Inquirer Newsletter. August 17, 2020

No images? Click here   DIRE PREDICAMENT One of jeepney driver Daniel Flores’ children sits at the wheel of the now idle vehicle that Flores and his family have converted into a home, after they were evicted from their apartment when the pandemic and the government response to it cost the driver his livelihood. Flores and other jeepney drivers like him say they beg for alms to get by. AFP     News Dole: Workers to undergo swab tests Workers in many sectors will be required to regularly undergo swab tests to prevent the transmission of the new coronavirus that causes the severe respiratory disease COVID-19 in offices and factories, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) said on Sunday. –STORY BY Tina G. Santos Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1322614/dole-workers-to-undergo-swab-tests   Metro QC to open virus testing lab After Manila and Marikina, the next local government in Metro Manila to open its own molecular laboratory for coronavirus testing would be the Quezon City government. In a statement, the city government said the three-story laboratory, set to start operating by the end of the month in Barangay Teachers Village. –STORY BY Meg Adonis Read more: bit.ly/inquirer-plus   Board Talk Stay focused on your customer, more so amid COVID-19 To the business leaders shaken up by the COVID-19 pandemic, here’s a piece of wisdom from a CEO of a large insurance firm: Focus on what your customer needs, and what your company stands for, so you don’t lose sight of your goals amid this global crisis. That’s the mindset of Manulife Philippines CEO Richard Bates. –STORY BY Annelle Tayao-Juego Read more: bit.ly/inquirer-plus   Newsletter / Join us Has this been forwarded by a friend? Subscribe now to the Philippine Daily Inquirer Newsletter and get your latest news and important updates on COVID-19 and the enhanced community quarantine. Subscribe   Learn more     Banner story Other Philhealth execs urged to go on leave By Marlon Ramos and Julie M. Aurelio @Team_Inquirer Six regional vice presidents of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) have heeded the call of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to temporarily vacate their posts, putting pressure on their superiors to follow suit as the investigation ordered by President Duterte into the corruption scandal hounding the state-run company gathers momentum. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said PhilHealth officials being probed for alleged corruption, particularly members of the executive committee who were named in congressional investigations, should follow the example of the regional vice presidents and go on leave. Guevarra heads the interagency task force that is not only investigating the alleged irregularities involving top PhilHealth officials, but will also recommend institutional reforms in the agency created to provide health insurance for all Filipinos. The decision of the regional vice presidents came as senators called for holding accountable the PhilHealth board on issues surrounding the P30-billion interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM), a special financial aid for hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who is board chair, has remained silent on allegations of massive corruption and fraud in PhilHealth. —INQ Read more: newsinfo.inquirer.net   Editorial Targeted ‍debt relief The bicameral conference committee of Congress has done right in discarding a provision in the COVID-19 relief package called 'Bayanihan 2' that was feared to bring more harm than good to the economy. The House version of the bill originally wanted to extend assistance to all those in debt through a one-year blanket moratorium on all loan payments.  Read full story: opinion.inquirer.net   Copyright © 2020 PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 2353, Makati Central Post Office, 1263 Makati City, Philippines.   Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  Preferences  |  Unsubscribe