MARCH 2021 Philippines projected to return Gov. DeSantis Announces to positive GDP growth rate this year a Proposed $75M Investments toward ‘Get There Faster’ Initiatives MELBOURNE, Fla. — Today, Governor for K-12 students and a postsecondary work- Ron DeSantis announced the expansion and force initiative for residents, with or without a creation of the Get There Faster Initiative, high school diploma, seeking in-demand and a $75 million dollar investment toward high-value career and technical education or two new initiatives to expand access and training. enrollment in quality, in demand Career and $50 million is recommended to cover Technical Education (CTE) courses, postsec- costs for students to participate in workforce Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk ondary credentials, and work-based learning college credit or career dual enrollment pro- to the people at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, programs. These initiatives will accelerate grams. In addition to enrolling in postsecond- Manila on March 24, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO career pathways for K-12 and postsecondary ary coursework, these high school students MANILA -- The country will return to a positive growth rate this year if the govern- students that result in high-value certifica- will be provided resources to ensure their ment effectively carries out its risk management strategy against the coronavirus disease tions, credentials and outcomes to drive success, such as tutoring, financial literacy (COVID-19) and use its resources well, the head of the National Economic and Develop- Florida’s economic recovery. workshops, transportation and advanced job ment Authority (NEDA) said recently. “The Get There Faster innovative placement resources, and access to work- “Ang gusto kong ibalita ‘yung ating projection sa GDP growth rate ay babalik sa workforce initiatives will accelerate Florida’s based learning opportunities to gain access Governor Ron Desantis positive this year, 6.5 percent. Ituloy lang po natin ‘yong risk management, ‘yong pag- efforts to be the best state in the nation for to professional mentoring, technical and FLORIDA gamit ng pondo nang maayos para tulungan ‘yong na-affect ng pandemic, at ‘yong ating workforce development by 2030,” said Gover- employability skills. vaccination program ay mabilis natin ipairal,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl nor Ron DeSantis. “The $75 million in federal Richard Corcoran. “Right now, more than ever, The remaining $25 million is focused Kendrick Chua said in his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. funds will provide high school and adult we need to do everything we can to help on targeting adult learners who are enrolling Also in his report, Chua said imposing stricter restriction carries certain costs and students access to the resources they need to Floridians gain access to higher education in workforce education programs at one of benefits. For instance, imposing a two-week modified enhanced community quarantine expedite the completion of their degrees or and training. ” Florida’s 28 state colleges or 48 technical (MECQ) can prevent up to 266,000 new COVID-19 cases, 4,738 new deaths, and 11,626 certifications.” The Get There Faster Initiative is centers to alleviate their financial burdens . new severe or critical cases that will overwhelm the country’s healthcare system. “We know that a postsecondary edu- comprised of two areas of focus – career dual It will also support adults needing to enter But it also entails costs, according to Chua. Hunger in the NCR is at 3.2 million, and cated workforce is the backbone of a thriving enrollment to provide technical skills prepara- a high quality training program to acquire a the imposition of MECQ will result in 58,000 additional incidence of hunger. economy, said Commissioner of Education tion and work-based learning opportunities job-ready credential of value. Governor Abbott lifts mask mandate, News Breakers opens Texas 100 percent IOC and IPC respect and accept Japanese decision Governor Greg Abbott early this month that state mandates are no longer needed. on overseas spectators issued an Executive Order (GA-34) lifting Today’s announcement does not abandon The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Com- the mask mandate in Texas and increasing safe practices that Texans have mastered over mittee (IPC) were informed by the Japanese parties in the five-parties meeting about capacity of all businesses and facilities in the the past year. Instead, it is a reminder that their conclusion regarding overseas spectators at the Olympic and Paralympic Games state to 100 percent. The Governor made the each person has a role to play in their own Tokyo 2020 this summer. For the reason of the safety of every games participant and the announcement at Montelongo’s Mexican personal safety and the safety of others. With Japanese people, their conclusion is fully respected and accepted by the IOC and the IPC. Restaurant in Lubbock in an address to the this executive order, we are ensuring that As outlined in the full statement by Tokyo 2020, the conclusion of the Japanese Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. all businesses and families in Texas have the parties is not to allow entry into Japan for overseas spectators for the Olympic and “With the medical advancements of freedom to determine their own destiny.” Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 due to the prevailing worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, During his remarks, the Governor Olympic and Paralympic Games tickets purchased by overseas residents from the Tokyo Texas now has the tools to protect Texans discussed the incredible advancements that 2020 organising committee will be refunded. from the virus,” said Governor Abbott. “We Texas has made that allow the state to open must now do more to restore livelihoods fully and lift the mask mandate—noting California woman sentenced to 15 months and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas the rapid increase of vaccines. Nearly 5.7 for threatening to bomb Catholic prep school Governor Greg Abbott 100 percent. Make no mistake, COVID-19 million vaccine shots have been administered WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced that Sonia Tabizada, 36, of San TEXAS has not disappeared, but it is clear from the to Texans, and the state is now administer- Jacinto, California, was sentenced to 15 months and 13 days for intentionally obstruct- recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitaliza- ing almost one million shots each week. rapidly that more and more Texans will soon ing persons in the enjoyment of their free exercise of religious beliefs by threatening to tions, and safe practices that Texans are using The vaccine supply continues to increase so be eligible to receive a vaccine. bomb the Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C. In May 2019, school officials announced that Visitation Prep, the oldest Catholic school for girls in the country, would begin publishing same-sex wedding announcements in its alumni STATE EXPANDS VACCINE ELIGIBILITY TO 50+ CALIFORNIANS magazine to advance its teaching that “we are all children of God ... worthy of respect SACRAMENTO – With supply of vaccines expected to significantly approximately 2.5 million first and second doses per week in the first and love.” According to the plea agreement, Tabizada learned of this announcement and increase in the coming weeks, the state is expanding vaccine eligibility half of April, and more than 3 million doses in the second half of April. made multiple calls threatening violence in response to the school’s decision. to more Californians. Starting April 1, individuals aged 50+ will be California currently receives about 1.8 million doses per week. These FTC sends more than $6.5M to consumers harmed by Fashion Nova eligible to make an appointment, and individuals 16+ will be eligible estimates may be adjusted as time goes on. The state has the capacity The Federal Trade Commission is sending payments totaling more than $6.5 to make an appointment to be vaccinated starting on April 15. to administer more than 3 million vaccines per week, and is building million to more than 500,000 consumers who were affected by online retailer Fashion “With vaccine supply increasing and by expanding eligibility the capacity to administer 4 million vaccines weekly by the end of Nova’s violations of the FTC’s Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule. to more Californians, the light at the end of the tunnel continues to April. According to the FTC, Fashion Nova promised consumers fast shipping of their get brighter,” said Governor Newsom. “We remain focused on equity “We are even closer to putting this pandemic behind us with orders but regularly failed to meet those promises, didn’t properly notify consumers as we extend vaccine eligibility to those 50 and over starting April 1, today’s announcement and with vaccine supplies expected to increase of shipping delays, and didn’t give them the chance to cancel their orders and receive and those 16 and older starting April 15. This is possible thanks to the dramatically in the months ahead,” said California Health and Human prompt refunds. The company also illegally used gift cards to compensate consumers leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration and the countless public Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “However, we are not there yet. It for unshipped merchandise instead of providing refunds. Recipients who have questions health officials across the state who have stepped up to get shots into will take time to vaccinate all eligible Californians. During this time, about the redress payments, or who did not receive a payment but believe they are eli- arms.” we must not let our guard down. It is important that we remain vigi- gible should contact the refund administrator, Rust Consulting, Inc.