The Philippines just saw its biggest ever single-day jump in COVID-19 cases – 18,000 – right after the government confirmed community transmission of the Delta variant in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Metro Manila, long the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, is racing against this feared variant to bring some normalcy to the region, the country’s biggest economic hub.
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos is at the center of these efforts, liaising between the region’s local governments and the national government on everything from lockdowns to vaccine supply.
Rappler reporter Pia Ranada interviews him on Tuesday, August 24 about how the capital region is doing so far and what growing vaccination rates among the population mean for the megacity’s economy and road to normalcy.
Watch previous Rappler Talk Newsmaker interviews:
- Rappler Talk Newsmaker: Fr. Jett Villarin on what UN climate report means for PH
- Rappler Talk Newsmaker: Delfin Lorenzana
- Rappler Talk Newsmaker: Tarantadong Kalbo on where art meets dissent
- Rappler Talk Newsmaker: Koko Pimentel and PDP-Laban’s crisis
- Rappler Talk Newsmaker: Presidential political adviser Jing Paras
– Rappler.com
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