The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected 7,192 people in the Philippines as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 211 new confirmed cases.
The DOH tallied 40 new recoveries bringing the total number to 762.
The death toll now stands at 477 after the health department registered 15 new deaths.
According to Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire the DOH has tested more than 61,000 individuals for COVID-19 as of April 21.
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM}, the country’s main reference laboratory, is expected to return to normal operations on Saturday after 43 of its staff contracted COVID-19.
President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the Inter-agency Task Force’s recommendation to extend the prevailing lockdown on Metro Manila, CALABARZON, and Central Luzon until May 15.
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DMW grants P10.7M in aid to over 1,000 female OFWs for livelihood
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, along with Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, led the distribution of livelihood assistance to female OFWs. (DMW/FB)
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has distributed P10.7 million in livelihood assistance to 1,067 female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) under its Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) program.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac called it the largest single disbursement in the program’s history, in line with President Bongbong Marcos’ push for sustainable reintegration of OFWs and their families.
A total of 128 OFWs in Metro Manila received P10,000 each, while 939 beneficiaries from 15 regions got their aid through DMW regional offices. Soccsksargen had the highest number of recipients at 185, followed by Western Visayas (160), Davao Region (125), and Central Luzon (107).
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who attended the distribution event, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to gender-inclusive programs through the Women’s Budget, which allocates at least 5 percent of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for women-focused initiatives.
The BPBH program, managed by the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, provides financial aid and training to help distressed female OFWs start businesses, boosting economic opportunities in their home provinces.
