We look for major Philippine stories to share each week to keep you apprised of what’s happening here. Here are some of the top headlines from this first week of February 2021.
PH’s COVID-19 cases surpass 530,000
The country’s COVID-19 cases topped 530,000 on February 3 after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed 1,266 more infections.
The official tally now stands at 530,118, of which 31,455 or 5.9% are active cases. This does not yet include the latest data from seven testing laboratories which failed to submit on time, the DOH said.
PH hit PHP1T in investment pledges in 2020 despite pandemic
The Philippines posted PHP1.02 trillion in investment pledges or approved investments last year despite the impact of the pandemic, the Board of Investments (BOI) said on February 2.
This came from 311 approved projects in 2020, which is expected to generate 55,124 jobs, the BOI said.
Government assures purchase of ‘enough’ Covid jabs to inoculate 92-million Pinoys
The Philippine government is now negotiating the purchase enough doses of COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate 92 million of the population, the Department of Finance revealed.
During the public address of President Duterte on February 1, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez said the quantity is more than the needed doses to inoculate 70 million adults under the government’s COVID-19 vaccination plan.
Bill lowering corporate income tax up for Duterte signature
The Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives on February 3, ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill seeking to cut corporate taxes and revamp incentives for investors.
The Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises bill will now be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for signing into law.
5.1-magnitude earthquake rattles parts of Southern Luzon, NCR
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake rocked Camarines Norte, Bulacan, Metro Manila, and other parts of Southern Luzon on February 5, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
In an initial earthquake bulletin, state seismologists said the tremor struck 24 kilometres northeast of Tinaga Island in Vinzons, Camarines Norte at 6 am.
Philippine inflation quickens to 4.2% in January
Philippine inflation quickened in January driven by higher food prices, the state statistics bureau said on February 5.
The Philippine Statistics Authority said the consumer price index rose at a faster annual pace of 4.2% in January 2021, its highest since the 4.4% inflation seen in January 2019.
Experts say pandemic situation in Metro Manila now ‘manageable’
Experts studying the coronavirus outbreak in the country said that the pandemic situation in virus epicenter Metro Manila is “manageable at the moment”.
In its latest report published on February 3, the Octa Research Group said that the trend of COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region has leveled off.
