Diwa C. Guinigundo
In the last quarter of 2019, this column discussed in three parts the whys and wherefores of financial literacy. We were inspired by the earlier discussions during the first Asia Pacific Financial Education Institute organized by our friend Dave Fernandez, director of Singapore Management University’s Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics, where I serve as member of its Advisory Board.
The key takeaway from those discussions is that financial literacy is relevant in making economic growth more sustainable by addressing income inequality and poverty. Borrowing the analogy used by Annamaria Lusardi of Italy’s Financial Education Committee and George Washington University, financial literacy is the water in the ecosystem of the real economy and the financial system.
Government officials and employees who are traveling for work are now exempted from testing and quarantine requirements imposed by local governments, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced Friday.
The Philippines’ COVID-19 task force has authorized the “unimpeded travel” of government officials and employees on official business, Malacañang said Friday.
Government officials and personnel can travel freely across the country without undergoing the testing and quarantine protocols in the areas of destination to ensure uninterrupted delivery of service.
MANILA, Feb. 6 The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Thursday, February 4, 2021, allowed the entry to the Philippines of foreign nationals with visas issued as of March 20, 2020, and still valid and existing at the time of entry, and who were not permitted to enter the country under previous IATF resolutions. Also allowed to enter the Philippines are holders of valid and existing Special Resident and Retirees Visa (SRRV) and Section 9 (A) visas as long as they present an entry exemption document to the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival.
This shall take effect on February 16, 2021 and shall be subject to the following conditions, namely, foreign nationals with pre-booked accommodation for at least six (6) nights in an accredited quarantine hotel/facility; foreign nationals subject to COVID-19 testing at the quarantine hotel/facility on the 6th day from date of arrival; and foreign nationals subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry.