We search all over the Web for notable Philippine stories to keep you informed about what’s happening on this side of the world.
Here are some of the top headlines from this fifth week of April 2021.
COVID-19 now considered ‘compensable’ work-related disease
Filipino workers who test positive for COVID-19 will be eligible to receive compensation from the government after the disease was included in the list of occupational and work-related diseases, the Labor Department said on April 29.
The board of the Employee’s Compensation Commission approved the inclusion of COVID-19 to the list which entitled workers sick of COVID-19 to the compensation.
IATF allows 10% dine-in capacity; barber shops, parlors allowed at 30% in MECQ
On April 29, the national government allowed dine-in operations at restaurants at 10% capacity, while barbershops and parlors can operate at 30% capacity in modified enhanced community areas.
In a statement, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said the government task force approved the recommendation to allow:
Restaurants, eateries, commissaries, and other food preparation establishments to resume their indoor dine-in services in areas under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine at an initial 10% venue or seating capacity.
MECQ extended in Metro Manila, other areas until May 14
The modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal will remain in place for another two weeks, President Rodrigo Duterte announced on April 28.
The MECQ declaration in the greater Manila area, also known as NCR Plus, is extended until May 14.
House bill seeks to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory in Philippines
A House bill filed on Monday, April 26, seeks to make vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory amid vaccine hesitancy in the Philippines.
House Bill No. 9252 or the proposed COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 would mandate “science- and evidence-based” inoculation for persons “as may be determined” by the Department of Health.
PH temporarily bans travelers from India amid COVID-19 threat
The Philippines will ban the entry of travelers from India and those with recent travel history to the South Asian country from April 29 to May 14, Malacañang announced on April 27.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said:
“All travelers coming from India or those with travel history to India within the last 14 days preceding arrival shall be prohibited from entering the Philippines beginning 0001H of April 29, 2021, until May 14, 2021”.
Ex-jeepney barker turned Golden State Warriors trainer tells his story
Jefferson Codera was once a jeepney barker working the streets of Cebu. Now, he has his own NBA championship ring.
Get to know the story behind Codera as he recalls his struggles and how basketball continued to intertwine with his destiny.
COVID spread in Metro Manila slows
The spread of COVID-19 in the National Capital Region has slowed after several weeks of moderate enhanced community quarantine, a team of researchers said.
Octa Research said in its latest monitoring report the COVID reproduction number in Metro Manila has dropped to 0.93 from April 18 to 24, or an average of 3,841 cases, a growth rate of -20%.
14 Chinese militia vessels spotted in Julian Felipe Reef
More than a dozen Chinese militia vessels have been spotted in the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea, according to a GMA News report on April 26.
A recent Philippine patrol also spotted the same number of Chinese vessels there, the report said.
