(File photo) MANILA - Malacanang sees the growth of the Philippine economy as proof of the country's strength and resilience amid facing various challenges, acting presidential spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, said Thursday. The latest data from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the Philippine economy expanded by 5.6 percent after recording 7.7 percent growth in the fourth quarter, despite struggling with the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and natural disasters such as typhoons. "We commend our Economic Team for deftly managing the economy through these turbulent times, and thank our people for their sacrifices, hard work, and faith in the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during this challenging period," Nograles said in a statement. Based on the report, the country's annual performance slightly exceeded the Development Budget Coordination Committee's target range of 5 percent to 5.5 percent, with a full-year 2021 gros
(File photo) MANILA - The restrictions of movement for unvaccinated individuals in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be lifted once alert level classification is lowered to Alert Level 2, acting Presidential spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, said Wednesday. "You have to go back to the ordinances. I believe the ordinances really state that this no vax, no ride or the limitations or the restrictions based on the ordinances only for Alert Level 3 or higher. So, meaning to say, when you deescalate, then obviously the ordinance can longer be implemented," Nograles said in a television interview. Nograles noted the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is implementing the "no vax, no ride" policy based on the ordinance passed by the Metro Manila cities. "So, the legal basis of this, are the ordinances themselves," he added. Nograles said the policy is "primarily hinge on protecting the unvaccinated persons." The Inter-Agency Task Force
(File photo) MANILA - The influence and capacity of the local leaders to convince their constituents are important to address vaccine hesitancy within Muslim communities in Mindanao, acting Presidential spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, said Wednesday. In a CNN Philippines interview, Nograles reiterated President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's concerns on the vaccine hesitancy among Muslim communities in Mindanao which, the President believes is "something more of religious belief." "In his latest Talk to the People, the President really said that the influence of local leaders is important, especially in the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) area," Nograles said. Nograles said it really matters those local leaders would maximize their "convincing power" to increase the confidence of the public in the Covid-19 vaccination program. "They'll have to really set an example to their constituents, they really have to drive
(File photo) MANILA - The government is monitoring the growth rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in 22 areas outside Metro Manila, Malacanang said Wednesday. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, acting presidential spokesperson, said authorities are in close coordination with the regional Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and are looking closely at the following areas: - Calabarzon - Central Luzon - Ilocos Region - Dagupan City - Cordillera Administrative Region - Baguio City - Cebu Province - Cebu City - Lapu-lapu City - Mandaue City - Iloilo Province - Iloilo City - Bacolod City - Cagayan de Oro City - Davao City - General Santos City - Ormoc City - Naga City - Western Samar - Tacloban City - Biliran - Zamboanga del Sur "What we're seeing now is while cases in Metro Manila and in fact some areas in Region 4-A and 3 are slowing down in terms of the growth rate, we're seeing higher growth rates in those (abovem