The Social Security System (SSS) recorded nearly 60 million transactions in the SSS Mobile App from January to December 2020, four times more than the almost 12 million transactions recorded in the same period in 2019. SSS President and CEO Aurora Ignacio said apart from the continuous development of the SSS Mobile App, one of the key drivers of its usage increase is the need for non-contact service channels in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. “Even before Covid-19, we recognize the importance of digitally transforming our services for the convenience of our stakeholders. When the pandemic struck, we were already equipped with online service channels such as the SSS Mobile App that helped our members, pensioners, covered employers, and the public to reach us in the safety of their homes or offices,” Ignacio said. The SSS Mobile App, launched in April 2018, is a free app for smartphone users. It can be downloaded through the App Store, Play Store, and ... » Learn More about SSS Mobile App hits 60M transactions in 2020
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Slovak PM sees Sputnik V jabs by May despite rows with Russia, regulators
PRAGUE: Slovakia may start using Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in early May, Prime Minister Eduard Heger said on Thursday, more than two months after a batch of 200,000 doses arrived into the country but which have remained locked in storage. The deal to import the vaccine proved controversial because it has not been approved by the EU's drug regulator EMA. Also Slovakia has said domestic emergency authorisation was issued for a different dosage than what arrived, and the country's drug watchdog SUKL said it had not received sufficient data to assess the product. Moscow demanded last week that the vaccines are returned due to what it termed contract violations. But Slovakia instead asked for additional laboratory tests in Hungary, the only EU country to use Sputnik V so far. "The process should go through in the coming weeks, (and) I assume that in early May, the vaccination could come," Heger said in a televised press conference during a visit to Prague. The Russian ... » Learn More about Slovak PM sees Sputnik V jabs by May despite rows with Russia, regulators
Venezuela gets another 50,000 doses of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine
CARACAS: Venezuela has received a batch of 50,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said on Thursday, as COVID-19 cases spike in the South American nation. Venezuela had previously acquired 250,000 Sputnik V vaccines and 500,000 doses of the shot developed by China's Sinopharm, which so far have been administered to public officials, health workers, teachers and some senior citizens. The new round of vaccines will also be administered to firefighters, civil protection personnel and workers who take oxygen to hospitals, said Alvarado. "They are not part of the sector health, but they are exposed," he said. The government of President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend said it paid US$64 million to cover vaccines via the COVAX system. Separately, the government is in talks with opposition leader Juan Guaido to make additional vaccine payments with funds frozen in the United States. Venezuela has reported 178,094 cases of ... » Learn More about Venezuela gets another 50,000 doses of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine
Malaysian Health Ministry proposes that interstate travel be postponed for Hari Raya
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Health Ministry has proposed that interstate travel be postponed for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri, as daily COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Speaking after a ministry event on Thursday (Apr 15), Health Minister Adham Baba said the proposal to put off approval for interstate travel was due to two reasons. “One, there are new variants of COVID-19 in the community. Two, the vaccination programme is still ongoing, so we need to control the situation,” he said. He noted that many parties have appealed to the government to permit interstate travel for this major festival. On whether exceptions could be made for those who have completed their vaccination, Dr Adham said the ministry was still waiting for findings from the World Health Organisation and the US' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If the ministry’s proposal to halt cross-state travel for the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations is accepted, this will be the second year ... » Learn More about Malaysian Health Ministry proposes that interstate travel be postponed for Hari Raya
India shifts from mass COVID-19 vaccine exporter to importer
NEW DELHI: After gifting and selling tens of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses abroad, India suddenly finds itself short of shots as new infections surge in the world's second-most populous country. India breached 200,000 daily infections for the first time on Thursday (Apr 15), and is trying to inoculate more of its population using domestically produced shots. Facing soaring cases and overflowing hospitals after lockdown restrictions were eased, it also abruptly changed the rules to allow it to fast-track vaccine imports, having earlier rebuffed foreign drugmakers like Pfizer. It will import Russia's Sputnik V vaccine starting this month to cover as many as 125 million people. The reversal in fortunes could hamper not only India's battle to contain the pandemic, but also vaccination campaigns in more than 60 poorer countries, mainly in Africa, for months. The COVAX programme, backed by the World Health Organization and Gavi vaccine alliance, aims at equitable vaccine ... » Learn More about India shifts from mass COVID-19 vaccine exporter to importer
Pattaya Mayor addresses Chonburi becoming a red zone, Pattaya Music Festival postponed
Chonburi – Chonburi province will, as of Sunday, April 18th, officially become one of 18 provinces that is designated as a red zone in Thailand, which means the highest controlled zone for Covid-19 measures. You can read more about those measures here. The Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume addressed the status change and told The Pattaya News and associated Thai media this afternoon, “The number of confirmed Covid–19 cases in Chonburi is in the top five highest number of cases in the country.” “Five rules that provinces in the red zone must follow are restaurants must close at 9:00 P.M. and serving alcohol is not allowed, the closure of all entertainment venues like bars and nightclubs which are a main feature of Pattaya City, shopping malls can open but playing zones, arcades, etc. are not allowed and the mall must close by 9:00 P.M., the closure of educational places and schools, and finally places for exercising can be opened but must limit the number of people and ... » Learn More about Pattaya Mayor addresses Chonburi becoming a red zone, Pattaya Music Festival postponed
The crest condo review: Giant pool + bigger than usual units
Our verdict: 77 per cent Unit efficiency 3.5/5 Unit size 4/5 Quality of fittings 4/5 Design 3/5 Variety of facilities 4.5/5 Quality of facilities 4/5 Surrounding amenities 3.5/5 Developer 4.5/5 Transport links 3.5/5 Driving accessibility 4/5 Upkeep of property 4/5 Price point 3.5/5 The Crest offers buyers a chance to own a home in a central location while enjoying unblocked views, but it's not exactly the most affordable option out there. What we like What we don't like Big pool 11-min walk to mrt Good facilities Could do with more deck chairs Bigger than usual units Project: The Crest District: 03 Address: Prince Charles Crescent Tenure: 99-year Leasehold No. of Units: 469 Site Area: 256,026 sqft Developer: Wingcrown Investment Pte Ltd TOP: 2017 ‘Life peaks at the top’. Now that’s a slogan that befits The Crest in more ways than one. Before I go into greater detail ... » Learn More about The crest condo review: Giant pool + bigger than usual units
An ageing conundrum
Senior citizens enjoy horse racing at the Royal Turf Club in Bangkok. Thailand is already an aged society, with people aged 60 or above set to account for 20% of the population this year. (Photo by Patipat Janthong) The Finance Ministry is growing concerned about slow economic growth prospects and higher inflationary pressure in the long term as Thailand transitions to an "aged" society. A ministry source who requested anonymity said the country's demographics are rapidly ageing, resulting from falling fertility rates and rising life expectancy. Having a larger proportion of the population made up of the elderly means fewer people in the workforce. The country has been what is termed an "aged" society since 2005, meaning 10% of the population is already 60 or older. The proportion of the population aged 60 or older is expected to reach 20% this year. Thailand's trajectory has it becoming a "super-aged" society in 2031, meaning 28% of the population will be 60 or older. ... » Learn More about An ageing conundrum
Fine tuning for Prince Philip’s funeral
The coronavirus pandemic has forced hasty revisions to the long-rehearsed plans for the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, with government guidelines limiting guests to just 30 WINDSOR (UNITED KINGDOM) - Final preparations were being made on Friday for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II's husband Prince Philip, with the ceremony pared back due to coronavirus restrictions but still reflecting his long life of military and public service. Police patrolled the Long Walk outside the stately walls of Windsor Castle, where the funeral will be held on Saturday, as a steady stream of well-wishers left floral tributes. Broadcasters from around the world set up position outside the historic residence west of London for the most high-profile funeral of a senior royal since that of the Queen's mother in 2002. The coronavirus pandemic has forced hasty revisions to the long-rehearsed plans for the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, with government guidelines limiting guests to just 30. But Buckingham ... » Learn More about Fine tuning for Prince Philip’s funeral
DOE says Udenna deal in Malampaya shares a ‘voidable contract’
Malampaya natural gas plant. Source: http://malampaya.com/ MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) said during Tuesday’s hearing at the Senate that the Chevron-Udenna deal approved in March concerning the 45-percent stake in the Malampaya shares is a “voidable contract.” Energy Assistant Secretary Leonido J. Pulido III bared that the parties concur that the Chevron-Udenna deal sealed in March 11, 2020 could still be voided if it would not be approved by the DOE. The 45-percent stake of businessman Dennis Uy’s UC Malampaya LLC is worth $565 million. Pulido also stressed the sale is voidable in response to Senator Imee Marcos’ query if it is an “incomplete sale.” This means that the divestment of the 45-percent Chevron equity in Malampaya could still fail without government approval. Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos said the DOE is still evaluating the Chevron-Udenna sale as well as the financial and technical capability of the Uy-led firm to be in gas field ... » Learn More about DOE says Udenna deal in Malampaya shares a ‘voidable contract’