TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)
29 December 2022, Thursday, as of 5PM
1. DFA pre-departure briefing for President Bongbong Marcos’ state visit to China
-Marcos to push through with China state visit despite COVID-19 surge
-Marcos to boost ‘durian diplomacy’ in China state visit
-PH expects P12-B grant from China for infra projects
[CNN PHL, GMA News, Inquirer, Philstar, ABS-CBN News, Rappler, Manila Bulletin]
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/855770/marcos-to-push-through-with-china-state-visit-despite-covid-19-surge/story/?just_in
2. PH, China to ink deal to prevent 'miscommunications' in West Philippine Sea issue
[CNN PHL, ABS-CBN News, Philstar, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Bloomberg]
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/855772/ph-china-to-ink-deal-to-prevent-miscommunications-in-west-philippine-sea-issue/story/?just_in
3. Marcos issues EO directing the continued suspension of e-sabong operations nationwide
[GMA News, CNN PHL, Philstar, Business Mirror, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin]
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/855775/marcos-orders-continued-suspension-of-e-sabong-ops/story/?just_in
4. Richard Santos Clarin named as Games and Amusement Board chairperson – Malacanang
[CNN PHL, ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, GMA News, Philstar, Manila Bulletin]
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/29/22/marcos-names-new-games-and-amusement-board-chair
5. COVID-19 and vaccine update
-DOH: Not yet time to impose strict rules on Chinese arrivals
-Philippine task force to discuss possible COVID curbs for travelers from China
-US to impose China COVID testing as virus surge jangles global nerves
-Soaring China Covid cases increase risk of new variants — experts
-DOH: 94.45% of target population vaccinated vs. COVID-19
-Gov't moves to procure bivalent COVID jabs from Moderna, Pfizer
[Inquirer, GMA News, ABS-CBN New, Philstar, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times] ©PIA-PMU
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/29/22/doh-not-yet-time-for-strict-rules-on-chinese-travelers
6. PhilSA cautions against expected debris from a Chinese rocket launch
[Philstar, Rappler, CNN PHL, ABS-CBN News, Inquirer] ©PIA-PMU
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/29/2234050/philsa-cautions-against-expected-debris-chinese-rocket-launch
7. Inflation to settle within range of 7.8-8.6% - BSP
[Philstar, GMA News, Inquirer, ABS-CBN News] ©PIA-PMU
https://business.inquirer.net/380075/philippine-central-bank-sees-dec-annual-inflation-at-7-8-to-8-6
8. Fireworks related stories
-DOH reports 4 more cases of fireworks-related injuries; total now at 36
-DTI seizes non-certified, unauthorized Christmas lights, fireworks
-Mayor Olivarez orders barangays to designate firecracker zones
[CNN PHL, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin] https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/855778/doh-reports-4-more-cases-of-fireworks-related-injuries-total-now-at-36/story/?just_in
9. Onion price update
-PH authorities to impose P250 per kilo
-Hefty penalties await traders, retailers found violating SRP for onion
-DA: Price manipulation, smuggling possible causes of spike in red onion prices
-Bong Go backs proposed Senate probe on onion price hikes; urges gov’t to intervene
[DZBB, CNN PHL, Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News, Inquirer] ©PIA-PMU
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/29/22/ph-authorities-to-impose-p250-per-kilo-price-on-onions
10. Death toll from Christmas weekend floods jumps to 32; agri damage tops P200 M
-P18-M worth of relief assistance delivered to flood-hit areas — DSWD
-House leaders provide P2M in cash aid to Misamis Occidental flood victims
[GMA News, Philstar, ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer] ©PIA-PMU
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1710112/fwd-death-toll-of-shear-line-induced-rains-continue-to-rise-casualties-now-at-32-ndrrmc
11. SIM card registration
-NTC: Over 3M SIM cards enrolled as of 2nd day of registration
-DICT: Almost 500 complaints received since start of SIM card registration period
- Set up kiosks for SIM registration amid 'confusion': Nancy Binay
-NTC says 180-day period enough for users to register SIM cards
[Philstar, GMA News, CNN PHL, Inquirer, ABS-CBN News] ©PIA-PMU
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/855756/ntc-over-3m-sim-cards-enrolled-as-of-2nd-day-of-registration/story/?just_in
12. Fire incidents
-6 dead, 500 families displaced in Quiapo fire
-10 family members killed in Muntinlupa fire laid to rest
[CNN PHL, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer, News5] ©PIA-PMU
https://twitter.com/inquirerdotnet/status/1608330309904502787
https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/29/4-hurt-500-families-displaced-in-quiapo-fire/
13. Some 533 new BuCor correction officers take oath
[Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News, GMA News] ©PIA-PMU
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/855773/bucor-hires-530-new-correction-officers/story/?just_in
13. LPA dissipates but rains to persist due to shear line — PAGASA
[DZBB, Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News] ©PIA-PMU
https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/29/lpa-dissipates-but-rains-to-persist-due-to-shear-line-pagasa/
—Philippine Information Agency | PIA Monitoring Unit—
