Cebu to relax mask indoors
Gov. cites Singapore model for optional policy even in enclosed spaces
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FTER easing the face mask mandate in open and wellventilated areas, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia is now considering relaxing the rule further to make it optional even indoors. care facilities including medical transport, residential care homes, public transport, and outbound flights where countries of destination would require a mask. “The economy has been devastated for too long because of their restrictive policies that have been crafted by those who haven’t seen their actual situation right here on the ground,” Garcia said. She said her office is still drafting the executive order. “Singapore has stated even indoors whether air-conditioned or not. They are only requiring the use of face masks in public transportation and inside hospital facilities,” she added. In defiance of a national mask mandate, CONTINUED ON 3A
Garcia made the statement after the Department of Health on Friday said it would be disastrous if other local government units followed Cebu City’s lead and made mask-wearing voluntary outdoors while the COVID-19 pandemic rages. “I do plan to take consideration even indoors. We are now closely studying this. We are consulting other sectors including the local Department of Health, Department of Tourism, DTI [Department of Trade and Industry], all other sectors because the wheels of government are not centered on the DOH alone,” she said. The Singapore Ministry of Health released its new guidelines on Aug. 29 which makes wearing of face masks required only in the following areas: health-
PNP notes 149 crimes vs. female students during the last 2 months THE Philippine National Police said it has recorded 149 crimes against female students across the country in the last two months – majority of which involved rape, PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said in a statement. “Our intention is not to cause panic, but we advise students to be cautious of their surroundings at all times,” Azurin said. PNP data showed most of the crimes happened in the National Capital Region. Cases of acts of lasciviousness and violations of the Anti-Violence Against
Women and Their Children Act of 2004 were also recorded. “When their parents tell them not to trust strangers, the children must take this seriously,” Azurin said. Azurin said the PNP is ensuring “consistent police presence” especially in crime-prone areas. “There is also strong coordination between the Education Department and the PNP to work hand-in-hand in ensuring the safety of the children,” he said. “Now that classes are returning to the in-person set-up, there is a greater
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challenge for the police officers to monitor closely the vicinity around learning institutions,” he added. Last week, the Department of Education urged victims of alleged sexual harassment to come forward and file their complaints against seven teachers in Bacoor, Cavite. DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said this would strengthen the case, if there is any, against the accused teachers. “The problem is that not many complainants have filed their affidavits, so we CONTINUED ON 3A
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IN MET R MANILAO
TYPHOON HENRY’S WAKE. Composite photo
(clockwise from top) shows Manila Bay in Metro Manila littered with garbage; waist-deep waters in Brgy. Ipag in Mariveles, Bataan; and a spillway nearing overflow level in Montalban, Rizal. The National Capital Region and the provinces of Bataan and Rizal were among the areas placed under yellow heavy rainfall warning Saturday as Typhoon Henry made its way out of the country. Montalban DRRMO and Facebook post of Celeste Dulay
Intense rainfall causes flooding in Luzon areas BATANES and parts of the Babuyan Islands were placed under Signal No. 1 as Typhoon Henry (Hinnamnor) maintained its strength, enhancing the southwest monsoon (habagat) while moving away from the country.
Metro Manila was placed under a yellow heavy rainfall warning yesterday morning, along with surrounding provinces Rizal, Bataan, Bulacan and Zambales, amid heavy rains and scattered floods. “We see that it is dragging the habagat
along, so there are widespread cloud clusters in the western portion of central and northern Luzon, including Metro Manila. It is why we are now experiencing rain, especially here in Metro Manila,” weather CONTINUED ON 3A
DepEd rehires PBBM off today for 2-nation trip, 1.7k temporary to meet with Pinoy communities SHS teachers THE Department of Education is renewing the provisional appointments of senior high school (SHS) teachers for the academic year 2022-2023 amid a lack of available licensed and qualified teachers. The Civil Service Commission approved the renewal of the provisional appointments. Last year, the DepEd also sought the reappointment of some 1,700 provisional SHS teachers “to ensure the unhampered delivery of learning and continuous teaching services.” Section 8 of Republic Act CONTINUED ON 3A
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will leave today (Sunday) for a two-country swing – his inaugural state visits – to Indonesia and Singapore. Mr. Marcos will visit Indonesia from Sept. 4 to 6 before proceeding to Singapore where he will stay from Sept. 6 to 7. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the President will meet with members of the Filipino communities in the two Southeast Asian nations. Indonesia is home to about 8,000 Filipinos, while Singapore hosts more than 200,000 OFWs. Mr. Marcos is also expected to meet with business leaders during his 4-day trip in a bid to bring
JAMES JIMENEZ
home investments to the Philippines. In Jakarta, he is scheduled to witness the signing of the renewal of a 1997 agreement on defense and security cooperation. “The active defense and military engagement between our two countries is really anchored on a 1997 cooperative agreement in the field of defense and security or what CONTINUED ON 3A
DOE sees P2.87/l price rollback for gas, P1.82/l for diesel, P1.80/l for kerosene
EJ OBIENA
Ex-Comelec spokesperson Jimenez to retire Sept. 16 NEWS | 2A
‘SMILING’ JOHN PAUL I. Pope Francis will preside Sunday over the beatification of John Paul I, the so-called ‘Smiling Pope’ who led the Catholic Church for just 33 days before dying in contested circumstances. Thousands of people are expected to attend the mass in St Peter’s Square where the former pontiff will become ‘blessed’ – the final step before becoming a saint. John Paul I, the son of a bricklayer from the Dolomite mountains and a particularly warm and pastoral figure, was elected pope on August 26, 1978, at the age of 65. He died just 33 days later, on September 28, 1978, of a heart attack, making him the shortest serving pontiff in modern church history. AFP
n By MARICEL V. CRUZ
Obiena beats Duplantis for Diamond League win SPORTS| B1
OIL firms are expected to slash pump prices by almost P3 per liter for gasoline, the Department of Energy said. DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said diesel prices are
also seen to go down by P1.82 per liter and kerosene by P1.80 per liter. In its fuel price forecast for the September 6 to 12 trading week, Unioil said diesel prices may decrease by P1.50 to P1.70 per liter and gasoline prices by P2.50 to P2.70 per liter. CONTINUED ON 3A