Opinion-Editorial NEWS

In the middle of what was undoubtedly the worst surge of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, the city of Manila got a much-needed healthcare boost with the opening of the Bagong Ospital ng Maynila earlier this week.

As alert levels were raised to cope with the rapid surge in new COVID-19 infections, rays of optimism shone from the economic front, as reflected in the following upbeat headlines:
“NEDA sees ‘promising’ 2022 despite Omicron”;  “DOF still expects strong economic recovery”; and “BSP keeps steady outlook on inflation.”

At the beginning of November, the Oxford English Dictionary chose its word of the year. Quite expectedly, it opted for a word that best summarizes this 2021, a year that came at the heels of a pandemic that still continues to this day. And this word is “vax,” which is short for vaccine (n) or to get vaccinated (v), or to be vaccinated (adj).

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed this month similar bills mandating the registration of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards in order to curb fraudulent and criminal activities by users of mobile telephone devices.  Senate Bill 2395 and House Bill 5793 will now be harmonized and submitted for the President’s approval of a new law.

More than a metaphor, the Philippine eagle is evidence of the country’s riches often overlooked. The dominant theme of our self-expression, such as in our films, after all, is lack and limitation.

The country’s first Nobel Prize recipient Maria Ressa, together with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, were honored for their journalism careers and crusade for press freedom last week in Oslo, Norway. Ressa delivered a stirring speech, one for the books and one that reflected the challenges of our times.

In accordance with law, Dec. 8 of each year is observed as “a special non-working holiday in the entire country to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines.”

The three-day National Vaccination Days, which concluded yesterday, Dec. 1, 2021, was one for the books. It may not have reached its original target of a total 15 million vaccinations (and later scaled down to nine million), but it was a success, with the first day alone setting a world record at 2.5 million jabs — garnering fifth spot among countries with the highest single-day vaccination.

Just like medical frontliners, the Department of Health started last Monday administering booster shots to senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals.  The DOH also announced they can also choose to receive a booster shot of a vaccine brand different from the ones they had before.

“Dispense the shield but not the mask.” With these words, the President has now lifted the mandatory wearing of face shields in almost all parts of the country, especially those in Alert Levels 1, 2, and 3. Face shields, however, may still be worn voluntarily depending on the individual, but face masks must still be worn at all times in all public spaces, as long as COVID-19 is still around.

The two-day 47TH Philippine Business Conference (PBC) opens today with the theme “Innovation.PH: Economic Recovery for All.”

Coming on the heels of the strictest quarantine regime in August and September, the economy grew by 7.1 percent in the third quarter, slower than the revised second-quarter growth of 12 percent. This exceeded the 4.8 percent consensus market forecast and fanned hopes for a strong finish — possibly to pre-pandemic levels — for the Duterte administration with nine months left on its watch.

The virtual summit of Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) leaders began on Oct. 26 minus one participant. Myanmar’s junta chief had been excluded on account of the regime’s inability to comply with the five-point consensus plan drawn up last April after the unexpected ouster of its erstwhile leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Filipinos do not have to look back as far as Typhoons Ondoy and Yolanda to remind them of catastrophic natural disasters. Fresh on the headlines and social media are scenes of devastation wrought by Typhoon Maring in the north, the country’s 13th tropical cyclone for 2021 and the second this month.

Public service is a thankless job. Criticisms, now amplified via social media, are part of daily life. Do little, then a public servant is deemed worthless; do more, then a public servant is accused of grandstanding or credit grabbing. It is hard to find the perfect balance but if there is one Cabinet member of the Duterte administration who found the ideal formula of being under the radar with regard to his private life, yet accomplishing much in his public capacity as a secretary of a department, it is Mark A. Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

And some of us still haven’t learned our lesson.

The reopening of some aspects of the economy such as allowing limited dine-in in restaurants or permitting salons to accept clients gave a sense of hope for the business sector. With continuous vaccinations and implementation of focused lockdowns on streets or villages meant to cut the root of COVID-19 transmission, it seems like the country is on its way to recovery and Filipinos could expect a more joyful holiday season.