HEADS UP: This App Makes 'Pera sa Basura' Easy as GCash (Aug. 30)

Here’s a Heads Up from reportr on news you need to know today, Aug. 30, National Heroes Day.

PIXEL WORLD

• Did you know that you can convert trash into cash as easily as scanning a GCash QR code? Thanks to this app by a 28-year-old Filipino software developer.

CULTURE EXPLAINED

• The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the livelihood of all professions, including workers in the creatives industry. How are they coping up?
• Filipinos shopped like never before during the pandemic, but when is it too much?

2022 ELECTIONS

• In yet another episode in the squabbles within PDP-Laban, the camp of Sen. Pacquiao has removed President Rodrigo Duterte as chair of the party.
• The Commission on Elections is considering extending voting hours during 2022 polls for up to 12 hours as it rejected holding the elections for more than one day.
• Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has called for a Senate probe to ensure the continuous supply of electricity during election week.
• The Comelec sees nothing wrong in awarding the contract to transport election materials to the firm of business tycoon Dennis Uy, who has known ties with President Duterte.

COVID NEWS

• The Philippines on Saturday recorded a new all-time high in single-day COVID-19 cases, at 19,441.
• An additional 516 cases of the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant were detected in the country.
• Metro Manila will remain under modified enhanced community quarantine until Sept. 7.
• As the ‘Ber’ months approach, regional and provincial-wide lockdowns may be replaced by street-level restrictions, according to the DILG.
• For some patients, the symptoms of COVID-19 could last for one year, a new Chinese study shows.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Thinking of changing jobs to help you breathe during the pandemic? Here are some tips from a human resource practitioner.
• Inbound and outbound travelers in the Philippines will be required to use OneHealthPass starting Sept. 1.
• Also on Sept. 1, you can visit Siargao again. Here are the requirements.
• You can soon register to vote for the 2022 elections in select SM Malls nationwide.

NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena set a new Philippine record as he competed among the world’s best in Meeting De Paris.
• Health Sec. Francisco Duque III said he would step down from his post once the deficiencies in the use of P67 billion COVID funds have been addressed.
• Should he be elected vice president in 2022, President Rodrigo Duterte said he himself will audit the Commission on Audit and other government agencies. But Vice President Leni Robredo said it’s not part of the position’s mandates.
• Due to the "extraordinary circumstances" posed by the pandemic, the 2020/21 Bar Exams will not announce the top 10 passers.
• Japan is investigating the death of two individuals after being administered a Moderna vaccine from a contaminated batch.