EDITORIAL Out of caution, the Philippines was one of the last countries to resume face-to-face learning in mid-November 2021, or 21 months after the government declared a national health emergency following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. “We are happy to see our learners inside our classrooms as...
Editorial Overseas Filipinos, who work in various industries such as in healthcare, logistics, hospitality, or maritime, are called “modern-day heroes,” but a lot of government agencies in our country still treat them like third-class citizens with tons of requirements and prohibitive cost for...
Editorial After nearly a month of severe restrictions, there is ample basis for a more hopeful scenario that would enable the government’s anti-pandemic task force to consider easing health and safety protocols to “pre-Omicron” levels. Based on internationally-developed COVID Act Now...
The Philippine economy recovered in 2021, registering a full-year growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 5.6 percent and fueling optimism that it would soon bounce back to pre-pandemic levels. Noting that the country’s GDP growth was among the highest in the region, Socioeconomic Planning ...
NIGHT OWL Anna Mae Lamentillo For an archipelagic country like the Philippines, bridges are essential infrastructure that connect islands, which are otherwise divided by waters. But bridges do not simply link an area to another, these are instruments of progress — improving access between...
Editorial The race to vaccinate all citizens of the world, from the oldest to the youngest, is on track. This is welcome news as the Department of Health (DOH) announced that minors, aged five to 11, will be vaccinated starting Feb. 4, 2022. The vaccine that will be used is the one manufactured by...
Editorial One week after the start of its implementation last Jan. 17 – and amid criticism of its adverse effects the government’s “no vax, no ride” policy is undergoing closer scrutiny. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) cited the rationale for this policy: “We are doing everything...
Editorial Although the Filipinos, declaring independence from Spain, proclaimed a provisional government on June 12, 1898, it wasn’t until Jan. 23, 1899 that the first “proper” Philippine republic was inaugurated, following the promulgation of the Malolos Constitution two days before. It...
Editorial Amid the pandemic, the City of Manila has been constantly improving its infrastructure, including its properties for leisure and entertainment. Though some have said that the timing may not be the most appropriate, considering that the pandemic has limited the access to sites where people...
Editorial “Where you put your money, that is what your strategy is all about.” This is a well-worn cliché’ that frames an important public issue appropriately. When a country professes its advocacy of promoting environmental sustainability yet allows the setting up of new power plants that...
Editorial Manila, Pasay City, and Marikina City were the first local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) to declare a weeklong health break, which started Jan. 14, 2022. Classes at all levels in public and private schools were suspended. This was supported by the Department...
In the flurry of news related to the pandemic, not a lot of people were aware that a landmark law, Republic Act 11641, was signed by President Duterte last Dec. 30, 2021. “An Act Creating the Department of Migrant Workers” became a law on Rizal Day, with the President comparing Filipino migrant...
