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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider MB Daily News Update December 16 (PM)

MB Daily News Update December 16 (PM)

Published Dec 16, 2021 07:29 pm

The first two confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Omicron variant in the Philippines has produced at least eight close contacts, the Department of Health (DOH) has reported.

Of the eight close contacts, seven have already tested negative for COVID-19 after undergoing quarantine. The test result of the eighth individual is still being verified.

The two confirmed Omicron cases--one 48-year-old returning overseas Filipino and a 37-year-old Nigerian national--recently arrived in the Philippines by plane.

Calls to shorten the waiting period for booster shots against COVID-19 began to snowball after Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion backed the suggestion.

Boosters shots are usually given six months after the individual's completion of the initial dosage (one or two shots, depending on vaccine brand). Concepcion floated the possibility of administering the additional shots after the fourth month as a way to heighten Filipinos' protection against the disease.

Meanwhile, typhoon “Odette” made its first landfall in the country over Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte at around 1:30 p.m.

In this regard, the national government assured the public that "all hands are on deck" in executing necessary responses to the affected communities of the typhoon, which bears the international name "Rai".

These are among the top stories this busy Thursday afternoon, December 16, 2021.

1) PH COVID-19 Update: 289 new cases; 380 new recoveries; 47 new deaths

2) ELECTION 2022

https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/robredo-respects-dutertes-decision-to-quit-senate-race-focused-on-own-campaign/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/mayor-isko-vows-to-continue-dutertes-build-program-and-magsaysays-pro-people-approach/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/robredo-to-comelec-allow-covid-response-programs-during-campaign-period/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/mayor-isko-running-for-president-out-of-his-love-for-ordinary-filipinos/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/robredo-led-govt-more-open-to-icc-probe-diokno/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/robredo-bid-gains-support-from-singers-composers-christmas-music-video-produced/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/robredo-says-she-will-be-a-hands-on-president-if-she-wins-monitors-typhoon-odette-developments/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/mayor-isko-vows-to-push-for-the-construction-of-iloilo-guimaras-bridge/

3) 'Odette' watch

4) Foreign Affairs Corner

5) New pharmacists' oathtaking

6) Lawmakers' Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/go-calls-for-public-vigilance-following-detection-of-two-omicron-cases/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/pimentel-seeks-senate-ratification-of-regional-economic-partnership-agreement/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/gatchalian-on-new-bank-notes-dont-erase-memory-of-ph-heroes/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/villar-seeks-to-revise-decades-old-wildlife-resources-conservation-and-prevention-act/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/senate-approves-bill-mandating-sim-card-registration/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/1pacman-partylist-saves1250-kids-suffering-from-chd-300-more-set-for-surgery/

7) Duterte's day with foreign envoys

8) On 'Simbang Gabi'

9) Hotline for gender-violence matters

10) ASEAN school games hosting

11) P300-M tax evasion case

12) DOST Corner

13) Business Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/stocks-bounce-back-on-string-of-good-news/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/bsp-keeps-2-policy-rate-for-entire-2021/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/aboitiz-power-taps-japanese-firm-for-solar-projects-epc-deal/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/dmpl-profits-jump-in-aug-sept/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/jera-finalizes-purchase-of-stake-in-aboitizpower/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/allday-opens-34th-supermarket-branch-in-sucat/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/banks-non-banks-told-to-report-illegal-fund-collections/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/meralco-secures-iso-90012015-certification-for-qms/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/bsp-keeps-2-4-inflation-target-until-2024/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/innovate-basic-sectors-neda/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/pera-contributions-reach-p237-m-in-sept/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/farmers-ask-govt-to-fast-track-aid/

14) Metro Manila Round-up

https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/800-families-relocated-to-valenzuela-citys-3rd-disiplina-village/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/pasig-barangay-adds-extra-to-senior-cash-gift-from-city-govt/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/bulacan-pnp-all-set-for-christmas-rush/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/mhd-doh-send-volunteers-to-bayanihan-bakunahan-2/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/1-dead-in-mandaluyong-residential-fire/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/muntinlupa-city-council-leader-says-bucor-should-submit-master-devt-plan-of-bilibid/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/pasig-city-gives-christmas-bonus-to-pwds/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/muntinlupa-lgu-warns-public-against-omicron-variant/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/christmas-caroling-prohibited-in-dasmarinas-cavite/

15) Provincial Round-up

https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/preemptive-evacuation-starts-in-roxas-city-for-odette/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/radio-broadcaster-shot-in-cebu-city/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/three-village-officials-shot-dead-in-calbayog-city/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/govt-work-suspended-in-cebu/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/several-areas-in-caraga-experience-power-outage-due-to-typhoon-odette/
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/16/cops-hunt-down-suspects-in-nocot-grenade-attack/

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