by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | health, healthcare and medicine, measles, news, public health
MANILA, Philippines – According to the Department of Health (DOH), they documented 1,185 instances of measles nationwide between January 1 and March 15. This figure represents an increase of “27% more” compared to the 930 cases logged over the identical timeframe in 2024.
In a Facebook update, the Department of Health reported that the regions with the most cases were: the National Capital Region with 295 instances; Central Luzon with 150 instances; and Calabarzon which includes Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, totaling 144 cases.
READ:
68% of German measles cases in the Philippines are among those who are not vaccinated, according to the DOH.
The Department of Health cautioned parents to ensure their kids receive vaccinations for measles since out of all reported instances, 802 cases, which make up 68%, involved children who either did not get vaccinated at all or only received partial doses.
“If many children remain unvaccinated, it means the threat of measles is also increasing. That is why the DOH is once again urging parents to ensure their children receive the measles vaccine,” it added.
The agency stated that according to their immunization program, kids receive the initial vaccine dose at 9 months of age, followed by the second dose when they reach 12 months.
READ:
The Department of Health has vaccinated more than 640,000 children against measles.
Children between 13 and 59 months old who haven’t received all their vaccines can join a catch-up vaccination initiative.
The Department of Health earlier stated that vaccination is crucial to avoid complications like pneumonia, meningitis, and fatalities, particularly in children younger than five years old.
by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | banking, business, commerce, financial services, news
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READ MORE: Bankwest shuts down ALL branches as it discontinues cash services
Staff at a
Commonwealth Bank
Subsidiaries are feeling ‘pressured and overwhelmed’ due to experiencing another wave of significant layoffs within just twelve months.
Since 2022, WA-based Bankwest, operating under the CBA umbrella, has been gradually moving its business clients over to its parent company.
After three years, the initiative has been completed, resulting in 120 employees losing their jobs, while approximately 30 are anticipated to secure new roles within the organization.
This comes after the elimination of 400 positions last year when the bank shut down all its branches and shifted entirely to a digital platform.
The Finance Sector Union has stated that employees are ‘tired of facing an ongoing threat of job loss.’
‘Ever since Bankwest decided to pull out of business banking three years ago, both customers and employees at Bankwest have been dealing with uncertainty,’ stated National Assistant Secretary Jason Hall.
Our members consistently report feeling pressured and overwhelmed across various departments at Bankwest because of the bank’s continuous series of layoffs and overseas outsourcing.
A representative from Bankwest informed Daily Mail Australia that the role of the 130-member transition team was always intended to be temporally restricted.
‘
“The completion of the business banking transition program will affect around 120 positions held by colleagues based in Western Australia,” they stated.
‘[CBA] The group presently has over 100 vacant positions at Bankwest and CBA in Western Australia.’
‘We will collaborate closely with our affected colleagues to assist them in finding new career opportunities within the Group.’
The century-old financial institution shut down 45 of its branches in the previous year.
Fifteen remaining branches based in regional areas were rebranded under Commonwealth Bank.
Every one of the 400 employees at these sites was presented with new job opportunities, and over 300 decided to take them up.
The bank stated further that an additional 500 positions within the CBA Group, focusing on technology, operations, and customer service, will be relocated to WA ‘to aid Bankwest’s shift towards digital transformation’.
“Regrettably, the WA government was misled in this situation—the promise of 500 group positions was made in exchange for Bankwest transitioning entirely to digital operations,” stated Mr. Hall.
He stated that instead, the bank keeps reducing local employment.
‘It’s evident that this commitment was merely an empty pledge made by CBA to deflect criticism for neglecting an entire community.’
‘Members have repeatedly informed us that they feel pressured and overwhelmed across various departments at Bankwest because of the continuous series of layoffs and offshore outsourcing by the bank.’
The union stated they will be sending a letter to WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti requesting an immediate meeting and urging her to promptly address the issue.
The Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Minister Saffioti for their comments.
In 1995, the Western Australian government sold Bankwest to Britain’s Bank of Scotland, which later merged into the London-based Lloyds Banking Group.
In 2008, Lloyds offloaded Bankwest to Commonwealth Bank for $2.1 billion.
CBA extended the Bankwest brand to key eastern seaboard cities as a competitor brand, even though it was under ownership of Australia’s biggest banking institution. However, in 2018, they pulled back to operate solely within Western Australia.
By 2024, approximately 2,100 branches had closed down across various leading banks during a span of six years.
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by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | government, news, public policy, social welfare, welfare
MANILA, Philippines
—
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has realigned its Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap) to assist those earning less than the minimum wage among Filipinos.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian revealed the change in policy on Thursday at a press briefing held at the DSWD main office in Quezon City.
“Last year, the specific clause referred to ‘low-income’ individuals. Now, it has been refined to mean people earning less than the minimum wage… It is more targeted since, as recalled from the President’s veto statement, they mentioned below minimum wage. Hence, those eligible are citizens whose earnings fall below the set minimum,” he explained in Filipino.
He mentioned that the updated guidelines mandate publishing details about Akap recipients on the DSWD website and social media channels to boost transparency.
With the midterm elections drawing near, steps have been taken to avoid political meddling.
Applicants will not be permitted to participate in distribution events or show promotional items associated with the program.
READ:
DSWD prohibits politicians and political materials from participating in ‘Akap’ distributions.
“We will ensure that during the distribution of payments—which has become an issue, correct?—there won’t be any politicians involved. We will also see to it that their materials are not present,” Gatchalian stated in Filipino.
Almost five million nearly impoverished Filipinos received assistance from Akap within its initial year. The initiative successfully utilized 99.31 percent of its ₱26.7 billion allocation. Areas including Cagayan Valley, Davao, and Caraga saw complete absorption of their allocated funds at 100 percent.
In 2025, an allocation of ₱26 billion has been set for AKAP, aimed at assisting five million individuals earning less than minimum wage. The aid will include medical support, funeral assistance, food provisions, and monetary help via the DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Units and their branch locations.
Gatchalian stated that the guidelines were developed with contributions from NEDA and DOLE.
READ:
DSWD reports nearly 5 million Filipinos received aid through Akap; 99% of funds utilized.
“I want to highlight that the Akap guidelines underwent extensive study and development. This wasn’t just done by us at the DSWD; we worked together with the DOLE and NEDA to shape the joint memorandum circular which served as the foundation for our implementation of Akap,” he explained in Filipino.
Sheba Barr, SANGGRALOKA.net intern
by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | business, controversies, football clubs, news, sports
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The head of RFU, Bill Sweeney, was subjected to a no-confidence vote on Thursday evening.
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He survived the vote and has held on to his job amid scrutiny over his salary
The RFU CEO, Bill Sweeney, managed to pass through a no-confidence vote regarding his leadership during an extraordinary general meeting on Thursday evening.
After Sweeney clung to his position last year, he was awarded a £1.1 million salary. This occurred during a period when the RFU reported a near £40 million financial deficit and laid off 40 employees.
The beleaguered leader has stayed resolute during the turmoil and will proceed with his duties.
The RFU members voted against the motion of no confidence in Sweeney with a count of 466 to 206.
A proposal stating ‘the Governance and Representation Review needs to be fast-tracked and must encompass official consultations with the broader gaming community’ was approved by an overwhelming margin.
Sir Bill Beaumont, the temporary Chairman of the RFU, stated: “Our members have spoken clearly.”
‘They have clearly shown their backing for our CEO, Bill Sweeney, with this strong vote, and I’m delighted to witness such an unequivocal result.’
‘I would also like to recognize the individuals who cast their votes in favor of the motion—thank you for sharing your voices and viewpoints. Each opinion holds significance, and your worries have been carefully noted.’
‘I request that you allow the RFU to show its dedication to advancement at this moment.’
‘We are hearing you and making moves accordingly. The past several months haven’t been smooth sailing for English rugby.’
‘It’s now essential for us to unite, and such incidents should not occur again.’
‘It is now the moment for us to unite, reinforce our solidarity, and concentrate on what lies ahead. The era of discord has ended.’
‘It is now the time to come together for the chance to rejuvenate English rugby.’
‘The RFU aims to update their systems, and this presents an unparalleled chance to achieve just that.’
To conclude, let us unite and concentrate on our collective potential. We should strive to guarantee that the Rugby Football Union keeps thriving, evolving, and setting the pace in rugby.
‘The era of division has passed. The moment for working together is here.’
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by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | journalism, news, news media, politics, politics and government
MANILA, Philippines – On Thursday, Senator Grace Poe stated that print media upholds integrity within democracies amidst the era of false information.
“Printing continues to be crucial in modern media due to its reputation for upholding accountability and responsibility,” Poe stated.
Access to clear and precise information is crucial for our democratic nation. Freedom of information allows citizens to make informed choices,” she further stated. “It is based on the idea that every individual should be provided with complete details.
She also mentioned that ethics continue to be maintained in print media compared to other types of media, which prioritize differently. This makes conventional media a reliable source for information.
“The aim of content creators is to achieve widespread popularity; they often rely on the simple act of sharing to spread both accurate and inaccurate information alike… Conversely, traditional print media adheres strictly to journalistic ethics, with fact-checking being paramount among these principles. Perhaps this is why print media enjoys public trust and proudly positions itself as the custodian of truth,” noted Poe.
Nevertheless, she thinks that content producers should remain responsible since they play a role in disseminating information.
“The accountability for the material remains with the journalists, bloggers, or everyday individuals authoring these posts or managing these accounts,” Poe stated.
(SANGGRALOKA.net trainee, Keith Clores)
by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | european football, football clubs, news, soccer, sports
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Cole Palmer was absent from Chelsea’s last match prior to the international pause.
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He similarly missed his commitments for international duty because of a muscle issue that needed further examination through scanning.
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LISTEN NOW: The Frenzy Begins! Should Liverpool supporters criticize Trent Alexander-Arnold?
Cole Palmer
hasn’t practiced with teammates since sustaining his muscle issue prior to the international break, leaving
Chelsea
perspiring over their playmaker’s availability for next week’s clash with longtime adversaries
Tottenham
.
The injury caused Palmer to skip his team’s previous match.
Premier League
loss at
Arsenal
About two weeks back, since he couldn’t link up at that time,
Thomas Tuchel
’s and
England
For the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
Blues boss
Enzo Maresca
has kept working at Cobham alongside others who also did not go abroad for international duties, including
Nicolas Jackson
, the forward who is anticipated to be fit enough to come back to Tottenham following a two-month absence from the pitch.
The numbers have increased as well due to young players being summoned from the academy to train with the main team. However, Mail Sport has discovered that Palmer hasn’t joined these training sessions just yet.
While it remains uncertain exactly when he will return, considering his significance as their primary playmaker, Chelsea might delay making any definitive decision about including him against Tottenham until absolutely necessary.
Initially, there was hope regarding Palmer’s condition, despite him being referred for a second scan at the beginning of the international break.
The past season has been challenging for this 22-year-old English player, who had participated in every other Premier League match for Chelsea prior to their visit to Arsenal.
Even though he wasn’t performing well, his absence had a considerable impact on that 1-0 loss.
Chelsea aims for a robust finish to secure their spot back in the Champions League. At present, they hold the fourth position on the leaderboard, and previously defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 at their stadium with a remarkable turnaround where Palmer netted two goals, highlighted by his composed Panenka-style penalty kick.
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