Scores of healthcare workers protested in the Philippine capital on Wednesday to demand an end to what they called government neglect and unpaid benefits, as pressure builds at hospitals fighting one of Asia's longest-running coronavirus epidemics.

Protesters wearing protective medical gear gathered at the Department of Health (DOH) and held placards demanding their risk allowances and hazard pay, and the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque.

The Philippines passed the 2 million mark in coronavirus cases on Wednesday, a fifth of those recorded in the past month alone. Medical staff are overwhelmed and 103 have died during the pandemic, among some 33,500 coronavirus fatalities overall.

"It is sad that many of us have died, many of us became sick, and many have resigned or opted to retire early, yet we are still kneeling before the DOH to give us our benefits," Robert Mendoza, president of the Alliance of Health Workers, said from the back of a pickup truck.

President Rodrigo Duterte gave health and budget ministries 10 days from August&nbsp;21 to pay health workers, following nurses' threats to resign and unions warning of strikes.

"The government promised it will give the benefits today but up to now, it has not. I pity us because we are the ones begging," said nurse Nico Oba.

Duterte has stood by health minister Duque during repeated calls for his resignation, the latest after state auditors flagged "deficiencies" in more than $1 billion in COVID-19 spending.

Duque on Wednesday told Reuters the government was working on the release of benefits but appealed for more time.

The Philippine Nurses Association held its own protest virtually to demand better working conditions and more staff at hospitals, nearly a third of which have reached "critical levels" of over 85 per cent&nbsp;occupancy, according to government data.

Like elsewhere in Southeast Asia where vaccination rates are low, the highly transmissible Delta variant has sees deaths climb and cases soar, with a daily record 22,366 cases in the Philippines on Monday.

Scores of healthcare workers protested in the Philippine capital on Wednesday to demand an end to what they called government neglect and unpaid benefits, as pressure builds at hospitals fighting one of Asia's longest-running coronavirus epidemics.

Scores of healthcare workers protested in the Philippine capital on Wednesday to demand an end to what they called government neglect and unpaid benefits, as pressure builds at hospitals fighting one of Asia's longest-running coronavirus epidemics. Protesters wearing protective medical gear gathered at the Department of Health (DOH) and held placards demanding their risk allowances and hazard pay, and the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque. The Philippines passed the 2 million mark in coronavirus cases on Wednesday, a fifth of those recorded in the past month alone. Medical staff are overwhelmed and 103 have died during the pandemic, among some 33,500 coronavirus fatalities overall. "It is sad that many of us have died, many of us became sick, and many have resigned or opted to retire early, yet we are still kneeling before the DOH to give us our benefits," Robert Mendoza, president of the Alliance of Health Workers, said from the back of a pickup truck. President Rodrigo Duterte gave health and budget ministries 10 days from August 21 to pay health workers, following nurses' threats to resign and unions warning of strikes. "The government promised it will give the benefits today but up to now, it has not. I pity us because we are the ones begging," said nurse Nico Oba. Duterte has stood by health minister Duque during repeated calls for his resignation, the latest after state auditors flagged "deficiencies" in more than $1 billion in COVID-19 spending. Duque on Wednesday told Reuters the government was working on the release of benefits but appealed for more time. The Philippine Nurses Association held its own protest virtually to demand better working conditions and more staff at hospitals, nearly a third of which have reached "critical levels" of over 85 per cent occupancy, according to government data. Like elsewhere in Southeast Asia where vaccination rates are low, the highly transmissible Delta variant has sees deaths climb and cases soar, with a daily record 22,366 cases in the Philippines on Monday.

Philippines health workers protest neglect as COVID-19 strains hospitals

The coronavirus pandemic has led to several creative measures introduced for a new-normal to avoid the deadly virus and in a first Philippines' lawmakers have passed a bill in the House of Representatives to legislate a Covid-safe form of greeting.&nbsp;

According to the bill, to greet in this fashion, there has to be "gracefully laying the palm of the right hand over the centre of one's chest while simultaneously lowering the head, with eyes either closed or cast down".

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/philippines-float-in-cinema-helps-manila-moviegoers-with-social-distancing-353570/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Representative Bayani Fernando, who introduced the bill, described this new gesture as "Bating Filipino".

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-bharat-biotech-seeks-emergency-use-approval-for-vaccine-in-philippines-358244">India's Bharat Biotech seeks emergency use approval for vaccine in Philippines</a>

The fate of the bill lies in the Senate and must be signed by the President Rodrigo Duterte before it becomes a law.&nbsp;

However, the act doesn't call for any punishment for people who don't adopt this method to greet others.&nbsp;

The pandemic has led to leaders across the globe finding new ways to encourage a safe greeting.

In these times, India's traditional "namaste" in which an individual joins his two hands to greet others also gained massive popularity and was seen as a safe alternative of a handshake.&nbsp;

Some people also bumped elbows and practised foot shakes to curb the transmission of the deadly virus.&nbsp;

Olivier Véran, France's Health Minister urged people in March last year to avoid kisses and hugs, and Italians were asked to remain "a bit less expansive" while greeting.&nbsp;

The coronavirus pandemic has led to several creative measures introduced for a new-normal to avoid the deadly virus and in a first Philippines' lawmakers have passed a bill in the House of Representatives to legislate a Covid-safe form of greeting.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to several creative measures introduced for a new-normal to avoid the deadly virus and in a first Philippines' lawmakers have passed a bill in the House of Representatives to legislate a Covid-safe form of greeting. According to the bill, to greet in this fashion, there has to be "gracefully laying the palm of the right hand over the centre of one's chest while simultaneously lowering the head, with eyes either closed or cast down". Watch | Representative Bayani Fernando, who introduced the bill, described this new gesture as "Bating Filipino". Also read | India's Bharat Biotech seeks emergency use approval for vaccine in Philippines The fate of the bill lies in the Senate and must be signed by the President Rodrigo Duterte before it becomes a law. However, the act doesn't call for any punishment for people who don't adopt this method to greet others. The pandemic has led to leaders across the globe finding new ways to encourage a safe greeting. In these times, India's traditional "namaste" in which an individual joins his two hands to greet others also gained massive popularity and was seen as a safe alternative of a handshake. Some people also bumped elbows and practised foot shakes to curb the transmission of the deadly virus. Olivier Véran, France's Health Minister urged people in March last year to avoid kisses and hugs, and Italians were asked to remain "a bit less expansive" while greeting.

A new way to greet: Philippines lawmakers approve bill for Covid-safe gesture

People from the Philippines were stranded at a stadium in their own country. They were brought to the&nbsp;stadium to be tested for novel coronavirus, but they were&nbsp;stuck there for weeks.

"What I really want is for us to be able to go home. It's really hard here. We are exposed to many people and there is a tendency that we can get sick if we stay here longer," Ricky Yakit, former restaurant worker, said.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-end-of-democracy-in-the-philippines-317369/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-president-rodrigo-duterte-tells-poor-to-clean-masks-with-petrol-317303">Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte tells poor to 'clean masks with petrol'</a>

Outside this sports complex in Manila, thousands of others were breaking social distancing norms, but for a cause, against a controversial anti-terrorism law.&nbsp;A law that could jail suspects without any charge for weeks.&nbsp;

"It's important that the people show their defiance. It is important to show that Filipinos should not accept any repression or restrictions by the government against our democracy and our rights," Leon Dulce, a protestor said.&nbsp;

Not very far away from the site of these protests, another emotional demonstration has been underway for days.

Employees of the Philippines' largest news network ABS-CBN are protesting as the organisation has been shut down by the government.&nbsp;

All the journalists of this network lost their jobs as it was highly critical of President Rodrigo Duterte.&nbsp;

"This attack on legitimate media, together with the recently passed Anti-Terror law is a throwback in the time of autocratic rule under Marcos (President Ferdinand Marcos). Citizens, you have been warned: your civil liberties have been eroded. Your democracy is shrinking fast," Fernando Sepe, Jr., ABS-CBN employee said.&nbsp;

Duterte's policies during the&nbsp;pandemic has been&nbsp;pushing his country towards authoritarianism.&nbsp;The Philippines president has increased his attacks on critics, deployed more police officials on the streets and reduced discussions on his policies in the Parliament.&nbsp;

Duterte recently ordered the police to raid houses and forcefully test people for coronavirus infections and is threatening to jail anyone who doesn't comply.&nbsp;

Human rights groups say the police officers will empower abusive officers, who are already waging a bloody war on drugs.&nbsp;Since 2016, 600 narcotic users and deals have been killed in Duterte's war on drugs.&nbsp;Now, the president plans on treating hidden coronavirus patients the way as drug dealers.&nbsp;

Also, Duterte is peddling bizarre methods for the poor to avoid contracting the virus.&nbsp;

"What I said is true. Alcohol, if alcohol is not available, especially for the poor, just go to the gasoline station and pour drops of gasoline in your hands. That is disinfectant," he said.

"If there's nothing else, this is what you do.

It becomes clear that Duterte is drunk with power and now making his countrymen dance to his tunes.&nbsp;

People from the Philippines were stranded at a stadium in their own country. They were brought to the stadium to be tested for novel coronavirus, but they were stuck there for weeks.

People from the Philippines were stranded at a stadium in their own country. They were brought to the stadium to be tested for novel coronavirus, but they were stuck there for weeks. "What I really want is for us to be able to go home. It's really hard here. We are exposed to many people and there is a tendency that we can get sick if we stay here longer," Ricky Yakit, former restaurant worker, said. Watch | Also read | Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte tells poor to 'clean masks with petrol' Outside this sports complex in Manila, thousands of others were breaking social distancing norms, but for a cause, against a controversial anti-terrorism law. A law that could jail suspects without any charge for weeks. "It's important that the people show their defiance. It is important to show that Filipinos should not accept any repression or restrictions by the government against our democracy and our rights," Leon Dulce, a protestor said. Not very far away from the site of these protests, another emotional demonstration has been underway for days. Employees of the Philippines' largest news network ABS-CBN are protesting as the organisation has been shut down by the government. All the journalists of this network lost their jobs as it was highly critical of President Rodrigo Duterte. "This attack on legitimate media, together with the recently passed Anti-Terror law is a throwback in the time of autocratic rule under Marcos (President Ferdinand Marcos). Citizens, you have been warned: your civil liberties have been eroded. Your democracy is shrinking fast," Fernando Sepe, Jr., ABS-CBN employee said. Duterte's policies during the pandemic has been pushing his country towards authoritarianism. The Philippines president has increased his attacks on critics, deployed more police officials on the streets and reduced discussions on his policies in the Parliament. Duterte recently ordered the police to raid houses and forcefully test people for coronavirus infections and is threatening to jail anyone who doesn't comply. Human rights groups say the police officers will empower abusive officers, who are already waging a bloody war on drugs. Since 2016, 600 narcotic users and deals have been killed in Duterte's war on drugs. Now, the president plans on treating hidden coronavirus patients the way as drug dealers. Also, Duterte is peddling bizarre methods for the poor to avoid contracting the virus. "What I said is true. Alcohol, if alcohol is not available, especially for the poor, just go to the gasoline station and pour drops of gasoline in your hands. That is disinfectant," he said. "If there's nothing else, this is what you do. It becomes clear that Duterte is drunk with power and now making his countrymen dance to his tunes.

President Rodrigo Duterte pushes bizarre authoritarian measures in Philippines amid pandemic

Philippines President Rodrigo&nbsp;Duterte&nbsp;on Thursday told the poor to use gasoline as "disinfectant", amid soaring number of new coronavirus infections in the country.

The mercurial leader reiterated his statement from last week on the use of gasoline for those without access to alcohol. Following his previous comment,&nbsp;Duterte's spokesman had claimed he was simply making a joke.

"What I said is true,"&nbsp;Duterte&nbsp;said in the televised recording released to the media on Friday.

"If alcohol is not available, especially for the poor, just go to the gasoline station and pour drops of gasoline in your hands. That is disinfectant." He also sprayed alcohol in his mouth and grimaced, during the address.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-philippines-president-duterte-is-playing-into-the-hands-of-xis-china-304890">How Philippines President Duterte is playing into the hands of Xi's China</a>

Duterte&nbsp;on Friday kept coronavirus restrictions in the capital and other provinces until mid-August to contain the spread of the virus, which has infected nearly 90,000 and killed almost 2,000 people in the Philippines.

In a wide-ranging State of the Nation address,&nbsp;Duterte&nbsp;also admitted the government's response to the coronavirus epidemic had been "far from perfect".

Duterte&nbsp;had been expected to use the annual speech to lawmakers to lay out a roadmap for recovery after the economy contracted with millions of jobs lost during more than four months of a nationwide lockdown.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday told the poor to use gasoline as "disinfectant", amid soaring number of new coronavirus infections in the country.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday told the poor to use gasoline as "disinfectant", amid soaring number of new coronavirus infections in the country. The mercurial leader reiterated his statement from last week on the use of gasoline for those without access to alcohol. Following his previous comment, Duterte's spokesman had claimed he was simply making a joke. "What I said is true," Duterte said in the televised recording released to the media on Friday. "If alcohol is not available, especially for the poor, just go to the gasoline station and pour drops of gasoline in your hands. That is disinfectant." He also sprayed alcohol in his mouth and grimaced, during the address. Also read: How Philippines President Duterte is playing into the hands of Xi's China Duterte on Friday kept coronavirus restrictions in the capital and other provinces until mid-August to contain the spread of the virus, which has infected nearly 90,000 and killed almost 2,000 people in the Philippines. In a wide-ranging State of the Nation address, Duterte also admitted the government's response to the coronavirus epidemic had been "far from perfect". Duterte had been expected to use the annual speech to lawmakers to lay out a roadmap for recovery after the economy contracted with millions of jobs lost during more than four months of a nationwide lockdown.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte tells poor to 'clean masks with petrol'

Officials in the Philippines said on Monday that children would not be allowed to go back to schools until a coronavirus vaccine is available.&nbsp;

Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte insisted on the same measure, saying that he would not let children return to schools unless he is "sure that they are really safe".&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-new-anti-terrorism-law-targets-dissent-303618">Philippines: New anti-terrorism law targets dissent</a>

On Monday education secretary Leonor Briones said, "We will comply with the president's directive to postpone face-to-face classes until a vaccine is available", in a press briefing, reported AFP.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-duterte-threatens-martial-law-like-virus-crackdown-293127">Philippines' Duterte threatens martial law-like virus crackdown</a>

He added that classes will be resumed at the end of August and teachers will use distance learning methods through internet or TV broadcasts.&nbsp;

In the Philippines, millions live in extreme poverty, and therefore attending online classes, which requires a computer or smartphone, will be very challenging.&nbsp;

"The teacher and the school will have to adjust... depending on the availability of communication," the health secretary said.&nbsp;

There has not been much criticism in the Philippines for delaying face-to-face classes, as the country is daily witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases, despite being under one of the world's strictest lockdowns.&nbsp;

Also, in the Philippines, children are generally not allowed to go outside their homes until it is absolutely necessary.&nbsp;

Scientists across the world are hastening to find the vaccine of this deadly virus, however, many experts say that from the end of this year to one or two years would be required for developing.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Officials in the Philippines said on Monday that children would not be allowed to go back to schools until a coronavirus vaccine is available. Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte insisted on the same measure, saying that he would not let children return to schools unless he is "sure that they are really safe".

Officials in the Philippines said on Monday that children would not be allowed to go back to schools until a coronavirus vaccine is available. Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte insisted on the same measure, saying that he would not let children return to schools unless he is "sure that they are really safe". Also read | Philippines: New anti-terrorism law targets dissent On Monday education secretary Leonor Briones said, "We will comply with the president's directive to postpone face-to-face classes until a vaccine is available", in a press briefing, reported AFP. Also read | Philippines' Duterte threatens martial law-like virus crackdown He added that classes will be resumed at the end of August and teachers will use distance learning methods through internet or TV broadcasts. In the Philippines, millions live in extreme poverty, and therefore attending online classes, which requires a computer or smartphone, will be very challenging. "The teacher and the school will have to adjust... depending on the availability of communication," the health secretary said. There has not been much criticism in the Philippines for delaying face-to-face classes, as the country is daily witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases, despite being under one of the world's strictest lockdowns. Also, in the Philippines, children are generally not allowed to go outside their homes until it is absolutely necessary. Scientists across the world are hastening to find the vaccine of this deadly virus, however, many experts say that from the end of this year to one or two years would be required for developing.

Children will not go to schools till vaccine is available: Philippines