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

Australian director Roderick MacKay braved COVID-19 restrictions to make a 'daunting'&nbsp;trip to the Venice film festival, where his debut feature 'The Furnace'&nbsp;premieres on Friday. 
 
MacKay had to get permission from Australian authorities to leave his own country, quarantine in Rome for two weeks before travelling to Venice, and will have to quarantine again when he goes back to Australia.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/hollywood/news-Venice-Film-Festival-2020-Tilda-Swinton-accepts-Golden-Lion-with-Wakanda-Forever-325007" hreflang="en">Venice Film Festival 2020: Tilda Swinton accepts Golden Lion with 'Wakanda Forever'</a> 
 
"Travelling during this time in history is sort of just a little bit daunting for any purpose," 33-year old MacKay, who filmed a video of his journey and self-isolation on his mobile for Reuters, said in an interview. 
 
"But to be doing so, to come to a top tier festival like Venice, to have your debut film premiere on the world stage, it`s certainly a whole other layer of dauntingness," he said, adding he was happy and honoured to be at the world`s oldest film festival.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/venice-film-festival-opens-with-tribute-to-coronavirus-victims-324982" hreflang="en">Venice Film Festival opens with tribute to coronavirus victims</a> 
 
"The Furnace", which is in the Horizon section outside the main competition, tells the little known story of cameleers brought to Australia by the British empire from India, Afghanistan and Persia in the second half of the 19th century and the local Aboriginal people they befriended.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/the-disciple-to-pieces-of-a-woman-films-chasing-top-prize-at-venice-film-festival-324323" hreflang="en">'The Disciple' to 'Pieces of a Woman': Films chasing top prize at Venice Film Festival</a> 
 
The Venice film festival is the first such international event to go ahead in front of live audiences since the coronavirus pandemic shut much of the movie world down. It runs until Sept 12.

Australian director Roderick MacKay braved COVID-19 restrictions to make a 'daunting' trip to the Venice film festival, where his debut feature 'The Furnace' premieres on Friday.

Australian director Roderick MacKay braved COVID-19 restrictions to make a 'daunting' trip to the Venice film festival, where his debut feature 'The Furnace' premieres on Friday. MacKay had to get permission from Australian authorities to leave his own country, quarantine in Rome for two weeks before travelling to Venice, and will have to quarantine again when he goes back to Australia. Also read: Venice Film Festival 2020: Tilda Swinton accepts Golden Lion with 'Wakanda Forever' "Travelling during this time in history is sort of just a little bit daunting for any purpose," 33-year old MacKay, who filmed a video of his journey and self-isolation on his mobile for Reuters, said in an interview. "But to be doing so, to come to a top tier festival like Venice, to have your debut film premiere on the world stage, it`s certainly a whole other layer of dauntingness," he said, adding he was happy and honoured to be at the world`s oldest film festival. Also read: Venice Film Festival opens with tribute to coronavirus victims "The Furnace", which is in the Horizon section outside the main competition, tells the little known story of cameleers brought to Australia by the British empire from India, Afghanistan and Persia in the second half of the 19th century and the local Aboriginal people they befriended. In pics: 'The Disciple' to 'Pieces of a Woman': Films chasing top prize at Venice Film Festival The Venice film festival is the first such international event to go ahead in front of live audiences since the coronavirus pandemic shut much of the movie world down. It runs until Sept 12.

Australian filmmaker Roderick MacKay braves double COVID quarantine for Venice festival

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Philippines health workers protest neglect as COVID-19 strains hospitals

Australian filmmaker Roderick MacKay braves double COVID quarantine for Venice festival