MB Daily News Update


Testing czar Vince Dizon aptly calls it “the week of hope” of the Philippines as the rollout of the life-saving coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines continues.

More stories on the vaccine, plus other interesting developments, have been included in our list of top stories this Tuesday, March 2.

  1. A total of 404 healthcare workers received their first shots of Sinovac coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine during the first day of the country’s vaccination program against the viral disease, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday, March 1.
A healthcare worker belonging to the first batch to get vaccinated in Taguig (Screenshot from Taguig City video/ MANILA BULLETIN)
  • An official of the World Health Organization (WHO) assured that the country is to receive doses of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines developed by pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed on Tuesday, March 2, that China’s pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm has already submitted an application for emergency use authorization for its coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine.
  • Six cases of the South African variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) virus have been detected in the Philippines. Also, 30 more cases of the United Kingdom variant were found, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Tuesday, March 2.
  • Two-thirds of private firms says they’re giving their workers access to COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Duterte orders dismissal of PH ambassador to Brazil for maltreating her household help.
  • The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has detected 48 volcanic earthquakes and 40 tremor episodes in Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours.
  • Pope Francis has granted the request of Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma to declare within the Archdiocese a Special Jubilee Year along with the attached plenary indulgence.
  • Warning is out: Some skin-whitening products could be laced with mercury.
  1. The National Museum of the Philippines is set to declare the centuries-old Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño in Cebu City and its image of the revered Child  Jesus as national cultural treasures next month.
  1. Two Filipina sisters Ann Dumaliang and Billie Dumaliang of Masungi Georeserve are among the winners of this year’s Vanity Fair “Changing Your Mind Travel Awards.”