Paano aalagaan ang mental health ngayong COVID lockdown?
“Sa panahon ngayon, importante ang social connection at psycho-social support sa bawat isa. Ok tayo sa pisikal na distancing pero tuloy dapat ang social connection. Sa social connection papasok ang pagtutulungan ng bawat miyembro ng pamilya para matagalan ang ECQ. Ito ang panahon ng family bonding.”
PH economy was already slowing – COVID-19 just made it worse
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported -0.2% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2020, marking a significant drop from the 5.7% growth in the same period last year. The National Economics and Development Authority (NEDA) attributed this to the Taal volcano eruption in January, decrease in trade and tourism due to COVID-19 in February, and the eventual lockdown in March.
‘Look into the plight of our fellow health workers’
“Today, Health Workers’ Day, we call on the government to look into the plight of our fellow health workers and the public hospitals. We reiterate our demand to increase the public health system budget to at least 5% of the GDP as WHO recommends. This will make health care available to the people and will slowdown the COVID-19 infections.”
Ang Tulong Kabataan Network sa panahon ng pandemya
Isa ang Tulong Kabataan Network sa mga grupo na tumutulong sa mamamayan noon pa mang 2013 sa panahon ng bagyong Yolanda at sa kasalukuyan sa panahon ng Covid 19.
Coronavirus has claimed lives of 21 Filipinos in UAE, says envoy
According to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, a total of 1,867 Filipinos worldwide have contracted COVID-19 as of Tuesday. There were 214 deaths and 513 recoveries so far globally.
After 7 weeks of lockdown: Meager cash aid puts households below official poverty line
Meanwhile, 37% of 18 million low-income households are still waiting to receive social amelioration after seven weeks of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). The group said that, already so late in the game, the government urgently needs to pick up its pace if it really intends to aid millions of struggling Filipino families.
1.5-year-old baby boy youngest Filipino in UAE to survive coronavirus
An 18-month-old baby boy, who was born premature, became the youngest Filipino coronavirus (COVID-19) survivor in the UAE, the Philippines Embassy in Abu Dhabi announced on Tuesday.
Duterte’s attacks vs NPA meant to cover up COVID failure, corruption—Sison
Sison said it is convenient for Duterte to scapegoat and attack the NPA to deflect attention to the government’s failures on containing the virus and to deliver food and cash assistance, mass testing and medical treatment to the people. “At the same time, he has used Covid-19 as the reason for grabbing emergency powers, the immediate amount of more than 375 billion pesos and the license to realign the 2020 budget,” Sison said.
WATCH: UAE-based Filipinos discuss effect of mandatory PhilHealth payment suspension
Filipinos in the UAE used social media over the weekend to join their kababayans (compatriots) worldwide in expressing strong opposition to the latest circular. They said it was not only a huge burden for them but the move was also insensitive to their plight in the time of COVID-19 pandemic.
POGOs not an essential sector, only 0.23% of gov’t annual tax revenues
IBON also explained that POGOs contributed little to the country’s employment because they employ mostly Chinese citizens. January 2020 data from PAGCOR show that more than half or 57.3% of the 188,239 POGO employees are Chinese citizens and 25% from other nationalities; only 17.7% are Filipinos.