaluyong City mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. has been named as the new Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman. He will formally assume his post today.
4. Labor official dies of COVID-19
The Philippine Star, 11 January 2021, p. 6
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Joji Aragon died of cardiac arrest secondary to COVID-19 yesterday. He reportedly got the virus after undergoing a surgery last December.
Korea -
Economic
5. House: Business groups back economic Cha-cha The Philippine Star, 11 January 2021, p. 2
Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. reported that business groups, such as Management Association of the Philippines and The American Chamber of Commerce Philippines Inc. (AmCham), have expressed support for the economic charter change (Cha-cha) in the 1987 Constitution. Some of the economic provisions to be discussed include foreign ownership and investment opportunities.
6. Japan extends P3-B aid for PH supply chain Manila Bulletin, 11 January 2021, p. B1
Japan is extending P3 billion financial assistance to 7 Japanese manufacturers in the Philippines as part of their government’s “Strengthening Overseas Supply Chain”
program, to strengthen and build a more resilient supply chain to avoid disruption of their operations during natural calamities and disasters, like the COVID-19 pandemic.
